For us Miamians, Fort Lauderdale seems like a world away. While it really isn’t that far, traffic can make the commute hell. As we’ve started to expand our coverage into Broward and Palm Beach County, we’ve discovered some restaurants that are worth fighting that hellish traffic for. The new Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits at The Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale is one of them.
If the name didn’t already give it away, the restaurant specializes in seafood and libations, with an emphasis on rum. What may not be so apparent from the name is that the eatery is not just an eatery. It’s also a market and cafe, where guests can pick up everything from coffee to natural juices to fresh baked bread to charcuterie — and then some.
Thanks to Chef de Cuisine Gavin Pera, there’s a big emphasis on local, fresh ingredients. “Mother Nature writes our menu,” he said. And because breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at Burlock Coast, you’ll find something to fill up on whether it’s morning, afternoon or night.
We filled up on the dinner menu. Our tasting menu kicked off with some signature starters like the daily oyster, tuna tartare, and cheese and charcuterie. The oyster gets an A for presentation; we liked the sauce coming in a toothpaste tube — it was a cool touch. Our tartare had some nice citrus to it and was super fresh. And you can’t go wrong with Miami Smokers; the charcuterie and cheese board was a winner.
Our second round of food: lobster pasta and black grouper. The former with its housemade pappardelle popped with vibrant flavor and color; it was so pretty that we didn’t want to touch it — but we’re glad we did. And the grouper — beautifully seasoned — was just as good, with some grapefruit for an additional layer of awesomeness.
The steak and pork belly in the next course were a great bookend to the savory portion of our meal. The steak, which is always served with a root vegetable, had the perfect char and was a hit among our peers, who also found the pork belly with black truffle grits delectable.
A special shoutout to the bar program, which features an extensive list of wines, craft beers and cocktails. There’s enough here to keep you coming back day after day. We like their take on the Aviation — a spin on a gin sour. The creme de violet changes the color of the drink as you enjoy it. The Donna’s Privateer, on the other hand, is a refreshing rum-based drink that we could definitely see ourselves drinking on the beach.
Back to the food, more specifically dessert: whoa. The Burlock Coast Donuts are a must — airy on the inside and crispy on the outside; the white chocolate banana rum sauce is rich and decadent and great for kicking your diet while it’s down. Those seeking lighter fare should opt for the key lime pie, while those who want the other extreme should go for the appropriately titled Avalanche Sundae. The latter features vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, strawberry ice cream, salted caramel, chocolate sauce, house-made Kit Kat, brownie pieces, pineapple chutney and toasted marshmallow. Say that three times fast.
Overall, color us impressed. Burlock Coast is a beautiful space with a beach view to boot. Whether you’re looking for some Panther Coffee to perk up in the morning, a filling sandwich to get you through the mid-day slump or delicious dinner fare to cap your evening, Burlock Coast has you covered.
Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits is located at 1 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. inside the Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale. For hours of operation and other information, visit their official website or call 954-302-6460
awesome review (from 2 forks and a cork)