Bravo Pizzeria & Salumeria on Federal Highway in Lighthouse Point is a good place to grab a bite or pick up something to take home.
Divided into two sections, this 8-month-old establishment is a small Italian grocery, salumeria (Italian for “deli”) and take-out place on one side; sit- down restaurant on the other, with red-checkered tablecloths and glass bricks to give the dining room a contemporary feel.
The entire establishment is immaculate — from the clean dining room and grocery to the restrooms.
On our visit, one waiter worked the dining room, which was about 25 percent full. He kept the courses well timed, joked with the customers and knew the usual orders of regulars.
Pizza con Gamberi ($7 for a 9-inch, $15 for 14-inch and $16.50 for 16-inch) was a delightful white pizza (no tomato sauce, only mozzarella cheese for the first layer) with savory ribbons of flavorful pesto sauce topped with chopped shrimp. The crust was light and crisp. We ordered the pizza as an appetizer and it proved to be a good indication of Bravo’s food quality.
The entrees did not disappoint either.
Eggplant Rollatini ($8.50) was three thin-sliced pieces of eggplant layered with ricotta cheese and parsley, rolled and covered with a chunky tomato sauce. The sauce was slightly sweet and baked with a topping of mozzarella cheese. We received three of these.
This entree was served with a simple salad of iceberg lettuce, cucumber slices and tomato wedges and with a side of al dente spaghetti. The spaghetti was covered with the same chunky tomato sauce as the eggplant, but this time it was accented with a large basil leaf.
Spaghetti with Meatballs ($6.95) was a hefty serving of pasta covered with tomato sauce and topped with two large herb-infused meatballs. The house salad also accompanied this entree.
Other Bravo offerings include Broccoli Pizza ($5.75, $10.50, $11.50); 4 Stagioni Pizza, with mushrooms, eggplant, ham and onions ($6, $10.50, $11.50); Chicken Parmigiana ($8.95); Sausage and Green Peppers ($8.50); Mussels Marinara ($9.95); Baked Ziti ($6.95); Baked Ravioli ($7.25); Stuffed Shells ($6.95); Gnocci ($6.50 with tomato sauce, $7.50 with meat sauce); Spinach Roll ($4.50); and Spinach Calzone ($5).
For a casual bite out or takeout, bravo for Bravo.
Do you have a favorite budget restaurant in Broward County? Please send the name of the restaurant, its address and your name and telephone number to Oline H. Cogdill, A Bite Out, Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33301. Enclose a menu, if you have one. Please, no telephone calls.
BRAVO PIZZERIA & SALUMERIA
Freddy’s Plaza
2486 N. Federal Highway
Lighthouse Point
942-5566
FAX: 942-0890
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Prices: Appetizers, $1.50 to $5.95; entrees, $4.50 to $14.95.
Atmosphere: Casual; non-smoking section
Liquor: Beer and wine only
Credit cards: None accepted
Wheelchair access: Good
Children’s needs: Booster, high chairs. Children’s menu available
—- A Bite Out is a regular column of the Sun-Sentinel devoted to helping readers find inexpensive local restaurants. Oline H. Cogdill makes every effort to remain anonymous, and all the reviewer’s meals are paid for by the Sun-Sentinel.
CAPSULE REVIEWS BROWARD COUNTY
Editor’s note: The following are capsulized reviews of restaurants recently visited by Oline H. Cogdill.
–Four Star Ravioli & Deli, 2143-45 N. State Road 7, Margate. 1-305-974-2444. This store is a real treat for the senses — grocery items, a bakery, a deli, homemade pasta and several refrigerator cases loaded with dinners. Here, the dinners are made fresh by Four Star and then sold frozen in aluminum trays. You can buy your entire week’s worth of meals at once and defrost them as needed. (Reviewed January 1993)
–Islands, 6500 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, 1-305-491-8494; fax: 1-305-491-1559. A bright, cheery restaurant, Islands’ decor gives diners a tropical feel with lots of plants and colorful papier-mache flamingos and parrots. And it’s strictly a budget-minded restaurant serving only salads, burgers, sandwiches and tacos. The highest-priced item on the menu is $6.55. Portions are extremely generous. (Reviewed February 1993)
–La Creperie, Sun Village Plaza, 4589 N. University Drive, Lauderhill, 1-305-741-9035. This charming restaurant with a French country theme is a true find. Food and service are excellent. Crepes are reasonably priced and delicious; pate is homemade and rich-tasting. Do not miss the wonderful desserts. (Reviewed January 1993)
–L’ile-de-France, 3025 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 565-9006. This small, intimate place tucked away in the corner of a strip of stores on A1A is one of the best restaurants in Broward. Diners can order a la carte — from $12.50 to $21.95 — or take advantage of the restaurant’s gourmet dinners. Early bird dinners are $11.95, complete gourmet dinners $16.95 to $19.95. The menu changes monthly, but the quality and service are consistently superior. (Reviewed February 1993)
–Lucarella’s, 4165 N. Dixie Highway, Oakland Park. 1-305-563-3560. This tiny shop in a nondescript strip of stores between Oakland Park and Commercial boulevards produces an ambitious array of dinners, sandwiches, salads and calzones. Lucarella’s bakes its own breads and has a good selection of cookies and pastries. (Reviewed January 1993)
–Roma Italian Restaurant & Pizza, Shoppes of Deer Creak, 3515 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, 426-8189: This small family-run restaurant produces quality meals at a low price. Service is excellent and so is the food. (Reviewed December 1992).
–Sergio’s on The Water, 928 NE 20th Ave., Fort Lauderdale. 1-305-524-5363. An excellent view of the Middle River is one of the big draws here. Another is the well-prepared, reasonably priced Italian cuisine served al fresco by a competent, efficient staff. (Reviewed December 1991)
