Yesterday you read about Valentino Cucina Italiana . Here’s the twin sister I mentioned, One Door East, featuring Asian fusion cuisine. Both are my new “go to” spots in Fort Lauderdale. The chef of One Door East is Oliver Lustaro, formerly of Zuma in London, Istanbul and New York.
His signature dishes are a mix of hot and cold small plates, all attractively presented. The cold dishes include favorites like tuna tataki and ceviche with Hamachi, royal red prawn, aji passion fruit and leche tigre.
All were good, though our favorite was the ricotta toast which Mr.W described as a next gen, bruschetta 2.0, though much better. Served on a crispy toast was creamy fresh truffle ricotta with prosciutto and truffle pearls. On the hot side, popular dishes are the crackling shrimp with thai chile sauce, and the unusual “burnt ends”, pieces of brisket that have been smoked in house and served with pickles and one year old cheddar cheese. Next time I’ll try the soft shell crab with wasabi aioli, mizuna and apple hoisin along with cucumber noodles, avocado, yuzu, sesame and micro shiso.
Main dishes include a variety sure to appeal to all tastes – from udon noodles with tenderloin, mushroom and spicy black pepper sauce, to wood grilled 16 ounce Madagascar prawn with shio; wagyu sliders; and a different riff on ribeye – here marinated with Korean wafu, shisho and charred scallion. The prawns were exceptional – meaty, perfectly grilled and seasoned.
If you like corn, don’t miss the roasted off the cob corn with parilla butter, queso fresco and fresno chili — very tasty with just the right amount of picante (spicy).
Colorful cocktails are a delight for the eyes as well as the tastebuds, expertly crafted with ingredients like butterfly pea flower from Thailand and Yucatan honey from Mexico. The décor is focused on an interior wall painted by muralist and street artist Herbert Galarza whose work has been featured in the New York Post. The place is casual and comfortable with low lighting. Service is very good.
Small plates run in the midteens; entrees average around $25. The highest priced item is the roasted lobster at $48.
Both offer drinking and dining special events which vary by restaurant, including ladies night, happy hour and a jazz night every second Thursday of the month at One Door East.
The restaurants are located at 620 S. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale (T. 954-368-6902).