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Eat like a pro South Florida has no shortage of restaurants run by jocks. Here are a few of our favorites. by Bob Weinberg Important: This article was last updated on October 19, 2005. Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, dates and other information.
Dan Marino's Fine Food and Spirits Address: 901 University Drive, Coral Springs, and in The Shoppes at Sunset Place, 5701 Sunset Drive, South Miami; the Fort Lauderdale location at Las Olas Riverfront has closed Contact: 954/341-4658 (Coral Springs), 305/665-1315 (South Miami) or Danmarinosrestaurant.com Namesake: Legendary Miami Dolphins quarterback Don Strock (just kidding; it's David Woodley) Food: Seafood, steaks, pasta, burgers, salads Recommended: Tomato basil bisque, a smooth blend of puréed tomatoes, red peppers, basil and cream; blackened mahi-mahi sandwich, a moist, lightly seasoned chunk of fish the heft of the Pembroke Pines phone book, served on a toasted bun with a delicious dill-caper sauce; garlic "smashed" potatoes; nut-crusted mahi-mahi Décor: Attractive, wood-accented and spacious main dining area features comfortable upholstered booths and tables. A very appealing bar area with booths, high-top tables, a curved wooden bar, frosted blue light fixtures and plentiful televisions also provides a pleasant dining option. Outdoor seating is also available. Memorabilia: Photos of Marino with various sports figures adorn the walls, along with framed, signed jerseys and poster-size photos of No. 13 in his gridiron glory. Polo shirts with the No. 13 can be purchased. Items named for owner: Dan's Delight salad (mixed greens, bacon, blue cheese, diced tomatoes and almonds topped with an herb vinaigrette); anything served "à la Marino" comes with caramelized onions and button mushrooms; the Claire salad (iceberg lettuce, carrots, sesame seeds, toasted almonds and rice noodles with an Asian vinaigrette), named for the missis Service: Friendly, laid-back Good to know: D.M.'s Taste of the NFL specials are based on whatever team the Dolphins are playing that week. For instance, the week the Fins played the New York Jets, Marino's offered selections such as Buffalo shrimp, Italian wedding soup and chicken scarpariello, with cheesecake for dessert. When they played the Carolina Panthers, the specials included fried oysters, black-eyed peas, a pulled-pork sandwich and a Jack Daniel's apple torte. Scouting report: Although the Riverfront location recently closed, the Coral Springs restaurant caters to an ever-expanding population. While our waitress there was nervous about the closing of the sister restaurant, she also said her location caters to a host of neighborhood regulars who practically live there. Plus, who doesn't love Marino? Conine's Clubhouse Grille Address: 5181 Sheridan St., Hollywood Contact: 954/983-9377 Namesake: Florida Marlins utility player Jeff Conine Food: Sandwiches, salads, finger foods Recommended: Fried calamari, garnished with strips of fried zucchini and served with marinara and Thousand Island-style dipping sauces; juicy hamburgers; chicken Caesar salad with strips of lightly seasoned white meat and pieces of thinly shaved mozzarella Décor: Clubby, dark-wood interior is surprisingly light and airy. Every seat in the house provides a good view of the plentiful wide-screen televisions. Even the booths in the bar are equipped with their own TVs. Memorabilia: Not much, aside from a couple of Niner's framed jerseys and a few handwritten notes from fellow sports and entertainment figures wishing him luck, though there is a case filled with signed Marlins paraphernalia for sale Items named for owner or other sports figures: Conine's club sandwich and the "Cigartini," in honor of recently retired stogy-chomping Marlins manager Jack McKeon Service: Attentive, friendly and honest enough to tell us to skip the shrimp BLT, which looked good on paper Good to know: Many of Niner's teammates have reportedly been spotted at the place, and the boss himself stops in on a weekly basis. Coffee is served in huge blue ceramic cups; ask for a large only if you feel you've been sleeping too much lately. Scouting report: Conine's is located on the spot of a once-thriving Bennigan's in Hollywood, convenient to folks from Hollywood Hills, Emerald Hills and anyone on the way to or from the Seminole Hard Rock. Offerdahl's Café Grill Address: 401 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, plus eight other South Florida locations Contact: 954/727-2662 (Fort Lauderdale) or Offerdahls.com Namesake: Former Miami Dolphins linebacker John Offerdahl Food: Sandwiches, soups, chili, chop bowls Recommended: Pesto chicken sandwich on a choice of bagel or bread (we like the sourdough); the fiesta bowl, with chunks of grilled chicken served atop yellow rice mixed with black beans and salsa, and crowned with cheddar cheese, scallions and a dollop of sour cream; the ginger Thai bowl, grilled chicken atop white rice and crisp ginger slaw, sprinkled with peanuts and accompanied by a Thai dipping sauce; the lip-smacking Madera or house-blend coffees Décor: Light and airy with plenty of windows, the place looks like an upscale New York-style deli dotted with tables and comfortable, cushioned booths. Memorabilia: News clippings and pictures of Offerdahl, including family photos, such as little Johnny getting his first football and graduating from high school Items named for owner: Johnny's chop, one of the signature chop bowls; Johnny's chicken chowder; Johnny's house salad Service: Friendly, efficient. Eat there often enough and the amiable downtown Fort Lauderdale crew will make you feel like one of the family. Good to know: Sidewalk seating affords good opportunities to people-watch. Fresh-baked goods, such as oatmeal cookies and carrot and chocolate cakes, tempt even the strong-willed. Scouting report: Nation's Restaurant News named Offerdahl's one of America's Top Five Hottest Concepts, and we gave it the nod for Best Coffee in City Link's Best of 2005 issue. Bru's Room Address: 235 S. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, plus four other South Florida locations Contact: 954/785-2227 (Pompano Beach) or Brusroom.com Namesake: Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Bob "Bru" Brudzinski, who co-owns the restaurant with Buffalo chicken-wing king Eddie Hauk (of Wings N' Things fame) Food: Wings, ribs, pizzas, hamburgers, sandwiches, salads Recommended: Bru's meaty "world-famous" wings, served mild, medium, hot or extra-hot, or with your choice of teriyaki, barbecue or sweet-and-tangy sauce -- spend the extra 50 cents and get them grilled; toasted ravioli appetizer, consisting of crisp ravioli filled with cheese and sausage and served with a chunky marinara sprinkled with mozzarella Décor: Sports-bar informal, featuring a spacious, airy dining room with booths and tables and a dark, bustling bar area, both of which offer satellite TV Memorabilia: A couple of framed Dolphins jerseys (Joe Rose's and Todd Lankford's in the Pompano location) in the dining area, but not much else related to Bru's career. Football jerseys for the Dolphins, University of Florida, University of Miami and Ohio State (Bru's alma mater) can be purchased. Items named for owner: Bru's steak sandwich, Bob-BQ chicken sandwich, Bru's sampler platter, Bru's All-Pro combo pizza and Bob's baked beans Service: Quick and friendly Good to know: The grub is decent, but if you stick with the wings, among the area's best, you can't go wrong. Also, on Dolphins or Gators game days, Bru's is the place to be. Scouting report: With its excellent wings, inviting atmosphere and cheap beer and drink specials, Bru's provides a haven for sports nuts to congregate. |
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