The Ark - Davie, Florida
by The Perkins
(RV-Travel-with-Kids.com)
William and Sara waiting for a table (expect a wait! its worth it!)
Stained glass window above the door
Sign outside
I spent most of the early part of my childhood in South Florida. We moved to Montana when I was a teenager, so the memories I have of this part of the country are those of a child. My very favorite place to eat, the place reserved for birthdays and special occasions, was a family owned seafood and steakhouse called The Ark, in Davie Florida.
My grandmother and grandfather had taken me there as a child, and my favorite part about it was the salad bar: all kinds of fun items to add to your salad and fresh breads and rolls. The absolute best part was the butter. The Ark is famous for its flavored butters, artfully arranged in ice-cream scoop spoonfuls on platters. Garlic, strawberry, and other interesting flavors.
When we arrived in South Florida, I knew we had to make the drive. So the four of us arrived in Davie and a sense of nostalgia swept over me. My grandparents have both passed away now, and Sissy is named after my grandmother. It struck me that this little, family owned, one of a kind restaurant had seen four generations of my family.
It had changed but it hadn't changed. It looked a lot smaller! (Of course, so does Disney World as an adult!) Instead of a regular restaurant, they had turned it into mostly a buffet. But what a buffet it was! Prime Rib, fresh fish, salmon, oysters, and all you can eat crab legs! Plus that salad bar that I remembered, with caviar on it.
And the butter. The flavored butters are still there!
The Ark has become a favorite for my family again. William wanted to have his 8th birthday there, he liked it so much.
The food is without exception delicious, and the prices aren't too bad. Figure on spending for a family of four with two children about $100-125 with tax and tip, depending on if you are ordering alcoholic beverages or adding on a lobster tail or two.
http://www.thearkrestaurantfla.com/
|
