Bistro Mezzaluna

I don’t come here often enough and that needs to change. The food is great and the service is wonderful. If you are looking for a nice night out and solid Italian food, this is the place.
One special complement has to go out to Frank who really went out of his way to make a recent visit special.
Give it a try, you won’t regret it.

We’re from Pennsylvania we come to Ft. Laud area every month to every other this is our Go-​To place. This is the only place I will indulge in pasta. Dare I say «swanky“‘ everyone comes here: old, young, wealthy, or not everyone comes for a nice night out no pretentious Ft Laud aire. The food is excellent and the service is even better. My husband is a major food snob of steak houses (i.e.: Ruth’s Chris) and Mezzaluna’s trumps them all. Jamie and the other girls at the bar make you feel welcome and make it a great night every time. They usually have a piano man too who is terrific and takes requests. Nice wine selection and great seafood you can’t go wrong here.

Visited the Bistro with some co-​workers on a breezy Thursday night. We had originally wanted to go to Morton’s to celebrate a recent client acquisition (yep, we’re in the advertising biz;) but my colleague suggested Bistro Mezziluna. On arrival I was immediately struck by the place’s classic décor, lots of wood and gold accents, a fully stocked wine cellar at the entrance. Welcome staff was very friendly and the few patrons that I saw at the bar had all of their clothes on and seemed to be in good mental health (this part of Broward can be a bit bizarre after dark). I instantly felt at home sinking into a plush arm chair to wait for my colleagues, Phil Collin’s «Another Day in Paradise» floating fruitfully in the near distance. A nice departure from the congested hustle and bustle of the next door Outback Steakhouse.
The boys arrived and we were off to fulfill our 6:30 reservation in a nice corner booth. First up, Ice waters all around. The water was real cold and didn’t have any weird aftertaste, so far so good! Our server punctually arrived to hand us our menus. Let’s call him Gary. Gary courteously greeted us and offered up a clever quip about the menus being filled with electricity. Sure enough, these menus glow when you open them, every item on the menu burst to life like a performer on the theatre stage. Gary recited to us some specials, all of which sounded delectable. You could tell Gary had tasted each dish first hand and his pronunciation of mozzarella made me feel like I was back in the Old Country again (Italy that is lol). Gary is the type of guy who enjoys the finer things in life.
We ordered up some apps and a bottle of Cabernet. This place just a felt a bit too classic to be sipping on that sweet pink wine I usually get. Meatballs, salad, even got an extra fixin of some prosciutto to go with our buffalo mozzarella platter. Meatballs were fully cooked and Mozzarella dish arrived as described on the menu. Everything was on a plate too!
Now time for the entrees. I indulged in the 8oz. filet mignon, medium rare. It came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Once again everything was fully cooked and the plate was hot. My other two colleagues took a dabble in the seared ahi tuna special and crab cake dish. They’re seafood kinda guys. Everything went down smoothly and nobody choked. We even left some room for desert. Gary described to us some sort of chocolate cake that they make that doesn’t have flour in it. This place really is ahead of the curve… a flourless chocolate cake??? Oh Daaaaaaaamn. We got that and the crème brûlée and shared it between the 3 of us (no homo). By this point our bellies were filled to the brim.
Over all, a very pleasurable experience except for the fat guy talking really loudly behind us. Everything that was edible tasted pretty good and the service was on point. It was a bit pricey but that didn’t matter because my colleague picked up the bill. Carpe Diem!

Go see Dee at the bar. Check out the happy hour. Everything was excellent. Meatballs and raviolli were yum. Seafood salad also. Beautiful atmosphere. Go.

Came here last night for dinner and it was superb! The food was very well prepared and seasoned and our waiter paid very close attention to all the needs of everyone there.

