My company is hosting a conference in Fort Lauderdale in February 2005 and I'm looking for a restaurant for a Monday night that can hold all of us (probably 50-60.) We're staying at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 and would like to take the water taxi to the Los Olas area. I know of Shula's...but what else? I'd love to find a place that has a "Florida feel," will let us close the restaurant to outside patrons (or at least has a separate room for us) and has a menu for all. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

PaigeRobertson,

Hopefully someone with better knowledge of the area will chime in here. In the meantime, however, I can only tell you about our experience in a place called Pusser's. Pusser's (the navy rum people) is a small chain offering steak and seafood with a "carribean" flair. Located accross from the beach by the DoubleTree hotel, Pusser's offers everything from steak and lobster to conch fritters--and features a fair amount of seafood choices.

Although I was there only once (with a group about the size you mentioned) they did a nice job of accommodating us. Was the food and service excellent? No, but they were good and everyone seemed to enjoy what they had. They even gave us our own part of the dining room so that we could mingle and sit at different tables to talk and eat.

Here is a link to their website:
http://www.pussers.com/outposts/ftlauderdale

If the weather's good, check into their patio. It's quite nice and could possibly accommodate 50 - 60 people.

Hope you get more responses,

AL

Dear Paige:

I'm trying to think of something near Las Olas, since you mentioned the water taxi....there's a place on the New River, near Las Olas called "The River House." It sits right on the River and is a lovely setting in an historic house. It's in the River Walk area near other restaurants, bars and the Performing Arts Center. They have a lot of weddings there, inside as well as outside.

Another thought is "Charlie's Crab", which sits on the intracoastal in Ft. Lauderdale near A1A and Oakland Park Blvd. You can sit inside and look out the large windows at the intracoastal or sit outside, right on the intracoastal. In December you can reserve a table, have dinner and watch the boat parade go by....all the boats are decorated for Christmas.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the tips. I was just looking at a map of the watertaxi -- I thought it only went to Los Olas but it looks like it goes all over. So, maybe I would change my criteria a little...maybe we don't have to be right on A1A but I still want something Florida-y with a good view and a large menu. What about any places over by the Riverfront?

Dear Paige:

Las Olas is not on AIA....The River House Restaurant, that I mentioned, is on the Riverfront. Check it out, I think you would enjoy the location as well as the menu. They most likely would be able to accomodate your group.

We dined at Charlies Crab and we thought it was very good. Great service, a nice p.m. One of my fondest memories of FLL.

Charlies Crab and the River House are two great choices. The River House would be my first choice of the two mostly because of location. See their web sites at
http://www.ftlauderdaleriverhouse.com/
http://www.muer.com
The Muer site is for Charlies Crab, just choose the Fort Lauderdale location. I couldn't get the link for their menu to work, but the food is definitely first class. Fort Lauderdale is one of our favorite FL. destinations because of all the great places to dine.

Why not try contacting the concierge at your hotel? This is typicaly one of the things they are best at - and will know which places do a good job on private dinners. Or, failing that, talk to the CofC - they should have a comprehensive list.

My vote is for the Ft. Lauderdale River House. You will be delighted with the food, service, and the tropical setting. It is an upscale place. We had a family reunion there a few months ago and everything was handled wonderfully. We had about 40 people. It is very close to the Riverwalk area.

Riverhouse and Charley's Crab are both good choices. I had my rehearsal dinner at Riverhouse and it was about 45 or 50 people. We had an upstairs section and everyone had a window seat. The out of town guests enjoyed the place and the view. The food is great. It's an old house with my rooms. There will be other guests around. Riverhouse is much closer to your hotel. Riverhouse is not on Las Olas but it's close.