Calusso

My husband and I had such a wonderful experience at Calusso in Fort Lauderdale! The scallops and steak were absolutely delicious, and all the apps and snacks we tried were fantastic. The chef is incredibly creative and innovative with the dishes, making every bite exciting. A special shoutout to Juan, our server, who made the night so much fun with his amazing service and great energy. Highly recommend!

Dinner at Calusso – A Memorable Experience My friends and I had an early dinner at Calusso last night, and from the moment we arrived, we were impressed. The restaurant is beautiful both inside and out, with valet parking available, and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations are definitely a must. They provide both a prix fixe and à la carte menu, which is a nice touch. I started with a drink and asked for Moscato, but unfortunately, they didn’t have it. Our waitress, who was fantastic, quickly offered me samples of other wines until I found one I liked. That level of attentiveness carried through the entire evening. For appetizers, I ordered the Caesar salad. While the presentation looked great, the flavor was lacking, missing that classic Parmesan punch and crunchy croutons, replaced instead with breadcrumbs and parsley. To my surprise, Chef Jonathan Kaiser personally came to the table, asked for feedback, and took it very graciously. I switched to the burrata, which was fresh, creamy, and beautifully presented. Then, Chef Kaiser returned with a brand-new Caesar salad, this time prepared in the traditional way. It was absolutely delicious and showed me how much he truly cares about his craft, an unexpected level of attention that really stood out. For entrées: One friend ordered the filet mignon, perfectly cooked, flavorful, and nicely presented. Another had the Cacio e Pepe with Tellicherry peppercorn, Pecorino Romano, and black truffle, rich and delicious. I ordered the Heritage Chicken with roasted maitake, charred onion, and truffle jus. The presentation was stunning, it looked like a mini beef Wellington, but it was chicken stuffed and rolled to perfection. Easily one of the best chicken dishes I’ve ever had. Throughout the evening, small details elevated the service, like the giant pepper mill presented tableside. For dessert, the chef sent out complimentary sweets, and I ordered the Chocolate Café Crunch (hazelnut crumble, espresso crémeux, nocciola ice cream). It was plated beautifully and tasted just as good as it looked. When we left, Chef Jonathan Kaiser was at the door, once again apologizing for the salad mishap and shaking our hands. That personal touch is rare and memorable. The only small critique I have: the bread selection could be improved. The focaccia was nice, but the smaller breads were dense and not very enjoyable. Overall, the combination of attentive service, a chef who genuinely cares, and beautifully crafted dishes makes Calusso a must-visit. We will absolutely return, especially for that Royal Heritage Chicken.

I had an amazing experience at Calusso! From start to finish, everything was top-notch. The atmosphere was inviting, the food was outstanding, and the service was beyond exceptional. My server, Will, made the evening unforgettable—he was attentive, professional, and genuinely made sure every detail was perfect. His recommendations were spot on, and his warm personality elevated the entire dining experience. I’ll definitely be coming back and highly recommend asking for Will if you want the best service!

From the moment we walked into Calusso, we knew we were in for something special. The ambience was nothing short of stunning — elegant yet warm, with soft lighting, stylish décor, and a subtle buzz of energy that made the space feel alive but intimate. The service was impeccable from start to finish. Our server Juan was an absolute gem — knowledgeable, personable, and incredibly attentive without being intrusive. He guided us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm, recommending dishes that turned out to be showstoppers and pairing them with a perfect bottle of champagne that elevated the entire experience. And the food? Simply divine. Every bite was packed with flavor, artfully presented, and clearly crafted with care. From the appetizers to dessert, each course was a delight. It’s rare to find a restaurant where every element — the vibe, the flavors, the service — hits the mark so flawlessly, but Calusso nails it. This was more than just dinner — it was an experience, and one we’ll be talking about for a long time. If you’re looking for a place that delivers excellence on every level, Calusso is it. Special thank you to one of the on site restaurant managers on site Skylar for getting us this reservation last minute.

We went to celebrate a special occasion. The restaurant has a great atmosphere. All the items ordered tasted fantastic. Surprisingly some of the dishes arrived to the table barely warm almost room temperature. The management immediately made up for it and was apologetic. One thing that annoyed me with the service is that we had to ask to have our water refilled multiple times. Overall a pleasant experience and we would go back again.

I celebrated my birthday last night at Calusso, and from the moment we walked in, the experience was nothing short of exceptional. The hostess and our server immediately acknowledged the occasion, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with an elegant yet comfortable ambiance that made us feel both special and at ease. Every course was a masterpiece—perfectly executed, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavor. The attention to detail in both the dishes and service was Michelin-star worthy. To top it all off, the restaurant surprised me with a complimentary dessert, a thoughtful touch that truly elevated the night. From start to finish, everything was stellar. If you’re looking for a place that delivers outstanding food, impeccable service, and a refined yet welcoming atmosphere, Calusso is a must-visit!

