For a meal that’s truly magical, check out Cero Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

When I go into a restaurant, I want to try the best the chef has to offer. So I get very excited when the chef asks if I want him to cook for me. Such was the case last week when I went into Cero Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale. I have always been impressed with Cero, ever since I attended a wine tasting event there last year. Sometimes, when you have a great experience at a restaurant, you hesitate in giong back, thinking they can’t top what you experienced the first time. With a new chef, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but let me tell you, my mouth is still salivating with delicious food memories.

Our meal started off with 2 starters including shaved prosciutto and  tomato with artichoke and tarragon vinaigrette. The second starter was a seared potato gnocchi with spicy tomatoes, truffles and lemon essences. The prosciutto added a nice sweet complement to the tarragon vinaigrette and the gnocchi melted in my mouth.

The second course was just as fabulous with a Maine lobster salad wrap served with bacon, avocado and salad of haricot vert and a shellfish & ceppo pasta served with tomato, caper and lemon butter sauce. Don’t forget my favorite – the seared tuna and spinach with warm bacon vinaigrette and hearts of palm.

To complete the meal, we were served a succulent creme brulee. For someone who initially looked away after being served creme brulee, I was shocked when I couldn’t resist spoonful after spoonful of this magical dish. This wasn’t an ordinary creme brulee, as it was served in a sugar coated ball served atop a  chocolate granita made with pop rocks. Just like it was a surprise to find out what was inside the ball, it was also a pleasant surprise to feel the burst of energy as the pop rocks did a tiny explosion with every spoonful.

Photos from personal collection.