Gilbert's 17th Street Grill

Gilbert's is a little hard to find. It's tucked away in the Harbor Shops of Ft. Lauderdale which is not on 17th street at all. The address is actually 1821 Cordova Road.

I've been there a few times for some family events and was pretty satisfied with the food. But my son sent me a picture of a burger that he enjoyed there and suggested that I stop by and sample one.

Michelle and I popped over the same night that the Miami Heat was playing and there were tons of people standing in line at Duffy's across the parking lot. Gilbert's was very busy also but we were still able to get in and order pretty quickly.

Police Hate Them.
Drivers Love Them.
New Invention Uses GPS to
Locate Police Speed Traps.
100% legal.

J Marks Restaurant Ft. Lauderdale

I have driven by this location about fifty times and I finally had an opportunity to drop in. It was a rainy Saturday night about 8pm and I was lucky to find a parking space in their lot adjacent to the restaurant. We were greeted with a twenty minute wait which I thought was reasonable and took a lopsided seat on a padded bench which wrapped around a wall and walk way that went up to the bar on another level.

We were graciously seated and it appeared that we were going to have a wonderful time. Matt, our waiter, was friendly and seemed to know the menu. Michelle ordered an ice tea and I opted for plain old water. A basket holding a couple of delicious, freshly baked rolls and butter was presented, but the drinks did not appear for several more minutes. Since this was our first visit we asked Matt a few questions and finally made our choices. Matt stressed that the steaks were super and they made their own hamburger combo using beef, onions, bacon and worchestershire sauce which made the hamburger look well done no matter how it was cooked and that all the food is prepared fresh daily.

I ordered the Blue Peppercorn Burger and for a side I took the Cajun Fries. Michelle ordered Roasted Chicken with a baked potato.  The food was delivered promptly and looked great. I wanted a water refill along with some ketchup and mustard but Matt was busy trying to take orders from a table next to ours where ten or twelve men were seated, ordering multiple bar drinks and asking for individual checks.

After waiting several minutes for the condiments I just started eating. Michelle flagged down another server, and then a third in an effort to get the condiments. I had eaten half the hamburger before the tablespoonful of each arrived. I wasn't impressed with the hamburger and the fries were over-the-top salty. Michelle said her chicken had a funny taste, like some weird spice but she ate about half.

Matt refilled the glasses a couple of times and apologized for his lack of attention indicating that he was a bit overwhelmed with the large party next to us. I asked about Carrot Cake for dessert and mentioned that I really loved it at J. Alexanders, just down the street. He said his was even better! Well, it wasn't!

Once we left Michelle was complaining about having an upset stomach which continued for the next 36 hours. Maybe the funny tasting spice wasn't a spice at all; maybe the chicken wasn't as fresh as Matt said?

I think I could have had a better experience somewhere else for the same money. Michelle's funny tasting chicken was $14.99. My hamburger and cajun fries was $11.99. Add $6.99 for an overly generous slice of so-so carrot cake, soft drinks and tip totals out to $46.00.

I haven't crossed J.Marks off my list, yet. I would like to go back again and try something else.

Carlucci's Italian Restorante

Dave, Dale, and I went over to Carlucci's Italian Restorante on N. Andrews Ave and Cypress Creek for lunch. They have some great tasting lunch specials at cheap prices. Our server, Mike, was on the ball and after bringing our drinks he dropped off a basket of some of the best garlic rolls I have ever eaten. He told us to be careful because they were addictive. I tend to agree........

After a few minutes the food appeared. Dale got a salad to start. Dave had a piece of pizza and he and I had a cup of deliciously creamy pasta fagioli.

The Benihana Experience

Benihana is a Japanese Steakhouse. If you have never been there it is a great first time experience. It's also a lot of fun to go with someone who has never been, especially a child. Michelle took me and Robby (with Cecily and Dahlia) there for Father's Day. I've been several times and have always had a good time.

Michelle made reservations at the Commercial Blvd and Intercoastal location. We arrived on time and had to wait about fifteen minutes before we were seated. They seat you in sets of eight, surrounding a very large grill called a teppanyaki table. We were five and we joined a lovely couple and had an empty seat which made it extremely comfortable.

J. Alexanders

If you're ready for some great tasting food with great service, take a trip over to the J. Alexanders Restaurant near you. But, be prepared, it is more expensive than Longhorn Steakhouse.

I've been eating here since they opened on West Broward Boulevard in Plantation and have since enjoyed their food in Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton. The service is great and the food is a real value for the money.

Panera Bread

I have always enjoyed a lunchtime trip to Panera's. They always have a good assortment of soups, salads, sandwiches and the bread is always super fresh and tasty. My favorite sandwich is the Italian Combo. I usually accompany it with a cup of soup, potato chips, and a pickle spear.

photo courtesy of http://www.biggestmenu.com/

Jack's Old Fashioned Hamburger House

I've been going to Jack's Old Fashioned Hamburger House for more years than I want to admit. Are there better burgers out there? You bet. But Jack's is in a kind of time warp; somewhere between the '70's and '90's, which makes it unique in a very special way. The beef is ground fresh daily and each order cooked as it's placed.

Flanigan's

We know it as Flanigan's but the real name is Flanigan's Seafood Bar and Grill. The Commercial boulevard location was closest to my office and I would eat lunch there several times a week for several years. During those years I had the opportunity to try almost all the items on the menu as well as be "treated" to a few lunches by "Joe" Flanigan himself.

Lenny's Subs

I really like Lenny's. They make some great tasting "old school" style subs along with some of the new concoctions. My favorite is the Italian Special. I've tried some of the others and they were all good but my my taste buds are most excited by the Italian.

I went to their location at Cypress Station yesterday for the umpteenth time and picked up my usual large Italian combo which includes

Ruby Tuesday

Michelle found a coupon for Ruby Tuesdays and we decided to give it a try. The location on my route was next to Palm Aire near Atlantic Blvd and Powerline Rd. We pulled into an almost deserted parking lot which was understandable at this time of day, 3pm.

Krystal

About once every six to eight months I get a craving for those tiny, one bite, mini burgers made by Krystal. Flat grilled with onions and served on a fresh steamed bun with a pickle and mustard. The closest outlet used to be just off I95 at Daytona Beach and in past years I always stopped there to savor the aroma of these little jewels and gulp down a few (if 6, 7 or 8 can be called a few.)

Champps Americana

I've been going to Champps Americana for several years, mostly for lunch because it is close to my workplace. I've eaten my way across the menu and have tried almost everything on it! They are described as a "sports bar" and the walls are covered with television coverage of all the days events. But the food is definitely way past sports bar.

Pollo Tropical

My co-worker, Pam, suggested that I try the Chipotle Chicken sandwich from Pollo Tropical and being in an adventurous mood, I decided today was the day. I went to the 2011 E. Oakland Park Blvd location with high hopes of getting a sandwich that would quench my desire for spicy!. What an AWFUL experience!