The ambience at Q Lounge at the Waterways Shoppes is terrific. It's mellow and upscale. At between $12 and $15 for martinis and margaritas, drinks are expensive. (There's a 2-for-1 Happy Hour that runs daily from 6pm until 9pm, but top-shelf brands are excluded). For a small boîte, there is a good-size list of sangrias, plus white and red wines. I wouldn't come on an empty stomach, as the plates are small. The place isn't a full-blown restaurant and doesn't pretend to be one. When it comes to food, it mostly offers pizza, wraps, salads, and burgers, most of which hover around a very affordable $10. But everything is tiny. The taste has a distinctive Latin flair and you'll mostly hear Spanish being spoken by the patrons. It's a warm and inviting spot. The location cannot be beat. The patio is an ideal location to kick back and relax with a stiff drink, especially on a crisp South Florida winter night. I rarely miss the chance to order a Lychee martini (the bartenders make them smooth as silk), put my feet up, and light a cigar on the patio after a generous helping of sushi rolls at Kampai upstairs.

- Written by Thomas Mallon
February 1, 2011