Michele's Dining Lounge
An Upscale Restaurant Experience in Your Neighborhood
by Tim Slivinski
As
you walk into Michele’s, something immediately lets you know
that you are in for an incredible dining experience. Perhaps
it’s the elegant yet comfortable, décor. Or it might be the
beautiful, peaceful waterfall behind the hostess stand that
highlights the establishment’s name. It even might be the
effervescent smile of Michele herself, the owner, who often
greets her customers as they walk into her new venue on the
Fort Lauderdale dining scene. Whatever it
is, it prepares you to be captivated by the casual, yet upscale
experience that defines this amazing new find.
As you enter, the bar on the left, often
buzzing with patrons who are enjoying their favorite cocktails
or a glass of wine, beckons you to take a seat. Peruse a list of
signature cocktails or ask the bartender to mix you a classic.
If you are comfortable, there’s no reason to leave as you can
enjoy full menu service at the bar. If, however, you desire to
nibble a bit, the bar menu offers several light bite appetizers
to satisfy your cravings. Try Michele’s sliders. The addition of
the caramelized onion to top the burgers adds an interesting
flavor to the juicy little sandwiches. Irresistible! If
something a little more spicy is what you seek, try the ahi tuna
sliders for an interesting twist on the typical slider. The
wasabi aioli adds just the right amount of heat to the freshly
grilled tuna, but the heat is also tempered by the addition of
an Asian slaw that cools and refreshes. Again, these little gems
are a satisfying way to begin your Michele’s experience.
Note: All appetizers on the bar menu are half price
between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
If you like the ambiance and scene of bar
dining, but do not want to sit directly at the bar, the
perimeter of the main bar offers comfortable booths and high-top
tables for quaffing and dining. You can enjoy the bar vibe while
still having a more cozy, intimate dining experience.
Begin your dinner with a fresh salad to
entice your palate—I am fond of the arugula salad. The peppery
green is topped with crumbled gorgonzola, dried cranberries,
pine nuts and julienned apples. A light sherry vinaigrette
dressing is drizzled over all. The pungent peppery element in
the arugula forms a perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of the
toppings. Another winning salad offers braised beets, frisee
goat cheese, and walnuts topped with a roasted shallot
vinaigrette. I am not much of a beet eater, but I had to agree
that the salad was delectable with its array of contrasting
flavors.
Choices of entrees at Michele’s show that
the chef concentrates on doing what he does to his very best
rather than trying to do too much, a dire mistake in many
restaurants. If you are a seafood fan, then I highly recommend
the pan-seared Branzino. It is a firmer style fish that is
seared perfectly and dressed up with kalamata olives, teardrop
tomatoes, and capers. The polenta gateau on the side is the
perfect accompaniment to the fish. Each bite is moist, savory
and full of goodness. If steak is more your idea of a perfect
dinner, then order the Filet Bleu. But what makes this dish
truly special are the grilled portabella mushrooms and creamy
bleu cheese sauce. The sauce is not so
strong as to overpower the filet, but instead it enhances the
main course by adding tang and zest. Perfect! Other dinner
options include NY Strip, Salmon, Veal Osso Bucco, and Grouper.
If you are looking for a restaurant
that offers an upscale ambience and vibe, then make a stop
at Michele’s a priority on your dining list. Upscale, yet
comfortable, it is easy to forget that Oakland Park
Boulevard traffic is whizzing by outside. Michele’s is a
great addition to the Fort Lauderdale dining scene. The
quality of food, the upscale atmosphere, the buzz of the
bar, and Michele’s graciousness should guarantee it a long
life in South Florida. I certainly hope so!
