New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to reflect on wonderful memories of the past year, and make new resolutions as you look forward to the future. What better way to reminisce than surrounded by close friends as you enjoy amazing food and lively conversation? Fort Lauderdale has some excellent New Year’s Eve dining choices, with some restaurants even offering live music and dancing! Check out these options and see which ones make your taste buds want to celebrate!

Burlock Coast Seafare & Sprits, 1 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-302-6460:

This renowned restaurant located at the beachfront Ritz-Carlton showcases the food of Chef Paula DaSilva, offering a 3-course ($99 per person) or five-course tasting ($189) tasting menu, not including tax or tip. Dinner comes with a Champagne toast.

Louie Bossi, 1032 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-356-6699:

This popular Italian restaurant on the lively Las Olas corridor will showcase a special New Year's Eve menu of roasted cauliflower garlic and truffle oil, wood-grilled octopus salad ($16), duck yolk raviolo en brodo with shaved urbani white truffle ($18), 16 ounce wood-grilled veal chop with wild mushroom sauce and taleggio crostini ($48), house-made parpadella with duck ragu ($28), and warm panettone bread pudding topped with stratatella gelato ($8).

3030 Ocean at the Harbor Beach Marriott, 3030 Holiday Drive, Fort Lauderdale, 954-765-3030:

For those who really want a fine-dining experience, Chef Adrienne Grenier's five-course tasting menu is sure to impress! Costs $100 per person with optional wine pairing for an extra $50. Delicious options include cured salmon, green apple, smoked roe, crème fraiche; shaved porchetta, Florida citrus marmalade, hazelnuts, watercress, fennel; sunchoke and camembert ravioli, brown butter, parsley; roasted flounder in a wild mushroom broth, baby bok choy; Alaskan king crab with toasted brioche, avocado, and caviar; seared duck breast with roasted cauliflower, arugula, golden raisins, pine nuts; diver scallop with crunchy lentils in a carrot-cumin sauce; beef tenderloin with smoked potato purée, oven-roasted swank farm tomato, grilled onion; and decadent desserts. Seating is from 6 until 10 p.m.

Wild Sea Oyster Bar and Grille, 620 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-467-2555:

This restaurant at the Riverside Hotel will offer a five-course tasting menu from 6 p.m. to midnight for $125 per person with an optional $50 wine pairing (plus tax and tip). The menu will feature Kumamoto oysters, salmon crudo, lavender-glazed quail, lamb chops with black garlic and more. Vegetarian options are available. The hotel is also hosting a masquerade party on its eighth-floor rooftop for $118 per person featuring live music and dancing.

TRP Taste/Rooftop Party, 1 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-523-1956

The Restaurant People (YOLO, S3, Boatyard) are throwing a dinner party at their new ground-floor popup restaurant and tasting kitchen, Taste, followed by drinks at Rooftop, the hot and hip rooftop bar in downtown Fort Lauderdale. At 8:30 p.m., chefs Chris Miracolo and Peter Boulukos will present a 10-course meal with wine pairings for $250. The optional Rooftop event, 11 p.m.-2 am., will cost an extra $50 and include open bar with premium drinks.

Here’s to delicious food in 2018! Happy New Year!

The holiday season is a magical time of year, when we take a second to share precious moments with friends and family. We give thanks for all of the wonderful things we might usually take for granted, and celebrate long-standing traditions that only come once a year.

However, between putting up decorations, planning holiday vacations, and picking out the perfect gift, sometimes the season can get a bit stressful to say the least. Instead of worrying about preparing the perfect Christmas feast, why not leave it to the professionals and treat you and your family to a mouth-watering Christmas dinner at a celebrated Fort Lauderdale restaurant? Check out these fabulous restaurants and give your taste buds a special holiday treat!