LOVED this place. We live within walking distance and have been waiting for an occasion to try it out. We stopped in on 4^th of July before heading out to catch the fireworks. It was empty when we arrived (likely due to the holiday) but we had the back patio to ourselves (and our pup). Service was fantastic– our waiter Alex was great. We ordered the buffalo shrimp to start, which was so outstanding, that my boyfriend ordered a second plate. For our entrees, we chose the lobster humedor special and the yellow snapper. No kidding, the lobster humedor was one of the most exquisite dishes I’ve ever eaten. Complete with two lobster tails, sauteed spinach, mushrooms, and fresh pasta, I am still dreaming about it.

Awesome place !! The food is so good it melts in your mouth the staff is awesome. Place is gorgeous ask for Waz !!!

Sorry, but I felt a bit uncomfortable in this restaurant. It’s just too stuffy and full of over-​privileged rich folk. Kind of looks like a hotel lobby really. The food is quite expensive, but to their credit it is tasty and fresh. This may be something you do for an anniversary perhaps, but not every day.

Valentine’s Day at Mezzaluna was a romantic evening. We sat on the terrace which was lovely and warmed with heated lamps. Maryland crab cakes where delicious. Our server was very helpful explaining the specials. We had prime rib which was cooked to perfection and a very ample portion. My husband loved the yellow snapper, the sauce was rich without being overpowering, tarragon and capers what a great combination. I’m embarrassed to say our plates were practically licked cleaned.
The flour less chocolate cake we paired with the coconut sorbet, just yummy!
The bill was hefty, but well worth it for an extra special evening.

Off the beaten path of 17^th Street Causeway, is this quaint place. Excellent happy hour 4−7pm. The bar area gets packed during those times but lingers away after 7. I highly recommend the baked brie!!!

I went to this restaurant for happy hour with my friends. It was fairly crowded when we arrived. We were seated at a long table arrangement next to the bar. The service was a little slow because they only had two people working the bar. One was steadily behind the bar and the other was going to all the tables taking orders. There were way too many people there. She should have had help.
I first ordered the meatballs. The portion was small and they lacked in flavor. I was not satisfied and decided to try the baked brie. That was okay, but I was not a fan of the nuts inside. I finally decided to try the Maryland crab cake. That was actually pretty good!
I was not a fan of the basil martini I ordered, and I decided not to order anymore from the bar.
All in all, I don’t think I’ll be returning to this restaurant. The service was too slow, and the food was not worth the prices. Trying all those dishes and not finding one I liked left me craving something simple, like a burger.

Exceptional Dining experience, great place for date night. I went here the suggestion of the hotel and they did not steer me wrong. As other reviews say the restuarnt is clean, classy and just fantastic service. The backlit menus were a great touch.
The wine and food are beyond excellent. We started with the Homemade meatballs on suggestion of the waiter and they were scrumptious. We both had steak and both were excellent peices of meat. After dinner we hit the piano bar for some after dinner port. The atmosphere was more casual and the crowd that hung around was on the older side. Overall still great. It was a little pricey– but what you would expect to pay at any higher quality restaurant. I would recommend this place to any one visiting Ft. Lauderdale.

Went in for dinner with my family while on vacation. After seated we were greeted by Phil our waiter. He was so knowledgable and passionate about the menu, and his personal favorites. He started us with wine which was very nice. Then to a Wedge salad and a shrimp cocktail with shrimp the size of my hand that was excellent. Our main dishes were Free Range Chicken, veal parmigiana, spaghetti and meatballs and I had a Ribeye steak. I have eaten at some of the best steakhouses in NY and this was probably the best ribeye I ever had. For dessert we had Apple crumb, NY cheesecake, flourless chocolate cake and the special berry pie. All were outstanding. The price was not cheap but well worth it for the exquisite meal that we had. Thanks Phil for the great service. Your NY friends. PS the light up menus were awesome

Came in for a quick meal and the food was so delicious and the staff was perfect. I ordered the free range organic chicken with potatoes and salad and I would definitely order that again.!!

This place exudes class. It’s intimate, with lovely lighting and smooth melodies traveling from the piano bar adding to the charm. The service is impeccable. The waitstaff has the right mix of charm and professionalism. This is the type of place you take your lady to, wine her, dine her, ask the piano player to play a Donnie Hathaway song and slow dance with her as if no one is watching. Of course, everyone will, but that’s still what you should do, dammit!

