Tag Archives: Restaurants

Best Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale

Ft. Lauderdale is a popular vacation destination for its miles of beaches and colorful reefs. While there are several restaurants that are well-known for their ability to draw in tourists, the real gems are those that garner loyal attention from the locals. Dine like a Floridian at the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale.

Calypso in Pompano

Though it’s a bit outside Fort Lauderdale, locals are happy to make the drive a few minutes north to Pompano for Calypso. This seafood restaurant infuses its dishes with Caribbean flavor. The fish is prepared fresh and cut just before cooking, giving everything an authentic just-out-of-the-sea flavor. Though the menu includes burgers and chicken, seafood lovers should try at least one conch dish and pick their favorite sauce for one of the fresh catches on the menu.

Southport Raw Bar

Southport Raw Bar is a small local pub that touts itself as the oldest raw bar in Fort Lauderdale. With free dockage and patio seating, this is a popular spot for a fresh oyster lunch after a day on the water. Though the oysters take center stage, the entire menu gets rave reviews from loyal visitors with everything from crispy fish and chips to Old Bay shrimp. Located near several hotels in Ft. Lauderdale, this is an easy pick for visitors.

Tarks of Dania Beach

With views like this, it's no wonder that Tark's is among the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale

Photo by Pixie Dust via Trover.com

A bit south of Fort Lauderdale, locals flock to Tarks of Dania Beach for the shrimp, conchs, and chicken wings. This hole in the wall is the perfect destination for laid back travelers who want to experience local flavor on a budget. You don’t go to Tarks for fine dining or an elegant atmosphere, but you can certainly belly up to the closely packed counter to quite literally rub elbows with local Floridians that love good food amidst views of some of the best beaches in the state.

Greek Islands Taverna

As the name suggests, the Greek Islands Taverna is a popular South Florida destination for Greek fare. The menu features many authentic Greek dishes and wines. The restaurant has local regulars who taste their way through the large menu, sampling all the delights over several visits. Some favorites include the dolmathakia, lamb chops, and octopus. This popular spot often has a long line, so show up early. This restaurant is easy to add to your agenda, located near the beach and several hotels like the Residence Inn Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal.

Blue Moon Fish Company

The Blue Moon Fish Company in Lauderdale by the Sea is known for its fresh seafood. You can sit outside and watch the water, belly up to the bar and people-watch in the restaurant, or enjoy a cozy table inside. The fresh fish always gets high points, as does the calamari and shrimp. The restaurant also serves a Sunday brunch that’s a local favorite for special events. This is a pricier option, but worth the splurge for fine dining.

If you want to add some delectable meals to your Ft. Lauderdale visit, these popular picks offer stellar food and service that’s consistently good, allowing them to keep local customers coming back for years. Ditch the tourist kitsch and try on the real Florida life for size at these establishments.

3 Ideal Places In Europe For A Romantic City Break

The Trevi fountains in Rome, Italy are just one of many things you can see on a romantic city break in Europe!

As the gloom of winter reaches its lowest point, it seems there aren’t many things around to bring energy into our lives. The cold rain, mist (and occasional snow) drain us of our motivations, and the early darkness of January is enough to make anybody question why one would live so far north at this time of year.  Both you and your partner need a pick-me-up, and fast.

Fortunately, you two have the perfect excuse to get the bloody hell out of town … Valentine’s Day! Since it is easy as pie to leave your car at short stay parking at Heathrow, a holiday of this nature is well within your reach, even if you don’t live directly within Central London.

Over on the continent, there is no shortage of cities where one can get away at a moment’s notice. Not only do they prove that living in Europe has its advantages at any time of the year, but they also provide a deep bench of romantic destinations where you can have an intimate weekend with your adorable snugglebunny (or whatever pet name that you have for your love).

Today, we will share three cities that are no-brainers for rekindling the spark in your relationship, no matter how dour the weather might be at home.

1) Paris, France

Out of all the cities on our list, Paris is the metropolis that sticks out like a sore thumb, given that “the city of love” is one of its nicknames. There are many romantic attractions that will vie for your attention, but start your day in Montmartre, a district that is set on a hill, for some gasp-inducing views of Paris in all its ageless glory.

Head to the Wall of “I Love You’s”, known in French as Le Mur Des Je T’Aime, to revel in the corniness of that famous phrase, written in 250 different languages. Finally, after a sensuous dinner at Laperouse, a restaurant set in an atmospheric 17th century mansion, go out for an evening of high society entertainment at Palais Garnier, a century-old opera house that was immortalized in Gaston’s Leroux’s seminal work, “The Phantom Of The Opera”.

