Atlantic Surf Club

So, since I have become a regular in Fort Lauderdale, let me tell you about another place I recently discovered that has only been around for a little over 4 months. It's Atlantic Surf Club, a rustic eatery, with a "come on in, haven't seen you since Thursday" kind of ambiance, located at 17 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Atlantic Surf Club comes complete with ocean views and an extremely friendly staff. The dinner menu features a combination of dishes that range from a whole list of scrumptious burgers, to finger-licking good gourmet pizzas, to full-on gourmet entrees.

If you're in the mood for some tunes while you eat, the main dining area is very lively and offers live music along with a bar. Further back, there is a quieter section, where you can still catch a game on T.V. or just enjoy the waves crashing against the sand. I personally love people watching, and since the restaurant is situated on the second floor, right on busy Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, there is always great action going on downstairs.

Fig and Watermelon Carpaccio

King Crab Guacamole

Before I go on, I must warn you. This wasn't a mere dinner, it was more like a gluttonous feast. I'm talking a no-holds barred, who cares what the scale reads tomorrow kind of evening. We started debating on what to have as an appetizer. There were a bunch of choices in the Small Bites and Snacks sections that sounded really good. We did the only respectable thing, we tried them all. You know, why leave with regrets? Our first appetizer was the Fig and Watermelon Carpaccio. It was a light, fresh start that brought together salty and sweet, made with prosciutto and a balsamic glaze. Our next starter was one of my vices. Only this one had a twist: King Crab Guacamole. Say what? If the dish has the both the words "king crab" and "guacamole" in its name, wouldn't you try it too? It was the bomb! The creamy avocado mixed in with bits of sweet crab in a tangy love affair was absolutely irresistible. I dipped faster than I inhaled, I'm afraid.

Lobster Mac & Cheese

Trio of Tuna Tartare

Beef Sliders

Then he came and I fell in love. It was the Lobster Mac & Cheese. Now I know you're probably thinking, "oh, I've had lobster mac & cheese before". Not if you haven't had it here. It is by far THE BEST lobster mac & cheese we have ever tasted. As a matter of fact, I've been proclaiming it to the world ever since. I've had some good versions at steakhouses and the like, but never one with as much flavor and intensity as this one. If this were a movie, the Lobster Mac & Cheese would be the star.  Next up, we sampled the Trio of Tuna Tartares. Instead of preparing the tuna just one way, the chef prepares it three different ways: with spicy avocado, sweet soy glaze and cucumber ginger. The tuna was very fresh and each version was well balanced, but my favorite preparation of the three was the spicy avocado. Our last appetizer (we're not bottomless pits) were the Beef Sliders topped with caramelized onions, cornichons and mustard aioli. They were fabulous; cooked to perfection with a slightly sweet bite.

Grilled Branzino

Ahi Tuna Steak

Steak Tips Dijonnaise

Did we get to dig into any entrees? But of course! I wouldn't let you down that way. Our first entree was the Grilled Branzino, served over marinated eggplant, roasted peppers and a celery leaf melange. Flaky in texture with a light, mild taste, the branzino was a pure delight. The roasted peppers and marinated eggplant added a rich flavor to the dish that gave it a "bam". Another entree we loved was the Ahi Tuna Steak. Seared to my specifications, the steak sat on a bed of shitake mushroom and napa cabbage fried rice. It was topped with scallions and drizzled with a sharp miso mayonnaise. Delicious. Last but not least, we sampled the Steak Tips Dijonnaise, an interesting dish recently featured on Bite With Belkys.  A plate full of tender, seasoned filet tips, combined with crimini mushrooms, red onions and shallot dijonnaise sauce were served on cilantro rice and roasted peppers. There was a whirlwind of flavors in every bite.

Cheesecake In A Jar

Brownie Milkshake

Donuts & Fudge

All-right, so you might be thinking there's no way this girl could've had room for anything else. Yes and no. There's always room for dessert, and what you can't eat at the moment, you take home for later. We ordered the Cheesecake In A Jar, the Brownie Milkshake and packed up a batch of Donuts & Fudge for a midnight snack. All three desserts were intense. The cheesecake was creamy and sweet, the brownie milkshake was rich and decadent and the donuts were, well, the reason I had to add 45 minutes to my workout the following day.

Atlantic Surf Club is definitely serving up some good food in a relaxed, laid-back setting. Check it out for a beachy old time and tell me what you think. For more information, you can visit them online at http://atlanticsurfclub.com/.