Wow - quite the social scene at YOLO! Went for this first time this weekend. Clearly a popular spot for seeing and being seen. The patio dining area is a great atmosphere, albeit a little chilly on a winter night (Yolo: invest in more outdoor heaters - two doesn't cut it for a space that big.) And the hostess didn't seem concerned that she kept trying to seat us in chairs and cushions that were still soaking wet from an earlier rain. Dinner was simple, by request. I had a spinach salad with chicken, which was fresh, well presented, and a great price ($14). Wait staff was pleasant. Will definitely return in warmer temps.
(3)
Ashley K.
Outside waitress w/ dark hair Saturday night took advantage of my husband having had too much too drink....gave her a $100 bill for 2 drinks and she never brought change...he forgot about it til the next day. I guess maybe it's his fault, and anyone would have taken advantage of the situation, but I would like to think there are good people out there who still earn their money fairly and don't take advantage of others in a moment of clouded judgment.
(2)
Nikki S.
We had lunch here today and this rating deserves all 5 stars, if not more. We tried the szechuan calamari (YUMMY), chicken noodle soup (Meh....) and the oak grilled salmon (DELICIOUS). The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful and so are the employees!! We opted to sit outside and were greeted by a wonderful server who was pretty much on point with everything. I definitely give this place 2 thumbs up! If you're walking around Las Olas and can't decide on where to eat - this is the place. Can't wait to go back at night when it's all lit up outside!
(5)
Allie C.
I went here on my birthday... Our waitress was wonderful and kept checking on us. I ordered the jumbo lump crab cakes with green apple slaw and substituted the thin cut French fries for au gratin potatoes. Best crab cakes I've ever had hands down!!! The way the restaurant is lighted and decorated is beautiful as well. My new favorite :)
(5)
Ben C.
What a great place! Starting with the very reasonable, and friendly valet, to the martini tower sampler. The service was prompt and friendly, and the food.... Outstanding! The short ribs, and flank steak were amazing, and the banana coconut pie, just as good as it sounds!
(4)
Kate S.
This place great for lunch, dinner or just for drinks. I've been here with colleagues for business and with friends for a bachelorette party. It seems you can't go wrong. YOLO has great calamari- I think I've ordered it every time I've gone. Great drink list. The mashed potatoes are also a must-try. Definitely hit up YOLO if you're in the area.
(5)
Andie D.
The atmosphere at this place is flawless. I bet you it makes the food taste way better. I've had really good overall experiences here. Try the calamari appetizer. Very rich in taste, crispy and decadent.
(4)
Jphn M.
A bit underwhelmed. Ambience was good. Very trendy. Service was good. Food was just a B. $30 for two ok crabcakes and a boatload of shoestring fries. Don't think I would rush back.
(3)
Natalie C.
Being that I love food, and that I hate to be harsh, I really feel bad when I have a less-than-stellar meal at a really cool place. But I have to say that my entree, not the amazing desserts, was not as fantastic as I had hoped. The fish I ordered wasn't very flavorful and it wasn't cooked appropriately. My boss ordered the same dish and he had the same comments as well. The saving grace, for me, was the super delicious dessert tray that was brought to our table. The bread pudding (which I'm a newbie to) was out of this world tasty. As was the banana coconut pie. I can say that others in my group raved about the Tuna Hot Pot and the Pork Chop. So if either of those fit your fancy, don't hesitate to try them. As for locale and appeal, Yolo is top notch. Because as they say, "you only live once," right?
(3)
Danielle B.
The bf and I came for drinks and dessert during Yelp Checks In week and so this review is for that only. We seated ourselves in the outdoor patio. It was not too busy because it was a Tuesday night and past dinner time. Yelp Checks In offered 1 free dessert per check in so I ordered the bread pudding and the bf ordered Banana Coconut Cream Pie. I was excited about both. Bread pudding because, well, I just love bread pudding, and the combo of banana and coconut in pie sounds so fresh and mouth-watering. The bread pudding was not the best I've ever had, but was decent. I think the pecans made it too stiff rather than being creamy and moist for my taste. The pie was really good. Great ratio of pie to crust and great flavors. We also ordered off their specialty drink menu. Our waiter suggested the strawberry caipirinha which has malibu, strawberries, lime juice and a rim of sugar which he described similar to a strawberry daiquiri and our second drink I can't remember the name of but was basically a blackberry mojito. Both drinks were so yummy. Slightly girly, not too strong, and perfect to just sip on and enjoy the scenery. I liked the atmosphere, the drinks, and the dessert. It is definitely on the pricey side. Drinks ran $12 apiece and desserts were $8. I would come back on happy hour.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
YOLO = You Order Lunch (too) Often. Yeah, I eat out and order lunch entirely too much and my bank account struggles because of this laziness that I can't seem to shake. YOLO has been there for me through this laziness and they do not seem to mind taking my money week after week. They are extremely close to my office and never disappoint. For a restaurant of this caliber on Las Olas, the prices are fairly reasonable for the portions you get. I've been known to order the angel hair pasta dish often, a simple tomato sauce with lots of olive oil and a mountain of vermicelli at $12 bucks (without chicken or shrimp). Sprinkle some parm cheese on this stuff and you have yourself a bomb diggity meal (I can't guarantee how productive you'd be after inhaling so much pasta - consider yourself warned). Another favorite here is the veggie burger. Made with crimini mushrooms, beets, barley (and other good-for-you stuff I can't recall at the moment) its a winner at $10 and even includes fries or any one of the yummy sides. I usually swap the crispy and delicious shoe string fries (for caloric intake reasons) for the herb mashed potatoes or the spaghetti squash with marinara sauce. Another winning dish for me is the mojo pork sandwich with yucca fries and garlicky sauce (oh great, now my mouth is watering). The only dessert I've tried is the ice cream sandwich that is served with a warm condensed milk sauce. It's a very unique and tasty spin on a classic convenience store dessert. The service at YOLO is amazing and I've only had one or two experiences when they were very busy when I got a little annoyed at some slow behavior I witnessed. Not the end of the world. When my boss annoys me during the long work week, I can be found here drowning my sorrows at the very popular happy hour. The outdoor seating is awesome (complete with fire pit and tiki torches during the colder months) and I always look forward to making s'mores (yes, s'mores) on Thursday nights in the wintertime. Even if YOLO wasn't close to my office, I'd probably go out of my way to come here. Hopefully YOLO continues to do well and will be around to save my lazy self from starvation for years to come.
(4)
Hope P.
Set behind bamboo Landscaping, at the beginning of the Las Olas Strip surrounded by tall buildings lies YOLO (You Only Live Once). Ive been to Yolo for Dinner a few times but never Brunch. I came here on Mother's Day and made reservations a few weeks beforehand the anticipation killed me. It was really nice to see this place in the Daytime and the decor was fun to look at too, they did a great job at putting all the elements together quite nicely! The servers were friendly and worked efficiently on a day that I thought would be overwhelming, they did a great job. My Mother ordered a bloody Mary from the Bar and was happy they asked her how she preferred hers, and they gave her the right amount of spicy and jumbo grilled Shrimp (she had to ask ) for was an amazing touch! I was with a party of 10 and most of us ordered off of the Lunch Menu. The table water was simply Gross and so Fiji's were ordered, I hate that , real bummer. We were waiting for the order to come in so my Man ordered 2 Szechuan Calamari's for the table it has Garlic Chili Sauce , Chopped Peanuts , Sesame it was really delicious I thought it was the highlight of my meal. Shortly after our orders came out, we were still eating our Calamari. I ordered the Salmon ... it came on a bed of Arugula, I guess I wasn't paying too much attention or I was soo hungry I couldn't read properly but it was a salad, and I thought it was a platter, it was listed under Specials so I guess I was confused? My Mama ordered the Prime Rib and was disappointed. There was no flavor, not even in the Au Jus that she tried to get some flavor from. The Potatoes Au Gratin were good, not the best but how can you mess up Au Gratin (Cheese)? My Man got the Steak and eggs. It was Fillet Mignon and a couple eggs over easy. The steak didn't have that much flavor but it was very tender the way a fillet should be. It also came with Potatoes Au Gratin. It was a pleasant Mother's Day. No one at the table seemed to be thrilled with their meal, yet no one complained. The Decor is what you'd expect from Las Olas. I will probably be back for dinner again( Great Tuna Sashimi,and Meatballs), as for Brunch, I'm sure there are better spots.
(4)
Lisa N.
I love Yolo for lunch or happy hour appetizers and drinks. The lunch menu has great salad, veggie and sandwich options. The Greek salad is close to authentic with large chunks of feta, cucumber and tomato. The calamari appetizer is great too with a spicy Asian flare!
(4)
Ani S.
We can walk to Las Olas from our home, so we know Las Olas quite well. YOLO is best for the scene and a lively outdoor seating area- but that's it. The food is below par, quite possibly the worst on Las Olas. The drinks can be good, but watch out- we have been sick many times after drinking here. But for a hangout and variety- YOLO is great! Popular as a happy hour meet and for the more established crowds. *We live off Las Olas so know the area VERY well!
(3)
James O.
Well, I just don't know if a meal could get any better. Our server was really great and that makes any meal better. He suggested a Merryvale Cab that for 57.00 was fabulous!! I had the Octopus salad, amazing, I love octopus and would eat it everyday if I could. Was nervous about the Feta mixed in with the Octopus but it went well with the overall salad. the salad part was crisp and the octopus was soft but with a little crunch on the outside all mixed with a terrific lemon vinaigrette dressing. We also had grilled artichokes which were as good as the ones at Houstons. Then we ordered the Filet Mignon which was as good as we had at any of the steak houses in Miami. I had the short ribs with faro, licked the plate clean! Forgot what my friend had but he loved it. I think I can't remember what he had cause he ate it so fast!! We all had a great time, great dishes, good wine and this place has a good vibe going. Fun to be at. Maybe it was just our server who was so good and the wine was so good but I think Yolo is the best on Las Olas.
(5)
Clarisse B.
My boyfriend and I went to Yolo on a Saturday night during a trip to Ft. Lauderdale to celebrate our anniversary. We go to Ft. Lauderdale all the time, and had kind of gotten stuck in a restaurant rut going to all of those awful restaurants on the beach. This year, we wanted to venture out and actually try some good quality restaurants (I'll be posting reviews for Coconuts and Steak 954 too). Yolo really did not disappoint. Oh it was soooooo goood. Going to Yolo, is like going to a place that instantly makes you feel like you're in the know. It's super trendy. Walking up to the restaurant, the first thing you see is bright red cushioned lounges/seating surrounding a fire pit. Unfortunately we didn't get to sit there, I think it's first come first serve? And we had reservations. Instead, we were seated at a table on the side patio. It was gorgeous none the less, and had some pretty greens and tiki torches lining the backs of the benches. The tables were kind of close to each other, but it wasn't a big deal as we weren't really going for romance here.... We ordered a couple glasses of wine, and started off with the meatball sliders appetizer. It was pretty good, but I though could use some more seasoning and spice. Maybe that's because I ate it without the bread though and some of the sauce on it stuck to the bread? For our entrees, my boyfriend had the trout and potato gratin. He really liked the trout, and I tried the potato gratin and thought it was also kind of bland. I ordered the Rotisserie Chicken. IT WAS AMAZING! Being in vacation in Florida, I was trying not to eat anything to heavy (didn't want to pay for it on the beach the next day), so I subbed the Herb Mash that comes with it, for the broccoline side. Everything was just so good. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and lemony. I can't wait to come back to this place on our next visit to Ft. Lauderdale! For dessert, we ordered the fresh berries key lime custard. It was pretty good, but I'm sure there are better desserts on the menu (remember, we were aiming for light!). Over all, I highly recommend this restaurant. I loved the vibe of the place, and thought my entree was to die for. My only real complaint other than the potato gratin being bland (which was easily fixed with some salt and pepper), was that I felt like our waitress was kind of ignoring us. She was friendly enough while she was actually at our table, but we found ourselves having to go out of our way to try and get her attention as she was leaving us for wayyy long periods at a time. I won't let that keep me from going back to this place though!
(4)
Brenda P.
I dined here for a friend's birthday. I had the calamari which was okay. I felt like I was eating more of fried flour then calamari. Also the dressing on the calamari tasted like ketchup and hot sauce. O_o I ordered the chicken sandwich with argula and red peppers. DISGUSTING!!! Eeewww! STAY AWAY. We had a Christmas Party at the office so I was stuffed when I arrived. I decided to order something small. Man did I make the wrong decision. The girl next to me had a steak which was pretty good. Also the cornbread was pretty good too. The atmosphere was also very nice. So although my food sucked and I think that they should totally eliminate it from the menu - my overall experience was good. They also have a nice bar outside. I would revisit and try something different.
(2)
Lesley E.
Visited Yolo based on my fellow Yelpers' reviews. We, my aunt and I, came on a Saturday night before the dinner rush. The place is beautiful inside and out. Very posh, modern, yet romantic. Our waiter was awesome, and explained everything, answering all our questions, without rushing us. She ordered the crab cakes with brussel sprouts and beets. The sprouts were nearly burnt, so our waiter expeditiously brought out another side of her choosing. The cakes were pretty awesome--this coming from a Marylander. I ordered the grouper. I felt the 'soup' it sat on could have had a bit more oomph, but it was still satisfying. We also shared the calamari. We tasted breading for the most part, since the squid was cut into itty bitty pieces. It was very sweet as well. So, is Yolo worth the slightly higher prices?? I'd say yes. Our service was great, the decor was exceptional, and our seafood was fresh and cooked perfectly. Tip--$5 parking garage around the corner is the way to go! Discover cards not accepted.
(3)
Brian R.
Not the biggest of menus but it concentrates on stuff that it does extremely well. A fun place to have a drink. Not single, but the bar was hopping with businesspeople and locals, not tourists, so probably good in that department too. High on plastics and gimmicks. A girl in pumps opens the car door for the passenger at the valet. They stamp your table paper with the specials of the day when they seat you. There's a place for the conspicuous consumer cars to park in the front. Not my thing, but if you roll that way, hey. Great atmosphere and great food. Can't ask for much more.
(5)
Bruce J.
YOLO is very convenient for the downtown work crowd, Wednesday night is ladies night and rocks the house till closing from happy hour. Around 10 or so expect a very huge crowd! Best service staff around, as busy as it is, those bartenders serve up drinks in record time. Food is excellent too, but one of the best watering holes around.
(4)
Kara C.
You only live once....words I live by so why not enjoy some din with new and old friends while visiting the area. The restaurant was quite nice modern decor. Our server Bryan was extremely personable and come to find out his family was from New England. He was excited to hear that I was visiting to cheer my Patriots on for MNF. The appetizers were off the hook good. They have this jalapeño sweet corn bread that's prepared in skillet that isn't on the menu this is a must have....we also had calamari which wasn't your typical at all it was in schezuan sauce had a sweet and spicy bite. Lastly a delicious queso dip. I loved all 3! For dinner I decided on a fish sandwich which was cooked to perfection you can get it grilled or blackened. The guys all decided on the prime rib sandwich which my delicious caramelized onions. And the mediterranean salad was one of the best by far! Give Yolo a try cuz really you only live once!
(4)
Matthew C.
Yolo was recommended by friends and my wife and I dined there with another couple before a show at Broward Center last Sat. We were a bit pressed for time, but the service was excellent and we were not rushed at all. My wife and I split a chopped salad and I had the BBQ'd ribs. The salad was a perfect starter and plenty for two. The ribs were tender and practically falling off the bone. I also enjoyed a manhattan off the specialty drink menu which was expertly made. All in all, a splendid meal.
(5)
Michael S.
This is a great place to take a date. The atmosphere is very hip and energetic. The food is good and service is attentive. The only I can really complain about is the 12$ drinks. I feel they were a bit pricey for the size. Another thing I found strange was that we had to ask for house bread ( then he brought out 2 tiny pieces) I would recommend the calamari and the burger. We also had the YOLO chips, I found them to be too greasy and very salty. But overall, this is a fun place with good food.
(3)
Gabrielle R.
We had the most amazing experience with, Jess F, Earl and Allan and Alli. Their customer service was top of the line. They made us feel like family. When I come to fort lauderdale I'm not interested in going any where else but Yolo!!
(5)
Jessica H.
This review is based on a Thursday night, sitting outdoors and only ordering drinks. And I gave it 4 stars, which applies if you are a shiny person, or a cougar..perhaps. The drinks were good, the waitress even knew what spirits were in and out of stock which impressed us. It was nice to sit by the fire on funky little stools and look through the bamboo at the boob buffet and all it's magic! And it's a central location. Needless to say, we downgraded soon after and went to Argie Grill and Tarpon Bend! Way more my speed!
(4)
Pat C.
Grilled cheese for lunch to die for!
(4)
Rachel D.
My flight in to Fort Lauderdale was delayed so we were starving upon 10pm arrival. We stopped at Yolo on the way to our hotel, just as the kitchen was closing. The waiter must have seen the desperation in my eyes and offered us no-cook chopped salads. Maybe the most exciting salad I've ever had with grilled corn, tomatoes, and tons of fresh veggies. The space has a cool atmosphere. I loved being able to sit outside by the fire pits in December. Even though they were gearing up for the bar crowd, I appreciate their ability to accommodate me. I'll be back next time I'm in Florida!
(3)
Cal F.
What a great place, made up for our other bad experiences in the area. Good prices for the excellent experience you'll receive. The food is top notch, wonderful creations, settled well. Service is good, not great, too many newbies, but good. If I lived in the area I would go here as much as I could.
(5)
William W.
So on our 12-man golf trip to Ft. Lauderdale, our daddy, i.e. the dude who organized the entire trip, took the group to this restaurant. Immediately fell in love with the name - You Only Live Once. Pretty damn solid. Got myself the prime rib dish, which was perfectly cooked. Had a girly Passiontini to kick off the dinner and ended up with a little Gibson's to cap off the session. Our table was right next to the lounge area, so we could people-watch all the yuppies there for the social scene. Great atmosphere overall and would definitely recommend it for anyone visiting the FTL.
(4)
Tenagne H.
This is definitely a place to be seen, and for a bit of eye candy. The service is still very pleasant, and the atmosphere lacks nothing. had the lamb meatballs, sliders, calamari, salmon, steak, and a ton of other stuff. Each dish was delish in it's own right, each with something special to offer. As if the beautiful people weren't enough to draw a crowd, the food had to go and be amazing as well. Next time I'm in town, you will definitely catch me here.
(4)
Sasha G.
Went for Brunch on a Sunday and the food was delicious. The service was also very good and no wait time.
(5)
Rhena S.
This place is just ok to me. I don't see what all the hype is to be honest. The customer service is good and the is ok. I got the filet mignon, Mac and cheese, and green beans. Everything was just ok for me. Nice place and they also have a lounge.
(3)
Eduardo H.
Excellent overall experience. The service is slow but very attentive. Very different atmosphere at lunch (more business-like) and at night (when it feels like a pick-up lounge).
(4)
Jeff F.
Very pretty restaurant. They did a wonderful job with LMA (lights, music, atmosphere), which as a former 11 year general manager, I am always on the lookout for. Starters were delicious. We have the tuna sashimi and skillet corn bread. Both were wonderful. Our mains were good too - I had the prime rib, which was both properly cooked and seasoned. There are some problems that need fixing before this place earns a reputation for excellence: First, the sides were all poorly executed. I had potatoes au gratin. The potatoes were undercooked, making the square of au gratin chewy and almost crunchy. The wife substituted in Mac and cheese. Again, the noodles were undercooked. It's clear the chefs aren't tasting the food enough and don't seem to be detail oriented. If I'm going to happily fork over top dollar, I expect the easy stuff to be just as good as the hard stuff. This meal, for us, was an example of the conflict that customers deal with - the appetizers are wonderful, the main dishes are excellent, the place is lovely, the music is at a perfect volume, but the side dishes simply aren't good. I'm fairly sure I figured out how something like this is happening. I watched chefs checking their cell phones dozens of times during our dinner (Valentines day). As a former GM of restaurants, that is simply unacceptable. Perhaps that's why the sides were undercooked- the chefs weren't engaged with the task at hand. Back in the day, I used to require my entire staff remains engaged. Playing with your cell phone every two minutes is not evidence of being engaged. It shows that you simply aren't in the moment, paying attention to the little stuff. Which is precisely how side dishes can come out improperly prepared while the main dishes are perfect. For dessert, we enjoyed the pumpkin cheese cake very much. It was dense enough to be cheesecake, but light and fluffy and full of pumpkin flavor. I should mention that the managers and staff were all very much engaged and actively walking around, ensuring people were happy. Unfortunately, our waitress didn't check back to see if everything was okay, so the whole sides not being acceptable went unnoticed. I can't be too upset with a busy waitress, especially considering the situation: a) it was Valentines day and b) a storm rolling in caused chaos because all of the people who were outside, enjoying the outdoor bar, had to be sat. Naturally, this causes servers to scramble a bit. Here's a tip for managers, servers, bartenders, and chefs - if you see dinner plates where the main dish is gone but the sides are practically untouched, it means either the mains were amazing and filling or the sides were poor. Always ask. Always check to see if the diners were just filled up or if there was a problem. I wouldn't have wanted or asked for a discount, but it can only help the restaurant to have things like this brought to someone's attention. Attention to detail is what makes restaurants great. I hope the ownership and management put in a little more effort because this place is just this side of awesome. Four stars for a beautiful restaurant, excellent appetizers and desserts. One star off for poorly prepared mains, distracted head chefs/expediters, and a failure to do a check back to ensure the food is to the customers liking.
(4)
Cheryl L.
When visiting in Ft. Lauderdale, Las Olas is always a must! We went on a Wednesday night for happy hour and arrived at YOLO a little after 7. It was already packed and kickin'. We requested a table and were told that it would be 30 minutes, so the wait was on! It's a happening place for down town. A wide variety of people, young and old! More guys than girls! If you have "the" car, valet park it out front as you will see the display of them! Drinks and apps are good. Entrees are okay, not great! We had the calamari app, tuna app, and prime rib. I think this restaurant is more for the atmosphere & happy hour rather than a sit down meal. Loved the vibe but food could be better. If you want to be seen and be with the hip crowd in Ft. Lauderdale, this place is it. For a great meal, choose elsewhere. There are way too many places in Las Olas for an impressive meal!
(3)
Kendall B.
I've held many business meetings here for lunch and dinner. Nice quiet setting. I've also had dinner and wine with my girlfriends here. Nice ambiance outdoor setting.
(4)
Surf W.
Pretentious and bad food. The fish tacos had a strong fishy smell. One small taco hidden in a mountain of shredded lettuce. Great service. Expensive for what you get. Place to see and be seen but dont go for the food. Go for the scenery but not for the food.
(1)
C J.
Second time here, BBQ Ribs tonight with green apple slaw. As usual good food, good service - one of So Fl most consistent.
(4)
K G.
Best watering hole on Las Olas. The skillet cornbread is my kryptonite. Can't get enough. I'm addicted.
(4)
Alina Flavez D.
The Doorman Was An ASSHOLE, it all starts at the door fellas, dont be rude, we pay your wages.....She told me SOLO and I thought she said YOLO. In celebration of my latest girlfriend's status change we decided to check out YOLO. Come on ladies, time to strap on those stilletos, we're headin' out! I called upon a few other of my girlfriends for support and we all met up on a Friday night about 8 o'clock-ish. The crowd was diverse, ranging from a few tourist looking types, the leftover downtowner crowd and slowly the night owls arrived. The age range, well, let's just say that it "spanned many generations"! Let me condense this down like concentrated detergent that needs and extra cup of water. The place is more like an upscale Boarshead Brand meat market for the flashy Browardites of Broward county. Where's the camera crews? Given, the place has a lot going for it. It has their "O Lounge" on the west side of the restaurant with the dj pumping out loud music and a bar where you can actually get served when you walk right up to it. The other outdoor bar was packed 2 deep and had a nice outdoor patio area. We were lucky enough to nab a huge round table outdoors for 5 right in between the restaurant and the O Lounge area, perfect for people watching. Our waitress did her best, despite the amount of people everywhere, she took care of our table quite well. I thought the drinks were a bit overpriced for what you receive, but then again...look where I landed. Overall, we had a great time. Our eyeballs wandered and the laughter was non-stop. I'd probably check it out again, but , Oye, can we go on a Ladie's Night??
(4)
Chuck W.
What a great find. Start with the ambiance inherent in the trendy Las Olas area of Fort Lauderdale. Beautiful outside bar set- up and dining area, though we ended up sitting inside. Got a knowledgeable, attentive waiter. Place can be a little loud, but OK to still hold a conversation. Inside decorated with bright, contemporary look. Very upbeat. As for the dining, crab cakes were super -- no filler, Panko crust. Excellent. Double pork chop was huge -- it comes cooked medium rare, and I always think you have to be careful with that when you order pork. Dinners are unnecessarily large. Two in our group had special butternut squash soup -- delicious. House salad was ordinary. Deserts were exceptional, especially the chocolate ones. Again, larger than they needed to be. Overall, an excellent dining experience. Prices a little high, but we knew that going in.
(4)
Grant C.
Wow. Every South Florida stereotype you may have imagined, you can find it here. This is apparently THE place to be on Wednesday night in Ft. Lauderdale. We arrived for a business dinner only to find spotlights, valet parking, not one but TWO Lamborghinis and a Ferrari parked out front (each surrounded with its own little barrier of velvet ropes). And this was just outside! Inside, you couldn't throw a stick without hitting a guy in jeans and an untucked, "going out tonight!" shirt. Throw another stick and you'd be sure to hit a tanned, silicone-infused bleach blonde with heels longer than her skirt. And lots of fist-pumping, boom-boom disco music! Beyond the club-like atmosphere, there's actually a pretty decent restaurant tucked in here. The valets out front could focus on the job a little more but there service was otherwise okay. You may have to scream your order at the top of your lungs, mind you, but when it comes the food is respectable. I'd go back, but maybe not on Wednesday night...
(4)
Jen V.
Like most hot spots, you're going to have good and bad reviews. Not every place has an ideal night every night where the servers are on their game, and the food is perfection. I feel sorry for those who haven't had the same great experience that I did and I'm sure that having my sister with me helped -she used to work there, knows the staff, and knew what the best items on the menu are. So let me at least share with you what we ordered and hopefully the rest will fall into place! "Prime rib." -she exclaimed. "Hmmm?" "Prime rib......we have to go to YOLO tomorrow night and get the prime rib. We just have to." "Uh," I answered, "ok. I love prime rib." "OOH! We should get the martini tree too -it's a pain in the ass for the bartender to make, but it's really cool if you haven't had a martini tasting before! And you like calamari, right? OMG, you're going to DIE when you taste their calamari!" My younger sister recently realized that she's a foodie in the past few years after working in some high end restaurants, and hearing her describe a meal as graphically and passionately as I do was a proud moment for me.......and she made me REALLY hungry! So to YOLO we went. She recommended an earlier dinner time (6ish) so we would get a better table and not get bombarded by the later, wilder crowd -mostly club scene celebs looking to fuel up for the night at Yolo's club next door; the O Lounge. We were greeted warmly by the staff and after some hugs from her former colleagues and some gossip, we were seated at a table in the outside garden patio area. I was impressed by the comfortable spacing of the seating area and I loved the fire pits surrounded by the booths! What a fun hangout spot to have drinks! But we were there for the prime rib. After politely glancing at the menu (even though we already made up our mind the night before after checking the website), we were MORE than ready for our much anticipated meal. Our waitress became a little wide-eyed with fear when we ordered because they were "out" of prime rib, but with one eye brow raise from my sister, the kitchen was able to make one appear. Haha, it was hilarious. First came our martini flight and it was a beautiful tree structure with mini martini glasses hanging from it -no stems on the glasses, but they had these thick silver bases so they don't knock over easily when you set them down on the table. Genius; I want to buy some! Strawberry Kiss -I'm not a big fan of strawberry-flavored things, but this really impressed me! Delicious! Blueberry Mist -my favorite of the three; sweet like candy but not in a medicine sort of way. Dragonberry Mojito -I forgot that it was a mojito at first so the mint threw me off, but I bounced back and then downed the rest of it. Arriving next was the Szechuan Calamari that was sauteed in a sesame oil and tossed with a garlic chili sauce and chopped peanuts. I honestly have no idea how I'm going to be satisfied by another calamari dish again. YES, it's that good -go order it now. Why aren't you ordering it RIGHT NOW?! We decided to split 2 entres, even though we could have easily split just the prime rib -but hey, "you only live once", right? The "Forever Braised Shortribs" were heaven, and they came with a potato risotto, crispy shallots and roasted carrots. Yum -really tender meat and even though the potato risotto lacked flavor, the carrots were very good. The "T's Prime Rib" was worth waiting for (I mean from when it was first mentioned to me -our meal came out right away). Slow roasted, thick cut and perfect! The way prime rib should be. Dipping the meat in the au juis brought this foodie nearly to the edge! I even tried the potato gratin (but I'm still not a fan of gratin potatoes.....I'm sure it was above standard for those of you who are fans and are curious). Obviously the prices are...well, pricey, but you do get generous portions and I enjoyed everything we ordered, so I plan on going back (when I'm in town next). I hear great things about the O Lounge as well -I'm just more of a dinner girl than a party girl. ;)
(4)
Roberto S.
The food is good but very expensive
(4)
Katherine G.
I love this place. The atmosphere is great for many different occasions, dinner with friends, first date, being social, or drinks with coworkers. It can get a little loud Wed (Ladies night in the lounge) through Sat. Its definitely a hot spot that makes you feel comfortable. You can wear anything from Jeans to a cute cocktail dress. The service is excellent and all the servers are very knowledgeable about the menu. I have never been disappointed with a meal. The ambiance is very trendy and chic. The pictures are helpful but do not do it justice. I love sitting outside by the fire pit when the weather is a bit chilly :-) Overall, Its a place you HAVE to go to.
(4)
Kat K.
You only live once and hopefully once is enough and if you come here you'll see how the posh really live in Fort Lauderdale. it's a good spot for people watching, celebs like Ricky Ross the BOSS and Flo Rida that often stop by and car watching as the sugardaddys arrive and valet. The food is great. Def get the calamari it's one of the best and the drinks are strong and good. Am a regular here and am never disappointed.
(5)
Suzanne Y.
Well I am giving it two stars because I really have experienced much better restaurants.... Positives: 1) Great Ambiance - very modern, chic and south beachy 2) Awesome mix drinks - very interesting drink menu and seems to have a great wine selection as well 3) Banana Creme Pie - taste pretty good Negatives 1) Long wait - Make a reservation or eat else where if you are hungry 2) Fried Calamari - it is not your typical fried calamari since you only live once. it's VERY special. the calamari is so finely cut it's impossible to eat. To top that, it is DRENCHED in SUPER SWEET Szechwan sauce that is unbearable to eat after 3 bites. 3) Food is just not that special there Anyways our friends got the seared tuna dish and this shrimp pasta. They weren't that special. I wouldn't recommend getting any of those. I think if you must eat there, just get a burger or a sandwich.
(2)
Jane B.
This might be a great happy hour spot but I don't recommend it for the food. The mussels were under seasoned. The side order of beets were also lacking salt. My friend ordered a double pork chop that simply wasn't edible. They claim the calamari is the best appetizer on the menu. Sad story. The calamari was tough and thin with a terrible sweet Asian sauce right out of the bottle. The best thing we had was the grilled artichoke hearts and martini. Stick to those two items and you'll be ready to eat a real meal elsewhere.
(2)
Meredith K.
The hot trendy spot in Fort Lauderdale. On a Wednesday night and every seat in the place is taken and the bar is completely packed - standing room only. It's Wednesday! Lucky for us we made a reservation. The outside bar is awesome - funky seating and fire pits (though on the night we were there it was barely needed). Service is very good - from bartenders to waitstaff (multiple people would come by our table to check on us and grab drink orders). Drinks are good - fun cocktails and a decent wine list. Scene: 5 stars Cocktails/Wine/Beer: 4 stars Apps are awesome - tuna tartar and the calamari were both excellent. The list of entrees looked quite good and I settled on the pan seared tuna in miso broth over veggies and noodles. Seems like that will be a perfect asian style dish - I've had similar dishes before. The dish comes - still in the all-clad stainless steel dish it was cooked in (kind of cool), and the tuna is seared nicely (mostly raw how I like it), but the flavor was so bland. Where are the nice asian spices? So I ask for some Sriracha, but she doesn't know what it is, and the restaurant doesn't have it. The waitress claimed they are an asian fusion restaurant - how do you not have the most important condiment? Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing, but it was definitely a let down after the delicious apps. I'll definitely come back, but I'll be trying something else on the menu, or sticking with a bunch of apps instead. Apps: 4 stars Entrees: 2-3 stars
It was a little hard to find as I never been to that side of Las Olas before, but I'm glad I went. We went for an early dinner so service was quick. We ordered the Szechuan Calamari without peanuts, as I dont like peanuts and it was delicious! I ordered the beef short ribs with mash potatoes and, eh it was ok. Not what expected at all, but I picked through it enough to feel full. I loved their mint lemonade, very refreshing. And for dessert we had the ice cream cake which was also delicious. I wouldnt mind going back here and trying something else on the menu.
(4)
jordan t.
Cliff Notes: 1. Very Big Portions 2. Not very flavorful at all 3. Good Service 4. Trendy/Busy/Somewhat Pretentious Atmosphere 5. You will be paying for the "trendy" not the quality of the food. After reading a lot of positive reviews I figured why not try this place out. My wife and I went last night for dinner and drinks in the evening and while the atmosphere is very trendy and the service good, I found the actual food to be very lack luster and overpriced for what it was. I called ahead and made a reservation for 8:30, but actually showed up early (8:00PM) because I wanted to spend some time outside by their fire pit in the cooler weather. Well, glad I showed up early because they put me down for an 8:00PM reservation instead!.....oh well.....it happens... We were sat at a table near the open kitchen which was interesting for a moment, but nothing special. The restaurant was busy for a Tuesday night which creates a very "loud" environment. I don't take points off for that as its a big place with a lot of people...know what to expect. After reading a review here, we immediately ordered the szechuan style calimari, which was loaded with flavor. The appetizer came VERY fast (I guess its pretty popular), but I found the calamari rings to be overly breaded to hide their very small size of the individual pieces. The portion itself was quite large though, definitely good for a table of 2-4 to split up. Along with the appitizer we ordered a couple of their "signature cocktails" just to give them a try. Disclaimer: I'm a vodka/soda kinda guy most of the time We had the Strawberry Kiss and the Cucumber Dream (I think that is what it was called) for $12 each. Which is a typical price for a drink like this at a place like Yolo. The Strawberry Kiss was VERY VERY sweet, like too much and had a strange thikness to it for a cocktail. Wouldn't recommend it at all. The Cucumber thing was interesting and I don't regret ordering it, but it has a very distinct flavor that some of you may or may not like. Before we could get 1/4 of the way done with our drinks, our main courses arrived. My wife had the pork chop which was served with an apple chutney and potatoes al-gratin. The chop itself was huge and cooked exactly as ordered (medium), but the use of the apple chutney was very sparse and the potatoes were just OK, nothing special. I had the short ribs based on a recommendation from our waitress (I always try to ask the staff if they were going to eat something, what would it be) and it came with an interesting glaze, sitting attop a bed of risotto potatoes. The short ribs were a good size and very tender (they better be for short ribs), but again I found the flavor to be lackluster. The potatoes were just basically boiled, then cubed (very small cubes) and tossed with some cheese. While it looked cool, it didn't ad much to the dish. There was also a few sweet potato sticks in the glaze on the side, but the two flavors do NOT go together. All said and done for 1 app, two drinks, two main courses our bill came out to $91 for dinner before tip. We probably won't be back here for dinner anytime soon as there are MUCH better restaurants in the immediate area. Just because you make a big portion and charge a lot for it, doesn't make for a good meal or restaurant.
(3)
Ben M.
This place is a mixed bag of tricks... Food was pretty good, especially the kalamari and pork chop (wink wink at ya Mike.) The service on the other hand was a bit, how to say...awkward. The waitress was friendly so I know her intention was to do a great job. She just seemed a uncoordinated and had bad timing with things. It's def a good spot to hang at the bar with friends, this place has a great vibe. I'll def go back...
(4)
Billal B.
This restaurant it excellent. Not to mention Drake is not allowed on the premises because he stole their name for one of his songs! (LOL) But the food is really excellent and is cooked to perfection. The place is slightly pricey but is worth it once you see the quantity of food you receive. Their platters are to die for and I definitely recommend the Calamari for an appetizer. You won't be disappointed! I don't have much to say at the moment, except to just try it! It's something new and fresh. The waitress we had was excellent too! She took all our orders by heart and knew the menu like the back of her hand. Push to show, the waiters here know their menu unlike a lot of places. (Or at least the one we had did)
(5)
Bao N.
So You Only Live Once. It is definately hip and trendy inside... very stylish but in my opinion that's all you are paying for. The food was ok and pricey. We mainly went here to go out to a decent place before heading to Vibe next door. The calamari was decent but everything else was just ok. There were 6 of us and our bill was roughly $300 before tip. So if you ant to come here and hang in a stylish atomosphere it's cool for that but otherwise I'd say don't have super high expectations.
(3)
Eric Douglas S.
This is a great place to hang out, especially after work. Living in Miami, I frequent trendy spots so I'm ready for the same when I visit someplace outside of Miami. The service can be hit or miss, but they do know the food. The bartenders are attractive and very attentive. As for food, I've only had dinner here twice, I love the prime rib, I mean amazing. I will say this is one of my favorite places in Fort Lauderdale, whether it's hanging out with colleagues, family functions, friends, dinner, drinks, dates, whatever the occasion, this is a great spot. Eric Statzer Eric Douglas Statzer
(4)
Christy H.
I think this place is great for drinks but the food is just okay. The atmosphere is up-scale. They have some fire pits outside. It is pretty open air and I liked that about this place. The service is a-mazing! We had a large group of about 40 people. I don't know how they stayed on top of things but every time I looked down someone was filling up my wine glass. Great white wine! Not sure what kind it was but it tasted fantastically light and crisp. We had some appetizers. The meatballs were great. The salads were just okay. Main course was chicken and pesto potatoes. Pretty good. If I went again I probably would just get a drink and eat somewhere new.
(3)
Leslie G.
LOVE THE NAME!!!! (You Only Live Once) Very Stylish place,packed too. Drinks were good. Came here during the Charity event (Ft.Laud Bus Loop) I was starving but they Close the kitchen after 8pm
(4)
Vince V.
Whenever I am in Fort Lauderdale, usually monthly, I visit YOLO. The atmosphere is always good, sometimes can be a sausage fest but I usually go there for the food. When you pull up in the circle drive you can see the outdoor seating, which is welcoming. The bar is an inside/outside bar that looks into the restaurant. it's loud at dinner time, which gives you the sense of a loud, fun New York restaurant. The food is very consistent, is it over the top, no, but good. The drinks are pricey but again you are there to sit outside meet some people and have a good time, this is what you should expect to pay in Los Olas. I give it a strong thumbs for fun, food and atmosphere!
(4)
Steve G.
Having brought my New York area dining and nightlife sensibilities to Yolo at least ten times in the past year, I've never been disappointed. Yes, Yolo can be very crowded, and the wait for a table long. While waiting, however, the outdoor fire pit and chic waitstaff and fellow patrons make for a pleasant diversion. Yolo has a trendy and young vibe, yet 50-somethings like myself aren't out of place. The food is worth the wait. We usually start with the Szechwan calamari; sweet, tart and pleasingly spicy, the squid is always perfectly cooked. Among my favorite entrees is the marinated and grilled double pork chop; formidable in size, yet thoroughly delicious. Their salmon, mahi and steak entrees have also hit the spot. Whether dining alone (as many business travelers do), in working dinners or with a group, Yolo always satisfies.
(4)
J M.
Nice ambiance, very good service, great location, food was "eh." I wouldn't go as far as to say this place is overrated but it doesn't live up to all the hype. The calamari appetizer was okay, prime rib was your standard prime rib - nothing exciting or mind-blowing about it. Dessert was a chocolate chip bread pudding which was overpowering. Way too many chocolate chips made the dessert way too sweet. For the amount of money I spent, I'm not a huge fan. Maybe we'll give it a 2nd look in the near future as a chance to redeem itself.
(3)
jen r.
im not very familiar with anything in broward but had tickets to a broadway show and wanted to eat lunch before the 2 pm showtime. we drove around las olas area. and i saw yolo, it immediately dawned on me that i had read about it on yelp. so i scored a metered spot right outside and in we went. we got a booth at the bar and reviewed the menu. decided to go with brunch options. we ate a delish omelet and breakfast burrito. and the hashbrown casserole was notably good!! we were in and out in less than an hour. i cant wait to go back, maybe for dinner and drinks next time. the outdoor area looks awesome and great for a night out with friends!! you only live once.. words to live by!!
(4)
Cherry B.
This place is bussin' I loved the club atmosphere it felt like a big party with delicious food. Walking in here will get you really excited but be prepared to wait if you have a large party with you. The potato gratin was to die for and their steak was succulent. I highly recommend this place for a good night out.
(5)
Dinah T.
I went to this restaurant with a group to celebrate one of my friend's birthday. It has very nice decor and great ambience. The servers were polite and attentive as well. It wasn't bad but I can't rave about the dish I had, the Richette pasta which had beef sausage, rapini and goat cheese in a poached garlic sauce. It was quite was suprisingly quite greasy and the rapini gave it a bitter taste. The nice and strong drinks were the highlight of the night! I would go back for drinks but not necessarily dinner.
(3)
Jen B.
Best happy hour! Excellent food and martinis! You won't be disappointed. Make sure to get the margarita flatbread!
(5)
Andy W.
Best calamari. Tender and spicy. Nice decor. I used to love this place, but my last couple of visits the food hasn't been that great. I would still recommend it. A little trendy, but fun.
(3)
Bandit T.
Great spot for Lunch, for the downtown business crowd. These are the people that work hard and tip well despite the fact that many of the waiters are liberal voters and approve of the Presidents socialist agenda, and the tax policies which will hit the same hard working business crowd, the hardest. And the waiters won't understand why their tips are off in 2011. But that is a discussion for a different time and place. Moving on; I am fortunate to eat here once or twice a month. Reservations are always helpful, especially if you plan to arrive after 12;05 on a weekday. The service is consistently excellent as is the food. The calamari appetizer is top shelf. The salads are great, particularly the ahi tuna salad. Wait staff is intelligent (despite their political failings) and are a solid resource when one needs assistance with the menu. They are uniformly attractive, young and motivated. I'd say the cream of the crop of the Ft. Lauderdale corps of food servers are found here. It's a great spot for timely and accurate service, a high-vibe atmosphere and hip ambiance. Dinner is similarly served, with a nice wine list with pairings for everything on the menu. Hearty deserts round out the dinner menu and on a cool evening, the outdoor dining option with a fire pit and space heaters makes for a romantic urban experience. I give Yolo's 5 Bullets. B3 Out
(5)
Tony D.
WOW! I went to this place during a vacation to Fort Lauderale, and our meal at Yolo was the culinary highlight of my trip! The food here was absolutely amazing! The butternut squash soup was an explosion of flavour with every bite. I ordered a salad ($12) thinking it'd serve as a starter, only to receive a giant plate full of salad! It was enough for an appetizer for 4 people, but it tasted amazing. Then came our main dishes. I got the filet minion with mashed potatoes and rapini, and it too was absolutely delicious. This place was bustling on a cold week-day night. It's seems like the place to be in Fort L, located along the chic Las Olas Blvd. I was also impressed by the huge number of real chefs (vs cooks) that you could see working in the kitchen -- amazing! They know what they're doing. AMAZING experience overall. Worth every penny. I wouldn't hesitate to visit again.
(5)
Marc Aka Max H.
Selected because we wanted to dine at 5 pm and not be far from the Parker Playhouse for 7 pm show. Ate outside and was first directed to a 2 top - which I rejected explaining that it was too small and was on top of the only other table outside with guests, and I requested a 4 top, hinting to hostess that since it was 5 pm and the restaurant was empty, why not give us that table. She then suggested another table which was on top of a serving station, which I rejected, stating "would you want to eat there?" but I think my query was lost on her. Finally Got the table I wanted. Jessica was our server and she was attentive and pleasant. The food preparation in kitchen for appetizer, salad and entree were all "off". Calamari had a sauce (too much of it) drizzled on top when we asked that it be on the side, and it was Luke warm. The Caesar salads came out sans anchovies, which Jessica noted and she quickly got a plate of them. My trout was to be broiled plain and Jessica replied to my puzzled look at the topping with "those are rock shrimp, they charge $4 extra for them but they are not supposed to be on top of the fish" but we did not have time to have it recooked due to our early show time. And my partner's fish, grouper, was cooked so well done it was rubbery. I guess you can tell I'm not too impressed with their performance, and it will not be a top choice for a return visit. There are so many other better restaurants for fish. Maybe this one is best for cocktails and people watching?
(2)
Jennifer M.
Great food for normal prices...trust me there are places more expensive than this! You get what you pay for here and more. Lots of beautiful peeps hanging out with gorgeous cars in the front parking lot........very TRENDY Decor. Hmmmm....If you like fat ugly people, cheap fried food and rusty old cars....don't go here!
(5)
Joey R.
Place is awesome... lots of hot chicks,... and great food :) Win Win
(5)
Oliver O.
This is one of the top places in Fort Lauderdale to eat. Great Food - especially the specials. Caveat is I don't have to pay for food so price was not an issue.
(4)
Breana B.
So i came across YOLO when i was searching for a place to eat dinner for my 23rd birthday, the reviews seemed pretty good so i tried it out. We went there on a friday night around 10pm and it was pretty packed. You do see the laborghinis and alot of show offs there but i loved it. They did tell us it would be a hour wait which was actually on about 15minutes. We were seated outside which was pretty nice. I had the calamari as appetizer and i loved it!! Didnt like my main entree the salmon so much, and my friends ordered the pasta which they didnt like so much either. The only other thing i didnt like was getting to the bar it was too many old guys in the way. But its a nice spot to chill and i will go back again and find out what the O'lounge is about. Oh and the martini tree was good also..
(4)
Michael H.
I came here for the Collins Media Pink Party to help raise money for Breast Cancer during a DMAI conference trip and this review may be biased. The reason I'm biased is because the food and drinks were all free the entire time we were here. I tried to sample as many of the buffet items as I could, which were all great, though there was one dish which was almost entirely cheese and more cheese. I love cheese, but I felt like if I could get sick if I ate too much of it. It was fantastic in a small dose though! The waitresses all seemed very nice, and were super sexy. The crowd that was not in our party seemed a younger early to mid twenties crowd and the place to me seemed a likely singles hot spot. The DJ for our party was alright, and we had lots of fun. The chartered busses that drove us and carried us back to the hotel ensured everyone stayed safe too. I'd try this place again if I ever find myself back in Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)
Heather G.
Food is excellent, drink options amazing!! Steve, our server, was so attentive and really knew everything inside and out. We are in town for 3 days and will be coming back tomorrow. Appetizer: home made potatoe chips, I mentioned I was gluten free and Steve knew that the sauce had to be in the side because it contained flour! Then we saw someone else had ordered the Tina and we immediately ordered that as well. It was so fresh and had a bit of a kick to it. For dinner we both had the fish of the day, he had the mahi mahi and I had the salmon. Both cooked perfectly!!! Then came the best deserts ever. Apparently they make them in house so we had to try 2, we chose the key lime custard over a warm sponge cake w berries and the banana coconut creme pie. Both were served with fresh whipped cream. OMG. Amazing. Cannot wait for dinner tomorrow!!!
(5)
stephanie f.
I've now been to Yolo countless times at night for drinks -and my previous review still holds true. Ed Hardy & Affliction everywhere, but yolo is still a good time. The food, oh wow the food. I'm in love with their (green) mashed potatoes and their meatball sliders. they are both a must get. Their seared tuna salad is somewhat bland, the ribs are amazing, and their chopped salads are everything you would want them to be.
(4)
Dana M.
We dined at YOLO last week. Upon arriving, we were seated on the outside patio. It was very pleasant, comfortable and appealing. We were greeted by a drink waiter to take our order. Upon asking our desire for a drink or cocktail, we requested the mint iced tea. He responded, " Well, you are not any fun." Not everyone is in the mood to drink every night. Also one of our party has a medical condition that necessitates not drinking alcohol. We were then greeted by our waitress who was very pleasant and attentive. We ordered a chopped salad with chicken and the spare ribs. The spare ribs were served with spotty fat on them and did not have much taste at all. Certainly we would not order those again at all. We thought it was a waste of money. The salad was huge and had a delightful taste. Very fresh and plenty to share. One of our guests ordered the banana coconut pie for dessert. It was very tasty and well worth the money spent. I really want to like YOLO. This was our 2nd time at YOLO. The first time our party ordered steaks. Bad mistake then. We thought that we would give it another chance. YOLO is for a see and be seen crowd. Truly a people watching crowd. Go for the beautiful cars, people, and social aspect. The food is just not consistent with what I call a truly stellar restaurant.
(3)
Elizabeth R.
This is one of my good to places when I don't know where else to eat. The Sunday Brunch's are great. The Eggs Benedict yummy. On a reg night, their calamari is the BEST and ONLY one I've ever liked anywhere! A must try and their meatballs melt in your mouth. YOLO so go on and visit YOLO at least once.
(4)
Laurie C.
I LOVED IT!! This was our first time in Ft Lauderdale and Yolo came highly recommended by the concierge at the Marriott and our taxi driver so we knew we had to check it out. The place was packed but we got really lucky and they were able to seat us right away outside. Great atmosphere, friendly staff and the food was outstanding. We started with the Tuna Sashimi (WOW!!), The Chopped Salad was good, but there was a lot going on. The prime rib sandwich was delicious and huge. Ok this place is a little pricey but the drinks are good and the food is worth it.
(5)
Janice A.
I took a friend here for dinner after she passed a very important exam and it was the perfect place to celebrate. The food was amazing, but what I really appreciated was the size of the menu. It was just right, not too sparse where it says "if you don't like what we like, tough, you're getting a salad" but it wasn't overwhelming to the point of indecision. Plus, everything was well described and sounded delicious. For an appetizer we had the tuna sashimi and it was perfect. Very flavorful, honestly better than the sushi restaurants I've been to in the area. Not plated with rice, but a seaweed "salad" and cucumbers which added their own unique flavors. I also liked that there was a decent amount of tuna, not the typical 4 pieces with too much garnish. I feel this place is used to large groups. For the main course, I opted for the salmon which I regretted because I tend to default on salmon and was curious to try something a little different. My regrets disappeared the moment my tongue tasted the flaky, toasty, flavorful perfect first bite of fish. In my friends words, it literally melted in your mouth. It was served on a cedar board and with what I think was called tabouleh. The side was something like a rice but the waiter said it was a pasta. It was served cold which I really enjoyed as it showed it's true flavor and the small bits of tomato were fresh not smushy. My friend ordered the pork chop, which I feel she had similar regrets about however hers also vanished when our plates arrived. The pork chop was the size of her head. I could see from her expression she was both happy and horrified. I didn't get a chance to taste hers, but based on her protective behavior, I would wager the pork chop is also a good choice. My husband joined us about half way through and ordered a hamburger thinking it would be a simple and fast option. It was rather quick, but it did not look simple. I stole a bite when he wasn't looking, and even though my heart belongs to the cedar-roasted salmon, this burger is worth a secret affair. The fries were the annoyingly skinny thin-cut fries - tasty but kinda awkward to get a substantial amount (they also don't hold ketchup very well). Even though we were all thoroughly satisfied with our meals, we decided to split a dessert... by that I mean, they had fresh berries with key lime custard and I made them help me eat it. It was delicious, though I am biased because I get excited about even the key lime pie flavored yoplait yogurt. The $$ pricing is a bit inaccurate. Yes, most of the plates are within that range, but you won't get out of there for that unless you have water and stick strictly to the main course. In my opinion, you do get what you pay for and non of us regretted the night when the check came. In regards to service, our waiter was phenomenal - he answered our questions with true interest and concern that we understood what he was telling us, he suggested things based on our comments that fit us perfect, he was attentive, friendly, ever-so-slightly flirty but not over the line... until my husband showed up. It was flattering, really, the difference it made to have a man join our table. He was still attentive and helpful, but went to the extreme of professional. In regards to the general ambiance... this is a lounge club that serves delicious food. Yes, there are tables, no, people aren't dancing on them, but everyone is there to have a good time and look fabulous (whether or not they pull that off is of your own opinion). People will get loud with laughter, they will be taking future facebook pictures, they may try to buy you a drink. Just be prepared, and don't bring small children. Oh, and just shell out the cash for valet. If you're coming here for dinner, don't act like the $5 matters.
(4)
Night Ryder I.
I probably dined @ YOLO for the last time, a little over a week ago. I intentionally let some time pass before writing a review to make sure that I yelped in a fair and proper frame of mind. On my previous visits, I've enjoyed YOLO's tasty hamburgers & calamari, and have just ignored the pretentious atmosphere. However, on my last visit, the outright rude and poor service of a particular blond hostess, made for a really bad experience that sealed it for me and eliminated any desire I have of returning to this establishment. If you ever accidentally leave behind an important item (such as a wallet), don't bother calling and asking that while you return to the restaurant, if someone could check the table where you were sitting. The demeanor of the hostess from her initial snobbish greeting of "Do you have a reservation?" to her apparent indifference and brush off of the plea to simply check for my lost item is why I rated YOLO 2 out 5. Positive notes: Chris, my waiter was very attentive and provided great service, and the substantial hamburger was cooked to perfection and delicious as expected.
(2)
Justin P.
My review is only based on Yolo's lunch. After reading other reviews, my guess is that the dinner atmosphere is probably a little too pretentious and crowded for my taste. However, at lunch, it is not bad at all. Yolo is a lot like what Houston's unsuccessfully attempts to be. It has trendy decor, attentive service and above-average food. Athough the interior is very nice, the outside seating is fantastic. Also, they have a valet, but charge five dollars for it. Nonetheless, if you want to save your money and do not mind a short walk, there are plenty of other places to park in the area. When I went for lunch earlier today, I sat at the bar, and the bartenders were extremely friendly and helpful. Although I would like to credit this to my good looks and natural charm, I suspect that they are proabably this friendly to everyone. I ordered the dolphin tacos, and they were quite tasty. The bartenders then highly recommended the bread pudding, so I gave that a try as well, and it was absolutely delicious. Although I would definitely return for lunch, I can't escape the sneaking suspicion that I would be dissappointed with the atmosphere if I went there for dinner. In Yolo's defense, this is a commmon problem with restaurants on Las Olas. Regardless, for lunch alone, I will award four stars.
(4)
Pierre M.
Large resteraunt bar. Dimly light an classy during dinners. The lounge bar had a smal dance foor with tapas. Spicy calmari appetizer was great. Not too over the tp spicy, lightly breaded but good flavor. The chorizo queso was good as well. For a group of 6 it kept us all satiated for our main course. The strawberry caipihiri was sweet and refreshing. Accrding to my friend the blueberry mist was strong but tasty. We ordered the ribs, chicken rotiserrie burger, wedge salad (good), and they were out of theprime rib.... check back in when we get our food.
(3)
Daniela M.
Very nice area, awesome for some drinks outside and perfect for a date on the inside. Decorated very modern. And the food is AMAZING especially their Mac and cheese...although I personally wasn't very fond of their desserts.
(4)
Lisa G.
Save your money and time.. Because there is a limited menu you can get much. I wanted soup and nope.. spilt pea was the only option and with bacon.. i don't eat pork. Upon arriving we asked the hostess for suggestions. Her suggestion was the burger. That should have been a red flag. Then our HORRIBLE waiter.. Kelton! I asked him for recommendations and he said everything was good. Another red flag. What waiter cant give you a recommendation. After taking our order he never came back to see if we needed anything but the table of 3 in front of us he made sure to visit more than 7 times (yes I counted). We asked for water. I had to get up and get my own water from the bar. When I explained to him my concerns he apologized then asked if we wanted to order dessert. i would like to say it want a race issue so ill leave that alone but the other minority couple in the restaurant had the same compliant (im just saying) I have dined at restaurants all around the world and paid anywhere from $6 to $100 per plate. So I value a good restaurant with good service. This restaurant just didn't make the cut. I wouldn't recommend my dog to eat here. And to make matters worse. my husband was sick the whole night and I was sick the next morning. Coincidence.. maybe but I think not
(1)
Dan L.
YOLO has a great physical atmosphere, OK food but the service is always mediocre to poor. If you are looking for a nice to fine dining experience, this is not the place to go. The staff appears poorly trained and not focused on guest service. As an example, when we sat at the bar last week for lunch, the female bartenders ( blond hair and the other one with black hair late twenties ) were complaining that a group of ladies who just finished lunch had tipped them poorly. As a guest / customer, I don't want to hear the bartender or waitstaff complaining that due to their bad service, they were tipped poorly. I want to enjoy my higher priced meal without listening to the staff whine. If you are 21 to 30 and don't care about decent service, this is the place for you. If you are 30 + and want a nice to fine dining experience, this is not the place to go. There are many other choices in Fort Lauderdale that appreciates your business and you would enjoy more ( (954 Steak or even JMarks as examples ).
(2)
Jeff F.
This place is a must if you are able to go on a Wednesday. People watching is supreme. The food is good and the service good as well. I had the yolo truffle chips and they were great and for dinner the spinach salad. Others in my group had the veggie burger which was good, the wedge salad and the mkt fish sandwich. Good stuff you should go!
(4)
Svenja H.
Sunday Brunch: food not more than average (chicken sandwich with tons of butter), portions big, service ok, outside nice even though a little dirty, atmosphere young. I wouldn't come back for food!
The service was great and the crab cakes were amazing!
(5)
Matt Z.
Great spot! The Ahi Tuna salad is off the hook! So light, fresh and delicious... Filled me up too! Lots of pretty people and a key power lunch spot in Ft Lauderdale
(5)
Pamela L.
This is a great place for happy hour on Friday nights, nice crowd, nice atmosphere. The food and the food service is not the greatest, but the bartenders are great and really know what they are doing.
(4)
Leland G.
This is definitely the in place to see and be seen in Fort Lauderdale, Friday and Saturday night are good, some times too good and a bit crowded. If you have a Lamborghini or Ferrari there is plenty of room to park up front, otherwise I think the Valet will pull your car somewhere out of sight. Seriously, the place is cool. The music is chill inside the "O Lounge" and the outside fire pit is pretty cool during Florida's version of winter. Food is pretty good, American cuisine with a bit of a twist, I heard that they hired a past chef from Hustons. So, put on your finest duds and get down to YOLO, because it's true, You Only Live Once.
(4)
J. S.
Probably the best ambience for any restaurant in downtown Laudy. Great for groups or couples, kids not so much. I can't remember how the food tastes because the last few times I've gone I was just drinking with the fellas. Anyway, I hope this place sticks around.
(3)
Katie R.
Probably one of the trendier restaurants / bars in the area. A great place for dinner, or just to go for drinks. Yolo is always packed with exotic cars and people. The food is good, not outstanding, but acceptable. I would highly recommend the calamari for an appetizer. Petite rings of calamari with an asian chili glaze. Yolo is definitely a great place for drinks and to people watch! Awesome mojitos!
(4)
Mark S.
Been here a number of times and never been disappointed. The calamari is awesome to start. I usually try the specials for main meal which do not disappoint. Look forward to visiting Yolo again.
(4)
Phil K.
Great food, great scene, really hot wait staff.... Had the yolo chips, planked salmon and everything was superb. I couldn't keep my eye off the beautiful women working the outside lounge area. Really good scene for a Saturday night.
(5)
Jacquelyn G.
My girls and I were weekending in Ft. Lauderdale and someone recommended checking out Yolo for dinner and drinks. Excellent reco! I tried to get a reservation via Open Table but there was no availability. However, the concierge at our hotel was able to get us a table at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Note - definitely get a reservation. The person who recommended the place to me said that we could always walk in and wait, but there were tons of people who had that idea and I can't imagine how long it would've taken for us to get a table had we done that. Plus, the bar area was crowded so we wouldn't have really been able to hang out there, either. Anyway, they have lots of fun drinks, including a martini "tree" that one of my friends got. It consists of three pair of mini martinis--very cool and from what I'm told, very tasty. I had this delicious cucumber concoction which had some kind of spice in it. It was wonderful. Food was great, too. We all shared the truffled Yolo chips to start and they were just heavenly. It's hard to mess up anything that involves bacon, blue cheese and truffle oil, in my opinion... Our mains were all good, too. After dinner we decided to move on to the lounge area which honestly wasn't our cup of tea. It got incredibly clubby/sceney and just was not what we were looking for. I must admit, though, the people watching was priceless. We also noticed that the drinks there were different than at the restaurant--even if it was the same drink. I ordered the same cucumber cocktail that I had at dinner, and it wasn't nearly as good at the bar (I'm guessing more liquor?). Anyway, worth checking out for dinner but I'd skip the lounge unless you're a "see and be seen" kind of person.
(4)
Zac K.
Very solid place. Great, great atmosphere. The drinks were nicely done and price seemed to fit in with location. The food rocked- I had the filet which was prepared just as ordered and served with seasonal fresh veggies- excellent choice- I was happy. Why not 5 stars you might ask, it was COLD in the place! there did appear to be a cool bar area off the back and the indoor/outdoor bar area up front was cool.--
(3)
Jorge G.
Happy hour next to the fire place with gems! That sums it up.... the Calamari & Service was a 10 out of 10. We are coming back and live it up all night long.
(5)
Brian F.
This is a super fun trendy bar with outstanding bartenders and drinks! Order a Devil's Hammer (ask for it not that sweet) and watch pros like Jessica and Jenna do their magic. Then head over to the fire pit and watch the party unfold. The place was packed, yet we felt like the most important people in the joint because of the 5-star service. Our favorite bar/lounge in Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)
Jenn C.
Love sitting outside by the firepit with friends and drinks. Dinner is good. The service is great. The atmosphere is pleasant, and upscale, great place to go highly recommended.
(4)
Denise R.
Good place to see and be seen if you are into that type of superficial stuff. Nothing to write home about, but it is beautiful.
(3)
Jamie M.
I work near yolo and you will usually find me there for happy hour on a friday night. Yolo is the ultimate after work locale in downtown fort lauderdale. However, the food is not the best. It took me a few times going there for lunch to realize this but the descriptions are actually better than the actual taste of the food. Its a great place to bring a client or a colleague but I like Yolo because of the social ambiance not because of the food. I will stick going there for happy hour (try the cucumber cooler for a refreshing summer drink with a little kick) and to meet with friends but I think this foodie may go to dinner somewhere else.
(3)
Roly B.
Place to see and be seen. Nice to hang out once in a while, decent crowd (no "kids"). Food is excellent.
(4)
Marsha F.
Hostess was great. Bar maid was great. Food was disappointing service was good. I thought they had a chef who could accommodate my special requests. I called ahead and was assured they could. They lied
(2)
Dave N.
Dinner on 2/2: As always YOLO had great atmosphere; It was packed both inside and out on Wednesday night. Had drinks by the fire-pit and some of the meatball sliders. We were then seated promptly at our reservation time and ordered a greek salad to share and i had the cedar plank salmon which was excellent. Squash was the nightly side dish and it was excellent.
(4)
Agustina P.
Great atmosphere, great service and I love their fire pit. Their food is hit or miss, but the drinks are delicious.
(4)
Emilio M.
Group of us came here on a packed saturday night. I originally thought it was going to be a hot spot. By all means, it probably is, but we did not enjoy the music nor the people there. Not that the people were nasty or anything like that, Its just we are not in that age group (40's --seriously, I thought I was going to run in into somebody from the Housewifes of Orange County ). Music is techno type that one song lasts about one hour long...everybody is in clicks so everybody is into themselves. Drinks are good, can't comment on the food since we left an hour later. Maybe you'll have a better time, but this is an older hang out spot...
(2)
Bruce D.
vERRRY CHIC-Y! Hip tre New York/Maimi loking restaurant on Las Olas. Lots of Bentley's parked at the valet. Outside patio drinks has a very California, with a huge firepit....except it's flame is about 2 -3 feet tall. Almost singed my Dunhill blazer! Food was priced low and quite nice. Salmon on a plank was very nice and the wine list was killer. The calamari was over cooked and too crunchy. Go on a off night or else it's a mob scene.
(4)
Alicia T.
Went tonight for my girlfriends birthday. Still 5 stars for me Server: 5 stars Ambiance: 5 star People/server watching: 5 star Food: 4.5 star We had a 4pm reservation and arrived at 3:45 PM and were seated outside with no problem for an early Sunday birthday dinner. I was impressed that the server knew my name when I told her I had a reservation without looking at the computer. Since this was such an odd time, the outside patio was half full, and inside had plenty of tables available. The calamari as usual (seemed to be ordered by EVERYONE) was fantastic, I am on a no sugar/starch diet and still took a couple bites. BF got the burger, and it was so big for the first time he didn't finish it or his fries. He did eat alot of calamari though. Birthday girl got some kind of pasta with shrimp added, and she loved it, had lots of left overs. Myself, spinach salad, awesome, large amount of chicken that I didn't have to search for, and it was already tossed in ingredients/dressing so I didn't have to "make" the salad myself. Our server brought the chocolate molten cake, a scoop of icecream, and a candle for my GF's birthday. I heard the cake was delish. It came in one of those one-person cast iron pot, garnished with fresh fruit. It was the type of molten cake that when you stick the fork in you get a nice little hot chocolately gooey surprise hidden inside. We loved the chillness of the place on this Sunday afternoon, and will definitely be back again for a nice Sunday meal.
(5)
Patrick D.
This was a favorite until this last experience. The bar isa rip off.The first time my bill it was for 43.99. We had 2 Martinis and 2 Rob Roys. The drinks were good but the bill seem high but it was all wet so I could not review it. They next time I did not pay any attention, shame on me. I did question the bill on an afternoon but it was not happy hour so I let it ride. This last Friday at 4:30 We ordered 2 Rob Roys and one Martini. They charged 12.00 dollars for the Rob Roys and 17.00 for the Martini. Even At Bar American in NY(Bobby Flays Resturant) they do not charge this money for a Martini. They charge 14.00 dollars for a 9oz Martini. Yolo is out of line and are abusing their Bar Customers. Check your bills. Their Martini Specials are only 12.00 dollars. Do not go there!!!
(1)
Eye F.
Finally went after seeing a few of our friends had tried it. We went to eat -- as in we considered it a restaurant. Not the atmosphere, not to drink, not to be seen, not to mingle with people we don't know. Service is good, menu is good, wine list is passable, cooking leaves a lot to be desired. We won't return for a second try.
(2)
Paulinacasado O.
if Las Olas, then YOLO! bleu cheese vinegar chips and mint lemonade (grownup style) a staple!!
(4)
Katrina J.
Went their today for lunch. Menu kind of limited. Nice portions of food. However, the food is definitely different than most restaurants that boast an American cuisine. Try it at least once!
(3)
Jane D.
Wow! The food is amazing - hard to choose what to get off their simple but simply divine menu. The service was outstanding and the atmosphere very enjoyable... careful though if you're there a little later as their adjacent sister club starts to heat up after 10 pm and the music can overpower your conversation. We gave up talking and went to join the fun!
(5)
Jared M.
I was in town from New York for a business trip and I took potential clients to YOLO for dinner as I had heard good things. I truly was not disappointed. The decor was trendy yet understated and professional, not cheesy like some other "hot" restaurants in south florida. The hostess welcomed us with a smile and we were seated shortly after arriving. The food was delectable, cooked to order, and reasonably priced. We started with the calamari and grilled artichokes, both were a big hit with my guests and I highly recommend them. The prime rib sandwich was incredible, probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. I ordered it medium rare and it came out the perfect shade of pink, thinly sliced, topped with sauteed onions, melted swiss cheese, and au jous. The rest of my party appeared just as enamored by their dishes. Our server was courteous and helpful when deciding what to order. My guests and I had a wonderful experience at YOLO and I will definitely be returning the next time I am in town.
(5)
Debbi N.
We had a wonderful lunch here. The place is beautiful, the service is great and the food was fabulous. The prices are not bad either. There were six of us and each of really enjoyed their meals and we shared to desserts and were not disappointed. I had the grilled shrimp salad with beets and cheese and I would eat that every day if I could. It was perfect. Our table mates had the veggie burgers and fries and the fries are really good. We found parking on the street, and were in and out in time to catch the show at the Broward Theater matinee. I will go back before our next show for sure. This beats Cheesecake Factory hands down.
(5)
Ali G.
Definitely another favorite! Food is delicious, the artichoke app is to die for! Atmosphere is really fun on wed & sat pm! Great date place or if u want to be social also a really nice atmosphere for a party.
(5)
Cheryl R.
Fun & nice. I'm a Miami girl but I like Yolo's.
(4)
Jessie H.
Not terrible but not great. As a vegetarian, they didn't seem to have a huge range of options to choose from. Our drinks from the bar with light on the alcohol which for $12 you would hope wouldn't be the case. Our waiter was adorable and made the night. If it weren't for him, our experience would have been a flop.
(3)
Amit D.
Cool spot, you get to see all the expensive cars in the world. Food is just okay for dinner. People may say it's better than it is because it's expensive, but overall just OK. Sunday brunch on the other hand has excellent food, with affordable prices.
(3)
Idelsy L.
Really good wine selection... very snazzy place. Didn't get to try the food, but it had a great vibe to it. I'd love to go again.
(4)
Omar G.
The crowd that goes to Yolo and Vibe is abysmal. Makes me embarrassed to admit that I live around such classless people in Fort Lauderdale. At Vibe the people dance to 80's wedding music. This would not go down in Miami, but the irony is that Yolo/Vibe is basically a South Beach design ripoff. I'm not saying that you'll hear good music on the beach, but what you have here is a recipe for pure boredom making you realize that the drive to Miami is worth it at night. Just be safe out there! Re: the food, its bland and salty. The decor at Yolo is nice, but the kitchen is unimpressive. I think all of the good reviews go to show how utterly tasteless and tacky Lauderdale is. Miami is your only bet if you want a cool place to go out and make the focal point of a weekend night out. Don't hate on me for saying, since I've lived here for 11 years and have been a DJ here the entire time. I'm entitled to my taste. If I could give it a 0 I would. Its the people in Lauderdale, and not so much the place itself, that make it awful. So dear owner, no offense, I know you are catering to your clientele. These are the kind of people who ask me to pull out glowsticks when I tell them I'm a house DJ. You also play "wedding" music at your establishment. Its like a scene out of the 80's every time I go there, and not in a good way. Get with the times. This review is such as I lived at Camden for a while and did drop by for a drink here and there in the past out of necessity.
(1)
Wendy L.
I went to Yolo a couple of years ago. I think I was more impressed by their decor and furniture than with the food. Sometimes I do hate when restaurant put more effort on the decor than the quality of the food. With the money you pay for the food, you force yourself to love the food so you don't feel like you were being ripped off. It's definitely not a place I will go back unless I have.
(3)
Korinne J.
One of the better places to go Friday nights in trashy FTL. Fun bar and lounge area with lots of room to mingle. Nice front bar window with outdoor living area. Beware Friday nights this place is 5 deep at the bar but it is fun. I have also been here a few times during the week and it is a really nice place to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. The decor is very well done! The service is as good as can be expected when it gets busy.
(4)
ALba C.
Good Music, great drinks very festive ,I always have a great time
(4)
brian b.
Very hip joint. Excellent bar tenders, great specialty cocktails. Very attentive wait staff, very nice hostess staff. Nice touch with stamping the specials onto the paper table cover. Szechuan Calamari was hands down the best version of this type of dish we've had and we order it anytime we see it. The meatball sliders were also worth getting, The prime aged steak special was very good, but suprisingly not cooked as ordered. My Medium rare was Medium, and the wife's Medium was medium well. Damn shame to ruin a nice piece of meat like that. Sides were excellent, spagetti squash with ricotta was outstanding as was the herb mash. For dessert just do yourself a favor and get the bannana coconut cream pie, it's mind blowingly good.
(4)
J. N.
Went to Yolo at 5:30 on a Sat. night with kids and sat outside so I can't speak for the atmosphere but... The food at Yolo was fantastic! We shared the szechuan calamari (3 of us) to start and it was tasty and delicious. I had the tuna hot pot as a main course and it was memorable. Perfectly seared tuna in a bowl over noddles and a subtle miso broth, it was just great. We didn't stay for dessert. Our waiter, Terri, got off to a shaky start but warmed up quickly. All in all, a wonderful experience.
(4)
Rob C.
like a Houston's, Bandera's, etc. nice ambiance, menu sounds really good, tastes just fine apparently, the vege burger is above average
(3)
Michael M.
Imagine that for some inexplicable reason, Bennigans became the new "it" spot. All the area movers and shakers lined up six deep at the door to get a chance to sample southwest egg rolls and mozzarella cheese sticks. Seriously. Yolo was packed wall to wall with faux glittery cretins and we actually had to be let through a velvet rope to see the hostess. There were literally three identical red Ferraris out front fighting for parking spaces. I'm not exaggerating. It was the funniest thing I've seen in a year. I almost felt bad for one of the guys. He fired up the convertible Ferrari, sped down to Yolo to impress and bammo, he's fighting with two other identical red Ferraris for prime fan-my-peacock-feathers real estate. Hilarious and cheeeeesy! OK, the breakdown: APPS: Calamari: OK,..overcoated with a cloyingly sweet sauce....Bennigans Mussels: OK...Bennigans Potato Chips with Bacon and Blue Cheese: Pretty good, but come on...basically potato skins at Bennigans. Did I like them? Sure, same way I would guiltily enjoy cheese dip if I ever lost my soul and went to Bennigans. ENTREES: Grouper...bad...overcooked and stringy. Could have done a much better job at home. New York Strip: nice big cut of meat. Ordered medium rare, came out medium well. Nice char, OK flavor. Side of grilled mixed veggies had an overwhelming flavor of gas from the grill. Benniganish. Wine...Au Bon Climat Pinot...good, but I'm not giving credit to Yolo for that. All in all , it was a lot of fun but the food was mediocre at best....sort of like going to the circus...a lot of glitter and desperation with food that caters to the lowest common denominator. Our cool older friends (inside joke) said it reminded them of the bar scene in Star Wars. This is the second week in a row I've been to a restaurant that is gorgeous with lousy food. I definitely have to start going to uglier restaurants. I swear to god, If this comfort food trend is basically giving a license to so-so restaurants to dish out crappy food with low quality ingredients, just shoot me in the head. It's much more comfortable on my couch and I can personally make a far better truffled mac and cheese. However.....I would definitely go back to get drinks (only) if only to enjoy the social trainwreck that is Yolo. If you want the same food without paying for the atmosphere, go to Ruby Tuesdays.
(2)
Jake D.
Great scene.. good food just plain fun.
(4)
Dude D.
I Don't Eat Here, But I Hang Here. I live 1/2 block from Yolo, and I come here 2-3 nights a week to hang. As a Las Olas local, I rarely eat on Las Olas as almost every place is over-priced for what you get. But, Yolo is superb for hanging around outside, and is the best social scene in FLL for anyone over 30. TIP: To avoid the crush on Fri/Sat night, cut through the bushes near the firepit and grab a seat on the sofas. Don't expect quick service on the sofas, but you won't have to negotiate the scrum near the bar area. (In fact, I've spent hours on the sofas and only ordered a diet soda for $3.) Also, the O Lounge really cranks the volume on Fri/Sat nights, so don't expect to hear the person you're talking to. But other nights it's fine.
(4)
Phil B.
Burgers and sandwiches are about 12 bucks, entrees were 25 to 30. Went on a Saturday night, great scene, place was packed and we didn't have a reservation for 5. Staff was very nice and accommodating. We ended up eating outside which was cool but it didn't have the vibe or energy of inside (at least around 9:00 PM - the place was definitely getting more crowded as the night went on.). The food, though not outstanding, was above average. This place is into fire grilling and smoked meals. Bathrooms get a 10. We would definitely go back again if looking something upscale in downtown Fort Lauderdale that has a bit of a scene.
(4)
A C.
This bar/club is small but hopping. The bartenders are little hotties and very nice. The scene varies based on the dj. If it is a good dj the place rocks, if not it sucks. We went on this past Friday and left after one drink, last night we shut the place down. Great dj and the scene came alive.
(4)
Tracey K.
Came here for a first date and it was wonderful! We were seated quickly and our waiter was very understanding of my indecisiveness. He helped me choose a drink (I ended up getting the coco lychee martini - delicious) and continued to be attentive throughout the night. For the entree, I got the sauteed jumbo lump crab cakes with green apple slaw and an herb mash, while my date got the cedar-roasted salmon. To my surprise, they weren't kidding when they said jumbo lump. I could actually see and taste the crab. The slaw and mash were equally phenomenal. I think I liked my meal more than my date liked his, but overall the food and service were both fantastic.
(4)
Lindsay Y.
YOLO has been My go to Fort Lauderdale restaurant for several years now and it will continue to be as long as they keep up the good thing they have going on. My favorite menu items are: the squid salad, Tuna tar tar, Ahi tuna and the amazing French fries! Random, but all so delicious in different ways! It's also a great place to people watch and witness the crowd at the next door club, vibe. It's also in a great location on Las Olas where there is plenty to see. UPDATE: yesterday, I received some really nasty messages from two random yelpers about my review and I'm bewildered as to why total strangers would care about my personal opinion?? Please keep your negativity to yourself or in your own reviews. Thanks!
(4)
Andrea N.
Had brunch here today. There were some highs and lows. We walked in and were immediately greeted and asked if we wanted indoor or outdoor seating. We chose indoor. The place was crowded, but we did not have to wait for a table. Our server came over and asked for our drink order, I got water and my friend got cappuccino. We started looking at the menu and there were some good options, but nothing that wowed me. I guess I still miss the breakfast burrito with eggs and chorizo. I decided on the quiche and my friend got the omelette of the day, it had broccoli, green peppers and cheese. I decided I wanted a brunch drink so I asked what kind of cider was available. Our server was in training so she asked the trainer, you would have thought I had insulted the trainers mother. I got a very terse "we aren't a beer bar, we serve specialty drinks" Well, this is going to be a short meal. Our food came and mine was very good, it just lacked texture. Everything was kind of mushy so it left me wanting more. My friend said the omelette was good, and really enjoyed the home fries. We left pretty quickly. It was ok. The best part of the meal was the server in training, I wish I had gotten her name so I could give her kudos.
(3)
Rona K.
Rk Food was delicious. Dessert a little dry, liked baked last week. We were a big party and it was a Friday night , so service was not great. We will try again.
(3)
Danielle R.
Go for bottomless mimosas on Sundays! They give you the whole bottle of champagne, not the pre-mixed stuff that Rok Burger & Big City do.
(4)
Jeanne M.
This was our first visit to YOLO since our event, well over a year ago. I didn't get anything to eat that night, so was glad to get to try some of the food. This was for a party with cocktails and hor d'oeuvres. It was a Friday evening, so we figured it would be packed. It was actually not a huge crowd, which was nice. Our group has reserved a space outside, by the fire pit. Thankfully, the fire pit was not lit for ambiance, since it was quite a warm evening. First came the cocktail. I'm never sure what to order, so I went with the "seabreeze," the cocktail I had at the event. The only thing I remembered about it was that I liked it a lot and, after two of them at the event, there were some pics on my phone the next day that I didn't recall at all. Yes, I'm a lightweight, especially with no food, but the point is that they don't water down the drinks. This one was refreshingly grapefruity and just strong enough. I skipped the plate of cold cuts, as those are always standard fare. So, the first app up was a chicken sandwich. It was fairly average, except that there were real chunks of chicken instead of deli slices and the bread was quite good. Next were the meatballs with ricotta. They were big and very nicely flavored with lots of garlic. The marinara sauce was perfect. But on to the best - the Szechwan calamari with garlic chili sauce, peanuts and sesame. These were sooooo good. I could have eaten the whole chafing dish of them. They were tender on the inside, crunchy on the outside and perfectly seasoned with the sweet spicy garlic sauce. If nothing else had made me a fan, that would have done it for me. Yep, if I have another opportunity I'll be going back.
(4)
Sheena M.
This place was recommended to us by the bartender at our hotel. It was a great dining experience. Everyone's food was good, fun atmosphere, great music, nice patio, and exceptional service. Recommend dishes - calamari (must have,) and tuna tar tar
(5)
Lola N.
This place is really nice. The ambience is great. We had outside seating cause in house was packed. The food here wasn't all that great. It was so crowded and the server was too busy. I was not impressed by their dragon berry cocktail at all. Over the food was ALRIGHT. My favorite was the corn dip
(3)
Tairyn A.
If you are a girl, Wednesday it's the best day to come. Girl's nights are great. Free drinks until 10:00 pm, but beware, creeps do come out to play. It gets packed and most of the guys are older men on the prowl. Music it's OK, and the patio area it's great. There is also a restaurant (O Lounge) right next door. All in all a good place to hang out in downtown Ft. Lauderdale.
(3)
Mr H.
Totally uninspired. Bioche French toast had as much sugar as a bag from Publix. Speaking of Publix the calamari tasted from frozen while a bottle of Asian sauce was tossed in top. Buttermilk pancakes? Not sure if anyone on the kitchen knows what they are. Couldn't add enough syrup for two reasons one being a fly took to nesting in the serving cup Overall bad choice for brunch
(2)
Alyssa K.
I hadn't stepped foot in this place in about 2 years or so and recently popped back in for a late night drink-forgot how much I enjoyed it. Like I said-it was late when we went in-kind of near close, around 1:20 and last call was 2. No big deal, we didn't get crap for ordering anything. $14-16 got us a STRONG vodka martini and a VERY large pour of wine. Like a LARGE glass. I ordered chardonnay but got pinot grigio-but in retrospect it was a happy accident because I didn't ask for a wine list and I'm VERY picky with my Chards. Drank my large pour of wine and was nice and happy considering that wasn't drink #1 of the night, and the bartender was super friendly. The bar is half in and half outside, which is kind of the trend downtown which I like. The kitchen had clearly closed by this point in the night but I have mental notes to come back and try their brunch here, I'm told they have good deals and good food fireside. I think a few years ago when the trend of 18 year old screaming "YOLO" and doing stupid crap was popular has passed, and this place opened around the same time. It's actually offputting with the vibe of this place, seeing as if I yelped this place seeing the name I likely would try somewhere else, but the vibe is so awesome inside and out if you're walking by. I honestly see the name of the place being changed to something a little classier in a couple years. But it's a nice place to go for drinks/brunch/a low key night out.
(4)
Kimberly K.
This place was recommended to us by a few different people. So glad we listened! We went on a fairly busy Friday but were seated right away (we did make a reservation). Had a great table outside on the patio. The music playing was really good and the atmosphere was fun. The calamari is a MUST. Probably the best I have ever had. Also tried the Skillet Cornbread which was a huge portion and tasted okay, but I've had much better. The Rotisserie Greek Chicken was delicious. Definitely worth checking this place out.
(4)
Rebecca U.
Showed up here on a Friday night with no reservation. Place was packed, assumed it would be impossible to get a table. Surprisingly they had availability outside, it was a beautiful night, slightly chilly but they had heaters so we decided to try it. The view with the fire pit and white lights overhead was really pretty. The outside bar was packed, and our table was in perfect position to take it all in. The waiter came and took drink orders and told us about the specials. We asked various questions about the menu and the waiter was very familiar with all the items. He returned shortly with the drinks and we ordered. One of the specials, which we ordered, was Sole Poppiette baked and served in parchment paper. The other entree we ordered, highly recommended by the waiter was the Short Rib Polenta. We also ordered a chopped salad to split. They split the salad in the kitchen, which must be huge because it was more than enough when served on 2 plates. Each entree was delicious...the sole was really light and flavorful. The Short Rib was more hearty, especially as served with the polenta, very rich but equally as delicious! The entire dinner was very enjoyable and satisfying. After dinner we sat at the inside bar enjoying an after dinner drink. The decor inside is impressive with sort of a zen feel. The night was great I'm happy we chose to come here. My one issue, and why I didn't give 5 stars, I found the drinks to be overpriced for what you get. Small drinks, barely 1 shot of vodka, for $9 (non premium) I know it's downtown Fort Lauderdale Las Olas, but it's annoying. I would recommend it but just be prepared to pay for overpriced cocktails.
(4)
Ken S.
Visited during Dine Out Fort Lauderdale. One of the best menus offered. I had the Meatball Slider to start, the Chicken entre and carrot cake for dessert. Everything was exceptionally delicious. Service was also excellent. Will visit again soon.
(4)
Tonia C.
I gave YOLO four stars for drinks and atmosphere. The patio is fantastic, very romantic. The whole venue had great vibes as many places on Las Olas do. However I think the food was more of a 3 star. My boyfriend said his prime rib was delicious; however, lots of fat so he ended up cutting about 50% off. The salad was great because I love everything chopped up small and it was HUGE. I barely made a dent in it. The Macaroni and cheese was good but nothing special like most places offer these days and I would probably skip next time. The highlight of our meal was the appetizer, blue cheese truffle YOLO chips. They were FANTASTIC. Overall, I was no impressed with the vegetarian options but the atmosphere, chips, and drinks made up for it. We both felt the cocktails were good and very strong and no more pricey than usual places (about $10 for specialty drinks). The valet was $7.
(4)
M L.
Good Sunday brunch spot to meet up with friends $15 bottomless mimosas I love the eggs benedict
(5)
Camille G.
This place is really good for Sunday brunch. We started off with unlimited mimosas and calamari. Calamari sauce was too sweet. Wish it were on the side. Mimosas were perfect because the give the bottle and a side of OJ for you to fix to your liking. I ordered the snapper sandwich and it was amazing! Definitely going back for that one soon!
(4)
Betu R.
Great food, ambiance but poor service. They rushed us from the first to second course by bringing the food while we were clearly still working on the appetizer, and every time we asked our server for something was like she was doing us a favor. Other than that, the food was amazing. We were four and shared the grilled artichokes as a starter, then we had the spinach salad, the bbq ribs, the salmon burger and a sandwich with arugula, avocado grilled chicken and tomato. The cocktails are great too, we had strawberry kiss and strawberry caipirinha. Overall a lovely experience.
(4)
Daniel D.
Note: I did not eat here as I have heard the food is not worth the money. I visited on a Friday night, and it was pretty easy to find a spot on the sofas outdoors. After sitting down, even though the place was pretty busy we got a server to help us pretty quick. In addition the prices of the drinks are not outrageous and they are at about 10 dollars per drink. With good music, nice scene, it is a great place to grab a drink.
I've dined at Yolo several times so I'm not sure why I've never reviewed it. The pros: great setting inside and out. The food- I've never had anything bad here. My favorite app is the calamari and they do a nice lunch. On my latest visit, we ordered the calamari and meatball sliders. I just wish they would make a turkey meatball! The cons: service is hit or miss especially when sitting outside for cocktails. Sometimes the clientele but maybe that's a pro because it makes for interesting people watching. When on Las Olas, you must stop here and Ladies, check them out on Wednesdays with free drinks and 1/2 off apps.
(4)
Mike K.
Great Friday night out! Three of us shared appetizers before Dinner. Szechuan Calamari was delicious. Artichokes were done perfectly. The wine flowed with ease. For dinner I had Manhattan Steak. It was 2 inches thick, medium rare, and juicy! I can't wait to go back!
(4)
Jolie A.
I came in for a quick appetizer and a drink before with my cousin before going over to the bar next door, as usual the Tuna tartar didn't disappoint. The fish was fresh and the wafer cracker was just the perfect pair. The corn bread was a disaster; very dry and quite bland.
(3)
Alexii N.
This place has good mixed drinks, and pretty decent food. I feel as though it is not good enough for me to want to go for dinner, but I would totally come here for lunch. As I said, good drinks- the strawberry martini is great and they use fresh strawberries. As far as ambiance, there is a decently trendy decor, and list of outdoor seating as well. As I said, good for drinks at night or for lunch.
(3)
Shannon L.
This was the first time eating inside the restaurant - for lunch. Had a reservation with a group so no wait to get seated even though they were fairly busy. They stamp their specials on a flier on the table - novel concept but delivery by seater/greeter a little sloppy (bottom part of the stamp was on a separate paper as it was slightly skewed). They were busy for lunch but the waiter gave us the specials verbally and took our order quickly. After that it was slow going. Took awhile for the food to get there. The burgers looked good around the table - with string fries (yum). The trout special looked good altho the mashed potatoes were green (I actually thought it was guacamole at first, before realizing it was just the color). I had the carbonara, altho plated nicely it was just meh.
(3)
Antineous R.
I came in on Thursday evening after having flown into town! Hadn't been here in a few years but the food and drinks were just as good as I remembered. Had to have the center cut filet with some fries and potato au gratin which tasted amazing!!! Paired that with some whiskey on the rocks and a couple more drinks in the back after dinner! The waiter was great and the food came out quickly even though they were swamped. I'd definitely recommend yolo to anyone whose visiting the area and wants to enjoy a nice dinner and a few drinks, as I mentioned I had some drinks in the back, there's a small lounge attached to yolo that serves top shelf liquor and has a live dj that plays late into the night. If you enjoy cars you'll definitely appreciate all the Lambos, Bentleys, and Ferarris parked outside!
(4)
Erionna J.
I never write bad reviews and feel slightly bad for doing so but I want my voice my opinion. I wanted to come here on my birthday, I'm vegan and I checked out the menu online and saw there was a vegan Burger so I chose this place made a reservation and went there with about 6 other girls. The place is beautiful inside and out and I love the fire pit I had been wanting to go here for quite a while once I was seated I requested the vegan burger I seen online and they said they no longer serve it and that there was no other options on the menu for me other then a salad so I asked if there was maybe just a dish with veggies and rice or something they could make and they said no so I decided to leave and go to Rocco's tacos instead. So basically my only complaint is I wish they had a menu that also catered to vegetarians/vegans or at least offer to make something that's not on the menu since every restaurant I've went to has offered and this waiter didn't seem to think the chef would do it, it just kinda delayed the fun on my birthday because we had to all jump in our cars and head to the next restaurant, overall though the place has great decor and atmosphere just hope they think of extending the menu to make it more vegetarian friendly.
(2)
Aline D.
I took my gf there for her bday. The food was okay. I don't remember neither of us being blown away by anything, and it was a bit pricey.
(3)
Dee F.
I came here around 10:30 on a Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. We didn't make reservations, so it took about 30 min to seat our party of 8. (Which wasn't that long of a wait for a Saturday night.) While we waited for our table, we sat outside by the bar to people watch. That's always fun. ;) Once our table was ready, we were greeted by a very friendly staff. I ordered a Strawberry C....., I can't recall the full name of the drink and I don't feel like looking it up, lol---but it was amazing!!!! Nice and sweet just like me! The food was good--which was a great surprise since the reviews weren't all that positive. After dinner, we hit the dance floor. The DJ played a variety of different music. Primarily house music. Just one slight hiccup: I told my waiter that someone in my party was celebrating a birthday, and he never followed up with me. That was a bummer, but not a big deal. For that, minus one star. I shall return YOLO!
(4)
Chris C.
It's true...YOLO..You Only Live Once...and before you die, if you are in the Las Olas area, you have to try this place. The Food-amazingly tasty. The Service-kind and attentive. The Decor-trendy and classy. The Atmosphere-Cool, relaxing and hip. **Note: Great place for a classy date. You know, someone that deserts your time and money. So, check it...I ordered the SZECHUAN CALAMARI, which was a good spin on calamari, it was really tasty. I also ordered the T'S PRIME RIB, which was really good and for dessert I got the coffee ice cream sandwiches-SO GOOD!!! This place is a cool joint to eat at...NICE...I'll definitely come back!!!
(4)
Lyda F.
We went on a date night to yolo and I must say everything from the start was amazing. We sat at the bar while we waited for a table and had some very good drinks and when we sat down which was about 20 min later which was not terrible for a Friday night at all we were greeted by our waiter who was so attentive. We ordered some champagne and I ordered a steak with some mash because I'm a meat and potatoes kind of gal and it was soooooo delicious! The portions were big and I could not finish the whole thing, the waiter was always very attentive and never did we have to call for him because he was always coming by to refill out champagne. I thought the prices were good for the kind of service and good received. They offer valet parking, the atmosphere was quite lively and very loud.
(5)
Catalina P.
I been there ones with my co-workers and we had a great experience. The server was great and the food was awesome. We try that tree of cocktails and was delicious .. I like it
(5)
A P.
Visited yolo for the first time last Tuesday when I was on vacation with my girlfriend. The food, the atmosphere was so nice. We ordered the calamari which was AMAZINGLY and such a breathe of fresh air from the typical calamari. It was sweet with a hint of spicy. Then we split a chopped salad with grilled shrimp and the porterhouse with the potatoes au gratin. It was cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. My friend and I were in food coma by the time we were done. I ordered a drink the cucumber refresher (?) I think it was. It was good and nice and strong. Coming back to Fort Lauderdale in the fall and I will definitely be visiting yolo again!
(5)
Andrew K.
Pretty disgusting brunch. I really hated the tuna tartare - the avocado was overripe and hard at the same time. The omelet tasted like it had been sitting out. I didn't like anything, cheesy name included.
(1)
John C.
Valet parking. $7 with validation. Walked right in without a reservation on a Thursday night. Got a table on the patio. Service was very friendly. We started with the calamari. It was awesome. Perfectly crisp on the outside. Sauce was very tasty. I ordered the prime rib sandwich. Not my best decision. Too much ciabatta bread and the swiss cheese overwhelmed the flavor of the meat. The prime rib came sliced and was very good by itself, which is how I ended up eating it. My friend ordered the salmon and it looked delicious.
(3)
Erica M.
This place had really good food. The staff was very helpful and friendly. I ordered the crab cakes which was awesome. My friends order salmon and steaks. They all like their food. One of my friends order the calamari that looks oh so good. She felt that it was not the best she ever had and did not eat it. She stated that it had an after taste. The only thing I did not like about this place was the floors where very slippery. We all had on heels.
(4)
Courtney C.
Good food, not mind blowingly amazing. Great bloody Mary's, but more expensive then they seem worth. Fun to check out every once and awhile because of the atmosphere and fire pits but not cool enough to spend the money on too often. Would rather go to tap 42.
(3)
Pascual O.
A perfect location and great happy hour specials keep this place packed every day. The daily crowd seems to be mostly bankers and lawyers taking a break from long hours in the nearby offices, not to mention a few people who just like parking their Ferraris in the valet section for all Las Olas to see. On Thursdays and Fridays, there's usually also a crowd of people starting a night on Las Olas here. The outdoor space is probably the best part: there's a bonfire when it's cold (well, cold for Florida), some shade, and good seating. And the drinks are pretty good, with a decent wine list and well-mixed cocktails. Food-wise, you can't go wrong with the sliders or the calamari (my personal favorite), both of which have very reasonable happy-hour pricing. The pasta carbonara is a solid meal, as are their fish sandwiches. And be sure to ask for their fries, which are addictive.
(4)
Marie O.
This place is seriously overpriced and their drinks have gotten smaller! They used to serve their drinks in larger glasses, but now they only serve them in smaller ones that are half the size. I think you're better off going to one of the dozens of other bars and lounges in the area.
(2)
Katherine M.
The atmosphere and name were what got us interested here. It's really nice and well kept - but seriously, I haven't really been to much in Florida that lacks in atmosphere. Service was good, but I did watch a couple spill a glass of wine and a waiter completely and utterly ignore it. They had to flag a different guy down to help. We started with some cocktails - they are strong here, they definitely don't hold back on the liquor inside. But, they were mostly just sugary concoctions with exotic sounding flavors that didn't deliver. They were OK drinks. Not something I would come back for. We were eating an early dinner before catching a flight so kept it light with the YOLO chips and the meatball sliders and mac and cheese.The YOLO chips were yummy and a good appetizer for sharing. You taste the truffle which is a nice touch. The meatball sliders on the other hand were lacking - they missed the 'meatball quality' in that the meat had nothing to hold it together and it crumbed as if it was just ground meat kind of formed into a ball. The mac and cheese lacked in any sharpness or cheese flavor - well cooked, but mostly a buttery, creamy flavor, like buttered noodles with a really, mild cheese almost. Not my thing personally. The consensus for their food is that it's good, but no where near as good as it sounds on the menu. Who ever did their menu copy is brilliant at making my mouth water, but their food doesn't live up to the amazing words that describe it. What did go above and beyond was the fresh berries dessert. Served with a key lime custard and warm pound cake, it was BEYOND amazing. We could have just came and had like 3-4 of those. We will be coming back here for dessert because that dessert alone is worth coming for again and again.
(3)
Lisa M.
Calamari was fantastic but the service was slow due to a few parties going on! Drinks were tasty too!
(4)
Larry J.
Great place to eat--Sunday brunch is the best. Be careful that the Mimosas do not sneak up on you. Order the Shrimp and Grits if you go on Sunday. The waiting staff is professional and accommodating. If your travels ever bring you to Ft. Lauderdale, then, visit Las Olas for a great time. Happy hour commences in the afternoon's-Mon to Fri-after 4:30 ish. I hope this short narrative helps.
(5)
Phuong M.
Happy hour, ladies night! ;) Best day to go here is Wednesday night right after work. Free drinks and buy one get one everything on the menu. One of the perks of being a lady. ^_^ The food is pretty average. Nothing stands out but nothing to complain about either. I've ordered food there on several occasions, but I don't remember anything about it. I'll have to rewrite this review when I actually eat here again and remember what the food taste like.
(3)
Mindy B.
Great brunch! Unlimited mimosas and on Sunday's there's a farmers market set up in the parking lot. Definitely try the artichoke appetizer...one of the only places that serves it in town.
(4)
NB K.
It's good to be young when visiting this restaurant. It's loud and lively, with an active bar scene, music, crowd. Good for people watching. And, the food is quite good. The service was tops. But a bunch of old fogies like us do not belong here. The air conditioning was too cold, although the manager and server tried to help. My mother and I shared our dishes. The kitchen kindly split the chopped salad (very large portion and VERY good), but were unable to do so for the braised beef and polenta. They unflinchingly provided us with sufficient plates to split our meal. The meat was tender and good -- except for a few outside edges, which were dried out and tougher than we were able to chew. The polenta served with it was delicious. The building is terrific -- the bar is inside/outside, and surrounded by fire pits. The ladies' room was tucked away, nearly impossible to find, as one young, inebriated lady found out. We did not leave hungry, by any means, but we did have headaches. So much for cranky old ladies. The youngsters among you will thoroughly enjoy this venue.
(3)
Emmett M.
I surprised my GF with a dinner here while on Vacation on Valentines Day. Everything was great. I ran a little bit late getting to the restaurant due to that dam drawbridge and annoying traffic on Las Olas Blvd. The girls at the front took care of us even though I was 20 minutes late. We had a couple drinks at the bar while waiting for the table to be ready. I had ordered one dozen roses that were delivered to the restaurant. I emailed the manager there beforehand to let them know. As we arrived to the table the staff had them waiting for us on the table and it was a really nice touch. Our waitress was real nice. We decided to pretty much order every appetizer they have and try a bit of everything. The meat ball sliders were amazing. The tuna tartare, fire roasted corn dip and szechuan calamari were great. After a couple more drinks we called it a night. It was a great Valentines Day Dinner and YOLO made it even better!
(5)
Sherry W.
Wednesday is ladies night which includes free wine, beer, and alcohol. Plus ladies get but one get one free appetizers. You must sit by fire pit or bar area. I had the meatball sliders which are topped with ricotta and arugula and served on a Bun for $4 each. The meat looked like turkey because it's white. It had good flavor. I also had the skillet cornbread topped with a honey glaze. It us a large serving for 4 people. It was warm and sweet! Service was ok considering it was free drinks. Easy to talk outside. Get there before 6:30 to get seats.
(4)
Jim K.
I went here with my wife, best friend and his wife a few months ago while staying at the Riverside hotel. The place was expensive and busy. That's about all I can say bad about this place. The location is great. I had a prime rib that was insane. It was huge and tasted incredible. Everyone else in the group had the same sentiment. That the portion was great and the flavor was magnificent. The service was good. Not the best I have experienced, but for a Saturday night they were doing quite well. We weren't in a rush, and were enjoying drinks. So the wait may have been somewhat long, but we didn't notice it. I think if you were to go during the week, you'd probably find that it's a bit more empty and quieter.
(4)
N. B.
I've been coming to YOLO for 5 years but since last December I've given up on this place. At first this place was fresh and new and the food was delicious. In Winter I would love it when they had the tomato basil soup. But my favorite was their vegetarian burger which was great. However over the years the service has seriously declined. They have always chosen to staff this place with very attractive young women (okay, because it looks like they are going after a specific clientele of only men. Fine) But it often seems like there is a new face every week and they don't often know what they are doing. Last time I went with a friend and even though we had a reservation we wanted to sit outside. We were informed its an additional 45 minute wait and we were okay with that. We told them we would wait at the bar. An hour and fifteen minutes later, no one had said a word to us so we finally went up to them. They told me they had tried to call my cell phone 30 minutes ago--but they NEVER asked for my cell phone and actually didn't have it on me---so who were they calling?!! However they gave the table away and now it was ANOTHER 45 MINUTES . At this point we had waited 1 and half hours so we were pretty PO'd. Especially since we are regulars and we know the usual routine. This was Bullshit and we knew it. They forgot about us and were pushing us aside hoping we didn't notice how badly they were covering their tracks. So we asked for a manager, who came pretty promptly. To his credit he apologized immediately and found an outside table asap. (So there was one available after all...) But to continue to add to the horror of an evening-- they had no more vegetarian entrees on their menu. Turns out they decided to take them all off. NOTHING. At this point my stomach was eating itself out of extreme hunger (it was now past 10 pm) I tried to work with them to get something to eat, as it was too late to go anywhere else on las olas (places were closing and we were waiting for dinner since 8 pm). They did have a vegetarian burger, they now only served it for lunch and would not be able to make it for me for dinner. It was a little upsetting considering what we had already been through. So the night was a complete and utter disaster. I really did like this place, even though they are many other equally great places on Las Olas. I do hope one day they get their service back up to their prior standards and put at least one vegetarian entree back on the menu.
(2)
Carlos L.
Great menu and flavors. We had a business meeting here so the menu was prearranged for us., with only 3 options. This place is happening, 'come here to be seen' kinda place. Feels very LA (lambo's, ferrari's, plastic surgery, Botox, D&G bags, suits, etc). It's pretentious but not MIA pretentious. The decor is great, nice ambiance. At this price point, patron attitude and parking headache there are many other places I'd consider going to, specially in Miami/Bal Harbor, with a much higher caliber of culinary skills. Would I come again? Oh yes Would I say, let's have a great expensive dinner at YOLO? Probably not
(4)
Leighton M.
We started off with the calamari..... It's was sooo good. Get the calamari!!!!! WOW. I had the prime rib... Well done. Best steak I've had in years. I might just go back tonight. We also had the snapper. The fish was good but the rice was a little under cooked. Service A++++
(4)
Bonnie F.
Went there on Mother's Day with a party of 14 with an 8:00 PM reservation. They ran out of bread, filet and Prime rib. They tried to serve 1/2 portion "Manhattan Steak" as a top cut steak. When we spoke to the manager about ordering 5 of these Manhattan steaks and they looked like 2 oz steaks. He was insulting. Food was definitely not worth it not was the service. No problem paying for good quality food. I would have been embarrassed to serve these portions. Ruined our Mother's Day dinner. Shame on you YOLO! Only put one star because you don't allow a ZERO rating!
(1)
David Z.
Gorgeous day out looking forward to a Cesar salad with shrimp. The dressing is very lemony which is very refreshing. The shrimp are blackened which gives s nice contrast with the salad.
(5)
Ira B.
Burgers: hall of fame caliber!! Amazing thin cut fries. Wine is yummy too! Leah, our server was great!
(5)
Adam B.
Food was delicious we went here for brunch the bottomless mimosas is a deal for anyone! I had the eggs Benedict florentine which was to die for it was the most perfectly poached egg! My girlfriend had the cornflake crusted brioche French toast and it was so good but so filling! I would recommend going here for brunch.
(4)
Heather D.
We stopped in to enjoy a drink on the beautiful patio at the end of the night. What a mistake! Service was awful! The staff was rude and the bartender was condescending. I get it, I used to be a bartender. It was the end of the night, you're ready to close, and you're tired of dealing with drunk people. But WE weren't drunk and we certainly weren't rude.
(2)
Gosia C.
Very good food! My highest recommendations. We were 8 persons and everybody were satisfied! From salad to ribs, all food just great!
(4)
Rhonda B.
Yolo's food is always delicious. You can't beat the price either. Great happy hour and Sunday brunch specials!
(5)
Annie B.
I am not one to complain, unless I am paying for a service and get less than I paid for. A friends of mines have been wanting to visit this establishment for quite some while and decided to celebrate her birthday here last night. We were seated in a timely matter given that fact that some of our part of 10+ was couple minutes late, however, while the food was exceptional, the service was less than expected, it took our server (Alice) over 30 minutes to bring us our drinks, mind you we asked for a glass of water each as we took time to check out the menu. After we endured the horrible service or having to wait a lengthily amount of time for our orders or request from Alice who looked OUT OF IT (she looked as though she can barely keep her eyes open), we decided that they did not deserve out business and we wanted to go elsewhere for drinks/dessert. At approximately 10pm we asked for our checks (separately) she emphasize with a very rude attitude the our checks were going to take a "VERY LONG TIME." At that moment the Birthday girl reached out for the manager Patrick who has been hanging around (female only) tables around us personally greeting and checking on them, he totally ignored her. When out checks came an hour later it was totally screwed up.. Not one of the check was correct according to our orders. When she finally corrected out checks we went to find Patrick who had completely vanished from our area once he walked out one of the tables. Luckily we encountered Lance, another manager, who was a complete sweetheart, to whom after explaining the situation voided the birthday girls check. I cannot say I will be returning to this establishment again, but Lance was more than apologetic and kind. My only suggestion is if you know you have so many reservations and you're expecting so many visitors, as a customer based establishment, hire enough staff to provide the service the clients are paying for. We were happy with Lance and happy with our food, but very disappointing with the service by Alice and Patrick.
(2)
Paula C.
Perfect food I ordered the Manhattan steak perfect portion. My boyfriend ordered short ribs they were yummy. We ordered the Devils hammer and it was a very good, well garnished drink. Unfortunately, rude customer service from host even my boyfriend noticed as if I was annoyance to her for asking for a table for two, didn't feel welcomed at all. Your host is an important part of your restaurant. Server was okay. Giving it a try again soon because we really liked the food.
(2)
Roberto B.
I was treated here to lunch by an Employer but still I got a good idea of the place from examining my surroundings (juxtaposed against earlier kudos I heard from my new Lauderdale work colleagues). For one thing, it is popular, we luckily had reservations or I don't think we would have been sat for at least 30 minutes. For another, one of my bosses ran into a bevy of his clients - so you know for the well-heeled this is a good place to rub shoulders. I opted for the veggie burger and swapped fries to a house coleslaw that included slivers of granny smith apples - it's hard to pick which was better; they were both pretty yummy. Other diners who ordered burgers seemed to have a decent pile of home made french fries heaped on their plate. Our waitress was attentive, smiley and quick on replacing ice teas and waters. In short, it reminded me a bit like Houstons, only a little snobbier but balanced out by the fact that my veggie burger (which was ample) was only $10.00. It's right across the street from where I work so I'll definitely go back.
(4)
Holly S.
Went 5.25.14 for brunch. I am a huge fan of brunch in general and Yolo offers a pretty good one I must say. The brunch menu includes your basic items such as omelets, pancakes and french toast as well as some lunch options. Today's special was quiche and that is what I ended up getting. Mind you, I weighed 4 lbs heavier when I got home however that might have something to do with the $15 unlimited Bloody Marys. The quiche has to be one of the best I have ever had. Made with bacon and Gruyere cheese (plus a delicious flaky crust). The bloody Marys you can make to your liking and includes horseradish if you like (I used the entire serving of it). The food and service were both great (thank you Seth!) however one small (minor) complaint. Outside it was about 90 degrees. They had the fire pit turned on which made it extremely uncomfortable in the outside bar area. We ended updating inside because thereat was just too much outside. I would definitely come back again for much here.
(4)
Krystle R.
I love Yolo! Cool name, good food, amazing honey butter cornbread, calamari, fries! My gripes about this place is that there is a certain time they offer the cornbread (after 3 pm I think). And NO BABY CHANGER area in the bathroom. Ugh! I have to place a pad on the sink and angle my baby diagonal to fit. Can us moms (and dads) get a baby changer please? Alyssa the hostess just got me a reservation and reserved a cornbread for me! Yolo anytime I can :)
(4)
Sandra O.
YOLO is a happening place full of people at the bar and restaurant. We were looking for a more low key place so we didn't really enjoy the atmosphere. However, I can see it is good for a younger crowd or those wanting to meet people or just be around a lively place. The food was good either way and the service was great.
(3)
Monika H.
This is a beautiful restaurant which is attached to a nice nightclub. Wednesdays are ladies nights, so come early or there will be no room at the bar. Dress to impress, but cute strappy sandals or heels will do for the restaurant. Service is good. However, the hostess did not greet me and I basically had to interject and ask for a table. I found this odd since there was no line. She was just conversing with co-workers. Once seated, my server was very nice. I had the strawberry kiss beverage. It was good. If you like drinks to not be too sweet, this is a great one. I also had the burger with kale instead of fries. Now this was delicious. The burger has an excellent flavor from the grill. The kale was also very delicious. I would highly recommend this dish. The half I took home was still phenomenal the following day. Because of the hostess, I almost rated my experience three stars. However, the remainder of the staff were nice and complimentary. Flattery will get you four stars when a girl is dining alone.
(4)
Shelby V.
Definitely in the pricey side but great atmosphere and service. No complaints about the food either. I would recommend the calamari
(5)
Lisa A.
Came here last night for a birthday dinner and I was impressed with everything. The atmosphere is very modern and comfortable. Service was excellent and last but not least, the food was delicious. We had a good sized group the, so I got to sample a lot of the dishes. Nothing was disappointing. We had the calamari and the truffle chips for appetizers. Both dishes were perfect. My mahi mahi fish sandwich, though a tad salty, was tasty. The side of mashed potatoes were super good! For dessert I ordered the pumpkin cheesecake. It was very fresh and satisfied my sweet tooth! We had a great time and I will definitely recommend Yolo!
(4)
Austin P.
Excellent atmosphere. The bottomless bloody Mary's are awesome because they bring you all the ingredients and you make your own at your table. The French Toast is worth the trip from ANYWHERE! A definite MUST if you visit there. Friendly staff, excellent service, good prices, and the quality of food will have me coming back when I'm in Ft. Lauderdale
(5)
Marc G.
All around very good place to eat. Here on valentine's. Had the yellow snapper. Very large fish, done to perfection. Waitress was kind and quick. Great date night and not too expensive at all.
(4)
Henry K.
Came for Saturday night dinner with friends from out of state who were heading out on a cruise the next day. We made a reservation online for 7:15 (Hey, we are not 30 somethings anymore. Nor 40 somethings for that matter). We arrived early and asked the hostess if we could have dinner outside. While we waited we had drinks on the terrace. Service was prompt and attentive, drinks were tasty, and the people watching was superb! We were seated at 7:40, a bit late for our reservation, but we did request that change to an outdoor table. Our server was a bit grumpy and not very professional. She must have forgotten our appetizer order, since we had to ask her about it after 15-20 minutes or so, and our mains arrived 3 minutes after the appetizer. She didn't even apologize! It was their "famous" truffle potato chips which we shared like a side dish. Not really impressed with them, will try something else next time. Dinner, however was really yummy. Around the table we had the crab cakes, short ribs, salmon and tuna. We all loved our dinners (except the tasteless au gratin potato side). After lots of, "you have to taste this" I can state that they were all wonderful. The location, on Las Olas Boulevard, was really hopping when we finished dinner. There was a private party in their lounge/night club next door, and I have never seen so many luxury cars on the valet line (only $7 by the way) Bentleys, Rolls' and Porches all over the place. All in all, it was a wonderful evening (enough to make us forget about grumpy server girl) with great food, at a trendy place filled with "the beautiful people". PS Even though our group's ages ranged from late 50's to mid 60's we never felt like, nor treated like, we did not belong.
(4)
Jason B.
We ate here on a Wednesday at 6pm. Was filled with downtown workers having drinks after work. Wasn't too crowded and not too loud to have a conversation. We were seated immediately as I'd made a reservation. Service was 5 stars-our server stayed on top of getting refills of our drinks perfectly. He was polite and courteous. couldn't have been better. The food wasn't that great. We started with fried calamari. When it came out, it was covered in several sauces that completely overwhelmed the taste of the calamari. we only at about half of it as it was far to greasy and saucy. I had the prime rib sandwich with shoestring fries. It was ok, but I would expect a better presentation for $19. My date had the spinach salad. it was huge but again was left half eaten due to an overwhelming drenching of salad dressing that covered the taste of the salad. I would not return for dinner at this place, maybe for drinks though. The good service doesn't make up for the unappetizing food.
(2)
Rachel S.
This review is for the Wednesday Ladies Nights that are happening lately. I have been to Yolo a number of times recently; for birthday parties and other events. I always enjoyed the outdoor ambience, music, lighting, firepit, but just felt it was a bit too "touristy" Tonight it felt more like it was for the locals. I joined a party for Laidies night. There were many options of complimentary drinks for ladies and "buy one, get one free" for appetizers and entrees. The white wine was an excellent even though it was on the house. Served in proper wine glasses and with excellent service. For appetizers we tried: TRUFFLED YOLO CHIPS / Homemade Potato Chips / Truffle / "Maytag" Blue Cheese / Herbs / Crumbled Bacon -meh- not great SZECHUAN CALAMARI / Garlic Chili Sauce / Chopped Peanuts / Sesame- a bit too sweet and saucy GRILLED ARTICHOKES / Lemon Aioli Dipping Sauce -Best artichokes I've ever eaten. They were grilled perfectly. The sauce complemented it superbly. I would order this every time from now on. SKILLET CORNBREAD / Served Warm / Honey-Butter Glaze- A much larger portion than we anticipated. Fresh, tasty, and so much that we shared it with the people sitting nearby TUNA SASHIMI / Cucumber / Seaweed Salad / Edamame / Wasabi Cream-Glad I listened to the waitress and ordered the larger dish. It was really good. Overall, we had good outside service considering how busy it was. The dishes were good; the artichokes were outstanding. The prices were great (of course) The complementary wine was very good. There were also well drinks and domestic beer available. Glad YOLO has found a way to make Wednesday nights on Las Olas fun.
(4)
Debi C.
Friendly, accommodating, our server was FANTASTIC and all the food was delicious! Came here by chance after being insulted and disrespected down the street at Mangos. What a blessing- the menu was better; atmosphere much nicer and the staff was friendly and professional . Great experience!
(5)
Alexia S.
Great place for brunch Bottomless mimosas The corn flake French toast is the best I've ever had in my lifetime and I highly recommend it !! I would have given 5 stars but the service was not too great. Just getting a cup of coffee took more then it should have Will return :)
(4)
Wivyan F.
The expensive bill we paid last night was not worthy. Place is still awesome but the food is not good anymore. No seasoning, no taste whatsoever. Service was great though.
(2)
Sierra S.
Upscale trendy bar and restaurant, food is okay nothing special. In close proximity to other bars and lounges so great location to hop from place to place. Went for a first date was very nice romantic ambiance.
(3)
Nathan N.
I went down town Wednesday and decided to give YOLO a try, and I was more then pleased. My server Cami gracefully explained the nightly specials of witch my friend and I shared the calamari (exceptional). As for our meals we chose from the menu, she the Crab cakes, and I and Exceptionally prepared Filet. The food was well executed but the attentive service is why I'll be back. Thank you Cami.
(5)
Jorge Q.
I have nothing but good things about the experience I had. We were celebrating our anniversary with my wife and that is the kind of pace we were looking for. Food was excellent and the services was great. Very nice people!!! We had a reservations so it took less than 10 seconds to be seated and the place was packed.
(5)
Gina P.
Don't let the douchey name fool you- this place has amazing food. I've only had drinks at Yolo and typically avoided it as its normally cougar town but decided to give it a try for dinner when we had company in town. We got a few apps mussels, yolo chips, and calamari. The calamari was the best we ever had. It was covered in Thai flavored sauce and super crispy. The mussels and yolo chips were great too. For my dinner I had the grilled octopus salad. Delicious flavors of grilled octopus, tomatoes, and goat cheese. excited to try their brunch next!
(4)
Andrew V.
I may not be a fan of the name I'm definitely a fan of the place. YOLO is a semi-upscale place. It's ok to wear jeans, however, it has something about that makes me want to look my best when I'm there. The indoor/outdoor bar was great. The drinks will knock you off your seat, that's how strong they are. The Strawberry kiss was my favorite. What I enjoyed most is that you can tell they used fresh ingredients to make it. It truly tasted like a strawberry, not a strawberry from concentrate. The outdoor seating area was great. It was cozy and intimate. It's the perfect atmosphere to sit and have a nice conversation with someone, but not be drowned out by the noise of traffic and pedestrians. I'm still thinking about my dinner at this moment. I ordered barbeque pork chop. Talk about a pork chop. I ordered it medium and it was cooked to perfection. The sauce was sweet, but not so sweet that it took over the taste of the meat. The collard greens were perfect and the corn brulee was out of this world. I would go back specifically for that side itself. The service was great. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly. For being busy, we received our food quickly and accurately. I loved it here. I can't wait to go back. It's the perfect place for a group gathering, a single night at the bar or a place to take a date for a romantic night.
(5)
Kunal C.
We had two variations of their signature Martinis at the bar while waiting for our table. The martinis were well balanced and did not take very long to bee brought out. To start we had the yolo chips. They were average, we wish we ordered the calamari instead. The Yolo veggie burger was very flavorful and seemed fresh. The shoe string fries complimented it well. Best dish we had here. I had the fish of the day (mahi mahi), it was good but wish I ordered the veggie burger. I would go back again! The overall experience was good.
(4)
Mac W.
I had almost given up finding decent food in Fort Lauderdale until I came to YOLO. Really quality food and taste great. Had the homemade chips, spinach salad and my friend ate the vegetable plate. And the service was awesome. Worth a trip back here sometime.
(4)
Mary Kate S.
What a great Sunday brunch. Sara the hostess was awesome and so was our server Chris!
(5)
Lindsey S.
"YOLO" - you only live once, and it should not be here... They say good company makes a meal, but good food helps too!! Luckily i was with a fabulous crew, otherwise it was not gonna be as pleasant. Our group was 10 people. We were not allowed to be seated til the whole party was there, once we sat we were told we MUST order immediately bc the kitchen was closing - WELL HELLO - why make us have a reservation so late?! and than not let us sit right away, and order at the least apps and drinks... A+ on the ambiance and table seating options - booths, big tables, small tables, outdoor seating with a cool bar area and fire pits. My drink came with a BUG in it...!! We were rushed to order so they could " shoot our selections out of the kitchen" Appetizers - we really should have just stopped after this, and the over all meal would have been satisfactory. *Grilled artichoke - can't really fuck that up, it was great *Calamari - INCREDIBLE, should have just had 8 orders of this, its made with chilli peppers, not the typical red sauce, fried but not too fried, no spidery pieces either (++) *Tuna Sashimi - this was a solid selection as well, yummy seaweed salad comes under the tuna pieces. They stamp the specials and soup of the day on the table, trendy move, I ordered the Black bean soup -- to find out there is chunks of chorizo floating in it... viLE!! they were out of ribs and the filet - two classic items!! SUPER BUMMED.... ordered the chopped salad - which they forgot my chicken on it!! weak.chicken was pulled breast, kinda nasty tasting once they finally brought it out. 2 people got spaghetti - one with shrimp, and one with chicken - nothing to special. 1 person got a burger and fries - fries were soggy, burger was better. i'd give it another try, but its not gonna be on my dollar. needed to use phones to see the menu, bc it was so dark *there is valet* YODO - you only dine once.
(2)
Lorin G.
Came here on a Sunday for lunch but unfortunately they were only serving dinner. I was promptly seated by the hostess who was very engaging and hospitable. We sat by choice at booth by the bar. Melissa was our server, I hate to say it, but she was horrible. I asked about food, she completely lacked knowledge of menu, it took over 8 min to get drinks and be greeted. Another server had to come over to ask if we wanted waters because we sat table empty for so long. Our hostess brought us waters. After the meal, while waiting to ask for our check, melissa was MIA, thankfully other people were working to assist us. Food was phenomenal and drinks were perfect (try the cucumber cooler, better from the second bartender, but still Delish). We come here often and def recommended it, but had to mention this experience because if Melissa was to wait on me, I would have to object.
(3)
Nick P.
Yolo never disappoints. We make it a point to stop on each visit to Fort Lauderdale. What keeps us coming back? The atmosphere, great service and the schezuan calamari!! No really, it's a must! We've tried many of the items off the menu and have been pleased every with all. Other favorites include: Spinach Salad and the Meatball sliders. They have a great drink menu and happy hour as well.
(5)
Dale H.
Went for brunch and had a great time in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Bottomless mimosa is a chilled bottle left at your table with a carafe of OJ on the side. Good food and pleasant staff. Celiac warning: this is not a gluten free friendly restaurant. Very few options and not much awareness.
(4)
David J.
Received a message from Michael Savitt the general manager. Called the number he left and never received a phone call back...... Don't think I'll be coming back here... That's just poor taste.
(1)
Katina R.
Food was ok for the prices being charged. But the service was crap. Had to call mgr to get syrup and ketchup....other things our waitress was no where to be found.
(3)
Fran S.
Great drinks and music. Fun place but watch out for the pick pockets. They're everywhere. I had my phone stolen out of my bag- that was on my arm!
(3)
Francys C.
I've been here twice. The ambiance is nice, but the food really isn't that good. I had the roasted chicken that was bland and another time I had a burger that was ok at best. No happy hour specials or drink specials. So yes, it's beautiful, and yes, it's cool to be at "yolo," but that's about it. Positive also is that valet is $5 and then you can come back later so you can go other places and not worry about your car.
(3)
Ashwini B.
Maybe I had lesser expectations because of the other Yelp reviews I read, but I was actually pleasantly surprised by YOLO! Only 4 stars because the service felt rushed and also the wine selection was not as great as it could have been for a $$$ restaurant. But the atmosphere was great. The truffle chips were really good, but didn't taste very truffl-ey. We got salmon and vegetable plate. The salmon was delicious and the vegetables tasted so fresh! Also recommend the mac and cheese.
(4)
Matthew C.
The food and atmosphere here are good. Definitely try the calamari and the meatball sliders. Although, the drinks and the service could have been a bit better. I had the cocktail with the fresh strawberries and I wasn't a fan. My advice would be to avoid the unfriendly cocktail waitress, Alaina, at all costs. I mean seriously, you're in sunny South Florida and you're waiting happy hour, look like there's some happiness in your life and smile every once in a while.
(3)
Matt B.
This place needs a makeover. It's become a boring spot and food is okay. Does Havel great calamari, but only thing I can really get excited about when I go there
(3)
Jai M.
Had prime rib, grilled artichoke, and meatball sliders. Very good. I enjoyed this meal and the ambience. Also right next door is Vibe, a sister company nightclub. Calls for a good night!
(4)
Andy C.
This is THE place to power lunch. I always enjoy the freshly grilled catch as it is a low carb and light lunch. The service is always fantastic. And it rocks at night for cocktails. Great place to be seen.
(5)
Choua V.
Excellent food minus the mash potato. Our waitress was well educated in the menu and drinks and super attentive without hovering over us.
(4)
Krisitna M.
Packed when i went on a friday night. Heard the food was expensive but decided to give it a try anyway. Honestly it wasnt that expensive. Adults with real jobs you should be able to afford it just fine. FOOD WAS good and so were the drinks. Saw some pretty wasted people early so my guess check them out for happy hour. Its a nice place to take a date. Didnt get to stay in the lounge side very long only long enough for a drink while we waited for our table. I will say the croud was a little older like 40's but im sure that is the place to go after work for a drink so no judgements here. BUT if you are single and want to meet a guy that has a REAL job and can buy you a drink, its a must go. Ill be there next friday :)
(3)
Elizabeth P.
My favorite lunch dish is the Seared Rare Tuna Salad. It is prepared with heaping mound of Asian noodles, a few small pieces of mango (it could use a little bit more), some avocado, and sprinkled with peanuts and a fabulous dressing. Delish!
(4)
Lauren B.
Wow, showed up at 9:30 on a Friday night and WHAT A SCENE. Luxury cars and beautiful people as far as the eye could see. This is basically a chic restaurant with a large outdoor area (with fireplace as a centrepiece--they even do smores on Thursday nights!) and a lounge/nightclub next door. Don't think about doing valet unless you drive at least a bimmer ;) The exterior is lined with incredible vehicles if you're into that sort of thing. We approached the hostesses without a reservation, they asked us if we wanted dinner or appetizers/drinks. Since we weren't famished, we said the latter, at which point they said they wouldn't give us a table, even though they clearly had lots of free tables. They suggested we grab a high-top outside (all of which were already taken) or try sitting at the lounge/club next door. Bad first impression!! We would have ordered a fine bottle of vino and a bunch of apps, so WTF, let us sit at a table bitches!! Not cool. After having a cocktail (a yummy fresh strawberry concoction) outside of the club/lounge next door, which had shitty little tables lining the exterior, we decided to venture back to the resto and tell them we wanted a full dinner (we lied). We asked for a table outside, where the action was. Music was dancey out there and lots of rich people were milling around. Cool scene. Foodwise, nothing special at all...though to be fair, we only ordered appetizers: BLT wedge salad (tasty), meatball sliders (not bad; quite heavy); lobster corn dogs (meh! sounded better on paper); and crusted-tuna sashimi (pretty good actually). All told, if you like beautiful women, fancy duds and see-and-be-seen places, you'll like Yolo.
