I've been there several times now, so feel comfortable offering a review. In a city that is loaded with hundreds of Italian restaurants, this one stands out. It looks like they put a ton of money into remodeling the old Frankie and Johnnys to make a very attractive high end restaurant. It's bigger, but somehow remains intimate. Staff is dressed formally and act professionally. Service is very good. Food is well above average. And, the acoustics are such that a conversation with your tables guests is not a problem. Yes, the pricing for entrees is a few dollars above average, but, for me, it is worth a few extra bucks to dine in a place where you get great Italian food and service in a charming atmosphere ... a combination that is rare in this city.
(4)
Nikki H.
Went for lunch . Interior done very well. Black and red .Sat at a high top in the small but full stock bar. We ordered a glass of proccico $8.00 and a glass of Pinot grigio $9.00.. Served warm Italian bread & butter packs. We had antipasti $10.00, a couple of pieces of prosciutto , salami & supasite ( sp) a couple of olives . Also the got like a quarter ball of fresh mozzarella They had a little to much olive oil on it. Then we ordered a piazza w/ four chesse and caramelized onions and arugula $14.00 . It came out looking like a flat bread and cut that way as well. We were told its a pizza . Also we got the two meatballs w/ a bit of ricotta cheese. Total with 4 drinks , $92 & change plus tip allot for lunch . It was good but not good enough .
(3)
Susanne M.
We've been to Santa Lucia twice now. . .we live around the corner. We were so darn thrilled to find such a beautifully redone restaurant (old Frankie and Johnnys - but renovated and less LOUD and twice as big ). The interior is now lit just right & tables are well spaced. The service was just outstanding - friendly and also knowledgeable. The food - wow. Their short ribs were the special when we were first there - and honestly they were the best I've ever had. Perfectly cooked, juicy, no bone, not fatty - served on the most yummy saffron risotto w/rosemary. I'm the lucky gal because on our next time there, w/ 2 friends, the special was again the short ribs. Two of us had the short ribs - as good as ever. We had a special appetizer the first time - another wow. Poached pear slices with something like sauteed proscuitto - with a gorgonzola dressing on arugula. Fantastic. My husband said, as he was finishing my portion (!) - "I don't even like pears". Both visits - my husband had a fish entree and loved it. I am puzzled by the reviews that said "standard Italian fare" - maybe if you just order meatballs that is what it'll be. . .I'd say be a bit more adventurous. This is not a "medium priced" restaurant - it's an excellent restaurant and prices reflected that. Service also. For us - best of all - they have a full bar and a good bartender. Excellent martinis. Too many Italian restaurants, ones we enjoy (Dolce Vita, Bona, Lucca, etc) have only wine and beer.
(5)
Patricia E.
We went for dinner on 11/15/14. This was our first time at the restaurant, and we were blown away. Lovely atmosphere, great remodel from former restaurant. Actually room between the tables. Super nice staff. Had the lobster special and eggplant appetizer which was awesome. Lobster was perfectly cooked. Had a man playing keyboard who did everything from classics to opera to folk. Very talented. Plays on Friday and Saturday evenings. We will be back.
(5)
Theresa B.
A big hit in a small restaurant. The service was NOT typical of fine dining. We will be back!!!!
(5)
Kristine B.
A great evening out with friends. The food was excellent. The service impeccable. A must in Fort Lauderdale. We will be back!
(5)
Krystle R.
From the door we were treated like VIP. Food was delicious, service superb, and music was great! Their spaghetti and cannoli dessert I will now dream about. Try this place, it will be your new home for sure!
(5)
Richard A.
Good, not great, when you factor in pricing that's a little higher than it needs to be. Yet the service is great and the atmosphere is a well-disguised strip mall location. Still, pasta over $20 should be unique, not merely good. I'd go back on a expense account.
(3)
Russ T.
Rino does it again! The food is fresh, delicious, and served by a wonderful staff. We love seeing Rino and Gabrielle again! Dr. T
(5)
Eddie R.
I have eaten there several times and have had david as a server, a guy namrd Guy and the bartender, Joseline. Because of the service i received alone, i HAD to write a review. The food was spot on each time i went. It came hot and seasoned beautifully. You would think sitting at the bar the experience would be subpar but she OBVIOUSLY timed out my courses well because i was able to enjoy each without having all of it crammed down my throat. Despite being a bit busy i found Joseline to be on point and professional. Because if her servuce u came back and had david next. His knowledge was obvious and i toik all if his suggestions, which all ended up being EXCELLENT. I would highly recommend a visit to this restaurant and being served by any if the mentioned staff. What assets!
