February 12th, 2013
I guess I had to have that last hamburger before heading back home to Delaware. I arrived at Ft. Lauderdale Airport with plenty of time, so I relaxed and kicked back at Chili’s Too at Terminal 3, just next to Air Tran.
I had taken out my Kindle when my food arrived. I just had a plain hamburger, cheese and fries. I finished, paid and went on to walk around for some time. Never even thought about the Kindle.
Arriving home I was checking my bag when I suddenly realized the Kindle was not there. In my household they said; forget it…gone!! How could I have done that?
Two emails arrived. They were in the computer for a few hours already. One was from Jessica, who was the Customer Service Representative at the Lost and Found Office. They believed they had an item that belonged to me. To contact them at 954-359-2247. It was late in the evening so I sent an email telling that they did have an item that belonged to me.
I also got an email from Amazon, as well.
You see, when you think there is no honesty and goodness in this world, someone does the right thing.
If this ever happen to you at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport, the Lost and Found is located in Terminal 1 of the airport on the Arrivals Level. If they contact you by e-mail they will give you an item number. They only hold items for 30 days.
There are a few options for retrieval:
1. Self Pick-up.
2. Friend/Relative Pick-up. They will need a letter from you granting them permission to release your item to another individual other than yourself. You can send them an e-mail to airportlf@broward.org, or fax them the information at 954-359-6290. Use your item number as the subject. Photo identification and the item number are required for pick up.
3. UPS: This is what I chose. You must arrange shipping on your own, at your expense. The phone number for the UPS store that will go to the airport to collect the item is 954-923-9004. UPS will require the item number in order to retrieve your item. Keep this number because it is for the only UPS store that will go to the Ft. Lauderdale airport to pick up your item.
4. Regular Mail: Send them a self addressed prepaid package. The package must be large enough for the item and a metered stamp must be used for any items weighing more than 4 ounces. You can address the item as follows:
ATTN: Lost & Found, 2200 SW 45 Street, Suite 101, Dania Beach, FL 33312
The Lost and Found office is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until noon. Then, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. They are closed on Broward County holidays.
Again, thanks so much for your consideration. And, to Chili’s Too, my sincere thanks, as well.
Have a good one!!
October 3rd, 2012
Strip malls in Florida are a dime a dozen. Except, there is one strip mall that has had an edge on all others in South Florida….it has been the home of Cafe Martorano for 20 years. When you create a presence in one spot for that long, it has to be good. Location? 3343 E. Oakland Park Blvd. (Corner of Oakland Park Blvd. & A1A), Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308. Tel. 954-561-2554. It opens every day at 5:30 p.m. No reservations. Website? http://www.cafemartorano.com.
And, I do, actually know the difference between “gravy” and “sauce”. These are the terms that you better know when you visit Cafe Martorano, because in this establishment you will not get just a simple tomato sauce. You will get “gravy” as in “Sunday gravy”, made with different meats; a process that takes a bit of time but the results are incredibly good and tasty.
I have been to restaurants, eaten my dinner, and left hungry. Not here….not just a dot on your plate. This is a hefty serving of flavorful food; the way it has always meant to be. Food to be eaten by real people. Guess what? My dinner tonight will be “Martorano’s Leftovers”.
Cafe Martorano has just opened this week after renovations. We knew Steve Martorano was going to be behind the kitchen. That’s what you want to see. Watch him in action. He does have a nice smile, even though not on this picture.
The restaurant is known to be excellent. I had visited a couple of years ago. I had great expectations.
When I first came in my first thought was that is was sleek with elegant lines. With dim lights, the restaurant already had customers. Therefore, not too many pictures, just enough to give you an idea. Plenty photos of the food, though.
Televisions played scenes of Steve Martorano’s favorites. A little background music. It was early in the evening, but if you happen to come a few hours later, there might be a party going on; music a little louder… you know what I mean; a slightly different atmosphere.
Steve said: “Yo Cuz!” It is Steve’s trademark and also his brand name. It can mean family, a term of endearment, but I think I’ll take Steve’s suggestion; if you do not remember the person’s name, just say “Yo Cuz!” That will do it. Steve grew up in South Philly. He is self taught. 18th and 19th centuries = South Philly = Italian American Community. His cooking reflects that robust type of cooking; homestyle. In the Italian American Community in South Philly the same great dishes have been prepared for years. A lot of the recipes have been passed down. And, the portions are big.
