North Italia, drag and drop and

 

North Italia

699 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
754-315-2819
Lunch: Monday-Friday – 11 am-4 pm
Happy Hour M-F, 3-6 pm
Dinner: Sunday-Thursday – 4-10 pm; Friday and Saturday, 4-11 pm
Brunch: Saturday and Sunday – 10 am -4 pm

https://www.northitalia.com/locations/fort-lauderdale/?menu=dinner

By Jane Feehan

Located off Federal Highway a few blocks from Broward Boulevard, North Italia projects a welcoming ambiance. It’s not a typical Italian neighborhood eatery, but a chain restaurant with a modern interior with high ceilings, bright lights and evening energy from the bar. Its large menu of Italian dishes caters to a broad range of American tastes.

Our server was pleasant and attentive. To start, we ordered Italian bread with olive oil. She quickly delivered about six unappetizing, overly toasted slices. An Arugula salad, though graciously customized per our request, tasted fresh but unremarkable. My friends ordered a simple pasta dish with tomato. I ordered Strozzapreti, a pasta entrée with chicken, mushrooms, spinach, truffle, pine nuts, and parmesan cream.

I wasn’t expecting how it was delivered. After placing my bowl in front of me, a kitchen server (not the main server) with untied hair to her elbows reached across the table to deliver another plate. Her hair settled into my soupy dish and was dragged across the entire plate of food. I grabbed the wet locks and returned to her. She apologized. I lost my appetite. My friend signaled the waitress who ordered a replacement as well as a glass of wine for me. She brought the wine back and then … dropped it. It dripped over the table and missed my clothing. Accidents happen.

About the hair mishap. It was more than an accident; it reflects lax policy. Though the entrée was replaced, I couldn’t bring myself to eat it the following day. My friends enjoyed their order and said they’d return. I wasn’t sure about a return visit, but did a few weeks later for another assessment.

I tried pizza when I returned. Their 12-inch, six-slice creations come with bready but tasty dough. I ordered two—a Margharita and a Cacio e Pepe (cheese and pepper). Their Margharita pizza with fresh basil and cheese was bland. The Cacio with Romano, Mozzarella cheeses, garlic and cracked pepper ranked far above. I may return for that.

North Italia sits close to several apartment communities with hundreds of units. Many residents walk over for Happy Hour 3-6 pm or drive a short distance for takeout. This eatery does a huge takeout business. Parking lies steps from the restaurant, off eighth 8treet, on a vacant lot. They recommend making reservations on weekends. Reasonable prices

Tags: Fort Lauderdale dining, Fort Lauderdale restaurants,  Fort Lauderdale Italian restaurants  

Pomodoro - Low profile, high standards, loyal fans

 

Pomodoro
2908 E. Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Open Tuesday through Saturday 5-9 pm
954-267-9000
https://pomodoropizza.kitchen/

By Jane Feehan

I’ve passed Pomodoro on Commercial Boulevard countless times without stopping in for a meal. UNTIL, that is, a friend who appreciates—and cooks—quality Italian dishes suggested we dine here, one of her favorite restaurants.

This low-key eatery, opened in 1989, offers more than that of a typical neighborhood restaurant. Pizza tops the menu, but its excellence resides in an array of dishes and sauces that draw Italian food aficionados. Their gnocchi, small, tender house-made creations topped with a traditional marinara sauce, arrived at the table cooked right and lightly steaming. A fellow diner said they’ve not tasted gnocchi this good even in London. This dish is unforgettable—enough for repeat visits to Pomodoro. It was light enough to eat with other dishes including with their bread.

As I’ve often said, good bread at the start of a meal usually signals a commensurate meal to follow. At Pomodoro, the fresh, warm focaccia and other house breads did exactly that.

 A generous dish of Penne Funghi with sliced mushrooms and a tomato sauce with a dash of cream also evoked enthusiastic approval as did their Spaghetti a La Checco—a simple dish of perfectly cooked pasta with tomato, garlic and olive oil.

Pomodoro’s reasonably-priced menu offers a small collection of classic Italian dishes that also include fish, organic chicken, and beef.

Italian-born Chef Piero aims to please with organic ingredients, house-made pizza dough and changes in salad and main-course pasta dishes to accommodate tastes. The menu also includes antipasti with choice of charcuterie board, eggplant rollatini and more. Wine, including a few Italian choices, are available.

I’ll be back for the same reason many others return: top-notch preparation and quality flavor. 

Pomodoro also welcomes takeout customers. A small bar provides a comfortable setting for single diners or for those waiting for an order to go. Parking is free on one side of the lot with metered spaces in front of the restaurant. Reservations recommended on weekends and during the winter season. No separate checks.

 

 

Tags: Fort Lauderdale restaurants, Italian restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale dining