by Guest Writer | Jul 13, 2010 | Funny, Local Business
by Adelina Ridicolo
Yesterday FTLC showcased the opinion of one man’s distaste with the popular hangout spot, America’s Backyard. Today, we have a rebuttal.
An undifferentiated glob of lameness? Sounds like somebody’s bartender forgot the pillow talk. As a native South Floridian and a loyal FTL downtowner, I especially despise the naïve amateurs rolling in for Spring Break congesting up our beaches and over-crowding our watering holes. But maybe if we weren’t the prime location for these college girls to experiment and for the “Guido’s” to show off their muscles, then FTL wouldn’t have evolved into what it is today. I’d like to take this time to reference back to the 1987 movie Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise, which is based on a college break trip made to our very own Ft. Lauderdale. Not to veer off subject, but my point is it’s not all THAT bad.
As far as Guido’s being a constant clientele at AB, I disagree that this demographic is typical outside of Spring Break Season. I don’t know what the author of the previous article meant by AB “exploiting Latin-Guido culture”, but yes — people of Latin heritage come to AB. We live in South Florida, Latin and Guido are two different classifications, which someone who lives in South Florida surely can tell the difference.
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by Andres Bravo | Jul 12, 2010 | Funny, Local Business
by Guest Writer Andres
Not long ago it was my distinct privilege, on the eve of my birthday, to venture out into the infamous Ft. Lauderdale downtown scene. I was escorted by two pseudo-legendary FTL natives, who shall be named Striker and Strikeforce (a homage to the renowned Strikers Club of the late 70s). What I discovered was mostly sweet and occasionally putrid, but the focus of this article will be the latter. To be more specific, there was only one establishment contributing to my distaste. What establishment do I speak of, you ask (please ignore the large, unavoidable title)? Well let me give you some clues…
It is a cesspool of horny locals and hopeful, young tourists forcefully searching for that quintessential Spring Break experience. Aspects of this experience are as follows:
- Dancing suggestively on a bar with “girlfriends”
- Having shots poured into one’s mouth by an attractive bartender
- Kissing a same-sex friend (generally female)
- Wearing a g-string bikini to a club
- Showering with muscled up Guido’s in the center of the club
- Subsequently making out with those same Guido’s…etc.
- Waiting 25 minutes for a drink, then reveling in the fact that the bartender called you “baby”
- Finding that one homeless looking guy that wandered in, dancing with him long enough to snap a photo, then giggling with friends after
Okay, that last one was a bit of a stretch, but it happens. Now if you’re thinking, hey that doesn’t sound so bad. Hot bartenders, random hook-ups, free showers, homeless guys…I understand. But let me give you just one more clue that might sway you against this mystery locale…
Only here can you grind up on a stranger while listening to the timeless, melodic beats of novelty acts such as The Spice Girls, LFO, Chumbawumba, Blink 182, most outdated rap groups, Sugar Ray, Britney Spears, and all other lame songs easily sung by lamer people.
Firstly, the name America’s Backyard is evocative of Americana nostalgia.. I’m not totally sure if dance floor dry-humping, exploitative Latin Guido culture, heavy petting, and Kids-Bop sing alongs qualify. At one point, I raised my sights to the DJ booth and saw all three DJs bobbing heads to Miley Cyrus. To feel as if most iPod owning middle-schoolers could select this club playlist is the epitome of amateurism. I enjoy a good time out as much as the next person, but to frequent America’s Backyard means one of two things: a) you are not someone I would enjoy spending time with, or b) you have compromised your dignity and some aspects of your humanity.
I know this seems a rather harsh indictment, but ABY is systematically transforming FTL’s downtown scene into an undifferentiated glob of lameness. I do tip my hat to the owner; the business model is genius. He saw a populous, vulnerable demographic and exploited the hell out of them until he was wiping his ass with hundred dollar bills (their slogan is “Grillin’ & Chillin’” – enough said.)
