Wine Garden — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

Okay so. I have a lot to say. lets get into it. , here are some stone-cold facts I can tell you:

I don’t like meatballs. As a matter of fact, I never have— they always taste bland to me— but my dad accidentally ordered the meatballs on the menu and they were gobsmackingingly good. And I have had a toooon of meatballs (from elderly woman that believe that their ’homemade’ meatballs will be the meatball that changes my lifelong dislike of them. they were wrong.) 11/10 best meatballs, would eat again

Similarly, I don’t usually enjoy Italian restaurants because I don’t usually like pasta. (Do not judge me okay let me be picky in peace). But once again, I tried some of my dads pasta. That stuff was straight up bussin’. I would order it if I came back. Authentic Italian at its finest.

The ambience of this restaurant meets every expectation I had for restaurants that I didn’t even know I had. It was so comfortable and warm (not temperature warm; but atmosphere-wise warm). If I hit it off with anyone there I would have the large urge to get married the next day just so I could tell everyone I meet that I met my fiancé at this really cute and comforting and beautiful restaurant. It feels like these types of restaurants should be limited to movies, but here we both are.

(Last one, sorry) I had the calzone for dinner. I usually get pizza, but I thought that today was the time for rebellion and took the calzone. That calzone was I dare say a gift from god. Blessed by probably all the gods from every religion I. do. not. care. Legit drooling. Wouldn’t be surprised if the old couple sitting in the table next to us stared at me while I ate a very large portion of the calzone at speeds faster than humanly possible.

(I lied, this is the last one) The difference between how long I expected the food to take and how long it actually took was huge. (In a positive way) There was basically zero awkward waiting time, we got our appetizer, ate it, waited a few minutes, boom: happy calzone time.

Overall: wonderful...

Hard to rate. Went with two other couples. They had eaten here the night before and wanted to go back as they had enjoyed it that much. The food. The waiter. The atmosphere. We were all staying at a nearby hotel for an event. So six of us went. Nice atmosphere. Really felt a bit like a hidden garden.

The service was slow. They put water carafes on the table but never once filled the water glasses....not even to start off. Waiter not bad but not particukarly friendly. After a bit our orders were taken. Not quite an hour an later our main courses were still not served. We said something. This lead to a discussion with staff...where they checked our order ticket and it was not as long as we said. Of course we had no control when the order ticket was entered, nor how long it took for our order to be taken. While waiting someone came by the table and asked if we ordered breaf...we said no so he walked away. Someone...perhaps a manager ....came by and after the ...discussion..had bread brought to table and admitted they had a large group during a busy time and said hiw they do not normally do that...that the bulk of that party came late...etc. he said we would have our meals in 5 minutes. 10 minutes later we left. ( we considered just having the meals boxed to go...but either way we still had no meal) (And the Ceasar salad some of had was very...strong. had a bite to it). Then it got interesting. Someone in our group did say something. We walked back to our hotel. A short time later our food, nicely boxed for take out, with plastic ware etc...is delivered to the hotel. No charge. We ate it together in one of the suites. Food was good. So we had a not great in person experience after others in our group had a great experience the night before. But the resturant ultomately did the right thing. Would I try them again in the...

We attended a wedding here... And we just had a great time... It's a small venue and I would recommend this place for a very intimate wedding with close friends and family. We attended a wedding of about 50 people and at first we were a little upset we couldn't find parking because it's very limited in the area... But once we settle down into the venue, we were so happy... The ambience, the aesthetics, the staff, the detailed customer, attentive service, it just all fitted right... The wedding took place near the pool area where tables were set up it was beautiful ceremony... The hors d'oeuvres were just so delicious... The drinks were also very good. Staff was so friendly and attentive, very professional; we then moved the ceremony to the dinner area of it and it was just Beautifully detailed for such a small place. They had a crowd of regular people on the other side, but we were separated and it just felt so good in the back. It was a long table with the tableware, the silverware, the glassware. It was just incredibly beautiful and delightful. There was salad dishes that were really fresh and nutritious... The main course was either meat or fish. We had the fish which was pretty good... Not large portion or small portion but just right... The drinks were just so good ...made to order. Then we moved the ceremony to the dance part which was in the apartment -like structure. I believe this was once a motel. I'm not sure... But the music was so good. The DJ was incredibly great. It just made the evening go so well it was just a beautiful Small wedding that I will remember over the big weddings that I attended over the years... I highly recommend this place for intimate, affordable, competitive pricing for parties of 50... I'm sure they cater to larger parties but I think a 50 party wedding is just perfect... Highly...