Our friends have long been going on (and on, and on…) about how much the like Morton’s. As I typically avoid chains, I didn’t really think much of it. The last week I got an email from this friend, forwarded from Morton’s. It was a $49.95 four course menu, and it looked pretty darn good. So, off we went.
Having never been to a chain steakhouse, I didn’t know what we’d get. But, our friends do have very good taste, so I was optimistic. I had inquired in advance about their corkage policy ($29 – yikes!) and so we brought a couple good bottles with us. It was a rather slow Tuesday night, and the atmosphere was pretty bland. Service, on the other hand, was attentive.
I went with the four course menu, and although our waiter tried a bit to up-sell (“the other menus come with full side salads and desserts!“), I stuck to the plan, as I don’t need or want four full sized courses. I started with the tuna tower, although by the time it got to me it was more of a leaning tower of tuna. Delicious nonetheless. Our friends had the surf and turf menu, and both started with salads. I opted for the Morton’s salad, minus anchovies (I know some people like them, but those hairy little fish are a bit much for me). The salad consisted of crisp romaine lettuce and egg tossed in a homemade blue cheese dressing. Pretty much anything topped with a good blue cheese dressing is going to be a hit with me, and this was no exception.
As for entrees, there were some 6 ounce, petite filet mignons (cooked very nicely, and very flavorful – as one would hope from a steakhouse). In addition, our friends did the surf and turf – one with lobster and one with crab cake. Both were big hits.
Dessert had been hyped up, most notably the molten chocolate lava cake. I thought to myself there was no chance it could be as
good as everyone is making it out to be. I was wrong. While the key lime pie was tangy and good, topped with real whipped cream, and the chocolate mousse was a tad heavy and overly creamy for my taste, the lava cake was can’t-stop-eating-it fabulous. Oozing with rich chocolate, tempered by cool ice cream, it really was delicious. I look forward to having it again, hopefully soon.
2 thoughts on “Morton’s, Fort Lauderdale”
Morton’s originated many years ago in Chicago. It was not a chain at that time and everyone in the know went there. Located on Elm St. across from Mr Kelleys. It was one of the famous steak houses in Chicago. Lot of famous celebrates etc. The steaks were always outstanding and the service matched as well. Happy to here the chain is trying to follow in Mr Morton’s foot steps. Enjoy.
Bob, I went to the original Morton’s once, many moons ago, when it was the only one. I remember them coming to the table with cuts of meat to chose before they cooked it. I was pretty young then and so I was very, very impressed. I remember the food being outstanding. I went back later and was satisfied, but I still remember the original.