Santa Lucia Ristorante - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

**UPDATE**2017** Unfortunately this wonderful restaurant has closed! 🙁

(We’re VERY sad!)

Our 44th wedding anniversary was fantastic from start to finish, and our choice of restaurants absolutely set the tone for our memorable evening.

Santa Lucia Ristorante

Ah…Santa Lucia…Where to begin.
PERFECTION…

As we stepped through the door, we were immediately greeted by several staff members who were preparing for their evening service. Their smiles were genuine, and they seemed really glad to welcome us.

Since it was still Happy Hour, we first sat down at the cozy bar where we were greeted by Jocelyn, a tiny bartender who is a whirlwind of energy. She shared duties with easygoing bartender Raymond…a real “dynamic duo” behind the bar. Together they made sure all the guests received their undivided attention and a cheerful chat. As we watched them serve drinks and visit with patrons, it only took a minute to realize we were in the right place to enjoy a wonderful evening.

For our drinks, we each selected a glass of Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, (A great choice…and a delicious selection I was surprised to find on a Happy Hour bar list.)

So since we were staying for dinner, Jocelyn presented us with the complimentary first course served to everyone in the dining room…

A plate of salty, delicious, authentic Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and cured olives…

A basket of crusty Italian bread also appeared…and it tasted like it came right out of an Italian Nona’s oven. What a wonderful surprise! The cheese, olives and grilled bread were a great compliment to the Cabernet Sauvignon we had selected. And the extra virgin olive oil and the balsamic vinegar condiments served with the bread and cheese were obviously high quality…just like everything else in the restaurant.

So after a very enjoyable visit with both bartenders and a chat with some other guests at the bar, we were seated in the dining room for dinner. And oh…the tough decisions we had to make, since every food combination on the menu looked fantastic.

First, we selected the house-made burrata cheese served over sauteed cannellini beans, roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh arugula, roasted garlic and olive oil…to share. This warm salad was truly one of the best dishes I can remember. And I’m determined to duplicate it in my own kitchen. (I’ve already Googled how to make burrata…so stay tuned for THAT adventure!)

For my entree I selected the seafood pasta special of the day…Shrimp and scallops with homemade fettuccine, and Fred stuck with spaghetti and meatballs with ricotta and red sauce-a classic combination.

Both entrees were delicious…REALLY DELICIOUS. (As in “I Ate The Whole Thing” delicious.)

The waitstaff was professional, helpful, and very attentive, without being obtrusive. And Gabriel Salas, the General Manager/Wine Director made several stops at our table to make sure everything met our expectations. (He even snapped our photo for us.) I can see why the dining room was almost filled for the entire evening, since the food and the waitstaff at Santa Lucia leave nothing to chance.

In fact, there is SUCH attention to detail that the water (and even the ice cubes) served at Santa Lucia are imported…from New York! In case you’re not aware…New York City residents are apparently considered to be “water snobs”…fully believing that their water is the best in America. And I must admit, I drank more water last night than usual. And it WAS delicious…if you can call water delicious.

And then…our waiter arrived with the dessert menu. And even though we were stuffed…we were ORDERED to order something. (It turned out it was on the house, in honor of our special day.)

So tiramisu was my choice for us to share…and it was…Fantastico!

During dessert, bartender Jocelyn even left her bar duties to stop by our table to wish us well once again, so by the time our meal was over we truly felt like we were part of the Santa Lucia family!

I think our smiles tell it all…

And just when I thought all the anniversary surprises were over…

Our waiter arrived with celebratory glasses of limoncello…

What a night!

When we stood up to leave the restaurant, an Italian gentleman who was dining with his family (they had spoken only Italian during dinner) called us over to their table. He congratulated us and shook our hands and told us his family had requested a special song to be played in our honor by the wonderful entertainer performing in the dining room…

And as we walked out the door, we recognized the song he was playing for us…

“When a Man Loves A Woman”…

Really.

An Anniversary To Remember…

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