Lobster Bar Sea Grille — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

I have been using Open Table since 2012. Over this period, I have written 66 reviews. The majority of which have been highly favorable and complimentary. Professionally, I have been an executive-level leader of luxury hotels and high-end restaurants for 40 years. I feel I know my stuff. Thus, this Lobster Bar Sea Grille review is based on facts and my professional observations.

Pre-arrival and greeting: To start, I was contacted by the restaurant two hours before my reservation to confirm that I had booked a patio table. I explained I would not have done that knowingly as I booked the restaurant in part by the photography of the interior space, which appeared to be in the style and level I was looking for. I would have booked a place along the water if I wanted to have dinner outdoors. The Lobster Bar employee (Kat) told me she would change me to sit indoors. When my guest and I (a party of six) arrived, Kat greeted me and said they had a table on the patio, which I corrected by saying that she had confirmed us indoors just two hours prior. After a wait of ten-plus minutes, another host announced loudly that one of my guests was dressed inappropriately and that we could sit on the patio if we wished. Everyone at my party was stunned as we dressed appropriately for this restaurant. Rather than argue in front of my guests, they graciously agreed it would be ok to dine there. We soon discovered that was a terrible compromise. (Tip: If you need to tell me something is wrong, pull the guest host aside and discuss it privately.)

The Patio: In stark contrast to the high-end ambiance of the dining room, the patio was a disappointment. It was furnished with basic lawn furniture, devoid of any decor, background music, or ceiling fans. Dining there felt more like being in a parking lot than a high-end restaurant. Adding to the discomfort, the patio was also the location of the servers' bussing station. All the dirty glassware and plates were paraded past our table, and the servers openly discussed their service and table challenges, no more than three feet from us.

Dinner service: our server was warm and charming but drilled in the art of upselling to the point of the absurd. Further, there was no acknowledgment of being placed in the “time out” area, as some empathetic gesture from the management would have helped ease our growing frustration. We enjoyed a seafood tower and a tuna appetizer. It was, at best, average in its presentation and seafood food quality. While the menu is well constructed and described, the pricing is deceptive, particularly regarding the fish selections (Tip: you will be charged more than what is listed). In addition, the menu points out that the server will filet and present whole fish selections on the table side. If you have dined at Estiatorio Milos in Las Vegas, you know how this is correctly done. But after a 45-minute wait for our entrée, this service expectation was far off the mark. Food runners rushed and dropped their plates without any offer of service, food description, or check on our satisfaction. Moreover, one of my guests who ordered Dover Sole (market price) had to wait another five minutes before his plater was served, without any table-side presentation, as is the customary practice with Dover Sole. He was left to debone this serving himself. Finally, the side servings we were upsold (see previous point) never arrived, but by then, it was on par with the entire evening.

In summary, my party spent close to $1000 to dine in a parking lot and endured a comedic three-hour presentation on how not to operate...

This was always my favorite place for an outstanding dining experience, that is until last evening. Our waitress was very good, however we did not get her name. We ordered 2 shrimp cocktails and were brought one. She did quickly correct it. Years ago they were presented beautifully, this time they were on a plate with ice and lemon. The ice caused the shrimp to be come soggy and not crisp as shrimp should be. Next we had salad, one had to be sent back from the overwhelming amount of pepper or some spice on it that was so strong, it was unable to be eaten. Next came 2-2 pound lobsters. One was cooked properly and the other one was transparent from not being cooked enough. Once again the presentation was less then before, nothing like the pictures on the web site. After the under cooked one was cooked some more and returned to the table it was returned with out the claws!!! The waitress called the manager over, by this time the other person at the table had just about finished eating. To add insult to injury, something was dripping on us from the ceiling and dripped into the butter sauce. Of course we told our waitress but nothing was done about it. We moved the table ourselves and asked for new butter sauce. The manager came over and said they rushed the lobster back out and forgot the claws. Not a very good excuse. It should have been cooked properly the first time. By the time they were brought out it was late, the meter for the car was almost finished. I brought them home and part of the claw was missing!!!! This took over 2 hours. The manager did not charge for my disaster of a lobster. I did appreciate that. We had looked forward to this dinner for months and Valentines Day was the perfect time, we thought. For 64.00 per lobster, I would expect so much better. We will not be returning. I have gotten better lobster and shrimp in Doris Market and eaten it in the comfort of my home. Think twice before dining at this restaurant with their prices. With the 1 lobster removed it was still almost 200.00 for 2 with 1 glass...

Disclaimer: I'm rating this restaurant based on the higher expectations that come with more upscale/higher pricing.

I dined with a group of family so I had the opportunity to try many different items as we all shared. The restaurant has nice ambiance and does have an upscale feel. The service was good but not perfect. There were several instances in which the server or his assistant went missing for a little longer than you'd expect from a place like this. Aside from those instances they were attentive and responsive. We didn't have any major issues.

Starters: stone crab claws, chargrilled octopus, and crab cake were outstanding.

Entrees: the name of the restaurant is a bit deceiving in that it makes one think it's primarily a seafood restaurant (and while the menu does offer more seafood options than anything else) I found the steak to be the standout offering. The filet mignon and long bone ribeye were amazing.

The steamed lobster was good but not great which was a little disappointing. The pasta with red sauce in the "Americaine" dish was bland and in my opinion the worst item on the table. The lobster & black winter truffle risotto was okay but underwhelming (needed seasoning and couldn't really taste the truffle). The fried lobster however was great - highly recommend.

Sides: I enjoyed the truffle fries and potato tots (both good) over the other sides which were mainly green veggies.

Desserts: I got to try every one on the menu and the standouts for me were creme brulee and souffle. Cheesecake was good too.

Drinks: Excellent wine list. Good variety of liquor/mix drinks. Poor beer options - no ports or stouts.

Summary: Stay away from pastas and the steamed lobster. Lobster prepared fried was much better (and this is coming from someone that prefers steamed). Highly recommend steak (especially filet...