Renowned for its upscale tackle Mexican seafood classics, Coconut Grove staple Aida has opened a brand new location in Fort Lauderdale’s uber-hip Flagler Village neighborhood. The spot opened on Thursday, November 17.
“When we were thinking of expanding Aida, we walked around Flagler Village and realized that it’s where we needed to be,” Eduardo Gavilan tells New Times, co-owner of Colibri 4 Restaurant Group, which owns Aida. “The vibes are amazing and when the train goes by, there is such character. We see it as the next Wynwood and it’s a place to bring everyone together.”
Aida’s Fort Lauderdale location now occupies the prior American Icon Brewery Kitchen & Taproom constructing positioned at 911 NE Fourth Avenue within the graffiti art-clad neighborhood. With Aida’s arrival, the constructing has acquired a complete gutting and makeover from its as soon as simplistic brewery vibes. Now, it has a up to date aroma with a central cherry blossom tree, sun-shaped mirrors, and a mural of the restaurant’s namesake muse by ABSTRK.
“We see it as a very trendy and hip space, but not snobby,” says Gavilan. “It’s very relaxed with a nice laid-back and welcoming ambiance.”
And, if of us aren’t relaxed, maybe considered one of Aida’s cocktails will assist. Among its signature cocktails are the “Jade” (whiskey, spicy ginger infusion, sage syrup, and lime) and, arguably the regulars’ favourite, the “Violeta” (mezcal, chartreuse, prickly pear, lime, and easy syrup).
On the meals entrance, Gavilan says the restaurant retains greater than 400 substances in its kitchen. Its menu – spanning tacos, tostadas, steaks, and starters – is anchored by contemporary seafood choices which can be flown in each two to a few days. These embody a sauteed octopus with salsa talla, a corn-crusted Chilean sea bass, and lasagna Azteca layered with contemporary pink shrimp, poblano sauce, gouda, corn tortillas, and cilantro.
Perhaps its best-selling dish is the ceviche verde de camaron with a cilantro kimchi kick – the dish gained a prestigious Golden Coconut Award finally yr’s Coconut Grove Art Festival. For the brunch crowd, Aida hosts a Sunday brunch with “Mexican Curiosities” spanning quesadillas to chilaquiles to a Mexican corn French toast.
“While there has certainly been an explosion of Mexican restaurants in Fort Lauderdale in recent years, there is nothing else like this – Mexican seafood – that exists,” says Gavilan. “If you haven’t been, you haven’t tasted food quite like this.”
AIDA. 911 NE Fourth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; aidarestaurant.com. 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday by way of Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and midday to five p.m. Sunday.