Steve told me “Tell the Truth”. I am obliging.
When visiting Cafe Martorano, come hungry because you will be taken into a culinary expedition. So let’s begin.
Our servers knew the menu inside and out. Gustavo’s heritage was Brazilian/Italian. He told me it was the best combination. I am not sure where Kyle was from but I have to thank both for taking care of us so well.
Cards were presented. Fill them out. Only at this location, you could be the winner of Steve Martorano’s Ultimate Italian-American Experience. Yes, he will cook in your home for 8 people anywhere in the country!!
Gustavo sat at the table with his electronic notebook to show us the specials of the day. First time I have seen that done in a restaurant and I liked it.
It showed also that in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month they were offering a Pink Drink: Chambord, Limoncello, Vodka with Sugar rim.
We decided we were going to let Steve cook for us whatever he wanted. I had done that before and loved the idea of being surprised.
If you would like to see the menu, please visit http://www.cafemartorano/dining.html
The first thing that was sent to our table, just to wet our appetites, was macaroni with peas and onions. The macaroni perfectly cooked and that broth was light; the perfect dish to start our Martorano Expedition.
Bread was brought to the table; warm, olive oil for dipping.
The condiments never left the table.
The next dish that appeared at our table was one that I could have for a meal. It was Martorano’s Famous Meatball and Salad. Why is it that I cannot make a meatball like this? It was so flavorful. It was served with Sunday gravy, ricotta cheese, and Martorano salad.
As he laid the next dish, I could not believe how pretty it looked. The photo does not do justice. Homemade warm mozzarella with EVOO. Homemade was the key word.
The Tuna Carpaccio presented to us as the next dish was delicate. Thin slices of Blue Eye Tuna, coarse sea salt, EVOO, and light meyer lemon. Again sooo good; the tuna melted in your mouth.
The rice balls were the first things I saw when arriving at Cafe Martorano. The one at our table was warm, cut in half with a little surprise of mozzarella inside. I could make a trip just for that rice ball.
We were way into the Martorano Expedition when our main entrees arrived.
Chicken on The Bone. It is one of Steve’s favorites. Chicken with hot and sweet sausages, sweet peppers, fresh mushrooms, onions, Jersey tomatoes, which I think Steve loves…all baked to order. The chicken fell off the bone and just look at the rest of the ingredients, then add a Steve Martorano sauce and wine. Flavors went through the roof!!
The next entree, actually paired well with the Chicken on The Bone. It was Linguine Seafood – South Jersey Style. Shrimp, jumbo lump crab, claws, Italian herbs, chili flakes, garlic and EVOO, all cooked in natural juices. Those chili flakes gave it that extra kick to this dish.
I cannot believe I had the nerve to have dessert. But, I had to finish my Martorano Expedition with a sweet ending. How about the cannoli? How big could that be? Oh, well….I have not had a cannoli in such a long time. The writing above? Yo Cuz, of course!!
A decaf espresso really did end the Martorano Expedition.
Cafe Martorano has two other locations:
In Hollywood, Florida at 5751 Seminole Way. This location closes on Mondays.
In Las Vegas, Nevada at The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino at 3700 West Flamingo Rd. It opens at 6 p.m. every day and this location does accept reservations.
If you visit the website you will find the upcoming events. Wine Tasting and Book Signing in October at Laurenzo Italian Market in North Miami Beach. Then, the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show, and in December the Cooking Demo and Photo ops with customers. You can also find in the website how Cafe Martorano is giving back to the community.
Want to do a little shopping, then, check http://www.cafemartorano.com/retailer.html.
You know what I found so interesting about Steve? How accessible and friendly he was. There he was cooking away for a full restaurant and I was welcomed inside his kitchen for my own photo opportunity and signing of his book Yo Cuz! My Life My Food My Way. Can’t wait to read it and try some of those recipes.
Thanks Steve, Gustavo, and Kyle. Hope to be back soon. And thanks for giving my taste buds a run for their money!!
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