RESTAURANTS • FOUND Table
The Backstory: Chef Anthony Vitolo, owner of New York City red sauce stalwart Emilio’s Ballato, brought his Italian fare to South Florida in 2023 with Vitolo, set inside an opulent dining room at the oceanfront Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel.
The Experience: Unlike Vitolo’s old-school, narrow NYC restaurant, there are no autographed photos of celebrities scattered on the walls here, nor a winding line down Houston Street to get in. Instead, as you pass through the Conrad lobby’s glass doors, an expansive, vaulted ceiling dining room awaits. The ornate chandeliers and white tablecloths might feel familiar, but the vibe is more Florida glam than New York grit, featuring an open kitchen and a striking deep blue back bar adorned with an antique coastal map. In the smaller dining area, a wooden bookcase is decorated with model boats, trinkets, and family photographs.
The menu consists of family recipes passed down for generations, prepared “Chef Anthony's way.” While some signature dishes made the trip from Emilio’s Ballato, like the iconic pollo al parmigiana, there are also new versions of Italian classics. Our group started with shared appetizers — antipasto, fried calamari, clams oreganata, fried zucchini, and meatballs were all excellent choices. Among the well-executed, classic pasta dishes (scampi, lobster ravioli, carbonara, bolognese, spaghetti al pomodoro), the spicy paccheri alla vodka deserves special mention for its stunning presentation — perfectly glazed pasta pieces arranged like little soldiers for a dramatic display. The charred pork chop with vinegar peppers is great. And the Vitello Antonio is a next-level veal parm — a fried, center-cut veal chop (for two) topped with vodka sauce, peas, prosciutto, and mozzarella. For dessert, tiramisu and cannolis.
Why it’s FOUND: Chef Vitolo has certainly mastered a new, more refined dance. With partner Rob Crosoli leading the front-of-house duties, the duo has forged a new gem in Fort Lauderdale Beach. –Julia Grossman
→ Vitolo (Fort Lauderdale) • 551 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd • Mon-Thu 4-10p, Fri 4-11p, Sat 12-11, Sun 12-10p • Reserve.