Moving to Sailboat Bend next week! (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood: hotel, new home, school district)

[TeamStarks]

I know I know...against all the warnings we decided we wanted to live in urban Ft. Lauderdale. We feel we made an educated decision and took the opprotunity to live in a historic area in an urban setting before the kids are old enough to need a good school district.

That being said I am looking for suggestions on hang-outs, eateries, stuff to do (family and non family). I love trying new places but at the same time hate to waste a meal on bad food.

SOOO...to the experts I come.

Any suggestions on places in the area I should check out?

[Nolefan34]

Well the obvious area to check first is Las Olas. I don't think there is a bad restaurant there. There is also tons of nightlife. Just take a walk. Don't drive. If you're new home is too far to walk, take a cab ride which is cheap.

Then check out other areas like Fort Lauderdale Beach and downtown Hollywood. For deserts, try a place called Chocolotta in downtown Hollywood. Just don't take a cab ride to Hollywood because it is really expensive.

[TeamStarks]

Thanks for the suggestion! We are close enough to walk to Las Olas and plan on doing so often!

[Nolefan34]

That is very awesome. I think you'll appreciate being so close to Las Olas. Not that you want to go every day or anything. But it is convenient being able to enjoy a night out on the town without having to drive a car or pay for a taxi.

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by Nolefan34

Well the obvious area to check first is Las Olas. I don't think there is a bad restaurant there. There is also tons of nightlife. Just take a walk. Don't drive. If you're new home is too far to walk, take a cab ride which is cheap.

Then check out other areas like Fort Lauderdale Beach and downtown Hollywood. For deserts, try a place called Chocolotta in downtown Hollywood. Just don't take a cab ride to Hollywood because it is really expensive.

I have to disagree with the statement that there is not a bad restaurant on Las Olas.

Japanese Village is just ok. Not great, not bad, just ok.

YOLO-overpriced. Food is good, service is spotty but it's to expensive.

LOVE Johnnie Vs. A little pricey but worth it. I also like Big City Tavern, the crepe place, the French place, The Floridian (for breakfast).

The restaurants at the Riverside Hotel are all bad.

The Cheesecake Factory is ok. It's the same as any other Cheesecake Factory in the US.

Chima is a great place for a special meal.

My husband likes Sushi Rock although I have never been there.

There is a nice Cajun place in the Himmarshee area. I forget the name but it's good. The Himmarshee Grill is also good (same area).

Tarpon Bend is in the same area and it's just ok but the coffee place just down the street from Tarpon Bend is very nice. They have a nice beer list and a nice selection of coffee.

For cheaper eating we also like The Salad Bowl on Broward Boulevard and The Downtower off of Andrews Ave. They have live music there at night.

[StEt0417]

Racos tacos is good on las olas

[Nolefan34]

I second Rocco's Taco's. That place is very good. As for the rest of them, I have to agree with Momma Bear. There are lots of ok/decent places but many are pricey.

My big problem with Fort Lauderdale restaurants is that there is a lack of inexpensive, unique and convenient eateries that you find in many other cities. But there is an abundance of expensive dine-in restaurants and an abundance of chain restaurants such as Outback, Fridays, Chili's, etc. It is either an expensive dinner or a cheap fast food joint. Not much in between.

There are no really good traditional Chinese restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. But there are plenty of Asian Beastros. Fort Lauderdale lacks chicken/rice bowl restaurants other than Chicken Kitchen which is awful.

[OldSarge]

Don't forget the Floridian @ Las Olas & 15th Ave. Not as cool (read weird) these days, but open 24/7 and always interesting. My favorite b'fast: eggs Benedict with seafood instead of meat.