Anglins Beach Cafe - An Experience in Mediocracy

Decided to use a Groupon offer to check out Anglins Beach Café in Lauderdale by the Sea; wish we had stayed at home! The experience was one of the worst I’ve ever experienced in Florida. The restaurant is in front of the Lauderdale by the Sea Anglins fishing pier so parking was limited and actually ended up costing us $10. The restaurant offers seats inside and outside – we decided to try inside. Our first impression was that it was quaint and homey but as we were sat at a corner table that actually had computer hardware on the third seat we realized that the tables were much too close to each other. We couldn’t even move our elbows without hitting other patrons or servers; very cramped and uncomfortable. They could have made much better use of their dining room; there was a large beer display that actually took up a corner that would have been better suited as two tables for guests. Our server, Alberta, started out by offering us organic beer and wine which were both very good. The beer, Peak Organic Pomegranate Wheat Ale, was crisp and refreshing with no bitter aftertaste. The organic Chardonnay from Naked Wines was also very good with a clean finish. The beer and the wine were the only highlights of this adventure. My wife ordered an organic tossed salad and I decided to start out with a cup of their homemade New England clam chowder served with pit chips. Alberta brought over the soup but forgot the salad. The chowder was ok but there was nothing to differentiate it from the chowder at Denny’s. My wife actually got her salad with her entree, Chicken Cutlet Parmesan with pasta and marinara sauce. I opted for the Twin Grilled Swordfish Medallion’s served with organic mixed vegetables and rice pilaf. Alberta dropped off the entrée’s and salad and that was the last we saw of her until we had to flag her down to get the bill. There was no follow up to check on our entrée’s or to see if we wanted another drink; it was busy and she was obviously overwhelmed. Sad thing was that the restaurant actually automatically adds on an 18% gratuity to all dinner checks. Which was great for Alberta but terrible for us; she deserved less than five percent. My entrée, the Swordfish, was served with organic vegetables that consisted of cold broccoli, rubbery green and yellow beans and yellow carrots. The swordfish medallions were large but overcooked and the rice pilaf was bland and overcooked; a very poor plate presentation for $25. My wife’s Chicken Cutlet Parmesan was served with over cooked angel hair pasta and marinara sauce over seasoned with granulated garlic; so much so that all she could eat of the pasta was two bites. The chicken cutlets were okay but not worth the price of $18. Her organic house salad looked great but the house balsamic vinaigrette tasted like olive oil with just a slight hint of balsamic, very oily. As we tried to eat our overpriced meals we could hear our server screaming at the cooks that she needed an order of fries. The ambience definitely matched the food quality; diner! Unfortunately the price did not and to add insult to injury the total with the tip and the $50 Groupon taken out was still over $50. We left unsatisfied and hungry, thank god Kilwins was across the street!! There ice cream was delicious.