Coastal char
Del Mar (Fort Lauderdale Beach)
RESTAURANTS • First Word
The Skinny: Fort Lauderdale’s Auberge Beach Residences & Spa opened Del Mar, a new restaurant by chef Mitch Brumels and Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, in November. The sprawling 17,000-square-foot space spans a dining room, beachfront bar, wine cellar, oceanfront terrace with Atlantic Ocean views, and four private dining rooms.
The Vibe: Open and coastal. The arrival finds guests walking through a dramatically long entrance hallway surrounded by curtains opening up to an enormous dining room decked out in green marble, wicker chairs, and warm lighting. I knew the square footage going in and was still surprised by how massive it is. There are two bar areas (inside and out). Set directly on the water, the patio is ideal to soak in the views, especially during the daytime. By night, fire pits are ablaze for a cozy, coastal evening.
The Food: The menu runs deep with wood-fired Mediterranean dishes, and the taste from the fire’s smoke comes through in every dish, almost like barbecue. For starters, the loaded smoky hummus comes with pomegranate-braised lamb cooked with cinnamon and laced with green tahini. The octopus is chargrilled with bell pepper vinaigrette, onions, and cilantro pesto. And the open fire-roasted shellfish platter, available in two sizes ($75 and $145 per), includes South African lobster tail, scallops, prawns, clams, and mussels with garlic lemon.
For mains, there’s rich lobster spaghetti, or snapper for lighter fare. Or consider the menu’s “From the Hearth” section, including lamb rack with roasted squash, green olives, pine nuts, and a preserved lemon jus.
The Drink: Handcrafted cocktails and an extensive wine-by-the-glass list. Cocktails run Mediterranean, featuring a Spanish G&T built on Gin Mare and rosemary. Del Porto is made with Don Fulano Blanco with solera sherry. Sangria blanca with grilled apricot comes by glass or pitcher, while the wine list emphasizes Italian and French wines.
The Verdict: We didn’t think we’d be back in Fort Lauderdale again so soon, but Del Mar is worth the trip for its gorgeous oceanfront dining scene. –Olee Fowler
→ Del Mar (Fort Lauderdale Beach) • 2200 N Ocean Blvd • Mon-Thu 4-10p, Fri 4-11p, Sat 11a-11p, Sun 11a-10p • Reserve.