Ft. Lauderdale

Vince & I decided that we needed a break from the harsh PA winter so we booked a long weekend trip to Ft. Lauderdale for the first weekend of March! We left Thursday late afternoon and arrived about 10 pm in Florida. We stayed at the Atlantic Hotel which was right on the water. It was a very nice looking hotel but we both agreed that the customer service needed some work. I don't think we would stay there again but we don't regret staying there for this trip. Friday was a bit chilly & windy so we ate breakfast and went on a nice long walk. We tried to lounge by the pool and eat lunch but it was so cold and windy that I couldn't even take my fleece off. We went to dinner at a restaurant the concierge recommended and told us to tell the owner Mario that he sent us. We did as instructed and Mario insisted on not letting us see the menu and "cooking for us". We decided what the heck this guy isn't going to take no for an answer so lets see what happens! He first brought us a pitcher of sangria and let me tell you he never let our glasses get half way empty without filling them back up. He made us a very tasty 4 course meal and we ended up making some new friends with a couple also staying at the hotel. The four of us go the shock of our lives when the bill came-it was $189. We thought it was for the four of us since we had all joined the same table. But boy were we wrong the total per couple was $189. I about fell out of my chair. The dinner was good but by no means worth almost 200 dollars. So the four of us left the restaurant still a bit dazed from the bill and headed back to the hotel. Saturday the weather was much nicer! We ate breakfast and headed straight to the pool! And that is where we spent the entire day! We had dinner at a great seafood place called Charley's Crab. It was awesome! I would love to go back! Sunday I woke up with the worst sunburn I have ever had. Not fun. So we ate breakfast ocean side and then took a stroll down the beach and found a nice spot for lunch. Then we headed off to the airport to the 4 feet of snow we left. Luckily to our surprise the temps in Pittsburgh had been mild while we were gone and the snow was quickly disappearing! All in all it was a great escape from the winter and I am sure we will be doing it again next year!