(3)
Jeff A.
The good was decent, the crab cakes were ok but the calamari was really good. The decor was pretty cool especially outside
(3)
Daniel M.
Visited on 3/6/14 Came with 2 other people. The "O-lounge" next to YOLO was a total ghost town but the bar inside/outside of YOLO was pretty busy. We sat at the bar inside and enjoyed 1 too many of their super strong "Bliss Martinis". The bartenders were very friendly and provided great service. They always made sure to fill up our waters and made very delicious Martinis! Great place to grab a few drinks, listen to some music and socialize on a thursday night! Will definitely come back :)
(4)
Pablo G.
Great food and menu selection, nice ambiance, and amazing service. Modern American cuisine similar to Houstons, but better service. The manager Rick personally greeted us at table to ensure everything was to our standards, and the service was outstanding...the filet steak / seafood was fresh and perfectly prepared. After dinner the next door lounge "O Lounge" and adjacent club "Vibe" were also good hangout spots. Definitely recommed Yolo and if you like American restaurant similar to Houstons then you must try Yolo.
(5)
Ethan M.
Despite the super-douchey name, the restaurant delivered the goods. My wife and I went early and there was a nice buzz of cocktail-hour beautiful people milling about as we ordered cocktails. I had the ribs, which were unbelievably good -- we split a roasted artichoke that was masterful. I will be totally stealing the recipe for that. If you can, stop by and watch the grill man at work for a little while -- he's an artist.
(3)
Lauren D.
Tried YOLO last week when I was in Ft Lauderdale with 2 colleagues - I'd like to give it 3.5 stars. The atmosphere was really nice, I especially enjoyed the modern feel and the outdoor area with the fire pit. We had dinner quite early, around 6:30 - and I'm glad we did, because the later it got, the less I liked the crowd. It felt very "wannabe". Our waitress was very nice, attentive and helpful. We started with cocktails - one of my colleagues tried the strawberry drink with balsamic vinegar and pepper - it was innovative, unique, and surprisingly good! For dinner, I ordered the artichoke and the mussels. I really enjoyed the artichoke - the citrus dipping sauce was really nice. But I hated the mussels - I didn't think the chorizo in the dish added anything, and the mussels were very fishy. One of my colleagues ordered the tuna sashimi, which was good, and the other had the short ribs, which were excellent. The pumpkin faro was especially tasty. Despite the mussels, I enjoyed the food and experience overall, and would definitely give YOLO another try next time I'm in the area.
(4)
Brandon S.
Great drinks! Have to go back for food. Diana was our bartender. Really knew her craft!
(5)
Gabrielle H.
Great vibe, service and amazing food. Had the calamari which they have a new twist on, it was delicious. Then had the old fashion burger, its picture perfect and even better tasting. I will definitely be back and soon!
(5)
Dominique H.
I came here a few nights ago for my birthday. I and 3 others arrived around 10 oc. We waited for about 5 mind before we were seated. It was a little busy but the service was great. Our food arrived fast. I would recommend this place to anymore.
(5)
Paul M.
Love love love this place. We weren't even gonna go for lunch today but so many friends raved, so we said 'just for a quick lunch'. Boy, are we glad! Absolutely gorgeous design. We were thinking we would get one of the many ridiculously hot male waiters - is that a prerequisite?- but we got beautiful and sunny Carly, and who noticed the waiters after that? I felt personally attended throughout the visit. She offered suggestions on everything from the amazing cocktail menu to the appetizers, specials, sandwiches, dessert... and she never once steered us wrong. Our friends said the burgers were the best but we just had to try the prime rib sandwich sandwich and special of the day grouper sandwich on brioche. We both coveted the other's meal. My dragonberry mojito was the smoothest and my partner had a strawberry vodka concoction that was hot hot hot. Only downside was a LITTLE pricey... but still worth it. We are going back...
(4)
Sean D.
Came for unlimited mimosas. Had the omelet of the day, which was absolutely fantastic. The berry cheesecake was exceptional as well. The food was fantastic, and the service was just as good. Phenomenal! Will be back.
(5)
Nelson A.
Great Place for Dinner we were not disappointed with anything. I would recommend it to anyone. Very good service
(5)
Marqus R.
YOLO (You Only Live Once), at first blush, sort of put me off as it tends to be somewhat pretentious, snobby and a rather arrogant place with not all that much to be arrogant about, particularly with regards to their dinner food. In fact I find a much better meal at a much more reasonable price across the street at Timpano and what was the Samba Room prior to its untimely closing. The meats are all fine prime cuts, but they don't compare to the area steak houses likes of Mortons, Capital Grill, Ruth Chris or some of the others that specialize in steaks. As for their fish dishes, I've had a few, but none that struck me as worthy of the price or what would constitute anything special or unique. What they do excel at are some rather nice appetizers, particularly their calamari which comes with a delicious Thai peanut sauce and a beautiful outdoor setting around a nice blazing outdoor gas fire when those horrid winter temperatures of Florida sneak down into the 60's. They also have good patio side service but, at least to me, everything tends to be somewhat on the pricey side for what you get. However, judging from the Maseratis, Ferraris and Bentleys in the valet parking section, the average patron can well afford the prices. YOLO is basically the watering hole for the younger set of the downtown Lauderdale up and coming business elite and everyone appears to be dressed, even if in casual attire, expensively so. However, I've found other patrons to be perfectly nice, pleasant, as well as engaging conversationalists. For food other than something to nibble on while having a drink, YOLO to me falls short. But for relaxing with your drink near an open pit gas fire on a patio and doing some people watching of young upper crus, it's difficult to beat.
(4)
Rock S.
Forced to go here as we got a gift card as a present. Crappy parking area, so most likely you will need to valet for $5. We went for early dinner, around 430, so not busy at all, which is nice. Ordered the corn bread and it was HUGE for only $6. We also ordered the calamari. Both were really good. We were interested in the octopus salad, and i must say, the octopus was cooked perfectly, not chewy or too tough. Our maun courses were the prime rib and bone in rib eye...YUM! We ended with the ice cream sandwich for dessert and loved it as well. Our service was great, but again, it was not busy at all. If we ever come back to town, we will come back. As a side note, they have cameras on different parts of the kitchen (grill, prep station, etc) and you can watch on the screen everything thats being prepared and cooked. Never saw that before...really nice idea and fun to watch. Only reason I gave 4 was due to parking. Food was awesome.
(4)
Michelle S.
Solid place for food and drinks. I had only one complaint, the buttering of their bread is a little excessive, and literally did not sit well in my stomach after...however, my veggie burger was perhaps one of the top 3 tastiest I've had with a unique nutty flavor to it and deliciously toasted bread. The skinny fries were perfect. Service was solid and the dessert, an ice-cream cookie sandwich had a unique twist. With nuts that perfectly coated the chocolate outer layer of an espresso hinted vanilla ice-cream and a side shot of milky cinnamon warm goodness that melted it perfectly til the last bite, I couldn't resist wanting to lick my plate once it was gone! The hubs got a burger as well and said it was delish.
(4)
Jenn H.
Braised beef is to die for...and the cornbread will blow your face off. You've also got to try the banana coconut cream pie and the ice cream sandwiches.
(5)
Henry U.
Fantastic as always, Karly was amazing and provided the best service with a splash of personality that made my birthday! Will always come back to enjoy the personalities, food, and drinks!
(5)
Sophia C.
Great customer service, nice spot but the food did not meet our expectations.
(3)
Kelly K.
Saturday lunch- I ordered the short rib grilled cheese and soup. Today it was lentil (very good) the sandwich was amazing- you must come for that. I didn't take a picture because I was too excited to eat it,.. Sorry. My boyfriend got the mojo roasted pork. We are from Miami and our standards are high... Not that good :( the presentation was good, the yuca fries were soggy and undercooked. The replacement for the fries (we let them know) was green beans with corn and sliced fingerling potatoes with nuts and cheese- sounded really great- but the beans were undercooked to the point they might have been microwaved... I would try it again. But maybe only one more time. Not really my favorite...
(3)
Scott A.
I was not impressed by this place. Maple syrup... Stop there, it was aunt jemima syrup. I saw them pouring into the containers. Overall I was not impressed with the brunch. Build out was adorable. Server was OK. French toast was deep fried. Which was weird but, different.
(2)
Joel L.
Service was terrible, hostess came to our table and rudely stmped the special down on the table and didn't say a word, had to read what it said to figure it out. Waiter didn't seem to listen to what we said, made it obvious when 3 plates came out cooked to the wrong temperature, 2 over and 1 undercooked (chicken was under, the worst part considering the only temperature should be COOKED). The next part isn't the restaurants fault but there were so many pretentious 20-30 year olds who aren't capable of noticing anyone but themselves while spending their parents money. Either way, it's the restaurant, not the people. SAVE YOUR MONEY, don't go here.
(1)
Liz O.
Well, I remember the appetizer - the calamari. And it was something spectacularrrr. It defines perfection. A bit of a kick, crispy... just the way I like it. But I did wrong, and had too many Wild Turkey American Honey shots (Yummm!), and I wish I could tell you what I ordered, I only remember it was a chicken entree that was TDF. Fun people though... and a great atmosphere. Lovely bathrooms with a host that takes care of Yolo's guests too!
(4)
Tina T.
Steaks are good... Better place for lunch... Calamari is good.. Not amazing... Decor is cool... More of an experience than anything .. Mashed potatoes are green but good and the rotisserie chicken is good too.. Lemonade is a fave of my husband but its ok to me
(4)
Chloe E.
YOLO! I only drank at the bar. Decent enough. I would go back.
(4)
Matt R.
They have great food with affordable prices. Great brunch menu. The bar tenders there are excellent. Located in a great area.
(5)
Phoebe R.
Wonderful drinks and ambiance. We sat outside in the back lounge and it was perfect. I ordered the Pleasure n' 'Pagne cocktail and it was delicious! Food is very good but lacks "regular" bar bites that you would look for. I'll definitely be back with my girlfriends for happy hour!
(4)
michelle n.
The atmosphere is nice, the street that it is located on is really nice, the food preparation was mediocre. The kale salad was pretty boring, the fish special which was grouper was great but the potatoes were pretty bland, was expecting more flavor and presentation
(3)
Tony C.
Great place to spend some time with friend or your partner, the staff super friendly always asking you if need anything, good food exotics drinks and beautiful people, I highly recommend this place.
(4)
Akshay V.
Came with friends who were down for the Thangsgiving holidays. I had the rainbow trout and roasted asparagus. My dish was excellent. I also was not drinking that night, and was happy when my waitress had no judgement on her face about my non-alcoholic beer. A friend ordered a dessert, the molten lava cake. Quite good for a copy and paste dessert you find everywhere.
(3)
Paul M.
3.5 Stars After being disappointed at Rocco's, the valet suggested we go down the street to Yolo for some more late night action. It was very, very, busy on a Wednesday night so I definitely took this to be a good sign. The valet girls wearing red berets were a pretty cool sight, and there were lots of big pimpin rides to be seen. The restaurant bar was very full, as was the adjoining O lounge next door. Next door Vibe was also pumping. Finally some signs of life on Las Olas. Upon closer inspection though we were able to see the dichotomy that is Fort Lauderdale. You have a packed, happening joint, nice venue, good music, hot chicks dressed to the nines and.......dudes inside wearing shorts and flip flops. Really??? Not everyone was dressed like this of course, but it just seemed so out of place at Yolo. The place has a great name - You Only Live Once (YOLO), but if it were my last night out I definitely would not be wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops... This corner of Las Olas definitely seems to be hot right now, but I think the slack dress code kills the ambiance a bit. I'd check it out again if I was in the area.
(3)
Dennis M.
Like a poor mans Houston's/Seasons 52. Our waiter was extremely slow and he had 2 tables. The appetizers were great (calamari and artichoke hits.... Highly recommend) but all 4 of our entrees were very disappointing. I had a burger that was over cooked. Dad had pork ribs that were lackluster to say the least and my gf had the "cedar wood" salmon that looked like it was fried and then thrown on the wood. Gave it a shot and it was not worth our time/money.
(2)
Caitlin H.
Had an amazing evening at YOLO. Went for dinner on a Thursday night while on vacation. There was a private holiday party going on in the outside front section which I thought would be noisy, but we sat outside around the corner and it was great. Service was excellent. Highly recommend the calamari and BBQ pork ribs. Chocolate lava cake was also amazing. Will definitely return when I'm back down in Ft laud! Great date spot.
(5)
Caroline B.
I've heard of this place and was so excited to go there. Unfortunately, I can wait again. The service was ridiculous, we waited close to 3 hours to get a table, we ended up eating appetizers at the lounge area. Then when we finally got our table, we were being rushed to finish eating and leave. NEVER AGAIN!
(1)
Marianela N.
My boyfriend and I went there tonight for our very first time and it was sooo crouded but our server Terry was amazing. He was super friendly, and super helpful with his suggestions. Please go check him out, he was amazing!!
(5)
Franco C.
You Only Live Once... And that is what my friends told me Yolo stands for. Wow what a place to see and be seen at. Simply great all around from the very good food to the incredibly beautiful people that populate this place - we had a grand time. You pull up to the valet and hopefully your car makes the grade to be displayed alongside the Ferrari's and Bentley's that adorn the circular driveway - kind of makes you intimidated when you only wheel in with a Beemer 750.. sheesh. Cars aside, the clientele are a plastic surgeons dream. The ladies are outstandingly gorgeous with nice cans to make the small dresses pop... so to speak. That being said, it seemed that there were a large number of gold diggers there - but hey that is the game right? We didn't feel like a table and there was no doubt a long wait as the place was packed out - so we scored two seats at the bar and had some libations. We ended up ordering some food as we were getting a bit hammered. I went with grouper which was outstanding. You would think a place like this would have middle of the road food but no sir, the food was great. Waitstaff was excellent and we never had to look twice to get someones attention - in most cases they came to us before we needed to ask for this or that - just great service. Prices are high but being from NY it didn't really phase me at all- a place like this in NY would be full of douchebags but in Ft. Lauderdale it works. Everyone was very cool and it was a fun place to hang at. Bring your best going out gear and hit this place!
(4)
Marquis E.
Very disappointed in this place. It is a place that you feel cheap in when you go. I am the host of a brunch group and called a MONTH in advance for reservations. I talked to Ana and she said she was looking forward to us coming. She said she would call a week in advance to confirm the number of brunchers. However, that week came and just before I left the office on Friday, I decided to call to check on the restaurant. I talked to the manager of the place and he told me a party that large needed to have an "event planner" contact me. So, Ana called me back.. Ana didn't even remember me. She said YOLO would love to host my group, however I needed to have $1,200 deposit for the event and had to be paid up front before they would consider my request. I was shocked. I told her that I would take my wonderful group somewhere else and live and enjoy good food. Very disappointed YOLO.
(1)
Brian G.
Yolo has very good food, but the service is not the best, we had the octopus salad, trout and tuna, which were all good, especially the octopus! the banana cream pie was delicious. they have an inside/ outside bar and outside seating, and the place is hopping. the prices are on the high side, but you are paying for the package. there is a valet and metered parking on the street.
(4)
Fred L.
Family has been to Yolo several times and have always been pleased with the food. The restaurant has a few unique features, none of which deal with the quality of the food but are neat. When you get taken to your table the host carries a huge stamp and on the paper covering the linen cloth they stamp the table with the specials of the day. In addition, the restaurant has several cameras facing the different cooking stations and a tv in the far right corner of the restaurant ( by the kitchen) to view what is taking place. This way you can see if your food is sitting at the pass too long...lol We went for a "late lunch" on Friday and after ordering we were informed that we were given the incorrect menus and that we should have received the DINNER menus instead. Two of the guests had ordered an arugula salad which was not on the DINNER menu but the chef said he would make them.....? This was the only item that appeared different to us from the menus. Prices were a few dollars higher on the dinner menu vs. the lunch menu. The meal today was my personal first to the restaurant. The valet was $5 to start the process as an fyi. The table we were seated at had a dripping a/c vent above us and my father jokingly asked the server "if she had an umbrella?" She did offer to move us to another table but we decided to stick it out and just scooted into the booth to avoid the infrequent drip. It took an awful long time to prepare two salads, a hamburger and a rotisserie chicken breast sandwich. We asked for bread and were informed that bread is only served "upon request." We were four people and we got 4 pieces of bread and olive oil with green olives and a few nuts on the side of the platter. My rotisserie chicken sandwich was moist and flavorful but odd..... How am I supposed to eat a sandwich that has big and small bones within it? I ended up breaking the sandwich apart and eating it with a knife a fork. My daughter is a carnivore and feels that Yolo has the best burgers. So, I would recommend them as well to anyone who is interested in a big juicy burger.
(4)
Evan M.
YOLO catchy logo/ restaurant name! To start host/hostess no where to be found. A party of three ahead of us seated just a few minutes within waking in. To start of course a drink order. Traditional cranberry and vodka, PERFECT (Good job bar tender on duty). First course ordered at 1:54 pm (lunch service) received in 4mins 1:58 pm. Was a fire roasted corn dip very nice in every way, hot chips hot dip, how ever chips need to be seasoned when they come out of the fryer, overall a nice start to the meal. Second course YOLO Burger, named after the restaurant so I hope it's good! While waiting bar tender drops the ball engaged with only one guest does not recognize another guest at the opposite side of the bar waited three minutes until drink order was placed. On the other hand second course perfect ticket time. Temperature of burger medium (perfection). The only thing wrong with the plate with the frozen Sysco fries, cold and over cooked, (dry). But over all great execution on the first course and main. Final course chocolate lava cake a bit spongy almost like it was under cooked, but that might be due to storage and temperature of cake when served, the ice cream with the gram cracker crust very nice touch. Over all yes I would come back and get a drink and a burger. Just take a little more time on your details and you will have this place swimming with guests!
(3)
Camille L.
This place is never an option for me but I came here for a biz lunch and I gotta say the food and service were very good. It was a pre-fix-menu and we had tomato soup, more like pizza sauce w/ cheese, 2nd course was chicken breast w/ mashed potatoes and that was quite delicious! 3rd course was either key lime pie or carrot cake. I got to try both... I am a dessert-a-holic and they were awesome! The guy served from the right and picked up from the left, knew his pivot points while bringing out the food which is great w/ a 20 top. I guess I never come here because its such a cheesy and pretentious meat market after work, I just rule it out all together, but a simple gathering like this was a good choice.
(4)
Scott S.
My wife and I were food poisoned by the hamburger they served there. I would not recommend going there.
(1)
Mariam D.
Love the ambiance and overall vibe and concept of YOLO. A professional crowd packs the bar, while the outdoor seating area boasts fire places on cooler evenings and serves up some tasty craft cocktails. I returned this week for a holiday dinner party and really enjoyed it. The calamari appetizer (small fried pieces piled high) was prepared with a sweet and tangy Asian glaze and was a tasty take on one of my favorite starters. The meatball app was a hit as well, though they were a bit undercooked for my liking, they were adequately seasoned and tender. The dinner salad was simply comprised of spring greens and tiny tomatoes lightly coated with a delicate olive oil and vinegar blend. For my main course I had the salmon filet served with a side of green beans. Dinner was a-ok, and followed with an excellent slice of Key Lime pie. A few others at our table enjoyed the chocolate souffle and carrot cake. The burger plate (with the glossiest bun i've ever seen) was generously accompanied by fries and cole slaw, and was presented quite nicely. Overall a positive experience on Las Olas and a spot I would recommend for lunch or dinner.
(3)
Hank S.
We came in from San Diego and this place was recommend. We went out here a few Fridays ago for a few night drinks. We had a fun night and the drinks were good. We didn't eat food, but enjoyed the drinks and scenery. I will definitely go back when I'm in FLL.
(4)
Laura H.
AWESOME experience on our last dinner night in town! My favorite local colleague who lives in South Florida INSISTED we go to YOLO's and he was right. Ate outside and the service was perfect. Was recommended to do the calamari (twist my arm) and it was the best calamari I've ever experienced and believe me...Treasure Island in Vegas has some pretty kick-ass calamari but this was ROCKING. We almost filled up on so much calamari we didn't have room for dinner! We had specialty burgers and did a split between us to get some varied flavors. MANY of the patrons were clearly locals finishing the work week on a Friday night. It is obvious it's a hopping place as the food, service, location and ambiance all rock. After using the facilities before we set out to walk back to the hotel on A1A, I came out of the ladies room and my boyfriend was freaking out to me. He said he was in the men's room and a staff member came out of a stall after taking a dump and DIDN'T wash his hands! Luckily, my boyfriend grabbed the GM and told him what he just witnessed. Good for YOLO's for getting all over it as the GM needed to know who it was so he could address it. Even better the GM told him he would address it with ALL the staff and he apologized over and over again. Walking away the story was funny but to witness it must have been disturbing. Poor thing. :(
(5)
Terra S.
Came here for the first time on a Friday evening, BIG MISTAKE. It was PACKED as hell and reeked of cigarette smoke ugh so we didn't stay and went across the street to the royal pig. Fast forward to today Tuesday, ( I was determined to try this place) we were sat immediately and I was so excited. I went with a group so we all ordered different dishes and picked off of everyone's plate. The favs were the calamari (my first time trying calamari and I think I liked it..... If they wouldn't have told me it was calamari) truffle fries with blue cheese, my friend swears they have the best burgers, the prime rib got a thumbs up and my grouper was tasty. We all had wine so I can't speak on the cocktails but what I can speak on is my FIRE bread pudding desert yasssss hun-tee mmmmm. Over all I liked this joint but I'll be sure never to visit on the weekend!
(4)
Kabir G.
Good American style food on las olas strip set in a typical South Florida environment - read young girls older men. The linguini and clams were good and fresh. They only have a couple of vegetarian options.
(4)
Elias G.
I've been here for both dinner and brunch, way before this restaurant started appearing Drake's song. The food is really good, the ambiance really nice, and the service very friendly. This is also perhaps the most beautiful restaurant in Broward. The bar was very well designed, in that the same bar can service the inside and outside area. When seated, one of the neat things they do is stamp the daily specials onto the table, which is a cute touch. I've had the pork chop for dinner; it's enourmous and came perfectly cooked (and juicy). For brunch I've had the pork hash, which was delicious but the portion was a bit small. Great place to have dinner with family or friends if you're ever in Broward.
(4)
Heather B.
I attended a birthday dinner here tonight. .. The atmosphere here is very nice but the food was not good at all.... very bland and simple.... nothing to talk about.... I'm a foodie and this was not my favorite.
(1)
Becky M.
Do NOT eat here. I made a reservation for 8 pm for my friends birthday and we were not seated until 8:45! That is ridiculous. On top of that, the manager was extremely rude when I approached him he said, "what would you like me to do about that?" I made a reservation for a reason... They did not bring bread or butter until we asked and the food wasnt even that great for that kind of pricing. I will NEVER eat here again.
(1)
Geoffrey M.
I've been here several times for lunch, drinks with friends, and once for dinner. It is a trendy upscale downtown restaurant and lounge that caters to business people in the area. Later at night, the late 20's to early 40's crowd. Good food, a nice wine list, and better than decent cocktails are pluses. Attractive and friendly waitstaff and a great location are also nice. Pricey but not out of control, this is a nice place to come for lunch, happy hour, or later in the evening activities. Nice outdoor seating area with an urban oasis type feel. I'll keep coming back.
(4)
Xavier W.
This is a very trendy spot and the downtown location is great. The food was decent, I had the seared tuna and that was delicious but I could care less for the noodles and anything else that came on the side of that plate. Skillet cornbread was awesome! But it is very big and even when shared between 4 people, we barely could finish half. The largest problem we had was the service, our waitress overcharged us for the wine, giving us a much more expensive wine than we had ordered. Even though the waitress admitted it was her fault, she did not change the check nor did she offer to even try talking to the manager.
(2)
Jeffrey B.
Great atmosphere good lunch place good people watching. And spaghetti squash mmmmthe fish sandwich is outstanding great burger and the service is on the money convenient valet at the door Aesthetics are great lovely set up. Outside bar is nice
(5)
Andrew M.
Great scene ordered the prime rib sandwich Fantastic meal. Bloody Mary's are also great.
(5)
Leon N.
Great atmosphere. Everything we had was fantastic and it is very reasonable for what we ordered. Loved the artichokes and ridiculous corn bread
(4)
Lisa G.
I'm giving it 5 stars cause its beautiful and sexy. The atmosphere can't be beat, so Miami. Love it. The food was good but only second to the vibe. I had the crab cake which I would get again. My coworker had the steak, which was over cooked but served with the bone marrow, so again swagalicious. I had a fabulous cocktail, something made with strawberries. Delish. Great date place, sit outside for the full effect, fire pits and all.
(5)
Jesse V.
Nice place to hang with friends.
(4)
Rick F.
I asked the concierge where can I go to find the hippest, hottest, most happening, current and now restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, cause you know that's how I roll! All three of them said YOLO. Of course it was on Las Olas Blvd! Everything was amazing the atmosphere was electric, the bar and patio were pumping! Music was now! Tuna appetizer was good, Onion soup was excellent, Linguini with Clam Sauce, Salmon and Grouper were all well executed and tasted great. The service and server were spot on the entire evening!
(4)
Brett D.
Awesome calamari!!!! A lot of people say they are over it and I think it is because they are always packed. I still enjoyed it and really like their brunch.
(5)
Tra B.
Have to Update. Management reached out to compensate our recent not so fond visit to make it right and I must say its gratifying, which shows true hospitality with management that cares about service and their customers. Thank You Michael I'll definitely visit next time I'm in town.
(4)
Bradley T.
Service was so-so but what do ya expect on a busy Saturday night! Cheeseburger was AMAZING and the sweet potato mashed - to die for. The atmosphere is worth any deficiency in service or food quality. Love the place...
(4)
Danielle L.
Looks like I dont need to say much. Visited here while on my honeymoon. Found it via Yelp .. so thanks yelpers. the food was divine!! the service was great, our server never forgot about even though there was a group of 15 or so next to us. She made us feel like we were important ( I dont remember her name.. she was white, short sassy hair, super sute) My black berry mojito(s) were perfect. I wish we would have found it earlier, we probably would have been here more.
(4)
Gregory L.
We went to YOLO two weeks ago and had a fine time. We started with their homemade potato chips drizzled with blue cheese. Dinner could have stopped there it was sooo good. I had a fillet Mignon and it was cooked perfectly. The staff could not have been more attentive. I thoroughly enjoyed my whole experience.
(4)
Jackie C.
I went for lunch today and got the short rib grilled cheese and tomato soup. Very delish! Our server was Alex. He was a very sweet kid and kept us laughing! I will def go back again and request Alex as my server... soon!
(4)
Tambi S.
Wonderful food, attentive service, and beautiful setting. I subtracted two stars from what would have otherwise been a 4-star review because the restaurant would not honor the complimentary dessert with Yelp check-in advertised on the restaurant's Yelp page. Our server checked with his manager and was told this offer expired in September. Why then are they still advertising this and refuse to honor it?? Poor form.
(2)
Aubrey M.
I AM NEVER COMING BACK. This place was HORRENDOUS. The setup and ambiance was hip and trendy, but service and food were terrible! We went for brunch on a sunday. My mom ordered a bellini, but it was a cheap knockoff, not using the right ingredients, and was a whopping $9. We ordered the cinnamon rolls, but they were actually overpriced, cold, and dry below-Costco-quality rolls that took 30 minutes to come out. After waiting another hour, our food finally came. My fish sandwich was soggy, the fish was well cooked and tasty, but was lukewarm. My mom's omelette was cold. The waiter was not accommodating and took forever to get our food out. Cheap quality, poorly managed. Do not come here.
(1)
Chanoa C.
Yolo has wonderful food and a great atmosphere. The crowd is a very mixed bunch - young professionals, more mature individuals, etc. but usually everyone seems to mesh well and just revel in the fun. This is a very stylish spot in Fort Lauderdale with a scene much farther ahead than many places in the area. TIP: Be sure to visit on a cold day in the winter or fall - the outdoor fire pits are dreamy and romantic and they bring a super positive mood that spreads through the crowd.
(4)
QueenB B.
The atmosphere at first seems right but, all the people there seem so pretentious and fake. They want to see what next wannabe drug dealer pulls up in his stolen Ferrari. I am pissed because I valet my car and THEY LOST MY KEY. Then they acted like it was not their fault and did not even apologized. I have to file a claim tomorrow great on thanksgiving and they better pay for my lost key. The guys there just stare at women with no intention to approach them. That is the problem with American men.. such pansies. This place could be cool is they got some actual cool people in there and not some worn out fake sorority girls and creepy looking business bachelors. Oh ya, they need to hire a new valet company who takes care of others property and cars! YOLO I only come once. Peace!
(1)
Julia M.
This place is pricey. But the food is pretty good. The atmosphere is swanky and a bit mod. The servers are always nice. The one thing that really bugs me is that they won't seat you if not everyone in your party is there.
From the minute we stepped out of our car we could hear the hum. You know......the hum of a hot spot with a pretty bar and pretty people. Everyone was pleasant. The vibe was all positive and the food was delish but what really made our night was the staff. There was a slight glitch in our online reservation (we didn't use Open Table) but in minutes the manager was there to rectify any confusion and sat us ASAP. (Thanks Mike and Madison.) My daughters and I had a great time. One of them tried tuna sashimi for the first time and loved it. The corn bread skillet was also a very pleasant surprise (took home the leftovers) as was the ice cream sandwiches for dessert. The crab cakes and filet main courses made for a fabulous surf and turf meal. Treat yourself with a night at YOLO. Just make sure you use Open Table if you're doing online reservations.
(5)
Jacquie M.
Very good food, nice atmosphere. Service with a smile. Maybe the only complaint is the feeling of being a little rushed. Lots of people waiting for tables.
(4)
Blak B.
I like Yolo for what it is. Am I going for the much talked about food? Of course not! I'm here for a few apps and people watching! It's the place to be if you want to show off your $200k sports cars duhhhh! I'm thinking of shooting a reality tv show there called "where my cougars at". I really enjoy the lounge area outside because its away from the "upscale" rowdiness inside. I have always had a great time at Yolo. I can only say I have eaten at a table once and the entrees weren't bad and the waitress we had was funny and cool. So in closing I will say You Only Live Once so check em out and get to Vibe night club after. 10-4 Barbie signing out!
(4)
Kerry B.
I've been here twice and both times have been blown away by the exceptional atmosphere, service, and food. It has such an awesome energy. I, without a doubt, suggest going on a comfortable evening so that you can sit outside. They have a huge patio surrounded by bamboo and tropical plants, tiki torches, etc. ...it just creates a really exciting mood which brings out a "see and be seen" kind of crowd to have a good time. The service on both visits was exceptional. Very friendly, professional, and they help you have a good time too. One word for the food: Perfection. My friend still raves about the pork loin she had two years ago. I tried it on my most recent visit and it was still just as good. I can't say enough good things about this place and can't wait to return. It's definitely a treat and not to be missed!
(5)
Jessica T.
Brunch for my friends birthday. Food was phenomenal. Eggs Benedict and a prime rib sandwich. All delish! We were a party of 20 and our service was great and timely. Bottomless mimosa $15 and they actually bring u bottles instead of refilling your glass. We say outside (August) and was a super cute area just need more fans. Other then that everything was perfect. Can not wait to go back. Some other entrees people got at my table also looked amazing.
(5)
Danielle D.
The strawberry kiss martini is delicious, but there isn't anything of note on the menu for me. It's a nice place and they are very accommodating to large groups. It's never a bad experience but I am a foodie so I like to be swept away with my meal experience.
(3)
Cristobal C.
We were very impressed. Many healthy options the California spinach salad was delicious. Plentiful portions and great service. Great location with parking garage next door and it looked like they also had valet service nearby.
(4)
Larry S.
Trendy place, lots of cool people, great bar! The food, meh. The service, meh. We waited an hour for our table, and one guy in our party ordered the halibut special, it came out looking like a long john silvers pot pie. And they ran out of a few things our party ordered. I give it a 5
(3)
Adam K.
Fab, delish, posh. Great place to eat brunch outside. I ordered the divine Calamari (if you're not a fan of 'sweet & sour' sauce, ask for it on the side). The Tuna Salad is absolutely delish. I can't wait to go back next time I'm in FLL.
(4)
Suzanne S.
This review is for Yolo's ladies night which I recently checked out. There was a great happy hour young professional type crowd and the place was packed but I still managed to find a seat. The selection of wine, beer, or a mixed drink was more than I was expecting. Even though it was busy every time they saw my glass empty they refilled it complimentary! You can also get buy 1 get 1 appetizers and the portions were fair. My girls and I spent hours talking, eating, and drinking and all the staff we dealt with were pleasant. We had four appetizers and two glasses of wine each for a total of $10 each. We were all stuffed. On ladies night this can't be beat. The ladies night goes from 6pm-10pm each week which makes it a nice change from being forced to run out of work in order to meet my friends. During the week there is ample parking from garages, valet, and individual meters. Thanks Yolo for appreciating us ladies!
(4)
Lauren S.
Visiting Florida around New Years is always an experience in and of itself but my friends always try to make Florida out to be much more glamorous than it is. I shouldn't have been surprised when they suggested trying out YOLO - You Only Live Once is basically their life motto!! As many reviewers before me have noted, this place is more of a scene than a place to get some good food. Don't get me wrong, the food we ordered was good. But the prices were exorbitant on some menu items and this place is way more focused on attracting a certain crowd and having a trendy reputation. Six of us Montrealers came for lunch expecting to be wined and dined amongst Florida's classiest (I know my friends were secretly hoping for a celebrity-sighting). From the Bentley and Maserati parked outside, we definitely got what we expected. Us three girls ordered Caesar salads to start except we requested no olives and prosciutto. It was tasteless and more disappointing was the fact that they also left out the parmesean crackers that might have offered the salad a little something that it was missing. It was literally lettuce lightly drizzled with the faintest hint of caesar dressing. Literally a 2/10. The boys shared a calamari appetizer that looked phenomenal and HUGE. It was polished off in mere minutes The peanut sauce smelled amazing from across the table. This was a definite 9/10. We had 3 Old-School burgers, 1 Ultimate Veggie burger, and 2 Turkey burgers. The shoestring french fries that come with burgers were perfectly seasoned and although they don't appear to be well done (how I like my french fries cooked), these were well-made. The burgers were large (not excessively) and quite tasty. Each burger was well decorated, but even better, they didn't skimp on the toppings! 8/10 We had a waitress-in-training who was excellent (forget her name) accompanied by her trainer, a nice guy who coached her along.... that was until she placed the wine glasses on the wrong side at another table and he berated her right next to our table... we thought it was uncalled for and could have been done more privately. 7/10 Anyhow, this place wasn't a total bust. We had a nice time (thanks to good company) and my friends were very glad that we can now cross this restaurant off our Florida Restaurant Bucket List. Overall 7/10 I'm not sure we'll be back, the menu is pretty limited and the prices on most items are unwarranted. If I'm ever looking for a classy place on Los Olas, then perhaps!
(4)
Kelly K.
I came here for brunch when in town on vacation. The wait was about 30 minutes for 3 around 130 on a Saturday, so I grabbed a drink at the bar. The service was quick and the cucumber drink was tasty and refreshing. I had the salmon BLT which was good, but nothing to write home about. The cheesy creamy grits were pretty amazing, but definitely not low-cal. Overall, the place was good, but nothing really special.
(3)
Bruce M.
We came twice in the last month because of the buzz we have heard about this place. It certainly has vibe and vitality with lots of people, fancy cars out front, etc. Their success is evident when you are told they won't seat you until the FULL party has arrived. Very NYC and not so nice when on vacation and parking is hard to find for the driver. The food is interesting and tasty. Lots of options for all dietary needs. Unfortunately, you feel rushed to order and eat. On our 2nd visit, the entrees arrived while some of us were still eating the appetizer courses. We were in an out in one hour. You only live once, but please slow down!
(3)
Eileen S.
Checked YOLO out on a Thursday night and loved the look and vibe. Friends tell me it is crazy busy on weekends. Had a perfect mojito at the outdoor bar then sat outside for dinner. I thought all the apps we tried were ok. I prefer more distinctive flavors. We ordered tuna sashimi, mussels, and a grilled artichoke. All good-not great. I felt the same way about my entree. Very fresh perfectly seared tuna but none of the usual zip or flavor. Thought my husbands porcini crusted steak was outstanding. I might be tempted to give this place one more try and order a few different items but probably not tonight!! Service was excellent but for me this place is a bit overrated.
(3)
Drew D.
I don't understand the hype... Prime rib came with cheese? Bland au jus..... Try the royal pig across the street
(3)
Ben V.
When you travel for business, eating out on your own is a bit of a challenge. I always ask the concierge of the hotel which places are social and have bar seating where people mix. She immediately directed me to YOLO (stands for You Only Live Once) on Las Olas. I wasn't disappointed, the place was buzzing. A lot of beautiful people, South Florida style. Then I found out Wednesday night is Ladies night. This started making sense. Sat at the outside bar, ordered angel hair pasta with schrimp. Very delicious and clean. Other dishes looked equally good. Obviously people don't just come here for the food but for socializing. A lot of that is going on. Ended up speaking to at least 12 people in two hours.
(4)
Jor-El G.
The first thing you will notice about YOLO is that it's quite visually appealing, the atmosphere is unique, sleek, and every bit trendy. I came during lunch and had the Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich (chicken, fire-roasted peppers, arugula, jack cheese, and lemon aioli) with a side salad. It was a nice size and well presented yet a bit lacking in flavor, not so impressed with it. I also had the Truffled Yolo Chips which werehomemade potato chips, truffle, blue cheese, herbs, and crumbled bacon....now THOSE were pretty damn memorable and tasty. What I can gather about YOLO is that it's hit or miss depending on what you get. Portions are generous, and they should be because prices for entrees range from $10-$32.
(3)
Luisa C.
I have to take this review up 2 stars. Their manager Andy and the staff have been very forthcoming and as a result have won my heart back through the food. This time I had the best burger with the works. What a tasty, juicy burger it was at that. I loved the bun they used - if I am not mistaken it was sourdough. It allowed for all the juices to be absorbed in it. Pure deliciousness. Their fries are skinny and worth the splurge. We also ordered the corn flake crusted french toast for dessert and it was worth every bite. Service with Alex was outstanding! We will be back for more. Thank you for making it up to me.
(5)
Nate H.
I go out for Dinner / drinks here about once a month. It's definitely a classic place. Great for first dates (;. Of course you must call and make your reservation prior to getting there. Weekends are always super packed, and even when you call in they will probably tell you "we are already fully committed for tonight", and you can't make a reservation. Only walk in and wait for a table. Which I will not do. Nothing ruins your night out more then just standing around for 30 min waiting for a table. Yolo is not on the "Open Table" app which I like to use, so you can't just make a reservation by clicking a few icons on your Iphone. The place is classic. Nice fixtures, fancy look, valet parking right at the entrance, fire sticks surrounding the outside, and downtown is exactly there. I will say it's pretty much as up scale as you will get at downtown Fort Lauderdale. Food is GOOD, and always unique. Every dish has a twist to it. Not your ordinary american menu. They also Mix and change their menu every few weeks / months, so you always have new entires to check out. The downside? Yes, it's pretty pricey. But I wouldn't except anything less from a prime location at Downtown. And yes, like many other users wrote on their reviews, sometimes they are so crowded you need to ask 4 times before you Acculty get your drinks. They can do better with this aspect. Customers don't need to fill like the restaurant is doing them a favor by serving them. Other then that, the overall experience is good. You can go dance after dinner. It's always a safe bet to take someone new to town here. Enjoy. You only live once (;
(4)
Roderick S.
I came here with my 2 coworkers for dinner on a Tuesday night. We made reservations through OpenTable for 8:45. We are self proclaimed foodies and we really wanted to try some unique eats and good wine. Appetizers: Cornbread - Great Tuna sashimi - Awesome Potato chips - OK, my expectations were too high Main: Ribs - Really tasty Vegetable plate - Surprisingly good Pork Chop - Looked great but severely overcooked I would have given 5 stars if it wasn't for the pork.
(4)
Bill L.
Great location for people watching and the service and food are spectacular! We only had salads and soup but everything being served around us looked terrific. Great spot for happy hour!
(5)
Harold L.
I go to YOLO frequently for business lunches and while the food is consistently good the real highlight is Karlee. Karlee is such a great server, making you feel comfortable and at ease, with a warm and bubbly personality, too. I would totally recommend YOLO but also strongly suggest that you ask for "Karlee Simon" when making your reservation....you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Andrea W.
Terry White was awesome. Super cute, amazing service and personality to spare. Great time!!!
(5)
Steve C.
I love Yolo, more for the staff and patrons than the food and drink. :-) As far as dining is concerned: * I love the Szechuan Calamari ($10) - zesty, spicy, tasty, and a big appetizer portion * I had Oak Salmon this visit ($17) and it was prepared perfectly * This was the first time I tried the (red) Sangria and it was awesome, although there was no consistency as different servings were colored and flavored differently ($10 a glass) I love how efficient they are at lunch. Good stuff.
(4)
JAmerican G.
YOLO is over-rated! This is my second time there. First, I made an Open Table reservation for a party of 6 at 10:15 p.m. on a Saturday night. We arrived at 10 p.m. and were told we were a bit early, so I was given a buzzer and they said they would call us. At 10:15 I let them know that the rest of my party was there and they said ok. At 10:30, I asked if we could be seated and reminded them that I have a 10:15 reservation and my party is all there. I was told it will be about 5 minutes. At 11:00 p.m. I went back again and asked when we would be seated and was told that when we don't show up within 15 minutes,then our table is given up, so they are waiting on about 3 tables to clear!!!!...????? I reminded her that we have been waiting since 10 p.m. for a 10:15 p.m. reservation and what is the point of making a reservation, if we can't get a table in a reasonable amount of time??? At 11:15 p.m., an hour later, we were seated! I ordered pasta with fresh tomatoes. When it arrived I asked for a side of marinara sauce, since the pasta was a bit dry. I was given marinara sauce with sausage bits in it! When I asked the waiter if there was any meat in the marinara, he said no, so I pointed to the item in my plate and he said it was a tomato! *blank stare* He later confirmed that the sauce he gave me did have meat in it and offered to bring me one with plain marinara! Since when does marinara sauce have meat in it and if so, wouldn't you let the customer know that ahead of time, especially since I ordered a meatless item???? When it came time to settle the bill, the gratuity was already included, since we were a party of 6. We split the bill with cash and 2 credit cards. The waiter brought the check back with the credit cards, but no change...We had to go and ask for the change and the waiter claimed he put it aside for us and planned on bringing it to the table...Oh really? Then why wouldn't he have brought it back with the credit cards???? *Sigh* Overall, I came to the conclusion, that YOLO is a great place for hanging out if all you want are drinks and appetizers. If you are there for a restaurant experience, then go someplace else, because folks who frequent here seem to be interested in their O Lounge next door, or their bar!
(2)
Lynn D.
From out of town and we just had to go here because YOLO is the best restaurant name ever and there were so many great reviews but we weren't impressed with the food at all. The truffled Yolo chips hardly had any toppings on them. Very sparse and quite expensive. The rest of the food was just okay. Not anything like the highly rated restaurants of where we are from, Salt Lake City; Especially for the price. The service was awful. They wouldn't give us more soda and when they did it was the wrong kind. Since they had just opened for the day they weren't busy but still neglected us. We sat outside and the birds, although cute, were all over our table. We weren't comfortable with how unsanitary that was and my husband did get sick after eating here. There was a sickly bird sitting on the ground near us that I was worried about. It looked like it was suffering. :( I don't know what they can really do about the birds other than maybe warn customers so they may sit inside. Hopefully if they read this they won't try to exterminate them. That would be upsetting. Overall I wouldn't suggest this place.
(1)
Dieunane F.
I have been to Yolo's about three times, the service has been consistently positive. The servers are attentive and seem knowledgeable of the menu as they were able to provide information about the menu and answer all of my questions. I went recently to celebrate a friend's birthday during a week nigh and the ambience seemed about the same as the week-ends. It is chic and most importantly very relaxed and good for communication due to the low noise level. My favorite items are the meatballs, corn bread, and strawberry caipirinha. On my last visit, I tried the Richette pasta and was quite disappointed. This was surprising since I'm such a pasta lover. This dish was greasy and tasted more like medicine than anything else. I will return but definitely will never order the pasta again.
(4)
Vicky K.
Food was quite good. Service was quite bad. Won't go again.
(2)
amy m.
Have been here many times and they have the best calamari. The cornbread is also delicious. Great place for celebration meal or special occasion. Service was excellent.
(5)
Maria C.
So the first time I came to YOLO my experience was not so great. The food was ok, service was less than ok and the ambiance was good. The manager emailed me and asked if I could give them another chance. I did. I LOVED it. I had the best Salmon I've ever had in my life. It was outstanding. The service was phenomenal, our waitress Jessica was perfect and we had a great time. A must, if you ask me.
(5)
Mark H.
I like the ambiance, food is good too! One of the better places to eat and hang out in Ft. Lauderdale.
(3)
Jay H.
Love the staff!
(3)
Monika K.
calamari, tuna tartare, nice strong cocktails, flank steak, mac and cheese, yolo chips. nice night out by the firepit on a cool evening in sofla. recommend !
(4)
Gina S.
This past Sunday we went for brunch, It was gonna be great, I had a hunch. I convinced the fam that it was the place to go "To celebrate dad's bday, let's head to Yolo." They listened and we went at 1pm Unfortunately it wasn't awesome from start to end. The servers were in busy and in the weeds. The kitchen was backed up and couldn't meet the needs. But eventually Tom the manager made things okay, compensating us and brightening the day. He adjusted the bill which was more than fair. It was nice to know that he really did care. The patio seating made our long wait time much more tolerable, but had we sat any longer our moods would have got volatile. The food we eventually received was up to par, as were the bottomless mimosas and bloody marys from the bar. I will chalk up this experience to being an off day and plan to return, hopefully with things going the right way. p.s. The bread pudding was also the saving grace. Make sure you order it whenever you are at this place!
(4)
Mark G.
Love the salmon. Nice atmosphere. Would be 4 stars but they lose a star because of their "we only seat complete parties." When I arrive for a business lunch, that doesn't work. Maybe that's okay at 11PM when you are catering to a younger more casual crowd but not for a business lunch.
(3)
Victor P.
The restaurant is beautiful with an outside bar, tables etc..High end cars and beautiful people.. The calamari was outstanding..Never saw it prepared like this..Other apps included artichokes (over cooked and bland) and cheese chips ( 80 percent small pieces).. Main coarses..The.rotisserie chichen was so small I thought they subsituted a cornish hen! Do not order if you are hungry.. The double pork chop was large and well cooked.. The waiter never asked if we wanted desert!! We wanted to order desert but the choices where so limited we decided to go elsewhere. Service was slow on a night when the place was less than half full.. If I go back I will go to the bar outside and try some other apps.. Not a place to go if you want fine dining.. Nice touch was the valet girls with umbrella's to walk you to your car in the rain...
(3)
Pauline C.
Pretty disappointing, especially after reading all the raves. Tried the cornbread which was terrible ... Jiffy box cornbread is way better. calamari was just too sweet and the prime rib was ok. Potato gratin was yummy, a little salty tho. I probably would have enjoyed my meal more if it came out hot...everything was cold, even the coffee! Banana cream pie was the best part.
(2)
Luke S.
Nice place, nice crowd, strong drinks. Unpretentious (compared to certain locales in Miami). People speak English.
(4)
Frank S.
This place is a little more upscale than your average bar/restaurant, but its also in the middle of the financial/legal district which is to be expected. I swear every other person I meet there is either an attorney or in the financial industry. The crowd can vary depending on which night of the week you go, but for the most part its a lot of younger professionals with your inevitable influx of older men looking for their next girlfriend young enough to be their daughter. That being said, this place is a little pretentious, but if you can ignore it or get past it, its still a great place to socialize. I used to come here just for happy hours since its only a block from my office; however, I had dinner there the other night and was pleasantly surprised. The menu is small, but diverse. The food was excellent. I had the grilled artichokes for an appetizer and the braised short ribs for my main course. The artichokes were a little on the skimpy side, but otherwise delicious. The braised short ribs were some of the best I've had in Ft. Lauderdale. If you've only come here for HH, as most people I know, try their dinner menu. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
chrissy s.
Ah Yolo.. Love this place. Drinks are good, made with fresh ingredients. Love the bar during happy hour, the crowd is business professional, a good mix of people. The restaurant is good too. I had a great meal there, really good bottle of wine and great salmon, cooked perfectly. I enjoy it there, wed nights is ladies night next door at y lounge, free drinks are always nice (I stick to beer to be safe, but cheap wine or well drinks are also offered) as well as light snacks.
(4)
Christie D.
Great food, great atmosphere and I love the Las Olas area of Ft. Lauderdale.
(4)
Brandi J.
(Wednesday) Ladies night is nice...
(3)
L K.
Really liked this place. We went twice in one week's vacation! The first time was a Monday night - in a major rainstorm. Not very crowded. I got the grilled artichoke appetizer and he got the lentil soup. Both were excellent (although he didn't like my artichoke, mainly because he think's artichokes are gross and too chewy). Dinner was filet for him with the most amazing pumpkin spice vege side and mashed potatoes. I had the ahi tuna bowl with noodles. Both were so good. I've eaten tuna a million times, but this dish had such a great zip. Even my non-seafood eating boyfriend loved the noodles (which he'd normally hate b/c they may have touched tuna!) Also, my cucumber gimlet was lovely : ) It was his birthday, so they brought out a complementry ice cream dish with a candle. Our server, Amanda was so friendly and efficient. Our second visit was a Wednesday in nice weather. There was a large happy hour crowd at the main bar and outside. The other lounge room was also filled. Looked like a trunk show and there were lots of women crowding the area with louder music. However, this didn't disturb our dinner. We both got the lentil soup again, he ordered the chicken and I opted for the grilled octopus tar tar appetizer as my meal. Again, everything was great. Great chardonnay selection, I was happy! Coffee is just ok here, but that's the worst I can say about the meal. I would 100% for sure return to Yolo on my next trip to Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)
Edwin P.
This is the new trendy spot where all the professionals go. I work on Las Olas and we head there for lunch at least once every other week. I've never gone there for dinner so I don't know if the menu changes or not. The appetizers there are awesome (highly recommend the Szechuan calamari) and their burger is huge and will leave you full. The wait staff is very fast and attentive; however, I would recommend a reservation for this place for dinner because from the times I've been to the O Lounge which is connected to Yolo's it gets PACKED because it's the happy hour time so everyone goes there
(4)
Jenna L.
Really fun spot in Ft. Lauderdale, I'm so glad we went. It's a great people/car watching restaurant. I recommend sitting outside so you can watch the aston martins, ferraris, etc. roll in. Food is decent but I would come here for the lively atmosphere, drinks and sugar daddy sightings. :) TOLO!
(4)
Greshka P.
I love their Yolo Chips! That, and the calamari are, in my opinion, the best. I would go there just to have them. We started with this two appetizers and drinks. I had the berry mojito - delicious. For my entree I had the chicken plate with mashed potatoes. Wish this would have included some vegetable, plus the chicken was too salty for my taste. Still a great meal and great experience. Our server was quick and friendly. Definitely recommend Yolo and it's side room for some more drinks and dancing.
(4)
Anquanette G.
You Only Live Once! YOLO is definitely a must for brunch! Went there for an Easter Sunday with my brother and friend and we were in love from the moment we walked in. It was such a beautiful day out so we sat on the patio. Our waitress Caitlyn was amazing. She really took care of us and was attentive. I had blueberry pancakes and they literally melted in my mouth! The thing that was so great about YOLO was that they know how to take care of their guests. Initially, there was something wrong with my food and they took care of it immediately! The manager even came over and apologized and gave us a stack of pancakes on the house! We were already sharing my stack so I asked for dessert instead and he quickly obliged! That showed me that customer satisfaction is important to them. This usually makes me give a place 3 stars but they redeemed themselves in such a great way that they get 5 stars, hands down! The mimosas were amazing and I also had a strawberry kiss martini that was truly a heavenly experience! This will certainly be my signature drink whenever I go there for sure! Thanks for the recommendation, Caitlyn! All in all, 2 thumbs up! Love YOLO. I'm looking forward to going there for lunch and/or dinner in the near future!
(5)
Brenda M.
Had a nice pre-Valentines Day dinner and was not dissapointed at all, despite reading some of the negative reviews. Prices were very reasonable. Very nice decor, and a hip and trendy place with good food. Had the Calamari that everyone raves about and it was good. Tried the jalapeño corn bread and it was very good, with a sweet glaze on it. And had the oak grilled grouper over conch chowder reduction... delish (an excellent choice). Will be back to try different items on the menu.
(4)
Tanya L.
Came here to have dinner for a friends birthday. Made reservations and as soon as we got there we were seated immediately. Hostess was nice and friendly. Our waiter was awesome. Took our drink order quickly and we received them right away. For appetizers we had calamari and the Yolo chips. Calamari gets 5-stars. Yolo chips were good too but calamari were my favorite. I ordered the Jumbo Shrimp Linguine pasta. The description on the menu made it seem like it was going to be amazing but it did not have much flavor. I wish I would of ordered the chicken with mash potatoes my friends ordered. It was delicious. The decorations in the restaurant was very nice. They have outside and inside seating with O lounge next door. You could hear the good music. Over all the service was good and quick the food was okay. Perhaps I'll be back for to have a few drinks and go to lounge.
(3)
Wade M.
DISAPPOINTING - I stayed away for a while and gave it another try. My friends and I had the roasted chicken. For $16 the dish was the size of an appetizer and bland - it left me dreaming about the whole roast chicken at Costco for $5. I stand behind my previous review: Go for the happy hour and people-watching, then eat somewhere better.
(1)
Michelle N.
Wow, SO MANY PRETTY PEOPLE. We consider fine dining the Outback, haha, and even though we knew what to expect, we were still a little overwhelmed. We could have spent all night at the bar just people watching. We'd end up washing dishes by the end of the night because of the cost, but we could still do it. Anyway, the service was great, from everyone. The waitress was awesome, cheerful, prompt, and friendly. She never let our glasses go empty. The food was good, mostly. The appetizer, the side, and the dessert were impressive. The Szechuan Calamari was so yummy. My husband doesn't normally care for calamari, and he couldn't stop eating it. We both had fish, perfectly cooked, but we found his grouper a little underwhelming. My salmon was good, but nothing that blew me out of the water. The potato gratin was a piece of melt in your mouth, I know they make this in heaven, melty, creamy, wonderfulness. Same goes for the banana-coconut cream pie. Love, love, love. Overall, I think this is a fabulous place to hang out but except for a few things, the food isn't life altering. Good, but not necessarily worth the cost. If I were a socialite with out a real job but with rich parents, the bar would be my go to spot.
(4)
Rexi V.
This place is so nice. Perfect for a date or groups of friends. I came here for brunch on a Sunday and it was great! Good Prices and a nice selection. Bottomless mimosas, they bring the bottle of champagne to our table and leave it there for us to refill, when the bottle hits empty they replace it. I had the calamari and it was excellent perfect to share there's plenty of it. I forgot what i had as my entree but the desert i remember ordering the bread pudding and it was ehhhh, i could of done without it. The place is trendy a nice mix crowd, it's lively and fun! Even the waiting area outside is nice by the fire pits. Staff is very pleasant also. Would come here again just for the calamari =)
(3)
Brenna R.
I went here for a friend's birthday dinner in July. I have heard so many things about this restaurant but never got around to trying it myself. WHY did I wait so long?! This restaurant is superb! The decor is very modern and sexy. I would want to rent this place out for an event or something, it is just so beautiful. We ordered the truffled yolo chips and szechuan calamari for appetizers. Both ridiculously tasty. For dinner I had the BBQ pork ribs. They were super tender, really saucy and made me one happy girl. I wish my stomach wasn't so full so I could finish them. They have very unique martini offerings here. I opted for their "martini tree" where you get to choose three different martinis to try and they come out in smaller glasses lined around a metal "tree." Perfection!! Drinks were delish, too. I would come back here again and again if I were just a bit closer, but will surely be back there when I am more in that area. You do only live once ;)
(5)
Leah V.
My fiance took me here for a nice dinner out. Atmosphere was inviting and hip, very clubbish scene. We had the calamari and cornbread for appetizers. The calamari was okay...but the cornbread was delicious!! I ordered a burger and my fiance had the prime-rib. My burger was a little dry and nothing fantastic and my fiance's prime rib was a little disappointing. We decided to splurge a little but was not too happy with what we got. It is a good place to hang-out for drinks and get some corn bread...but other than that..i'd try someplace else.
(2)
Matt P.
*Review for the bar only* Had some time to kill with some clients so we stopped in per their recommendation for a few drinks while waiting for our dinner reservation to open up across the street. Yolo is one of the newer faces that's popped up on Las Olas over the past year and a half. What can I say, this place is a pretty classy joint with a chill outdoor patio area and fire pit to sip on beverages and nosh on small plates. The crowd was mostly young professionals, which makes sense since it's located on the heart of the business district in Fort Lauderdale. Definitely a cool spot to grab a drink and mingle amongst the locals. Sorry kiddos, but no time for eats here...as in the name, You Only Live Once!
(4)
JoAnna L.
This must be the meeting place of the old sugar daddies and the young sugar babies.... Gross! Go across the street to the pig place, much better IMO. Just not my scene.
(2)
Heisha R.
sadly, we made reservations for nothing we waited 30 minutes for our table for only 4people. drinks and starters great! food not so much :( the food was just fine nothing amazing and very over price!
(2)
Julie T.
I guess I could say after my second visit that this is just an ok place to go. I've had better of everything elsewhere. It doesn't blow me out of the water. This time we got the corn bread with jalapeno and it was great, but maybe a little bit more grainy than I like. It was extremely busy at the bar during the happy hour, so it was hard to get the servers attention. I ordered the Devil's Hammer again and it was perfect. I ordered the calamari and it was pretty good, my mom didn't like all the dressings on it though, and I could agree after a while it got overwhelming. I ordered the Rotisserie chicken sandwich and it was good. The chicken was moist, there was too much cheese for my liking and the shoestring fries were on point as usual. Jonathan ordered their burger and was pleased but not blown away. So I think it'd have to be a special occasion where I can try their steak or fish that I'd come back to try this restaurant.
(3)
John F.
Yolo for an upscale lunch is hard to beat. Consistent, good food, nice downtown location, good service. I hate giving an "almost chain" restaurant a good review, but man, they have it together for lunch. Get whatever their simple prepared fish of the day is, and call it a lunch. While I'm only 34, their happy hour to south beach transformation after 6 is too much for me.
(4)
Whitney K.
I'm a scenester at heart - so any place with beautiful people, a beautiful buildout, and beautifully crafted cocktails is the place for me. The fire pit and dark wood paneling adds a touch of Northeastern class to the South Floridian pastels and shells. This is a great place to catch up with friends over a drink and look at beautiful people because hey -- you only live once right?
(4)
Lizette Q.
Came in on a Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday; the reservations were for 9:30pm; however, we did not get seat until 10:15pm. Luckily, the location has a nice bar outside and a lounge (The O Lounge) next door where we enjoyed adult beverages while we waited. Upon being seated the manager was extremely apologetic and provided us with several complimentary appetizers. We had the calamari and the queso fundido. The calamari was delicious; they were made with a sweet and honey glaze and served with a sauce on the side. The queso consisted of a thick melted cheese blend with chunks of chorizo; the queso was served with chips, also very good. For our meal my friend and I shared the Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich, which was also mouthwatering. The chicken sandwich was made with arugula, peppers, melted jack cheese and a lemon aioli sauce. The sandwich was served with thin cut fries, which were also very suiting and very good. The portions were hefty and sharing the meal hit the spot. We washed down our food with Passiontini's; a very sweet and fruity martini with a kick to it. The restaurant is located in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale on the famous Las Olas Blvd. You can park via valet or in the parking garage located directly behind the restaurant. Great location and great vibe for those looking for an awesome and trendy place to wine and dine. The staff was extremely efficient, friendly and on top of our large group at all times. Would definitely recommend and would return.
(5)
Eyda J.
I've been to YOLO just twice. I would probably go more often if I lived a bit clcoser to Las Olas, but that being said, I CRAVE the Cucumber Cooler. I know this is a restaurant, but man that drink left such an impression on me. It has muddled cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno--- it's a deliciously fragrant cocktail. Now for food--- the portions are a great size, the flavors are delicious and the service is top notch. We aren't talking gourmet here, but if you don't want the typical chain & something upbeat-- this is your place.
(4)
Jeff F.
Hit this place up last weekend during a buddies bachelor party. The food ranged from average to excellent (steak being average, seafood being well above average). Tuna sashimi, calamari and the trout were the highlights. My sense is that the strongest selling point here is atmosphere - cool, perfect for groups, trendy without any real dress requirements if you like my group prefer casual to South Beach fashion statements.
(4)
Jon A.
So, this seems to be the place to go. I don't know how, but they have created a south Florida culture pat people enjoy. food is very good and the drinks are excellent. I have not met a lot of the staff but they seem to be friendly. For the amount of repeat customers, im sure they are all excellent
(4)
Mariana B.
I absolutely enjoyed my time at YOLO the Atmosphere is great! if you want to go out and have a POSH night out with the girls you should have YOLO as your destination. Call ahead and make reservations to sit outside. I recommend the Calamari Hmmmmm....... the Grouper is great as well !!!! I was there last Wednesday,the service did not impress me t! I don't know if I had bad luck but the food came out 5 minutes after my appetizer arrived .... Our waiter was every busy and it didn't give us outstanding service...
(3)
Floridian P.
Cool place Calamari app was pretty good. And dragonberry mojitos as well. Parking sucks though and our bartender didn't put the food order in right, so we had to wait longer for them to re-make it.
(3)
Jessica L.
Great venue, I love the fire pit they have outside. However, as said in my review of Vibe literally 50 feet away from here, the crowd is a little older. Find Fred, the bartender. He'll take care of you!
(3)
Tanya B.
I visited Yolo for lunch and was very pleased with the food as well as the service. My server was Susan and she was very knowledgeable about the menu and the specials. She was on top of all of our refills and even anticipated all of our needs. Her recommendations for lunch were on point. We had the Tuna burger and the spinach salad. Amazing! I would highly recommend this establishment.
(5)
Gina R.
nice vibe, good food,I really enjoyed the pumpkin cheesecake.
(3)
Corina B.
Probably would not go back for the food but i would certainly go back for the lounge and the cocktails. The appetizers are good - especially the szechaun calamari. Sunday Brunch is par - nuthin amazing. However, if you do go, try the stuffed french toast...crispy on the outside and moist and gooey on the inside! Yummo! Wednesday night is always pack- LADIES NIGHT - for the grown & sexy. Great friday night hangout
(4)
Stacy S.
Let me start off by stating that I am not a fan of "The 954". I go for one specific reason: to attend birthday parties in or around Las Olas. The fact is, if you are going to be in the Las Olas area, you have few options for upscale, hip, establistments. Here is a brief overview of this place for people who have not been: * Very cool vibe outside. They have drink service and a fire pit for when it "gets cold". The women working there are very efficient and nice. * Their wine list is not bad. Their selections by the glass is good. (No one in that area tops Johnny V in the wine catagory). * Their food is above average. I don't eat their often but I remember the tuna sashima being quite good. * It's a good "power lunch" place. Take a client or opposing counsel here. If you have to, or chose to be in the area, definitely check this place out for lunch or dinner. It gets really busy, so if it's dinner make a reservation. Enjoy!
(4)
E R.
Great food. Great drinks. Great atmosphere. Lunch and dinner are equally good, and if they have the grilled cobia sandwich as the special, do yourself a favor and order it. This place is my go-to place for client lunches and date nights.
(5)
Michele W.
We enjoyed 2 meals at YOLO during our short stay in Ft. Lauderdale. The old fashioned burger was huge and delicious! Service was very friendly. Highly recommend this spot for families.
(5)
Casey M.
My husband and I went for our anniversary dinner on Sunday, May 20, 2013. We really could not find anything to complain about. We both ordered a martini and were not disappointed with our choices. The calamari appetizer was excellent as suggested in numerous reviews. Both my husband and I ordered steak. I had the prime rib, which was completely tender, and he had the porcini crusted steak, which was very flavorful. We tried the lava cake and banana coconut cream pie for desert, loved them both. We were there when it was not busy, so our waiter was extremely attentive. Overall, we would definitely go back again. Was it the best food I have ever consumed, probably not, but I did not feel let down by the quality of the food verse the price.
(4)
Virginia C.
I don't enjoy higher priced meal that is just, Just OK, If you are going to pay the price you want something that you go... WOW!!! Don't get me wrong, the food is not bad, but is not worth it $$$$. Is not a place where you are going to have a nice, fine dining experience Let's put it this way, I only go there when friends suggest meeting at yolo for a drink, I go just to meet with my friends but not for the food or for the scene... And get ready to be standing up for hrs because is very hard to find a place to seat if you are in the outdoor bar area! Not a place i will go back to again and again. Nothing special, the food is OK, the service is slow but OK, the place Very crowded...Don't know why! I really don't get what's the big deal... The fancy exotic cars in display in the parking lot? the old guys looking for hot girls? Chicks dressed to impress because they think they could find THE ONE there ? :P hehehehe Perfect for people watching. That's all ;)
(3)
Mig U.
i was a bit intimidated by the appearance of this place. it seemed way too trendy for my taste. Boy was i surprised. i have hosted 2 business meetings here and the staff has been more than accommodating. the food is A+ and the ambiance is wonderful. the calamari is amazing...
(4)
Gustavo A. L.
Nice classy place, with dim lights and good ambiance. It could be a place to see and be seen if that is your scene. Or you can just forget about the crowd and enjoy the time with your significant other, friends or posse. The location is pretty good, we found the service to be up to snuff and the food is pretty good too. You might, just might want to stick to the appetizers and share sort of tapa style, wash all this down with a good drink or two and ... make sure you have a designated driver for the way home. Good times will be had here, for sure !
(4)
Paola H.
I would have to say their food was pretty awful, the food took forever to be served then it was cold, it was taken back and i guess put in the microwave because then my fries were stale. the place was crowded and loud. the lounge area was ehh ok crowded as well. Really not YOLO place, more like You'll only go once.
(1)
Megan P.
My husband and I have been to Yolo several times and have always enjoyed it. But this past time was by far the best. The food was delicious as always, but the server made the experience so much better. Carly was amazing! For now on, we will always ask to sit in her section. She not only had great recommendations for new things to try, but she was also so energetic, hilarious and just really seemed to enjoy being there.
(5)
Britany A.
This was the best part of my visit to Fort Lauderdale. We went with a group from the office and ordered a couple of appetizers. The Calamari is ridiculously amazing. There are no words to describe the perfection. You have to just order it and trust me. It is served with an orange glaze that is to die for. Ultimate Calamari perfection. The food amazingness does not stop there folks... We also ordered the ahi tuna appetizer and the grilled artichokes. The Tuna was tender and perfect. Came with a seaweed salad, and while I'm not a huge artichoke fan, according to my dining partners they were also great. I ordered the chopped salad. It was a huge portion and the dressing was a little too acidic for my taste, but overall the salad was good. We also ordered a couple of desserts for the table. The pumpkin cheesecake which was good but tasted like it had been frozen at one point, and the ice cream cookie sandwich with a white chocolate dipping sauce was out of this world. It was the perfect combination of tastes, textures, and tempratures. To go along with all this wonderfulness, I had the dirty blonde (their rendition of a dirty martini) It was amazing as well. Highly recommend
(5)
Daniel D.
"You only live once, but if you drink enough, once is enough." - A drunk I met in Europe YOLO in downtown Fort Lauderdale is the swanky spot you take someone you want to impress. Maybe the upper management after work? Maybe the cute new girl from work? (Though I'd caution on the latter, as relationships in the workplace usually end up with your car being keyed and having to watch one of the awkward videos issued by the HR department.) But whomever you choose to dine with, they'll enjoy YOLO's design-magazine decor and its ambiance; a mix of low music, dark woods and cabs beeping their way down Las Olas. It's Blue Martini... just nicer, with superior food and I still feel cool inviting friends there for dinner. As for deals,YOLO is more of the go-to place for a happening hour than it is a happy hour (from 4pm-7pm all drinks at the bar are just $2 off. No food specials). But you get what you pay for. If you had your hopes up for a 3-4-1 there's probably a Bennigans somewhere on Oakland Park. I ordered The Devil's Hammer ($10), and with a mix of muddled mint, orange, lime, tequila and cherry-infused bourbon, it didn't seem all that evil. The bourbon complimented the tequila in a, "I'm not yet ready for a man's drink, but this will definitely help me grow a beard" sort of way. And seeing that it's happy hour I tried to pair my drink with something small to eat... the rotisserie chicken sandwich ($12.50) was anything but small. A buttery, soft bun barely held together melted jack cheese, arugula, lemon aioli, tender chicken and fire-roasted peppers. Going by the looks from the girls across the bar, I didn't look all too attractive while I shoveled it down. But when there's lemon aioli on your lips and poultry heaven in your mouth, who cares about looking sexy. Besides, those girls didn't interest me... I had a major crush on the bartender. Who: You and the girl from work... but only if you don't care about your car. What: $2 off all drinks, but only at the bar :0( Where: YOLO 333 E. Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 When: Mon-Fri 4pm-7pm How: With a manly beard and lemon aioli lipstick. Follow me on twitter: @DanielDickey DanielDickey.com
(4)
Mike N.
Party hang out and great sites. Little pricy though but worth it.
(4)
Vitaliy L.
I've eaten there once. Great atmosphere, but food and service were meh
(3)
Raven M.
Went here for my birthday dinner with a large group. Food was delectable and well worth the price. And the ambiance couldn't be beat either. Do keep in mind this place is pricey but you won't feel robbed or unsatisfied when leaving.
(4)
Eve K.
See Update below--number of stars reduced. We went to YOLO (You Only Live Once) and had a fabulous dinner and a fabulous time. That chef really knows how to blend and mix subtle flavors. The calamari, just many tiny morsels, the smallest calamari I ever saw, was great. My friend's husband started with that. I split a spinach salad with my friend and it was like no spinach salad I ever tasted. Usually spinach salad is not my thing, but this was no ordinary salad and the dressing was perfect. Very large--one would have to share (they split it in the kitchen.) I had wonderful fresh green beans and grill fired salmon (very thin piece and I was glad I ordered it medium rare because that was perfect). Great flavor. The grouper came with a very light brothy sauce which my friend loved and her husband loved the one pasta dish they offered. I didn't taste everyone else's--it's not my thing--but everyone loved the place, the food, the service, and it was so easy to drive right up to the door on their horseshoe shaped driveway to valet park. One always thinks of parking problems on Las Olas. The place was packed. I'm glad we had reservations. I can just imagine how the place is on week-end evenings. We got there at 7p.m. and the place was already 3/4 full and the bar was packed all on a Monday night. On a weekend evening, one should probably get there at 6 for early dinner or 9:00 or 10:00 for late dinner. Yolo is doing something right; let's hope they keep on doing it. July 2014 Update. On returning to YOLO a second time, early in 2013, I think. There was no need to arrive early, the restaurant was partially filled, the wait staff was disinterested, and the food was adequate. I don't know what it is like this year, but I don't believe we will try it again.
(3)
Robert B.
This place is awful. Manager was rude and wouldn't let us do the cinnamon challenge.
(1)
Monica C.
I loved YOLO. Although they are a bit pricey, the drinks were delish. They also have a sweet deal where you can pick 3 martini's for $15.00. They have a page long list of martini's to choose from. I didn't try the food but their menu looked very tasty. The decor was trendy and pretty all together. When I went to the restroom I noticed that there was a room with music and people dancing. Love this place.
(5)
Karen O.
Went here on a Saturday night,food was very good,sat outdoors it was beautiful,service was very good and they have a pretty decent wine list.
(4)
Doris L.
Third time's the charm. I heard that the food served at the one Elite event I missed this year was outrageously good. Still, I had to check for myself. Outrageous? I don't know about THAT. The beautiful Maker's Mark cocktails the Elite Yelpers were sucking down perhaps had something to do with that super- superlative. BUT - I had a bunch of apps here the other night and they were significantly yummier than the meal I had here last. And this is still a great place to meet up with friends . I'm officially a "Yay" fan.
(4)
Kevin L.
Food and service are great. Very tasty.
(4)
Lisa M.
Only giving a star because the atmosphere is nice but this is where it ends. Bad drinks. I ordered a belini. It was not made w the correct ingredients so they use OJ & peach schnapps. Than it's not a belini right? Call it by another name or tell your customer! Also way over priced ($9) for a tiny champagne glass. Than we order cinnamon rolls. They waiter Sid it would take a while and I'm not sure why. They were hard crappy stale & not worth the calories!!! Than after another 1/2 hr wait we got our meals. I ordered an omelet well done. It came COLD! My daughter ordered the fresh fish sandwich. Again cold & soggy bun. If you only live one than I would only go once!!
(1)
Maria A.
I wasn't planning on stopping here for lunch but I'm glad I did. I sat at the bar and was lucky two have to really nice bartenders. I looked over the menu and narrowed it down to a few dishes just then one of the bartenders walked over and I asked for her expert opinion. She mentioned the pasta with sausage which was one of the dishes I had been keeping an eye on. I decided this was a sign and so I went with that. The food was delicious and filling. I had a prime seat as I dined I watched the outdoors bar quickly fill with office bees rolling up for happy hour drinks with friends. Next came dessert and I decided on a bread pudding concoction which was also delicious. I noticed some solid regulars and even had a few conversations while I had my late lunch. If I worked nearby this would be one of my usual spots. The food was great, service was excellent. There was also valet parking for $5 to be paid when picking car up and a Bank of America across a small street, ah thanks goodness for convenience.
(4)
Chris W.
Very trendy restaurant. Incredible location on the world famous Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale Fl. Awesome menu. Fish choices superior. Super cool patio bar area to hang out for drinks before and after dinner. Very busy place with very vibrant crowd. Really neat little dance club right next door for the night cap!!,
(4)
Lisa S.
Two words sum up my love for this place: Fire Pit! When it dips below 70 degrees we don jackets, sweaters and scarves. But the chic still sip cocktails outdoors, "That way I can be better seen, my darling." About the food: The roasted chicken on anything transforms the dish: salad, sandwich or as a stand-alone entree. They've perfected the roasted chicken. So yummy! Then there are the side dishes. I had a ratatouille there that was transcendental. It's not always on the menu but it makes an appearance every now and then. And when it does, it's a happy day for me. A french peasant dish transformed into a statement on simplicity in food prep. I could go on and on. Oh, it's really good for Happy Hour as well. Fun drinks, both alcohol and non alcoholic. Got a virgin mojito that was phenomenal.
(4)
Yasi P.
This is a great place to have a date with your significant other. The ambiance is super sexy and the service is fantastic. Expect to wait for a while if you don't have reservations & show up on a Friday night . My husband & I had a mijito which were delicious ... He had the ribeye and I had the rotisserie chicken. Definitely recommend YOLO. We had a wonderful time. They have great parking either at the garage or valet. Perfect place to go on a date to.
(5)
Yana A.
Once a year I like to give an update to this place, and it's still my favorite. It a number one choice for our girls night out. It's pretty, it's safe, drinks are free for women on wednesdays which gather a good looking crowd. I am a little puzzled when people critisizing food here. I cooked for living for awhile, and I understand food. Everything I tried in YOLO, and I think I tried all but meat dishes, was real good. Portions are generous, and all is very fresh. Only once there was something wrong with calamari, the manager immediately came out and corrected the situation. Outside area looks like its a hangout place, but in fact only bar area where you can order just drinks, and couches around fireplace. When you sit at the tables behind bar, it's a dining room. I don't think people realIze it, and treat it as just a place to sit and sip cocktails. That's why sometimes confusion is going on, and I think it needs to be explained in a beginning, or a simple question before sitting people down if they are here for dinner would be appropriate. I never encountered a rude server here, all girls are really nice. When they get busy, it can be a problem with finding a waitress for cocktails. But as soon as you establish a contact, lol, they serve you really well. The best though is managers prompt reaction to any even slightest problem. either it's a misunderstanding with charges or closing tab in one bar before ordering at another, all is solved promptly. I think it's the only place on Las Olas where drinks are still under 10$ and they are strong.
(5)
Lola S.
What a cool and sexy outdoor restaurant in Fort Lauderdale! This is def going to be a must for my next visit, I only wish they weren't so far away. We were here for lunch on Saturday afternoon. Decor - awesome, service - not bad at all. There was not a single dish we ordered that was not delicious - salads, sandwiches, all amazing. Can't wait to go to FL and visit this place again.
(5)
Kendal S.
I went to Yolo for lunch just the other day and was more impressed by the place than my previous experiences. You always have to make a reservation as the place gets pretty packed. The hostess was great and seated us right away even though some of my party came late. I ordered the chicken sandwich. It was cooked perfectly and delicious. My mom ordered the prime rib sandwich and it came out perfectly pink! I have been to Yolo in the past for dinner and drinks. I was more impressed with lunch as Yolo gets really crazy packed in the evenings.
(4)
Renae P.
Love the atmosphere! Great was great too!
(5)
Sonia A.
YOLO never lets me down. Went there for lunch this weekend and had a Blackened Corvina sandwich. The bun was super soft, the fish delicious, tender and juicy and it came with a mountain of small fries! Great sand which! The place itself is very chic, modern, and pretty comfortable seating. The tables are nice and big, you don't even need booths to feel comfortable and privacy is not an issue. I have also been there for dinner and drinks and everything has always been nothing but delicious! YOLO is a staple on the Las Olas strip and I don't think they're going out of business anytime soon!
(5)
Rene M.
This place is amazing, chic, and beautiful. They have out door seating with bonfires in the front, an indoor/ our bar so you can be seated inside or outside at the same bar. Plus, there's a lounge/ club right next door that's connect to the restaurant. My friend and I ordered drinks ( great selection) and had their calamari appetizer,which has this sweet glaze, and spice with nuts! Divine! I order the Prime Rib with Potato Gratin and it was to die for! Cooked to perfection. My friend had the Center Cut Filet with vegetables and it melted in your mouth. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. Great atmosphere, great staff, and great memories
(5)
Shamea S.
Everything was PERFECT!!! Will definitely return I want to try the mash potatoes. It was a bit pricey but well worth it.
(5)
Andrew C.
A great place for a business meeting. Sit at the bar for great service by Jon and Becca. Fresh generous portions, reasonable Downtown prices,and a great atmosphere makes this a must when in Downtown Ft Lauderdale
(5)
Kaitlyn B.
Great outdoor lounge! My husband and I dined inside facing the kitchen. While it wasn't as cozy as the outdoor area, it was nice to see the food prep on the tv's and the open kitchen providing a clear view of the behind the scenes action. The calamari appetizer was very unique and unlike any other calamari I've had. Our server was very professional.
(3)
n l.
Great place! Great location! Great food! Cami was our server and she was awesome! We had no reservation and were seated w/in three minutes! Will definitely come back!!
Um the place is beautiful but the food is horrible. Ordered a steak and the steak I eat at long horn tastes even better. They gave a herb mashed potatoe and sweet potato that tasted so weird it brought back memories when I ate Gerber food. Im sorry but if your courses are 28+ please make a good viraty and not from a baby food can
(2)
Rashida C.
Went here for lunch yesterday. Ordered the roasted corn appetizer and it was very greasy but tasty especially with the lime! Also ordered the Caesar salad and it was very fresh. The crispy snapper was a very good portion and had a good mix of flavor throughout. Server Susan was nice, attentive and knowledgeable!
(5)
Ralphie M.
YOLO is one of my favorite places to dine on Las Olas! I go there regularly. The staff are always friendly and the food is consistently good. This week we had a mishap where a tray of drinks were accidentally spilled on a couple of the girls in our party. The server apologized profusely and the manager promptly re-sat us and had all of our food and drinks replaced immediately.... A classy move on both of their parts to diffuse what could have been a disaster. Thank you!
(5)
Matt J.
Of course a place with such a name was not going to live up to the hype. The decor is nice, the food is a little above average, drinks over priced. I may only go here once, unless its paid for by someone else. #YOLO #AHHOK
(3)
David M.
Friendly atmosphere and customer service... as good as it gets! While vacationing in Miami I headed up to Ft. Lauderdale for a late afternoon business meeting. I'd not been to Yolo previously but the location was perfect for my meeting. Walking in I was greeted by a hostess who flashed a big, welcoming smile. I sat at the bar tinkering with the sales presentation on my iPad while I waited for my associate to arrive. The bar at Yolo is a friendly bar with a personable bartender, John, who made me feel right at home. Shortly thereafter my associate arrived and we had our meeting. I settled the tab, said goodbye, and began my drive back to Miami. When I reached my hotel (Fontainebleau) I realized that I didn't have my iPad.Oh no!! I had forgotten the iPad at Yolo, so I called the restaurant with the the hope that someone there had found it and put it in a safe place. The phone was answered by Sarah who was also very friendly and assuring when she said that yes, indeed, she had found the iPad and it was being held in the office. Sarah connected me with the assistant restaurant manager, Joe, who was reassuring and told me that the general manager would call me the next morning to talk about getting the iPad to me. I hoped that he follow-thru would occur, but was optimistic that it would given how nice everyone at Yolo had been to me. The next morning I received the call from GM Michael Savitt who could not have been more sincerely interested in helping me. He offered to take the iPad to UPS so that it could be delivered the next day to me in MIami. Michael also suggested that he might look for a same-day delivery service so I could get the iPad even sooner. His research paid off. Michael arranged everything and my iPad and I were reunited. I offered to pay Michael for the time and trouble he went to to assist me, but he refused. He said he only wished to help his customer. His statement was genuine. When you encounter someone who really "gets it" about customer service it makes a long-lasting impact. I will return to Yolo the next time I visit Ft. Lauderdale. I don't know who owns Yolo but with people like Michael, Joe, John and Sarah, they have something really special going on in Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)
Dina Marie A.
I love yolo I loved everything I ever ate here .. Their brunch is excellent and their burger is amazing .. Let's not forget the corn dip and calamari .. Ok yeah everything is good here lol
(5)
Sarah M.
I've ate here twice and it's been two completely dining experiences. First time the food was absolutely amazing and we couldn't wait to come back. The second time the food was just okay. The only thing consistent seemed to be the lack luster servers. Maybe third time will be the charm....
(3)
Sarah M.
Nice place! Very trendy but not my scene! The drinks were better and cheaper across the street! The atmosphere was a little stiff. I guess I'm more of a pub girl!
(3)
Tony R.
It was ok... Nothing to write home to mom about.... Service was good but the food was average. Perhaps I will try brunch one day to see what all the commotion is about.
(3)
C E.
Older crowd but definitely busy even on a Wednesday. A little hard to get a seat but with the wait as the food and staff are on their game.
(4)
Alex S.
Terrible, awful, pathetic, pretentious, lousy... It's true. The place is so cheesy. They always have lined up in the front pricey cars to give an air of sophistication. It doesn't work ! The crowd is not very diverse. Many older women hitting on younger men and too drunk to stand up straight for long. They will be falling all over the place, you are particularly at risk if you are sitting outside waiting an eternity for a table. Watch out or one will fall on you. One of them felt me up. The wait time is disgusting. I waited four hours for a table. The fish on the menu and the fish special was all farmed. The food was greasy and the coleslaw had way too much mayo. The waiter who was not too happy to be there was arrogant. He assured me that what I ordered would be enough for one person. Yes, it would be enough for a baby perhaps. The food was cold, but by the time it arrived I was so hungry that I had no desire to send it back. I was there Friday May 15th. I know that it is in Ft. Lauderdale, but still. Don't pretend to be something you aren't. Oh, don't ask what I was charged for the greasy, poorly prepared and presented entree. Lets just establish that the bill was an insult for the food and the experience offered at YOLO. Their motto is, "You Only Live Once," but I think it should be, "You'll Only Dine Here Once." The latter would be more fitting.
(1)
Jonathan C.
Visited for my sisters birthday. Nice venue, had to park in the parking garage which was $8 on a Sunday, not terrible. It was a birthday celebration and therefore a party of 6+ is almost to be expected. With that being said, I would not recommend this establishment for group gatherings unless you decide to charter a bus to take everyone there at the same time. They refuse to seat you if your entire group is not present, which is not something I'm accustomed to from an established restaurant. The Food was nice but if you do brunch with bottomless mimosas, don't expect to stay and chat over a few glasses, as once they take your plate, they stop providing the $6 bottles of bubbly and orange juice. The ones that you have to pour and mix yourself.
(3)
M K.
Terry was our waiter(res). Experience sucked, because of this poor service by Terry. Avoid this place at all costs because of Terry. Food is good. Terry is a bitch complainer waitress.
(1)
Angie J.
Never disappoints!!! I was back in Fort Lauderdale for a quick weekend away and made my dinner reservation right after we booked our plane tickets. We started with drinks at the bar before being seated at a table outside. All of the food was great, truffle chips, the chopped salad, Mac and cheese and the pork chop was one of the best I've had. Not only is the food great, but so is the ambiance and service. Our waitress was very attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. We were celebrating my birthday and really loved the lava cake!!! My only complaint is that YOLO isn't in DC!
(5)
Miranda P.
You Oughta Look Ostentatious. Everyone here seems like they're trying too hard, including the establishment itself. But somehow, I wasn't impressed. Not with the service, nor with the sustenance. BOTTOM LINE: It's just a façade.
(2)
Lauren U.
Worst experience ever. My friends and I decided to stop at YOLO to have a couple drinks. We were seated immediately in the pretty outside area, which seemed promising for the night. However, things went sour immediately. Our server came over right after we had sat down and whipped out her little notebook. Looking at us with quite the stink-face, she said, "Are you ready?" No greeting, no smile, nothing. Fine -- I'm from Miami: I don't usually bat an eye at non-friendly service, as long as we get our orders and the people aren't downright rude. We asked for a couple minutes and started looking over the drink menu. When she returned a bit later, I had a couple simple questions about the menu. She grudgingly answered me with little more than one word. OKAY, now I'm getting annoyed. We ordered and she flounced away. We were then able to roll our eyes at the super fancy cars being valeted immediately in front of the restaurant. Drinks came. We enjoyed them; we had branched out a little and ordered new things. I got a little martini sampler, which was cute but nothing like what the server had described. If you don't know, just say so! Before we had finished our drinks, the server came back and stood in front of us, staring. We weren't sure what was going on, so one of us asked her politely if there was a problem. She said she wanted to check if we were going to order something else; we said no. Shortly after, a different person (manager?) came over to ask us if we(QUOTE) "planned to stay for a few hours?" WHAT?! I literally started to laugh, and told her that, well, no, we didn't plan to stay for hours, but we DID plan to stay and at least enjoy our drinks. She somewhat sheepishly said that that was fine and let us be. The server came back and asked for one of our credit cards (apparently this had been the issue the whole time, but she didn't explain herself prior to this point). I gave her mine, and at this point, we were all not very happy and pretty much ready to go. We finished our drinks hurriedly, and tried to wave the server down to close out our check. Eventually, I had to get up and find her. She came BACK to ask what the name was on my card (SIGH). When we finally got the bill, I could not sign any faster. We practically ran out. I was happy to see all of the YOLO jokes on Yelp -- "you'll only go once," etc. Hee hee! Glad I wasn't the only one.
(1)
Fred N.
YOLO's a nice place for either a first date or just a after work happy hour. The outdoor atmosphere is lively and filled with amazing people; mostly professionals. Staffs are good but not great. The place is clean and decors are a nice touch. The food is okay, nothing out of the ordinary. In general, YOLO's a really nice spot to hang out with your friends/coworkers and have some drinks.
(4)
Irene A.
Ladies bathroom was dirty and none of the stalls had toilet paper. When i advised the front attendant, she was like ok. Terrible! It was only 8:30 on a Friday night. Not good!!!
(1)
Angelo R.
Had dinner here last night with Andy and we were pretty impressed. The location is at the beginning of the Las Olas strip across from Timpano. There are several parking lots and garage off 3rd ave, about a block away from the restaurant. We walked in and were greeted promptly. First, we had couple of drinks at the bar patio side: Strawberry Kiss (Fresh Strawberries, Grey Goose Vodka, Lemon Juice, Balsamic Vinegar, Cracked Black Pepper) and Passiontini (Grey Goose Vodka, Chambord, Pineapple Juice). Be carfeful, these were potent drinks but not complaining here. They were carefully crafted concoctions and not watered down...at all :) On to our dinner. We shared grilled artichokes to start. For entrees, Andy ordered the Rotisserie Pork Chop (Double Cut, BBQ Basted) served Collard Greens & Corn Brulee. Wow...talk about big portion. The meat was cooked right and loved the the semi sweet taste of the brulee. I got the Center Cut Filet (Aged, Oak Grilled) and side of Mac & Cheese. Medium done right..meat was tender & juicy and cheesy-gooey tasty mac & cheese....AMEN! We also loved the atmosphere of this place. Energetic, hip & trendy but not snobby. Beautiful outdoor seating and more than satisfactory service. Great place for a romantic night out and business dinners. Will definitely be back :)
(5)
Andrew W.
I had a great vegetarian play at a good price. The restaurant has a good variety, and even though it looks like it might be pricey, I felt the prices were quite reasonable for an evening out. This would be a great place for a date. Also great if you want some place to hang with friends, music, but not so loud that you can hear each other talk. Very hipster and a well dressed but casual crowd. My friend had the vegetarian burger, which was very tasty and rich. A step up from some of the other places that do vegetarian burgers.
(5)
Melissa L.
Came in on Sunday thinking there was a 30 min wait. We ordered drinks at the bar and received a text our table was ready. I ordered the smoked pork hash and sunny side eggs. My boyfriend got the French toast. The smoked pork hash may need a side. The French toast may have been the best we have ever tasted. You can't beat the unlimited mimosas at only $15 each. Outside seating is awesome. Inside is a little intimate but usually not so much of a wait. I will be back!
(4)
Joshua G.
Prime rib sandwich amazing!!!! Service amazing!! bartender ALLI amazing- pleasure dining here- sexy staff- sexy guests
(5)
Dara B.
Ladies nights are great. I like the food as well.
(4)
Ward S.
Excellent food and atmosphere. Very convenient location for those who work downtown. I had lunch here with a few colleagues in April 2014 and the service was outstanding. I had the swordfish sandwich that came on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onions and a wonderful signature sauce. The valet staff parks cars right at the front entrance and it resembled the Barrett-Jackson auto show. A very relaxed atmosphere and not stuffy at all. Wear a business suit or come dressed like Jimmy Buffett.
(4)
Sara M.
Thanks for the follow on Twitter, Yolo. For that, you get a review. Wish I could make it a five-starer for ya, but come on, I think we all know that there is a crazy heap of hype that surrounds you and I have taken an oath to the Yelp gods to be honest in my reviews. So yeah, there is alot of hype about Yolo. Now, I have never had food here before; maybe the menu is spot on and the food is laced in happy thoughts and sparkles, I don't know, but as a bar or as a lounge, Yolo is just okay for me. First of all your beer menu is complete crapola and B) your bartenders repeatedly mess up my very simple drink order of gin and ginger and I am typically served a gin and tonic instead. Gin and Ginger. So easy! It even rolls right off the tongue. But all exaggeration aside, I think my drink has come out as ordered ONCE in all the times I have come here.. which is many. As a "place" Yolo is fine. It's just that I find the outside to get crazy crowded, especially on the weekends, and that many sweaty suited up bodies per square foot its unappealing. The inside is loud so talking is a no-go, and for dancing... well the layout is not great for that either. As far as a crowd is concerned, lets call a spade a spade and all admit that pretty much everyone here is some kind of douche. Like the young lawyer douche(YLD) who maxes out his card by buying a few rounds for the whole group so he can impress all the other YLDs. Or the coked out douchey girl wearing a low cut cowl neck. My personal fave of the sleazy 40-something douche with a bald spot and visible boner. And don't forget the ever so lovely cougar douches with their animal print jumpsuits and obvious lip-liner. Yeaa.. I realize this all sounds harsh, but Yolo has its good points too! For starters there is a big parking lot a few steps away, so in terms of ease, there is no driving around for countless minutes searching for parking. Also, the outside is very tropical oasis-esq which is nothing to hate. There is definitely a scene here and there is never a shortage of people (d.bags) and as well all know, nothing kills a buzz like drinking in an empty bar, so put your party pants on people. And in terms of comparison, there is not a whole lot of choice places on the block. I understand if you unfollow me on twitter after this review, Yolo. But hey, I gotta be honest, you only live once #amirite ?
(3)
Grace R.
YOLO is consistently good food and great service. It's a great place to take clients or people from out of town. I frequently go for lunch but would expect same experience for dinner. Chopped salad, arugula salad and turkey burger are my go to. I do not like turkey burgers from any other restaurant - they do something special - maybe chipotle sauce. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jessica C.
Server was great! But the food was not. They were out of two different types appetizers. The calamari tasted too sweet (pretty much calamari drowned in BBQ sauce) the only thing that tasted decent were the meatball sliders. Good place for drinks, but not for dinner.
(3)
Vanessa R.
The food is absolutely delicious. Their classic burger is amazing and their calamari is to dye for!! I enjoyed the atmosphere and the service of the staff, very much. It's calm and relaxing and can't wait till winter comes so I can come sit by the fire pit. I would recommend this place to anyone, I also have to come back for the brunch!
(4)
Brenda P.
It "appears" to be a 5 but it's a definite 3.5. The food is hit or miss. This, however, is the kind of place you go for ambiance first and food second (if at all). Yes, there are such places...settle down. Decor is somewhere sleek modern and sophisticated. The bar divides the outside and inside area and can be accessed equally from both. Drinks are delicious. I have tried the Dirty Blonde, Strawberry Caipirinha and the Bliss Martini. All good. All really strong. The outside has lounge seats, fire pits, high tops and blaring music. You can make a night of just hanging out outside without actually dining inside. The inside is your usual restaurant design with a mix of booths and chairs. The open kitchen gives off a smell sometimes. They really need to fix that. No one wants to leave there smelling like food! Everyone is (mostly) dressed to impress. This is as SOBE as Ft. Lauderdale gets. The people watching is crazy! (for FTL). YOLO is connected to O Lounge and next to Vibe. You can make an entire night of it and it's great! You only (valet) park once and have three good places to go to for the night without driving all over the place. It's also directly on Las Olas so you can also walk the strip if you want as well. I have been there mostly at night and once for brunch. The brunch was a little disappointing. I like it way better at night. We have tried the following dishes in the past: Octopus- OK Wedge salad- Blah BBQ Pork ribs- GOOD Szechuan Calamari- AMAZING. A must! Cedar- roasted salmon- OK Pumpkin Cheesecake- OK The service has been efficient every time. They don't go out of their way for you or anything so don't expect that. Prices are moderate to high. The wine list is actually really good. You can get Honig's Cab by the glass which is rare. Once done, you can enter O Lounge through the back of YOLO without having to go back outside. This is not the place for that amazing dinner you will rave about to others. Go elsewhere for that. If you want to experience this nightlife then park here, have dinner elsewhere (Johnny V, Timpano's , Solita or City Tavern all within walking distance) then come back here for drinks and the rest of the options. If done that way then it's a lot of fun. It's a shame. They really should work on perfecting that because they have a good thing going for them with the location, space, decor, drinks and ambiance! They are just missing good memorable food! After all, it is a restaurant no?
(3)
Rich G.
Wonderful food; great service; great ambiance. Lively place with a varied menu where just about everything is great.
(4)
Michelle S.
NIce decor and ambiance, but the food ehhhh, not great. I ordered the Tuna, which was just OK, a little dry and I asked for EXTRA rare, but I was very specific in advising that I don't eat meat, pork or dairy. My veggies (off all things) had bacon in them. OK, so I advised them and asked for something else. Just some grilled veggies, plain with olive oil. They came and looked delicious...I ate a bite and OH YEAH, bacon lining the enitre bottom of the grilled veggie side. So I told them it was ok, not to worry...but the manager came over...but did nothing. NO offer to comp anything or replace what I paid for. Then, we paid with a gift card, but had a problem leaving the tip with the balance on the gift card...UGH. Too much trouble to return! I am sure some people who have no diet restrictions like it, but it was not for me, for sure!
(2)
Richard B.
Yolo is a great place to take a date or out of town friends to show them what Fort Lauderdale has become. Great place to people watch. I recommend calling ahead for reservations unless you are OK with waiting (ie drinking) for two hours on weekends. The indoor/outdoor bar is packed and makes nice signature drinks. The food is pretty good and not too pricey compared to an equally nice looking place on South Beach.
(4)
Rosemarie R.
I had planned to go to YOLO a million times with my sister. A few weeks ago we finally made it out there. We started off with the martini tree which was a trio of martini flavors we picked, two of each. Dragonberry was amazing!! And I don't drink, but that was definitely tasty. We had all appetizers and I'll start with the mussels, they were good but nothing special. The fried calamari was awesome! I'm used to it just fried with some lemon squeezed on top and a pinch of salt but they served it Asian style with a sweet chili sauce and peanuts. It was fried to perfection and an interesting spin on a classic. I was so disappointed with the meatball sliders, they were mushy and bland. The coconut creme pie was ok and the molten cake was good. Then again, chilis can make a good molten cake lol. All in all I can't say it was bad cause we really only had appetizers but the drinks were awesome and the decor and ambiance as a whole was fantastic.
(3)
Chas M.
Great ribs. Tasty acorn squash Excellent service by Scott! This place was worth the wait And get the coconut cream pie...afterall, YOLO!
(5)
Kevin F.
My friend calls me out of the blue as she heard I was back in town and wants to catch up and have take a stroll down Las Olas, so as im driving by my old office in Downtown Fort Lauderdale I notice lots of people, a firepit, and the old boring Brasserrie restaurant no longer there, ferraris parked, people chatting away outside, and the place said YOLO... immediately I remembed the Miami Yelpers and quite the nice event they had there, so I pulled in, valet the car, we stepped out and waited about 10 minutes for a table while we drank some wine served by the attentive bartenders. I was amazed at how different its gotten in the area, that area on 301 Las Olas place was packed when it was once dead, the crowd was mixed with young and old, new money, old money and I was happy to see everyone was enjoying themselves, so we sat down, I had swordfish (it was great), she had a salad (typical) and after much catching up, I smiled and realized I missed the hospitality and service south florida has to offer, I have to say I will return someday. I did notice some type of dance area somewhere in the back as well. Broward is making a comeback (or so I hope).
(4)
Jaclyn K.
This review is for the restaurant, not the lounge. It's a shame I have to give this restaurant a bad rating, because it has the potential to be nice - it's sleek, beautiful, warm, and inviting. You have a view of the open kitchen, and the warmth of the fire and the smell of cedar wafts through the air. Unfortunately, the service is anything but warm and inviting. I had a reservation for 9 people at 8 PM. 40 minutes later, they finally sat us. The waitress, who was not very pleasant, mumbled out the specials which were impossible to hear over the loud noise of the restaurant and disappeared. Over 30 mins later, she came back to take our order. 45 mins later, we finally get our food. I ordered the swordfish, which was bland and overcooked. It was a Wednesday (Ladies' Night) so my friends had brought some of their drinks over from the adjacent lounge area. The waitress scolded them for doing that, even though it was clear that we had no idea it wasn't allowed. When we got our check, the waitress refused to split it and gave everyone a ton of attitude. Since it was my birthday, they brought over a dessert with only one fork, even though we wanted to share. Would never come back to eat at this restaurant again, but I would come back for Ladies Night in the adjacent lounge (even though its packed with cougars and old men).
(1)
Jennifer A.
You Only Live Once? Please? Not here. At least I understand that name to denote a feeling of hedonism, letting your hair down and going wild, and feeling free in a world full of rules and restrictions and societal imposed standards, espescially on a Saturday night on Las Olas in Ft. Lauderdale. I began the evening warming up the dance floor with my friend. We actually set it on fire, and inspired other women to do the same, and shake their groove-thang. The sleezy men were loving it, let me tell you, I don't have a big Ego, but I can dance, so I was told, as I was approaced by several men And women who apprached me and said they enjoyed watching me "do my thing" on the dance floor. After I got my groove on, I was stretching outside (kind of like yoga streches nothing inappropriate), and the douchebag manager basically told me to stop be cause it was bothering other partyers. Really? I just busted some beats and my neck hurt badly, so I needed to stretch. Then, my girlfriend and I proceeded to sit with 3 guys outside for about and hour and when they didn't like our conversation anymore (which was quite pleasant mind you), 1 of the guys got up, walked over to the manager and asked him to have me get up from the couch and leave. I told him that was juevenile and felt as if I was in school and he was telling the teacher on me. I said to the to manager if they don't like our company, they can get up and find another spot to go sit. Seems simple enough. But no, I was escorted away....Never in my life! I wasn't even high or wasted, actually I don't drink or do drugs. Then, they made such a scene about it, after I was forced to leave, they got up from their coveted spot not mor than 10 minutes later. You Only Live Once......LOL!!!!!!!
(1)
J R.
I went to YOLO last Friday night for a friends 40th birthday. I'm giving it 2 stars because it really was "cool" looking. The ambiance is fabulous....very chic, reminds me of some of our fabulous San Francisco restaurants and lounges...EXCEPT for the people! This truly was the most pretentious place I have ever been in my life! We pulled up and the perimeter was lined with Ferraris. The crowd outside was at least 8 to 10 people deep. She couldn't believe how crowded it was, so I said,"maybe it's an event for Ferrari collectors". Oh how naive I can be.....my firend then told me,"uh, no...it's the valet parking". Aye yi yi. The only good part of the evening was the very nice(surprisingly) cocktail waitress who's name I think was Heather. I don't think she was actually from there. I'd certainly never go there again.....just a place to see and be seen. No substance. We did however go to the bar on the left...I think O something and the music was good and the people semed WAY less phony!
(2)
Robo K.
This place is real good and a good addition to the Las Olas area. I have about 6 times already. I like that you can have many different "experiences" at the same place...ha. There is the outdoor area with the firepit, the bar area right inside complete with bar tables if you just want a sandwich or something quick and also the restaurant where the food does not dissapoint. Dont forget O Lounge too for the ONLY lounge vibe in the area (I know ...crazy). The hostesses are all beautiful and stamp the special soup and fish of the day right onto your table. The Butternut Squash soup is rediculously good. Dont miss the calamari. I had the Prime rib which was A+ - nice and mid rare, the burger and fish sandwiches are great and the shrimp and crab sandwich I thought was amazing. One time the server was really annoying because he kept referring to our "experience" at the restaurant and touched my silverware in order to make it straight on the table the way he wanted it, but all other times the service was attentive and good - no real complaints. I live around the corner and plan to be back many times...keep it up yolo.
(4)
Georgia H.
Made a reservation for 9:30pm for a party of 10 for birthday dinner ... The individual we spoke to make the reservation was very stern on telling us to get there on time or the table would be given away.. So we arrive promptly at 9:30pm with all parties present. We were seated at 10:25pm!!!! Horrible, Horrible service... Extremely long wait times WITH A RESERVATION!! Don't waste your time!
(1)
John C.
Nice place nice ambient BUT food just below average, drinks nothing especial. I was expecting a lot more for this restaurant
(2)
Jaran D.
I reserved the O Lounge for a private party for 22 people. I felt compelled to write this review because everything was just perfect. The bartenders Becca and Layla were very professional and extremely attentive and personable. The food was great, and no one needed to wait for a drink. My guests had a blast and the ambiance was perfect for a cocktail party. The GM even took time out of his busy schedule to personally check with me to make sure all was good before and during the event. I highly recommend O Lounge for your next private party.
(5)
Bert M.
YOLO, You Only Live Once and if I was going to have a last meal, I would want it from YOLO. Friday May 15th, the place was jamming. We had reservations and they took us right away. The noise level was a little high for my liking at first and then the loud drunk woman from was soon done and left. The service was outstanding and the food was just as good. You must have at least 1 meal at YOLO if you are in Ft. Lauderdale area.
(5)
Lyza L.
YOLO - You Only Live Once - is a fun, lively place where you can find plenty of Beautiful People and an upscale crowd. Testimony to this is the assortment of gorgeous cars in the valet lot - Bentleys, Jags, Maseratis, you name it. The outdoor lounge area - replete with fire pits and sofas - is a great spot for happy hour. But it can get super crowded, so your best bet is to get there early. Inside is quite loud, although you can ask for an outdoor table. The downside is that the food is inconsistent, which is a disappointment. So I say go there for the people watching and socializing, but don't expect to be wowed by the cuisine.
(3)
Kimberley C.
So many people have been verbally recommending this place that I was thinking..... can they be wrong? I must try..... FOOD: Mediocre DECOR: Cool, slightly hip by not by much SERVICE: GOOD Parking: Valet Had the seared tuna & artichoke dish, so two separate dishes. Both of which were tasteless. How can you mess up artichoke? Will I come here again? NO
(2)
Andi T.
Went here on a date once (in the restaurant) and the ambiance there is that of a lounge. The food was delicious. I peeked at the check and it was a bit pricey but I enjoyed every part of the experience.
(4)
J. A.
Went this past sunday around 2pm could not get a seat at the bar, several women had their purses in empty seat when asked they said they were saving it for friends come on this is a bar! how long should someone be allowed to save a seat?
(1)
Robin T.
Food is very good. We had dinner one day and brunch another. The cornbread is good but big enough for 4 people. The crab cakes were delicious but small. For brunch, we had shrimp & grits and French toast, both good. Try the Coco Lychee cocktail-delicious. Service very good. Hip atmosphere.
(5)
Gladys P.
I decided to have my birthday celebration at Yolo, i had a group of 10 people i was super happy with my friends until one of them that has never being there had to kill a roach on the floor by the kitchen i called the manager to tell him next day i was so embarrassed of my friend, the manager was rude telling me this is south florida and we all have roach in our places. Maybe he is right but the way he handled wasn't nice. So i will never go back there neither my friends. Its was an embarrassment to me on my bday celebration. If you have pest control often the roach should ve being dead not alive and running in our feet. Disgusting.
(1)
Rita E.
Positives...Really nice trendy place. Dress to impress. Fun crowd on Sat nite. Negatives....DJ played good music but was not customer oriented. Security falsely accused my hubby of wrongdoing when he attempted to turn in a credit card he found on the floor. When we defended ourselves we were invited to leave. So not cool.
(3)
Daniel K.
I've been here 3 times. Food is consistent but service was a bit spotty today. Our waiter was overwhelmed and was not attentive to our table. Seems like he cared more about the larger table that was seated next to our table.
On our first night in Fort Lauderdale, we went out to Las Olas Boulevard, FTL's exclusive nightlife scene. This area is very chilled, classy, & full of young professionals and good conversations. From shopping to fine dining to bars, the choice is yours. If you're looking for some fine dining, I highly recommend YOLO restaurant.. because you know.. you only live once. ;) Their craft cocktails are superb and their mouthwatering Szechuan Calamari (with garlic chili sauce, chopped peanuts, and sesame) is to die for. OMG so yum.
(4)
Jeff F.
Great location with a fun environment. I've probably been here 20 times before and no matter if it's for happy hour, dinner, etc it never disappoints. I was hesitant about this place because of the name at first but it was impressive. I recommend the calamari which is different and the Prime Rib.
(4)
Julia M.
Absolutely amazing food. The rotisserie chicken was so flavorful and juicy! The California Spinach salad was fuego and the service was great. Our server was Mark, so if you get him he's cool. Sitting outside was nice.
(5)
Doug M.
Meatball sliders and chopped salad w shrimp are amazing starts. And the plank salmon is crazzzzy good. My go to restaurant whenever I am in fort laudy. Not sure if drake or the owner used the term first. Atmosphere fun and fresh. A must go
(5)
Marty W.
Great inside/outside Bar that the beautiful locals (women) frequent. Constant car show out front with Rolls, Lambos and Ferraris to name a few. While I didn't eat there my local friends said food is great. Food looked good being served.
(5)
Joseph B.
Drinks are good but expensive. There is a dress code to go into the inside club but you can wear shorts outside. The clientele is great looking and this place is very trendy. I enjoy chilling here. I was here last year and loved it then.
(4)
Karenann L.
Corn dip was awesome. Kale salad was way too vinegary and I couldn't eat it (soaked in red vinegar). There was no sweetness to the salad - maybe they could marinade the kale in a dressing of oil/lemon with raisins so the kale leaves have time to soak up the dressing and is more soft rather than just tasting red vinegar the entire time. My husband got the soup and sandwich which was tomato soup and short rib I think. The tomato soup had a layer of oil on top- it wasn't touched. The sandwich was drenched in grease- only ate half, if that. The potato chips it came with were really greasy too. Our waiter Seth was really great!
(3)
Donna P.
Went on a Sunday night, so it wasn't crazy busy. Cool night, so we sat outside. Started with the Szechuan calamari and the sliders and the cucumber cooler. All were fabulous. The cucumber cooler had a little bite to it. I ordered the salmon special, and it was prepared just how I liked it. My companions ordered the tuna and prime rib sandwich. Both were great. The fries were skinny and crispy. Service was friendly, and our drinks were always refilled.
(4)
Steffanie C.
Great vibe and the place was packed! I made a reservation but they still made us wait for 45 mins. We had a couple of drinks outside while we waited. Food was good, service was ok, but I would def go back again.
(5)
Edward H.
One of Fort Lauderdale's best Sunday brunch spots whether you choose indoor or outdoor covered dining. The menu is well versed but Quiche, crab cakes and grilled artichokes are always my favorite starters while enjoying a martini tree or bottle of champagne. Flat iron steak, Asian style tuna, and BBQ pork with Apple slaw are my go to craves but have also tried a simple grilled mahi, all very good.
(4)
Kerry J.
I'm from South Florida and although I haven't lived there in several years, I was aware of YOLO. I finally got to check out their brunch while visiting my family last weekend. I was immediately impressed by the $15 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys at brunch. You don't get pre-mixed drinks, either. Uh uh. Not even close... Unlimited Bloody Marys= carafe of vodka, carafe of Bloody Mary mix, and a tower of garnishes including olives, horseradish, jalapenos, lemons, and limes Unlimited mimosas= a bottle of champagne and a carafe of orange juice For my meal I had the smoked salmon BLT, which comes with a delicious green apple slaw for a side. It was huge, and only $12. For the location and upscale ambiance, this is a shocklingly affordable option along Las Olas. I'll definitely be back here next time I'm in the area.
(4)
Thomas R.
Rude greeters. Mediocre food. On the plus side: A lot of beautiful girls to look at. My first visit was Saturday March 28 which is also my last visit there!
(2)
LaDonna S.
Best brunch ! Thoroughly enjoyed the bottomless mimosas. Leah, our waiter was awesome! We ordered the pancakes, mahi sandwhich, omelet special and burger. All of the dishes was delicious. Can't wait until I can get back!
(5)
Craig B.
Well my review won't be a long winded one. My experience at this place was bitter sweet. There were some highlights in the night last night and definitely some lows! To start off. It was supposed to be a nice birthday celebration and it was but service at this restaurant was not the greatest. I had to keep changing my reservation because open table didnt allow me to choose enough seats for my party in the time slot I wanted. So I called the restaurant, and was told well we are very bz. So if u can make this time slot then we can accommodate you and if not oh well. Not said but implied. Upon sitting a family member tell waitress it's my birthday. U would have thought service might have paid slightly more attention to me but I had to look around to get attention. Drinks were tasty but light on the alcohol. Food was excellent but I had to borrow a knife from someone at my table and had to ask waitress for a fork. We were given a dirty glass with lipstick smudges on it! Yuck!!! I also kept feeling like the servers were rushing herding the people in and out. So to make a long story short. Yolo's good just far from great!
(2)
Terry L.
I love the energy of this place... WOW! If you come on a Friday or Saturday night it will have a club/lounge feel (young and mature)! Anytime I come here I must have the cornbread and calamari. Honestly, they have the best calamari I have ever tasted as it's not bready or chewy, it's nicely fried topped with there own special sauces. The cornbread is soft and beautiful... Yes I said beautiful (lol), they make the batter everyday and typically sell out of it early within the night. As for entrees, I have only gotten the Cedar Salmon with mash potatoes and it's always executed perfectly. I have never had a problem with service. I think this is a perfect place to dress up and meet your friends for good talk and good times!
(5)
Heather A.
Came here for lunch on a Monday with a group of 4. We were seated quickly, and outdoors. We really enjoyed the outdoor space. It was very busy with business lunches. Our food was delicious and arrived in a timely manner. The only real drawback was the limited menu, not a wide variety of options. I would have liked more selections.
(4)
Martin K.
Ok, you have to take this place for what it is. Between 7-9, it's a place where the younger crowd (typically from the burbs) drops by for dinner and drinks. Between 9-11, it's a pre-game place for those heading to Miami (again, usually from the burbs) and a post-dinner drink place for the locals who will be calling it a night. After 11, the place becomes a toss up and can be fun or completely dead (i.e. tourist dependent). For Lauderdale, it's one of those "trying to be Cosmopolitan" places, and does a decent job, until some donkey puts on Hey Shorty It's Your Birthday or some other crap and you shake your head. Oh yeah, this place is also the prime Lauderdale spot for the the mid-life crisis guys to meet their future (and significantly younger) Mrs by flashing their fancy cars. From a food perspective, the food can be good, but is oddly inconsistent. I've eaten her 5 or 6 times, 3-4 of which were great, the other 2 were terrible. Different servers all the time - most likely high turnover which explains why the reviews are all over the place.
(3)
Harvey D.
I decided to try this restaurant since it received pretty good reviews and I had plans to be near Las Olas anyway. My wife and I met another couple and we were seated after waiting about 10-15 min. even though I made a reservation. They did say they had outdoor seating available immediately, however, we opted to wait for a table inside. Once we were seated, the waitress came and took our drink and appetizer order. This is where it started to get a little rocky: the waitress set the first glass of water down and almost spilled it on us. I caught it as it was spinning on the table and the tablecloth only ended up a little wet. She then proceeded to basically dump an entire glass of iced tea into our friend's lap. She quickly left and we gave him all of the napkins we had to dry off with. The waitress did return wtih more napkins and wiped off the tablecloth while he was drying off his jeans. This is where my first (of two) complaints come in: why not offer us a complementary appetizer or dessert? You almost spilled a glass of water and you did spill the iced tea? We ordered two appetizers and a dessert and one of those could have easily been taken off the check. The yolo chips and cornbread then was delivered and they were tasty although the cornbread was much better. I thought the chips had too much bleu cheese on them for my liking. Once this fiasco settled down, she left for a few minutes and came back to take our dinner orders. I really wanted the 1/2 rotisserie chicken; however, they brush the chicken with butter while on the grill so that wasn't going to work. I decided on the fillet wtih fries and a ceasar salad. The portion size wasn't bad and they gave me a lot of fries and a decently sized salad. The fillet was 10 oz. which was nice since I was hungry. After we all finished all meals, she asked if we wanted dessert. Seeing as how my wife had a "Happy Birthday" balloon and mentioned a couple of times that it was her birthday along with the drinks ordeal, I believe that the dessert she decided on ( chocolate lava cake) should have been free. Even if that is not their policy.... I have to update this yelp because after reading the above, the manager contacted me and apologized for what had happened. He wanted to assure me that this was not the typical protocol of how they run their restaurant and to give them another chance to make things right. So.... My wife and I made a reservation for this past weekend. We were sat immediately and the manager came up to us and introduced himself shortly after we were seated. Everything went very well and our dinner and the service was impeccable. The prime rib was incredible (and a lot less fat than any other prime rib I have ered had) and my wife admitted her fish might just be the best she has ever eaten. The manager came over a second time to check on us and make sure that everything was ok. The server was fantastic and he really made the whole experience that much better. At the end of the meal, the server informs us that the check is being taken care of by the restaurant. We were in complete shock! We could not believe they took care of the entire check. For all of you other restaurants out there, take lessons from YOLO. They made a mistake and they corrected it. They went way beyond what even I could have imagined to gain our trust back and to keep us coming back. This is what customer service is all about. We will definitely be going back and bringing friends!
(5)
Cherine A.
After seeing all of my Yelp buddies check in for brunch spots lately, I've had a hankering for a good brunch day. Once Jenn S. and I decided to do brunch this past weekend, we agreed that unlimited mimosas was a requirement for any establishment we were to visit (clearly we have our priorities in check). Enter the handy Yelp search, and voila! YOLO fit the bill. I'd been wanting to try this place for a while, in spite of the name. I made a reservation on Open Table, but it turns out it wasn't necessary given the ridiculously awful weather we had on Sunday. We were promptly seated inside (and it's gorgeous in there), and our waiter quickly came by to take our drink order. I think it's obvious what we chose, and we were serious when we said "unlimited" - Jenn and I killed two bottles of champagne over the course of two-and-a-half hours. They don't give you super cheap champagne either - this was Domaine St. Michelle Brut, and it was good enough to drink on its own (I've been to other places where the champagne is only palatable when mixed with orange juice). We needed to take a stroll down Las Olas for a bit after to sober up :) As for the food, I was torn between an omelette and the french toast. I even said to myself at the time that I could get an omelette anywhere, and yet I chose that anyway. It was just okay. I asked for it with bacon and lots of cheddar, but it was rather bland and not much cheese at all in it. Next time I'm getting the french toast. We split the cinnamon rolls, which were pretty good, but I don't know that I'd order them again. So even though the food wasn't amazing, I'm giving YOLO four stars... our server was awesome, and unlimited mimosas make everything better :)
(4)
J B.
I have a love hate relationship with this place. Since it's a few blocks from my home, it's good place to go to when I don't feel like traveling far, especially for socializing and dancing at the 2 near by lounges. The food is definitely good. I have eaten here often, for pleasure and business, so I have tried most of the menu. Haven't found anything I don't like. Service can be hit or miss. Inside seating is your best shot for better service. Outside can drive me crazy a bit. Staff can be just as aloof as the patrons. Its very snooty here, way too many over cologned guys. Lots of gold diggers too. The people here is what drives me crazy about this place. If you go with your own group of friends so you can ignore the meat market, the gold diggers, the pretentious men, the stalker men and the sloppy drunk women spilling drinks, falling down, throwing up etc. Then it can be a better night. 3 stars for the all around experience. 4 stars for the food.
(3)
Emily D.
Great menu and food. Wonderful service- professional and well informed. Would definitely go back!
(5)
Nina C.
Just ok- but when you feel your too busy to sell booze to people- umm just remember- money is like manure, it's ment to spread around
(1)
J B.
One of my favorite places in FTL! Meatball sliders, calamari, and tuna sashimi were excellent. One of the best crab cakes I have ever had. My wife's meal was also excellent. Highly recommended!
(5)
Allan S.
YOLO is the sister restaurant of S3 which I happen to love so I was disappointed when YOLO didn't live up to the same high standard. Yes the female bartenders are sexy, attractive and friendly (ours was the spitting image of Paz Vega). Yes the place is hopping and oozes a hip vibe which we really liked. Yes the service is top notch whether at the bar, or table service. It's in the food quality where YOLOs falls short. In all fairness, my Manhattan Steak entree was delicious. But the chorizo mussels, grilled artichoke, and tuna sashimi were nothing special - they seemed dominated by one or two strong flavors and lacked the melange of subtle flavors you would expect from a well-prepared high end cuisine. The Seared Tuna and Noodles entree ordered by my wife was downright bland; in retrospect it should be a crime to lay high quality ahi on top of hot noodles/soup. With the many high end dining options on Las Olas you will be best served by going elsewhere for dinner. But if your goal is drinks with attitude and great service, you won't be disappointed.
(3)
James O.
5 of us went to dinner and had terrible service when the place was not busy. After waiting 15 minutes for someone to come to our table I had to get up to get the hostess to send a waiter to take our drink orders. I knew there as a minimum age to drink but here they must also have a minimum sitting time to order as well. Finally after another 10 minutes someone came to take our food order. 45 minutes after sitting we had drinks but no food yet; not even a basket of bread which we learned must be requested and is not brought to a table as a matter of course. The food was acceptable but the service and discovering they charge an additional $2 for a drink if ordered "on the rocks" was enough for 5 of us to never come here again. ur past visits had been fine so place has gone down hill.
(1)
Blake C.
The food was great, the service was awesome! My girlfriend and I decided to order dinner at the bar while we had a few drinks. The people are great, food was delicious, but I have to say the air conditioning was either malfunctioning or not on at all!
(2)
Anna M.
Went to YOLO for the first time the other night with my boyfriend while we were in the area. We arrived about 20 minutes before our reservation and were lucky enough to be seated right away. Our waitress was so sweet, very attentive, took our order right away, and checked on us enough times to let us know she hadn't forgotten us but wasn't being overbearing. We started with the dragonberry mojitos, they were so good and so strong but didn't taste like you were drinking straight alcohol. For appetizers we got the szechuan calamari and the skillet corn bread - both were AMAZING and the portions were huge, we managed to finish the calamari but the corn bread literally comes cooked in a large skillet so needless to say we opted to take what we didn't finish home. My boyfriend got the prime ride sandwich for his entree and I got the rotisserie Greek chicken, again both meals exceeded our expectations, the quality was excellent and the portions were giant. Overall loved this place, from the service to the food we couldn't have asked for a better experience and we will definitely be back!
(5)
Jim G.
An overdue review as I have been there 3 or 4 times over the past 3 months and it is a TRUE GEM for Happy Hour on Las Olas!!! The VERY under-priced appetizers are delicious.....especially the Meatball Sandwich.....(I have em skip the bread).....but its the outstanding bartending staff that makes Fridays at 5 so fun......they can make anything and amazingly last time I was there they didn't have a request but low and behold 20 minutes later I see a barback with a plastic shopping bag and out comes my request!.....Enjoy the afterwork crowd and always fun to talk with everyone who happens to be there. The proximity to Club 401, The Royal Pig and a little later in the night, VIBE doesn't hurt either.......GREAT FUN PLACE.....ENJOY!!!!
(5)
connie l.
Pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. Very trendy venue with a great outdoor sitting area. Great for both lunch meetings and date night.
(5)
Rabia J.
You only live once but you eat at Yolo multiple times. I really like this restaurant and the vibe of the Florida restaurant feel atmosphere. It's a super popular restaurant near the las o las area and it is set up beautifully. I love the fire burning pit in the front with a great entrance for valet parking as well as side garage behind this restaurant. They have great seating inside and outside, however, they are usually very busy so I recommend a reservation. Only once with a reservation we had to wait a lot but usually they are very prompt. I usually like to order multiply appetizers as my entree in this restaurant. The sweet and spicy calamari is a must have as well as the tuna sashimi with the seaweed salad. Their chocolate lava cake is divine and the perfect way to end the meal. Yolo ~
(4)
Puneet M.
YOLO has good prices, proportions, and the food is great! The calamari was outstanding along with the salmon! A must try if you are in the area.
(4)
Anna T.
Um the place is beautiful but the food is horrible. Ordered a steak and the steak I eat at long horn tastes even better. They gave a herb mashed potatoe and sweet potato that tasted so weird it brought back memories when I ate Gerber food. Im sorry but if your courses are 28+ please make a good viraty and not from a baby food can
(2)
Rashida C.
Went here for lunch yesterday. Ordered the roasted corn appetizer and it was very greasy but tasty especially with the lime! Also ordered the Caesar salad and it was very fresh. The crispy snapper was a very good portion and had a good mix of flavor throughout. Server Susan was nice, attentive and knowledgeable!
(5)
Ralphie M.
YOLO is one of my favorite places to dine on Las Olas! I go there regularly. The staff are always friendly and the food is consistently good. This week we had a mishap where a tray of drinks were accidentally spilled on a couple of the girls in our party. The server apologized profusely and the manager promptly re-sat us and had all of our food and drinks replaced immediately.... A classy move on both of their parts to diffuse what could have been a disaster. Thank you!
(5)
Matt J.
Of course a place with such a name was not going to live up to the hype. The decor is nice, the food is a little above average, drinks over priced. I may only go here once, unless its paid for by someone else. #YOLO #AHHOK
(3)
David M.
Friendly atmosphere and customer service... as good as it gets! While vacationing in Miami I headed up to Ft. Lauderdale for a late afternoon business meeting. I'd not been to Yolo previously but the location was perfect for my meeting. Walking in I was greeted by a hostess who flashed a big, welcoming smile. I sat at the bar tinkering with the sales presentation on my iPad while I waited for my associate to arrive. The bar at Yolo is a friendly bar with a personable bartender, John, who made me feel right at home. Shortly thereafter my associate arrived and we had our meeting. I settled the tab, said goodbye, and began my drive back to Miami. When I reached my hotel (Fontainebleau) I realized that I didn't have my iPad.Oh no!! I had forgotten the iPad at Yolo, so I called the restaurant with the the hope that someone there had found it and put it in a safe place. The phone was answered by Sarah who was also very friendly and assuring when she said that yes, indeed, she had found the iPad and it was being held in the office. Sarah connected me with the assistant restaurant manager, Joe, who was reassuring and told me that the general manager would call me the next morning to talk about getting the iPad to me. I hoped that he follow-thru would occur, but was optimistic that it would given how nice everyone at Yolo had been to me. The next morning I received the call from GM Michael Savitt who could not have been more sincerely interested in helping me. He offered to take the iPad to UPS so that it could be delivered the next day to me in MIami. Michael also suggested that he might look for a same-day delivery service so I could get the iPad even sooner. His research paid off. Michael arranged everything and my iPad and I were reunited. I offered to pay Michael for the time and trouble he went to to assist me, but he refused. He said he only wished to help his customer. His statement was genuine. When you encounter someone who really "gets it" about customer service it makes a long-lasting impact. I will return to Yolo the next time I visit Ft. Lauderdale. I don't know who owns Yolo but with people like Michael, Joe, John and Sarah, they have something really special going on in Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)
Dina Marie A.
