The Return to Southeast Florida or The Follow Up to "The Best Laid Plans"

If you saw my post, "The Best Laid Plans," this time last year, you know the weekend I planned with my husband in Southeast Florida did not go quite as expected (nor did the next six months).  Since I generally do not learn from my mistakes, I made a second attempt this year.  Actually, what prompted said attempt was a visit from a friend and fellow ACL editor, Astrid.  So, really, it was an excuse to visit her while she was in Fort Lauderdale.  Also, the Capital Grille was having its annual "Generous Pour" wine event, and there just happen to be four Capital Grilles in Southeast Florida.  Two birds with one stone.

Generous Pour Wines and Chocolate Espresso Cake

I stressed a little as the weekend approached. Would Andre' get off work in time? Would we make our 7:30 PM reservation at the Capital Grille in West Palm Beach? Would we make it to our little resort motel by the 10:00 PM check in? Actually, we did make it, and with the exception of one little hiccup on I-95 right around Vero Beach where Andre actually got out of the car and started walking (we won't go into that), everything went smoothly. We even avoided most of the rain; no tropical storms this year, either.

West Palm came and went, we stuffed ourselves with red meat and sampled five of nine (mostly) exceptional wines. Dessert was delicious, and we were back on the road. We opted to pay (!!) for a place to stay this year, and the chosen accommodations were amazing. Thank you to all the folks who actually post reviews on Trip Advisor and booking.com for steering me to this lovely gem in Pompano Beach. The Sea Cove Resort Motel was a quiet little eden in a big, glitzy slice of Florida.



Sea Cove Resort Motel Property (View from Balcony)

Andre Relaxing @ Sea Cove Pompano Beach

Not to say I did not enjoy the glitz and glam of Fort Lauderdale, because I did.  I could spend an entire weekend in The Galleria eating and shopping.  I could people watch on the beach indefinitely, and I could sip cocktails by the pool or swinging in a hammock without a single guilty twinge.  I had a fabulous time.  Even Andre' had a fabulous time.  And we rarely agree on anything.  I would definitely move there, and I'll bet he wouldn't complain.

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Astrid and Lisa in Fort Lauderdale

The Capital Grille in Fort Lauderdale was nice, too - more red meat, more great wine - but given a choice between there and Seasons 52 next door, I would choose Seasons next time.  I really thought the manager at Capital Grille was going to pull out a chair and join us for dinner.  I didn't think I had "shopper" written across my forehead, but she would not leave!  Bahama Breeze in Sunrise was nice, too, and I'll need a whole other weekend to explore Sawgrass Mills mall.

So, the weekend turned out well, and we enjoyed spending time with Astrid, her husband, and her friend.  Fort Lauderdale is my new favorite place (in Florida), and my marriage is just a little bit better because we tried again.