La Vie Lebanese Restaurant

Reviews

Name: Rabia Javed 
Restaurant Pick: La Vie Lebanese Cuisine
Reviewed: La Vie Lebanese Cuisine

We came to the valet area and dropped off our car. As soon as you walk in, you see fresh oysters and other seafood items on ice to showcase their freshness. Everything is white and blue with the furniture being mahogany in color. They have a few trees within the main dining area to showcase South Florida. The bar area had live music playing and is lively with happy hour options. We had reservations and sat in the bay area seating overlooking the beautiful, luminous lake. The server dressed in all white and the jacket reminded me of pharmacist coats, except the server was not prescribing medicine. She noted all the wonderful specials of the day like hogfish, etc.

To start off, my husband and I had the rich and creamy lobster bisque. For entrees, I chose one of the menu specialties Hong Kong style which consisted of sherry soy with combo of Chilean sea bass and salmon. This entree is everything in terms of presentation and taste. It came with spinach and jasmine rice. My husband ordered the crab cakes entree and I won’t lie, I basically ate half his entree. The crab cakes were one of the best I had in terms of the amount of crab it had. My husband ordered it with both potato sides, and you can never go wrong with potato choices. The parmesan garlic fries were scrumptious, and the scallion mash potatoes were comforting. The manager came by to each table to make sure the meals are good, and not when its check time but when you are eating your meal, which is a great way of attentiveness. The dessert of two mouse chocolate cake was decadent and rich with the frothy cappuccino that was the perfect way to end this meal. We both enjoyed this special seafood restaurant a lot, and it may be called a fish market, but it is an upscale restaurant with vast amount of seating in multiple rooms, and can accommodate big parties as well.

Name: Ashley Yuknus 
Restaurant Pick: City Fish Market
Reviewed: La Vie Lebanese Cuisine

I wanted to catch this spot during happy hour because they have such a great menu and live music vibe. The bar can become crowded very quickly, so come early! We didn’t end up making it until after happy hour had just ended. My sister and my fiancé joined me this evening and we knew what we were in for – we love this spot. When we pulled up, it gets a bit hairy because you have to valet, but at least it is complimentary. That can scare off a few prospective guests, but the valet was very friendly and accommodating— definitely a great place for a date. When we walked in, the entrance was expansive architecturally, the market to the right, the fresh fish cutting window to the right, and the bar to the left. Straight ahead are several options for dining – upstairs, downstairs, patio, in the bay window, in a private room (several private spaces actually). We chose the booths in the bar area. Typically, when you choose that route the service can be more causal, but our server was 100% professional – all servers wear the white coats (purity for the cleanliness of a fish market) buttoned up shirts, ties, etc.

She mentioned the specialty items that were in season right now such as Bay Scallops, Whole Snapper Branzino Style with the bone removed if requested. We ordered a few drinks; the waitress was patient with us while we then placed our appetizer order. She cleared the table after every course and presented us with specialty silverware to match the dishes we ate while cleaning the table as well. The bread came out and it was crusty and delicious, served with a nice, creamy square of butter. The bread is always a highlight there. Followed by the fresh half and half jumbo shrimp and colossal crab cocktail with yummy pink brandy dipping sauces – my favorite. The lobster morsels are an item that used to be on the menu but is no longer. They have a special way of cooking lobster at this restaurant – you can order it broiled, steamed or flash fried. Who would ever pick a South African Cold-Water Lobster Tail to be fried, but they have mastered the art! The lobster is tender and juicy and crunchy – seems like a waste, but it melts in your mouth. I love this dish, but it is definitely a treat because it is expensive for what you are getting (6oz).

Next, we ordered our entrees, parmesan crusted salmon with grilled asparagus and basil potato pancake – every flavor complimented each other in that dish. We all wished we had ordered this! I never think twice about salmon dishes even though I am a new fan, this was a totally different take on salmon— Italian almost! It was like having an Italian dish without the guilt, so yummy! Lastly, my fiancé ordered the shrimp and scallops alfredo he felt like he should have ordered a more appropriate fish dish rather than a pasta. My sister slowly savored every bite on her salmon dish while I ordered an espresso martini that was made to perfection!

All of the staff was extremely attentive even while being at the bar booths. We finished off with the key lime pie. It was so delicious, sweet, and tart at the same time with the whipped cream to neutralize the sweet and tart. YUM!! Upon leaving, we admired more of the décor and then the valet brought our car around instantly. We love this place and we hope you do too!

Name: Peter Keiley 
Restaurant Pick: El Mariachi
Reviewed: La Vie Lebanese Cuisine

I liked the food here, but the ambience left me a bit cold. It is a cavernous space in the back of the Marriott Hotel Harbor Beach—during the day there is probably a great view of the Ocean and this I’m sure adds to the over-all experience. Décor is upscale corporate; wood, overly ornate inlaid marble floors, high ceilings, separate bar and dining area, loud. There is also valet parking.

In general, the food was very good. My group of three thought our appetizers, especially a wondrous tuna ceviche/tartar, were better than the entrees. The tenderloin, which my husband ordered, was a great piece of steak and perfectly prepared. Another standout was its accompaniment, an onion, presented upside down on the plate, roasted whole with gruyere and mashed potato inside.

Restaurant Information

Location: : 281 S. Pompano Parkway, Pompano Beach, FL
Parking: Public lot
Phone: 954-210-9818
Website:www.lavieflorida.com/
Restaurant Owners: Abed Ahmad & Ala Alhamed
Executive Chef: Ziad Nasser
Pastry Chef: N/A
 

Type of Cuisine: Lebanese/Mediterranean
Signature Dishes: Tagine, Hummus and pita
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Alcohol Served: Full bar
Corkage Fee: $20
Bottle Limit: N/A

Restaurant Hours: None
Monday– 11:30AM - 10:00PM 
Tuesday– 11:30AM - 10:00PM 
Wedensday– 11:30AM - 10:00PM 
Thursday– 11:30AM - 10:00PM 
Friday– 11:30AM – 11:00PM 
Saturday– 12:00PM - 11:00PM 
Sunday– 12:00PM - 11:00PM 
 

Meals Served: Lunch, Dinner and Dessert
Prix Fix Menu: N/A
Take-Out: Yes
Delivery: Yes - Ubereats
Average Dinner Price Range (per person, full meal, tax, 20% gratuity, w/o alcohol): $50-65
Average Lunch Price Range (per person, full meal, tax, 20% gratuity, w/o alcohol): $50-65
Payment Options: do you accept credit cards and if so, which ones? All major credit cards
Accept Reservations: Yes
Need Reservations: For Fridays and Saturdays
How far in advance do you require reservations be made: At least 2 days in advance

Accommodations for Children: Yes
Dining Style: Casual, family style
Disabled Access: Yes
Restaurant Size: 270
Accommodate Groups: Yes
Private Dining Room: No
Tables with Scenic Views: No
Outdoor Dining: Yes
Entertainment: Live belly dancing, live music, hookah