TAKATO

"This oceanfront restaurant inside the Conrad Fort Lauderdale spotlights executive chef Taek Lee’s Asian heritage with Japanese-Korean specialties. The culinary journey begins with dishes like short rib kimchi taco, progressing into hearty entrees of pork ribs served with sweet garlic soy and kimchi slaw or wagyu bulgogi with mushrooms. Takato’s cocktails also capture the fusion spirit of the restaurant, with options like the Korean Zombie, a concoction of rum and plum soju, enhanced by the flavors of grapefruit juice, passion fruit, Korean plum extract, and lime." - Juliana Accioly

"Takato is another solid option if you’re looking for something upscale with a nice view of the beach. This Japanese/Korean fusion spot directly next door to Evelyn’s is Tanka's sister restaurant, but these menus are all very different. One side of Takato’s menu is devoted to Japanese dishes—mostly very good sushi—and the Korean side is a bit more meat-focused. It has dishes like short rib kimchi tacos, kimchi fried rice, and a handful of steak options. The food, service, and view of the beach (at least while the sun is out) are all worthy of a special occasion meal if you’re coming here to celebrate something—even if that something is just being in a dining room where everyone’s not wearing sandals." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo

"You can have a massive sushi boat on your table... while looking out at boats in the ocean? Oh, yes, it happens daily at chef Taek Lee’s Takato. Beyond its fare, the cocktails are creative, including a Mezcal-forward Mai Tai and Cosmopolitan made with lemon-infused vodka." - Jesse Scott

"Japanese-Korean fusion with an ocean view? Takato on Fort Lauderdale Beach has it all, and a blue geode-draped sushi bar inside is icing on the cake. Among executive chef Taek Lee’s buzziest dishes are a scallop crudo accented with yuzu pepper ponzu and a six-item specialty nigiri menu anchored by a smoked wagyu selection topped with caviar and uni." - Jesse Scott

"Dazzling with a popping wood ceiling, vast sushi bar, and menu from Chef Taek Lee, Takato Restaurant came out swinging with its 2020 opening and hasn’t let up. Its name literally means “in a state of extreme happiness,” and its expansive menu offerings — like a maple teriyaki-infused duck bao bun and Kobe ribeye with truffle butter — deliver just that." - Jesse Scott