Cafe Europa, Fort Lauderdale.....Your Lunching Pad on Las Olas....
Written: Dec 24 '07 (Updated Dec 24 '07)
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Pros: Reliably good food in a busy downtown setting. Prices are reasonable too
Cons: Can be noisy, some dishes aren't adventurous
The Bottom Line: The Cafe Europa is a busy, agreeable place for lunch or dinner. Watch the passing parade on Las Olas Boulevard.
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| tombarnes's Full Review: Cafe Europa |
While wading through the chi-chi shops lining Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale, we were confronted with a place which seemed even more mad inside, The Cafe Europa is hardly the kind of place you'd visit for a quiet lunch or tete a tete. Earplugs may be essential, but the atmosphere is agreeable.
The Room
Thought it's acoustically challenged, the room more than makes up for this with row upon row of black and white photographs lining the upper walls. It's noisy, brash and just the kind of place to drop in for a quick bite before the theater.
The recent news that the cafe will son be demolished to make way for an expansion of the Riverside Hotel does leave the probability that the restaurant will have to find new digs in short order. Find them they will, as I'm told that the restaurant has no plans to close its doors.
The Menu
The food here is mostly basic Italian without being too adventurous. It's still pretty good, and the prices are easier on the wallet than most on glittering Las Olas.
Our most recent lunch was a simple one of salads and pizza. Having not had their pizzas before, I was pleasantly surprised to find that their pizza compares favorably to that found at most of the pizza hot spots in town. I tried their version of a Pizza Capricciosa ($13.95 for the individual pizza- still enough for two, and $19.95 for a large one). I did ask them to make it crisp and they complied with flying colors. The artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, mushrooms and so on were in plentiful supply. It was almost a relief that the pizza wasn't burdened down with a great cloak of cheese. The mozzarella was fresh and used with good discretion.
My father and brother had enormous salads. The Seafood Salad ($12.95) was a decent catch with more shrimp, calamari and octopus you'd expect for such a price. The greens were fresh too. The portions here are not designed for anorexics. If pizza doesn't appeal, you might consider pasta. The Penne Vodka ($16.95) is actually pretty good, but a lot of their pasta dishes tend towards the tried and true. Lasagna in several varieties ($14-15.95), Fettuccine Alfredo and so on. The lunch menu also has a number of panini ($8.95- $10.95).
They have an extensive dessert selection including various cheesecakes, and an even larger assortment of cakes- everything from Tiramisu to a Coconut Cream Bomb ($6.50). I haven't made it to dessert here yet to tell you what they're like.
The bar is busy enough to have a large stock of just about everything, though wines aren't emphasized in the way they are at neighboring places. I wouldn't expect this sort of casual restaurant to emphasize wine.
Service
We've never had a problem with service here, but just remember that the place gets busy- and often too. If you have to wait a bit longer for something, just take it in stride.
Overall
If you go here with reasonable expectations, you'll be fine. If the prices are higher than you'd like then Las Olas Boulevard is not for you. It isn't trying to be anything more than a relatively simple place. In Fort Lauderdale, this is something of a change and is therefore worth seeking out. I hope their new location (wherever it may be) is equally casual and agreeable.
Hours
Mon.- Thu. 9:00 AM-11:30 PM
Fri.- Sat. 9:00 AM-1:00 AM
Sun.- 11:00 AM-12:00 AM
Cafe Europa
726 East Las Olas Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Tel. 954-763-6600
FAX 954-763-4494
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: No
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Reserve ahaed only if you are traveling with a party of five or more
Best Suited For: Large Group
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Epinions.com ID:
tombarnes
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Thomas Barnes
Location: Fort Lauderdale & Washington, DC
Reviews written: 688
Trusted by: 444 members
About Me:
With Barbara in Miami, 2004
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