Morton's The Steakhouse ***

Chicago-based prime beef arrives in Broward.

Morton's The Steakhouse.

By Rochelle Koff

Morton's embraces a winning formula, combining excellent service and consistently well-executed steaks and seafood. The restaurant is well-suited to expense accounts, though there are deals, including “Power Hours” at the bar with petit filet mignon sandwiches, mini prime cheeseburgers and other gourmet bites for $5. The restaurant is also known for an extensive wine list, with 300 labels ranging from a $43 California cabernet to a $353 Italian Barbaresco, plus 30 choices by the glass ($8.95-$22.95).

Ambiance
The decor is classy, with white tablecloths, candlelight, dark wood tables, beige booths and a photo montage of celebrity patrons. Munch on loaves of wonderful, warm onion bread while your server brings a preview cart including raw steak, a huge potato, a head of broccoli and a live, squirming Maine lobster.

What Worked

A trio of sea scallops, wrapped with bacon, broiled and served with apple chutney
Chopped salad is a generous array of iceberg and romaine, avocado, palm and artichoke hearts, red onions, tomatoes, diced eggs and blue cheese crumbles properly dressed in a refreshing Dijon vinaigrette
The flavorful Cajun rib-eye, marinated for 60 hours
The 24-ounce porterhouse, nicely seasoned, charred and pink
Broiled salmon fillet is simple but splendid, buttery, light and flaky
Carrot cake is a light, moist classic with shredded pineapple and carrots, chopped walnuts and a sweet cream cheese icing

What Didn’t Work

Filet mignon is ultra tender but so lean it's not particularly flavorful, so Morton's compensates with a rich béarnaise sauce on the side
Australian lobster tail, which was plump and sweet but a little chewy

Morton's The Steakhouse: 500 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-467-9720. Hours: 5:30-11 p.m. Monday to Saturday, until 10 p.m. Sunday. “Power Hours” with discount food and drinks 5-6:30 and 9 p.m. to closing. Prices: Starters $10-$20, entrees $27-$49, sides $8-$10.50, desserts $9.50-$15.

FYI: Full bar. Metered street and garage parking; valet $5. AX, DN, MC, VS