Monday, August 31, 2009

Red Onion Neighborhood Grill

With the hustle and bustle of the University of Florida campus crowding all the great eateries, sometimes it’s nice to escape the crowd and enjoy a meal without running into everyone you know. The Red Onion Neighborhood Grill, just a 10-minute drive from the center of the University of Florida, is tasty getaway from the usual favorites. From burgers and crab cakes to salads and sandwiches and steaks, the Red Onion offers a little something for everyone, no matter what type of food you’re in the mood for.

Appetizers, including beer-battered red onion rings and hot tortilla chips with fresh, chunky salsa, range from $6 to $9, while main entrees, such as pasta dishes and classic NY strip steaks, are around $15. With such an extensive menu, the Red Onion doubles as both a lunch spot and a dinner place. Many of the waiters seem to suggest the burgers made from 1/2 lb. black angus beef and served with fries when asked what’s good to eat. The salads are big enough to serve as your meal. Portion size on all the dishes is more than adequate, and the appetizers are great to nosh on.


Modern, red light fixtures set the subdued, yet upscale ambiance at the Red Onion, separating it from your typical T.G.I.Friday’s, Applebee’s or Chili’s. With a full-service bar and TVs mounted on the walls, the Red Onion is conducive to large, boisterous parties and small get-togethers. You can even watch Gator games here if you don’t have tickets. The wait staff is attentive and will gladly split the check between people, if need be.


The Red Onion, while not anything out of the ordinary, is a refined establishment with decent food where you won’t likely run into the typical UF clientele.


KP’s Crumbs: The burgers are big enough for two meals. The tortilla chips aren't salty enough, but the guacamole for $1 extra makes them worthwhile.


My end of the date rate the plate: Eh, not really worthy of any fork at all. Certainly not worthy of spooning. Put it this way, in Gainesville, you can do way better!


Check out this article and more on my Examiner site.


The Red Onion Neighborhood Grill

3901 NW 24th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32605, 352.505.0088

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Sunday, August 30, 2009

Official Gainesville food Examiner

In addition to my oh-so-personal posts here on Fork First, Spoon Later, I will be posting some more official Gainesville restaurant reviews on Examiner.com because I am the official Gainesville restaurant reviewer!

Check me out here and subscribe to me. I will be posting about four times a week, so feel free to post comments and let me know what you like and don't like, where you want me to go and what you want me to try. If you wanna post it, I wanna read it.

Don't worry, though, Fork First, Spoon Later will be the only place I provide all the need-to-know dish with every single extra detail including my personal thoughts and favorites.

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Sunday, August 23, 2009

Daily quickie: Satchel's Pizza

In a college town, pizza is all the rave. Ordering in or picking up is bound to cause a headache with so many pizzerias to choose from. But if you are looking for the king of all pizzas, you don't need to look any further than the Satchel's - a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that serves only pizza and salad. This vintage, boho-y pizza joint specializes in ooey-gooey pizzas with every topping imaginable. Go for tons of veggies, but if you don’t, you can’t go wrong. The red sauce is a bit spicy, but not hot, and there is a solid inch-and-a-half of bready crust. To start the meal, order a famous salad. Satchel's oversized chopped salads are served family style and include bite-sized apples, walnuts, carrots and a homemade, tangy balsamic dressing.

On a Friday or Saturday night you can expect to wait at least an hour for a table (even longer if you want to sit in the car-turned-private-dining-area) since reservations are not accepted. But don't worry, you can listen to some live local music in the back while sipping on old-fashioned soda pop in glass bottles sold in the gimmicky gift shop. I am particular fan of the bottled root beer.

To pass the time, mingle through the shop and ogle the odds and ends that you can buy for a few bucks to remind you of your Satchel's experience (you can even buy the tasty balsamic dressing to enjoy at home). Card games, band-aids, change purses and light fixtures crowd the for-sale space and vie for your attention.

Be sure to bring cash, though, because credit cards and checks are not accepted in the gift shop or the restaurant. There is an ATM available for customers, but use the money you would have spent on the ATM fee for a homemade chocolate chip cookie, mini cheesecake or brownie in the glass case up at the front where you pay. The chef only makes a few desserts a night, so be sure to snag something sweet to finish off your tasty meal before they are all gone. If you are lucky, there will be some chocolate-chip cannolis left for you to try. You’ll leave with a full tummy and hands full of lots of crap from the backyard store.

