Anthony Vitolo, executive chef and owner of Emilio’s Ballato in New York City has taken authentic Italian American cuisine down south. With his name and reputation of 50 years in the hospitality industry behind him, Vitolo opened his first South Florida restaurant in November 2023. Expanding his legacy just steps away from Fort Lauderdale Beach. Vitolo is located inside the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach hotel at 551 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard gracing South Florida with ambiance, impeccable service, paired with menu items and cocktails that will keep locals and tourists coming back for more.
The restaurant offers three dining experiences: The Vitolo Cucina showcases an open kitchen concept where guests can witness the magic firsthand. The Sala Arco transports guests to a time of glamour and sophistication. The space is stunning and aesthetically pleasing. Think supper club vibe meets Gatsby style glitz achieved within this vast, impressive space. Adjacent to the main area is the library, a space that invites guests to experience a more intimate feel in a quiet setting. Finally, the outdoor Terrazzo gives guests a charming al fresco dining alternative.
I was seated in the library during my visit, which was exactly the place a writer should be surrounded by books and artifacts detailing history and significance, each one telling a story giving me a snapshot view into the Vitolo family.
My dining experience commenced with a Florida Toscani mixing Orion Gin, hibiscus, raspberry syrup and prosecco to produce a beautiful cocktail almost too pretty to drink. Subscribing to the ideology, “no cocktail left behind,” I gladly acquiesced. While sipping, I ordered a few appetizers. The polpo tender and soft grilled octopus served over arugula, fennel, tomatoes and topped with mustard vinaigrette. Polpettes moist and flavorful meatballs made with beef and pork blend. The burrata was rich and creamy topped on a bed of prosciutto and roasted red peppers with balsamic reduction and basil. All starters were the perfect choices to accompany the homemade bread.
It’s all about the sauce. The two entrees that I tried were the lobster ravioli and the chicken parmigiana. Both dishes were loaded with rich, creamy sauce. I discovered that Chef Vitolo prides himself on sauce which can make or break a recipe. Each entree was perfectly executed. The chicken parmigiana was pounded thin, the outside crust crisped, topped with Vitolo’s famous sauce and buffalo mozzarella. The lobster filled ravioli was served with a generous amount of shrimp. Both dishes were incredible and honestly the best I’ve ever tasted in their categories. The portion size is meant to be family style easily shareable between two or three people. Understandably, I had leftovers for days. Entrees paired well with the Brunello di Montalcino, a Sangiovese medium body red wine. The meal was only complimented by the service. Chris, made my visit truly exceptional. He was so attentive and knowledgeable. I didn’t feel rushed. Chris put a personal touch on the night from beginning to end.
Vitolo made all of my Italian dreams come true. Despite the fact that there is a plethora of Italian restaurants in South Florida, not all are created equally. Vitolo has proven its staying power with delicious recipes incomparable to the other establishments who boast NY style Italian cuisine. I’ve dined at many Italian restaurants in South Florida that were subpar at best. Vitolo nailed it filling the missing link with his beachside gem.
Help Vitolo celebrate their one-year anniversary this month. Book a reservation and learn more at www.vitoloitalian.com
