Baby Loves Disco is taking children out of the bar/club/high end restaurant scene (until this day I will never know why kids should be in the middle of the action where liquor is flowing, music is playing – you know the scene) and giving them a place of their own. This is not just a babysitting club, rather a hip nightclub (Barney is banned)- in our case - Revolution in Fort Lauderdale. For the event, the club is transformed into an afternoon dance party where real music is spun and mixed by DJ’s featuring classic tunes from the 70’s and 80’s. The room is then filled with bubble machines, baby changing stations, a chill-out room, healthy snacks and lots of dancing. What a great change from your routine, and a chance for kids of all ages to come together – in a place that is meant for “kids.” After reading that, it made me wonder what are the other kid-friendly places to go to in South Florida:

• Lion Country Safari: I previously posted about this place here where children and their parents alike can take a walk on the wild side.
• Walt Disney World: Ok like we didn’t know that. But did you know that b5media has a blog devoted entirely to WDW? You can find it here.
• Butterfly World located in Coconut Creek
• Miami Seaquarium: Did you know that this was once the setting for the TV Show, Flipper?
• Visit animals throughout the world at The Miami MetroZoo
• Young at Art Children’s Museum: This interactive children’s museum will help them develop their creativity while learning about different cultures, history and the environment.
• Boomers! A state of the art playland for children of all ages. It includes video games, laser tag, mini golf, bumper boats, go karts, a climbing wall and more.
• Crandon Park (Key Biscayne): Combining a park and the beach into one, this 2 mile long beach is often name on the top 10 list of the best in the country and has areas set aside for picnics, grilling, cabana rentals, biking, kayaking, an amusement center and even a carousel. There’s also a marina, championship golf course and a 27-court tennis center.

Photo Credit: Sarcasmo @ flickr

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

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. 

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Cheers!

Photo Credit [Madman the Mighty @ flickr]

Post from: The South Florida Traveler