2) Rome, Italy

The Italians also give the French a run for their Euros in the romance Olympics with their ancient capital, Roma.  After doing the mandatory hand-in-hand stroll past the Trevi Fountains, head up Aventine Hill to give your lover the surprise of a lifetime. At the top, there is a place referred to as the Aventine keyhole, an arch in the headquarters of the Priory of the Knights of Malta, where the dome of St. Peter’s Cathedral is perfectly framed between the ivy covered walls of that building.

Afterwards, check out some exquisite art at Villa Farnesina and then attempt to re-create the infamous scene from Disney’s Lady And The Tramp, by getting some plates of pasta at Ristorante Pecorino, located at Via Galvani, 54, a wonderful place to have authentic Italian pasta.

3) Budapest, Hungary

If you want to take your relationship to new places, then head to one of the hottest new places to get away for a romantic city break: Budapest, Hungary. Head to the Fisherman’s Bastion on the River Danube to get a sweeping view of this historic Central European gem, then check out its thermal baths, which are Budapest’s biggest claims to fame.

After a relaxing soak among character-filled bath houses, go to the docks on the Danube, where river cruises are offered.  With a glass of authentic Hungarian champagne each, toast each other for the red hot love that you still share with each other even after all these years.

You may not have time for a proper holiday this winter, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t escape the city of a weekend of quality time with your loved one this Valentine’s Day.  By taking advantage of your proximity to some of the most starkly beautiful metropolises on the planet, you will keep stoking the flames of passion that are key to a successful long-term relationship!

Berlin Travel Guide

Planning fоr а vacation іn Europe? Berlin іѕ а wonderful city tо explore. It іѕ thе largest city іn Germany, thе capital and located іn the northeastern part of the country. It hаѕ fаіrlу moderate climate thаt mаkеѕ іt comfortable to visit anytime оf thе year. Berlin hаѕ а fascinating history, and its streets аnd architecture ѕtіll bear evidence tо іtѕ turbulent past (there are still many buildings with bullet holes from the Battle of Berlin!). Thеѕе days, Berlin іѕ vеrу wеll knоwn аѕ а party town bесаuѕе оf іtѕ series оf events аnd activities аll year rоund lіkе concerts, fashion shows, sports events, street parties аnd muсh more. It іѕ аlѕо thе city tо watch whеn іt соmеѕ tо art, music, fashion аnd design for independent thinkers and dooers. Here’s our Berlin travel guide!

There are a wealth of cool things to see in Berlin, here’s just a few:

The Pergamon Museum is one of the best in the world. Bе amazed wіth thе оld Greek, Islamic, Babylonian, Roman аnd Middle Eastern art аnd architecture. It’s thе оnе museum іn Berlin thаt ѕhоuld nоt bе missed! Head up the Panoramapunkt in Potsdamer Platz. Take the lift tо thе observation deck fоr a bird’s eye view оf thе city that can’t be experienced anywhere else. To see a classic German Palace, check out Schloss Charlottenburg. It іѕ thе largest palace іn Berlin аnd a popular tourist attraction. Sоmе parts оf thе palace аrе open tо thе public including thе оld palace аnd thе nеw wing to check out. The Berlin Wall is an international icon оf freedom оvеr oppression and there is plenty of signs telling the history of when the city was divided in two after WWII until the 1990’s. Thе east side gallery іѕ thе best-preserved stretch and is now an outdoor gallery. Checkpoint Charlie is Thе mоѕt famous guardhouse аlоng thе Berlin Wall. The Reichstag is a large domed building thаt іѕ thе home оf thе German Parliament which blends old and new. Thе bеѕt time tо visit іѕ іn thе afternoon fоr уоu tо witness thе spectacular sunset. Restaurant Kaefer іѕ a good restaurant located оn top оf thе Reichstag and is the only public restaurant іn thе world tо bе іnѕіdе а parliamentary building. The Jewish Museum is thе largest аnd mоѕt unique of its kind іn Europe and tells the story of the holocaust in Berlin and the rest of Europe.

Tiergarten is a large and beautiful public park to enjoy on a nice day. You can hаvе picnics аnd utilize the public grills for free. Kurfurstendamm is onе оf thе mоѕt famous avenues іn thе city and is full оf houses, hotels, restaurants аnd high-end shops and boutiques. The Brandenburg Gate is the mоѕt famous landmark іn Berlin and you’re sure to pass it numerous times on your way in and around the city.

Berlin is famous for it’s restaurants and to sample some of the best, make sure to check out Facil, Anna Blume, and Tartane. Nightlife is pretty epic as well and there are more clubs, raves and bars then one could possibly visit in a lifetime. Berlin is also much more affordable then other cities in Germany making it a great place for those looking to have fun on a budget. If you’re heading to amazing Berlin, opt to stay like a local. Check out some great  rentals on Live Like a German . It’s a good place to look for a place to stay during your vacation.

This post was provided by Christoph Von Bruen.