Sea For Yourself

It’s true, seafood restaurants abound in South Florida, but a meal enjoyed at Rivertail, the Fort Lauderdale eatery helmed by Jose Mendin, combines creativity, fresh flavors and ambiance making it an unforgettable experience. 

Mendin, a Miami-based chef with five James Beard Award nominations, created a name for himself with hits like Pubbelly, Habitat, La Placita and most recently, Casa Isola. Rivertail is his first venture into Broward County (a partnership with Breakwater Hospitality Group) and with the number of diners filling the expansive patio and modern, nautical-themed space inside, it appears to be a raging success. 

The waterfront restaurant, which sits along the New River, is a convivial blend of chic and Florida casual — the ideal venue for date night or a rambunctious family of five.

Look for the bright yellow and blue sign leading to the host stands in front of the restaurant or the back patio.

Appetizer selections take traditional flavors to the next level with dishes like Yellowtail Ceviche Taquitos (served with ginger, soy, jalapeño and miso), Lobster Roll, on toasted brioche topped with serrano peppers and micro cilantro and Bay Scallops A La Escargot — six scallops bubbling in shiso-garlic butter, lime zest and sea salt. Rivertail’s legendary Crab Donuts — miniature brioche buns filled with crab coated in spicy honey and sea salt was so tasty, before I knew it I had eaten them all!

Main dishes include Moqueca Mista, a Bahia-style Brazilian Stew brimming with an assortment of seafood in a coconut milk-based broth and Crispy Whole Yellow Tail Snapper, a deep-fried freshly-caught fish beautifully plated for Instagram fans that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Lobster lovers will be torn between the Lobster Allemande (blue crab and yuzu hollandaise) and the Lobster Spaghetti Fra Diavolo, a housemade pasta married with red chilies, confit garlic, Sunday gravy and lobster. Grill selections offer a variety of local fish, Scottish salmon or steaks like ribeye, skirt and filet mignon. All can be paired with sauces ranging from Kimchi “Al Ajillo” to Lemon Caper. Sides include Esquites Street Corn, Miso Brussels Sprouts With Bacon Confit and Lobster Mashed Potatoes. End on a sweet note with Baba Au Rum or the Rivertail Layer Cake. 

It is clear, from start to finish that Rivertail is run by a culinary professional who knows how to immerse diners in tropical, multicultural flavors in a fun, relaxed setting. Rivertail’s tagline, “Reel Food, Reel Drinks, Reel Good” sums up the experience best.

Rivertail is located at 4 W. Las Olas Blvd. Ste. 120, Fort Lauderdale. For more information, call 954-306-2665 or visit rivertailftl.com.