Dining near Ft. Lauderdale Grande

[tropicgirl3]

We will be staying at the Ft. Lauderdale Grande prior to our cruise in October. Are there any fun dining spots near the hotel? Would we be better off heading to Las Olas for dining? We would like to find a restaurant with good atmosphere to start off the trip! :)

[royalcruz]

The China Grill Restaurant in your hotel is great for people watching but it is very expensive. It is not stuffy at all but is flashy and pretentious. The food is very good, though IMO is not worth the cost.

 

Las Olas is always fun, and you can find everything from moderate to expensive. Mango's has live music. If the weather is nice, it's so nice to walk around, which is what makes it fun to me.

[Scooter-n-GB]

Is R.J. Gator's, over in the Total Wine area, still open?

[jillyfish]

Is R.J. Gator's, over in the Total Wine area, still open?

It does not show that location, Fort Lauderdale, on their website.

http://www.rjgators.com/locations/index.htm

[royalcruz]

Is R.J. Gator's, over in the Total Wine area, still open?

 

Yes, it is now called "Grumpy Gator's", same owners. I haven't tried it.

[Scooter-n-GB]

Thank you! I too noticed that it was not on the RJ Gator's location list, and was a little worried. :)

[rjdunn]

For those that will be in the Fort Lauderdale area from October until the middle of November. I would recommend that you look at Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitor Bereau's website (sunny.org). They are starting up the Dine Out Lauderdale event, which allows you to go to several of the upscale restaurants for price fixed meal ($35.00). It is usually a 3 course meal, whith a few selections from each category (not anything off the menu).

 

If you are going to Miami, they have something similar called Miami Spice. I am not sure when the ending date is for them. It has been going on for a while.

 

These are just some great ways to try some of the local restaurants. The price fix menu is online, so you can start drooling now. (I know that I am :D :D )

[TJM001]

We ate at Grumpy Gator's a couple of times when we were in Fort Lauderdale last February, once just the three of us and once as part of a larger party. It was fine and we would go back again any time.