Sr Ceviche Lighthouse Point — Restaurant in Lighthouse Point

If you look through my reviews, you will see that I rarely (IF EVER) leave 1-star reviews. I am not an emotional reviewer who leaves 1 star for the smallest things. I try to be logical and rational. However, I had one of the most disappointing dining experiences I have ever had in my life, well worth of 1 star. A 2-star review would have been too generous.

I am Peruvian-descent, first generation here, and was visiting family in Florida for two special occasions. I missed them very dearly and so I asked them to take me to the best Peruvian spot in the area. They took me to Señor Ceviche Lighthouse.

A young lady served us. As a restaurant professional myself who works as a Sommelier in a Michelin-star restaurant, I was appalled by the fact that our server NEVER ONCE wrote down our order -- for an 8-top!! Completely unprofessional and open to mistakes. There is nothing impressive about memorizing an order. If anything, my party was very nervous about the fact that she didn't write down our order. I'm seriously not impressed and my story below will show you why writing EVERYTHING down is extremely important. It's the first thing I learned in my industry.

I ordered the Vuelve a La Vida, a variation of the classic Leche de Tigre. I am sensitive to raw alliums so I ordered it "low on onion" (verbatim), since classic Peruvian seafood dishes all have raw onion and I always like to stay authentic to my roots. When the VLV was served, it was served with two shrimp and TWO MUSSELS (VERY KEY NOTE!!) and full of red onion! What's worse? The onion was all diced, not even julienned! Julienned onion is easy to remove but that's not the case for diced onion. I tried to take small spoonfuls and carefully removed some onion with my mouth, as best I could. After I had ONE MUSSEL and saw my plate was full of onion and I had barely made a dent in my VLV, I decided to send it back. I explained how I ordered and what I was served. I requested the "refire" to be sent with NO ONION this time. The VLV was returned with the same exact onion content and -- bonus -- ONE MUSSEL! There is ZERO doubt in my mind the lady took it back to the kitchen and all they did was wipe it down and returned it to me --- with the ONE MUSSEL I hadn't yet touched. Very sloppy.

Unfortunately, I also ordered a second item, the Causa de Pulpo al Olivo. Horrible!!! The octopus was overcooked, the potato had zero salt, zero lime, zero ají, and was completely devoid of ANY flavor. Any at all. It had no onion, though, and I was so hungry, so I ate it. I also felt embarrassed about making another fuss in front of my family. I didn't want to make them feel a way so I didn't say anything.

WRITE DOWN YOUR ORDER!! STOP BEING LAZY AND BE A TRUE PROFESSIONAL. There is no doubt in my mind she forgot to tell the kitchen "low on onion" and when she tried to fix her mistake, the kitchen just didn't cooperate. Trust me, I've seen this enough in the industry. To give her the benefit of the doubt though, if the Prep was already made and 'the onion could not be removed', as a restaurant professional, it is her job to then "serve" the guest and guide them to a different dish! That's why we are "servers" and not "waiters".

If you are a "waiter" and not a "server", please don't ever come work at my restaurant. I will never EVER be returning and I advise others to be more discerning. No way this place deserves a 4.6 aggregate review. I've dined here and there's no...

*Sr. Ceviche Lighthouse Point

3100 N. Federal Highway

Lighthouse Point

Ordered shut Feb. 5

23 violations found

"Small flying insects in food prep/food storage areas. 6 live flies in dry storage room on walls. 2 live flies flying around restroom area. 2 live flies on wall by ceviche bar. 18 live flies by hand wash sink in bar area on walls and cabinet."

"Stop Sale issued on potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food due to temperature abuse. Cooked potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Rice 65-68F at cook line cooler. Rice had been left on the rice pot to cool overnight at room temperature. Rice pot had been turned off. Rice was transferred to cooler in the morning. Rice discarded."

"Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. For Swai served raw in Ceviche."

"Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature in reach-in freezer - all products not commercially packaged. Raw beef touching bags of raw chicken at chest freezer in dry storage room. Foods in zip lock bags. Foods moved and properly stored."

"Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of food borne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service item."

"Manager lacking proof of food manager certification."

"No proof of required state approved employee training provided for...

The restaurant looks really clean and nice atmosphere. The food was good. One thing that I did not like was that from the second waiter, I ordered ceviche and for me it was too sour and I asked him for a couple of crackers, and his answer was I will bring you a side of crackers, Immediately I thought I was going to get charged,no problem,but it was $3.50 for 6/8 crackers really?? The Ceviche is $23, you can think 3/4 crackers will be ok to come with the plate or just bring them But what really caught me off guard was when I heard him comment with a couple of workers, we had a waitress who offered clients crackers for free 🙄, it seems like he wants me to hear him, first it all, I did not ask him anything for free, just asked for a couple of crackers. I did not even complain when my husband and I asked for the bill and we see $3.50 for the crackers,we just paid,and we left. Do you think we are going back?? Simple NO, we are not coming back, even though the food was good. I know the situation in the whole world is bad, but $3.50 for 6/8 crackers, it's insane, plus his comment was the worse 🤔 And second, it was our first time there..It was not cool Sorry!!! BUT WE ARE NOT...