After checking out of the W Hotel I whisked my way along the beach, oceans breeze dancing through my hair, suitcase skipping behind me. Before flying off to Bermuda that evening I had one more stop on my itinerary, lunch at the iconic Casablanca Cafe.
Nestled in one of Fort Lauderdale’s most scenic beach areas, Casablanca Cafe is ranked as the city’s most romantic restaurant. Located in a beautifully restored historic home, the restaurant offers a cute mediterranean inspired al fresco patio, charming cobblestoned interior and petite piano bar which comes to life every night via sultry jazz rhythms.
We celebrated our exceptional visit to the Sunshine State by clinking ice cold mojito and margarita glasses with an enthusiastic cheers. Moments later I was wiggling my finger down the menu while sipping through an icy goblet, tequila splashed with lime.
Lunch would unravel at the table as a fresh and healthy snack attack featuring a trilogy of salads and cilantro adorned fish tacos. A ball of plump burrata sat propped on heirloom tomatoes and peppery arugula, roasted beets shined alongside candied walnuts and crumbled blue cheese while the Mediterranean Chop offered a taste of Greece via medley of olives, feta, cucumber and roasted peppers.
It wasn’t until I tackled two fish tacos that I began to miss the loveliness of Lauderdale. For Canadians is there honestly anything better than sipping a margarita and nibbling through a taco doused in pico de gallo, guacamole and spicy jalapeño in the dead of winter while staring out at sun soaked beach? These snow birds. I finally get it.
The Feast:
Mojito
Margarita
Mediterranean Chop Salad
greens, kalamata, roasted peppers, tomatoes, roast chicken, feta, cucumber, hummus, pita
Burrata Mozzarella
heirloom tomatoes, baby arugula, basil, aged balsamic, sea salt
Roasted Beet Salad
watercress, candied walnuts, pickled onions, blue cheese, grilled shrimp
Lime Cilantro Fish Tacos
soft tortillas, cabbage slaw, pico de gallo, guacamole, jalapenos, beans and rice
