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Over the weekend, I tried to get in shape for another week of fine dining. Two restaurants on Las Olas started off the week. First night we enjoyed Mark’s Las Olas. Chef Mark Militello was in the house. We shared the starters which included the goat cheese potato tart, mussels and Caesar salad. You can tell that the freshest ingredients were used for all the dishes. The lovely amber vase filled with bread was excellent with the olive oil on the table. The main course choices of snapper in broth, chicken paillard and panko encrusted flounder with curry fried rice were slightly different from the ones posted online. The flounder was the tastiest dish. And the desserts, crème brulee with fresh berries and the icky sticky carrot cake with cream cheese ice cream were both winners. And while not participating this year in Dine Out, a new restaurant across from Mark’s, Tommy’s Las Olas, is generating some great buzz too. Stop in for lunch or a drink and say hello to Tommy from NYC. Tell him Francine sent you.
Wednesday, right after work we headed over to The Grill Room at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas. Stopped into the Golden Lyon first to unwind with a glass of wine. Then we moved on to the lovely dining room. A piano player warmed up the room. The very professional service features silver domes over all plates, and an informed friendly wait staff and sommelier added to the elegance. The traditional continental meal started with a delightful amuse bouche of tuna sushi over crunchy green papaya and cilantro. The appetizers of escargot in puffed pastry and the lobster bisque with large pieces of lobster were unbeatable. And the filet mignon with vegetables was delicious. Although I am usually not a dessert person, the gushy chocolate torte with vanilla ice cream was dreamy. The room filled up with a mature crowd by 7:30. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the great food at a great value.
Each Dine Out Lauderdale dining experience is different. Le Bistro in Lighthouse Point (just north of Sample Road on Federal Highway) was the next stop. You really feel the great care that has been taken to put their menu together. This intimate bistro serves up an unusual five course meal with a lychee granite intermezzo. The curry bean dip for the crostini was delish. And the homemade wheat bread was a nice touch. The waiter, Michael, is quite helpful. He knows each dish and the wines quite well. He brings the Pinot Noir as requested as well as his recommended special shiraz. After tasting both, we agree that the recommended Woop Woop Shiraz is the way to go. An amuse bouche with cheese started off the leisurely meal. For the first course we enjoyed a trio of fish--crab cake, tuna sashimi, cured Scottish salmon. The second course is a duo of soups---lobster bisque & minestrone served in espresso cups or the pumpkin ravioli which is divine. And that is the opinion of my very discerning Italian dining partner, Marie. The osso bucco, slow braised veal shank with Bistro homemade pasta reminded Marie of her favorite family meals. The melt in your mouth Dover Sole had slices of tender white calamari (I thought they were portabella mushrooms but Michael explains how these are sliced and cooked). I enjoyed the Swiss chocolate mousse but could not finish. And the crème brulee was perfectly made. Coffee and tea is also included in the Dine Out menu. For the grand finale, Michael brings out a taste of ruby Port and homemade chocolate truffles. The table behind us tells Michael that they saw the ad for Dine Out in a travel magazine. The lovely couple is from Massachusetts and they are celebrating her birthday. She whips out the ad from Frommer's Budget Traveler. And the good news is that Le Bistro is now offering Dine Out Lauderdale Tuesday through Sunday, including Saturday and including Boat Show week. Make reservations soon as the word is getting out.
My pants are bursting. Time for some more exercise.
Wednesday, right after work we headed over to The Grill Room at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas. Stopped into the Golden Lyon first to unwind with a glass of wine. Then we moved on to the lovely dining room. A piano player warmed up the room. The very professional service features silver domes over all plates, and an informed friendly wait staff and sommelier added to the elegance. The traditional continental meal started with a delightful amuse bouche of tuna sushi over crunchy green papaya and cilantro. The appetizers of escargot in puffed pastry and the lobster bisque with large pieces of lobster were unbeatable. And the filet mignon with vegetables was delicious. Although I am usually not a dessert person, the gushy chocolate torte with vanilla ice cream was dreamy. The room filled up with a mature crowd by 7:30. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the great food at a great value.
Each Dine Out Lauderdale dining experience is different. Le Bistro in Lighthouse Point (just north of Sample Road on Federal Highway) was the next stop. You really feel the great care that has been taken to put their menu together. This intimate bistro serves up an unusual five course meal with a lychee granite intermezzo. The curry bean dip for the crostini was delish. And the homemade wheat bread was a nice touch. The waiter, Michael, is quite helpful. He knows each dish and the wines quite well. He brings the Pinot Noir as requested as well as his recommended special shiraz. After tasting both, we agree that the recommended Woop Woop Shiraz is the way to go. An amuse bouche with cheese started off the leisurely meal. For the first course we enjoyed a trio of fish--crab cake, tuna sashimi, cured Scottish salmon. The second course is a duo of soups---lobster bisque & minestrone served in espresso cups or the pumpkin ravioli which is divine. And that is the opinion of my very discerning Italian dining partner, Marie. The osso bucco, slow braised veal shank with Bistro homemade pasta reminded Marie of her favorite family meals. The melt in your mouth Dover Sole had slices of tender white calamari (I thought they were portabella mushrooms but Michael explains how these are sliced and cooked). I enjoyed the Swiss chocolate mousse but could not finish. And the crème brulee was perfectly made. Coffee and tea is also included in the Dine Out menu. For the grand finale, Michael brings out a taste of ruby Port and homemade chocolate truffles. The table behind us tells Michael that they saw the ad for Dine Out in a travel magazine. The lovely couple is from Massachusetts and they are celebrating her birthday. She whips out the ad from Frommer's Budget Traveler. And the good news is that Le Bistro is now offering Dine Out Lauderdale Tuesday through Sunday, including Saturday and including Boat Show week. Make reservations soon as the word is getting out.
My pants are bursting. Time for some more exercise.
-Francine Mason
posted by GuestBlogger-GFL at 4:38 PM
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