Market 17

A three-course menu will be offered for $65 per person at Market 17. Choose from a selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Options include crispy skin duck confit, grilled grass-fed beef tenderloin, butter-poached Maine lobster and wild mushroom and fig risotto. Dessert includes chocolate layer or carrot cake. Enjoy libations such as house-made, colonial-style eggnog or a Miracle on 17th Street (rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, amaro and bitters).

1850 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale; 954.835.5507; market17.net

3030 Ocean

Photo courtesy of 3030 Ocean

This restaurant is located in the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. 3030 Ocean is offering a Christmas four-course prix fixe menu for $70 per person. The regular a la carte menu will also be available. It features sea-themed dishes, including Florida lobster bisque shooter, ceviche, grilled swordfish with blue crab rice and fritto misto with crispy calamari, oysters and shrimp.

3030 Holiday Drive, Fort Lauderdale; 954.765.3030; 3030ocean.com

Ocean 2000

The Pelican Grand Beach Resort’s waterfront restaurant, Ocean 2000, has a five-course menu for $75 per person, starting with creamy Maine lobster bisque and followed by a starter and salad. Main course options include roasted free-range turkey, 14 oz. rib eye, Chilean sea bass and porcini mushroom and tofu risotto. Finish off with dessert offerings of candy cane mousse or Grand Marnier crème brûlée.

2000 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.556.7667; pelicanbeach.com/ocean2000

Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille

Photo courtesy of Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille

Enjoy an exquisite buffet with a la carte specials at Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille at the Riverside Hotel for $69 per person and $35.50 for children 12 and under. The Christmas buffet will be available from noon to 9 p.m.

620 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.467.2555; wildsealasolas.com

Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits

Photo courtesy of Burlock Coast

Located at the Ritz-Carlton, Burlock Coast will have a buffet-style Christmas feast starting at noon for $105 per adult and $49 for children. A selection of sweet or savory dishes will be served as well as items from the artisanal cheese and charcuterie display, salad station, raw bar station, carving stations and sushi and dim sum station. Desserts to complete the meal range from popcorn panna cotta to eggnog truffles and a chocolate molten lava cake station.

1 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.302.6460; burlockcoast.com

I sincerely hope that one of these restaurants can make your Holiday culinary dreams come true! I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

One of my favorite Fort Lauderdale holiday traditions is the annual “Holiday Lights” cruises that take place during the Christmas season. A special treat for passengers of all ages, this cruise takes advantage of one of Fort Lauderdale’s most celebrated features: the gorgeous Intracoastal Waterway!

Being held every day until the 23^rd, those interested can catch the tour twice daily, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The water taxi runs rain or shine, and promises to show passengers the beauty of the Intracoastal during the holiday season! Allow yourself to be captivated by the festive ways that gorgeous million dollar homes along the water have been decked out in hundreds of colorful glowing lights. Adults will love indulging in the delicious Christmas cocktails at the full cash bar, and kids will appreciate the fun holiday drinks made especially for them. The tour also includes on-board live entertainment!

The “Holiday Lights” cruises are wheelchair friendly and boarding begins 20 minutes prior to departure. Each cruise departs from the Hilton Marina under the 17^th Causeway bridge. Tickets for adults are $25, and $15 for children under the age of 12.

Click here to purchase tickets for the cruise!

If you desire resort-style living in booming Fort Lauderdale, then my Berkley South penthouse may be the perfect home for you!

Imagine waking up daily surrounded by fantastic water views! In sunny, south-facing Berkley South PH-10, magnificent unobstructed water views can be found in EVERY window, transforming this condo into a serene sanctuary of light. Hurricane-impact glass windows allow this natural light to showcase the spacious, open layout. Impress your visitors with great wine and breathtaking views as you sit on the roomy balcony and admire expansive, unobstructed long Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway views. Perhaps impressive mega yachts will be cruising down the Intracoastal, and your guests can enjoy their own private boat parade! Ready for a night out in one of the hottest cities in South Florida? The location of PH-10 is only minutes from a variety of fun activities, including the beach, upscale shopping, and delicious fine-dining establishments! Rounding out this penthouse in the sky are knockdown ceilings, updated bathrooms, large master bedroom with en suite bath, and 2 walk-in closets.

