Restaurants in Oakland Park

After leaving France behind and settling down in Fort Lauderdale in 2007, owners Gerard and Christine became wistful with memories of their homeland. However, with the love for their new city quickly taking root, the duo decided that, instead of returning to France, they could simply add an authentic touch of the French Riviera to Florida’s culinary landscape. Opening in 2009, St. Tropez Bistro didn't take long to win over new friends and neighbors, winning a 2009 Best French Restaurant award from the readers of DiningGuide and a rating from the food critics at Zagat. To foster that authentic French feel, they added Chef Dominique to their team, letting him craft fresh tuna tartare and spicy lamb sausages with ratatouille to complement the restaurant’s wine list. A crew of experienced, knowledgeable wait staff—many from France, as well—bustles among the art-deco advertisements and accordion-playing Eiffel Towers that help complete the French Riviera vibe.

Situated at the threshold of the historic Anglin’s Fishing Pier, Anglins Beach Cafe gives way to a sun-drenched, 975-foot-long boardwalk that bustles with anglers and sightseers from dawn to dusk. Outdoor diners are afforded panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, and the restaurant's interior proves no less idyllic: shaded booths abut the pier rails, and in the dining room, green tiles echo the hues of sea foam crashing against the shore. Considering that Anglins Beach Cafe is entrenched in the natural environment, it makes sense that its proprietors should take strides to preserve it. To that end, chefs draw upon organic greens, fruits, dairy products, craft beers, and wine, and pack leftovers and stowaway mermen in 100% biodegradable boxes.

Shooters Waterfront Cafe USA showcases vistas of the intracoastal waterway as servers ferry plates of fresh seafood, burgers, and sandwiches to outdoor tables. Boat docking with valet assistance allows diners to pull up to the waterfront eatery after a day spent negotiating record deals with musically gifted whales. Shooters serves drinks on an outdoor patio, while their swimming pool allows guests to mimic those musical whales. On the weekends, a raw-food bar lures seafood lovers with fresh-caught oysters, clams, shrimp, and crab legs.

When discussing the inspiration behind his love of cooking and hospitality with reporters from the Sun Sentinel, Michael Tatton credited his father, saying, “I was fascinated by all the people my father knew and the different foods he introduced us to.” Following in his dad’s footsteps, Michael opened Thai Spice more than two decades ago at the young age of 19. Today, Michael continues to captain the restaurant, which The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences honored with the prestigious Five Star Diamond Award for excellence in cuisine and impeccable service.

Deep in the kitchen, Michael and his chefs place innovative spins on traditional Thai dishes using flavorful spices and premium seafood, meats, and vegetables delivered fresh daily. Pots of curries and tom yum soup simmer on the stoves, as lobster, duck, and Chilean sea bass sizzle in pans. Meanwhile, grills crackle with fine cuts of steak, and plump chickens roast over open fires.

Out in the dining room, tropical fish glide through the salt waters of towering tanks among swaying plants and colorful rocks. Blue lanterns dangle from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over white-clothed tables and intimate booths. The walls feature exotic artwork depicting traditional Thailand scenes, from elephants raising their trunks to a businessman who went on a soul-searching trip to find his inner sassiness.

A review in the Stranger called The 5 Point Café “inarguably one of Seattle’s—indeed, the world’s—best dive bars.” The Seattle Times aptly described the eatery as “a rare blend of homespun and depraved,” a reputation it's honed since 1929. Founder C. Preston Smith cashed in at the end of Prohibition, but it was his son Dick who cemented 5 Point’s notoriety with various stunts. He installed a periscope in the men’s room that still stands today, looking out at the Space Needle, and he had bikini-clad waitresses on roller skates plug expired meters around the neighborhood, leaving friendly notes behind.

The 24-hour eatery serves breakfast all day and night to pair with stiff drinks and frothy beers poured along the bar. Hearty plates arrive loaded with eggs benedict, huevos rancheros, and housemade spicy black beans or 1/3-pound burgers made from natural Oregon ground beef. Deep-fried mac 'n' cheese wedges lead off meals of open-faced turkey sandwiches or tofu scrambles that feature housemade curry and an ability to get out of the pocket borrowed from Steve Young.

Mirrors and ornate paintings surround diners at Lily Garden with a serene atmosphere as they sample a menu filled with Hunan, Cantonese, and Sichuan dishes. Each white-clothed table in the dining room supports a crescent vase of flowers, and red paper lanterns dangle above the booths along each wall. Delivery and catering services are also available.

Tender pieces of chicken, beef, shrimp, and pork simmer in a variety of aromatic sauces, including curry, savory black bean, and fiery sichuan. The Triple Crown In Bird's Nest specialty holds chicken, pork, shrimp, and vegetables in a crispy potato basket, and the seafood straw mushroom combines succulent lobster, scallions, and scarecrows used to frighten away hungry pelicans. Lily Garden also serves beer and wine and curates a gluten-free menu for patrons who swear off the wheat-based protein.