Fort Lauderdale: Where the Heat and Humidity are the Main Ingredients
got to fort lauderdale yesterday and immediately felt the *humidity wrap around me like a wet dish towel. i just checked and it's...kinda sticky out there, hope you're not allergic to humidity. as a chef, the air pressure is something i watch because it can mess with rising dough, but today it's at 1022, which is chill. the locals told me that the sea level here is creeping up, but that's a problem for another day. right now, i'm here for the conch fritters and they did not disappoint.
if you get bored, miami and palm beach are just a short drive away, each with their own flavor. miami's got the cuban sandwiches that are legit, and palm beach has more of a upscale dining scene. but honestly, fort lauderdale has some hidden gems.
someone told me about this place called "george's greek restaurant" that's been around since the 70s. they say the gyros are made with a secret family recipe and the owner, george, is a character. i also heard that there's a seafood spot called "the rustic pelican" that locals swear by for their stone crab claws. but i haven't tried them yet, so take that with a grain of salt.
as a chef, i'm always on the hunt for local ingredients. fort lauderdale has a farmers market every saturday at vitale park. they've got everything from tropical fruits to fresh-caught fish. i picked up some mahi-mahi and a basket of lychees that were so sweet they made me want to cry. i'm thinking of making a ceviche with the mahi and a lychee sorbet for dessert.
i also stumbled upon a little spice shop called "the flavor exchange" where they sell local spices and hot sauces. i got a bottle of their ghost pepper hot sauce and it's going to be a game-changer in my kitchen. the owner, a woman named maria, told me that the hot sauce is made with peppers grown in the everglades. i can't wait to try it.
the numbers 4174921 and 1840015136 kept popping up everywhere. turns out 4174921 is the booth number of the best fresh juice vendor at the farmers market, and 1840015136 is the phone number for a catering company that does boat parties. i called them and booked a spot for next weekend. you have to see the sunset from the water, it's incredible.
here are some pics from my trip:
if you're in the area, i highly recommend checking out the las olas boulevard for some great street food and people watching. and don't forget to try the key lime pie. every place claims to have the best, but honestly, they're all pretty good.
i've also heard that there's a place called "the elbow room" that's a dive bar with the best mojitos in town. someone told me that the bartender, a woman named samantha, makes them with fresh mint and local honey. i'm heading there tonight to check it out.
in conclusion, fort lauderdale is a foodie's paradise. the heat and humidity might be a challenge, but the flavors* are worth it. if you're a chef or just love good food, this is the place to be.
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