There’s a reason Casa D’Angelo is consistently rated in the top 10 restaurants in South Florida.
It’s. Just. That. Good. From the minute you enter, to the minute you leave, you are surrounded by the kind of old-school care and mindfulness that is sorely lacking in most restaurants today. So, yes, you do need to dress up a little (no shorts, flip-flops or athleticwear please), but that is so that you are up to D’Angelo’s standards and for your comfort, because this is a place that is special (and at a price point that for many of us, makes it a special occasion place), but it is worth the effort. You’ll feel pampered, because if the rest of the staff is anything like our server Aba, you are in for a treat.
In my 40+ years reviewing restaurants, I have never had a better server. Period. She was friendly without being overbearing, informative, and seemed to enjoy and take immense pride in her work, and well she should. On the night of our visit (our anniversary, July 3, a Thursday), the place was full. Aba had our table and a table of six high-powered Asian women business executives, plus three tables of four behind us. An empty table of 12 was soon filled with rich South Americans. Aba never wrote down anything, but everyone appeared to get what they ordered. She and her support staff (back waiters and busers) filled glasses, cleared empty plates, and delivered dishes efficiently, never rushed, and always checking in. Aba floated about the room like a ballerina who had danced this dance before and knew her steps. When you go, ask for a table at her station.
As we perused the cocktail menu, a plate appeared with fresh focaccia bread, olives, and chunks of Parmesan cheese. Each was delish, within minutes Aba appeared and said, “Here’s some more focaccia fresh from the oven.” I ordered a classic Negroni, and my non-drinking husband enjoyed one of the many Zero-Proof cocktails available on the menu, The Garden Cucumber, which was served in a martini glass. There were numerous specials of the day, but for the appetizers we stayed with menu offerings. Regular readers know I judge a restaurant by how well the kitchen can prepare grilled octopus. I have to say, Café’ Dangelo’s was a bit of a disappointment, but only in relation to the rest of the dishes we had. It was perfectly acceptable, but could have used a bit more char. It was served with a tomato confit, roasted tomato vinaigrette, Taggiasche olives, and field greens, My hubby was feeling adventurous and was rewarded with the crispy zucchini flowers with ricotta & mozzarella filling, and a roasted tomato aioli that was sheer perfection.
We decided to split a salad and order half portions of pasta as a fourth course. Carciofi Insalate was a delicious mélange of shaved artichokes and fennel crudo, aged Parmesean, arugula, olive oil, and lemon. It was peppery, bright, and light. Most pasta dishes are available in half-size portions as a separate course. I went with a menu favorite, Bucatini Cacio & Pepe All’astice. House-made pasta tossed with, ricotta cacio and pepe, and lobster medallions was delicious, but so rich, I could only eat half of my smaller portion. One of the day’s pasta specials was gnocchi alla gorgonzola and as the assistant manager, Martino brought the dish to our table, he whispered, “It’s better than my grandmother's.” I bet it is. I usually hate gnocchi, but one taste of the light fluffy pillows in front of Gregg, and I almost pulled the bowl away from him.
Truly, we could have gone home and collapsed in front of the TV and been perfectly satisfied right then and there, but we had already ordered our entrees. My grilled veal chop was about two inches thick and weighed in at about a pound. It was accompanied by grilled vegetables and topped with a dollop of wild mushroom marsala sauce (it could have used just a touch more sauce). It was perfectly medium rare throughout and juicy. Gregg got one of the day’s five fish specials, Ahi tuna steak, lightly grilled, with a topping of puttanesca relish, and a side of spinach (he’d requested a sub of asparagus, but the spinach was so good he decided not to say anything).
Although we didn’t finish our dinners and had them packed to take home, we decided to try dessert. Gregg got the refreshing orange sorbet (one of five flavors available that night) and I misread the menu, thinking the pistachio tartuffo would be coated in dark chocolate. I got the pistachio, but I was craving dark chocolate, because for me, if it’s not chocolate, it’s not dessert.
Casa D'Angelo
1201 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale
954-564-1234
casa-d-angelo.com
