Questions regarding Fort Lauderdale FLL

[KCat]

Hi. We'll be in FLL from Dec. 17 - 19 (pre-cruise). When I booked our hotel (The Pillars Hotel), I was told that this is the weekend of the water boat parade :confused: Does anyone know what this is? Is it worth seeing? Most importantly, is it difficult to get into restaurants on that weekend? Should I go ahead and make reservations for dinner?

Which restaurants to go to? :rolleyes: ...I've read some good things about the Blue Moon Fish Company, I think I definitely want to go there. Any other resaurants? What about SeaWatch, Mark's on Las Olas, Sunfish Grill, or Cap's Place? Has anyone been to these restaurants, what did you think of them? Or would you recommend someplace else? <My husband & I like to get dressed up for dinner when we're on vacation, so we prefer some place a little bit fancy & nice.>

One last question...Is there a good restaurant that we could walk to from The Pillars Hotel that would be good for lunch.

My husband leaves everything up to me on vacation, so I like to have everything planned out before we leave :eek: it's a sickness! Thanks for the help!

[KCat]

Hi me again...we had our honeymoon is FLL and I think one of the restaurants we ate at was called Yesterdays :confused: But I can't be sure...does that ring a bell with anyone? Is it still open? :rolleyes:

Thanks again.

[estj]

Don't miss the water boat parade. You'll love it. The Hyatt Pier 66 has a great restaurant...a little pricey...but excellent. Best breakfast in FLL in my opinion is at the Marriott Marina. And you can't go wrong with most of the restaurants on Los Olas Blvd. You will love the oosterdam...just came back from the Eastern cruise. What ports-of-call excursions are you taking? (have done this cruise twice this year...and have enjoyed everything). You have found a great board...just ask away...folks will be happy to help you.

[KCat]

Thanks Estj for the reply :)

We have the green cabana booked for HMC.

A full day sail with Patouche Charters on Tortola, since we're in port from 8am-10pm, so far :rolleyes: And I can't forget, I definitely want to try and go to Pussers! :p I've read too many good things about their drinks not to go!!! I called HAL about a week ago and so far there are no changes with our itinerary, hopefully it stays that way.

For St. Maarten, we really don't have anything planned yet. I think we just might go to Orient Bay Beach. If someone has a good idea as to what to do, I'd love to hear it!

:DThanks!:D

[Krazy Kruizers]

Many boats will be all decorated for Christmas and the sight is beautiful at night as they go up and down the intercoastal waterway.

FT Lauderdale - Charlies Crab on the waterway.

Orient Beach - love that place.

[Lisaanne]

Hi Kcat. I've seen you on the Oosterdam roll call. We are sailing with you in Tortola on Patouche. There are eight of us going that day. How many of you are going with Patouche?
We are also in Ft. Lauderdale pre-cruise. I hear the boat parade is a must-see. We aren't planning on it because some of our group isn't arriving until late Saturday afternoon, and it can get petty busy during the parade and festival. It does start at Port Everglades, I think. Our family-nine of us-are planning on eating at Los Olas Blvd Saturday night. Maybe at Mango's. It looks like a fun place.
We are doing a friends and family tour in St. Martin. Seven hours of what we want to do and see.
See you there. Seaview Bar after the Muster!
Lisaanne

[KCat]

Hi! :)

That's great that you're doing Patouch as well! When I made arrangements with them they said there was a group of 8 that just signed up. I figured that it had to be someone from our ship, because www.cruisecal.com (http://www.cruisecal.com) thankfully says we're the only ship there that day. It will just be my husband & myself (31 & 28). I feel bad intruding on your family outing :o I know it's going to be a GREAT DAY!

Have you already made reservations for dinner for the night of the parade (I assume it's on Saturday?) or are you going to wait & just go?

[sail7seas]

We've had about 5 dinners at Hyatt Pier 66's new Grille 66 restaurant. They just did a hugely expensive remodeling and we think the food and service to be very good.


We've also dined at Mark's. I was not wild about the decor of the restaurant but the food was excellent. They have a very creative Chef who turned out some great meals.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Don't wait till you get to Ft Lauderdale to make reservations - especially on the night of the big boat parade - you don't want to be disappointed by many resturants already being "filled up".

[sail7seas]

KK is right.


If you wait, you could be very disappointed. The parade draws alot of folks who are going to want dinner.

