05 May BETWEEN I-95 AND OCEAN: A RICH CULINARY JOURNEY DOWN HALLANDALE BEACH BLVD. PART 2
By Eli Khazzam, Economic Development Manager, City of Hallandale Beach
Part II: From Route 1 to the Sea
One of the first things you will notice when get to the intersection of Hallandale Beach Blvd. and Route 1 is The Knife, an Argentinian Parrillada Steak House. Here, you will experience the finest cuts of meat cooked to perfection. Try the grilled appetizers including the Homemade Chorizo, Grilled Vegetables, Blood Sausage, Grilled Sausage, Grilled Sweetbreads, and Provoleta. You can also enjoy their very large selection of grilled meats, traditional Argentinian cold appetizers, wide variety of fresh and grilled vegetables and salads, homemade desserts and drinks.
It’s easy to become entranced by the neatly arranged rows of palms that divide the Blvd. into east and west; however, you can’t overlook another gem off to your right in the shopping complex just off 14th Avenue (Publix is located there). Tucked away in an enclave is Il Mercato Cafe & Wine Bar, a European-style restaurant with a small, cozy, and intimate feel. With an enormous wine list that features something for even the most seasoned wine lovers, Il Mercato’s pastas are unbeatable. Entrees include chicken schnitzel, lamb rack, NY Strip, and Eggplant Parmigiana. With these dishes you can share some outstanding side plates including grilled octopus, crispy calamari, and baked brie.
Directly off the Blvd. you will spot See Thai and Japanese Cuisine Restaurant. Begin your experience with some of their exquisite appetizers such as the See Thai Sausage, Fried Soft Shell Crab, Crispy Kani, or Crab Rangoon. Or take the sushi route for a complete selection of rolls creatively done. The noodle soups are a must. The entrees will not let you down! Basil fried rice, sauteed clear noodles, and traditional Thai entrees with a variety of exotic sauces.
As you head eastward, you will spot the Diplomat Mall Shopping Complex, which contains only too many superb restaurants to feature in one piece. El Tayta Restaurant offers authentic Peruvian cuisine, Las Vegas Restaurant provides a full Cuban dining experience, Cilantro Asian Bistro is a fascinating blend of Thai and Japanese fare, and Piola serves up a complete pizza assortment. At the far east of the complex, don’t miss Matteo’s Restaurant and Bar for a true-to-form Italian fine dining experience.
Just across from this supercluster of eateries on the opposite side of Hallandale Beach Blvd. is Padrino’s Restaurant and R Bistro. Padrino’s provides the full Cuban tradition. Sample the freshly ground seasoned beef slow cooked in a light tomato sauce, Slow roasted pork, seasoned with citrus mojo and topped with sautéed onions, or Shredded flank steak slow cooked with green peppers and onions in a light sauce. R Bistro, an exquisite restaurant with cuisine from different regions of the southern Mediterranean. Here you will find a blend of Spanish, Italian, and Turkish-style dishes beautifully seasoned. Don’t miss the music and bellydancing for a complete Mediterranean experience.
As we crossover the Intracoastal and reach the ocean’s edge, you will find one last gem: Etaru Restaurant and Bar, which features contemporary Japanese robatayaki grill cuisine. Etaru offers a casual, yet sophisticated, dining experience with its second-story restaurant, bar & terrace. The beach bar offers a more relaxed ambience with service directly to the beach. Explore their selection of Japanese appetizers. Be sure to try the steaks, burgers, lamb and fish from the robatayaki grill (fish include teriyaki salmon filet, octopus, black cod marinated, branzino fillet, and more). Don’t forget the superior array of high quality sushi rolls.
As the journey down Hallandale Beach Blvd. concludes you will see the Atlantic Ocean in view. Although it has only been several miles, you have covered several continents worth of some of the finest cuisine in South Florida. There’s nothing left to do but eat and enjoy!