The beachfront in Pompano near Atlantic Boulevard is becoming quite the hot spot.
Our community is claiming a section of the beachfront, just south of Atlantic, dubbing it (unofficially) Stonewall Beach and parking in the municipal garage just one street west of the beach is less than $2 an hour, so you can see why it’s becoming so popular.
Plus, the beaches are cleaner and less crowded than in Fort Lauderdale. Of course, with increased traffic comes a demand for dining options and there are plenty in the area. From the decidedly upscale Oceanic to the casual Lucky Fish to a nearby Burger-Fi, there’s something for everyone’s budget. Falling right in the middle of the dining options, pricewise, is Beach House.
Wedged between Pompano Beach Blvd. and the dunes, Beach House has a casual laid-back vibe. You can sit on the patio overlooking the dunes and the beach, but for a better view, head up to the second floor for a panoramic view of the beach and the ocean. While service is quick, you never get the feeling that you’re being rushed out to clear the table.
Starter options include a few sushi rolls, averaging $16 each or “Beach Bites” including a tuna poke stack, grilled artichoke, sliders, wings, clams, or ceviche. Appetizers run $12-$17, and seem a little high-priced compared to the sandwiches.
Sandwiches and salads are in the $12-$20 range and offer large portions. Salads include a Caesar, Caprese, iceberg wedge, and barbecue chicken over kale. Sandwich selections range from chicken Cordon-bleu or a traditional club or burger (with the usual topping choices) to a catch of the day, or a yummy lump crab meat sandwich. There’s even a terrific option for vegetarians, the Green Goddess; with ricotta, cashews, and avocado on multigrain bread. All sandwiches come with a choice of sides: fries, grits, mac and cheese, rice and beans, salad, or a peanut-ginger coleslaw. A trio of taco options rounds out the more casual fare.
Entrees are a bit pricier in the upper $20s (and low $30s if you opt for steak). In addition to the ubiquitous grilled salmon, there’s shrimp and grits, barbecue ribs, and a piquant and aromatic Key Lime chicken. Steaks are market price and the ones I saw going past my table looked delicious.
There are a few dessert options, but the only one that matters is the Key Lime pie. The best that I’ve ever had, either here in the Fort Lauderdale area or the Keys! Tropical cocktails average $10-$15 but are large and what you’d expect at a beachfront place. There is a surprisingly good wine list and an array of beer selections. There are a bunch of young people wandering aimlessly around who appear to be servers, but we lucked out with an experienced and attentive waiter. With so many delicious bites and strong cocktails, the bill can total up quickly. Of our group of four, three had two rounds of drinks, a platter of oysters, and split one dessert. One had the chicken entrée — the others split some appetizers and before we knew it our bill was almost $250, before adding a tip. But, ordering more judiciously, you can easily enjoy a meal at Beach House for $25 a person.
Beach House
270 N. Pompano Beach Blvd.
954-607-6530
beachhousepompano.com
Side Dishes
The revitalized 13th street corridor has another restaurant, Bruno’s Eats, that should bring in big crowds. Bruno “Chef Max” Maxino and Peggy Ann Blain, who’ve been operating a popular food truck since 2013 have opened the storefront. The menu is Caribbean fusion, including influences from Haiti, Jamaica, and Latin American. 603 NE 13th St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-864-9679.
Popular Las Olas spot, YOLO is closed for a major renovation. “There’s nothing we’re not going to refinish and re-do. It’s going to be YOLO reimagined,” says co-owner Tim Petrillo, of the Restaurant People. “The way the restaurant feels will be 100% different.” The project is expected to take three to four months.
When one door closes another opens. Watch for the opening of Papa Duke’s Deli, next to the Dairy Queen on Wilton Dr. The signs have been up for months, but owner Chip Meeker says it will be open by the end of the month. The signature dish is the Drunken Brisket sandwich featuring slow-cooked brisket, with pickled vegetables, and spicy pepper tapenade. The bread will be from Sullivan Street Bakery in Miami, the only location outside New York City of the bakeshop founded by James Beard Award winner Jim Lahey. 1952 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors, 954-530-4914, PapaDukesWM.com.
Rick Karlin is SFGN's food editor. Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
