If it is Sunday, it must be Sunday Brunch Day. And, yes it certainly was, but not on the Amsterdam. This Sunday, the brunch was really the breakfast buffet in the hotel’s dining room. The menu did have other choices with ala carte items, but when you figure that yogurt with fruit, and orange juice and coffee, it would have come to the same amount as if you paid for the buffet that included all of it. So we tried the buffet, and ended up eating too much, since it was really good. Thinking of the Amsterdam, we wondered what their dining room looked like this morning. The workers would not be served, but will eat from a buffet table set up in the dining room center. They will be using paper plates for all three meals, we were told.
At 10:30am, we went out front and found the shuttle was there to take folks to Sawgrass Mills, a 15 minute ride from the hotel. Expecting to find several guests waiting for the ride, it turned out it was just the two of us. The driver was very nice, and explained his daily schedule. After he dropped us off, he would be back to pick us up at 1:15pm or 4:45pm. We told him we would be at the designated spot at 1:15pm for sure. Today we planned on doing a little shopping, and come back to the hotel early.
Sawgrass Mills is huge. Spread out over what appears to be part of the Everglades at one time, they advertise name brand outlets and retailers at knockout prices. There are 350 stores, 90 of them exclusive to South Florida. Part of this complex has Colonnade Outlets with an impressive collection of 70 luxury outlet brands. We found there were 14 restaurants, two food courts, and outdoor eating. Most of these were located near a theater complex un-attached to the main mall. That way all of these food venues could stay open late for the movie-goers, well after the mall closes for the day.
We only had time to explore ½ of this mall, since we needed to make our last stop at the Super Target, which was located close to the drop-off point. This was one of the nicest Targets we have seen, and had everything we needed. By the time we got through the slowest line in the place (just coincidence), our driver was pulling up in front of exit #3. Exactly on time at 1:15pm. The hotel has two shuttles, and the first one that arrived was full of guests doing what we did, but only later. We ended up having the shuttle to us once again.
Around 4pm, we headed out to walk to Chili’s, about one mile away. When we got there, it was busting at the seams with people. So we went to another place on the way back called Duffy’s, a sports bar and grill. They were busy, but not as full as Chili’s. We ordered a cheeseburger and a salad to share with 2 for 1 beers. Guess it is happy hour at this restaurant all day long, every day. Sharing a brownie with ice cream finished the meal just fine. With all the walking we had done today, it was nice to sit and relax for a bit.
On the way back, we stopped at Walgreens once more to buy some stuff, which included a Sunday newspaper. Nice to know some people are still reading them in that form, and not entirely online.
Back at the hotel, we chilled for the rest of the afternoon, and had cups of soup around 9pm. And some M&M peanuts. Who says we don’t have fun…..
Bill & Mary Ann
The hotel is in Plantation
Local lizard
The map of this massive mall
Modern way to dine quickly
Dessert – brownie with ice cream
A white ibis
