Have you Hurd... This Was Our Last Blast Of Florida Sun and Surf...

I know these posts keep bouncing back and forth chronologically, but just pretend this is some sort of Pulp Fiction type exercise and give the blog your full and undivided attention.  I know I don't have the entertaining chops of Samuel L., John, and Uma, but there is much less murder and mayhem featured in these lowly pages too.  I count that as a blessing.  Hopefully, you do too. -smirk-

On our last evening in Fort Lauderdale, we were looking for someplace simple.  No reservations required, maybe some outdoor seating facing the beach, enough capacity to handle our entire posse, and certainly some tasty grub too.  Luckily, one of our group had visited Fort Lauderdale recently with a Boy Scout Troop spending some time at Seabase.  He suggested a pizza parlor on the opposite end of the beach from our hotel that he thoroughly enjoyed on his previous trip.  We made a quick phone call to assess the crowd and started the long walk down the beach.  After passing 17 beachfront bars and more than a few interesting characters well into their evening revelry, we arrived at Boccaccino Cafe and Pizzeria.

The staff rearranged some tables on the patio to accommodate our entire party in 3 smaller groups and filled us in on the food and drink offerings.  A round of adult beverages hit the table quickly and the first round was nearly gone before the great pizza negotiation of 2015 was complete.  The core of our party settled on a couple of salads and three pizzas.  Another round of drinks accompanied the scrumptious salads.  I would say for a pizza place, the produce was first rate and the dressings packed a flavorful punch too.  Hoo-RAH!  As my dedicated readers should know by now, bland greens are a sin of the highest order in my book.  I don't eat salad because it is healthy.  I eat it because I like the taste of it.  No flavor = no good.

As we eagerly awaited the arrival of our trio of pies, we managed to re-create our own scene from that Alfred Hitchcock classic "The Birds."  A trio of aggressive pigeons had worked their way onto the patio to mug another couple of diners and make a meal of their pizza.  Unbeknownst to us, one of our good friends and some first cousins to these pesky pigeons had some history.  I say first cousins because the pigeons George encountered many years before were in the thriving metropolis of Pittsburgh and they 'decorated' his suit on his way into an important meeting with some folks at Mellon Bank.  Hearing him recount the tale of a ruined suit and a nearly ruined meeting so long ago,  it is clear he is still bitter about it.  George swiftly unleashed his pent up emotion and sent the pigeons packing and provided some brief entertainment to boot.  Crocodile Hunter maybe not, but pigeon pusher for sure.  I just wish someone had caught it on video.  Thanks to George we were able to enjoy the rest our meal without any fowl present.  At least not any live fowl.  -chuckle-

Perhaps it was the engaging conversation, the crashing surf in the background, or the wrinkles in time cause by the conspicuous consumption of ethanol, or the brief show of force against the pigeons... but the pizzas seemed to get there faster than expected.  The buffalo chicken, Sicilian, and shrimp scampi pies were hardly set down before the slices were passed around and quickly disappeared.  Even though I am not normally a fan of seafood, the shrimp scampi is one of their feature items and for the sake of my readership I had to at least sample it.  WOW!  While the toppings weren't all readily apparent baked into the cheese, you could definitely taste the shrimp and garlic.  The crust was special too.  If I had to pick a typical style I would say New York, but done better.  The Sicilian and buffalo chicken were fabulous too.  I would venture to say it wouldn't matter what toppings you choose at Boccaccino's, the combination of crust, sauce, and cheese will provide the perfect foundation to pizza goodness.  Considering the good food, comfortable atmosphere, great service, and reasonably priced beverages...  I would say Boccaccino's Cafe and Pizzeria is on my 'must visit' list any time I return to Fort Lauderdale.  If you make the trip, I suggest you give them a try too.  Make sure you pick an evening with nice weather so you can sit outside on the patio.  It is on the beach, after all. -big smile-

Please note that no wildlife were injured during the creation of this episode and absolutely no fee was charged for pigeon training.

I tried to take a picture
immediately, but my
reflexes were somewhat
slower than normal.
South Florida heat or
ethanol?  Both?

Same story with the second
pizza.  Folks were really
hungry.

Gotta have the shrimp scampi.
A signature item and they
ROCKED IT!

www.boccaccinocafe.com

Your Dining Scout,

Michael Hurd, aka Big Mike

Have you Hurd... Rainy weather in South Florida is common this time of year...

Your Dining Scout and Shade Tree Chef had the good fortune of taking a work-related trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in late April.  I know this is a spring break mecca for many college students and even post college-age adults, but the only time I had ever visited previously was a bus ride from the Port of Miami cruise ship docks to the Fort Lauderdale airport.  Given it's long and rich traditions of large throngs of college co-eds, beer fueled shenanigans, wet t-shirt contests, upside-down margaritas, and other peculiar mating rituals...  There was really only one thing on my mind...  -sinister grin- GOOD FOOD!  Naturally, I booked my trip with an extra day to allow for some rest and relaxation before the work related activities commenced and to allow a few extra restaurant visits.

