Living in South Florida is a lifetime of summers. Visitors and residents should take advantage of this by immersing themselves in the atmosphere. Yot Bar and Kitchen is a waterfront restaurant that captures South Florida’s liveliness perfectly. It is located less than 30 minutes from NSU’s main campus along the South Fork New River in Fort Lauderdale.
Yot Bar and Kitchen is home to a large marina and yachting community, which impacts the way the restaurant feels. The decor is heavily influenced by the beachy atmosphere it is surrounded by. Getting outside seating will allow you to fully experience what the location has to offer, as you will feel the ocean breeze while enjoying the sight of the massive yachts docked near the outside bar.
The menu reflects the environment, as the majority of the dishes are seafood-based with a few red meat options. Highlighting the local produce through the dishes is a staple for the brunch, lunch and dinner menus. There is a limited selection of entrées to choose from and the layout is clean, which makes the decision process simpler. The small menu demonstrates a focus on the quality of these dishes that shows through presentation and taste.
The Miso Salmon, which is marked as a “Yot Ta Try,” which is used for the specialty dishes listed as fan favorites, was flavorful and fresh. The dish usually comes with Faroe Island salmon, quinoa, napa cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, shishito peppers and ponzu vinaigrette. However, my server Edwin suggested I replace the quinoa and vegetables with garlic mashed potatoes with shiitake mushrooms on top. The salmon is blackened which adds a sweet tang to the dish to balance out the smokey flavor that comes from the mushrooms. The mashed potatoes are smooth and light despite the garlic flavor and overall creaminess. The high quality of the ingredients are reflected by the way the dish makes you feel. It satisfies your hunger without making you feel bloated.
The service at Yot Bar and Kitchen is great and the staff was incredibly helpful. They don’t mind going the extra mile for you if necessary. Staff will revise dishes to suit your liking and will replace your dish if you aren’t satisfied. Servers will not hesitate to give suggestions and guide you if you are having trouble making a choice on your own. They know their menu very well.
Yot Bar and Kitchen is an upscale experience in the heart of South Florida. Whether you decide to stop by for brunch, lunch or dinner, there will be something you yota try waiting for you.
