Restaurants

100 Favorite Dishes: No. 29 — Islamorada Conch Chowder From Rustic Inn

As a countdown to the Best of Broward Palm Beach 2011, coming in June, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up a hundred of our favorite dishes in South Florida. Send your own nominations to Deirdra.Funcheon@BrowardPalmBeach.com.No. 29: Islamorada Conch Chowder From Rustic InnDespite a lifetime of wide, sandy beaches and copious amounts...
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As a countdown to the Best of Broward Palm Beach 2011, coming in June, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up a hundred of our favorite dishes in South Florida. Send your own nominations to Deirdra.Funcheon@BrowardPalmBeach.com.

No. 29: Islamorada Conch Chowder From Rustic Inn

Despite a lifetime of wide, sandy beaches and copious amounts of sun, I sometimes forget I live in Florida. I think we all do — Floridians, that is. We don’t much care for the beach, 

and our allotment of sun is quite often relegated to the time spent running from our air conditioned houses to our air conditioned cars. And yet, Florida life can be great. The conch chowder from Rustic Inn? Call it a reminder… a crumpled note in the pocket of some flip-flop wearing parrot head. A remembrance of time spent sitting on the docks, sipping cold coronas and tossing food scraps to the fish. Like liquid nostalgia, it goes down; sun-soaked and spicy, redolent of tender conch and vaguely tomato-y, like some sea-sick boater’s version of chili. And no matter how lost on 95 we are or pissed off at the insipid heat, there it is. Ever ready, just like the restaurant that makes it best. Welcome to Florida. 
Rustic Inn Crabhouse4331 Ravenswood Rd., Fort Lauderdale

Previous 100 favorite dishes:No. 30: Frisee Salad With Egg From The Office
No. 31: St. Louis-Cut Ribs From East Coast BBQ
No. 32: Vitello Tonnato From Apicius
No. 33: Crostini with Whipped Lardo, Rosemary, and Balsamic Onions from Pizzeria OceanoNo. 34: Fried Calamari With Moroccan Aioli From Sundy House
No. 35: Nakjikuksu From Myung Ga Tofu & BBQ
No. 36: Bone-In Filet from Morton’s
No. 37: G.O.A.T. Cookies from Sugar Rush
No. 38: Crab-Avocado Strato From Cielo
No. 39: Grilled Pork, Shrimp, and Spring Roll “Bun” From Saigon Cuisine 
No. 40: Chivito from Cilantro’s
No. 41: Tamari Scallop from SAIA
No. 42: Escargots from Aruba Beach Cafe
No. 43: Gelato Cup from Sonny’s Gelato Cafe
No. 44: Tuna Tartar from Canyon Southwestern Cafe
No. 45: Banana Praline French Toast from the Hurricane Cafe
No. 46: Paneer Makhani from The Palace 
No. 47: Bruschetta Pizza from Pizza Fusion
No. 48: Falafel Sandwich from Falafel Bistro
No. 49: Philly Cheese Steak from Philly Steak Sub Shop
No. 50: Bizcoche de Maiz from Maracas
No. 51: Rotisserie Chicken from Publix
No. 52: Encebollado de Pescado from Cafe Paraiso
No. 53: Fish Tacos from Kahuna Bar & Grill
No. 54: Lobster Corn Dogs from Rok:Brgr
No. 55: Gazpacho from John G’s on the Beach
No. 56: Black & Blue Oysters from Shuck-N-Dive
No. 57: Latin Macho Burger from Latin Burger
No. 58: Dover Sole from French Corner Bistro & Rotisserie
No. 59: Cider Doughnuts from Chef John Carlino
No. 60: Breakfast in a Pot from Tom Sawyer Restaurant and Pastry Shop
No. 61: Fried Jumbo Shrimp from Betty’s Soul Food

No. 62: Pastrami Sandwich from Primanti Bros.
No. 63: “Monster” Hoagie from LaSpada’s Original Hoagies
No. 64: Truffled Chips from YOLO
No. 65: Black Skillet-Roasted Mussels from Timpano Chophouse
No. 66: Fish Sandwich from Lazy Loggerhead Cafe

No. 67: Fresh Tomato Pizza from Pizza Time
No. 68: Seafood Salad Sandwich from Le Tub
No. 69: Wings from Lefty’s Tavern
No. 70: Sake Flight from Wild East Asian Bistro
No. 71: Croque Monsieur From Croissan’Time
No. 72: Mushroom in Tin Foil at Marumi Sushi
No. 73: Tapas Sharing Platter from Johnny V
No. 74: Cherry Crunch Donut from Dandee Donut Factory
No. 75: Brussel Sprouts from Cafe La Buca
No. 76: Linguine Vongole from Il Bellagio 
No. 77: Housemade Charcuterie from Market 17
No. 78: Crab Benedict at the Downtowner Saloon

No. 79: The Aileen Special from Undergrounds Coffeehaus
No. 80: Insalata Caprese from Fiorentina
No. 81: Angus and Brie Burger from Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill
No. 82: Pulled Pork Sliders from Gratify American GastroPub

No. 83: Fagottini al Tartufo Bianco e Nero From Apicius Ristorante e Enoteca
No. 84: Guacamole from Dos Caminos
No. 85: Rock Shrimp from Bahama Mama
No. 86: The Grease Beast from Grease Burger

Related

No. 87: Banana Pancakes from Simply Delish

No. 88: Paella from Cafe Seville
No. 89: Coal-Oven Wings from Table 42
No. 90: Pork buns at Umi Fish Bar + Grill
No. 91: Mariquitas from Cabana
No. 92: Meatballs With Ricotta and San Marzano Tomato Sauce from Deck 84
No. 93: Crème Brûlée With Fruit Compote from Mojo
No. 94: Asparagus and Swiss Omelette from La Bonne Crepe on Las Olas
No. 95: Pad Thai from Sukhothai
No 96: The Mother of All Burgers from Quickie’s Burgers & Wings
No. 97: Arancini Rice Balls from D’Angelo
No. 98: “Yum Yum” Korean Pork Tacos from Nacho Bizness
No. 99: Sauteed Gator Tail from Rosey Baby
No. 100: Vacio Steak from Angus Bar and Grill


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