Thanks to an early direct Southwest Airlines flight that was only partially booked (SHOCKING), we landed in FLL with plenty of time to grab our rental car and head out to the A1A for breakfast on the beach.  Not being terribly familiar with the local restaurant scene, I did my normal level of preparation in advance.  Reviewed several online sources for tips on places to visit and also surveyed friends who frequently spend time there.  I winnowed down the list to limit the number of seafood meals, while not completely eliminating them.  You can't be this close to the water and not try at least a little bit of seafood.  If I did, my wife might decide not to join me on any future business trips.  A recipe for disaster, if you ask me.  She loves the surf and I tilt heavily towards the turf.  I was pleasantly surprised to find a Pittsburgh favorite transplanted to Fort Lauderdale too.  The Primanti Brothers has multiple locations in South Florida.  I guess Steeler country is not just in Pennsylvania anymore.  -big smile-  What better place to grab a bite of breakfast to fortify ourselves for a day of seeing the sights.

As an avid cook, I enjoy sitting where I can see what is going on in the kitchen at a restaurant. Whether it is a run of the mill local diner or a five star bistro where you have to drink with your pinky finger extended to feel like you belong... This location of the Primanti Brothers would fall into the former category and they were doing all sorts of fun stuff that time of the morning.  Short order breakfast, mixing pizza dough for the lunch crowd,  and prepping salad ingredients all in a fairly small kitchen.  I am a fan of breakfast at any time of day, but we were on the verge of lunch time.  To say I was conflicted was an understatement. After a raging debate within my own mind, I settled on the knockwurst sandwich dressed with the usual Primanti flair  - cole slaw, french fries, and tomato.  I also added a fried egg, so it would feel like breakfast.  I resisted the strange urge to wash it down with a cold Iron City beer.  In my estimation, the sun wasn't quit past the yard arm yet.

While we waited (and watched) for our food to hit the grill, I put my recently acquired cell phone to good use.  A friend had recommended spending the day at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.  Based in his description, it sounded like a great local attraction.  Much to my dismay, I learned that Tuesday is the only day of the week that Vizcaya is closed to the public.  No worries, we could always hang out on the beach as our backup plan.  Just as the thought crossed my mind, torrential rains started to fall.  Upon examining the weather radar on said cell phone, it seemed to be the first of many such storms that would come and go that day.  Texted some friends quickly to line up a backup plan.  Their common response: "when in South Florida on a stormy day, the only thing to do is go shopping."  They recommended Sawgrass Mills, a local shopping district that was both an indoor shopping mall and outdoor outlet mall.  Could turn into a seriously expensive day of vacation, but worth the risk in this particular situation.

Who says you can't have
knockwurst for breakfast?

Our food arrived rather quickly and the staff kept us company as they tended to their other duties and we waited for a break in the weather.  Food was even better here than the location I have visited previously near Pittsburgh.  I am a big fan of the cozy atmosphere.  My wife was not quite so enamored of it.  One caveat if you plan to visit on your next trip.  They only accept cash.  Although there was an ATM on-site, I can't even begin to imagine w the usage fee would be.  Luckily, I had my personal ATM (wife)  with me.  Gotta love a woman that lets you pick the spot and buys your breakfast.  -big smile-






Not much to share on the shopping trip from the retail side.  The unbelievable crowds on a weekday afternoon made me wonder if anyone ever really works in Fort Lauderdale?  I am not used to people stalking the parking lot for a space on a Tuesday afternoon when Christmas is more than seven months away.  I tried to find some cool flip flops for the beach in a store that sells only flip flips.  Though I tried mightily, I was unable to find any in my size.  Apparently, people with size 15-4E feet are not meant to wear cool flip flops on the beach. -frown-  I ameliorated my disappointment with a Haagen Dazs Belgian chocolate milk shake.  In the words of (Uncle) Jesse Katsopolis of Full House fame "HAVE MERCAYYY!"  Probably more than a thousand calories in a cup, but I am pretty sure I will sweat it off in the outdoor sauna of an unseasonably warm South Florida spring day.  As an aside, my first stop was at Ben & Jerry's.  They had some good stuff on the menu there too, but it is never good to visit someplace just before they resupply.  Most items on the menu were unavailable due to inventory shortages.  -big frown-  Will have to save the Chocolate Therapy for another time.  I'll be dreaming about that chocolate pudding swirled chocolate ice cream until then.

Inside these pages is an
incredible array of  pastries.
Do not stop here before
getting your cholesterol
and blood sugar tested.

The last pleasant surprise of the day was a quaint little bakery that was mixed in with the outlet mall shops.  I know you aren't used to me using words like quaint and little when describing food, but the sweet aromas wafting out of this place pulled me in like a tractor beam.  We picked up a sampling of pastries to share with friends who would be putting us up for the night.  Nothing says "thanks for the food and lodging" like a sack of scrumptious French pastries.  We selected some deluxe chocolate croissants (chiocolate filled and chocolate covered), hazelnut cream-filled croissants, and chocolate cream-filled baked beignets.  It may seem like heresy to even suggest a baked beignet, but having tasted one of these...  I can vouch for them.  If you find yourself in Fort Lauderdale at the Sawgrass Mills shopping district, don't leave without a stop at Paul Maison de Qualite' for some fresh baked delights.  It may be busy, but well worth a wait in line.
-mmmmm...  inhale deeeply, eyes closed, remember the beignet-




This is the first of multiple posts from our trip.  Please keep reading for details on our trip to the Yard Bird in North Miami Beach (near Port of Miami cruise ship docks) where a good friend and fellow fried chicken aficionado from Austin, TX joins me on my quest.

Your Dining Scout and Shade Tree Chef,
Michael Hurd, aka Big Mike

www.primantibros.com

 http://www.paul-usa.com/shop/en-US/Shop/PAUL-Sawgrass-Mills-at-The-Colonnades_315