The Ultimate Guide To Italian Heritage, Pizza & Pasta Month In SoFlo
October 18, 2024
Would you like to know where we celebrate the rich tapestry of Italian culture through some of the most beloved culinary treasures in SOFLO? This month it's time for locals and visitors alike to indulge in the flavors of Italy, from the perfect slice of pizza to the comforting embrace of homemade pasta.
Join us as we explore the diverse events, authentic recipes, and hidden gems that showcase the passion and tradition of Italian heritage right here in South Florida. Get ready to savor every bite and discover the stories behind these iconic dishes!
Anthony’s Runway 84:
One of South Florida’s most legendary dining institutions, forty years fabulous, Anthony’s Runway 84 is known for its Italian-American cookery, Goodfellas glam and dinner party vibe. Reopened last year after a $4 Million Makeover, partners Anthony Bruno, Marc Falsetto and Pat Marzano created a cool, contemporary supper club with nods to its storied past, from its famous Rigatoni Cauliflower, Meatballs and Sunday Gravy to classic artwork and celebrity wall of fame. The menu for Runway 84 is a tempting mix of classics, favorites and new offerings sure to wow longtime fans as well as the uninitiated. Complete with an elevated cocktail program and a dramatic dining room, Anthony’s Runway 84 evokes the spirit of old-school supper clubs. Runway 84 is located at 330 West State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315. Telephone: (954) 467-8484; website: www.runway84.com.
Boia De:
Boia De, a Michelin-starred culinary gem in Miami’s Little Haiti, is known for its innovative and elevated take on modern American cuisine with Italian influences. Founded by Chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer, Boia De offers an intimate dining experience, blending bold flavors with unexpected dishes that have captivated both locals and visitors alike. Its unassuming exterior contrasts with the high caliber of food served inside, featuring house-made pastas, creative small plates, and a thoughtfully curated wine list. The restaurant features standout pasta dishes like the Tagliolini Nero with Squid Ink Pasta, King Crab, Vin Jaune, Truffle Paté and herbs; the restaurant’s signature Pappardelle Alla Lepre, which pairs Wide, Tender Noodles with a rich Rabbit Ragù; and the Tortellini Ai Fiagoli with Cannellini Beans, Guanciale and Squash. The Crispy Polenta with Wild Mushrooms and Parmesan further highlights their mastery of Italian-inspired small plates. Boia De is located at 5205 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33137 and is open seven days a week for dinner only. www.boiaderestaurant.com
La Fuga:
La Fuga, the Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resorts signature restaurant on the lobby level, showcases coastal Italian cuisine from Executive Chef Michael Mayer. The restaurant welcomes guests with comfortable booths and a buzzy central bar complimented perfectly by live Jazz entertainment on Saturday evenings. The menu offers a bevy of Italian favorites including salads, pastas, and entrees including plenty of seafood options. Highlights include Polpette di Vitello, Risotto Cacio e Pepe all’Osso Buco, Pesce Spada alla Siciliana and Lasagne al Forno. La Fuga also has a stellar bar program featuring classic and innovative cocktails, exquisite wine selections, and beer. Happy Hour is available daily at La Fuga from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with specially priced bites and drinks. La Fuga is located at 2900 Riomar Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304. For more information, visit: www.shorebreakfortlauderdale.com; Telephone: (954) 908-7308.