What a beautiful experience ! We sat at the bar after an event and got served by Erika. She was very nice made great suggestions and made a delicious drink. The food was amazing! We got quick bites but we want to come back for more. The platting and design of the place is really gorgeous! We can’t wait to come back.

We had a lovely dinner, with impeccable service surrounded by beautiful people in a serene waterfront atmosphere. Food was flawless both in presentation as well as flavor. It was pricey, as expected. You shouldn’t expect this level of service for any less.

As partner and I were staying at Pier Sixty-Six we decided to have dinner at Calusso. One of the wonderful features of Pier Sixty-Six is that, for handicapped individuals such as I, they offer a wheelchair service. Merely ask, and someone with a wheelchair will come by to take you to your destination. So, as Calusso is some distance from the hotel, I went by wheelchair, and glad I did as there no handicapped ramp way into Colusso, only a rickety afterthought of a lift. Design wise, Calusso is everything you might expect in a multibillion dollar resort. The epitome of luxury fashion. Its French/Italian menu isn't all that extensive with a selection of only about eight entrees, but there are always special. I started off with a good rum cocktail, then an octopus with garbanzo, preserved lemon and black garlic. For my entree I had their Scallop with heirloom carrots, leek stew and tumeric emulsion. It was totally delicious as well as a unique dish. I had to laugh. I've always said that in any restaurant the price is directly proportional to the length of their pepper grinder, and here at Calusso they have one that's nearly five feet long. But though Calusso is pricey, I found it reasonable considering the quality of the. food, the atmosphere and the service.

There are too many words to describe the amazingly wonderful experience we had dining at this beautiful new restaurant last night! The service and flavors were outstanding and memorable! The menu tastes of each course within our meal were surprisingly delightful! We will happily be returning to try all the other options that sounded equally delicious! We started with the Oyster Caprese, which was easily the best oyster I have ever experienced in my lifetime, as an oyter enthusiast. The flavors popped in my mouth in such a delightful way, alongside we had the Sofrito crisp, wow! That was another surprisingly exceptional way to toast what seemed like a sort of rind, covered with a beautiful taste of saffron, alongside a dip of an aquafaba chive sauce. Next we followed with the Octopus dish. Yet another extraordinary experience with Octopus, beautifully cut and cooked in large enough chunks to taste the perfection of its cook alongside its garbanzo sauce. Then came the Cacio E Pepe, one of the best I've had since our trip to Rome last year! We also ordered the Coastal Catch, a black cod paired with saffron potato / tinned mussel / lobster bouillabaisse that was extraordinary!!! Finally, we had Trois Petites Fleurs, a small stunning serving of ricotta cheesecake / vanilla sabé / fig leaf ice cream, PURE HEAVEN!!!! We were also gifted a small plate of sweet treats that complemented the already spectacular experience we were having! We will definitely return and try all of the other great looking dishes on the menu! Quick note, the bathrooms offer a beautiful smelling lotion that I wish we could purchase!

From the moment we walked into Calusso, we knew we were in for something special. The ambience was nothing short of stunning -- elegant yet warm, with soft lighting, stylish décor, and a subtle buzz of energy that made the space feel alive but intimate. The service was impeccable from start to finish. Our server Juan was an absolute gem -- knowledgeable, personable, and incredibly attentive without being intrusive. He guided us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm, recommending dishes that turned out to be showstoppers and pairing them with a perfect bottle of champagne that elevated the entire experience. And the food? Simply divine. Every bite was packed with flavor, artfully presented, and clearly crafted with care. From the appetizers to dessert, each course was a delight. It's rare to find a restaurant where every element -- the vibe, the flavors, the service -- hits the mark so flawlessly, but Calusso nails it. This was more than just dinner -- it was an experience, and one we'll be talking about for a long time. If you're looking for a place that delivers excellence on every level, Calusso is it. Special thank you to one of the on site restaurant managers on site Skylar for getting us this reservation last minute.

My husband and I came here for our anniversary and we were not disappointed. Everything down to the service, food, and atmosphere. We started the night off with drinks and then ordered a bottle of wine, which was recommended by a sommelier. I had the Cacio e Pepe and my husband had the heritage chicken. Everything was flavorful and delicious. We'd definitely come back again!

