I was completely wooed into choosing Escape Rooftop Bar for my wife's birthday. The reviews…read morepromised incredible drinks, impressive food, and a memorable experience. I can confidently say they delivered on one of those things, the experience. Unfortunately, the food felt like a failed attempt to escape... an escape room.
Let's start with what absolutely works. The location is stunning. Truly breathtaking. The views are spectacular, the atmosphere is elegant, and the setting makes you feel like you have unlocked a premium level of Fort Lauderdale nightlife. The service is upscale and unhurried. No one rushes you, no one pressures you, and you are encouraged to linger and enjoy the moment. From a vibe perspective, you are winning.
The drink menu is limited, but what they offer is top notch. Well crafted, balanced, and enjoyable. Think of the drinks as the first puzzle you solve successfully. Confidence is high at this point.
Then the food arrives, and this is where the escape attempt starts to fall apart.
We began with the bruschetta, which was absolutely dominated by balsamic. Not gently accented. Not thoughtfully drizzled. This was a full-scale balsamic ambush that completely overwhelmed the dish. Puzzle one failed.
Next came the octopus. Perfectly cooked. Tender. Juicy. Textbook execution. Unfortunately, the flavor was nowhere to be found. Every bite was completely hijacked by the beans in the dish, leaving the octopus feeling like a background prop in its own plate. Puzzle two failed, morale dropping.
Then came the calamari and mussels. Once again, the seafood was cooked properly, but flavor had clearly escaped through a hidden exit. Bland, forgettable, and confusing in how something prepared this well could taste like so little. Puzzle three failed, clock ticking.
The fourth dish was the caprese salad, which somehow managed to swing in the opposite direction of the bruschetta. The tomatoes tasted like they were fresh from a grocery store shelf. The balsamic barely showed up this time, as if it had used up all its energy earlier. The mozzarella sat there watery and bland, contributing nothing and offering no clues. Final puzzle failed. Escape attempt unsuccessful.
By the end of the meal, I felt like I had just spent two hours in an escape room where everything looked incredible, the staff was friendly, the room design was flawless, but none of the puzzles worked and you never actually escaped.
Overall, Escape Rooftop Bar delivers breathtaking views, excellent service, and strong drinks. But the food turns the entire experience into a beautifully designed trap. When expectations are sky high and the kitchen cannot deliver, the disappointment hits harder. Two stars, awarded for the scenery, the cocktails, and the hope that one day the food finds the exit.