My assertion of opinion on this matter will inevitably lend itself to accusations of snobbishness and conceit. I’m okay with that. And I understand this article will surely be divisive. I can only hope that you fall on the light side and see just as I have, that America’s Backyard means the annihilation of the human spirit.
Make sure to check out the rebuttal post.
by Fat Hand | Jul 1, 2010 | Local Business
by Fat Hand
- Rothstein partner Russ Adler dining at Bluejay’s Cafe with recognizable but unnamed companion.
Update: Bluejay’s is closed as of May 2011 : (
The Himmarshee district of downtown Fort Lauderdale offers plenty of bars, but precious few restaurants. In the two years since Creolina’s tragically closed its doors, the only real options have been Himmarshee Bar & Grill (which is fantastic but way too expensive for a default go-to option), Tarpon Bend (which makes an acceptable burger but is certainly nothing special), and Briny’s (whose food is interesting only in that it is fun when you find something edible on the menu). But thankfully we have a new option: Bluejay’s Cafe which opened last week on Himmarshee Street, just across the alley from Fat Cats.
Serving breakfast on the weekends and lunch and dinner every day except Monday at extremely reasonable prices, a place like Bluejay’s has been sorely needed in the neighborhood. Having eaten at Bluejay’s three times in the last week despite the short-sighted refusal of the FTLC editorial board to provide a food stipend, yet encouraged by New Times blogger Bill Citara’s inspirational post about amateur food critics, I say !#$%& Bill Citara and offer my take on Bluejay’s.
But before we get to the review, Bluejay’s is already attracting local pseudo-celebrities of certain notoriety as evidenced by the above picture taken last night. On the left is Russ Adler, the former name partner in Scott Rothstein’s law firm, dining with another gentleman I recognize from obsessive reading of Bob Norman’s blog, but cannot quite place…another Rothstein attorney? A local restauranteur? Anybody recognize the man on the right in my blurry picture? (Sorry, I’m a lover, not a photographer). But I digress…to the review!
The alcohol situation:
Bluejay’s does not have a liquor license. There is a yellow sign on the front of the restaurant notifying the public about an upcoming hearing regarding this license, and while I am sure that a liquor license is great and necessary for a restaurant, for patrons this short unlicensed period offers an opportunity to bring your own beer or wine (which the wait staff is more than happy to open and serve) and save a bundle on a great meal. Good luck Bluejay’s on the liquor license and I promise I will not show up at that meeting to oppose it.
Food that is amazing:
Shrimp & Crawfish Flatbread for 10 bills off the appetizer menu. Truly inspired. The ample crawfish chunks, along with shrimp, corn, scallions, red peppers and cotija cheese makes this a Southern U.S./Tex-Mex delicacy.
The Spanish rice accompanying the half-chicken entree. Infused with jalapeno, along with corn, tomato, and green and white onions, this rice offers a kick that is rare in a rice dish. Seriously, one of my best rice dishes yet eaten.
Food that is very good:
The filet. For 25 bucks you get a very good cut of meat, well prepared, served with mashed potatos. My only suggestion is that it would be nice to have a vegetable along with the meat and potatos, but what are you gonna do?
Half-chicken entree. Good seasoning, but I must say, I can’t stop thinking about the rice.
Food that is also good:
Skirt Steak Tacos, Fish Tacos. Both meals are just seven dollars for three tacos which are served in soft corn tortillas with filling of tomatoes, corn, onions, lettuce and cheese. The sizable tacos are certainly better than your average taco, and the grouper in the fish tacos tasted great; plus it was refreshing to see a restaurant not claim that every chunk of fish in every taco is dolphin…because come on, we all know that there is not an unlimited supply of mahi every season at every restaurant.
Roast Beef Sandwich. It’s a roast beef sandwich. Get it with the tasty sweet potato fries.
Bluejay’s: the best of luck. You seem well-situated for your market and serve very good food…much better than I was expecting from a brand-new establishment. The restaurant business is tough, but you have a passionate supporter in Fat Hand and, I can only imagine, Russ Adler. And Russ, the best of luck to you too sir.
