Each winter thousands of Canadians swarm to Florida in search of the sun. It’s no wonder that America’s Sunshine State is the most visited destination for Canucks traveling outside of the country. One needs a break from the cold! This past January my friend Bryn and I enthusiastically embraced Canada’s Floridian love affair in hopes of taking a break from Toronto’s drab and refreshing ourselves with warm oceans breeze.
The temperature was frigid when Bryn and I scooted off to the airport at 3am, hopping on an early morning flight bound for Fort Lauderdale. Upon arrival we rushed through the airports arrival doors with our luggage trailing closely behind and couldn’t help but let out a prolonged sigh as we greeted that familiar tropical breeze.
Our flight landed in Fort Lauderdale shortly before the lunch hour and with grumbling tummies we zoomed along the highway to the W Hotel. We had time to spare until our room was ready for check-in so we whisked our way downstairs for a fine feast at Steak 954.
Fort Lauderdale’s most lauded luxury steakhouse offers four distinct dining environments: a cosy meets hip bar, spacious dining room illuminated blue via jelly fish adorned aquarium, intimate lounge and al fresco garden terrace.
We plopped ourselves down on the patio, whipped off our sunglasses and ran our fingers down the drink menu in search of a thirst quencher. My mug was smug, curls of pleasure running up the corners of my cheek as I prepared to indulge in a surf meets turf fantasy while enjoying sweeping views of the beach below.
I won’t beat around the bush. We were ravenous. When my margarita arrived at the table I drank it as if I just had run a marathon and dropped my water bottle after running my first mile.
Our first few dishes disappeared moments after arriving at the table. Four plump shrimp cuddled each other tight on a rectangular plate, resting over a bed of crushed ice while petite tuna tacos sat propped in a metallic accordion fold, drizzled with lime citronette and topped with seared foie gras.
Our meal became decidedly decadent when a trilogy of steaks arrived at the table: crispy Prime NY Strip, petite Filet Mignon and a wonderfully marbled Wagyu Ribeye. Our beef bliss was accompanied by The Wedge Salad (smoked bacon and blue cheese heaven), silky whipped potatoes, crispy frites and artery clogging truffle mac & cheese. I waddled back to our room, skipping dessert in an earnest attempt to maintain whatever beach body I had left.
The Feast:
Steak 954 Margarita
milagro silver, cointreau, lime, del meguey crema mezcal float
Cherry Brown
baker 7yr bourbon, cherry heering, dolin sweet vermouth, housemade cherries
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
yuzu cocktail sauce
Big Eye Tuna Tacos
avocado salad, chipotle aioli, lime citronette, foie gras
The Wedge
baby iceberg, smoked bacon, point reyes blue cheese
Prime NY Strip, Filet Mignon, Wagyu Ribeye
whipped potatoes, french fries, truffle mac & cheese