[bkreader]

[QUOTE=KCat]
Which restaurants to go to? :rolleyes: ...I've read some good things about the Blue Moon Fish Company, I think I definitely want to go there. Any other resaurants? What about SeaWatch, Mark's on Las Olas, Sunfish Grill, or Cap's Place? Has anyone been to these restaurants, what did you think of them? Or would you recommend someplace else? <My husband & I like to get dressed up for dinner when we're on vacation, so we prefer some place a little bit fancy & nice.>

QUOTE]

I highly recommend 15th Street Fisheries as someplace special and fancy, especially if you make reservations to dine upstairs. We did this a couple of years ago and I can still remember that meal. You can check out their website with menus at http://www.15streetfisheries.com
We were very impressed - the food is unique and beautifully prepared. The bread basket probably the best I've ever experienced. - Jane

[Lisaanne]

We will be going to Mango's on Los Olas on Saturday Night before the cruise. There will be 9 or 11 of us. If you are near, stop by and say "Hi". It looks like a fun, casual place and the menu looks like there is something for all of us. I did email them about reservations, but haven't heard back yet. I will probably call tomorrow. Check it out at Mangosonlosolas.com
Are you packing yet? I took the Fall decor done tonight (I know, it's not Thanksgiving yet) but I wanted to enjoy some Christmas decorations and WE LEAVE IN 26 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!
Lisaanne

[KCat]

Thanks everyone for the great replies. It has been 10 years since we've been to FLL, so we definitely needed some help.

KK & S7S: Thanks for letting me know to make a reservation now rather than waiting till we get there. My food is way too important to miss out on:eek:

BKReader: 15th St Fisheries sounds like a great restaurant for us. I'm definitely going to call them. If we could see the boat parade from their restaurant that would be perfect. I'll have to ask them if you can?

Lisaanne: We'll try and meet up at the Seaview Bar...but we have to meet up with DH's cousin & wife at some point. ... I'm :rolleyes: trying:rolleyes: to begin packing. Which actually is unusual for me, I usually wait until the night before & then get absolutely ZERO sleep. (I think it's a sickness...even when I was little and knew we were going to an amusement park the next day...I wouldn't sleep at all the night before.):o Don't know why.

[bkreader]

KCat,
You're welcome. I hope you are able to get reservations. We are expecting a FULL report when you return! :D - Jane

[Oceanwench]

Blue Moon Fish Co. is excellent. Be prepared to spend about $100 for two - maybe more.
I would try to book it now - but I am guessing at this point you may not have any luck.
Things fill up way ahead of time with the boat parade.

Most of the restaurants on Las Olas are good, too.

[stanjj111]

We enjoy walking on Las Olas. It is fun and has some good resturants. Tried Yesterday's and Stanley's several years ago and they were good.

[jemingway]

Yesterday's is no more. Blue Moon is good, but expensive. Mark's Las Olas is good, but expensive. Cap's is not good anymore. Most of the good independents are gone and replaced by good chains, like Charlie's Crab. Bimini Boatyard is good on the cheaper side. The view at 15th Street fisheries is better than the food...not bad, but not great. Mango's is a decent casual place. The boat parade is not to be missed.

Reading what I have written, I think I sound more negative than I meant to be. Please soften the above comments by one level up.:o

[KCat]

Thanks SO much for the GREAT replies!

I'm so sorry to hear that Yesterday's is closed:(we ate at that restaurant on our honeymoon and I was hoping to go back to celebrate 10 years!:(

:) I am glad that The Capital Grille has opened in FLL. We have eaten there once in Miami and it was WONDERFULLL!!! Expensive & I think you need to dress very nice...but to us...VERY worth it! We have reservations on Friday night (17th) and are going to try for a reservation for the Blue Moon on Saturday.

I called 15th Street Fisheries today...and she said all the good tables were gone:( which I understand:(

[Oceanwench]

You also mentioned Sunfish Grill. When I lived in Pompano it was located there, in a strip shopping center. It was outstanding - written up in lots of magzaines, always winning awards, etc.
I heard rumors it was moving to a new location.
So maybe it's on the Intracoastal now?

[KCat]

Hi everyone that posted earlier, thank you so much!

We have reservations on Friday (12/17) for The Capitol Grille and on Saturday (12/18) for the Blue Moon Fish Co...

I never thought I would...but I plan on posting a review for the entire trip once we return...only because THIS site has been SOOO helpful in planning this cruise! Hopefully I will see you all soon in good spirits!...;) till the review;) ...( we have another 20 days to go...sooo...):D :p SEE YOU IN THE FUNNY PAGES:p