I love yolo I loved everything I ever ate here .. Their brunch is excellent and their burger is amazing .. Let's not forget the corn dip and calamari .. Ok yeah everything is good here lol
(5)
Sarah M.
I've ate here twice and it's been two completely dining experiences. First time the food was absolutely amazing and we couldn't wait to come back. The second time the food was just okay. The only thing consistent seemed to be the lack luster servers. Maybe third time will be the charm....
(3)
Sarah M.
Nice place! Very trendy but not my scene! The drinks were better and cheaper across the street! The atmosphere was a little stiff. I guess I'm more of a pub girl!
(3)
Tony R.
It was ok... Nothing to write home to mom about.... Service was good but the food was average. Perhaps I will try brunch one day to see what all the commotion is about.
(3)
C E.
Older crowd but definitely busy even on a Wednesday. A little hard to get a seat but with the wait as the food and staff are on their game.
(4)
Alex S.
Terrible, awful, pathetic, pretentious, lousy... It's true. The place is so cheesy. They always have lined up in the front pricey cars to give an air of sophistication. It doesn't work ! The crowd is not very diverse. Many older women hitting on younger men and too drunk to stand up straight for long. They will be falling all over the place, you are particularly at risk if you are sitting outside waiting an eternity for a table. Watch out or one will fall on you. One of them felt me up. The wait time is disgusting. I waited four hours for a table. The fish on the menu and the fish special was all farmed. The food was greasy and the coleslaw had way too much mayo. The waiter who was not too happy to be there was arrogant. He assured me that what I ordered would be enough for one person. Yes, it would be enough for a baby perhaps. The food was cold, but by the time it arrived I was so hungry that I had no desire to send it back. I was there Friday May 15th. I know that it is in Ft. Lauderdale, but still. Don't pretend to be something you aren't. Oh, don't ask what I was charged for the greasy, poorly prepared and presented entree. Lets just establish that the bill was an insult for the food and the experience offered at YOLO. Their motto is, "You Only Live Once," but I think it should be, "You'll Only Dine Here Once." The latter would be more fitting.
(1)
Jonathan C.
Visited for my sisters birthday. Nice venue, had to park in the parking garage which was $8 on a Sunday, not terrible. It was a birthday celebration and therefore a party of 6+ is almost to be expected. With that being said, I would not recommend this establishment for group gatherings unless you decide to charter a bus to take everyone there at the same time. They refuse to seat you if your entire group is not present, which is not something I'm accustomed to from an established restaurant. The Food was nice but if you do brunch with bottomless mimosas, don't expect to stay and chat over a few glasses, as once they take your plate, they stop providing the $6 bottles of bubbly and orange juice. The ones that you have to pour and mix yourself.
(3)
M K.
Terry was our waiter(res). Experience sucked, because of this poor service by Terry. Avoid this place at all costs because of Terry. Food is good. Terry is a bitch complainer waitress.
(1)
Angie J.
Never disappoints!!! I was back in Fort Lauderdale for a quick weekend away and made my dinner reservation right after we booked our plane tickets. We started with drinks at the bar before being seated at a table outside. All of the food was great, truffle chips, the chopped salad, Mac and cheese and the pork chop was one of the best I've had. Not only is the food great, but so is the ambiance and service. Our waitress was very attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. We were celebrating my birthday and really loved the lava cake!!! My only complaint is that YOLO isn't in DC!
(5)
Miranda P.
You Oughta Look Ostentatious. Everyone here seems like they're trying too hard, including the establishment itself. But somehow, I wasn't impressed. Not with the service, nor with the sustenance. BOTTOM LINE: It's just a façade.
(2)
Lauren U.
Worst experience ever. My friends and I decided to stop at YOLO to have a couple drinks. We were seated immediately in the pretty outside area, which seemed promising for the night. However, things went sour immediately. Our server came over right after we had sat down and whipped out her little notebook. Looking at us with quite the stink-face, she said, "Are you ready?" No greeting, no smile, nothing. Fine -- I'm from Miami: I don't usually bat an eye at non-friendly service, as long as we get our orders and the people aren't downright rude. We asked for a couple minutes and started looking over the drink menu. When she returned a bit later, I had a couple simple questions about the menu. She grudgingly answered me with little more than one word. OKAY, now I'm getting annoyed. We ordered and she flounced away. We were then able to roll our eyes at the super fancy cars being valeted immediately in front of the restaurant. Drinks came. We enjoyed them; we had branched out a little and ordered new things. I got a little martini sampler, which was cute but nothing like what the server had described. If you don't know, just say so! Before we had finished our drinks, the server came back and stood in front of us, staring. We weren't sure what was going on, so one of us asked her politely if there was a problem. She said she wanted to check if we were going to order something else; we said no. Shortly after, a different person (manager?) came over to ask us if we(QUOTE) "planned to stay for a few hours?" WHAT?! I literally started to laugh, and told her that, well, no, we didn't plan to stay for hours, but we DID plan to stay and at least enjoy our drinks. She somewhat sheepishly said that that was fine and let us be. The server came back and asked for one of our credit cards (apparently this had been the issue the whole time, but she didn't explain herself prior to this point). I gave her mine, and at this point, we were all not very happy and pretty much ready to go. We finished our drinks hurriedly, and tried to wave the server down to close out our check. Eventually, I had to get up and find her. She came BACK to ask what the name was on my card (SIGH). When we finally got the bill, I could not sign any faster. We practically ran out. I was happy to see all of the YOLO jokes on Yelp -- "you'll only go once," etc. Hee hee! Glad I wasn't the only one.
(1)
Fred N.
YOLO's a nice place for either a first date or just a after work happy hour. The outdoor atmosphere is lively and filled with amazing people; mostly professionals. Staffs are good but not great. The place is clean and decors are a nice touch. The food is okay, nothing out of the ordinary. In general, YOLO's a really nice spot to hang out with your friends/coworkers and have some drinks.
(4)
Irene A.
Ladies bathroom was dirty and none of the stalls had toilet paper. When i advised the front attendant, she was like ok. Terrible! It was only 8:30 on a Friday night. Not good!!!
(1)
Angelo R.
Had dinner here last night with Andy and we were pretty impressed. The location is at the beginning of the Las Olas strip across from Timpano. There are several parking lots and garage off 3rd ave, about a block away from the restaurant. We walked in and were greeted promptly. First, we had couple of drinks at the bar patio side: Strawberry Kiss (Fresh Strawberries, Grey Goose Vodka, Lemon Juice, Balsamic Vinegar, Cracked Black Pepper) and Passiontini (Grey Goose Vodka, Chambord, Pineapple Juice). Be carfeful, these were potent drinks but not complaining here. They were carefully crafted concoctions and not watered down...at all :) On to our dinner. We shared grilled artichokes to start. For entrees, Andy ordered the Rotisserie Pork Chop (Double Cut, BBQ Basted) served Collard Greens & Corn Brulee. Wow...talk about big portion. The meat was cooked right and loved the the semi sweet taste of the brulee. I got the Center Cut Filet (Aged, Oak Grilled) and side of Mac & Cheese. Medium done right..meat was tender & juicy and cheesy-gooey tasty mac & cheese....AMEN! We also loved the atmosphere of this place. Energetic, hip & trendy but not snobby. Beautiful outdoor seating and more than satisfactory service. Great place for a romantic night out and business dinners. Will definitely be back :)
(5)
Andrew W.
I had a great vegetarian play at a good price. The restaurant has a good variety, and even though it looks like it might be pricey, I felt the prices were quite reasonable for an evening out. This would be a great place for a date. Also great if you want some place to hang with friends, music, but not so loud that you can hear each other talk. Very hipster and a well dressed but casual crowd. My friend had the vegetarian burger, which was very tasty and rich. A step up from some of the other places that do vegetarian burgers.
(5)
Sara M.
Thanks for the follow on Twitter, Yolo. For that, you get a review. Wish I could make it a five-starer for ya, but come on, I think we all know that there is a crazy heap of hype that surrounds you and I have taken an oath to the Yelp gods to be honest in my reviews. So yeah, there is alot of hype about Yolo. Now, I have never had food here before; maybe the menu is spot on and the food is laced in happy thoughts and sparkles, I don't know, but as a bar or as a lounge, Yolo is just okay for me. First of all your beer menu is complete crapola and B) your bartenders repeatedly mess up my very simple drink order of gin and ginger and I am typically served a gin and tonic instead. Gin and Ginger. So easy! It even rolls right off the tongue. But all exaggeration aside, I think my drink has come out as ordered ONCE in all the times I have come here.. which is many. As a "place" Yolo is fine. It's just that I find the outside to get crazy crowded, especially on the weekends, and that many sweaty suited up bodies per square foot its unappealing. The inside is loud so talking is a no-go, and for dancing... well the layout is not great for that either. As far as a crowd is concerned, lets call a spade a spade and all admit that pretty much everyone here is some kind of douche. Like the young lawyer douche(YLD) who maxes out his card by buying a few rounds for the whole group so he can impress all the other YLDs. Or the coked out douchey girl wearing a low cut cowl neck. My personal fave of the sleazy 40-something douche with a bald spot and visible boner. And don't forget the ever so lovely cougar douches with their animal print jumpsuits and obvious lip-liner. Yeaa.. I realize this all sounds harsh, but Yolo has its good points too! For starters there is a big parking lot a few steps away, so in terms of ease, there is no driving around for countless minutes searching for parking. Also, the outside is very tropical oasis-esq which is nothing to hate. There is definitely a scene here and there is never a shortage of people (d.bags) and as well all know, nothing kills a buzz like drinking in an empty bar, so put your party pants on people. And in terms of comparison, there is not a whole lot of choice places on the block. I understand if you unfollow me on twitter after this review, Yolo. But hey, I gotta be honest, you only live once #amirite ?
(3)
Grace R.
YOLO is consistently good food and great service. It's a great place to take clients or people from out of town. I frequently go for lunch but would expect same experience for dinner. Chopped salad, arugula salad and turkey burger are my go to. I do not like turkey burgers from any other restaurant - they do something special - maybe chipotle sauce. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jessica C.
Server was great! But the food was not. They were out of two different types appetizers. The calamari tasted too sweet (pretty much calamari drowned in BBQ sauce) the only thing that tasted decent were the meatball sliders. Good place for drinks, but not for dinner.
(3)
Vanessa R.
The food is absolutely delicious. Their classic burger is amazing and their calamari is to dye for!! I enjoyed the atmosphere and the service of the staff, very much. It's calm and relaxing and can't wait till winter comes so I can come sit by the fire pit. I would recommend this place to anyone, I also have to come back for the brunch!
(4)
Rene M.
This place is amazing, chic, and beautiful. They have out door seating with bonfires in the front, an indoor/ our bar so you can be seated inside or outside at the same bar. Plus, there's a lounge/ club right next door that's connect to the restaurant. My friend and I ordered drinks ( great selection) and had their calamari appetizer,which has this sweet glaze, and spice with nuts! Divine! I order the Prime Rib with Potato Gratin and it was to die for! Cooked to perfection. My friend had the Center Cut Filet with vegetables and it melted in your mouth. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. Great atmosphere, great staff, and great memories
(5)
Kaitlyn B.
Great outdoor lounge! My husband and I dined inside facing the kitchen. While it wasn't as cozy as the outdoor area, it was nice to see the food prep on the tv's and the open kitchen providing a clear view of the behind the scenes action. The calamari appetizer was very unique and unlike any other calamari I've had. Our server was very professional.
(3)
n l.
Great place! Great location! Great food! Cami was our server and she was awesome! We had no reservation and were seated w/in three minutes! Will definitely come back!!
(5)
Melissa L.
Came in on Sunday thinking there was a 30 min wait. We ordered drinks at the bar and received a text our table was ready. I ordered the smoked pork hash and sunny side eggs. My boyfriend got the French toast. The smoked pork hash may need a side. The French toast may have been the best we have ever tasted. You can't beat the unlimited mimosas at only $15 each. Outside seating is awesome. Inside is a little intimate but usually not so much of a wait. I will be back!
(4)
Joshua G.
Prime rib sandwich amazing!!!! Service amazing!! bartender ALLI amazing- pleasure dining here- sexy staff- sexy guests
(5)
Dara B.
Ladies nights are great. I like the food as well.
(4)
Ward S.
Excellent food and atmosphere. Very convenient location for those who work downtown. I had lunch here with a few colleagues in April 2014 and the service was outstanding. I had the swordfish sandwich that came on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onions and a wonderful signature sauce. The valet staff parks cars right at the front entrance and it resembled the Barrett-Jackson auto show. A very relaxed atmosphere and not stuffy at all. Wear a business suit or come dressed like Jimmy Buffett.
(4)
Tra B.
Have to Update. Management reached out to compensate our recent not so fond visit to make it right and I must say its gratifying, which shows true hospitality with management that cares about service and their customers. Thank You Michael I'll definitely visit next time I'm in town.
(4)
Bradley T.
Service was so-so but what do ya expect on a busy Saturday night! Cheeseburger was AMAZING and the sweet potato mashed - to die for. The atmosphere is worth any deficiency in service or food quality. Love the place...
(4)
Danielle L.
Looks like I dont need to say much. Visited here while on my honeymoon. Found it via Yelp .. so thanks yelpers. the food was divine!! the service was great, our server never forgot about even though there was a group of 15 or so next to us. She made us feel like we were important ( I dont remember her name.. she was white, short sassy hair, super sute) My black berry mojito(s) were perfect. I wish we would have found it earlier, we probably would have been here more.
(4)
Puneet M.
YOLO has good prices, proportions, and the food is great! The calamari was outstanding along with the salmon! A must try if you are in the area.
(4)
Sonia A.
YOLO never lets me down. Went there for lunch this weekend and had a Blackened Corvina sandwich. The bun was super soft, the fish delicious, tender and juicy and it came with a mountain of small fries! Great sand which! The place itself is very chic, modern, and pretty comfortable seating. The tables are nice and big, you don't even need booths to feel comfortable and privacy is not an issue. I have also been there for dinner and drinks and everything has always been nothing but delicious! YOLO is a staple on the Las Olas strip and I don't think they're going out of business anytime soon!
(5)
Brenda P.
It "appears" to be a 5 but it's a definite 3.5. The food is hit or miss. This, however, is the kind of place you go for ambiance first and food second (if at all). Yes, there are such places...settle down. Decor is somewhere sleek modern and sophisticated. The bar divides the outside and inside area and can be accessed equally from both. Drinks are delicious. I have tried the Dirty Blonde, Strawberry Caipirinha and the Bliss Martini. All good. All really strong. The outside has lounge seats, fire pits, high tops and blaring music. You can make a night of just hanging out outside without actually dining inside. The inside is your usual restaurant design with a mix of booths and chairs. The open kitchen gives off a smell sometimes. They really need to fix that. No one wants to leave there smelling like food! Everyone is (mostly) dressed to impress. This is as SOBE as Ft. Lauderdale gets. The people watching is crazy! (for FTL). YOLO is connected to O Lounge and next to Vibe. You can make an entire night of it and it's great! You only (valet) park once and have three good places to go to for the night without driving all over the place. It's also directly on Las Olas so you can also walk the strip if you want as well. I have been there mostly at night and once for brunch. The brunch was a little disappointing. I like it way better at night. We have tried the following dishes in the past: Octopus- OK Wedge salad- Blah BBQ Pork ribs- GOOD Szechuan Calamari- AMAZING. A must! Cedar- roasted salmon- OK Pumpkin Cheesecake- OK The service has been efficient every time. They don't go out of their way for you or anything so don't expect that. Prices are moderate to high. The wine list is actually really good. You can get Honig's Cab by the glass which is rare. Once done, you can enter O Lounge through the back of YOLO without having to go back outside. This is not the place for that amazing dinner you will rave about to others. Go elsewhere for that. If you want to experience this nightlife then park here, have dinner elsewhere (Johnny V, Timpano's , Solita or City Tavern all within walking distance) then come back here for drinks and the rest of the options. If done that way then it's a lot of fun. It's a shame. They really should work on perfecting that because they have a good thing going for them with the location, space, decor, drinks and ambiance! They are just missing good memorable food! After all, it is a restaurant no?
(3)
John C.
Nice place nice ambient BUT food just below average, drinks nothing especial. I was expecting a lot more for this restaurant
(2)
Jaran D.
I reserved the O Lounge for a private party for 22 people. I felt compelled to write this review because everything was just perfect. The bartenders Becca and Layla were very professional and extremely attentive and personable. The food was great, and no one needed to wait for a drink. My guests had a blast and the ambiance was perfect for a cocktail party. The GM even took time out of his busy schedule to personally check with me to make sure all was good before and during the event. I highly recommend O Lounge for your next private party.
(5)
Bert M.
YOLO, You Only Live Once and if I was going to have a last meal, I would want it from YOLO. Friday May 15th, the place was jamming. We had reservations and they took us right away. The noise level was a little high for my liking at first and then the loud drunk woman from was soon done and left. The service was outstanding and the food was just as good. You must have at least 1 meal at YOLO if you are in Ft. Lauderdale area.
(5)
Georgia H.
Made a reservation for 9:30pm for a party of 10 for birthday dinner ... The individual we spoke to make the reservation was very stern on telling us to get there on time or the table would be given away.. So we arrive promptly at 9:30pm with all parties present. We were seated at 10:25pm!!!! Horrible, Horrible service... Extremely long wait times WITH A RESERVATION!! Don't waste your time!
(1)
Lyza L.
YOLO - You Only Live Once - is a fun, lively place where you can find plenty of Beautiful People and an upscale crowd. Testimony to this is the assortment of gorgeous cars in the valet lot - Bentleys, Jags, Maseratis, you name it. The outdoor lounge area - replete with fire pits and sofas - is a great spot for happy hour. But it can get super crowded, so your best bet is to get there early. Inside is quite loud, although you can ask for an outdoor table. The downside is that the food is inconsistent, which is a disappointment. So I say go there for the people watching and socializing, but don't expect to be wowed by the cuisine.
(3)
Kimberley C.
So many people have been verbally recommending this place that I was thinking..... can they be wrong? I must try..... FOOD: Mediocre DECOR: Cool, slightly hip by not by much SERVICE: GOOD Parking: Valet Had the seared tuna & artichoke dish, so two separate dishes. Both of which were tasteless. How can you mess up artichoke? Will I come here again? NO
(2)
Andi T.
Went here on a date once (in the restaurant) and the ambiance there is that of a lounge. The food was delicious. I peeked at the check and it was a bit pricey but I enjoyed every part of the experience.
(4)
J. A.
Went this past sunday around 2pm could not get a seat at the bar, several women had their purses in empty seat when asked they said they were saving it for friends come on this is a bar! how long should someone be allowed to save a seat?
(1)
Robin T.
Food is very good. We had dinner one day and brunch another. The cornbread is good but big enough for 4 people. The crab cakes were delicious but small. For brunch, we had shrimp & grits and French toast, both good. Try the Coco Lychee cocktail-delicious. Service very good. Hip atmosphere.
(5)
Gladys P.
I decided to have my birthday celebration at Yolo, i had a group of 10 people i was super happy with my friends until one of them that has never being there had to kill a roach on the floor by the kitchen i called the manager to tell him next day i was so embarrassed of my friend, the manager was rude telling me this is south florida and we all have roach in our places. Maybe he is right but the way he handled wasn't nice. So i will never go back there neither my friends. Its was an embarrassment to me on my bday celebration. If you have pest control often the roach should ve being dead not alive and running in our feet. Disgusting.
On our first night in Fort Lauderdale, we went out to Las Olas Boulevard, FTL's exclusive nightlife scene. This area is very chilled, classy, & full of young professionals and good conversations. From shopping to fine dining to bars, the choice is yours. If you're looking for some fine dining, I highly recommend YOLO restaurant.. because you know.. you only live once. ;) Their craft cocktails are superb and their mouthwatering Szechuan Calamari (with garlic chili sauce, chopped peanuts, and sesame) is to die for. OMG so yum.
(4)
Jeff F.
Great location with a fun environment. I've probably been here 20 times before and no matter if it's for happy hour, dinner, etc it never disappoints. I was hesitant about this place because of the name at first but it was impressive. I recommend the calamari which is different and the Prime Rib.
(4)
Julia M.
Absolutely amazing food. The rotisserie chicken was so flavorful and juicy! The California Spinach salad was fuego and the service was great. Our server was Mark, so if you get him he's cool. Sitting outside was nice.
(5)
Doug M.
Meatball sliders and chopped salad w shrimp are amazing starts. And the plank salmon is crazzzzy good. My go to restaurant whenever I am in fort laudy. Not sure if drake or the owner used the term first. Atmosphere fun and fresh. A must go
(5)
Marty W.
Great inside/outside Bar that the beautiful locals (women) frequent. Constant car show out front with Rolls, Lambos and Ferraris to name a few. While I didn't eat there my local friends said food is great. Food looked good being served.
(5)
Joseph B.
Drinks are good but expensive. There is a dress code to go into the inside club but you can wear shorts outside. The clientele is great looking and this place is very trendy. I enjoy chilling here. I was here last year and loved it then.
(4)
Rita E.
Positives...Really nice trendy place. Dress to impress. Fun crowd on Sat nite. Negatives....DJ played good music but was not customer oriented. Security falsely accused my hubby of wrongdoing when he attempted to turn in a credit card he found on the floor. When we defended ourselves we were invited to leave. So not cool.
(3)
Daniel K.
I've been here 3 times. Food is consistent but service was a bit spotty today. Our waiter was overwhelmed and was not attentive to our table. Seems like he cared more about the larger table that was seated next to our table.
(3)
Karenann L.
Corn dip was awesome. Kale salad was way too vinegary and I couldn't eat it (soaked in red vinegar). There was no sweetness to the salad - maybe they could marinade the kale in a dressing of oil/lemon with raisins so the kale leaves have time to soak up the dressing and is more soft rather than just tasting red vinegar the entire time. My husband got the soup and sandwich which was tomato soup and short rib I think. The tomato soup had a layer of oil on top- it wasn't touched. The sandwich was drenched in grease- only ate half, if that. The potato chips it came with were really greasy too. Our waiter Seth was really great!
(3)
Donna P.
Went on a Sunday night, so it wasn't crazy busy. Cool night, so we sat outside. Started with the Szechuan calamari and the sliders and the cucumber cooler. All were fabulous. The cucumber cooler had a little bite to it. I ordered the salmon special, and it was prepared just how I liked it. My companions ordered the tuna and prime rib sandwich. Both were great. The fries were skinny and crispy. Service was friendly, and our drinks were always refilled.
(4)
Steffanie C.
Great vibe and the place was packed! I made a reservation but they still made us wait for 45 mins. We had a couple of drinks outside while we waited. Food was good, service was ok, but I would def go back again.
(5)
Edward H.
One of Fort Lauderdale's best Sunday brunch spots whether you choose indoor or outdoor covered dining. The menu is well versed but Quiche, crab cakes and grilled artichokes are always my favorite starters while enjoying a martini tree or bottle of champagne. Flat iron steak, Asian style tuna, and BBQ pork with Apple slaw are my go to craves but have also tried a simple grilled mahi, all very good.
(4)
Kerry J.
I'm from South Florida and although I haven't lived there in several years, I was aware of YOLO. I finally got to check out their brunch while visiting my family last weekend. I was immediately impressed by the $15 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys at brunch. You don't get pre-mixed drinks, either. Uh uh. Not even close... Unlimited Bloody Marys= carafe of vodka, carafe of Bloody Mary mix, and a tower of garnishes including olives, horseradish, jalapenos, lemons, and limes Unlimited mimosas= a bottle of champagne and a carafe of orange juice For my meal I had the smoked salmon BLT, which comes with a delicious green apple slaw for a side. It was huge, and only $12. For the location and upscale ambiance, this is a shocklingly affordable option along Las Olas. I'll definitely be back here next time I'm in the area.
(4)
Thomas R.
Rude greeters. Mediocre food. On the plus side: A lot of beautiful girls to look at. My first visit was Saturday March 28 which is also my last visit there!
(2)
LaDonna S.
Best brunch ! Thoroughly enjoyed the bottomless mimosas. Leah, our waiter was awesome! We ordered the pancakes, mahi sandwhich, omelet special and burger. All of the dishes was delicious. Can't wait until I can get back!
(5)
Craig B.
Well my review won't be a long winded one. My experience at this place was bitter sweet. There were some highlights in the night last night and definitely some lows! To start off. It was supposed to be a nice birthday celebration and it was but service at this restaurant was not the greatest. I had to keep changing my reservation because open table didnt allow me to choose enough seats for my party in the time slot I wanted. So I called the restaurant, and was told well we are very bz. So if u can make this time slot then we can accommodate you and if not oh well. Not said but implied. Upon sitting a family member tell waitress it's my birthday. U would have thought service might have paid slightly more attention to me but I had to look around to get attention. Drinks were tasty but light on the alcohol. Food was excellent but I had to borrow a knife from someone at my table and had to ask waitress for a fork. We were given a dirty glass with lipstick smudges on it! Yuck!!! I also kept feeling like the servers were rushing herding the people in and out. So to make a long story short. Yolo's good just far from great!
(2)
Terry L.
I love the energy of this place... WOW! If you come on a Friday or Saturday night it will have a club/lounge feel (young and mature)! Anytime I come here I must have the cornbread and calamari. Honestly, they have the best calamari I have ever tasted as it's not bready or chewy, it's nicely fried topped with there own special sauces. The cornbread is soft and beautiful... Yes I said beautiful (lol), they make the batter everyday and typically sell out of it early within the night. As for entrees, I have only gotten the Cedar Salmon with mash potatoes and it's always executed perfectly. I have never had a problem with service. I think this is a perfect place to dress up and meet your friends for good talk and good times!
(5)
Heather A.
Came here for lunch on a Monday with a group of 4. We were seated quickly, and outdoors. We really enjoyed the outdoor space. It was very busy with business lunches. Our food was delicious and arrived in a timely manner. The only real drawback was the limited menu, not a wide variety of options. I would have liked more selections.
(4)
Martin K.
Ok, you have to take this place for what it is. Between 7-9, it's a place where the younger crowd (typically from the burbs) drops by for dinner and drinks. Between 9-11, it's a pre-game place for those heading to Miami (again, usually from the burbs) and a post-dinner drink place for the locals who will be calling it a night. After 11, the place becomes a toss up and can be fun or completely dead (i.e. tourist dependent). For Lauderdale, it's one of those "trying to be Cosmopolitan" places, and does a decent job, until some donkey puts on Hey Shorty It's Your Birthday or some other crap and you shake your head. Oh yeah, this place is also the prime Lauderdale spot for the the mid-life crisis guys to meet their future (and significantly younger) Mrs by flashing their fancy cars. From a food perspective, the food can be good, but is oddly inconsistent. I've eaten her 5 or 6 times, 3-4 of which were great, the other 2 were terrible. Different servers all the time - most likely high turnover which explains why the reviews are all over the place.
(3)
Harvey D.
I decided to try this restaurant since it received pretty good reviews and I had plans to be near Las Olas anyway. My wife and I met another couple and we were seated after waiting about 10-15 min. even though I made a reservation. They did say they had outdoor seating available immediately, however, we opted to wait for a table inside. Once we were seated, the waitress came and took our drink and appetizer order. This is where it started to get a little rocky: the waitress set the first glass of water down and almost spilled it on us. I caught it as it was spinning on the table and the tablecloth only ended up a little wet. She then proceeded to basically dump an entire glass of iced tea into our friend's lap. She quickly left and we gave him all of the napkins we had to dry off with. The waitress did return wtih more napkins and wiped off the tablecloth while he was drying off his jeans. This is where my first (of two) complaints come in: why not offer us a complementary appetizer or dessert? You almost spilled a glass of water and you did spill the iced tea? We ordered two appetizers and a dessert and one of those could have easily been taken off the check. The yolo chips and cornbread then was delivered and they were tasty although the cornbread was much better. I thought the chips had too much bleu cheese on them for my liking. Once this fiasco settled down, she left for a few minutes and came back to take our dinner orders. I really wanted the 1/2 rotisserie chicken; however, they brush the chicken with butter while on the grill so that wasn't going to work. I decided on the fillet wtih fries and a ceasar salad. The portion size wasn't bad and they gave me a lot of fries and a decently sized salad. The fillet was 10 oz. which was nice since I was hungry. After we all finished all meals, she asked if we wanted dessert. Seeing as how my wife had a "Happy Birthday" balloon and mentioned a couple of times that it was her birthday along with the drinks ordeal, I believe that the dessert she decided on ( chocolate lava cake) should have been free. Even if that is not their policy.... I have to update this yelp because after reading the above, the manager contacted me and apologized for what had happened. He wanted to assure me that this was not the typical protocol of how they run their restaurant and to give them another chance to make things right. So.... My wife and I made a reservation for this past weekend. We were sat immediately and the manager came up to us and introduced himself shortly after we were seated. Everything went very well and our dinner and the service was impeccable. The prime rib was incredible (and a lot less fat than any other prime rib I have ered had) and my wife admitted her fish might just be the best she has ever eaten. The manager came over a second time to check on us and make sure that everything was ok. The server was fantastic and he really made the whole experience that much better. At the end of the meal, the server informs us that the check is being taken care of by the restaurant. We were in complete shock! We could not believe they took care of the entire check. For all of you other restaurants out there, take lessons from YOLO. They made a mistake and they corrected it. They went way beyond what even I could have imagined to gain our trust back and to keep us coming back. This is what customer service is all about. We will definitely be going back and bringing friends!
(5)
Cherine A.
After seeing all of my Yelp buddies check in for brunch spots lately, I've had a hankering for a good brunch day. Once Jenn S. and I decided to do brunch this past weekend, we agreed that unlimited mimosas was a requirement for any establishment we were to visit (clearly we have our priorities in check). Enter the handy Yelp search, and voila! YOLO fit the bill. I'd been wanting to try this place for a while, in spite of the name. I made a reservation on Open Table, but it turns out it wasn't necessary given the ridiculously awful weather we had on Sunday. We were promptly seated inside (and it's gorgeous in there), and our waiter quickly came by to take our drink order. I think it's obvious what we chose, and we were serious when we said "unlimited" - Jenn and I killed two bottles of champagne over the course of two-and-a-half hours. They don't give you super cheap champagne either - this was Domaine St. Michelle Brut, and it was good enough to drink on its own (I've been to other places where the champagne is only palatable when mixed with orange juice). We needed to take a stroll down Las Olas for a bit after to sober up :) As for the food, I was torn between an omelette and the french toast. I even said to myself at the time that I could get an omelette anywhere, and yet I chose that anyway. It was just okay. I asked for it with bacon and lots of cheddar, but it was rather bland and not much cheese at all in it. Next time I'm getting the french toast. We split the cinnamon rolls, which were pretty good, but I don't know that I'd order them again. So even though the food wasn't amazing, I'm giving YOLO four stars... our server was awesome, and unlimited mimosas make everything better :)
(4)
J B.
I have a love hate relationship with this place. Since it's a few blocks from my home, it's good place to go to when I don't feel like traveling far, especially for socializing and dancing at the 2 near by lounges. The food is definitely good. I have eaten here often, for pleasure and business, so I have tried most of the menu. Haven't found anything I don't like. Service can be hit or miss. Inside seating is your best shot for better service. Outside can drive me crazy a bit. Staff can be just as aloof as the patrons. Its very snooty here, way too many over cologned guys. Lots of gold diggers too. The people here is what drives me crazy about this place. If you go with your own group of friends so you can ignore the meat market, the gold diggers, the pretentious men, the stalker men and the sloppy drunk women spilling drinks, falling down, throwing up etc. Then it can be a better night. 3 stars for the all around experience. 4 stars for the food.
(3)
Allan S.
YOLO is the sister restaurant of S3 which I happen to love so I was disappointed when YOLO didn't live up to the same high standard. Yes the female bartenders are sexy, attractive and friendly (ours was the spitting image of Paz Vega). Yes the place is hopping and oozes a hip vibe which we really liked. Yes the service is top notch whether at the bar, or table service. It's in the food quality where YOLOs falls short. In all fairness, my Manhattan Steak entree was delicious. But the chorizo mussels, grilled artichoke, and tuna sashimi were nothing special - they seemed dominated by one or two strong flavors and lacked the melange of subtle flavors you would expect from a well-prepared high end cuisine. The Seared Tuna and Noodles entree ordered by my wife was downright bland; in retrospect it should be a crime to lay high quality ahi on top of hot noodles/soup. With the many high end dining options on Las Olas you will be best served by going elsewhere for dinner. But if your goal is drinks with attitude and great service, you won't be disappointed.
(3)
James O.
5 of us went to dinner and had terrible service when the place was not busy. After waiting 15 minutes for someone to come to our table I had to get up to get the hostess to send a waiter to take our drink orders. I knew there as a minimum age to drink but here they must also have a minimum sitting time to order as well. Finally after another 10 minutes someone came to take our food order. 45 minutes after sitting we had drinks but no food yet; not even a basket of bread which we learned must be requested and is not brought to a table as a matter of course. The food was acceptable but the service and discovering they charge an additional $2 for a drink if ordered "on the rocks" was enough for 5 of us to never come here again. ur past visits had been fine so place has gone down hill.
(1)
Blake C.
The food was great, the service was awesome! My girlfriend and I decided to order dinner at the bar while we had a few drinks. The people are great, food was delicious, but I have to say the air conditioning was either malfunctioning or not on at all!
(2)
Anna M.
Went to YOLO for the first time the other night with my boyfriend while we were in the area. We arrived about 20 minutes before our reservation and were lucky enough to be seated right away. Our waitress was so sweet, very attentive, took our order right away, and checked on us enough times to let us know she hadn't forgotten us but wasn't being overbearing. We started with the dragonberry mojitos, they were so good and so strong but didn't taste like you were drinking straight alcohol. For appetizers we got the szechuan calamari and the skillet corn bread - both were AMAZING and the portions were huge, we managed to finish the calamari but the corn bread literally comes cooked in a large skillet so needless to say we opted to take what we didn't finish home. My boyfriend got the prime ride sandwich for his entree and I got the rotisserie Greek chicken, again both meals exceeded our expectations, the quality was excellent and the portions were giant. Overall loved this place, from the service to the food we couldn't have asked for a better experience and we will definitely be back!
(5)
Jim G.
An overdue review as I have been there 3 or 4 times over the past 3 months and it is a TRUE GEM for Happy Hour on Las Olas!!! The VERY under-priced appetizers are delicious.....especially the Meatball Sandwich.....(I have em skip the bread).....but its the outstanding bartending staff that makes Fridays at 5 so fun......they can make anything and amazingly last time I was there they didn't have a request but low and behold 20 minutes later I see a barback with a plastic shopping bag and out comes my request!.....Enjoy the afterwork crowd and always fun to talk with everyone who happens to be there. The proximity to Club 401, The Royal Pig and a little later in the night, VIBE doesn't hurt either.......GREAT FUN PLACE.....ENJOY!!!!
(5)
connie l.
Pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. Very trendy venue with a great outdoor sitting area. Great for both lunch meetings and date night.
(5)
Rabia J.
You only live once but you eat at Yolo multiple times. I really like this restaurant and the vibe of the Florida restaurant feel atmosphere. It's a super popular restaurant near the las o las area and it is set up beautifully. I love the fire burning pit in the front with a great entrance for valet parking as well as side garage behind this restaurant. They have great seating inside and outside, however, they are usually very busy so I recommend a reservation. Only once with a reservation we had to wait a lot but usually they are very prompt. I usually like to order multiply appetizers as my entree in this restaurant. The sweet and spicy calamari is a must have as well as the tuna sashimi with the seaweed salad. Their chocolate lava cake is divine and the perfect way to end the meal. Yolo ~
(4)
Shamea S.
Everything was PERFECT!!! Will definitely return I want to try the mash potatoes. It was a bit pricey but well worth it.
(5)
Andrew C.
A great place for a business meeting. Sit at the bar for great service by Jon and Becca. Fresh generous portions, reasonable Downtown prices,and a great atmosphere makes this a must when in Downtown Ft Lauderdale
The bf and I came for drinks and dessert during Yelp Checks In week and so this review is for that only. We seated ourselves in the outdoor patio. It was not too busy because it was a Tuesday night and past dinner time. Yelp Checks In offered 1 free dessert per check in so I ordered the bread pudding and the bf ordered Banana Coconut Cream Pie. I was excited about both. Bread pudding because, well, I just love bread pudding, and the combo of banana and coconut in pie sounds so fresh and mouth-watering. The bread pudding was not the best I've ever had, but was decent. I think the pecans made it too stiff rather than being creamy and moist for my taste. The pie was really good. Great ratio of pie to crust and great flavors. We also ordered off their specialty drink menu. Our waiter suggested the strawberry caipirinha which has malibu, strawberries, lime juice and a rim of sugar which he described similar to a strawberry daiquiri and our second drink I can't remember the name of but was basically a blackberry mojito. Both drinks were so yummy. Slightly girly, not too strong, and perfect to just sip on and enjoy the scenery. I liked the atmosphere, the drinks, and the dessert. It is definitely on the pricey side. Drinks ran $12 apiece and desserts were $8. I would come back on happy hour.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
YOLO = You Order Lunch (too) Often. Yeah, I eat out and order lunch entirely too much and my bank account struggles because of this laziness that I can't seem to shake. YOLO has been there for me through this laziness and they do not seem to mind taking my money week after week. They are extremely close to my office and never disappoint. For a restaurant of this caliber on Las Olas, the prices are fairly reasonable for the portions you get. I've been known to order the angel hair pasta dish often, a simple tomato sauce with lots of olive oil and a mountain of vermicelli at $12 bucks (without chicken or shrimp). Sprinkle some parm cheese on this stuff and you have yourself a bomb diggity meal (I can't guarantee how productive you'd be after inhaling so much pasta - consider yourself warned). Another favorite here is the veggie burger. Made with crimini mushrooms, beets, barley (and other good-for-you stuff I can't recall at the moment) its a winner at $10 and even includes fries or any one of the yummy sides. I usually swap the crispy and delicious shoe string fries (for caloric intake reasons) for the herb mashed potatoes or the spaghetti squash with marinara sauce. Another winning dish for me is the mojo pork sandwich with yucca fries and garlicky sauce (oh great, now my mouth is watering). The only dessert I've tried is the ice cream sandwich that is served with a warm condensed milk sauce. It's a very unique and tasty spin on a classic convenience store dessert. The service at YOLO is amazing and I've only had one or two experiences when they were very busy when I got a little annoyed at some slow behavior I witnessed. Not the end of the world. When my boss annoys me during the long work week, I can be found here drowning my sorrows at the very popular happy hour. The outdoor seating is awesome (complete with fire pit and tiki torches during the colder months) and I always look forward to making s'mores (yes, s'mores) on Thursday nights in the wintertime. Even if YOLO wasn't close to my office, I'd probably go out of my way to come here. Hopefully YOLO continues to do well and will be around to save my lazy self from starvation for years to come.
(4)
Hope P.
Set behind bamboo Landscaping, at the beginning of the Las Olas Strip surrounded by tall buildings lies YOLO (You Only Live Once). Ive been to Yolo for Dinner a few times but never Brunch. I came here on Mother's Day and made reservations a few weeks beforehand the anticipation killed me. It was really nice to see this place in the Daytime and the decor was fun to look at too, they did a great job at putting all the elements together quite nicely! The servers were friendly and worked efficiently on a day that I thought would be overwhelming, they did a great job. My Mother ordered a bloody Mary from the Bar and was happy they asked her how she preferred hers, and they gave her the right amount of spicy and jumbo grilled Shrimp (she had to ask ) for was an amazing touch! I was with a party of 10 and most of us ordered off of the Lunch Menu. The table water was simply Gross and so Fiji's were ordered, I hate that , real bummer. We were waiting for the order to come in so my Man ordered 2 Szechuan Calamari's for the table it has Garlic Chili Sauce , Chopped Peanuts , Sesame it was really delicious I thought it was the highlight of my meal. Shortly after our orders came out, we were still eating our Calamari. I ordered the Salmon ... it came on a bed of Arugula, I guess I wasn't paying too much attention or I was soo hungry I couldn't read properly but it was a salad, and I thought it was a platter, it was listed under Specials so I guess I was confused? My Mama ordered the Prime Rib and was disappointed. There was no flavor, not even in the Au Jus that she tried to get some flavor from. The Potatoes Au Gratin were good, not the best but how can you mess up Au Gratin (Cheese)? My Man got the Steak and eggs. It was Fillet Mignon and a couple eggs over easy. The steak didn't have that much flavor but it was very tender the way a fillet should be. It also came with Potatoes Au Gratin. It was a pleasant Mother's Day. No one at the table seemed to be thrilled with their meal, yet no one complained. The Decor is what you'd expect from Las Olas. I will probably be back for dinner again( Great Tuna Sashimi,and Meatballs), as for Brunch, I'm sure there are better spots.
(4)
Lisa N.
I love Yolo for lunch or happy hour appetizers and drinks. The lunch menu has great salad, veggie and sandwich options. The Greek salad is close to authentic with large chunks of feta, cucumber and tomato. The calamari appetizer is great too with a spicy Asian flare!
(4)
Ani S.
We can walk to Las Olas from our home, so we know Las Olas quite well. YOLO is best for the scene and a lively outdoor seating area- but that's it. The food is below par, quite possibly the worst on Las Olas. The drinks can be good, but watch out- we have been sick many times after drinking here. But for a hangout and variety- YOLO is great! Popular as a happy hour meet and for the more established crowds. *We live off Las Olas so know the area VERY well!
(3)
James O.
Well, I just don't know if a meal could get any better. Our server was really great and that makes any meal better. He suggested a Merryvale Cab that for 57.00 was fabulous!! I had the Octopus salad, amazing, I love octopus and would eat it everyday if I could. Was nervous about the Feta mixed in with the Octopus but it went well with the overall salad. the salad part was crisp and the octopus was soft but with a little crunch on the outside all mixed with a terrific lemon vinaigrette dressing. We also had grilled artichokes which were as good as the ones at Houstons. Then we ordered the Filet Mignon which was as good as we had at any of the steak houses in Miami. I had the short ribs with faro, licked the plate clean! Forgot what my friend had but he loved it. I think I can't remember what he had cause he ate it so fast!! We all had a great time, great dishes, good wine and this place has a good vibe going. Fun to be at. Maybe it was just our server who was so good and the wine was so good but I think Yolo is the best on Las Olas.
(5)
Clarisse B.
My boyfriend and I went to Yolo on a Saturday night during a trip to Ft. Lauderdale to celebrate our anniversary. We go to Ft. Lauderdale all the time, and had kind of gotten stuck in a restaurant rut going to all of those awful restaurants on the beach. This year, we wanted to venture out and actually try some good quality restaurants (I'll be posting reviews for Coconuts and Steak 954 too). Yolo really did not disappoint. Oh it was soooooo goood. Going to Yolo, is like going to a place that instantly makes you feel like you're in the know. It's super trendy. Walking up to the restaurant, the first thing you see is bright red cushioned lounges/seating surrounding a fire pit. Unfortunately we didn't get to sit there, I think it's first come first serve? And we had reservations. Instead, we were seated at a table on the side patio. It was gorgeous none the less, and had some pretty greens and tiki torches lining the backs of the benches. The tables were kind of close to each other, but it wasn't a big deal as we weren't really going for romance here.... We ordered a couple glasses of wine, and started off with the meatball sliders appetizer. It was pretty good, but I though could use some more seasoning and spice. Maybe that's because I ate it without the bread though and some of the sauce on it stuck to the bread? For our entrees, my boyfriend had the trout and potato gratin. He really liked the trout, and I tried the potato gratin and thought it was also kind of bland. I ordered the Rotisserie Chicken. IT WAS AMAZING! Being in vacation in Florida, I was trying not to eat anything to heavy (didn't want to pay for it on the beach the next day), so I subbed the Herb Mash that comes with it, for the broccoline side. Everything was just so good. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and lemony. I can't wait to come back to this place on our next visit to Ft. Lauderdale! For dessert, we ordered the fresh berries key lime custard. It was pretty good, but I'm sure there are better desserts on the menu (remember, we were aiming for light!). Over all, I highly recommend this restaurant. I loved the vibe of the place, and thought my entree was to die for. My only real complaint other than the potato gratin being bland (which was easily fixed with some salt and pepper), was that I felt like our waitress was kind of ignoring us. She was friendly enough while she was actually at our table, but we found ourselves having to go out of our way to try and get her attention as she was leaving us for wayyy long periods at a time. I won't let that keep me from going back to this place though!
(4)
Brenda P.
I dined here for a friend's birthday. I had the calamari which was okay. I felt like I was eating more of fried flour then calamari. Also the dressing on the calamari tasted like ketchup and hot sauce. O_o I ordered the chicken sandwich with argula and red peppers. DISGUSTING!!! Eeewww! STAY AWAY. We had a Christmas Party at the office so I was stuffed when I arrived. I decided to order something small. Man did I make the wrong decision. The girl next to me had a steak which was pretty good. Also the cornbread was pretty good too. The atmosphere was also very nice. So although my food sucked and I think that they should totally eliminate it from the menu - my overall experience was good. They also have a nice bar outside. I would revisit and try something different.
(2)
Lesley E.
Visited Yolo based on my fellow Yelpers' reviews. We, my aunt and I, came on a Saturday night before the dinner rush. The place is beautiful inside and out. Very posh, modern, yet romantic. Our waiter was awesome, and explained everything, answering all our questions, without rushing us. She ordered the crab cakes with brussel sprouts and beets. The sprouts were nearly burnt, so our waiter expeditiously brought out another side of her choosing. The cakes were pretty awesome--this coming from a Marylander. I ordered the grouper. I felt the 'soup' it sat on could have had a bit more oomph, but it was still satisfying. We also shared the calamari. We tasted breading for the most part, since the squid was cut into itty bitty pieces. It was very sweet as well. So, is Yolo worth the slightly higher prices?? I'd say yes. Our service was great, the decor was exceptional, and our seafood was fresh and cooked perfectly. Tip--$5 parking garage around the corner is the way to go! Discover cards not accepted.
(3)
Brian R.
Not the biggest of menus but it concentrates on stuff that it does extremely well. A fun place to have a drink. Not single, but the bar was hopping with businesspeople and locals, not tourists, so probably good in that department too. High on plastics and gimmicks. A girl in pumps opens the car door for the passenger at the valet. They stamp your table paper with the specials of the day when they seat you. There's a place for the conspicuous consumer cars to park in the front. Not my thing, but if you roll that way, hey. Great atmosphere and great food. Can't ask for much more.
(5)
Bruce J.
YOLO is very convenient for the downtown work crowd, Wednesday night is ladies night and rocks the house till closing from happy hour. Around 10 or so expect a very huge crowd! Best service staff around, as busy as it is, those bartenders serve up drinks in record time. Food is excellent too, but one of the best watering holes around.
(4)
Kara C.
You only live once....words I live by so why not enjoy some din with new and old friends while visiting the area. The restaurant was quite nice modern decor. Our server Bryan was extremely personable and come to find out his family was from New England. He was excited to hear that I was visiting to cheer my Patriots on for MNF. The appetizers were off the hook good. They have this jalapeño sweet corn bread that's prepared in skillet that isn't on the menu this is a must have....we also had calamari which wasn't your typical at all it was in schezuan sauce had a sweet and spicy bite. Lastly a delicious queso dip. I loved all 3! For dinner I decided on a fish sandwich which was cooked to perfection you can get it grilled or blackened. The guys all decided on the prime rib sandwich which my delicious caramelized onions. And the mediterranean salad was one of the best by far! Give Yolo a try cuz really you only live once!
(4)
Matthew C.
Yolo was recommended by friends and my wife and I dined there with another couple before a show at Broward Center last Sat. We were a bit pressed for time, but the service was excellent and we were not rushed at all. My wife and I split a chopped salad and I had the BBQ'd ribs. The salad was a perfect starter and plenty for two. The ribs were tender and practically falling off the bone. I also enjoyed a manhattan off the specialty drink menu which was expertly made. All in all, a splendid meal.
(5)
Cheryl L.
When visiting in Ft. Lauderdale, Las Olas is always a must! We went on a Wednesday night for happy hour and arrived at YOLO a little after 7. It was already packed and kickin'. We requested a table and were told that it would be 30 minutes, so the wait was on! It's a happening place for down town. A wide variety of people, young and old! More guys than girls! If you have "the" car, valet park it out front as you will see the display of them! Drinks and apps are good. Entrees are okay, not great! We had the calamari app, tuna app, and prime rib. I think this restaurant is more for the atmosphere & happy hour rather than a sit down meal. Loved the vibe but food could be better. If you want to be seen and be with the hip crowd in Ft. Lauderdale, this place is it. For a great meal, choose elsewhere. There are way too many places in Las Olas for an impressive meal!
(3)
Kendall B.
I've held many business meetings here for lunch and dinner. Nice quiet setting. I've also had dinner and wine with my girlfriends here. Nice ambiance outdoor setting.
(4)
Surf W.
Pretentious and bad food. The fish tacos had a strong fishy smell. One small taco hidden in a mountain of shredded lettuce. Great service. Expensive for what you get. Place to see and be seen but dont go for the food. Go for the scenery but not for the food.
(1)
C J.
Second time here, BBQ Ribs tonight with green apple slaw. As usual good food, good service - one of So Fl most consistent.
(4)
K G.
Best watering hole on Las Olas. The skillet cornbread is my kryptonite. Can't get enough. I'm addicted.
(4)
Alina Flavez D.
The Doorman Was An ASSHOLE, it all starts at the door fellas, dont be rude, we pay your wages.....She told me SOLO and I thought she said YOLO. In celebration of my latest girlfriend's status change we decided to check out YOLO. Come on ladies, time to strap on those stilletos, we're headin' out! I called upon a few other of my girlfriends for support and we all met up on a Friday night about 8 o'clock-ish. The crowd was diverse, ranging from a few tourist looking types, the leftover downtowner crowd and slowly the night owls arrived. The age range, well, let's just say that it "spanned many generations"! Let me condense this down like concentrated detergent that needs and extra cup of water. The place is more like an upscale Boarshead Brand meat market for the flashy Browardites of Broward county. Where's the camera crews? Given, the place has a lot going for it. It has their "O Lounge" on the west side of the restaurant with the dj pumping out loud music and a bar where you can actually get served when you walk right up to it. The other outdoor bar was packed 2 deep and had a nice outdoor patio area. We were lucky enough to nab a huge round table outdoors for 5 right in between the restaurant and the O Lounge area, perfect for people watching. Our waitress did her best, despite the amount of people everywhere, she took care of our table quite well. I thought the drinks were a bit overpriced for what you receive, but then again...look where I landed. Overall, we had a great time. Our eyeballs wandered and the laughter was non-stop. I'd probably check it out again, but , Oye, can we go on a Ladie's Night??
(4)
Cal F.
What a great place, made up for our other bad experiences in the area. Good prices for the excellent experience you'll receive. The food is top notch, wonderful creations, settled well. Service is good, not great, too many newbies, but good. If I lived in the area I would go here as much as I could.
(5)
Chuck W.
What a great find. Start with the ambiance inherent in the trendy Las Olas area of Fort Lauderdale. Beautiful outside bar set- up and dining area, though we ended up sitting inside. Got a knowledgeable, attentive waiter. Place can be a little loud, but OK to still hold a conversation. Inside decorated with bright, contemporary look. Very upbeat. As for the dining, crab cakes were super -- no filler, Panko crust. Excellent. Double pork chop was huge -- it comes cooked medium rare, and I always think you have to be careful with that when you order pork. Dinners are unnecessarily large. Two in our group had special butternut squash soup -- delicious. House salad was ordinary. Deserts were exceptional, especially the chocolate ones. Again, larger than they needed to be. Overall, an excellent dining experience. Prices a little high, but we knew that going in.
(4)
Grant C.
Wow. Every South Florida stereotype you may have imagined, you can find it here. This is apparently THE place to be on Wednesday night in Ft. Lauderdale. We arrived for a business dinner only to find spotlights, valet parking, not one but TWO Lamborghinis and a Ferrari parked out front (each surrounded with its own little barrier of velvet ropes). And this was just outside! Inside, you couldn't throw a stick without hitting a guy in jeans and an untucked, "going out tonight!" shirt. Throw another stick and you'd be sure to hit a tanned, silicone-infused bleach blonde with heels longer than her skirt. And lots of fist-pumping, boom-boom disco music! Beyond the club-like atmosphere, there's actually a pretty decent restaurant tucked in here. The valets out front could focus on the job a little more but there service was otherwise okay. You may have to scream your order at the top of your lungs, mind you, but when it comes the food is respectable. I'd go back, but maybe not on Wednesday night...
(4)
Jen V.
Like most hot spots, you're going to have good and bad reviews. Not every place has an ideal night every night where the servers are on their game, and the food is perfection. I feel sorry for those who haven't had the same great experience that I did and I'm sure that having my sister with me helped -she used to work there, knows the staff, and knew what the best items on the menu are. So let me at least share with you what we ordered and hopefully the rest will fall into place! "Prime rib." -she exclaimed. "Hmmm?" "Prime rib......we have to go to YOLO tomorrow night and get the prime rib. We just have to." "Uh," I answered, "ok. I love prime rib." "OOH! We should get the martini tree too -it's a pain in the ass for the bartender to make, but it's really cool if you haven't had a martini tasting before! And you like calamari, right? OMG, you're going to DIE when you taste their calamari!" My younger sister recently realized that she's a foodie in the past few years after working in some high end restaurants, and hearing her describe a meal as graphically and passionately as I do was a proud moment for me.......and she made me REALLY hungry! So to YOLO we went. She recommended an earlier dinner time (6ish) so we would get a better table and not get bombarded by the later, wilder crowd -mostly club scene celebs looking to fuel up for the night at Yolo's club next door; the O Lounge. We were greeted warmly by the staff and after some hugs from her former colleagues and some gossip, we were seated at a table in the outside garden patio area. I was impressed by the comfortable spacing of the seating area and I loved the fire pits surrounded by the booths! What a fun hangout spot to have drinks! But we were there for the prime rib. After politely glancing at the menu (even though we already made up our mind the night before after checking the website), we were MORE than ready for our much anticipated meal. Our waitress became a little wide-eyed with fear when we ordered because they were "out" of prime rib, but with one eye brow raise from my sister, the kitchen was able to make one appear. Haha, it was hilarious. First came our martini flight and it was a beautiful tree structure with mini martini glasses hanging from it -no stems on the glasses, but they had these thick silver bases so they don't knock over easily when you set them down on the table. Genius; I want to buy some! Strawberry Kiss -I'm not a big fan of strawberry-flavored things, but this really impressed me! Delicious! Blueberry Mist -my favorite of the three; sweet like candy but not in a medicine sort of way. Dragonberry Mojito -I forgot that it was a mojito at first so the mint threw me off, but I bounced back and then downed the rest of it. Arriving next was the Szechuan Calamari that was sauteed in a sesame oil and tossed with a garlic chili sauce and chopped peanuts. I honestly have no idea how I'm going to be satisfied by another calamari dish again. YES, it's that good -go order it now. Why aren't you ordering it RIGHT NOW?! We decided to split 2 entres, even though we could have easily split just the prime rib -but hey, "you only live once", right? The "Forever Braised Shortribs" were heaven, and they came with a potato risotto, crispy shallots and roasted carrots. Yum -really tender meat and even though the potato risotto lacked flavor, the carrots were very good. The "T's Prime Rib" was worth waiting for (I mean from when it was first mentioned to me -our meal came out right away). Slow roasted, thick cut and perfect! The way prime rib should be. Dipping the meat in the au juis brought this foodie nearly to the edge! I even tried the potato gratin (but I'm still not a fan of gratin potatoes.....I'm sure it was above standard for those of you who are fans and are curious). Obviously the prices are...well, pricey, but you do get generous portions and I enjoyed everything we ordered, so I plan on going back (when I'm in town next). I hear great things about the O Lounge as well -I'm just more of a dinner girl than a party girl. ;)
(4)
Roberto S.
The food is good but very expensive
(4)
Katherine G.
I love this place. The atmosphere is great for many different occasions, dinner with friends, first date, being social, or drinks with coworkers. It can get a little loud Wed (Ladies night in the lounge) through Sat. Its definitely a hot spot that makes you feel comfortable. You can wear anything from Jeans to a cute cocktail dress. The service is excellent and all the servers are very knowledgeable about the menu. I have never been disappointed with a meal. The ambiance is very trendy and chic. The pictures are helpful but do not do it justice. I love sitting outside by the fire pit when the weather is a bit chilly :-) Overall, Its a place you HAVE to go to.
(4)
Suzanne Y.
Well I am giving it two stars because I really have experienced much better restaurants.... Positives: 1) Great Ambiance - very modern, chic and south beachy 2) Awesome mix drinks - very interesting drink menu and seems to have a great wine selection as well 3) Banana Creme Pie - taste pretty good Negatives 1) Long wait - Make a reservation or eat else where if you are hungry 2) Fried Calamari - it is not your typical fried calamari since you only live once. it's VERY special. the calamari is so finely cut it's impossible to eat. To top that, it is DRENCHED in SUPER SWEET Szechwan sauce that is unbearable to eat after 3 bites. 3) Food is just not that special there Anyways our friends got the seared tuna dish and this shrimp pasta. They weren't that special. I wouldn't recommend getting any of those. I think if you must eat there, just get a burger or a sandwich.
(2)
Jane B.
This might be a great happy hour spot but I don't recommend it for the food. The mussels were under seasoned. The side order of beets were also lacking salt. My friend ordered a double pork chop that simply wasn't edible. They claim the calamari is the best appetizer on the menu. Sad story. The calamari was tough and thin with a terrible sweet Asian sauce right out of the bottle. The best thing we had was the grilled artichoke hearts and martini. Stick to those two items and you'll be ready to eat a real meal elsewhere.
It was a little hard to find as I never been to that side of Las Olas before, but I'm glad I went. We went for an early dinner so service was quick. We ordered the Szechuan Calamari without peanuts, as I dont like peanuts and it was delicious! I ordered the beef short ribs with mash potatoes and, eh it was ok. Not what expected at all, but I picked through it enough to feel full. I loved their mint lemonade, very refreshing. And for dessert we had the ice cream cake which was also delicious. I wouldnt mind going back here and trying something else on the menu.
(4)
Meredith K.
The hot trendy spot in Fort Lauderdale. On a Wednesday night and every seat in the place is taken and the bar is completely packed - standing room only. It's Wednesday! Lucky for us we made a reservation. The outside bar is awesome - funky seating and fire pits (though on the night we were there it was barely needed). Service is very good - from bartenders to waitstaff (multiple people would come by our table to check on us and grab drink orders). Drinks are good - fun cocktails and a decent wine list. Scene: 5 stars Cocktails/Wine/Beer: 4 stars Apps are awesome - tuna tartar and the calamari were both excellent. The list of entrees looked quite good and I settled on the pan seared tuna in miso broth over veggies and noodles. Seems like that will be a perfect asian style dish - I've had similar dishes before. The dish comes - still in the all-clad stainless steel dish it was cooked in (kind of cool), and the tuna is seared nicely (mostly raw how I like it), but the flavor was so bland. Where are the nice asian spices? So I ask for some Sriracha, but she doesn't know what it is, and the restaurant doesn't have it. The waitress claimed they are an asian fusion restaurant - how do you not have the most important condiment? Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing, but it was definitely a let down after the delicious apps. I'll definitely come back, but I'll be trying something else on the menu, or sticking with a bunch of apps instead. Apps: 4 stars Entrees: 2-3 stars
(4)
jordan t.
Cliff Notes: 1. Very Big Portions 2. Not very flavorful at all 3. Good Service 4. Trendy/Busy/Somewhat Pretentious Atmosphere 5. You will be paying for the "trendy" not the quality of the food. After reading a lot of positive reviews I figured why not try this place out. My wife and I went last night for dinner and drinks in the evening and while the atmosphere is very trendy and the service good, I found the actual food to be very lack luster and overpriced for what it was. I called ahead and made a reservation for 8:30, but actually showed up early (8:00PM) because I wanted to spend some time outside by their fire pit in the cooler weather. Well, glad I showed up early because they put me down for an 8:00PM reservation instead!.....oh well.....it happens... We were sat at a table near the open kitchen which was interesting for a moment, but nothing special. The restaurant was busy for a Tuesday night which creates a very "loud" environment. I don't take points off for that as its a big place with a lot of people...know what to expect. After reading a review here, we immediately ordered the szechuan style calimari, which was loaded with flavor. The appetizer came VERY fast (I guess its pretty popular), but I found the calamari rings to be overly breaded to hide their very small size of the individual pieces. The portion itself was quite large though, definitely good for a table of 2-4 to split up. Along with the appitizer we ordered a couple of their "signature cocktails" just to give them a try. Disclaimer: I'm a vodka/soda kinda guy most of the time We had the Strawberry Kiss and the Cucumber Dream (I think that is what it was called) for $12 each. Which is a typical price for a drink like this at a place like Yolo. The Strawberry Kiss was VERY VERY sweet, like too much and had a strange thikness to it for a cocktail. Wouldn't recommend it at all. The Cucumber thing was interesting and I don't regret ordering it, but it has a very distinct flavor that some of you may or may not like. Before we could get 1/4 of the way done with our drinks, our main courses arrived. My wife had the pork chop which was served with an apple chutney and potatoes al-gratin. The chop itself was huge and cooked exactly as ordered (medium), but the use of the apple chutney was very sparse and the potatoes were just OK, nothing special. I had the short ribs based on a recommendation from our waitress (I always try to ask the staff if they were going to eat something, what would it be) and it came with an interesting glaze, sitting attop a bed of risotto potatoes. The short ribs were a good size and very tender (they better be for short ribs), but again I found the flavor to be lackluster. The potatoes were just basically boiled, then cubed (very small cubes) and tossed with some cheese. While it looked cool, it didn't ad much to the dish. There was also a few sweet potato sticks in the glaze on the side, but the two flavors do NOT go together. All said and done for 1 app, two drinks, two main courses our bill came out to $91 for dinner before tip. We probably won't be back here for dinner anytime soon as there are MUCH better restaurants in the immediate area. Just because you make a big portion and charge a lot for it, doesn't make for a good meal or restaurant.
(3)
Ben M.
This place is a mixed bag of tricks... Food was pretty good, especially the kalamari and pork chop (wink wink at ya Mike.) The service on the other hand was a bit, how to say...awkward. The waitress was friendly so I know her intention was to do a great job. She just seemed a uncoordinated and had bad timing with things. It's def a good spot to hang at the bar with friends, this place has a great vibe. I'll def go back...
(4)
Billal B.
This restaurant it excellent. Not to mention Drake is not allowed on the premises because he stole their name for one of his songs! (LOL) But the food is really excellent and is cooked to perfection. The place is slightly pricey but is worth it once you see the quantity of food you receive. Their platters are to die for and I definitely recommend the Calamari for an appetizer. You won't be disappointed! I don't have much to say at the moment, except to just try it! It's something new and fresh. The waitress we had was excellent too! She took all our orders by heart and knew the menu like the back of her hand. Push to show, the waiters here know their menu unlike a lot of places. (Or at least the one we had did)
(5)
Bao N.
So You Only Live Once. It is definately hip and trendy inside... very stylish but in my opinion that's all you are paying for. The food was ok and pricey. We mainly went here to go out to a decent place before heading to Vibe next door. The calamari was decent but everything else was just ok. There were 6 of us and our bill was roughly $300 before tip. So if you ant to come here and hang in a stylish atomosphere it's cool for that but otherwise I'd say don't have super high expectations.
(3)
Eric Douglas S.
This is a great place to hang out, especially after work. Living in Miami, I frequent trendy spots so I'm ready for the same when I visit someplace outside of Miami. The service can be hit or miss, but they do know the food. The bartenders are attractive and very attentive. As for food, I've only had dinner here twice, I love the prime rib, I mean amazing. I will say this is one of my favorite places in Fort Lauderdale, whether it's hanging out with colleagues, family functions, friends, dinner, drinks, dates, whatever the occasion, this is a great spot. Eric Statzer Eric Douglas Statzer
(4)
Christy H.
I think this place is great for drinks but the food is just okay. The atmosphere is up-scale. They have some fire pits outside. It is pretty open air and I liked that about this place. The service is a-mazing! We had a large group of about 40 people. I don't know how they stayed on top of things but every time I looked down someone was filling up my wine glass. Great white wine! Not sure what kind it was but it tasted fantastically light and crisp. We had some appetizers. The meatballs were great. The salads were just okay. Main course was chicken and pesto potatoes. Pretty good. If I went again I probably would just get a drink and eat somewhere new.
(3)
Leslie G.
LOVE THE NAME!!!! (You Only Live Once) Very Stylish place,packed too. Drinks were good. Came here during the Charity event (Ft.Laud Bus Loop) I was starving but they Close the kitchen after 8pm
(4)
Vince V.
Whenever I am in Fort Lauderdale, usually monthly, I visit YOLO. The atmosphere is always good, sometimes can be a sausage fest but I usually go there for the food. When you pull up in the circle drive you can see the outdoor seating, which is welcoming. The bar is an inside/outside bar that looks into the restaurant. it's loud at dinner time, which gives you the sense of a loud, fun New York restaurant. The food is very consistent, is it over the top, no, but good. The drinks are pricey but again you are there to sit outside meet some people and have a good time, this is what you should expect to pay in Los Olas. I give it a strong thumbs for fun, food and atmosphere!
(4)
Kat K.
You only live once and hopefully once is enough and if you come here you'll see how the posh really live in Fort Lauderdale. it's a good spot for people watching, celebs like Ricky Ross the BOSS and Flo Rida that often stop by and car watching as the sugardaddys arrive and valet. The food is great. Def get the calamari it's one of the best and the drinks are strong and good. Am a regular here and am never disappointed.
(5)
Steve G.
Having brought my New York area dining and nightlife sensibilities to Yolo at least ten times in the past year, I've never been disappointed. Yes, Yolo can be very crowded, and the wait for a table long. While waiting, however, the outdoor fire pit and chic waitstaff and fellow patrons make for a pleasant diversion. Yolo has a trendy and young vibe, yet 50-somethings like myself aren't out of place. The food is worth the wait. We usually start with the Szechwan calamari; sweet, tart and pleasingly spicy, the squid is always perfectly cooked. Among my favorite entrees is the marinated and grilled double pork chop; formidable in size, yet thoroughly delicious. Their salmon, mahi and steak entrees have also hit the spot. Whether dining alone (as many business travelers do), in working dinners or with a group, Yolo always satisfies.
(4)
J M.
Nice ambiance, very good service, great location, food was "eh." I wouldn't go as far as to say this place is overrated but it doesn't live up to all the hype. The calamari appetizer was okay, prime rib was your standard prime rib - nothing exciting or mind-blowing about it. Dessert was a chocolate chip bread pudding which was overpowering. Way too many chocolate chips made the dessert way too sweet. For the amount of money I spent, I'm not a huge fan. Maybe we'll give it a 2nd look in the near future as a chance to redeem itself.
(3)
jen r.
im not very familiar with anything in broward but had tickets to a broadway show and wanted to eat lunch before the 2 pm showtime. we drove around las olas area. and i saw yolo, it immediately dawned on me that i had read about it on yelp. so i scored a metered spot right outside and in we went. we got a booth at the bar and reviewed the menu. decided to go with brunch options. we ate a delish omelet and breakfast burrito. and the hashbrown casserole was notably good!! we were in and out in less than an hour. i cant wait to go back, maybe for dinner and drinks next time. the outdoor area looks awesome and great for a night out with friends!! you only live once.. words to live by!!
(4)
Cherry B.
This place is bussin' I loved the club atmosphere it felt like a big party with delicious food. Walking in here will get you really excited but be prepared to wait if you have a large party with you. The potato gratin was to die for and their steak was succulent. I highly recommend this place for a good night out.
(5)
Bandit T.
Great spot for Lunch, for the downtown business crowd. These are the people that work hard and tip well despite the fact that many of the waiters are liberal voters and approve of the Presidents socialist agenda, and the tax policies which will hit the same hard working business crowd, the hardest. And the waiters won't understand why their tips are off in 2011. But that is a discussion for a different time and place. Moving on; I am fortunate to eat here once or twice a month. Reservations are always helpful, especially if you plan to arrive after 12;05 on a weekday. The service is consistently excellent as is the food. The calamari appetizer is top shelf. The salads are great, particularly the ahi tuna salad. Wait staff is intelligent (despite their political failings) and are a solid resource when one needs assistance with the menu. They are uniformly attractive, young and motivated. I'd say the cream of the crop of the Ft. Lauderdale corps of food servers are found here. It's a great spot for timely and accurate service, a high-vibe atmosphere and hip ambiance. Dinner is similarly served, with a nice wine list with pairings for everything on the menu. Hearty deserts round out the dinner menu and on a cool evening, the outdoor dining option with a fire pit and space heaters makes for a romantic urban experience. I give Yolo's 5 Bullets. B3 Out
(5)
Tony D.
WOW! I went to this place during a vacation to Fort Lauderale, and our meal at Yolo was the culinary highlight of my trip! The food here was absolutely amazing! The butternut squash soup was an explosion of flavour with every bite. I ordered a salad ($12) thinking it'd serve as a starter, only to receive a giant plate full of salad! It was enough for an appetizer for 4 people, but it tasted amazing. Then came our main dishes. I got the filet minion with mashed potatoes and rapini, and it too was absolutely delicious. This place was bustling on a cold week-day night. It's seems like the place to be in Fort L, located along the chic Las Olas Blvd. I was also impressed by the huge number of real chefs (vs cooks) that you could see working in the kitchen -- amazing! They know what they're doing. AMAZING experience overall. Worth every penny. I wouldn't hesitate to visit again.
(5)
Marc Aka Max H.
Selected because we wanted to dine at 5 pm and not be far from the Parker Playhouse for 7 pm show. Ate outside and was first directed to a 2 top - which I rejected explaining that it was too small and was on top of the only other table outside with guests, and I requested a 4 top, hinting to hostess that since it was 5 pm and the restaurant was empty, why not give us that table. She then suggested another table which was on top of a serving station, which I rejected, stating "would you want to eat there?" but I think my query was lost on her. Finally Got the table I wanted. Jessica was our server and she was attentive and pleasant. The food preparation in kitchen for appetizer, salad and entree were all "off". Calamari had a sauce (too much of it) drizzled on top when we asked that it be on the side, and it was Luke warm. The Caesar salads came out sans anchovies, which Jessica noted and she quickly got a plate of them. My trout was to be broiled plain and Jessica replied to my puzzled look at the topping with "those are rock shrimp, they charge $4 extra for them but they are not supposed to be on top of the fish" but we did not have time to have it recooked due to our early show time. And my partner's fish, grouper, was cooked so well done it was rubbery. I guess you can tell I'm not too impressed with their performance, and it will not be a top choice for a return visit. There are so many other better restaurants for fish. Maybe this one is best for cocktails and people watching?
(2)
Jennifer M.
Great food for normal prices...trust me there are places more expensive than this! You get what you pay for here and more. Lots of beautiful peeps hanging out with gorgeous cars in the front parking lot........very TRENDY Decor. Hmmmm....If you like fat ugly people, cheap fried food and rusty old cars....don't go here!
(5)
Joey R.
Place is awesome... lots of hot chicks,... and great food :) Win Win
(5)
Oliver O.
This is one of the top places in Fort Lauderdale to eat. Great Food - especially the specials. Caveat is I don't have to pay for food so price was not an issue.
(4)
Breana B.
So i came across YOLO when i was searching for a place to eat dinner for my 23rd birthday, the reviews seemed pretty good so i tried it out. We went there on a friday night around 10pm and it was pretty packed. You do see the laborghinis and alot of show offs there but i loved it. They did tell us it would be a hour wait which was actually on about 15minutes. We were seated outside which was pretty nice. I had the calamari as appetizer and i loved it!! Didnt like my main entree the salmon so much, and my friends ordered the pasta which they didnt like so much either. The only other thing i didnt like was getting to the bar it was too many old guys in the way. But its a nice spot to chill and i will go back again and find out what the O'lounge is about. Oh and the martini tree was good also..
(4)
Michael H.
I came here for the Collins Media Pink Party to help raise money for Breast Cancer during a DMAI conference trip and this review may be biased. The reason I'm biased is because the food and drinks were all free the entire time we were here. I tried to sample as many of the buffet items as I could, which were all great, though there was one dish which was almost entirely cheese and more cheese. I love cheese, but I felt like if I could get sick if I ate too much of it. It was fantastic in a small dose though! The waitresses all seemed very nice, and were super sexy. The crowd that was not in our party seemed a younger early to mid twenties crowd and the place to me seemed a likely singles hot spot. The DJ for our party was alright, and we had lots of fun. The chartered busses that drove us and carried us back to the hotel ensured everyone stayed safe too. I'd try this place again if I ever find myself back in Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)
Heather G.
Food is excellent, drink options amazing!! Steve, our server, was so attentive and really knew everything inside and out. We are in town for 3 days and will be coming back tomorrow. Appetizer: home made potatoe chips, I mentioned I was gluten free and Steve knew that the sauce had to be in the side because it contained flour! Then we saw someone else had ordered the Tina and we immediately ordered that as well. It was so fresh and had a bit of a kick to it. For dinner we both had the fish of the day, he had the mahi mahi and I had the salmon. Both cooked perfectly!!! Then came the best deserts ever. Apparently they make them in house so we had to try 2, we chose the key lime custard over a warm sponge cake w berries and the banana coconut creme pie. Both were served with fresh whipped cream. OMG. Amazing. Cannot wait for dinner tomorrow!!!
(5)
stephanie f.
I've now been to Yolo countless times at night for drinks -and my previous review still holds true. Ed Hardy & Affliction everywhere, but yolo is still a good time. The food, oh wow the food. I'm in love with their (green) mashed potatoes and their meatball sliders. they are both a must get. Their seared tuna salad is somewhat bland, the ribs are amazing, and their chopped salads are everything you would want them to be.
(4)
Dinah T.
I went to this restaurant with a group to celebrate one of my friend's birthday. It has very nice decor and great ambience. The servers were polite and attentive as well. It wasn't bad but I can't rave about the dish I had, the Richette pasta which had beef sausage, rapini and goat cheese in a poached garlic sauce. It was quite was suprisingly quite greasy and the rapini gave it a bitter taste. The nice and strong drinks were the highlight of the night! I would go back for drinks but not necessarily dinner.
(3)
Jen B.
Best happy hour! Excellent food and martinis! You won't be disappointed. Make sure to get the margarita flatbread!
(5)
Andy W.
Best calamari. Tender and spicy. Nice decor. I used to love this place, but my last couple of visits the food hasn't been that great. I would still recommend it. A little trendy, but fun.
(3)
Janice A.
I took a friend here for dinner after she passed a very important exam and it was the perfect place to celebrate. The food was amazing, but what I really appreciated was the size of the menu. It was just right, not too sparse where it says "if you don't like what we like, tough, you're getting a salad" but it wasn't overwhelming to the point of indecision. Plus, everything was well described and sounded delicious. For an appetizer we had the tuna sashimi and it was perfect. Very flavorful, honestly better than the sushi restaurants I've been to in the area. Not plated with rice, but a seaweed "salad" and cucumbers which added their own unique flavors. I also liked that there was a decent amount of tuna, not the typical 4 pieces with too much garnish. I feel this place is used to large groups. For the main course, I opted for the salmon which I regretted because I tend to default on salmon and was curious to try something a little different. My regrets disappeared the moment my tongue tasted the flaky, toasty, flavorful perfect first bite of fish. In my friends words, it literally melted in your mouth. It was served on a cedar board and with what I think was called tabouleh. The side was something like a rice but the waiter said it was a pasta. It was served cold which I really enjoyed as it showed it's true flavor and the small bits of tomato were fresh not smushy. My friend ordered the pork chop, which I feel she had similar regrets about however hers also vanished when our plates arrived. The pork chop was the size of her head. I could see from her expression she was both happy and horrified. I didn't get a chance to taste hers, but based on her protective behavior, I would wager the pork chop is also a good choice. My husband joined us about half way through and ordered a hamburger thinking it would be a simple and fast option. It was rather quick, but it did not look simple. I stole a bite when he wasn't looking, and even though my heart belongs to the cedar-roasted salmon, this burger is worth a secret affair. The fries were the annoyingly skinny thin-cut fries - tasty but kinda awkward to get a substantial amount (they also don't hold ketchup very well). Even though we were all thoroughly satisfied with our meals, we decided to split a dessert... by that I mean, they had fresh berries with key lime custard and I made them help me eat it. It was delicious, though I am biased because I get excited about even the key lime pie flavored yoplait yogurt. The $$ pricing is a bit inaccurate. Yes, most of the plates are within that range, but you won't get out of there for that unless you have water and stick strictly to the main course. In my opinion, you do get what you pay for and non of us regretted the night when the check came. In regards to service, our waiter was phenomenal - he answered our questions with true interest and concern that we understood what he was telling us, he suggested things based on our comments that fit us perfect, he was attentive, friendly, ever-so-slightly flirty but not over the line... until my husband showed up. It was flattering, really, the difference it made to have a man join our table. He was still attentive and helpful, but went to the extreme of professional. In regards to the general ambiance... this is a lounge club that serves delicious food. Yes, there are tables, no, people aren't dancing on them, but everyone is there to have a good time and look fabulous (whether or not they pull that off is of your own opinion). People will get loud with laughter, they will be taking future facebook pictures, they may try to buy you a drink. Just be prepared, and don't bring small children. Oh, and just shell out the cash for valet. If you're coming here for dinner, don't act like the $5 matters.
(4)
William W.
So on our 12-man golf trip to Ft. Lauderdale, our daddy, i.e. the dude who organized the entire trip, took the group to this restaurant. Immediately fell in love with the name - You Only Live Once. Pretty damn solid. Got myself the prime rib dish, which was perfectly cooked. Had a girly Passiontini to kick off the dinner and ended up with a little Gibson's to cap off the session. Our table was right next to the lounge area, so we could people-watch all the yuppies there for the social scene. Great atmosphere overall and would definitely recommend it for anyone visiting the FTL.
(4)
Tenagne H.
This is definitely a place to be seen, and for a bit of eye candy. The service is still very pleasant, and the atmosphere lacks nothing. had the lamb meatballs, sliders, calamari, salmon, steak, and a ton of other stuff. Each dish was delish in it's own right, each with something special to offer. As if the beautiful people weren't enough to draw a crowd, the food had to go and be amazing as well. Next time I'm in town, you will definitely catch me here.
(4)
Night Ryder I.
I probably dined @ YOLO for the last time, a little over a week ago. I intentionally let some time pass before writing a review to make sure that I yelped in a fair and proper frame of mind. On my previous visits, I've enjoyed YOLO's tasty hamburgers & calamari, and have just ignored the pretentious atmosphere. However, on my last visit, the outright rude and poor service of a particular blond hostess, made for a really bad experience that sealed it for me and eliminated any desire I have of returning to this establishment. If you ever accidentally leave behind an important item (such as a wallet), don't bother calling and asking that while you return to the restaurant, if someone could check the table where you were sitting. The demeanor of the hostess from her initial snobbish greeting of "Do you have a reservation?" to her apparent indifference and brush off of the plea to simply check for my lost item is why I rated YOLO 2 out 5. Positive notes: Chris, my waiter was very attentive and provided great service, and the substantial hamburger was cooked to perfection and delicious as expected.
(2)
Justin P.
My review is only based on Yolo's lunch. After reading other reviews, my guess is that the dinner atmosphere is probably a little too pretentious and crowded for my taste. However, at lunch, it is not bad at all. Yolo is a lot like what Houston's unsuccessfully attempts to be. It has trendy decor, attentive service and above-average food. Athough the interior is very nice, the outside seating is fantastic. Also, they have a valet, but charge five dollars for it. Nonetheless, if you want to save your money and do not mind a short walk, there are plenty of other places to park in the area. When I went for lunch earlier today, I sat at the bar, and the bartenders were extremely friendly and helpful. Although I would like to credit this to my good looks and natural charm, I suspect that they are proabably this friendly to everyone. I ordered the dolphin tacos, and they were quite tasty. The bartenders then highly recommended the bread pudding, so I gave that a try as well, and it was absolutely delicious. Although I would definitely return for lunch, I can't escape the sneaking suspicion that I would be dissappointed with the atmosphere if I went there for dinner. In Yolo's defense, this is a commmon problem with restaurants on Las Olas. Regardless, for lunch alone, I will award four stars.
(4)
Pierre M.
Large resteraunt bar. Dimly light an classy during dinners. The lounge bar had a smal dance foor with tapas. Spicy calmari appetizer was great. Not too over the tp spicy, lightly breaded but good flavor. The chorizo queso was good as well. For a group of 6 it kept us all satiated for our main course. The strawberry caipihiri was sweet and refreshing. Accrding to my friend the blueberry mist was strong but tasty. We ordered the ribs, chicken rotiserrie burger, wedge salad (good), and they were out of theprime rib.... check back in when we get our food.
(3)
Daniela M.
Very nice area, awesome for some drinks outside and perfect for a date on the inside. Decorated very modern. And the food is AMAZING especially their Mac and cheese...although I personally wasn't very fond of their desserts.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
This is one of my good to places when I don't know where else to eat. The Sunday Brunch's are great. The Eggs Benedict yummy. On a reg night, their calamari is the BEST and ONLY one I've ever liked anywhere! A must try and their meatballs melt in your mouth. YOLO so go on and visit YOLO at least once.
(4)
Lisa G.
Save your money and time.. Because there is a limited menu you can get much. I wanted soup and nope.. spilt pea was the only option and with bacon.. i don't eat pork. Upon arriving we asked the hostess for suggestions. Her suggestion was the burger. That should have been a red flag. Then our HORRIBLE waiter.. Kelton! I asked him for recommendations and he said everything was good. Another red flag. What waiter cant give you a recommendation. After taking our order he never came back to see if we needed anything but the table of 3 in front of us he made sure to visit more than 7 times (yes I counted). We asked for water. I had to get up and get my own water from the bar. When I explained to him my concerns he apologized then asked if we wanted to order dessert. i would like to say it want a race issue so ill leave that alone but the other minority couple in the restaurant had the same compliant (im just saying) I have dined at restaurants all around the world and paid anywhere from $6 to $100 per plate. So I value a good restaurant with good service. This restaurant just didn't make the cut. I wouldn't recommend my dog to eat here. And to make matters worse. my husband was sick the whole night and I was sick the next morning. Coincidence.. maybe but I think not
(1)
Dan L.
YOLO has a great physical atmosphere, OK food but the service is always mediocre to poor. If you are looking for a nice to fine dining experience, this is not the place to go. The staff appears poorly trained and not focused on guest service. As an example, when we sat at the bar last week for lunch, the female bartenders ( blond hair and the other one with black hair late twenties ) were complaining that a group of ladies who just finished lunch had tipped them poorly. As a guest / customer, I don't want to hear the bartender or waitstaff complaining that due to their bad service, they were tipped poorly. I want to enjoy my higher priced meal without listening to the staff whine. If you are 21 to 30 and don't care about decent service, this is the place for you. If you are 30 + and want a nice to fine dining experience, this is not the place to go. There are many other choices in Fort Lauderdale that appreciates your business and you would enjoy more ( (954 Steak or even JMarks as examples ).
(2)
Jeff F.
This place is a must if you are able to go on a Wednesday. People watching is supreme. The food is good and the service good as well. I had the yolo truffle chips and they were great and for dinner the spinach salad. Others in my group had the veggie burger which was good, the wedge salad and the mkt fish sandwich. Good stuff you should go!
(4)
Svenja H.
Sunday Brunch: food not more than average (chicken sandwich with tons of butter), portions big, service ok, outside nice even though a little dirty, atmosphere young. I wouldn't come back for food!
The service was great and the crab cakes were amazing!
(5)
Michael S.
This is a great place to take a date. The atmosphere is very hip and energetic. The food is good and service is attentive. The only I can really complain about is the 12$ drinks. I feel they were a bit pricey for the size. Another thing I found strange was that we had to ask for house bread ( then he brought out 2 tiny pieces) I would recommend the calamari and the burger. We also had the YOLO chips, I found them to be too greasy and very salty. But overall, this is a fun place with good food.
(3)
Gabrielle R.
We had the most amazing experience with, Jess F, Earl and Allan and Alli. Their customer service was top of the line. They made us feel like family. When I come to fort lauderdale I'm not interested in going any where else but Yolo!!
(5)
Jessica H.
This review is based on a Thursday night, sitting outdoors and only ordering drinks. And I gave it 4 stars, which applies if you are a shiny person, or a cougar..perhaps. The drinks were good, the waitress even knew what spirits were in and out of stock which impressed us. It was nice to sit by the fire on funky little stools and look through the bamboo at the boob buffet and all it's magic! And it's a central location. Needless to say, we downgraded soon after and went to Argie Grill and Tarpon Bend! Way more my speed!
(4)
Pat C.
Grilled cheese for lunch to die for!
(4)
Rachel D.
My flight in to Fort Lauderdale was delayed so we were starving upon 10pm arrival. We stopped at Yolo on the way to our hotel, just as the kitchen was closing. The waiter must have seen the desperation in my eyes and offered us no-cook chopped salads. Maybe the most exciting salad I've ever had with grilled corn, tomatoes, and tons of fresh veggies. The space has a cool atmosphere. I loved being able to sit outside by the fire pits in December. Even though they were gearing up for the bar crowd, I appreciate their ability to accommodate me. I'll be back next time I'm in Florida!
(3)
Emily D.
Great menu and food. Wonderful service- professional and well informed. Would definitely go back!
(5)
Nina C.
Just ok- but when you feel your too busy to sell booze to people- umm just remember- money is like manure, it's ment to spread around
(1)
J B.
One of my favorite places in FTL! Meatball sliders, calamari, and tuna sashimi were excellent. One of the best crab cakes I have ever had. My wife's meal was also excellent. Highly recommended!
(5)
Nikki S.
We had lunch here today and this rating deserves all 5 stars, if not more. We tried the szechuan calamari (YUMMY), chicken noodle soup (Meh....) and the oak grilled salmon (DELICIOUS). The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful and so are the employees!! We opted to sit outside and were greeted by a wonderful server who was pretty much on point with everything. I definitely give this place 2 thumbs up! If you're walking around Las Olas and can't decide on where to eat - this is the place. Can't wait to go back at night when it's all lit up outside!
(5)
Laurie C.
I LOVED IT!! This was our first time in Ft Lauderdale and Yolo came highly recommended by the concierge at the Marriott and our taxi driver so we knew we had to check it out. The place was packed but we got really lucky and they were able to seat us right away outside. Great atmosphere, friendly staff and the food was outstanding. We started with the Tuna Sashimi (WOW!!), The Chopped Salad was good, but there was a lot going on. The prime rib sandwich was delicious and huge. Ok this place is a little pricey but the drinks are good and the food is worth it.
(5)
Jphn M.
A bit underwhelmed. Ambience was good. Very trendy. Service was good. Food was just a B. $30 for two ok crabcakes and a boatload of shoestring fries. Don't think I would rush back.
(3)
Natalie C.
Being that I love food, and that I hate to be harsh, I really feel bad when I have a less-than-stellar meal at a really cool place. But I have to say that my entree, not the amazing desserts, was not as fantastic as I had hoped. The fish I ordered wasn't very flavorful and it wasn't cooked appropriately. My boss ordered the same dish and he had the same comments as well. The saving grace, for me, was the super delicious dessert tray that was brought to our table. The bread pudding (which I'm a newbie to) was out of this world tasty. As was the banana coconut pie. I can say that others in my group raved about the Tuna Hot Pot and the Pork Chop. So if either of those fit your fancy, don't hesitate to try them. As for locale and appeal, Yolo is top notch. Because as they say, "you only live once," right?
(3)
Dana M.
We dined at YOLO last week. Upon arriving, we were seated on the outside patio. It was very pleasant, comfortable and appealing. We were greeted by a drink waiter to take our order. Upon asking our desire for a drink or cocktail, we requested the mint iced tea. He responded, " Well, you are not any fun." Not everyone is in the mood to drink every night. Also one of our party has a medical condition that necessitates not drinking alcohol. We were then greeted by our waitress who was very pleasant and attentive. We ordered a chopped salad with chicken and the spare ribs. The spare ribs were served with spotty fat on them and did not have much taste at all. Certainly we would not order those again at all. We thought it was a waste of money. The salad was huge and had a delightful taste. Very fresh and plenty to share. One of our guests ordered the banana coconut pie for dessert. It was very tasty and well worth the money spent. I really want to like YOLO. This was our 2nd time at YOLO. The first time our party ordered steaks. Bad mistake then. We thought that we would give it another chance. YOLO is for a see and be seen crowd. Truly a people watching crowd. Go for the beautiful cars, people, and social aspect. The food is just not consistent with what I call a truly stellar restaurant.
(3)
Chris G.
Wow - quite the social scene at YOLO! Went for this first time this weekend. Clearly a popular spot for seeing and being seen. The patio dining area is a great atmosphere, albeit a little chilly on a winter night (Yolo: invest in more outdoor heaters - two doesn't cut it for a space that big.) And the hostess didn't seem concerned that she kept trying to seat us in chairs and cushions that were still soaking wet from an earlier rain. Dinner was simple, by request. I had a spinach salad with chicken, which was fresh, well presented, and a great price ($14). Wait staff was pleasant. Will definitely return in warmer temps.
(3)
Ashley K.
Outside waitress w/ dark hair Saturday night took advantage of my husband having had too much too drink....gave her a $100 bill for 2 drinks and she never brought change...he forgot about it til the next day. I guess maybe it's his fault, and anyone would have taken advantage of the situation, but I would like to think there are good people out there who still earn their money fairly and don't take advantage of others in a moment of clouded judgment.
(2)
Allie C.
I went here on my birthday... Our waitress was wonderful and kept checking on us. I ordered the jumbo lump crab cakes with green apple slaw and substituted the thin cut French fries for au gratin potatoes. Best crab cakes I've ever had hands down!!! The way the restaurant is lighted and decorated is beautiful as well. My new favorite :)
(5)
Ben C.
What a great place! Starting with the very reasonable, and friendly valet, to the martini tower sampler. The service was prompt and friendly, and the food.... Outstanding! The short ribs, and flank steak were amazing, and the banana coconut pie, just as good as it sounds!
(4)
Kate S.
This place great for lunch, dinner or just for drinks. I've been here with colleagues for business and with friends for a bachelorette party. It seems you can't go wrong. YOLO has great calamari- I think I've ordered it every time I've gone. Great drink list. The mashed potatoes are also a must-try. Definitely hit up YOLO if you're in the area.
(5)
Andie D.
The atmosphere at this place is flawless. I bet you it makes the food taste way better. I've had really good overall experiences here. Try the calamari appetizer. Very rich in taste, crispy and decadent.
(4)
Matt Z.
Great spot! The Ahi Tuna salad is off the hook! So light, fresh and delicious... Filled me up too! Lots of pretty people and a key power lunch spot in Ft Lauderdale
(5)
Pamela L.
This is a great place for happy hour on Friday nights, nice crowd, nice atmosphere. The food and the food service is not the greatest, but the bartenders are great and really know what they are doing.
(4)
Leland G.
This is definitely the in place to see and be seen in Fort Lauderdale, Friday and Saturday night are good, some times too good and a bit crowded. If you have a Lamborghini or Ferrari there is plenty of room to park up front, otherwise I think the Valet will pull your car somewhere out of sight. Seriously, the place is cool. The music is chill inside the "O Lounge" and the outside fire pit is pretty cool during Florida's version of winter. Food is pretty good, American cuisine with a bit of a twist, I heard that they hired a past chef from Hustons. So, put on your finest duds and get down to YOLO, because it's true, You Only Live Once.
(4)
J. S.
Probably the best ambience for any restaurant in downtown Laudy. Great for groups or couples, kids not so much. I can't remember how the food tastes because the last few times I've gone I was just drinking with the fellas. Anyway, I hope this place sticks around.
(3)
Katie R.
Probably one of the trendier restaurants / bars in the area. A great place for dinner, or just to go for drinks. Yolo is always packed with exotic cars and people. The food is good, not outstanding, but acceptable. I would highly recommend the calamari for an appetizer. Petite rings of calamari with an asian chili glaze. Yolo is definitely a great place for drinks and to people watch! Awesome mojitos!
(4)
Kevin L.
Food and service are great. Very tasty.
(4)
Rich G.
Wonderful food; great service; great ambiance. Lively place with a varied menu where just about everything is great.
(4)
Michelle S.
NIce decor and ambiance, but the food ehhhh, not great. I ordered the Tuna, which was just OK, a little dry and I asked for EXTRA rare, but I was very specific in advising that I don't eat meat, pork or dairy. My veggies (off all things) had bacon in them. OK, so I advised them and asked for something else. Just some grilled veggies, plain with olive oil. They came and looked delicious...I ate a bite and OH YEAH, bacon lining the enitre bottom of the grilled veggie side. So I told them it was ok, not to worry...but the manager came over...but did nothing. NO offer to comp anything or replace what I paid for. Then, we paid with a gift card, but had a problem leaving the tip with the balance on the gift card...UGH. Too much trouble to return! I am sure some people who have no diet restrictions like it, but it was not for me, for sure!
(2)
Richard B.
Yolo is a great place to take a date or out of town friends to show them what Fort Lauderdale has become. Great place to people watch. I recommend calling ahead for reservations unless you are OK with waiting (ie drinking) for two hours on weekends. The indoor/outdoor bar is packed and makes nice signature drinks. The food is pretty good and not too pricey compared to an equally nice looking place on South Beach.
(4)
Rosemarie R.
I had planned to go to YOLO a million times with my sister. A few weeks ago we finally made it out there. We started off with the martini tree which was a trio of martini flavors we picked, two of each. Dragonberry was amazing!! And I don't drink, but that was definitely tasty. We had all appetizers and I'll start with the mussels, they were good but nothing special. The fried calamari was awesome! I'm used to it just fried with some lemon squeezed on top and a pinch of salt but they served it Asian style with a sweet chili sauce and peanuts. It was fried to perfection and an interesting spin on a classic. I was so disappointed with the meatball sliders, they were mushy and bland. The coconut creme pie was ok and the molten cake was good. Then again, chilis can make a good molten cake lol. All in all I can't say it was bad cause we really only had appetizers but the drinks were awesome and the decor and ambiance as a whole was fantastic.
(3)
Chas M.
Great ribs. Tasty acorn squash Excellent service by Scott! This place was worth the wait And get the coconut cream pie...afterall, YOLO!
(5)
Kevin F.
My friend calls me out of the blue as she heard I was back in town and wants to catch up and have take a stroll down Las Olas, so as im driving by my old office in Downtown Fort Lauderdale I notice lots of people, a firepit, and the old boring Brasserrie restaurant no longer there, ferraris parked, people chatting away outside, and the place said YOLO... immediately I remembed the Miami Yelpers and quite the nice event they had there, so I pulled in, valet the car, we stepped out and waited about 10 minutes for a table while we drank some wine served by the attentive bartenders. I was amazed at how different its gotten in the area, that area on 301 Las Olas place was packed when it was once dead, the crowd was mixed with young and old, new money, old money and I was happy to see everyone was enjoying themselves, so we sat down, I had swordfish (it was great), she had a salad (typical) and after much catching up, I smiled and realized I missed the hospitality and service south florida has to offer, I have to say I will return someday. I did notice some type of dance area somewhere in the back as well. Broward is making a comeback (or so I hope).
(4)
Kelly K.
Saturday lunch- I ordered the short rib grilled cheese and soup. Today it was lentil (very good) the sandwich was amazing- you must come for that. I didn't take a picture because I was too excited to eat it,.. Sorry. My boyfriend got the mojo roasted pork. We are from Miami and our standards are high... Not that good :( the presentation was good, the yuca fries were soggy and undercooked. The replacement for the fries (we let them know) was green beans with corn and sliced fingerling potatoes with nuts and cheese- sounded really great- but the beans were undercooked to the point they might have been microwaved... I would try it again. But maybe only one more time. Not really my favorite...
(3)
Scott A.
I was not impressed by this place. Maple syrup... Stop there, it was aunt jemima syrup. I saw them pouring into the containers. Overall I was not impressed with the brunch. Build out was adorable. Server was OK. French toast was deep fried. Which was weird but, different.
(2)
Joel L.
Service was terrible, hostess came to our table and rudely stmped the special down on the table and didn't say a word, had to read what it said to figure it out. Waiter didn't seem to listen to what we said, made it obvious when 3 plates came out cooked to the wrong temperature, 2 over and 1 undercooked (chicken was under, the worst part considering the only temperature should be COOKED). The next part isn't the restaurants fault but there were so many pretentious 20-30 year olds who aren't capable of noticing anyone but themselves while spending their parents money. Either way, it's the restaurant, not the people. SAVE YOUR MONEY, don't go here.
(1)
Liz O.
Well, I remember the appetizer - the calamari. And it was something spectacularrrr. It defines perfection. A bit of a kick, crispy... just the way I like it. But I did wrong, and had too many Wild Turkey American Honey shots (Yummm!), and I wish I could tell you what I ordered, I only remember it was a chicken entree that was TDF. Fun people though... and a great atmosphere. Lovely bathrooms with a host that takes care of Yolo's guests too!
(4)
Jenn H.
Braised beef is to die for...and the cornbread will blow your face off. You've also got to try the banana coconut cream pie and the ice cream sandwiches.
(5)
Henry U.
Fantastic as always, Karly was amazing and provided the best service with a splash of personality that made my birthday! Will always come back to enjoy the personalities, food, and drinks!
(5)
Sophia C.
Great customer service, nice spot but the food did not meet our expectations.
(3)
Tina T.
Steaks are good... Better place for lunch... Calamari is good.. Not amazing... Decor is cool... More of an experience than anything .. Mashed potatoes are green but good and the rotisserie chicken is good too.. Lemonade is a fave of my husband but its ok to me
(4)
Chloe E.
YOLO! I only drank at the bar. Decent enough. I would go back.
(4)
Matt R.
They have great food with affordable prices. Great brunch menu. The bar tenders there are excellent. Located in a great area.
(5)
Phoebe R.
Wonderful drinks and ambiance. We sat outside in the back lounge and it was perfect. I ordered the Pleasure n' 'Pagne cocktail and it was delicious! Food is very good but lacks "regular" bar bites that you would look for. I'll definitely be back with my girlfriends for happy hour!
(4)
michelle n.
The atmosphere is nice, the street that it is located on is really nice, the food preparation was mediocre. The kale salad was pretty boring, the fish special which was grouper was great but the potatoes were pretty bland, was expecting more flavor and presentation
(3)
Tony C.
Great place to spend some time with friend or your partner, the staff super friendly always asking you if need anything, good food exotics drinks and beautiful people, I highly recommend this place.
(4)
Akshay V.
Came with friends who were down for the Thangsgiving holidays. I had the rainbow trout and roasted asparagus. My dish was excellent. I also was not drinking that night, and was happy when my waitress had no judgement on her face about my non-alcoholic beer. A friend ordered a dessert, the molten lava cake. Quite good for a copy and paste dessert you find everywhere.
(3)
Paul M.
3.5 Stars After being disappointed at Rocco's, the valet suggested we go down the street to Yolo for some more late night action. It was very, very, busy on a Wednesday night so I definitely took this to be a good sign. The valet girls wearing red berets were a pretty cool sight, and there were lots of big pimpin rides to be seen. The restaurant bar was very full, as was the adjoining O lounge next door. Next door Vibe was also pumping. Finally some signs of life on Las Olas. Upon closer inspection though we were able to see the dichotomy that is Fort Lauderdale. You have a packed, happening joint, nice venue, good music, hot chicks dressed to the nines and.......dudes inside wearing shorts and flip flops. Really??? Not everyone was dressed like this of course, but it just seemed so out of place at Yolo. The place has a great name - You Only Live Once (YOLO), but if it were my last night out I definitely would not be wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops... This corner of Las Olas definitely seems to be hot right now, but I think the slack dress code kills the ambiance a bit. I'd check it out again if I was in the area.
(3)
Dennis M.
Like a poor mans Houston's/Seasons 52. Our waiter was extremely slow and he had 2 tables. The appetizers were great (calamari and artichoke hits.... Highly recommend) but all 4 of our entrees were very disappointing. I had a burger that was over cooked. Dad had pork ribs that were lackluster to say the least and my gf had the "cedar wood" salmon that looked like it was fried and then thrown on the wood. Gave it a shot and it was not worth our time/money.
(2)
Caitlin H.
Had an amazing evening at YOLO. Went for dinner on a Thursday night while on vacation. There was a private holiday party going on in the outside front section which I thought would be noisy, but we sat outside around the corner and it was great. Service was excellent. Highly recommend the calamari and BBQ pork ribs. Chocolate lava cake was also amazing. Will definitely return when I'm back down in Ft laud! Great date spot.
(5)
Caroline B.
I've heard of this place and was so excited to go there. Unfortunately, I can wait again. The service was ridiculous, we waited close to 3 hours to get a table, we ended up eating appetizers at the lounge area. Then when we finally got our table, we were being rushed to finish eating and leave. NEVER AGAIN!
(1)
Marianela N.
My boyfriend and I went there tonight for our very first time and it was sooo crouded but our server Terry was amazing. He was super friendly, and super helpful with his suggestions. Please go check him out, he was amazing!!
(5)
Franco C.
You Only Live Once... And that is what my friends told me Yolo stands for. Wow what a place to see and be seen at. Simply great all around from the very good food to the incredibly beautiful people that populate this place - we had a grand time. You pull up to the valet and hopefully your car makes the grade to be displayed alongside the Ferrari's and Bentley's that adorn the circular driveway - kind of makes you intimidated when you only wheel in with a Beemer 750.. sheesh. Cars aside, the clientele are a plastic surgeons dream. The ladies are outstandingly gorgeous with nice cans to make the small dresses pop... so to speak. That being said, it seemed that there were a large number of gold diggers there - but hey that is the game right? We didn't feel like a table and there was no doubt a long wait as the place was packed out - so we scored two seats at the bar and had some libations. We ended up ordering some food as we were getting a bit hammered. I went with grouper which was outstanding. You would think a place like this would have middle of the road food but no sir, the food was great. Waitstaff was excellent and we never had to look twice to get someones attention - in most cases they came to us before we needed to ask for this or that - just great service. Prices are high but being from NY it didn't really phase me at all- a place like this in NY would be full of douchebags but in Ft. Lauderdale it works. Everyone was very cool and it was a fun place to hang at. Bring your best going out gear and hit this place!
(4)
Marquis E.
Very disappointed in this place. It is a place that you feel cheap in when you go. I am the host of a brunch group and called a MONTH in advance for reservations. I talked to Ana and she said she was looking forward to us coming. She said she would call a week in advance to confirm the number of brunchers. However, that week came and just before I left the office on Friday, I decided to call to check on the restaurant. I talked to the manager of the place and he told me a party that large needed to have an "event planner" contact me. So, Ana called me back.. Ana didn't even remember me. She said YOLO would love to host my group, however I needed to have $1,200 deposit for the event and had to be paid up front before they would consider my request. I was shocked. I told her that I would take my wonderful group somewhere else and live and enjoy good food. Very disappointed YOLO.
(1)
Brian G.
Yolo has very good food, but the service is not the best, we had the octopus salad, trout and tuna, which were all good, especially the octopus! the banana cream pie was delicious. they have an inside/ outside bar and outside seating, and the place is hopping. the prices are on the high side, but you are paying for the package. there is a valet and metered parking on the street.
(4)
Fred L.
Family has been to Yolo several times and have always been pleased with the food. The restaurant has a few unique features, none of which deal with the quality of the food but are neat. When you get taken to your table the host carries a huge stamp and on the paper covering the linen cloth they stamp the table with the specials of the day. In addition, the restaurant has several cameras facing the different cooking stations and a tv in the far right corner of the restaurant ( by the kitchen) to view what is taking place. This way you can see if your food is sitting at the pass too long...lol We went for a "late lunch" on Friday and after ordering we were informed that we were given the incorrect menus and that we should have received the DINNER menus instead. Two of the guests had ordered an arugula salad which was not on the DINNER menu but the chef said he would make them.....? This was the only item that appeared different to us from the menus. Prices were a few dollars higher on the dinner menu vs. the lunch menu. The meal today was my personal first to the restaurant. The valet was $5 to start the process as an fyi. The table we were seated at had a dripping a/c vent above us and my father jokingly asked the server "if she had an umbrella?" She did offer to move us to another table but we decided to stick it out and just scooted into the booth to avoid the infrequent drip. It took an awful long time to prepare two salads, a hamburger and a rotisserie chicken breast sandwich. We asked for bread and were informed that bread is only served "upon request." We were four people and we got 4 pieces of bread and olive oil with green olives and a few nuts on the side of the platter. My rotisserie chicken sandwich was moist and flavorful but odd..... How am I supposed to eat a sandwich that has big and small bones within it? I ended up breaking the sandwich apart and eating it with a knife a fork. My daughter is a carnivore and feels that Yolo has the best burgers. So, I would recommend them as well to anyone who is interested in a big juicy burger.
(4)
Evan M.
YOLO catchy logo/ restaurant name! To start host/hostess no where to be found. A party of three ahead of us seated just a few minutes within waking in. To start of course a drink order. Traditional cranberry and vodka, PERFECT (Good job bar tender on duty). First course ordered at 1:54 pm (lunch service) received in 4mins 1:58 pm. Was a fire roasted corn dip very nice in every way, hot chips hot dip, how ever chips need to be seasoned when they come out of the fryer, overall a nice start to the meal. Second course YOLO Burger, named after the restaurant so I hope it's good! While waiting bar tender drops the ball engaged with only one guest does not recognize another guest at the opposite side of the bar waited three minutes until drink order was placed. On the other hand second course perfect ticket time. Temperature of burger medium (perfection). The only thing wrong with the plate with the frozen Sysco fries, cold and over cooked, (dry). But over all great execution on the first course and main. Final course chocolate lava cake a bit spongy almost like it was under cooked, but that might be due to storage and temperature of cake when served, the ice cream with the gram cracker crust very nice touch. Over all yes I would come back and get a drink and a burger. Just take a little more time on your details and you will have this place swimming with guests!
(3)
Camille L.
This place is never an option for me but I came here for a biz lunch and I gotta say the food and service were very good. It was a pre-fix-menu and we had tomato soup, more like pizza sauce w/ cheese, 2nd course was chicken breast w/ mashed potatoes and that was quite delicious! 3rd course was either key lime pie or carrot cake. I got to try both... I am a dessert-a-holic and they were awesome! The guy served from the right and picked up from the left, knew his pivot points while bringing out the food which is great w/ a 20 top. I guess I never come here because its such a cheesy and pretentious meat market after work, I just rule it out all together, but a simple gathering like this was a good choice.
(4)
Scott S.
My wife and I were food poisoned by the hamburger they served there. I would not recommend going there.
(1)
Mariam D.
Love the ambiance and overall vibe and concept of YOLO. A professional crowd packs the bar, while the outdoor seating area boasts fire places on cooler evenings and serves up some tasty craft cocktails. I returned this week for a holiday dinner party and really enjoyed it. The calamari appetizer (small fried pieces piled high) was prepared with a sweet and tangy Asian glaze and was a tasty take on one of my favorite starters. The meatball app was a hit as well, though they were a bit undercooked for my liking, they were adequately seasoned and tender. The dinner salad was simply comprised of spring greens and tiny tomatoes lightly coated with a delicate olive oil and vinegar blend. For my main course I had the salmon filet served with a side of green beans. Dinner was a-ok, and followed with an excellent slice of Key Lime pie. A few others at our table enjoyed the chocolate souffle and carrot cake. The burger plate (with the glossiest bun i've ever seen) was generously accompanied by fries and cole slaw, and was presented quite nicely. Overall a positive experience on Las Olas and a spot I would recommend for lunch or dinner.
(3)
Hank S.
We came in from San Diego and this place was recommend. We went out here a few Fridays ago for a few night drinks. We had a fun night and the drinks were good. We didn't eat food, but enjoyed the drinks and scenery. I will definitely go back when I'm in FLL.
(4)
Laura H.
AWESOME experience on our last dinner night in town! My favorite local colleague who lives in South Florida INSISTED we go to YOLO's and he was right. Ate outside and the service was perfect. Was recommended to do the calamari (twist my arm) and it was the best calamari I've ever experienced and believe me...Treasure Island in Vegas has some pretty kick-ass calamari but this was ROCKING. We almost filled up on so much calamari we didn't have room for dinner! We had specialty burgers and did a split between us to get some varied flavors. MANY of the patrons were clearly locals finishing the work week on a Friday night. It is obvious it's a hopping place as the food, service, location and ambiance all rock. After using the facilities before we set out to walk back to the hotel on A1A, I came out of the ladies room and my boyfriend was freaking out to me. He said he was in the men's room and a staff member came out of a stall after taking a dump and DIDN'T wash his hands! Luckily, my boyfriend grabbed the GM and told him what he just witnessed. Good for YOLO's for getting all over it as the GM needed to know who it was so he could address it. Even better the GM told him he would address it with ALL the staff and he apologized over and over again. Walking away the story was funny but to witness it must have been disturbing. Poor thing. :(
(5)
Terra S.
Came here for the first time on a Friday evening, BIG MISTAKE. It was PACKED as hell and reeked of cigarette smoke ugh so we didn't stay and went across the street to the royal pig. Fast forward to today Tuesday, ( I was determined to try this place) we were sat immediately and I was so excited. I went with a group so we all ordered different dishes and picked off of everyone's plate. The favs were the calamari (my first time trying calamari and I think I liked it..... If they wouldn't have told me it was calamari) truffle fries with blue cheese, my friend swears they have the best burgers, the prime rib got a thumbs up and my grouper was tasty. We all had wine so I can't speak on the cocktails but what I can speak on is my FIRE bread pudding desert yasssss hun-tee mmmmm. Over all I liked this joint but I'll be sure never to visit on the weekend!
(4)
Kabir G.
Good American style food on las olas strip set in a typical South Florida environment - read young girls older men. The linguini and clams were good and fresh. They only have a couple of vegetarian options.
(4)
Elias G.
I've been here for both dinner and brunch, way before this restaurant started appearing Drake's song. The food is really good, the ambiance really nice, and the service very friendly. This is also perhaps the most beautiful restaurant in Broward. The bar was very well designed, in that the same bar can service the inside and outside area. When seated, one of the neat things they do is stamp the daily specials onto the table, which is a cute touch. I've had the pork chop for dinner; it's enourmous and came perfectly cooked (and juicy). For brunch I've had the pork hash, which was delicious but the portion was a bit small. Great place to have dinner with family or friends if you're ever in Broward.
(4)
Heather B.
I attended a birthday dinner here tonight. .. The atmosphere here is very nice but the food was not good at all.... very bland and simple.... nothing to talk about.... I'm a foodie and this was not my favorite.
(1)
Becky M.
Do NOT eat here. I made a reservation for 8 pm for my friends birthday and we were not seated until 8:45! That is ridiculous. On top of that, the manager was extremely rude when I approached him he said, "what would you like me to do about that?" I made a reservation for a reason... They did not bring bread or butter until we asked and the food wasnt even that great for that kind of pricing. I will NEVER eat here again.
(1)
Geoffrey M.
I've been here several times for lunch, drinks with friends, and once for dinner. It is a trendy upscale downtown restaurant and lounge that caters to business people in the area. Later at night, the late 20's to early 40's crowd. Good food, a nice wine list, and better than decent cocktails are pluses. Attractive and friendly waitstaff and a great location are also nice. Pricey but not out of control, this is a nice place to come for lunch, happy hour, or later in the evening activities. Nice outdoor seating area with an urban oasis type feel. I'll keep coming back.
(4)
Xavier W.
This is a very trendy spot and the downtown location is great. The food was decent, I had the seared tuna and that was delicious but I could care less for the noodles and anything else that came on the side of that plate. Skillet cornbread was awesome! But it is very big and even when shared between 4 people, we barely could finish half. The largest problem we had was the service, our waitress overcharged us for the wine, giving us a much more expensive wine than we had ordered. Even though the waitress admitted it was her fault, she did not change the check nor did she offer to even try talking to the manager.
(2)
Jeffrey B.
Great atmosphere good lunch place good people watching. And spaghetti squash mmmmthe fish sandwich is outstanding great burger and the service is on the money convenient valet at the door Aesthetics are great lovely set up. Outside bar is nice
(5)
Andrew M.
Great scene ordered the prime rib sandwich Fantastic meal. Bloody Mary's are also great.
(5)
Leon N.
Great atmosphere. Everything we had was fantastic and it is very reasonable for what we ordered. Loved the artichokes and ridiculous corn bread
(4)
Lisa G.
I'm giving it 5 stars cause its beautiful and sexy. The atmosphere can't be beat, so Miami. Love it. The food was good but only second to the vibe. I had the crab cake which I would get again. My coworker had the steak, which was over cooked but served with the bone marrow, so again swagalicious. I had a fabulous cocktail, something made with strawberries. Delish. Great date place, sit outside for the full effect, fire pits and all.
(5)
Aubrey M.
I AM NEVER COMING BACK. This place was HORRENDOUS. The setup and ambiance was hip and trendy, but service and food were terrible! We went for brunch on a sunday. My mom ordered a bellini, but it was a cheap knockoff, not using the right ingredients, and was a whopping $9. We ordered the cinnamon rolls, but they were actually overpriced, cold, and dry below-Costco-quality rolls that took 30 minutes to come out. After waiting another hour, our food finally came. My fish sandwich was soggy, the fish was well cooked and tasty, but was lukewarm. My mom's omelette was cold. The waiter was not accommodating and took forever to get our food out. Cheap quality, poorly managed. Do not come here.
(1)
Chanoa C.
Yolo has wonderful food and a great atmosphere. The crowd is a very mixed bunch - young professionals, more mature individuals, etc. but usually everyone seems to mesh well and just revel in the fun. This is a very stylish spot in Fort Lauderdale with a scene much farther ahead than many places in the area. TIP: Be sure to visit on a cold day in the winter or fall - the outdoor fire pits are dreamy and romantic and they bring a super positive mood that spreads through the crowd.
(4)
QueenB B.
The atmosphere at first seems right but, all the people there seem so pretentious and fake. They want to see what next wannabe drug dealer pulls up in his stolen Ferrari. I am pissed because I valet my car and THEY LOST MY KEY. Then they acted like it was not their fault and did not even apologized. I have to file a claim tomorrow great on thanksgiving and they better pay for my lost key. The guys there just stare at women with no intention to approach them. That is the problem with American men.. such pansies. This place could be cool is they got some actual cool people in there and not some worn out fake sorority girls and creepy looking business bachelors. Oh ya, they need to hire a new valet company who takes care of others property and cars! YOLO I only come once. Peace!
(1)
Julia M.
This place is pricey. But the food is pretty good. The atmosphere is swanky and a bit mod. The servers are always nice. The one thing that really bugs me is that they won't seat you if not everyone in your party is there.
From the minute we stepped out of our car we could hear the hum. You know......the hum of a hot spot with a pretty bar and pretty people. Everyone was pleasant. The vibe was all positive and the food was delish but what really made our night was the staff. There was a slight glitch in our online reservation (we didn't use Open Table) but in minutes the manager was there to rectify any confusion and sat us ASAP. (Thanks Mike and Madison.) My daughters and I had a great time. One of them tried tuna sashimi for the first time and loved it. The corn bread skillet was also a very pleasant surprise (took home the leftovers) as was the ice cream sandwiches for dessert. The crab cakes and filet main courses made for a fabulous surf and turf meal. Treat yourself with a night at YOLO. Just make sure you use Open Table if you're doing online reservations.
(5)
Jacquie M.
Very good food, nice atmosphere. Service with a smile. Maybe the only complaint is the feeling of being a little rushed. Lots of people waiting for tables.
(4)
Blak B.
I like Yolo for what it is. Am I going for the much talked about food? Of course not! I'm here for a few apps and people watching! It's the place to be if you want to show off your $200k sports cars duhhhh! I'm thinking of shooting a reality tv show there called "where my cougars at". I really enjoy the lounge area outside because its away from the "upscale" rowdiness inside. I have always had a great time at Yolo. I can only say I have eaten at a table once and the entrees weren't bad and the waitress we had was funny and cool. So in closing I will say You Only Live Once so check em out and get to Vibe night club after. 10-4 Barbie signing out!
(4)
Kerry B.
I've been here twice and both times have been blown away by the exceptional atmosphere, service, and food. It has such an awesome energy. I, without a doubt, suggest going on a comfortable evening so that you can sit outside. They have a huge patio surrounded by bamboo and tropical plants, tiki torches, etc. ...it just creates a really exciting mood which brings out a "see and be seen" kind of crowd to have a good time. The service on both visits was exceptional. Very friendly, professional, and they help you have a good time too. One word for the food: Perfection. My friend still raves about the pork loin she had two years ago. I tried it on my most recent visit and it was still just as good. I can't say enough good things about this place and can't wait to return. It's definitely a treat and not to be missed!
(5)
Jessica T.
Brunch for my friends birthday. Food was phenomenal. Eggs Benedict and a prime rib sandwich. All delish! We were a party of 20 and our service was great and timely. Bottomless mimosa $15 and they actually bring u bottles instead of refilling your glass. We say outside (August) and was a super cute area just need more fans. Other then that everything was perfect. Can not wait to go back. Some other entrees people got at my table also looked amazing.
(5)
Danielle D.
The strawberry kiss martini is delicious, but there isn't anything of note on the menu for me. It's a nice place and they are very accommodating to large groups. It's never a bad experience but I am a foodie so I like to be swept away with my meal experience.
(3)
Cristobal C.
We were very impressed. Many healthy options the California spinach salad was delicious. Plentiful portions and great service. Great location with parking garage next door and it looked like they also had valet service nearby.
(4)
Larry S.
Trendy place, lots of cool people, great bar! The food, meh. The service, meh. We waited an hour for our table, and one guy in our party ordered the halibut special, it came out looking like a long john silvers pot pie. And they ran out of a few things our party ordered. I give it a 5
(3)
Adam K.
Fab, delish, posh. Great place to eat brunch outside. I ordered the divine Calamari (if you're not a fan of 'sweet & sour' sauce, ask for it on the side). The Tuna Salad is absolutely delish. I can't wait to go back next time I'm in FLL.
(4)
Suzanne S.
This review is for Yolo's ladies night which I recently checked out. There was a great happy hour young professional type crowd and the place was packed but I still managed to find a seat. The selection of wine, beer, or a mixed drink was more than I was expecting. Even though it was busy every time they saw my glass empty they refilled it complimentary! You can also get buy 1 get 1 appetizers and the portions were fair. My girls and I spent hours talking, eating, and drinking and all the staff we dealt with were pleasant. We had four appetizers and two glasses of wine each for a total of $10 each. We were all stuffed. On ladies night this can't be beat. The ladies night goes from 6pm-10pm each week which makes it a nice change from being forced to run out of work in order to meet my friends. During the week there is ample parking from garages, valet, and individual meters. Thanks Yolo for appreciating us ladies!
(4)
Jesse V.
Nice place to hang with friends.
(4)
Gregory L.
We went to YOLO two weeks ago and had a fine time. We started with their homemade potato chips drizzled with blue cheese. Dinner could have stopped there it was sooo good. I had a fillet Mignon and it was cooked perfectly. The staff could not have been more attentive. I thoroughly enjoyed my whole experience.
(4)
Lauren S.
Visiting Florida around New Years is always an experience in and of itself but my friends always try to make Florida out to be much more glamorous than it is. I shouldn't have been surprised when they suggested trying out YOLO - You Only Live Once is basically their life motto!! As many reviewers before me have noted, this place is more of a scene than a place to get some good food. Don't get me wrong, the food we ordered was good. But the prices were exorbitant on some menu items and this place is way more focused on attracting a certain crowd and having a trendy reputation. Six of us Montrealers came for lunch expecting to be wined and dined amongst Florida's classiest (I know my friends were secretly hoping for a celebrity-sighting). From the Bentley and Maserati parked outside, we definitely got what we expected. Us three girls ordered Caesar salads to start except we requested no olives and prosciutto. It was tasteless and more disappointing was the fact that they also left out the parmesean crackers that might have offered the salad a little something that it was missing. It was literally lettuce lightly drizzled with the faintest hint of caesar dressing. Literally a 2/10. The boys shared a calamari appetizer that looked phenomenal and HUGE. It was polished off in mere minutes The peanut sauce smelled amazing from across the table. This was a definite 9/10. We had 3 Old-School burgers, 1 Ultimate Veggie burger, and 2 Turkey burgers. The shoestring french fries that come with burgers were perfectly seasoned and although they don't appear to be well done (how I like my french fries cooked), these were well-made. The burgers were large (not excessively) and quite tasty. Each burger was well decorated, but even better, they didn't skimp on the toppings! 8/10 We had a waitress-in-training who was excellent (forget her name) accompanied by her trainer, a nice guy who coached her along.... that was until she placed the wine glasses on the wrong side at another table and he berated her right next to our table... we thought it was uncalled for and could have been done more privately. 7/10 Anyhow, this place wasn't a total bust. We had a nice time (thanks to good company) and my friends were very glad that we can now cross this restaurant off our Florida Restaurant Bucket List. Overall 7/10 I'm not sure we'll be back, the menu is pretty limited and the prices on most items are unwarranted. If I'm ever looking for a classy place on Los Olas, then perhaps!
(4)
Kelly K.
I came here for brunch when in town on vacation. The wait was about 30 minutes for 3 around 130 on a Saturday, so I grabbed a drink at the bar. The service was quick and the cucumber drink was tasty and refreshing. I had the salmon BLT which was good, but nothing to write home about. The cheesy creamy grits were pretty amazing, but definitely not low-cal. Overall, the place was good, but nothing really special.
(3)
Bruce M.
We came twice in the last month because of the buzz we have heard about this place. It certainly has vibe and vitality with lots of people, fancy cars out front, etc. Their success is evident when you are told they won't seat you until the FULL party has arrived. Very NYC and not so nice when on vacation and parking is hard to find for the driver. The food is interesting and tasty. Lots of options for all dietary needs. Unfortunately, you feel rushed to order and eat. On our 2nd visit, the entrees arrived while some of us were still eating the appetizer courses. We were in an out in one hour. You only live once, but please slow down!
(3)
Jackie C.
I went for lunch today and got the short rib grilled cheese and tomato soup. Very delish! Our server was Alex. He was a very sweet kid and kept us laughing! I will def go back again and request Alex as my server... soon!
(4)
Tambi S.
Wonderful food, attentive service, and beautiful setting. I subtracted two stars from what would have otherwise been a 4-star review because the restaurant would not honor the complimentary dessert with Yelp check-in advertised on the restaurant's Yelp page. Our server checked with his manager and was told this offer expired in September. Why then are they still advertising this and refuse to honor it?? Poor form.
(2)
Rick F.
I asked the concierge where can I go to find the hippest, hottest, most happening, current and now restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, cause you know that's how I roll! All three of them said YOLO. Of course it was on Las Olas Blvd! Everything was amazing the atmosphere was electric, the bar and patio were pumping! Music was now! Tuna appetizer was good, Onion soup was excellent, Linguini with Clam Sauce, Salmon and Grouper were all well executed and tasted great. The service and server were spot on the entire evening!
(4)
Brett D.
Awesome calamari!!!! A lot of people say they are over it and I think it is because they are always packed. I still enjoyed it and really like their brunch.
(5)
Eileen S.
Checked YOLO out on a Thursday night and loved the look and vibe. Friends tell me it is crazy busy on weekends. Had a perfect mojito at the outdoor bar then sat outside for dinner. I thought all the apps we tried were ok. I prefer more distinctive flavors. We ordered tuna sashimi, mussels, and a grilled artichoke. All good-not great. I felt the same way about my entree. Very fresh perfectly seared tuna but none of the usual zip or flavor. Thought my husbands porcini crusted steak was outstanding. I might be tempted to give this place one more try and order a few different items but probably not tonight!! Service was excellent but for me this place is a bit overrated.
(3)
Drew D.
I don't understand the hype... Prime rib came with cheese? Bland au jus..... Try the royal pig across the street
(3)
Ben V.
When you travel for business, eating out on your own is a bit of a challenge. I always ask the concierge of the hotel which places are social and have bar seating where people mix. She immediately directed me to YOLO (stands for You Only Live Once) on Las Olas. I wasn't disappointed, the place was buzzing. A lot of beautiful people, South Florida style. Then I found out Wednesday night is Ladies night. This started making sense. Sat at the outside bar, ordered angel hair pasta with schrimp. Very delicious and clean. Other dishes looked equally good. Obviously people don't just come here for the food but for socializing. A lot of that is going on. Ended up speaking to at least 12 people in two hours.
(4)
Jor-El G.
The first thing you will notice about YOLO is that it's quite visually appealing, the atmosphere is unique, sleek, and every bit trendy. I came during lunch and had the Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich (chicken, fire-roasted peppers, arugula, jack cheese, and lemon aioli) with a side salad. It was a nice size and well presented yet a bit lacking in flavor, not so impressed with it. I also had the Truffled Yolo Chips which werehomemade potato chips, truffle, blue cheese, herbs, and crumbled bacon....now THOSE were pretty damn memorable and tasty. What I can gather about YOLO is that it's hit or miss depending on what you get. Portions are generous, and they should be because prices for entrees range from $10-$32.
(3)
Luisa C.
I have to take this review up 2 stars. Their manager Andy and the staff have been very forthcoming and as a result have won my heart back through the food. This time I had the best burger with the works. What a tasty, juicy burger it was at that. I loved the bun they used - if I am not mistaken it was sourdough. It allowed for all the juices to be absorbed in it. Pure deliciousness. Their fries are skinny and worth the splurge. We also ordered the corn flake crusted french toast for dessert and it was worth every bite. Service with Alex was outstanding! We will be back for more. Thank you for making it up to me.
