Sept 22: A Real Lulu

That phrase always makes me smile. "A real lulu." On the Fort Lauderdale beach, there is one of these. Lulu's Bait Shack is a funky, downhome restaurant and bar inside Beach Place, just a couple short blocks north of Las Olas. And, yeah, it is a real lulu if you want a spot with good food, low prices, nice people and a fabulous view. Quite a combination, eh? I had enjoyed drinks or lunch at Lulu's several times in the past. But during oceanside staycations last year and this year too, Gwendolyn and I really got into the place. Whether for Happy Hour margaritas with salsa and chips or for a relaxed, inexpensive dinner, we both felt Lulu's Bait Shack was just about perfect when we didn't feel like dressing up. Lulu's is definitely a come-as-you-are hangout.

Our staycation last week included two Lulu's dinners. I'll tell you about the food in a minute. But let me start with the atmosphere. And that view. Lulu's is a large open-air restaurant on the second floor of Beach Place and it's decked out like a Cajun shack. Situated in the front of the shopping complex, it offers a great vantage point to watch the beach action and the Atlantic Ocean.

We also really like the fun, comfortable feeling at Lulu's. The wait staff tends to be personable and helpful, the crowd tends to be ready to kick back and party. It attracts both locals and tourists, by the way, a mix that also adds to that good-time atmosphere. And the food is surprising. Meaning, surprisingly high quality. The first night, for instance, we split a bowl of their New England clam chowder just to sample it. Gwendolyn and I agreed that it was excellent. I only had a burger that evening, a generous and nicely cooked chunk of beef, and she got some salad as I recall. But for our second dinner, we each went Cajun. I ordered the jambalaya, she decided on the crawfish etoufee, then we shared. Mmmm, the etoufee had some real kick to it and reminded me of the taste found in high-end New Orleans restaurants. My jambalaya also was very good, full of chicken and sausage, though I did add Tabasco to fire it up some more. Each dish cost just $9.95. Hey, how can you beat that? Delicious food in laidback surroundings with a terrific sea view. I'm not entirely sure what a lulu is, but a restaurant with all that going for it seems like a real one to me.