It being
Wednesday Allen and I were making plans for lunch and I suggested that
since it was the last day of the month we celebrate (that's as good an excuse as any) and go a little up
scale. I had a 'buy 1 get 1 free coupon plus free valet parking' at the
new Hilton on the beach at their signature restaurant, Ilios, located on the sixth floor. We knew, even with the coupon, it would be pricey
but we felt we deserved it and off we went.

The first major
disappointment was that though it was on the 6th floor the restaurant overlooked
the swimming pool, which could be unappetizing, with the Atlantic ocean in the far
distance. It would have been much better if the pool and restaurant had
exchanged places.

The restaurant, bar and table
settings were nothing special and the service was a little below par
though the waitress did keep my coffee cup filled without being asked
which is rare these days. The menu consisted of one page with varied
food items and a page of wine listings.

I thought I had taken a picture of our drinks
because when we got the check I cracked up at the price. I do have a
problem with non-alcoholic drink prices but when I saw that they charged
Allen $4 for what wasn't even a 6 ounce glass of diet coke, and he
wasn't offered refills, I just found it very funny!! In line with other
restaurants they charged $2.50 for my cup(s) of coffee.

Allen had the
Club sandwich ($15) while I ordered the gorganzola burger ($16)--all
sandwiches were $15--both coming with truffle herbed fries. The first bone of
contention was that the fries were room temperature. Allen said his
sandwich was okay but hard to handle and I found my burger, even with the cheese, tasteless. Adding
to the blahness of the
restaurant and the food we sat next to a guy who was on his 'roach' ear
cell phone talking loudly, of course. With tax and a little bit more than a
20% tip, minus the $15 for one entree the check came to $30.

After lunch we took a walk outside around the
pool and finally saw the ocean if we went to the east end of the pool.
Next door, to the south, was the new W hotel and to the south was the
Trump hotel which looks like, due to the economy, it may not open.

Another problem was the valet parking, either
because our timing was wrong with hotel guests arriving and leaving or
they are just inefficient as there was a long wait for Allen's car. We
almost had time to go into the coffee shop and have dessert but we were
being good.

Sorry to say that
the hotel and the restaurant were major disappointments. I wonder if
tourists feel that way? Just out of curiosity I asked what the rates
were and I was told the only room they had available was one with a king size bed and a 4 day
minimum stay and it ran $770 plus Florida tax, tourist tax, parking fee,
etc. It being the last week of 'season' they were busy but I am
wondering what prices will be after next weekend and how business will
be. It certainly looked like Fort Lauderdale Beach hadn't heard of the recession!