(5)
Carey B.
Best true Italian restaurant.Chef Rino cooks amazing food and the staff is friendly and efficient. A must see for all foodies
(5)
Bob G.
The food is standard Italian The meatballs are average. The antipasti platter is basic. I love the renovations and all the employees are wonderful and available My biggest gripe are the prices. The food clearly does not justify the tab.
(3)
Mari R.
Had an amazing experience. Gabriel welcomed us after we had trouble getting into other restaurants and took good care. Food was great and drinks were too! He even ordered a special car to make sure we got to our next destination safely. Great first night in Ft. Lauderdale!
(5)
John P.
My favorite restaurant. Ambience is great. Black ceiling, real tablecloths, music, well dressed knowledgeable attentive servers. Food is excellent. Quality ingredients well prepared by real chef. Nice extras like crusty bread, parmesan chunks, olives, eggplant caponata, and limoncello. I just came back from Rome and this place is better! I read one of the negative reviews but that was posted a year ago. The place has drastically improved since then and has been consistently excellent. Prices are commensurate with the quality of the food. This is no pizza parlor.
(5)
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Address :2701 E Oakland Park Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33306
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Marqus R.
A new restaurant, Santa Lucia, has filled the location formerly of Frankie and Johnny's. They done some remodeling and sprucing up. Gone are the silly cartoonlike drawings of their regular customers that festooned the walls as the white linen tablecloths; replaced with tables of a black lacquered. All in all, a definite improvement in the décor of the place. They've also added what is some rather pleasant outside patio like seating along with a couple of under a tree places on a small portion. I ordered their specials of the day being a chargrilled octopus and a snapper piccata. The chargrilled octopus was definitely tender enough, several nice sized tentacles distinctively charred, but other than the charring, no other flavors I could discern. As for the snapper, I'll up front confess that generally do not care for any of that Italian styles of fish preparation since most of what is used as covering or sauces tends to have such an overwhelming flavor of its own that it completely obliterates any delicate flavors of the fish. In the case of what I was served, it wasn't so much the capers or lemon used but such an excessive amount of salt, which I do not think was of a quality sea salt, I couldn't really discern anything other than that the fish has been overcooked to the point of being somewhat stiff and firm instead of flaky. Then at $32, I would have expected better, at least maybe a sprig of parsley which in my experience with any piccata is rather a traditional touch as well as a sauce recipe inclusion. Overall, it's a nice place, a good setting but seriously overpriced as well as being somewhat less than marginal in food preparation techniques. I'd probably go Three Stars but at their prices, especially in comparison to what is available at other nearby Italian restaurant, the best I can say is that I've had better; hence Two Stars.
(2)Edward N.
I've been there several times now, so feel comfortable offering a review. In a city that is loaded with hundreds of Italian restaurants, this one stands out. It looks like they put a ton of money into remodeling the old Frankie and Johnnys to make a very attractive high end restaurant. It's bigger, but somehow remains intimate. Staff is dressed formally and act professionally. Service is very good. Food is well above average. And, the acoustics are such that a conversation with your tables guests is not a problem. Yes, the pricing for entrees is a few dollars above average, but, for me, it is worth a few extra bucks to dine in a place where you get great Italian food and service in a charming atmosphere ... a combination that is rare in this city.
(4)Nikki H.
Went for lunch . Interior done very well. Black and red .Sat at a high top in the small but full stock bar. We ordered a glass of proccico $8.00 and a glass of Pinot grigio $9.00.. Served warm Italian bread & butter packs. We had antipasti $10.00, a couple of pieces of prosciutto , salami & supasite ( sp) a couple of olives . Also the got like a quarter ball of fresh mozzarella They had a little to much olive oil on it. Then we ordered a piazza w/ four chesse and caramelized onions and arugula $14.00 . It came out looking like a flat bread and cut that way as well. We were told its a pizza . Also we got the two meatballs w/ a bit of ricotta cheese. Total with 4 drinks , $92 & change plus tip allot for lunch . It was good but not good enough .
(3)Susanne M.