Amazing experience here! The restaurant is gorgeous and part of the new Pier Sixty-Six, so I was very excited for dinner. We had wine to start and they brought fresh focaccia which was to die for! We both had the caccio e pepe and split the broccolini. I loved the giant salt and pepper shakers they use at the tables! Then we had the comte cheese honeycomb dessert (the real mvp). The service was impeccable with multiple staff members tending to us making sure we were having a great experience. We enjoyed our meal in the dining room but the bar was also beautiful, and there was an outdoor patio with a view of the marina.

Calusso Is a definite splurge, but this fine dining restaurant did an outstanding job the other night delivering on the promise of what a fine dining restaurant Is in terms of service, ambiance and food. We sat outside at the perfect table overlooking the marina, intracoastal and in the distance, downtown Fort Lauderdale. Our drinks were quick to arrive and we enjoyed some caprese oysters with our drinks. The grilled octopus appetizer was almost too beautiful to eat but tasted as good as it looked. For our entrees, several of us went with the biggest splurge on the menu- a 40oz porterhouse steak for the table for $275. It came out in an oak wine box, was perfectly cooked, seasoned and was carved table side. It could easily feed 4 people. Another In our group got the pork pluma which was $52. We also got the squash stuffed pasta ($29) to share as a side as there are no traditional "starch sides" (e.g. potatoes of any kind) on the menu. We also tried a couple of their veggie sides Including a braised escarole which was very unique (not my fav but others loved It!) The wine list was vast and they have several great choices by the glass as well. While I was anticipating high prices- the only price that gave me pause was for my grey goose dirty martini. It was $31! Basically the same price as one of the Cabs I chose to eat with my steak. All In all Calusso was the perfect choice for a splurge dinner!

We came in here to experience one of Ft. Lauderdale's new kids on the block Calusso , and to celebrate our 12 year wedding anniversary. We arrived early to take it all in and have a pre dinner drink. Please be advised if you arrive early they still sit you at your reservation time. As we waited for our table we sat inside and had some drinks at the lovely bar. Renee the bar tender was super friendly and helpful. We had some wine questions and she promptly sent over in the in house sommelier. She was very helpful and helped us pick the wine of the night, She brought the bottle over to us and opened it up to let it breath while we await our 815 reservation. After a few drinks we were still waiting on our table and were told our table wasn't ready yet. Renee topped off our drinks and apologized for the wait. The wait now became annoyingly long, seeing our frustrations she went over and grabbed the manager and explained our issue. The manager came over and apologized and said she was working on our table and would be sat very soon. Finally 30 minutes later we sat at our table and were treated with a glass of champagne and a Happy Anniversary toast from the manager. It was Very nice of the them to do that And we felt loved. Our next encounter we met Sherman, our server for the night. He too wished us a Happy Anniversary and walked us through the menu and any questions we had. We enjoyed table side bread and olive oil and finally got to try our wine choice. As we enjoyed the chilly night and wine we were unfortunately told by Sherman our food was running behind a bit. Uhggggg. What is suppose to be a memorable night is starting to have memories that I don't care to remember. As we waited the GM Gary now has come to our table to deliver deviled Trout eggs as a good gesture for our inconveniences we are experiencing. Gary stated the chef takes pride in his food and dishes and if it's not to his liking he willl not send it out. As a foodie I can appreciate that but it's getting a little crazy. It's now after 10 pm and we havent had our main dishes yet. To add fuel to this story we also had a reservation at 1030 upstairs at the pier bar, Gary said not to worry, the rest of the night will go smoothly and not to worry about upstairs he would call and let them know of our situation. Dinner finally arrived and true to his word the presentation was perfect and so was the flavors. I guess the old saying is correct patience is a virtue! Sometimes the wait is worth it and this is one of those times. It's just hard when you become Hangry!! As we enjoyed every bite Gary and Sherman both revisited our table to make sure we were all set, and to let us know desert is on its way. Much to our surprise 3 main desert options arrived without even ordering one. Gary was pleased to tell us about the deserts and to inform us the the whole dinner (Minus Wine I bought at bar) was being taken care of . It absolutely blew our minds. This was not only not expected but also unnecessary, he also informed us that when we get upstairs our first drink is on them as well. The roller coaster of emotions tonight has seen everything. I am thankful for the staff and crew that made this crazy night one to remember . Thanks to everyone including Renee , Sherman and Gary. I am excited to know there is still good people who value their establishments and take pride in making sure people are happy and well fed. We look forward to coming back here and putting the chefs to work again making us amazing edible works of art. On a last note , I want to add this detail that just made me feel special. from the time we arrived at the valet to the hostess stand to the bar, table and pier bar EVERYONE I mean EVERYONE refered to me as Mr. Anthony . That little detail is something I loved. They know your name and say it often to make sure you feel important and it works, Thanks to the person who implemented this in your business. My next visit i will correct my review and give the 5th star it deserves. Live laugh and Patience !!

