Hotel restaurants: uninspired food, lame decor, high prices, and lack of ambience do not a fine dining experience make. But there are a few here in South Florida that buck the trend.
New Times Broward Palm Beach: New Times has showered 3030 Ocean with plenty of praise over the years, naming it everything from "Best Fine Dining That Offers a Highchair" to best restaurant in Ft. Laudy.
Italian Restaurant · Galt Mile · 27 tips and reviews
New Times Broward Palm Beach: The novelty hasn't worn off for fresh-pulled mozzarella prepared in front of your eyes, from the classic caprese to the $28 "super mozzarella" with a smorgasbord of pickled and salted ingredients.
Steakhouse · Hollywood Beach · 14 tips and reviews
New Times Broward Palm Beach: Red meat is the culinary focal point, but it sports an impressive wine list. So impressive, in fact, that the selection of more than 550 varietals won a 2012 Wine Spectator Best Of Award of Excellence
New Times Broward Palm Beach: Adventurous diners should try the "kitchen table" experience, where five guests sit at a kitchenside table and are treated to a menu that's constantly changing and never repeated.
New Times Broward Palm Beach: At $90, Sunday brunch at this destination dining room will remain a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity for most non-one-percenters. Nosh on lobster tail while overlooking the Atlantic.
401 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd (G Fl.), Fort Lauderdale, FL
Steakhouse · Central Beach · 116 tips and reviews
New Times Broward Palm Beach: If dinner prices are a deal-breaker, the Sunday brunch -- with small bites like bigeye tuna tacos and American kobe sliders and a full raw bar -- is easier on the wallet.
New Times Broward Palm Beach: At 7,400-square-feet, there's plenty of room to bring the entire gang and settle in for plates of fist-sized meatballs or the signature Sunday gravy.
New Times Broward Palm Beach: Sundy House Restaurant lives in a charming turn-of-the-century mansion surrounded by lush gardens. Sunday morning brunch is a staple, with bonuses like unlimited champagne and a bloody mary bar.
1 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd (@ The Ritz-Carlton), Fort Lauderdale, FL
Cocktail Bar · Central Beach · 11 tips and reviews
New Times Broward Palm Beach: Not breaking any new culinary ground, familiar dishes like spaghetti pomodoro, mozzarella salad, and beef tenderloin tend to be well executed examples of classic Italian comfort food.