Daniel’s, a Florida Steakhouse, will now surely be one of my leading birthday choices. Managed by Gioia Hospitality which also owns the always excellent Fiola, I knew it would be very good, but it surpassed our expectations. Plus, it’s very much about Florida purveyors – farmers, fishermen and ranchers, which a number of restaurants claim to use but not to this extent. They even have Florida olives in their to die for martini (gin or vodka) and artwork by local artists.
Daniel’s Steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale, but it’s well worth the drive. A contemporary steakhouse, it’s not too big or too small, warm and on the intimate side, and has an inviting bar where dinner is served as well. Besides the main dining room, there’s another space called the Florida Highway Room, for diners who want a quieter space or for private dining. The room is named after the restaurant’ wonderful collection of art painted by a group of African American artists in the 1950s in Central Florida known as the Florida Highwaymen.
Service is professional and friendly, and the staff obviously enjoys working there.
The emphasis of course is on steaks with a twist – a variety of provenance (country, state, cuts, aging and breed of cattle). It’s all spelled out in a framed card titled “Today’s Steak Selection”. You can order a topping, choosing between seared foie gras, truffle butter and exotic peppercorn.
The menu at Daniel’s Steakhouse is divided into caviar and snacks, soup and salads, appetizers, pasta, land and seafood, steaks and chops, sides and dessert. They also have their signature milkbread served piping hot with a major stick of rosemary butter ($9). The appetizers are unusually appealing, taxing Mr. W and I which to pick. We settled on the Loxahatchee baby romaine basil caesar salad which stood out for its amazing Florida gem lettuce – tasty lettuce (yes, lettuce can be tasty on its own) and a fresh, light dressing with Piave Vecchio cheese ($21). I had the pastrami bao buns ($24) with Wagyu brisket, havarti and thousand island sauce, one of their signature dishes. Next time I’d like to try the Wagyu and Pearls which is Arrowhead beef wagyu tartare with black garlic aioli, brioche toast , and Kaluga Caviar ($28); the Serenoa Bay Skipper Sweet Oysters ($28); and the Florida crab cake with caviar and rock shrimp ($38).
For our main dish we shared the Arrowhead Ranch Florida Wagyu Arrowhead Florida Wagyu Delmonico 14 oz (Ribeye) priced at $135that was perfectly grilled, flavorful and tender. Delicious. We teamed it up with sides that are ideal to share – tasty seasoned mushrooms — The mushrooms are Crimini Mushrooms with short rib jus, shallots, and red wine priced at $19, a crusty and decadent four cheese mac n cheese ($19) and twice baked potato ($18). Next time I want the mezzo frigate vodka pasta ($22).
After such an indulgent dinner we only managed to eat one dessert, the dessert that goes with a steak dinner in my opinion: a triple layer Valhrona dark, milk and white chocolate cake served with mascarpone chantilly cream ($28). It was the right choice!
There’s a good selection of cocktails priced from $19. In particular, though I’d like to point out the martini. It was served in a classic round bottom glass with a small carafe refill on the side, the Florida olives with lemon peel, and a small bottle of olive juice to make your own dirty martini if you wish. It’s now my standard to beat. A glass of wine starts at $13 and bottles at $48.
For dinner for two with one drink each, two starters, a shared steak entree, one side, and dessert expect to pay $250 plus tax and tip.
Valet parking is $10.
Daniel’s Steakhouse, 620 South Federal Highway. It’s open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Happy Hour is Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