Highly anticipated opening and it did not disappoint. Much needed Michelin quality restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. Very attentive service even for just opening. I expect in time it will only get better. The ambiance was so romantic. And not too noisy. Loved the large booth facing the whole restaurant. Perfect bar decor as well. Can't wait to be back.

Came here for date night! Everyone was very welcoming and super attentive. We ordered the octopus, lobster parmesan, and the braised escarole. Everything was delicious and complemented by superb service! Just a heads up, this is a very upscale restaurant. So, expect to see high prices and smaller portions. The lobster parmesan was listed as for the table on the menu, so we expected a full lobster, but it was actually just enough for one person. Overall, we enjoyed our time and experience at Calusso. Thank you for hosting us!

Excellent food and ambience. Drinks are pricey but thats to be expected. Food was very good. Not big portions but 3 entrees for 2 ppl is fine

Food: 3/10 -Ricotta cheesecake: Wonderful! Very aesthetically pleasing and tasted amazing! The highlight of our dinner. -Chicken pacatta from kid menu: Good -Octopus appetizer: Average. -Lobster linguine: Below Average. -Iberico Pluma: Bad, too much fat. Note that this dish is cooked medium rare. Let the waiter know ahead of time if you're well-done pork type of person. - Pommes de terre boulangeres: Bad, so plain... Ambiance/View: 6/10 The restaurant has water view, however the majority of the body of water is covered by boats, yachts, etc. The restaurant is not that high up so although it's still an ok view, just don't expect a true unobstructed water view. Service: 8/10 Great service from our waiter and his assistants (?). A couple things I would recommend for management review: 1. Although I appreciate our waiter going over the entire menu essentially, it's too much. I suggest asking patrons if they would like to learn more about the menu HIGHLIGHTS or if they prefer to go over the menu themselves. It's a very short menu. Same with drink menu. 2. Offer child-friendly cup and utensils, not glass. Value: N/A. The restaurant is right next to a resort, I don't think value category is applicable here. Unsure if we would return for Happy Hour.

The service and ambiance were impeccable. A beautifully designed space with exposed kitchen provided a tasty meal. While the portions relative to the price seemed out of whack, I mean the pepper-mill was larger than the entrees, the dishes were tasty. The cocktails did not disappoint.

Special culinary experience! I came to Calusso for a special 50th birthday dinner with my son. Delicious food in a beautiful setting. Beverly, our server's assistant, was so friendly and helpful, a pleasure to deal with! She brought me a homemade special dessert platter. We had oysters, raw tuna, Caesar salad, lobster parmesan and pasta. Everything was perfect! We will be back!

Outstanding service and meal was perfect!!! Better than expected, and prices were appropriate for dinner. Very polished presentation, and personable staff... will return for more!!!

Maybe I'll upload pictures next time but I'm extremely disappointed for how my first night went at this restaurant. Came to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday and it took the server over 40 minutes to give us the menus. Had a whole surprise party for him after and because of her incompetence it just ruined a majority of my night for what I had planned after. complained and asked for someone else and luckily we got Christian and he was extremely attentive but you would think for a nice restaurant that they would try and do something special to make up for it but they were really cheap and all we got was free dessert when we were in a rush to leave and just wanted to get out of there. Food was good. Just not sure if it's worth it to come back.

The Pier Sixty Six remodel looks great and the restoration project respected the late mid century architecture while integrating comtemporary elements and that is evident throughout the beautiful Calusso Restaurant. The restaurant is upscale and stylish but not the least bit stuffy or haughty and management and the staff make the experience welcoming. There is a sommelier and she recommended a great bottle of wine. Prices are no more than any other higher end restaurant however there are caveats: We ordered the Burrata with Pesto and decided to go for the caviar on top and that raised a twenty dollar appetizer item to eighty. It was good though and Calusso just seems like a restaurant to enjoy some extravagance and indulge. The Deviled Eggs are excellent and a perfect way to start dinner and these are really addictive. A Fish of the Day was good but not great and the sauce was a little salty. A Dessert of ice cream shaped like olives (I think) tasted almost as good as it looked and the only problem was the lemon ice(?) on top as it lacked creaminess and flavor and just detracted from the otherwise excellent dessert. No problem, it's a new restaurant and a few minor issues are just that and I'm looking forward to returning.

