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Bygone
boulevard.
Fort Lauderdale had mixed feelings about Spring Break. The college
kids who swarmed all over the beaches could get a bit, shall we say,
riotous. But on the other hand, they brought millions of dollars
into the local coffers. So in early 1986, the authorities had an
idea. They decided to raise the legal drinking age from eighteen to
twenty. So all those nineteen years olds who had been here last
year, boozing their heads off, could no longer do so. I'm not
convinced that was a wise move!
This week's email:
I had not one but two emails this week asking me what time the
stores closed in the evenings. I explained that, as the majority of
our stores are privately-owned and not part of huge chains, the
owners decide individually. That's what makes Las Olas
so special - we're not a mall with stores that you'll see anywhere
else!
Water Taxi discounts:
Big City Tavern - 10% off entree
Cafe La Bonne Crepe - 10% discount
Kilwin’s - 10% discount
Mangos - 10% off food check
Wild East Asian Bistro - 10% discount
Mission Gifts - 5% off purchases and 6% savings on sales tax.
Save the dates:
Monday, February 13, 2:30pm
Friends Afternoon Tea and Fashion Show.
The Friends of the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale hosts afternoon
tea and fashion at the Riverside Hotel. Reservations are required by
February 9. $55 per person.
Love in the Park
Tuesday, Feb. 14
6 to 10 p.m.
Huizenga Plaza
Love in the Park is a new event coming to Fort Lauderdale that
embodies food, wine, music and more! Love in the Park embraces the
Valentine’s Day traditions of romance while offering a unique way to
celebrate this special heartfelt holiday. All that encompasses
Valentine’s Day is brought together in a festival atmosphere.
Assemble your own gourmet basket through the Love in the Park
outdoor market to enjoy on the concert green.
Ladybug Release Weekend
February 18 - 20, 2012
Museum of Discovery and Science
Help us release tens of thousands of ladybugs across the street our
brand new Science Park. Learn about ladybug myths and folklore and
how they grow and survive in the wild. Then take a handful of
ladybugs and set them free! *Note: There are plenty of ladybugs for
everyone. Don’t worry, they do not bite humans.
TacoStock
Thursday, Feb. 23
5 p.m.
Esplanade Park on 2nd Street
It’s here! The first annual Taco Cook-off with craft beer and local
music, all at beautiful Esplanade Park. For the pre-sale price of
$25, you will receive 6 tickets that can be used for either tacos or
craft beer, or both. When you’re done eating from South Florida’s
Best Taco Trucks and Restaurants, vote for your Favorite Taco to be
crowned "Best of TacoStock" by a panel of judges. TacoStock has also
partnered with Brown Distributing Company to bring craft beer to our
event. Brewers such as Cigar City, Magic Hat and others will be
showcased. And to top it all off, live music!
Thursday, February 23, 6:00 - 7:30pm. The Art of Wine and Food
Series at the Museum of Art.
Host Stephanie Miskew, a Certified Sommelier and author of the
stylist food blog The Glamorous Gourmet, takes us on a delicious and
exciting tour of fine wines and tasty foods that go with them.
$35 per person. Reservations are required.
Tuesday, February 28, 7:30pm
Pianist Xuerong Zhao in the Horvitz Auditorium - Museum of Art Fort
Lauderdale.
Xuerong Zhao made her New York concert debut at Carnegie Hall’s
Weill Recital Hall in May 2010. This special concert is dedicated to
our loyal Museum Members and is being provided through the
generosity of Ben Torchinsky, in memory of his wife Sarah. Free to
Museum members; $20 for non-members.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival
Saturday, Mar. 10
2 p.m.
On Saturday, March 10, Downtown Fort Lauderdale will transform into
a sea of green for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival,
sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority and the City of Fort
Lauderdale. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. along East Las Olas
Boulevard and end at Huizenga Plaza, where the festivities will
continue with lots of refreshments, live music and family fun.
Body Works Weekend
March 10 & 11, 2012
Museum of Discovery and Science
12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Learn a little human “Grossology” during our Human Body Weekend.
Examine the ins and outs of the systems of the body, and learn why
some bodily functions are down right gross!