KP’s Crumbs: Ask to sit outside. The fake flowers made from cans and the fun garden ornaments are conversation pieces. The cannolis are by far the best dessert. And zucchini, spinach, broccoli and mushrooms are the tastiest toppings to put on your pizza. The avante-guard servers may come off as a bit rude, but I’d be too if every table of mine were full every single minute. Don’t take anything they say or do personally.

My end of the date rate the plate: Worthy of four forkings. Go often; leave way more than satisfied. But don’t forget, this date only takes cash.

Satchel's Pizza

1800 NE 23rd Ave., Gainesville, Florida, 352.335.7272

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Monday, August 17, 2009

A new blog look for a new year (school year, that is!)

College town, Florida = LOTS of forking and spooning. Everyone’s looking for it (they are too lazy to cook for themselves), so I’ll provide the need-to-know info about where to (and where not to) fork and spoon in Gainesville. Now that I’m back to my old stomping grounds, I’m ready to go Gator chomping at all my favorite local restaurants and find tons of new ones. Then, of course, I'll share them all with you.

A word to the wise – Gainesville is chock-full of superb food. Between all the fast food places, though, the tough part is knowing where to find the gems. A little insider knowledge goes a long way in learning that college town does not mean college food or trashy atmosphere.

The down and dirty dish before you fork from my tons of previous experience: Dragonfly takes reservations. Merlion's is the best Thai food you'll find. Ti Amo serves its food tapas-style, perfectly conducive to sharing with a special someone. D’Lites has two locations. A bowl of pho from Saigon Legend will last you two meals. And Las Margaritas will put a giant sombrero on your head if it's your birthday.

Happy eating!

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East City Grill and Zizzo's

A trick of the trade, from my keyboard to your eyes, is that restaurants that can put a damper on your wallet are just as delicious at lunchtime as they are for dinner. East City Grill in Weston is such a place. If you’re looking to splurge on dinner, this is the place to go, but if you are looking for a yummy meal at a fraction of the cost, you don’t have to look far. East City Grill offers an extensive lunch menu with dishes from the sea (fish and seafood) and the land (poultry, meat and veggies). And for those who crave East City’s elegant, yet hearty dinner meals, a few of the most popular also find their way onto the lunch menu.

At a good-bye meal with my grandparents, my “grammy” and I spilt the champagne poached chicken salad wrap with asparagus and the banana-nut crusted goat cheese salad with a banana-lime vinaigrette. My “papa” ordered another beautiful looking salad (though his was a bit more manly with an entire grilled chicken breast).

The banana-nut-crusted goat cheese ball on my salad was crunchy and warm on the outside, and the gooey, warm center, as smooth as cream cheese, made for a nice pairing. The citrusy dressing was a tad overpowering, but the caramelized banana slices on the side cut the tang. The chicken salad wrap was just a chicken salad wrap, but the bubbly champagne mixed into it added a nice fizzy kick.

While each dish by itself was delicious, I would not recommend ordering the two together as my grandma and I did. The bite from the champagne in the chicken salad was still lingering on my tongue as I took a bite of the salad and had the sharp lime from the vinaigrette snap. Sensory overload.

What’s nice about lunch at pricy dinner locales is that, even at lunch, the staff treats each guest like royalty (how else will they get you to come back for dinner?). The waiters, clad in white aprons, open the doors to great you and say good-bye. The tables are beautifully set and the ambiance is first-class. My grandparents and I enjoyed the fine dining lunch experience.

After lunch we head to Zizzo’s Coffee– a coffee chain that was started in California. Normally, I avoid chains, preferring instead to find one-of-a-kind places. These tend to have better quality food and charismatic atmospheres. But unlike typical coffee chains, Zizzo’s in Weston is one of those places to come in and stay awhile. The dark wood tables and plush leather couches are nothing chain-like at all. The free Wi-Fi is perfect if you have work to do. For those who chose to drink in, the drinks are served in ceramic coffee mugs. And Zizzo’s doesn’t burn their beans. Each cup of coffee is bold, so whether you prefer to take it with sugar or not, you will have a rich cup of joe.

Because I was stuffed from lunch, I couldn’t handle any fun, yet overly filling coffee drinks. A cup of iced coffee with skim milk and Splenda woke me from my food coma and kept me going the rest of the day. The chocolate-dipped mandel bread called to me, but I just couldn’t make any more room in my stomach. The hometown, coffee-bar atmosphere provided just the right mood for my grandparents and I to say our good-byes before I left for school.

KP’s Crumbs: Go to East City Grill for a pleasant, yet not extravagant, high-class lunch. Don’t order the chicken salad wrap and the goat cheese salad together because each of their bold favors deserve to be savored alone.

My end of the date rate the plate: East City Grill is worth of forking. At lunchtime, you get a whole lot of bang for your buck. Zizzo’s is certainly worth slurping up for a morning, afternoon or evening delight.

East City Grill
1800 Bell Tower Lane, Weston, Florida 954.659.3339
Zizzo's
1378 Weston Road, Weston, Florida 954.389.4004

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Monday, August 10, 2009

Basilico

Last days of summer jobs are bittersweet. Moving on is natural and exciting; saying goodbye is sad. Though not all of us are fortunate enough to have jobs with people we love or subject matters that pertain to our very specific interests, some of us have just that – bosses who know what we are capable of, who give us work and trust we’ll get it done without micromanaging and who will challenge us even if the tasks don’t require rocket science.

I had always thought that being friends with your boss was a “no-no,” but every summer since I was 15, my boss and I have stayed in touch. Perhaps it helps that she’s young and hip (she dresses better than I do, wearing at least 4-inch heals daily to work, and she looks like she’s 24. As far as I am concerned, she might as well be a model.) She’s more than my boss. She is my friend and someone whom I look up to with utmost most respect for her work ethic, go-get-‘em attitude and poise in everything she does.

For my last day with her, Veronica took me to lunch at Basilico, an Italian restaurant in Miami, which is the ultimate hole-in-the-wall. Situated in a nothing plaza with no more than 20 parking spaces, fighting to get a narrow parking space takes a few minutes, especially at lunchtime. The restaurant itself looks clean with white tablecloths and a wood-topped bar. It attracts families and business folk. But it’s the menu that gives this bistro its unique flair.

Like everything in Miami, nothing is good enough unless it has a Latin twist. Italian and Latin, which both promise flavorful food with a punch, make an unlikely, yet incredible pairing. Though Basilicio’s preparation is relatively simple, the menu offers timeless Italian favorites, the majority of them pasta dishes, each better than the next, making it difficult to decide.

Veronica and I chose to split the linguini al frutti di mare with mussels, octopus, scallops and other seafood tossed in wine marinara sauce. As an appetizer, we split the beef carpaccio with capers, basil and shaved Parmesan cheese. Ordering Italian in Spanish made me chuckle, but the food, fresh and full, was nothing to laugh at. The seafood pasta, perfectly al dente and not at all fishy, was yummy; the beef, sliced so thinly, piqued our appetites.

In true Latin tradition, our meal couldn’t be complete without a mid-afternoon espresso served with a hard dipping cookie. Veronica and I left full and satisfied, ready to finish out our day of work.

Though I’m not the first, I certainly won’t be the last to praise this authentic Italian eatery.

My end of the date rate the plate: For a lunchtime fork, Basilico is top-notch.

Basilico

5879 NW 36th Street, Miami, Florida 305.871.3585

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Daily quickie: BARcelona

Months in Barcelona meant multiple late-night outings. Each evening was an adventure, checking out ultra cool hangouts and bars with awesome vibes. While divulging too much would be sure to spoil my fond memories, here’s a taste of Barcelona’s finest bars.

Chupitos (c/ Aribau, 77, Barcelona): This narrow, black-light-lit shot bar is always a party, bustling with locals and tourists from midnight to about 3 a.m., when the place clears out as party-goers make their way to the clubs. The specially trained bartenders at Chupitos specialize in making sugary shots for 2 Euros a pop. Large menus on the wall list hundreds of names, and though the names don’t say what the shots contain, it’s fun to pick a name, push your way to the bar and just go for it.

Some shots, or “chupitos,” are lit on fire and served with marshmallows that you roast before taking the shot; others are served with whipped cream on top; and yet others taste like super-strong mouthwash. There are even some “dirty” shots. My favorite was the Harry Potter with a flaming orange and all. If you’re lucky, and if you go often enough, the bartenders will even create shots just for you, like my favorite bartender, Raul, did. Chupitos is guaranteed fun.

Pipa Club (Placa Reial 7, Barcelona): This is a secret club in Plaza Real off of the famous La Rambla. Passers-by would never notice it, but those “in-the-know” know to ring the doorbell, climb the narrow stairs and be escorted into this secret jazz club with live music and strong drinks. Pool tables and couches add to the underground feel. It’s the perfect place for a chill night and a very local hangout.

Bosc de Les Fades (c/ Passatge de la Banca 5, Barcelona): This bar, a part of the wax museum off of La Rambla, is a sight to be seen. Meaning “Forest of the Faries,” this rather large lounge gets jam-packed and is decorated to resemble an actual forest. With tree stumps to sit on, leaves hanging from the ceiling and, of course, wax sculptures, the bar and its dim lights transport you to a magical place. Though it tends to attract mostly an older crowd, Bosc de Les Fades serves delicious sangria. A major plus – for Americans, that is – is that there is no smoking allowed inside because of all the wax decorations (It’s nearly impossible to find a bar in Barca that doesn’t allow smoking!).

La Oveja Negra (c/ Sitges 5, Barcelona): In one word, this basement-y bar is awesome. A five-minute walk from La Rambla, this tavern requires that you pass through a bouncer who looks like Hagrid from Harry Potter to enter the spacious basement equipped with foosball tables, high-tops with standing room and low tables for sitting with friends. More is definitely merrier here. Beer is ordered in pitchers to share, as is the sangria. Oveja Negra’s sangria is by bar the best in all of Barcelona – thick and syrupy, without fruit, and destined to give you quite a buzz. Be careful to watch your purse in the bar, though, because thieves target this popular place.

Dow Jones (c/ Bruc 57, Barcelona): At this touristy bar based on the Stock Market, the prices of the drinks rise and fall based on how many people are ordering them. Every half hour, the market crashes and all the drink prices fall. It’s really more of beer-drinkers bar, with only a few mixed drinks on the menu, but it’s fun to frequent for a relaxed night or before going out to a club.

Bar Marsella (c/ Sant Pau 65): This historic absinthe bar was opened in the early 1800’s, so in essence, it is a living museum. The gritty, grand room that makes up the bar has wirey tables and boisterous guests. The bar sells cups of absinthe with cubes of white sugar and a spoon, so that you can burn the sugar onto the spoon and mix it into the licorish-y alcohol. For those who are sissies, the bar also sells bottles of water to dilute the powerful taste of this liquor that gives this saloon its claim to fame.

Any bar on Carrer de la Mercé (Barcelona): This street is home to many little cocktail bars, but all specialize in “leche de pantera,” or the panther’s milk. This thick, alcoholic drink combines milk, gin, rum, peppermint and cinnamon for a tasty drink reminiscent of eggnog. Definitely worth trying for a local taste.

My end of the date rate the plate: While these bars don't serve any food worthy of good forking and spooning, they do deserve one heck of a big gulp!

A circus of an event: a second go at Mustard Seed

[Come one, come all. Ladies and gentlemen and children of all ages, Mustard Seed Bistro, if you will.]

Despite my previous bashing of Mustard Seed Bistro, I wasn’t ready to give it up just yet. Its quaint nature still lingering on my mind from my first attempt to dine there was calling to me like the faint memory of a red-and-white big top in the distance. Plus, because it received rave reviews in the Sun-Sentinel, I had to experience the spectacle myself by sinking in my teeth.

I felt like a kid going to see the circus for the first time. I awoke eagerly yesterday morning, knowing that my mom and I were meeting up at Mustard Seed Bistro in Cooper City for lunch. Wanting to beat the inevitable crowd and since we didn’t reserve our seats ahead of time, we arrived at 11:30 a.m. A hearty “hello” from one of the waiters across the restaurant welcomed us, and we seated ourselves at a table for two.

A handsome waiter with a flashy white smile, who looked like a model or entrancing trapeze artist rather than a server, presented us with our playbills – one-sided paper menus. My mom and I decided on two baguette sandwiches: one with grilled chicken, baked Brie, sliced apples and honey mustard; the other with Waldorf chicken salad that our waiter suggested. And we eagerly waited for the show to begin.

As with any good performance, each vignette – in this case, the food – was better than the previous. The warm grilled chicken breast melted the Brie cheese and the apples, making the crunch from the fresh baguette meet a gooey center (not such an easy feat!). The Waldorf chicken salad, with shredded chicken, dried cranberries and pina colada mix, was truly the showstopper and worthy of a round-of-applause. The simple, yet elegant presentation on white, square plates added to the “wow” effect that’s restaurants rarely achieve.

But while the main ring of the three-ring circus gets all the hype, I’m quite attune to the other two, knowing full-well that more often than not, it’s the supporting events that completes the show. While my mom and I could have paid an extra $2.50 for pomme frittes or a salad, we opted not to. Our side dishes instead were surprises, chosen by the ringmaster himself, the chef. Just enough nutmeggy couscous for a taste and a small heaping of chilled and chunked sweet potato salad rounded out our plates.

When our shoulda-been-model of a waiter returned, I questioned him about the ingredients of the delicious couscous and sweet potato medley. He ever so gracefully avoided a plunge into the pit of secrets as he informed me that he had no idea, since the chef has about six sides that he serves with lunch. When I asked how the chef chooses which sides to serve, he simply said that the chef just picks whatever he feels like.

At first, I wasn’t sure how to feel about this. Shouldn’t I, the patron, dictate the show? I’m the one paying, right? But after careful thought, I came to realize that this is how it should be. Why wouldn’t the ringmaster, much more skilled in his own art, be the one to run his own show?

Our waiter, the great performer that he was, also artfully dodged my human canon of other questions. “Can I see a dinner menu” led to a response that they were just cut up into squares. (“Huh?,” I found myself thinking.) Turns out, that once a week the chef prepares a new dinner menu and the old menus are disposed of. Why they would have to be literally cut up? Well to that I have no idea.

Adding to the restaurant menagerie was young woman painting the back wall during eating hours. She reminded me of a dismembered woman. I didn’t know whether to “oooo” and “ahhhh,” or be disgusted that she had paint open while I was eating. On top of her strange presence during lunch hour, I couldn’t fathom why on earth she was painting a circus scene of all things as the focal point of the restaurant. In such a classic bistro, painted in light yellow hues and with lace covering the windows, bright elephants seemed out of place. Nonetheless, the artwork captivated me and watching the artist paint provided entertainment in addition to the plated food.

The other circus guests were quite the sight as well. Businessmen in three-piece suits sat diagonal from sweaty women in yoga cloths (they even brought in their yoga mats! Gross.). These oddballs sat next to fathers with daughters, who sat by snobby women dressed to impress on their lunch date with the girls. By the time my mom had paid the check, people were anxiously awaiting our seats.

Our lunch affair proved to be a circus of an adventure. Delicious? Of course. Confusing? Yep, that too. Completely exciting? Absolutely. It was an all-around feast for the senses that left me longing to runaway to the circus, but only if it tastes as good as Mustard Seed Bistro.

KP's Crumbs: Mustard Seed Bistro also offers breakfast. While I didn't see the breakfast menu, I am sure that the chef must whip together scrumptious dishes. As for dinner, if you plan on going, make a reservation and dress up. The lunch crowd and the dinner crowd are birds of a different color.

My end of the date rate the plate: This bistro is a forking and spooning pleasure. The mystery side dishes keep you on edge, wanting to know which the chef will chose for you to experience. Just go with them, expect the unexpected and you'll be sure to enjoy yourself.

Mustard Seed Bistro

8616 Griffin Road, Cooper City, Florida 954.252.0002

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Food a la femme - Mustard Seed Bistro & Vienna Cafe and Bistro

Friday night was mommy-daughter-dinner-date night. Mommy-daughter meals typically mean light ones, beginning with a salad and ending by passing up on the dessert. They involve talks about the future and sharing everything about everyone. Since they don’t occur all that often, I have come to cherish these times.

First stop: My mom and I are both adventurous eaters, so we wanted to try a place that neither of us had been to. My mom had noticed a little place nestled in a Plantation shopping plaza on her way to work and wanted to try it out. We pulled into the parking lot and walked up to Bamboo Noah’s to see what type of place it was. With a name like “Bamboo,” I expected Asian cuisine; but the “Noah” part really threw me off. Turns out, it is a walk-up-to-the-counter, place-your-own-order stir-fry noodle bar, and my mom and I agreed it was probably better suited for lunch.

Second stop: I had been anxiously waiting to try Mustard Seed Bistro in Cooper City. My mom went for lunch and only had rave reviews. It seemed natural that she would want to return and I would be enthusiastic about trying it. With white lace drapes visible through the front glass windows, graceful wine goblets with each place setting and no more than 12 tables in the entire restaurant, I was delighted. Less than half the restaurant was full, and I was excited to have a quiet dinner.

A man, spectacles, apron, and all, haughtily greeted us in the front with an open book in hand. We politely requested a table for two. He informed us, peering at his book, that we could not stay because we didn’t have reservations and they had a full house at 7 p.m. A quick glance at my watch told me it was only 6:30 p.m. We told the maître d’ we could certainly be out in 30 minutes, but he was adamant that dining at Mustard Seed required a good hour and half, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

He shooed us out the door with business cards in hand, telling us to call in advance next time. I left Mustard Seed Bistro with a bitter taste in my mouth because the staff was unaccommodating and downright seedy.

Yet again, my mom and I left a restaurant and head out in search of another. You know what they say…third time’s the charm. And, luckily, our third stop was just that.

The Vienna Café and Bistro in Cooper City is the true girly-girls haven. It’s my mom’s and my tradition, as we’ve been eating here since I was in middle school. The food is consistently good and they don’t skimp on the portions.

It’s a charming bistro with a scrapbooky, antique-y feel. One-of-a-kind, really. All the crafty salt-and-pepper shakers and tableware are mismatched. Lace covers the tables and fake flowers adorn the ceiling. The warm ambiance is best for whispering across the table and two-people parties of mothers and daughters, sisters or old friends. While having a guy to join you there may be a tricky task, once he is there he is always impressed by the quality of the food. No matter who you chose to bring, though, I’d say you’ve brought too many if you dine with more than four. There aren’t more than 15 tables in this intimate cafe, most of which are for two, and the ones outside are preferred for lunch.

The menu, with cheese and fruit platters, fresh baguettes, spinach quiche and spring mix salads with drizzled dressings, is sophisticated. The coffee bar and wine list only add to splendor. The open kitchen doesn’t have room for more than two chefs, but service isn’t slow. The Vienna Cafe was our perfect choice for dinner.

My mom and I usually go to Vienna Café for lunch. I absolutely love their half tuna sandwich on multigrain bread, cup of Italian wedding soup (my favorite soup ever) and iced coffee. Last night, we were staying away from lunch food and knew we wanted to share. My mom and I are both crab cake obsessed, so it was a no-brainer that we order the lump crab cakes with grilled asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes, served with a house salad to begin.

Worried we would still be hungry, we debated between the seafood crepes, grilled Portobello mushrooms with goat cheese, crepe a la reine and Sonoma wrap for our second dish. We chose the wrap because the house-specialty Sonoma dressing, like a thick, sweet balsamic vinegar, is out of this world. It too was served with a salad to start, so both my mom and I had our own appetizer.

Unlike the Mustard Seed Bistro, the staff at Vienna Café was extremely accommodating. Once our waitress realized that my mom and I were sharing, she offered to have the kitchen spilt both our plates, so that we could each have our own sampler.

After our large house salads, we ate our baked crab cakes that had lumps of shrimp and were served with a mustard dipping sauce. I chose to dip mine in the Sonoma dressing instead. The buttery mashed potatoes were fork-worthy to taste. So by the time my mom and I were ready to eat our wraps – stuffed with crisp lettuce, yellow raisins, crumbly gorgonzola and sweet apple slices – we were too full.

We brought home our wraps to enjoy at a later time, and left after catching up with some old family friends who happened to have been dining there also. No shooing out. No hour-and-a-half minimums. Just delightful food and a cozy atmosphere.

Yep, third time's the charm....and charming.

KP’s Crumbs: Vienna Café and Bistro’s Somona dressing is the best. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but you must add a side of dressing to whatever you get because everything tastes even better when dunked in it.

My end of the date rate the plate: The food at the Vienna Café is worthy of drawn-out, intimate forking and spooning with someone you care about. While the Mustard Seed Bistro might be fork-worthy, I wouldn’t know. The seedy staff was a total turn-off. I guess I'll have to return when I have scheduled fork time to enjoy the hour-and-a-half experience.

Vienna Cafe and Bistro

5724 South Flamingo Road, Cooper City, Florida, 954.680.6599