Absolutely excellent in every way. Wonderful team service (including the hostess who got things started for us) yet it was also clear who our assigned server was and she was super attentive. Beautiful bread service, oysters caprese, burrata, grilled octopus, beet root salad, agnolotti. Perfect portion size, even had room for the nice honeycomb semifreddo for dessert. The space is beautiful and huge props to management and staff for the level of service despite being open for just 7 weeks. Only have 2 suggestions - the honeycomb semifreddo was a little too heavy on the Comte cheese (we just pushed to the side) and would also suggest adding some placemats as the beautiful wood tables outside are getting wine stained already. With tip our bill was $325 for 2 with a full slate of food and $80 bottle of wine. It's a splurge but worth it. This place is absolutely headed to a Michelin star - suggest you go ASAP while you still can!

The food was unlike anything I've had before, the service was excellent since the moment I stepped in. And the vibe was just right. We came for Valentine's Day and they had a set menu (I had a meal in mind already which I couldn't get because of the set menu). The items on the set menu though didn't disappoint. I was happy to say I had a phenomenal experience

Everything was delicious!! So good and unique tasting!! But the portions .... are not worth the price. I understand appetizers being small but the pasta dish, which is an entree, was smaller than my hand and had a total of 3 bites in it. Great place for the vibes but wouldn't recommend for a filling meal

So pretentious and a travesty of actual fine dining! When you put your establishment out there as an upscale fine dining experience, you have to be a lot more than limited menu offerings decoratively arranged on a small plate! The three Japanese scallops were bland and the Iberico loin of pork was dry and no better than what you might find in the average neighborhood Chinese restaurant. The accompanying sauce was overly acidic like BBQ sauce straight from a bottle at your local rib joint. It drifted over into the accompanying eggplant puree and obliterated any subtly that it may have had. The broccolini was bland and even with the accompanying seasoning, tasted merely blanched. The staff person while friendly and energetic, was also inexperienced as she recited by rote, the menu offerings. Calusso needs to do much, much better.

We give Calusso, Fort Lauderdale 5 stars on every aspect! My husband and I went there for a date night and experienced a Superb and warm welcoming from the moment we entered such gorgeous restaurant. The ambience was extraordinary both inside and the outdoor area. The appetizers, main course/dessert were succulent and delicately plated, the drinks were delicious too. We want to thank our waiters, Luis and Daniel whose service to us was very attentive. We plan to go back with our daughter and friends. Congratulations to Calusse.

Best restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. A true fine dining experience. Everything was spot on. A bit pricey, but worth the price. A great place to go on a special occasion.

It's a beautiful venue and the renovation looks fantastic. I hope Calusso can figure themselves out. It's fine dining but too much fuss for nothing. It is incredibly overpriced and frankly, wasn't good. The plates were small with a lot of sauce. It took 30 mins to get someone to wait on us or even just to bring menus. We enjoy fine dining but this seemed pretentious especially since the food didn't meet expectations. I don't often leave reviews but we left angry at how disappointing it was $450 later.

Glancing at the huge pepper mils this restaurant uses reminded me of a Bryan Milles quote " The quality of a restaurant food is inversely proportional to the size of their pepper mills". It was bad advice to use these gimmicky mills. The quote is not entirely right. The food is not terrible but it's not great either; not at the prices they charge. The Cesar salad had way too much dressing, the pasta appetizer was good. The scallops had a fishy smell that indicated they have not seen a shell in quite a while; they were over seasoned which can hide a lot. The desserts were the highlight of the evening. A chocolate crunch was delicious. All in all, it is not a bad experience if somewhat overpriced.

Love it when places are completely empty, have every time slot available on OpenTable but tell you they are fully committed when you walk in. Just go to the new Ocean Prime, the food is much better anyways

Incredible ambience in the absolutely gorgeous, "brand new" Pier 66 resort. Creative, curated coastal menu with a solid wine list. Service is highly professional and yet super friendly. This is exactly the type of restaurant that Fort Lauderdale needs; hip, modern, and yet an "elegant" night on the town. Top level food in a fun environment.

Food was excellent but the portions were very small. Service was excellent. Ambiance was excellent. Prices were very very expensive. I had an appetizer and entree and one drink. The Filet is 6 oz to put it in perspective before cooking, so maybe 4 oz cooked and I believe $72. My GF had the Linguine and two drinks. Total bill was $360.00.

Absolutely looove Calusso! Very creative menu, excellent service and gorgeous place and location. We have already been here twice in the first month. It was our pick for Valentine's date.

This might be my new favorite restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. The wait staff and food is superior to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. We truly loved the entire experience. The restaurant is beautiful and the food was excellent and it was all presented so well. The manager Gary came up to me when I was leaving and we had a nice conversation. This a restaurant that truly gets it from the food, to the ambience to the staff. I highly recommend it !