More next week!
BRINGING YOUR
DOG TO PET-FRIENDLY LAS OLAS?
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Friday ... start the weekend on Las Olas this evening:
Remember that it's frozen Friday at the Riverside Hotel. All
frozen drinks are just $5. Opening this evening is a new film at IMAX
- JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND. This follow-up to the 2008
worldwide hit Journey to the Center of the Earth. See the Soweto
Gospel Choir at the Broward Center at 8pm. As always there'll be music
and dancing at Vibe and Mangos.
This weekend: So much to do and so many dates to save. Find
this week's keywords - angels, dolphins, ladybugs, Shakespeare and
mimosas.
Weather: It's been a wet week, that's for sure. Certainly when
the sun has been out it's been glorious but this rain has to go. Our
gloomy friends, the weather forecasters say that there may be scattered
showers on Saturday but only a small chance of rain for Sunday. If you
prefer Florida when the temperatures are in the seventies, this is the
perfect weekend for you although Sunday might be cooler. However, the
forecasters invariably get it wrong!
Tip:
If you’re coming to the boulevard by water taxi, save the
ticket stubs as they entitle you to discounts at various Las Olas
businesses - see the sidebar. If you’re planning to use the water taxi
to get around during the day, their all-day, unlimited-travel tickets
are just $20 and it’s the best way to travel in Fort Lauderdale.
Saturday
Breakfast: Pronto
is one of my favorite breakfast (or lunch, or dinner) places. It's great
to sit outside sipping their wonderful coffee and deciding to have yet
another strawberry cheese croissant. If those weather forecasters are
right, and there's a shower around, sit inside and be tempted by even
more of the goodies on display.
Tip: If you want to relax and read
the newspaper during breakfast, call in to the Riverside Hotel
right next door. There's a little store in the lobby
Tip: At 11.30 enjoy Story Time for Families at the
Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale. Medieval and Renaissance stories
are featured in this presentation presented in conjunction with the
exhibition Offering of the Angels: Old Master Paintings and Tapestries
from the Uffizi Gallery, Florence.
Lunch:
Mediterranean Market is one of my favorite lunch places. I
have a very gooey, cheesey panini which they make to my specifications.
It probably has a million calories but hey, it's the weekend. There's a
great shaded dining area outside too.
Tip: At 2 this afternoon, watch Happy at Cinema
Paradiso. The film investigates a subject close to everyone's
heart - happiness. How can America be one of the richest countries in
the world and nowhere near the happiest?
Tip: If you missed Story Time for Families at the
Museum of Art, you can catch it again at 2 or 3 pm.
Tip: Tomorrow sees the coming together of three Las Olas
favorites; the Museum of Art, Zola Keller and the
Riverside Hotel. See the sidebar for details.
Tip: Planet Massage have some wonderful Valentine special offers.
And they're not just for couples. Pamper yourself and relax.
Tip: Do you do the Powerball Lottery? even if you've never
indulged, it might be worth it this weekend. Powerball officials
estimate Saturday's jackpot will smash the previous highest total
($259.9 million) since the game came to Florida in 2009. Please, if you
win, remember that it was the weekend guide lady who told you. Just
one of those millions would be a great thank you gift :)
Tip:
Treat, treat treat.... for several weeks now my Saturday treat has
been chocolate from
Kilwins
but today I think something savory will fit the bill. Cheese
Culture, here I come.
Tip: Blue Boutique, in common with many of our fashion
stores, have new spring arrivals. Check them out.
Tip: Join the Saturday Wine Club at the Riverside Hotel.
You'll get 30% off bottles of wine over $75 at the Golden Lyon,
Preston's Bar and Indigo.
Tip: Did you know that the Riverside Hotel hosts regular
cake tastings for brides-to-be? They are hosted by the 'cake maker to
the stars', Ana Paz. If you have a wedding in your future, inquire at
the hotel.
Dinner: It's Greek weekend, there's a celebration of Greek culture,
food and music at the local Orthodox Church. But you don't have to leave
the boulevard to enjoy Greek food - Trata Greek Taverna will
supply you with authentic (and delicious) food right here on Las
Olas.