We've been to Santa Lucia twice now. . .we live around the corner. We were so darn thrilled to find such a beautifully redone restaurant (old Frankie and Johnnys - but renovated and less LOUD and twice as big ). The interior is now lit just right & tables are well spaced. The service was just outstanding - friendly and also knowledgeable. The food - wow. Their short ribs were the special when we were first there - and honestly they were the best I've ever had. Perfectly cooked, juicy, no bone, not fatty - served on the most yummy saffron risotto w/rosemary. I'm the lucky gal because on our next time there, w/ 2 friends, the special was again the short ribs. Two of us had the short ribs - as good as ever. We had a special appetizer the first time - another wow. Poached pear slices with something like sauteed proscuitto - with a gorgonzola dressing on arugula. Fantastic. My husband said, as he was finishing my portion (!) - "I don't even like pears". Both visits - my husband had a fish entree and loved it. I am puzzled by the reviews that said "standard Italian fare" - maybe if you just order meatballs that is what it'll be. . .I'd say be a bit more adventurous. This is not a "medium priced" restaurant - it's an excellent restaurant and prices reflected that. Service also. For us - best of all - they have a full bar and a good bartender. Excellent martinis. Too many Italian restaurants, ones we enjoy (Dolce Vita, Bona, Lucca, etc) have only wine and beer.
(5)Patricia E.
We went for dinner on 11/15/14. This was our first time at the restaurant, and we were blown away. Lovely atmosphere, great remodel from former restaurant. Actually room between the tables. Super nice staff. Had the lobster special and eggplant appetizer which was awesome. Lobster was perfectly cooked. Had a man playing keyboard who did everything from classics to opera to folk. Very talented. Plays on Friday and Saturday evenings. We will be back.
(5)Theresa B.
A big hit in a small restaurant. The service was NOT typical of fine dining. We will be back!!!!
(5)Kristine B.
A great evening out with friends. The food was excellent. The service impeccable. A must in Fort Lauderdale. We will be back!
(5)Krystle R.
From the door we were treated like VIP. Food was delicious, service superb, and music was great! Their spaghetti and cannoli dessert I will now dream about. Try this place, it will be your new home for sure!
(5)Richard A.
Good, not great, when you factor in pricing that's a little higher than it needs to be. Yet the service is great and the atmosphere is a well-disguised strip mall location. Still, pasta over $20 should be unique, not merely good. I'd go back on a expense account.
(3)Russ T.
Rino does it again! The food is fresh, delicious, and served by a wonderful staff. We love seeing Rino and Gabrielle again! Dr. T
(5)Eddie R.
I have eaten there several times and have had david as a server, a guy namrd Guy and the bartender, Joseline. Because of the service i received alone, i HAD to write a review. The food was spot on each time i went. It came hot and seasoned beautifully. You would think sitting at the bar the experience would be subpar but she OBVIOUSLY timed out my courses well because i was able to enjoy each without having all of it crammed down my throat. Despite being a bit busy i found Joseline to be on point and professional. Because if her servuce u came back and had david next. His knowledge was obvious and i toik all if his suggestions, which all ended up being EXCELLENT. I would highly recommend a visit to this restaurant and being served by any if the mentioned staff. What assets!
(5)Carey B.
Best true Italian restaurant.Chef Rino cooks amazing food and the staff is friendly and efficient. A must see for all foodies
(5)Bob G.
The food is standard Italian The meatballs are average. The antipasti platter is basic. I love the renovations and all the employees are wonderful and available My biggest gripe are the prices. The food clearly does not justify the tab.
(3)Mari R.
Had an amazing experience. Gabriel welcomed us after we had trouble getting into other restaurants and took good care. Food was great and drinks were too! He even ordered a special car to make sure we got to our next destination safely. Great first night in Ft. Lauderdale!
(5)John P.
My favorite restaurant. Ambience is great. Black ceiling, real tablecloths, music, well dressed knowledgeable attentive servers. Food is excellent. Quality ingredients well prepared by real chef. Nice extras like crusty bread, parmesan chunks, olives, eggplant caponata, and limoncello. I just came back from Rome and this place is better! I read one of the negative reviews but that was posted a year ago. The place has drastically improved since then and has been consistently excellent. Prices are commensurate with the quality of the food. This is no pizza parlor.
(5)