(5)
Nate H.
I go out for Dinner / drinks here about once a month. It's definitely a classic place. Great for first dates (;. Of course you must call and make your reservation prior to getting there. Weekends are always super packed, and even when you call in they will probably tell you "we are already fully committed for tonight", and you can't make a reservation. Only walk in and wait for a table. Which I will not do. Nothing ruins your night out more then just standing around for 30 min waiting for a table. Yolo is not on the "Open Table" app which I like to use, so you can't just make a reservation by clicking a few icons on your Iphone. The place is classic. Nice fixtures, fancy look, valet parking right at the entrance, fire sticks surrounding the outside, and downtown is exactly there. I will say it's pretty much as up scale as you will get at downtown Fort Lauderdale. Food is GOOD, and always unique. Every dish has a twist to it. Not your ordinary american menu. They also Mix and change their menu every few weeks / months, so you always have new entires to check out. The downside? Yes, it's pretty pricey. But I wouldn't except anything less from a prime location at Downtown. And yes, like many other users wrote on their reviews, sometimes they are so crowded you need to ask 4 times before you Acculty get your drinks. They can do better with this aspect. Customers don't need to fill like the restaurant is doing them a favor by serving them. Other then that, the overall experience is good. You can go dance after dinner. It's always a safe bet to take someone new to town here. Enjoy. You only live once (;
(4)
Jaclyn K.
This review is for the restaurant, not the lounge. It's a shame I have to give this restaurant a bad rating, because it has the potential to be nice - it's sleek, beautiful, warm, and inviting. You have a view of the open kitchen, and the warmth of the fire and the smell of cedar wafts through the air. Unfortunately, the service is anything but warm and inviting. I had a reservation for 9 people at 8 PM. 40 minutes later, they finally sat us. The waitress, who was not very pleasant, mumbled out the specials which were impossible to hear over the loud noise of the restaurant and disappeared. Over 30 mins later, she came back to take our order. 45 mins later, we finally get our food. I ordered the swordfish, which was bland and overcooked. It was a Wednesday (Ladies' Night) so my friends had brought some of their drinks over from the adjacent lounge area. The waitress scolded them for doing that, even though it was clear that we had no idea it wasn't allowed. When we got our check, the waitress refused to split it and gave everyone a ton of attitude. Since it was my birthday, they brought over a dessert with only one fork, even though we wanted to share. Would never come back to eat at this restaurant again, but I would come back for Ladies Night in the adjacent lounge (even though its packed with cougars and old men).
(1)
Jennifer A.
You Only Live Once? Please? Not here. At least I understand that name to denote a feeling of hedonism, letting your hair down and going wild, and feeling free in a world full of rules and restrictions and societal imposed standards, espescially on a Saturday night on Las Olas in Ft. Lauderdale. I began the evening warming up the dance floor with my friend. We actually set it on fire, and inspired other women to do the same, and shake their groove-thang. The sleezy men were loving it, let me tell you, I don't have a big Ego, but I can dance, so I was told, as I was approaced by several men And women who apprached me and said they enjoyed watching me "do my thing" on the dance floor. After I got my groove on, I was stretching outside (kind of like yoga streches nothing inappropriate), and the douchebag manager basically told me to stop be cause it was bothering other partyers. Really? I just busted some beats and my neck hurt badly, so I needed to stretch. Then, my girlfriend and I proceeded to sit with 3 guys outside for about and hour and when they didn't like our conversation anymore (which was quite pleasant mind you), 1 of the guys got up, walked over to the manager and asked him to have me get up from the couch and leave. I told him that was juevenile and felt as if I was in school and he was telling the teacher on me. I said to the to manager if they don't like our company, they can get up and find another spot to go sit. Seems simple enough. But no, I was escorted away....Never in my life! I wasn't even high or wasted, actually I don't drink or do drugs. Then, they made such a scene about it, after I was forced to leave, they got up from their coveted spot not mor than 10 minutes later. You Only Live Once......LOL!!!!!!!
(1)
J R.
I went to YOLO last Friday night for a friends 40th birthday. I'm giving it 2 stars because it really was "cool" looking. The ambiance is fabulous....very chic, reminds me of some of our fabulous San Francisco restaurants and lounges...EXCEPT for the people! This truly was the most pretentious place I have ever been in my life! We pulled up and the perimeter was lined with Ferraris. The crowd outside was at least 8 to 10 people deep. She couldn't believe how crowded it was, so I said,"maybe it's an event for Ferrari collectors". Oh how naive I can be.....my firend then told me,"uh, no...it's the valet parking". Aye yi yi. The only good part of the evening was the very nice(surprisingly) cocktail waitress who's name I think was Heather. I don't think she was actually from there. I'd certainly never go there again.....just a place to see and be seen. No substance. We did however go to the bar on the left...I think O something and the music was good and the people semed WAY less phony!
(2)
Robo K.
This place is real good and a good addition to the Las Olas area. I have about 6 times already. I like that you can have many different "experiences" at the same place...ha. There is the outdoor area with the firepit, the bar area right inside complete with bar tables if you just want a sandwich or something quick and also the restaurant where the food does not dissapoint. Dont forget O Lounge too for the ONLY lounge vibe in the area (I know ...crazy). The hostesses are all beautiful and stamp the special soup and fish of the day right onto your table. The Butternut Squash soup is rediculously good. Dont miss the calamari. I had the Prime rib which was A+ - nice and mid rare, the burger and fish sandwiches are great and the shrimp and crab sandwich I thought was amazing. One time the server was really annoying because he kept referring to our "experience" at the restaurant and touched my silverware in order to make it straight on the table the way he wanted it, but all other times the service was attentive and good - no real complaints. I live around the corner and plan to be back many times...keep it up yolo.
(4)
JAmerican G.
YOLO is over-rated! This is my second time there. First, I made an Open Table reservation for a party of 6 at 10:15 p.m. on a Saturday night. We arrived at 10 p.m. and were told we were a bit early, so I was given a buzzer and they said they would call us. At 10:15 I let them know that the rest of my party was there and they said ok. At 10:30, I asked if we could be seated and reminded them that I have a 10:15 reservation and my party is all there. I was told it will be about 5 minutes. At 11:00 p.m. I went back again and asked when we would be seated and was told that when we don't show up within 15 minutes,then our table is given up, so they are waiting on about 3 tables to clear!!!!...????? I reminded her that we have been waiting since 10 p.m. for a 10:15 p.m. reservation and what is the point of making a reservation, if we can't get a table in a reasonable amount of time??? At 11:15 p.m., an hour later, we were seated! I ordered pasta with fresh tomatoes. When it arrived I asked for a side of marinara sauce, since the pasta was a bit dry. I was given marinara sauce with sausage bits in it! When I asked the waiter if there was any meat in the marinara, he said no, so I pointed to the item in my plate and he said it was a tomato! *blank stare* He later confirmed that the sauce he gave me did have meat in it and offered to bring me one with plain marinara! Since when does marinara sauce have meat in it and if so, wouldn't you let the customer know that ahead of time, especially since I ordered a meatless item???? When it came time to settle the bill, the gratuity was already included, since we were a party of 6. We split the bill with cash and 2 credit cards. The waiter brought the check back with the credit cards, but no change...We had to go and ask for the change and the waiter claimed he put it aside for us and planned on bringing it to the table...Oh really? Then why wouldn't he have brought it back with the credit cards???? *Sigh* Overall, I came to the conclusion, that YOLO is a great place for hanging out if all you want are drinks and appetizers. If you are there for a restaurant experience, then go someplace else, because folks who frequent here seem to be interested in their O Lounge next door, or their bar!
(2)
Lynn D.
From out of town and we just had to go here because YOLO is the best restaurant name ever and there were so many great reviews but we weren't impressed with the food at all. The truffled Yolo chips hardly had any toppings on them. Very sparse and quite expensive. The rest of the food was just okay. Not anything like the highly rated restaurants of where we are from, Salt Lake City; Especially for the price. The service was awful. They wouldn't give us more soda and when they did it was the wrong kind. Since they had just opened for the day they weren't busy but still neglected us. We sat outside and the birds, although cute, were all over our table. We weren't comfortable with how unsanitary that was and my husband did get sick after eating here. There was a sickly bird sitting on the ground near us that I was worried about. It looked like it was suffering. :( I don't know what they can really do about the birds other than maybe warn customers so they may sit inside. Hopefully if they read this they won't try to exterminate them. That would be upsetting. Overall I wouldn't suggest this place.
(1)
Roderick S.
I came here with my 2 coworkers for dinner on a Tuesday night. We made reservations through OpenTable for 8:45. We are self proclaimed foodies and we really wanted to try some unique eats and good wine. Appetizers: Cornbread - Great Tuna sashimi - Awesome Potato chips - OK, my expectations were too high Main: Ribs - Really tasty Vegetable plate - Surprisingly good Pork Chop - Looked great but severely overcooked I would have given 5 stars if it wasn't for the pork.
(4)
Bill L.
Great location for people watching and the service and food are spectacular! We only had salads and soup but everything being served around us looked terrific. Great spot for happy hour!
(5)
Harold L.
I go to YOLO frequently for business lunches and while the food is consistently good the real highlight is Karlee. Karlee is such a great server, making you feel comfortable and at ease, with a warm and bubbly personality, too. I would totally recommend YOLO but also strongly suggest that you ask for "Karlee Simon" when making your reservation....you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Andrea W.
Terry White was awesome. Super cute, amazing service and personality to spare. Great time!!!
(5)
Steve C.
I love Yolo, more for the staff and patrons than the food and drink. :-) As far as dining is concerned: * I love the Szechuan Calamari ($10) - zesty, spicy, tasty, and a big appetizer portion * I had Oak Salmon this visit ($17) and it was prepared perfectly * This was the first time I tried the (red) Sangria and it was awesome, although there was no consistency as different servings were colored and flavored differently ($10 a glass) I love how efficient they are at lunch. Good stuff.
(4)
Dieunane F.
I have been to Yolo's about three times, the service has been consistently positive. The servers are attentive and seem knowledgeable of the menu as they were able to provide information about the menu and answer all of my questions. I went recently to celebrate a friend's birthday during a week nigh and the ambience seemed about the same as the week-ends. It is chic and most importantly very relaxed and good for communication due to the low noise level. My favorite items are the meatballs, corn bread, and strawberry caipirinha. On my last visit, I tried the Richette pasta and was quite disappointed. This was surprising since I'm such a pasta lover. This dish was greasy and tasted more like medicine than anything else. I will return but definitely will never order the pasta again.
(4)
Vicky K.
Food was quite good. Service was quite bad. Won't go again.
(2)
amy m.
Have been here many times and they have the best calamari. The cornbread is also delicious. Great place for celebration meal or special occasion. Service was excellent.
(5)
Monika K.
calamari, tuna tartare, nice strong cocktails, flank steak, mac and cheese, yolo chips. nice night out by the firepit on a cool evening in sofla. recommend !
(4)
Gina S.
This past Sunday we went for brunch, It was gonna be great, I had a hunch. I convinced the fam that it was the place to go "To celebrate dad's bday, let's head to Yolo." They listened and we went at 1pm Unfortunately it wasn't awesome from start to end. The servers were in busy and in the weeds. The kitchen was backed up and couldn't meet the needs. But eventually Tom the manager made things okay, compensating us and brightening the day. He adjusted the bill which was more than fair. It was nice to know that he really did care. The patio seating made our long wait time much more tolerable, but had we sat any longer our moods would have got volatile. The food we eventually received was up to par, as were the bottomless mimosas and bloody marys from the bar. I will chalk up this experience to being an off day and plan to return, hopefully with things going the right way. p.s. The bread pudding was also the saving grace. Make sure you order it whenever you are at this place!
(4)
Mark G.
Love the salmon. Nice atmosphere. Would be 4 stars but they lose a star because of their "we only seat complete parties." When I arrive for a business lunch, that doesn't work. Maybe that's okay at 11PM when you are catering to a younger more casual crowd but not for a business lunch.
(3)
Victor P.
The restaurant is beautiful with an outside bar, tables etc..High end cars and beautiful people.. The calamari was outstanding..Never saw it prepared like this..Other apps included artichokes (over cooked and bland) and cheese chips ( 80 percent small pieces).. Main coarses..The.rotisserie chichen was so small I thought they subsituted a cornish hen! Do not order if you are hungry.. The double pork chop was large and well cooked.. The waiter never asked if we wanted desert!! We wanted to order desert but the choices where so limited we decided to go elsewhere. Service was slow on a night when the place was less than half full.. If I go back I will go to the bar outside and try some other apps.. Not a place to go if you want fine dining.. Nice touch was the valet girls with umbrella's to walk you to your car in the rain...
(3)
Pauline C.
Pretty disappointing, especially after reading all the raves. Tried the cornbread which was terrible ... Jiffy box cornbread is way better. calamari was just too sweet and the prime rib was ok. Potato gratin was yummy, a little salty tho. I probably would have enjoyed my meal more if it came out hot...everything was cold, even the coffee! Banana cream pie was the best part.
(2)
Luke S.
Nice place, nice crowd, strong drinks. Unpretentious (compared to certain locales in Miami). People speak English.
(4)
Frank S.
This place is a little more upscale than your average bar/restaurant, but its also in the middle of the financial/legal district which is to be expected. I swear every other person I meet there is either an attorney or in the financial industry. The crowd can vary depending on which night of the week you go, but for the most part its a lot of younger professionals with your inevitable influx of older men looking for their next girlfriend young enough to be their daughter. That being said, this place is a little pretentious, but if you can ignore it or get past it, its still a great place to socialize. I used to come here just for happy hours since its only a block from my office; however, I had dinner there the other night and was pleasantly surprised. The menu is small, but diverse. The food was excellent. I had the grilled artichokes for an appetizer and the braised short ribs for my main course. The artichokes were a little on the skimpy side, but otherwise delicious. The braised short ribs were some of the best I've had in Ft. Lauderdale. If you've only come here for HH, as most people I know, try their dinner menu. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
chrissy s.
Ah Yolo.. Love this place. Drinks are good, made with fresh ingredients. Love the bar during happy hour, the crowd is business professional, a good mix of people. The restaurant is good too. I had a great meal there, really good bottle of wine and great salmon, cooked perfectly. I enjoy it there, wed nights is ladies night next door at y lounge, free drinks are always nice (I stick to beer to be safe, but cheap wine or well drinks are also offered) as well as light snacks.
(4)
Christie D.
Great food, great atmosphere and I love the Las Olas area of Ft. Lauderdale.
(4)
Brandi J.
(Wednesday) Ladies night is nice...
(3)
Mark H.
I like the ambiance, food is good too! One of the better places to eat and hang out in Ft. Lauderdale.
(3)
Jay H.
Love the staff!
(3)
L K.
Really liked this place. We went twice in one week's vacation! The first time was a Monday night - in a major rainstorm. Not very crowded. I got the grilled artichoke appetizer and he got the lentil soup. Both were excellent (although he didn't like my artichoke, mainly because he think's artichokes are gross and too chewy). Dinner was filet for him with the most amazing pumpkin spice vege side and mashed potatoes. I had the ahi tuna bowl with noodles. Both were so good. I've eaten tuna a million times, but this dish had such a great zip. Even my non-seafood eating boyfriend loved the noodles (which he'd normally hate b/c they may have touched tuna!) Also, my cucumber gimlet was lovely : ) It was his birthday, so they brought out a complementry ice cream dish with a candle. Our server, Amanda was so friendly and efficient. Our second visit was a Wednesday in nice weather. There was a large happy hour crowd at the main bar and outside. The other lounge room was also filled. Looked like a trunk show and there were lots of women crowding the area with louder music. However, this didn't disturb our dinner. We both got the lentil soup again, he ordered the chicken and I opted for the grilled octopus tar tar appetizer as my meal. Again, everything was great. Great chardonnay selection, I was happy! Coffee is just ok here, but that's the worst I can say about the meal. I would 100% for sure return to Yolo on my next trip to Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)
Edwin P.
This is the new trendy spot where all the professionals go. I work on Las Olas and we head there for lunch at least once every other week. I've never gone there for dinner so I don't know if the menu changes or not. The appetizers there are awesome (highly recommend the Szechuan calamari) and their burger is huge and will leave you full. The wait staff is very fast and attentive; however, I would recommend a reservation for this place for dinner because from the times I've been to the O Lounge which is connected to Yolo's it gets PACKED because it's the happy hour time so everyone goes there
(4)
Jenna L.
Really fun spot in Ft. Lauderdale, I'm so glad we went. It's a great people/car watching restaurant. I recommend sitting outside so you can watch the aston martins, ferraris, etc. roll in. Food is decent but I would come here for the lively atmosphere, drinks and sugar daddy sightings. :) TOLO!
(4)
Greshka P.
I love their Yolo Chips! That, and the calamari are, in my opinion, the best. I would go there just to have them. We started with this two appetizers and drinks. I had the berry mojito - delicious. For my entree I had the chicken plate with mashed potatoes. Wish this would have included some vegetable, plus the chicken was too salty for my taste. Still a great meal and great experience. Our server was quick and friendly. Definitely recommend Yolo and it's side room for some more drinks and dancing.
(4)
Anquanette G.
You Only Live Once! YOLO is definitely a must for brunch! Went there for an Easter Sunday with my brother and friend and we were in love from the moment we walked in. It was such a beautiful day out so we sat on the patio. Our waitress Caitlyn was amazing. She really took care of us and was attentive. I had blueberry pancakes and they literally melted in my mouth! The thing that was so great about YOLO was that they know how to take care of their guests. Initially, there was something wrong with my food and they took care of it immediately! The manager even came over and apologized and gave us a stack of pancakes on the house! We were already sharing my stack so I asked for dessert instead and he quickly obliged! That showed me that customer satisfaction is important to them. This usually makes me give a place 3 stars but they redeemed themselves in such a great way that they get 5 stars, hands down! The mimosas were amazing and I also had a strawberry kiss martini that was truly a heavenly experience! This will certainly be my signature drink whenever I go there for sure! Thanks for the recommendation, Caitlyn! All in all, 2 thumbs up! Love YOLO. I'm looking forward to going there for lunch and/or dinner in the near future!
(5)
Brenda M.
Had a nice pre-Valentines Day dinner and was not dissapointed at all, despite reading some of the negative reviews. Prices were very reasonable. Very nice decor, and a hip and trendy place with good food. Had the Calamari that everyone raves about and it was good. Tried the jalapeño corn bread and it was very good, with a sweet glaze on it. And had the oak grilled grouper over conch chowder reduction... delish (an excellent choice). Will be back to try different items on the menu.
(4)
Tanya L.
Came here to have dinner for a friends birthday. Made reservations and as soon as we got there we were seated immediately. Hostess was nice and friendly. Our waiter was awesome. Took our drink order quickly and we received them right away. For appetizers we had calamari and the Yolo chips. Calamari gets 5-stars. Yolo chips were good too but calamari were my favorite. I ordered the Jumbo Shrimp Linguine pasta. The description on the menu made it seem like it was going to be amazing but it did not have much flavor. I wish I would of ordered the chicken with mash potatoes my friends ordered. It was delicious. The decorations in the restaurant was very nice. They have outside and inside seating with O lounge next door. You could hear the good music. Over all the service was good and quick the food was okay. Perhaps I'll be back for to have a few drinks and go to lounge.
(3)
Wade M.
DISAPPOINTING - I stayed away for a while and gave it another try. My friends and I had the roasted chicken. For $16 the dish was the size of an appetizer and bland - it left me dreaming about the whole roast chicken at Costco for $5. I stand behind my previous review: Go for the happy hour and people-watching, then eat somewhere better.
(1)
Michelle N.
Wow, SO MANY PRETTY PEOPLE. We consider fine dining the Outback, haha, and even though we knew what to expect, we were still a little overwhelmed. We could have spent all night at the bar just people watching. We'd end up washing dishes by the end of the night because of the cost, but we could still do it. Anyway, the service was great, from everyone. The waitress was awesome, cheerful, prompt, and friendly. She never let our glasses go empty. The food was good, mostly. The appetizer, the side, and the dessert were impressive. The Szechuan Calamari was so yummy. My husband doesn't normally care for calamari, and he couldn't stop eating it. We both had fish, perfectly cooked, but we found his grouper a little underwhelming. My salmon was good, but nothing that blew me out of the water. The potato gratin was a piece of melt in your mouth, I know they make this in heaven, melty, creamy, wonderfulness. Same goes for the banana-coconut cream pie. Love, love, love. Overall, I think this is a fabulous place to hang out but except for a few things, the food isn't life altering. Good, but not necessarily worth the cost. If I were a socialite with out a real job but with rich parents, the bar would be my go to spot.
(4)
Rexi V.
This place is so nice. Perfect for a date or groups of friends. I came here for brunch on a Sunday and it was great! Good Prices and a nice selection. Bottomless mimosas, they bring the bottle of champagne to our table and leave it there for us to refill, when the bottle hits empty they replace it. I had the calamari and it was excellent perfect to share there's plenty of it. I forgot what i had as my entree but the desert i remember ordering the bread pudding and it was ehhhh, i could of done without it. The place is trendy a nice mix crowd, it's lively and fun! Even the waiting area outside is nice by the fire pits. Staff is very pleasant also. Would come here again just for the calamari =)
(3)
Brenna R.
I went here for a friend's birthday dinner in July. I have heard so many things about this restaurant but never got around to trying it myself. WHY did I wait so long?! This restaurant is superb! The decor is very modern and sexy. I would want to rent this place out for an event or something, it is just so beautiful. We ordered the truffled yolo chips and szechuan calamari for appetizers. Both ridiculously tasty. For dinner I had the BBQ pork ribs. They were super tender, really saucy and made me one happy girl. I wish my stomach wasn't so full so I could finish them. They have very unique martini offerings here. I opted for their "martini tree" where you get to choose three different martinis to try and they come out in smaller glasses lined around a metal "tree." Perfection!! Drinks were delish, too. I would come back here again and again if I were just a bit closer, but will surely be back there when I am more in that area. You do only live once ;)
(5)
Leah V.
My fiance took me here for a nice dinner out. Atmosphere was inviting and hip, very clubbish scene. We had the calamari and cornbread for appetizers. The calamari was okay...but the cornbread was delicious!! I ordered a burger and my fiance had the prime-rib. My burger was a little dry and nothing fantastic and my fiance's prime rib was a little disappointing. We decided to splurge a little but was not too happy with what we got. It is a good place to hang-out for drinks and get some corn bread...but other than that..i'd try someplace else.
(2)
Maria C.
So the first time I came to YOLO my experience was not so great. The food was ok, service was less than ok and the ambiance was good. The manager emailed me and asked if I could give them another chance. I did. I LOVED it. I had the best Salmon I've ever had in my life. It was outstanding. The service was phenomenal, our waitress Jessica was perfect and we had a great time. A must, if you ask me.
(5)
Matt P.
*Review for the bar only* Had some time to kill with some clients so we stopped in per their recommendation for a few drinks while waiting for our dinner reservation to open up across the street. Yolo is one of the newer faces that's popped up on Las Olas over the past year and a half. What can I say, this place is a pretty classy joint with a chill outdoor patio area and fire pit to sip on beverages and nosh on small plates. The crowd was mostly young professionals, which makes sense since it's located on the heart of the business district in Fort Lauderdale. Definitely a cool spot to grab a drink and mingle amongst the locals. Sorry kiddos, but no time for eats here...as in the name, You Only Live Once!
(4)
JoAnna L.
This must be the meeting place of the old sugar daddies and the young sugar babies.... Gross! Go across the street to the pig place, much better IMO. Just not my scene.
(2)
Heisha R.
sadly, we made reservations for nothing we waited 30 minutes for our table for only 4people. drinks and starters great! food not so much :( the food was just fine nothing amazing and very over price!
(2)
Julie T.
I guess I could say after my second visit that this is just an ok place to go. I've had better of everything elsewhere. It doesn't blow me out of the water. This time we got the corn bread with jalapeno and it was great, but maybe a little bit more grainy than I like. It was extremely busy at the bar during the happy hour, so it was hard to get the servers attention. I ordered the Devil's Hammer again and it was perfect. I ordered the calamari and it was pretty good, my mom didn't like all the dressings on it though, and I could agree after a while it got overwhelming. I ordered the Rotisserie chicken sandwich and it was good. The chicken was moist, there was too much cheese for my liking and the shoestring fries were on point as usual. Jonathan ordered their burger and was pleased but not blown away. So I think it'd have to be a special occasion where I can try their steak or fish that I'd come back to try this restaurant.
(3)
Jeff F.
Very pretty restaurant. They did a wonderful job with LMA (lights, music, atmosphere), which as a former 11 year general manager, I am always on the lookout for. Starters were delicious. We have the tuna sashimi and skillet corn bread. Both were wonderful. Our mains were good too - I had the prime rib, which was both properly cooked and seasoned. There are some problems that need fixing before this place earns a reputation for excellence: First, the sides were all poorly executed. I had potatoes au gratin. The potatoes were undercooked, making the square of au gratin chewy and almost crunchy. The wife substituted in Mac and cheese. Again, the noodles were undercooked. It's clear the chefs aren't tasting the food enough and don't seem to be detail oriented. If I'm going to happily fork over top dollar, I expect the easy stuff to be just as good as the hard stuff. This meal, for us, was an example of the conflict that customers deal with - the appetizers are wonderful, the main dishes are excellent, the place is lovely, the music is at a perfect volume, but the side dishes simply aren't good. I'm fairly sure I figured out how something like this is happening. I watched chefs checking their cell phones dozens of times during our dinner (Valentines day). As a former GM of restaurants, that is simply unacceptable. Perhaps that's why the sides were undercooked- the chefs weren't engaged with the task at hand. Back in the day, I used to require my entire staff remains engaged. Playing with your cell phone every two minutes is not evidence of being engaged. It shows that you simply aren't in the moment, paying attention to the little stuff. Which is precisely how side dishes can come out improperly prepared while the main dishes are perfect. For dessert, we enjoyed the pumpkin cheese cake very much. It was dense enough to be cheesecake, but light and fluffy and full of pumpkin flavor. I should mention that the managers and staff were all very much engaged and actively walking around, ensuring people were happy. Unfortunately, our waitress didn't check back to see if everything was okay, so the whole sides not being acceptable went unnoticed. I can't be too upset with a busy waitress, especially considering the situation: a) it was Valentines day and b) a storm rolling in caused chaos because all of the people who were outside, enjoying the outdoor bar, had to be sat. Naturally, this causes servers to scramble a bit. Here's a tip for managers, servers, bartenders, and chefs - if you see dinner plates where the main dish is gone but the sides are practically untouched, it means either the mains were amazing and filling or the sides were poor. Always ask. Always check to see if the diners were just filled up or if there was a problem. I wouldn't have wanted or asked for a discount, but it can only help the restaurant to have things like this brought to someone's attention. Attention to detail is what makes restaurants great. I hope the ownership and management put in a little more effort because this place is just this side of awesome. Four stars for a beautiful restaurant, excellent appetizers and desserts. One star off for poorly prepared mains, distracted head chefs/expediters, and a failure to do a check back to ensure the food is to the customers liking.
(4)
Whitney K.
I'm a scenester at heart - so any place with beautiful people, a beautiful buildout, and beautifully crafted cocktails is the place for me. The fire pit and dark wood paneling adds a touch of Northeastern class to the South Floridian pastels and shells. This is a great place to catch up with friends over a drink and look at beautiful people because hey -- you only live once right?
(4)
John F.
Yolo for an upscale lunch is hard to beat. Consistent, good food, nice downtown location, good service. I hate giving an "almost chain" restaurant a good review, but man, they have it together for lunch. Get whatever their simple prepared fish of the day is, and call it a lunch. While I'm only 34, their happy hour to south beach transformation after 6 is too much for me.
(4)
Sasha G.
Went for Brunch on a Sunday and the food was delicious. The service was also very good and no wait time.
(5)
Rhena S.
This place is just ok to me. I don't see what all the hype is to be honest. The customer service is good and the is ok. I got the filet mignon, Mac and cheese, and green beans. Everything was just ok for me. Nice place and they also have a lounge.
(3)
Eduardo H.
Excellent overall experience. The service is slow but very attentive. Very different atmosphere at lunch (more business-like) and at night (when it feels like a pick-up lounge).
(4)
Lizette Q.
Came in on a Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday; the reservations were for 9:30pm; however, we did not get seat until 10:15pm. Luckily, the location has a nice bar outside and a lounge (The O Lounge) next door where we enjoyed adult beverages while we waited. Upon being seated the manager was extremely apologetic and provided us with several complimentary appetizers. We had the calamari and the queso fundido. The calamari was delicious; they were made with a sweet and honey glaze and served with a sauce on the side. The queso consisted of a thick melted cheese blend with chunks of chorizo; the queso was served with chips, also very good. For our meal my friend and I shared the Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich, which was also mouthwatering. The chicken sandwich was made with arugula, peppers, melted jack cheese and a lemon aioli sauce. The sandwich was served with thin cut fries, which were also very suiting and very good. The portions were hefty and sharing the meal hit the spot. We washed down our food with Passiontini's; a very sweet and fruity martini with a kick to it. The restaurant is located in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale on the famous Las Olas Blvd. You can park via valet or in the parking garage located directly behind the restaurant. Great location and great vibe for those looking for an awesome and trendy place to wine and dine. The staff was extremely efficient, friendly and on top of our large group at all times. Would definitely recommend and would return.
(5)
Eyda J.
I've been to YOLO just twice. I would probably go more often if I lived a bit clcoser to Las Olas, but that being said, I CRAVE the Cucumber Cooler. I know this is a restaurant, but man that drink left such an impression on me. It has muddled cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno--- it's a deliciously fragrant cocktail. Now for food--- the portions are a great size, the flavors are delicious and the service is top notch. We aren't talking gourmet here, but if you don't want the typical chain & something upbeat-- this is your place.
(4)
Jeff F.
Hit this place up last weekend during a buddies bachelor party. The food ranged from average to excellent (steak being average, seafood being well above average). Tuna sashimi, calamari and the trout were the highlights. My sense is that the strongest selling point here is atmosphere - cool, perfect for groups, trendy without any real dress requirements if you like my group prefer casual to South Beach fashion statements.
(4)
Jon A.
So, this seems to be the place to go. I don't know how, but they have created a south Florida culture pat people enjoy. food is very good and the drinks are excellent. I have not met a lot of the staff but they seem to be friendly. For the amount of repeat customers, im sure they are all excellent
(4)
Mariana B.
I absolutely enjoyed my time at YOLO the Atmosphere is great! if you want to go out and have a POSH night out with the girls you should have YOLO as your destination. Call ahead and make reservations to sit outside. I recommend the Calamari Hmmmmm....... the Grouper is great as well !!!! I was there last Wednesday,the service did not impress me t! I don't know if I had bad luck but the food came out 5 minutes after my appetizer arrived .... Our waiter was every busy and it didn't give us outstanding service...
(3)
Stacy S.
Let me start off by stating that I am not a fan of "The 954". I go for one specific reason: to attend birthday parties in or around Las Olas. The fact is, if you are going to be in the Las Olas area, you have few options for upscale, hip, establistments. Here is a brief overview of this place for people who have not been: * Very cool vibe outside. They have drink service and a fire pit for when it "gets cold". The women working there are very efficient and nice. * Their wine list is not bad. Their selections by the glass is good. (No one in that area tops Johnny V in the wine catagory). * Their food is above average. I don't eat their often but I remember the tuna sashima being quite good. * It's a good "power lunch" place. Take a client or opposing counsel here. If you have to, or chose to be in the area, definitely check this place out for lunch or dinner. It gets really busy, so if it's dinner make a reservation. Enjoy!
(4)
E R.
Great food. Great drinks. Great atmosphere. Lunch and dinner are equally good, and if they have the grilled cobia sandwich as the special, do yourself a favor and order it. This place is my go-to place for client lunches and date nights.
(5)
Michele W.
We enjoyed 2 meals at YOLO during our short stay in Ft. Lauderdale. The old fashioned burger was huge and delicious! Service was very friendly. Highly recommend this spot for families.
(5)
Casey M.
My husband and I went for our anniversary dinner on Sunday, May 20, 2013. We really could not find anything to complain about. We both ordered a martini and were not disappointed with our choices. The calamari appetizer was excellent as suggested in numerous reviews. Both my husband and I ordered steak. I had the prime rib, which was completely tender, and he had the porcini crusted steak, which was very flavorful. We tried the lava cake and banana coconut cream pie for desert, loved them both. We were there when it was not busy, so our waiter was extremely attentive. Overall, we would definitely go back again. Was it the best food I have ever consumed, probably not, but I did not feel let down by the quality of the food verse the price.
(4)
Virginia C.
I don't enjoy higher priced meal that is just, Just OK, If you are going to pay the price you want something that you go... WOW!!! Don't get me wrong, the food is not bad, but is not worth it $$$$. Is not a place where you are going to have a nice, fine dining experience Let's put it this way, I only go there when friends suggest meeting at yolo for a drink, I go just to meet with my friends but not for the food or for the scene... And get ready to be standing up for hrs because is very hard to find a place to seat if you are in the outdoor bar area! Not a place i will go back to again and again. Nothing special, the food is OK, the service is slow but OK, the place Very crowded...Don't know why! I really don't get what's the big deal... The fancy exotic cars in display in the parking lot? the old guys looking for hot girls? Chicks dressed to impress because they think they could find THE ONE there ? :P hehehehe Perfect for people watching. That's all ;)
(3)
Mig U.
i was a bit intimidated by the appearance of this place. it seemed way too trendy for my taste. Boy was i surprised. i have hosted 2 business meetings here and the staff has been more than accommodating. the food is A+ and the ambiance is wonderful. the calamari is amazing...
(4)
Gustavo A. L.
Nice classy place, with dim lights and good ambiance. It could be a place to see and be seen if that is your scene. Or you can just forget about the crowd and enjoy the time with your significant other, friends or posse. The location is pretty good, we found the service to be up to snuff and the food is pretty good too. You might, just might want to stick to the appetizers and share sort of tapa style, wash all this down with a good drink or two and ... make sure you have a designated driver for the way home. Good times will be had here, for sure !
(4)
Paola H.
I would have to say their food was pretty awful, the food took forever to be served then it was cold, it was taken back and i guess put in the microwave because then my fries were stale. the place was crowded and loud. the lounge area was ehh ok crowded as well. Really not YOLO place, more like You'll only go once.
(1)
Megan P.
My husband and I have been to Yolo several times and have always enjoyed it. But this past time was by far the best. The food was delicious as always, but the server made the experience so much better. Carly was amazing! For now on, we will always ask to sit in her section. She not only had great recommendations for new things to try, but she was also so energetic, hilarious and just really seemed to enjoy being there.
(5)
Tanya B.
I visited Yolo for lunch and was very pleased with the food as well as the service. My server was Susan and she was very knowledgeable about the menu and the specials. She was on top of all of our refills and even anticipated all of our needs. Her recommendations for lunch were on point. We had the Tuna burger and the spinach salad. Amazing! I would highly recommend this establishment.
(5)
Gina R.
nice vibe, good food,I really enjoyed the pumpkin cheesecake.
(3)
Corina B.
Probably would not go back for the food but i would certainly go back for the lounge and the cocktails. The appetizers are good - especially the szechaun calamari. Sunday Brunch is par - nuthin amazing. However, if you do go, try the stuffed french toast...crispy on the outside and moist and gooey on the inside! Yummo! Wednesday night is always pack- LADIES NIGHT - for the grown & sexy. Great friday night hangout
(4)
Britany A.
This was the best part of my visit to Fort Lauderdale. We went with a group from the office and ordered a couple of appetizers. The Calamari is ridiculously amazing. There are no words to describe the perfection. You have to just order it and trust me. It is served with an orange glaze that is to die for. Ultimate Calamari perfection. The food amazingness does not stop there folks... We also ordered the ahi tuna appetizer and the grilled artichokes. The Tuna was tender and perfect. Came with a seaweed salad, and while I'm not a huge artichoke fan, according to my dining partners they were also great. I ordered the chopped salad. It was a huge portion and the dressing was a little too acidic for my taste, but overall the salad was good. We also ordered a couple of desserts for the table. The pumpkin cheesecake which was good but tasted like it had been frozen at one point, and the ice cream cookie sandwich with a white chocolate dipping sauce was out of this world. It was the perfect combination of tastes, textures, and tempratures. To go along with all this wonderfulness, I had the dirty blonde (their rendition of a dirty martini) It was amazing as well. Highly recommend
(5)
Daniel D.
"You only live once, but if you drink enough, once is enough." - A drunk I met in Europe YOLO in downtown Fort Lauderdale is the swanky spot you take someone you want to impress. Maybe the upper management after work? Maybe the cute new girl from work? (Though I'd caution on the latter, as relationships in the workplace usually end up with your car being keyed and having to watch one of the awkward videos issued by the HR department.) But whomever you choose to dine with, they'll enjoy YOLO's design-magazine decor and its ambiance; a mix of low music, dark woods and cabs beeping their way down Las Olas. It's Blue Martini... just nicer, with superior food and I still feel cool inviting friends there for dinner. As for deals,YOLO is more of the go-to place for a happening hour than it is a happy hour (from 4pm-7pm all drinks at the bar are just $2 off. No food specials). But you get what you pay for. If you had your hopes up for a 3-4-1 there's probably a Bennigans somewhere on Oakland Park. I ordered The Devil's Hammer ($10), and with a mix of muddled mint, orange, lime, tequila and cherry-infused bourbon, it didn't seem all that evil. The bourbon complimented the tequila in a, "I'm not yet ready for a man's drink, but this will definitely help me grow a beard" sort of way. And seeing that it's happy hour I tried to pair my drink with something small to eat... the rotisserie chicken sandwich ($12.50) was anything but small. A buttery, soft bun barely held together melted jack cheese, arugula, lemon aioli, tender chicken and fire-roasted peppers. Going by the looks from the girls across the bar, I didn't look all too attractive while I shoveled it down. But when there's lemon aioli on your lips and poultry heaven in your mouth, who cares about looking sexy. Besides, those girls didn't interest me... I had a major crush on the bartender. Who: You and the girl from work... but only if you don't care about your car. What: $2 off all drinks, but only at the bar :0( Where: YOLO 333 E. Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 When: Mon-Fri 4pm-7pm How: With a manly beard and lemon aioli lipstick. Follow me on twitter: @DanielDickey DanielDickey.com
(4)
Mike N.
Party hang out and great sites. Little pricy though but worth it.
(4)
Vitaliy L.
I've eaten there once. Great atmosphere, but food and service were meh
(3)
Floridian P.
Cool place Calamari app was pretty good. And dragonberry mojitos as well. Parking sucks though and our bartender didn't put the food order in right, so we had to wait longer for them to re-make it.
(3)
Jessica L.
Great venue, I love the fire pit they have outside. However, as said in my review of Vibe literally 50 feet away from here, the crowd is a little older. Find Fred, the bartender. He'll take care of you!
(3)
Raven M.
Went here for my birthday dinner with a large group. Food was delectable and well worth the price. And the ambiance couldn't be beat either. Do keep in mind this place is pricey but you won't feel robbed or unsatisfied when leaving.
(4)
Eve K.
See Update below--number of stars reduced. We went to YOLO (You Only Live Once) and had a fabulous dinner and a fabulous time. That chef really knows how to blend and mix subtle flavors. The calamari, just many tiny morsels, the smallest calamari I ever saw, was great. My friend's husband started with that. I split a spinach salad with my friend and it was like no spinach salad I ever tasted. Usually spinach salad is not my thing, but this was no ordinary salad and the dressing was perfect. Very large--one would have to share (they split it in the kitchen.) I had wonderful fresh green beans and grill fired salmon (very thin piece and I was glad I ordered it medium rare because that was perfect). Great flavor. The grouper came with a very light brothy sauce which my friend loved and her husband loved the one pasta dish they offered. I didn't taste everyone else's--it's not my thing--but everyone loved the place, the food, the service, and it was so easy to drive right up to the door on their horseshoe shaped driveway to valet park. One always thinks of parking problems on Las Olas. The place was packed. I'm glad we had reservations. I can just imagine how the place is on week-end evenings. We got there at 7p.m. and the place was already 3/4 full and the bar was packed all on a Monday night. On a weekend evening, one should probably get there at 6 for early dinner or 9:00 or 10:00 for late dinner. Yolo is doing something right; let's hope they keep on doing it. July 2014 Update. On returning to YOLO a second time, early in 2013, I think. There was no need to arrive early, the restaurant was partially filled, the wait staff was disinterested, and the food was adequate. I don't know what it is like this year, but I don't believe we will try it again.
(3)
Robert B.
This place is awful. Manager was rude and wouldn't let us do the cinnamon challenge.
(1)
Monica C.
I loved YOLO. Although they are a bit pricey, the drinks were delish. They also have a sweet deal where you can pick 3 martini's for $15.00. They have a page long list of martini's to choose from. I didn't try the food but their menu looked very tasty. The decor was trendy and pretty all together. When I went to the restroom I noticed that there was a room with music and people dancing. Love this place.
(5)
Karen O.
Went here on a Saturday night,food was very good,sat outdoors it was beautiful,service was very good and they have a pretty decent wine list.
(4)
Doris L.
Third time's the charm. I heard that the food served at the one Elite event I missed this year was outrageously good. Still, I had to check for myself. Outrageous? I don't know about THAT. The beautiful Maker's Mark cocktails the Elite Yelpers were sucking down perhaps had something to do with that super- superlative. BUT - I had a bunch of apps here the other night and they were significantly yummier than the meal I had here last. And this is still a great place to meet up with friends . I'm officially a "Yay" fan.
(4)
Lisa M.
Only giving a star because the atmosphere is nice but this is where it ends. Bad drinks. I ordered a belini. It was not made w the correct ingredients so they use OJ & peach schnapps. Than it's not a belini right? Call it by another name or tell your customer! Also way over priced ($9) for a tiny champagne glass. Than we order cinnamon rolls. They waiter Sid it would take a while and I'm not sure why. They were hard crappy stale & not worth the calories!!! Than after another 1/2 hr wait we got our meals. I ordered an omelet well done. It came COLD! My daughter ordered the fresh fish sandwich. Again cold & soggy bun. If you only live one than I would only go once!!
(1)
Maria A.
I wasn't planning on stopping here for lunch but I'm glad I did. I sat at the bar and was lucky two have to really nice bartenders. I looked over the menu and narrowed it down to a few dishes just then one of the bartenders walked over and I asked for her expert opinion. She mentioned the pasta with sausage which was one of the dishes I had been keeping an eye on. I decided this was a sign and so I went with that. The food was delicious and filling. I had a prime seat as I dined I watched the outdoors bar quickly fill with office bees rolling up for happy hour drinks with friends. Next came dessert and I decided on a bread pudding concoction which was also delicious. I noticed some solid regulars and even had a few conversations while I had my late lunch. If I worked nearby this would be one of my usual spots. The food was great, service was excellent. There was also valet parking for $5 to be paid when picking car up and a Bank of America across a small street, ah thanks goodness for convenience.
(4)
Chris W.
Very trendy restaurant. Incredible location on the world famous Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale Fl. Awesome menu. Fish choices superior. Super cool patio bar area to hang out for drinks before and after dinner. Very busy place with very vibrant crowd. Really neat little dance club right next door for the night cap!!,
(4)
Lisa S.
Two words sum up my love for this place: Fire Pit! When it dips below 70 degrees we don jackets, sweaters and scarves. But the chic still sip cocktails outdoors, "That way I can be better seen, my darling." About the food: The roasted chicken on anything transforms the dish: salad, sandwich or as a stand-alone entree. They've perfected the roasted chicken. So yummy! Then there are the side dishes. I had a ratatouille there that was transcendental. It's not always on the menu but it makes an appearance every now and then. And when it does, it's a happy day for me. A french peasant dish transformed into a statement on simplicity in food prep. I could go on and on. Oh, it's really good for Happy Hour as well. Fun drinks, both alcohol and non alcoholic. Got a virgin mojito that was phenomenal.
(4)
Yasi P.
This is a great place to have a date with your significant other. The ambiance is super sexy and the service is fantastic. Expect to wait for a while if you don't have reservations & show up on a Friday night . My husband & I had a mijito which were delicious ... He had the ribeye and I had the rotisserie chicken. Definitely recommend YOLO. We had a wonderful time. They have great parking either at the garage or valet. Perfect place to go on a date to.
(5)
Yana A.
Once a year I like to give an update to this place, and it's still my favorite. It a number one choice for our girls night out. It's pretty, it's safe, drinks are free for women on wednesdays which gather a good looking crowd. I am a little puzzled when people critisizing food here. I cooked for living for awhile, and I understand food. Everything I tried in YOLO, and I think I tried all but meat dishes, was real good. Portions are generous, and all is very fresh. Only once there was something wrong with calamari, the manager immediately came out and corrected the situation. Outside area looks like its a hangout place, but in fact only bar area where you can order just drinks, and couches around fireplace. When you sit at the tables behind bar, it's a dining room. I don't think people realIze it, and treat it as just a place to sit and sip cocktails. That's why sometimes confusion is going on, and I think it needs to be explained in a beginning, or a simple question before sitting people down if they are here for dinner would be appropriate. I never encountered a rude server here, all girls are really nice. When they get busy, it can be a problem with finding a waitress for cocktails. But as soon as you establish a contact, lol, they serve you really well. The best though is managers prompt reaction to any even slightest problem. either it's a misunderstanding with charges or closing tab in one bar before ordering at another, all is solved promptly. I think it's the only place on Las Olas where drinks are still under 10$ and they are strong.
(5)
Lola S.
What a cool and sexy outdoor restaurant in Fort Lauderdale! This is def going to be a must for my next visit, I only wish they weren't so far away. We were here for lunch on Saturday afternoon. Decor - awesome, service - not bad at all. There was not a single dish we ordered that was not delicious - salads, sandwiches, all amazing. Can't wait to go to FL and visit this place again.
(5)
Kendal S.
I went to Yolo for lunch just the other day and was more impressed by the place than my previous experiences. You always have to make a reservation as the place gets pretty packed. The hostess was great and seated us right away even though some of my party came late. I ordered the chicken sandwich. It was cooked perfectly and delicious. My mom ordered the prime rib sandwich and it came out perfectly pink! I have been to Yolo in the past for dinner and drinks. I was more impressed with lunch as Yolo gets really crazy packed in the evenings.
(4)
Renae P.
Love the atmosphere! Great was great too!
(5)
Mark S.
Been here a number of times and never been disappointed. The calamari is awesome to start. I usually try the specials for main meal which do not disappoint. Look forward to visiting Yolo again.
(4)
Phil K.
Great food, great scene, really hot wait staff.... Had the yolo chips, planked salmon and everything was superb. I couldn't keep my eye off the beautiful women working the outside lounge area. Really good scene for a Saturday night.
(5)
Jacquelyn G.
My girls and I were weekending in Ft. Lauderdale and someone recommended checking out Yolo for dinner and drinks. Excellent reco! I tried to get a reservation via Open Table but there was no availability. However, the concierge at our hotel was able to get us a table at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Note - definitely get a reservation. The person who recommended the place to me said that we could always walk in and wait, but there were tons of people who had that idea and I can't imagine how long it would've taken for us to get a table had we done that. Plus, the bar area was crowded so we wouldn't have really been able to hang out there, either. Anyway, they have lots of fun drinks, including a martini "tree" that one of my friends got. It consists of three pair of mini martinis--very cool and from what I'm told, very tasty. I had this delicious cucumber concoction which had some kind of spice in it. It was wonderful. Food was great, too. We all shared the truffled Yolo chips to start and they were just heavenly. It's hard to mess up anything that involves bacon, blue cheese and truffle oil, in my opinion... Our mains were all good, too. After dinner we decided to move on to the lounge area which honestly wasn't our cup of tea. It got incredibly clubby/sceney and just was not what we were looking for. I must admit, though, the people watching was priceless. We also noticed that the drinks there were different than at the restaurant--even if it was the same drink. I ordered the same cucumber cocktail that I had at dinner, and it wasn't nearly as good at the bar (I'm guessing more liquor?). Anyway, worth checking out for dinner but I'd skip the lounge unless you're a "see and be seen" kind of person.
(4)
Zac K.
Very solid place. Great, great atmosphere. The drinks were nicely done and price seemed to fit in with location. The food rocked- I had the filet which was prepared just as ordered and served with seasonal fresh veggies- excellent choice- I was happy. Why not 5 stars you might ask, it was COLD in the place! there did appear to be a cool bar area off the back and the indoor/outdoor bar area up front was cool.--
(3)
Jorge G.
Happy hour next to the fire place with gems! That sums it up.... the Calamari & Service was a 10 out of 10. We are coming back and live it up all night long.
(5)
Brian F.
This is a super fun trendy bar with outstanding bartenders and drinks! Order a Devil's Hammer (ask for it not that sweet) and watch pros like Jessica and Jenna do their magic. Then head over to the fire pit and watch the party unfold. The place was packed, yet we felt like the most important people in the joint because of the 5-star service. Our favorite bar/lounge in Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)
Jenn C.
Love sitting outside by the firepit with friends and drinks. Dinner is good. The service is great. The atmosphere is pleasant, and upscale, great place to go highly recommended.
(4)
Denise R.
Good place to see and be seen if you are into that type of superficial stuff. Nothing to write home about, but it is beautiful.
(3)
Jamie M.
I work near yolo and you will usually find me there for happy hour on a friday night. Yolo is the ultimate after work locale in downtown fort lauderdale. However, the food is not the best. It took me a few times going there for lunch to realize this but the descriptions are actually better than the actual taste of the food. Its a great place to bring a client or a colleague but I like Yolo because of the social ambiance not because of the food. I will stick going there for happy hour (try the cucumber cooler for a refreshing summer drink with a little kick) and to meet with friends but I think this foodie may go to dinner somewhere else.
(3)
Roly B.
Place to see and be seen. Nice to hang out once in a while, decent crowd (no "kids"). Food is excellent.
(4)
Marsha F.
Hostess was great. Bar maid was great. Food was disappointing service was good. I thought they had a chef who could accommodate my special requests. I called ahead and was assured they could. They lied
(2)
Dave N.
Dinner on 2/2: As always YOLO had great atmosphere; It was packed both inside and out on Wednesday night. Had drinks by the fire-pit and some of the meatball sliders. We were then seated promptly at our reservation time and ordered a greek salad to share and i had the cedar plank salmon which was excellent. Squash was the nightly side dish and it was excellent.
(4)
Agustina P.
Great atmosphere, great service and I love their fire pit. Their food is hit or miss, but the drinks are delicious.
(4)
Emilio M.
Group of us came here on a packed saturday night. I originally thought it was going to be a hot spot. By all means, it probably is, but we did not enjoy the music nor the people there. Not that the people were nasty or anything like that, Its just we are not in that age group (40's --seriously, I thought I was going to run in into somebody from the Housewifes of Orange County ). Music is techno type that one song lasts about one hour long...everybody is in clicks so everybody is into themselves. Drinks are good, can't comment on the food since we left an hour later. Maybe you'll have a better time, but this is an older hang out spot...
(2)
Bruce D.
vERRRY CHIC-Y! Hip tre New York/Maimi loking restaurant on Las Olas. Lots of Bentley's parked at the valet. Outside patio drinks has a very California, with a huge firepit....except it's flame is about 2 -3 feet tall. Almost singed my Dunhill blazer! Food was priced low and quite nice. Salmon on a plank was very nice and the wine list was killer. The calamari was over cooked and too crunchy. Go on a off night or else it's a mob scene.
(4)
Alicia T.
Went tonight for my girlfriends birthday. Still 5 stars for me Server: 5 stars Ambiance: 5 star People/server watching: 5 star Food: 4.5 star We had a 4pm reservation and arrived at 3:45 PM and were seated outside with no problem for an early Sunday birthday dinner. I was impressed that the server knew my name when I told her I had a reservation without looking at the computer. Since this was such an odd time, the outside patio was half full, and inside had plenty of tables available. The calamari as usual (seemed to be ordered by EVERYONE) was fantastic, I am on a no sugar/starch diet and still took a couple bites. BF got the burger, and it was so big for the first time he didn't finish it or his fries. He did eat alot of calamari though. Birthday girl got some kind of pasta with shrimp added, and she loved it, had lots of left overs. Myself, spinach salad, awesome, large amount of chicken that I didn't have to search for, and it was already tossed in ingredients/dressing so I didn't have to "make" the salad myself. Our server brought the chocolate molten cake, a scoop of icecream, and a candle for my GF's birthday. I heard the cake was delish. It came in one of those one-person cast iron pot, garnished with fresh fruit. It was the type of molten cake that when you stick the fork in you get a nice little hot chocolately gooey surprise hidden inside. We loved the chillness of the place on this Sunday afternoon, and will definitely be back again for a nice Sunday meal.
(5)
Patrick D.
This was a favorite until this last experience. The bar isa rip off.The first time my bill it was for 43.99. We had 2 Martinis and 2 Rob Roys. The drinks were good but the bill seem high but it was all wet so I could not review it. They next time I did not pay any attention, shame on me. I did question the bill on an afternoon but it was not happy hour so I let it ride. This last Friday at 4:30 We ordered 2 Rob Roys and one Martini. They charged 12.00 dollars for the Rob Roys and 17.00 for the Martini. Even At Bar American in NY(Bobby Flays Resturant) they do not charge this money for a Martini. They charge 14.00 dollars for a 9oz Martini. Yolo is out of line and are abusing their Bar Customers. Check your bills. Their Martini Specials are only 12.00 dollars. Do not go there!!!
(1)
Eye F.
Finally went after seeing a few of our friends had tried it. We went to eat -- as in we considered it a restaurant. Not the atmosphere, not to drink, not to be seen, not to mingle with people we don't know. Service is good, menu is good, wine list is passable, cooking leaves a lot to be desired. We won't return for a second try.
(2)
Paulinacasado O.
if Las Olas, then YOLO! bleu cheese vinegar chips and mint lemonade (grownup style) a staple!!
(4)
Katrina J.
Went their today for lunch. Menu kind of limited. Nice portions of food. However, the food is definitely different than most restaurants that boast an American cuisine. Try it at least once!
(3)
Jane D.
Wow! The food is amazing - hard to choose what to get off their simple but simply divine menu. The service was outstanding and the atmosphere very enjoyable... careful though if you're there a little later as their adjacent sister club starts to heat up after 10 pm and the music can overpower your conversation. We gave up talking and went to join the fun!
(5)
Jared M.
I was in town from New York for a business trip and I took potential clients to YOLO for dinner as I had heard good things. I truly was not disappointed. The decor was trendy yet understated and professional, not cheesy like some other "hot" restaurants in south florida. The hostess welcomed us with a smile and we were seated shortly after arriving. The food was delectable, cooked to order, and reasonably priced. We started with the calamari and grilled artichokes, both were a big hit with my guests and I highly recommend them. The prime rib sandwich was incredible, probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. I ordered it medium rare and it came out the perfect shade of pink, thinly sliced, topped with sauteed onions, melted swiss cheese, and au jous. The rest of my party appeared just as enamored by their dishes. Our server was courteous and helpful when deciding what to order. My guests and I had a wonderful experience at YOLO and I will definitely be returning the next time I am in town.
(5)
Debbi N.
We had a wonderful lunch here. The place is beautiful, the service is great and the food was fabulous. The prices are not bad either. There were six of us and each of really enjoyed their meals and we shared to desserts and were not disappointed. I had the grilled shrimp salad with beets and cheese and I would eat that every day if I could. It was perfect. Our table mates had the veggie burgers and fries and the fries are really good. We found parking on the street, and were in and out in time to catch the show at the Broward Theater matinee. I will go back before our next show for sure. This beats Cheesecake Factory hands down.
(5)
Ali G.
Definitely another favorite! Food is delicious, the artichoke app is to die for! Atmosphere is really fun on wed & sat pm! Great date place or if u want to be social also a really nice atmosphere for a party.
(5)
Cheryl R.
Fun & nice. I'm a Miami girl but I like Yolo's.
(4)
Jessie H.
Not terrible but not great. As a vegetarian, they didn't seem to have a huge range of options to choose from. Our drinks from the bar with light on the alcohol which for $12 you would hope wouldn't be the case. Our waiter was adorable and made the night. If it weren't for him, our experience would have been a flop.
(3)
Amit D.
Cool spot, you get to see all the expensive cars in the world. Food is just okay for dinner. People may say it's better than it is because it's expensive, but overall just OK. Sunday brunch on the other hand has excellent food, with affordable prices.
(3)
Idelsy L.
Really good wine selection... very snazzy place. Didn't get to try the food, but it had a great vibe to it. I'd love to go again.
(4)
Omar G.
The crowd that goes to Yolo and Vibe is abysmal. Makes me embarrassed to admit that I live around such classless people in Fort Lauderdale. At Vibe the people dance to 80's wedding music. This would not go down in Miami, but the irony is that Yolo/Vibe is basically a South Beach design ripoff. I'm not saying that you'll hear good music on the beach, but what you have here is a recipe for pure boredom making you realize that the drive to Miami is worth it at night. Just be safe out there! Re: the food, its bland and salty. The decor at Yolo is nice, but the kitchen is unimpressive. I think all of the good reviews go to show how utterly tasteless and tacky Lauderdale is. Miami is your only bet if you want a cool place to go out and make the focal point of a weekend night out. Don't hate on me for saying, since I've lived here for 11 years and have been a DJ here the entire time. I'm entitled to my taste. If I could give it a 0 I would. Its the people in Lauderdale, and not so much the place itself, that make it awful. So dear owner, no offense, I know you are catering to your clientele. These are the kind of people who ask me to pull out glowsticks when I tell them I'm a house DJ. You also play "wedding" music at your establishment. Its like a scene out of the 80's every time I go there, and not in a good way. Get with the times. This review is such as I lived at Camden for a while and did drop by for a drink here and there in the past out of necessity.
(1)
Wendy L.
I went to Yolo a couple of years ago. I think I was more impressed by their decor and furniture than with the food. Sometimes I do hate when restaurant put more effort on the decor than the quality of the food. With the money you pay for the food, you force yourself to love the food so you don't feel like you were being ripped off. It's definitely not a place I will go back unless I have.
(3)
Korinne J.
One of the better places to go Friday nights in trashy FTL. Fun bar and lounge area with lots of room to mingle. Nice front bar window with outdoor living area. Beware Friday nights this place is 5 deep at the bar but it is fun. I have also been here a few times during the week and it is a really nice place to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. The decor is very well done! The service is as good as can be expected when it gets busy.
(4)
ALba C.
Good Music, great drinks very festive ,I always have a great time
(4)
brian b.
Very hip joint. Excellent bar tenders, great specialty cocktails. Very attentive wait staff, very nice hostess staff. Nice touch with stamping the specials onto the paper table cover. Szechuan Calamari was hands down the best version of this type of dish we've had and we order it anytime we see it. The meatball sliders were also worth getting, The prime aged steak special was very good, but suprisingly not cooked as ordered. My Medium rare was Medium, and the wife's Medium was medium well. Damn shame to ruin a nice piece of meat like that. Sides were excellent, spagetti squash with ricotta was outstanding as was the herb mash. For dessert just do yourself a favor and get the bannana coconut cream pie, it's mind blowingly good.
(4)
J. N.
Went to Yolo at 5:30 on a Sat. night with kids and sat outside so I can't speak for the atmosphere but... The food at Yolo was fantastic! We shared the szechuan calamari (3 of us) to start and it was tasty and delicious. I had the tuna hot pot as a main course and it was memorable. Perfectly seared tuna in a bowl over noddles and a subtle miso broth, it was just great. We didn't stay for dessert. Our waiter, Terri, got off to a shaky start but warmed up quickly. All in all, a wonderful experience.
(4)
Rob C.
like a Houston's, Bandera's, etc. nice ambiance, menu sounds really good, tastes just fine apparently, the vege burger is above average
(3)
Michael M.
Imagine that for some inexplicable reason, Bennigans became the new "it" spot. All the area movers and shakers lined up six deep at the door to get a chance to sample southwest egg rolls and mozzarella cheese sticks. Seriously. Yolo was packed wall to wall with faux glittery cretins and we actually had to be let through a velvet rope to see the hostess. There were literally three identical red Ferraris out front fighting for parking spaces. I'm not exaggerating. It was the funniest thing I've seen in a year. I almost felt bad for one of the guys. He fired up the convertible Ferrari, sped down to Yolo to impress and bammo, he's fighting with two other identical red Ferraris for prime fan-my-peacock-feathers real estate. Hilarious and cheeeeesy! OK, the breakdown: APPS: Calamari: OK,..overcoated with a cloyingly sweet sauce....Bennigans Mussels: OK...Bennigans Potato Chips with Bacon and Blue Cheese: Pretty good, but come on...basically potato skins at Bennigans. Did I like them? Sure, same way I would guiltily enjoy cheese dip if I ever lost my soul and went to Bennigans. ENTREES: Grouper...bad...overcooked and stringy. Could have done a much better job at home. New York Strip: nice big cut of meat. Ordered medium rare, came out medium well. Nice char, OK flavor. Side of grilled mixed veggies had an overwhelming flavor of gas from the grill. Benniganish. Wine...Au Bon Climat Pinot...good, but I'm not giving credit to Yolo for that. All in all , it was a lot of fun but the food was mediocre at best....sort of like going to the circus...a lot of glitter and desperation with food that caters to the lowest common denominator. Our cool older friends (inside joke) said it reminded them of the bar scene in Star Wars. This is the second week in a row I've been to a restaurant that is gorgeous with lousy food. I definitely have to start going to uglier restaurants. I swear to god, If this comfort food trend is basically giving a license to so-so restaurants to dish out crappy food with low quality ingredients, just shoot me in the head. It's much more comfortable on my couch and I can personally make a far better truffled mac and cheese. However.....I would definitely go back to get drinks (only) if only to enjoy the social trainwreck that is Yolo. If you want the same food without paying for the atmosphere, go to Ruby Tuesdays.
(2)
Jake D.
Great scene.. good food just plain fun.
(4)
Dude D.
I Don't Eat Here, But I Hang Here. I live 1/2 block from Yolo, and I come here 2-3 nights a week to hang. As a Las Olas local, I rarely eat on Las Olas as almost every place is over-priced for what you get. But, Yolo is superb for hanging around outside, and is the best social scene in FLL for anyone over 30. TIP: To avoid the crush on Fri/Sat night, cut through the bushes near the firepit and grab a seat on the sofas. Don't expect quick service on the sofas, but you won't have to negotiate the scrum near the bar area. (In fact, I've spent hours on the sofas and only ordered a diet soda for $3.) Also, the O Lounge really cranks the volume on Fri/Sat nights, so don't expect to hear the person you're talking to. But other nights it's fine.
(4)
Phil B.
Burgers and sandwiches are about 12 bucks, entrees were 25 to 30. Went on a Saturday night, great scene, place was packed and we didn't have a reservation for 5. Staff was very nice and accommodating. We ended up eating outside which was cool but it didn't have the vibe or energy of inside (at least around 9:00 PM - the place was definitely getting more crowded as the night went on.). The food, though not outstanding, was above average. This place is into fire grilling and smoked meals. Bathrooms get a 10. We would definitely go back again if looking something upscale in downtown Fort Lauderdale that has a bit of a scene.
(4)
A C.
This bar/club is small but hopping. The bartenders are little hotties and very nice. The scene varies based on the dj. If it is a good dj the place rocks, if not it sucks. We went on this past Friday and left after one drink, last night we shut the place down. Great dj and the scene came alive.
(4)
Lindsay Y.
YOLO has been My go to Fort Lauderdale restaurant for several years now and it will continue to be as long as they keep up the good thing they have going on. My favorite menu items are: the squid salad, Tuna tar tar, Ahi tuna and the amazing French fries! Random, but all so delicious in different ways! It's also a great place to people watch and witness the crowd at the next door club, vibe. It's also in a great location on Las Olas where there is plenty to see. UPDATE: yesterday, I received some really nasty messages from two random yelpers about my review and I'm bewildered as to why total strangers would care about my personal opinion?? Please keep your negativity to yourself or in your own reviews. Thanks!
(4)
Andrea N.
Had brunch here today. There were some highs and lows. We walked in and were immediately greeted and asked if we wanted indoor or outdoor seating. We chose indoor. The place was crowded, but we did not have to wait for a table. Our server came over and asked for our drink order, I got water and my friend got cappuccino. We started looking at the menu and there were some good options, but nothing that wowed me. I guess I still miss the breakfast burrito with eggs and chorizo. I decided on the quiche and my friend got the omelette of the day, it had broccoli, green peppers and cheese. I decided I wanted a brunch drink so I asked what kind of cider was available. Our server was in training so she asked the trainer, you would have thought I had insulted the trainers mother. I got a very terse "we aren't a beer bar, we serve specialty drinks" Well, this is going to be a short meal. Our food came and mine was very good, it just lacked texture. Everything was kind of mushy so it left me wanting more. My friend said the omelette was good, and really enjoyed the home fries. We left pretty quickly. It was ok. The best part of the meal was the server in training, I wish I had gotten her name so I could give her kudos.
(3)
Rona K.
Rk Food was delicious. Dessert a little dry, liked baked last week. We were a big party and it was a Friday night , so service was not great. We will try again.
(3)
Danielle R.
Go for bottomless mimosas on Sundays! They give you the whole bottle of champagne, not the pre-mixed stuff that Rok Burger & Big City do.
(4)
Jeanne M.
This was our first visit to YOLO since our event, well over a year ago. I didn't get anything to eat that night, so was glad to get to try some of the food. This was for a party with cocktails and hor d'oeuvres. It was a Friday evening, so we figured it would be packed. It was actually not a huge crowd, which was nice. Our group has reserved a space outside, by the fire pit. Thankfully, the fire pit was not lit for ambiance, since it was quite a warm evening. First came the cocktail. I'm never sure what to order, so I went with the "seabreeze," the cocktail I had at the event. The only thing I remembered about it was that I liked it a lot and, after two of them at the event, there were some pics on my phone the next day that I didn't recall at all. Yes, I'm a lightweight, especially with no food, but the point is that they don't water down the drinks. This one was refreshingly grapefruity and just strong enough. I skipped the plate of cold cuts, as those are always standard fare. So, the first app up was a chicken sandwich. It was fairly average, except that there were real chunks of chicken instead of deli slices and the bread was quite good. Next were the meatballs with ricotta. They were big and very nicely flavored with lots of garlic. The marinara sauce was perfect. But on to the best - the Szechwan calamari with garlic chili sauce, peanuts and sesame. These were sooooo good. I could have eaten the whole chafing dish of them. They were tender on the inside, crunchy on the outside and perfectly seasoned with the sweet spicy garlic sauce. If nothing else had made me a fan, that would have done it for me. Yep, if I have another opportunity I'll be going back.
(4)
Tracey K.
Came here for a first date and it was wonderful! We were seated quickly and our waiter was very understanding of my indecisiveness. He helped me choose a drink (I ended up getting the coco lychee martini - delicious) and continued to be attentive throughout the night. For the entree, I got the sauteed jumbo lump crab cakes with green apple slaw and an herb mash, while my date got the cedar-roasted salmon. To my surprise, they weren't kidding when they said jumbo lump. I could actually see and taste the crab. The slaw and mash were equally phenomenal. I think I liked my meal more than my date liked his, but overall the food and service were both fantastic.
(4)
Sheena M.
This place was recommended to us by the bartender at our hotel. It was a great dining experience. Everyone's food was good, fun atmosphere, great music, nice patio, and exceptional service. Recommend dishes - calamari (must have,) and tuna tar tar
(5)
Lola N.
This place is really nice. The ambience is great. We had outside seating cause in house was packed. The food here wasn't all that great. It was so crowded and the server was too busy. I was not impressed by their dragon berry cocktail at all. Over the food was ALRIGHT. My favorite was the corn dip
(3)
Tairyn A.
If you are a girl, Wednesday it's the best day to come. Girl's nights are great. Free drinks until 10:00 pm, but beware, creeps do come out to play. It gets packed and most of the guys are older men on the prowl. Music it's OK, and the patio area it's great. There is also a restaurant (O Lounge) right next door. All in all a good place to hang out in downtown Ft. Lauderdale.
(3)
Mr H.
Totally uninspired. Bioche French toast had as much sugar as a bag from Publix. Speaking of Publix the calamari tasted from frozen while a bottle of Asian sauce was tossed in top. Buttermilk pancakes? Not sure if anyone on the kitchen knows what they are. Couldn't add enough syrup for two reasons one being a fly took to nesting in the serving cup Overall bad choice for brunch
(2)
Alyssa K.
I hadn't stepped foot in this place in about 2 years or so and recently popped back in for a late night drink-forgot how much I enjoyed it. Like I said-it was late when we went in-kind of near close, around 1:20 and last call was 2. No big deal, we didn't get crap for ordering anything. $14-16 got us a STRONG vodka martini and a VERY large pour of wine. Like a LARGE glass. I ordered chardonnay but got pinot grigio-but in retrospect it was a happy accident because I didn't ask for a wine list and I'm VERY picky with my Chards. Drank my large pour of wine and was nice and happy considering that wasn't drink #1 of the night, and the bartender was super friendly. The bar is half in and half outside, which is kind of the trend downtown which I like. The kitchen had clearly closed by this point in the night but I have mental notes to come back and try their brunch here, I'm told they have good deals and good food fireside. I think a few years ago when the trend of 18 year old screaming "YOLO" and doing stupid crap was popular has passed, and this place opened around the same time. It's actually offputting with the vibe of this place, seeing as if I yelped this place seeing the name I likely would try somewhere else, but the vibe is so awesome inside and out if you're walking by. I honestly see the name of the place being changed to something a little classier in a couple years. But it's a nice place to go for drinks/brunch/a low key night out.
(4)
Kimberly K.
This place was recommended to us by a few different people. So glad we listened! We went on a fairly busy Friday but were seated right away (we did make a reservation). Had a great table outside on the patio. The music playing was really good and the atmosphere was fun. The calamari is a MUST. Probably the best I have ever had. Also tried the Skillet Cornbread which was a huge portion and tasted okay, but I've had much better. The Rotisserie Greek Chicken was delicious. Definitely worth checking this place out.
(4)
Rebecca U.
Showed up here on a Friday night with no reservation. Place was packed, assumed it would be impossible to get a table. Surprisingly they had availability outside, it was a beautiful night, slightly chilly but they had heaters so we decided to try it. The view with the fire pit and white lights overhead was really pretty. The outside bar was packed, and our table was in perfect position to take it all in. The waiter came and took drink orders and told us about the specials. We asked various questions about the menu and the waiter was very familiar with all the items. He returned shortly with the drinks and we ordered. One of the specials, which we ordered, was Sole Poppiette baked and served in parchment paper. The other entree we ordered, highly recommended by the waiter was the Short Rib Polenta. We also ordered a chopped salad to split. They split the salad in the kitchen, which must be huge because it was more than enough when served on 2 plates. Each entree was delicious...the sole was really light and flavorful. The Short Rib was more hearty, especially as served with the polenta, very rich but equally as delicious! The entire dinner was very enjoyable and satisfying. After dinner we sat at the inside bar enjoying an after dinner drink. The decor inside is impressive with sort of a zen feel. The night was great I'm happy we chose to come here. My one issue, and why I didn't give 5 stars, I found the drinks to be overpriced for what you get. Small drinks, barely 1 shot of vodka, for $9 (non premium) I know it's downtown Fort Lauderdale Las Olas, but it's annoying. I would recommend it but just be prepared to pay for overpriced cocktails.
(4)
Ken S.
Visited during Dine Out Fort Lauderdale. One of the best menus offered. I had the Meatball Slider to start, the Chicken entre and carrot cake for dessert. Everything was exceptionally delicious. Service was also excellent. Will visit again soon.
(4)
Tonia C.
I gave YOLO four stars for drinks and atmosphere. The patio is fantastic, very romantic. The whole venue had great vibes as many places on Las Olas do. However I think the food was more of a 3 star. My boyfriend said his prime rib was delicious; however, lots of fat so he ended up cutting about 50% off. The salad was great because I love everything chopped up small and it was HUGE. I barely made a dent in it. The Macaroni and cheese was good but nothing special like most places offer these days and I would probably skip next time. The highlight of our meal was the appetizer, blue cheese truffle YOLO chips. They were FANTASTIC. Overall, I was no impressed with the vegetarian options but the atmosphere, chips, and drinks made up for it. We both felt the cocktails were good and very strong and no more pricey than usual places (about $10 for specialty drinks). The valet was $7.
(4)
M L.
Good Sunday brunch spot to meet up with friends $15 bottomless mimosas I love the eggs benedict
(5)
Camille G.
This place is really good for Sunday brunch. We started off with unlimited mimosas and calamari. Calamari sauce was too sweet. Wish it were on the side. Mimosas were perfect because the give the bottle and a side of OJ for you to fix to your liking. I ordered the snapper sandwich and it was amazing! Definitely going back for that one soon!
(4)
Betu R.
Great food, ambiance but poor service. They rushed us from the first to second course by bringing the food while we were clearly still working on the appetizer, and every time we asked our server for something was like she was doing us a favor. Other than that, the food was amazing. We were four and shared the grilled artichokes as a starter, then we had the spinach salad, the bbq ribs, the salmon burger and a sandwich with arugula, avocado grilled chicken and tomato. The cocktails are great too, we had strawberry kiss and strawberry caipirinha. Overall a lovely experience.
(4)
Daniel D.
Note: I did not eat here as I have heard the food is not worth the money. I visited on a Friday night, and it was pretty easy to find a spot on the sofas outdoors. After sitting down, even though the place was pretty busy we got a server to help us pretty quick. In addition the prices of the drinks are not outrageous and they are at about 10 dollars per drink. With good music, nice scene, it is a great place to grab a drink.
I've dined at Yolo several times so I'm not sure why I've never reviewed it. The pros: great setting inside and out. The food- I've never had anything bad here. My favorite app is the calamari and they do a nice lunch. On my latest visit, we ordered the calamari and meatball sliders. I just wish they would make a turkey meatball! The cons: service is hit or miss especially when sitting outside for cocktails. Sometimes the clientele but maybe that's a pro because it makes for interesting people watching. When on Las Olas, you must stop here and Ladies, check them out on Wednesdays with free drinks and 1/2 off apps.
(4)
Mike K.
Great Friday night out! Three of us shared appetizers before Dinner. Szechuan Calamari was delicious. Artichokes were done perfectly. The wine flowed with ease. For dinner I had Manhattan Steak. It was 2 inches thick, medium rare, and juicy! I can't wait to go back!
(4)
Jolie A.
I came in for a quick appetizer and a drink before with my cousin before going over to the bar next door, as usual the Tuna tartar didn't disappoint. The fish was fresh and the wafer cracker was just the perfect pair. The corn bread was a disaster; very dry and quite bland.
(3)
Alexii N.
This place has good mixed drinks, and pretty decent food. I feel as though it is not good enough for me to want to go for dinner, but I would totally come here for lunch. As I said, good drinks- the strawberry martini is great and they use fresh strawberries. As far as ambiance, there is a decently trendy decor, and list of outdoor seating as well. As I said, good for drinks at night or for lunch.
(3)
Shannon L.
This was the first time eating inside the restaurant - for lunch. Had a reservation with a group so no wait to get seated even though they were fairly busy. They stamp their specials on a flier on the table - novel concept but delivery by seater/greeter a little sloppy (bottom part of the stamp was on a separate paper as it was slightly skewed). They were busy for lunch but the waiter gave us the specials verbally and took our order quickly. After that it was slow going. Took awhile for the food to get there. The burgers looked good around the table - with string fries (yum). The trout special looked good altho the mashed potatoes were green (I actually thought it was guacamole at first, before realizing it was just the color). I had the carbonara, altho plated nicely it was just meh.
(3)
Antineous R.
I came in on Thursday evening after having flown into town! Hadn't been here in a few years but the food and drinks were just as good as I remembered. Had to have the center cut filet with some fries and potato au gratin which tasted amazing!!! Paired that with some whiskey on the rocks and a couple more drinks in the back after dinner! The waiter was great and the food came out quickly even though they were swamped. I'd definitely recommend yolo to anyone whose visiting the area and wants to enjoy a nice dinner and a few drinks, as I mentioned I had some drinks in the back, there's a small lounge attached to yolo that serves top shelf liquor and has a live dj that plays late into the night. If you enjoy cars you'll definitely appreciate all the Lambos, Bentleys, and Ferarris parked outside!
(4)
Erionna J.
I never write bad reviews and feel slightly bad for doing so but I want my voice my opinion. I wanted to come here on my birthday, I'm vegan and I checked out the menu online and saw there was a vegan Burger so I chose this place made a reservation and went there with about 6 other girls. The place is beautiful inside and out and I love the fire pit I had been wanting to go here for quite a while once I was seated I requested the vegan burger I seen online and they said they no longer serve it and that there was no other options on the menu for me other then a salad so I asked if there was maybe just a dish with veggies and rice or something they could make and they said no so I decided to leave and go to Rocco's tacos instead. So basically my only complaint is I wish they had a menu that also catered to vegetarians/vegans or at least offer to make something that's not on the menu since every restaurant I've went to has offered and this waiter didn't seem to think the chef would do it, it just kinda delayed the fun on my birthday because we had to all jump in our cars and head to the next restaurant, overall though the place has great decor and atmosphere just hope they think of extending the menu to make it more vegetarian friendly.
(2)
Aline D.
I took my gf there for her bday. The food was okay. I don't remember neither of us being blown away by anything, and it was a bit pricey.
(3)
Dee F.
I came here around 10:30 on a Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. We didn't make reservations, so it took about 30 min to seat our party of 8. (Which wasn't that long of a wait for a Saturday night.) While we waited for our table, we sat outside by the bar to people watch. That's always fun. ;) Once our table was ready, we were greeted by a very friendly staff. I ordered a Strawberry C....., I can't recall the full name of the drink and I don't feel like looking it up, lol---but it was amazing!!!! Nice and sweet just like me! The food was good--which was a great surprise since the reviews weren't all that positive. After dinner, we hit the dance floor. The DJ played a variety of different music. Primarily house music. Just one slight hiccup: I told my waiter that someone in my party was celebrating a birthday, and he never followed up with me. That was a bummer, but not a big deal. For that, minus one star. I shall return YOLO!
(4)
Chris C.
It's true...YOLO..You Only Live Once...and before you die, if you are in the Las Olas area, you have to try this place. The Food-amazingly tasty. The Service-kind and attentive. The Decor-trendy and classy. The Atmosphere-Cool, relaxing and hip. **Note: Great place for a classy date. You know, someone that deserts your time and money. So, check it...I ordered the SZECHUAN CALAMARI, which was a good spin on calamari, it was really tasty. I also ordered the T'S PRIME RIB, which was really good and for dessert I got the coffee ice cream sandwiches-SO GOOD!!! This place is a cool joint to eat at...NICE...I'll definitely come back!!!
(4)
Lyda F.
We went on a date night to yolo and I must say everything from the start was amazing. We sat at the bar while we waited for a table and had some very good drinks and when we sat down which was about 20 min later which was not terrible for a Friday night at all we were greeted by our waiter who was so attentive. We ordered some champagne and I ordered a steak with some mash because I'm a meat and potatoes kind of gal and it was soooooo delicious! The portions were big and I could not finish the whole thing, the waiter was always very attentive and never did we have to call for him because he was always coming by to refill out champagne. I thought the prices were good for the kind of service and good received. They offer valet parking, the atmosphere was quite lively and very loud.
(5)
Catalina P.
I been there ones with my co-workers and we had a great experience. The server was great and the food was awesome. We try that tree of cocktails and was delicious .. I like it
(5)
A P.
Visited yolo for the first time last Tuesday when I was on vacation with my girlfriend. The food, the atmosphere was so nice. We ordered the calamari which was AMAZINGLY and such a breathe of fresh air from the typical calamari. It was sweet with a hint of spicy. Then we split a chopped salad with grilled shrimp and the porterhouse with the potatoes au gratin. It was cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. My friend and I were in food coma by the time we were done. I ordered a drink the cucumber refresher (?) I think it was. It was good and nice and strong. Coming back to Fort Lauderdale in the fall and I will definitely be visiting yolo again!
(5)
Andrew K.
Pretty disgusting brunch. I really hated the tuna tartare - the avocado was overripe and hard at the same time. The omelet tasted like it had been sitting out. I didn't like anything, cheesy name included.
(1)
John C.
Valet parking. $7 with validation. Walked right in without a reservation on a Thursday night. Got a table on the patio. Service was very friendly. We started with the calamari. It was awesome. Perfectly crisp on the outside. Sauce was very tasty. I ordered the prime rib sandwich. Not my best decision. Too much ciabatta bread and the swiss cheese overwhelmed the flavor of the meat. The prime rib came sliced and was very good by itself, which is how I ended up eating it. My friend ordered the salmon and it looked delicious.
(3)
Erica M.
This place had really good food. The staff was very helpful and friendly. I ordered the crab cakes which was awesome. My friends order salmon and steaks. They all like their food. One of my friends order the calamari that looks oh so good. She felt that it was not the best she ever had and did not eat it. She stated that it had an after taste. The only thing I did not like about this place was the floors where very slippery. We all had on heels.
(4)
Courtney C.
Good food, not mind blowingly amazing. Great bloody Mary's, but more expensive then they seem worth. Fun to check out every once and awhile because of the atmosphere and fire pits but not cool enough to spend the money on too often. Would rather go to tap 42.
(3)
Pascual O.
A perfect location and great happy hour specials keep this place packed every day. The daily crowd seems to be mostly bankers and lawyers taking a break from long hours in the nearby offices, not to mention a few people who just like parking their Ferraris in the valet section for all Las Olas to see. On Thursdays and Fridays, there's usually also a crowd of people starting a night on Las Olas here. The outdoor space is probably the best part: there's a bonfire when it's cold (well, cold for Florida), some shade, and good seating. And the drinks are pretty good, with a decent wine list and well-mixed cocktails. Food-wise, you can't go wrong with the sliders or the calamari (my personal favorite), both of which have very reasonable happy-hour pricing. The pasta carbonara is a solid meal, as are their fish sandwiches. And be sure to ask for their fries, which are addictive.
(4)
Marie O.
This place is seriously overpriced and their drinks have gotten smaller! They used to serve their drinks in larger glasses, but now they only serve them in smaller ones that are half the size. I think you're better off going to one of the dozens of other bars and lounges in the area.
(2)
Katherine M.
The atmosphere and name were what got us interested here. It's really nice and well kept - but seriously, I haven't really been to much in Florida that lacks in atmosphere. Service was good, but I did watch a couple spill a glass of wine and a waiter completely and utterly ignore it. They had to flag a different guy down to help. We started with some cocktails - they are strong here, they definitely don't hold back on the liquor inside. But, they were mostly just sugary concoctions with exotic sounding flavors that didn't deliver. They were OK drinks. Not something I would come back for. We were eating an early dinner before catching a flight so kept it light with the YOLO chips and the meatball sliders and mac and cheese.The YOLO chips were yummy and a good appetizer for sharing. You taste the truffle which is a nice touch. The meatball sliders on the other hand were lacking - they missed the 'meatball quality' in that the meat had nothing to hold it together and it crumbed as if it was just ground meat kind of formed into a ball. The mac and cheese lacked in any sharpness or cheese flavor - well cooked, but mostly a buttery, creamy flavor, like buttered noodles with a really, mild cheese almost. Not my thing personally. The consensus for their food is that it's good, but no where near as good as it sounds on the menu. Who ever did their menu copy is brilliant at making my mouth water, but their food doesn't live up to the amazing words that describe it. What did go above and beyond was the fresh berries dessert. Served with a key lime custard and warm pound cake, it was BEYOND amazing. We could have just came and had like 3-4 of those. We will be coming back here for dessert because that dessert alone is worth coming for again and again.
(3)
Lisa M.
Calamari was fantastic but the service was slow due to a few parties going on! Drinks were tasty too!
(4)
Larry J.
Great place to eat--Sunday brunch is the best. Be careful that the Mimosas do not sneak up on you. Order the Shrimp and Grits if you go on Sunday. The waiting staff is professional and accommodating. If your travels ever bring you to Ft. Lauderdale, then, visit Las Olas for a great time. Happy hour commences in the afternoon's-Mon to Fri-after 4:30 ish. I hope this short narrative helps.
(5)
Phuong M.
Happy hour, ladies night! ;) Best day to go here is Wednesday night right after work. Free drinks and buy one get one everything on the menu. One of the perks of being a lady. ^_^ The food is pretty average. Nothing stands out but nothing to complain about either. I've ordered food there on several occasions, but I don't remember anything about it. I'll have to rewrite this review when I actually eat here again and remember what the food taste like.
(3)
Mindy B.
Great brunch! Unlimited mimosas and on Sunday's there's a farmers market set up in the parking lot. Definitely try the artichoke appetizer...one of the only places that serves it in town.
(4)
NB K.
It's good to be young when visiting this restaurant. It's loud and lively, with an active bar scene, music, crowd. Good for people watching. And, the food is quite good. The service was tops. But a bunch of old fogies like us do not belong here. The air conditioning was too cold, although the manager and server tried to help. My mother and I shared our dishes. The kitchen kindly split the chopped salad (very large portion and VERY good), but were unable to do so for the braised beef and polenta. They unflinchingly provided us with sufficient plates to split our meal. The meat was tender and good -- except for a few outside edges, which were dried out and tougher than we were able to chew. The polenta served with it was delicious. The building is terrific -- the bar is inside/outside, and surrounded by fire pits. The ladies' room was tucked away, nearly impossible to find, as one young, inebriated lady found out. We did not leave hungry, by any means, but we did have headaches. So much for cranky old ladies. The youngsters among you will thoroughly enjoy this venue.
(3)
Emmett M.
I surprised my GF with a dinner here while on Vacation on Valentines Day. Everything was great. I ran a little bit late getting to the restaurant due to that dam drawbridge and annoying traffic on Las Olas Blvd. The girls at the front took care of us even though I was 20 minutes late. We had a couple drinks at the bar while waiting for the table to be ready. I had ordered one dozen roses that were delivered to the restaurant. I emailed the manager there beforehand to let them know. As we arrived to the table the staff had them waiting for us on the table and it was a really nice touch. Our waitress was real nice. We decided to pretty much order every appetizer they have and try a bit of everything. The meat ball sliders were amazing. The tuna tartare, fire roasted corn dip and szechuan calamari were great. After a couple more drinks we called it a night. It was a great Valentines Day Dinner and YOLO made it even better!
(5)
Sherry W.
Wednesday is ladies night which includes free wine, beer, and alcohol. Plus ladies get but one get one free appetizers. You must sit by fire pit or bar area. I had the meatball sliders which are topped with ricotta and arugula and served on a Bun for $4 each. The meat looked like turkey because it's white. It had good flavor. I also had the skillet cornbread topped with a honey glaze. It us a large serving for 4 people. It was warm and sweet! Service was ok considering it was free drinks. Easy to talk outside. Get there before 6:30 to get seats.
(4)
Jim K.
I went here with my wife, best friend and his wife a few months ago while staying at the Riverside hotel. The place was expensive and busy. That's about all I can say bad about this place. The location is great. I had a prime rib that was insane. It was huge and tasted incredible. Everyone else in the group had the same sentiment. That the portion was great and the flavor was magnificent. The service was good. Not the best I have experienced, but for a Saturday night they were doing quite well. We weren't in a rush, and were enjoying drinks. So the wait may have been somewhat long, but we didn't notice it. I think if you were to go during the week, you'd probably find that it's a bit more empty and quieter.
(4)
N. B.
I've been coming to YOLO for 5 years but since last December I've given up on this place. At first this place was fresh and new and the food was delicious. In Winter I would love it when they had the tomato basil soup. But my favorite was their vegetarian burger which was great. However over the years the service has seriously declined. They have always chosen to staff this place with very attractive young women (okay, because it looks like they are going after a specific clientele of only men. Fine) But it often seems like there is a new face every week and they don't often know what they are doing. Last time I went with a friend and even though we had a reservation we wanted to sit outside. We were informed its an additional 45 minute wait and we were okay with that. We told them we would wait at the bar. An hour and fifteen minutes later, no one had said a word to us so we finally went up to them. They told me they had tried to call my cell phone 30 minutes ago--but they NEVER asked for my cell phone and actually didn't have it on me---so who were they calling?!! However they gave the table away and now it was ANOTHER 45 MINUTES . At this point we had waited 1 and half hours so we were pretty PO'd. Especially since we are regulars and we know the usual routine. This was Bullshit and we knew it. They forgot about us and were pushing us aside hoping we didn't notice how badly they were covering their tracks. So we asked for a manager, who came pretty promptly. To his credit he apologized immediately and found an outside table asap. (So there was one available after all...) But to continue to add to the horror of an evening-- they had no more vegetarian entrees on their menu. Turns out they decided to take them all off. NOTHING. At this point my stomach was eating itself out of extreme hunger (it was now past 10 pm) I tried to work with them to get something to eat, as it was too late to go anywhere else on las olas (places were closing and we were waiting for dinner since 8 pm). They did have a vegetarian burger, they now only served it for lunch and would not be able to make it for me for dinner. It was a little upsetting considering what we had already been through. So the night was a complete and utter disaster. I really did like this place, even though they are many other equally great places on Las Olas. I do hope one day they get their service back up to their prior standards and put at least one vegetarian entree back on the menu.
(2)
Carlos L.
Great menu and flavors. We had a business meeting here so the menu was prearranged for us., with only 3 options. This place is happening, 'come here to be seen' kinda place. Feels very LA (lambo's, ferrari's, plastic surgery, Botox, D&G bags, suits, etc). It's pretentious but not MIA pretentious. The decor is great, nice ambiance. At this price point, patron attitude and parking headache there are many other places I'd consider going to, specially in Miami/Bal Harbor, with a much higher caliber of culinary skills. Would I come again? Oh yes Would I say, let's have a great expensive dinner at YOLO? Probably not
(4)
Leighton M.
We started off with the calamari..... It's was sooo good. Get the calamari!!!!! WOW. I had the prime rib... Well done. Best steak I've had in years. I might just go back tonight. We also had the snapper. The fish was good but the rice was a little under cooked. Service A++++
(4)
Bonnie F.
Went there on Mother's Day with a party of 14 with an 8:00 PM reservation. They ran out of bread, filet and Prime rib. They tried to serve 1/2 portion "Manhattan Steak" as a top cut steak. When we spoke to the manager about ordering 5 of these Manhattan steaks and they looked like 2 oz steaks. He was insulting. Food was definitely not worth it not was the service. No problem paying for good quality food. I would have been embarrassed to serve these portions. Ruined our Mother's Day dinner. Shame on you YOLO! Only put one star because you don't allow a ZERO rating!
(1)
David Z.
Gorgeous day out looking forward to a Cesar salad with shrimp. The dressing is very lemony which is very refreshing. The shrimp are blackened which gives s nice contrast with the salad.
(5)
Ira B.
Burgers: hall of fame caliber!! Amazing thin cut fries. Wine is yummy too! Leah, our server was great!
(5)
Annie B.
I am not one to complain, unless I am paying for a service and get less than I paid for. A friends of mines have been wanting to visit this establishment for quite some while and decided to celebrate her birthday here last night. We were seated in a timely matter given that fact that some of our part of 10+ was couple minutes late, however, while the food was exceptional, the service was less than expected, it took our server (Alice) over 30 minutes to bring us our drinks, mind you we asked for a glass of water each as we took time to check out the menu. After we endured the horrible service or having to wait a lengthily amount of time for our orders or request from Alice who looked OUT OF IT (she looked as though she can barely keep her eyes open), we decided that they did not deserve out business and we wanted to go elsewhere for drinks/dessert. At approximately 10pm we asked for our checks (separately) she emphasize with a very rude attitude the our checks were going to take a "VERY LONG TIME." At that moment the Birthday girl reached out for the manager Patrick who has been hanging around (female only) tables around us personally greeting and checking on them, he totally ignored her. When out checks came an hour later it was totally screwed up.. Not one of the check was correct according to our orders. When she finally corrected out checks we went to find Patrick who had completely vanished from our area once he walked out one of the tables. Luckily we encountered Lance, another manager, who was a complete sweetheart, to whom after explaining the situation voided the birthday girls check. I cannot say I will be returning to this establishment again, but Lance was more than apologetic and kind. My only suggestion is if you know you have so many reservations and you're expecting so many visitors, as a customer based establishment, hire enough staff to provide the service the clients are paying for. We were happy with Lance and happy with our food, but very disappointing with the service by Alice and Patrick.
(2)
Paula C.
Perfect food I ordered the Manhattan steak perfect portion. My boyfriend ordered short ribs they were yummy. We ordered the Devils hammer and it was a very good, well garnished drink. Unfortunately, rude customer service from host even my boyfriend noticed as if I was annoyance to her for asking for a table for two, didn't feel welcomed at all. Your host is an important part of your restaurant. Server was okay. Giving it a try again soon because we really liked the food.
(2)
Roberto B.
I was treated here to lunch by an Employer but still I got a good idea of the place from examining my surroundings (juxtaposed against earlier kudos I heard from my new Lauderdale work colleagues). For one thing, it is popular, we luckily had reservations or I don't think we would have been sat for at least 30 minutes. For another, one of my bosses ran into a bevy of his clients - so you know for the well-heeled this is a good place to rub shoulders. I opted for the veggie burger and swapped fries to a house coleslaw that included slivers of granny smith apples - it's hard to pick which was better; they were both pretty yummy. Other diners who ordered burgers seemed to have a decent pile of home made french fries heaped on their plate. Our waitress was attentive, smiley and quick on replacing ice teas and waters. In short, it reminded me a bit like Houstons, only a little snobbier but balanced out by the fact that my veggie burger (which was ample) was only $10.00. It's right across the street from where I work so I'll definitely go back.
(4)
Adam B.
Food was delicious we went here for brunch the bottomless mimosas is a deal for anyone! I had the eggs Benedict florentine which was to die for it was the most perfectly poached egg! My girlfriend had the cornflake crusted brioche French toast and it was so good but so filling! I would recommend going here for brunch.
(4)
Heather D.
We stopped in to enjoy a drink on the beautiful patio at the end of the night. What a mistake! Service was awful! The staff was rude and the bartender was condescending. I get it, I used to be a bartender. It was the end of the night, you're ready to close, and you're tired of dealing with drunk people. But WE weren't drunk and we certainly weren't rude.
(2)
Gosia C.
Very good food! My highest recommendations. We were 8 persons and everybody were satisfied! From salad to ribs, all food just great!
(4)
Rhonda B.
Yolo's food is always delicious. You can't beat the price either. Great happy hour and Sunday brunch specials!
(5)
Holly S.
Went 5.25.14 for brunch. I am a huge fan of brunch in general and Yolo offers a pretty good one I must say. The brunch menu includes your basic items such as omelets, pancakes and french toast as well as some lunch options. Today's special was quiche and that is what I ended up getting. Mind you, I weighed 4 lbs heavier when I got home however that might have something to do with the $15 unlimited Bloody Marys. The quiche has to be one of the best I have ever had. Made with bacon and Gruyere cheese (plus a delicious flaky crust). The bloody Marys you can make to your liking and includes horseradish if you like (I used the entire serving of it). The food and service were both great (thank you Seth!) however one small (minor) complaint. Outside it was about 90 degrees. They had the fire pit turned on which made it extremely uncomfortable in the outside bar area. We ended updating inside because thereat was just too much outside. I would definitely come back again for much here.
(4)
Krystle R.
I love Yolo! Cool name, good food, amazing honey butter cornbread, calamari, fries! My gripes about this place is that there is a certain time they offer the cornbread (after 3 pm I think). And NO BABY CHANGER area in the bathroom. Ugh! I have to place a pad on the sink and angle my baby diagonal to fit. Can us moms (and dads) get a baby changer please? Alyssa the hostess just got me a reservation and reserved a cornbread for me! Yolo anytime I can :)
(4)
Sandra O.
YOLO is a happening place full of people at the bar and restaurant. We were looking for a more low key place so we didn't really enjoy the atmosphere. However, I can see it is good for a younger crowd or those wanting to meet people or just be around a lively place. The food was good either way and the service was great.
(3)
Monika H.
This is a beautiful restaurant which is attached to a nice nightclub. Wednesdays are ladies nights, so come early or there will be no room at the bar. Dress to impress, but cute strappy sandals or heels will do for the restaurant. Service is good. However, the hostess did not greet me and I basically had to interject and ask for a table. I found this odd since there was no line. She was just conversing with co-workers. Once seated, my server was very nice. I had the strawberry kiss beverage. It was good. If you like drinks to not be too sweet, this is a great one. I also had the burger with kale instead of fries. Now this was delicious. The burger has an excellent flavor from the grill. The kale was also very delicious. I would highly recommend this dish. The half I took home was still phenomenal the following day. Because of the hostess, I almost rated my experience three stars. However, the remainder of the staff were nice and complimentary. Flattery will get you four stars when a girl is dining alone.
(4)
Shelby V.
Definitely in the pricey side but great atmosphere and service. No complaints about the food either. I would recommend the calamari
(5)
Lisa A.
Came here last night for a birthday dinner and I was impressed with everything. The atmosphere is very modern and comfortable. Service was excellent and last but not least, the food was delicious. We had a good sized group the, so I got to sample a lot of the dishes. Nothing was disappointing. We had the calamari and the truffle chips for appetizers. Both dishes were perfect. My mahi mahi fish sandwich, though a tad salty, was tasty. The side of mashed potatoes were super good! For dessert I ordered the pumpkin cheesecake. It was very fresh and satisfied my sweet tooth! We had a great time and I will definitely recommend Yolo!
(4)
Austin P.
Excellent atmosphere. The bottomless bloody Mary's are awesome because they bring you all the ingredients and you make your own at your table. The French Toast is worth the trip from ANYWHERE! A definite MUST if you visit there. Friendly staff, excellent service, good prices, and the quality of food will have me coming back when I'm in Ft. Lauderdale
(5)
Marc G.
All around very good place to eat. Here on valentine's. Had the yellow snapper. Very large fish, done to perfection. Waitress was kind and quick. Great date night and not too expensive at all.
(4)
Henry K.
Came for Saturday night dinner with friends from out of state who were heading out on a cruise the next day. We made a reservation online for 7:15 (Hey, we are not 30 somethings anymore. Nor 40 somethings for that matter). We arrived early and asked the hostess if we could have dinner outside. While we waited we had drinks on the terrace. Service was prompt and attentive, drinks were tasty, and the people watching was superb! We were seated at 7:40, a bit late for our reservation, but we did request that change to an outdoor table. Our server was a bit grumpy and not very professional. She must have forgotten our appetizer order, since we had to ask her about it after 15-20 minutes or so, and our mains arrived 3 minutes after the appetizer. She didn't even apologize! It was their "famous" truffle potato chips which we shared like a side dish. Not really impressed with them, will try something else next time. Dinner, however was really yummy. Around the table we had the crab cakes, short ribs, salmon and tuna. We all loved our dinners (except the tasteless au gratin potato side). After lots of, "you have to taste this" I can state that they were all wonderful. The location, on Las Olas Boulevard, was really hopping when we finished dinner. There was a private party in their lounge/night club next door, and I have never seen so many luxury cars on the valet line (only $7 by the way) Bentleys, Rolls' and Porches all over the place. All in all, it was a wonderful evening (enough to make us forget about grumpy server girl) with great food, at a trendy place filled with "the beautiful people". PS Even though our group's ages ranged from late 50's to mid 60's we never felt like, nor treated like, we did not belong.
(4)
Jason B.
We ate here on a Wednesday at 6pm. Was filled with downtown workers having drinks after work. Wasn't too crowded and not too loud to have a conversation. We were seated immediately as I'd made a reservation. Service was 5 stars-our server stayed on top of getting refills of our drinks perfectly. He was polite and courteous. couldn't have been better. The food wasn't that great. We started with fried calamari. When it came out, it was covered in several sauces that completely overwhelmed the taste of the calamari. we only at about half of it as it was far to greasy and saucy. I had the prime rib sandwich with shoestring fries. It was ok, but I would expect a better presentation for $19. My date had the spinach salad. it was huge but again was left half eaten due to an overwhelming drenching of salad dressing that covered the taste of the salad. I would not return for dinner at this place, maybe for drinks though. The good service doesn't make up for the unappetizing food.
(2)
Rachel S.
This review is for the Wednesday Ladies Nights that are happening lately. I have been to Yolo a number of times recently; for birthday parties and other events. I always enjoyed the outdoor ambience, music, lighting, firepit, but just felt it was a bit too "touristy" Tonight it felt more like it was for the locals. I joined a party for Laidies night. There were many options of complimentary drinks for ladies and "buy one, get one free" for appetizers and entrees. The white wine was an excellent even though it was on the house. Served in proper wine glasses and with excellent service. For appetizers we tried: TRUFFLED YOLO CHIPS / Homemade Potato Chips / Truffle / "Maytag" Blue Cheese / Herbs / Crumbled Bacon -meh- not great SZECHUAN CALAMARI / Garlic Chili Sauce / Chopped Peanuts / Sesame- a bit too sweet and saucy GRILLED ARTICHOKES / Lemon Aioli Dipping Sauce -Best artichokes I've ever eaten. They were grilled perfectly. The sauce complemented it superbly. I would order this every time from now on. SKILLET CORNBREAD / Served Warm / Honey-Butter Glaze- A much larger portion than we anticipated. Fresh, tasty, and so much that we shared it with the people sitting nearby TUNA SASHIMI / Cucumber / Seaweed Salad / Edamame / Wasabi Cream-Glad I listened to the waitress and ordered the larger dish. It was really good. Overall, we had good outside service considering how busy it was. The dishes were good; the artichokes were outstanding. The prices were great (of course) The complementary wine was very good. There were also well drinks and domestic beer available. Glad YOLO has found a way to make Wednesday nights on Las Olas fun.
(4)
Debi C.
Friendly, accommodating, our server was FANTASTIC and all the food was delicious! Came here by chance after being insulted and disrespected down the street at Mangos. What a blessing- the menu was better; atmosphere much nicer and the staff was friendly and professional . Great experience!
(5)
Alexia S.
Great place for brunch Bottomless mimosas The corn flake French toast is the best I've ever had in my lifetime and I highly recommend it !! I would have given 5 stars but the service was not too great. Just getting a cup of coffee took more then it should have Will return :)
(4)
Wivyan F.
The expensive bill we paid last night was not worthy. Place is still awesome but the food is not good anymore. No seasoning, no taste whatsoever. Service was great though.
(2)
Sierra S.
Upscale trendy bar and restaurant, food is okay nothing special. In close proximity to other bars and lounges so great location to hop from place to place. Went for a first date was very nice romantic ambiance.
(3)
Nathan N.
I went down town Wednesday and decided to give YOLO a try, and I was more then pleased. My server Cami gracefully explained the nightly specials of witch my friend and I shared the calamari (exceptional). As for our meals we chose from the menu, she the Crab cakes, and I and Exceptionally prepared Filet. The food was well executed but the attentive service is why I'll be back. Thank you Cami.
(5)
Jorge Q.
I have nothing but good things about the experience I had. We were celebrating our anniversary with my wife and that is the kind of pace we were looking for. Food was excellent and the services was great. Very nice people!!! We had a reservations so it took less than 10 seconds to be seated and the place was packed.
(5)
Gina P.
Don't let the douchey name fool you- this place has amazing food. I've only had drinks at Yolo and typically avoided it as its normally cougar town but decided to give it a try for dinner when we had company in town. We got a few apps mussels, yolo chips, and calamari. The calamari was the best we ever had. It was covered in Thai flavored sauce and super crispy. The mussels and yolo chips were great too. For my dinner I had the grilled octopus salad. Delicious flavors of grilled octopus, tomatoes, and goat cheese. excited to try their brunch next!
(4)
Andrew V.
I may not be a fan of the name I'm definitely a fan of the place. YOLO is a semi-upscale place. It's ok to wear jeans, however, it has something about that makes me want to look my best when I'm there. The indoor/outdoor bar was great. The drinks will knock you off your seat, that's how strong they are. The Strawberry kiss was my favorite. What I enjoyed most is that you can tell they used fresh ingredients to make it. It truly tasted like a strawberry, not a strawberry from concentrate. The outdoor seating area was great. It was cozy and intimate. It's the perfect atmosphere to sit and have a nice conversation with someone, but not be drowned out by the noise of traffic and pedestrians. I'm still thinking about my dinner at this moment. I ordered barbeque pork chop. Talk about a pork chop. I ordered it medium and it was cooked to perfection. The sauce was sweet, but not so sweet that it took over the taste of the meat. The collard greens were perfect and the corn brulee was out of this world. I would go back specifically for that side itself. The service was great. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly. For being busy, we received our food quickly and accurately. I loved it here. I can't wait to go back. It's the perfect place for a group gathering, a single night at the bar or a place to take a date for a romantic night.
(5)
Kunal C.
We had two variations of their signature Martinis at the bar while waiting for our table. The martinis were well balanced and did not take very long to bee brought out. To start we had the yolo chips. They were average, we wish we ordered the calamari instead. The Yolo veggie burger was very flavorful and seemed fresh. The shoe string fries complimented it well. Best dish we had here. I had the fish of the day (mahi mahi), it was good but wish I ordered the veggie burger. I would go back again! The overall experience was good.
(4)
Mac W.
I had almost given up finding decent food in Fort Lauderdale until I came to YOLO. Really quality food and taste great. Had the homemade chips, spinach salad and my friend ate the vegetable plate. And the service was awesome. Worth a trip back here sometime.
(4)
Mary Kate S.
What a great Sunday brunch. Sara the hostess was awesome and so was our server Chris!
(5)
Lindsey S.
"YOLO" - you only live once, and it should not be here... They say good company makes a meal, but good food helps too!! Luckily i was with a fabulous crew, otherwise it was not gonna be as pleasant. Our group was 10 people. We were not allowed to be seated til the whole party was there, once we sat we were told we MUST order immediately bc the kitchen was closing - WELL HELLO - why make us have a reservation so late?! and than not let us sit right away, and order at the least apps and drinks... A+ on the ambiance and table seating options - booths, big tables, small tables, outdoor seating with a cool bar area and fire pits. My drink came with a BUG in it...!! We were rushed to order so they could " shoot our selections out of the kitchen" Appetizers - we really should have just stopped after this, and the over all meal would have been satisfactory. *Grilled artichoke - can't really fuck that up, it was great *Calamari - INCREDIBLE, should have just had 8 orders of this, its made with chilli peppers, not the typical red sauce, fried but not too fried, no spidery pieces either (++) *Tuna Sashimi - this was a solid selection as well, yummy seaweed salad comes under the tuna pieces. They stamp the specials and soup of the day on the table, trendy move, I ordered the Black bean soup -- to find out there is chunks of chorizo floating in it... viLE!! they were out of ribs and the filet - two classic items!! SUPER BUMMED.... ordered the chopped salad - which they forgot my chicken on it!! weak.chicken was pulled breast, kinda nasty tasting once they finally brought it out. 2 people got spaghetti - one with shrimp, and one with chicken - nothing to special. 1 person got a burger and fries - fries were soggy, burger was better. i'd give it another try, but its not gonna be on my dollar. needed to use phones to see the menu, bc it was so dark *there is valet* YODO - you only dine once.
(2)
Lorin G.
Came here on a Sunday for lunch but unfortunately they were only serving dinner. I was promptly seated by the hostess who was very engaging and hospitable. We sat by choice at booth by the bar. Melissa was our server, I hate to say it, but she was horrible. I asked about food, she completely lacked knowledge of menu, it took over 8 min to get drinks and be greeted. Another server had to come over to ask if we wanted waters because we sat table empty for so long. Our hostess brought us waters. After the meal, while waiting to ask for our check, melissa was MIA, thankfully other people were working to assist us. Food was phenomenal and drinks were perfect (try the cucumber cooler, better from the second bartender, but still Delish). We come here often and def recommended it, but had to mention this experience because if Melissa was to wait on me, I would have to object.
(3)
Nick P.
Yolo never disappoints. We make it a point to stop on each visit to Fort Lauderdale. What keeps us coming back? The atmosphere, great service and the schezuan calamari!! No really, it's a must! We've tried many of the items off the menu and have been pleased every with all. Other favorites include: Spinach Salad and the Meatball sliders. They have a great drink menu and happy hour as well.
(5)
Dale H.
Went for brunch and had a great time in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Bottomless mimosa is a chilled bottle left at your table with a carafe of OJ on the side. Good food and pleasant staff. Celiac warning: this is not a gluten free friendly restaurant. Very few options and not much awareness.
(4)
David J.
Received a message from Michael Savitt the general manager. Called the number he left and never received a phone call back...... Don't think I'll be coming back here... That's just poor taste.
(1)
Katina R.
Food was ok for the prices being charged. But the service was crap. Had to call mgr to get syrup and ketchup....other things our waitress was no where to be found.
(3)
Fran S.
Great drinks and music. Fun place but watch out for the pick pockets. They're everywhere. I had my phone stolen out of my bag- that was on my arm!
(3)
Francys C.
I've been here twice. The ambiance is nice, but the food really isn't that good. I had the roasted chicken that was bland and another time I had a burger that was ok at best. No happy hour specials or drink specials. So yes, it's beautiful, and yes, it's cool to be at "yolo," but that's about it. Positive also is that valet is $5 and then you can come back later so you can go other places and not worry about your car.
(3)
Ashwini B.
Maybe I had lesser expectations because of the other Yelp reviews I read, but I was actually pleasantly surprised by YOLO! Only 4 stars because the service felt rushed and also the wine selection was not as great as it could have been for a $$$ restaurant. But the atmosphere was great. The truffle chips were really good, but didn't taste very truffl-ey. We got salmon and vegetable plate. The salmon was delicious and the vegetables tasted so fresh! Also recommend the mac and cheese.
(4)
Matthew C.
The food and atmosphere here are good. Definitely try the calamari and the meatball sliders. Although, the drinks and the service could have been a bit better. I had the cocktail with the fresh strawberries and I wasn't a fan. My advice would be to avoid the unfriendly cocktail waitress, Alaina, at all costs. I mean seriously, you're in sunny South Florida and you're waiting happy hour, look like there's some happiness in your life and smile every once in a while.
(3)
Matt B.
This place needs a makeover. It's become a boring spot and food is okay. Does Havel great calamari, but only thing I can really get excited about when I go there
(3)
Jai M.
Had prime rib, grilled artichoke, and meatball sliders. Very good. I enjoyed this meal and the ambience. Also right next door is Vibe, a sister company nightclub. Calls for a good night!
(4)
Andy C.
This is THE place to power lunch. I always enjoy the freshly grilled catch as it is a low carb and light lunch. The service is always fantastic. And it rocks at night for cocktails. Great place to be seen.
(5)
Choua V.
Excellent food minus the mash potato. Our waitress was well educated in the menu and drinks and super attentive without hovering over us.
(4)
Krisitna M.
Packed when i went on a friday night. Heard the food was expensive but decided to give it a try anyway. Honestly it wasnt that expensive. Adults with real jobs you should be able to afford it just fine. FOOD WAS good and so were the drinks. Saw some pretty wasted people early so my guess check them out for happy hour. Its a nice place to take a date. Didnt get to stay in the lounge side very long only long enough for a drink while we waited for our table. I will say the croud was a little older like 40's but im sure that is the place to go after work for a drink so no judgements here. BUT if you are single and want to meet a guy that has a REAL job and can buy you a drink, its a must go. Ill be there next friday :)
(3)
Lauren B.
Wow, showed up at 9:30 on a Friday night and WHAT A SCENE. Luxury cars and beautiful people as far as the eye could see. This is basically a chic restaurant with a large outdoor area (with fireplace as a centrepiece--they even do smores on Thursday nights!) and a lounge/nightclub next door. Don't think about doing valet unless you drive at least a bimmer ;) The exterior is lined with incredible vehicles if you're into that sort of thing. We approached the hostesses without a reservation, they asked us if we wanted dinner or appetizers/drinks. Since we weren't famished, we said the latter, at which point they said they wouldn't give us a table, even though they clearly had lots of free tables. They suggested we grab a high-top outside (all of which were already taken) or try sitting at the lounge/club next door. Bad first impression!! We would have ordered a fine bottle of vino and a bunch of apps, so WTF, let us sit at a table bitches!! Not cool. After having a cocktail (a yummy fresh strawberry concoction) outside of the club/lounge next door, which had shitty little tables lining the exterior, we decided to venture back to the resto and tell them we wanted a full dinner (we lied). We asked for a table outside, where the action was. Music was dancey out there and lots of rich people were milling around. Cool scene. Foodwise, nothing special at all...though to be fair, we only ordered appetizers: BLT wedge salad (tasty), meatball sliders (not bad; quite heavy); lobster corn dogs (meh! sounded better on paper); and crusted-tuna sashimi (pretty good actually). All told, if you like beautiful women, fancy duds and see-and-be-seen places, you'll like Yolo.
(3)
Jeff A.
The good was decent, the crab cakes were ok but the calamari was really good. The decor was pretty cool especially outside
(3)
Daniel M.
Visited on 3/6/14 Came with 2 other people. The "O-lounge" next to YOLO was a total ghost town but the bar inside/outside of YOLO was pretty busy. We sat at the bar inside and enjoyed 1 too many of their super strong "Bliss Martinis". The bartenders were very friendly and provided great service. They always made sure to fill up our waters and made very delicious Martinis! Great place to grab a few drinks, listen to some music and socialize on a thursday night! Will definitely come back :)
(4)
Pablo G.
Great food and menu selection, nice ambiance, and amazing service. Modern American cuisine similar to Houstons, but better service. The manager Rick personally greeted us at table to ensure everything was to our standards, and the service was outstanding...the filet steak / seafood was fresh and perfectly prepared. After dinner the next door lounge "O Lounge" and adjacent club "Vibe" were also good hangout spots. Definitely recommed Yolo and if you like American restaurant similar to Houstons then you must try Yolo.
(5)
Ethan M.
Despite the super-douchey name, the restaurant delivered the goods. My wife and I went early and there was a nice buzz of cocktail-hour beautiful people milling about as we ordered cocktails. I had the ribs, which were unbelievably good -- we split a roasted artichoke that was masterful. I will be totally stealing the recipe for that. If you can, stop by and watch the grill man at work for a little while -- he's an artist.
(3)
Lauren D.
Tried YOLO last week when I was in Ft Lauderdale with 2 colleagues - I'd like to give it 3.5 stars. The atmosphere was really nice, I especially enjoyed the modern feel and the outdoor area with the fire pit. We had dinner quite early, around 6:30 - and I'm glad we did, because the later it got, the less I liked the crowd. It felt very "wannabe". Our waitress was very nice, attentive and helpful. We started with cocktails - one of my colleagues tried the strawberry drink with balsamic vinegar and pepper - it was innovative, unique, and surprisingly good! For dinner, I ordered the artichoke and the mussels. I really enjoyed the artichoke - the citrus dipping sauce was really nice. But I hated the mussels - I didn't think the chorizo in the dish added anything, and the mussels were very fishy. One of my colleagues ordered the tuna sashimi, which was good, and the other had the short ribs, which were excellent. The pumpkin faro was especially tasty. Despite the mussels, I enjoyed the food and experience overall, and would definitely give YOLO another try next time I'm in the area.
(4)
Brandon S.
Great drinks! Have to go back for food. Diana was our bartender. Really knew her craft!
(5)
Gabrielle H.
Great vibe, service and amazing food. Had the calamari which they have a new twist on, it was delicious. Then had the old fashion burger, its picture perfect and even better tasting. I will definitely be back and soon!
(5)
Dominique H.
I came here a few nights ago for my birthday. I and 3 others arrived around 10 oc. We waited for about 5 mind before we were seated. It was a little busy but the service was great. Our food arrived fast. I would recommend this place to anymore.
(5)
Paul M.
Love love love this place. We weren't even gonna go for lunch today but so many friends raved, so we said 'just for a quick lunch'. Boy, are we glad! Absolutely gorgeous design. We were thinking we would get one of the many ridiculously hot male waiters - is that a prerequisite?- but we got beautiful and sunny Carly, and who noticed the waiters after that? I felt personally attended throughout the visit. She offered suggestions on everything from the amazing cocktail menu to the appetizers, specials, sandwiches, dessert... and she never once steered us wrong. Our friends said the burgers were the best but we just had to try the prime rib sandwich sandwich and special of the day grouper sandwich on brioche. We both coveted the other's meal. My dragonberry mojito was the smoothest and my partner had a strawberry vodka concoction that was hot hot hot. Only downside was a LITTLE pricey... but still worth it. We are going back...
(4)
Sean D.
Came for unlimited mimosas. Had the omelet of the day, which was absolutely fantastic. The berry cheesecake was exceptional as well. The food was fantastic, and the service was just as good. Phenomenal! Will be back.
(5)
Nelson A.
Great Place for Dinner we were not disappointed with anything. I would recommend it to anyone. Very good service
(5)
Marqus R.
YOLO (You Only Live Once), at first blush, sort of put me off as it tends to be somewhat pretentious, snobby and a rather arrogant place with not all that much to be arrogant about, particularly with regards to their dinner food. In fact I find a much better meal at a much more reasonable price across the street at Timpano and what was the Samba Room prior to its untimely closing. The meats are all fine prime cuts, but they don't compare to the area steak houses likes of Mortons, Capital Grill, Ruth Chris or some of the others that specialize in steaks. As for their fish dishes, I've had a few, but none that struck me as worthy of the price or what would constitute anything special or unique. What they do excel at are some rather nice appetizers, particularly their calamari which comes with a delicious Thai peanut sauce and a beautiful outdoor setting around a nice blazing outdoor gas fire when those horrid winter temperatures of Florida sneak down into the 60's. They also have good patio side service but, at least to me, everything tends to be somewhat on the pricey side for what you get. However, judging from the Maseratis, Ferraris and Bentleys in the valet parking section, the average patron can well afford the prices. YOLO is basically the watering hole for the younger set of the downtown Lauderdale up and coming business elite and everyone appears to be dressed, even if in casual attire, expensively so. However, I've found other patrons to be perfectly nice, pleasant, as well as engaging conversationalists. For food other than something to nibble on while having a drink, YOLO to me falls short. But for relaxing with your drink near an open pit gas fire on a patio and doing some people watching of young upper crus, it's difficult to beat.
(4)
Rock S.
Forced to go here as we got a gift card as a present. Crappy parking area, so most likely you will need to valet for $5. We went for early dinner, around 430, so not busy at all, which is nice. Ordered the corn bread and it was HUGE for only $6. We also ordered the calamari. Both were really good. We were interested in the octopus salad, and i must say, the octopus was cooked perfectly, not chewy or too tough. Our maun courses were the prime rib and bone in rib eye...YUM! We ended with the ice cream sandwich for dessert and loved it as well. Our service was great, but again, it was not busy at all. If we ever come back to town, we will come back. As a side note, they have cameras on different parts of the kitchen (grill, prep station, etc) and you can watch on the screen everything thats being prepared and cooked. Never saw that before...really nice idea and fun to watch. Only reason I gave 4 was due to parking. Food was awesome.
(4)
Michelle S.
Solid place for food and drinks. I had only one complaint, the buttering of their bread is a little excessive, and literally did not sit well in my stomach after...however, my veggie burger was perhaps one of the top 3 tastiest I've had with a unique nutty flavor to it and deliciously toasted bread. The skinny fries were perfect. Service was solid and the dessert, an ice-cream cookie sandwich had a unique twist. With nuts that perfectly coated the chocolate outer layer of an espresso hinted vanilla ice-cream and a side shot of milky cinnamon warm goodness that melted it perfectly til the last bite, I couldn't resist wanting to lick my plate once it was gone! The hubs got a burger as well and said it was delish.
(4)
Elizabeth P.
My favorite lunch dish is the Seared Rare Tuna Salad. It is prepared with heaping mound of Asian noodles, a few small pieces of mango (it could use a little bit more), some avocado, and sprinkled with peanuts and a fabulous dressing. Delish!
(4)
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Address :333 E Las Olas Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33301
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Wed, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Chris G.
Wow - quite the social scene at YOLO! Went for this first time this weekend. Clearly a popular spot for seeing and being seen. The patio dining area is a great atmosphere, albeit a little chilly on a winter night (Yolo: invest in more outdoor heaters - two doesn't cut it for a space that big.) And the hostess didn't seem concerned that she kept trying to seat us in chairs and cushions that were still soaking wet from an earlier rain. Dinner was simple, by request. I had a spinach salad with chicken, which was fresh, well presented, and a great price ($14). Wait staff was pleasant. Will definitely return in warmer temps.
(3)Ashley K.
Outside waitress w/ dark hair Saturday night took advantage of my husband having had too much too drink....gave her a $100 bill for 2 drinks and she never brought change...he forgot about it til the next day. I guess maybe it's his fault, and anyone would have taken advantage of the situation, but I would like to think there are good people out there who still earn their money fairly and don't take advantage of others in a moment of clouded judgment.
(2)Nikki S.
We had lunch here today and this rating deserves all 5 stars, if not more. We tried the szechuan calamari (YUMMY), chicken noodle soup (Meh....) and the oak grilled salmon (DELICIOUS). The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful and so are the employees!! We opted to sit outside and were greeted by a wonderful server who was pretty much on point with everything. I definitely give this place 2 thumbs up! If you're walking around Las Olas and can't decide on where to eat - this is the place. Can't wait to go back at night when it's all lit up outside!
(5)Allie C.
I went here on my birthday... Our waitress was wonderful and kept checking on us. I ordered the jumbo lump crab cakes with green apple slaw and substituted the thin cut French fries for au gratin potatoes. Best crab cakes I've ever had hands down!!! The way the restaurant is lighted and decorated is beautiful as well. My new favorite :)
(5)Ben C.
What a great place! Starting with the very reasonable, and friendly valet, to the martini tower sampler. The service was prompt and friendly, and the food.... Outstanding! The short ribs, and flank steak were amazing, and the banana coconut pie, just as good as it sounds!
(4)Kate S.
This place great for lunch, dinner or just for drinks. I've been here with colleagues for business and with friends for a bachelorette party. It seems you can't go wrong. YOLO has great calamari- I think I've ordered it every time I've gone. Great drink list. The mashed potatoes are also a must-try. Definitely hit up YOLO if you're in the area.
(5)Andie D.
The atmosphere at this place is flawless. I bet you it makes the food taste way better. I've had really good overall experiences here. Try the calamari appetizer. Very rich in taste, crispy and decadent.
(4)Jphn M.
A bit underwhelmed. Ambience was good. Very trendy. Service was good. Food was just a B. $30 for two ok crabcakes and a boatload of shoestring fries. Don't think I would rush back.
(3)Natalie C.
Being that I love food, and that I hate to be harsh, I really feel bad when I have a less-than-stellar meal at a really cool place. But I have to say that my entree, not the amazing desserts, was not as fantastic as I had hoped. The fish I ordered wasn't very flavorful and it wasn't cooked appropriately. My boss ordered the same dish and he had the same comments as well. The saving grace, for me, was the super delicious dessert tray that was brought to our table. The bread pudding (which I'm a newbie to) was out of this world tasty. As was the banana coconut pie. I can say that others in my group raved about the Tuna Hot Pot and the Pork Chop. So if either of those fit your fancy, don't hesitate to try them. As for locale and appeal, Yolo is top notch. Because as they say, "you only live once," right?
(3)Danielle B.
The bf and I came for drinks and dessert during Yelp Checks In week and so this review is for that only. We seated ourselves in the outdoor patio. It was not too busy because it was a Tuesday night and past dinner time. Yelp Checks In offered 1 free dessert per check in so I ordered the bread pudding and the bf ordered Banana Coconut Cream Pie. I was excited about both. Bread pudding because, well, I just love bread pudding, and the combo of banana and coconut in pie sounds so fresh and mouth-watering. The bread pudding was not the best I've ever had, but was decent. I think the pecans made it too stiff rather than being creamy and moist for my taste. The pie was really good. Great ratio of pie to crust and great flavors. We also ordered off their specialty drink menu. Our waiter suggested the strawberry caipirinha which has malibu, strawberries, lime juice and a rim of sugar which he described similar to a strawberry daiquiri and our second drink I can't remember the name of but was basically a blackberry mojito. Both drinks were so yummy. Slightly girly, not too strong, and perfect to just sip on and enjoy the scenery. I liked the atmosphere, the drinks, and the dessert. It is definitely on the pricey side. Drinks ran $12 apiece and desserts were $8. I would come back on happy hour.
(4)Elizabeth R.
YOLO = You Order Lunch (too) Often. Yeah, I eat out and order lunch entirely too much and my bank account struggles because of this laziness that I can't seem to shake. YOLO has been there for me through this laziness and they do not seem to mind taking my money week after week. They are extremely close to my office and never disappoint. For a restaurant of this caliber on Las Olas, the prices are fairly reasonable for the portions you get. I've been known to order the angel hair pasta dish often, a simple tomato sauce with lots of olive oil and a mountain of vermicelli at $12 bucks (without chicken or shrimp). Sprinkle some parm cheese on this stuff and you have yourself a bomb diggity meal (I can't guarantee how productive you'd be after inhaling so much pasta - consider yourself warned). Another favorite here is the veggie burger. Made with crimini mushrooms, beets, barley (and other good-for-you stuff I can't recall at the moment) its a winner at $10 and even includes fries or any one of the yummy sides. I usually swap the crispy and delicious shoe string fries (for caloric intake reasons) for the herb mashed potatoes or the spaghetti squash with marinara sauce. Another winning dish for me is the mojo pork sandwich with yucca fries and garlicky sauce (oh great, now my mouth is watering). The only dessert I've tried is the ice cream sandwich that is served with a warm condensed milk sauce. It's a very unique and tasty spin on a classic convenience store dessert. The service at YOLO is amazing and I've only had one or two experiences when they were very busy when I got a little annoyed at some slow behavior I witnessed. Not the end of the world. When my boss annoys me during the long work week, I can be found here drowning my sorrows at the very popular happy hour. The outdoor seating is awesome (complete with fire pit and tiki torches during the colder months) and I always look forward to making s'mores (yes, s'mores) on Thursday nights in the wintertime. Even if YOLO wasn't close to my office, I'd probably go out of my way to come here. Hopefully YOLO continues to do well and will be around to save my lazy self from starvation for years to come.
