Italian Restaurant Fort Lauderdale

They had a nice selection of house wines by the glass, and the prices were at least half of what you would normally pay in a Ristoranti.

I forgot to mention the tables had a nice light tan first table cloth, topped with another white linen top table cloth, and of course real linen napkins., Service was just perfect, where you were not rushed, and you leisurely enjoy the appetizer, before the entree and pasta were served. While there, a group of six arrived and selected the round table in the front by the window and adjacent to the table for eight, and they were not over-crowded.

Would I return. YES, in a heartbeat. I enjoyed my short conversation with the owner who was seated at an outside table when I was leaving. A wonderful way to spend a Saturday evening.

Antipasti Misto Mussels & Clams Cafe Italia
Antipasti Misto Mussels & Clams Cafe Italia

Four weeks ago I had walked passed, and evidently the owner noticed my reviewing the menu in the window. A nice, polite, mature Gentleman asking if I had any questions. I advised I was just looking. Well over these past several weeks, I could not forget the impression he had left with me.

So on Saturday, I decided to go back and pay the Cafe Italia a visit. As he explained to me when leaving in an apology, he had just had an operation, and walking was difficult, so thus difficult to personally greet myself at the table. I reminded him of my previous time there, looking, and my promise to return. It’s a small but very comfortable restaurant located in the Roselli Building.

There were about seven of the square tables, two round tables for five and an oblong table for eight. Immediately after the presentation of the menu and the wine list, a plate of house made bread with butter was presented, together with a plate of provolone cheese and a round metal cup of Italian Olives. Everything was very tasty.

For anyone eating out on a budget, the pasta dishes were exceptionally reasonable. I selected the Eggplant Rollatini for my appetizer, and the veal cutlet with mushrooms in a Marsala wine sauce. Also a side of pasta with a marinara sauce. It was the largest pasta side dish I have ever been served. The eggplant was delicious, and three nice sized slices of veal were so tender you could break them with your fork.

Authentic Italian Restaurant

Food great, wine prices reasonable both by the glass or bottle. Owned by a husband and wife team, this is place is a treat. Bread is amazing, pasta cooked perfectly, and all dishes are finger licking GREAT.  Best italian restaurants fort lauderdale.

Husband runs the front, his wife is at the stove making meals to make you want to come back for more. Reservation

Authentic Italian food. Delicious & fresh!  When you arrive, servers immediately bring fresh, warm bread with a soft center & crunchy crust.  A flute of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a plate with green olives & chunks of fresh Parmesan cheese also arrive. Additionally, they bring a bottle olive oil & balsamic vinegar. For a neon-sign exterior, this attention to detail was truly unexpected.

My husband is a pasta fagioli soup connoisseur & devoured this version.  The Caprese salad was OK. They were disappointedly out of buffalo mozzarella & could have added more fresh basil; the balsamic vinaigrette served with it was an odd choice, as the olive oil & balsamic vinegar on the table is more traditional, so that’s what we used.

We dug into our main dishes before taking photos, so any perceive lack of perfect presentation is our fault!  He loved the lasagna & I highly recommend the baked to perfection eggplant parmigiana. I opted to pay for the side of paste. I chose pappardelle, which was prepared well but could have used more marinara.

This is a must-stop Italian dinner in Fort Lauderdale. Don’t let the strip mall exterior deter you!