American Vintage Classic Bar and Grill Opens in Fort Lauderdale

If you've got a hankering for shrimp and grits or some homestyle Southern fried chicken, you can get a taste of these American-style nostalgic eats and more thanks to a new beachfront restaurant, American Vintage, opening later this week in Fort Lauderdale.

The eatery and bar will begin serving locals and visitors at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort boardwalk on Thursday, February 19.

See also: Mellow Mushroom Coming To Fort Lauderdale's Fat Village

Executive Chef Andres Teran, formerly of Morton's the Steakhouse and the Alexander Hotel in Miami Beach, will be executing the American Vintage menu. The chef has curated a collection of classic steak-house selections and American comfort favorites, which feature native ingredients and themes from the nation's most historic -- and cherished -- dishes.

"Fort Lauderdale Beach has an emerging gastronomic and mixology scene," said Westin Fort Lauderdale General Manager Bruce Roy. "And American Vintage will be a new destination dining choice for those seeking a taste of American comfort fare."

The menu opens with a series of small starter plates like skillet corn bread and homemade meatballs; deviled eggs with smoked salmon, apple-wood-smoked bacon, and crab; fried green tomatoes; and pigs in a blanket. Larger sharing plates continue with chicken wings, calamari, shrimp and grits, burgers, a Maine lobster roll, pan-seared jumbo lump crab cakes, and tuna tartare.

If you have an American-sized appetite, the Southern-style fried chicken might be tempting. Or maybe you're in the mood for crackling crisp Berkshire pork shank, crab-meat-stuffed jumbo shrimp, and bacon-wrapped Atlantic monk fish.

Meat lovers, rejoice: There's also plenty of beef on this menu. Steaks, including a hefty 14-ounce rib eye, are served with a choice of six signature steak sauces and come with equally hearty sides like au gratin potatoes, mac 'n' cheese, creamed spinach, and asparagus with hollandaise sauce.

If you're on the hunt for a sweet ending, strawberry shortcake and banana cream pie are made in-house. Then wash it all down with any of the bar's handcrafted cocktails, featuring vintage-style classics like the Manhattan, Gin Rickey, Sazerac, Mint Julep, Mai Tai, and Side Car.

American Vintage is located in the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort at 321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-355-4000, or visit westin.com/fortlauderdalebeach.

Nicole Danna is a food blogger covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.