(4)Hope P.
Set behind bamboo Landscaping, at the beginning of the Las Olas Strip surrounded by tall buildings lies YOLO (You Only Live Once). Ive been to Yolo for Dinner a few times but never Brunch. I came here on Mother's Day and made reservations a few weeks beforehand the anticipation killed me. It was really nice to see this place in the Daytime and the decor was fun to look at too, they did a great job at putting all the elements together quite nicely! The servers were friendly and worked efficiently on a day that I thought would be overwhelming, they did a great job. My Mother ordered a bloody Mary from the Bar and was happy they asked her how she preferred hers, and they gave her the right amount of spicy and jumbo grilled Shrimp (she had to ask ) for was an amazing touch! I was with a party of 10 and most of us ordered off of the Lunch Menu. The table water was simply Gross and so Fiji's were ordered, I hate that , real bummer. We were waiting for the order to come in so my Man ordered 2 Szechuan Calamari's for the table it has Garlic Chili Sauce , Chopped Peanuts , Sesame it was really delicious I thought it was the highlight of my meal. Shortly after our orders came out, we were still eating our Calamari. I ordered the Salmon ... it came on a bed of Arugula, I guess I wasn't paying too much attention or I was soo hungry I couldn't read properly but it was a salad, and I thought it was a platter, it was listed under Specials so I guess I was confused? My Mama ordered the Prime Rib and was disappointed. There was no flavor, not even in the Au Jus that she tried to get some flavor from. The Potatoes Au Gratin were good, not the best but how can you mess up Au Gratin (Cheese)? My Man got the Steak and eggs. It was Fillet Mignon and a couple eggs over easy. The steak didn't have that much flavor but it was very tender the way a fillet should be. It also came with Potatoes Au Gratin. It was a pleasant Mother's Day. No one at the table seemed to be thrilled with their meal, yet no one complained. The Decor is what you'd expect from Las Olas. I will probably be back for dinner again( Great Tuna Sashimi,and Meatballs), as for Brunch, I'm sure there are better spots.
(4)Lisa N.
I love Yolo for lunch or happy hour appetizers and drinks. The lunch menu has great salad, veggie and sandwich options. The Greek salad is close to authentic with large chunks of feta, cucumber and tomato. The calamari appetizer is great too with a spicy Asian flare!
(4)Ani S.
We can walk to Las Olas from our home, so we know Las Olas quite well. YOLO is best for the scene and a lively outdoor seating area- but that's it. The food is below par, quite possibly the worst on Las Olas. The drinks can be good, but watch out- we have been sick many times after drinking here. But for a hangout and variety- YOLO is great! Popular as a happy hour meet and for the more established crowds. *We live off Las Olas so know the area VERY well!
(3)James O.
Well, I just don't know if a meal could get any better. Our server was really great and that makes any meal better. He suggested a Merryvale Cab that for 57.00 was fabulous!! I had the Octopus salad, amazing, I love octopus and would eat it everyday if I could. Was nervous about the Feta mixed in with the Octopus but it went well with the overall salad. the salad part was crisp and the octopus was soft but with a little crunch on the outside all mixed with a terrific lemon vinaigrette dressing. We also had grilled artichokes which were as good as the ones at Houstons. Then we ordered the Filet Mignon which was as good as we had at any of the steak houses in Miami. I had the short ribs with faro, licked the plate clean! Forgot what my friend had but he loved it. I think I can't remember what he had cause he ate it so fast!! We all had a great time, great dishes, good wine and this place has a good vibe going. Fun to be at. Maybe it was just our server who was so good and the wine was so good but I think Yolo is the best on Las Olas.
(5)Clarisse B.
My boyfriend and I went to Yolo on a Saturday night during a trip to Ft. Lauderdale to celebrate our anniversary. We go to Ft. Lauderdale all the time, and had kind of gotten stuck in a restaurant rut going to all of those awful restaurants on the beach. This year, we wanted to venture out and actually try some good quality restaurants (I'll be posting reviews for Coconuts and Steak 954 too). Yolo really did not disappoint. Oh it was soooooo goood. Going to Yolo, is like going to a place that instantly makes you feel like you're in the know. It's super trendy. Walking up to the restaurant, the first thing you see is bright red cushioned lounges/seating surrounding a fire pit. Unfortunately we didn't get to sit there, I think it's first come first serve? And we had reservations. Instead, we were seated at a table on the side patio. It was gorgeous none the less, and had some pretty greens and tiki torches lining the backs of the benches. The tables were kind of close to each other, but it wasn't a big deal as we weren't really going for romance here.... We ordered a couple glasses of wine, and started off with the meatball sliders appetizer. It was pretty good, but I though could use some more seasoning and spice. Maybe that's because I ate it without the bread though and some of the sauce on it stuck to the bread? For our entrees, my boyfriend had the trout and potato gratin. He really liked the trout, and I tried the potato gratin and thought it was also kind of bland. I ordered the Rotisserie Chicken. IT WAS AMAZING! Being in vacation in Florida, I was trying not to eat anything to heavy (didn't want to pay for it on the beach the next day), so I subbed the Herb Mash that comes with it, for the broccoline side. Everything was just so good. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and lemony. I can't wait to come back to this place on our next visit to Ft. Lauderdale! For dessert, we ordered the fresh berries key lime custard. It was pretty good, but I'm sure there are better desserts on the menu (remember, we were aiming for light!). Over all, I highly recommend this restaurant. I loved the vibe of the place, and thought my entree was to die for. My only real complaint other than the potato gratin being bland (which was easily fixed with some salt and pepper), was that I felt like our waitress was kind of ignoring us. She was friendly enough while she was actually at our table, but we found ourselves having to go out of our way to try and get her attention as she was leaving us for wayyy long periods at a time. I won't let that keep me from going back to this place though!
(4)Brenda P.
I dined here for a friend's birthday. I had the calamari which was okay. I felt like I was eating more of fried flour then calamari. Also the dressing on the calamari tasted like ketchup and hot sauce. O_o I ordered the chicken sandwich with argula and red peppers. DISGUSTING!!! Eeewww! STAY AWAY. We had a Christmas Party at the office so I was stuffed when I arrived. I decided to order something small. Man did I make the wrong decision. The girl next to me had a steak which was pretty good. Also the cornbread was pretty good too. The atmosphere was also very nice. So although my food sucked and I think that they should totally eliminate it from the menu - my overall experience was good. They also have a nice bar outside. I would revisit and try something different.
(2)Lesley E.
Visited Yolo based on my fellow Yelpers' reviews. We, my aunt and I, came on a Saturday night before the dinner rush. The place is beautiful inside and out. Very posh, modern, yet romantic. Our waiter was awesome, and explained everything, answering all our questions, without rushing us. She ordered the crab cakes with brussel sprouts and beets. The sprouts were nearly burnt, so our waiter expeditiously brought out another side of her choosing. The cakes were pretty awesome--this coming from a Marylander. I ordered the grouper. I felt the 'soup' it sat on could have had a bit more oomph, but it was still satisfying. We also shared the calamari. We tasted breading for the most part, since the squid was cut into itty bitty pieces. It was very sweet as well. So, is Yolo worth the slightly higher prices?? I'd say yes. Our service was great, the decor was exceptional, and our seafood was fresh and cooked perfectly. Tip--$5 parking garage around the corner is the way to go! Discover cards not accepted.
(3)Brian R.
Not the biggest of menus but it concentrates on stuff that it does extremely well. A fun place to have a drink. Not single, but the bar was hopping with businesspeople and locals, not tourists, so probably good in that department too. High on plastics and gimmicks. A girl in pumps opens the car door for the passenger at the valet. They stamp your table paper with the specials of the day when they seat you. There's a place for the conspicuous consumer cars to park in the front. Not my thing, but if you roll that way, hey. Great atmosphere and great food. Can't ask for much more.
(5)Bruce J.
YOLO is very convenient for the downtown work crowd, Wednesday night is ladies night and rocks the house till closing from happy hour. Around 10 or so expect a very huge crowd! Best service staff around, as busy as it is, those bartenders serve up drinks in record time. Food is excellent too, but one of the best watering holes around.
(4)Kara C.
You only live once....words I live by so why not enjoy some din with new and old friends while visiting the area. The restaurant was quite nice modern decor. Our server Bryan was extremely personable and come to find out his family was from New England. He was excited to hear that I was visiting to cheer my Patriots on for MNF. The appetizers were off the hook good. They have this jalapeño sweet corn bread that's prepared in skillet that isn't on the menu this is a must have....we also had calamari which wasn't your typical at all it was in schezuan sauce had a sweet and spicy bite. Lastly a delicious queso dip. I loved all 3! For dinner I decided on a fish sandwich which was cooked to perfection you can get it grilled or blackened. The guys all decided on the prime rib sandwich which my delicious caramelized onions. And the mediterranean salad was one of the best by far! Give Yolo a try cuz really you only live once!
(4)Matthew C.
Yolo was recommended by friends and my wife and I dined there with another couple before a show at Broward Center last Sat. We were a bit pressed for time, but the service was excellent and we were not rushed at all. My wife and I split a chopped salad and I had the BBQ'd ribs. The salad was a perfect starter and plenty for two. The ribs were tender and practically falling off the bone. I also enjoyed a manhattan off the specialty drink menu which was expertly made. All in all, a splendid meal.
(5)Michael S.
This is a great place to take a date. The atmosphere is very hip and energetic. The food is good and service is attentive. The only I can really complain about is the 12$ drinks. I feel they were a bit pricey for the size. Another thing I found strange was that we had to ask for house bread ( then he brought out 2 tiny pieces) I would recommend the calamari and the burger. We also had the YOLO chips, I found them to be too greasy and very salty. But overall, this is a fun place with good food.
(3)Gabrielle R.
We had the most amazing experience with, Jess F, Earl and Allan and Alli. Their customer service was top of the line. They made us feel like family. When I come to fort lauderdale I'm not interested in going any where else but Yolo!!
(5)Jessica H.
This review is based on a Thursday night, sitting outdoors and only ordering drinks. And I gave it 4 stars, which applies if you are a shiny person, or a cougar..perhaps. The drinks were good, the waitress even knew what spirits were in and out of stock which impressed us. It was nice to sit by the fire on funky little stools and look through the bamboo at the boob buffet and all it's magic! And it's a central location. Needless to say, we downgraded soon after and went to Argie Grill and Tarpon Bend! Way more my speed!
(4)Pat C.
Grilled cheese for lunch to die for!
(4)Rachel D.
My flight in to Fort Lauderdale was delayed so we were starving upon 10pm arrival. We stopped at Yolo on the way to our hotel, just as the kitchen was closing. The waiter must have seen the desperation in my eyes and offered us no-cook chopped salads. Maybe the most exciting salad I've ever had with grilled corn, tomatoes, and tons of fresh veggies. The space has a cool atmosphere. I loved being able to sit outside by the fire pits in December. Even though they were gearing up for the bar crowd, I appreciate their ability to accommodate me. I'll be back next time I'm in Florida!
(3)Cal F.
What a great place, made up for our other bad experiences in the area. Good prices for the excellent experience you'll receive. The food is top notch, wonderful creations, settled well. Service is good, not great, too many newbies, but good. If I lived in the area I would go here as much as I could.
(5)William W.
So on our 12-man golf trip to Ft. Lauderdale, our daddy, i.e. the dude who organized the entire trip, took the group to this restaurant. Immediately fell in love with the name - You Only Live Once. Pretty damn solid. Got myself the prime rib dish, which was perfectly cooked. Had a girly Passiontini to kick off the dinner and ended up with a little Gibson's to cap off the session. Our table was right next to the lounge area, so we could people-watch all the yuppies there for the social scene. Great atmosphere overall and would definitely recommend it for anyone visiting the FTL.
(4)Tenagne H.
This is definitely a place to be seen, and for a bit of eye candy. The service is still very pleasant, and the atmosphere lacks nothing. had the lamb meatballs, sliders, calamari, salmon, steak, and a ton of other stuff. Each dish was delish in it's own right, each with something special to offer. As if the beautiful people weren't enough to draw a crowd, the food had to go and be amazing as well. Next time I'm in town, you will definitely catch me here.
(4)Sasha G.
Went for Brunch on a Sunday and the food was delicious. The service was also very good and no wait time.
(5)Rhena S.
This place is just ok to me. I don't see what all the hype is to be honest. The customer service is good and the is ok. I got the filet mignon, Mac and cheese, and green beans. Everything was just ok for me. Nice place and they also have a lounge.
(3)Eduardo H.
Excellent overall experience. The service is slow but very attentive. Very different atmosphere at lunch (more business-like) and at night (when it feels like a pick-up lounge).
(4)Jeff F.
Very pretty restaurant. They did a wonderful job with LMA (lights, music, atmosphere), which as a former 11 year general manager, I am always on the lookout for. Starters were delicious. We have the tuna sashimi and skillet corn bread. Both were wonderful. Our mains were good too - I had the prime rib, which was both properly cooked and seasoned. There are some problems that need fixing before this place earns a reputation for excellence: First, the sides were all poorly executed. I had potatoes au gratin. The potatoes were undercooked, making the square of au gratin chewy and almost crunchy. The wife substituted in Mac and cheese. Again, the noodles were undercooked. It's clear the chefs aren't tasting the food enough and don't seem to be detail oriented. If I'm going to happily fork over top dollar, I expect the easy stuff to be just as good as the hard stuff. This meal, for us, was an example of the conflict that customers deal with - the appetizers are wonderful, the main dishes are excellent, the place is lovely, the music is at a perfect volume, but the side dishes simply aren't good. I'm fairly sure I figured out how something like this is happening. I watched chefs checking their cell phones dozens of times during our dinner (Valentines day). As a former GM of restaurants, that is simply unacceptable. Perhaps that's why the sides were undercooked- the chefs weren't engaged with the task at hand. Back in the day, I used to require my entire staff remains engaged. Playing with your cell phone every two minutes is not evidence of being engaged. It shows that you simply aren't in the moment, paying attention to the little stuff. Which is precisely how side dishes can come out improperly prepared while the main dishes are perfect. For dessert, we enjoyed the pumpkin cheese cake very much. It was dense enough to be cheesecake, but light and fluffy and full of pumpkin flavor. I should mention that the managers and staff were all very much engaged and actively walking around, ensuring people were happy. Unfortunately, our waitress didn't check back to see if everything was okay, so the whole sides not being acceptable went unnoticed. I can't be too upset with a busy waitress, especially considering the situation: a) it was Valentines day and b) a storm rolling in caused chaos because all of the people who were outside, enjoying the outdoor bar, had to be sat. Naturally, this causes servers to scramble a bit. Here's a tip for managers, servers, bartenders, and chefs - if you see dinner plates where the main dish is gone but the sides are practically untouched, it means either the mains were amazing and filling or the sides were poor. Always ask. Always check to see if the diners were just filled up or if there was a problem. I wouldn't have wanted or asked for a discount, but it can only help the restaurant to have things like this brought to someone's attention. Attention to detail is what makes restaurants great. I hope the ownership and management put in a little more effort because this place is just this side of awesome. Four stars for a beautiful restaurant, excellent appetizers and desserts. One star off for poorly prepared mains, distracted head chefs/expediters, and a failure to do a check back to ensure the food is to the customers liking.
(4)Cheryl L.
When visiting in Ft. Lauderdale, Las Olas is always a must! We went on a Wednesday night for happy hour and arrived at YOLO a little after 7. It was already packed and kickin'. We requested a table and were told that it would be 30 minutes, so the wait was on! It's a happening place for down town. A wide variety of people, young and old! More guys than girls! If you have "the" car, valet park it out front as you will see the display of them! Drinks and apps are good. Entrees are okay, not great! We had the calamari app, tuna app, and prime rib. I think this restaurant is more for the atmosphere & happy hour rather than a sit down meal. Loved the vibe but food could be better. If you want to be seen and be with the hip crowd in Ft. Lauderdale, this place is it. For a great meal, choose elsewhere. There are way too many places in Las Olas for an impressive meal!
(3)Kendall B.
I've held many business meetings here for lunch and dinner. Nice quiet setting. I've also had dinner and wine with my girlfriends here. Nice ambiance outdoor setting.
(4)Surf W.
Pretentious and bad food. The fish tacos had a strong fishy smell. One small taco hidden in a mountain of shredded lettuce. Great service. Expensive for what you get. Place to see and be seen but dont go for the food. Go for the scenery but not for the food.
(1)C J.
Second time here, BBQ Ribs tonight with green apple slaw. As usual good food, good service - one of So Fl most consistent.
(4)K G.
Best watering hole on Las Olas. The skillet cornbread is my kryptonite. Can't get enough. I'm addicted.
(4)Alina Flavez D.
The Doorman Was An ASSHOLE, it all starts at the door fellas, dont be rude, we pay your wages.....She told me SOLO and I thought she said YOLO. In celebration of my latest girlfriend's status change we decided to check out YOLO. Come on ladies, time to strap on those stilletos, we're headin' out! I called upon a few other of my girlfriends for support and we all met up on a Friday night about 8 o'clock-ish. The crowd was diverse, ranging from a few tourist looking types, the leftover downtowner crowd and slowly the night owls arrived. The age range, well, let's just say that it "spanned many generations"! Let me condense this down like concentrated detergent that needs and extra cup of water. The place is more like an upscale Boarshead Brand meat market for the flashy Browardites of Broward county. Where's the camera crews? Given, the place has a lot going for it. It has their "O Lounge" on the west side of the restaurant with the dj pumping out loud music and a bar where you can actually get served when you walk right up to it. The other outdoor bar was packed 2 deep and had a nice outdoor patio area. We were lucky enough to nab a huge round table outdoors for 5 right in between the restaurant and the O Lounge area, perfect for people watching. Our waitress did her best, despite the amount of people everywhere, she took care of our table quite well. I thought the drinks were a bit overpriced for what you receive, but then again...look where I landed. Overall, we had a great time. Our eyeballs wandered and the laughter was non-stop. I'd probably check it out again, but , Oye, can we go on a Ladie's Night??
(4)Chuck W.
What a great find. Start with the ambiance inherent in the trendy Las Olas area of Fort Lauderdale. Beautiful outside bar set- up and dining area, though we ended up sitting inside. Got a knowledgeable, attentive waiter. Place can be a little loud, but OK to still hold a conversation. Inside decorated with bright, contemporary look. Very upbeat. As for the dining, crab cakes were super -- no filler, Panko crust. Excellent. Double pork chop was huge -- it comes cooked medium rare, and I always think you have to be careful with that when you order pork. Dinners are unnecessarily large. Two in our group had special butternut squash soup -- delicious. House salad was ordinary. Deserts were exceptional, especially the chocolate ones. Again, larger than they needed to be. Overall, an excellent dining experience. Prices a little high, but we knew that going in.
(4)Grant C.
Wow. Every South Florida stereotype you may have imagined, you can find it here. This is apparently THE place to be on Wednesday night in Ft. Lauderdale. We arrived for a business dinner only to find spotlights, valet parking, not one but TWO Lamborghinis and a Ferrari parked out front (each surrounded with its own little barrier of velvet ropes). And this was just outside! Inside, you couldn't throw a stick without hitting a guy in jeans and an untucked, "going out tonight!" shirt. Throw another stick and you'd be sure to hit a tanned, silicone-infused bleach blonde with heels longer than her skirt. And lots of fist-pumping, boom-boom disco music! Beyond the club-like atmosphere, there's actually a pretty decent restaurant tucked in here. The valets out front could focus on the job a little more but there service was otherwise okay. You may have to scream your order at the top of your lungs, mind you, but when it comes the food is respectable. I'd go back, but maybe not on Wednesday night...
(4)Jen V.
Like most hot spots, you're going to have good and bad reviews. Not every place has an ideal night every night where the servers are on their game, and the food is perfection. I feel sorry for those who haven't had the same great experience that I did and I'm sure that having my sister with me helped -she used to work there, knows the staff, and knew what the best items on the menu are. So let me at least share with you what we ordered and hopefully the rest will fall into place! "Prime rib." -she exclaimed. "Hmmm?" "Prime rib......we have to go to YOLO tomorrow night and get the prime rib. We just have to." "Uh," I answered, "ok. I love prime rib." "OOH! We should get the martini tree too -it's a pain in the ass for the bartender to make, but it's really cool if you haven't had a martini tasting before! And you like calamari, right? OMG, you're going to DIE when you taste their calamari!" My younger sister recently realized that she's a foodie in the past few years after working in some high end restaurants, and hearing her describe a meal as graphically and passionately as I do was a proud moment for me.......and she made me REALLY hungry! So to YOLO we went. She recommended an earlier dinner time (6ish) so we would get a better table and not get bombarded by the later, wilder crowd -mostly club scene celebs looking to fuel up for the night at Yolo's club next door; the O Lounge. We were greeted warmly by the staff and after some hugs from her former colleagues and some gossip, we were seated at a table in the outside garden patio area. I was impressed by the comfortable spacing of the seating area and I loved the fire pits surrounded by the booths! What a fun hangout spot to have drinks! But we were there for the prime rib. After politely glancing at the menu (even though we already made up our mind the night before after checking the website), we were MORE than ready for our much anticipated meal. Our waitress became a little wide-eyed with fear when we ordered because they were "out" of prime rib, but with one eye brow raise from my sister, the kitchen was able to make one appear. Haha, it was hilarious. First came our martini flight and it was a beautiful tree structure with mini martini glasses hanging from it -no stems on the glasses, but they had these thick silver bases so they don't knock over easily when you set them down on the table. Genius; I want to buy some! Strawberry Kiss -I'm not a big fan of strawberry-flavored things, but this really impressed me! Delicious! Blueberry Mist -my favorite of the three; sweet like candy but not in a medicine sort of way. Dragonberry Mojito -I forgot that it was a mojito at first so the mint threw me off, but I bounced back and then downed the rest of it. Arriving next was the Szechuan Calamari that was sauteed in a sesame oil and tossed with a garlic chili sauce and chopped peanuts. I honestly have no idea how I'm going to be satisfied by another calamari dish again. YES, it's that good -go order it now. Why aren't you ordering it RIGHT NOW?! We decided to split 2 entres, even though we could have easily split just the prime rib -but hey, "you only live once", right? The "Forever Braised Shortribs" were heaven, and they came with a potato risotto, crispy shallots and roasted carrots. Yum -really tender meat and even though the potato risotto lacked flavor, the carrots were very good. The "T's Prime Rib" was worth waiting for (I mean from when it was first mentioned to me -our meal came out right away). Slow roasted, thick cut and perfect! The way prime rib should be. Dipping the meat in the au juis brought this foodie nearly to the edge! I even tried the potato gratin (but I'm still not a fan of gratin potatoes.....I'm sure it was above standard for those of you who are fans and are curious). Obviously the prices are...well, pricey, but you do get generous portions and I enjoyed everything we ordered, so I plan on going back (when I'm in town next). I hear great things about the O Lounge as well -I'm just more of a dinner girl than a party girl. ;)
(4)Roberto S.
The food is good but very expensive
(4)Katherine G.
I love this place. The atmosphere is great for many different occasions, dinner with friends, first date, being social, or drinks with coworkers. It can get a little loud Wed (Ladies night in the lounge) through Sat. Its definitely a hot spot that makes you feel comfortable. You can wear anything from Jeans to a cute cocktail dress. The service is excellent and all the servers are very knowledgeable about the menu. I have never been disappointed with a meal. The ambiance is very trendy and chic. The pictures are helpful but do not do it justice. I love sitting outside by the fire pit when the weather is a bit chilly :-) Overall, Its a place you HAVE to go to.
(4)Kat K.
You only live once and hopefully once is enough and if you come here you'll see how the posh really live in Fort Lauderdale. it's a good spot for people watching, celebs like Ricky Ross the BOSS and Flo Rida that often stop by and car watching as the sugardaddys arrive and valet. The food is great. Def get the calamari it's one of the best and the drinks are strong and good. Am a regular here and am never disappointed.
(5)Suzanne Y.
Well I am giving it two stars because I really have experienced much better restaurants.... Positives: 1) Great Ambiance - very modern, chic and south beachy 2) Awesome mix drinks - very interesting drink menu and seems to have a great wine selection as well 3) Banana Creme Pie - taste pretty good Negatives 1) Long wait - Make a reservation or eat else where if you are hungry 2) Fried Calamari - it is not your typical fried calamari since you only live once. it's VERY special. the calamari is so finely cut it's impossible to eat. To top that, it is DRENCHED in SUPER SWEET Szechwan sauce that is unbearable to eat after 3 bites. 3) Food is just not that special there Anyways our friends got the seared tuna dish and this shrimp pasta. They weren't that special. I wouldn't recommend getting any of those. I think if you must eat there, just get a burger or a sandwich.
(2)Jane B.
This might be a great happy hour spot but I don't recommend it for the food. The mussels were under seasoned. The side order of beets were also lacking salt. My friend ordered a double pork chop that simply wasn't edible. They claim the calamari is the best appetizer on the menu. Sad story. The calamari was tough and thin with a terrible sweet Asian sauce right out of the bottle. The best thing we had was the grilled artichoke hearts and martini. Stick to those two items and you'll be ready to eat a real meal elsewhere.
(2)Meredith K.
The hot trendy spot in Fort Lauderdale. On a Wednesday night and every seat in the place is taken and the bar is completely packed - standing room only. It's Wednesday! Lucky for us we made a reservation. The outside bar is awesome - funky seating and fire pits (though on the night we were there it was barely needed). Service is very good - from bartenders to waitstaff (multiple people would come by our table to check on us and grab drink orders). Drinks are good - fun cocktails and a decent wine list. Scene: 5 stars Cocktails/Wine/Beer: 4 stars Apps are awesome - tuna tartar and the calamari were both excellent. The list of entrees looked quite good and I settled on the pan seared tuna in miso broth over veggies and noodles. Seems like that will be a perfect asian style dish - I've had similar dishes before. The dish comes - still in the all-clad stainless steel dish it was cooked in (kind of cool), and the tuna is seared nicely (mostly raw how I like it), but the flavor was so bland. Where are the nice asian spices? So I ask for some Sriracha, but she doesn't know what it is, and the restaurant doesn't have it. The waitress claimed they are an asian fusion restaurant - how do you not have the most important condiment? Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing, but it was definitely a let down after the delicious apps. I'll definitely come back, but I'll be trying something else on the menu, or sticking with a bunch of apps instead. Apps: 4 stars Entrees: 2-3 stars
(4)Ashley T.
This past Saturday night my girlfriends and I went out for a girl's night. We decided to start our night at YOLO's for dinner. Some of us had been here before but mainly outside for the fireplace and some mingling. I checked out the menu online prior to making the reservation and was happy to see reasonable prices and a variety of choices. I was especially excited to see a seasonal veggie plate as an offered entrée, seeing as if I don't eat meat. We arrived at YOLO and were greeted by three lovely hostesses. They sat us and stamped our table with the features of the day. I have to say that I love that concept! We were then greeted by our waiter Chris. Chris was very helpful in our drink choice and I was very pleased with my cucumber concoction. My friends order the...forgot the name but it had tequila, bourbon, mint, and so on. Chris recommended these as the strongest and less sweet drinks...our favorite kind! Next, it was time to order dinner. A table of four girls is never quick to decide so we went to Chris for more questions. I asked him about the veggie plate and was STUNNED to hear that bacon was the predominant ingredient in most of the vegetable dishes! Why have a veggie plate on the menu when you just put bacon in everything? We joked with Chris about it for a bit and he went to ask the cooks if they could make some of the dishes without it. He came back with a look of disappointment and told us that the dishes are prepped before service and that included the bacon. They had a veggie burger on the menu but I wasn't in the mood as that was my lunch earlier in the day. So I decided on the salmon (I occasionally eat fish) and was pretty sure the tabouleh that came on the side wouldn't have bacon. My friends ordered the salmon as well, Greek salad with chicken, and the veggie burger. Overall the food was good. The salmon came out on a cedar plank with a nice clean side of tabouleh. The veggie burger looked delicious as well and my friend seemed to enjoy it. The Greek salad was loaded with a mound of shredded rotisserie chicken and tons of cucumbers and tomatoes...no lettuce (like a traditional Greek salad). We decided to skip dessert and order another round of drinks. I stuck with my cucumber concoction while my friends tried the margarita with a splash of champagne and the peachy lychee, which was the only name I remember because it was not good! The peachy lychee tasted like pure peach syrup! Chris was awesome and took back the peachy lychee and brought my friend the strawberry one...much much better. All and all YOLO was a great experience. We will surely go back and ask for Chris again! In the mean time I will be sure to write the manager and let him know that offering a veggie plate that is loaded with bacon may be a waste of space on the menu!
(4)Shenika T.
It was a little hard to find as I never been to that side of Las Olas before, but I'm glad I went. We went for an early dinner so service was quick. We ordered the Szechuan Calamari without peanuts, as I dont like peanuts and it was delicious! I ordered the beef short ribs with mash potatoes and, eh it was ok. Not what expected at all, but I picked through it enough to feel full. I loved their mint lemonade, very refreshing. And for dessert we had the ice cream cake which was also delicious. I wouldnt mind going back here and trying something else on the menu.
(4)jordan t.
Cliff Notes: 1. Very Big Portions 2. Not very flavorful at all 3. Good Service 4. Trendy/Busy/Somewhat Pretentious Atmosphere 5. You will be paying for the "trendy" not the quality of the food. After reading a lot of positive reviews I figured why not try this place out. My wife and I went last night for dinner and drinks in the evening and while the atmosphere is very trendy and the service good, I found the actual food to be very lack luster and overpriced for what it was. I called ahead and made a reservation for 8:30, but actually showed up early (8:00PM) because I wanted to spend some time outside by their fire pit in the cooler weather. Well, glad I showed up early because they put me down for an 8:00PM reservation instead!.....oh well.....it happens... We were sat at a table near the open kitchen which was interesting for a moment, but nothing special. The restaurant was busy for a Tuesday night which creates a very "loud" environment. I don't take points off for that as its a big place with a lot of people...know what to expect. After reading a review here, we immediately ordered the szechuan style calimari, which was loaded with flavor. The appetizer came VERY fast (I guess its pretty popular), but I found the calamari rings to be overly breaded to hide their very small size of the individual pieces. The portion itself was quite large though, definitely good for a table of 2-4 to split up. Along with the appitizer we ordered a couple of their "signature cocktails" just to give them a try. Disclaimer: I'm a vodka/soda kinda guy most of the time We had the Strawberry Kiss and the Cucumber Dream (I think that is what it was called) for $12 each. Which is a typical price for a drink like this at a place like Yolo. The Strawberry Kiss was VERY VERY sweet, like too much and had a strange thikness to it for a cocktail. Wouldn't recommend it at all. The Cucumber thing was interesting and I don't regret ordering it, but it has a very distinct flavor that some of you may or may not like. Before we could get 1/4 of the way done with our drinks, our main courses arrived. My wife had the pork chop which was served with an apple chutney and potatoes al-gratin. The chop itself was huge and cooked exactly as ordered (medium), but the use of the apple chutney was very sparse and the potatoes were just OK, nothing special. I had the short ribs based on a recommendation from our waitress (I always try to ask the staff if they were going to eat something, what would it be) and it came with an interesting glaze, sitting attop a bed of risotto potatoes. The short ribs were a good size and very tender (they better be for short ribs), but again I found the flavor to be lackluster. The potatoes were just basically boiled, then cubed (very small cubes) and tossed with some cheese. While it looked cool, it didn't ad much to the dish. There was also a few sweet potato sticks in the glaze on the side, but the two flavors do NOT go together. All said and done for 1 app, two drinks, two main courses our bill came out to $91 for dinner before tip. We probably won't be back here for dinner anytime soon as there are MUCH better restaurants in the immediate area. Just because you make a big portion and charge a lot for it, doesn't make for a good meal or restaurant.
(3)Ben M.
This place is a mixed bag of tricks... Food was pretty good, especially the kalamari and pork chop (wink wink at ya Mike.) The service on the other hand was a bit, how to say...awkward. The waitress was friendly so I know her intention was to do a great job. She just seemed a uncoordinated and had bad timing with things. It's def a good spot to hang at the bar with friends, this place has a great vibe. I'll def go back...
(4)Billal B.
This restaurant it excellent. Not to mention Drake is not allowed on the premises because he stole their name for one of his songs! (LOL) But the food is really excellent and is cooked to perfection. The place is slightly pricey but is worth it once you see the quantity of food you receive. Their platters are to die for and I definitely recommend the Calamari for an appetizer. You won't be disappointed! I don't have much to say at the moment, except to just try it! It's something new and fresh. The waitress we had was excellent too! She took all our orders by heart and knew the menu like the back of her hand. Push to show, the waiters here know their menu unlike a lot of places. (Or at least the one we had did)
(5)Bao N.
So You Only Live Once. It is definately hip and trendy inside... very stylish but in my opinion that's all you are paying for. The food was ok and pricey. We mainly went here to go out to a decent place before heading to Vibe next door. The calamari was decent but everything else was just ok. There were 6 of us and our bill was roughly $300 before tip. So if you ant to come here and hang in a stylish atomosphere it's cool for that but otherwise I'd say don't have super high expectations.
(3)Eric Douglas S.
This is a great place to hang out, especially after work. Living in Miami, I frequent trendy spots so I'm ready for the same when I visit someplace outside of Miami. The service can be hit or miss, but they do know the food. The bartenders are attractive and very attentive. As for food, I've only had dinner here twice, I love the prime rib, I mean amazing. I will say this is one of my favorite places in Fort Lauderdale, whether it's hanging out with colleagues, family functions, friends, dinner, drinks, dates, whatever the occasion, this is a great spot. Eric Statzer Eric Douglas Statzer
(4)Christy H.
I think this place is great for drinks but the food is just okay. The atmosphere is up-scale. They have some fire pits outside. It is pretty open air and I liked that about this place. The service is a-mazing! We had a large group of about 40 people. I don't know how they stayed on top of things but every time I looked down someone was filling up my wine glass. Great white wine! Not sure what kind it was but it tasted fantastically light and crisp. We had some appetizers. The meatballs were great. The salads were just okay. Main course was chicken and pesto potatoes. Pretty good. If I went again I probably would just get a drink and eat somewhere new.
(3)Leslie G.
LOVE THE NAME!!!! (You Only Live Once) Very Stylish place,packed too. Drinks were good. Came here during the Charity event (Ft.Laud Bus Loop) I was starving but they Close the kitchen after 8pm
(4)Vince V.
Whenever I am in Fort Lauderdale, usually monthly, I visit YOLO. The atmosphere is always good, sometimes can be a sausage fest but I usually go there for the food. When you pull up in the circle drive you can see the outdoor seating, which is welcoming. The bar is an inside/outside bar that looks into the restaurant. it's loud at dinner time, which gives you the sense of a loud, fun New York restaurant. The food is very consistent, is it over the top, no, but good. The drinks are pricey but again you are there to sit outside meet some people and have a good time, this is what you should expect to pay in Los Olas. I give it a strong thumbs for fun, food and atmosphere!
(4)Steve G.
Having brought my New York area dining and nightlife sensibilities to Yolo at least ten times in the past year, I've never been disappointed. Yes, Yolo can be very crowded, and the wait for a table long. While waiting, however, the outdoor fire pit and chic waitstaff and fellow patrons make for a pleasant diversion. Yolo has a trendy and young vibe, yet 50-somethings like myself aren't out of place. The food is worth the wait. We usually start with the Szechwan calamari; sweet, tart and pleasingly spicy, the squid is always perfectly cooked. Among my favorite entrees is the marinated and grilled double pork chop; formidable in size, yet thoroughly delicious. Their salmon, mahi and steak entrees have also hit the spot. Whether dining alone (as many business travelers do), in working dinners or with a group, Yolo always satisfies.
(4)J M.
Nice ambiance, very good service, great location, food was "eh." I wouldn't go as far as to say this place is overrated but it doesn't live up to all the hype. The calamari appetizer was okay, prime rib was your standard prime rib - nothing exciting or mind-blowing about it. Dessert was a chocolate chip bread pudding which was overpowering. Way too many chocolate chips made the dessert way too sweet. For the amount of money I spent, I'm not a huge fan. Maybe we'll give it a 2nd look in the near future as a chance to redeem itself.
(3)jen r.
im not very familiar with anything in broward but had tickets to a broadway show and wanted to eat lunch before the 2 pm showtime. we drove around las olas area. and i saw yolo, it immediately dawned on me that i had read about it on yelp. so i scored a metered spot right outside and in we went. we got a booth at the bar and reviewed the menu. decided to go with brunch options. we ate a delish omelet and breakfast burrito. and the hashbrown casserole was notably good!! we were in and out in less than an hour. i cant wait to go back, maybe for dinner and drinks next time. the outdoor area looks awesome and great for a night out with friends!! you only live once.. words to live by!!
(4)Cherry B.
This place is bussin' I loved the club atmosphere it felt like a big party with delicious food. Walking in here will get you really excited but be prepared to wait if you have a large party with you. The potato gratin was to die for and their steak was succulent. I highly recommend this place for a good night out.
(5)Dinah T.
I went to this restaurant with a group to celebrate one of my friend's birthday. It has very nice decor and great ambience. The servers were polite and attentive as well. It wasn't bad but I can't rave about the dish I had, the Richette pasta which had beef sausage, rapini and goat cheese in a poached garlic sauce. It was quite was suprisingly quite greasy and the rapini gave it a bitter taste. The nice and strong drinks were the highlight of the night! I would go back for drinks but not necessarily dinner.
(3)Jen B.
Best happy hour! Excellent food and martinis! You won't be disappointed. Make sure to get the margarita flatbread!
(5)Andy W.
Best calamari. Tender and spicy. Nice decor. I used to love this place, but my last couple of visits the food hasn't been that great. I would still recommend it. A little trendy, but fun.
(3)Bandit T.
Great spot for Lunch, for the downtown business crowd. These are the people that work hard and tip well despite the fact that many of the waiters are liberal voters and approve of the Presidents socialist agenda, and the tax policies which will hit the same hard working business crowd, the hardest. And the waiters won't understand why their tips are off in 2011. But that is a discussion for a different time and place. Moving on; I am fortunate to eat here once or twice a month. Reservations are always helpful, especially if you plan to arrive after 12;05 on a weekday. The service is consistently excellent as is the food. The calamari appetizer is top shelf. The salads are great, particularly the ahi tuna salad. Wait staff is intelligent (despite their political failings) and are a solid resource when one needs assistance with the menu. They are uniformly attractive, young and motivated. I'd say the cream of the crop of the Ft. Lauderdale corps of food servers are found here. It's a great spot for timely and accurate service, a high-vibe atmosphere and hip ambiance. Dinner is similarly served, with a nice wine list with pairings for everything on the menu. Hearty deserts round out the dinner menu and on a cool evening, the outdoor dining option with a fire pit and space heaters makes for a romantic urban experience. I give Yolo's 5 Bullets. B3 Out
(5)Tony D.
WOW! I went to this place during a vacation to Fort Lauderale, and our meal at Yolo was the culinary highlight of my trip! The food here was absolutely amazing! The butternut squash soup was an explosion of flavour with every bite. I ordered a salad ($12) thinking it'd serve as a starter, only to receive a giant plate full of salad! It was enough for an appetizer for 4 people, but it tasted amazing. Then came our main dishes. I got the filet minion with mashed potatoes and rapini, and it too was absolutely delicious. This place was bustling on a cold week-day night. It's seems like the place to be in Fort L, located along the chic Las Olas Blvd. I was also impressed by the huge number of real chefs (vs cooks) that you could see working in the kitchen -- amazing! They know what they're doing. AMAZING experience overall. Worth every penny. I wouldn't hesitate to visit again.
(5)Marc Aka Max H.
Selected because we wanted to dine at 5 pm and not be far from the Parker Playhouse for 7 pm show. Ate outside and was first directed to a 2 top - which I rejected explaining that it was too small and was on top of the only other table outside with guests, and I requested a 4 top, hinting to hostess that since it was 5 pm and the restaurant was empty, why not give us that table. She then suggested another table which was on top of a serving station, which I rejected, stating "would you want to eat there?" but I think my query was lost on her. Finally Got the table I wanted. Jessica was our server and she was attentive and pleasant. The food preparation in kitchen for appetizer, salad and entree were all "off". Calamari had a sauce (too much of it) drizzled on top when we asked that it be on the side, and it was Luke warm. The Caesar salads came out sans anchovies, which Jessica noted and she quickly got a plate of them. My trout was to be broiled plain and Jessica replied to my puzzled look at the topping with "those are rock shrimp, they charge $4 extra for them but they are not supposed to be on top of the fish" but we did not have time to have it recooked due to our early show time. And my partner's fish, grouper, was cooked so well done it was rubbery. I guess you can tell I'm not too impressed with their performance, and it will not be a top choice for a return visit. There are so many other better restaurants for fish. Maybe this one is best for cocktails and people watching?
(2)Jennifer M.
Great food for normal prices...trust me there are places more expensive than this! You get what you pay for here and more. Lots of beautiful peeps hanging out with gorgeous cars in the front parking lot........very TRENDY Decor. Hmmmm....If you like fat ugly people, cheap fried food and rusty old cars....don't go here!
(5)Joey R.
Place is awesome... lots of hot chicks,... and great food :) Win Win
(5)Oliver O.
This is one of the top places in Fort Lauderdale to eat. Great Food - especially the specials. Caveat is I don't have to pay for food so price was not an issue.
(4)Breana B.
So i came across YOLO when i was searching for a place to eat dinner for my 23rd birthday, the reviews seemed pretty good so i tried it out. We went there on a friday night around 10pm and it was pretty packed. You do see the laborghinis and alot of show offs there but i loved it. They did tell us it would be a hour wait which was actually on about 15minutes. We were seated outside which was pretty nice. I had the calamari as appetizer and i loved it!! Didnt like my main entree the salmon so much, and my friends ordered the pasta which they didnt like so much either. The only other thing i didnt like was getting to the bar it was too many old guys in the way. But its a nice spot to chill and i will go back again and find out what the O'lounge is about. Oh and the martini tree was good also..
(4)Michael H.
I came here for the Collins Media Pink Party to help raise money for Breast Cancer during a DMAI conference trip and this review may be biased. The reason I'm biased is because the food and drinks were all free the entire time we were here. I tried to sample as many of the buffet items as I could, which were all great, though there was one dish which was almost entirely cheese and more cheese. I love cheese, but I felt like if I could get sick if I ate too much of it. It was fantastic in a small dose though! The waitresses all seemed very nice, and were super sexy. The crowd that was not in our party seemed a younger early to mid twenties crowd and the place to me seemed a likely singles hot spot. The DJ for our party was alright, and we had lots of fun. The chartered busses that drove us and carried us back to the hotel ensured everyone stayed safe too. I'd try this place again if I ever find myself back in Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)Heather G.
Food is excellent, drink options amazing!! Steve, our server, was so attentive and really knew everything inside and out. We are in town for 3 days and will be coming back tomorrow. Appetizer: home made potatoe chips, I mentioned I was gluten free and Steve knew that the sauce had to be in the side because it contained flour! Then we saw someone else had ordered the Tina and we immediately ordered that as well. It was so fresh and had a bit of a kick to it. For dinner we both had the fish of the day, he had the mahi mahi and I had the salmon. Both cooked perfectly!!! Then came the best deserts ever. Apparently they make them in house so we had to try 2, we chose the key lime custard over a warm sponge cake w berries and the banana coconut creme pie. Both were served with fresh whipped cream. OMG. Amazing. Cannot wait for dinner tomorrow!!!
(5)stephanie f.
I've now been to Yolo countless times at night for drinks -and my previous review still holds true. Ed Hardy & Affliction everywhere, but yolo is still a good time. The food, oh wow the food. I'm in love with their (green) mashed potatoes and their meatball sliders. they are both a must get. Their seared tuna salad is somewhat bland, the ribs are amazing, and their chopped salads are everything you would want them to be.
(4)Dana M.
We dined at YOLO last week. Upon arriving, we were seated on the outside patio. It was very pleasant, comfortable and appealing. We were greeted by a drink waiter to take our order. Upon asking our desire for a drink or cocktail, we requested the mint iced tea. He responded, " Well, you are not any fun." Not everyone is in the mood to drink every night. Also one of our party has a medical condition that necessitates not drinking alcohol. We were then greeted by our waitress who was very pleasant and attentive. We ordered a chopped salad with chicken and the spare ribs. The spare ribs were served with spotty fat on them and did not have much taste at all. Certainly we would not order those again at all. We thought it was a waste of money. The salad was huge and had a delightful taste. Very fresh and plenty to share. One of our guests ordered the banana coconut pie for dessert. It was very tasty and well worth the money spent. I really want to like YOLO. This was our 2nd time at YOLO. The first time our party ordered steaks. Bad mistake then. We thought that we would give it another chance. YOLO is for a see and be seen crowd. Truly a people watching crowd. Go for the beautiful cars, people, and social aspect. The food is just not consistent with what I call a truly stellar restaurant.
(3)Elizabeth R.
This is one of my good to places when I don't know where else to eat. The Sunday Brunch's are great. The Eggs Benedict yummy. On a reg night, their calamari is the BEST and ONLY one I've ever liked anywhere! A must try and their meatballs melt in your mouth. YOLO so go on and visit YOLO at least once.
(4)Laurie C.
I LOVED IT!! This was our first time in Ft Lauderdale and Yolo came highly recommended by the concierge at the Marriott and our taxi driver so we knew we had to check it out. The place was packed but we got really lucky and they were able to seat us right away outside. Great atmosphere, friendly staff and the food was outstanding. We started with the Tuna Sashimi (WOW!!), The Chopped Salad was good, but there was a lot going on. The prime rib sandwich was delicious and huge. Ok this place is a little pricey but the drinks are good and the food is worth it.
(5)Janice A.
I took a friend here for dinner after she passed a very important exam and it was the perfect place to celebrate. The food was amazing, but what I really appreciated was the size of the menu. It was just right, not too sparse where it says "if you don't like what we like, tough, you're getting a salad" but it wasn't overwhelming to the point of indecision. Plus, everything was well described and sounded delicious. For an appetizer we had the tuna sashimi and it was perfect. Very flavorful, honestly better than the sushi restaurants I've been to in the area. Not plated with rice, but a seaweed "salad" and cucumbers which added their own unique flavors. I also liked that there was a decent amount of tuna, not the typical 4 pieces with too much garnish. I feel this place is used to large groups. For the main course, I opted for the salmon which I regretted because I tend to default on salmon and was curious to try something a little different. My regrets disappeared the moment my tongue tasted the flaky, toasty, flavorful perfect first bite of fish. In my friends words, it literally melted in your mouth. It was served on a cedar board and with what I think was called tabouleh. The side was something like a rice but the waiter said it was a pasta. It was served cold which I really enjoyed as it showed it's true flavor and the small bits of tomato were fresh not smushy. My friend ordered the pork chop, which I feel she had similar regrets about however hers also vanished when our plates arrived. The pork chop was the size of her head. I could see from her expression she was both happy and horrified. I didn't get a chance to taste hers, but based on her protective behavior, I would wager the pork chop is also a good choice. My husband joined us about half way through and ordered a hamburger thinking it would be a simple and fast option. It was rather quick, but it did not look simple. I stole a bite when he wasn't looking, and even though my heart belongs to the cedar-roasted salmon, this burger is worth a secret affair. The fries were the annoyingly skinny thin-cut fries - tasty but kinda awkward to get a substantial amount (they also don't hold ketchup very well). Even though we were all thoroughly satisfied with our meals, we decided to split a dessert... by that I mean, they had fresh berries with key lime custard and I made them help me eat it. It was delicious, though I am biased because I get excited about even the key lime pie flavored yoplait yogurt. The $$ pricing is a bit inaccurate. Yes, most of the plates are within that range, but you won't get out of there for that unless you have water and stick strictly to the main course. In my opinion, you do get what you pay for and non of us regretted the night when the check came. In regards to service, our waiter was phenomenal - he answered our questions with true interest and concern that we understood what he was telling us, he suggested things based on our comments that fit us perfect, he was attentive, friendly, ever-so-slightly flirty but not over the line... until my husband showed up. It was flattering, really, the difference it made to have a man join our table. He was still attentive and helpful, but went to the extreme of professional. In regards to the general ambiance... this is a lounge club that serves delicious food. Yes, there are tables, no, people aren't dancing on them, but everyone is there to have a good time and look fabulous (whether or not they pull that off is of your own opinion). People will get loud with laughter, they will be taking future facebook pictures, they may try to buy you a drink. Just be prepared, and don't bring small children. Oh, and just shell out the cash for valet. If you're coming here for dinner, don't act like the $5 matters.
(4)Night Ryder I.
I probably dined @ YOLO for the last time, a little over a week ago. I intentionally let some time pass before writing a review to make sure that I yelped in a fair and proper frame of mind. On my previous visits, I've enjoyed YOLO's tasty hamburgers & calamari, and have just ignored the pretentious atmosphere. However, on my last visit, the outright rude and poor service of a particular blond hostess, made for a really bad experience that sealed it for me and eliminated any desire I have of returning to this establishment. If you ever accidentally leave behind an important item (such as a wallet), don't bother calling and asking that while you return to the restaurant, if someone could check the table where you were sitting. The demeanor of the hostess from her initial snobbish greeting of "Do you have a reservation?" to her apparent indifference and brush off of the plea to simply check for my lost item is why I rated YOLO 2 out 5. Positive notes: Chris, my waiter was very attentive and provided great service, and the substantial hamburger was cooked to perfection and delicious as expected.
(2)Justin P.
My review is only based on Yolo's lunch. After reading other reviews, my guess is that the dinner atmosphere is probably a little too pretentious and crowded for my taste. However, at lunch, it is not bad at all. Yolo is a lot like what Houston's unsuccessfully attempts to be. It has trendy decor, attentive service and above-average food. Athough the interior is very nice, the outside seating is fantastic. Also, they have a valet, but charge five dollars for it. Nonetheless, if you want to save your money and do not mind a short walk, there are plenty of other places to park in the area. When I went for lunch earlier today, I sat at the bar, and the bartenders were extremely friendly and helpful. Although I would like to credit this to my good looks and natural charm, I suspect that they are proabably this friendly to everyone. I ordered the dolphin tacos, and they were quite tasty. The bartenders then highly recommended the bread pudding, so I gave that a try as well, and it was absolutely delicious. Although I would definitely return for lunch, I can't escape the sneaking suspicion that I would be dissappointed with the atmosphere if I went there for dinner. In Yolo's defense, this is a commmon problem with restaurants on Las Olas. Regardless, for lunch alone, I will award four stars.
(4)Pierre M.
Large resteraunt bar. Dimly light an classy during dinners. The lounge bar had a smal dance foor with tapas. Spicy calmari appetizer was great. Not too over the tp spicy, lightly breaded but good flavor. The chorizo queso was good as well. For a group of 6 it kept us all satiated for our main course. The strawberry caipihiri was sweet and refreshing. Accrding to my friend the blueberry mist was strong but tasty. We ordered the ribs, chicken rotiserrie burger, wedge salad (good), and they were out of theprime rib.... check back in when we get our food.
(3)Daniela M.
Very nice area, awesome for some drinks outside and perfect for a date on the inside. Decorated very modern. And the food is AMAZING especially their Mac and cheese...although I personally wasn't very fond of their desserts.
(4)Lisa G.
Save your money and time.. Because there is a limited menu you can get much. I wanted soup and nope.. spilt pea was the only option and with bacon.. i don't eat pork. Upon arriving we asked the hostess for suggestions. Her suggestion was the burger. That should have been a red flag. Then our HORRIBLE waiter.. Kelton! I asked him for recommendations and he said everything was good. Another red flag. What waiter cant give you a recommendation. After taking our order he never came back to see if we needed anything but the table of 3 in front of us he made sure to visit more than 7 times (yes I counted). We asked for water. I had to get up and get my own water from the bar. When I explained to him my concerns he apologized then asked if we wanted to order dessert. i would like to say it want a race issue so ill leave that alone but the other minority couple in the restaurant had the same compliant (im just saying) I have dined at restaurants all around the world and paid anywhere from $6 to $100 per plate. So I value a good restaurant with good service. This restaurant just didn't make the cut. I wouldn't recommend my dog to eat here. And to make matters worse. my husband was sick the whole night and I was sick the next morning. Coincidence.. maybe but I think not
(1)Dan L.
YOLO has a great physical atmosphere, OK food but the service is always mediocre to poor. If you are looking for a nice to fine dining experience, this is not the place to go. The staff appears poorly trained and not focused on guest service. As an example, when we sat at the bar last week for lunch, the female bartenders ( blond hair and the other one with black hair late twenties ) were complaining that a group of ladies who just finished lunch had tipped them poorly. As a guest / customer, I don't want to hear the bartender or waitstaff complaining that due to their bad service, they were tipped poorly. I want to enjoy my higher priced meal without listening to the staff whine. If you are 21 to 30 and don't care about decent service, this is the place for you. If you are 30 + and want a nice to fine dining experience, this is not the place to go. There are many other choices in Fort Lauderdale that appreciates your business and you would enjoy more ( (954 Steak or even JMarks as examples ).
(2)Jeff F.
This place is a must if you are able to go on a Wednesday. People watching is supreme. The food is good and the service good as well. I had the yolo truffle chips and they were great and for dinner the spinach salad. Others in my group had the veggie burger which was good, the wedge salad and the mkt fish sandwich. Good stuff you should go!
(4)Svenja H.
Sunday Brunch: food not more than average (chicken sandwich with tons of butter), portions big, service ok, outside nice even though a little dirty, atmosphere young. I wouldn't come back for food!
(3)José J.
The service was great and the crab cakes were amazing!
(5)Matt Z.
Great spot! The Ahi Tuna salad is off the hook! So light, fresh and delicious... Filled me up too! Lots of pretty people and a key power lunch spot in Ft Lauderdale
(5)Pamela L.
This is a great place for happy hour on Friday nights, nice crowd, nice atmosphere. The food and the food service is not the greatest, but the bartenders are great and really know what they are doing.
(4)Leland G.
This is definitely the in place to see and be seen in Fort Lauderdale, Friday and Saturday night are good, some times too good and a bit crowded. If you have a Lamborghini or Ferrari there is plenty of room to park up front, otherwise I think the Valet will pull your car somewhere out of sight. Seriously, the place is cool. The music is chill inside the "O Lounge" and the outside fire pit is pretty cool during Florida's version of winter. Food is pretty good, American cuisine with a bit of a twist, I heard that they hired a past chef from Hustons. So, put on your finest duds and get down to YOLO, because it's true, You Only Live Once.
(4)J. S.
Probably the best ambience for any restaurant in downtown Laudy. Great for groups or couples, kids not so much. I can't remember how the food tastes because the last few times I've gone I was just drinking with the fellas. Anyway, I hope this place sticks around.
(3)Katie R.
Probably one of the trendier restaurants / bars in the area. A great place for dinner, or just to go for drinks. Yolo is always packed with exotic cars and people. The food is good, not outstanding, but acceptable. I would highly recommend the calamari for an appetizer. Petite rings of calamari with an asian chili glaze. Yolo is definitely a great place for drinks and to people watch! Awesome mojitos!
(4)Mark S.
Been here a number of times and never been disappointed. The calamari is awesome to start. I usually try the specials for main meal which do not disappoint. Look forward to visiting Yolo again.
(4)Phil K.
Great food, great scene, really hot wait staff.... Had the yolo chips, planked salmon and everything was superb. I couldn't keep my eye off the beautiful women working the outside lounge area. Really good scene for a Saturday night.
(5)Jacquelyn G.
My girls and I were weekending in Ft. Lauderdale and someone recommended checking out Yolo for dinner and drinks. Excellent reco! I tried to get a reservation via Open Table but there was no availability. However, the concierge at our hotel was able to get us a table at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Note - definitely get a reservation. The person who recommended the place to me said that we could always walk in and wait, but there were tons of people who had that idea and I can't imagine how long it would've taken for us to get a table had we done that. Plus, the bar area was crowded so we wouldn't have really been able to hang out there, either. Anyway, they have lots of fun drinks, including a martini "tree" that one of my friends got. It consists of three pair of mini martinis--very cool and from what I'm told, very tasty. I had this delicious cucumber concoction which had some kind of spice in it. It was wonderful. Food was great, too. We all shared the truffled Yolo chips to start and they were just heavenly. It's hard to mess up anything that involves bacon, blue cheese and truffle oil, in my opinion... Our mains were all good, too. After dinner we decided to move on to the lounge area which honestly wasn't our cup of tea. It got incredibly clubby/sceney and just was not what we were looking for. I must admit, though, the people watching was priceless. We also noticed that the drinks there were different than at the restaurant--even if it was the same drink. I ordered the same cucumber cocktail that I had at dinner, and it wasn't nearly as good at the bar (I'm guessing more liquor?). Anyway, worth checking out for dinner but I'd skip the lounge unless you're a "see and be seen" kind of person.
(4)Zac K.
Very solid place. Great, great atmosphere. The drinks were nicely done and price seemed to fit in with location. The food rocked- I had the filet which was prepared just as ordered and served with seasonal fresh veggies- excellent choice- I was happy. Why not 5 stars you might ask, it was COLD in the place! there did appear to be a cool bar area off the back and the indoor/outdoor bar area up front was cool.--
(3)Jorge G.
Happy hour next to the fire place with gems! That sums it up.... the Calamari & Service was a 10 out of 10. We are coming back and live it up all night long.
(5)Brian F.
This is a super fun trendy bar with outstanding bartenders and drinks! Order a Devil's Hammer (ask for it not that sweet) and watch pros like Jessica and Jenna do their magic. Then head over to the fire pit and watch the party unfold. The place was packed, yet we felt like the most important people in the joint because of the 5-star service. Our favorite bar/lounge in Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)Jenn C.
Love sitting outside by the firepit with friends and drinks. Dinner is good. The service is great. The atmosphere is pleasant, and upscale, great place to go highly recommended.
(4)Denise R.
Good place to see and be seen if you are into that type of superficial stuff. Nothing to write home about, but it is beautiful.
(3)Jamie M.
I work near yolo and you will usually find me there for happy hour on a friday night. Yolo is the ultimate after work locale in downtown fort lauderdale. However, the food is not the best. It took me a few times going there for lunch to realize this but the descriptions are actually better than the actual taste of the food. Its a great place to bring a client or a colleague but I like Yolo because of the social ambiance not because of the food. I will stick going there for happy hour (try the cucumber cooler for a refreshing summer drink with a little kick) and to meet with friends but I think this foodie may go to dinner somewhere else.
(3)Roly B.
Place to see and be seen. Nice to hang out once in a while, decent crowd (no "kids"). Food is excellent.
(4)Marsha F.
Hostess was great. Bar maid was great. Food was disappointing service was good. I thought they had a chef who could accommodate my special requests. I called ahead and was assured they could. They lied
(2)Dave N.
Dinner on 2/2: As always YOLO had great atmosphere; It was packed both inside and out on Wednesday night. Had drinks by the fire-pit and some of the meatball sliders. We were then seated promptly at our reservation time and ordered a greek salad to share and i had the cedar plank salmon which was excellent. Squash was the nightly side dish and it was excellent.
(4)Agustina P.
Great atmosphere, great service and I love their fire pit. Their food is hit or miss, but the drinks are delicious.
(4)Emilio M.
Group of us came here on a packed saturday night. I originally thought it was going to be a hot spot. By all means, it probably is, but we did not enjoy the music nor the people there. Not that the people were nasty or anything like that, Its just we are not in that age group (40's --seriously, I thought I was going to run in into somebody from the Housewifes of Orange County ). Music is techno type that one song lasts about one hour long...everybody is in clicks so everybody is into themselves. Drinks are good, can't comment on the food since we left an hour later. Maybe you'll have a better time, but this is an older hang out spot...
(2)Bruce D.
vERRRY CHIC-Y! Hip tre New York/Maimi loking restaurant on Las Olas. Lots of Bentley's parked at the valet. Outside patio drinks has a very California, with a huge firepit....except it's flame is about 2 -3 feet tall. Almost singed my Dunhill blazer! Food was priced low and quite nice. Salmon on a plank was very nice and the wine list was killer. The calamari was over cooked and too crunchy. Go on a off night or else it's a mob scene.
(4)Alicia T.
Went tonight for my girlfriends birthday. Still 5 stars for me Server: 5 stars Ambiance: 5 star People/server watching: 5 star Food: 4.5 star We had a 4pm reservation and arrived at 3:45 PM and were seated outside with no problem for an early Sunday birthday dinner. I was impressed that the server knew my name when I told her I had a reservation without looking at the computer. Since this was such an odd time, the outside patio was half full, and inside had plenty of tables available. The calamari as usual (seemed to be ordered by EVERYONE) was fantastic, I am on a no sugar/starch diet and still took a couple bites. BF got the burger, and it was so big for the first time he didn't finish it or his fries. He did eat alot of calamari though. Birthday girl got some kind of pasta with shrimp added, and she loved it, had lots of left overs. Myself, spinach salad, awesome, large amount of chicken that I didn't have to search for, and it was already tossed in ingredients/dressing so I didn't have to "make" the salad myself. Our server brought the chocolate molten cake, a scoop of icecream, and a candle for my GF's birthday. I heard the cake was delish. It came in one of those one-person cast iron pot, garnished with fresh fruit. It was the type of molten cake that when you stick the fork in you get a nice little hot chocolately gooey surprise hidden inside. We loved the chillness of the place on this Sunday afternoon, and will definitely be back again for a nice Sunday meal.
(5)Patrick D.
This was a favorite until this last experience. The bar isa rip off.The first time my bill it was for 43.99. We had 2 Martinis and 2 Rob Roys. The drinks were good but the bill seem high but it was all wet so I could not review it. They next time I did not pay any attention, shame on me. I did question the bill on an afternoon but it was not happy hour so I let it ride. This last Friday at 4:30 We ordered 2 Rob Roys and one Martini. They charged 12.00 dollars for the Rob Roys and 17.00 for the Martini. Even At Bar American in NY(Bobby Flays Resturant) they do not charge this money for a Martini. They charge 14.00 dollars for a 9oz Martini. Yolo is out of line and are abusing their Bar Customers. Check your bills. Their Martini Specials are only 12.00 dollars. Do not go there!!!
(1)Eye F.
Finally went after seeing a few of our friends had tried it. We went to eat -- as in we considered it a restaurant. Not the atmosphere, not to drink, not to be seen, not to mingle with people we don't know. Service is good, menu is good, wine list is passable, cooking leaves a lot to be desired. We won't return for a second try.
(2)Paulinacasado O.
if Las Olas, then YOLO! bleu cheese vinegar chips and mint lemonade (grownup style) a staple!!
(4)Katrina J.
Went their today for lunch. Menu kind of limited. Nice portions of food. However, the food is definitely different than most restaurants that boast an American cuisine. Try it at least once!
(3)Jane D.
Wow! The food is amazing - hard to choose what to get off their simple but simply divine menu. The service was outstanding and the atmosphere very enjoyable... careful though if you're there a little later as their adjacent sister club starts to heat up after 10 pm and the music can overpower your conversation. We gave up talking and went to join the fun!
(5)Jared M.
I was in town from New York for a business trip and I took potential clients to YOLO for dinner as I had heard good things. I truly was not disappointed. The decor was trendy yet understated and professional, not cheesy like some other "hot" restaurants in south florida. The hostess welcomed us with a smile and we were seated shortly after arriving. The food was delectable, cooked to order, and reasonably priced. We started with the calamari and grilled artichokes, both were a big hit with my guests and I highly recommend them. The prime rib sandwich was incredible, probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. I ordered it medium rare and it came out the perfect shade of pink, thinly sliced, topped with sauteed onions, melted swiss cheese, and au jous. The rest of my party appeared just as enamored by their dishes. Our server was courteous and helpful when deciding what to order. My guests and I had a wonderful experience at YOLO and I will definitely be returning the next time I am in town.
(5)Debbi N.
We had a wonderful lunch here. The place is beautiful, the service is great and the food was fabulous. The prices are not bad either. There were six of us and each of really enjoyed their meals and we shared to desserts and were not disappointed. I had the grilled shrimp salad with beets and cheese and I would eat that every day if I could. It was perfect. Our table mates had the veggie burgers and fries and the fries are really good. We found parking on the street, and were in and out in time to catch the show at the Broward Theater matinee. I will go back before our next show for sure. This beats Cheesecake Factory hands down.
(5)Ali G.
Definitely another favorite! Food is delicious, the artichoke app is to die for! Atmosphere is really fun on wed & sat pm! Great date place or if u want to be social also a really nice atmosphere for a party.
(5)Cheryl R.
Fun & nice. I'm a Miami girl but I like Yolo's.
(4)Jessie H.
Not terrible but not great. As a vegetarian, they didn't seem to have a huge range of options to choose from. Our drinks from the bar with light on the alcohol which for $12 you would hope wouldn't be the case. Our waiter was adorable and made the night. If it weren't for him, our experience would have been a flop.
(3)Amit D.
Cool spot, you get to see all the expensive cars in the world. Food is just okay for dinner. People may say it's better than it is because it's expensive, but overall just OK. Sunday brunch on the other hand has excellent food, with affordable prices.
(3)Idelsy L.
Really good wine selection... very snazzy place. Didn't get to try the food, but it had a great vibe to it. I'd love to go again.
(4)Omar G.
The crowd that goes to Yolo and Vibe is abysmal. Makes me embarrassed to admit that I live around such classless people in Fort Lauderdale. At Vibe the people dance to 80's wedding music. This would not go down in Miami, but the irony is that Yolo/Vibe is basically a South Beach design ripoff. I'm not saying that you'll hear good music on the beach, but what you have here is a recipe for pure boredom making you realize that the drive to Miami is worth it at night. Just be safe out there! Re: the food, its bland and salty. The decor at Yolo is nice, but the kitchen is unimpressive. I think all of the good reviews go to show how utterly tasteless and tacky Lauderdale is. Miami is your only bet if you want a cool place to go out and make the focal point of a weekend night out. Don't hate on me for saying, since I've lived here for 11 years and have been a DJ here the entire time. I'm entitled to my taste. If I could give it a 0 I would. Its the people in Lauderdale, and not so much the place itself, that make it awful. So dear owner, no offense, I know you are catering to your clientele. These are the kind of people who ask me to pull out glowsticks when I tell them I'm a house DJ. You also play "wedding" music at your establishment. Its like a scene out of the 80's every time I go there, and not in a good way. Get with the times. This review is such as I lived at Camden for a while and did drop by for a drink here and there in the past out of necessity.
(1)Wendy L.
I went to Yolo a couple of years ago. I think I was more impressed by their decor and furniture than with the food. Sometimes I do hate when restaurant put more effort on the decor than the quality of the food. With the money you pay for the food, you force yourself to love the food so you don't feel like you were being ripped off. It's definitely not a place I will go back unless I have.
(3)Korinne J.
One of the better places to go Friday nights in trashy FTL. Fun bar and lounge area with lots of room to mingle. Nice front bar window with outdoor living area. Beware Friday nights this place is 5 deep at the bar but it is fun. I have also been here a few times during the week and it is a really nice place to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. The decor is very well done! The service is as good as can be expected when it gets busy.
(4)ALba C.
Good Music, great drinks very festive ,I always have a great time
(4)brian b.
Very hip joint. Excellent bar tenders, great specialty cocktails. Very attentive wait staff, very nice hostess staff. Nice touch with stamping the specials onto the paper table cover. Szechuan Calamari was hands down the best version of this type of dish we've had and we order it anytime we see it. The meatball sliders were also worth getting, The prime aged steak special was very good, but suprisingly not cooked as ordered. My Medium rare was Medium, and the wife's Medium was medium well. Damn shame to ruin a nice piece of meat like that. Sides were excellent, spagetti squash with ricotta was outstanding as was the herb mash. For dessert just do yourself a favor and get the bannana coconut cream pie, it's mind blowingly good.
(4)J. N.
Went to Yolo at 5:30 on a Sat. night with kids and sat outside so I can't speak for the atmosphere but... The food at Yolo was fantastic! We shared the szechuan calamari (3 of us) to start and it was tasty and delicious. I had the tuna hot pot as a main course and it was memorable. Perfectly seared tuna in a bowl over noddles and a subtle miso broth, it was just great. We didn't stay for dessert. Our waiter, Terri, got off to a shaky start but warmed up quickly. All in all, a wonderful experience.
(4)Rob C.
like a Houston's, Bandera's, etc. nice ambiance, menu sounds really good, tastes just fine apparently, the vege burger is above average
(3)Michael M.
Imagine that for some inexplicable reason, Bennigans became the new "it" spot. All the area movers and shakers lined up six deep at the door to get a chance to sample southwest egg rolls and mozzarella cheese sticks. Seriously. Yolo was packed wall to wall with faux glittery cretins and we actually had to be let through a velvet rope to see the hostess. There were literally three identical red Ferraris out front fighting for parking spaces. I'm not exaggerating. It was the funniest thing I've seen in a year. I almost felt bad for one of the guys. He fired up the convertible Ferrari, sped down to Yolo to impress and bammo, he's fighting with two other identical red Ferraris for prime fan-my-peacock-feathers real estate. Hilarious and cheeeeesy! OK, the breakdown: APPS: Calamari: OK,..overcoated with a cloyingly sweet sauce....Bennigans Mussels: OK...Bennigans Potato Chips with Bacon and Blue Cheese: Pretty good, but come on...basically potato skins at Bennigans. Did I like them? Sure, same way I would guiltily enjoy cheese dip if I ever lost my soul and went to Bennigans. ENTREES: Grouper...bad...overcooked and stringy. Could have done a much better job at home. New York Strip: nice big cut of meat. Ordered medium rare, came out medium well. Nice char, OK flavor. Side of grilled mixed veggies had an overwhelming flavor of gas from the grill. Benniganish. Wine...Au Bon Climat Pinot...good, but I'm not giving credit to Yolo for that. All in all , it was a lot of fun but the food was mediocre at best....sort of like going to the circus...a lot of glitter and desperation with food that caters to the lowest common denominator. Our cool older friends (inside joke) said it reminded them of the bar scene in Star Wars. This is the second week in a row I've been to a restaurant that is gorgeous with lousy food. I definitely have to start going to uglier restaurants. I swear to god, If this comfort food trend is basically giving a license to so-so restaurants to dish out crappy food with low quality ingredients, just shoot me in the head. It's much more comfortable on my couch and I can personally make a far better truffled mac and cheese. However.....I would definitely go back to get drinks (only) if only to enjoy the social trainwreck that is Yolo. If you want the same food without paying for the atmosphere, go to Ruby Tuesdays.
(2)Jake D.
Great scene.. good food just plain fun.
(4)Dude D.
I Don't Eat Here, But I Hang Here. I live 1/2 block from Yolo, and I come here 2-3 nights a week to hang. As a Las Olas local, I rarely eat on Las Olas as almost every place is over-priced for what you get. But, Yolo is superb for hanging around outside, and is the best social scene in FLL for anyone over 30. TIP: To avoid the crush on Fri/Sat night, cut through the bushes near the firepit and grab a seat on the sofas. Don't expect quick service on the sofas, but you won't have to negotiate the scrum near the bar area. (In fact, I've spent hours on the sofas and only ordered a diet soda for $3.) Also, the O Lounge really cranks the volume on Fri/Sat nights, so don't expect to hear the person you're talking to. But other nights it's fine.
(4)Phil B.
Burgers and sandwiches are about 12 bucks, entrees were 25 to 30. Went on a Saturday night, great scene, place was packed and we didn't have a reservation for 5. Staff was very nice and accommodating. We ended up eating outside which was cool but it didn't have the vibe or energy of inside (at least around 9:00 PM - the place was definitely getting more crowded as the night went on.). The food, though not outstanding, was above average. This place is into fire grilling and smoked meals. Bathrooms get a 10. We would definitely go back again if looking something upscale in downtown Fort Lauderdale that has a bit of a scene.
(4)A C.
This bar/club is small but hopping. The bartenders are little hotties and very nice. The scene varies based on the dj. If it is a good dj the place rocks, if not it sucks. We went on this past Friday and left after one drink, last night we shut the place down. Great dj and the scene came alive.
(4)Tracey K.
Came here for a first date and it was wonderful! We were seated quickly and our waiter was very understanding of my indecisiveness. He helped me choose a drink (I ended up getting the coco lychee martini - delicious) and continued to be attentive throughout the night. For the entree, I got the sauteed jumbo lump crab cakes with green apple slaw and an herb mash, while my date got the cedar-roasted salmon. To my surprise, they weren't kidding when they said jumbo lump. I could actually see and taste the crab. The slaw and mash were equally phenomenal. I think I liked my meal more than my date liked his, but overall the food and service were both fantastic.
(4)Lindsay Y.
YOLO has been My go to Fort Lauderdale restaurant for several years now and it will continue to be as long as they keep up the good thing they have going on. My favorite menu items are: the squid salad, Tuna tar tar, Ahi tuna and the amazing French fries! Random, but all so delicious in different ways! It's also a great place to people watch and witness the crowd at the next door club, vibe. It's also in a great location on Las Olas where there is plenty to see. UPDATE: yesterday, I received some really nasty messages from two random yelpers about my review and I'm bewildered as to why total strangers would care about my personal opinion?? Please keep your negativity to yourself or in your own reviews. Thanks!
(4)Andrea N.
Had brunch here today. There were some highs and lows. We walked in and were immediately greeted and asked if we wanted indoor or outdoor seating. We chose indoor. The place was crowded, but we did not have to wait for a table. Our server came over and asked for our drink order, I got water and my friend got cappuccino. We started looking at the menu and there were some good options, but nothing that wowed me. I guess I still miss the breakfast burrito with eggs and chorizo. I decided on the quiche and my friend got the omelette of the day, it had broccoli, green peppers and cheese. I decided I wanted a brunch drink so I asked what kind of cider was available. Our server was in training so she asked the trainer, you would have thought I had insulted the trainers mother. I got a very terse "we aren't a beer bar, we serve specialty drinks" Well, this is going to be a short meal. Our food came and mine was very good, it just lacked texture. Everything was kind of mushy so it left me wanting more. My friend said the omelette was good, and really enjoyed the home fries. We left pretty quickly. It was ok. The best part of the meal was the server in training, I wish I had gotten her name so I could give her kudos.
(3)Rona K.
Rk Food was delicious. Dessert a little dry, liked baked last week. We were a big party and it was a Friday night , so service was not great. We will try again.
(3)Danielle R.
Go for bottomless mimosas on Sundays! They give you the whole bottle of champagne, not the pre-mixed stuff that Rok Burger & Big City do.
(4)Jeanne M.
This was our first visit to YOLO since our event, well over a year ago. I didn't get anything to eat that night, so was glad to get to try some of the food. This was for a party with cocktails and hor d'oeuvres. It was a Friday evening, so we figured it would be packed. It was actually not a huge crowd, which was nice. Our group has reserved a space outside, by the fire pit. Thankfully, the fire pit was not lit for ambiance, since it was quite a warm evening. First came the cocktail. I'm never sure what to order, so I went with the "seabreeze," the cocktail I had at the event. The only thing I remembered about it was that I liked it a lot and, after two of them at the event, there were some pics on my phone the next day that I didn't recall at all. Yes, I'm a lightweight, especially with no food, but the point is that they don't water down the drinks. This one was refreshingly grapefruity and just strong enough. I skipped the plate of cold cuts, as those are always standard fare. So, the first app up was a chicken sandwich. It was fairly average, except that there were real chunks of chicken instead of deli slices and the bread was quite good. Next were the meatballs with ricotta. They were big and very nicely flavored with lots of garlic. The marinara sauce was perfect. But on to the best - the Szechwan calamari with garlic chili sauce, peanuts and sesame. These were sooooo good. I could have eaten the whole chafing dish of them. They were tender on the inside, crunchy on the outside and perfectly seasoned with the sweet spicy garlic sauce. If nothing else had made me a fan, that would have done it for me. Yep, if I have another opportunity I'll be going back.
(4)Sheena M.
This place was recommended to us by the bartender at our hotel. It was a great dining experience. Everyone's food was good, fun atmosphere, great music, nice patio, and exceptional service. Recommend dishes - calamari (must have,) and tuna tar tar
(5)Lola N.
This place is really nice. The ambience is great. We had outside seating cause in house was packed. The food here wasn't all that great. It was so crowded and the server was too busy. I was not impressed by their dragon berry cocktail at all. Over the food was ALRIGHT. My favorite was the corn dip
(3)Tairyn A.
If you are a girl, Wednesday it's the best day to come. Girl's nights are great. Free drinks until 10:00 pm, but beware, creeps do come out to play. It gets packed and most of the guys are older men on the prowl. Music it's OK, and the patio area it's great. There is also a restaurant (O Lounge) right next door. All in all a good place to hang out in downtown Ft. Lauderdale.
(3)Mr H.
Totally uninspired. Bioche French toast had as much sugar as a bag from Publix. Speaking of Publix the calamari tasted from frozen while a bottle of Asian sauce was tossed in top. Buttermilk pancakes? Not sure if anyone on the kitchen knows what they are. Couldn't add enough syrup for two reasons one being a fly took to nesting in the serving cup Overall bad choice for brunch
(2)Alyssa K.
I hadn't stepped foot in this place in about 2 years or so and recently popped back in for a late night drink-forgot how much I enjoyed it. Like I said-it was late when we went in-kind of near close, around 1:20 and last call was 2. No big deal, we didn't get crap for ordering anything. $14-16 got us a STRONG vodka martini and a VERY large pour of wine. Like a LARGE glass. I ordered chardonnay but got pinot grigio-but in retrospect it was a happy accident because I didn't ask for a wine list and I'm VERY picky with my Chards. Drank my large pour of wine and was nice and happy considering that wasn't drink #1 of the night, and the bartender was super friendly. The bar is half in and half outside, which is kind of the trend downtown which I like. The kitchen had clearly closed by this point in the night but I have mental notes to come back and try their brunch here, I'm told they have good deals and good food fireside. I think a few years ago when the trend of 18 year old screaming "YOLO" and doing stupid crap was popular has passed, and this place opened around the same time. It's actually offputting with the vibe of this place, seeing as if I yelped this place seeing the name I likely would try somewhere else, but the vibe is so awesome inside and out if you're walking by. I honestly see the name of the place being changed to something a little classier in a couple years. But it's a nice place to go for drinks/brunch/a low key night out.
(4)Kimberly K.
This place was recommended to us by a few different people. So glad we listened! We went on a fairly busy Friday but were seated right away (we did make a reservation). Had a great table outside on the patio. The music playing was really good and the atmosphere was fun. The calamari is a MUST. Probably the best I have ever had. Also tried the Skillet Cornbread which was a huge portion and tasted okay, but I've had much better. The Rotisserie Greek Chicken was delicious. Definitely worth checking this place out.
(4)Rebecca U.
Showed up here on a Friday night with no reservation. Place was packed, assumed it would be impossible to get a table. Surprisingly they had availability outside, it was a beautiful night, slightly chilly but they had heaters so we decided to try it. The view with the fire pit and white lights overhead was really pretty. The outside bar was packed, and our table was in perfect position to take it all in. The waiter came and took drink orders and told us about the specials. We asked various questions about the menu and the waiter was very familiar with all the items. He returned shortly with the drinks and we ordered. One of the specials, which we ordered, was Sole Poppiette baked and served in parchment paper. The other entree we ordered, highly recommended by the waiter was the Short Rib Polenta. We also ordered a chopped salad to split. They split the salad in the kitchen, which must be huge because it was more than enough when served on 2 plates. Each entree was delicious...the sole was really light and flavorful. The Short Rib was more hearty, especially as served with the polenta, very rich but equally as delicious! The entire dinner was very enjoyable and satisfying. After dinner we sat at the inside bar enjoying an after dinner drink. The decor inside is impressive with sort of a zen feel. The night was great I'm happy we chose to come here. My one issue, and why I didn't give 5 stars, I found the drinks to be overpriced for what you get. Small drinks, barely 1 shot of vodka, for $9 (non premium) I know it's downtown Fort Lauderdale Las Olas, but it's annoying. I would recommend it but just be prepared to pay for overpriced cocktails.
(4)Ken S.
Visited during Dine Out Fort Lauderdale. One of the best menus offered. I had the Meatball Slider to start, the Chicken entre and carrot cake for dessert. Everything was exceptionally delicious. Service was also excellent. Will visit again soon.
(4)Tonia C.
I gave YOLO four stars for drinks and atmosphere. The patio is fantastic, very romantic. The whole venue had great vibes as many places on Las Olas do. However I think the food was more of a 3 star. My boyfriend said his prime rib was delicious; however, lots of fat so he ended up cutting about 50% off. The salad was great because I love everything chopped up small and it was HUGE. I barely made a dent in it. The Macaroni and cheese was good but nothing special like most places offer these days and I would probably skip next time. The highlight of our meal was the appetizer, blue cheese truffle YOLO chips. They were FANTASTIC. Overall, I was no impressed with the vegetarian options but the atmosphere, chips, and drinks made up for it. We both felt the cocktails were good and very strong and no more pricey than usual places (about $10 for specialty drinks). The valet was $7.
(4)M L.
Good Sunday brunch spot to meet up with friends $15 bottomless mimosas I love the eggs benedict
(5)Camille G.
This place is really good for Sunday brunch. We started off with unlimited mimosas and calamari. Calamari sauce was too sweet. Wish it were on the side. Mimosas were perfect because the give the bottle and a side of OJ for you to fix to your liking. I ordered the snapper sandwich and it was amazing! Definitely going back for that one soon!
(4)Betu R.
Great food, ambiance but poor service. They rushed us from the first to second course by bringing the food while we were clearly still working on the appetizer, and every time we asked our server for something was like she was doing us a favor. Other than that, the food was amazing. We were four and shared the grilled artichokes as a starter, then we had the spinach salad, the bbq ribs, the salmon burger and a sandwich with arugula, avocado grilled chicken and tomato. The cocktails are great too, we had strawberry kiss and strawberry caipirinha. Overall a lovely experience.
(4)Daniel D.
Note: I did not eat here as I have heard the food is not worth the money. I visited on a Friday night, and it was pretty easy to find a spot on the sofas outdoors. After sitting down, even though the place was pretty busy we got a server to help us pretty quick. In addition the prices of the drinks are not outrageous and they are at about 10 dollars per drink. With good music, nice scene, it is a great place to grab a drink.
(4)Reixa C.
5/6/15- Pretty busy evening. Fortunately, as soon as we walked in the hostess took care of us. We sat outside in the patio underneath the lights. Other than the building all around us, it felt like we were at a restaurant in Napa Valley. Our waiter Nick was friendly and very attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. We ordered a glass of the Groth, Sauvignon Blanc. For my entrée, I ordered the CORIANDER-SEAWEED CRUSTED TUNA / Shiitake-Miso Broth / Baby Bok Choy / Kimchi / Noodles $27. The presentation was a little overwhelming. It was served in the pan that it was cooked in. It really would of been cool if I could of taken it home. My friend has the CRISPY WHOLE FISH / Yellowtail Snapper / Spicy Ginger Garlic Sauce / Jasmine Rice MKT. I had a bite and it was absolutely delicious. It was an early night so we skipped on dessert. I might have to go back to try them out. One thing that I can say as far as seating outside was the benches are super hard, even with the cushions (they have to be redone), and they are low. If you have a group, this is a great place for it. Most of the tables outside had parties of 6 or more. It has a great vibe and atmosphere. Service was outstanding, very friendly staff, and that is always a plus!
(4)Nicole V.
I've dined at Yolo several times so I'm not sure why I've never reviewed it. The pros: great setting inside and out. The food- I've never had anything bad here. My favorite app is the calamari and they do a nice lunch. On my latest visit, we ordered the calamari and meatball sliders. I just wish they would make a turkey meatball! The cons: service is hit or miss especially when sitting outside for cocktails. Sometimes the clientele but maybe that's a pro because it makes for interesting people watching. When on Las Olas, you must stop here and Ladies, check them out on Wednesdays with free drinks and 1/2 off apps.
(4)Mike K.
Great Friday night out! Three of us shared appetizers before Dinner. Szechuan Calamari was delicious. Artichokes were done perfectly. The wine flowed with ease. For dinner I had Manhattan Steak. It was 2 inches thick, medium rare, and juicy! I can't wait to go back!
(4)Jolie A.
I came in for a quick appetizer and a drink before with my cousin before going over to the bar next door, as usual the Tuna tartar didn't disappoint. The fish was fresh and the wafer cracker was just the perfect pair. The corn bread was a disaster; very dry and quite bland.
(3)Alexii N.
This place has good mixed drinks, and pretty decent food. I feel as though it is not good enough for me to want to go for dinner, but I would totally come here for lunch. As I said, good drinks- the strawberry martini is great and they use fresh strawberries. As far as ambiance, there is a decently trendy decor, and list of outdoor seating as well. As I said, good for drinks at night or for lunch.
(3)Shannon L.
This was the first time eating inside the restaurant - for lunch. Had a reservation with a group so no wait to get seated even though they were fairly busy. They stamp their specials on a flier on the table - novel concept but delivery by seater/greeter a little sloppy (bottom part of the stamp was on a separate paper as it was slightly skewed). They were busy for lunch but the waiter gave us the specials verbally and took our order quickly. After that it was slow going. Took awhile for the food to get there. The burgers looked good around the table - with string fries (yum). The trout special looked good altho the mashed potatoes were green (I actually thought it was guacamole at first, before realizing it was just the color). I had the carbonara, altho plated nicely it was just meh.
(3)Antineous R.
I came in on Thursday evening after having flown into town! Hadn't been here in a few years but the food and drinks were just as good as I remembered. Had to have the center cut filet with some fries and potato au gratin which tasted amazing!!! Paired that with some whiskey on the rocks and a couple more drinks in the back after dinner! The waiter was great and the food came out quickly even though they were swamped. I'd definitely recommend yolo to anyone whose visiting the area and wants to enjoy a nice dinner and a few drinks, as I mentioned I had some drinks in the back, there's a small lounge attached to yolo that serves top shelf liquor and has a live dj that plays late into the night. If you enjoy cars you'll definitely appreciate all the Lambos, Bentleys, and Ferarris parked outside!
(4)Erionna J.
I never write bad reviews and feel slightly bad for doing so but I want my voice my opinion. I wanted to come here on my birthday, I'm vegan and I checked out the menu online and saw there was a vegan Burger so I chose this place made a reservation and went there with about 6 other girls. The place is beautiful inside and out and I love the fire pit I had been wanting to go here for quite a while once I was seated I requested the vegan burger I seen online and they said they no longer serve it and that there was no other options on the menu for me other then a salad so I asked if there was maybe just a dish with veggies and rice or something they could make and they said no so I decided to leave and go to Rocco's tacos instead. So basically my only complaint is I wish they had a menu that also catered to vegetarians/vegans or at least offer to make something that's not on the menu since every restaurant I've went to has offered and this waiter didn't seem to think the chef would do it, it just kinda delayed the fun on my birthday because we had to all jump in our cars and head to the next restaurant, overall though the place has great decor and atmosphere just hope they think of extending the menu to make it more vegetarian friendly.
(2)Aline D.
I took my gf there for her bday. The food was okay. I don't remember neither of us being blown away by anything, and it was a bit pricey.
(3)Dee F.
I came here around 10:30 on a Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. We didn't make reservations, so it took about 30 min to seat our party of 8. (Which wasn't that long of a wait for a Saturday night.) While we waited for our table, we sat outside by the bar to people watch. That's always fun. ;) Once our table was ready, we were greeted by a very friendly staff. I ordered a Strawberry C....., I can't recall the full name of the drink and I don't feel like looking it up, lol---but it was amazing!!!! Nice and sweet just like me! The food was good--which was a great surprise since the reviews weren't all that positive. After dinner, we hit the dance floor. The DJ played a variety of different music. Primarily house music. Just one slight hiccup: I told my waiter that someone in my party was celebrating a birthday, and he never followed up with me. That was a bummer, but not a big deal. For that, minus one star. I shall return YOLO!
(4)Chris C.
It's true...YOLO..You Only Live Once...and before you die, if you are in the Las Olas area, you have to try this place. The Food-amazingly tasty. The Service-kind and attentive. The Decor-trendy and classy. The Atmosphere-Cool, relaxing and hip. **Note: Great place for a classy date. You know, someone that deserts your time and money. So, check it...I ordered the SZECHUAN CALAMARI, which was a good spin on calamari, it was really tasty. I also ordered the T'S PRIME RIB, which was really good and for dessert I got the coffee ice cream sandwiches-SO GOOD!!! This place is a cool joint to eat at...NICE...I'll definitely come back!!!
(4)Lyda F.
We went on a date night to yolo and I must say everything from the start was amazing. We sat at the bar while we waited for a table and had some very good drinks and when we sat down which was about 20 min later which was not terrible for a Friday night at all we were greeted by our waiter who was so attentive. We ordered some champagne and I ordered a steak with some mash because I'm a meat and potatoes kind of gal and it was soooooo delicious! The portions were big and I could not finish the whole thing, the waiter was always very attentive and never did we have to call for him because he was always coming by to refill out champagne. I thought the prices were good for the kind of service and good received. They offer valet parking, the atmosphere was quite lively and very loud.
(5)Catalina P.
I been there ones with my co-workers and we had a great experience. The server was great and the food was awesome. We try that tree of cocktails and was delicious .. I like it
(5)A P.
Visited yolo for the first time last Tuesday when I was on vacation with my girlfriend. The food, the atmosphere was so nice. We ordered the calamari which was AMAZINGLY and such a breathe of fresh air from the typical calamari. It was sweet with a hint of spicy. Then we split a chopped salad with grilled shrimp and the porterhouse with the potatoes au gratin. It was cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. My friend and I were in food coma by the time we were done. I ordered a drink the cucumber refresher (?) I think it was. It was good and nice and strong. Coming back to Fort Lauderdale in the fall and I will definitely be visiting yolo again!
(5)Andrew K.
Pretty disgusting brunch. I really hated the tuna tartare - the avocado was overripe and hard at the same time. The omelet tasted like it had been sitting out. I didn't like anything, cheesy name included.
(1)John C.
Valet parking. $7 with validation. Walked right in without a reservation on a Thursday night. Got a table on the patio. Service was very friendly. We started with the calamari. It was awesome. Perfectly crisp on the outside. Sauce was very tasty. I ordered the prime rib sandwich. Not my best decision. Too much ciabatta bread and the swiss cheese overwhelmed the flavor of the meat. The prime rib came sliced and was very good by itself, which is how I ended up eating it. My friend ordered the salmon and it looked delicious.
(3)Erica M.
This place had really good food. The staff was very helpful and friendly. I ordered the crab cakes which was awesome. My friends order salmon and steaks. They all like their food. One of my friends order the calamari that looks oh so good. She felt that it was not the best she ever had and did not eat it. She stated that it had an after taste. The only thing I did not like about this place was the floors where very slippery. We all had on heels.
(4)Courtney C.
Good food, not mind blowingly amazing. Great bloody Mary's, but more expensive then they seem worth. Fun to check out every once and awhile because of the atmosphere and fire pits but not cool enough to spend the money on too often. Would rather go to tap 42.
(3)Pascual O.
A perfect location and great happy hour specials keep this place packed every day. The daily crowd seems to be mostly bankers and lawyers taking a break from long hours in the nearby offices, not to mention a few people who just like parking their Ferraris in the valet section for all Las Olas to see. On Thursdays and Fridays, there's usually also a crowd of people starting a night on Las Olas here. The outdoor space is probably the best part: there's a bonfire when it's cold (well, cold for Florida), some shade, and good seating. And the drinks are pretty good, with a decent wine list and well-mixed cocktails. Food-wise, you can't go wrong with the sliders or the calamari (my personal favorite), both of which have very reasonable happy-hour pricing. The pasta carbonara is a solid meal, as are their fish sandwiches. And be sure to ask for their fries, which are addictive.
(4)Marie O.
This place is seriously overpriced and their drinks have gotten smaller! They used to serve their drinks in larger glasses, but now they only serve them in smaller ones that are half the size. I think you're better off going to one of the dozens of other bars and lounges in the area.
(2)Katherine M.
The atmosphere and name were what got us interested here. It's really nice and well kept - but seriously, I haven't really been to much in Florida that lacks in atmosphere. Service was good, but I did watch a couple spill a glass of wine and a waiter completely and utterly ignore it. They had to flag a different guy down to help. We started with some cocktails - they are strong here, they definitely don't hold back on the liquor inside. But, they were mostly just sugary concoctions with exotic sounding flavors that didn't deliver. They were OK drinks. Not something I would come back for. We were eating an early dinner before catching a flight so kept it light with the YOLO chips and the meatball sliders and mac and cheese.The YOLO chips were yummy and a good appetizer for sharing. You taste the truffle which is a nice touch. The meatball sliders on the other hand were lacking - they missed the 'meatball quality' in that the meat had nothing to hold it together and it crumbed as if it was just ground meat kind of formed into a ball. The mac and cheese lacked in any sharpness or cheese flavor - well cooked, but mostly a buttery, creamy flavor, like buttered noodles with a really, mild cheese almost. Not my thing personally. The consensus for their food is that it's good, but no where near as good as it sounds on the menu. Who ever did their menu copy is brilliant at making my mouth water, but their food doesn't live up to the amazing words that describe it. What did go above and beyond was the fresh berries dessert. Served with a key lime custard and warm pound cake, it was BEYOND amazing. We could have just came and had like 3-4 of those. We will be coming back here for dessert because that dessert alone is worth coming for again and again.
(3)Lisa M.
Calamari was fantastic but the service was slow due to a few parties going on! Drinks were tasty too!
(4)Larry J.
Great place to eat--Sunday brunch is the best. Be careful that the Mimosas do not sneak up on you. Order the Shrimp and Grits if you go on Sunday. The waiting staff is professional and accommodating. If your travels ever bring you to Ft. Lauderdale, then, visit Las Olas for a great time. Happy hour commences in the afternoon's-Mon to Fri-after 4:30 ish. I hope this short narrative helps.
(5)Phuong M.
Happy hour, ladies night! ;) Best day to go here is Wednesday night right after work. Free drinks and buy one get one everything on the menu. One of the perks of being a lady. ^_^ The food is pretty average. Nothing stands out but nothing to complain about either. I've ordered food there on several occasions, but I don't remember anything about it. I'll have to rewrite this review when I actually eat here again and remember what the food taste like.
(3)Mindy B.
Great brunch! Unlimited mimosas and on Sunday's there's a farmers market set up in the parking lot. Definitely try the artichoke appetizer...one of the only places that serves it in town.
(4)NB K.
It's good to be young when visiting this restaurant. It's loud and lively, with an active bar scene, music, crowd. Good for people watching. And, the food is quite good. The service was tops. But a bunch of old fogies like us do not belong here. The air conditioning was too cold, although the manager and server tried to help. My mother and I shared our dishes. The kitchen kindly split the chopped salad (very large portion and VERY good), but were unable to do so for the braised beef and polenta. They unflinchingly provided us with sufficient plates to split our meal. The meat was tender and good -- except for a few outside edges, which were dried out and tougher than we were able to chew. The polenta served with it was delicious. The building is terrific -- the bar is inside/outside, and surrounded by fire pits. The ladies' room was tucked away, nearly impossible to find, as one young, inebriated lady found out. We did not leave hungry, by any means, but we did have headaches. So much for cranky old ladies. The youngsters among you will thoroughly enjoy this venue.
(3)Emmett M.
I surprised my GF with a dinner here while on Vacation on Valentines Day. Everything was great. I ran a little bit late getting to the restaurant due to that dam drawbridge and annoying traffic on Las Olas Blvd. The girls at the front took care of us even though I was 20 minutes late. We had a couple drinks at the bar while waiting for the table to be ready. I had ordered one dozen roses that were delivered to the restaurant. I emailed the manager there beforehand to let them know. As we arrived to the table the staff had them waiting for us on the table and it was a really nice touch. Our waitress was real nice. We decided to pretty much order every appetizer they have and try a bit of everything. The meat ball sliders were amazing. The tuna tartare, fire roasted corn dip and szechuan calamari were great. After a couple more drinks we called it a night. It was a great Valentines Day Dinner and YOLO made it even better!
(5)Sherry W.
Wednesday is ladies night which includes free wine, beer, and alcohol. Plus ladies get but one get one free appetizers. You must sit by fire pit or bar area. I had the meatball sliders which are topped with ricotta and arugula and served on a Bun for $4 each. The meat looked like turkey because it's white. It had good flavor. I also had the skillet cornbread topped with a honey glaze. It us a large serving for 4 people. It was warm and sweet! Service was ok considering it was free drinks. Easy to talk outside. Get there before 6:30 to get seats.
(4)Jim K.
I went here with my wife, best friend and his wife a few months ago while staying at the Riverside hotel. The place was expensive and busy. That's about all I can say bad about this place. The location is great. I had a prime rib that was insane. It was huge and tasted incredible. Everyone else in the group had the same sentiment. That the portion was great and the flavor was magnificent. The service was good. Not the best I have experienced, but for a Saturday night they were doing quite well. We weren't in a rush, and were enjoying drinks. So the wait may have been somewhat long, but we didn't notice it. I think if you were to go during the week, you'd probably find that it's a bit more empty and quieter.
(4)N. B.
I've been coming to YOLO for 5 years but since last December I've given up on this place. At first this place was fresh and new and the food was delicious. In Winter I would love it when they had the tomato basil soup. But my favorite was their vegetarian burger which was great. However over the years the service has seriously declined. They have always chosen to staff this place with very attractive young women (okay, because it looks like they are going after a specific clientele of only men. Fine) But it often seems like there is a new face every week and they don't often know what they are doing. Last time I went with a friend and even though we had a reservation we wanted to sit outside. We were informed its an additional 45 minute wait and we were okay with that. We told them we would wait at the bar. An hour and fifteen minutes later, no one had said a word to us so we finally went up to them. They told me they had tried to call my cell phone 30 minutes ago--but they NEVER asked for my cell phone and actually didn't have it on me---so who were they calling?!! However they gave the table away and now it was ANOTHER 45 MINUTES . At this point we had waited 1 and half hours so we were pretty PO'd. Especially since we are regulars and we know the usual routine. This was Bullshit and we knew it. They forgot about us and were pushing us aside hoping we didn't notice how badly they were covering their tracks. So we asked for a manager, who came pretty promptly. To his credit he apologized immediately and found an outside table asap. (So there was one available after all...) But to continue to add to the horror of an evening-- they had no more vegetarian entrees on their menu. Turns out they decided to take them all off. NOTHING. At this point my stomach was eating itself out of extreme hunger (it was now past 10 pm) I tried to work with them to get something to eat, as it was too late to go anywhere else on las olas (places were closing and we were waiting for dinner since 8 pm). They did have a vegetarian burger, they now only served it for lunch and would not be able to make it for me for dinner. It was a little upsetting considering what we had already been through. So the night was a complete and utter disaster. I really did like this place, even though they are many other equally great places on Las Olas. I do hope one day they get their service back up to their prior standards and put at least one vegetarian entree back on the menu.
(2)Carlos L.
Great menu and flavors. We had a business meeting here so the menu was prearranged for us., with only 3 options. This place is happening, 'come here to be seen' kinda place. Feels very LA (lambo's, ferrari's, plastic surgery, Botox, D&G bags, suits, etc). It's pretentious but not MIA pretentious. The decor is great, nice ambiance. At this price point, patron attitude and parking headache there are many other places I'd consider going to, specially in Miami/Bal Harbor, with a much higher caliber of culinary skills. Would I come again? Oh yes Would I say, let's have a great expensive dinner at YOLO? Probably not
(4)Leighton M.
We started off with the calamari..... It's was sooo good. Get the calamari!!!!! WOW. I had the prime rib... Well done. Best steak I've had in years. I might just go back tonight. We also had the snapper. The fish was good but the rice was a little under cooked. Service A++++
(4)Bonnie F.
Went there on Mother's Day with a party of 14 with an 8:00 PM reservation. They ran out of bread, filet and Prime rib. They tried to serve 1/2 portion "Manhattan Steak" as a top cut steak. When we spoke to the manager about ordering 5 of these Manhattan steaks and they looked like 2 oz steaks. He was insulting. Food was definitely not worth it not was the service. No problem paying for good quality food. I would have been embarrassed to serve these portions. Ruined our Mother's Day dinner. Shame on you YOLO! Only put one star because you don't allow a ZERO rating!
(1)David Z.
Gorgeous day out looking forward to a Cesar salad with shrimp. The dressing is very lemony which is very refreshing. The shrimp are blackened which gives s nice contrast with the salad.
(5)Ira B.
Burgers: hall of fame caliber!! Amazing thin cut fries. Wine is yummy too! Leah, our server was great!
(5)Adam B.
Food was delicious we went here for brunch the bottomless mimosas is a deal for anyone! I had the eggs Benedict florentine which was to die for it was the most perfectly poached egg! My girlfriend had the cornflake crusted brioche French toast and it was so good but so filling! I would recommend going here for brunch.
(4)Heather D.
We stopped in to enjoy a drink on the beautiful patio at the end of the night. What a mistake! Service was awful! The staff was rude and the bartender was condescending. I get it, I used to be a bartender. It was the end of the night, you're ready to close, and you're tired of dealing with drunk people. But WE weren't drunk and we certainly weren't rude.
(2)Gosia C.
Very good food! My highest recommendations. We were 8 persons and everybody were satisfied! From salad to ribs, all food just great!
(4)Rhonda B.
Yolo's food is always delicious. You can't beat the price either. Great happy hour and Sunday brunch specials!
(5)Annie B.
I am not one to complain, unless I am paying for a service and get less than I paid for. A friends of mines have been wanting to visit this establishment for quite some while and decided to celebrate her birthday here last night. We were seated in a timely matter given that fact that some of our part of 10+ was couple minutes late, however, while the food was exceptional, the service was less than expected, it took our server (Alice) over 30 minutes to bring us our drinks, mind you we asked for a glass of water each as we took time to check out the menu. After we endured the horrible service or having to wait a lengthily amount of time for our orders or request from Alice who looked OUT OF IT (she looked as though she can barely keep her eyes open), we decided that they did not deserve out business and we wanted to go elsewhere for drinks/dessert. At approximately 10pm we asked for our checks (separately) she emphasize with a very rude attitude the our checks were going to take a "VERY LONG TIME." At that moment the Birthday girl reached out for the manager Patrick who has been hanging around (female only) tables around us personally greeting and checking on them, he totally ignored her. When out checks came an hour later it was totally screwed up.. Not one of the check was correct according to our orders. When she finally corrected out checks we went to find Patrick who had completely vanished from our area once he walked out one of the tables. Luckily we encountered Lance, another manager, who was a complete sweetheart, to whom after explaining the situation voided the birthday girls check. I cannot say I will be returning to this establishment again, but Lance was more than apologetic and kind. My only suggestion is if you know you have so many reservations and you're expecting so many visitors, as a customer based establishment, hire enough staff to provide the service the clients are paying for. We were happy with Lance and happy with our food, but very disappointing with the service by Alice and Patrick.
(2)Paula C.
Perfect food I ordered the Manhattan steak perfect portion. My boyfriend ordered short ribs they were yummy. We ordered the Devils hammer and it was a very good, well garnished drink. Unfortunately, rude customer service from host even my boyfriend noticed as if I was annoyance to her for asking for a table for two, didn't feel welcomed at all. Your host is an important part of your restaurant. Server was okay. Giving it a try again soon because we really liked the food.
(2)Roberto B.
I was treated here to lunch by an Employer but still I got a good idea of the place from examining my surroundings (juxtaposed against earlier kudos I heard from my new Lauderdale work colleagues). For one thing, it is popular, we luckily had reservations or I don't think we would have been sat for at least 30 minutes. For another, one of my bosses ran into a bevy of his clients - so you know for the well-heeled this is a good place to rub shoulders. I opted for the veggie burger and swapped fries to a house coleslaw that included slivers of granny smith apples - it's hard to pick which was better; they were both pretty yummy. Other diners who ordered burgers seemed to have a decent pile of home made french fries heaped on their plate. Our waitress was attentive, smiley and quick on replacing ice teas and waters. In short, it reminded me a bit like Houstons, only a little snobbier but balanced out by the fact that my veggie burger (which was ample) was only $10.00. It's right across the street from where I work so I'll definitely go back.
(4)Holly S.
Went 5.25.14 for brunch. I am a huge fan of brunch in general and Yolo offers a pretty good one I must say. The brunch menu includes your basic items such as omelets, pancakes and french toast as well as some lunch options. Today's special was quiche and that is what I ended up getting. Mind you, I weighed 4 lbs heavier when I got home however that might have something to do with the $15 unlimited Bloody Marys. The quiche has to be one of the best I have ever had. Made with bacon and Gruyere cheese (plus a delicious flaky crust). The bloody Marys you can make to your liking and includes horseradish if you like (I used the entire serving of it). The food and service were both great (thank you Seth!) however one small (minor) complaint. Outside it was about 90 degrees. They had the fire pit turned on which made it extremely uncomfortable in the outside bar area. We ended updating inside because thereat was just too much outside. I would definitely come back again for much here.
(4)Krystle R.
I love Yolo! Cool name, good food, amazing honey butter cornbread, calamari, fries! My gripes about this place is that there is a certain time they offer the cornbread (after 3 pm I think). And NO BABY CHANGER area in the bathroom. Ugh! I have to place a pad on the sink and angle my baby diagonal to fit. Can us moms (and dads) get a baby changer please? Alyssa the hostess just got me a reservation and reserved a cornbread for me! Yolo anytime I can :)
(4)Sandra O.
YOLO is a happening place full of people at the bar and restaurant. We were looking for a more low key place so we didn't really enjoy the atmosphere. However, I can see it is good for a younger crowd or those wanting to meet people or just be around a lively place. The food was good either way and the service was great.
(3)Monika H.
This is a beautiful restaurant which is attached to a nice nightclub. Wednesdays are ladies nights, so come early or there will be no room at the bar. Dress to impress, but cute strappy sandals or heels will do for the restaurant. Service is good. However, the hostess did not greet me and I basically had to interject and ask for a table. I found this odd since there was no line. She was just conversing with co-workers. Once seated, my server was very nice. I had the strawberry kiss beverage. It was good. If you like drinks to not be too sweet, this is a great one. I also had the burger with kale instead of fries. Now this was delicious. The burger has an excellent flavor from the grill. The kale was also very delicious. I would highly recommend this dish. The half I took home was still phenomenal the following day. Because of the hostess, I almost rated my experience three stars. However, the remainder of the staff were nice and complimentary. Flattery will get you four stars when a girl is dining alone.
(4)Shelby V.
Definitely in the pricey side but great atmosphere and service. No complaints about the food either. I would recommend the calamari
(5)Lisa A.
Came here last night for a birthday dinner and I was impressed with everything. The atmosphere is very modern and comfortable. Service was excellent and last but not least, the food was delicious. We had a good sized group the, so I got to sample a lot of the dishes. Nothing was disappointing. We had the calamari and the truffle chips for appetizers. Both dishes were perfect. My mahi mahi fish sandwich, though a tad salty, was tasty. The side of mashed potatoes were super good! For dessert I ordered the pumpkin cheesecake. It was very fresh and satisfied my sweet tooth! We had a great time and I will definitely recommend Yolo!
(4)Austin P.
Excellent atmosphere. The bottomless bloody Mary's are awesome because they bring you all the ingredients and you make your own at your table. The French Toast is worth the trip from ANYWHERE! A definite MUST if you visit there. Friendly staff, excellent service, good prices, and the quality of food will have me coming back when I'm in Ft. Lauderdale
(5)Marc G.
All around very good place to eat. Here on valentine's. Had the yellow snapper. Very large fish, done to perfection. Waitress was kind and quick. Great date night and not too expensive at all.
(4)Henry K.
Came for Saturday night dinner with friends from out of state who were heading out on a cruise the next day. We made a reservation online for 7:15 (Hey, we are not 30 somethings anymore. Nor 40 somethings for that matter). We arrived early and asked the hostess if we could have dinner outside. While we waited we had drinks on the terrace. Service was prompt and attentive, drinks were tasty, and the people watching was superb! We were seated at 7:40, a bit late for our reservation, but we did request that change to an outdoor table. Our server was a bit grumpy and not very professional. She must have forgotten our appetizer order, since we had to ask her about it after 15-20 minutes or so, and our mains arrived 3 minutes after the appetizer. She didn't even apologize! It was their "famous" truffle potato chips which we shared like a side dish. Not really impressed with them, will try something else next time. Dinner, however was really yummy. Around the table we had the crab cakes, short ribs, salmon and tuna. We all loved our dinners (except the tasteless au gratin potato side). After lots of, "you have to taste this" I can state that they were all wonderful. The location, on Las Olas Boulevard, was really hopping when we finished dinner. There was a private party in their lounge/night club next door, and I have never seen so many luxury cars on the valet line (only $7 by the way) Bentleys, Rolls' and Porches all over the place. All in all, it was a wonderful evening (enough to make us forget about grumpy server girl) with great food, at a trendy place filled with "the beautiful people". PS Even though our group's ages ranged from late 50's to mid 60's we never felt like, nor treated like, we did not belong.
(4)Jason B.
We ate here on a Wednesday at 6pm. Was filled with downtown workers having drinks after work. Wasn't too crowded and not too loud to have a conversation. We were seated immediately as I'd made a reservation. Service was 5 stars-our server stayed on top of getting refills of our drinks perfectly. He was polite and courteous. couldn't have been better. The food wasn't that great. We started with fried calamari. When it came out, it was covered in several sauces that completely overwhelmed the taste of the calamari. we only at about half of it as it was far to greasy and saucy. I had the prime rib sandwich with shoestring fries. It was ok, but I would expect a better presentation for $19. My date had the spinach salad. it was huge but again was left half eaten due to an overwhelming drenching of salad dressing that covered the taste of the salad. I would not return for dinner at this place, maybe for drinks though. The good service doesn't make up for the unappetizing food.
(2)Rachel S.
This review is for the Wednesday Ladies Nights that are happening lately. I have been to Yolo a number of times recently; for birthday parties and other events. I always enjoyed the outdoor ambience, music, lighting, firepit, but just felt it was a bit too "touristy" Tonight it felt more like it was for the locals. I joined a party for Laidies night. There were many options of complimentary drinks for ladies and "buy one, get one free" for appetizers and entrees. The white wine was an excellent even though it was on the house. Served in proper wine glasses and with excellent service. For appetizers we tried: TRUFFLED YOLO CHIPS / Homemade Potato Chips / Truffle / "Maytag" Blue Cheese / Herbs / Crumbled Bacon -meh- not great SZECHUAN CALAMARI / Garlic Chili Sauce / Chopped Peanuts / Sesame- a bit too sweet and saucy GRILLED ARTICHOKES / Lemon Aioli Dipping Sauce -Best artichokes I've ever eaten. They were grilled perfectly. The sauce complemented it superbly. I would order this every time from now on. SKILLET CORNBREAD / Served Warm / Honey-Butter Glaze- A much larger portion than we anticipated. Fresh, tasty, and so much that we shared it with the people sitting nearby TUNA SASHIMI / Cucumber / Seaweed Salad / Edamame / Wasabi Cream-Glad I listened to the waitress and ordered the larger dish. It was really good. Overall, we had good outside service considering how busy it was. The dishes were good; the artichokes were outstanding. The prices were great (of course) The complementary wine was very good. There were also well drinks and domestic beer available. Glad YOLO has found a way to make Wednesday nights on Las Olas fun.
(4)Debi C.
Friendly, accommodating, our server was FANTASTIC and all the food was delicious! Came here by chance after being insulted and disrespected down the street at Mangos. What a blessing- the menu was better; atmosphere much nicer and the staff was friendly and professional . Great experience!
(5)Alexia S.
Great place for brunch Bottomless mimosas The corn flake French toast is the best I've ever had in my lifetime and I highly recommend it !! I would have given 5 stars but the service was not too great. Just getting a cup of coffee took more then it should have Will return :)
(4)Wivyan F.
The expensive bill we paid last night was not worthy. Place is still awesome but the food is not good anymore. No seasoning, no taste whatsoever. Service was great though.
(2)Sierra S.
Upscale trendy bar and restaurant, food is okay nothing special. In close proximity to other bars and lounges so great location to hop from place to place. Went for a first date was very nice romantic ambiance.
(3)Nathan N.
I went down town Wednesday and decided to give YOLO a try, and I was more then pleased. My server Cami gracefully explained the nightly specials of witch my friend and I shared the calamari (exceptional). As for our meals we chose from the menu, she the Crab cakes, and I and Exceptionally prepared Filet. The food was well executed but the attentive service is why I'll be back. Thank you Cami.
(5)Jorge Q.
I have nothing but good things about the experience I had. We were celebrating our anniversary with my wife and that is the kind of pace we were looking for. Food was excellent and the services was great. Very nice people!!! We had a reservations so it took less than 10 seconds to be seated and the place was packed.
(5)Gina P.
Don't let the douchey name fool you- this place has amazing food. I've only had drinks at Yolo and typically avoided it as its normally cougar town but decided to give it a try for dinner when we had company in town. We got a few apps mussels, yolo chips, and calamari. The calamari was the best we ever had. It was covered in Thai flavored sauce and super crispy. The mussels and yolo chips were great too. For my dinner I had the grilled octopus salad. Delicious flavors of grilled octopus, tomatoes, and goat cheese. excited to try their brunch next!
(4)Andrew V.
I may not be a fan of the name I'm definitely a fan of the place. YOLO is a semi-upscale place. It's ok to wear jeans, however, it has something about that makes me want to look my best when I'm there. The indoor/outdoor bar was great. The drinks will knock you off your seat, that's how strong they are. The Strawberry kiss was my favorite. What I enjoyed most is that you can tell they used fresh ingredients to make it. It truly tasted like a strawberry, not a strawberry from concentrate. The outdoor seating area was great. It was cozy and intimate. It's the perfect atmosphere to sit and have a nice conversation with someone, but not be drowned out by the noise of traffic and pedestrians. I'm still thinking about my dinner at this moment. I ordered barbeque pork chop. Talk about a pork chop. I ordered it medium and it was cooked to perfection. The sauce was sweet, but not so sweet that it took over the taste of the meat. The collard greens were perfect and the corn brulee was out of this world. I would go back specifically for that side itself. The service was great. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly. For being busy, we received our food quickly and accurately. I loved it here. I can't wait to go back. It's the perfect place for a group gathering, a single night at the bar or a place to take a date for a romantic night.
(5)Kunal C.
We had two variations of their signature Martinis at the bar while waiting for our table. The martinis were well balanced and did not take very long to bee brought out. To start we had the yolo chips. They were average, we wish we ordered the calamari instead. The Yolo veggie burger was very flavorful and seemed fresh. The shoe string fries complimented it well. Best dish we had here. I had the fish of the day (mahi mahi), it was good but wish I ordered the veggie burger. I would go back again! The overall experience was good.
(4)Mac W.
I had almost given up finding decent food in Fort Lauderdale until I came to YOLO. Really quality food and taste great. Had the homemade chips, spinach salad and my friend ate the vegetable plate. And the service was awesome. Worth a trip back here sometime.
(4)Mary Kate S.
What a great Sunday brunch. Sara the hostess was awesome and so was our server Chris!
(5)Lindsey S.
"YOLO" - you only live once, and it should not be here... They say good company makes a meal, but good food helps too!! Luckily i was with a fabulous crew, otherwise it was not gonna be as pleasant. Our group was 10 people. We were not allowed to be seated til the whole party was there, once we sat we were told we MUST order immediately bc the kitchen was closing - WELL HELLO - why make us have a reservation so late?! and than not let us sit right away, and order at the least apps and drinks... A+ on the ambiance and table seating options - booths, big tables, small tables, outdoor seating with a cool bar area and fire pits. My drink came with a BUG in it...!! We were rushed to order so they could " shoot our selections out of the kitchen" Appetizers - we really should have just stopped after this, and the over all meal would have been satisfactory. *Grilled artichoke - can't really fuck that up, it was great *Calamari - INCREDIBLE, should have just had 8 orders of this, its made with chilli peppers, not the typical red sauce, fried but not too fried, no spidery pieces either (++) *Tuna Sashimi - this was a solid selection as well, yummy seaweed salad comes under the tuna pieces. They stamp the specials and soup of the day on the table, trendy move, I ordered the Black bean soup -- to find out there is chunks of chorizo floating in it... viLE!! they were out of ribs and the filet - two classic items!! SUPER BUMMED.... ordered the chopped salad - which they forgot my chicken on it!! weak.chicken was pulled breast, kinda nasty tasting once they finally brought it out. 2 people got spaghetti - one with shrimp, and one with chicken - nothing to special. 1 person got a burger and fries - fries were soggy, burger was better. i'd give it another try, but its not gonna be on my dollar. needed to use phones to see the menu, bc it was so dark *there is valet* YODO - you only dine once.
(2)Lorin G.
Came here on a Sunday for lunch but unfortunately they were only serving dinner. I was promptly seated by the hostess who was very engaging and hospitable. We sat by choice at booth by the bar. Melissa was our server, I hate to say it, but she was horrible. I asked about food, she completely lacked knowledge of menu, it took over 8 min to get drinks and be greeted. Another server had to come over to ask if we wanted waters because we sat table empty for so long. Our hostess brought us waters. After the meal, while waiting to ask for our check, melissa was MIA, thankfully other people were working to assist us. Food was phenomenal and drinks were perfect (try the cucumber cooler, better from the second bartender, but still Delish). We come here often and def recommended it, but had to mention this experience because if Melissa was to wait on me, I would have to object.
(3)Nick P.
Yolo never disappoints. We make it a point to stop on each visit to Fort Lauderdale. What keeps us coming back? The atmosphere, great service and the schezuan calamari!! No really, it's a must! We've tried many of the items off the menu and have been pleased every with all. Other favorites include: Spinach Salad and the Meatball sliders. They have a great drink menu and happy hour as well.
(5)Dale H.
Went for brunch and had a great time in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Bottomless mimosa is a chilled bottle left at your table with a carafe of OJ on the side. Good food and pleasant staff. Celiac warning: this is not a gluten free friendly restaurant. Very few options and not much awareness.
(4)David J.
Received a message from Michael Savitt the general manager. Called the number he left and never received a phone call back...... Don't think I'll be coming back here... That's just poor taste.
(1)Katina R.
Food was ok for the prices being charged. But the service was crap. Had to call mgr to get syrup and ketchup....other things our waitress was no where to be found.
(3)Fran S.
Great drinks and music. Fun place but watch out for the pick pockets. They're everywhere. I had my phone stolen out of my bag- that was on my arm!
(3)Francys C.
I've been here twice. The ambiance is nice, but the food really isn't that good. I had the roasted chicken that was bland and another time I had a burger that was ok at best. No happy hour specials or drink specials. So yes, it's beautiful, and yes, it's cool to be at "yolo," but that's about it. Positive also is that valet is $5 and then you can come back later so you can go other places and not worry about your car.
(3)Ashwini B.
Maybe I had lesser expectations because of the other Yelp reviews I read, but I was actually pleasantly surprised by YOLO! Only 4 stars because the service felt rushed and also the wine selection was not as great as it could have been for a $$$ restaurant. But the atmosphere was great. The truffle chips were really good, but didn't taste very truffl-ey. We got salmon and vegetable plate. The salmon was delicious and the vegetables tasted so fresh! Also recommend the mac and cheese.
(4)Matthew C.
The food and atmosphere here are good. Definitely try the calamari and the meatball sliders. Although, the drinks and the service could have been a bit better. I had the cocktail with the fresh strawberries and I wasn't a fan. My advice would be to avoid the unfriendly cocktail waitress, Alaina, at all costs. I mean seriously, you're in sunny South Florida and you're waiting happy hour, look like there's some happiness in your life and smile every once in a while.
(3)Matt B.
This place needs a makeover. It's become a boring spot and food is okay. Does Havel great calamari, but only thing I can really get excited about when I go there
(3)Jai M.
Had prime rib, grilled artichoke, and meatball sliders. Very good. I enjoyed this meal and the ambience. Also right next door is Vibe, a sister company nightclub. Calls for a good night!
(4)Andy C.
This is THE place to power lunch. I always enjoy the freshly grilled catch as it is a low carb and light lunch. The service is always fantastic. And it rocks at night for cocktails. Great place to be seen.
(5)Choua V.
Excellent food minus the mash potato. Our waitress was well educated in the menu and drinks and super attentive without hovering over us.
(4)Krisitna M.
Packed when i went on a friday night. Heard the food was expensive but decided to give it a try anyway. Honestly it wasnt that expensive. Adults with real jobs you should be able to afford it just fine. FOOD WAS good and so were the drinks. Saw some pretty wasted people early so my guess check them out for happy hour. Its a nice place to take a date. Didnt get to stay in the lounge side very long only long enough for a drink while we waited for our table. I will say the croud was a little older like 40's but im sure that is the place to go after work for a drink so no judgements here. BUT if you are single and want to meet a guy that has a REAL job and can buy you a drink, its a must go. Ill be there next friday :)
(3)Elizabeth P.
My favorite lunch dish is the Seared Rare Tuna Salad. It is prepared with heaping mound of Asian noodles, a few small pieces of mango (it could use a little bit more), some avocado, and sprinkled with peanuts and a fabulous dressing. Delish!
(4)Lauren B.
Wow, showed up at 9:30 on a Friday night and WHAT A SCENE. Luxury cars and beautiful people as far as the eye could see. This is basically a chic restaurant with a large outdoor area (with fireplace as a centrepiece--they even do smores on Thursday nights!) and a lounge/nightclub next door. Don't think about doing valet unless you drive at least a bimmer ;) The exterior is lined with incredible vehicles if you're into that sort of thing. We approached the hostesses without a reservation, they asked us if we wanted dinner or appetizers/drinks. Since we weren't famished, we said the latter, at which point they said they wouldn't give us a table, even though they clearly had lots of free tables. They suggested we grab a high-top outside (all of which were already taken) or try sitting at the lounge/club next door. Bad first impression!! We would have ordered a fine bottle of vino and a bunch of apps, so WTF, let us sit at a table bitches!! Not cool. After having a cocktail (a yummy fresh strawberry concoction) outside of the club/lounge next door, which had shitty little tables lining the exterior, we decided to venture back to the resto and tell them we wanted a full dinner (we lied). We asked for a table outside, where the action was. Music was dancey out there and lots of rich people were milling around. Cool scene. Foodwise, nothing special at all...though to be fair, we only ordered appetizers: BLT wedge salad (tasty), meatball sliders (not bad; quite heavy); lobster corn dogs (meh! sounded better on paper); and crusted-tuna sashimi (pretty good actually). All told, if you like beautiful women, fancy duds and see-and-be-seen places, you'll like Yolo.
(3)Jeff A.
The good was decent, the crab cakes were ok but the calamari was really good. The decor was pretty cool especially outside
(3)Daniel M.
Visited on 3/6/14 Came with 2 other people. The "O-lounge" next to YOLO was a total ghost town but the bar inside/outside of YOLO was pretty busy. We sat at the bar inside and enjoyed 1 too many of their super strong "Bliss Martinis". The bartenders were very friendly and provided great service. They always made sure to fill up our waters and made very delicious Martinis! Great place to grab a few drinks, listen to some music and socialize on a thursday night! Will definitely come back :)
(4)Pablo G.
Great food and menu selection, nice ambiance, and amazing service. Modern American cuisine similar to Houstons, but better service. The manager Rick personally greeted us at table to ensure everything was to our standards, and the service was outstanding...the filet steak / seafood was fresh and perfectly prepared. After dinner the next door lounge "O Lounge" and adjacent club "Vibe" were also good hangout spots. Definitely recommed Yolo and if you like American restaurant similar to Houstons then you must try Yolo.
(5)Ethan M.
Despite the super-douchey name, the restaurant delivered the goods. My wife and I went early and there was a nice buzz of cocktail-hour beautiful people milling about as we ordered cocktails. I had the ribs, which were unbelievably good -- we split a roasted artichoke that was masterful. I will be totally stealing the recipe for that. If you can, stop by and watch the grill man at work for a little while -- he's an artist.
(3)Lauren D.
Tried YOLO last week when I was in Ft Lauderdale with 2 colleagues - I'd like to give it 3.5 stars. The atmosphere was really nice, I especially enjoyed the modern feel and the outdoor area with the fire pit. We had dinner quite early, around 6:30 - and I'm glad we did, because the later it got, the less I liked the crowd. It felt very "wannabe". Our waitress was very nice, attentive and helpful. We started with cocktails - one of my colleagues tried the strawberry drink with balsamic vinegar and pepper - it was innovative, unique, and surprisingly good! For dinner, I ordered the artichoke and the mussels. I really enjoyed the artichoke - the citrus dipping sauce was really nice. But I hated the mussels - I didn't think the chorizo in the dish added anything, and the mussels were very fishy. One of my colleagues ordered the tuna sashimi, which was good, and the other had the short ribs, which were excellent. The pumpkin faro was especially tasty. Despite the mussels, I enjoyed the food and experience overall, and would definitely give YOLO another try next time I'm in the area.
(4)Brandon S.
Great drinks! Have to go back for food. Diana was our bartender. Really knew her craft!
(5)Gabrielle H.
