An unassuming building perched on State Road 84, minutes from Downtown and Las Olas houses the mega-institution Anthony’s Runway 84. This family owned and operated restaurant has been holding court for 28 years in the same location. Anthony Bruno, restaurant extraordinaire is the heart and soul behind this landmark jewel. Hailed from true New York Italian roots Anthony and his father started this restaurant with one basic philosophy, serve old school Italian soul food in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere just like home. And 28 years later that is the professional creed Anthony Bruno still lives by.
Just as everyone would gather for Sunday family dinners at the Bruno home in Brooklyn feasting on platters of Aunt Mary’s stuffed peppers, pots of escarole and beans and dishes of homemade meatballs and pasta; it is the same “Family-Style” type of culture and service that has endeared many cult-like followers and regular guests of Anthony’s Runway 84 yearning for that flavor of times remembered with family and friends.
Family recipes from Anthony’s Grandparents and Mother are the core ingredients if you will, that are the base of the traditional and satisfying fare that has drawn repeat guests into Anthony’s Runway 84 for nearly 30 years. There is a passion from which each original recipe was created and over the years that passion turned into a love resulting in a dining experience that leaves you completely euphoric. Anthony Bruno exudes what he does. He loves his Italian food. He lives it, he shares it, and he teaches you how to experience it. The Italian Sunday Feast is an overflowing platter of traditional home style foods of meatballs, sausage, pork rib and bracciola served over homemade rigatoni blanketed with the family tomato sauce. Any fan of the time-honored broccoli rabe and sausage served with rigatoni will be completely delighted and to stimulate your senses even more the ample portion of the luscious swordfish cooked to perfection with just the right amount of olive oil could almost sway you away from the pork chop smothered with fried peppers, onions and potatoes, Italian soul food at its best!
It’s not just about the food at Anthony’s Runway 84 the Italian Wines that covet the list are a wine lovers dream come true. The collection of Brunello’s, Chianti’s, Barolo’s and Tignanello’s will take your breath away; and paired with any of the Italian soul food that Anthony and his Chef create will transport you to places of culinary delight you had no idea existed. On Thursday nights, Anthony hosts the original Meatballs and Martini’s cocktail event. It was here at Anthony’s Runway 84 that this popular cocktail hour promotion came to be, serving up four types of homemade meatballs; regular, turkey, sausage and rice paired with $6 gin or vodka martinis. So when you stop by for this fun and lively event be sure to ask Anthony Bruno the originator of “Meatballs and Martini’s” what his favorite meatball is.
You will smile, your soul will delight and your heart will cheer all this because of food and wine done old school Italian style. It is an experience just like growing up in Brooklyn and having Sunday Dinners with the family; a love, a joy and memories that will last a lifetime.
Anthony’s Runway 84
330 State Road 84
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
954-467-8484
