Hello,
My husband and I are vacationing in Ft Lauderdale next Feb 2005 for a week. Any dining suggestions would be appreciated! We are staying at the Pillars Hotel and do not plan on renting a car. We'd like to walk or talk the water bus. Thank you!

Since we always have a car I'm not an expert on the Water Taxi, but there are several nice places that I know it stops. Charlies Crab is an upscale restaurant right on the intracoastal. Next door to them is Shooters Cafe which is much less formal and a great fun place. One of the best things may be to take the Water Taxi to Las Olas Blvd. and simply walk around. This area has an almost unlimited number of clubs and restaurants to pick from, plus art galleries,shops, etc.. See
http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/

Thank you HarryR!

We just came back from Ft. Lauderdale and spent one night riding the water taxi to different areas. Like Harry said, there are many choices if you get off at Las Olas Blvd.We have tried The French Quarter, La Bonne Crepe, Jacksons Steakhouse.Mancinis Italian was recommended to us but we didn't have a chance to try it. Further down the river on the water taxi you can get off at Shirttail Charlies,which is casual and has outside dining. In past years, we have taken the water taxi the other way,and have gotten off at Shooters for dinner,where you can also eat outside. If you get off at the Doubletree Suites/Galleria stop there is a new restaurant, The Capitol Grill, that has just opened. We haven't tried this one, but the one in Boston is very good (and expensive.)

We also got back from Ft Laurderale right after the Air and Sea show (tragic accident during practice but we wont get into that) and stayed at the awsome Marriot Harbor Beach. We took the water taxi ($5 pp round trip) around 7 pm and watched a nice sunset along with multi-million dollar homes. Around Las Olas riverwalk, there are some cheesy restaurants that can be fun if youre just looking for a drink and some atmosphere. We also tried Max's at Beach Place, next to Hooters (hey we're all in our early 20s).

Have Fun!

We have stayed at the Pillars before and really liked it. You can walk to the beach. We like Marks on Las Olas. It is very good. A little pricey but worth it.

On Las Olas: I love the Samba Room for great drinks, tapas and Cuban specialties, Marks on Las Olas and breakfast at La Bonne Crepe.

Water Taxi to Fire Station which is Stop 8 and walk over the the Harbour Beach Marriott for dinner at 3030 Ocean which is one of the best restaurants I've been to in florida (I've had dinner there about 4 times now and it has been consistent).

http://www.3030ocean.com/intro.html

LMF

On the water bus,stop # 8(fire station/bahia cabana has been discontinued(I'm not sure if this is temporary Or not.) The closest stop to the Marriott Harbor Beach is now at Bahia Mar, which is about a 10 minute walk-not bad at all.

We had just a terrible experience at Shirttail Charlie's in October. The outside dining, that is. Not only was the service bad, they were definitely trying to get us out of there before closing time. The food was greasy and bland. Worst tuna filet I've ever had- tough, overcooked. Friend had fish and chips- they tasted like they had been sitting out for hours! We were all very disappointed.