Great vibe, service and amazing food. Had the calamari which they have a new twist on, it was delicious. Then had the old fashion burger, its picture perfect and even better tasting. I will definitely be back and soon!
(5)Dominique H.
I came here a few nights ago for my birthday. I and 3 others arrived around 10 oc. We waited for about 5 mind before we were seated. It was a little busy but the service was great. Our food arrived fast. I would recommend this place to anymore.
(5)Paul M.
Love love love this place. We weren't even gonna go for lunch today but so many friends raved, so we said 'just for a quick lunch'. Boy, are we glad! Absolutely gorgeous design. We were thinking we would get one of the many ridiculously hot male waiters - is that a prerequisite?- but we got beautiful and sunny Carly, and who noticed the waiters after that? I felt personally attended throughout the visit. She offered suggestions on everything from the amazing cocktail menu to the appetizers, specials, sandwiches, dessert... and she never once steered us wrong. Our friends said the burgers were the best but we just had to try the prime rib sandwich sandwich and special of the day grouper sandwich on brioche. We both coveted the other's meal. My dragonberry mojito was the smoothest and my partner had a strawberry vodka concoction that was hot hot hot. Only downside was a LITTLE pricey... but still worth it. We are going back...
(4)Sean D.
Came for unlimited mimosas. Had the omelet of the day, which was absolutely fantastic. The berry cheesecake was exceptional as well. The food was fantastic, and the service was just as good. Phenomenal! Will be back.
(5)Nelson A.
Great Place for Dinner we were not disappointed with anything. I would recommend it to anyone. Very good service
(5)Marqus R.
YOLO (You Only Live Once), at first blush, sort of put me off as it tends to be somewhat pretentious, snobby and a rather arrogant place with not all that much to be arrogant about, particularly with regards to their dinner food. In fact I find a much better meal at a much more reasonable price across the street at Timpano and what was the Samba Room prior to its untimely closing. The meats are all fine prime cuts, but they don't compare to the area steak houses likes of Mortons, Capital Grill, Ruth Chris or some of the others that specialize in steaks. As for their fish dishes, I've had a few, but none that struck me as worthy of the price or what would constitute anything special or unique. What they do excel at are some rather nice appetizers, particularly their calamari which comes with a delicious Thai peanut sauce and a beautiful outdoor setting around a nice blazing outdoor gas fire when those horrid winter temperatures of Florida sneak down into the 60's. They also have good patio side service but, at least to me, everything tends to be somewhat on the pricey side for what you get. However, judging from the Maseratis, Ferraris and Bentleys in the valet parking section, the average patron can well afford the prices. YOLO is basically the watering hole for the younger set of the downtown Lauderdale up and coming business elite and everyone appears to be dressed, even if in casual attire, expensively so. However, I've found other patrons to be perfectly nice, pleasant, as well as engaging conversationalists. For food other than something to nibble on while having a drink, YOLO to me falls short. But for relaxing with your drink near an open pit gas fire on a patio and doing some people watching of young upper crus, it's difficult to beat.
(4)Rock S.
Forced to go here as we got a gift card as a present. Crappy parking area, so most likely you will need to valet for $5. We went for early dinner, around 430, so not busy at all, which is nice. Ordered the corn bread and it was HUGE for only $6. We also ordered the calamari. Both were really good. We were interested in the octopus salad, and i must say, the octopus was cooked perfectly, not chewy or too tough. Our maun courses were the prime rib and bone in rib eye...YUM! We ended with the ice cream sandwich for dessert and loved it as well. Our service was great, but again, it was not busy at all. If we ever come back to town, we will come back. As a side note, they have cameras on different parts of the kitchen (grill, prep station, etc) and you can watch on the screen everything thats being prepared and cooked. Never saw that before...really nice idea and fun to watch. Only reason I gave 4 was due to parking. Food was awesome.
(4)Michelle S.
Solid place for food and drinks. I had only one complaint, the buttering of their bread is a little excessive, and literally did not sit well in my stomach after...however, my veggie burger was perhaps one of the top 3 tastiest I've had with a unique nutty flavor to it and deliciously toasted bread. The skinny fries were perfect. Service was solid and the dessert, an ice-cream cookie sandwich had a unique twist. With nuts that perfectly coated the chocolate outer layer of an espresso hinted vanilla ice-cream and a side shot of milky cinnamon warm goodness that melted it perfectly til the last bite, I couldn't resist wanting to lick my plate once it was gone! The hubs got a burger as well and said it was delish.
(4)Jenn H.
Braised beef is to die for...and the cornbread will blow your face off. You've also got to try the banana coconut cream pie and the ice cream sandwiches.
(5)Henry U.
Fantastic as always, Karly was amazing and provided the best service with a splash of personality that made my birthday! Will always come back to enjoy the personalities, food, and drinks!
(5)Sophia C.
Great customer service, nice spot but the food did not meet our expectations.
(3)Kelly K.
Saturday lunch- I ordered the short rib grilled cheese and soup. Today it was lentil (very good) the sandwich was amazing- you must come for that. I didn't take a picture because I was too excited to eat it,.. Sorry. My boyfriend got the mojo roasted pork. We are from Miami and our standards are high... Not that good :( the presentation was good, the yuca fries were soggy and undercooked. The replacement for the fries (we let them know) was green beans with corn and sliced fingerling potatoes with nuts and cheese- sounded really great- but the beans were undercooked to the point they might have been microwaved... I would try it again. But maybe only one more time. Not really my favorite...
(3)Scott A.
I was not impressed by this place. Maple syrup... Stop there, it was aunt jemima syrup. I saw them pouring into the containers. Overall I was not impressed with the brunch. Build out was adorable. Server was OK. French toast was deep fried. Which was weird but, different.
(2)Joel L.
Service was terrible, hostess came to our table and rudely stmped the special down on the table and didn't say a word, had to read what it said to figure it out. Waiter didn't seem to listen to what we said, made it obvious when 3 plates came out cooked to the wrong temperature, 2 over and 1 undercooked (chicken was under, the worst part considering the only temperature should be COOKED). The next part isn't the restaurants fault but there were so many pretentious 20-30 year olds who aren't capable of noticing anyone but themselves while spending their parents money. Either way, it's the restaurant, not the people. SAVE YOUR MONEY, don't go here.
(1)Liz O.
Well, I remember the appetizer - the calamari. And it was something spectacularrrr. It defines perfection. A bit of a kick, crispy... just the way I like it. But I did wrong, and had too many Wild Turkey American Honey shots (Yummm!), and I wish I could tell you what I ordered, I only remember it was a chicken entree that was TDF. Fun people though... and a great atmosphere. Lovely bathrooms with a host that takes care of Yolo's guests too!
(4)Tina T.
Steaks are good... Better place for lunch... Calamari is good.. Not amazing... Decor is cool... More of an experience than anything .. Mashed potatoes are green but good and the rotisserie chicken is good too.. Lemonade is a fave of my husband but its ok to me
(4)Chloe E.
YOLO! I only drank at the bar. Decent enough. I would go back.
(4)Matt R.
They have great food with affordable prices. Great brunch menu. The bar tenders there are excellent. Located in a great area.
(5)Phoebe R.
Wonderful drinks and ambiance. We sat outside in the back lounge and it was perfect. I ordered the Pleasure n' 'Pagne cocktail and it was delicious! Food is very good but lacks "regular" bar bites that you would look for. I'll definitely be back with my girlfriends for happy hour!
(4)michelle n.
The atmosphere is nice, the street that it is located on is really nice, the food preparation was mediocre. The kale salad was pretty boring, the fish special which was grouper was great but the potatoes were pretty bland, was expecting more flavor and presentation
(3)Tony C.
Great place to spend some time with friend or your partner, the staff super friendly always asking you if need anything, good food exotics drinks and beautiful people, I highly recommend this place.
(4)Akshay V.
Came with friends who were down for the Thangsgiving holidays. I had the rainbow trout and roasted asparagus. My dish was excellent. I also was not drinking that night, and was happy when my waitress had no judgement on her face about my non-alcoholic beer. A friend ordered a dessert, the molten lava cake. Quite good for a copy and paste dessert you find everywhere.
(3)Paul M.
3.5 Stars After being disappointed at Rocco's, the valet suggested we go down the street to Yolo for some more late night action. It was very, very, busy on a Wednesday night so I definitely took this to be a good sign. The valet girls wearing red berets were a pretty cool sight, and there were lots of big pimpin rides to be seen. The restaurant bar was very full, as was the adjoining O lounge next door. Next door Vibe was also pumping. Finally some signs of life on Las Olas. Upon closer inspection though we were able to see the dichotomy that is Fort Lauderdale. You have a packed, happening joint, nice venue, good music, hot chicks dressed to the nines and.......dudes inside wearing shorts and flip flops. Really??? Not everyone was dressed like this of course, but it just seemed so out of place at Yolo. The place has a great name - You Only Live Once (YOLO), but if it were my last night out I definitely would not be wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops... This corner of Las Olas definitely seems to be hot right now, but I think the slack dress code kills the ambiance a bit. I'd check it out again if I was in the area.
(3)Dennis M.
Like a poor mans Houston's/Seasons 52. Our waiter was extremely slow and he had 2 tables. The appetizers were great (calamari and artichoke hits.... Highly recommend) but all 4 of our entrees were very disappointing. I had a burger that was over cooked. Dad had pork ribs that were lackluster to say the least and my gf had the "cedar wood" salmon that looked like it was fried and then thrown on the wood. Gave it a shot and it was not worth our time/money.
(2)Caitlin H.
Had an amazing evening at YOLO. Went for dinner on a Thursday night while on vacation. There was a private holiday party going on in the outside front section which I thought would be noisy, but we sat outside around the corner and it was great. Service was excellent. Highly recommend the calamari and BBQ pork ribs. Chocolate lava cake was also amazing. Will definitely return when I'm back down in Ft laud! Great date spot.
(5)Caroline B.
I've heard of this place and was so excited to go there. Unfortunately, I can wait again. The service was ridiculous, we waited close to 3 hours to get a table, we ended up eating appetizers at the lounge area. Then when we finally got our table, we were being rushed to finish eating and leave. NEVER AGAIN!
(1)Marianela N.
My boyfriend and I went there tonight for our very first time and it was sooo crouded but our server Terry was amazing. He was super friendly, and super helpful with his suggestions. Please go check him out, he was amazing!!
(5)Franco C.
You Only Live Once... And that is what my friends told me Yolo stands for. Wow what a place to see and be seen at. Simply great all around from the very good food to the incredibly beautiful people that populate this place - we had a grand time. You pull up to the valet and hopefully your car makes the grade to be displayed alongside the Ferrari's and Bentley's that adorn the circular driveway - kind of makes you intimidated when you only wheel in with a Beemer 750.. sheesh. Cars aside, the clientele are a plastic surgeons dream. The ladies are outstandingly gorgeous with nice cans to make the small dresses pop... so to speak. That being said, it seemed that there were a large number of gold diggers there - but hey that is the game right? We didn't feel like a table and there was no doubt a long wait as the place was packed out - so we scored two seats at the bar and had some libations. We ended up ordering some food as we were getting a bit hammered. I went with grouper which was outstanding. You would think a place like this would have middle of the road food but no sir, the food was great. Waitstaff was excellent and we never had to look twice to get someones attention - in most cases they came to us before we needed to ask for this or that - just great service. Prices are high but being from NY it didn't really phase me at all- a place like this in NY would be full of douchebags but in Ft. Lauderdale it works. Everyone was very cool and it was a fun place to hang at. Bring your best going out gear and hit this place!
(4)Marquis E.
Very disappointed in this place. It is a place that you feel cheap in when you go. I am the host of a brunch group and called a MONTH in advance for reservations. I talked to Ana and she said she was looking forward to us coming. She said she would call a week in advance to confirm the number of brunchers. However, that week came and just before I left the office on Friday, I decided to call to check on the restaurant. I talked to the manager of the place and he told me a party that large needed to have an "event planner" contact me. So, Ana called me back.. Ana didn't even remember me. She said YOLO would love to host my group, however I needed to have $1,200 deposit for the event and had to be paid up front before they would consider my request. I was shocked. I told her that I would take my wonderful group somewhere else and live and enjoy good food. Very disappointed YOLO.
(1)Brian G.
Yolo has very good food, but the service is not the best, we had the octopus salad, trout and tuna, which were all good, especially the octopus! the banana cream pie was delicious. they have an inside/ outside bar and outside seating, and the place is hopping. the prices are on the high side, but you are paying for the package. there is a valet and metered parking on the street.
(4)Fred L.
Family has been to Yolo several times and have always been pleased with the food. The restaurant has a few unique features, none of which deal with the quality of the food but are neat. When you get taken to your table the host carries a huge stamp and on the paper covering the linen cloth they stamp the table with the specials of the day. In addition, the restaurant has several cameras facing the different cooking stations and a tv in the far right corner of the restaurant ( by the kitchen) to view what is taking place. This way you can see if your food is sitting at the pass too long...lol We went for a "late lunch" on Friday and after ordering we were informed that we were given the incorrect menus and that we should have received the DINNER menus instead. Two of the guests had ordered an arugula salad which was not on the DINNER menu but the chef said he would make them.....? This was the only item that appeared different to us from the menus. Prices were a few dollars higher on the dinner menu vs. the lunch menu. The meal today was my personal first to the restaurant. The valet was $5 to start the process as an fyi. The table we were seated at had a dripping a/c vent above us and my father jokingly asked the server "if she had an umbrella?" She did offer to move us to another table but we decided to stick it out and just scooted into the booth to avoid the infrequent drip. It took an awful long time to prepare two salads, a hamburger and a rotisserie chicken breast sandwich. We asked for bread and were informed that bread is only served "upon request." We were four people and we got 4 pieces of bread and olive oil with green olives and a few nuts on the side of the platter. My rotisserie chicken sandwich was moist and flavorful but odd..... How am I supposed to eat a sandwich that has big and small bones within it? I ended up breaking the sandwich apart and eating it with a knife a fork. My daughter is a carnivore and feels that Yolo has the best burgers. So, I would recommend them as well to anyone who is interested in a big juicy burger.
(4)Evan M.
YOLO catchy logo/ restaurant name! To start host/hostess no where to be found. A party of three ahead of us seated just a few minutes within waking in. To start of course a drink order. Traditional cranberry and vodka, PERFECT (Good job bar tender on duty). First course ordered at 1:54 pm (lunch service) received in 4mins 1:58 pm. Was a fire roasted corn dip very nice in every way, hot chips hot dip, how ever chips need to be seasoned when they come out of the fryer, overall a nice start to the meal. Second course YOLO Burger, named after the restaurant so I hope it's good! While waiting bar tender drops the ball engaged with only one guest does not recognize another guest at the opposite side of the bar waited three minutes until drink order was placed. On the other hand second course perfect ticket time. Temperature of burger medium (perfection). The only thing wrong with the plate with the frozen Sysco fries, cold and over cooked, (dry). But over all great execution on the first course and main. Final course chocolate lava cake a bit spongy almost like it was under cooked, but that might be due to storage and temperature of cake when served, the ice cream with the gram cracker crust very nice touch. Over all yes I would come back and get a drink and a burger. Just take a little more time on your details and you will have this place swimming with guests!
(3)Camille L.
This place is never an option for me but I came here for a biz lunch and I gotta say the food and service were very good. It was a pre-fix-menu and we had tomato soup, more like pizza sauce w/ cheese, 2nd course was chicken breast w/ mashed potatoes and that was quite delicious! 3rd course was either key lime pie or carrot cake. I got to try both... I am a dessert-a-holic and they were awesome! The guy served from the right and picked up from the left, knew his pivot points while bringing out the food which is great w/ a 20 top. I guess I never come here because its such a cheesy and pretentious meat market after work, I just rule it out all together, but a simple gathering like this was a good choice.
(4)Scott S.
My wife and I were food poisoned by the hamburger they served there. I would not recommend going there.
(1)Mariam D.
Love the ambiance and overall vibe and concept of YOLO. A professional crowd packs the bar, while the outdoor seating area boasts fire places on cooler evenings and serves up some tasty craft cocktails. I returned this week for a holiday dinner party and really enjoyed it. The calamari appetizer (small fried pieces piled high) was prepared with a sweet and tangy Asian glaze and was a tasty take on one of my favorite starters. The meatball app was a hit as well, though they were a bit undercooked for my liking, they were adequately seasoned and tender. The dinner salad was simply comprised of spring greens and tiny tomatoes lightly coated with a delicate olive oil and vinegar blend. For my main course I had the salmon filet served with a side of green beans. Dinner was a-ok, and followed with an excellent slice of Key Lime pie. A few others at our table enjoyed the chocolate souffle and carrot cake. The burger plate (with the glossiest bun i've ever seen) was generously accompanied by fries and cole slaw, and was presented quite nicely. Overall a positive experience on Las Olas and a spot I would recommend for lunch or dinner.
(3)Hank S.
We came in from San Diego and this place was recommend. We went out here a few Fridays ago for a few night drinks. We had a fun night and the drinks were good. We didn't eat food, but enjoyed the drinks and scenery. I will definitely go back when I'm in FLL.
(4)Laura H.
AWESOME experience on our last dinner night in town! My favorite local colleague who lives in South Florida INSISTED we go to YOLO's and he was right. Ate outside and the service was perfect. Was recommended to do the calamari (twist my arm) and it was the best calamari I've ever experienced and believe me...Treasure Island in Vegas has some pretty kick-ass calamari but this was ROCKING. We almost filled up on so much calamari we didn't have room for dinner! We had specialty burgers and did a split between us to get some varied flavors. MANY of the patrons were clearly locals finishing the work week on a Friday night. It is obvious it's a hopping place as the food, service, location and ambiance all rock. After using the facilities before we set out to walk back to the hotel on A1A, I came out of the ladies room and my boyfriend was freaking out to me. He said he was in the men's room and a staff member came out of a stall after taking a dump and DIDN'T wash his hands! Luckily, my boyfriend grabbed the GM and told him what he just witnessed. Good for YOLO's for getting all over it as the GM needed to know who it was so he could address it. Even better the GM told him he would address it with ALL the staff and he apologized over and over again. Walking away the story was funny but to witness it must have been disturbing. Poor thing. :(
(5)Terra S.
Came here for the first time on a Friday evening, BIG MISTAKE. It was PACKED as hell and reeked of cigarette smoke ugh so we didn't stay and went across the street to the royal pig. Fast forward to today Tuesday, ( I was determined to try this place) we were sat immediately and I was so excited. I went with a group so we all ordered different dishes and picked off of everyone's plate. The favs were the calamari (my first time trying calamari and I think I liked it..... If they wouldn't have told me it was calamari) truffle fries with blue cheese, my friend swears they have the best burgers, the prime rib got a thumbs up and my grouper was tasty. We all had wine so I can't speak on the cocktails but what I can speak on is my FIRE bread pudding desert yasssss hun-tee mmmmm. Over all I liked this joint but I'll be sure never to visit on the weekend!
(4)Kabir G.
Good American style food on las olas strip set in a typical South Florida environment - read young girls older men. The linguini and clams were good and fresh. They only have a couple of vegetarian options.
(4)Elias G.
I've been here for both dinner and brunch, way before this restaurant started appearing Drake's song. The food is really good, the ambiance really nice, and the service very friendly. This is also perhaps the most beautiful restaurant in Broward. The bar was very well designed, in that the same bar can service the inside and outside area. When seated, one of the neat things they do is stamp the daily specials onto the table, which is a cute touch. I've had the pork chop for dinner; it's enourmous and came perfectly cooked (and juicy). For brunch I've had the pork hash, which was delicious but the portion was a bit small. Great place to have dinner with family or friends if you're ever in Broward.
(4)Heather B.
I attended a birthday dinner here tonight. .. The atmosphere here is very nice but the food was not good at all.... very bland and simple.... nothing to talk about.... I'm a foodie and this was not my favorite.
(1)Becky M.
Do NOT eat here. I made a reservation for 8 pm for my friends birthday and we were not seated until 8:45! That is ridiculous. On top of that, the manager was extremely rude when I approached him he said, "what would you like me to do about that?" I made a reservation for a reason... They did not bring bread or butter until we asked and the food wasnt even that great for that kind of pricing. I will NEVER eat here again.
(1)Geoffrey M.
I've been here several times for lunch, drinks with friends, and once for dinner. It is a trendy upscale downtown restaurant and lounge that caters to business people in the area. Later at night, the late 20's to early 40's crowd. Good food, a nice wine list, and better than decent cocktails are pluses. Attractive and friendly waitstaff and a great location are also nice. Pricey but not out of control, this is a nice place to come for lunch, happy hour, or later in the evening activities. Nice outdoor seating area with an urban oasis type feel. I'll keep coming back.
(4)Xavier W.
This is a very trendy spot and the downtown location is great. The food was decent, I had the seared tuna and that was delicious but I could care less for the noodles and anything else that came on the side of that plate. Skillet cornbread was awesome! But it is very big and even when shared between 4 people, we barely could finish half. The largest problem we had was the service, our waitress overcharged us for the wine, giving us a much more expensive wine than we had ordered. Even though the waitress admitted it was her fault, she did not change the check nor did she offer to even try talking to the manager.
(2)Jeffrey B.
Great atmosphere good lunch place good people watching. And spaghetti squash mmmmthe fish sandwich is outstanding great burger and the service is on the money convenient valet at the door Aesthetics are great lovely set up. Outside bar is nice
(5)Andrew M.
Great scene ordered the prime rib sandwich Fantastic meal. Bloody Mary's are also great.
(5)Leon N.
Great atmosphere. Everything we had was fantastic and it is very reasonable for what we ordered. Loved the artichokes and ridiculous corn bread
(4)Lisa G.
I'm giving it 5 stars cause its beautiful and sexy. The atmosphere can't be beat, so Miami. Love it. The food was good but only second to the vibe. I had the crab cake which I would get again. My coworker had the steak, which was over cooked but served with the bone marrow, so again swagalicious. I had a fabulous cocktail, something made with strawberries. Delish. Great date place, sit outside for the full effect, fire pits and all.
(5)Jesse V.
Nice place to hang with friends.
(4)Rick F.
I asked the concierge where can I go to find the hippest, hottest, most happening, current and now restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, cause you know that's how I roll! All three of them said YOLO. Of course it was on Las Olas Blvd! Everything was amazing the atmosphere was electric, the bar and patio were pumping! Music was now! Tuna appetizer was good, Onion soup was excellent, Linguini with Clam Sauce, Salmon and Grouper were all well executed and tasted great. The service and server were spot on the entire evening!
(4)Brett D.
Awesome calamari!!!! A lot of people say they are over it and I think it is because they are always packed. I still enjoyed it and really like their brunch.
(5)Tra B.
Have to Update. Management reached out to compensate our recent not so fond visit to make it right and I must say its gratifying, which shows true hospitality with management that cares about service and their customers. Thank You Michael I'll definitely visit next time I'm in town.
(4)Bradley T.
Service was so-so but what do ya expect on a busy Saturday night! Cheeseburger was AMAZING and the sweet potato mashed - to die for. The atmosphere is worth any deficiency in service or food quality. Love the place...
(4)Danielle L.
Looks like I dont need to say much. Visited here while on my honeymoon. Found it via Yelp .. so thanks yelpers. the food was divine!! the service was great, our server never forgot about even though there was a group of 15 or so next to us. She made us feel like we were important ( I dont remember her name.. she was white, short sassy hair, super sute) My black berry mojito(s) were perfect. I wish we would have found it earlier, we probably would have been here more.
(4)Gregory L.
We went to YOLO two weeks ago and had a fine time. We started with their homemade potato chips drizzled with blue cheese. Dinner could have stopped there it was sooo good. I had a fillet Mignon and it was cooked perfectly. The staff could not have been more attentive. I thoroughly enjoyed my whole experience.
(4)Jackie C.
I went for lunch today and got the short rib grilled cheese and tomato soup. Very delish! Our server was Alex. He was a very sweet kid and kept us laughing! I will def go back again and request Alex as my server... soon!
(4)Tambi S.
Wonderful food, attentive service, and beautiful setting. I subtracted two stars from what would have otherwise been a 4-star review because the restaurant would not honor the complimentary dessert with Yelp check-in advertised on the restaurant's Yelp page. Our server checked with his manager and was told this offer expired in September. Why then are they still advertising this and refuse to honor it?? Poor form.
(2)Aubrey M.
I AM NEVER COMING BACK. This place was HORRENDOUS. The setup and ambiance was hip and trendy, but service and food were terrible! We went for brunch on a sunday. My mom ordered a bellini, but it was a cheap knockoff, not using the right ingredients, and was a whopping $9. We ordered the cinnamon rolls, but they were actually overpriced, cold, and dry below-Costco-quality rolls that took 30 minutes to come out. After waiting another hour, our food finally came. My fish sandwich was soggy, the fish was well cooked and tasty, but was lukewarm. My mom's omelette was cold. The waiter was not accommodating and took forever to get our food out. Cheap quality, poorly managed. Do not come here.
(1)Chanoa C.
Yolo has wonderful food and a great atmosphere. The crowd is a very mixed bunch - young professionals, more mature individuals, etc. but usually everyone seems to mesh well and just revel in the fun. This is a very stylish spot in Fort Lauderdale with a scene much farther ahead than many places in the area. TIP: Be sure to visit on a cold day in the winter or fall - the outdoor fire pits are dreamy and romantic and they bring a super positive mood that spreads through the crowd.
(4)QueenB B.
The atmosphere at first seems right but, all the people there seem so pretentious and fake. They want to see what next wannabe drug dealer pulls up in his stolen Ferrari. I am pissed because I valet my car and THEY LOST MY KEY. Then they acted like it was not their fault and did not even apologized. I have to file a claim tomorrow great on thanksgiving and they better pay for my lost key. The guys there just stare at women with no intention to approach them. That is the problem with American men.. such pansies. This place could be cool is they got some actual cool people in there and not some worn out fake sorority girls and creepy looking business bachelors. Oh ya, they need to hire a new valet company who takes care of others property and cars! YOLO I only come once. Peace!
(1)Julia M.
This place is pricey. But the food is pretty good. The atmosphere is swanky and a bit mod. The servers are always nice. The one thing that really bugs me is that they won't seat you if not everyone in your party is there.
(4)Emy A.
Found this place via Yelp and Urban Spoon. The place had great atmosphere, very hip and trendy. I was a little under dressed in just a hoody, sandals and yoga pants but the servers didn't turn me away. There was about a 10 min wait for even 8:30 pm but we were ok with it. They were quite busy so the service was a little slow. The food was delicious. We just ordered 1 entrée of pasta and 3 sides (chips, sliders and calamari). The appetizer portions were very decent.
(4)Carolyn G.
From the minute we stepped out of our car we could hear the hum. You know......the hum of a hot spot with a pretty bar and pretty people. Everyone was pleasant. The vibe was all positive and the food was delish but what really made our night was the staff. There was a slight glitch in our online reservation (we didn't use Open Table) but in minutes the manager was there to rectify any confusion and sat us ASAP. (Thanks Mike and Madison.) My daughters and I had a great time. One of them tried tuna sashimi for the first time and loved it. The corn bread skillet was also a very pleasant surprise (took home the leftovers) as was the ice cream sandwiches for dessert. The crab cakes and filet main courses made for a fabulous surf and turf meal. Treat yourself with a night at YOLO. Just make sure you use Open Table if you're doing online reservations.
(5)Jacquie M.
Very good food, nice atmosphere. Service with a smile. Maybe the only complaint is the feeling of being a little rushed. Lots of people waiting for tables.
(4)Blak B.
I like Yolo for what it is. Am I going for the much talked about food? Of course not! I'm here for a few apps and people watching! It's the place to be if you want to show off your $200k sports cars duhhhh! I'm thinking of shooting a reality tv show there called "where my cougars at". I really enjoy the lounge area outside because its away from the "upscale" rowdiness inside. I have always had a great time at Yolo. I can only say I have eaten at a table once and the entrees weren't bad and the waitress we had was funny and cool. So in closing I will say You Only Live Once so check em out and get to Vibe night club after. 10-4 Barbie signing out!
(4)Kerry B.
I've been here twice and both times have been blown away by the exceptional atmosphere, service, and food. It has such an awesome energy. I, without a doubt, suggest going on a comfortable evening so that you can sit outside. They have a huge patio surrounded by bamboo and tropical plants, tiki torches, etc. ...it just creates a really exciting mood which brings out a "see and be seen" kind of crowd to have a good time. The service on both visits was exceptional. Very friendly, professional, and they help you have a good time too. One word for the food: Perfection. My friend still raves about the pork loin she had two years ago. I tried it on my most recent visit and it was still just as good. I can't say enough good things about this place and can't wait to return. It's definitely a treat and not to be missed!
(5)Jessica T.
Brunch for my friends birthday. Food was phenomenal. Eggs Benedict and a prime rib sandwich. All delish! We were a party of 20 and our service was great and timely. Bottomless mimosa $15 and they actually bring u bottles instead of refilling your glass. We say outside (August) and was a super cute area just need more fans. Other then that everything was perfect. Can not wait to go back. Some other entrees people got at my table also looked amazing.
(5)Danielle D.
The strawberry kiss martini is delicious, but there isn't anything of note on the menu for me. It's a nice place and they are very accommodating to large groups. It's never a bad experience but I am a foodie so I like to be swept away with my meal experience.
(3)Cristobal C.
We were very impressed. Many healthy options the California spinach salad was delicious. Plentiful portions and great service. Great location with parking garage next door and it looked like they also had valet service nearby.
(4)Larry S.
Trendy place, lots of cool people, great bar! The food, meh. The service, meh. We waited an hour for our table, and one guy in our party ordered the halibut special, it came out looking like a long john silvers pot pie. And they ran out of a few things our party ordered. I give it a 5
(3)Adam K.
Fab, delish, posh. Great place to eat brunch outside. I ordered the divine Calamari (if you're not a fan of 'sweet & sour' sauce, ask for it on the side). The Tuna Salad is absolutely delish. I can't wait to go back next time I'm in FLL.
(4)Suzanne S.
This review is for Yolo's ladies night which I recently checked out. There was a great happy hour young professional type crowd and the place was packed but I still managed to find a seat. The selection of wine, beer, or a mixed drink was more than I was expecting. Even though it was busy every time they saw my glass empty they refilled it complimentary! You can also get buy 1 get 1 appetizers and the portions were fair. My girls and I spent hours talking, eating, and drinking and all the staff we dealt with were pleasant. We had four appetizers and two glasses of wine each for a total of $10 each. We were all stuffed. On ladies night this can't be beat. The ladies night goes from 6pm-10pm each week which makes it a nice change from being forced to run out of work in order to meet my friends. During the week there is ample parking from garages, valet, and individual meters. Thanks Yolo for appreciating us ladies!
(4)Lauren S.
Visiting Florida around New Years is always an experience in and of itself but my friends always try to make Florida out to be much more glamorous than it is. I shouldn't have been surprised when they suggested trying out YOLO - You Only Live Once is basically their life motto!! As many reviewers before me have noted, this place is more of a scene than a place to get some good food. Don't get me wrong, the food we ordered was good. But the prices were exorbitant on some menu items and this place is way more focused on attracting a certain crowd and having a trendy reputation. Six of us Montrealers came for lunch expecting to be wined and dined amongst Florida's classiest (I know my friends were secretly hoping for a celebrity-sighting). From the Bentley and Maserati parked outside, we definitely got what we expected. Us three girls ordered Caesar salads to start except we requested no olives and prosciutto. It was tasteless and more disappointing was the fact that they also left out the parmesean crackers that might have offered the salad a little something that it was missing. It was literally lettuce lightly drizzled with the faintest hint of caesar dressing. Literally a 2/10. The boys shared a calamari appetizer that looked phenomenal and HUGE. It was polished off in mere minutes The peanut sauce smelled amazing from across the table. This was a definite 9/10. We had 3 Old-School burgers, 1 Ultimate Veggie burger, and 2 Turkey burgers. The shoestring french fries that come with burgers were perfectly seasoned and although they don't appear to be well done (how I like my french fries cooked), these were well-made. The burgers were large (not excessively) and quite tasty. Each burger was well decorated, but even better, they didn't skimp on the toppings! 8/10 We had a waitress-in-training who was excellent (forget her name) accompanied by her trainer, a nice guy who coached her along.... that was until she placed the wine glasses on the wrong side at another table and he berated her right next to our table... we thought it was uncalled for and could have been done more privately. 7/10 Anyhow, this place wasn't a total bust. We had a nice time (thanks to good company) and my friends were very glad that we can now cross this restaurant off our Florida Restaurant Bucket List. Overall 7/10 I'm not sure we'll be back, the menu is pretty limited and the prices on most items are unwarranted. If I'm ever looking for a classy place on Los Olas, then perhaps!
(4)Kelly K.
I came here for brunch when in town on vacation. The wait was about 30 minutes for 3 around 130 on a Saturday, so I grabbed a drink at the bar. The service was quick and the cucumber drink was tasty and refreshing. I had the salmon BLT which was good, but nothing to write home about. The cheesy creamy grits were pretty amazing, but definitely not low-cal. Overall, the place was good, but nothing really special.
(3)Bruce M.
We came twice in the last month because of the buzz we have heard about this place. It certainly has vibe and vitality with lots of people, fancy cars out front, etc. Their success is evident when you are told they won't seat you until the FULL party has arrived. Very NYC and not so nice when on vacation and parking is hard to find for the driver. The food is interesting and tasty. Lots of options for all dietary needs. Unfortunately, you feel rushed to order and eat. On our 2nd visit, the entrees arrived while some of us were still eating the appetizer courses. We were in an out in one hour. You only live once, but please slow down!
(3)Eileen S.
Checked YOLO out on a Thursday night and loved the look and vibe. Friends tell me it is crazy busy on weekends. Had a perfect mojito at the outdoor bar then sat outside for dinner. I thought all the apps we tried were ok. I prefer more distinctive flavors. We ordered tuna sashimi, mussels, and a grilled artichoke. All good-not great. I felt the same way about my entree. Very fresh perfectly seared tuna but none of the usual zip or flavor. Thought my husbands porcini crusted steak was outstanding. I might be tempted to give this place one more try and order a few different items but probably not tonight!! Service was excellent but for me this place is a bit overrated.
(3)Drew D.
I don't understand the hype... Prime rib came with cheese? Bland au jus..... Try the royal pig across the street
(3)Ben V.
When you travel for business, eating out on your own is a bit of a challenge. I always ask the concierge of the hotel which places are social and have bar seating where people mix. She immediately directed me to YOLO (stands for You Only Live Once) on Las Olas. I wasn't disappointed, the place was buzzing. A lot of beautiful people, South Florida style. Then I found out Wednesday night is Ladies night. This started making sense. Sat at the outside bar, ordered angel hair pasta with schrimp. Very delicious and clean. Other dishes looked equally good. Obviously people don't just come here for the food but for socializing. A lot of that is going on. Ended up speaking to at least 12 people in two hours.
(4)Jor-El G.
The first thing you will notice about YOLO is that it's quite visually appealing, the atmosphere is unique, sleek, and every bit trendy. I came during lunch and had the Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich (chicken, fire-roasted peppers, arugula, jack cheese, and lemon aioli) with a side salad. It was a nice size and well presented yet a bit lacking in flavor, not so impressed with it. I also had the Truffled Yolo Chips which werehomemade potato chips, truffle, blue cheese, herbs, and crumbled bacon....now THOSE were pretty damn memorable and tasty. What I can gather about YOLO is that it's hit or miss depending on what you get. Portions are generous, and they should be because prices for entrees range from $10-$32.
(3)Luisa C.
I have to take this review up 2 stars. Their manager Andy and the staff have been very forthcoming and as a result have won my heart back through the food. This time I had the best burger with the works. What a tasty, juicy burger it was at that. I loved the bun they used - if I am not mistaken it was sourdough. It allowed for all the juices to be absorbed in it. Pure deliciousness. Their fries are skinny and worth the splurge. We also ordered the corn flake crusted french toast for dessert and it was worth every bite. Service with Alex was outstanding! We will be back for more. Thank you for making it up to me.
(5)Nate H.
I go out for Dinner / drinks here about once a month. It's definitely a classic place. Great for first dates (;. Of course you must call and make your reservation prior to getting there. Weekends are always super packed, and even when you call in they will probably tell you "we are already fully committed for tonight", and you can't make a reservation. Only walk in and wait for a table. Which I will not do. Nothing ruins your night out more then just standing around for 30 min waiting for a table. Yolo is not on the "Open Table" app which I like to use, so you can't just make a reservation by clicking a few icons on your Iphone. The place is classic. Nice fixtures, fancy look, valet parking right at the entrance, fire sticks surrounding the outside, and downtown is exactly there. I will say it's pretty much as up scale as you will get at downtown Fort Lauderdale. Food is GOOD, and always unique. Every dish has a twist to it. Not your ordinary american menu. They also Mix and change their menu every few weeks / months, so you always have new entires to check out. The downside? Yes, it's pretty pricey. But I wouldn't except anything less from a prime location at Downtown. And yes, like many other users wrote on their reviews, sometimes they are so crowded you need to ask 4 times before you Acculty get your drinks. They can do better with this aspect. Customers don't need to fill like the restaurant is doing them a favor by serving them. Other then that, the overall experience is good. You can go dance after dinner. It's always a safe bet to take someone new to town here. Enjoy. You only live once (;
(4)Roderick S.
I came here with my 2 coworkers for dinner on a Tuesday night. We made reservations through OpenTable for 8:45. We are self proclaimed foodies and we really wanted to try some unique eats and good wine. Appetizers: Cornbread - Great Tuna sashimi - Awesome Potato chips - OK, my expectations were too high Main: Ribs - Really tasty Vegetable plate - Surprisingly good Pork Chop - Looked great but severely overcooked I would have given 5 stars if it wasn't for the pork.
(4)Bill L.
Great location for people watching and the service and food are spectacular! We only had salads and soup but everything being served around us looked terrific. Great spot for happy hour!
(5)Harold L.
I go to YOLO frequently for business lunches and while the food is consistently good the real highlight is Karlee. Karlee is such a great server, making you feel comfortable and at ease, with a warm and bubbly personality, too. I would totally recommend YOLO but also strongly suggest that you ask for "Karlee Simon" when making your reservation....you will not be disappointed.
(5)Andrea W.
Terry White was awesome. Super cute, amazing service and personality to spare. Great time!!!
(5)Steve C.
I love Yolo, more for the staff and patrons than the food and drink. :-) As far as dining is concerned: * I love the Szechuan Calamari ($10) - zesty, spicy, tasty, and a big appetizer portion * I had Oak Salmon this visit ($17) and it was prepared perfectly * This was the first time I tried the (red) Sangria and it was awesome, although there was no consistency as different servings were colored and flavored differently ($10 a glass) I love how efficient they are at lunch. Good stuff.
(4)JAmerican G.
YOLO is over-rated! This is my second time there. First, I made an Open Table reservation for a party of 6 at 10:15 p.m. on a Saturday night. We arrived at 10 p.m. and were told we were a bit early, so I was given a buzzer and they said they would call us. At 10:15 I let them know that the rest of my party was there and they said ok. At 10:30, I asked if we could be seated and reminded them that I have a 10:15 reservation and my party is all there. I was told it will be about 5 minutes. At 11:00 p.m. I went back again and asked when we would be seated and was told that when we don't show up within 15 minutes,then our table is given up, so they are waiting on about 3 tables to clear!!!!...????? I reminded her that we have been waiting since 10 p.m. for a 10:15 p.m. reservation and what is the point of making a reservation, if we can't get a table in a reasonable amount of time??? At 11:15 p.m., an hour later, we were seated! I ordered pasta with fresh tomatoes. When it arrived I asked for a side of marinara sauce, since the pasta was a bit dry. I was given marinara sauce with sausage bits in it! When I asked the waiter if there was any meat in the marinara, he said no, so I pointed to the item in my plate and he said it was a tomato! *blank stare* He later confirmed that the sauce he gave me did have meat in it and offered to bring me one with plain marinara! Since when does marinara sauce have meat in it and if so, wouldn't you let the customer know that ahead of time, especially since I ordered a meatless item???? When it came time to settle the bill, the gratuity was already included, since we were a party of 6. We split the bill with cash and 2 credit cards. The waiter brought the check back with the credit cards, but no change...We had to go and ask for the change and the waiter claimed he put it aside for us and planned on bringing it to the table...Oh really? Then why wouldn't he have brought it back with the credit cards???? *Sigh* Overall, I came to the conclusion, that YOLO is a great place for hanging out if all you want are drinks and appetizers. If you are there for a restaurant experience, then go someplace else, because folks who frequent here seem to be interested in their O Lounge next door, or their bar!
(2)Lynn D.
From out of town and we just had to go here because YOLO is the best restaurant name ever and there were so many great reviews but we weren't impressed with the food at all. The truffled Yolo chips hardly had any toppings on them. Very sparse and quite expensive. The rest of the food was just okay. Not anything like the highly rated restaurants of where we are from, Salt Lake City; Especially for the price. The service was awful. They wouldn't give us more soda and when they did it was the wrong kind. Since they had just opened for the day they weren't busy but still neglected us. We sat outside and the birds, although cute, were all over our table. We weren't comfortable with how unsanitary that was and my husband did get sick after eating here. There was a sickly bird sitting on the ground near us that I was worried about. It looked like it was suffering. :( I don't know what they can really do about the birds other than maybe warn customers so they may sit inside. Hopefully if they read this they won't try to exterminate them. That would be upsetting. Overall I wouldn't suggest this place.
(1)Dieunane F.
I have been to Yolo's about three times, the service has been consistently positive. The servers are attentive and seem knowledgeable of the menu as they were able to provide information about the menu and answer all of my questions. I went recently to celebrate a friend's birthday during a week nigh and the ambience seemed about the same as the week-ends. It is chic and most importantly very relaxed and good for communication due to the low noise level. My favorite items are the meatballs, corn bread, and strawberry caipirinha. On my last visit, I tried the Richette pasta and was quite disappointed. This was surprising since I'm such a pasta lover. This dish was greasy and tasted more like medicine than anything else. I will return but definitely will never order the pasta again.
(4)Vicky K.
Food was quite good. Service was quite bad. Won't go again.
(2)amy m.
Have been here many times and they have the best calamari. The cornbread is also delicious. Great place for celebration meal or special occasion. Service was excellent.
(5)Maria C.
So the first time I came to YOLO my experience was not so great. The food was ok, service was less than ok and the ambiance was good. The manager emailed me and asked if I could give them another chance. I did. I LOVED it. I had the best Salmon I've ever had in my life. It was outstanding. The service was phenomenal, our waitress Jessica was perfect and we had a great time. A must, if you ask me.
(5)Mark H.
I like the ambiance, food is good too! One of the better places to eat and hang out in Ft. Lauderdale.
(3)Jay H.
Love the staff!
(3)Monika K.
calamari, tuna tartare, nice strong cocktails, flank steak, mac and cheese, yolo chips. nice night out by the firepit on a cool evening in sofla. recommend !
(4)Gina S.
This past Sunday we went for brunch, It was gonna be great, I had a hunch. I convinced the fam that it was the place to go "To celebrate dad's bday, let's head to Yolo." They listened and we went at 1pm Unfortunately it wasn't awesome from start to end. The servers were in busy and in the weeds. The kitchen was backed up and couldn't meet the needs. But eventually Tom the manager made things okay, compensating us and brightening the day. He adjusted the bill which was more than fair. It was nice to know that he really did care. The patio seating made our long wait time much more tolerable, but had we sat any longer our moods would have got volatile. The food we eventually received was up to par, as were the bottomless mimosas and bloody marys from the bar. I will chalk up this experience to being an off day and plan to return, hopefully with things going the right way. p.s. The bread pudding was also the saving grace. Make sure you order it whenever you are at this place!
(4)Mark G.
Love the salmon. Nice atmosphere. Would be 4 stars but they lose a star because of their "we only seat complete parties." When I arrive for a business lunch, that doesn't work. Maybe that's okay at 11PM when you are catering to a younger more casual crowd but not for a business lunch.
(3)Victor P.
The restaurant is beautiful with an outside bar, tables etc..High end cars and beautiful people.. The calamari was outstanding..Never saw it prepared like this..Other apps included artichokes (over cooked and bland) and cheese chips ( 80 percent small pieces).. Main coarses..The.rotisserie chichen was so small I thought they subsituted a cornish hen! Do not order if you are hungry.. The double pork chop was large and well cooked.. The waiter never asked if we wanted desert!! We wanted to order desert but the choices where so limited we decided to go elsewhere. Service was slow on a night when the place was less than half full.. If I go back I will go to the bar outside and try some other apps.. Not a place to go if you want fine dining.. Nice touch was the valet girls with umbrella's to walk you to your car in the rain...
(3)Pauline C.
Pretty disappointing, especially after reading all the raves. Tried the cornbread which was terrible ... Jiffy box cornbread is way better. calamari was just too sweet and the prime rib was ok. Potato gratin was yummy, a little salty tho. I probably would have enjoyed my meal more if it came out hot...everything was cold, even the coffee! Banana cream pie was the best part.
(2)Luke S.
Nice place, nice crowd, strong drinks. Unpretentious (compared to certain locales in Miami). People speak English.
(4)Frank S.
This place is a little more upscale than your average bar/restaurant, but its also in the middle of the financial/legal district which is to be expected. I swear every other person I meet there is either an attorney or in the financial industry. The crowd can vary depending on which night of the week you go, but for the most part its a lot of younger professionals with your inevitable influx of older men looking for their next girlfriend young enough to be their daughter. That being said, this place is a little pretentious, but if you can ignore it or get past it, its still a great place to socialize. I used to come here just for happy hours since its only a block from my office; however, I had dinner there the other night and was pleasantly surprised. The menu is small, but diverse. The food was excellent. I had the grilled artichokes for an appetizer and the braised short ribs for my main course. The artichokes were a little on the skimpy side, but otherwise delicious. The braised short ribs were some of the best I've had in Ft. Lauderdale. If you've only come here for HH, as most people I know, try their dinner menu. You won't be disappointed.
(4)chrissy s.
Ah Yolo.. Love this place. Drinks are good, made with fresh ingredients. Love the bar during happy hour, the crowd is business professional, a good mix of people. The restaurant is good too. I had a great meal there, really good bottle of wine and great salmon, cooked perfectly. I enjoy it there, wed nights is ladies night next door at y lounge, free drinks are always nice (I stick to beer to be safe, but cheap wine or well drinks are also offered) as well as light snacks.
(4)Christie D.
Great food, great atmosphere and I love the Las Olas area of Ft. Lauderdale.
(4)Brandi J.
(Wednesday) Ladies night is nice...
(3)L K.
Really liked this place. We went twice in one week's vacation! The first time was a Monday night - in a major rainstorm. Not very crowded. I got the grilled artichoke appetizer and he got the lentil soup. Both were excellent (although he didn't like my artichoke, mainly because he think's artichokes are gross and too chewy). Dinner was filet for him with the most amazing pumpkin spice vege side and mashed potatoes. I had the ahi tuna bowl with noodles. Both were so good. I've eaten tuna a million times, but this dish had such a great zip. Even my non-seafood eating boyfriend loved the noodles (which he'd normally hate b/c they may have touched tuna!) Also, my cucumber gimlet was lovely : ) It was his birthday, so they brought out a complementry ice cream dish with a candle. Our server, Amanda was so friendly and efficient. Our second visit was a Wednesday in nice weather. There was a large happy hour crowd at the main bar and outside. The other lounge room was also filled. Looked like a trunk show and there were lots of women crowding the area with louder music. However, this didn't disturb our dinner. We both got the lentil soup again, he ordered the chicken and I opted for the grilled octopus tar tar appetizer as my meal. Again, everything was great. Great chardonnay selection, I was happy! Coffee is just ok here, but that's the worst I can say about the meal. I would 100% for sure return to Yolo on my next trip to Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)Edwin P.
This is the new trendy spot where all the professionals go. I work on Las Olas and we head there for lunch at least once every other week. I've never gone there for dinner so I don't know if the menu changes or not. The appetizers there are awesome (highly recommend the Szechuan calamari) and their burger is huge and will leave you full. The wait staff is very fast and attentive; however, I would recommend a reservation for this place for dinner because from the times I've been to the O Lounge which is connected to Yolo's it gets PACKED because it's the happy hour time so everyone goes there
(4)Jenna L.
Really fun spot in Ft. Lauderdale, I'm so glad we went. It's a great people/car watching restaurant. I recommend sitting outside so you can watch the aston martins, ferraris, etc. roll in. Food is decent but I would come here for the lively atmosphere, drinks and sugar daddy sightings. :) TOLO!
(4)Greshka P.
I love their Yolo Chips! That, and the calamari are, in my opinion, the best. I would go there just to have them. We started with this two appetizers and drinks. I had the berry mojito - delicious. For my entree I had the chicken plate with mashed potatoes. Wish this would have included some vegetable, plus the chicken was too salty for my taste. Still a great meal and great experience. Our server was quick and friendly. Definitely recommend Yolo and it's side room for some more drinks and dancing.
(4)Anquanette G.
You Only Live Once! YOLO is definitely a must for brunch! Went there for an Easter Sunday with my brother and friend and we were in love from the moment we walked in. It was such a beautiful day out so we sat on the patio. Our waitress Caitlyn was amazing. She really took care of us and was attentive. I had blueberry pancakes and they literally melted in my mouth! The thing that was so great about YOLO was that they know how to take care of their guests. Initially, there was something wrong with my food and they took care of it immediately! The manager even came over and apologized and gave us a stack of pancakes on the house! We were already sharing my stack so I asked for dessert instead and he quickly obliged! That showed me that customer satisfaction is important to them. This usually makes me give a place 3 stars but they redeemed themselves in such a great way that they get 5 stars, hands down! The mimosas were amazing and I also had a strawberry kiss martini that was truly a heavenly experience! This will certainly be my signature drink whenever I go there for sure! Thanks for the recommendation, Caitlyn! All in all, 2 thumbs up! Love YOLO. I'm looking forward to going there for lunch and/or dinner in the near future!
(5)Brenda M.
Had a nice pre-Valentines Day dinner and was not dissapointed at all, despite reading some of the negative reviews. Prices were very reasonable. Very nice decor, and a hip and trendy place with good food. Had the Calamari that everyone raves about and it was good. Tried the jalapeño corn bread and it was very good, with a sweet glaze on it. And had the oak grilled grouper over conch chowder reduction... delish (an excellent choice). Will be back to try different items on the menu.
(4)Tanya L.
Came here to have dinner for a friends birthday. Made reservations and as soon as we got there we were seated immediately. Hostess was nice and friendly. Our waiter was awesome. Took our drink order quickly and we received them right away. For appetizers we had calamari and the Yolo chips. Calamari gets 5-stars. Yolo chips were good too but calamari were my favorite. I ordered the Jumbo Shrimp Linguine pasta. The description on the menu made it seem like it was going to be amazing but it did not have much flavor. I wish I would of ordered the chicken with mash potatoes my friends ordered. It was delicious. The decorations in the restaurant was very nice. They have outside and inside seating with O lounge next door. You could hear the good music. Over all the service was good and quick the food was okay. Perhaps I'll be back for to have a few drinks and go to lounge.
(3)Wade M.
DISAPPOINTING - I stayed away for a while and gave it another try. My friends and I had the roasted chicken. For $16 the dish was the size of an appetizer and bland - it left me dreaming about the whole roast chicken at Costco for $5. I stand behind my previous review: Go for the happy hour and people-watching, then eat somewhere better.
(1)Michelle N.
Wow, SO MANY PRETTY PEOPLE. We consider fine dining the Outback, haha, and even though we knew what to expect, we were still a little overwhelmed. We could have spent all night at the bar just people watching. We'd end up washing dishes by the end of the night because of the cost, but we could still do it. Anyway, the service was great, from everyone. The waitress was awesome, cheerful, prompt, and friendly. She never let our glasses go empty. The food was good, mostly. The appetizer, the side, and the dessert were impressive. The Szechuan Calamari was so yummy. My husband doesn't normally care for calamari, and he couldn't stop eating it. We both had fish, perfectly cooked, but we found his grouper a little underwhelming. My salmon was good, but nothing that blew me out of the water. The potato gratin was a piece of melt in your mouth, I know they make this in heaven, melty, creamy, wonderfulness. Same goes for the banana-coconut cream pie. Love, love, love. Overall, I think this is a fabulous place to hang out but except for a few things, the food isn't life altering. Good, but not necessarily worth the cost. If I were a socialite with out a real job but with rich parents, the bar would be my go to spot.
(4)Rexi V.
This place is so nice. Perfect for a date or groups of friends. I came here for brunch on a Sunday and it was great! Good Prices and a nice selection. Bottomless mimosas, they bring the bottle of champagne to our table and leave it there for us to refill, when the bottle hits empty they replace it. I had the calamari and it was excellent perfect to share there's plenty of it. I forgot what i had as my entree but the desert i remember ordering the bread pudding and it was ehhhh, i could of done without it. The place is trendy a nice mix crowd, it's lively and fun! Even the waiting area outside is nice by the fire pits. Staff is very pleasant also. Would come here again just for the calamari =)
(3)Brenna R.
I went here for a friend's birthday dinner in July. I have heard so many things about this restaurant but never got around to trying it myself. WHY did I wait so long?! This restaurant is superb! The decor is very modern and sexy. I would want to rent this place out for an event or something, it is just so beautiful. We ordered the truffled yolo chips and szechuan calamari for appetizers. Both ridiculously tasty. For dinner I had the BBQ pork ribs. They were super tender, really saucy and made me one happy girl. I wish my stomach wasn't so full so I could finish them. They have very unique martini offerings here. I opted for their "martini tree" where you get to choose three different martinis to try and they come out in smaller glasses lined around a metal "tree." Perfection!! Drinks were delish, too. I would come back here again and again if I were just a bit closer, but will surely be back there when I am more in that area. You do only live once ;)
(5)Leah V.
My fiance took me here for a nice dinner out. Atmosphere was inviting and hip, very clubbish scene. We had the calamari and cornbread for appetizers. The calamari was okay...but the cornbread was delicious!! I ordered a burger and my fiance had the prime-rib. My burger was a little dry and nothing fantastic and my fiance's prime rib was a little disappointing. We decided to splurge a little but was not too happy with what we got. It is a good place to hang-out for drinks and get some corn bread...but other than that..i'd try someplace else.
(2)Matt P.
*Review for the bar only* Had some time to kill with some clients so we stopped in per their recommendation for a few drinks while waiting for our dinner reservation to open up across the street. Yolo is one of the newer faces that's popped up on Las Olas over the past year and a half. What can I say, this place is a pretty classy joint with a chill outdoor patio area and fire pit to sip on beverages and nosh on small plates. The crowd was mostly young professionals, which makes sense since it's located on the heart of the business district in Fort Lauderdale. Definitely a cool spot to grab a drink and mingle amongst the locals. Sorry kiddos, but no time for eats here...as in the name, You Only Live Once!
(4)JoAnna L.
This must be the meeting place of the old sugar daddies and the young sugar babies.... Gross! Go across the street to the pig place, much better IMO. Just not my scene.
(2)Heisha R.
sadly, we made reservations for nothing we waited 30 minutes for our table for only 4people. drinks and starters great! food not so much :( the food was just fine nothing amazing and very over price!
(2)Julie T.
I guess I could say after my second visit that this is just an ok place to go. I've had better of everything elsewhere. It doesn't blow me out of the water. This time we got the corn bread with jalapeno and it was great, but maybe a little bit more grainy than I like. It was extremely busy at the bar during the happy hour, so it was hard to get the servers attention. I ordered the Devil's Hammer again and it was perfect. I ordered the calamari and it was pretty good, my mom didn't like all the dressings on it though, and I could agree after a while it got overwhelming. I ordered the Rotisserie chicken sandwich and it was good. The chicken was moist, there was too much cheese for my liking and the shoestring fries were on point as usual. Jonathan ordered their burger and was pleased but not blown away. So I think it'd have to be a special occasion where I can try their steak or fish that I'd come back to try this restaurant.
(3)John F.
Yolo for an upscale lunch is hard to beat. Consistent, good food, nice downtown location, good service. I hate giving an "almost chain" restaurant a good review, but man, they have it together for lunch. Get whatever their simple prepared fish of the day is, and call it a lunch. While I'm only 34, their happy hour to south beach transformation after 6 is too much for me.
(4)Whitney K.
I'm a scenester at heart - so any place with beautiful people, a beautiful buildout, and beautifully crafted cocktails is the place for me. The fire pit and dark wood paneling adds a touch of Northeastern class to the South Floridian pastels and shells. This is a great place to catch up with friends over a drink and look at beautiful people because hey -- you only live once right?
(4)Lizette Q.
Came in on a Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday; the reservations were for 9:30pm; however, we did not get seat until 10:15pm. Luckily, the location has a nice bar outside and a lounge (The O Lounge) next door where we enjoyed adult beverages while we waited. Upon being seated the manager was extremely apologetic and provided us with several complimentary appetizers. We had the calamari and the queso fundido. The calamari was delicious; they were made with a sweet and honey glaze and served with a sauce on the side. The queso consisted of a thick melted cheese blend with chunks of chorizo; the queso was served with chips, also very good. For our meal my friend and I shared the Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich, which was also mouthwatering. The chicken sandwich was made with arugula, peppers, melted jack cheese and a lemon aioli sauce. The sandwich was served with thin cut fries, which were also very suiting and very good. The portions were hefty and sharing the meal hit the spot. We washed down our food with Passiontini's; a very sweet and fruity martini with a kick to it. The restaurant is located in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale on the famous Las Olas Blvd. You can park via valet or in the parking garage located directly behind the restaurant. Great location and great vibe for those looking for an awesome and trendy place to wine and dine. The staff was extremely efficient, friendly and on top of our large group at all times. Would definitely recommend and would return.
(5)Eyda J.
I've been to YOLO just twice. I would probably go more often if I lived a bit clcoser to Las Olas, but that being said, I CRAVE the Cucumber Cooler. I know this is a restaurant, but man that drink left such an impression on me. It has muddled cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno--- it's a deliciously fragrant cocktail. Now for food--- the portions are a great size, the flavors are delicious and the service is top notch. We aren't talking gourmet here, but if you don't want the typical chain & something upbeat-- this is your place.
(4)Jeff F.
Hit this place up last weekend during a buddies bachelor party. The food ranged from average to excellent (steak being average, seafood being well above average). Tuna sashimi, calamari and the trout were the highlights. My sense is that the strongest selling point here is atmosphere - cool, perfect for groups, trendy without any real dress requirements if you like my group prefer casual to South Beach fashion statements.
(4)Jon A.
So, this seems to be the place to go. I don't know how, but they have created a south Florida culture pat people enjoy. food is very good and the drinks are excellent. I have not met a lot of the staff but they seem to be friendly. For the amount of repeat customers, im sure they are all excellent
(4)Mariana B.
I absolutely enjoyed my time at YOLO the Atmosphere is great! if you want to go out and have a POSH night out with the girls you should have YOLO as your destination. Call ahead and make reservations to sit outside. I recommend the Calamari Hmmmmm....... the Grouper is great as well !!!! I was there last Wednesday,the service did not impress me t! I don't know if I had bad luck but the food came out 5 minutes after my appetizer arrived .... Our waiter was every busy and it didn't give us outstanding service...
(3)Floridian P.
Cool place Calamari app was pretty good. And dragonberry mojitos as well. Parking sucks though and our bartender didn't put the food order in right, so we had to wait longer for them to re-make it.
(3)Jessica L.
Great venue, I love the fire pit they have outside. However, as said in my review of Vibe literally 50 feet away from here, the crowd is a little older. Find Fred, the bartender. He'll take care of you!
(3)Tanya B.
I visited Yolo for lunch and was very pleased with the food as well as the service. My server was Susan and she was very knowledgeable about the menu and the specials. She was on top of all of our refills and even anticipated all of our needs. Her recommendations for lunch were on point. We had the Tuna burger and the spinach salad. Amazing! I would highly recommend this establishment.
(5)Gina R.
nice vibe, good food,I really enjoyed the pumpkin cheesecake.
(3)Corina B.
Probably would not go back for the food but i would certainly go back for the lounge and the cocktails. The appetizers are good - especially the szechaun calamari. Sunday Brunch is par - nuthin amazing. However, if you do go, try the stuffed french toast...crispy on the outside and moist and gooey on the inside! Yummo! Wednesday night is always pack- LADIES NIGHT - for the grown & sexy. Great friday night hangout
(4)Stacy S.
Let me start off by stating that I am not a fan of "The 954". I go for one specific reason: to attend birthday parties in or around Las Olas. The fact is, if you are going to be in the Las Olas area, you have few options for upscale, hip, establistments. Here is a brief overview of this place for people who have not been: * Very cool vibe outside. They have drink service and a fire pit for when it "gets cold". The women working there are very efficient and nice. * Their wine list is not bad. Their selections by the glass is good. (No one in that area tops Johnny V in the wine catagory). * Their food is above average. I don't eat their often but I remember the tuna sashima being quite good. * It's a good "power lunch" place. Take a client or opposing counsel here. If you have to, or chose to be in the area, definitely check this place out for lunch or dinner. It gets really busy, so if it's dinner make a reservation. Enjoy!
(4)E R.
Great food. Great drinks. Great atmosphere. Lunch and dinner are equally good, and if they have the grilled cobia sandwich as the special, do yourself a favor and order it. This place is my go-to place for client lunches and date nights.
(5)Michele W.
We enjoyed 2 meals at YOLO during our short stay in Ft. Lauderdale. The old fashioned burger was huge and delicious! Service was very friendly. Highly recommend this spot for families.
(5)Casey M.
My husband and I went for our anniversary dinner on Sunday, May 20, 2013. We really could not find anything to complain about. We both ordered a martini and were not disappointed with our choices. The calamari appetizer was excellent as suggested in numerous reviews. Both my husband and I ordered steak. I had the prime rib, which was completely tender, and he had the porcini crusted steak, which was very flavorful. We tried the lava cake and banana coconut cream pie for desert, loved them both. We were there when it was not busy, so our waiter was extremely attentive. Overall, we would definitely go back again. Was it the best food I have ever consumed, probably not, but I did not feel let down by the quality of the food verse the price.
(4)Virginia C.
I don't enjoy higher priced meal that is just, Just OK, If you are going to pay the price you want something that you go... WOW!!! Don't get me wrong, the food is not bad, but is not worth it $$$$. Is not a place where you are going to have a nice, fine dining experience Let's put it this way, I only go there when friends suggest meeting at yolo for a drink, I go just to meet with my friends but not for the food or for the scene... And get ready to be standing up for hrs because is very hard to find a place to seat if you are in the outdoor bar area! Not a place i will go back to again and again. Nothing special, the food is OK, the service is slow but OK, the place Very crowded...Don't know why! I really don't get what's the big deal... The fancy exotic cars in display in the parking lot? the old guys looking for hot girls? Chicks dressed to impress because they think they could find THE ONE there ? :P hehehehe Perfect for people watching. That's all ;)
(3)Mig U.
i was a bit intimidated by the appearance of this place. it seemed way too trendy for my taste. Boy was i surprised. i have hosted 2 business meetings here and the staff has been more than accommodating. the food is A+ and the ambiance is wonderful. the calamari is amazing...
(4)Gustavo A. L.
Nice classy place, with dim lights and good ambiance. It could be a place to see and be seen if that is your scene. Or you can just forget about the crowd and enjoy the time with your significant other, friends or posse. The location is pretty good, we found the service to be up to snuff and the food is pretty good too. You might, just might want to stick to the appetizers and share sort of tapa style, wash all this down with a good drink or two and ... make sure you have a designated driver for the way home. Good times will be had here, for sure !
(4)Paola H.
I would have to say their food was pretty awful, the food took forever to be served then it was cold, it was taken back and i guess put in the microwave because then my fries were stale. the place was crowded and loud. the lounge area was ehh ok crowded as well. Really not YOLO place, more like You'll only go once.
(1)Megan P.
My husband and I have been to Yolo several times and have always enjoyed it. But this past time was by far the best. The food was delicious as always, but the server made the experience so much better. Carly was amazing! For now on, we will always ask to sit in her section. She not only had great recommendations for new things to try, but she was also so energetic, hilarious and just really seemed to enjoy being there.
(5)Britany A.
This was the best part of my visit to Fort Lauderdale. We went with a group from the office and ordered a couple of appetizers. The Calamari is ridiculously amazing. There are no words to describe the perfection. You have to just order it and trust me. It is served with an orange glaze that is to die for. Ultimate Calamari perfection. The food amazingness does not stop there folks... We also ordered the ahi tuna appetizer and the grilled artichokes. The Tuna was tender and perfect. Came with a seaweed salad, and while I'm not a huge artichoke fan, according to my dining partners they were also great. I ordered the chopped salad. It was a huge portion and the dressing was a little too acidic for my taste, but overall the salad was good. We also ordered a couple of desserts for the table. The pumpkin cheesecake which was good but tasted like it had been frozen at one point, and the ice cream cookie sandwich with a white chocolate dipping sauce was out of this world. It was the perfect combination of tastes, textures, and tempratures. To go along with all this wonderfulness, I had the dirty blonde (their rendition of a dirty martini) It was amazing as well. Highly recommend
(5)Daniel D.
"You only live once, but if you drink enough, once is enough." - A drunk I met in Europe YOLO in downtown Fort Lauderdale is the swanky spot you take someone you want to impress. Maybe the upper management after work? Maybe the cute new girl from work? (Though I'd caution on the latter, as relationships in the workplace usually end up with your car being keyed and having to watch one of the awkward videos issued by the HR department.) But whomever you choose to dine with, they'll enjoy YOLO's design-magazine decor and its ambiance; a mix of low music, dark woods and cabs beeping their way down Las Olas. It's Blue Martini... just nicer, with superior food and I still feel cool inviting friends there for dinner. As for deals,YOLO is more of the go-to place for a happening hour than it is a happy hour (from 4pm-7pm all drinks at the bar are just $2 off. No food specials). But you get what you pay for. If you had your hopes up for a 3-4-1 there's probably a Bennigans somewhere on Oakland Park. I ordered The Devil's Hammer ($10), and with a mix of muddled mint, orange, lime, tequila and cherry-infused bourbon, it didn't seem all that evil. The bourbon complimented the tequila in a, "I'm not yet ready for a man's drink, but this will definitely help me grow a beard" sort of way. And seeing that it's happy hour I tried to pair my drink with something small to eat... the rotisserie chicken sandwich ($12.50) was anything but small. A buttery, soft bun barely held together melted jack cheese, arugula, lemon aioli, tender chicken and fire-roasted peppers. Going by the looks from the girls across the bar, I didn't look all too attractive while I shoveled it down. But when there's lemon aioli on your lips and poultry heaven in your mouth, who cares about looking sexy. Besides, those girls didn't interest me... I had a major crush on the bartender. Who: You and the girl from work... but only if you don't care about your car. What: $2 off all drinks, but only at the bar :0( Where: YOLO 333 E. Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 When: Mon-Fri 4pm-7pm How: With a manly beard and lemon aioli lipstick. Follow me on twitter: @DanielDickey DanielDickey.com
(4)Mike N.
Party hang out and great sites. Little pricy though but worth it.
(4)Vitaliy L.
I've eaten there once. Great atmosphere, but food and service were meh
(3)Raven M.
Went here for my birthday dinner with a large group. Food was delectable and well worth the price. And the ambiance couldn't be beat either. Do keep in mind this place is pricey but you won't feel robbed or unsatisfied when leaving.
(4)Eve K.
See Update below--number of stars reduced. We went to YOLO (You Only Live Once) and had a fabulous dinner and a fabulous time. That chef really knows how to blend and mix subtle flavors. The calamari, just many tiny morsels, the smallest calamari I ever saw, was great. My friend's husband started with that. I split a spinach salad with my friend and it was like no spinach salad I ever tasted. Usually spinach salad is not my thing, but this was no ordinary salad and the dressing was perfect. Very large--one would have to share (they split it in the kitchen.) I had wonderful fresh green beans and grill fired salmon (very thin piece and I was glad I ordered it medium rare because that was perfect). Great flavor. The grouper came with a very light brothy sauce which my friend loved and her husband loved the one pasta dish they offered. I didn't taste everyone else's--it's not my thing--but everyone loved the place, the food, the service, and it was so easy to drive right up to the door on their horseshoe shaped driveway to valet park. One always thinks of parking problems on Las Olas. The place was packed. I'm glad we had reservations. I can just imagine how the place is on week-end evenings. We got there at 7p.m. and the place was already 3/4 full and the bar was packed all on a Monday night. On a weekend evening, one should probably get there at 6 for early dinner or 9:00 or 10:00 for late dinner. Yolo is doing something right; let's hope they keep on doing it. July 2014 Update. On returning to YOLO a second time, early in 2013, I think. There was no need to arrive early, the restaurant was partially filled, the wait staff was disinterested, and the food was adequate. I don't know what it is like this year, but I don't believe we will try it again.
(3)Robert B.
This place is awful. Manager was rude and wouldn't let us do the cinnamon challenge.
(1)Monica C.
I loved YOLO. Although they are a bit pricey, the drinks were delish. They also have a sweet deal where you can pick 3 martini's for $15.00. They have a page long list of martini's to choose from. I didn't try the food but their menu looked very tasty. The decor was trendy and pretty all together. When I went to the restroom I noticed that there was a room with music and people dancing. Love this place.
(5)Karen O.
Went here on a Saturday night,food was very good,sat outdoors it was beautiful,service was very good and they have a pretty decent wine list.
(4)Doris L.
Third time's the charm. I heard that the food served at the one Elite event I missed this year was outrageously good. Still, I had to check for myself. Outrageous? I don't know about THAT. The beautiful Maker's Mark cocktails the Elite Yelpers were sucking down perhaps had something to do with that super- superlative. BUT - I had a bunch of apps here the other night and they were significantly yummier than the meal I had here last. And this is still a great place to meet up with friends . I'm officially a "Yay" fan.
(4)Kevin L.
Food and service are great. Very tasty.
(4)Lisa M.
Only giving a star because the atmosphere is nice but this is where it ends. Bad drinks. I ordered a belini. It was not made w the correct ingredients so they use OJ & peach schnapps. Than it's not a belini right? Call it by another name or tell your customer! Also way over priced ($9) for a tiny champagne glass. Than we order cinnamon rolls. They waiter Sid it would take a while and I'm not sure why. They were hard crappy stale & not worth the calories!!! Than after another 1/2 hr wait we got our meals. I ordered an omelet well done. It came COLD! My daughter ordered the fresh fish sandwich. Again cold & soggy bun. If you only live one than I would only go once!!
(1)Maria A.
I wasn't planning on stopping here for lunch but I'm glad I did. I sat at the bar and was lucky two have to really nice bartenders. I looked over the menu and narrowed it down to a few dishes just then one of the bartenders walked over and I asked for her expert opinion. She mentioned the pasta with sausage which was one of the dishes I had been keeping an eye on. I decided this was a sign and so I went with that. The food was delicious and filling. I had a prime seat as I dined I watched the outdoors bar quickly fill with office bees rolling up for happy hour drinks with friends. Next came dessert and I decided on a bread pudding concoction which was also delicious. I noticed some solid regulars and even had a few conversations while I had my late lunch. If I worked nearby this would be one of my usual spots. The food was great, service was excellent. There was also valet parking for $5 to be paid when picking car up and a Bank of America across a small street, ah thanks goodness for convenience.
(4)Chris W.
Very trendy restaurant. Incredible location on the world famous Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale Fl. Awesome menu. Fish choices superior. Super cool patio bar area to hang out for drinks before and after dinner. Very busy place with very vibrant crowd. Really neat little dance club right next door for the night cap!!,
(4)Lisa S.
Two words sum up my love for this place: Fire Pit! When it dips below 70 degrees we don jackets, sweaters and scarves. But the chic still sip cocktails outdoors, "That way I can be better seen, my darling." About the food: The roasted chicken on anything transforms the dish: salad, sandwich or as a stand-alone entree. They've perfected the roasted chicken. So yummy! Then there are the side dishes. I had a ratatouille there that was transcendental. It's not always on the menu but it makes an appearance every now and then. And when it does, it's a happy day for me. A french peasant dish transformed into a statement on simplicity in food prep. I could go on and on. Oh, it's really good for Happy Hour as well. Fun drinks, both alcohol and non alcoholic. Got a virgin mojito that was phenomenal.
(4)Yasi P.
This is a great place to have a date with your significant other. The ambiance is super sexy and the service is fantastic. Expect to wait for a while if you don't have reservations & show up on a Friday night . My husband & I had a mijito which were delicious ... He had the ribeye and I had the rotisserie chicken. Definitely recommend YOLO. We had a wonderful time. They have great parking either at the garage or valet. Perfect place to go on a date to.
(5)Yana A.
Once a year I like to give an update to this place, and it's still my favorite. It a number one choice for our girls night out. It's pretty, it's safe, drinks are free for women on wednesdays which gather a good looking crowd. I am a little puzzled when people critisizing food here. I cooked for living for awhile, and I understand food. Everything I tried in YOLO, and I think I tried all but meat dishes, was real good. Portions are generous, and all is very fresh. Only once there was something wrong with calamari, the manager immediately came out and corrected the situation. Outside area looks like its a hangout place, but in fact only bar area where you can order just drinks, and couches around fireplace. When you sit at the tables behind bar, it's a dining room. I don't think people realIze it, and treat it as just a place to sit and sip cocktails. That's why sometimes confusion is going on, and I think it needs to be explained in a beginning, or a simple question before sitting people down if they are here for dinner would be appropriate. I never encountered a rude server here, all girls are really nice. When they get busy, it can be a problem with finding a waitress for cocktails. But as soon as you establish a contact, lol, they serve you really well. The best though is managers prompt reaction to any even slightest problem. either it's a misunderstanding with charges or closing tab in one bar before ordering at another, all is solved promptly. I think it's the only place on Las Olas where drinks are still under 10$ and they are strong.
(5)Lola S.
What a cool and sexy outdoor restaurant in Fort Lauderdale! This is def going to be a must for my next visit, I only wish they weren't so far away. We were here for lunch on Saturday afternoon. Decor - awesome, service - not bad at all. There was not a single dish we ordered that was not delicious - salads, sandwiches, all amazing. Can't wait to go to FL and visit this place again.
(5)Kendal S.
I went to Yolo for lunch just the other day and was more impressed by the place than my previous experiences. You always have to make a reservation as the place gets pretty packed. The hostess was great and seated us right away even though some of my party came late. I ordered the chicken sandwich. It was cooked perfectly and delicious. My mom ordered the prime rib sandwich and it came out perfectly pink! I have been to Yolo in the past for dinner and drinks. I was more impressed with lunch as Yolo gets really crazy packed in the evenings.
(4)Renae P.
Love the atmosphere! Great was great too!
(5)Sonia A.
YOLO never lets me down. Went there for lunch this weekend and had a Blackened Corvina sandwich. The bun was super soft, the fish delicious, tender and juicy and it came with a mountain of small fries! Great sand which! The place itself is very chic, modern, and pretty comfortable seating. The tables are nice and big, you don't even need booths to feel comfortable and privacy is not an issue. I have also been there for dinner and drinks and everything has always been nothing but delicious! YOLO is a staple on the Las Olas strip and I don't think they're going out of business anytime soon!
(5)Rene M.
This place is amazing, chic, and beautiful. They have out door seating with bonfires in the front, an indoor/ our bar so you can be seated inside or outside at the same bar. Plus, there's a lounge/ club right next door that's connect to the restaurant. My friend and I ordered drinks ( great selection) and had their calamari appetizer,which has this sweet glaze, and spice with nuts! Divine! I order the Prime Rib with Potato Gratin and it was to die for! Cooked to perfection. My friend had the Center Cut Filet with vegetables and it melted in your mouth. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. Great atmosphere, great staff, and great memories
(5)Shamea S.
Everything was PERFECT!!! Will definitely return I want to try the mash potatoes. It was a bit pricey but well worth it.
(5)Andrew C.
A great place for a business meeting. Sit at the bar for great service by Jon and Becca. Fresh generous portions, reasonable Downtown prices,and a great atmosphere makes this a must when in Downtown Ft Lauderdale
(5)Kaitlyn B.
Great outdoor lounge! My husband and I dined inside facing the kitchen. While it wasn't as cozy as the outdoor area, it was nice to see the food prep on the tv's and the open kitchen providing a clear view of the behind the scenes action. The calamari appetizer was very unique and unlike any other calamari I've had. Our server was very professional.
(3)n l.
Great place! Great location! Great food! Cami was our server and she was awesome! We had no reservation and were seated w/in three minutes! Will definitely come back!!
(5)Frank B.
Went there for lunch today! Located in the center of Downtown Ft. Lauderdale it was a maze to find. Parking was a breeze because they have their own Valet. The hostess seated us quickly, very professional and always engaging us on what our dinning needs would required and the service was exceptional. A cute way of presenting the "daily specials" was when we were seated by the hostess, she had a exceptionally large, old fashion mechanical rubber stamp that she imprinted on a blank piece of paper, stating the items of the day (soup, fish, entrée) Drinks: Freshly squeezed "Mint Lemonade" that was tart and had a full flavor with a wedge of lemon and mint leaf. (the old fashion way) Starters: (great presentation) ~ Szechuan Calamari ~ Nicely deep fried Calamari with sesame and chopped peanuts with a great garlic chili sauce drizzled on top. ~ Truffled Yolo Chips ~ that were excellent! They were crispy with a great crunch with a hint truffles, maytag blue cheese, herbs, and crumbled bacon. Entrées: ~ I had the Daily Special ~ Fresh Fish Sandwich which was grouper, grilled on a sesame seed bun, slightly toasted with very nice slices of plump red tomatoes and mashed sweet potatoes with pecans on top. (yummy ~ very nice) ~ My partner had an angle hair pasta with an generous amount of large shrimp that had a great cream sauce, it was light and delicately prepared. Desert: Banana-Coconut Cream Pie with a cashew-graham crust. That was fluffy and full of flavor and a great tasty crust. (a definite "must have") It was a delightful afternoon of conversation and fine dining and we were not rushed at all after two and half hours. (a pleasure to be able to talk and dine in a no hassle environment) Would definitely go back for a lunch and an early happy hour. Cheers!
(4)Anna T.
Um the place is beautiful but the food is horrible. Ordered a steak and the steak I eat at long horn tastes even better. They gave a herb mashed potatoe and sweet potato that tasted so weird it brought back memories when I ate Gerber food. Im sorry but if your courses are 28+ please make a good viraty and not from a baby food can
(2)Rashida C.
Went here for lunch yesterday. Ordered the roasted corn appetizer and it was very greasy but tasty especially with the lime! Also ordered the Caesar salad and it was very fresh. The crispy snapper was a very good portion and had a good mix of flavor throughout. Server Susan was nice, attentive and knowledgeable!
(5)Ralphie M.
YOLO is one of my favorite places to dine on Las Olas! I go there regularly. The staff are always friendly and the food is consistently good. This week we had a mishap where a tray of drinks were accidentally spilled on a couple of the girls in our party. The server apologized profusely and the manager promptly re-sat us and had all of our food and drinks replaced immediately.... A classy move on both of their parts to diffuse what could have been a disaster. Thank you!
(5)Matt J.
Of course a place with such a name was not going to live up to the hype. The decor is nice, the food is a little above average, drinks over priced. I may only go here once, unless its paid for by someone else. #YOLO #AHHOK
(3)David M.
Friendly atmosphere and customer service... as good as it gets! While vacationing in Miami I headed up to Ft. Lauderdale for a late afternoon business meeting. I'd not been to Yolo previously but the location was perfect for my meeting. Walking in I was greeted by a hostess who flashed a big, welcoming smile. I sat at the bar tinkering with the sales presentation on my iPad while I waited for my associate to arrive. The bar at Yolo is a friendly bar with a personable bartender, John, who made me feel right at home. Shortly thereafter my associate arrived and we had our meeting. I settled the tab, said goodbye, and began my drive back to Miami. When I reached my hotel (Fontainebleau) I realized that I didn't have my iPad.Oh no!! I had forgotten the iPad at Yolo, so I called the restaurant with the the hope that someone there had found it and put it in a safe place. The phone was answered by Sarah who was also very friendly and assuring when she said that yes, indeed, she had found the iPad and it was being held in the office. Sarah connected me with the assistant restaurant manager, Joe, who was reassuring and told me that the general manager would call me the next morning to talk about getting the iPad to me. I hoped that he follow-thru would occur, but was optimistic that it would given how nice everyone at Yolo had been to me. The next morning I received the call from GM Michael Savitt who could not have been more sincerely interested in helping me. He offered to take the iPad to UPS so that it could be delivered the next day to me in MIami. Michael also suggested that he might look for a same-day delivery service so I could get the iPad even sooner. His research paid off. Michael arranged everything and my iPad and I were reunited. I offered to pay Michael for the time and trouble he went to to assist me, but he refused. He said he only wished to help his customer. His statement was genuine. When you encounter someone who really "gets it" about customer service it makes a long-lasting impact. I will return to Yolo the next time I visit Ft. Lauderdale. I don't know who owns Yolo but with people like Michael, Joe, John and Sarah, they have something really special going on in Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)Dina Marie A.
I love yolo I loved everything I ever ate here .. Their brunch is excellent and their burger is amazing .. Let's not forget the corn dip and calamari .. Ok yeah everything is good here lol
(5)Sarah M.
I've ate here twice and it's been two completely dining experiences. First time the food was absolutely amazing and we couldn't wait to come back. The second time the food was just okay. The only thing consistent seemed to be the lack luster servers. Maybe third time will be the charm....
(3)Sarah M.
Nice place! Very trendy but not my scene! The drinks were better and cheaper across the street! The atmosphere was a little stiff. I guess I'm more of a pub girl!
(3)Tony R.
It was ok... Nothing to write home to mom about.... Service was good but the food was average. Perhaps I will try brunch one day to see what all the commotion is about.
(3)C E.
Older crowd but definitely busy even on a Wednesday. A little hard to get a seat but with the wait as the food and staff are on their game.
(4)Alex S.
Terrible, awful, pathetic, pretentious, lousy... It's true. The place is so cheesy. They always have lined up in the front pricey cars to give an air of sophistication. It doesn't work ! The crowd is not very diverse. Many older women hitting on younger men and too drunk to stand up straight for long. They will be falling all over the place, you are particularly at risk if you are sitting outside waiting an eternity for a table. Watch out or one will fall on you. One of them felt me up. The wait time is disgusting. I waited four hours for a table. The fish on the menu and the fish special was all farmed. The food was greasy and the coleslaw had way too much mayo. The waiter who was not too happy to be there was arrogant. He assured me that what I ordered would be enough for one person. Yes, it would be enough for a baby perhaps. The food was cold, but by the time it arrived I was so hungry that I had no desire to send it back. I was there Friday May 15th. I know that it is in Ft. Lauderdale, but still. Don't pretend to be something you aren't. Oh, don't ask what I was charged for the greasy, poorly prepared and presented entree. Lets just establish that the bill was an insult for the food and the experience offered at YOLO. Their motto is, "You Only Live Once," but I think it should be, "You'll Only Dine Here Once." The latter would be more fitting.
(1)Jonathan C.
Visited for my sisters birthday. Nice venue, had to park in the parking garage which was $8 on a Sunday, not terrible. It was a birthday celebration and therefore a party of 6+ is almost to be expected. With that being said, I would not recommend this establishment for group gatherings unless you decide to charter a bus to take everyone there at the same time. They refuse to seat you if your entire group is not present, which is not something I'm accustomed to from an established restaurant. The Food was nice but if you do brunch with bottomless mimosas, don't expect to stay and chat over a few glasses, as once they take your plate, they stop providing the $6 bottles of bubbly and orange juice. The ones that you have to pour and mix yourself.
(3)M K.
Terry was our waiter(res). Experience sucked, because of this poor service by Terry. Avoid this place at all costs because of Terry. Food is good. Terry is a bitch complainer waitress.
(1)Angie J.
Never disappoints!!! I was back in Fort Lauderdale for a quick weekend away and made my dinner reservation right after we booked our plane tickets. We started with drinks at the bar before being seated at a table outside. All of the food was great, truffle chips, the chopped salad, Mac and cheese and the pork chop was one of the best I've had. Not only is the food great, but so is the ambiance and service. Our waitress was very attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. We were celebrating my birthday and really loved the lava cake!!! My only complaint is that YOLO isn't in DC!
(5)Miranda P.
You Oughta Look Ostentatious. Everyone here seems like they're trying too hard, including the establishment itself. But somehow, I wasn't impressed. Not with the service, nor with the sustenance. BOTTOM LINE: It's just a façade.
(2)Lauren U.
Worst experience ever. My friends and I decided to stop at YOLO to have a couple drinks. We were seated immediately in the pretty outside area, which seemed promising for the night. However, things went sour immediately. Our server came over right after we had sat down and whipped out her little notebook. Looking at us with quite the stink-face, she said, "Are you ready?" No greeting, no smile, nothing. Fine -- I'm from Miami: I don't usually bat an eye at non-friendly service, as long as we get our orders and the people aren't downright rude. We asked for a couple minutes and started looking over the drink menu. When she returned a bit later, I had a couple simple questions about the menu. She grudgingly answered me with little more than one word. OKAY, now I'm getting annoyed. We ordered and she flounced away. We were then able to roll our eyes at the super fancy cars being valeted immediately in front of the restaurant. Drinks came. We enjoyed them; we had branched out a little and ordered new things. I got a little martini sampler, which was cute but nothing like what the server had described. If you don't know, just say so! Before we had finished our drinks, the server came back and stood in front of us, staring. We weren't sure what was going on, so one of us asked her politely if there was a problem. She said she wanted to check if we were going to order something else; we said no. Shortly after, a different person (manager?) came over to ask us if we(QUOTE) "planned to stay for a few hours?" WHAT?! I literally started to laugh, and told her that, well, no, we didn't plan to stay for hours, but we DID plan to stay and at least enjoy our drinks. She somewhat sheepishly said that that was fine and let us be. The server came back and asked for one of our credit cards (apparently this had been the issue the whole time, but she didn't explain herself prior to this point). I gave her mine, and at this point, we were all not very happy and pretty much ready to go. We finished our drinks hurriedly, and tried to wave the server down to close out our check. Eventually, I had to get up and find her. She came BACK to ask what the name was on my card (SIGH). When we finally got the bill, I could not sign any faster. We practically ran out. I was happy to see all of the YOLO jokes on Yelp -- "you'll only go once," etc. Hee hee! Glad I wasn't the only one.
(1)Fred N.
YOLO's a nice place for either a first date or just a after work happy hour. The outdoor atmosphere is lively and filled with amazing people; mostly professionals. Staffs are good but not great. The place is clean and decors are a nice touch. The food is okay, nothing out of the ordinary. In general, YOLO's a really nice spot to hang out with your friends/coworkers and have some drinks.
(4)Irene A.
Ladies bathroom was dirty and none of the stalls had toilet paper. When i advised the front attendant, she was like ok. Terrible! It was only 8:30 on a Friday night. Not good!!!
(1)Angelo R.
Had dinner here last night with Andy and we were pretty impressed. The location is at the beginning of the Las Olas strip across from Timpano. There are several parking lots and garage off 3rd ave, about a block away from the restaurant. We walked in and were greeted promptly. First, we had couple of drinks at the bar patio side: Strawberry Kiss (Fresh Strawberries, Grey Goose Vodka, Lemon Juice, Balsamic Vinegar, Cracked Black Pepper) and Passiontini (Grey Goose Vodka, Chambord, Pineapple Juice). Be carfeful, these were potent drinks but not complaining here. They were carefully crafted concoctions and not watered down...at all :) On to our dinner. We shared grilled artichokes to start. For entrees, Andy ordered the Rotisserie Pork Chop (Double Cut, BBQ Basted) served Collard Greens & Corn Brulee. Wow...talk about big portion. The meat was cooked right and loved the the semi sweet taste of the brulee. I got the Center Cut Filet (Aged, Oak Grilled) and side of Mac & Cheese. Medium done right..meat was tender & juicy and cheesy-gooey tasty mac & cheese....AMEN! We also loved the atmosphere of this place. Energetic, hip & trendy but not snobby. Beautiful outdoor seating and more than satisfactory service. Great place for a romantic night out and business dinners. Will definitely be back :)
(5)Andrew W.
I had a great vegetarian play at a good price. The restaurant has a good variety, and even though it looks like it might be pricey, I felt the prices were quite reasonable for an evening out. This would be a great place for a date. Also great if you want some place to hang with friends, music, but not so loud that you can hear each other talk. Very hipster and a well dressed but casual crowd. My friend had the vegetarian burger, which was very tasty and rich. A step up from some of the other places that do vegetarian burgers.
(5)Melissa L.
Came in on Sunday thinking there was a 30 min wait. We ordered drinks at the bar and received a text our table was ready. I ordered the smoked pork hash and sunny side eggs. My boyfriend got the French toast. The smoked pork hash may need a side. The French toast may have been the best we have ever tasted. You can't beat the unlimited mimosas at only $15 each. Outside seating is awesome. Inside is a little intimate but usually not so much of a wait. I will be back!
(4)Joshua G.
Prime rib sandwich amazing!!!! Service amazing!! bartender ALLI amazing- pleasure dining here- sexy staff- sexy guests
(5)Dara B.
Ladies nights are great. I like the food as well.
(4)Ward S.
Excellent food and atmosphere. Very convenient location for those who work downtown. I had lunch here with a few colleagues in April 2014 and the service was outstanding. I had the swordfish sandwich that came on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onions and a wonderful signature sauce. The valet staff parks cars right at the front entrance and it resembled the Barrett-Jackson auto show. A very relaxed atmosphere and not stuffy at all. Wear a business suit or come dressed like Jimmy Buffett.
(4)Sara M.
Thanks for the follow on Twitter, Yolo. For that, you get a review. Wish I could make it a five-starer for ya, but come on, I think we all know that there is a crazy heap of hype that surrounds you and I have taken an oath to the Yelp gods to be honest in my reviews. So yeah, there is alot of hype about Yolo. Now, I have never had food here before; maybe the menu is spot on and the food is laced in happy thoughts and sparkles, I don't know, but as a bar or as a lounge, Yolo is just okay for me. First of all your beer menu is complete crapola and B) your bartenders repeatedly mess up my very simple drink order of gin and ginger and I am typically served a gin and tonic instead. Gin and Ginger. So easy! It even rolls right off the tongue. But all exaggeration aside, I think my drink has come out as ordered ONCE in all the times I have come here.. which is many. As a "place" Yolo is fine. It's just that I find the outside to get crazy crowded, especially on the weekends, and that many sweaty suited up bodies per square foot its unappealing. The inside is loud so talking is a no-go, and for dancing... well the layout is not great for that either. As far as a crowd is concerned, lets call a spade a spade and all admit that pretty much everyone here is some kind of douche. Like the young lawyer douche(YLD) who maxes out his card by buying a few rounds for the whole group so he can impress all the other YLDs. Or the coked out douchey girl wearing a low cut cowl neck. My personal fave of the sleazy 40-something douche with a bald spot and visible boner. And don't forget the ever so lovely cougar douches with their animal print jumpsuits and obvious lip-liner. Yeaa.. I realize this all sounds harsh, but Yolo has its good points too! For starters there is a big parking lot a few steps away, so in terms of ease, there is no driving around for countless minutes searching for parking. Also, the outside is very tropical oasis-esq which is nothing to hate. There is definitely a scene here and there is never a shortage of people (d.bags) and as well all know, nothing kills a buzz like drinking in an empty bar, so put your party pants on people. And in terms of comparison, there is not a whole lot of choice places on the block. I understand if you unfollow me on twitter after this review, Yolo. But hey, I gotta be honest, you only live once #amirite ?
(3)Grace R.
YOLO is consistently good food and great service. It's a great place to take clients or people from out of town. I frequently go for lunch but would expect same experience for dinner. Chopped salad, arugula salad and turkey burger are my go to. I do not like turkey burgers from any other restaurant - they do something special - maybe chipotle sauce. Highly recommended.
(5)Jessica C.
Server was great! But the food was not. They were out of two different types appetizers. The calamari tasted too sweet (pretty much calamari drowned in BBQ sauce) the only thing that tasted decent were the meatball sliders. Good place for drinks, but not for dinner.
(3)Vanessa R.
The food is absolutely delicious. Their classic burger is amazing and their calamari is to dye for!! I enjoyed the atmosphere and the service of the staff, very much. It's calm and relaxing and can't wait till winter comes so I can come sit by the fire pit. I would recommend this place to anyone, I also have to come back for the brunch!
(4)Brenda P.
It "appears" to be a 5 but it's a definite 3.5. The food is hit or miss. This, however, is the kind of place you go for ambiance first and food second (if at all). Yes, there are such places...settle down. Decor is somewhere sleek modern and sophisticated. The bar divides the outside and inside area and can be accessed equally from both. Drinks are delicious. I have tried the Dirty Blonde, Strawberry Caipirinha and the Bliss Martini. All good. All really strong. The outside has lounge seats, fire pits, high tops and blaring music. You can make a night of just hanging out outside without actually dining inside. The inside is your usual restaurant design with a mix of booths and chairs. The open kitchen gives off a smell sometimes. They really need to fix that. No one wants to leave there smelling like food! Everyone is (mostly) dressed to impress. This is as SOBE as Ft. Lauderdale gets. The people watching is crazy! (for FTL). YOLO is connected to O Lounge and next to Vibe. You can make an entire night of it and it's great! You only (valet) park once and have three good places to go to for the night without driving all over the place. It's also directly on Las Olas so you can also walk the strip if you want as well. I have been there mostly at night and once for brunch. The brunch was a little disappointing. I like it way better at night. We have tried the following dishes in the past: Octopus- OK Wedge salad- Blah BBQ Pork ribs- GOOD Szechuan Calamari- AMAZING. A must! Cedar- roasted salmon- OK Pumpkin Cheesecake- OK The service has been efficient every time. They don't go out of their way for you or anything so don't expect that. Prices are moderate to high. The wine list is actually really good. You can get Honig's Cab by the glass which is rare. Once done, you can enter O Lounge through the back of YOLO without having to go back outside. This is not the place for that amazing dinner you will rave about to others. Go elsewhere for that. If you want to experience this nightlife then park here, have dinner elsewhere (Johnny V, Timpano's , Solita or City Tavern all within walking distance) then come back here for drinks and the rest of the options. If done that way then it's a lot of fun. It's a shame. They really should work on perfecting that because they have a good thing going for them with the location, space, decor, drinks and ambiance! They are just missing good memorable food! After all, it is a restaurant no?
(3)Rich G.
Wonderful food; great service; great ambiance. Lively place with a varied menu where just about everything is great.
(4)Michelle S.
NIce decor and ambiance, but the food ehhhh, not great. I ordered the Tuna, which was just OK, a little dry and I asked for EXTRA rare, but I was very specific in advising that I don't eat meat, pork or dairy. My veggies (off all things) had bacon in them. OK, so I advised them and asked for something else. Just some grilled veggies, plain with olive oil. They came and looked delicious...I ate a bite and OH YEAH, bacon lining the enitre bottom of the grilled veggie side. So I told them it was ok, not to worry...but the manager came over...but did nothing. NO offer to comp anything or replace what I paid for. Then, we paid with a gift card, but had a problem leaving the tip with the balance on the gift card...UGH. Too much trouble to return! I am sure some people who have no diet restrictions like it, but it was not for me, for sure!
(2)Richard B.
Yolo is a great place to take a date or out of town friends to show them what Fort Lauderdale has become. Great place to people watch. I recommend calling ahead for reservations unless you are OK with waiting (ie drinking) for two hours on weekends. The indoor/outdoor bar is packed and makes nice signature drinks. The food is pretty good and not too pricey compared to an equally nice looking place on South Beach.
(4)Rosemarie R.
I had planned to go to YOLO a million times with my sister. A few weeks ago we finally made it out there. We started off with the martini tree which was a trio of martini flavors we picked, two of each. Dragonberry was amazing!! And I don't drink, but that was definitely tasty. We had all appetizers and I'll start with the mussels, they were good but nothing special. The fried calamari was awesome! I'm used to it just fried with some lemon squeezed on top and a pinch of salt but they served it Asian style with a sweet chili sauce and peanuts. It was fried to perfection and an interesting spin on a classic. I was so disappointed with the meatball sliders, they were mushy and bland. The coconut creme pie was ok and the molten cake was good. Then again, chilis can make a good molten cake lol. All in all I can't say it was bad cause we really only had appetizers but the drinks were awesome and the decor and ambiance as a whole was fantastic.
(3)Chas M.
Great ribs. Tasty acorn squash Excellent service by Scott! This place was worth the wait And get the coconut cream pie...afterall, YOLO!
(5)Kevin F.
My friend calls me out of the blue as she heard I was back in town and wants to catch up and have take a stroll down Las Olas, so as im driving by my old office in Downtown Fort Lauderdale I notice lots of people, a firepit, and the old boring Brasserrie restaurant no longer there, ferraris parked, people chatting away outside, and the place said YOLO... immediately I remembed the Miami Yelpers and quite the nice event they had there, so I pulled in, valet the car, we stepped out and waited about 10 minutes for a table while we drank some wine served by the attentive bartenders. I was amazed at how different its gotten in the area, that area on 301 Las Olas place was packed when it was once dead, the crowd was mixed with young and old, new money, old money and I was happy to see everyone was enjoying themselves, so we sat down, I had swordfish (it was great), she had a salad (typical) and after much catching up, I smiled and realized I missed the hospitality and service south florida has to offer, I have to say I will return someday. I did notice some type of dance area somewhere in the back as well. Broward is making a comeback (or so I hope).
(4)Jaclyn K.
This review is for the restaurant, not the lounge. It's a shame I have to give this restaurant a bad rating, because it has the potential to be nice - it's sleek, beautiful, warm, and inviting. You have a view of the open kitchen, and the warmth of the fire and the smell of cedar wafts through the air. Unfortunately, the service is anything but warm and inviting. I had a reservation for 9 people at 8 PM. 40 minutes later, they finally sat us. The waitress, who was not very pleasant, mumbled out the specials which were impossible to hear over the loud noise of the restaurant and disappeared. Over 30 mins later, she came back to take our order. 45 mins later, we finally get our food. I ordered the swordfish, which was bland and overcooked. It was a Wednesday (Ladies' Night) so my friends had brought some of their drinks over from the adjacent lounge area. The waitress scolded them for doing that, even though it was clear that we had no idea it wasn't allowed. When we got our check, the waitress refused to split it and gave everyone a ton of attitude. Since it was my birthday, they brought over a dessert with only one fork, even though we wanted to share. Would never come back to eat at this restaurant again, but I would come back for Ladies Night in the adjacent lounge (even though its packed with cougars and old men).
(1)Jennifer A.
You Only Live Once? Please? Not here. At least I understand that name to denote a feeling of hedonism, letting your hair down and going wild, and feeling free in a world full of rules and restrictions and societal imposed standards, espescially on a Saturday night on Las Olas in Ft. Lauderdale. I began the evening warming up the dance floor with my friend. We actually set it on fire, and inspired other women to do the same, and shake their groove-thang. The sleezy men were loving it, let me tell you, I don't have a big Ego, but I can dance, so I was told, as I was approaced by several men And women who apprached me and said they enjoyed watching me "do my thing" on the dance floor. After I got my groove on, I was stretching outside (kind of like yoga streches nothing inappropriate), and the douchebag manager basically told me to stop be cause it was bothering other partyers. Really? I just busted some beats and my neck hurt badly, so I needed to stretch. Then, my girlfriend and I proceeded to sit with 3 guys outside for about and hour and when they didn't like our conversation anymore (which was quite pleasant mind you), 1 of the guys got up, walked over to the manager and asked him to have me get up from the couch and leave. I told him that was juevenile and felt as if I was in school and he was telling the teacher on me. I said to the to manager if they don't like our company, they can get up and find another spot to go sit. Seems simple enough. But no, I was escorted away....Never in my life! I wasn't even high or wasted, actually I don't drink or do drugs. Then, they made such a scene about it, after I was forced to leave, they got up from their coveted spot not mor than 10 minutes later. You Only Live Once......LOL!!!!!!!
(1)J R.
I went to YOLO last Friday night for a friends 40th birthday. I'm giving it 2 stars because it really was "cool" looking. The ambiance is fabulous....very chic, reminds me of some of our fabulous San Francisco restaurants and lounges...EXCEPT for the people! This truly was the most pretentious place I have ever been in my life! We pulled up and the perimeter was lined with Ferraris. The crowd outside was at least 8 to 10 people deep. She couldn't believe how crowded it was, so I said,"maybe it's an event for Ferrari collectors". Oh how naive I can be.....my firend then told me,"uh, no...it's the valet parking". Aye yi yi. The only good part of the evening was the very nice(surprisingly) cocktail waitress who's name I think was Heather. I don't think she was actually from there. I'd certainly never go there again.....just a place to see and be seen. No substance. We did however go to the bar on the left...I think O something and the music was good and the people semed WAY less phony!
(2)Robo K.
This place is real good and a good addition to the Las Olas area. I have about 6 times already. I like that you can have many different "experiences" at the same place...ha. There is the outdoor area with the firepit, the bar area right inside complete with bar tables if you just want a sandwich or something quick and also the restaurant where the food does not dissapoint. Dont forget O Lounge too for the ONLY lounge vibe in the area (I know ...crazy). The hostesses are all beautiful and stamp the special soup and fish of the day right onto your table. The Butternut Squash soup is rediculously good. Dont miss the calamari. I had the Prime rib which was A+ - nice and mid rare, the burger and fish sandwiches are great and the shrimp and crab sandwich I thought was amazing. One time the server was really annoying because he kept referring to our "experience" at the restaurant and touched my silverware in order to make it straight on the table the way he wanted it, but all other times the service was attentive and good - no real complaints. I live around the corner and plan to be back many times...keep it up yolo.
(4)Georgia H.
Made a reservation for 9:30pm for a party of 10 for birthday dinner ... The individual we spoke to make the reservation was very stern on telling us to get there on time or the table would be given away.. So we arrive promptly at 9:30pm with all parties present. We were seated at 10:25pm!!!! Horrible, Horrible service... Extremely long wait times WITH A RESERVATION!! Don't waste your time!
(1)John C.
Nice place nice ambient BUT food just below average, drinks nothing especial. I was expecting a lot more for this restaurant
(2)Jaran D.
I reserved the O Lounge for a private party for 22 people. I felt compelled to write this review because everything was just perfect. The bartenders Becca and Layla were very professional and extremely attentive and personable. The food was great, and no one needed to wait for a drink. My guests had a blast and the ambiance was perfect for a cocktail party. The GM even took time out of his busy schedule to personally check with me to make sure all was good before and during the event. I highly recommend O Lounge for your next private party.
(5)Bert M.
YOLO, You Only Live Once and if I was going to have a last meal, I would want it from YOLO. Friday May 15th, the place was jamming. We had reservations and they took us right away. The noise level was a little high for my liking at first and then the loud drunk woman from was soon done and left. The service was outstanding and the food was just as good. You must have at least 1 meal at YOLO if you are in Ft. Lauderdale area.
(5)Lyza L.
YOLO - You Only Live Once - is a fun, lively place where you can find plenty of Beautiful People and an upscale crowd. Testimony to this is the assortment of gorgeous cars in the valet lot - Bentleys, Jags, Maseratis, you name it. The outdoor lounge area - replete with fire pits and sofas - is a great spot for happy hour. But it can get super crowded, so your best bet is to get there early. Inside is quite loud, although you can ask for an outdoor table. The downside is that the food is inconsistent, which is a disappointment. So I say go there for the people watching and socializing, but don't expect to be wowed by the cuisine.
(3)Kimberley C.
So many people have been verbally recommending this place that I was thinking..... can they be wrong? I must try..... FOOD: Mediocre DECOR: Cool, slightly hip by not by much SERVICE: GOOD Parking: Valet Had the seared tuna & artichoke dish, so two separate dishes. Both of which were tasteless. How can you mess up artichoke? Will I come here again? NO
(2)Andi T.
Went here on a date once (in the restaurant) and the ambiance there is that of a lounge. The food was delicious. I peeked at the check and it was a bit pricey but I enjoyed every part of the experience.
(4)J. A.
Went this past sunday around 2pm could not get a seat at the bar, several women had their purses in empty seat when asked they said they were saving it for friends come on this is a bar! how long should someone be allowed to save a seat?
(1)Robin T.
Food is very good. We had dinner one day and brunch another. The cornbread is good but big enough for 4 people. The crab cakes were delicious but small. For brunch, we had shrimp & grits and French toast, both good. Try the Coco Lychee cocktail-delicious. Service very good. Hip atmosphere.
(5)Gladys P.
I decided to have my birthday celebration at Yolo, i had a group of 10 people i was super happy with my friends until one of them that has never being there had to kill a roach on the floor by the kitchen i called the manager to tell him next day i was so embarrassed of my friend, the manager was rude telling me this is south florida and we all have roach in our places. Maybe he is right but the way he handled wasn't nice. So i will never go back there neither my friends. Its was an embarrassment to me on my bday celebration. If you have pest control often the roach should ve being dead not alive and running in our feet. Disgusting.
(1)Rita E.
Positives...Really nice trendy place. Dress to impress. Fun crowd on Sat nite. Negatives....DJ played good music but was not customer oriented. Security falsely accused my hubby of wrongdoing when he attempted to turn in a credit card he found on the floor. When we defended ourselves we were invited to leave. So not cool.
(3)Daniel K.
I've been here 3 times. Food is consistent but service was a bit spotty today. Our waiter was overwhelmed and was not attentive to our table. Seems like he cared more about the larger table that was seated next to our table.
(3)Tony P.
Came here for dinner with a couple of yelpers. It wasn't very busy. But I believe its because the Miami Heat where playing the night and it was the finals. The atmosphere was very nice. Not overly decorated and very clean. We decided to start off with the YOLO Chips, Calamari, Tuna Sashimi, and Pumpkin soup they had that day. All the appetizers where fantastic. My favorite where the chips, the cheese the truffle oil and that crunch yummmm. Moving on to main courses. We got the Pork Chop, Crab Cakes, and the Ribs. Lets start with the Pork Chop. It was well out of this world, 32 ounces of pork in one plate. That should not even be legal. Being Cuban I know pork very well. This was juice and succulent. I mean this thing had its on gravitational pull. It came with collard greens and a corn soufflé. Nothing out of this world but still good. The complete opposite of what I was expecting. The Crab Cakes where very good as well not dry and very fresh tasting. Finally we move onto ribs, they where so good. Moist and very tender. I ordered a dirty Martini and specifically told the waitress I wanted three olives. It was fine when it got to the table but then I decided I wanted more olives. Which she happily brought me. She was extremely nice and helpful. I am looking forward to going again when I'm in the area.
(5)Gaby M.
On our first night in Fort Lauderdale, we went out to Las Olas Boulevard, FTL's exclusive nightlife scene. This area is very chilled, classy, & full of young professionals and good conversations. From shopping to fine dining to bars, the choice is yours. If you're looking for some fine dining, I highly recommend YOLO restaurant.. because you know.. you only live once. ;) Their craft cocktails are superb and their mouthwatering Szechuan Calamari (with garlic chili sauce, chopped peanuts, and sesame) is to die for. OMG so yum.
(4)Jeff F.
Great location with a fun environment. I've probably been here 20 times before and no matter if it's for happy hour, dinner, etc it never disappoints. I was hesitant about this place because of the name at first but it was impressive. I recommend the calamari which is different and the Prime Rib.
(4)Julia M.
Absolutely amazing food. The rotisserie chicken was so flavorful and juicy! The California Spinach salad was fuego and the service was great. Our server was Mark, so if you get him he's cool. Sitting outside was nice.
(5)Doug M.
Meatball sliders and chopped salad w shrimp are amazing starts. And the plank salmon is crazzzzy good. My go to restaurant whenever I am in fort laudy. Not sure if drake or the owner used the term first. Atmosphere fun and fresh. A must go
(5)Marty W.
Great inside/outside Bar that the beautiful locals (women) frequent. Constant car show out front with Rolls, Lambos and Ferraris to name a few. While I didn't eat there my local friends said food is great. Food looked good being served.
(5)Joseph B.
Drinks are good but expensive. There is a dress code to go into the inside club but you can wear shorts outside. The clientele is great looking and this place is very trendy. I enjoy chilling here. I was here last year and loved it then.
(4)Karenann L.
Corn dip was awesome. Kale salad was way too vinegary and I couldn't eat it (soaked in red vinegar). There was no sweetness to the salad - maybe they could marinade the kale in a dressing of oil/lemon with raisins so the kale leaves have time to soak up the dressing and is more soft rather than just tasting red vinegar the entire time. My husband got the soup and sandwich which was tomato soup and short rib I think. The tomato soup had a layer of oil on top- it wasn't touched. The sandwich was drenched in grease- only ate half, if that. The potato chips it came with were really greasy too. Our waiter Seth was really great!
(3)Donna P.
Went on a Sunday night, so it wasn't crazy busy. Cool night, so we sat outside. Started with the Szechuan calamari and the sliders and the cucumber cooler. All were fabulous. The cucumber cooler had a little bite to it. I ordered the salmon special, and it was prepared just how I liked it. My companions ordered the tuna and prime rib sandwich. Both were great. The fries were skinny and crispy. Service was friendly, and our drinks were always refilled.
(4)Steffanie C.
Great vibe and the place was packed! I made a reservation but they still made us wait for 45 mins. We had a couple of drinks outside while we waited. Food was good, service was ok, but I would def go back again.
(5)Edward H.
One of Fort Lauderdale's best Sunday brunch spots whether you choose indoor or outdoor covered dining. The menu is well versed but Quiche, crab cakes and grilled artichokes are always my favorite starters while enjoying a martini tree or bottle of champagne. Flat iron steak, Asian style tuna, and BBQ pork with Apple slaw are my go to craves but have also tried a simple grilled mahi, all very good.
(4)Kerry J.
I'm from South Florida and although I haven't lived there in several years, I was aware of YOLO. I finally got to check out their brunch while visiting my family last weekend. I was immediately impressed by the $15 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys at brunch. You don't get pre-mixed drinks, either. Uh uh. Not even close... Unlimited Bloody Marys= carafe of vodka, carafe of Bloody Mary mix, and a tower of garnishes including olives, horseradish, jalapenos, lemons, and limes Unlimited mimosas= a bottle of champagne and a carafe of orange juice For my meal I had the smoked salmon BLT, which comes with a delicious green apple slaw for a side. It was huge, and only $12. For the location and upscale ambiance, this is a shocklingly affordable option along Las Olas. I'll definitely be back here next time I'm in the area.
(4)Thomas R.
Rude greeters. Mediocre food. On the plus side: A lot of beautiful girls to look at. My first visit was Saturday March 28 which is also my last visit there!
(2)LaDonna S.
Best brunch ! Thoroughly enjoyed the bottomless mimosas. Leah, our waiter was awesome! We ordered the pancakes, mahi sandwhich, omelet special and burger. All of the dishes was delicious. Can't wait until I can get back!
(5)Craig B.
Well my review won't be a long winded one. My experience at this place was bitter sweet. There were some highlights in the night last night and definitely some lows! To start off. It was supposed to be a nice birthday celebration and it was but service at this restaurant was not the greatest. I had to keep changing my reservation because open table didnt allow me to choose enough seats for my party in the time slot I wanted. So I called the restaurant, and was told well we are very bz. So if u can make this time slot then we can accommodate you and if not oh well. Not said but implied. Upon sitting a family member tell waitress it's my birthday. U would have thought service might have paid slightly more attention to me but I had to look around to get attention. Drinks were tasty but light on the alcohol. Food was excellent but I had to borrow a knife from someone at my table and had to ask waitress for a fork. We were given a dirty glass with lipstick smudges on it! Yuck!!! I also kept feeling like the servers were rushing herding the people in and out. So to make a long story short. Yolo's good just far from great!
(2)Terry L.
I love the energy of this place... WOW! If you come on a Friday or Saturday night it will have a club/lounge feel (young and mature)! Anytime I come here I must have the cornbread and calamari. Honestly, they have the best calamari I have ever tasted as it's not bready or chewy, it's nicely fried topped with there own special sauces. The cornbread is soft and beautiful... Yes I said beautiful (lol), they make the batter everyday and typically sell out of it early within the night. As for entrees, I have only gotten the Cedar Salmon with mash potatoes and it's always executed perfectly. I have never had a problem with service. I think this is a perfect place to dress up and meet your friends for good talk and good times!
(5)Heather A.
Came here for lunch on a Monday with a group of 4. We were seated quickly, and outdoors. We really enjoyed the outdoor space. It was very busy with business lunches. Our food was delicious and arrived in a timely manner. The only real drawback was the limited menu, not a wide variety of options. I would have liked more selections.
(4)Martin K.
Ok, you have to take this place for what it is. Between 7-9, it's a place where the younger crowd (typically from the burbs) drops by for dinner and drinks. Between 9-11, it's a pre-game place for those heading to Miami (again, usually from the burbs) and a post-dinner drink place for the locals who will be calling it a night. After 11, the place becomes a toss up and can be fun or completely dead (i.e. tourist dependent). For Lauderdale, it's one of those "trying to be Cosmopolitan" places, and does a decent job, until some donkey puts on Hey Shorty It's Your Birthday or some other crap and you shake your head. Oh yeah, this place is also the prime Lauderdale spot for the the mid-life crisis guys to meet their future (and significantly younger) Mrs by flashing their fancy cars. From a food perspective, the food can be good, but is oddly inconsistent. I've eaten her 5 or 6 times, 3-4 of which were great, the other 2 were terrible. Different servers all the time - most likely high turnover which explains why the reviews are all over the place.
(3)Harvey D.
I decided to try this restaurant since it received pretty good reviews and I had plans to be near Las Olas anyway. My wife and I met another couple and we were seated after waiting about 10-15 min. even though I made a reservation. They did say they had outdoor seating available immediately, however, we opted to wait for a table inside. Once we were seated, the waitress came and took our drink and appetizer order. This is where it started to get a little rocky: the waitress set the first glass of water down and almost spilled it on us. I caught it as it was spinning on the table and the tablecloth only ended up a little wet. She then proceeded to basically dump an entire glass of iced tea into our friend's lap. She quickly left and we gave him all of the napkins we had to dry off with. The waitress did return wtih more napkins and wiped off the tablecloth while he was drying off his jeans. This is where my first (of two) complaints come in: why not offer us a complementary appetizer or dessert? You almost spilled a glass of water and you did spill the iced tea? We ordered two appetizers and a dessert and one of those could have easily been taken off the check. The yolo chips and cornbread then was delivered and they were tasty although the cornbread was much better. I thought the chips had too much bleu cheese on them for my liking. Once this fiasco settled down, she left for a few minutes and came back to take our dinner orders. I really wanted the 1/2 rotisserie chicken; however, they brush the chicken with butter while on the grill so that wasn't going to work. I decided on the fillet wtih fries and a ceasar salad. The portion size wasn't bad and they gave me a lot of fries and a decently sized salad. The fillet was 10 oz. which was nice since I was hungry. After we all finished all meals, she asked if we wanted dessert. Seeing as how my wife had a "Happy Birthday" balloon and mentioned a couple of times that it was her birthday along with the drinks ordeal, I believe that the dessert she decided on ( chocolate lava cake) should have been free. Even if that is not their policy.... I have to update this yelp because after reading the above, the manager contacted me and apologized for what had happened. He wanted to assure me that this was not the typical protocol of how they run their restaurant and to give them another chance to make things right. So.... My wife and I made a reservation for this past weekend. We were sat immediately and the manager came up to us and introduced himself shortly after we were seated. Everything went very well and our dinner and the service was impeccable. The prime rib was incredible (and a lot less fat than any other prime rib I have ered had) and my wife admitted her fish might just be the best she has ever eaten. The manager came over a second time to check on us and make sure that everything was ok. The server was fantastic and he really made the whole experience that much better. At the end of the meal, the server informs us that the check is being taken care of by the restaurant. We were in complete shock! We could not believe they took care of the entire check. For all of you other restaurants out there, take lessons from YOLO. They made a mistake and they corrected it. They went way beyond what even I could have imagined to gain our trust back and to keep us coming back. This is what customer service is all about. We will definitely be going back and bringing friends!
(5)Cherine A.
After seeing all of my Yelp buddies check in for brunch spots lately, I've had a hankering for a good brunch day. Once Jenn S. and I decided to do brunch this past weekend, we agreed that unlimited mimosas was a requirement for any establishment we were to visit (clearly we have our priorities in check). Enter the handy Yelp search, and voila! YOLO fit the bill. I'd been wanting to try this place for a while, in spite of the name. I made a reservation on Open Table, but it turns out it wasn't necessary given the ridiculously awful weather we had on Sunday. We were promptly seated inside (and it's gorgeous in there), and our waiter quickly came by to take our drink order. I think it's obvious what we chose, and we were serious when we said "unlimited" - Jenn and I killed two bottles of champagne over the course of two-and-a-half hours. They don't give you super cheap champagne either - this was Domaine St. Michelle Brut, and it was good enough to drink on its own (I've been to other places where the champagne is only palatable when mixed with orange juice). We needed to take a stroll down Las Olas for a bit after to sober up :) As for the food, I was torn between an omelette and the french toast. I even said to myself at the time that I could get an omelette anywhere, and yet I chose that anyway. It was just okay. I asked for it with bacon and lots of cheddar, but it was rather bland and not much cheese at all in it. Next time I'm getting the french toast. We split the cinnamon rolls, which were pretty good, but I don't know that I'd order them again. So even though the food wasn't amazing, I'm giving YOLO four stars... our server was awesome, and unlimited mimosas make everything better :)
(4)J B.
I have a love hate relationship with this place. Since it's a few blocks from my home, it's good place to go to when I don't feel like traveling far, especially for socializing and dancing at the 2 near by lounges. The food is definitely good. I have eaten here often, for pleasure and business, so I have tried most of the menu. Haven't found anything I don't like. Service can be hit or miss. Inside seating is your best shot for better service. Outside can drive me crazy a bit. Staff can be just as aloof as the patrons. Its very snooty here, way too many over cologned guys. Lots of gold diggers too. The people here is what drives me crazy about this place. If you go with your own group of friends so you can ignore the meat market, the gold diggers, the pretentious men, the stalker men and the sloppy drunk women spilling drinks, falling down, throwing up etc. Then it can be a better night. 3 stars for the all around experience. 4 stars for the food.
(3)Emily D.
Great menu and food. Wonderful service- professional and well informed. Would definitely go back!
(5)Nina C.
Just ok- but when you feel your too busy to sell booze to people- umm just remember- money is like manure, it's ment to spread around
(1)J B.
One of my favorite places in FTL! Meatball sliders, calamari, and tuna sashimi were excellent. One of the best crab cakes I have ever had. My wife's meal was also excellent. Highly recommended!
(5)Allan S.
YOLO is the sister restaurant of S3 which I happen to love so I was disappointed when YOLO didn't live up to the same high standard. Yes the female bartenders are sexy, attractive and friendly (ours was the spitting image of Paz Vega). Yes the place is hopping and oozes a hip vibe which we really liked. Yes the service is top notch whether at the bar, or table service. It's in the food quality where YOLOs falls short. In all fairness, my Manhattan Steak entree was delicious. But the chorizo mussels, grilled artichoke, and tuna sashimi were nothing special - they seemed dominated by one or two strong flavors and lacked the melange of subtle flavors you would expect from a well-prepared high end cuisine. The Seared Tuna and Noodles entree ordered by my wife was downright bland; in retrospect it should be a crime to lay high quality ahi on top of hot noodles/soup. With the many high end dining options on Las Olas you will be best served by going elsewhere for dinner. But if your goal is drinks with attitude and great service, you won't be disappointed.
(3)James O.
5 of us went to dinner and had terrible service when the place was not busy. After waiting 15 minutes for someone to come to our table I had to get up to get the hostess to send a waiter to take our drink orders. I knew there as a minimum age to drink but here they must also have a minimum sitting time to order as well. Finally after another 10 minutes someone came to take our food order. 45 minutes after sitting we had drinks but no food yet; not even a basket of bread which we learned must be requested and is not brought to a table as a matter of course. The food was acceptable but the service and discovering they charge an additional $2 for a drink if ordered "on the rocks" was enough for 5 of us to never come here again. ur past visits had been fine so place has gone down hill.
(1)Blake C.
The food was great, the service was awesome! My girlfriend and I decided to order dinner at the bar while we had a few drinks. The people are great, food was delicious, but I have to say the air conditioning was either malfunctioning or not on at all!
(2)Anna M.
Went to YOLO for the first time the other night with my boyfriend while we were in the area. We arrived about 20 minutes before our reservation and were lucky enough to be seated right away. Our waitress was so sweet, very attentive, took our order right away, and checked on us enough times to let us know she hadn't forgotten us but wasn't being overbearing. We started with the dragonberry mojitos, they were so good and so strong but didn't taste like you were drinking straight alcohol. For appetizers we got the szechuan calamari and the skillet corn bread - both were AMAZING and the portions were huge, we managed to finish the calamari but the corn bread literally comes cooked in a large skillet so needless to say we opted to take what we didn't finish home. My boyfriend got the prime ride sandwich for his entree and I got the rotisserie Greek chicken, again both meals exceeded our expectations, the quality was excellent and the portions were giant. Overall loved this place, from the service to the food we couldn't have asked for a better experience and we will definitely be back!
(5)Jim G.
An overdue review as I have been there 3 or 4 times over the past 3 months and it is a TRUE GEM for Happy Hour on Las Olas!!! The VERY under-priced appetizers are delicious.....especially the Meatball Sandwich.....(I have em skip the bread).....but its the outstanding bartending staff that makes Fridays at 5 so fun......they can make anything and amazingly last time I was there they didn't have a request but low and behold 20 minutes later I see a barback with a plastic shopping bag and out comes my request!.....Enjoy the afterwork crowd and always fun to talk with everyone who happens to be there. The proximity to Club 401, The Royal Pig and a little later in the night, VIBE doesn't hurt either.......GREAT FUN PLACE.....ENJOY!!!!
(5)connie l.
Pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. Very trendy venue with a great outdoor sitting area. Great for both lunch meetings and date night.
(5)Rabia J.
You only live once but you eat at Yolo multiple times. I really like this restaurant and the vibe of the Florida restaurant feel atmosphere. It's a super popular restaurant near the las o las area and it is set up beautifully. I love the fire burning pit in the front with a great entrance for valet parking as well as side garage behind this restaurant. They have great seating inside and outside, however, they are usually very busy so I recommend a reservation. Only once with a reservation we had to wait a lot but usually they are very prompt. I usually like to order multiply appetizers as my entree in this restaurant. The sweet and spicy calamari is a must have as well as the tuna sashimi with the seaweed salad. Their chocolate lava cake is divine and the perfect way to end the meal. Yolo ~
(4)Puneet M.
YOLO has good prices, proportions, and the food is great! The calamari was outstanding along with the salmon! A must try if you are in the area.
(4)Anna T.
Um the place is beautiful but the food is horrible. Ordered a steak and the steak I eat at long horn tastes even better. They gave a herb mashed potatoe and sweet potato that tasted so weird it brought back memories when I ate Gerber food. Im sorry but if your courses are 28+ please make a good viraty and not from a baby food can
(2)Rashida C.
Went here for lunch yesterday. Ordered the roasted corn appetizer and it was very greasy but tasty especially with the lime! Also ordered the Caesar salad and it was very fresh. The crispy snapper was a very good portion and had a good mix of flavor throughout. Server Susan was nice, attentive and knowledgeable!
(5)Ralphie M.
YOLO is one of my favorite places to dine on Las Olas! I go there regularly. The staff are always friendly and the food is consistently good. This week we had a mishap where a tray of drinks were accidentally spilled on a couple of the girls in our party. The server apologized profusely and the manager promptly re-sat us and had all of our food and drinks replaced immediately.... A classy move on both of their parts to diffuse what could have been a disaster. Thank you!
(5)Matt J.
Of course a place with such a name was not going to live up to the hype. The decor is nice, the food is a little above average, drinks over priced. I may only go here once, unless its paid for by someone else. #YOLO #AHHOK
(3)David M.
Friendly atmosphere and customer service... as good as it gets! While vacationing in Miami I headed up to Ft. Lauderdale for a late afternoon business meeting. I'd not been to Yolo previously but the location was perfect for my meeting. Walking in I was greeted by a hostess who flashed a big, welcoming smile. I sat at the bar tinkering with the sales presentation on my iPad while I waited for my associate to arrive. The bar at Yolo is a friendly bar with a personable bartender, John, who made me feel right at home. Shortly thereafter my associate arrived and we had our meeting. I settled the tab, said goodbye, and began my drive back to Miami. When I reached my hotel (Fontainebleau) I realized that I didn't have my iPad.Oh no!! I had forgotten the iPad at Yolo, so I called the restaurant with the the hope that someone there had found it and put it in a safe place. The phone was answered by Sarah who was also very friendly and assuring when she said that yes, indeed, she had found the iPad and it was being held in the office. Sarah connected me with the assistant restaurant manager, Joe, who was reassuring and told me that the general manager would call me the next morning to talk about getting the iPad to me. I hoped that he follow-thru would occur, but was optimistic that it would given how nice everyone at Yolo had been to me. The next morning I received the call from GM Michael Savitt who could not have been more sincerely interested in helping me. He offered to take the iPad to UPS so that it could be delivered the next day to me in MIami. Michael also suggested that he might look for a same-day delivery service so I could get the iPad even sooner. His research paid off. Michael arranged everything and my iPad and I were reunited. I offered to pay Michael for the time and trouble he went to to assist me, but he refused. He said he only wished to help his customer. His statement was genuine. When you encounter someone who really "gets it" about customer service it makes a long-lasting impact. I will return to Yolo the next time I visit Ft. Lauderdale. I don't know who owns Yolo but with people like Michael, Joe, John and Sarah, they have something really special going on in Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)Dina Marie A.
