Calusso - Review - Fort Lauderdale - Miami - The Infatuation

"Especially if you’re not paying for dinner, the upscale restaurant inside the freshly renovated Pier Sixty-Six hotel has some bright spots—a waterfront view chief among them. But the restaurant really white knuckles the fine dining experience. Both the staff and the fussy a la carte dishes are trying a little too hard to impress (so much so that you want to gently pat them both on the back and whisper words of encouragement). Some of the nostalgia-core American food is good, some is highly ineffective. If your folks want a filet mignon in a building that's been a Lauderdale staple since the ‘50s, feel free to accompany them. But this shouldn’t be at the top of your list for a celebratory meal. Food Rundown Caesar Lots of dishes here are quite fussy and plated very delicately. Not this. It’s covered in cheese, white anchovies, and dabs of bottarga. It’s very good, and we appreciate its lack of restraint. photo credit: Ryan Pfeffer White Asparagus This dish is plated vertically (as in standing upright) for some reason. And the foie gras is sliced like deli meat and rolled up like a little cigar. It’s hard to track down everything in the same bite, but once you do, it’s a crisp, refreshing combination that isn’t too heavy considering all the foie gras. PlayMute video credit: Ryan Pfeffer Filet Mignon Whether you love filet mignon or find it to be one of the more boring cuts of beef, this won’t change your mind. It’s cooked to the right temperature and pretty straightforward. Go for it if you’re a filet fan. Lobster Parmesan Can you turn lobster into chicken parm? This dish proves you can. But it doesn’t convince us you should, especially not when it arrives lukewarm with solidified mozzarella. It costs around $105 and is advertised as being portioned “for the table,” but one person could eat this and still be a little hungry. PlayMute video credit: Ryan Pfeffer" - Ryan Pfeffer