Mex On The Beach

Travel south of the Boca border to Fort Lauderdale Beach for a rare treat: sophisticated Mexican cuisine and creative cocktails, served seaside in a social yet socially distanced ambiance.

All this is yours while you watch beachgoers and the Atlantic’s rolling waves from the patio of Lona Cocina Tequileria. Whether you dine indoors or out, your experience at Lona will be memorable.

Upon entering, you feel as if you’re on vacation (remember those?), transported to a waterfront Mexican cantina serving drinks, appetizers and entrées replete with exciting flavors in fresh combinations.

At the helm is Chef Pablo Salas, a Mexican native and celebrated restaurateur whose venue Amaranta is consistently ranked one of the best restaurants in his homeland.

At Lona, margaritas are anything but run-of-the-mill. I was tempted by the Pavo Real Margarita, with ginger-infused Exotico Blanco tequila, mango, lime, cinnamon and agave, but I was drawn to – and happily guzzled – the Blood Orange Collins Cocktail, with Botanist Gin, Aperol, blood orange and lemon juice. All juices are fresh, and each drink is as consistently excellent as the first. 

Avocado fans will thrill to the quality and creativity of Lona’s Guac. Magically made to be both creamy and chunky, this freshly prepared dip comes in Traditional, Lump Crab and Bacon & Chicharron versions.

For the main course, the Steak Tampiquena is a satisfying portion of skirt steak, marvelously marinated for at least a day in adobo sauce. It’s beautifully plated with light refried beans, a corn enmolada (rolled tortilla dipped in mole sauce with corn filling) and rajas (sliced poblano pepper in a cream sauce with corn). 

The Lobster Quesadilla – with Maine lobster, chipotle aioli, red onion and cilantro – eats like a spicy yet buttery lobster wrap. It’s so fresh that the meat pops with each bite.

But leave room to try something special I bet you’ve never had: Crab Enchiladas, flour tortillas stuffed with lump blue crab, served in a pepper morita sauce (think smoked jalapeño flavor) and topped with pickled onions and cotija cheese. It’s a fusion of familiar flavors – combined in an unexpected way – that thoroughly thrills the tastebuds.

Just like Lona itself.

Lona Cocina Tequileria is located in the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, 321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. For more information, call 954-245-3069 or visit lonarestaurant.com.