I love yolo I loved everything I ever ate here .. Their brunch is excellent and their burger is amazing .. Let's not forget the corn dip and calamari .. Ok yeah everything is good here lol
(5)Sarah M.
I've ate here twice and it's been two completely dining experiences. First time the food was absolutely amazing and we couldn't wait to come back. The second time the food was just okay. The only thing consistent seemed to be the lack luster servers. Maybe third time will be the charm....
(3)Sarah M.
Nice place! Very trendy but not my scene! The drinks were better and cheaper across the street! The atmosphere was a little stiff. I guess I'm more of a pub girl!
(3)Tony R.
It was ok... Nothing to write home to mom about.... Service was good but the food was average. Perhaps I will try brunch one day to see what all the commotion is about.
(3)C E.
Older crowd but definitely busy even on a Wednesday. A little hard to get a seat but with the wait as the food and staff are on their game.
(4)Alex S.
Terrible, awful, pathetic, pretentious, lousy... It's true. The place is so cheesy. They always have lined up in the front pricey cars to give an air of sophistication. It doesn't work ! The crowd is not very diverse. Many older women hitting on younger men and too drunk to stand up straight for long. They will be falling all over the place, you are particularly at risk if you are sitting outside waiting an eternity for a table. Watch out or one will fall on you. One of them felt me up. The wait time is disgusting. I waited four hours for a table. The fish on the menu and the fish special was all farmed. The food was greasy and the coleslaw had way too much mayo. The waiter who was not too happy to be there was arrogant. He assured me that what I ordered would be enough for one person. Yes, it would be enough for a baby perhaps. The food was cold, but by the time it arrived I was so hungry that I had no desire to send it back. I was there Friday May 15th. I know that it is in Ft. Lauderdale, but still. Don't pretend to be something you aren't. Oh, don't ask what I was charged for the greasy, poorly prepared and presented entree. Lets just establish that the bill was an insult for the food and the experience offered at YOLO. Their motto is, "You Only Live Once," but I think it should be, "You'll Only Dine Here Once." The latter would be more fitting.
(1)Jonathan C.
Visited for my sisters birthday. Nice venue, had to park in the parking garage which was $8 on a Sunday, not terrible. It was a birthday celebration and therefore a party of 6+ is almost to be expected. With that being said, I would not recommend this establishment for group gatherings unless you decide to charter a bus to take everyone there at the same time. They refuse to seat you if your entire group is not present, which is not something I'm accustomed to from an established restaurant. The Food was nice but if you do brunch with bottomless mimosas, don't expect to stay and chat over a few glasses, as once they take your plate, they stop providing the $6 bottles of bubbly and orange juice. The ones that you have to pour and mix yourself.
(3)M K.
Terry was our waiter(res). Experience sucked, because of this poor service by Terry. Avoid this place at all costs because of Terry. Food is good. Terry is a bitch complainer waitress.
(1)Angie J.
Never disappoints!!! I was back in Fort Lauderdale for a quick weekend away and made my dinner reservation right after we booked our plane tickets. We started with drinks at the bar before being seated at a table outside. All of the food was great, truffle chips, the chopped salad, Mac and cheese and the pork chop was one of the best I've had. Not only is the food great, but so is the ambiance and service. Our waitress was very attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. We were celebrating my birthday and really loved the lava cake!!! My only complaint is that YOLO isn't in DC!
(5)Miranda P.
You Oughta Look Ostentatious. Everyone here seems like they're trying too hard, including the establishment itself. But somehow, I wasn't impressed. Not with the service, nor with the sustenance. BOTTOM LINE: It's just a façade.
(2)Lauren U.
Worst experience ever. My friends and I decided to stop at YOLO to have a couple drinks. We were seated immediately in the pretty outside area, which seemed promising for the night. However, things went sour immediately. Our server came over right after we had sat down and whipped out her little notebook. Looking at us with quite the stink-face, she said, "Are you ready?" No greeting, no smile, nothing. Fine -- I'm from Miami: I don't usually bat an eye at non-friendly service, as long as we get our orders and the people aren't downright rude. We asked for a couple minutes and started looking over the drink menu. When she returned a bit later, I had a couple simple questions about the menu. She grudgingly answered me with little more than one word. OKAY, now I'm getting annoyed. We ordered and she flounced away. We were then able to roll our eyes at the super fancy cars being valeted immediately in front of the restaurant. Drinks came. We enjoyed them; we had branched out a little and ordered new things. I got a little martini sampler, which was cute but nothing like what the server had described. If you don't know, just say so! Before we had finished our drinks, the server came back and stood in front of us, staring. We weren't sure what was going on, so one of us asked her politely if there was a problem. She said she wanted to check if we were going to order something else; we said no. Shortly after, a different person (manager?) came over to ask us if we(QUOTE) "planned to stay for a few hours?" WHAT?! I literally started to laugh, and told her that, well, no, we didn't plan to stay for hours, but we DID plan to stay and at least enjoy our drinks. She somewhat sheepishly said that that was fine and let us be. The server came back and asked for one of our credit cards (apparently this had been the issue the whole time, but she didn't explain herself prior to this point). I gave her mine, and at this point, we were all not very happy and pretty much ready to go. We finished our drinks hurriedly, and tried to wave the server down to close out our check. Eventually, I had to get up and find her. She came BACK to ask what the name was on my card (SIGH). When we finally got the bill, I could not sign any faster. We practically ran out. I was happy to see all of the YOLO jokes on Yelp -- "you'll only go once," etc. Hee hee! Glad I wasn't the only one.
(1)Fred N.
YOLO's a nice place for either a first date or just a after work happy hour. The outdoor atmosphere is lively and filled with amazing people; mostly professionals. Staffs are good but not great. The place is clean and decors are a nice touch. The food is okay, nothing out of the ordinary. In general, YOLO's a really nice spot to hang out with your friends/coworkers and have some drinks.
(4)Irene A.
Ladies bathroom was dirty and none of the stalls had toilet paper. When i advised the front attendant, she was like ok. Terrible! It was only 8:30 on a Friday night. Not good!!!
(1)Angelo R.
Had dinner here last night with Andy and we were pretty impressed. The location is at the beginning of the Las Olas strip across from Timpano. There are several parking lots and garage off 3rd ave, about a block away from the restaurant. We walked in and were greeted promptly. First, we had couple of drinks at the bar patio side: Strawberry Kiss (Fresh Strawberries, Grey Goose Vodka, Lemon Juice, Balsamic Vinegar, Cracked Black Pepper) and Passiontini (Grey Goose Vodka, Chambord, Pineapple Juice). Be carfeful, these were potent drinks but not complaining here. They were carefully crafted concoctions and not watered down...at all :) On to our dinner. We shared grilled artichokes to start. For entrees, Andy ordered the Rotisserie Pork Chop (Double Cut, BBQ Basted) served Collard Greens & Corn Brulee. Wow...talk about big portion. The meat was cooked right and loved the the semi sweet taste of the brulee. I got the Center Cut Filet (Aged, Oak Grilled) and side of Mac & Cheese. Medium done right..meat was tender & juicy and cheesy-gooey tasty mac & cheese....AMEN! We also loved the atmosphere of this place. Energetic, hip & trendy but not snobby. Beautiful outdoor seating and more than satisfactory service. Great place for a romantic night out and business dinners. Will definitely be back :)
(5)Andrew W.
I had a great vegetarian play at a good price. The restaurant has a good variety, and even though it looks like it might be pricey, I felt the prices were quite reasonable for an evening out. This would be a great place for a date. Also great if you want some place to hang with friends, music, but not so loud that you can hear each other talk. Very hipster and a well dressed but casual crowd. My friend had the vegetarian burger, which was very tasty and rich. A step up from some of the other places that do vegetarian burgers.
(5)Sara M.
Thanks for the follow on Twitter, Yolo. For that, you get a review. Wish I could make it a five-starer for ya, but come on, I think we all know that there is a crazy heap of hype that surrounds you and I have taken an oath to the Yelp gods to be honest in my reviews. So yeah, there is alot of hype about Yolo. Now, I have never had food here before; maybe the menu is spot on and the food is laced in happy thoughts and sparkles, I don't know, but as a bar or as a lounge, Yolo is just okay for me. First of all your beer menu is complete crapola and B) your bartenders repeatedly mess up my very simple drink order of gin and ginger and I am typically served a gin and tonic instead. Gin and Ginger. So easy! It even rolls right off the tongue. But all exaggeration aside, I think my drink has come out as ordered ONCE in all the times I have come here.. which is many. As a "place" Yolo is fine. It's just that I find the outside to get crazy crowded, especially on the weekends, and that many sweaty suited up bodies per square foot its unappealing. The inside is loud so talking is a no-go, and for dancing... well the layout is not great for that either. As far as a crowd is concerned, lets call a spade a spade and all admit that pretty much everyone here is some kind of douche. Like the young lawyer douche(YLD) who maxes out his card by buying a few rounds for the whole group so he can impress all the other YLDs. Or the coked out douchey girl wearing a low cut cowl neck. My personal fave of the sleazy 40-something douche with a bald spot and visible boner. And don't forget the ever so lovely cougar douches with their animal print jumpsuits and obvious lip-liner. Yeaa.. I realize this all sounds harsh, but Yolo has its good points too! For starters there is a big parking lot a few steps away, so in terms of ease, there is no driving around for countless minutes searching for parking. Also, the outside is very tropical oasis-esq which is nothing to hate. There is definitely a scene here and there is never a shortage of people (d.bags) and as well all know, nothing kills a buzz like drinking in an empty bar, so put your party pants on people. And in terms of comparison, there is not a whole lot of choice places on the block. I understand if you unfollow me on twitter after this review, Yolo. But hey, I gotta be honest, you only live once #amirite ?
(3)Grace R.
YOLO is consistently good food and great service. It's a great place to take clients or people from out of town. I frequently go for lunch but would expect same experience for dinner. Chopped salad, arugula salad and turkey burger are my go to. I do not like turkey burgers from any other restaurant - they do something special - maybe chipotle sauce. Highly recommended.
(5)Jessica C.
Server was great! But the food was not. They were out of two different types appetizers. The calamari tasted too sweet (pretty much calamari drowned in BBQ sauce) the only thing that tasted decent were the meatball sliders. Good place for drinks, but not for dinner.
(3)Vanessa R.
The food is absolutely delicious. Their classic burger is amazing and their calamari is to dye for!! I enjoyed the atmosphere and the service of the staff, very much. It's calm and relaxing and can't wait till winter comes so I can come sit by the fire pit. I would recommend this place to anyone, I also have to come back for the brunch!
(4)Rene M.
This place is amazing, chic, and beautiful. They have out door seating with bonfires in the front, an indoor/ our bar so you can be seated inside or outside at the same bar. Plus, there's a lounge/ club right next door that's connect to the restaurant. My friend and I ordered drinks ( great selection) and had their calamari appetizer,which has this sweet glaze, and spice with nuts! Divine! I order the Prime Rib with Potato Gratin and it was to die for! Cooked to perfection. My friend had the Center Cut Filet with vegetables and it melted in your mouth. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. Great atmosphere, great staff, and great memories
(5)Kaitlyn B.
Great outdoor lounge! My husband and I dined inside facing the kitchen. While it wasn't as cozy as the outdoor area, it was nice to see the food prep on the tv's and the open kitchen providing a clear view of the behind the scenes action. The calamari appetizer was very unique and unlike any other calamari I've had. Our server was very professional.
(3)n l.
Great place! Great location! Great food! Cami was our server and she was awesome! We had no reservation and were seated w/in three minutes! Will definitely come back!!
(5)Melissa L.
Came in on Sunday thinking there was a 30 min wait. We ordered drinks at the bar and received a text our table was ready. I ordered the smoked pork hash and sunny side eggs. My boyfriend got the French toast. The smoked pork hash may need a side. The French toast may have been the best we have ever tasted. You can't beat the unlimited mimosas at only $15 each. Outside seating is awesome. Inside is a little intimate but usually not so much of a wait. I will be back!
(4)Joshua G.
Prime rib sandwich amazing!!!! Service amazing!! bartender ALLI amazing- pleasure dining here- sexy staff- sexy guests
(5)Dara B.
Ladies nights are great. I like the food as well.
(4)Ward S.
Excellent food and atmosphere. Very convenient location for those who work downtown. I had lunch here with a few colleagues in April 2014 and the service was outstanding. I had the swordfish sandwich that came on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onions and a wonderful signature sauce. The valet staff parks cars right at the front entrance and it resembled the Barrett-Jackson auto show. A very relaxed atmosphere and not stuffy at all. Wear a business suit or come dressed like Jimmy Buffett.
(4)Tra B.
Have to Update. Management reached out to compensate our recent not so fond visit to make it right and I must say its gratifying, which shows true hospitality with management that cares about service and their customers. Thank You Michael I'll definitely visit next time I'm in town.
(4)Bradley T.
Service was so-so but what do ya expect on a busy Saturday night! Cheeseburger was AMAZING and the sweet potato mashed - to die for. The atmosphere is worth any deficiency in service or food quality. Love the place...
(4)Danielle L.
Looks like I dont need to say much. Visited here while on my honeymoon. Found it via Yelp .. so thanks yelpers. the food was divine!! the service was great, our server never forgot about even though there was a group of 15 or so next to us. She made us feel like we were important ( I dont remember her name.. she was white, short sassy hair, super sute) My black berry mojito(s) were perfect. I wish we would have found it earlier, we probably would have been here more.
(4)Puneet M.
YOLO has good prices, proportions, and the food is great! The calamari was outstanding along with the salmon! A must try if you are in the area.
(4)Sonia A.
YOLO never lets me down. Went there for lunch this weekend and had a Blackened Corvina sandwich. The bun was super soft, the fish delicious, tender and juicy and it came with a mountain of small fries! Great sand which! The place itself is very chic, modern, and pretty comfortable seating. The tables are nice and big, you don't even need booths to feel comfortable and privacy is not an issue. I have also been there for dinner and drinks and everything has always been nothing but delicious! YOLO is a staple on the Las Olas strip and I don't think they're going out of business anytime soon!
(5)Brenda P.
It "appears" to be a 5 but it's a definite 3.5. The food is hit or miss. This, however, is the kind of place you go for ambiance first and food second (if at all). Yes, there are such places...settle down. Decor is somewhere sleek modern and sophisticated. The bar divides the outside and inside area and can be accessed equally from both. Drinks are delicious. I have tried the Dirty Blonde, Strawberry Caipirinha and the Bliss Martini. All good. All really strong. The outside has lounge seats, fire pits, high tops and blaring music. You can make a night of just hanging out outside without actually dining inside. The inside is your usual restaurant design with a mix of booths and chairs. The open kitchen gives off a smell sometimes. They really need to fix that. No one wants to leave there smelling like food! Everyone is (mostly) dressed to impress. This is as SOBE as Ft. Lauderdale gets. The people watching is crazy! (for FTL). YOLO is connected to O Lounge and next to Vibe. You can make an entire night of it and it's great! You only (valet) park once and have three good places to go to for the night without driving all over the place. It's also directly on Las Olas so you can also walk the strip if you want as well. I have been there mostly at night and once for brunch. The brunch was a little disappointing. I like it way better at night. We have tried the following dishes in the past: Octopus- OK Wedge salad- Blah BBQ Pork ribs- GOOD Szechuan Calamari- AMAZING. A must! Cedar- roasted salmon- OK Pumpkin Cheesecake- OK The service has been efficient every time. They don't go out of their way for you or anything so don't expect that. Prices are moderate to high. The wine list is actually really good. You can get Honig's Cab by the glass which is rare. Once done, you can enter O Lounge through the back of YOLO without having to go back outside. This is not the place for that amazing dinner you will rave about to others. Go elsewhere for that. If you want to experience this nightlife then park here, have dinner elsewhere (Johnny V, Timpano's , Solita or City Tavern all within walking distance) then come back here for drinks and the rest of the options. If done that way then it's a lot of fun. It's a shame. They really should work on perfecting that because they have a good thing going for them with the location, space, decor, drinks and ambiance! They are just missing good memorable food! After all, it is a restaurant no?
(3)John C.
Nice place nice ambient BUT food just below average, drinks nothing especial. I was expecting a lot more for this restaurant
(2)Jaran D.
I reserved the O Lounge for a private party for 22 people. I felt compelled to write this review because everything was just perfect. The bartenders Becca and Layla were very professional and extremely attentive and personable. The food was great, and no one needed to wait for a drink. My guests had a blast and the ambiance was perfect for a cocktail party. The GM even took time out of his busy schedule to personally check with me to make sure all was good before and during the event. I highly recommend O Lounge for your next private party.
(5)Bert M.
YOLO, You Only Live Once and if I was going to have a last meal, I would want it from YOLO. Friday May 15th, the place was jamming. We had reservations and they took us right away. The noise level was a little high for my liking at first and then the loud drunk woman from was soon done and left. The service was outstanding and the food was just as good. You must have at least 1 meal at YOLO if you are in Ft. Lauderdale area.
(5)Georgia H.
Made a reservation for 9:30pm for a party of 10 for birthday dinner ... The individual we spoke to make the reservation was very stern on telling us to get there on time or the table would be given away.. So we arrive promptly at 9:30pm with all parties present. We were seated at 10:25pm!!!! Horrible, Horrible service... Extremely long wait times WITH A RESERVATION!! Don't waste your time!
(1)Lyza L.
YOLO - You Only Live Once - is a fun, lively place where you can find plenty of Beautiful People and an upscale crowd. Testimony to this is the assortment of gorgeous cars in the valet lot - Bentleys, Jags, Maseratis, you name it. The outdoor lounge area - replete with fire pits and sofas - is a great spot for happy hour. But it can get super crowded, so your best bet is to get there early. Inside is quite loud, although you can ask for an outdoor table. The downside is that the food is inconsistent, which is a disappointment. So I say go there for the people watching and socializing, but don't expect to be wowed by the cuisine.
(3)Kimberley C.
So many people have been verbally recommending this place that I was thinking..... can they be wrong? I must try..... FOOD: Mediocre DECOR: Cool, slightly hip by not by much SERVICE: GOOD Parking: Valet Had the seared tuna & artichoke dish, so two separate dishes. Both of which were tasteless. How can you mess up artichoke? Will I come here again? NO
(2)Andi T.
Went here on a date once (in the restaurant) and the ambiance there is that of a lounge. The food was delicious. I peeked at the check and it was a bit pricey but I enjoyed every part of the experience.
(4)J. A.
Went this past sunday around 2pm could not get a seat at the bar, several women had their purses in empty seat when asked they said they were saving it for friends come on this is a bar! how long should someone be allowed to save a seat?
(1)Robin T.
Food is very good. We had dinner one day and brunch another. The cornbread is good but big enough for 4 people. The crab cakes were delicious but small. For brunch, we had shrimp & grits and French toast, both good. Try the Coco Lychee cocktail-delicious. Service very good. Hip atmosphere.
(5)Gladys P.
I decided to have my birthday celebration at Yolo, i had a group of 10 people i was super happy with my friends until one of them that has never being there had to kill a roach on the floor by the kitchen i called the manager to tell him next day i was so embarrassed of my friend, the manager was rude telling me this is south florida and we all have roach in our places. Maybe he is right but the way he handled wasn't nice. So i will never go back there neither my friends. Its was an embarrassment to me on my bday celebration. If you have pest control often the roach should ve being dead not alive and running in our feet. Disgusting.
(1)Tony P.
Came here for dinner with a couple of yelpers. It wasn't very busy. But I believe its because the Miami Heat where playing the night and it was the finals. The atmosphere was very nice. Not overly decorated and very clean. We decided to start off with the YOLO Chips, Calamari, Tuna Sashimi, and Pumpkin soup they had that day. All the appetizers where fantastic. My favorite where the chips, the cheese the truffle oil and that crunch yummmm. Moving on to main courses. We got the Pork Chop, Crab Cakes, and the Ribs. Lets start with the Pork Chop. It was well out of this world, 32 ounces of pork in one plate. That should not even be legal. Being Cuban I know pork very well. This was juice and succulent. I mean this thing had its on gravitational pull. It came with collard greens and a corn soufflé. Nothing out of this world but still good. The complete opposite of what I was expecting. The Crab Cakes where very good as well not dry and very fresh tasting. Finally we move onto ribs, they where so good. Moist and very tender. I ordered a dirty Martini and specifically told the waitress I wanted three olives. It was fine when it got to the table but then I decided I wanted more olives. Which she happily brought me. She was extremely nice and helpful. I am looking forward to going again when I'm in the area.
(5)Gaby M.
On our first night in Fort Lauderdale, we went out to Las Olas Boulevard, FTL's exclusive nightlife scene. This area is very chilled, classy, & full of young professionals and good conversations. From shopping to fine dining to bars, the choice is yours. If you're looking for some fine dining, I highly recommend YOLO restaurant.. because you know.. you only live once. ;) Their craft cocktails are superb and their mouthwatering Szechuan Calamari (with garlic chili sauce, chopped peanuts, and sesame) is to die for. OMG so yum.
(4)Jeff F.
Great location with a fun environment. I've probably been here 20 times before and no matter if it's for happy hour, dinner, etc it never disappoints. I was hesitant about this place because of the name at first but it was impressive. I recommend the calamari which is different and the Prime Rib.
(4)Julia M.
Absolutely amazing food. The rotisserie chicken was so flavorful and juicy! The California Spinach salad was fuego and the service was great. Our server was Mark, so if you get him he's cool. Sitting outside was nice.
(5)Doug M.
Meatball sliders and chopped salad w shrimp are amazing starts. And the plank salmon is crazzzzy good. My go to restaurant whenever I am in fort laudy. Not sure if drake or the owner used the term first. Atmosphere fun and fresh. A must go
(5)Marty W.
Great inside/outside Bar that the beautiful locals (women) frequent. Constant car show out front with Rolls, Lambos and Ferraris to name a few. While I didn't eat there my local friends said food is great. Food looked good being served.
(5)Joseph B.
Drinks are good but expensive. There is a dress code to go into the inside club but you can wear shorts outside. The clientele is great looking and this place is very trendy. I enjoy chilling here. I was here last year and loved it then.
(4)Rita E.
Positives...Really nice trendy place. Dress to impress. Fun crowd on Sat nite. Negatives....DJ played good music but was not customer oriented. Security falsely accused my hubby of wrongdoing when he attempted to turn in a credit card he found on the floor. When we defended ourselves we were invited to leave. So not cool.
(3)Daniel K.
I've been here 3 times. Food is consistent but service was a bit spotty today. Our waiter was overwhelmed and was not attentive to our table. Seems like he cared more about the larger table that was seated next to our table.
(3)Karenann L.
Corn dip was awesome. Kale salad was way too vinegary and I couldn't eat it (soaked in red vinegar). There was no sweetness to the salad - maybe they could marinade the kale in a dressing of oil/lemon with raisins so the kale leaves have time to soak up the dressing and is more soft rather than just tasting red vinegar the entire time. My husband got the soup and sandwich which was tomato soup and short rib I think. The tomato soup had a layer of oil on top- it wasn't touched. The sandwich was drenched in grease- only ate half, if that. The potato chips it came with were really greasy too. Our waiter Seth was really great!
(3)Donna P.
Went on a Sunday night, so it wasn't crazy busy. Cool night, so we sat outside. Started with the Szechuan calamari and the sliders and the cucumber cooler. All were fabulous. The cucumber cooler had a little bite to it. I ordered the salmon special, and it was prepared just how I liked it. My companions ordered the tuna and prime rib sandwich. Both were great. The fries were skinny and crispy. Service was friendly, and our drinks were always refilled.
(4)Steffanie C.
Great vibe and the place was packed! I made a reservation but they still made us wait for 45 mins. We had a couple of drinks outside while we waited. Food was good, service was ok, but I would def go back again.
(5)Edward H.
One of Fort Lauderdale's best Sunday brunch spots whether you choose indoor or outdoor covered dining. The menu is well versed but Quiche, crab cakes and grilled artichokes are always my favorite starters while enjoying a martini tree or bottle of champagne. Flat iron steak, Asian style tuna, and BBQ pork with Apple slaw are my go to craves but have also tried a simple grilled mahi, all very good.
(4)Kerry J.
I'm from South Florida and although I haven't lived there in several years, I was aware of YOLO. I finally got to check out their brunch while visiting my family last weekend. I was immediately impressed by the $15 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys at brunch. You don't get pre-mixed drinks, either. Uh uh. Not even close... Unlimited Bloody Marys= carafe of vodka, carafe of Bloody Mary mix, and a tower of garnishes including olives, horseradish, jalapenos, lemons, and limes Unlimited mimosas= a bottle of champagne and a carafe of orange juice For my meal I had the smoked salmon BLT, which comes with a delicious green apple slaw for a side. It was huge, and only $12. For the location and upscale ambiance, this is a shocklingly affordable option along Las Olas. I'll definitely be back here next time I'm in the area.
(4)Thomas R.
Rude greeters. Mediocre food. On the plus side: A lot of beautiful girls to look at. My first visit was Saturday March 28 which is also my last visit there!
(2)LaDonna S.
Best brunch ! Thoroughly enjoyed the bottomless mimosas. Leah, our waiter was awesome! We ordered the pancakes, mahi sandwhich, omelet special and burger. All of the dishes was delicious. Can't wait until I can get back!
(5)Craig B.
Well my review won't be a long winded one. My experience at this place was bitter sweet. There were some highlights in the night last night and definitely some lows! To start off. It was supposed to be a nice birthday celebration and it was but service at this restaurant was not the greatest. I had to keep changing my reservation because open table didnt allow me to choose enough seats for my party in the time slot I wanted. So I called the restaurant, and was told well we are very bz. So if u can make this time slot then we can accommodate you and if not oh well. Not said but implied. Upon sitting a family member tell waitress it's my birthday. U would have thought service might have paid slightly more attention to me but I had to look around to get attention. Drinks were tasty but light on the alcohol. Food was excellent but I had to borrow a knife from someone at my table and had to ask waitress for a fork. We were given a dirty glass with lipstick smudges on it! Yuck!!! I also kept feeling like the servers were rushing herding the people in and out. So to make a long story short. Yolo's good just far from great!
(2)Terry L.
I love the energy of this place... WOW! If you come on a Friday or Saturday night it will have a club/lounge feel (young and mature)! Anytime I come here I must have the cornbread and calamari. Honestly, they have the best calamari I have ever tasted as it's not bready or chewy, it's nicely fried topped with there own special sauces. The cornbread is soft and beautiful... Yes I said beautiful (lol), they make the batter everyday and typically sell out of it early within the night. As for entrees, I have only gotten the Cedar Salmon with mash potatoes and it's always executed perfectly. I have never had a problem with service. I think this is a perfect place to dress up and meet your friends for good talk and good times!
(5)Heather A.
Came here for lunch on a Monday with a group of 4. We were seated quickly, and outdoors. We really enjoyed the outdoor space. It was very busy with business lunches. Our food was delicious and arrived in a timely manner. The only real drawback was the limited menu, not a wide variety of options. I would have liked more selections.
(4)Martin K.
Ok, you have to take this place for what it is. Between 7-9, it's a place where the younger crowd (typically from the burbs) drops by for dinner and drinks. Between 9-11, it's a pre-game place for those heading to Miami (again, usually from the burbs) and a post-dinner drink place for the locals who will be calling it a night. After 11, the place becomes a toss up and can be fun or completely dead (i.e. tourist dependent). For Lauderdale, it's one of those "trying to be Cosmopolitan" places, and does a decent job, until some donkey puts on Hey Shorty It's Your Birthday or some other crap and you shake your head. Oh yeah, this place is also the prime Lauderdale spot for the the mid-life crisis guys to meet their future (and significantly younger) Mrs by flashing their fancy cars. From a food perspective, the food can be good, but is oddly inconsistent. I've eaten her 5 or 6 times, 3-4 of which were great, the other 2 were terrible. Different servers all the time - most likely high turnover which explains why the reviews are all over the place.
(3)Harvey D.
I decided to try this restaurant since it received pretty good reviews and I had plans to be near Las Olas anyway. My wife and I met another couple and we were seated after waiting about 10-15 min. even though I made a reservation. They did say they had outdoor seating available immediately, however, we opted to wait for a table inside. Once we were seated, the waitress came and took our drink and appetizer order. This is where it started to get a little rocky: the waitress set the first glass of water down and almost spilled it on us. I caught it as it was spinning on the table and the tablecloth only ended up a little wet. She then proceeded to basically dump an entire glass of iced tea into our friend's lap. She quickly left and we gave him all of the napkins we had to dry off with. The waitress did return wtih more napkins and wiped off the tablecloth while he was drying off his jeans. This is where my first (of two) complaints come in: why not offer us a complementary appetizer or dessert? You almost spilled a glass of water and you did spill the iced tea? We ordered two appetizers and a dessert and one of those could have easily been taken off the check. The yolo chips and cornbread then was delivered and they were tasty although the cornbread was much better. I thought the chips had too much bleu cheese on them for my liking. Once this fiasco settled down, she left for a few minutes and came back to take our dinner orders. I really wanted the 1/2 rotisserie chicken; however, they brush the chicken with butter while on the grill so that wasn't going to work. I decided on the fillet wtih fries and a ceasar salad. The portion size wasn't bad and they gave me a lot of fries and a decently sized salad. The fillet was 10 oz. which was nice since I was hungry. After we all finished all meals, she asked if we wanted dessert. Seeing as how my wife had a "Happy Birthday" balloon and mentioned a couple of times that it was her birthday along with the drinks ordeal, I believe that the dessert she decided on ( chocolate lava cake) should have been free. Even if that is not their policy.... I have to update this yelp because after reading the above, the manager contacted me and apologized for what had happened. He wanted to assure me that this was not the typical protocol of how they run their restaurant and to give them another chance to make things right. So.... My wife and I made a reservation for this past weekend. We were sat immediately and the manager came up to us and introduced himself shortly after we were seated. Everything went very well and our dinner and the service was impeccable. The prime rib was incredible (and a lot less fat than any other prime rib I have ered had) and my wife admitted her fish might just be the best she has ever eaten. The manager came over a second time to check on us and make sure that everything was ok. The server was fantastic and he really made the whole experience that much better. At the end of the meal, the server informs us that the check is being taken care of by the restaurant. We were in complete shock! We could not believe they took care of the entire check. For all of you other restaurants out there, take lessons from YOLO. They made a mistake and they corrected it. They went way beyond what even I could have imagined to gain our trust back and to keep us coming back. This is what customer service is all about. We will definitely be going back and bringing friends!
(5)Cherine A.
After seeing all of my Yelp buddies check in for brunch spots lately, I've had a hankering for a good brunch day. Once Jenn S. and I decided to do brunch this past weekend, we agreed that unlimited mimosas was a requirement for any establishment we were to visit (clearly we have our priorities in check). Enter the handy Yelp search, and voila! YOLO fit the bill. I'd been wanting to try this place for a while, in spite of the name. I made a reservation on Open Table, but it turns out it wasn't necessary given the ridiculously awful weather we had on Sunday. We were promptly seated inside (and it's gorgeous in there), and our waiter quickly came by to take our drink order. I think it's obvious what we chose, and we were serious when we said "unlimited" - Jenn and I killed two bottles of champagne over the course of two-and-a-half hours. They don't give you super cheap champagne either - this was Domaine St. Michelle Brut, and it was good enough to drink on its own (I've been to other places where the champagne is only palatable when mixed with orange juice). We needed to take a stroll down Las Olas for a bit after to sober up :) As for the food, I was torn between an omelette and the french toast. I even said to myself at the time that I could get an omelette anywhere, and yet I chose that anyway. It was just okay. I asked for it with bacon and lots of cheddar, but it was rather bland and not much cheese at all in it. Next time I'm getting the french toast. We split the cinnamon rolls, which were pretty good, but I don't know that I'd order them again. So even though the food wasn't amazing, I'm giving YOLO four stars... our server was awesome, and unlimited mimosas make everything better :)
(4)J B.
I have a love hate relationship with this place. Since it's a few blocks from my home, it's good place to go to when I don't feel like traveling far, especially for socializing and dancing at the 2 near by lounges. The food is definitely good. I have eaten here often, for pleasure and business, so I have tried most of the menu. Haven't found anything I don't like. Service can be hit or miss. Inside seating is your best shot for better service. Outside can drive me crazy a bit. Staff can be just as aloof as the patrons. Its very snooty here, way too many over cologned guys. Lots of gold diggers too. The people here is what drives me crazy about this place. If you go with your own group of friends so you can ignore the meat market, the gold diggers, the pretentious men, the stalker men and the sloppy drunk women spilling drinks, falling down, throwing up etc. Then it can be a better night. 3 stars for the all around experience. 4 stars for the food.
(3)Allan S.
YOLO is the sister restaurant of S3 which I happen to love so I was disappointed when YOLO didn't live up to the same high standard. Yes the female bartenders are sexy, attractive and friendly (ours was the spitting image of Paz Vega). Yes the place is hopping and oozes a hip vibe which we really liked. Yes the service is top notch whether at the bar, or table service. It's in the food quality where YOLOs falls short. In all fairness, my Manhattan Steak entree was delicious. But the chorizo mussels, grilled artichoke, and tuna sashimi were nothing special - they seemed dominated by one or two strong flavors and lacked the melange of subtle flavors you would expect from a well-prepared high end cuisine. The Seared Tuna and Noodles entree ordered by my wife was downright bland; in retrospect it should be a crime to lay high quality ahi on top of hot noodles/soup. With the many high end dining options on Las Olas you will be best served by going elsewhere for dinner. But if your goal is drinks with attitude and great service, you won't be disappointed.
(3)James O.
5 of us went to dinner and had terrible service when the place was not busy. After waiting 15 minutes for someone to come to our table I had to get up to get the hostess to send a waiter to take our drink orders. I knew there as a minimum age to drink but here they must also have a minimum sitting time to order as well. Finally after another 10 minutes someone came to take our food order. 45 minutes after sitting we had drinks but no food yet; not even a basket of bread which we learned must be requested and is not brought to a table as a matter of course. The food was acceptable but the service and discovering they charge an additional $2 for a drink if ordered "on the rocks" was enough for 5 of us to never come here again. ur past visits had been fine so place has gone down hill.
(1)Blake C.
The food was great, the service was awesome! My girlfriend and I decided to order dinner at the bar while we had a few drinks. The people are great, food was delicious, but I have to say the air conditioning was either malfunctioning or not on at all!
(2)Anna M.
Went to YOLO for the first time the other night with my boyfriend while we were in the area. We arrived about 20 minutes before our reservation and were lucky enough to be seated right away. Our waitress was so sweet, very attentive, took our order right away, and checked on us enough times to let us know she hadn't forgotten us but wasn't being overbearing. We started with the dragonberry mojitos, they were so good and so strong but didn't taste like you were drinking straight alcohol. For appetizers we got the szechuan calamari and the skillet corn bread - both were AMAZING and the portions were huge, we managed to finish the calamari but the corn bread literally comes cooked in a large skillet so needless to say we opted to take what we didn't finish home. My boyfriend got the prime ride sandwich for his entree and I got the rotisserie Greek chicken, again both meals exceeded our expectations, the quality was excellent and the portions were giant. Overall loved this place, from the service to the food we couldn't have asked for a better experience and we will definitely be back!
(5)Jim G.
An overdue review as I have been there 3 or 4 times over the past 3 months and it is a TRUE GEM for Happy Hour on Las Olas!!! The VERY under-priced appetizers are delicious.....especially the Meatball Sandwich.....(I have em skip the bread).....but its the outstanding bartending staff that makes Fridays at 5 so fun......they can make anything and amazingly last time I was there they didn't have a request but low and behold 20 minutes later I see a barback with a plastic shopping bag and out comes my request!.....Enjoy the afterwork crowd and always fun to talk with everyone who happens to be there. The proximity to Club 401, The Royal Pig and a little later in the night, VIBE doesn't hurt either.......GREAT FUN PLACE.....ENJOY!!!!
(5)connie l.
Pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. Very trendy venue with a great outdoor sitting area. Great for both lunch meetings and date night.
(5)Rabia J.
You only live once but you eat at Yolo multiple times. I really like this restaurant and the vibe of the Florida restaurant feel atmosphere. It's a super popular restaurant near the las o las area and it is set up beautifully. I love the fire burning pit in the front with a great entrance for valet parking as well as side garage behind this restaurant. They have great seating inside and outside, however, they are usually very busy so I recommend a reservation. Only once with a reservation we had to wait a lot but usually they are very prompt. I usually like to order multiply appetizers as my entree in this restaurant. The sweet and spicy calamari is a must have as well as the tuna sashimi with the seaweed salad. Their chocolate lava cake is divine and the perfect way to end the meal. Yolo ~
(4)Shamea S.
Everything was PERFECT!!! Will definitely return I want to try the mash potatoes. It was a bit pricey but well worth it.
(5)Andrew C.
A great place for a business meeting. Sit at the bar for great service by Jon and Becca. Fresh generous portions, reasonable Downtown prices,and a great atmosphere makes this a must when in Downtown Ft Lauderdale
(5)Frank B.
Went there for lunch today! Located in the center of Downtown Ft. Lauderdale it was a maze to find. Parking was a breeze because they have their own Valet. The hostess seated us quickly, very professional and always engaging us on what our dinning needs would required and the service was exceptional. A cute way of presenting the "daily specials" was when we were seated by the hostess, she had a exceptionally large, old fashion mechanical rubber stamp that she imprinted on a blank piece of paper, stating the items of the day (soup, fish, entrée) Drinks: Freshly squeezed "Mint Lemonade" that was tart and had a full flavor with a wedge of lemon and mint leaf. (the old fashion way) Starters: (great presentation) ~ Szechuan Calamari ~ Nicely deep fried Calamari with sesame and chopped peanuts with a great garlic chili sauce drizzled on top. ~ Truffled Yolo Chips ~ that were excellent! They were crispy with a great crunch with a hint truffles, maytag blue cheese, herbs, and crumbled bacon. Entrées: ~ I had the Daily Special ~ Fresh Fish Sandwich which was grouper, grilled on a sesame seed bun, slightly toasted with very nice slices of plump red tomatoes and mashed sweet potatoes with pecans on top. (yummy ~ very nice) ~ My partner had an angle hair pasta with an generous amount of large shrimp that had a great cream sauce, it was light and delicately prepared. Desert: Banana-Coconut Cream Pie with a cashew-graham crust. That was fluffy and full of flavor and a great tasty crust. (a definite "must have") It was a delightful afternoon of conversation and fine dining and we were not rushed at all after two and half hours. (a pleasure to be able to talk and dine in a no hassle environment) Would definitely go back for a lunch and an early happy hour. Cheers!
(4)Danielle B.
The bf and I came for drinks and dessert during Yelp Checks In week and so this review is for that only. We seated ourselves in the outdoor patio. It was not too busy because it was a Tuesday night and past dinner time. Yelp Checks In offered 1 free dessert per check in so I ordered the bread pudding and the bf ordered Banana Coconut Cream Pie. I was excited about both. Bread pudding because, well, I just love bread pudding, and the combo of banana and coconut in pie sounds so fresh and mouth-watering. The bread pudding was not the best I've ever had, but was decent. I think the pecans made it too stiff rather than being creamy and moist for my taste. The pie was really good. Great ratio of pie to crust and great flavors. We also ordered off their specialty drink menu. Our waiter suggested the strawberry caipirinha which has malibu, strawberries, lime juice and a rim of sugar which he described similar to a strawberry daiquiri and our second drink I can't remember the name of but was basically a blackberry mojito. Both drinks were so yummy. Slightly girly, not too strong, and perfect to just sip on and enjoy the scenery. I liked the atmosphere, the drinks, and the dessert. It is definitely on the pricey side. Drinks ran $12 apiece and desserts were $8. I would come back on happy hour.
(4)Elizabeth R.
YOLO = You Order Lunch (too) Often. Yeah, I eat out and order lunch entirely too much and my bank account struggles because of this laziness that I can't seem to shake. YOLO has been there for me through this laziness and they do not seem to mind taking my money week after week. They are extremely close to my office and never disappoint. For a restaurant of this caliber on Las Olas, the prices are fairly reasonable for the portions you get. I've been known to order the angel hair pasta dish often, a simple tomato sauce with lots of olive oil and a mountain of vermicelli at $12 bucks (without chicken or shrimp). Sprinkle some parm cheese on this stuff and you have yourself a bomb diggity meal (I can't guarantee how productive you'd be after inhaling so much pasta - consider yourself warned). Another favorite here is the veggie burger. Made with crimini mushrooms, beets, barley (and other good-for-you stuff I can't recall at the moment) its a winner at $10 and even includes fries or any one of the yummy sides. I usually swap the crispy and delicious shoe string fries (for caloric intake reasons) for the herb mashed potatoes or the spaghetti squash with marinara sauce. Another winning dish for me is the mojo pork sandwich with yucca fries and garlicky sauce (oh great, now my mouth is watering). The only dessert I've tried is the ice cream sandwich that is served with a warm condensed milk sauce. It's a very unique and tasty spin on a classic convenience store dessert. The service at YOLO is amazing and I've only had one or two experiences when they were very busy when I got a little annoyed at some slow behavior I witnessed. Not the end of the world. When my boss annoys me during the long work week, I can be found here drowning my sorrows at the very popular happy hour. The outdoor seating is awesome (complete with fire pit and tiki torches during the colder months) and I always look forward to making s'mores (yes, s'mores) on Thursday nights in the wintertime. Even if YOLO wasn't close to my office, I'd probably go out of my way to come here. Hopefully YOLO continues to do well and will be around to save my lazy self from starvation for years to come.
(4)Hope P.
Set behind bamboo Landscaping, at the beginning of the Las Olas Strip surrounded by tall buildings lies YOLO (You Only Live Once). Ive been to Yolo for Dinner a few times but never Brunch. I came here on Mother's Day and made reservations a few weeks beforehand the anticipation killed me. It was really nice to see this place in the Daytime and the decor was fun to look at too, they did a great job at putting all the elements together quite nicely! The servers were friendly and worked efficiently on a day that I thought would be overwhelming, they did a great job. My Mother ordered a bloody Mary from the Bar and was happy they asked her how she preferred hers, and they gave her the right amount of spicy and jumbo grilled Shrimp (she had to ask ) for was an amazing touch! I was with a party of 10 and most of us ordered off of the Lunch Menu. The table water was simply Gross and so Fiji's were ordered, I hate that , real bummer. We were waiting for the order to come in so my Man ordered 2 Szechuan Calamari's for the table it has Garlic Chili Sauce , Chopped Peanuts , Sesame it was really delicious I thought it was the highlight of my meal. Shortly after our orders came out, we were still eating our Calamari. I ordered the Salmon ... it came on a bed of Arugula, I guess I wasn't paying too much attention or I was soo hungry I couldn't read properly but it was a salad, and I thought it was a platter, it was listed under Specials so I guess I was confused? My Mama ordered the Prime Rib and was disappointed. There was no flavor, not even in the Au Jus that she tried to get some flavor from. The Potatoes Au Gratin were good, not the best but how can you mess up Au Gratin (Cheese)? My Man got the Steak and eggs. It was Fillet Mignon and a couple eggs over easy. The steak didn't have that much flavor but it was very tender the way a fillet should be. It also came with Potatoes Au Gratin. It was a pleasant Mother's Day. No one at the table seemed to be thrilled with their meal, yet no one complained. The Decor is what you'd expect from Las Olas. I will probably be back for dinner again( Great Tuna Sashimi,and Meatballs), as for Brunch, I'm sure there are better spots.
(4)Lisa N.
I love Yolo for lunch or happy hour appetizers and drinks. The lunch menu has great salad, veggie and sandwich options. The Greek salad is close to authentic with large chunks of feta, cucumber and tomato. The calamari appetizer is great too with a spicy Asian flare!
(4)Ani S.
We can walk to Las Olas from our home, so we know Las Olas quite well. YOLO is best for the scene and a lively outdoor seating area- but that's it. The food is below par, quite possibly the worst on Las Olas. The drinks can be good, but watch out- we have been sick many times after drinking here. But for a hangout and variety- YOLO is great! Popular as a happy hour meet and for the more established crowds. *We live off Las Olas so know the area VERY well!
(3)James O.
Well, I just don't know if a meal could get any better. Our server was really great and that makes any meal better. He suggested a Merryvale Cab that for 57.00 was fabulous!! I had the Octopus salad, amazing, I love octopus and would eat it everyday if I could. Was nervous about the Feta mixed in with the Octopus but it went well with the overall salad. the salad part was crisp and the octopus was soft but with a little crunch on the outside all mixed with a terrific lemon vinaigrette dressing. We also had grilled artichokes which were as good as the ones at Houstons. Then we ordered the Filet Mignon which was as good as we had at any of the steak houses in Miami. I had the short ribs with faro, licked the plate clean! Forgot what my friend had but he loved it. I think I can't remember what he had cause he ate it so fast!! We all had a great time, great dishes, good wine and this place has a good vibe going. Fun to be at. Maybe it was just our server who was so good and the wine was so good but I think Yolo is the best on Las Olas.
(5)Clarisse B.
My boyfriend and I went to Yolo on a Saturday night during a trip to Ft. Lauderdale to celebrate our anniversary. We go to Ft. Lauderdale all the time, and had kind of gotten stuck in a restaurant rut going to all of those awful restaurants on the beach. This year, we wanted to venture out and actually try some good quality restaurants (I'll be posting reviews for Coconuts and Steak 954 too). Yolo really did not disappoint. Oh it was soooooo goood. Going to Yolo, is like going to a place that instantly makes you feel like you're in the know. It's super trendy. Walking up to the restaurant, the first thing you see is bright red cushioned lounges/seating surrounding a fire pit. Unfortunately we didn't get to sit there, I think it's first come first serve? And we had reservations. Instead, we were seated at a table on the side patio. It was gorgeous none the less, and had some pretty greens and tiki torches lining the backs of the benches. The tables were kind of close to each other, but it wasn't a big deal as we weren't really going for romance here.... We ordered a couple glasses of wine, and started off with the meatball sliders appetizer. It was pretty good, but I though could use some more seasoning and spice. Maybe that's because I ate it without the bread though and some of the sauce on it stuck to the bread? For our entrees, my boyfriend had the trout and potato gratin. He really liked the trout, and I tried the potato gratin and thought it was also kind of bland. I ordered the Rotisserie Chicken. IT WAS AMAZING! Being in vacation in Florida, I was trying not to eat anything to heavy (didn't want to pay for it on the beach the next day), so I subbed the Herb Mash that comes with it, for the broccoline side. Everything was just so good. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and lemony. I can't wait to come back to this place on our next visit to Ft. Lauderdale! For dessert, we ordered the fresh berries key lime custard. It was pretty good, but I'm sure there are better desserts on the menu (remember, we were aiming for light!). Over all, I highly recommend this restaurant. I loved the vibe of the place, and thought my entree was to die for. My only real complaint other than the potato gratin being bland (which was easily fixed with some salt and pepper), was that I felt like our waitress was kind of ignoring us. She was friendly enough while she was actually at our table, but we found ourselves having to go out of our way to try and get her attention as she was leaving us for wayyy long periods at a time. I won't let that keep me from going back to this place though!
(4)Brenda P.
I dined here for a friend's birthday. I had the calamari which was okay. I felt like I was eating more of fried flour then calamari. Also the dressing on the calamari tasted like ketchup and hot sauce. O_o I ordered the chicken sandwich with argula and red peppers. DISGUSTING!!! Eeewww! STAY AWAY. We had a Christmas Party at the office so I was stuffed when I arrived. I decided to order something small. Man did I make the wrong decision. The girl next to me had a steak which was pretty good. Also the cornbread was pretty good too. The atmosphere was also very nice. So although my food sucked and I think that they should totally eliminate it from the menu - my overall experience was good. They also have a nice bar outside. I would revisit and try something different.
(2)Lesley E.
Visited Yolo based on my fellow Yelpers' reviews. We, my aunt and I, came on a Saturday night before the dinner rush. The place is beautiful inside and out. Very posh, modern, yet romantic. Our waiter was awesome, and explained everything, answering all our questions, without rushing us. She ordered the crab cakes with brussel sprouts and beets. The sprouts were nearly burnt, so our waiter expeditiously brought out another side of her choosing. The cakes were pretty awesome--this coming from a Marylander. I ordered the grouper. I felt the 'soup' it sat on could have had a bit more oomph, but it was still satisfying. We also shared the calamari. We tasted breading for the most part, since the squid was cut into itty bitty pieces. It was very sweet as well. So, is Yolo worth the slightly higher prices?? I'd say yes. Our service was great, the decor was exceptional, and our seafood was fresh and cooked perfectly. Tip--$5 parking garage around the corner is the way to go! Discover cards not accepted.
(3)Brian R.
Not the biggest of menus but it concentrates on stuff that it does extremely well. A fun place to have a drink. Not single, but the bar was hopping with businesspeople and locals, not tourists, so probably good in that department too. High on plastics and gimmicks. A girl in pumps opens the car door for the passenger at the valet. They stamp your table paper with the specials of the day when they seat you. There's a place for the conspicuous consumer cars to park in the front. Not my thing, but if you roll that way, hey. Great atmosphere and great food. Can't ask for much more.
(5)Bruce J.
YOLO is very convenient for the downtown work crowd, Wednesday night is ladies night and rocks the house till closing from happy hour. Around 10 or so expect a very huge crowd! Best service staff around, as busy as it is, those bartenders serve up drinks in record time. Food is excellent too, but one of the best watering holes around.
(4)Kara C.
You only live once....words I live by so why not enjoy some din with new and old friends while visiting the area. The restaurant was quite nice modern decor. Our server Bryan was extremely personable and come to find out his family was from New England. He was excited to hear that I was visiting to cheer my Patriots on for MNF. The appetizers were off the hook good. They have this jalapeño sweet corn bread that's prepared in skillet that isn't on the menu this is a must have....we also had calamari which wasn't your typical at all it was in schezuan sauce had a sweet and spicy bite. Lastly a delicious queso dip. I loved all 3! For dinner I decided on a fish sandwich which was cooked to perfection you can get it grilled or blackened. The guys all decided on the prime rib sandwich which my delicious caramelized onions. And the mediterranean salad was one of the best by far! Give Yolo a try cuz really you only live once!
(4)Matthew C.
Yolo was recommended by friends and my wife and I dined there with another couple before a show at Broward Center last Sat. We were a bit pressed for time, but the service was excellent and we were not rushed at all. My wife and I split a chopped salad and I had the BBQ'd ribs. The salad was a perfect starter and plenty for two. The ribs were tender and practically falling off the bone. I also enjoyed a manhattan off the specialty drink menu which was expertly made. All in all, a splendid meal.
(5)Cheryl L.
When visiting in Ft. Lauderdale, Las Olas is always a must! We went on a Wednesday night for happy hour and arrived at YOLO a little after 7. It was already packed and kickin'. We requested a table and were told that it would be 30 minutes, so the wait was on! It's a happening place for down town. A wide variety of people, young and old! More guys than girls! If you have "the" car, valet park it out front as you will see the display of them! Drinks and apps are good. Entrees are okay, not great! We had the calamari app, tuna app, and prime rib. I think this restaurant is more for the atmosphere & happy hour rather than a sit down meal. Loved the vibe but food could be better. If you want to be seen and be with the hip crowd in Ft. Lauderdale, this place is it. For a great meal, choose elsewhere. There are way too many places in Las Olas for an impressive meal!
(3)Kendall B.
I've held many business meetings here for lunch and dinner. Nice quiet setting. I've also had dinner and wine with my girlfriends here. Nice ambiance outdoor setting.
(4)Surf W.
Pretentious and bad food. The fish tacos had a strong fishy smell. One small taco hidden in a mountain of shredded lettuce. Great service. Expensive for what you get. Place to see and be seen but dont go for the food. Go for the scenery but not for the food.
(1)C J.
Second time here, BBQ Ribs tonight with green apple slaw. As usual good food, good service - one of So Fl most consistent.
(4)K G.
Best watering hole on Las Olas. The skillet cornbread is my kryptonite. Can't get enough. I'm addicted.
(4)Alina Flavez D.
The Doorman Was An ASSHOLE, it all starts at the door fellas, dont be rude, we pay your wages.....She told me SOLO and I thought she said YOLO. In celebration of my latest girlfriend's status change we decided to check out YOLO. Come on ladies, time to strap on those stilletos, we're headin' out! I called upon a few other of my girlfriends for support and we all met up on a Friday night about 8 o'clock-ish. The crowd was diverse, ranging from a few tourist looking types, the leftover downtowner crowd and slowly the night owls arrived. The age range, well, let's just say that it "spanned many generations"! Let me condense this down like concentrated detergent that needs and extra cup of water. The place is more like an upscale Boarshead Brand meat market for the flashy Browardites of Broward county. Where's the camera crews? Given, the place has a lot going for it. It has their "O Lounge" on the west side of the restaurant with the dj pumping out loud music and a bar where you can actually get served when you walk right up to it. The other outdoor bar was packed 2 deep and had a nice outdoor patio area. We were lucky enough to nab a huge round table outdoors for 5 right in between the restaurant and the O Lounge area, perfect for people watching. Our waitress did her best, despite the amount of people everywhere, she took care of our table quite well. I thought the drinks were a bit overpriced for what you receive, but then again...look where I landed. Overall, we had a great time. Our eyeballs wandered and the laughter was non-stop. I'd probably check it out again, but , Oye, can we go on a Ladie's Night??
(4)Cal F.
What a great place, made up for our other bad experiences in the area. Good prices for the excellent experience you'll receive. The food is top notch, wonderful creations, settled well. Service is good, not great, too many newbies, but good. If I lived in the area I would go here as much as I could.
(5)Chuck W.
What a great find. Start with the ambiance inherent in the trendy Las Olas area of Fort Lauderdale. Beautiful outside bar set- up and dining area, though we ended up sitting inside. Got a knowledgeable, attentive waiter. Place can be a little loud, but OK to still hold a conversation. Inside decorated with bright, contemporary look. Very upbeat. As for the dining, crab cakes were super -- no filler, Panko crust. Excellent. Double pork chop was huge -- it comes cooked medium rare, and I always think you have to be careful with that when you order pork. Dinners are unnecessarily large. Two in our group had special butternut squash soup -- delicious. House salad was ordinary. Deserts were exceptional, especially the chocolate ones. Again, larger than they needed to be. Overall, an excellent dining experience. Prices a little high, but we knew that going in.
(4)Grant C.
Wow. Every South Florida stereotype you may have imagined, you can find it here. This is apparently THE place to be on Wednesday night in Ft. Lauderdale. We arrived for a business dinner only to find spotlights, valet parking, not one but TWO Lamborghinis and a Ferrari parked out front (each surrounded with its own little barrier of velvet ropes). And this was just outside! Inside, you couldn't throw a stick without hitting a guy in jeans and an untucked, "going out tonight!" shirt. Throw another stick and you'd be sure to hit a tanned, silicone-infused bleach blonde with heels longer than her skirt. And lots of fist-pumping, boom-boom disco music! Beyond the club-like atmosphere, there's actually a pretty decent restaurant tucked in here. The valets out front could focus on the job a little more but there service was otherwise okay. You may have to scream your order at the top of your lungs, mind you, but when it comes the food is respectable. I'd go back, but maybe not on Wednesday night...
(4)Jen V.
Like most hot spots, you're going to have good and bad reviews. Not every place has an ideal night every night where the servers are on their game, and the food is perfection. I feel sorry for those who haven't had the same great experience that I did and I'm sure that having my sister with me helped -she used to work there, knows the staff, and knew what the best items on the menu are. So let me at least share with you what we ordered and hopefully the rest will fall into place! "Prime rib." -she exclaimed. "Hmmm?" "Prime rib......we have to go to YOLO tomorrow night and get the prime rib. We just have to." "Uh," I answered, "ok. I love prime rib." "OOH! We should get the martini tree too -it's a pain in the ass for the bartender to make, but it's really cool if you haven't had a martini tasting before! And you like calamari, right? OMG, you're going to DIE when you taste their calamari!" My younger sister recently realized that she's a foodie in the past few years after working in some high end restaurants, and hearing her describe a meal as graphically and passionately as I do was a proud moment for me.......and she made me REALLY hungry! So to YOLO we went. She recommended an earlier dinner time (6ish) so we would get a better table and not get bombarded by the later, wilder crowd -mostly club scene celebs looking to fuel up for the night at Yolo's club next door; the O Lounge. We were greeted warmly by the staff and after some hugs from her former colleagues and some gossip, we were seated at a table in the outside garden patio area. I was impressed by the comfortable spacing of the seating area and I loved the fire pits surrounded by the booths! What a fun hangout spot to have drinks! But we were there for the prime rib. After politely glancing at the menu (even though we already made up our mind the night before after checking the website), we were MORE than ready for our much anticipated meal. Our waitress became a little wide-eyed with fear when we ordered because they were "out" of prime rib, but with one eye brow raise from my sister, the kitchen was able to make one appear. Haha, it was hilarious. First came our martini flight and it was a beautiful tree structure with mini martini glasses hanging from it -no stems on the glasses, but they had these thick silver bases so they don't knock over easily when you set them down on the table. Genius; I want to buy some! Strawberry Kiss -I'm not a big fan of strawberry-flavored things, but this really impressed me! Delicious! Blueberry Mist -my favorite of the three; sweet like candy but not in a medicine sort of way. Dragonberry Mojito -I forgot that it was a mojito at first so the mint threw me off, but I bounced back and then downed the rest of it. Arriving next was the Szechuan Calamari that was sauteed in a sesame oil and tossed with a garlic chili sauce and chopped peanuts. I honestly have no idea how I'm going to be satisfied by another calamari dish again. YES, it's that good -go order it now. Why aren't you ordering it RIGHT NOW?! We decided to split 2 entres, even though we could have easily split just the prime rib -but hey, "you only live once", right? The "Forever Braised Shortribs" were heaven, and they came with a potato risotto, crispy shallots and roasted carrots. Yum -really tender meat and even though the potato risotto lacked flavor, the carrots were very good. The "T's Prime Rib" was worth waiting for (I mean from when it was first mentioned to me -our meal came out right away). Slow roasted, thick cut and perfect! The way prime rib should be. Dipping the meat in the au juis brought this foodie nearly to the edge! I even tried the potato gratin (but I'm still not a fan of gratin potatoes.....I'm sure it was above standard for those of you who are fans and are curious). Obviously the prices are...well, pricey, but you do get generous portions and I enjoyed everything we ordered, so I plan on going back (when I'm in town next). I hear great things about the O Lounge as well -I'm just more of a dinner girl than a party girl. ;)
(4)Roberto S.
The food is good but very expensive
(4)Katherine G.
I love this place. The atmosphere is great for many different occasions, dinner with friends, first date, being social, or drinks with coworkers. It can get a little loud Wed (Ladies night in the lounge) through Sat. Its definitely a hot spot that makes you feel comfortable. You can wear anything from Jeans to a cute cocktail dress. The service is excellent and all the servers are very knowledgeable about the menu. I have never been disappointed with a meal. The ambiance is very trendy and chic. The pictures are helpful but do not do it justice. I love sitting outside by the fire pit when the weather is a bit chilly :-) Overall, Its a place you HAVE to go to.
(4)Suzanne Y.
Well I am giving it two stars because I really have experienced much better restaurants.... Positives: 1) Great Ambiance - very modern, chic and south beachy 2) Awesome mix drinks - very interesting drink menu and seems to have a great wine selection as well 3) Banana Creme Pie - taste pretty good Negatives 1) Long wait - Make a reservation or eat else where if you are hungry 2) Fried Calamari - it is not your typical fried calamari since you only live once. it's VERY special. the calamari is so finely cut it's impossible to eat. To top that, it is DRENCHED in SUPER SWEET Szechwan sauce that is unbearable to eat after 3 bites. 3) Food is just not that special there Anyways our friends got the seared tuna dish and this shrimp pasta. They weren't that special. I wouldn't recommend getting any of those. I think if you must eat there, just get a burger or a sandwich.
(2)Jane B.
This might be a great happy hour spot but I don't recommend it for the food. The mussels were under seasoned. The side order of beets were also lacking salt. My friend ordered a double pork chop that simply wasn't edible. They claim the calamari is the best appetizer on the menu. Sad story. The calamari was tough and thin with a terrible sweet Asian sauce right out of the bottle. The best thing we had was the grilled artichoke hearts and martini. Stick to those two items and you'll be ready to eat a real meal elsewhere.
(2)Ashley T.
This past Saturday night my girlfriends and I went out for a girl's night. We decided to start our night at YOLO's for dinner. Some of us had been here before but mainly outside for the fireplace and some mingling. I checked out the menu online prior to making the reservation and was happy to see reasonable prices and a variety of choices. I was especially excited to see a seasonal veggie plate as an offered entrée, seeing as if I don't eat meat. We arrived at YOLO and were greeted by three lovely hostesses. They sat us and stamped our table with the features of the day. I have to say that I love that concept! We were then greeted by our waiter Chris. Chris was very helpful in our drink choice and I was very pleased with my cucumber concoction. My friends order the...forgot the name but it had tequila, bourbon, mint, and so on. Chris recommended these as the strongest and less sweet drinks...our favorite kind! Next, it was time to order dinner. A table of four girls is never quick to decide so we went to Chris for more questions. I asked him about the veggie plate and was STUNNED to hear that bacon was the predominant ingredient in most of the vegetable dishes! Why have a veggie plate on the menu when you just put bacon in everything? We joked with Chris about it for a bit and he went to ask the cooks if they could make some of the dishes without it. He came back with a look of disappointment and told us that the dishes are prepped before service and that included the bacon. They had a veggie burger on the menu but I wasn't in the mood as that was my lunch earlier in the day. So I decided on the salmon (I occasionally eat fish) and was pretty sure the tabouleh that came on the side wouldn't have bacon. My friends ordered the salmon as well, Greek salad with chicken, and the veggie burger. Overall the food was good. The salmon came out on a cedar plank with a nice clean side of tabouleh. The veggie burger looked delicious as well and my friend seemed to enjoy it. The Greek salad was loaded with a mound of shredded rotisserie chicken and tons of cucumbers and tomatoes...no lettuce (like a traditional Greek salad). We decided to skip dessert and order another round of drinks. I stuck with my cucumber concoction while my friends tried the margarita with a splash of champagne and the peachy lychee, which was the only name I remember because it was not good! The peachy lychee tasted like pure peach syrup! Chris was awesome and took back the peachy lychee and brought my friend the strawberry one...much much better. All and all YOLO was a great experience. We will surely go back and ask for Chris again! In the mean time I will be sure to write the manager and let him know that offering a veggie plate that is loaded with bacon may be a waste of space on the menu!
(4)Shenika T.
It was a little hard to find as I never been to that side of Las Olas before, but I'm glad I went. We went for an early dinner so service was quick. We ordered the Szechuan Calamari without peanuts, as I dont like peanuts and it was delicious! I ordered the beef short ribs with mash potatoes and, eh it was ok. Not what expected at all, but I picked through it enough to feel full. I loved their mint lemonade, very refreshing. And for dessert we had the ice cream cake which was also delicious. I wouldnt mind going back here and trying something else on the menu.
(4)Meredith K.
The hot trendy spot in Fort Lauderdale. On a Wednesday night and every seat in the place is taken and the bar is completely packed - standing room only. It's Wednesday! Lucky for us we made a reservation. The outside bar is awesome - funky seating and fire pits (though on the night we were there it was barely needed). Service is very good - from bartenders to waitstaff (multiple people would come by our table to check on us and grab drink orders). Drinks are good - fun cocktails and a decent wine list. Scene: 5 stars Cocktails/Wine/Beer: 4 stars Apps are awesome - tuna tartar and the calamari were both excellent. The list of entrees looked quite good and I settled on the pan seared tuna in miso broth over veggies and noodles. Seems like that will be a perfect asian style dish - I've had similar dishes before. The dish comes - still in the all-clad stainless steel dish it was cooked in (kind of cool), and the tuna is seared nicely (mostly raw how I like it), but the flavor was so bland. Where are the nice asian spices? So I ask for some Sriracha, but she doesn't know what it is, and the restaurant doesn't have it. The waitress claimed they are an asian fusion restaurant - how do you not have the most important condiment? Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing, but it was definitely a let down after the delicious apps. I'll definitely come back, but I'll be trying something else on the menu, or sticking with a bunch of apps instead. Apps: 4 stars Entrees: 2-3 stars
(4)jordan t.
Cliff Notes: 1. Very Big Portions 2. Not very flavorful at all 3. Good Service 4. Trendy/Busy/Somewhat Pretentious Atmosphere 5. You will be paying for the "trendy" not the quality of the food. After reading a lot of positive reviews I figured why not try this place out. My wife and I went last night for dinner and drinks in the evening and while the atmosphere is very trendy and the service good, I found the actual food to be very lack luster and overpriced for what it was. I called ahead and made a reservation for 8:30, but actually showed up early (8:00PM) because I wanted to spend some time outside by their fire pit in the cooler weather. Well, glad I showed up early because they put me down for an 8:00PM reservation instead!.....oh well.....it happens... We were sat at a table near the open kitchen which was interesting for a moment, but nothing special. The restaurant was busy for a Tuesday night which creates a very "loud" environment. I don't take points off for that as its a big place with a lot of people...know what to expect. After reading a review here, we immediately ordered the szechuan style calimari, which was loaded with flavor. The appetizer came VERY fast (I guess its pretty popular), but I found the calamari rings to be overly breaded to hide their very small size of the individual pieces. The portion itself was quite large though, definitely good for a table of 2-4 to split up. Along with the appitizer we ordered a couple of their "signature cocktails" just to give them a try. Disclaimer: I'm a vodka/soda kinda guy most of the time We had the Strawberry Kiss and the Cucumber Dream (I think that is what it was called) for $12 each. Which is a typical price for a drink like this at a place like Yolo. The Strawberry Kiss was VERY VERY sweet, like too much and had a strange thikness to it for a cocktail. Wouldn't recommend it at all. The Cucumber thing was interesting and I don't regret ordering it, but it has a very distinct flavor that some of you may or may not like. Before we could get 1/4 of the way done with our drinks, our main courses arrived. My wife had the pork chop which was served with an apple chutney and potatoes al-gratin. The chop itself was huge and cooked exactly as ordered (medium), but the use of the apple chutney was very sparse and the potatoes were just OK, nothing special. I had the short ribs based on a recommendation from our waitress (I always try to ask the staff if they were going to eat something, what would it be) and it came with an interesting glaze, sitting attop a bed of risotto potatoes. The short ribs were a good size and very tender (they better be for short ribs), but again I found the flavor to be lackluster. The potatoes were just basically boiled, then cubed (very small cubes) and tossed with some cheese. While it looked cool, it didn't ad much to the dish. There was also a few sweet potato sticks in the glaze on the side, but the two flavors do NOT go together. All said and done for 1 app, two drinks, two main courses our bill came out to $91 for dinner before tip. We probably won't be back here for dinner anytime soon as there are MUCH better restaurants in the immediate area. Just because you make a big portion and charge a lot for it, doesn't make for a good meal or restaurant.
(3)Ben M.
This place is a mixed bag of tricks... Food was pretty good, especially the kalamari and pork chop (wink wink at ya Mike.) The service on the other hand was a bit, how to say...awkward. The waitress was friendly so I know her intention was to do a great job. She just seemed a uncoordinated and had bad timing with things. It's def a good spot to hang at the bar with friends, this place has a great vibe. I'll def go back...
(4)Billal B.
This restaurant it excellent. Not to mention Drake is not allowed on the premises because he stole their name for one of his songs! (LOL) But the food is really excellent and is cooked to perfection. The place is slightly pricey but is worth it once you see the quantity of food you receive. Their platters are to die for and I definitely recommend the Calamari for an appetizer. You won't be disappointed! I don't have much to say at the moment, except to just try it! It's something new and fresh. The waitress we had was excellent too! She took all our orders by heart and knew the menu like the back of her hand. Push to show, the waiters here know their menu unlike a lot of places. (Or at least the one we had did)
(5)Bao N.
So You Only Live Once. It is definately hip and trendy inside... very stylish but in my opinion that's all you are paying for. The food was ok and pricey. We mainly went here to go out to a decent place before heading to Vibe next door. The calamari was decent but everything else was just ok. There were 6 of us and our bill was roughly $300 before tip. So if you ant to come here and hang in a stylish atomosphere it's cool for that but otherwise I'd say don't have super high expectations.
(3)Eric Douglas S.
This is a great place to hang out, especially after work. Living in Miami, I frequent trendy spots so I'm ready for the same when I visit someplace outside of Miami. The service can be hit or miss, but they do know the food. The bartenders are attractive and very attentive. As for food, I've only had dinner here twice, I love the prime rib, I mean amazing. I will say this is one of my favorite places in Fort Lauderdale, whether it's hanging out with colleagues, family functions, friends, dinner, drinks, dates, whatever the occasion, this is a great spot. Eric Statzer Eric Douglas Statzer
(4)Christy H.
I think this place is great for drinks but the food is just okay. The atmosphere is up-scale. They have some fire pits outside. It is pretty open air and I liked that about this place. The service is a-mazing! We had a large group of about 40 people. I don't know how they stayed on top of things but every time I looked down someone was filling up my wine glass. Great white wine! Not sure what kind it was but it tasted fantastically light and crisp. We had some appetizers. The meatballs were great. The salads were just okay. Main course was chicken and pesto potatoes. Pretty good. If I went again I probably would just get a drink and eat somewhere new.
(3)Leslie G.
LOVE THE NAME!!!! (You Only Live Once) Very Stylish place,packed too. Drinks were good. Came here during the Charity event (Ft.Laud Bus Loop) I was starving but they Close the kitchen after 8pm
(4)Vince V.
Whenever I am in Fort Lauderdale, usually monthly, I visit YOLO. The atmosphere is always good, sometimes can be a sausage fest but I usually go there for the food. When you pull up in the circle drive you can see the outdoor seating, which is welcoming. The bar is an inside/outside bar that looks into the restaurant. it's loud at dinner time, which gives you the sense of a loud, fun New York restaurant. The food is very consistent, is it over the top, no, but good. The drinks are pricey but again you are there to sit outside meet some people and have a good time, this is what you should expect to pay in Los Olas. I give it a strong thumbs for fun, food and atmosphere!
(4)Kat K.
You only live once and hopefully once is enough and if you come here you'll see how the posh really live in Fort Lauderdale. it's a good spot for people watching, celebs like Ricky Ross the BOSS and Flo Rida that often stop by and car watching as the sugardaddys arrive and valet. The food is great. Def get the calamari it's one of the best and the drinks are strong and good. Am a regular here and am never disappointed.
(5)Steve G.
Having brought my New York area dining and nightlife sensibilities to Yolo at least ten times in the past year, I've never been disappointed. Yes, Yolo can be very crowded, and the wait for a table long. While waiting, however, the outdoor fire pit and chic waitstaff and fellow patrons make for a pleasant diversion. Yolo has a trendy and young vibe, yet 50-somethings like myself aren't out of place. The food is worth the wait. We usually start with the Szechwan calamari; sweet, tart and pleasingly spicy, the squid is always perfectly cooked. Among my favorite entrees is the marinated and grilled double pork chop; formidable in size, yet thoroughly delicious. Their salmon, mahi and steak entrees have also hit the spot. Whether dining alone (as many business travelers do), in working dinners or with a group, Yolo always satisfies.
(4)J M.
Nice ambiance, very good service, great location, food was "eh." I wouldn't go as far as to say this place is overrated but it doesn't live up to all the hype. The calamari appetizer was okay, prime rib was your standard prime rib - nothing exciting or mind-blowing about it. Dessert was a chocolate chip bread pudding which was overpowering. Way too many chocolate chips made the dessert way too sweet. For the amount of money I spent, I'm not a huge fan. Maybe we'll give it a 2nd look in the near future as a chance to redeem itself.
(3)jen r.
im not very familiar with anything in broward but had tickets to a broadway show and wanted to eat lunch before the 2 pm showtime. we drove around las olas area. and i saw yolo, it immediately dawned on me that i had read about it on yelp. so i scored a metered spot right outside and in we went. we got a booth at the bar and reviewed the menu. decided to go with brunch options. we ate a delish omelet and breakfast burrito. and the hashbrown casserole was notably good!! we were in and out in less than an hour. i cant wait to go back, maybe for dinner and drinks next time. the outdoor area looks awesome and great for a night out with friends!! you only live once.. words to live by!!
(4)Cherry B.
This place is bussin' I loved the club atmosphere it felt like a big party with delicious food. Walking in here will get you really excited but be prepared to wait if you have a large party with you. The potato gratin was to die for and their steak was succulent. I highly recommend this place for a good night out.
(5)Bandit T.
Great spot for Lunch, for the downtown business crowd. These are the people that work hard and tip well despite the fact that many of the waiters are liberal voters and approve of the Presidents socialist agenda, and the tax policies which will hit the same hard working business crowd, the hardest. And the waiters won't understand why their tips are off in 2011. But that is a discussion for a different time and place. Moving on; I am fortunate to eat here once or twice a month. Reservations are always helpful, especially if you plan to arrive after 12;05 on a weekday. The service is consistently excellent as is the food. The calamari appetizer is top shelf. The salads are great, particularly the ahi tuna salad. Wait staff is intelligent (despite their political failings) and are a solid resource when one needs assistance with the menu. They are uniformly attractive, young and motivated. I'd say the cream of the crop of the Ft. Lauderdale corps of food servers are found here. It's a great spot for timely and accurate service, a high-vibe atmosphere and hip ambiance. Dinner is similarly served, with a nice wine list with pairings for everything on the menu. Hearty deserts round out the dinner menu and on a cool evening, the outdoor dining option with a fire pit and space heaters makes for a romantic urban experience. I give Yolo's 5 Bullets. B3 Out
(5)Tony D.
WOW! I went to this place during a vacation to Fort Lauderale, and our meal at Yolo was the culinary highlight of my trip! The food here was absolutely amazing! The butternut squash soup was an explosion of flavour with every bite. I ordered a salad ($12) thinking it'd serve as a starter, only to receive a giant plate full of salad! It was enough for an appetizer for 4 people, but it tasted amazing. Then came our main dishes. I got the filet minion with mashed potatoes and rapini, and it too was absolutely delicious. This place was bustling on a cold week-day night. It's seems like the place to be in Fort L, located along the chic Las Olas Blvd. I was also impressed by the huge number of real chefs (vs cooks) that you could see working in the kitchen -- amazing! They know what they're doing. AMAZING experience overall. Worth every penny. I wouldn't hesitate to visit again.
(5)Marc Aka Max H.
Selected because we wanted to dine at 5 pm and not be far from the Parker Playhouse for 7 pm show. Ate outside and was first directed to a 2 top - which I rejected explaining that it was too small and was on top of the only other table outside with guests, and I requested a 4 top, hinting to hostess that since it was 5 pm and the restaurant was empty, why not give us that table. She then suggested another table which was on top of a serving station, which I rejected, stating "would you want to eat there?" but I think my query was lost on her. Finally Got the table I wanted. Jessica was our server and she was attentive and pleasant. The food preparation in kitchen for appetizer, salad and entree were all "off". Calamari had a sauce (too much of it) drizzled on top when we asked that it be on the side, and it was Luke warm. The Caesar salads came out sans anchovies, which Jessica noted and she quickly got a plate of them. My trout was to be broiled plain and Jessica replied to my puzzled look at the topping with "those are rock shrimp, they charge $4 extra for them but they are not supposed to be on top of the fish" but we did not have time to have it recooked due to our early show time. And my partner's fish, grouper, was cooked so well done it was rubbery. I guess you can tell I'm not too impressed with their performance, and it will not be a top choice for a return visit. There are so many other better restaurants for fish. Maybe this one is best for cocktails and people watching?
(2)Jennifer M.
Great food for normal prices...trust me there are places more expensive than this! You get what you pay for here and more. Lots of beautiful peeps hanging out with gorgeous cars in the front parking lot........very TRENDY Decor. Hmmmm....If you like fat ugly people, cheap fried food and rusty old cars....don't go here!
(5)Joey R.
Place is awesome... lots of hot chicks,... and great food :) Win Win
(5)Oliver O.
This is one of the top places in Fort Lauderdale to eat. Great Food - especially the specials. Caveat is I don't have to pay for food so price was not an issue.
(4)Breana B.
So i came across YOLO when i was searching for a place to eat dinner for my 23rd birthday, the reviews seemed pretty good so i tried it out. We went there on a friday night around 10pm and it was pretty packed. You do see the laborghinis and alot of show offs there but i loved it. They did tell us it would be a hour wait which was actually on about 15minutes. We were seated outside which was pretty nice. I had the calamari as appetizer and i loved it!! Didnt like my main entree the salmon so much, and my friends ordered the pasta which they didnt like so much either. The only other thing i didnt like was getting to the bar it was too many old guys in the way. But its a nice spot to chill and i will go back again and find out what the O'lounge is about. Oh and the martini tree was good also..
(4)Michael H.
I came here for the Collins Media Pink Party to help raise money for Breast Cancer during a DMAI conference trip and this review may be biased. The reason I'm biased is because the food and drinks were all free the entire time we were here. I tried to sample as many of the buffet items as I could, which were all great, though there was one dish which was almost entirely cheese and more cheese. I love cheese, but I felt like if I could get sick if I ate too much of it. It was fantastic in a small dose though! The waitresses all seemed very nice, and were super sexy. The crowd that was not in our party seemed a younger early to mid twenties crowd and the place to me seemed a likely singles hot spot. The DJ for our party was alright, and we had lots of fun. The chartered busses that drove us and carried us back to the hotel ensured everyone stayed safe too. I'd try this place again if I ever find myself back in Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)Heather G.
Food is excellent, drink options amazing!! Steve, our server, was so attentive and really knew everything inside and out. We are in town for 3 days and will be coming back tomorrow. Appetizer: home made potatoe chips, I mentioned I was gluten free and Steve knew that the sauce had to be in the side because it contained flour! Then we saw someone else had ordered the Tina and we immediately ordered that as well. It was so fresh and had a bit of a kick to it. For dinner we both had the fish of the day, he had the mahi mahi and I had the salmon. Both cooked perfectly!!! Then came the best deserts ever. Apparently they make them in house so we had to try 2, we chose the key lime custard over a warm sponge cake w berries and the banana coconut creme pie. Both were served with fresh whipped cream. OMG. Amazing. Cannot wait for dinner tomorrow!!!
(5)stephanie f.
I've now been to Yolo countless times at night for drinks -and my previous review still holds true. Ed Hardy & Affliction everywhere, but yolo is still a good time. The food, oh wow the food. I'm in love with their (green) mashed potatoes and their meatball sliders. they are both a must get. Their seared tuna salad is somewhat bland, the ribs are amazing, and their chopped salads are everything you would want them to be.
(4)Dinah T.
I went to this restaurant with a group to celebrate one of my friend's birthday. It has very nice decor and great ambience. The servers were polite and attentive as well. It wasn't bad but I can't rave about the dish I had, the Richette pasta which had beef sausage, rapini and goat cheese in a poached garlic sauce. It was quite was suprisingly quite greasy and the rapini gave it a bitter taste. The nice and strong drinks were the highlight of the night! I would go back for drinks but not necessarily dinner.
(3)Jen B.
Best happy hour! Excellent food and martinis! You won't be disappointed. Make sure to get the margarita flatbread!
(5)Andy W.
Best calamari. Tender and spicy. Nice decor. I used to love this place, but my last couple of visits the food hasn't been that great. I would still recommend it. A little trendy, but fun.
(3)Janice A.
I took a friend here for dinner after she passed a very important exam and it was the perfect place to celebrate. The food was amazing, but what I really appreciated was the size of the menu. It was just right, not too sparse where it says "if you don't like what we like, tough, you're getting a salad" but it wasn't overwhelming to the point of indecision. Plus, everything was well described and sounded delicious. For an appetizer we had the tuna sashimi and it was perfect. Very flavorful, honestly better than the sushi restaurants I've been to in the area. Not plated with rice, but a seaweed "salad" and cucumbers which added their own unique flavors. I also liked that there was a decent amount of tuna, not the typical 4 pieces with too much garnish. I feel this place is used to large groups. For the main course, I opted for the salmon which I regretted because I tend to default on salmon and was curious to try something a little different. My regrets disappeared the moment my tongue tasted the flaky, toasty, flavorful perfect first bite of fish. In my friends words, it literally melted in your mouth. It was served on a cedar board and with what I think was called tabouleh. The side was something like a rice but the waiter said it was a pasta. It was served cold which I really enjoyed as it showed it's true flavor and the small bits of tomato were fresh not smushy. My friend ordered the pork chop, which I feel she had similar regrets about however hers also vanished when our plates arrived. The pork chop was the size of her head. I could see from her expression she was both happy and horrified. I didn't get a chance to taste hers, but based on her protective behavior, I would wager the pork chop is also a good choice. My husband joined us about half way through and ordered a hamburger thinking it would be a simple and fast option. It was rather quick, but it did not look simple. I stole a bite when he wasn't looking, and even though my heart belongs to the cedar-roasted salmon, this burger is worth a secret affair. The fries were the annoyingly skinny thin-cut fries - tasty but kinda awkward to get a substantial amount (they also don't hold ketchup very well). Even though we were all thoroughly satisfied with our meals, we decided to split a dessert... by that I mean, they had fresh berries with key lime custard and I made them help me eat it. It was delicious, though I am biased because I get excited about even the key lime pie flavored yoplait yogurt. The $$ pricing is a bit inaccurate. Yes, most of the plates are within that range, but you won't get out of there for that unless you have water and stick strictly to the main course. In my opinion, you do get what you pay for and non of us regretted the night when the check came. In regards to service, our waiter was phenomenal - he answered our questions with true interest and concern that we understood what he was telling us, he suggested things based on our comments that fit us perfect, he was attentive, friendly, ever-so-slightly flirty but not over the line... until my husband showed up. It was flattering, really, the difference it made to have a man join our table. He was still attentive and helpful, but went to the extreme of professional. In regards to the general ambiance... this is a lounge club that serves delicious food. Yes, there are tables, no, people aren't dancing on them, but everyone is there to have a good time and look fabulous (whether or not they pull that off is of your own opinion). People will get loud with laughter, they will be taking future facebook pictures, they may try to buy you a drink. Just be prepared, and don't bring small children. Oh, and just shell out the cash for valet. If you're coming here for dinner, don't act like the $5 matters.
(4)William W.
So on our 12-man golf trip to Ft. Lauderdale, our daddy, i.e. the dude who organized the entire trip, took the group to this restaurant. Immediately fell in love with the name - You Only Live Once. Pretty damn solid. Got myself the prime rib dish, which was perfectly cooked. Had a girly Passiontini to kick off the dinner and ended up with a little Gibson's to cap off the session. Our table was right next to the lounge area, so we could people-watch all the yuppies there for the social scene. Great atmosphere overall and would definitely recommend it for anyone visiting the FTL.
(4)Tenagne H.
This is definitely a place to be seen, and for a bit of eye candy. The service is still very pleasant, and the atmosphere lacks nothing. had the lamb meatballs, sliders, calamari, salmon, steak, and a ton of other stuff. Each dish was delish in it's own right, each with something special to offer. As if the beautiful people weren't enough to draw a crowd, the food had to go and be amazing as well. Next time I'm in town, you will definitely catch me here.
(4)Night Ryder I.
I probably dined @ YOLO for the last time, a little over a week ago. I intentionally let some time pass before writing a review to make sure that I yelped in a fair and proper frame of mind. On my previous visits, I've enjoyed YOLO's tasty hamburgers & calamari, and have just ignored the pretentious atmosphere. However, on my last visit, the outright rude and poor service of a particular blond hostess, made for a really bad experience that sealed it for me and eliminated any desire I have of returning to this establishment. If you ever accidentally leave behind an important item (such as a wallet), don't bother calling and asking that while you return to the restaurant, if someone could check the table where you were sitting. The demeanor of the hostess from her initial snobbish greeting of "Do you have a reservation?" to her apparent indifference and brush off of the plea to simply check for my lost item is why I rated YOLO 2 out 5. Positive notes: Chris, my waiter was very attentive and provided great service, and the substantial hamburger was cooked to perfection and delicious as expected.
(2)Justin P.
My review is only based on Yolo's lunch. After reading other reviews, my guess is that the dinner atmosphere is probably a little too pretentious and crowded for my taste. However, at lunch, it is not bad at all. Yolo is a lot like what Houston's unsuccessfully attempts to be. It has trendy decor, attentive service and above-average food. Athough the interior is very nice, the outside seating is fantastic. Also, they have a valet, but charge five dollars for it. Nonetheless, if you want to save your money and do not mind a short walk, there are plenty of other places to park in the area. When I went for lunch earlier today, I sat at the bar, and the bartenders were extremely friendly and helpful. Although I would like to credit this to my good looks and natural charm, I suspect that they are proabably this friendly to everyone. I ordered the dolphin tacos, and they were quite tasty. The bartenders then highly recommended the bread pudding, so I gave that a try as well, and it was absolutely delicious. Although I would definitely return for lunch, I can't escape the sneaking suspicion that I would be dissappointed with the atmosphere if I went there for dinner. In Yolo's defense, this is a commmon problem with restaurants on Las Olas. Regardless, for lunch alone, I will award four stars.
(4)Pierre M.
Large resteraunt bar. Dimly light an classy during dinners. The lounge bar had a smal dance foor with tapas. Spicy calmari appetizer was great. Not too over the tp spicy, lightly breaded but good flavor. The chorizo queso was good as well. For a group of 6 it kept us all satiated for our main course. The strawberry caipihiri was sweet and refreshing. Accrding to my friend the blueberry mist was strong but tasty. We ordered the ribs, chicken rotiserrie burger, wedge salad (good), and they were out of theprime rib.... check back in when we get our food.
(3)Daniela M.
Very nice area, awesome for some drinks outside and perfect for a date on the inside. Decorated very modern. And the food is AMAZING especially their Mac and cheese...although I personally wasn't very fond of their desserts.
(4)Elizabeth R.
This is one of my good to places when I don't know where else to eat. The Sunday Brunch's are great. The Eggs Benedict yummy. On a reg night, their calamari is the BEST and ONLY one I've ever liked anywhere! A must try and their meatballs melt in your mouth. YOLO so go on and visit YOLO at least once.
(4)Lisa G.
Save your money and time.. Because there is a limited menu you can get much. I wanted soup and nope.. spilt pea was the only option and with bacon.. i don't eat pork. Upon arriving we asked the hostess for suggestions. Her suggestion was the burger. That should have been a red flag. Then our HORRIBLE waiter.. Kelton! I asked him for recommendations and he said everything was good. Another red flag. What waiter cant give you a recommendation. After taking our order he never came back to see if we needed anything but the table of 3 in front of us he made sure to visit more than 7 times (yes I counted). We asked for water. I had to get up and get my own water from the bar. When I explained to him my concerns he apologized then asked if we wanted to order dessert. i would like to say it want a race issue so ill leave that alone but the other minority couple in the restaurant had the same compliant (im just saying) I have dined at restaurants all around the world and paid anywhere from $6 to $100 per plate. So I value a good restaurant with good service. This restaurant just didn't make the cut. I wouldn't recommend my dog to eat here. And to make matters worse. my husband was sick the whole night and I was sick the next morning. Coincidence.. maybe but I think not
(1)Dan L.
YOLO has a great physical atmosphere, OK food but the service is always mediocre to poor. If you are looking for a nice to fine dining experience, this is not the place to go. The staff appears poorly trained and not focused on guest service. As an example, when we sat at the bar last week for lunch, the female bartenders ( blond hair and the other one with black hair late twenties ) were complaining that a group of ladies who just finished lunch had tipped them poorly. As a guest / customer, I don't want to hear the bartender or waitstaff complaining that due to their bad service, they were tipped poorly. I want to enjoy my higher priced meal without listening to the staff whine. If you are 21 to 30 and don't care about decent service, this is the place for you. If you are 30 + and want a nice to fine dining experience, this is not the place to go. There are many other choices in Fort Lauderdale that appreciates your business and you would enjoy more ( (954 Steak or even JMarks as examples ).
(2)Jeff F.
This place is a must if you are able to go on a Wednesday. People watching is supreme. The food is good and the service good as well. I had the yolo truffle chips and they were great and for dinner the spinach salad. Others in my group had the veggie burger which was good, the wedge salad and the mkt fish sandwich. Good stuff you should go!
(4)Svenja H.
Sunday Brunch: food not more than average (chicken sandwich with tons of butter), portions big, service ok, outside nice even though a little dirty, atmosphere young. I wouldn't come back for food!
(3)José J.
The service was great and the crab cakes were amazing!
(5)Michael S.
This is a great place to take a date. The atmosphere is very hip and energetic. The food is good and service is attentive. The only I can really complain about is the 12$ drinks. I feel they were a bit pricey for the size. Another thing I found strange was that we had to ask for house bread ( then he brought out 2 tiny pieces) I would recommend the calamari and the burger. We also had the YOLO chips, I found them to be too greasy and very salty. But overall, this is a fun place with good food.
(3)Gabrielle R.
We had the most amazing experience with, Jess F, Earl and Allan and Alli. Their customer service was top of the line. They made us feel like family. When I come to fort lauderdale I'm not interested in going any where else but Yolo!!
(5)Jessica H.
This review is based on a Thursday night, sitting outdoors and only ordering drinks. And I gave it 4 stars, which applies if you are a shiny person, or a cougar..perhaps. The drinks were good, the waitress even knew what spirits were in and out of stock which impressed us. It was nice to sit by the fire on funky little stools and look through the bamboo at the boob buffet and all it's magic! And it's a central location. Needless to say, we downgraded soon after and went to Argie Grill and Tarpon Bend! Way more my speed!
(4)Pat C.
Grilled cheese for lunch to die for!
(4)Rachel D.
My flight in to Fort Lauderdale was delayed so we were starving upon 10pm arrival. We stopped at Yolo on the way to our hotel, just as the kitchen was closing. The waiter must have seen the desperation in my eyes and offered us no-cook chopped salads. Maybe the most exciting salad I've ever had with grilled corn, tomatoes, and tons of fresh veggies. The space has a cool atmosphere. I loved being able to sit outside by the fire pits in December. Even though they were gearing up for the bar crowd, I appreciate their ability to accommodate me. I'll be back next time I'm in Florida!
(3)Emily D.
Great menu and food. Wonderful service- professional and well informed. Would definitely go back!
(5)Nina C.
Just ok- but when you feel your too busy to sell booze to people- umm just remember- money is like manure, it's ment to spread around
(1)J B.
One of my favorite places in FTL! Meatball sliders, calamari, and tuna sashimi were excellent. One of the best crab cakes I have ever had. My wife's meal was also excellent. Highly recommended!
(5)Nikki S.
We had lunch here today and this rating deserves all 5 stars, if not more. We tried the szechuan calamari (YUMMY), chicken noodle soup (Meh....) and the oak grilled salmon (DELICIOUS). The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful and so are the employees!! We opted to sit outside and were greeted by a wonderful server who was pretty much on point with everything. I definitely give this place 2 thumbs up! If you're walking around Las Olas and can't decide on where to eat - this is the place. Can't wait to go back at night when it's all lit up outside!
(5)Laurie C.
I LOVED IT!! This was our first time in Ft Lauderdale and Yolo came highly recommended by the concierge at the Marriott and our taxi driver so we knew we had to check it out. The place was packed but we got really lucky and they were able to seat us right away outside. Great atmosphere, friendly staff and the food was outstanding. We started with the Tuna Sashimi (WOW!!), The Chopped Salad was good, but there was a lot going on. The prime rib sandwich was delicious and huge. Ok this place is a little pricey but the drinks are good and the food is worth it.
(5)Jphn M.
A bit underwhelmed. Ambience was good. Very trendy. Service was good. Food was just a B. $30 for two ok crabcakes and a boatload of shoestring fries. Don't think I would rush back.
(3)Natalie C.
Being that I love food, and that I hate to be harsh, I really feel bad when I have a less-than-stellar meal at a really cool place. But I have to say that my entree, not the amazing desserts, was not as fantastic as I had hoped. The fish I ordered wasn't very flavorful and it wasn't cooked appropriately. My boss ordered the same dish and he had the same comments as well. The saving grace, for me, was the super delicious dessert tray that was brought to our table. The bread pudding (which I'm a newbie to) was out of this world tasty. As was the banana coconut pie. I can say that others in my group raved about the Tuna Hot Pot and the Pork Chop. So if either of those fit your fancy, don't hesitate to try them. As for locale and appeal, Yolo is top notch. Because as they say, "you only live once," right?
(3)Dana M.
We dined at YOLO last week. Upon arriving, we were seated on the outside patio. It was very pleasant, comfortable and appealing. We were greeted by a drink waiter to take our order. Upon asking our desire for a drink or cocktail, we requested the mint iced tea. He responded, " Well, you are not any fun." Not everyone is in the mood to drink every night. Also one of our party has a medical condition that necessitates not drinking alcohol. We were then greeted by our waitress who was very pleasant and attentive. We ordered a chopped salad with chicken and the spare ribs. The spare ribs were served with spotty fat on them and did not have much taste at all. Certainly we would not order those again at all. We thought it was a waste of money. The salad was huge and had a delightful taste. Very fresh and plenty to share. One of our guests ordered the banana coconut pie for dessert. It was very tasty and well worth the money spent. I really want to like YOLO. This was our 2nd time at YOLO. The first time our party ordered steaks. Bad mistake then. We thought that we would give it another chance. YOLO is for a see and be seen crowd. Truly a people watching crowd. Go for the beautiful cars, people, and social aspect. The food is just not consistent with what I call a truly stellar restaurant.
(3)Chris G.
Wow - quite the social scene at YOLO! Went for this first time this weekend. Clearly a popular spot for seeing and being seen. The patio dining area is a great atmosphere, albeit a little chilly on a winter night (Yolo: invest in more outdoor heaters - two doesn't cut it for a space that big.) And the hostess didn't seem concerned that she kept trying to seat us in chairs and cushions that were still soaking wet from an earlier rain. Dinner was simple, by request. I had a spinach salad with chicken, which was fresh, well presented, and a great price ($14). Wait staff was pleasant. Will definitely return in warmer temps.
(3)Ashley K.
Outside waitress w/ dark hair Saturday night took advantage of my husband having had too much too drink....gave her a $100 bill for 2 drinks and she never brought change...he forgot about it til the next day. I guess maybe it's his fault, and anyone would have taken advantage of the situation, but I would like to think there are good people out there who still earn their money fairly and don't take advantage of others in a moment of clouded judgment.
(2)Allie C.
I went here on my birthday... Our waitress was wonderful and kept checking on us. I ordered the jumbo lump crab cakes with green apple slaw and substituted the thin cut French fries for au gratin potatoes. Best crab cakes I've ever had hands down!!! The way the restaurant is lighted and decorated is beautiful as well. My new favorite :)
(5)Ben C.
What a great place! Starting with the very reasonable, and friendly valet, to the martini tower sampler. The service was prompt and friendly, and the food.... Outstanding! The short ribs, and flank steak were amazing, and the banana coconut pie, just as good as it sounds!
(4)Kate S.
This place great for lunch, dinner or just for drinks. I've been here with colleagues for business and with friends for a bachelorette party. It seems you can't go wrong. YOLO has great calamari- I think I've ordered it every time I've gone. Great drink list. The mashed potatoes are also a must-try. Definitely hit up YOLO if you're in the area.
(5)Andie D.
The atmosphere at this place is flawless. I bet you it makes the food taste way better. I've had really good overall experiences here. Try the calamari appetizer. Very rich in taste, crispy and decadent.
(4)Matt Z.
Great spot! The Ahi Tuna salad is off the hook! So light, fresh and delicious... Filled me up too! Lots of pretty people and a key power lunch spot in Ft Lauderdale
(5)Pamela L.
This is a great place for happy hour on Friday nights, nice crowd, nice atmosphere. The food and the food service is not the greatest, but the bartenders are great and really know what they are doing.
(4)Leland G.
This is definitely the in place to see and be seen in Fort Lauderdale, Friday and Saturday night are good, some times too good and a bit crowded. If you have a Lamborghini or Ferrari there is plenty of room to park up front, otherwise I think the Valet will pull your car somewhere out of sight. Seriously, the place is cool. The music is chill inside the "O Lounge" and the outside fire pit is pretty cool during Florida's version of winter. Food is pretty good, American cuisine with a bit of a twist, I heard that they hired a past chef from Hustons. So, put on your finest duds and get down to YOLO, because it's true, You Only Live Once.
(4)J. S.
Probably the best ambience for any restaurant in downtown Laudy. Great for groups or couples, kids not so much. I can't remember how the food tastes because the last few times I've gone I was just drinking with the fellas. Anyway, I hope this place sticks around.
(3)Katie R.
Probably one of the trendier restaurants / bars in the area. A great place for dinner, or just to go for drinks. Yolo is always packed with exotic cars and people. The food is good, not outstanding, but acceptable. I would highly recommend the calamari for an appetizer. Petite rings of calamari with an asian chili glaze. Yolo is definitely a great place for drinks and to people watch! Awesome mojitos!
(4)Kevin L.
Food and service are great. Very tasty.
(4)Rich G.
Wonderful food; great service; great ambiance. Lively place with a varied menu where just about everything is great.
(4)Michelle S.
NIce decor and ambiance, but the food ehhhh, not great. I ordered the Tuna, which was just OK, a little dry and I asked for EXTRA rare, but I was very specific in advising that I don't eat meat, pork or dairy. My veggies (off all things) had bacon in them. OK, so I advised them and asked for something else. Just some grilled veggies, plain with olive oil. They came and looked delicious...I ate a bite and OH YEAH, bacon lining the enitre bottom of the grilled veggie side. So I told them it was ok, not to worry...but the manager came over...but did nothing. NO offer to comp anything or replace what I paid for. Then, we paid with a gift card, but had a problem leaving the tip with the balance on the gift card...UGH. Too much trouble to return! I am sure some people who have no diet restrictions like it, but it was not for me, for sure!
(2)Richard B.
Yolo is a great place to take a date or out of town friends to show them what Fort Lauderdale has become. Great place to people watch. I recommend calling ahead for reservations unless you are OK with waiting (ie drinking) for two hours on weekends. The indoor/outdoor bar is packed and makes nice signature drinks. The food is pretty good and not too pricey compared to an equally nice looking place on South Beach.
(4)Rosemarie R.
I had planned to go to YOLO a million times with my sister. A few weeks ago we finally made it out there. We started off with the martini tree which was a trio of martini flavors we picked, two of each. Dragonberry was amazing!! And I don't drink, but that was definitely tasty. We had all appetizers and I'll start with the mussels, they were good but nothing special. The fried calamari was awesome! I'm used to it just fried with some lemon squeezed on top and a pinch of salt but they served it Asian style with a sweet chili sauce and peanuts. It was fried to perfection and an interesting spin on a classic. I was so disappointed with the meatball sliders, they were mushy and bland. The coconut creme pie was ok and the molten cake was good. Then again, chilis can make a good molten cake lol. All in all I can't say it was bad cause we really only had appetizers but the drinks were awesome and the decor and ambiance as a whole was fantastic.
(3)Chas M.
Great ribs. Tasty acorn squash Excellent service by Scott! This place was worth the wait And get the coconut cream pie...afterall, YOLO!
(5)Kevin F.
My friend calls me out of the blue as she heard I was back in town and wants to catch up and have take a stroll down Las Olas, so as im driving by my old office in Downtown Fort Lauderdale I notice lots of people, a firepit, and the old boring Brasserrie restaurant no longer there, ferraris parked, people chatting away outside, and the place said YOLO... immediately I remembed the Miami Yelpers and quite the nice event they had there, so I pulled in, valet the car, we stepped out and waited about 10 minutes for a table while we drank some wine served by the attentive bartenders. I was amazed at how different its gotten in the area, that area on 301 Las Olas place was packed when it was once dead, the crowd was mixed with young and old, new money, old money and I was happy to see everyone was enjoying themselves, so we sat down, I had swordfish (it was great), she had a salad (typical) and after much catching up, I smiled and realized I missed the hospitality and service south florida has to offer, I have to say I will return someday. I did notice some type of dance area somewhere in the back as well. Broward is making a comeback (or so I hope).
(4)Kelly K.
Saturday lunch- I ordered the short rib grilled cheese and soup. Today it was lentil (very good) the sandwich was amazing- you must come for that. I didn't take a picture because I was too excited to eat it,.. Sorry. My boyfriend got the mojo roasted pork. We are from Miami and our standards are high... Not that good :( the presentation was good, the yuca fries were soggy and undercooked. The replacement for the fries (we let them know) was green beans with corn and sliced fingerling potatoes with nuts and cheese- sounded really great- but the beans were undercooked to the point they might have been microwaved... I would try it again. But maybe only one more time. Not really my favorite...
(3)Scott A.
I was not impressed by this place. Maple syrup... Stop there, it was aunt jemima syrup. I saw them pouring into the containers. Overall I was not impressed with the brunch. Build out was adorable. Server was OK. French toast was deep fried. Which was weird but, different.
(2)Joel L.
Service was terrible, hostess came to our table and rudely stmped the special down on the table and didn't say a word, had to read what it said to figure it out. Waiter didn't seem to listen to what we said, made it obvious when 3 plates came out cooked to the wrong temperature, 2 over and 1 undercooked (chicken was under, the worst part considering the only temperature should be COOKED). The next part isn't the restaurants fault but there were so many pretentious 20-30 year olds who aren't capable of noticing anyone but themselves while spending their parents money. Either way, it's the restaurant, not the people. SAVE YOUR MONEY, don't go here.
(1)Liz O.
Well, I remember the appetizer - the calamari. And it was something spectacularrrr. It defines perfection. A bit of a kick, crispy... just the way I like it. But I did wrong, and had too many Wild Turkey American Honey shots (Yummm!), and I wish I could tell you what I ordered, I only remember it was a chicken entree that was TDF. Fun people though... and a great atmosphere. Lovely bathrooms with a host that takes care of Yolo's guests too!
(4)Jenn H.
Braised beef is to die for...and the cornbread will blow your face off. You've also got to try the banana coconut cream pie and the ice cream sandwiches.
(5)Henry U.
Fantastic as always, Karly was amazing and provided the best service with a splash of personality that made my birthday! Will always come back to enjoy the personalities, food, and drinks!
(5)Sophia C.
Great customer service, nice spot but the food did not meet our expectations.
(3)Tina T.
Steaks are good... Better place for lunch... Calamari is good.. Not amazing... Decor is cool... More of an experience than anything .. Mashed potatoes are green but good and the rotisserie chicken is good too.. Lemonade is a fave of my husband but its ok to me
(4)Chloe E.
YOLO! I only drank at the bar. Decent enough. I would go back.
(4)Matt R.
They have great food with affordable prices. Great brunch menu. The bar tenders there are excellent. Located in a great area.
(5)Phoebe R.
Wonderful drinks and ambiance. We sat outside in the back lounge and it was perfect. I ordered the Pleasure n' 'Pagne cocktail and it was delicious! Food is very good but lacks "regular" bar bites that you would look for. I'll definitely be back with my girlfriends for happy hour!
(4)michelle n.
The atmosphere is nice, the street that it is located on is really nice, the food preparation was mediocre. The kale salad was pretty boring, the fish special which was grouper was great but the potatoes were pretty bland, was expecting more flavor and presentation
(3)Tony C.
Great place to spend some time with friend or your partner, the staff super friendly always asking you if need anything, good food exotics drinks and beautiful people, I highly recommend this place.
(4)Akshay V.
Came with friends who were down for the Thangsgiving holidays. I had the rainbow trout and roasted asparagus. My dish was excellent. I also was not drinking that night, and was happy when my waitress had no judgement on her face about my non-alcoholic beer. A friend ordered a dessert, the molten lava cake. Quite good for a copy and paste dessert you find everywhere.
(3)Paul M.
3.5 Stars After being disappointed at Rocco's, the valet suggested we go down the street to Yolo for some more late night action. It was very, very, busy on a Wednesday night so I definitely took this to be a good sign. The valet girls wearing red berets were a pretty cool sight, and there were lots of big pimpin rides to be seen. The restaurant bar was very full, as was the adjoining O lounge next door. Next door Vibe was also pumping. Finally some signs of life on Las Olas. Upon closer inspection though we were able to see the dichotomy that is Fort Lauderdale. You have a packed, happening joint, nice venue, good music, hot chicks dressed to the nines and.......dudes inside wearing shorts and flip flops. Really??? Not everyone was dressed like this of course, but it just seemed so out of place at Yolo. The place has a great name - You Only Live Once (YOLO), but if it were my last night out I definitely would not be wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops... This corner of Las Olas definitely seems to be hot right now, but I think the slack dress code kills the ambiance a bit. I'd check it out again if I was in the area.
(3)Dennis M.
Like a poor mans Houston's/Seasons 52. Our waiter was extremely slow and he had 2 tables. The appetizers were great (calamari and artichoke hits.... Highly recommend) but all 4 of our entrees were very disappointing. I had a burger that was over cooked. Dad had pork ribs that were lackluster to say the least and my gf had the "cedar wood" salmon that looked like it was fried and then thrown on the wood. Gave it a shot and it was not worth our time/money.
(2)Caitlin H.
Had an amazing evening at YOLO. Went for dinner on a Thursday night while on vacation. There was a private holiday party going on in the outside front section which I thought would be noisy, but we sat outside around the corner and it was great. Service was excellent. Highly recommend the calamari and BBQ pork ribs. Chocolate lava cake was also amazing. Will definitely return when I'm back down in Ft laud! Great date spot.
(5)Caroline B.
I've heard of this place and was so excited to go there. Unfortunately, I can wait again. The service was ridiculous, we waited close to 3 hours to get a table, we ended up eating appetizers at the lounge area. Then when we finally got our table, we were being rushed to finish eating and leave. NEVER AGAIN!
(1)Marianela N.
My boyfriend and I went there tonight for our very first time and it was sooo crouded but our server Terry was amazing. He was super friendly, and super helpful with his suggestions. Please go check him out, he was amazing!!
(5)Franco C.
You Only Live Once... And that is what my friends told me Yolo stands for. Wow what a place to see and be seen at. Simply great all around from the very good food to the incredibly beautiful people that populate this place - we had a grand time. You pull up to the valet and hopefully your car makes the grade to be displayed alongside the Ferrari's and Bentley's that adorn the circular driveway - kind of makes you intimidated when you only wheel in with a Beemer 750.. sheesh. Cars aside, the clientele are a plastic surgeons dream. The ladies are outstandingly gorgeous with nice cans to make the small dresses pop... so to speak. That being said, it seemed that there were a large number of gold diggers there - but hey that is the game right? We didn't feel like a table and there was no doubt a long wait as the place was packed out - so we scored two seats at the bar and had some libations. We ended up ordering some food as we were getting a bit hammered. I went with grouper which was outstanding. You would think a place like this would have middle of the road food but no sir, the food was great. Waitstaff was excellent and we never had to look twice to get someones attention - in most cases they came to us before we needed to ask for this or that - just great service. Prices are high but being from NY it didn't really phase me at all- a place like this in NY would be full of douchebags but in Ft. Lauderdale it works. Everyone was very cool and it was a fun place to hang at. Bring your best going out gear and hit this place!
(4)Marquis E.
Very disappointed in this place. It is a place that you feel cheap in when you go. I am the host of a brunch group and called a MONTH in advance for reservations. I talked to Ana and she said she was looking forward to us coming. She said she would call a week in advance to confirm the number of brunchers. However, that week came and just before I left the office on Friday, I decided to call to check on the restaurant. I talked to the manager of the place and he told me a party that large needed to have an "event planner" contact me. So, Ana called me back.. Ana didn't even remember me. She said YOLO would love to host my group, however I needed to have $1,200 deposit for the event and had to be paid up front before they would consider my request. I was shocked. I told her that I would take my wonderful group somewhere else and live and enjoy good food. Very disappointed YOLO.
(1)Brian G.
Yolo has very good food, but the service is not the best, we had the octopus salad, trout and tuna, which were all good, especially the octopus! the banana cream pie was delicious. they have an inside/ outside bar and outside seating, and the place is hopping. the prices are on the high side, but you are paying for the package. there is a valet and metered parking on the street.
(4)Fred L.
Family has been to Yolo several times and have always been pleased with the food. The restaurant has a few unique features, none of which deal with the quality of the food but are neat. When you get taken to your table the host carries a huge stamp and on the paper covering the linen cloth they stamp the table with the specials of the day. In addition, the restaurant has several cameras facing the different cooking stations and a tv in the far right corner of the restaurant ( by the kitchen) to view what is taking place. This way you can see if your food is sitting at the pass too long...lol We went for a "late lunch" on Friday and after ordering we were informed that we were given the incorrect menus and that we should have received the DINNER menus instead. Two of the guests had ordered an arugula salad which was not on the DINNER menu but the chef said he would make them.....? This was the only item that appeared different to us from the menus. Prices were a few dollars higher on the dinner menu vs. the lunch menu. The meal today was my personal first to the restaurant. The valet was $5 to start the process as an fyi. The table we were seated at had a dripping a/c vent above us and my father jokingly asked the server "if she had an umbrella?" She did offer to move us to another table but we decided to stick it out and just scooted into the booth to avoid the infrequent drip. It took an awful long time to prepare two salads, a hamburger and a rotisserie chicken breast sandwich. We asked for bread and were informed that bread is only served "upon request." We were four people and we got 4 pieces of bread and olive oil with green olives and a few nuts on the side of the platter. My rotisserie chicken sandwich was moist and flavorful but odd..... How am I supposed to eat a sandwich that has big and small bones within it? I ended up breaking the sandwich apart and eating it with a knife a fork. My daughter is a carnivore and feels that Yolo has the best burgers. So, I would recommend them as well to anyone who is interested in a big juicy burger.
(4)Evan M.
YOLO catchy logo/ restaurant name! To start host/hostess no where to be found. A party of three ahead of us seated just a few minutes within waking in. To start of course a drink order. Traditional cranberry and vodka, PERFECT (Good job bar tender on duty). First course ordered at 1:54 pm (lunch service) received in 4mins 1:58 pm. Was a fire roasted corn dip very nice in every way, hot chips hot dip, how ever chips need to be seasoned when they come out of the fryer, overall a nice start to the meal. Second course YOLO Burger, named after the restaurant so I hope it's good! While waiting bar tender drops the ball engaged with only one guest does not recognize another guest at the opposite side of the bar waited three minutes until drink order was placed. On the other hand second course perfect ticket time. Temperature of burger medium (perfection). The only thing wrong with the plate with the frozen Sysco fries, cold and over cooked, (dry). But over all great execution on the first course and main. Final course chocolate lava cake a bit spongy almost like it was under cooked, but that might be due to storage and temperature of cake when served, the ice cream with the gram cracker crust very nice touch. Over all yes I would come back and get a drink and a burger. Just take a little more time on your details and you will have this place swimming with guests!
(3)Camille L.
This place is never an option for me but I came here for a biz lunch and I gotta say the food and service were very good. It was a pre-fix-menu and we had tomato soup, more like pizza sauce w/ cheese, 2nd course was chicken breast w/ mashed potatoes and that was quite delicious! 3rd course was either key lime pie or carrot cake. I got to try both... I am a dessert-a-holic and they were awesome! The guy served from the right and picked up from the left, knew his pivot points while bringing out the food which is great w/ a 20 top. I guess I never come here because its such a cheesy and pretentious meat market after work, I just rule it out all together, but a simple gathering like this was a good choice.
(4)Scott S.
My wife and I were food poisoned by the hamburger they served there. I would not recommend going there.
(1)Mariam D.
Love the ambiance and overall vibe and concept of YOLO. A professional crowd packs the bar, while the outdoor seating area boasts fire places on cooler evenings and serves up some tasty craft cocktails. I returned this week for a holiday dinner party and really enjoyed it. The calamari appetizer (small fried pieces piled high) was prepared with a sweet and tangy Asian glaze and was a tasty take on one of my favorite starters. The meatball app was a hit as well, though they were a bit undercooked for my liking, they were adequately seasoned and tender. The dinner salad was simply comprised of spring greens and tiny tomatoes lightly coated with a delicate olive oil and vinegar blend. For my main course I had the salmon filet served with a side of green beans. Dinner was a-ok, and followed with an excellent slice of Key Lime pie. A few others at our table enjoyed the chocolate souffle and carrot cake. The burger plate (with the glossiest bun i've ever seen) was generously accompanied by fries and cole slaw, and was presented quite nicely. Overall a positive experience on Las Olas and a spot I would recommend for lunch or dinner.
(3)Hank S.
We came in from San Diego and this place was recommend. We went out here a few Fridays ago for a few night drinks. We had a fun night and the drinks were good. We didn't eat food, but enjoyed the drinks and scenery. I will definitely go back when I'm in FLL.
(4)Laura H.
AWESOME experience on our last dinner night in town! My favorite local colleague who lives in South Florida INSISTED we go to YOLO's and he was right. Ate outside and the service was perfect. Was recommended to do the calamari (twist my arm) and it was the best calamari I've ever experienced and believe me...Treasure Island in Vegas has some pretty kick-ass calamari but this was ROCKING. We almost filled up on so much calamari we didn't have room for dinner! We had specialty burgers and did a split between us to get some varied flavors. MANY of the patrons were clearly locals finishing the work week on a Friday night. It is obvious it's a hopping place as the food, service, location and ambiance all rock. After using the facilities before we set out to walk back to the hotel on A1A, I came out of the ladies room and my boyfriend was freaking out to me. He said he was in the men's room and a staff member came out of a stall after taking a dump and DIDN'T wash his hands! Luckily, my boyfriend grabbed the GM and told him what he just witnessed. Good for YOLO's for getting all over it as the GM needed to know who it was so he could address it. Even better the GM told him he would address it with ALL the staff and he apologized over and over again. Walking away the story was funny but to witness it must have been disturbing. Poor thing. :(
(5)Terra S.
Came here for the first time on a Friday evening, BIG MISTAKE. It was PACKED as hell and reeked of cigarette smoke ugh so we didn't stay and went across the street to the royal pig. Fast forward to today Tuesday, ( I was determined to try this place) we were sat immediately and I was so excited. I went with a group so we all ordered different dishes and picked off of everyone's plate. The favs were the calamari (my first time trying calamari and I think I liked it..... If they wouldn't have told me it was calamari) truffle fries with blue cheese, my friend swears they have the best burgers, the prime rib got a thumbs up and my grouper was tasty. We all had wine so I can't speak on the cocktails but what I can speak on is my FIRE bread pudding desert yasssss hun-tee mmmmm. Over all I liked this joint but I'll be sure never to visit on the weekend!
(4)Kabir G.
Good American style food on las olas strip set in a typical South Florida environment - read young girls older men. The linguini and clams were good and fresh. They only have a couple of vegetarian options.
(4)Elias G.
I've been here for both dinner and brunch, way before this restaurant started appearing Drake's song. The food is really good, the ambiance really nice, and the service very friendly. This is also perhaps the most beautiful restaurant in Broward. The bar was very well designed, in that the same bar can service the inside and outside area. When seated, one of the neat things they do is stamp the daily specials onto the table, which is a cute touch. I've had the pork chop for dinner; it's enourmous and came perfectly cooked (and juicy). For brunch I've had the pork hash, which was delicious but the portion was a bit small. Great place to have dinner with family or friends if you're ever in Broward.
(4)Heather B.
I attended a birthday dinner here tonight. .. The atmosphere here is very nice but the food was not good at all.... very bland and simple.... nothing to talk about.... I'm a foodie and this was not my favorite.
(1)Becky M.
Do NOT eat here. I made a reservation for 8 pm for my friends birthday and we were not seated until 8:45! That is ridiculous. On top of that, the manager was extremely rude when I approached him he said, "what would you like me to do about that?" I made a reservation for a reason... They did not bring bread or butter until we asked and the food wasnt even that great for that kind of pricing. I will NEVER eat here again.
(1)Geoffrey M.
I've been here several times for lunch, drinks with friends, and once for dinner. It is a trendy upscale downtown restaurant and lounge that caters to business people in the area. Later at night, the late 20's to early 40's crowd. Good food, a nice wine list, and better than decent cocktails are pluses. Attractive and friendly waitstaff and a great location are also nice. Pricey but not out of control, this is a nice place to come for lunch, happy hour, or later in the evening activities. Nice outdoor seating area with an urban oasis type feel. I'll keep coming back.
(4)Xavier W.
This is a very trendy spot and the downtown location is great. The food was decent, I had the seared tuna and that was delicious but I could care less for the noodles and anything else that came on the side of that plate. Skillet cornbread was awesome! But it is very big and even when shared between 4 people, we barely could finish half. The largest problem we had was the service, our waitress overcharged us for the wine, giving us a much more expensive wine than we had ordered. Even though the waitress admitted it was her fault, she did not change the check nor did she offer to even try talking to the manager.
(2)Jeffrey B.
Great atmosphere good lunch place good people watching. And spaghetti squash mmmmthe fish sandwich is outstanding great burger and the service is on the money convenient valet at the door Aesthetics are great lovely set up. Outside bar is nice
(5)Andrew M.
Great scene ordered the prime rib sandwich Fantastic meal. Bloody Mary's are also great.
(5)Leon N.
Great atmosphere. Everything we had was fantastic and it is very reasonable for what we ordered. Loved the artichokes and ridiculous corn bread
(4)Lisa G.
I'm giving it 5 stars cause its beautiful and sexy. The atmosphere can't be beat, so Miami. Love it. The food was good but only second to the vibe. I had the crab cake which I would get again. My coworker had the steak, which was over cooked but served with the bone marrow, so again swagalicious. I had a fabulous cocktail, something made with strawberries. Delish. Great date place, sit outside for the full effect, fire pits and all.
(5)Aubrey M.
I AM NEVER COMING BACK. This place was HORRENDOUS. The setup and ambiance was hip and trendy, but service and food were terrible! We went for brunch on a sunday. My mom ordered a bellini, but it was a cheap knockoff, not using the right ingredients, and was a whopping $9. We ordered the cinnamon rolls, but they were actually overpriced, cold, and dry below-Costco-quality rolls that took 30 minutes to come out. After waiting another hour, our food finally came. My fish sandwich was soggy, the fish was well cooked and tasty, but was lukewarm. My mom's omelette was cold. The waiter was not accommodating and took forever to get our food out. Cheap quality, poorly managed. Do not come here.
(1)Chanoa C.
Yolo has wonderful food and a great atmosphere. The crowd is a very mixed bunch - young professionals, more mature individuals, etc. but usually everyone seems to mesh well and just revel in the fun. This is a very stylish spot in Fort Lauderdale with a scene much farther ahead than many places in the area. TIP: Be sure to visit on a cold day in the winter or fall - the outdoor fire pits are dreamy and romantic and they bring a super positive mood that spreads through the crowd.
(4)QueenB B.
The atmosphere at first seems right but, all the people there seem so pretentious and fake. They want to see what next wannabe drug dealer pulls up in his stolen Ferrari. I am pissed because I valet my car and THEY LOST MY KEY. Then they acted like it was not their fault and did not even apologized. I have to file a claim tomorrow great on thanksgiving and they better pay for my lost key. The guys there just stare at women with no intention to approach them. That is the problem with American men.. such pansies. This place could be cool is they got some actual cool people in there and not some worn out fake sorority girls and creepy looking business bachelors. Oh ya, they need to hire a new valet company who takes care of others property and cars! YOLO I only come once. Peace!
(1)Julia M.
This place is pricey. But the food is pretty good. The atmosphere is swanky and a bit mod. The servers are always nice. The one thing that really bugs me is that they won't seat you if not everyone in your party is there.
(4)Emy A.
Found this place via Yelp and Urban Spoon. The place had great atmosphere, very hip and trendy. I was a little under dressed in just a hoody, sandals and yoga pants but the servers didn't turn me away. There was about a 10 min wait for even 8:30 pm but we were ok with it. They were quite busy so the service was a little slow. The food was delicious. We just ordered 1 entrée of pasta and 3 sides (chips, sliders and calamari). The appetizer portions were very decent.
(4)Carolyn G.
From the minute we stepped out of our car we could hear the hum. You know......the hum of a hot spot with a pretty bar and pretty people. Everyone was pleasant. The vibe was all positive and the food was delish but what really made our night was the staff. There was a slight glitch in our online reservation (we didn't use Open Table) but in minutes the manager was there to rectify any confusion and sat us ASAP. (Thanks Mike and Madison.) My daughters and I had a great time. One of them tried tuna sashimi for the first time and loved it. The corn bread skillet was also a very pleasant surprise (took home the leftovers) as was the ice cream sandwiches for dessert. The crab cakes and filet main courses made for a fabulous surf and turf meal. Treat yourself with a night at YOLO. Just make sure you use Open Table if you're doing online reservations.
(5)Jacquie M.
Very good food, nice atmosphere. Service with a smile. Maybe the only complaint is the feeling of being a little rushed. Lots of people waiting for tables.
(4)Blak B.
I like Yolo for what it is. Am I going for the much talked about food? Of course not! I'm here for a few apps and people watching! It's the place to be if you want to show off your $200k sports cars duhhhh! I'm thinking of shooting a reality tv show there called "where my cougars at". I really enjoy the lounge area outside because its away from the "upscale" rowdiness inside. I have always had a great time at Yolo. I can only say I have eaten at a table once and the entrees weren't bad and the waitress we had was funny and cool. So in closing I will say You Only Live Once so check em out and get to Vibe night club after. 10-4 Barbie signing out!
(4)Kerry B.
I've been here twice and both times have been blown away by the exceptional atmosphere, service, and food. It has such an awesome energy. I, without a doubt, suggest going on a comfortable evening so that you can sit outside. They have a huge patio surrounded by bamboo and tropical plants, tiki torches, etc. ...it just creates a really exciting mood which brings out a "see and be seen" kind of crowd to have a good time. The service on both visits was exceptional. Very friendly, professional, and they help you have a good time too. One word for the food: Perfection. My friend still raves about the pork loin she had two years ago. I tried it on my most recent visit and it was still just as good. I can't say enough good things about this place and can't wait to return. It's definitely a treat and not to be missed!
(5)Jessica T.
Brunch for my friends birthday. Food was phenomenal. Eggs Benedict and a prime rib sandwich. All delish! We were a party of 20 and our service was great and timely. Bottomless mimosa $15 and they actually bring u bottles instead of refilling your glass. We say outside (August) and was a super cute area just need more fans. Other then that everything was perfect. Can not wait to go back. Some other entrees people got at my table also looked amazing.
(5)Danielle D.
The strawberry kiss martini is delicious, but there isn't anything of note on the menu for me. It's a nice place and they are very accommodating to large groups. It's never a bad experience but I am a foodie so I like to be swept away with my meal experience.
(3)Cristobal C.
We were very impressed. Many healthy options the California spinach salad was delicious. Plentiful portions and great service. Great location with parking garage next door and it looked like they also had valet service nearby.
(4)Larry S.
Trendy place, lots of cool people, great bar! The food, meh. The service, meh. We waited an hour for our table, and one guy in our party ordered the halibut special, it came out looking like a long john silvers pot pie. And they ran out of a few things our party ordered. I give it a 5
(3)Adam K.
Fab, delish, posh. Great place to eat brunch outside. I ordered the divine Calamari (if you're not a fan of 'sweet & sour' sauce, ask for it on the side). The Tuna Salad is absolutely delish. I can't wait to go back next time I'm in FLL.
(4)Suzanne S.
This review is for Yolo's ladies night which I recently checked out. There was a great happy hour young professional type crowd and the place was packed but I still managed to find a seat. The selection of wine, beer, or a mixed drink was more than I was expecting. Even though it was busy every time they saw my glass empty they refilled it complimentary! You can also get buy 1 get 1 appetizers and the portions were fair. My girls and I spent hours talking, eating, and drinking and all the staff we dealt with were pleasant. We had four appetizers and two glasses of wine each for a total of $10 each. We were all stuffed. On ladies night this can't be beat. The ladies night goes from 6pm-10pm each week which makes it a nice change from being forced to run out of work in order to meet my friends. During the week there is ample parking from garages, valet, and individual meters. Thanks Yolo for appreciating us ladies!
(4)Jesse V.
Nice place to hang with friends.
(4)Gregory L.
We went to YOLO two weeks ago and had a fine time. We started with their homemade potato chips drizzled with blue cheese. Dinner could have stopped there it was sooo good. I had a fillet Mignon and it was cooked perfectly. The staff could not have been more attentive. I thoroughly enjoyed my whole experience.
(4)Lauren S.
Visiting Florida around New Years is always an experience in and of itself but my friends always try to make Florida out to be much more glamorous than it is. I shouldn't have been surprised when they suggested trying out YOLO - You Only Live Once is basically their life motto!! As many reviewers before me have noted, this place is more of a scene than a place to get some good food. Don't get me wrong, the food we ordered was good. But the prices were exorbitant on some menu items and this place is way more focused on attracting a certain crowd and having a trendy reputation. Six of us Montrealers came for lunch expecting to be wined and dined amongst Florida's classiest (I know my friends were secretly hoping for a celebrity-sighting). From the Bentley and Maserati parked outside, we definitely got what we expected. Us three girls ordered Caesar salads to start except we requested no olives and prosciutto. It was tasteless and more disappointing was the fact that they also left out the parmesean crackers that might have offered the salad a little something that it was missing. It was literally lettuce lightly drizzled with the faintest hint of caesar dressing. Literally a 2/10. The boys shared a calamari appetizer that looked phenomenal and HUGE. It was polished off in mere minutes The peanut sauce smelled amazing from across the table. This was a definite 9/10. We had 3 Old-School burgers, 1 Ultimate Veggie burger, and 2 Turkey burgers. The shoestring french fries that come with burgers were perfectly seasoned and although they don't appear to be well done (how I like my french fries cooked), these were well-made. The burgers were large (not excessively) and quite tasty. Each burger was well decorated, but even better, they didn't skimp on the toppings! 8/10 We had a waitress-in-training who was excellent (forget her name) accompanied by her trainer, a nice guy who coached her along.... that was until she placed the wine glasses on the wrong side at another table and he berated her right next to our table... we thought it was uncalled for and could have been done more privately. 7/10 Anyhow, this place wasn't a total bust. We had a nice time (thanks to good company) and my friends were very glad that we can now cross this restaurant off our Florida Restaurant Bucket List. Overall 7/10 I'm not sure we'll be back, the menu is pretty limited and the prices on most items are unwarranted. If I'm ever looking for a classy place on Los Olas, then perhaps!
