Blue Moon Fish Co., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.....Fresh Fish on the Intracoastal Waterway
Written: Apr 02 '04 (Updated Sep 05 '04)
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Pros: Fresh fish, great deals on weekday lunches, attractive surroundings
Cons: Seating can be crowded, long waits possible for outdoor tables
The Bottom Line: Good, fresh fish and pleasant surroundings at this popular and lively restaurant. If you can stand the wait, ask for a table on the terrace.
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| tombarnes's Full Review: Blue Moon Fish Company |
When asking around about good restaurants in the Galleria/Galt Ocean Mile area of Fort Lauderdale, one name kept popping up, the Blue Moon Fish Co.. I had to go and see what all the fuss was about. What did I find?
Location
The restaurant is actually in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, just north of Fort Lauderdale proper. It's on the Intracoastal Waterway, so the chances of seeing a parade of yachts passing by are better than average.
The Interior
The restaurant is in a large, free-standing building, so you would expect large open spaces inside. The interior is mildly Art Deco, with polished wood and etched glass screens which allow a modicum of privacy. The generally crowded feeling is more than compensated for with the bustle and cheerfulness of the place. This is a very popular restaurant with locals, so you would do well to book ahead.
The Menu
First Course
Unfortunately, at lunch, there aren't many first courses offered--even none! One can get a few things from the raw bar, though. Shrimp are served with Zatarain's cajun spices, cocktail sauce and lemon. You get about eight shrimp for $9.00. Salmon with toasted ciabatta, tomatoes, onions and capers isn't bad ($9.00), but it's nothing too special. Mahogany Clams ($8.00) come with shallots, loads of garlic and a subtle broth of wine. Mussels are also available for $9.00, prepared in a similar fashion.
Salads
Most of the salads offered at lunch are served in large portions which don't encourage separate courses. Unless you are planning to share one, you would be better off having them alone for your lunch.
My father had the Blue Moon Greek Salad ($9.00) with grilled chicken, cucumbers, olives, tomatoes and feta over greens. He wasn't too impressed. I had a bite of it and found it agreeable, if not exactly memorable. My brother had the Blue Moon Caesar ($8.00 or $10.00 with chicken) and found it acceptable. Only the sharp bite of the pecorino gave it any character. For more interest, you might try the Blackened Langostinos and Baby Spinach Salad ($12.00) with caramelized onions and fritters made with pecans and goat cheese.
Main Course
I was the only one to have a main course, and I was reasonably pleased with the Grilled Norwegian Salmon Filet ($14.00) with wilted spinach and herbed mashed potatoes. While the preparation was not exceptional, the fish was indubitably fresh.
On a more recent visit, I tried the Sauteed Yellowtail Snapper ($15.00), butterflied and served over zucchii "noodles" with citrus butter, scallions and mushrooms. It was a large piece of absolutely fresh fish ! The citrus butter was mild and did not overtake the flavor of the fish. The "Big Easy" Seafood Gumbo ($10.00) is about what one would expect, with shrimp, crab, crawfish, andouille sausage in a dark brown roux.
For those who don't want fish, a small number of dishes are on offer. The Black Pan Seared Prime Rib looked good enough ($14.00), though I only saw it at a neighbor's table. The Homemade Meatloaf Sandwich with onions and Cajun mayonnaise ($10.00) didn't sound too enticing.
Do try the strawberry iced tea. It sounds disgusting, but the advantage here is that it is not sweetened, so you can actually taste the strawberries. It's rather different than the usual iced tea. Skip the lemon wedge.
Wine
I had a look at the wine list, and while it is fairly extensive, the prices are not exactly bargains.
Dessert
I am not wont to try dessert, especially at lunch, but they do have tropical sorbets ($8.00) and several chocolate desserts like the Icky Sticky Caramel Torte ($10.00) or the Liquid Center Double Chocolate Torte ($11.00) topped with fresh berries and whipped cream.
Service
The service is perfunctory, if not exactly punctual. The place is very busy on weekdays, so the servers can get a bit behind. One reviewer noted the crowded nature of the dining room, and I must agree. However, when the place is filled, it is quite pleasant, and you don't notice the close quarters as much.
Avoid the interior dining room if you can. Instead, try to get a table in the room overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.
Cost
The prices at dinner are about twice as much as those at lunch, with most main dishes priced at about $26.00-$31.00, par for the course around here. The value at lunch with the two for one special (always in effect) is remarkable. Our bill for four people came to barely above $40.00 before the tip.
Reservations Etc.
Reservations are strongly suggested at dinner, but you may not need them at lunch. Just be prepared to wait a short while for your table in any event. The restaurant accepts all major credit cards. Complimentary valet parking is available at all times. They are open as follows:
Sunday- Thursday 11:30 AM- 10:00 PM
Friday- Saturday 11:30 AM- 11:00 PM
Blue Moon Fish Co.
4405 West Tradewinds Avenue
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL 33308
Tel. 954-267-9888
www.bluemoonfishco.com
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: No
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Reserve ahead for this popular place
Best Suited For: Friends
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Epinions.com ID:
tombarnes
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Thomas Barnes
Location: Fort Lauderdale & Washington, DC
Reviews written: 688
Trusted by: 444 members
About Me:
With Barbara in Miami, 2004
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