Bluejay's Cafe in Fort Lauderdale: Southwestern-Inspired Dishes and Plenty of Charm

Comments (0) By John Linn Thursday, Nov 4 2010

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Not everything was as flawless. The fish of the day was grilled mahi-mahi ($18) perched over yellow rice with a rustic "pico de gallo" made with tomatoes and hearts of palm. "It's too bad," said my dad, John, "because the flavors are so fresh, but the fish is way overcooked." I thought the same of the "Southwestern paella" ($16). It was less like paella than a sauté of mussels, shrimp, and scallops plated on top of Spanish rice (albeit, nicely).

More my speed: tamales ($12) stuffed with shredded beef and napped in a red sauce made from ancho and chipotle chilies. I asked our waiter if I could have it spicy, and the kitchen obliged. The tart, slightly smoldering heat of the sauce paired well with creamy yellow masa. I could taste the chicken stock, the cumin, and the corn husk it was cooked in too. I have never seen a tamale plated so beautifully. Buchanan has a painterly eye for his plates — I think it does make the food taste better.

Candace West

The "Bluejay" burger, with blue cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, and roasted horseradish.

Candace West

Soft corn tacos featuring skirt steak.

Location Info

Map

Bluejay's Cafe

330 Himmarshee St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Category: Restaurant > American

Region: Fort Lauderdale

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Details

Bluejay's Cafe, 330 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale. Open for lunch 11:20 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and dinner 5:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Open for brunch 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 954-306-8792, or click here.

More About

Bluejay's has the requisite bistro burger, and it's damned good. The house version, called the "Bluejay" burger ($10), is a moist, glistening inch of beef, larded with blue cheese and applewood-smoked bacon and nestled into a warm brioche bun. My brother Chris swore he'd return to try the green chili-topped version. But for me, I'll take my green chili over breakfast, particularly the huevos rancheros ($8). Bluejay's serves those ranch-hand eggs just right: their yolks slightly oozing over a griddled corn tortilla, with roasted potatoes, tomatoes, and red onion sopping up the juice. I'd slather a bite with some roasted tomato salsa that comes in a metal tin on the side, take a big sip of coffee, and soak in the wonderful weather that is just now trickling into town. Yep. That feels about right.