Quarterdeck Review

      The Quarterdeck is a chain of sports bars in Florida. Having spent over an hour waiting for a water taxi that never came, AND having spent the day in airports, we were starving and just wanted ANY place we could find within walking distance to eat. We stumbled across the Quarterdeck and were told there was a 45 minute wait but the bar had seats available, so in we walked and away we ate. I really wasn't expecting much but was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and most of all the service.

      Think about Fort Lauderdale in late February, vacation central, so while the Quarterdeck is a very large place, it was PACKED to the rafters. And to top it off, we found out a couple of servers had called in sick, (can't blame them is was 80 and beautiful). But the bartender came over right away with menus and took our drink order, and was back with the drinks in a flash. I noticed they had a very large raw bar, so I asked about the oysters (this can be a scary proposition in a sports bar but what the heck I was feeling lucky). I was assured that the blue points had arrived fresh that morning so I ordered a half dozen. My fellow worker decided to start with the peel your own shrimp. Both plates were exceptional, the oysters really fresh and the shrimp huge, with a whole bunch of them. For our entrees, I went with a really unusual sandwich, blackened fresh grouper, fresh mozzarella, basil and cappicola on a ciabbata roll, and my buddy went with blackened fish tacos. The fish in both entrees was incredibly fresh, and while on paper my sandwich sounds weird the blackened fish, the fresh cheese and the salty, slightly spicy ham worked PERFECTLY together. This was a perfect start to our Fort Lauderdale business trip and highly recommended.

Food,                     3.25  Sports bar food but very well done
Beer and Wine,    3.75   Nice beer selection, typical grocery store wine selections.
Service,                 5.0     I have never given anyone a 5 but this poor guy was HUSTLING, and yet he was pleasant and took the time to explain the menu to us.

Ambiance,             3.0     Sports bar, enough said.
Price,                     3.5      One of the most reasonable of all our Fort Lauderdale meals.

Overall                  3.70 A really nice local chain with above average food for a sports bar. I would recommend them if you are in Florida.

Ray's Seafood Review

      UPDATE: Since the first time we visited we have gone back a second and third time. THIS time we called in our order ahead and when we got there it was only a very short wait. Food was just as good , maybe even better and the portions still HUGE!! When we want fresh seafood, this is now our go to place. GREAT PLACE and highly recommended.

      I know what your thinking, why is he reviewing a seafood market? Well, as it turns out, Ray's is not only a market but a restaurant. Who knew? OK, everybody did but me I guess. Anyways, on this particular Saturday night, as we drove home, we realized we had made no plans for supper. And, since I drive past the sign for Ray's twice every single day, and had never bothered to turn down the street and check them out, off we went. Sometimes unscheduled and unplanned adventures turn out the best. And in this case it certainly did.

      Thinking we would make a quick stop, pick up whatever was really fresh and head for home to cook, we were stopped in our tracks when we learned we could eat in or get a to go order. So after perusing the menu, we stepped up to the counter, which is not as easy as it sounds, as the counter is way off to the left, and ordered a fried oyster dinner and the baked haddock special. Now the waiting began, allowing us PLENTY of time to wander around the market, look at all the cool stuff in the freezer (Calamari rings or CONCH anyone?).  Then we waited, and waited and waited. To be fair, there was a huge table of people that had ordered just before us, but MAN, it seems this really messed up the kitchen, as orders seemed to be in complete disarray and people were running around not seemingly knowing what was going on.

      This did not bode well and for $35.00, we were worried we wouldn't get what we ordered. Finally our orders were ready, and as soon as they were bagged up, we sped off for home ,as by now we were STARVING. We arrived home and lo and behold, the first thing we noticed is the orders were EXACTLY correct, all the sides were right and the meal perfect. Second thing we noticed, is the portions were HUGE!!! Hooray, the fish was unbelievably fresh and speaking from someone who can eat a TON of oysters I was stuffed, french fries were great, nothing was greasy, cocktail sauce had the right amount of horseradish. Only disappointment was the standard grocery store type roll but really who cares. Highly recommend, though I do recommend calling ahead or if you are eating there bring a book.

On a scale of 1 to 5;
Food,                Quality means much more to us than quantity.
Beer and Wine,  Based on selection and pricing

Service,             Speaks for itself
Ambiance,          Does the look fit the food and pricing

 Price,                And finally does the pricing equal the results we had.

Food,                     4.5  Huge portions, incredibly fresh, fried foods are not greasy, a winner
Beer and Wine,    NO  No alcohol is served so no rating.
Service,                 3.0  Everyone was friendly but the kitchen seems to be chaotic because of the large group eating there. Wait time was excessive.
Ambiance,             3.0  I have been called out before for rating a take out place for ambiance. BUT, this is a restaurant and its not really attractive. Again, the main focus is on the market so think bright fluorescent lights and it can be very loud . Think cree-mee stand and you have the idea, not a romantic date night for sure.

Price,                     4.0  At first we thought this was rather pricey, never having been here before. BUT after seeing the size of the order and tasting the quality of the fish, we think this may be one of the best values for dollars in Northern Vermont.

Overall             3.625  Not much atmosphere, its a market after all. Service (or at least the kitchen) can be chaotic, but the value for quality is off the charts. We will DEFINITELY be back. I dare you to find fresher or better prepared fish outside of going to the coast. Save yourself a three hour trip, eat here instead.