Restaurants

Restaurant summer specials and meal deals are still plentiful. A number of local eateries are offering selected menus at great rates. Have you tried Café Maxx or Sharaku’s prix fixes?

Too late for the “summer” specials, you say? Don’t despair. The annual “Miami Spice” restaurant promotion runs now through September 30th and offers 3-course meals. Or try “Dine Out Lauderdale”, Broward’s annual six week promotion running from October 1 through November 12th with specially created menus at a $35 fixed price. For restrictions and participating restaurants visit their sites online.

Speaking of restaurants: For four decades, the Imperial House and George Harris were fixtures in Pompano Beach. George was an active member of the community – from serving as President of the local Chamber, a member of the Tourist Development Council, and the Florida Restaurant Association’s 1985 “Restauranteur of the Year”. George passed away last month. Our belated condolences to his family from his many friends in the tourism industry.

The Zagat 2009 “America’s Top Restaurants” edition recently came out featuring over 1500 restaurants in 45 U.S. cities. South Florida areas represented were Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Palm Beach, and Naples. The top food rankings in the Lauderdale area -- all tied at 27 points – are Café Maxx, La Brochette, Eduardo de San Angel, and Casa D’Angelo. Miami’s top restaurant is Michey’s with 28 points. The Palm Beach area has five restaurants – all tied at 27 points: Chez Jean-Pierre, Marcello’s La Sirena, L’Escalier (in the Breakers), Four Seasons (at the Resort of the same name), and Little Moirs. Naples’ top eatery – with 27 points – is the Artisans (at the Ritz Carlton).

One trend that the Zagat publication noted was that 83% of their surveyors reported eating out as much as or more than they did (previously). Surprising to see this in today’s economy…

Have a favorite restaurant HSMAI blog readers? Tell us about it. Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider