Friday, October 24, 2008
Ft Lauderdale
La Brochette Bistro
Embassy Lakes Plaza
2635 N Hiatus Rd
Cooper City, Fl 33026
954-435-9090
www.labrochettebistro.com
Mediterranean Cuisine
This is a hard to find neighborhood gem located in a non-discript strip mall in a suburb of Ft Lauderdale. Well known by locals, La Brochette has managed to maintain a Zagat rating of 27 (out of 30) for food for the past several years. The Chef/Owner, Aboud Kobaitri, was born in Lebanon but learned his profession in Paris. After years in the business he is still visably enthusastic about food and cooking and stays very active in the kitchen. (So active that if he is sick he closes the restaurant). The restaurants interior is dark and somewhat small. As you enter there is a bar on one side and a combination of booths and tables filling the rest of the space.
I went on a quiet night but was told the place is usually packed with patrons. Many of the reviews I saw refered to La Brochette's atmosphere as romantic. I was with my colleague and intimidating soundtech named Doug so the romantic factor didn't register with me.
The menu is small but imaginative.
Appetizers such as Conch Filet Schnitzel-with caper lime sauce($9.95) are popular as well as meat entrees like Grilled Lamb Chops on Brochette- glazed with curry and offered with three sauces($27.95). They specialize in fresh fish obtained locally or flown in daily on ice from places like Hawaii
But before you select from the menu people suggest you try the specials. Even the owner told me most locals don't even look at the menu. Instead he suggests you pick from the specials that change constantly. I took the Chefs advice and ordered from the nights featured offerings,
Beginning with Duck Soup- sliced duck and fresh vegetables served in a delicious light broth, I added a Spinach Salad- fresh spinach leaves, bacon, hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, sliced tart apples, cranberries, potatoes and a wine/vinigarette dressing. The salad was very large but so good that I finished every bite. My entree was a Kansas City Strip Steak- grilled with a gorganzola and red wine reduction. It was perfectly cooked and very flavorful. They served it with three dipping sauces(a lobster sauce, a tomato/merinera sauce and a Key Lime white wine sauce) It was accompanied by grilled red and yellow peppers. I completed the meal with a very rich Creme Brule with chocolate covered strawberries and a thin waffer on top.
The meal lived up to my high expectations and the staff was equally as good.
Anyone that get assigned to work in the Miami area should take the opportunity to eat at La Brochette Bistro.
