Creolina's
209 S.W. Second St., Fort Lauderdale, 954/524-2003
You'd have to go to New Orleans to find much competition for this category, but even if South Florida had more Cajun-Creole restaurants, they'd be hard-pressed to top Creolina's. Owner-chef Mark Sulzinski's soulful Big Easy cooking has drawn savvy downtowners since he debuted Creolina's in an unappetizing warehouse district 15 years ago. He established the current Himmarshee Village location in 1998 as a nighttime dining destination by serving authentic Louisiana-style fare in a casual, 60-seat room decorated with Haitian art and jazz memorabilia. The gumbo is thicker than you might get in N'Awlins but no less delicious. The jambalaya, crawfish bisque, pecan catfish, red beans and rice, and seafood bouillabaisse all have their loyalists. Besides the excellent food and bohemian ambiance, Creolina's has a team of servers (see Best Wait Staff) who can get you back to work or to a show down the street at the Broward Center in no time at all. But if you aren't in a rush, don't skip the bread pudding.
Is
your favorite place to eat safe?
