There’s something undeniably special about luxuriating beachside in a chic setting while dining on exquisite cuisine served by the most solicitous of hosts.
In our opinion, it’s the pinnacle of South Florida living.
If you agree, treat yourself to an evening at Dune, the new indoor-outdoor restaurant at the Auberge Beach Residences & Spa on Fort Lauderdale Beach. It’s the first East Coast restaurant by Auberge Resorts Collection, which also owns Napa Valley’s Michelin-starred Auberge du Soleil. At the helm is Chef Edgar Beas, formerly of the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
If weather permits, start with drinks on Dune’s right-on-the-beach Ocean Terrace, offering unbeatable vistas. Happy hour libations and fresh seafood snacks are reasonably priced for such an upscale location. After enjoying exquisite Blue Point Oyster Shooters in Bloody Mary and clam juice, I was ready to move on to dinner – intrigued by the menu, with offerings described as new coastal-Latin cuisine.
Always a sucker for octopus, I found Dune’s version delectable: Octopus á la Plancha is served with tomatillo, chorizo con papas, avocado and scallions.
The supremely tasty Seared Day Boat Scallops have a rich but light corn crema, sea bean, shishito and orange segments. And the Burrata will no doubt be one of the best you’ve ever had – served with eggplant caponata, kalamata olive vinaigrette, arugula and guava pesto.
Choices abound for entrées, from burgers and chicken to seafood, steaks and lamb. The Whole Roasted Branzino is delicately flavored with charred lemon and served with hearts of palm and agrumato oil, and the uniquely delicious Vadouvan Poached Monkfish is accompanied by cauliflower cous cous, marcona almond royal trumpet and black garlic. If you have a table of eager eaters, try the Beach Grill, comprising spiny lobster, scallops, lamb chops and a petite filet, served with drawn butter, corn crema, chimichurri, calabrian chili oil and beef jus.
Dessert is a sweet finale at Dune. Get tipsy (or at least a sugar high) with the Rum Infused Tres Leches, with guava, dulce de leche and vanilla crumble.
If you visit Dune, I’m sure you’ll see me there – again and again and again. O
Dune is located at Auberge Beach Residences & Spa, 2200 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. For more information, call 754-900-4059 or visit dunefl.com.
