Village Tavern / Pembroke Pines
Important: This article was last updated on February 13, 2009. Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, dates and other information.
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Shops at Pembroke Gardens, 14555 SW Second St., Pembroke Pines
954-874-1001
villagetavern.com
Cuisine: American
Cost: moderate
Hours: lunch, dinner daily
Reservations: start at least a week in advance for weekends
Credit cards: all cards
Bar: full service
Sound level: moderate
Outside smoking: yes
For kids: boosters, high chairs, kids' menu
Wheelchair accessible: yes
First impression: You wouldn't think a Godzilla-sized dining room with a huge bar and an open kitchen would be almost peaceful, but it is — thanks to its traditional Old World tavern design. The food is a mixed platter of cuisines—Asian, Italian, American, a little Mexican, a dash of Greek — from sandwiches and salads to seafood, steaks and prime rib.
Ambience: The embodiment of warm and cozy, this is the first South Florida unit for a North Carolina-based chain. A second will arrive in Boynton Beach early this year. The restaurant is a cocoon of dark woods and comfy booths, some for larger parties. The floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, flickering oil lamps and amber ceiling fixtures cast a warm glow.
Starters: Warm, house-made potato chips are cut thick and come with ranch dressing ($5.95). More substantial are grilled Thai chicken skewers ($8.95), hunks of impressively juicy breast meat brushed with hoisin, served on mixed greens with miso dressing and sweet/spicy Thai chili sauce. Just as enticing are whole wheat flat breads. Try one with Gruyere, applewood smoked bacon and caramelized onions ($8.95).
Entree excellence: Meatloaf ($13.95) picks up a wonderful charred fragrance when it's sliced and grilled before being crowned with mushroom Madeira sauce. The dish includes silky mashed potatoes and sauteed veggies. Two nicely grilled maple-cured pork chops ($18.95) pair with homemade apple chutney, garlic mashed potatoes and veggies, while thick burgers fit for any burger meister run $8.50-$8.95 including fries, potato salad, pasta salad or coleslaw. Or, keep your New Year's resolutions intact with roasted spaghetti squash bundled with cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, toasted pine nuts, fresh basil and Parmesan in light plum tomato sauce ($11.95).
Service: Attentive and quick, the platoon of enthusiastic personnel believes in what they're selling.
Sweet! House-made desserts include creamy creme brulee ($4.95), and St. Barths Chocolate Torte ($6.50) is exceptional with moist cake and rich, dark chocolate sauce.
Liquid assets: A toast to more than 60 by-the-glass choices ($4.75-$14), and to Wine and Dine Wednesdays, (5 p.m. to closing), when wine by the glass is half price. Or, sink into one of the luxurious libations gilded with organic rose petals and orchids.
— Judith Stocks