Thursday, January 6, 2011

South Florida: Attractions And Good Eats

We've had a great time here in South Florida this week and we'd like to tell you about some of our favorite places along the way --all the way from legendary Palm Beach clear on down to Key Largo.

In MIAMI BEACH we relaxed at the extraordinary FONTAINBLEAU HOTEL AND RESORT directly on the ocean. This famous resort has retained all of its noteworthy charm and sophistication but it's also completely new and updated in every way. It is truly dazzling. in fact, "spectacular" wouldn't begin to describe The FONTAINBLEAU.
While there, we ate surfside at LA COTE. Under lush palms and a perfectly blue sky (with the turquoise sea just to our left) we enjoyed crisp salads and drinks. Everything at LA COTE is perfectly prepared and our server, Ivan, was polite, caring and wonderfully attentive. We highly recommend it. Live the Fountainbleau itself, LA COTE is unforgettable.

For an entirely different experience in WESTON (near Lauderdale) we recommend both WESTON DINER and LUCILLE'S AMERICAN CAFE. The Weston Diner is a particularly good spot for breakfast, with many breakfast specials and combinations. But don't expect a traditional free-standing diner. This diner is (like many South Florida suburban eateries)in a shopping center. But inside, it's all-diner, all the time.
LUCILLE'S is more a theme restaurant built around the idea of informal dining and down home cooking. It's a fun spot that attracts families and people who are looking for informal dining and classic American dishes. From burgers to club sandwiches to chicken pot pie to meat loaf and great blue plate specials, LUCILLE'S is the place.
At both the Weston Diner and LUCILLE'S the service is quick and helpful and the prices are easy on the wallet. Great value in a friendly atmosphere.

In fashionable Palm Beach we simply had to visit THE BREAKERS where we dined at the resort's famous SEAFOOD BAR. At this chich watering hole you will enjoy a spectacular view of The Breakers' breathtaking Ocean Walk and the sea beyond. We lunched on the seafood club and a signature cob salad. The entire experience was perfection -- incredibly memorable. And, if you go to the Seafood Bar be sure to check out the bar's surface. No, you haven't necessarily has too much to drink. those really are live fish carpeting just below the bar surface.

Of course, South Florida isn't all tres chic, and that's what makes it so much fun. You can switch gears in a wink. And we did exactly that as we journeyed to gritty and authentic KEY LARGO and visited SUNDOWNERS directly on the water where you can enjoy the very freshest catch. Once again we dined al fresco on a raised deck overlooking pleasure craft and fishermen. Our mahi mahi was nothing less than dreamy.

We hope these recommendations prove to be helpful!

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