Have booked the Radisson Bahia Mar for middle of August. Only got one response on opinion of hotel...any other comments? It appears the location is great, but can anyone provide a "quick list" of favorite restaurants in the area? Did a web search and came up with lots of names, but not sure what are considered favorites. Thanks.

Monica,

You will love the Radisson Bahia Mar! We stayed a week and had a great time. We are "casual" diners, so I can't tell you about any fancy places. But, we had a ball at Sloppy Joes. It has a wonderful upstairs deck which overlooks the incredible ocean. Just your standard fare of burgers, salads, etc. But lots of fun and sitting right on top of the ocean is not to be missed. You MUST try the Key Lime Pie.....my, oh my. That is the first place that comes to mind. Obviously, we ate at many places that I can't remember the name of! I will check the Ft. Lauderdale web site and refresh my memory of what the names were. Leah

Thanks for the quick response, Leah. I actually prefer the more casual places, so any other names that come to mind, let me know! I'm just taking a quick 5 day (4 nite) vacation on my own to recharge, so this hotel sounds great!

Bahia Mar may be best hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. It's close to beach and has nice facilities. Ft. Lauderdale has great restaurants though you'll need to drive to many of them. Try Seawatch on A1A between Ft. Lauderdale and Pompano Beach. It's nautical and overlooks dunes on the ocean. Has great margaritas. One of my favorites is Cafe Sevilla on Oakland Park Blvd. It's Spanish as you might imagine and has a good Spanish wine list and swell Spanish food. It's also very quaintly decorated and romantic. Rainbow Palace also on Oakland Park Blvd. almost across the street from Cafe Sevilla is a very upscale Chinese place with a 4 diamond AAA rating. It's pricey but surely one of the prettiest Chinese restaurants around. Mark's Las Olas is a foodie paradise with terrific interior design. I wanted Timpano on the far end of Las Olas toward downtown Ft. Lauderdale to be good but it's better for a drink than for a meal. The atmosphere is very dark-wood clubby and cool with ceiling fans and palms. Pusser's on the A1A strip within walking distance of Bahia Mar has not bad food for a place right on the strip and Bahia Cabana also near your hotel is fine for bar food on the waterfront. If you like Greek, Greek Islands Taverna on A1A toward Pompano is good but can often be packed. Enjoy. FLL is a wonderful place. Oh, almost forgot. Stop into Al Formo on Las Olas for breakfast or to take back some great breads or tarts for snacks. That bakery is fabulous. Just the smell!!!

Monica,

Here are some recommendations!

Cafe Maxx - Pompano Beach

Le Bonnie Crepe - Breakfast

Marks at Las Olas

Casa de Angelo - Federal Highway

Jaskson Steakhouse

California Cafe

Burt & Jacks - Burt Reynolds dosn't own it anymore, but a great place !

Shirttail Charlies

Aruba - Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Old Florida Seafood House - Shopping Center

Louies Louies

Rustic Inn Crabhouse

Another vote for Louis-Louis on Las Olas!

Thanks for all your restaurant suggestions. Any others come to mind, let me know, as well as additional Radisson hotel opinions--still two weeks away!

Another vote for La Bonne Crepe. Their seafood crepes are fantastic, and very reasonably priced.