Berkley South is currently undergoing several building upgrades (Assessment PAID by Seller) that will only make this penthouse an even greater investment in the future! Renovations include new hallways, a new 2^nd floor amenity deck with Infinity heated pool, BBQ grill pavilion area, green space, new tennis court, and redesigned clubroom. Fitness fanatics will appreciate the new jogging track around the building and the remodeled Fitness center with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the revamped pool deck. Berkley South also offers bike and kayak storage, a full-time manager on premises, 24-hour concierge, DIRECT beach access, and garage parking for your convenience. Berkley South is also PET FRIENDLY!

This Fort Lauderdale penthouse is a great deal that won’t last long! Contact me at realtor@joannedwards.com or 954-770-8525 and check out those wonderful water views for yourself!

As an expert and leader in Fort Lauderdale real estate, I know firsthand the rapid expansion currently taking place in this beautiful city. The Venice of America, as it is fondly named by yachting enthusiasts, is truly one of the most sought-after real estate cities in the country. That’s why it gives me great pleasure to have wonderful featured listings in the Fort Lauderdale community of Berkley South, which is currently undergoing a 5.5 million $ makeover project that will make these units an even better value in the future! Building renovations include new hallways, a new 2^nd floor amenity deck with Infinity heated pool, BBQ grill pavilion area, green space, new tennis court, redesigned clubroom, and state-of-the-art fitness center with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the revamped pool deck. Even better, all of this luxury is only a couple blocks from the beach! Check out my fantastic Berkley South listings and contact me at 954-770-8525 or realtor@joannedwards.com to see them for yourself!

3015 N Ocean Blvd Unit 16H, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Price: $399,900

This condo boasts breathtaking Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway views upon entry! Completely remodeled 2 BR/2 BA unit with high quality upgrades that include Venetian plaster smooth ceilings, crown molding, accent walls, and Travertine floors. Especially noteworthy is the custom designed open kitchen with imported granite countertops, SS appliances, and wine bar. Frosted glass sliding door leads to guest bedroom with high-end Murphy bed. Hurricane impact windows and doors. Gorgeous water views from every room! Assessment paid in full!

3015 N OCEAN Unit 18K, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Price: $399,900

This sub-penthouse listing has a SE/SW exposure that features long water views from EVERY window! Enjoy breathtaking Ocean, Waterway, and city skyline views every day from the convenience of home! Also full of great renovations such as redesigned open kitchen with granite table top and stylish custom lighting. Other upgrades include Travertine floors, accent walls, smooth ceilings, a redesigned En suite master bath and a custom walk-in closet in the master bedroom, and a large cedar closet in the guest bedroom. Hurricane impact windows and doors! Assessment paid in full!

3015 N OCEAN BLVD Unit PH-10, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Price: $359,000

Fabulous Penthouse in the sky! You will be blown away by the expansive unobstructed long Ocean/ICW views in this updated sunny south facing 2 BR/2 BA Penthouse! There is no better location than this! Imagine hosting a wonderful evening with friends as you enjoy a refreshing Ocean breeze on the spacious balcony, taking in the BEST views the city has to offer. Hurricane impact glass on all openings. It doesn’t get much better than that!

3015 N Ocean Unit 7J, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Price: $249,900

A major price reduction makes Berkley South 7J a GREAT deal and the lowest priced unit for sale in the building! This pet-friendly condo shows off sunny south Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, and city skyline views. Bright and spacious, it has an eat-in kitchen, walk-in closets, hurricane shutters, and extra storage. The assessment for this condo has been paid in full. Don’t let this incredible deal pass you by!

To see this listings or for any other inquiries on Fort Lauderdale real estate, please contact me anytime at 954-770-8525 or realtor@joannedwards.com!