Evening: See The Improvised Shakespeare Company performing ...
well .. improvised plays in Shakespearian style (you guessed that,
didn't you?) at the Broward Center at 7.30. Get there early and enjoy
their free workshop, starting at 5pm. The musical Billy Elliot starts
there tonight too. Bet it's not as good as the film :)
Happy Sunday!
Breakfast: Bruch is a wonderful way to spend Sunday
morning. Indigo and Big City Tavern both do a great brunch
(with mimosas) and at both restaurants you can sit outside watching the
boulevard go by. Oh, and if you've got your furry friend with you, he is
welcome at both.
Tip: Stroll along Las Olas to the Sunday
Farmer’s Market (near Las Olas Chemist at 1201 ELO). At the
market you’ll find a full selection of fresh produce; gourmet pasta;
plants; ceramics, herbs, grinders and textiles, garlic grater bowls;
fresh seafood; olive oils, fresh mozzarella, coffee beans; Florida honey
and honey products; fresh baked goods .... Last week there were so many
new vendors - I wonder who’ll be there this weekend? The market starts
at 9am and closes at 3, but it’s a good idea to be there early - about
10am is the perfect time. I do all my weekly food shopping at the market
- organic fruit and vegetables, gourmet pasta, bread and bakery goods,
organic eggs sauces, organic tea and coffee bean, salsas and fresh
olives and pickles. If you eat meat, you’ll find grass fed beef too.
Don’t miss Hadaya - they have wonderful spices plus a range of ceramics
from Morocco. Try the fish chowders too. Buy vegetables, gourmet pasta
and fresh mozzarella for an almost-instant tasty and healthy meal.
Tip: For the perfect Sunday Las Olas lunch al fresco – buy
gourmet goodies and fresh fruit at the market, cross the boulevard, and
walk down Tarpon Drive to Colee Hammock Park. Picnic and watch
the boats go by. I recommend this every week because it's the perfect
boulevard lunch.
Tip: Mangos is a great place for lunch. It's so lively in the
evenings that I sometimes tend to overlook it as a lunchtime spot. They
have great specials every day and it's very family-friendly too.
Tip:
Yes, Valentine's Day is nearly upon us. If
you haven't already done so, make dinner reservations, order flowers and
buy gifts and cards. If you think that Valentine's Day is a whole load
of baloney, head to VIBE on Valentine's and enjoy their '**** It I'm
Single party!
Tip: Flora and fauna interlude .... I love this aspect of the
boulevard, our tropical foliage and the chattering parrots. But a couple
of days ago, a dolphin was spotted (and photographed) just off the coast
of Las Olas Beach. I'm SO jealous. I've walked the beach many times, and
never even a glimpse of Flipper.
Tip: The Spice Quarter is open between 1 and 3 this afternoon.
One of the gret things about this gourmet store is that you can try
before you buy.
Tip: If you're touring the Stranahan House today (tours at
1, 2 and 3pm) remember that the house is available for special events,
weddings and parties. I can't imagine anywhere more romantic than a
Stranahan House wedding.
Tip: We had a savory treat yesterday but now it's Sunday let's
get back to sweet treats. So much to choose from - there's Kilwins,
YogurtUr Way, Schakolad, and our wonderful bakeries.
Tip: This afternoon and evening at the Riverside Hotel.
Pampered Pooch presents ‘Canines and Cocktails’ starting at
5pm. There’ll be half price cocktails, half price appetizers and free
organic, 100% natural treats for your dog made in the Pampered Pooch
bakery. Meet and mingle with other dog owners.
Dinner:
I know, it's so hard to choose. But Rocco Mangel has just opened another
location in West Palm Beach so help him celebrate by eating at
Rocco's Las Olas tonight. Finish the weekend with a tequila!
Evening: There's still so much to do on and around the boulevard.
See movies at Cinema Paradiso or IMAX, enjoy entertainment at the
Broward Center. And there's so much to enjoy without leaving Las Olas!
Tip: If you've been visiting us from out of town, we
hope you enjoyed Las Olas. Please come back to see us again! Keep an eye
on our weekend guide to help you plan your next visit. We publish new
information every week.
JJ | TSDG
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