(4)Kelly K.
I came here for brunch when in town on vacation. The wait was about 30 minutes for 3 around 130 on a Saturday, so I grabbed a drink at the bar. The service was quick and the cucumber drink was tasty and refreshing. I had the salmon BLT which was good, but nothing to write home about. The cheesy creamy grits were pretty amazing, but definitely not low-cal. Overall, the place was good, but nothing really special.
(3)Bruce M.
We came twice in the last month because of the buzz we have heard about this place. It certainly has vibe and vitality with lots of people, fancy cars out front, etc. Their success is evident when you are told they won't seat you until the FULL party has arrived. Very NYC and not so nice when on vacation and parking is hard to find for the driver. The food is interesting and tasty. Lots of options for all dietary needs. Unfortunately, you feel rushed to order and eat. On our 2nd visit, the entrees arrived while some of us were still eating the appetizer courses. We were in an out in one hour. You only live once, but please slow down!
(3)Jackie C.
I went for lunch today and got the short rib grilled cheese and tomato soup. Very delish! Our server was Alex. He was a very sweet kid and kept us laughing! I will def go back again and request Alex as my server... soon!
(4)Tambi S.
Wonderful food, attentive service, and beautiful setting. I subtracted two stars from what would have otherwise been a 4-star review because the restaurant would not honor the complimentary dessert with Yelp check-in advertised on the restaurant's Yelp page. Our server checked with his manager and was told this offer expired in September. Why then are they still advertising this and refuse to honor it?? Poor form.
(2)Rick F.
I asked the concierge where can I go to find the hippest, hottest, most happening, current and now restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, cause you know that's how I roll! All three of them said YOLO. Of course it was on Las Olas Blvd! Everything was amazing the atmosphere was electric, the bar and patio were pumping! Music was now! Tuna appetizer was good, Onion soup was excellent, Linguini with Clam Sauce, Salmon and Grouper were all well executed and tasted great. The service and server were spot on the entire evening!
(4)Brett D.
Awesome calamari!!!! A lot of people say they are over it and I think it is because they are always packed. I still enjoyed it and really like their brunch.
(5)Eileen S.
Checked YOLO out on a Thursday night and loved the look and vibe. Friends tell me it is crazy busy on weekends. Had a perfect mojito at the outdoor bar then sat outside for dinner. I thought all the apps we tried were ok. I prefer more distinctive flavors. We ordered tuna sashimi, mussels, and a grilled artichoke. All good-not great. I felt the same way about my entree. Very fresh perfectly seared tuna but none of the usual zip or flavor. Thought my husbands porcini crusted steak was outstanding. I might be tempted to give this place one more try and order a few different items but probably not tonight!! Service was excellent but for me this place is a bit overrated.
(3)Drew D.
I don't understand the hype... Prime rib came with cheese? Bland au jus..... Try the royal pig across the street
(3)Ben V.
When you travel for business, eating out on your own is a bit of a challenge. I always ask the concierge of the hotel which places are social and have bar seating where people mix. She immediately directed me to YOLO (stands for You Only Live Once) on Las Olas. I wasn't disappointed, the place was buzzing. A lot of beautiful people, South Florida style. Then I found out Wednesday night is Ladies night. This started making sense. Sat at the outside bar, ordered angel hair pasta with schrimp. Very delicious and clean. Other dishes looked equally good. Obviously people don't just come here for the food but for socializing. A lot of that is going on. Ended up speaking to at least 12 people in two hours.
(4)Jor-El G.
The first thing you will notice about YOLO is that it's quite visually appealing, the atmosphere is unique, sleek, and every bit trendy. I came during lunch and had the Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich (chicken, fire-roasted peppers, arugula, jack cheese, and lemon aioli) with a side salad. It was a nice size and well presented yet a bit lacking in flavor, not so impressed with it. I also had the Truffled Yolo Chips which werehomemade potato chips, truffle, blue cheese, herbs, and crumbled bacon....now THOSE were pretty damn memorable and tasty. What I can gather about YOLO is that it's hit or miss depending on what you get. Portions are generous, and they should be because prices for entrees range from $10-$32.
(3)Luisa C.
I have to take this review up 2 stars. Their manager Andy and the staff have been very forthcoming and as a result have won my heart back through the food. This time I had the best burger with the works. What a tasty, juicy burger it was at that. I loved the bun they used - if I am not mistaken it was sourdough. It allowed for all the juices to be absorbed in it. Pure deliciousness. Their fries are skinny and worth the splurge. We also ordered the corn flake crusted french toast for dessert and it was worth every bite. Service with Alex was outstanding! We will be back for more. Thank you for making it up to me.
(5)Nate H.
I go out for Dinner / drinks here about once a month. It's definitely a classic place. Great for first dates (;. Of course you must call and make your reservation prior to getting there. Weekends are always super packed, and even when you call in they will probably tell you "we are already fully committed for tonight", and you can't make a reservation. Only walk in and wait for a table. Which I will not do. Nothing ruins your night out more then just standing around for 30 min waiting for a table. Yolo is not on the "Open Table" app which I like to use, so you can't just make a reservation by clicking a few icons on your Iphone. The place is classic. Nice fixtures, fancy look, valet parking right at the entrance, fire sticks surrounding the outside, and downtown is exactly there. I will say it's pretty much as up scale as you will get at downtown Fort Lauderdale. Food is GOOD, and always unique. Every dish has a twist to it. Not your ordinary american menu. They also Mix and change their menu every few weeks / months, so you always have new entires to check out. The downside? Yes, it's pretty pricey. But I wouldn't except anything less from a prime location at Downtown. And yes, like many other users wrote on their reviews, sometimes they are so crowded you need to ask 4 times before you Acculty get your drinks. They can do better with this aspect. Customers don't need to fill like the restaurant is doing them a favor by serving them. Other then that, the overall experience is good. You can go dance after dinner. It's always a safe bet to take someone new to town here. Enjoy. You only live once (;
(4)Jaclyn K.
This review is for the restaurant, not the lounge. It's a shame I have to give this restaurant a bad rating, because it has the potential to be nice - it's sleek, beautiful, warm, and inviting. You have a view of the open kitchen, and the warmth of the fire and the smell of cedar wafts through the air. Unfortunately, the service is anything but warm and inviting. I had a reservation for 9 people at 8 PM. 40 minutes later, they finally sat us. The waitress, who was not very pleasant, mumbled out the specials which were impossible to hear over the loud noise of the restaurant and disappeared. Over 30 mins later, she came back to take our order. 45 mins later, we finally get our food. I ordered the swordfish, which was bland and overcooked. It was a Wednesday (Ladies' Night) so my friends had brought some of their drinks over from the adjacent lounge area. The waitress scolded them for doing that, even though it was clear that we had no idea it wasn't allowed. When we got our check, the waitress refused to split it and gave everyone a ton of attitude. Since it was my birthday, they brought over a dessert with only one fork, even though we wanted to share. Would never come back to eat at this restaurant again, but I would come back for Ladies Night in the adjacent lounge (even though its packed with cougars and old men).
(1)Jennifer A.
You Only Live Once? Please? Not here. At least I understand that name to denote a feeling of hedonism, letting your hair down and going wild, and feeling free in a world full of rules and restrictions and societal imposed standards, espescially on a Saturday night on Las Olas in Ft. Lauderdale. I began the evening warming up the dance floor with my friend. We actually set it on fire, and inspired other women to do the same, and shake their groove-thang. The sleezy men were loving it, let me tell you, I don't have a big Ego, but I can dance, so I was told, as I was approaced by several men And women who apprached me and said they enjoyed watching me "do my thing" on the dance floor. After I got my groove on, I was stretching outside (kind of like yoga streches nothing inappropriate), and the douchebag manager basically told me to stop be cause it was bothering other partyers. Really? I just busted some beats and my neck hurt badly, so I needed to stretch. Then, my girlfriend and I proceeded to sit with 3 guys outside for about and hour and when they didn't like our conversation anymore (which was quite pleasant mind you), 1 of the guys got up, walked over to the manager and asked him to have me get up from the couch and leave. I told him that was juevenile and felt as if I was in school and he was telling the teacher on me. I said to the to manager if they don't like our company, they can get up and find another spot to go sit. Seems simple enough. But no, I was escorted away....Never in my life! I wasn't even high or wasted, actually I don't drink or do drugs. Then, they made such a scene about it, after I was forced to leave, they got up from their coveted spot not mor than 10 minutes later. You Only Live Once......LOL!!!!!!!
(1)J R.
I went to YOLO last Friday night for a friends 40th birthday. I'm giving it 2 stars because it really was "cool" looking. The ambiance is fabulous....very chic, reminds me of some of our fabulous San Francisco restaurants and lounges...EXCEPT for the people! This truly was the most pretentious place I have ever been in my life! We pulled up and the perimeter was lined with Ferraris. The crowd outside was at least 8 to 10 people deep. She couldn't believe how crowded it was, so I said,"maybe it's an event for Ferrari collectors". Oh how naive I can be.....my firend then told me,"uh, no...it's the valet parking". Aye yi yi. The only good part of the evening was the very nice(surprisingly) cocktail waitress who's name I think was Heather. I don't think she was actually from there. I'd certainly never go there again.....just a place to see and be seen. No substance. We did however go to the bar on the left...I think O something and the music was good and the people semed WAY less phony!
(2)Robo K.
This place is real good and a good addition to the Las Olas area. I have about 6 times already. I like that you can have many different "experiences" at the same place...ha. There is the outdoor area with the firepit, the bar area right inside complete with bar tables if you just want a sandwich or something quick and also the restaurant where the food does not dissapoint. Dont forget O Lounge too for the ONLY lounge vibe in the area (I know ...crazy). The hostesses are all beautiful and stamp the special soup and fish of the day right onto your table. The Butternut Squash soup is rediculously good. Dont miss the calamari. I had the Prime rib which was A+ - nice and mid rare, the burger and fish sandwiches are great and the shrimp and crab sandwich I thought was amazing. One time the server was really annoying because he kept referring to our "experience" at the restaurant and touched my silverware in order to make it straight on the table the way he wanted it, but all other times the service was attentive and good - no real complaints. I live around the corner and plan to be back many times...keep it up yolo.
(4)JAmerican G.
YOLO is over-rated! This is my second time there. First, I made an Open Table reservation for a party of 6 at 10:15 p.m. on a Saturday night. We arrived at 10 p.m. and were told we were a bit early, so I was given a buzzer and they said they would call us. At 10:15 I let them know that the rest of my party was there and they said ok. At 10:30, I asked if we could be seated and reminded them that I have a 10:15 reservation and my party is all there. I was told it will be about 5 minutes. At 11:00 p.m. I went back again and asked when we would be seated and was told that when we don't show up within 15 minutes,then our table is given up, so they are waiting on about 3 tables to clear!!!!...????? I reminded her that we have been waiting since 10 p.m. for a 10:15 p.m. reservation and what is the point of making a reservation, if we can't get a table in a reasonable amount of time??? At 11:15 p.m., an hour later, we were seated! I ordered pasta with fresh tomatoes. When it arrived I asked for a side of marinara sauce, since the pasta was a bit dry. I was given marinara sauce with sausage bits in it! When I asked the waiter if there was any meat in the marinara, he said no, so I pointed to the item in my plate and he said it was a tomato! *blank stare* He later confirmed that the sauce he gave me did have meat in it and offered to bring me one with plain marinara! Since when does marinara sauce have meat in it and if so, wouldn't you let the customer know that ahead of time, especially since I ordered a meatless item???? When it came time to settle the bill, the gratuity was already included, since we were a party of 6. We split the bill with cash and 2 credit cards. The waiter brought the check back with the credit cards, but no change...We had to go and ask for the change and the waiter claimed he put it aside for us and planned on bringing it to the table...Oh really? Then why wouldn't he have brought it back with the credit cards???? *Sigh* Overall, I came to the conclusion, that YOLO is a great place for hanging out if all you want are drinks and appetizers. If you are there for a restaurant experience, then go someplace else, because folks who frequent here seem to be interested in their O Lounge next door, or their bar!
(2)Lynn D.
From out of town and we just had to go here because YOLO is the best restaurant name ever and there were so many great reviews but we weren't impressed with the food at all. The truffled Yolo chips hardly had any toppings on them. Very sparse and quite expensive. The rest of the food was just okay. Not anything like the highly rated restaurants of where we are from, Salt Lake City; Especially for the price. The service was awful. They wouldn't give us more soda and when they did it was the wrong kind. Since they had just opened for the day they weren't busy but still neglected us. We sat outside and the birds, although cute, were all over our table. We weren't comfortable with how unsanitary that was and my husband did get sick after eating here. There was a sickly bird sitting on the ground near us that I was worried about. It looked like it was suffering. :( I don't know what they can really do about the birds other than maybe warn customers so they may sit inside. Hopefully if they read this they won't try to exterminate them. That would be upsetting. Overall I wouldn't suggest this place.
(1)Roderick S.
I came here with my 2 coworkers for dinner on a Tuesday night. We made reservations through OpenTable for 8:45. We are self proclaimed foodies and we really wanted to try some unique eats and good wine. Appetizers: Cornbread - Great Tuna sashimi - Awesome Potato chips - OK, my expectations were too high Main: Ribs - Really tasty Vegetable plate - Surprisingly good Pork Chop - Looked great but severely overcooked I would have given 5 stars if it wasn't for the pork.
(4)Bill L.
Great location for people watching and the service and food are spectacular! We only had salads and soup but everything being served around us looked terrific. Great spot for happy hour!
(5)Harold L.
I go to YOLO frequently for business lunches and while the food is consistently good the real highlight is Karlee. Karlee is such a great server, making you feel comfortable and at ease, with a warm and bubbly personality, too. I would totally recommend YOLO but also strongly suggest that you ask for "Karlee Simon" when making your reservation....you will not be disappointed.
(5)Andrea W.
Terry White was awesome. Super cute, amazing service and personality to spare. Great time!!!
(5)Steve C.
I love Yolo, more for the staff and patrons than the food and drink. :-) As far as dining is concerned: * I love the Szechuan Calamari ($10) - zesty, spicy, tasty, and a big appetizer portion * I had Oak Salmon this visit ($17) and it was prepared perfectly * This was the first time I tried the (red) Sangria and it was awesome, although there was no consistency as different servings were colored and flavored differently ($10 a glass) I love how efficient they are at lunch. Good stuff.
(4)Dieunane F.
I have been to Yolo's about three times, the service has been consistently positive. The servers are attentive and seem knowledgeable of the menu as they were able to provide information about the menu and answer all of my questions. I went recently to celebrate a friend's birthday during a week nigh and the ambience seemed about the same as the week-ends. It is chic and most importantly very relaxed and good for communication due to the low noise level. My favorite items are the meatballs, corn bread, and strawberry caipirinha. On my last visit, I tried the Richette pasta and was quite disappointed. This was surprising since I'm such a pasta lover. This dish was greasy and tasted more like medicine than anything else. I will return but definitely will never order the pasta again.
(4)Vicky K.
Food was quite good. Service was quite bad. Won't go again.
(2)amy m.
Have been here many times and they have the best calamari. The cornbread is also delicious. Great place for celebration meal or special occasion. Service was excellent.
(5)Monika K.
calamari, tuna tartare, nice strong cocktails, flank steak, mac and cheese, yolo chips. nice night out by the firepit on a cool evening in sofla. recommend !
(4)Gina S.
This past Sunday we went for brunch, It was gonna be great, I had a hunch. I convinced the fam that it was the place to go "To celebrate dad's bday, let's head to Yolo." They listened and we went at 1pm Unfortunately it wasn't awesome from start to end. The servers were in busy and in the weeds. The kitchen was backed up and couldn't meet the needs. But eventually Tom the manager made things okay, compensating us and brightening the day. He adjusted the bill which was more than fair. It was nice to know that he really did care. The patio seating made our long wait time much more tolerable, but had we sat any longer our moods would have got volatile. The food we eventually received was up to par, as were the bottomless mimosas and bloody marys from the bar. I will chalk up this experience to being an off day and plan to return, hopefully with things going the right way. p.s. The bread pudding was also the saving grace. Make sure you order it whenever you are at this place!
(4)Mark G.
Love the salmon. Nice atmosphere. Would be 4 stars but they lose a star because of their "we only seat complete parties." When I arrive for a business lunch, that doesn't work. Maybe that's okay at 11PM when you are catering to a younger more casual crowd but not for a business lunch.
(3)Victor P.
The restaurant is beautiful with an outside bar, tables etc..High end cars and beautiful people.. The calamari was outstanding..Never saw it prepared like this..Other apps included artichokes (over cooked and bland) and cheese chips ( 80 percent small pieces).. Main coarses..The.rotisserie chichen was so small I thought they subsituted a cornish hen! Do not order if you are hungry.. The double pork chop was large and well cooked.. The waiter never asked if we wanted desert!! We wanted to order desert but the choices where so limited we decided to go elsewhere. Service was slow on a night when the place was less than half full.. If I go back I will go to the bar outside and try some other apps.. Not a place to go if you want fine dining.. Nice touch was the valet girls with umbrella's to walk you to your car in the rain...
(3)Pauline C.
Pretty disappointing, especially after reading all the raves. Tried the cornbread which was terrible ... Jiffy box cornbread is way better. calamari was just too sweet and the prime rib was ok. Potato gratin was yummy, a little salty tho. I probably would have enjoyed my meal more if it came out hot...everything was cold, even the coffee! Banana cream pie was the best part.
(2)Luke S.
Nice place, nice crowd, strong drinks. Unpretentious (compared to certain locales in Miami). People speak English.
(4)Frank S.
This place is a little more upscale than your average bar/restaurant, but its also in the middle of the financial/legal district which is to be expected. I swear every other person I meet there is either an attorney or in the financial industry. The crowd can vary depending on which night of the week you go, but for the most part its a lot of younger professionals with your inevitable influx of older men looking for their next girlfriend young enough to be their daughter. That being said, this place is a little pretentious, but if you can ignore it or get past it, its still a great place to socialize. I used to come here just for happy hours since its only a block from my office; however, I had dinner there the other night and was pleasantly surprised. The menu is small, but diverse. The food was excellent. I had the grilled artichokes for an appetizer and the braised short ribs for my main course. The artichokes were a little on the skimpy side, but otherwise delicious. The braised short ribs were some of the best I've had in Ft. Lauderdale. If you've only come here for HH, as most people I know, try their dinner menu. You won't be disappointed.
(4)chrissy s.
Ah Yolo.. Love this place. Drinks are good, made with fresh ingredients. Love the bar during happy hour, the crowd is business professional, a good mix of people. The restaurant is good too. I had a great meal there, really good bottle of wine and great salmon, cooked perfectly. I enjoy it there, wed nights is ladies night next door at y lounge, free drinks are always nice (I stick to beer to be safe, but cheap wine or well drinks are also offered) as well as light snacks.
(4)Christie D.
Great food, great atmosphere and I love the Las Olas area of Ft. Lauderdale.
(4)Brandi J.
(Wednesday) Ladies night is nice...
(3)Mark H.
I like the ambiance, food is good too! One of the better places to eat and hang out in Ft. Lauderdale.
(3)Jay H.
Love the staff!
(3)L K.
Really liked this place. We went twice in one week's vacation! The first time was a Monday night - in a major rainstorm. Not very crowded. I got the grilled artichoke appetizer and he got the lentil soup. Both were excellent (although he didn't like my artichoke, mainly because he think's artichokes are gross and too chewy). Dinner was filet for him with the most amazing pumpkin spice vege side and mashed potatoes. I had the ahi tuna bowl with noodles. Both were so good. I've eaten tuna a million times, but this dish had such a great zip. Even my non-seafood eating boyfriend loved the noodles (which he'd normally hate b/c they may have touched tuna!) Also, my cucumber gimlet was lovely : ) It was his birthday, so they brought out a complementry ice cream dish with a candle. Our server, Amanda was so friendly and efficient. Our second visit was a Wednesday in nice weather. There was a large happy hour crowd at the main bar and outside. The other lounge room was also filled. Looked like a trunk show and there were lots of women crowding the area with louder music. However, this didn't disturb our dinner. We both got the lentil soup again, he ordered the chicken and I opted for the grilled octopus tar tar appetizer as my meal. Again, everything was great. Great chardonnay selection, I was happy! Coffee is just ok here, but that's the worst I can say about the meal. I would 100% for sure return to Yolo on my next trip to Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)Edwin P.
This is the new trendy spot where all the professionals go. I work on Las Olas and we head there for lunch at least once every other week. I've never gone there for dinner so I don't know if the menu changes or not. The appetizers there are awesome (highly recommend the Szechuan calamari) and their burger is huge and will leave you full. The wait staff is very fast and attentive; however, I would recommend a reservation for this place for dinner because from the times I've been to the O Lounge which is connected to Yolo's it gets PACKED because it's the happy hour time so everyone goes there
(4)Jenna L.
Really fun spot in Ft. Lauderdale, I'm so glad we went. It's a great people/car watching restaurant. I recommend sitting outside so you can watch the aston martins, ferraris, etc. roll in. Food is decent but I would come here for the lively atmosphere, drinks and sugar daddy sightings. :) TOLO!
(4)Greshka P.
I love their Yolo Chips! That, and the calamari are, in my opinion, the best. I would go there just to have them. We started with this two appetizers and drinks. I had the berry mojito - delicious. For my entree I had the chicken plate with mashed potatoes. Wish this would have included some vegetable, plus the chicken was too salty for my taste. Still a great meal and great experience. Our server was quick and friendly. Definitely recommend Yolo and it's side room for some more drinks and dancing.
(4)Anquanette G.
You Only Live Once! YOLO is definitely a must for brunch! Went there for an Easter Sunday with my brother and friend and we were in love from the moment we walked in. It was such a beautiful day out so we sat on the patio. Our waitress Caitlyn was amazing. She really took care of us and was attentive. I had blueberry pancakes and they literally melted in my mouth! The thing that was so great about YOLO was that they know how to take care of their guests. Initially, there was something wrong with my food and they took care of it immediately! The manager even came over and apologized and gave us a stack of pancakes on the house! We were already sharing my stack so I asked for dessert instead and he quickly obliged! That showed me that customer satisfaction is important to them. This usually makes me give a place 3 stars but they redeemed themselves in such a great way that they get 5 stars, hands down! The mimosas were amazing and I also had a strawberry kiss martini that was truly a heavenly experience! This will certainly be my signature drink whenever I go there for sure! Thanks for the recommendation, Caitlyn! All in all, 2 thumbs up! Love YOLO. I'm looking forward to going there for lunch and/or dinner in the near future!
(5)Brenda M.
Had a nice pre-Valentines Day dinner and was not dissapointed at all, despite reading some of the negative reviews. Prices were very reasonable. Very nice decor, and a hip and trendy place with good food. Had the Calamari that everyone raves about and it was good. Tried the jalapeño corn bread and it was very good, with a sweet glaze on it. And had the oak grilled grouper over conch chowder reduction... delish (an excellent choice). Will be back to try different items on the menu.
(4)Tanya L.
Came here to have dinner for a friends birthday. Made reservations and as soon as we got there we were seated immediately. Hostess was nice and friendly. Our waiter was awesome. Took our drink order quickly and we received them right away. For appetizers we had calamari and the Yolo chips. Calamari gets 5-stars. Yolo chips were good too but calamari were my favorite. I ordered the Jumbo Shrimp Linguine pasta. The description on the menu made it seem like it was going to be amazing but it did not have much flavor. I wish I would of ordered the chicken with mash potatoes my friends ordered. It was delicious. The decorations in the restaurant was very nice. They have outside and inside seating with O lounge next door. You could hear the good music. Over all the service was good and quick the food was okay. Perhaps I'll be back for to have a few drinks and go to lounge.
(3)Wade M.
DISAPPOINTING - I stayed away for a while and gave it another try. My friends and I had the roasted chicken. For $16 the dish was the size of an appetizer and bland - it left me dreaming about the whole roast chicken at Costco for $5. I stand behind my previous review: Go for the happy hour and people-watching, then eat somewhere better.
(1)Michelle N.
Wow, SO MANY PRETTY PEOPLE. We consider fine dining the Outback, haha, and even though we knew what to expect, we were still a little overwhelmed. We could have spent all night at the bar just people watching. We'd end up washing dishes by the end of the night because of the cost, but we could still do it. Anyway, the service was great, from everyone. The waitress was awesome, cheerful, prompt, and friendly. She never let our glasses go empty. The food was good, mostly. The appetizer, the side, and the dessert were impressive. The Szechuan Calamari was so yummy. My husband doesn't normally care for calamari, and he couldn't stop eating it. We both had fish, perfectly cooked, but we found his grouper a little underwhelming. My salmon was good, but nothing that blew me out of the water. The potato gratin was a piece of melt in your mouth, I know they make this in heaven, melty, creamy, wonderfulness. Same goes for the banana-coconut cream pie. Love, love, love. Overall, I think this is a fabulous place to hang out but except for a few things, the food isn't life altering. Good, but not necessarily worth the cost. If I were a socialite with out a real job but with rich parents, the bar would be my go to spot.
(4)Rexi V.
This place is so nice. Perfect for a date or groups of friends. I came here for brunch on a Sunday and it was great! Good Prices and a nice selection. Bottomless mimosas, they bring the bottle of champagne to our table and leave it there for us to refill, when the bottle hits empty they replace it. I had the calamari and it was excellent perfect to share there's plenty of it. I forgot what i had as my entree but the desert i remember ordering the bread pudding and it was ehhhh, i could of done without it. The place is trendy a nice mix crowd, it's lively and fun! Even the waiting area outside is nice by the fire pits. Staff is very pleasant also. Would come here again just for the calamari =)
(3)Brenna R.
I went here for a friend's birthday dinner in July. I have heard so many things about this restaurant but never got around to trying it myself. WHY did I wait so long?! This restaurant is superb! The decor is very modern and sexy. I would want to rent this place out for an event or something, it is just so beautiful. We ordered the truffled yolo chips and szechuan calamari for appetizers. Both ridiculously tasty. For dinner I had the BBQ pork ribs. They were super tender, really saucy and made me one happy girl. I wish my stomach wasn't so full so I could finish them. They have very unique martini offerings here. I opted for their "martini tree" where you get to choose three different martinis to try and they come out in smaller glasses lined around a metal "tree." Perfection!! Drinks were delish, too. I would come back here again and again if I were just a bit closer, but will surely be back there when I am more in that area. You do only live once ;)
(5)Leah V.
My fiance took me here for a nice dinner out. Atmosphere was inviting and hip, very clubbish scene. We had the calamari and cornbread for appetizers. The calamari was okay...but the cornbread was delicious!! I ordered a burger and my fiance had the prime-rib. My burger was a little dry and nothing fantastic and my fiance's prime rib was a little disappointing. We decided to splurge a little but was not too happy with what we got. It is a good place to hang-out for drinks and get some corn bread...but other than that..i'd try someplace else.
(2)Maria C.
So the first time I came to YOLO my experience was not so great. The food was ok, service was less than ok and the ambiance was good. The manager emailed me and asked if I could give them another chance. I did. I LOVED it. I had the best Salmon I've ever had in my life. It was outstanding. The service was phenomenal, our waitress Jessica was perfect and we had a great time. A must, if you ask me.
(5)Matt P.
*Review for the bar only* Had some time to kill with some clients so we stopped in per their recommendation for a few drinks while waiting for our dinner reservation to open up across the street. Yolo is one of the newer faces that's popped up on Las Olas over the past year and a half. What can I say, this place is a pretty classy joint with a chill outdoor patio area and fire pit to sip on beverages and nosh on small plates. The crowd was mostly young professionals, which makes sense since it's located on the heart of the business district in Fort Lauderdale. Definitely a cool spot to grab a drink and mingle amongst the locals. Sorry kiddos, but no time for eats here...as in the name, You Only Live Once!
(4)JoAnna L.
This must be the meeting place of the old sugar daddies and the young sugar babies.... Gross! Go across the street to the pig place, much better IMO. Just not my scene.
(2)Heisha R.
sadly, we made reservations for nothing we waited 30 minutes for our table for only 4people. drinks and starters great! food not so much :( the food was just fine nothing amazing and very over price!
(2)Julie T.
I guess I could say after my second visit that this is just an ok place to go. I've had better of everything elsewhere. It doesn't blow me out of the water. This time we got the corn bread with jalapeno and it was great, but maybe a little bit more grainy than I like. It was extremely busy at the bar during the happy hour, so it was hard to get the servers attention. I ordered the Devil's Hammer again and it was perfect. I ordered the calamari and it was pretty good, my mom didn't like all the dressings on it though, and I could agree after a while it got overwhelming. I ordered the Rotisserie chicken sandwich and it was good. The chicken was moist, there was too much cheese for my liking and the shoestring fries were on point as usual. Jonathan ordered their burger and was pleased but not blown away. So I think it'd have to be a special occasion where I can try their steak or fish that I'd come back to try this restaurant.
(3)Jeff F.
Very pretty restaurant. They did a wonderful job with LMA (lights, music, atmosphere), which as a former 11 year general manager, I am always on the lookout for. Starters were delicious. We have the tuna sashimi and skillet corn bread. Both were wonderful. Our mains were good too - I had the prime rib, which was both properly cooked and seasoned. There are some problems that need fixing before this place earns a reputation for excellence: First, the sides were all poorly executed. I had potatoes au gratin. The potatoes were undercooked, making the square of au gratin chewy and almost crunchy. The wife substituted in Mac and cheese. Again, the noodles were undercooked. It's clear the chefs aren't tasting the food enough and don't seem to be detail oriented. If I'm going to happily fork over top dollar, I expect the easy stuff to be just as good as the hard stuff. This meal, for us, was an example of the conflict that customers deal with - the appetizers are wonderful, the main dishes are excellent, the place is lovely, the music is at a perfect volume, but the side dishes simply aren't good. I'm fairly sure I figured out how something like this is happening. I watched chefs checking their cell phones dozens of times during our dinner (Valentines day). As a former GM of restaurants, that is simply unacceptable. Perhaps that's why the sides were undercooked- the chefs weren't engaged with the task at hand. Back in the day, I used to require my entire staff remains engaged. Playing with your cell phone every two minutes is not evidence of being engaged. It shows that you simply aren't in the moment, paying attention to the little stuff. Which is precisely how side dishes can come out improperly prepared while the main dishes are perfect. For dessert, we enjoyed the pumpkin cheese cake very much. It was dense enough to be cheesecake, but light and fluffy and full of pumpkin flavor. I should mention that the managers and staff were all very much engaged and actively walking around, ensuring people were happy. Unfortunately, our waitress didn't check back to see if everything was okay, so the whole sides not being acceptable went unnoticed. I can't be too upset with a busy waitress, especially considering the situation: a) it was Valentines day and b) a storm rolling in caused chaos because all of the people who were outside, enjoying the outdoor bar, had to be sat. Naturally, this causes servers to scramble a bit. Here's a tip for managers, servers, bartenders, and chefs - if you see dinner plates where the main dish is gone but the sides are practically untouched, it means either the mains were amazing and filling or the sides were poor. Always ask. Always check to see if the diners were just filled up or if there was a problem. I wouldn't have wanted or asked for a discount, but it can only help the restaurant to have things like this brought to someone's attention. Attention to detail is what makes restaurants great. I hope the ownership and management put in a little more effort because this place is just this side of awesome. Four stars for a beautiful restaurant, excellent appetizers and desserts. One star off for poorly prepared mains, distracted head chefs/expediters, and a failure to do a check back to ensure the food is to the customers liking.
(4)Whitney K.
I'm a scenester at heart - so any place with beautiful people, a beautiful buildout, and beautifully crafted cocktails is the place for me. The fire pit and dark wood paneling adds a touch of Northeastern class to the South Floridian pastels and shells. This is a great place to catch up with friends over a drink and look at beautiful people because hey -- you only live once right?
(4)John F.
Yolo for an upscale lunch is hard to beat. Consistent, good food, nice downtown location, good service. I hate giving an "almost chain" restaurant a good review, but man, they have it together for lunch. Get whatever their simple prepared fish of the day is, and call it a lunch. While I'm only 34, their happy hour to south beach transformation after 6 is too much for me.
(4)Sasha G.
Went for Brunch on a Sunday and the food was delicious. The service was also very good and no wait time.
(5)Rhena S.
This place is just ok to me. I don't see what all the hype is to be honest. The customer service is good and the is ok. I got the filet mignon, Mac and cheese, and green beans. Everything was just ok for me. Nice place and they also have a lounge.
(3)Eduardo H.
Excellent overall experience. The service is slow but very attentive. Very different atmosphere at lunch (more business-like) and at night (when it feels like a pick-up lounge).
(4)Lizette Q.
Came in on a Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday; the reservations were for 9:30pm; however, we did not get seat until 10:15pm. Luckily, the location has a nice bar outside and a lounge (The O Lounge) next door where we enjoyed adult beverages while we waited. Upon being seated the manager was extremely apologetic and provided us with several complimentary appetizers. We had the calamari and the queso fundido. The calamari was delicious; they were made with a sweet and honey glaze and served with a sauce on the side. The queso consisted of a thick melted cheese blend with chunks of chorizo; the queso was served with chips, also very good. For our meal my friend and I shared the Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich, which was also mouthwatering. The chicken sandwich was made with arugula, peppers, melted jack cheese and a lemon aioli sauce. The sandwich was served with thin cut fries, which were also very suiting and very good. The portions were hefty and sharing the meal hit the spot. We washed down our food with Passiontini's; a very sweet and fruity martini with a kick to it. The restaurant is located in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale on the famous Las Olas Blvd. You can park via valet or in the parking garage located directly behind the restaurant. Great location and great vibe for those looking for an awesome and trendy place to wine and dine. The staff was extremely efficient, friendly and on top of our large group at all times. Would definitely recommend and would return.
(5)Eyda J.
I've been to YOLO just twice. I would probably go more often if I lived a bit clcoser to Las Olas, but that being said, I CRAVE the Cucumber Cooler. I know this is a restaurant, but man that drink left such an impression on me. It has muddled cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno--- it's a deliciously fragrant cocktail. Now for food--- the portions are a great size, the flavors are delicious and the service is top notch. We aren't talking gourmet here, but if you don't want the typical chain & something upbeat-- this is your place.
(4)Jeff F.
Hit this place up last weekend during a buddies bachelor party. The food ranged from average to excellent (steak being average, seafood being well above average). Tuna sashimi, calamari and the trout were the highlights. My sense is that the strongest selling point here is atmosphere - cool, perfect for groups, trendy without any real dress requirements if you like my group prefer casual to South Beach fashion statements.
(4)Jon A.
So, this seems to be the place to go. I don't know how, but they have created a south Florida culture pat people enjoy. food is very good and the drinks are excellent. I have not met a lot of the staff but they seem to be friendly. For the amount of repeat customers, im sure they are all excellent
(4)Mariana B.
I absolutely enjoyed my time at YOLO the Atmosphere is great! if you want to go out and have a POSH night out with the girls you should have YOLO as your destination. Call ahead and make reservations to sit outside. I recommend the Calamari Hmmmmm....... the Grouper is great as well !!!! I was there last Wednesday,the service did not impress me t! I don't know if I had bad luck but the food came out 5 minutes after my appetizer arrived .... Our waiter was every busy and it didn't give us outstanding service...
(3)Stacy S.
Let me start off by stating that I am not a fan of "The 954". I go for one specific reason: to attend birthday parties in or around Las Olas. The fact is, if you are going to be in the Las Olas area, you have few options for upscale, hip, establistments. Here is a brief overview of this place for people who have not been: * Very cool vibe outside. They have drink service and a fire pit for when it "gets cold". The women working there are very efficient and nice. * Their wine list is not bad. Their selections by the glass is good. (No one in that area tops Johnny V in the wine catagory). * Their food is above average. I don't eat their often but I remember the tuna sashima being quite good. * It's a good "power lunch" place. Take a client or opposing counsel here. If you have to, or chose to be in the area, definitely check this place out for lunch or dinner. It gets really busy, so if it's dinner make a reservation. Enjoy!
(4)E R.
Great food. Great drinks. Great atmosphere. Lunch and dinner are equally good, and if they have the grilled cobia sandwich as the special, do yourself a favor and order it. This place is my go-to place for client lunches and date nights.
(5)Michele W.
We enjoyed 2 meals at YOLO during our short stay in Ft. Lauderdale. The old fashioned burger was huge and delicious! Service was very friendly. Highly recommend this spot for families.
(5)Casey M.
My husband and I went for our anniversary dinner on Sunday, May 20, 2013. We really could not find anything to complain about. We both ordered a martini and were not disappointed with our choices. The calamari appetizer was excellent as suggested in numerous reviews. Both my husband and I ordered steak. I had the prime rib, which was completely tender, and he had the porcini crusted steak, which was very flavorful. We tried the lava cake and banana coconut cream pie for desert, loved them both. We were there when it was not busy, so our waiter was extremely attentive. Overall, we would definitely go back again. Was it the best food I have ever consumed, probably not, but I did not feel let down by the quality of the food verse the price.
(4)Virginia C.
I don't enjoy higher priced meal that is just, Just OK, If you are going to pay the price you want something that you go... WOW!!! Don't get me wrong, the food is not bad, but is not worth it $$$$. Is not a place where you are going to have a nice, fine dining experience Let's put it this way, I only go there when friends suggest meeting at yolo for a drink, I go just to meet with my friends but not for the food or for the scene... And get ready to be standing up for hrs because is very hard to find a place to seat if you are in the outdoor bar area! Not a place i will go back to again and again. Nothing special, the food is OK, the service is slow but OK, the place Very crowded...Don't know why! I really don't get what's the big deal... The fancy exotic cars in display in the parking lot? the old guys looking for hot girls? Chicks dressed to impress because they think they could find THE ONE there ? :P hehehehe Perfect for people watching. That's all ;)
(3)Mig U.
i was a bit intimidated by the appearance of this place. it seemed way too trendy for my taste. Boy was i surprised. i have hosted 2 business meetings here and the staff has been more than accommodating. the food is A+ and the ambiance is wonderful. the calamari is amazing...
(4)Gustavo A. L.
Nice classy place, with dim lights and good ambiance. It could be a place to see and be seen if that is your scene. Or you can just forget about the crowd and enjoy the time with your significant other, friends or posse. The location is pretty good, we found the service to be up to snuff and the food is pretty good too. You might, just might want to stick to the appetizers and share sort of tapa style, wash all this down with a good drink or two and ... make sure you have a designated driver for the way home. Good times will be had here, for sure !
(4)Paola H.
I would have to say their food was pretty awful, the food took forever to be served then it was cold, it was taken back and i guess put in the microwave because then my fries were stale. the place was crowded and loud. the lounge area was ehh ok crowded as well. Really not YOLO place, more like You'll only go once.
(1)Megan P.
My husband and I have been to Yolo several times and have always enjoyed it. But this past time was by far the best. The food was delicious as always, but the server made the experience so much better. Carly was amazing! For now on, we will always ask to sit in her section. She not only had great recommendations for new things to try, but she was also so energetic, hilarious and just really seemed to enjoy being there.
(5)Tanya B.
I visited Yolo for lunch and was very pleased with the food as well as the service. My server was Susan and she was very knowledgeable about the menu and the specials. She was on top of all of our refills and even anticipated all of our needs. Her recommendations for lunch were on point. We had the Tuna burger and the spinach salad. Amazing! I would highly recommend this establishment.
(5)Gina R.
nice vibe, good food,I really enjoyed the pumpkin cheesecake.
(3)Corina B.
Probably would not go back for the food but i would certainly go back for the lounge and the cocktails. The appetizers are good - especially the szechaun calamari. Sunday Brunch is par - nuthin amazing. However, if you do go, try the stuffed french toast...crispy on the outside and moist and gooey on the inside! Yummo! Wednesday night is always pack- LADIES NIGHT - for the grown & sexy. Great friday night hangout
(4)Britany A.
This was the best part of my visit to Fort Lauderdale. We went with a group from the office and ordered a couple of appetizers. The Calamari is ridiculously amazing. There are no words to describe the perfection. You have to just order it and trust me. It is served with an orange glaze that is to die for. Ultimate Calamari perfection. The food amazingness does not stop there folks... We also ordered the ahi tuna appetizer and the grilled artichokes. The Tuna was tender and perfect. Came with a seaweed salad, and while I'm not a huge artichoke fan, according to my dining partners they were also great. I ordered the chopped salad. It was a huge portion and the dressing was a little too acidic for my taste, but overall the salad was good. We also ordered a couple of desserts for the table. The pumpkin cheesecake which was good but tasted like it had been frozen at one point, and the ice cream cookie sandwich with a white chocolate dipping sauce was out of this world. It was the perfect combination of tastes, textures, and tempratures. To go along with all this wonderfulness, I had the dirty blonde (their rendition of a dirty martini) It was amazing as well. Highly recommend
(5)Daniel D.
"You only live once, but if you drink enough, once is enough." - A drunk I met in Europe YOLO in downtown Fort Lauderdale is the swanky spot you take someone you want to impress. Maybe the upper management after work? Maybe the cute new girl from work? (Though I'd caution on the latter, as relationships in the workplace usually end up with your car being keyed and having to watch one of the awkward videos issued by the HR department.) But whomever you choose to dine with, they'll enjoy YOLO's design-magazine decor and its ambiance; a mix of low music, dark woods and cabs beeping their way down Las Olas. It's Blue Martini... just nicer, with superior food and I still feel cool inviting friends there for dinner. As for deals,YOLO is more of the go-to place for a happening hour than it is a happy hour (from 4pm-7pm all drinks at the bar are just $2 off. No food specials). But you get what you pay for. If you had your hopes up for a 3-4-1 there's probably a Bennigans somewhere on Oakland Park. I ordered The Devil's Hammer ($10), and with a mix of muddled mint, orange, lime, tequila and cherry-infused bourbon, it didn't seem all that evil. The bourbon complimented the tequila in a, "I'm not yet ready for a man's drink, but this will definitely help me grow a beard" sort of way. And seeing that it's happy hour I tried to pair my drink with something small to eat... the rotisserie chicken sandwich ($12.50) was anything but small. A buttery, soft bun barely held together melted jack cheese, arugula, lemon aioli, tender chicken and fire-roasted peppers. Going by the looks from the girls across the bar, I didn't look all too attractive while I shoveled it down. But when there's lemon aioli on your lips and poultry heaven in your mouth, who cares about looking sexy. Besides, those girls didn't interest me... I had a major crush on the bartender. Who: You and the girl from work... but only if you don't care about your car. What: $2 off all drinks, but only at the bar :0( Where: YOLO 333 E. Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 When: Mon-Fri 4pm-7pm How: With a manly beard and lemon aioli lipstick. Follow me on twitter: @DanielDickey DanielDickey.com
(4)Mike N.
Party hang out and great sites. Little pricy though but worth it.
(4)Vitaliy L.
I've eaten there once. Great atmosphere, but food and service were meh
(3)Floridian P.
Cool place Calamari app was pretty good. And dragonberry mojitos as well. Parking sucks though and our bartender didn't put the food order in right, so we had to wait longer for them to re-make it.
(3)Jessica L.
Great venue, I love the fire pit they have outside. However, as said in my review of Vibe literally 50 feet away from here, the crowd is a little older. Find Fred, the bartender. He'll take care of you!
(3)Raven M.
Went here for my birthday dinner with a large group. Food was delectable and well worth the price. And the ambiance couldn't be beat either. Do keep in mind this place is pricey but you won't feel robbed or unsatisfied when leaving.
(4)Eve K.
See Update below--number of stars reduced. We went to YOLO (You Only Live Once) and had a fabulous dinner and a fabulous time. That chef really knows how to blend and mix subtle flavors. The calamari, just many tiny morsels, the smallest calamari I ever saw, was great. My friend's husband started with that. I split a spinach salad with my friend and it was like no spinach salad I ever tasted. Usually spinach salad is not my thing, but this was no ordinary salad and the dressing was perfect. Very large--one would have to share (they split it in the kitchen.) I had wonderful fresh green beans and grill fired salmon (very thin piece and I was glad I ordered it medium rare because that was perfect). Great flavor. The grouper came with a very light brothy sauce which my friend loved and her husband loved the one pasta dish they offered. I didn't taste everyone else's--it's not my thing--but everyone loved the place, the food, the service, and it was so easy to drive right up to the door on their horseshoe shaped driveway to valet park. One always thinks of parking problems on Las Olas. The place was packed. I'm glad we had reservations. I can just imagine how the place is on week-end evenings. We got there at 7p.m. and the place was already 3/4 full and the bar was packed all on a Monday night. On a weekend evening, one should probably get there at 6 for early dinner or 9:00 or 10:00 for late dinner. Yolo is doing something right; let's hope they keep on doing it. July 2014 Update. On returning to YOLO a second time, early in 2013, I think. There was no need to arrive early, the restaurant was partially filled, the wait staff was disinterested, and the food was adequate. I don't know what it is like this year, but I don't believe we will try it again.
(3)Robert B.
This place is awful. Manager was rude and wouldn't let us do the cinnamon challenge.
(1)Monica C.
I loved YOLO. Although they are a bit pricey, the drinks were delish. They also have a sweet deal where you can pick 3 martini's for $15.00. They have a page long list of martini's to choose from. I didn't try the food but their menu looked very tasty. The decor was trendy and pretty all together. When I went to the restroom I noticed that there was a room with music and people dancing. Love this place.
(5)Karen O.
Went here on a Saturday night,food was very good,sat outdoors it was beautiful,service was very good and they have a pretty decent wine list.
(4)Doris L.
Third time's the charm. I heard that the food served at the one Elite event I missed this year was outrageously good. Still, I had to check for myself. Outrageous? I don't know about THAT. The beautiful Maker's Mark cocktails the Elite Yelpers were sucking down perhaps had something to do with that super- superlative. BUT - I had a bunch of apps here the other night and they were significantly yummier than the meal I had here last. And this is still a great place to meet up with friends . I'm officially a "Yay" fan.
(4)Lisa M.
Only giving a star because the atmosphere is nice but this is where it ends. Bad drinks. I ordered a belini. It was not made w the correct ingredients so they use OJ & peach schnapps. Than it's not a belini right? Call it by another name or tell your customer! Also way over priced ($9) for a tiny champagne glass. Than we order cinnamon rolls. They waiter Sid it would take a while and I'm not sure why. They were hard crappy stale & not worth the calories!!! Than after another 1/2 hr wait we got our meals. I ordered an omelet well done. It came COLD! My daughter ordered the fresh fish sandwich. Again cold & soggy bun. If you only live one than I would only go once!!
(1)Maria A.
I wasn't planning on stopping here for lunch but I'm glad I did. I sat at the bar and was lucky two have to really nice bartenders. I looked over the menu and narrowed it down to a few dishes just then one of the bartenders walked over and I asked for her expert opinion. She mentioned the pasta with sausage which was one of the dishes I had been keeping an eye on. I decided this was a sign and so I went with that. The food was delicious and filling. I had a prime seat as I dined I watched the outdoors bar quickly fill with office bees rolling up for happy hour drinks with friends. Next came dessert and I decided on a bread pudding concoction which was also delicious. I noticed some solid regulars and even had a few conversations while I had my late lunch. If I worked nearby this would be one of my usual spots. The food was great, service was excellent. There was also valet parking for $5 to be paid when picking car up and a Bank of America across a small street, ah thanks goodness for convenience.
(4)Chris W.
Very trendy restaurant. Incredible location on the world famous Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale Fl. Awesome menu. Fish choices superior. Super cool patio bar area to hang out for drinks before and after dinner. Very busy place with very vibrant crowd. Really neat little dance club right next door for the night cap!!,
(4)Lisa S.
Two words sum up my love for this place: Fire Pit! When it dips below 70 degrees we don jackets, sweaters and scarves. But the chic still sip cocktails outdoors, "That way I can be better seen, my darling." About the food: The roasted chicken on anything transforms the dish: salad, sandwich or as a stand-alone entree. They've perfected the roasted chicken. So yummy! Then there are the side dishes. I had a ratatouille there that was transcendental. It's not always on the menu but it makes an appearance every now and then. And when it does, it's a happy day for me. A french peasant dish transformed into a statement on simplicity in food prep. I could go on and on. Oh, it's really good for Happy Hour as well. Fun drinks, both alcohol and non alcoholic. Got a virgin mojito that was phenomenal.
(4)Yasi P.
This is a great place to have a date with your significant other. The ambiance is super sexy and the service is fantastic. Expect to wait for a while if you don't have reservations & show up on a Friday night . My husband & I had a mijito which were delicious ... He had the ribeye and I had the rotisserie chicken. Definitely recommend YOLO. We had a wonderful time. They have great parking either at the garage or valet. Perfect place to go on a date to.
(5)Yana A.
Once a year I like to give an update to this place, and it's still my favorite. It a number one choice for our girls night out. It's pretty, it's safe, drinks are free for women on wednesdays which gather a good looking crowd. I am a little puzzled when people critisizing food here. I cooked for living for awhile, and I understand food. Everything I tried in YOLO, and I think I tried all but meat dishes, was real good. Portions are generous, and all is very fresh. Only once there was something wrong with calamari, the manager immediately came out and corrected the situation. Outside area looks like its a hangout place, but in fact only bar area where you can order just drinks, and couches around fireplace. When you sit at the tables behind bar, it's a dining room. I don't think people realIze it, and treat it as just a place to sit and sip cocktails. That's why sometimes confusion is going on, and I think it needs to be explained in a beginning, or a simple question before sitting people down if they are here for dinner would be appropriate. I never encountered a rude server here, all girls are really nice. When they get busy, it can be a problem with finding a waitress for cocktails. But as soon as you establish a contact, lol, they serve you really well. The best though is managers prompt reaction to any even slightest problem. either it's a misunderstanding with charges or closing tab in one bar before ordering at another, all is solved promptly. I think it's the only place on Las Olas where drinks are still under 10$ and they are strong.
(5)Lola S.
What a cool and sexy outdoor restaurant in Fort Lauderdale! This is def going to be a must for my next visit, I only wish they weren't so far away. We were here for lunch on Saturday afternoon. Decor - awesome, service - not bad at all. There was not a single dish we ordered that was not delicious - salads, sandwiches, all amazing. Can't wait to go to FL and visit this place again.
(5)Kendal S.
I went to Yolo for lunch just the other day and was more impressed by the place than my previous experiences. You always have to make a reservation as the place gets pretty packed. The hostess was great and seated us right away even though some of my party came late. I ordered the chicken sandwich. It was cooked perfectly and delicious. My mom ordered the prime rib sandwich and it came out perfectly pink! I have been to Yolo in the past for dinner and drinks. I was more impressed with lunch as Yolo gets really crazy packed in the evenings.
(4)Renae P.
Love the atmosphere! Great was great too!
(5)Mark S.
Been here a number of times and never been disappointed. The calamari is awesome to start. I usually try the specials for main meal which do not disappoint. Look forward to visiting Yolo again.
(4)Phil K.
Great food, great scene, really hot wait staff.... Had the yolo chips, planked salmon and everything was superb. I couldn't keep my eye off the beautiful women working the outside lounge area. Really good scene for a Saturday night.
(5)Jacquelyn G.
My girls and I were weekending in Ft. Lauderdale and someone recommended checking out Yolo for dinner and drinks. Excellent reco! I tried to get a reservation via Open Table but there was no availability. However, the concierge at our hotel was able to get us a table at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Note - definitely get a reservation. The person who recommended the place to me said that we could always walk in and wait, but there were tons of people who had that idea and I can't imagine how long it would've taken for us to get a table had we done that. Plus, the bar area was crowded so we wouldn't have really been able to hang out there, either. Anyway, they have lots of fun drinks, including a martini "tree" that one of my friends got. It consists of three pair of mini martinis--very cool and from what I'm told, very tasty. I had this delicious cucumber concoction which had some kind of spice in it. It was wonderful. Food was great, too. We all shared the truffled Yolo chips to start and they were just heavenly. It's hard to mess up anything that involves bacon, blue cheese and truffle oil, in my opinion... Our mains were all good, too. After dinner we decided to move on to the lounge area which honestly wasn't our cup of tea. It got incredibly clubby/sceney and just was not what we were looking for. I must admit, though, the people watching was priceless. We also noticed that the drinks there were different than at the restaurant--even if it was the same drink. I ordered the same cucumber cocktail that I had at dinner, and it wasn't nearly as good at the bar (I'm guessing more liquor?). Anyway, worth checking out for dinner but I'd skip the lounge unless you're a "see and be seen" kind of person.
(4)Zac K.
Very solid place. Great, great atmosphere. The drinks were nicely done and price seemed to fit in with location. The food rocked- I had the filet which was prepared just as ordered and served with seasonal fresh veggies- excellent choice- I was happy. Why not 5 stars you might ask, it was COLD in the place! there did appear to be a cool bar area off the back and the indoor/outdoor bar area up front was cool.--
(3)Jorge G.
Happy hour next to the fire place with gems! That sums it up.... the Calamari & Service was a 10 out of 10. We are coming back and live it up all night long.
(5)Brian F.
This is a super fun trendy bar with outstanding bartenders and drinks! Order a Devil's Hammer (ask for it not that sweet) and watch pros like Jessica and Jenna do their magic. Then head over to the fire pit and watch the party unfold. The place was packed, yet we felt like the most important people in the joint because of the 5-star service. Our favorite bar/lounge in Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)Jenn C.
Love sitting outside by the firepit with friends and drinks. Dinner is good. The service is great. The atmosphere is pleasant, and upscale, great place to go highly recommended.
(4)Denise R.
Good place to see and be seen if you are into that type of superficial stuff. Nothing to write home about, but it is beautiful.
(3)Jamie M.
I work near yolo and you will usually find me there for happy hour on a friday night. Yolo is the ultimate after work locale in downtown fort lauderdale. However, the food is not the best. It took me a few times going there for lunch to realize this but the descriptions are actually better than the actual taste of the food. Its a great place to bring a client or a colleague but I like Yolo because of the social ambiance not because of the food. I will stick going there for happy hour (try the cucumber cooler for a refreshing summer drink with a little kick) and to meet with friends but I think this foodie may go to dinner somewhere else.
(3)Roly B.
Place to see and be seen. Nice to hang out once in a while, decent crowd (no "kids"). Food is excellent.
(4)Marsha F.
Hostess was great. Bar maid was great. Food was disappointing service was good. I thought they had a chef who could accommodate my special requests. I called ahead and was assured they could. They lied
(2)Dave N.
Dinner on 2/2: As always YOLO had great atmosphere; It was packed both inside and out on Wednesday night. Had drinks by the fire-pit and some of the meatball sliders. We were then seated promptly at our reservation time and ordered a greek salad to share and i had the cedar plank salmon which was excellent. Squash was the nightly side dish and it was excellent.
(4)Agustina P.
Great atmosphere, great service and I love their fire pit. Their food is hit or miss, but the drinks are delicious.
(4)Emilio M.
Group of us came here on a packed saturday night. I originally thought it was going to be a hot spot. By all means, it probably is, but we did not enjoy the music nor the people there. Not that the people were nasty or anything like that, Its just we are not in that age group (40's --seriously, I thought I was going to run in into somebody from the Housewifes of Orange County ). Music is techno type that one song lasts about one hour long...everybody is in clicks so everybody is into themselves. Drinks are good, can't comment on the food since we left an hour later. Maybe you'll have a better time, but this is an older hang out spot...
(2)Bruce D.
vERRRY CHIC-Y! Hip tre New York/Maimi loking restaurant on Las Olas. Lots of Bentley's parked at the valet. Outside patio drinks has a very California, with a huge firepit....except it's flame is about 2 -3 feet tall. Almost singed my Dunhill blazer! Food was priced low and quite nice. Salmon on a plank was very nice and the wine list was killer. The calamari was over cooked and too crunchy. Go on a off night or else it's a mob scene.
(4)Alicia T.
Went tonight for my girlfriends birthday. Still 5 stars for me Server: 5 stars Ambiance: 5 star People/server watching: 5 star Food: 4.5 star We had a 4pm reservation and arrived at 3:45 PM and were seated outside with no problem for an early Sunday birthday dinner. I was impressed that the server knew my name when I told her I had a reservation without looking at the computer. Since this was such an odd time, the outside patio was half full, and inside had plenty of tables available. The calamari as usual (seemed to be ordered by EVERYONE) was fantastic, I am on a no sugar/starch diet and still took a couple bites. BF got the burger, and it was so big for the first time he didn't finish it or his fries. He did eat alot of calamari though. Birthday girl got some kind of pasta with shrimp added, and she loved it, had lots of left overs. Myself, spinach salad, awesome, large amount of chicken that I didn't have to search for, and it was already tossed in ingredients/dressing so I didn't have to "make" the salad myself. Our server brought the chocolate molten cake, a scoop of icecream, and a candle for my GF's birthday. I heard the cake was delish. It came in one of those one-person cast iron pot, garnished with fresh fruit. It was the type of molten cake that when you stick the fork in you get a nice little hot chocolately gooey surprise hidden inside. We loved the chillness of the place on this Sunday afternoon, and will definitely be back again for a nice Sunday meal.
(5)Patrick D.
This was a favorite until this last experience. The bar isa rip off.The first time my bill it was for 43.99. We had 2 Martinis and 2 Rob Roys. The drinks were good but the bill seem high but it was all wet so I could not review it. They next time I did not pay any attention, shame on me. I did question the bill on an afternoon but it was not happy hour so I let it ride. This last Friday at 4:30 We ordered 2 Rob Roys and one Martini. They charged 12.00 dollars for the Rob Roys and 17.00 for the Martini. Even At Bar American in NY(Bobby Flays Resturant) they do not charge this money for a Martini. They charge 14.00 dollars for a 9oz Martini. Yolo is out of line and are abusing their Bar Customers. Check your bills. Their Martini Specials are only 12.00 dollars. Do not go there!!!
(1)Eye F.
Finally went after seeing a few of our friends had tried it. We went to eat -- as in we considered it a restaurant. Not the atmosphere, not to drink, not to be seen, not to mingle with people we don't know. Service is good, menu is good, wine list is passable, cooking leaves a lot to be desired. We won't return for a second try.
(2)Paulinacasado O.
if Las Olas, then YOLO! bleu cheese vinegar chips and mint lemonade (grownup style) a staple!!
(4)Katrina J.
Went their today for lunch. Menu kind of limited. Nice portions of food. However, the food is definitely different than most restaurants that boast an American cuisine. Try it at least once!
(3)Jane D.
Wow! The food is amazing - hard to choose what to get off their simple but simply divine menu. The service was outstanding and the atmosphere very enjoyable... careful though if you're there a little later as their adjacent sister club starts to heat up after 10 pm and the music can overpower your conversation. We gave up talking and went to join the fun!
(5)Jared M.
I was in town from New York for a business trip and I took potential clients to YOLO for dinner as I had heard good things. I truly was not disappointed. The decor was trendy yet understated and professional, not cheesy like some other "hot" restaurants in south florida. The hostess welcomed us with a smile and we were seated shortly after arriving. The food was delectable, cooked to order, and reasonably priced. We started with the calamari and grilled artichokes, both were a big hit with my guests and I highly recommend them. The prime rib sandwich was incredible, probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. I ordered it medium rare and it came out the perfect shade of pink, thinly sliced, topped with sauteed onions, melted swiss cheese, and au jous. The rest of my party appeared just as enamored by their dishes. Our server was courteous and helpful when deciding what to order. My guests and I had a wonderful experience at YOLO and I will definitely be returning the next time I am in town.
(5)Debbi N.
We had a wonderful lunch here. The place is beautiful, the service is great and the food was fabulous. The prices are not bad either. There were six of us and each of really enjoyed their meals and we shared to desserts and were not disappointed. I had the grilled shrimp salad with beets and cheese and I would eat that every day if I could. It was perfect. Our table mates had the veggie burgers and fries and the fries are really good. We found parking on the street, and were in and out in time to catch the show at the Broward Theater matinee. I will go back before our next show for sure. This beats Cheesecake Factory hands down.
(5)Ali G.
Definitely another favorite! Food is delicious, the artichoke app is to die for! Atmosphere is really fun on wed & sat pm! Great date place or if u want to be social also a really nice atmosphere for a party.
(5)Cheryl R.
Fun & nice. I'm a Miami girl but I like Yolo's.
(4)Jessie H.
Not terrible but not great. As a vegetarian, they didn't seem to have a huge range of options to choose from. Our drinks from the bar with light on the alcohol which for $12 you would hope wouldn't be the case. Our waiter was adorable and made the night. If it weren't for him, our experience would have been a flop.
(3)Amit D.
Cool spot, you get to see all the expensive cars in the world. Food is just okay for dinner. People may say it's better than it is because it's expensive, but overall just OK. Sunday brunch on the other hand has excellent food, with affordable prices.
(3)Idelsy L.
Really good wine selection... very snazzy place. Didn't get to try the food, but it had a great vibe to it. I'd love to go again.
(4)Omar G.
The crowd that goes to Yolo and Vibe is abysmal. Makes me embarrassed to admit that I live around such classless people in Fort Lauderdale. At Vibe the people dance to 80's wedding music. This would not go down in Miami, but the irony is that Yolo/Vibe is basically a South Beach design ripoff. I'm not saying that you'll hear good music on the beach, but what you have here is a recipe for pure boredom making you realize that the drive to Miami is worth it at night. Just be safe out there! Re: the food, its bland and salty. The decor at Yolo is nice, but the kitchen is unimpressive. I think all of the good reviews go to show how utterly tasteless and tacky Lauderdale is. Miami is your only bet if you want a cool place to go out and make the focal point of a weekend night out. Don't hate on me for saying, since I've lived here for 11 years and have been a DJ here the entire time. I'm entitled to my taste. If I could give it a 0 I would. Its the people in Lauderdale, and not so much the place itself, that make it awful. So dear owner, no offense, I know you are catering to your clientele. These are the kind of people who ask me to pull out glowsticks when I tell them I'm a house DJ. You also play "wedding" music at your establishment. Its like a scene out of the 80's every time I go there, and not in a good way. Get with the times. This review is such as I lived at Camden for a while and did drop by for a drink here and there in the past out of necessity.
(1)Wendy L.
I went to Yolo a couple of years ago. I think I was more impressed by their decor and furniture than with the food. Sometimes I do hate when restaurant put more effort on the decor than the quality of the food. With the money you pay for the food, you force yourself to love the food so you don't feel like you were being ripped off. It's definitely not a place I will go back unless I have.
(3)Korinne J.
One of the better places to go Friday nights in trashy FTL. Fun bar and lounge area with lots of room to mingle. Nice front bar window with outdoor living area. Beware Friday nights this place is 5 deep at the bar but it is fun. I have also been here a few times during the week and it is a really nice place to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. The decor is very well done! The service is as good as can be expected when it gets busy.
(4)ALba C.
Good Music, great drinks very festive ,I always have a great time
(4)brian b.
Very hip joint. Excellent bar tenders, great specialty cocktails. Very attentive wait staff, very nice hostess staff. Nice touch with stamping the specials onto the paper table cover. Szechuan Calamari was hands down the best version of this type of dish we've had and we order it anytime we see it. The meatball sliders were also worth getting, The prime aged steak special was very good, but suprisingly not cooked as ordered. My Medium rare was Medium, and the wife's Medium was medium well. Damn shame to ruin a nice piece of meat like that. Sides were excellent, spagetti squash with ricotta was outstanding as was the herb mash. For dessert just do yourself a favor and get the bannana coconut cream pie, it's mind blowingly good.
(4)J. N.
Went to Yolo at 5:30 on a Sat. night with kids and sat outside so I can't speak for the atmosphere but... The food at Yolo was fantastic! We shared the szechuan calamari (3 of us) to start and it was tasty and delicious. I had the tuna hot pot as a main course and it was memorable. Perfectly seared tuna in a bowl over noddles and a subtle miso broth, it was just great. We didn't stay for dessert. Our waiter, Terri, got off to a shaky start but warmed up quickly. All in all, a wonderful experience.
(4)Rob C.
like a Houston's, Bandera's, etc. nice ambiance, menu sounds really good, tastes just fine apparently, the vege burger is above average
(3)Michael M.
Imagine that for some inexplicable reason, Bennigans became the new "it" spot. All the area movers and shakers lined up six deep at the door to get a chance to sample southwest egg rolls and mozzarella cheese sticks. Seriously. Yolo was packed wall to wall with faux glittery cretins and we actually had to be let through a velvet rope to see the hostess. There were literally three identical red Ferraris out front fighting for parking spaces. I'm not exaggerating. It was the funniest thing I've seen in a year. I almost felt bad for one of the guys. He fired up the convertible Ferrari, sped down to Yolo to impress and bammo, he's fighting with two other identical red Ferraris for prime fan-my-peacock-feathers real estate. Hilarious and cheeeeesy! OK, the breakdown: APPS: Calamari: OK,..overcoated with a cloyingly sweet sauce....Bennigans Mussels: OK...Bennigans Potato Chips with Bacon and Blue Cheese: Pretty good, but come on...basically potato skins at Bennigans. Did I like them? Sure, same way I would guiltily enjoy cheese dip if I ever lost my soul and went to Bennigans. ENTREES: Grouper...bad...overcooked and stringy. Could have done a much better job at home. New York Strip: nice big cut of meat. Ordered medium rare, came out medium well. Nice char, OK flavor. Side of grilled mixed veggies had an overwhelming flavor of gas from the grill. Benniganish. Wine...Au Bon Climat Pinot...good, but I'm not giving credit to Yolo for that. All in all , it was a lot of fun but the food was mediocre at best....sort of like going to the circus...a lot of glitter and desperation with food that caters to the lowest common denominator. Our cool older friends (inside joke) said it reminded them of the bar scene in Star Wars. This is the second week in a row I've been to a restaurant that is gorgeous with lousy food. I definitely have to start going to uglier restaurants. I swear to god, If this comfort food trend is basically giving a license to so-so restaurants to dish out crappy food with low quality ingredients, just shoot me in the head. It's much more comfortable on my couch and I can personally make a far better truffled mac and cheese. However.....I would definitely go back to get drinks (only) if only to enjoy the social trainwreck that is Yolo. If you want the same food without paying for the atmosphere, go to Ruby Tuesdays.
(2)Jake D.
Great scene.. good food just plain fun.
(4)Dude D.
I Don't Eat Here, But I Hang Here. I live 1/2 block from Yolo, and I come here 2-3 nights a week to hang. As a Las Olas local, I rarely eat on Las Olas as almost every place is over-priced for what you get. But, Yolo is superb for hanging around outside, and is the best social scene in FLL for anyone over 30. TIP: To avoid the crush on Fri/Sat night, cut through the bushes near the firepit and grab a seat on the sofas. Don't expect quick service on the sofas, but you won't have to negotiate the scrum near the bar area. (In fact, I've spent hours on the sofas and only ordered a diet soda for $3.) Also, the O Lounge really cranks the volume on Fri/Sat nights, so don't expect to hear the person you're talking to. But other nights it's fine.
(4)Phil B.
Burgers and sandwiches are about 12 bucks, entrees were 25 to 30. Went on a Saturday night, great scene, place was packed and we didn't have a reservation for 5. Staff was very nice and accommodating. We ended up eating outside which was cool but it didn't have the vibe or energy of inside (at least around 9:00 PM - the place was definitely getting more crowded as the night went on.). The food, though not outstanding, was above average. This place is into fire grilling and smoked meals. Bathrooms get a 10. We would definitely go back again if looking something upscale in downtown Fort Lauderdale that has a bit of a scene.
(4)A C.
This bar/club is small but hopping. The bartenders are little hotties and very nice. The scene varies based on the dj. If it is a good dj the place rocks, if not it sucks. We went on this past Friday and left after one drink, last night we shut the place down. Great dj and the scene came alive.
(4)Lindsay Y.
YOLO has been My go to Fort Lauderdale restaurant for several years now and it will continue to be as long as they keep up the good thing they have going on. My favorite menu items are: the squid salad, Tuna tar tar, Ahi tuna and the amazing French fries! Random, but all so delicious in different ways! It's also a great place to people watch and witness the crowd at the next door club, vibe. It's also in a great location on Las Olas where there is plenty to see. UPDATE: yesterday, I received some really nasty messages from two random yelpers about my review and I'm bewildered as to why total strangers would care about my personal opinion?? Please keep your negativity to yourself or in your own reviews. Thanks!
(4)Andrea N.
Had brunch here today. There were some highs and lows. We walked in and were immediately greeted and asked if we wanted indoor or outdoor seating. We chose indoor. The place was crowded, but we did not have to wait for a table. Our server came over and asked for our drink order, I got water and my friend got cappuccino. We started looking at the menu and there were some good options, but nothing that wowed me. I guess I still miss the breakfast burrito with eggs and chorizo. I decided on the quiche and my friend got the omelette of the day, it had broccoli, green peppers and cheese. I decided I wanted a brunch drink so I asked what kind of cider was available. Our server was in training so she asked the trainer, you would have thought I had insulted the trainers mother. I got a very terse "we aren't a beer bar, we serve specialty drinks" Well, this is going to be a short meal. Our food came and mine was very good, it just lacked texture. Everything was kind of mushy so it left me wanting more. My friend said the omelette was good, and really enjoyed the home fries. We left pretty quickly. It was ok. The best part of the meal was the server in training, I wish I had gotten her name so I could give her kudos.
(3)Rona K.
Rk Food was delicious. Dessert a little dry, liked baked last week. We were a big party and it was a Friday night , so service was not great. We will try again.
(3)Danielle R.
Go for bottomless mimosas on Sundays! They give you the whole bottle of champagne, not the pre-mixed stuff that Rok Burger & Big City do.
(4)Jeanne M.
This was our first visit to YOLO since our event, well over a year ago. I didn't get anything to eat that night, so was glad to get to try some of the food. This was for a party with cocktails and hor d'oeuvres. It was a Friday evening, so we figured it would be packed. It was actually not a huge crowd, which was nice. Our group has reserved a space outside, by the fire pit. Thankfully, the fire pit was not lit for ambiance, since it was quite a warm evening. First came the cocktail. I'm never sure what to order, so I went with the "seabreeze," the cocktail I had at the event. The only thing I remembered about it was that I liked it a lot and, after two of them at the event, there were some pics on my phone the next day that I didn't recall at all. Yes, I'm a lightweight, especially with no food, but the point is that they don't water down the drinks. This one was refreshingly grapefruity and just strong enough. I skipped the plate of cold cuts, as those are always standard fare. So, the first app up was a chicken sandwich. It was fairly average, except that there were real chunks of chicken instead of deli slices and the bread was quite good. Next were the meatballs with ricotta. They were big and very nicely flavored with lots of garlic. The marinara sauce was perfect. But on to the best - the Szechwan calamari with garlic chili sauce, peanuts and sesame. These were sooooo good. I could have eaten the whole chafing dish of them. They were tender on the inside, crunchy on the outside and perfectly seasoned with the sweet spicy garlic sauce. If nothing else had made me a fan, that would have done it for me. Yep, if I have another opportunity I'll be going back.
(4)Tracey K.
Came here for a first date and it was wonderful! We were seated quickly and our waiter was very understanding of my indecisiveness. He helped me choose a drink (I ended up getting the coco lychee martini - delicious) and continued to be attentive throughout the night. For the entree, I got the sauteed jumbo lump crab cakes with green apple slaw and an herb mash, while my date got the cedar-roasted salmon. To my surprise, they weren't kidding when they said jumbo lump. I could actually see and taste the crab. The slaw and mash were equally phenomenal. I think I liked my meal more than my date liked his, but overall the food and service were both fantastic.
(4)Sheena M.
This place was recommended to us by the bartender at our hotel. It was a great dining experience. Everyone's food was good, fun atmosphere, great music, nice patio, and exceptional service. Recommend dishes - calamari (must have,) and tuna tar tar
(5)Lola N.
This place is really nice. The ambience is great. We had outside seating cause in house was packed. The food here wasn't all that great. It was so crowded and the server was too busy. I was not impressed by their dragon berry cocktail at all. Over the food was ALRIGHT. My favorite was the corn dip
(3)Tairyn A.
If you are a girl, Wednesday it's the best day to come. Girl's nights are great. Free drinks until 10:00 pm, but beware, creeps do come out to play. It gets packed and most of the guys are older men on the prowl. Music it's OK, and the patio area it's great. There is also a restaurant (O Lounge) right next door. All in all a good place to hang out in downtown Ft. Lauderdale.
(3)Mr H.
Totally uninspired. Bioche French toast had as much sugar as a bag from Publix. Speaking of Publix the calamari tasted from frozen while a bottle of Asian sauce was tossed in top. Buttermilk pancakes? Not sure if anyone on the kitchen knows what they are. Couldn't add enough syrup for two reasons one being a fly took to nesting in the serving cup Overall bad choice for brunch
(2)Alyssa K.
I hadn't stepped foot in this place in about 2 years or so and recently popped back in for a late night drink-forgot how much I enjoyed it. Like I said-it was late when we went in-kind of near close, around 1:20 and last call was 2. No big deal, we didn't get crap for ordering anything. $14-16 got us a STRONG vodka martini and a VERY large pour of wine. Like a LARGE glass. I ordered chardonnay but got pinot grigio-but in retrospect it was a happy accident because I didn't ask for a wine list and I'm VERY picky with my Chards. Drank my large pour of wine and was nice and happy considering that wasn't drink #1 of the night, and the bartender was super friendly. The bar is half in and half outside, which is kind of the trend downtown which I like. The kitchen had clearly closed by this point in the night but I have mental notes to come back and try their brunch here, I'm told they have good deals and good food fireside. I think a few years ago when the trend of 18 year old screaming "YOLO" and doing stupid crap was popular has passed, and this place opened around the same time. It's actually offputting with the vibe of this place, seeing as if I yelped this place seeing the name I likely would try somewhere else, but the vibe is so awesome inside and out if you're walking by. I honestly see the name of the place being changed to something a little classier in a couple years. But it's a nice place to go for drinks/brunch/a low key night out.
(4)Kimberly K.
This place was recommended to us by a few different people. So glad we listened! We went on a fairly busy Friday but were seated right away (we did make a reservation). Had a great table outside on the patio. The music playing was really good and the atmosphere was fun. The calamari is a MUST. Probably the best I have ever had. Also tried the Skillet Cornbread which was a huge portion and tasted okay, but I've had much better. The Rotisserie Greek Chicken was delicious. Definitely worth checking this place out.
(4)Rebecca U.
Showed up here on a Friday night with no reservation. Place was packed, assumed it would be impossible to get a table. Surprisingly they had availability outside, it was a beautiful night, slightly chilly but they had heaters so we decided to try it. The view with the fire pit and white lights overhead was really pretty. The outside bar was packed, and our table was in perfect position to take it all in. The waiter came and took drink orders and told us about the specials. We asked various questions about the menu and the waiter was very familiar with all the items. He returned shortly with the drinks and we ordered. One of the specials, which we ordered, was Sole Poppiette baked and served in parchment paper. The other entree we ordered, highly recommended by the waiter was the Short Rib Polenta. We also ordered a chopped salad to split. They split the salad in the kitchen, which must be huge because it was more than enough when served on 2 plates. Each entree was delicious...the sole was really light and flavorful. The Short Rib was more hearty, especially as served with the polenta, very rich but equally as delicious! The entire dinner was very enjoyable and satisfying. After dinner we sat at the inside bar enjoying an after dinner drink. The decor inside is impressive with sort of a zen feel. The night was great I'm happy we chose to come here. My one issue, and why I didn't give 5 stars, I found the drinks to be overpriced for what you get. Small drinks, barely 1 shot of vodka, for $9 (non premium) I know it's downtown Fort Lauderdale Las Olas, but it's annoying. I would recommend it but just be prepared to pay for overpriced cocktails.
(4)Ken S.
Visited during Dine Out Fort Lauderdale. One of the best menus offered. I had the Meatball Slider to start, the Chicken entre and carrot cake for dessert. Everything was exceptionally delicious. Service was also excellent. Will visit again soon.
(4)Tonia C.
I gave YOLO four stars for drinks and atmosphere. The patio is fantastic, very romantic. The whole venue had great vibes as many places on Las Olas do. However I think the food was more of a 3 star. My boyfriend said his prime rib was delicious; however, lots of fat so he ended up cutting about 50% off. The salad was great because I love everything chopped up small and it was HUGE. I barely made a dent in it. The Macaroni and cheese was good but nothing special like most places offer these days and I would probably skip next time. The highlight of our meal was the appetizer, blue cheese truffle YOLO chips. They were FANTASTIC. Overall, I was no impressed with the vegetarian options but the atmosphere, chips, and drinks made up for it. We both felt the cocktails were good and very strong and no more pricey than usual places (about $10 for specialty drinks). The valet was $7.
(4)M L.
Good Sunday brunch spot to meet up with friends $15 bottomless mimosas I love the eggs benedict
(5)Camille G.
This place is really good for Sunday brunch. We started off with unlimited mimosas and calamari. Calamari sauce was too sweet. Wish it were on the side. Mimosas were perfect because the give the bottle and a side of OJ for you to fix to your liking. I ordered the snapper sandwich and it was amazing! Definitely going back for that one soon!
(4)Betu R.
Great food, ambiance but poor service. They rushed us from the first to second course by bringing the food while we were clearly still working on the appetizer, and every time we asked our server for something was like she was doing us a favor. Other than that, the food was amazing. We were four and shared the grilled artichokes as a starter, then we had the spinach salad, the bbq ribs, the salmon burger and a sandwich with arugula, avocado grilled chicken and tomato. The cocktails are great too, we had strawberry kiss and strawberry caipirinha. Overall a lovely experience.
(4)Daniel D.
Note: I did not eat here as I have heard the food is not worth the money. I visited on a Friday night, and it was pretty easy to find a spot on the sofas outdoors. After sitting down, even though the place was pretty busy we got a server to help us pretty quick. In addition the prices of the drinks are not outrageous and they are at about 10 dollars per drink. With good music, nice scene, it is a great place to grab a drink.
(4)Reixa C.
5/6/15- Pretty busy evening. Fortunately, as soon as we walked in the hostess took care of us. We sat outside in the patio underneath the lights. Other than the building all around us, it felt like we were at a restaurant in Napa Valley. Our waiter Nick was friendly and very attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. We ordered a glass of the Groth, Sauvignon Blanc. For my entrée, I ordered the CORIANDER-SEAWEED CRUSTED TUNA / Shiitake-Miso Broth / Baby Bok Choy / Kimchi / Noodles $27. The presentation was a little overwhelming. It was served in the pan that it was cooked in. It really would of been cool if I could of taken it home. My friend has the CRISPY WHOLE FISH / Yellowtail Snapper / Spicy Ginger Garlic Sauce / Jasmine Rice MKT. I had a bite and it was absolutely delicious. It was an early night so we skipped on dessert. I might have to go back to try them out. One thing that I can say as far as seating outside was the benches are super hard, even with the cushions (they have to be redone), and they are low. If you have a group, this is a great place for it. Most of the tables outside had parties of 6 or more. It has a great vibe and atmosphere. Service was outstanding, very friendly staff, and that is always a plus!
(4)Nicole V.
I've dined at Yolo several times so I'm not sure why I've never reviewed it. The pros: great setting inside and out. The food- I've never had anything bad here. My favorite app is the calamari and they do a nice lunch. On my latest visit, we ordered the calamari and meatball sliders. I just wish they would make a turkey meatball! The cons: service is hit or miss especially when sitting outside for cocktails. Sometimes the clientele but maybe that's a pro because it makes for interesting people watching. When on Las Olas, you must stop here and Ladies, check them out on Wednesdays with free drinks and 1/2 off apps.
(4)Mike K.
Great Friday night out! Three of us shared appetizers before Dinner. Szechuan Calamari was delicious. Artichokes were done perfectly. The wine flowed with ease. For dinner I had Manhattan Steak. It was 2 inches thick, medium rare, and juicy! I can't wait to go back!
(4)Jolie A.
I came in for a quick appetizer and a drink before with my cousin before going over to the bar next door, as usual the Tuna tartar didn't disappoint. The fish was fresh and the wafer cracker was just the perfect pair. The corn bread was a disaster; very dry and quite bland.
(3)Alexii N.
This place has good mixed drinks, and pretty decent food. I feel as though it is not good enough for me to want to go for dinner, but I would totally come here for lunch. As I said, good drinks- the strawberry martini is great and they use fresh strawberries. As far as ambiance, there is a decently trendy decor, and list of outdoor seating as well. As I said, good for drinks at night or for lunch.
(3)Shannon L.
This was the first time eating inside the restaurant - for lunch. Had a reservation with a group so no wait to get seated even though they were fairly busy. They stamp their specials on a flier on the table - novel concept but delivery by seater/greeter a little sloppy (bottom part of the stamp was on a separate paper as it was slightly skewed). They were busy for lunch but the waiter gave us the specials verbally and took our order quickly. After that it was slow going. Took awhile for the food to get there. The burgers looked good around the table - with string fries (yum). The trout special looked good altho the mashed potatoes were green (I actually thought it was guacamole at first, before realizing it was just the color). I had the carbonara, altho plated nicely it was just meh.
(3)Antineous R.
I came in on Thursday evening after having flown into town! Hadn't been here in a few years but the food and drinks were just as good as I remembered. Had to have the center cut filet with some fries and potato au gratin which tasted amazing!!! Paired that with some whiskey on the rocks and a couple more drinks in the back after dinner! The waiter was great and the food came out quickly even though they were swamped. I'd definitely recommend yolo to anyone whose visiting the area and wants to enjoy a nice dinner and a few drinks, as I mentioned I had some drinks in the back, there's a small lounge attached to yolo that serves top shelf liquor and has a live dj that plays late into the night. If you enjoy cars you'll definitely appreciate all the Lambos, Bentleys, and Ferarris parked outside!
(4)Erionna J.
I never write bad reviews and feel slightly bad for doing so but I want my voice my opinion. I wanted to come here on my birthday, I'm vegan and I checked out the menu online and saw there was a vegan Burger so I chose this place made a reservation and went there with about 6 other girls. The place is beautiful inside and out and I love the fire pit I had been wanting to go here for quite a while once I was seated I requested the vegan burger I seen online and they said they no longer serve it and that there was no other options on the menu for me other then a salad so I asked if there was maybe just a dish with veggies and rice or something they could make and they said no so I decided to leave and go to Rocco's tacos instead. So basically my only complaint is I wish they had a menu that also catered to vegetarians/vegans or at least offer to make something that's not on the menu since every restaurant I've went to has offered and this waiter didn't seem to think the chef would do it, it just kinda delayed the fun on my birthday because we had to all jump in our cars and head to the next restaurant, overall though the place has great decor and atmosphere just hope they think of extending the menu to make it more vegetarian friendly.
(2)Aline D.
I took my gf there for her bday. The food was okay. I don't remember neither of us being blown away by anything, and it was a bit pricey.
(3)Dee F.
I came here around 10:30 on a Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. We didn't make reservations, so it took about 30 min to seat our party of 8. (Which wasn't that long of a wait for a Saturday night.) While we waited for our table, we sat outside by the bar to people watch. That's always fun. ;) Once our table was ready, we were greeted by a very friendly staff. I ordered a Strawberry C....., I can't recall the full name of the drink and I don't feel like looking it up, lol---but it was amazing!!!! Nice and sweet just like me! The food was good--which was a great surprise since the reviews weren't all that positive. After dinner, we hit the dance floor. The DJ played a variety of different music. Primarily house music. Just one slight hiccup: I told my waiter that someone in my party was celebrating a birthday, and he never followed up with me. That was a bummer, but not a big deal. For that, minus one star. I shall return YOLO!
(4)Chris C.
It's true...YOLO..You Only Live Once...and before you die, if you are in the Las Olas area, you have to try this place. The Food-amazingly tasty. The Service-kind and attentive. The Decor-trendy and classy. The Atmosphere-Cool, relaxing and hip. **Note: Great place for a classy date. You know, someone that deserts your time and money. So, check it...I ordered the SZECHUAN CALAMARI, which was a good spin on calamari, it was really tasty. I also ordered the T'S PRIME RIB, which was really good and for dessert I got the coffee ice cream sandwiches-SO GOOD!!! This place is a cool joint to eat at...NICE...I'll definitely come back!!!
(4)Lyda F.
We went on a date night to yolo and I must say everything from the start was amazing. We sat at the bar while we waited for a table and had some very good drinks and when we sat down which was about 20 min later which was not terrible for a Friday night at all we were greeted by our waiter who was so attentive. We ordered some champagne and I ordered a steak with some mash because I'm a meat and potatoes kind of gal and it was soooooo delicious! The portions were big and I could not finish the whole thing, the waiter was always very attentive and never did we have to call for him because he was always coming by to refill out champagne. I thought the prices were good for the kind of service and good received. They offer valet parking, the atmosphere was quite lively and very loud.
(5)Catalina P.
I been there ones with my co-workers and we had a great experience. The server was great and the food was awesome. We try that tree of cocktails and was delicious .. I like it
(5)A P.
Visited yolo for the first time last Tuesday when I was on vacation with my girlfriend. The food, the atmosphere was so nice. We ordered the calamari which was AMAZINGLY and such a breathe of fresh air from the typical calamari. It was sweet with a hint of spicy. Then we split a chopped salad with grilled shrimp and the porterhouse with the potatoes au gratin. It was cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. My friend and I were in food coma by the time we were done. I ordered a drink the cucumber refresher (?) I think it was. It was good and nice and strong. Coming back to Fort Lauderdale in the fall and I will definitely be visiting yolo again!
(5)Andrew K.
Pretty disgusting brunch. I really hated the tuna tartare - the avocado was overripe and hard at the same time. The omelet tasted like it had been sitting out. I didn't like anything, cheesy name included.
(1)John C.
Valet parking. $7 with validation. Walked right in without a reservation on a Thursday night. Got a table on the patio. Service was very friendly. We started with the calamari. It was awesome. Perfectly crisp on the outside. Sauce was very tasty. I ordered the prime rib sandwich. Not my best decision. Too much ciabatta bread and the swiss cheese overwhelmed the flavor of the meat. The prime rib came sliced and was very good by itself, which is how I ended up eating it. My friend ordered the salmon and it looked delicious.
(3)Erica M.
This place had really good food. The staff was very helpful and friendly. I ordered the crab cakes which was awesome. My friends order salmon and steaks. They all like their food. One of my friends order the calamari that looks oh so good. She felt that it was not the best she ever had and did not eat it. She stated that it had an after taste. The only thing I did not like about this place was the floors where very slippery. We all had on heels.
(4)Courtney C.
Good food, not mind blowingly amazing. Great bloody Mary's, but more expensive then they seem worth. Fun to check out every once and awhile because of the atmosphere and fire pits but not cool enough to spend the money on too often. Would rather go to tap 42.
(3)Pascual O.
A perfect location and great happy hour specials keep this place packed every day. The daily crowd seems to be mostly bankers and lawyers taking a break from long hours in the nearby offices, not to mention a few people who just like parking their Ferraris in the valet section for all Las Olas to see. On Thursdays and Fridays, there's usually also a crowd of people starting a night on Las Olas here. The outdoor space is probably the best part: there's a bonfire when it's cold (well, cold for Florida), some shade, and good seating. And the drinks are pretty good, with a decent wine list and well-mixed cocktails. Food-wise, you can't go wrong with the sliders or the calamari (my personal favorite), both of which have very reasonable happy-hour pricing. The pasta carbonara is a solid meal, as are their fish sandwiches. And be sure to ask for their fries, which are addictive.
(4)Marie O.
This place is seriously overpriced and their drinks have gotten smaller! They used to serve their drinks in larger glasses, but now they only serve them in smaller ones that are half the size. I think you're better off going to one of the dozens of other bars and lounges in the area.
(2)Katherine M.
The atmosphere and name were what got us interested here. It's really nice and well kept - but seriously, I haven't really been to much in Florida that lacks in atmosphere. Service was good, but I did watch a couple spill a glass of wine and a waiter completely and utterly ignore it. They had to flag a different guy down to help. We started with some cocktails - they are strong here, they definitely don't hold back on the liquor inside. But, they were mostly just sugary concoctions with exotic sounding flavors that didn't deliver. They were OK drinks. Not something I would come back for. We were eating an early dinner before catching a flight so kept it light with the YOLO chips and the meatball sliders and mac and cheese.The YOLO chips were yummy and a good appetizer for sharing. You taste the truffle which is a nice touch. The meatball sliders on the other hand were lacking - they missed the 'meatball quality' in that the meat had nothing to hold it together and it crumbed as if it was just ground meat kind of formed into a ball. The mac and cheese lacked in any sharpness or cheese flavor - well cooked, but mostly a buttery, creamy flavor, like buttered noodles with a really, mild cheese almost. Not my thing personally. The consensus for their food is that it's good, but no where near as good as it sounds on the menu. Who ever did their menu copy is brilliant at making my mouth water, but their food doesn't live up to the amazing words that describe it. What did go above and beyond was the fresh berries dessert. Served with a key lime custard and warm pound cake, it was BEYOND amazing. We could have just came and had like 3-4 of those. We will be coming back here for dessert because that dessert alone is worth coming for again and again.
(3)Lisa M.
Calamari was fantastic but the service was slow due to a few parties going on! Drinks were tasty too!
(4)Larry J.
Great place to eat--Sunday brunch is the best. Be careful that the Mimosas do not sneak up on you. Order the Shrimp and Grits if you go on Sunday. The waiting staff is professional and accommodating. If your travels ever bring you to Ft. Lauderdale, then, visit Las Olas for a great time. Happy hour commences in the afternoon's-Mon to Fri-after 4:30 ish. I hope this short narrative helps.
(5)Phuong M.
Happy hour, ladies night! ;) Best day to go here is Wednesday night right after work. Free drinks and buy one get one everything on the menu. One of the perks of being a lady. ^_^ The food is pretty average. Nothing stands out but nothing to complain about either. I've ordered food there on several occasions, but I don't remember anything about it. I'll have to rewrite this review when I actually eat here again and remember what the food taste like.
(3)Mindy B.
Great brunch! Unlimited mimosas and on Sunday's there's a farmers market set up in the parking lot. Definitely try the artichoke appetizer...one of the only places that serves it in town.
(4)NB K.
It's good to be young when visiting this restaurant. It's loud and lively, with an active bar scene, music, crowd. Good for people watching. And, the food is quite good. The service was tops. But a bunch of old fogies like us do not belong here. The air conditioning was too cold, although the manager and server tried to help. My mother and I shared our dishes. The kitchen kindly split the chopped salad (very large portion and VERY good), but were unable to do so for the braised beef and polenta. They unflinchingly provided us with sufficient plates to split our meal. The meat was tender and good -- except for a few outside edges, which were dried out and tougher than we were able to chew. The polenta served with it was delicious. The building is terrific -- the bar is inside/outside, and surrounded by fire pits. The ladies' room was tucked away, nearly impossible to find, as one young, inebriated lady found out. We did not leave hungry, by any means, but we did have headaches. So much for cranky old ladies. The youngsters among you will thoroughly enjoy this venue.
(3)Emmett M.
I surprised my GF with a dinner here while on Vacation on Valentines Day. Everything was great. I ran a little bit late getting to the restaurant due to that dam drawbridge and annoying traffic on Las Olas Blvd. The girls at the front took care of us even though I was 20 minutes late. We had a couple drinks at the bar while waiting for the table to be ready. I had ordered one dozen roses that were delivered to the restaurant. I emailed the manager there beforehand to let them know. As we arrived to the table the staff had them waiting for us on the table and it was a really nice touch. Our waitress was real nice. We decided to pretty much order every appetizer they have and try a bit of everything. The meat ball sliders were amazing. The tuna tartare, fire roasted corn dip and szechuan calamari were great. After a couple more drinks we called it a night. It was a great Valentines Day Dinner and YOLO made it even better!
(5)Sherry W.
Wednesday is ladies night which includes free wine, beer, and alcohol. Plus ladies get but one get one free appetizers. You must sit by fire pit or bar area. I had the meatball sliders which are topped with ricotta and arugula and served on a Bun for $4 each. The meat looked like turkey because it's white. It had good flavor. I also had the skillet cornbread topped with a honey glaze. It us a large serving for 4 people. It was warm and sweet! Service was ok considering it was free drinks. Easy to talk outside. Get there before 6:30 to get seats.
(4)Jim K.
I went here with my wife, best friend and his wife a few months ago while staying at the Riverside hotel. The place was expensive and busy. That's about all I can say bad about this place. The location is great. I had a prime rib that was insane. It was huge and tasted incredible. Everyone else in the group had the same sentiment. That the portion was great and the flavor was magnificent. The service was good. Not the best I have experienced, but for a Saturday night they were doing quite well. We weren't in a rush, and were enjoying drinks. So the wait may have been somewhat long, but we didn't notice it. I think if you were to go during the week, you'd probably find that it's a bit more empty and quieter.
(4)N. B.
I've been coming to YOLO for 5 years but since last December I've given up on this place. At first this place was fresh and new and the food was delicious. In Winter I would love it when they had the tomato basil soup. But my favorite was their vegetarian burger which was great. However over the years the service has seriously declined. They have always chosen to staff this place with very attractive young women (okay, because it looks like they are going after a specific clientele of only men. Fine) But it often seems like there is a new face every week and they don't often know what they are doing. Last time I went with a friend and even though we had a reservation we wanted to sit outside. We were informed its an additional 45 minute wait and we were okay with that. We told them we would wait at the bar. An hour and fifteen minutes later, no one had said a word to us so we finally went up to them. They told me they had tried to call my cell phone 30 minutes ago--but they NEVER asked for my cell phone and actually didn't have it on me---so who were they calling?!! However they gave the table away and now it was ANOTHER 45 MINUTES . At this point we had waited 1 and half hours so we were pretty PO'd. Especially since we are regulars and we know the usual routine. This was Bullshit and we knew it. They forgot about us and were pushing us aside hoping we didn't notice how badly they were covering their tracks. So we asked for a manager, who came pretty promptly. To his credit he apologized immediately and found an outside table asap. (So there was one available after all...) But to continue to add to the horror of an evening-- they had no more vegetarian entrees on their menu. Turns out they decided to take them all off. NOTHING. At this point my stomach was eating itself out of extreme hunger (it was now past 10 pm) I tried to work with them to get something to eat, as it was too late to go anywhere else on las olas (places were closing and we were waiting for dinner since 8 pm). They did have a vegetarian burger, they now only served it for lunch and would not be able to make it for me for dinner. It was a little upsetting considering what we had already been through. So the night was a complete and utter disaster. I really did like this place, even though they are many other equally great places on Las Olas. I do hope one day they get their service back up to their prior standards and put at least one vegetarian entree back on the menu.
(2)Carlos L.
Great menu and flavors. We had a business meeting here so the menu was prearranged for us., with only 3 options. This place is happening, 'come here to be seen' kinda place. Feels very LA (lambo's, ferrari's, plastic surgery, Botox, D&G bags, suits, etc). It's pretentious but not MIA pretentious. The decor is great, nice ambiance. At this price point, patron attitude and parking headache there are many other places I'd consider going to, specially in Miami/Bal Harbor, with a much higher caliber of culinary skills. Would I come again? Oh yes Would I say, let's have a great expensive dinner at YOLO? Probably not
(4)Leighton M.
We started off with the calamari..... It's was sooo good. Get the calamari!!!!! WOW. I had the prime rib... Well done. Best steak I've had in years. I might just go back tonight. We also had the snapper. The fish was good but the rice was a little under cooked. Service A++++
(4)Bonnie F.
Went there on Mother's Day with a party of 14 with an 8:00 PM reservation. They ran out of bread, filet and Prime rib. They tried to serve 1/2 portion "Manhattan Steak" as a top cut steak. When we spoke to the manager about ordering 5 of these Manhattan steaks and they looked like 2 oz steaks. He was insulting. Food was definitely not worth it not was the service. No problem paying for good quality food. I would have been embarrassed to serve these portions. Ruined our Mother's Day dinner. Shame on you YOLO! Only put one star because you don't allow a ZERO rating!
(1)David Z.
Gorgeous day out looking forward to a Cesar salad with shrimp. The dressing is very lemony which is very refreshing. The shrimp are blackened which gives s nice contrast with the salad.
(5)Ira B.
Burgers: hall of fame caliber!! Amazing thin cut fries. Wine is yummy too! Leah, our server was great!
(5)Annie B.
I am not one to complain, unless I am paying for a service and get less than I paid for. A friends of mines have been wanting to visit this establishment for quite some while and decided to celebrate her birthday here last night. We were seated in a timely matter given that fact that some of our part of 10+ was couple minutes late, however, while the food was exceptional, the service was less than expected, it took our server (Alice) over 30 minutes to bring us our drinks, mind you we asked for a glass of water each as we took time to check out the menu. After we endured the horrible service or having to wait a lengthily amount of time for our orders or request from Alice who looked OUT OF IT (she looked as though she can barely keep her eyes open), we decided that they did not deserve out business and we wanted to go elsewhere for drinks/dessert. At approximately 10pm we asked for our checks (separately) she emphasize with a very rude attitude the our checks were going to take a "VERY LONG TIME." At that moment the Birthday girl reached out for the manager Patrick who has been hanging around (female only) tables around us personally greeting and checking on them, he totally ignored her. When out checks came an hour later it was totally screwed up.. Not one of the check was correct according to our orders. When she finally corrected out checks we went to find Patrick who had completely vanished from our area once he walked out one of the tables. Luckily we encountered Lance, another manager, who was a complete sweetheart, to whom after explaining the situation voided the birthday girls check. I cannot say I will be returning to this establishment again, but Lance was more than apologetic and kind. My only suggestion is if you know you have so many reservations and you're expecting so many visitors, as a customer based establishment, hire enough staff to provide the service the clients are paying for. We were happy with Lance and happy with our food, but very disappointing with the service by Alice and Patrick.
(2)Paula C.
Perfect food I ordered the Manhattan steak perfect portion. My boyfriend ordered short ribs they were yummy. We ordered the Devils hammer and it was a very good, well garnished drink. Unfortunately, rude customer service from host even my boyfriend noticed as if I was annoyance to her for asking for a table for two, didn't feel welcomed at all. Your host is an important part of your restaurant. Server was okay. Giving it a try again soon because we really liked the food.
(2)Roberto B.
I was treated here to lunch by an Employer but still I got a good idea of the place from examining my surroundings (juxtaposed against earlier kudos I heard from my new Lauderdale work colleagues). For one thing, it is popular, we luckily had reservations or I don't think we would have been sat for at least 30 minutes. For another, one of my bosses ran into a bevy of his clients - so you know for the well-heeled this is a good place to rub shoulders. I opted for the veggie burger and swapped fries to a house coleslaw that included slivers of granny smith apples - it's hard to pick which was better; they were both pretty yummy. Other diners who ordered burgers seemed to have a decent pile of home made french fries heaped on their plate. Our waitress was attentive, smiley and quick on replacing ice teas and waters. In short, it reminded me a bit like Houstons, only a little snobbier but balanced out by the fact that my veggie burger (which was ample) was only $10.00. It's right across the street from where I work so I'll definitely go back.
(4)Adam B.
Food was delicious we went here for brunch the bottomless mimosas is a deal for anyone! I had the eggs Benedict florentine which was to die for it was the most perfectly poached egg! My girlfriend had the cornflake crusted brioche French toast and it was so good but so filling! I would recommend going here for brunch.
(4)Heather D.
We stopped in to enjoy a drink on the beautiful patio at the end of the night. What a mistake! Service was awful! The staff was rude and the bartender was condescending. I get it, I used to be a bartender. It was the end of the night, you're ready to close, and you're tired of dealing with drunk people. But WE weren't drunk and we certainly weren't rude.
(2)Gosia C.
Very good food! My highest recommendations. We were 8 persons and everybody were satisfied! From salad to ribs, all food just great!
(4)Rhonda B.
Yolo's food is always delicious. You can't beat the price either. Great happy hour and Sunday brunch specials!
(5)Holly S.
Went 5.25.14 for brunch. I am a huge fan of brunch in general and Yolo offers a pretty good one I must say. The brunch menu includes your basic items such as omelets, pancakes and french toast as well as some lunch options. Today's special was quiche and that is what I ended up getting. Mind you, I weighed 4 lbs heavier when I got home however that might have something to do with the $15 unlimited Bloody Marys. The quiche has to be one of the best I have ever had. Made with bacon and Gruyere cheese (plus a delicious flaky crust). The bloody Marys you can make to your liking and includes horseradish if you like (I used the entire serving of it). The food and service were both great (thank you Seth!) however one small (minor) complaint. Outside it was about 90 degrees. They had the fire pit turned on which made it extremely uncomfortable in the outside bar area. We ended updating inside because thereat was just too much outside. I would definitely come back again for much here.
(4)Krystle R.
I love Yolo! Cool name, good food, amazing honey butter cornbread, calamari, fries! My gripes about this place is that there is a certain time they offer the cornbread (after 3 pm I think). And NO BABY CHANGER area in the bathroom. Ugh! I have to place a pad on the sink and angle my baby diagonal to fit. Can us moms (and dads) get a baby changer please? Alyssa the hostess just got me a reservation and reserved a cornbread for me! Yolo anytime I can :)
(4)Sandra O.
YOLO is a happening place full of people at the bar and restaurant. We were looking for a more low key place so we didn't really enjoy the atmosphere. However, I can see it is good for a younger crowd or those wanting to meet people or just be around a lively place. The food was good either way and the service was great.
(3)Monika H.
This is a beautiful restaurant which is attached to a nice nightclub. Wednesdays are ladies nights, so come early or there will be no room at the bar. Dress to impress, but cute strappy sandals or heels will do for the restaurant. Service is good. However, the hostess did not greet me and I basically had to interject and ask for a table. I found this odd since there was no line. She was just conversing with co-workers. Once seated, my server was very nice. I had the strawberry kiss beverage. It was good. If you like drinks to not be too sweet, this is a great one. I also had the burger with kale instead of fries. Now this was delicious. The burger has an excellent flavor from the grill. The kale was also very delicious. I would highly recommend this dish. The half I took home was still phenomenal the following day. Because of the hostess, I almost rated my experience three stars. However, the remainder of the staff were nice and complimentary. Flattery will get you four stars when a girl is dining alone.
(4)Shelby V.
Definitely in the pricey side but great atmosphere and service. No complaints about the food either. I would recommend the calamari
(5)Lisa A.
Came here last night for a birthday dinner and I was impressed with everything. The atmosphere is very modern and comfortable. Service was excellent and last but not least, the food was delicious. We had a good sized group the, so I got to sample a lot of the dishes. Nothing was disappointing. We had the calamari and the truffle chips for appetizers. Both dishes were perfect. My mahi mahi fish sandwich, though a tad salty, was tasty. The side of mashed potatoes were super good! For dessert I ordered the pumpkin cheesecake. It was very fresh and satisfied my sweet tooth! We had a great time and I will definitely recommend Yolo!
(4)Austin P.
Excellent atmosphere. The bottomless bloody Mary's are awesome because they bring you all the ingredients and you make your own at your table. The French Toast is worth the trip from ANYWHERE! A definite MUST if you visit there. Friendly staff, excellent service, good prices, and the quality of food will have me coming back when I'm in Ft. Lauderdale
(5)Marc G.
All around very good place to eat. Here on valentine's. Had the yellow snapper. Very large fish, done to perfection. Waitress was kind and quick. Great date night and not too expensive at all.
(4)Henry K.
Came for Saturday night dinner with friends from out of state who were heading out on a cruise the next day. We made a reservation online for 7:15 (Hey, we are not 30 somethings anymore. Nor 40 somethings for that matter). We arrived early and asked the hostess if we could have dinner outside. While we waited we had drinks on the terrace. Service was prompt and attentive, drinks were tasty, and the people watching was superb! We were seated at 7:40, a bit late for our reservation, but we did request that change to an outdoor table. Our server was a bit grumpy and not very professional. She must have forgotten our appetizer order, since we had to ask her about it after 15-20 minutes or so, and our mains arrived 3 minutes after the appetizer. She didn't even apologize! It was their "famous" truffle potato chips which we shared like a side dish. Not really impressed with them, will try something else next time. Dinner, however was really yummy. Around the table we had the crab cakes, short ribs, salmon and tuna. We all loved our dinners (except the tasteless au gratin potato side). After lots of, "you have to taste this" I can state that they were all wonderful. The location, on Las Olas Boulevard, was really hopping when we finished dinner. There was a private party in their lounge/night club next door, and I have never seen so many luxury cars on the valet line (only $7 by the way) Bentleys, Rolls' and Porches all over the place. All in all, it was a wonderful evening (enough to make us forget about grumpy server girl) with great food, at a trendy place filled with "the beautiful people". PS Even though our group's ages ranged from late 50's to mid 60's we never felt like, nor treated like, we did not belong.
(4)Jason B.
We ate here on a Wednesday at 6pm. Was filled with downtown workers having drinks after work. Wasn't too crowded and not too loud to have a conversation. We were seated immediately as I'd made a reservation. Service was 5 stars-our server stayed on top of getting refills of our drinks perfectly. He was polite and courteous. couldn't have been better. The food wasn't that great. We started with fried calamari. When it came out, it was covered in several sauces that completely overwhelmed the taste of the calamari. we only at about half of it as it was far to greasy and saucy. I had the prime rib sandwich with shoestring fries. It was ok, but I would expect a better presentation for $19. My date had the spinach salad. it was huge but again was left half eaten due to an overwhelming drenching of salad dressing that covered the taste of the salad. I would not return for dinner at this place, maybe for drinks though. The good service doesn't make up for the unappetizing food.
(2)Rachel S.
This review is for the Wednesday Ladies Nights that are happening lately. I have been to Yolo a number of times recently; for birthday parties and other events. I always enjoyed the outdoor ambience, music, lighting, firepit, but just felt it was a bit too "touristy" Tonight it felt more like it was for the locals. I joined a party for Laidies night. There were many options of complimentary drinks for ladies and "buy one, get one free" for appetizers and entrees. The white wine was an excellent even though it was on the house. Served in proper wine glasses and with excellent service. For appetizers we tried: TRUFFLED YOLO CHIPS / Homemade Potato Chips / Truffle / "Maytag" Blue Cheese / Herbs / Crumbled Bacon -meh- not great SZECHUAN CALAMARI / Garlic Chili Sauce / Chopped Peanuts / Sesame- a bit too sweet and saucy GRILLED ARTICHOKES / Lemon Aioli Dipping Sauce -Best artichokes I've ever eaten. They were grilled perfectly. The sauce complemented it superbly. I would order this every time from now on. SKILLET CORNBREAD / Served Warm / Honey-Butter Glaze- A much larger portion than we anticipated. Fresh, tasty, and so much that we shared it with the people sitting nearby TUNA SASHIMI / Cucumber / Seaweed Salad / Edamame / Wasabi Cream-Glad I listened to the waitress and ordered the larger dish. It was really good. Overall, we had good outside service considering how busy it was. The dishes were good; the artichokes were outstanding. The prices were great (of course) The complementary wine was very good. There were also well drinks and domestic beer available. Glad YOLO has found a way to make Wednesday nights on Las Olas fun.
(4)Debi C.
Friendly, accommodating, our server was FANTASTIC and all the food was delicious! Came here by chance after being insulted and disrespected down the street at Mangos. What a blessing- the menu was better; atmosphere much nicer and the staff was friendly and professional . Great experience!
(5)Alexia S.
Great place for brunch Bottomless mimosas The corn flake French toast is the best I've ever had in my lifetime and I highly recommend it !! I would have given 5 stars but the service was not too great. Just getting a cup of coffee took more then it should have Will return :)
(4)Wivyan F.
The expensive bill we paid last night was not worthy. Place is still awesome but the food is not good anymore. No seasoning, no taste whatsoever. Service was great though.
(2)Sierra S.
Upscale trendy bar and restaurant, food is okay nothing special. In close proximity to other bars and lounges so great location to hop from place to place. Went for a first date was very nice romantic ambiance.
(3)Nathan N.
I went down town Wednesday and decided to give YOLO a try, and I was more then pleased. My server Cami gracefully explained the nightly specials of witch my friend and I shared the calamari (exceptional). As for our meals we chose from the menu, she the Crab cakes, and I and Exceptionally prepared Filet. The food was well executed but the attentive service is why I'll be back. Thank you Cami.
(5)Jorge Q.
I have nothing but good things about the experience I had. We were celebrating our anniversary with my wife and that is the kind of pace we were looking for. Food was excellent and the services was great. Very nice people!!! We had a reservations so it took less than 10 seconds to be seated and the place was packed.
(5)Gina P.
Don't let the douchey name fool you- this place has amazing food. I've only had drinks at Yolo and typically avoided it as its normally cougar town but decided to give it a try for dinner when we had company in town. We got a few apps mussels, yolo chips, and calamari. The calamari was the best we ever had. It was covered in Thai flavored sauce and super crispy. The mussels and yolo chips were great too. For my dinner I had the grilled octopus salad. Delicious flavors of grilled octopus, tomatoes, and goat cheese. excited to try their brunch next!
(4)Andrew V.
I may not be a fan of the name I'm definitely a fan of the place. YOLO is a semi-upscale place. It's ok to wear jeans, however, it has something about that makes me want to look my best when I'm there. The indoor/outdoor bar was great. The drinks will knock you off your seat, that's how strong they are. The Strawberry kiss was my favorite. What I enjoyed most is that you can tell they used fresh ingredients to make it. It truly tasted like a strawberry, not a strawberry from concentrate. The outdoor seating area was great. It was cozy and intimate. It's the perfect atmosphere to sit and have a nice conversation with someone, but not be drowned out by the noise of traffic and pedestrians. I'm still thinking about my dinner at this moment. I ordered barbeque pork chop. Talk about a pork chop. I ordered it medium and it was cooked to perfection. The sauce was sweet, but not so sweet that it took over the taste of the meat. The collard greens were perfect and the corn brulee was out of this world. I would go back specifically for that side itself. The service was great. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly. For being busy, we received our food quickly and accurately. I loved it here. I can't wait to go back. It's the perfect place for a group gathering, a single night at the bar or a place to take a date for a romantic night.
(5)Kunal C.
We had two variations of their signature Martinis at the bar while waiting for our table. The martinis were well balanced and did not take very long to bee brought out. To start we had the yolo chips. They were average, we wish we ordered the calamari instead. The Yolo veggie burger was very flavorful and seemed fresh. The shoe string fries complimented it well. Best dish we had here. I had the fish of the day (mahi mahi), it was good but wish I ordered the veggie burger. I would go back again! The overall experience was good.
(4)Mac W.
I had almost given up finding decent food in Fort Lauderdale until I came to YOLO. Really quality food and taste great. Had the homemade chips, spinach salad and my friend ate the vegetable plate. And the service was awesome. Worth a trip back here sometime.
(4)Mary Kate S.
What a great Sunday brunch. Sara the hostess was awesome and so was our server Chris!
(5)Lindsey S.
"YOLO" - you only live once, and it should not be here... They say good company makes a meal, but good food helps too!! Luckily i was with a fabulous crew, otherwise it was not gonna be as pleasant. Our group was 10 people. We were not allowed to be seated til the whole party was there, once we sat we were told we MUST order immediately bc the kitchen was closing - WELL HELLO - why make us have a reservation so late?! and than not let us sit right away, and order at the least apps and drinks... A+ on the ambiance and table seating options - booths, big tables, small tables, outdoor seating with a cool bar area and fire pits. My drink came with a BUG in it...!! We were rushed to order so they could " shoot our selections out of the kitchen" Appetizers - we really should have just stopped after this, and the over all meal would have been satisfactory. *Grilled artichoke - can't really fuck that up, it was great *Calamari - INCREDIBLE, should have just had 8 orders of this, its made with chilli peppers, not the typical red sauce, fried but not too fried, no spidery pieces either (++) *Tuna Sashimi - this was a solid selection as well, yummy seaweed salad comes under the tuna pieces. They stamp the specials and soup of the day on the table, trendy move, I ordered the Black bean soup -- to find out there is chunks of chorizo floating in it... viLE!! they were out of ribs and the filet - two classic items!! SUPER BUMMED.... ordered the chopped salad - which they forgot my chicken on it!! weak.chicken was pulled breast, kinda nasty tasting once they finally brought it out. 2 people got spaghetti - one with shrimp, and one with chicken - nothing to special. 1 person got a burger and fries - fries were soggy, burger was better. i'd give it another try, but its not gonna be on my dollar. needed to use phones to see the menu, bc it was so dark *there is valet* YODO - you only dine once.
(2)Lorin G.
Came here on a Sunday for lunch but unfortunately they were only serving dinner. I was promptly seated by the hostess who was very engaging and hospitable. We sat by choice at booth by the bar. Melissa was our server, I hate to say it, but she was horrible. I asked about food, she completely lacked knowledge of menu, it took over 8 min to get drinks and be greeted. Another server had to come over to ask if we wanted waters because we sat table empty for so long. Our hostess brought us waters. After the meal, while waiting to ask for our check, melissa was MIA, thankfully other people were working to assist us. Food was phenomenal and drinks were perfect (try the cucumber cooler, better from the second bartender, but still Delish). We come here often and def recommended it, but had to mention this experience because if Melissa was to wait on me, I would have to object.
(3)Nick P.
Yolo never disappoints. We make it a point to stop on each visit to Fort Lauderdale. What keeps us coming back? The atmosphere, great service and the schezuan calamari!! No really, it's a must! We've tried many of the items off the menu and have been pleased every with all. Other favorites include: Spinach Salad and the Meatball sliders. They have a great drink menu and happy hour as well.
(5)Dale H.
Went for brunch and had a great time in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Bottomless mimosa is a chilled bottle left at your table with a carafe of OJ on the side. Good food and pleasant staff. Celiac warning: this is not a gluten free friendly restaurant. Very few options and not much awareness.
(4)David J.
Received a message from Michael Savitt the general manager. Called the number he left and never received a phone call back...... Don't think I'll be coming back here... That's just poor taste.
(1)Katina R.
Food was ok for the prices being charged. But the service was crap. Had to call mgr to get syrup and ketchup....other things our waitress was no where to be found.
(3)Fran S.
Great drinks and music. Fun place but watch out for the pick pockets. They're everywhere. I had my phone stolen out of my bag- that was on my arm!
(3)Francys C.
I've been here twice. The ambiance is nice, but the food really isn't that good. I had the roasted chicken that was bland and another time I had a burger that was ok at best. No happy hour specials or drink specials. So yes, it's beautiful, and yes, it's cool to be at "yolo," but that's about it. Positive also is that valet is $5 and then you can come back later so you can go other places and not worry about your car.
(3)Ashwini B.
Maybe I had lesser expectations because of the other Yelp reviews I read, but I was actually pleasantly surprised by YOLO! Only 4 stars because the service felt rushed and also the wine selection was not as great as it could have been for a $$$ restaurant. But the atmosphere was great. The truffle chips were really good, but didn't taste very truffl-ey. We got salmon and vegetable plate. The salmon was delicious and the vegetables tasted so fresh! Also recommend the mac and cheese.
(4)Matthew C.
The food and atmosphere here are good. Definitely try the calamari and the meatball sliders. Although, the drinks and the service could have been a bit better. I had the cocktail with the fresh strawberries and I wasn't a fan. My advice would be to avoid the unfriendly cocktail waitress, Alaina, at all costs. I mean seriously, you're in sunny South Florida and you're waiting happy hour, look like there's some happiness in your life and smile every once in a while.
(3)Matt B.
This place needs a makeover. It's become a boring spot and food is okay. Does Havel great calamari, but only thing I can really get excited about when I go there
(3)Jai M.
Had prime rib, grilled artichoke, and meatball sliders. Very good. I enjoyed this meal and the ambience. Also right next door is Vibe, a sister company nightclub. Calls for a good night!
(4)Andy C.
This is THE place to power lunch. I always enjoy the freshly grilled catch as it is a low carb and light lunch. The service is always fantastic. And it rocks at night for cocktails. Great place to be seen.
(5)Choua V.
Excellent food minus the mash potato. Our waitress was well educated in the menu and drinks and super attentive without hovering over us.
(4)Krisitna M.
Packed when i went on a friday night. Heard the food was expensive but decided to give it a try anyway. Honestly it wasnt that expensive. Adults with real jobs you should be able to afford it just fine. FOOD WAS good and so were the drinks. Saw some pretty wasted people early so my guess check them out for happy hour. Its a nice place to take a date. Didnt get to stay in the lounge side very long only long enough for a drink while we waited for our table. I will say the croud was a little older like 40's but im sure that is the place to go after work for a drink so no judgements here. BUT if you are single and want to meet a guy that has a REAL job and can buy you a drink, its a must go. Ill be there next friday :)
(3)Lauren B.
Wow, showed up at 9:30 on a Friday night and WHAT A SCENE. Luxury cars and beautiful people as far as the eye could see. This is basically a chic restaurant with a large outdoor area (with fireplace as a centrepiece--they even do smores on Thursday nights!) and a lounge/nightclub next door. Don't think about doing valet unless you drive at least a bimmer ;) The exterior is lined with incredible vehicles if you're into that sort of thing. We approached the hostesses without a reservation, they asked us if we wanted dinner or appetizers/drinks. Since we weren't famished, we said the latter, at which point they said they wouldn't give us a table, even though they clearly had lots of free tables. They suggested we grab a high-top outside (all of which were already taken) or try sitting at the lounge/club next door. Bad first impression!! We would have ordered a fine bottle of vino and a bunch of apps, so WTF, let us sit at a table bitches!! Not cool. After having a cocktail (a yummy fresh strawberry concoction) outside of the club/lounge next door, which had shitty little tables lining the exterior, we decided to venture back to the resto and tell them we wanted a full dinner (we lied). We asked for a table outside, where the action was. Music was dancey out there and lots of rich people were milling around. Cool scene. Foodwise, nothing special at all...though to be fair, we only ordered appetizers: BLT wedge salad (tasty), meatball sliders (not bad; quite heavy); lobster corn dogs (meh! sounded better on paper); and crusted-tuna sashimi (pretty good actually). All told, if you like beautiful women, fancy duds and see-and-be-seen places, you'll like Yolo.
(3)Jeff A.
The good was decent, the crab cakes were ok but the calamari was really good. The decor was pretty cool especially outside
(3)Daniel M.
Visited on 3/6/14 Came with 2 other people. The "O-lounge" next to YOLO was a total ghost town but the bar inside/outside of YOLO was pretty busy. We sat at the bar inside and enjoyed 1 too many of their super strong "Bliss Martinis". The bartenders were very friendly and provided great service. They always made sure to fill up our waters and made very delicious Martinis! Great place to grab a few drinks, listen to some music and socialize on a thursday night! Will definitely come back :)
(4)Pablo G.
Great food and menu selection, nice ambiance, and amazing service. Modern American cuisine similar to Houstons, but better service. The manager Rick personally greeted us at table to ensure everything was to our standards, and the service was outstanding...the filet steak / seafood was fresh and perfectly prepared. After dinner the next door lounge "O Lounge" and adjacent club "Vibe" were also good hangout spots. Definitely recommed Yolo and if you like American restaurant similar to Houstons then you must try Yolo.
(5)Ethan M.
Despite the super-douchey name, the restaurant delivered the goods. My wife and I went early and there was a nice buzz of cocktail-hour beautiful people milling about as we ordered cocktails. I had the ribs, which were unbelievably good -- we split a roasted artichoke that was masterful. I will be totally stealing the recipe for that. If you can, stop by and watch the grill man at work for a little while -- he's an artist.
(3)Lauren D.
Tried YOLO last week when I was in Ft Lauderdale with 2 colleagues - I'd like to give it 3.5 stars. The atmosphere was really nice, I especially enjoyed the modern feel and the outdoor area with the fire pit. We had dinner quite early, around 6:30 - and I'm glad we did, because the later it got, the less I liked the crowd. It felt very "wannabe". Our waitress was very nice, attentive and helpful. We started with cocktails - one of my colleagues tried the strawberry drink with balsamic vinegar and pepper - it was innovative, unique, and surprisingly good! For dinner, I ordered the artichoke and the mussels. I really enjoyed the artichoke - the citrus dipping sauce was really nice. But I hated the mussels - I didn't think the chorizo in the dish added anything, and the mussels were very fishy. One of my colleagues ordered the tuna sashimi, which was good, and the other had the short ribs, which were excellent. The pumpkin faro was especially tasty. Despite the mussels, I enjoyed the food and experience overall, and would definitely give YOLO another try next time I'm in the area.
(4)Brandon S.
Great drinks! Have to go back for food. Diana was our bartender. Really knew her craft!
(5)Gabrielle H.
Great vibe, service and amazing food. Had the calamari which they have a new twist on, it was delicious. Then had the old fashion burger, its picture perfect and even better tasting. I will definitely be back and soon!
(5)Dominique H.
I came here a few nights ago for my birthday. I and 3 others arrived around 10 oc. We waited for about 5 mind before we were seated. It was a little busy but the service was great. Our food arrived fast. I would recommend this place to anymore.
(5)Paul M.
Love love love this place. We weren't even gonna go for lunch today but so many friends raved, so we said 'just for a quick lunch'. Boy, are we glad! Absolutely gorgeous design. We were thinking we would get one of the many ridiculously hot male waiters - is that a prerequisite?- but we got beautiful and sunny Carly, and who noticed the waiters after that? I felt personally attended throughout the visit. She offered suggestions on everything from the amazing cocktail menu to the appetizers, specials, sandwiches, dessert... and she never once steered us wrong. Our friends said the burgers were the best but we just had to try the prime rib sandwich sandwich and special of the day grouper sandwich on brioche. We both coveted the other's meal. My dragonberry mojito was the smoothest and my partner had a strawberry vodka concoction that was hot hot hot. Only downside was a LITTLE pricey... but still worth it. We are going back...
(4)Sean D.
Came for unlimited mimosas. Had the omelet of the day, which was absolutely fantastic. The berry cheesecake was exceptional as well. The food was fantastic, and the service was just as good. Phenomenal! Will be back.
(5)Nelson A.
Great Place for Dinner we were not disappointed with anything. I would recommend it to anyone. Very good service
(5)Marqus R.
YOLO (You Only Live Once), at first blush, sort of put me off as it tends to be somewhat pretentious, snobby and a rather arrogant place with not all that much to be arrogant about, particularly with regards to their dinner food. In fact I find a much better meal at a much more reasonable price across the street at Timpano and what was the Samba Room prior to its untimely closing. The meats are all fine prime cuts, but they don't compare to the area steak houses likes of Mortons, Capital Grill, Ruth Chris or some of the others that specialize in steaks. As for their fish dishes, I've had a few, but none that struck me as worthy of the price or what would constitute anything special or unique. What they do excel at are some rather nice appetizers, particularly their calamari which comes with a delicious Thai peanut sauce and a beautiful outdoor setting around a nice blazing outdoor gas fire when those horrid winter temperatures of Florida sneak down into the 60's. They also have good patio side service but, at least to me, everything tends to be somewhat on the pricey side for what you get. However, judging from the Maseratis, Ferraris and Bentleys in the valet parking section, the average patron can well afford the prices. YOLO is basically the watering hole for the younger set of the downtown Lauderdale up and coming business elite and everyone appears to be dressed, even if in casual attire, expensively so. However, I've found other patrons to be perfectly nice, pleasant, as well as engaging conversationalists. For food other than something to nibble on while having a drink, YOLO to me falls short. But for relaxing with your drink near an open pit gas fire on a patio and doing some people watching of young upper crus, it's difficult to beat.
(4)Rock S.
Forced to go here as we got a gift card as a present. Crappy parking area, so most likely you will need to valet for $5. We went for early dinner, around 430, so not busy at all, which is nice. Ordered the corn bread and it was HUGE for only $6. We also ordered the calamari. Both were really good. We were interested in the octopus salad, and i must say, the octopus was cooked perfectly, not chewy or too tough. Our maun courses were the prime rib and bone in rib eye...YUM! We ended with the ice cream sandwich for dessert and loved it as well. Our service was great, but again, it was not busy at all. If we ever come back to town, we will come back. As a side note, they have cameras on different parts of the kitchen (grill, prep station, etc) and you can watch on the screen everything thats being prepared and cooked. Never saw that before...really nice idea and fun to watch. Only reason I gave 4 was due to parking. Food was awesome.
(4)Michelle S.
Solid place for food and drinks. I had only one complaint, the buttering of their bread is a little excessive, and literally did not sit well in my stomach after...however, my veggie burger was perhaps one of the top 3 tastiest I've had with a unique nutty flavor to it and deliciously toasted bread. The skinny fries were perfect. Service was solid and the dessert, an ice-cream cookie sandwich had a unique twist. With nuts that perfectly coated the chocolate outer layer of an espresso hinted vanilla ice-cream and a side shot of milky cinnamon warm goodness that melted it perfectly til the last bite, I couldn't resist wanting to lick my plate once it was gone! The hubs got a burger as well and said it was delish.
(4)Elizabeth P.
My favorite lunch dish is the Seared Rare Tuna Salad. It is prepared with heaping mound of Asian noodles, a few small pieces of mango (it could use a little bit more), some avocado, and sprinkled with peanuts and a fabulous dressing. Delish!
(4)