lizziem

My family will be traveling to fort lauderdale in April. My children are highschoolers. Any suggestions on really memorable eating spots? We like eating outside as we are New englanders and rarely get to experience warmth and sun but any comments would be helpful. Thanks

LilMsFoodie

Hooters at the Beach Place. Look at the beach, fresh faced young waitresses in tight t shirts and shorts (seems almost wholesome these days), buffalo chicken wings are actually very good. Be a big shooter, order a bottle of Dom Perignon with the wings (they have a name for this travesty). Hooters is one of the biggest purveyors of Dom Perignon champagne in the US....It makes me laugh to think about this but the views are wonderful and the rest of the restaurants in this place are pretty miserable. It's fun and in keeping with the Ft Lauderdale, Where the Boys Are past. LMF

Patrick

Hooter's girls are almost wholesome these days? What have you been drinking LilMsFoodie? Well, actually, I guess I see your point, sorta.

Bimini Boatyard on 17th Street is fun, with a huge outdoor area.

Shooters is also fun.

bookhall

Check out chowhound.com. Lotta S Florida food info there...

LilMsFoodie

re: the wholesome hooters girls....compared to music videos, these girls are downright virginal! It will be an afternoon everyone remembers.

LilMsFoodie

Restaurant recs are actually better here thanks to our local people...Olive Oil,Tandoori Girl, Patrick, Heartburn and many others who don't come to mind at this minute. Chowhound Florida is sort of quiet and often makes dull and uninteresting recommendations. Not sure why because other areas are lively. LMF

Judyrem

Lilmsfoodie, Patrick and others, We are heading over to FLL tomorrow and are staying at the RiverHouse on Las Olas for 3 days. Have any suggestions for a restaurant on or near Las Olas?

linman

Both Mangoes and Cheesecake Factory on Las Olas are good.I also liked Cafe Europa and Cafe La Bonne Crepe,too, on Las Olas.

linman

Correction-
I think it was Cafe du Paris that I liked- I'm getting them confused.

Judyrem

Thanks Linman, Mangoes and Cafe du Paris,will be on my list. I love the Cheescake Factory and they are always a good backup IMO, Judy

LilMsFoodie

I really like the Samba Room and think Marks Las Olas is one of the best restaurants in town. Cheesecake Factories are in lots of cities and area safe choice because of their consistency. All of these places are right on Las Olas.

Heartburn3

LMF, I just saw this post. Sorry I can't recommend Hooters, but I'm proud to say I've never been to any Hooters and hope I'm never seen at one. I just don't like the name and the girls' outfits. I know MTV is much worse, but I don't watch that, either. I'm not a prude, just don't want to go to a place with girls in tight clothes... NOW, take me to a place with scantilly clad GUYS and that's another story. If I want to see hooters, I'll look at my own...LOL

Anyway, almost any place along the beach or Las Olas Blvd should be good.

LilMsFoodie

Heartburn: Have you actually seen the girls outfits? Just a tank top and shorts. It's nothing...just the name that offends and that is just in keeping with the All American obsession with breasts. The girls are buff so it is not gross. The sights on any beach in Florida are much more offensive.

I never thought I'd set foot in Hooters either until we were sentenced to a week in the Beach Place and went there one night when we didn't want to leave the environs. We had an amusing dinner and the view of the ocean was spectacular. LMF

Heartburn3

It's not that I'm a prude, I just don't like ANY restaurant with girls showing off their "buff" bodies. I guess I'm just jealous...LOL!! Actually, every guy I talk to says the wings are great there. My hips don't want to find out first-hand, though.

lindafromNJ

I highly recommend Marks on Las Olas. Also the Cafe De Paris is nice and has a nice outside dining area. The Samba Room is also quite good.

Janny

Another vote for Cheesecake factory. Excellent food and delicious cheesecake. Check out Las Olas Blvd. You'll find quite a few restaurants where you can dine outdoors.

Have fun!!