Best Waterfront and Seafood Restaurants:
Forty-two years after opening, and Sea Watch is still going strong. Owned by Jim Edmondson, the California-based businessman behind the now-shuttered Topanga and, until 10 years ago, Bimini Boatyard, the restaurant on Fort Lauderdale beach has a postcard-perfect view of the ocean. Every table has access to it through the large pane windows throughout the airy, atrium dining rooms with wood-beam ceilings. But all of that would be a waste if the food weren’t good. Sea Watch has enjoyed a loyal fan base since 1974 because the seafood is outstanding: things like crab cakes don’t have too much filling; fried menu items manage to be ungreasy; shellfish are buttery bites of heaven and fish dishes are unpretentiously prepared. As if that weren’t enough, the desserts are well-just-this-one-time decadent.
Sea Watch on the Ocean, 6002 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-781-2200; seawatchontheocean.com
BEST WATERFRONT RESTAURANT FINALISTS:
- Kaluz, 3300 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-772-2209; kaluzrestaurant.com
- Beauty and the Feast, 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-567-8070; atlantichotelfl.com
BEST SEAFOOD FINALISTS:
- Lobster Bar Sea Grille, 450 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-772-2675; BuckheadRestaurants.com/Lobster-Bar-Sea-Grille
- Garcia's, 398 NW North River Drive, Miami; 305-375-0765; garciasmiami.com