Next year is Mom's 90th birthday and we want to take her lunch to one of the better restaurants in Ft. Lauderdale or any place between Pembroke Pines and Ft. Lauderdale.

We have been to Ft. Lauderdale many times but have never eaten at an upscale place. What are your recommendations?

Thank you

I don't know if this is in the neighborhood or not but do know it is close to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. The Sea Watch, 6002 N. Ocean, Ft. Lauderdale came highly recommended (by friend's aunt who lives in FL) and it is right on the beach.

We sat out on the enclosed patio, had a lovely view of the beach, lots of well-dressed people, delicious sounding menu. My friend had scallops broiled in white wine sauce; I had the sea food special (mahi-mahi, scallops, shrimp in an herbed butter/white wine sauce). Both came w/coleslaw, steamed carrots, green beans, new potatoes, and a basked of thick-cut, crusty bread . . . white and black. The white was good but the black was GREAT! It was pumpernickel and we were surprised it was so good, as neither of us like pumpernickel (or so we thought)! Their key lime pie was excellent also. I had a beer and the bill was only $48 . . . we thought this was pretty cheap for the amount and quality of the food (this was at lunch).

We loved this place and would return.
Sandy (in Denton)

I live in Ft. Lauderdale and eat out frequently. For lunch, I would recommend the following restaurants (in this order):

By Word of MOuth
Cafe Vico
Johnny V
Sage

By Word of Mouth is small, so make reservations well in advance. It is definitely a destination restaurant. We have eaten many birthday and anniversary dinners there and have never been disappointed.

Enjoy!

Tropical Acres was voted the best steak house in Ft Lauderdale.

There was a fire there several months ago and it's currently closed. They claim they are definitely reopening. Expected date is January 2012. Too bad they won't be open for the Christmas holidays. It would help them out.

We've been there a few times. It definitely has an old feel to it and they say it is being redone in a similar fashion.

The downside is that the area isn't very interesting. No outdoor people watching.

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The patio at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas might be interesting for people watching.

You didn't mention which month. If it's June - October you can make a reservation away from the sidewalk to avoid a drenching in an afternoon thunderstorm. The patio has room for two rows of tables.

Thank you for your recommendations. It will be in October.

You're right on the border line between rainy and dry seasons.

June and September are typically the rainiest here.

We have enjoyed Sage in Hollywood, an easy drive from Pembroke Pines.

http://www.sageoysterbar.com/Sage_Oy...e_To_Sage.html

Sublime is a wonderful vegetarian place in Ft. Lauderdale.

http://www.sublimerestaurant.com/

Casa Maya Grill is a little further north in Deerfield Beach, but a wonderful choice of authentic Mexican with a super friendly owner on premesis.

http://www.casamayagrill.com/

For a Cuban Meal right in the Pines, Romeu's is nothing fancy, but makes good stuff, especially the mojitos.

Also agree with Johnny Vs on Las Olas.

Thanks again.

Adu: what was I thinking? I forgot our go-to special event place, 3030 Ocean in the Marriott Harbour Beach resort. Should be wonderful views of the ocean at lunchtime, and the food is special.

http://www.3030ocean.com/

How wonderful for you to be planning this very special event for your Mom. Congratulations!

Thanks Mcheryl. I will look into it.

Mom and her friends are not adventurous eaters and are often content with chain restaurants but my sister is paying half so I can be a sport.

It just dawned on me that 3030 is not open for lunch. Check out Blue Moon Fish Company. We were there this week; ate out on the deck by the Intercoastal, watching the "1%" sail by in their yachts. The food is quite good.

http://www.bluemoonfishco.com/

Blue Moon maybe something she would like.

We have gone to another place on the intercostal a few times but called Billy's but that was just so-so.

The Las Olas experience is fun. There are restaurants, bars, shopping, art galleries. There is a website www.lasolasboulevard.com. I like the fact that you can go for a stroll after you eat. It helps to digest and it is fun and pretty. An up and coming area is off of the 17th Street Causeway (this leads to the port). Lots of new restuarants and shops. Also check out the website for suntrolley.com. A trolley that goes all around FLL.

The Sea Watch rec. is good but for lunch not dinner. The beach at night is a black hole. Casa Blanca on Fort Lauderdale beach is a favorite. It's an old home with a moroccan vibe. Food is good. Live piano/jazz some evenings.

It might be stone crab season so for claws try TruLucks. It's kind of pricey. The locals go to Old Florida Seafood.

During the day mom might like a watertaxi ride. I'm sure there's a website for more info. It goes past mansions and yachts and is quite nice.