Cafe Martorano – A South Florida Classic
Cafe Martorano – a Florida classic – an Italian restaurant in Fort Lauderdale known for its Italian food, unique atmosphere and for its 3-hour wait time. Why on Earth would anyone wait that long for a table? Is it the food, the atmosphere? Owner and Chef, Steve Martorano sat down and shared a little insight into what makes this place so sought after.
Do you take reservations? Why not? Does the wait time add to the image you want to portray?
SM: The fun of Cafe Martorano is the lack of reservations – the anticipation of waiting adds to the experience. Sitting at the bar and people watching while watching the movies and films adds to the sense of excitement. Vegas does take reservations. (He also has a restaurant at The Rio in Las Vegas.)
Where did you get your recipes? Did you borrow from friends and relatives and make them your own, or did you recreate your favorites from scratch?
SM: Growing up, I had never been to Italy – why should I try to cook like they do there, I’d never been there. But I know how my mother cooked in South Philadelphia. I watched her create dishes, all I did was bring it higher with quality. 90% of what we do on our menu is old style Italian; we just brought it up with quality.
Do you have a favorite ingredient? A secret ingredient some people might find surprising?
SM: The Holy Trinity – Olive Oil, garlic and basil
What is your favorite dish from your menu? Is there something you could just eat everyday?
SM: My macaroni, my pasta. And about Gravy vs. sauce – South Philly says gravy, there’s meat in it. Tomato sauce with olive oil, garlic and basil is sauce. Each macaroni dish is cooked individually, fresh to order, nothing is pre-made and refrigerated.
You fill many different roles at the restaurant, which is your favorite?
SM: The music. I wanted to be a producer back in the day, and that was my passion. What’s exciting is my son; my first born is now a DJ, works in clubs in Miami. Its like my dream come true.
What is one thing every potential customer should know before they eat at Cafe Martorano?
SM: Nothing is just like us. Our food is really unique. Most people come in and ask me to cook for them – no other place will do that for just anyone. I’ll make something not even on the menu. Come early, 5-8, it’s quiet. Come after 8, it’s loud – we are what we are and we’re not going to change just because you don’t like it. Fifteen years in the same location – that’s the statement. We’re an institution.
What do you recommend as a perfect ‘introductory’ meal?
SM: A perfect meal here is the meatballs, linguini in white clam sauce, and a veal cutlet Martorano. Our cannolis are great, but our cupcakes…
Your Fort Lauderdale location has been open for fifteen years, and you’ve recently opened your Las Vegas restaurant to great success as well as launching your own brand of sauce. What’s next on your plate?
SM: I added a new menu to our Fort Lauderdale location, bar or takeout. You can’t get an authentic South Philly Italian sandwich anywhere here after six. It’s a shame, so I set this up. I’m ahead of my game on things – I’ll start something and it’ll appear everywhere just after. My next place will be appetizers, people don’t want to eat the same thing every time, they want a little bit of everything. It’ll be fun.
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