Pizza Craft:
Located in the historic Himmarshee District of Fort Lauderdale, Pizza Craft Pizzeria, is a cozy Italian restaurant serving old-school Italian specialties and Award-Winning Wood Fired-Pizzas, which garnered a ‘One Bite’ rating of 8.1 from Barstool Sports. An ideal destination for family dinner or a late-night rendezvous, the restaurant pays homage to classic Italian flavors with savory selections paired with a lively selection of specialty, handcrafted cocktails. Cozy up to the wood-burning oven churning out classic combinations, as well as uniquely crafted pies such as the Fennel Sausage featuring Mozzarella, Fennel Sausage, Onions and Calabrian Chilés and the vegan-friendly Impossible Pie with Vegan Sausage, Vegan Mozzarella, Caramelized Onions and Basil. Sinfully delightful plates range from snacks such as Nonna’s Meatballs and Black Truffle Arancini; to pasta dishes including Rigatoni Spicy Vodka, Fusilli Bolognese and Bucatini Carbonara; and Italian specialties such as Chicken and Eggplant Parmigiana and Chicken Française. The weekend offers a lively brunch on Saturday and Sunday boasting a variety of savory and sweet brunch items and boozy libations. Behind a pair of doors inside, find the hidden speakeasy-style cocktail bar called The Apothecary 330 offering vibrant handcrafted cocktails, premier spirits and wines, healing tonics and elixirs. Pizza Craft is located at 330 Himmarshee Street, Suite#: 1, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information, visit: www.pizzacraftpizzeria.com; Telephone: (954) 616-8028.
Prezzo Boca Raton And Palm Beach Gardens:
Celebrate National Pasta Month (October) at Boca Raton’s Italian Trattoria—Prezzo — with an unforgettable “Parm to Table” experience! Priced at $36 for a single portion and $56 for the table, enjoy a tableside presentation as your Black Truffle Cacio e Pepe is expertly prepared in a 70-lb wheel of Parmesan Reggiano, then topped with freshly shaved black truffle. Over at Prezzo PGA, diners can also witness the “Parm to Table” experience in the main dining room when ordering a signature pasta. Prezzo Boca Raton is located at 5560 North Military Trail, Suite#: 100, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, and Prezzo Palm Beach Gardens is located at 4520 PGA Boulevard, Suite#: 100, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418. For additional information and reservations, visit: https://www.eatprezzo.com/
Walrus Rodeo:
Walrus Rodeo is an exciting Miami eatery located in the Little Haiti neighborhood, brought to life by the same creative team behind Boia De. Known for its eclectic and bold approach to wood-fired cooking, Walrus Rodeo blends Italian influences with global flavors in a playful, energetic setting. Though the restaurant's tagline is "not just a pizzeria," it serves some of the city’s best wood-fired pizza. Favorites include the Rodeo Za with Anchovies, Spicy Tomatoes and Maple-Brown Butter; Nonno Za with Speck, Mascarpone, Basil; and Cornballer Za with Chanterelle, Smoked Buffalo Mozzarella and Pickled Fresno. Pasta highlights include the popular Mustard Green Lasagna with Lamb Ragu, Grana Padano and Stracchino; and Potato Gnocchi with Pesto Corto, Macadamia Nut and Stracciatella. With a focus on fresh ingredients and inventive techniques, Walrus Rodeo is quickly making its mark on Miami’s ever-evolving dining scene and was recently named one of the 50 Best Restaurants in America by The New York Times in 2024. Walrus Rodeo is located at 5143 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33147. www.walrusrodeo.com
Zucca:
Zucca was born from a passion for celebrating the diverse flavors of Italy. The restaurant reflects the rich traditions, landscapes, and people of the regions it represents, with authenticity as a core priority. This commitment has helped establish Zucca as one of the premier Italian dining experiences in Miami. Whether a casual bite to share with friends or flawless Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner, Zucca is sure to impress. Pasta highlights include Linguine Alle Vongole a Linguini Pasta sauteed with Clams in Light Clam Juice and White Wine Sauce; Ravioli Di Zucca Burro E Salvia Homemade Ravioli stuffed with Pumpkin sauteed with Light Butter Sauce and Sage; and Ravioli Di Melanzane Su Fonduta Di Pecorino Affumicato E Pesto Di Pomodorini Secchi Eggplant Ravioli over Smoked Pecorino Fondue and Dried Cherry Tomato Pesto. Making a name for itself as one of Miami’s most acclaimed restaurants in Coral Gables and a five time winner of the Wine Spectator Award this is an experience that should not be missed. Zucca is located at 162 Alcazar Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida 3314. https://zuccamiami.com/