Last Friday night Ihad dinner with a few friends at Coco Asian Bistro in Fort Lauderdale; this wasthe first time any of us had been there, and what a treat-feast it was.Chef/owner Mike Ponluang is not only a talented and creative chef but a trulywarm and endearing man that quite frankly makes his food and your diningexperience even better.
Traditional Thaidishes and a sensational sushi bar gleaming with fresh fish and vegetables isthe obvious star of the show at Coco Asian Bistro but it is the subtle calming omnipotenceof the venue that continues to draw repeat diners. When it came time to decoratethe restaurant, Ponluang hired a Feng shui master to layout the design,ensuring a peaceful aesthetic balance and pleasurable dining experience.
The sushi rolls are undeniably impressive as you will see from the photos but it is the versatile menu that includes foie gras and rack of lamb that makes guests take a second look at the offerings on the menu. Ponluang has crafted a fantastic traditional Asian menu with a sprinkling of surprises offering just about something for everyone that walks into his Asian bistro.
(click on the photos for an enlarged view)
Italian restaurants take note! this interesting yet very welcomed bread basket of warm sourdough bread and a house-crafted Asian spiced olive oil was the beginning of one delicious evening.
Asian Dumplings
These steamed, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings are light and airy flavorful pockets bursting with shrimp, mushrooms and vegetables. If you’re a dumpling fan these won’t disappoint
Crispy Duck Salad
Brimming with flavors this crispy duck sat primly on a tangy balsamic glazed bed of fresh mixed greens sprinkled with cashews
Wakame Salad
Classic and traditional seaweed salad.
Alaskan King Crab Dynamite Special
This dinner special was the most rich and sinful out of everything we ordered. The sweet King Crab was set atop of a mound of sushi rice garnished with and eel mayo sauce.
Jalapeno Roll
Shrimp tempura, eel, asparagus, cucumber, scallion, avocado, topped with tuna, eel sauce, jalapeno and tempura flakes
MAMA Roll
Tuna, shrimp tempura, tempura flakes, imitation crab, masago, cream cheese, scallion, topped with strawberry, avocado, spicy mayo and tempura flakes
Sushi Boat
This presentation was almost too good looking to eat. All of the fish at Coco Asian Bistro is flown in fresh from Hawaii three times a week, where the waters are more clean and pure.
Lemongrass crème brûlée.
Just a hint of lemongrass in this hard-shelled sugary cream dish.
Chocolate Bomb.
The name says it all.
COCO Asian Bistro & Bar – Harbor Shops, 1841 Cordova Road, Fort Lauderdale, 33316 (954) 525-3541