First impressions mean everything… The restaurant is very classy and pristine. Low lighting and menus that light up. Dress up or come in slacks and a nice top, just dress classy.
Service: 4 table staff. One gave our menus and told us the special. As well as took our orders for drinks and appetizers. Another gave us our bread. Another was our bus boy and a 4^th took our main order. I was a bit confused as to who our main waiter was. Unfortunately it was the later who seemed unfriendly, abrupt and would walk away before I could finish my sentence. Rarely smiled and seemed annoyed.
Food: You receive a basket of bread and delicious wheat and grain crackers.
I ordered the seafood pasta ($ 39) full of seafood, ½ lobster tail, sea scallops, clams, shrimp and calamari all cooked to perfection. BUT the pasta was overcooked. A bit too soft almost mushy. The sauce was delicious. Our other meal was the special, Halibut ($ 39) in a white mild lemon butter sauce. absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. It was offered with risotto but and asparagus. Dessert key lime pie with a raspberry sauce yummy ($ 10) and I had a glass of Chianti ($ 10) and a cocktail ($ 12)
I would give the wait staff 5 stars if it were not for the waiter we ended up with and the confusion of who was our waiter. I give 4 stars
Food 4 stars due to over cooked pasta, it really should be slightly aldente. Otherwise food was Delicious.
Bathrooms 2stars, bring your night goggles. It is so dark in the bathrooms that I barely could see my lips close up to the mirror as I tried to put some lip gloss on. Truthfully with what we pay for dinner they surely can afford a few light fixtures in the ladies room so we can see how we look let alone the soap and faucet.
Over all 4 stars… They would have had 5 if not for the pasta and unfriendly waiter.
Would I go back. Yes on a special occasion. And would avoid the pasta and that waitor

First impressions — a nice restaurant that caters to the sophisticated! Once inside, it was a little dark (considering it was not dark outside yet), but still a pleasant ambiance nonetheless. To compensate for the dark atmosphere, the presented menus light up so that you are able to see it. Thoughtful choice, but did the lighted menus come about as a result of having a poorly lit restaurant, or did they make the restaurant dark because they thought lighted menus would be cool?
Regardless, after looking over the menu and struggling to decided what to get, I ceased the day and ordered the Pan Roasted Yellowtail Snapper that comes with a white wine sauces, lump crab, capers and a side of mashed potatoes and sautéed asparagus. White sauces scare me because they just look tasteless but I was pleasantly surprise by a delectable piece of flaky fish and a slightly tangy, but tasty sauce.
My fiancé had the Skirt Steak with Arugula Salad, Frites and Chimichurri Sauce, a pretty standard meal in South Florida. The Arugula Salad left something to be desired, but the marvelous steak and accompanying Frites and Chimichurri Sauce more than compensated for that. The steak was a great, tender cut of meat.
After having such a satisfying meal, dessert was a no brainer. We took up the offer to try the Chef’s Special Chocolate Bread Pudding and it was quite impressive. It was the right consistency, the right amount of sweetness and oh so good.
I didn’t leave without trying one of their cocktails. At the waiter’s suggestion, I tried a Raspberry Mojito. It was strong and fresh. They are known for their Happy Hour, so at the discounted price, it would definitely worth it.
The food and drinks was amazing, but it is good to know that service was exceptional as well. We got really lucky and got a very friendly, upbeat server who was not only professional but engaging and equally as wonderful as well. All around dinner was great I would definitely come again.

So… i don’t get to experience restaurants like this often, so is it too hard to expect an extraordinary meal? I guess that was my problem. I expected to be really satisfied and all i got was good, but not great… ya feelz me?
I went with a group and sampled many of the appetizers. this included shrimp Spring Rolls, which weren’t too bad. I also tried the crab cakes which were pretty tasty.
For my meal, i had the Fra Diavolo, but I also got to try the seafood pasta.
First off, I couldn’t really tell the difference between the two. I understand the Fra is supposed to be spicier, but they seriously tasted like they came from the same sauce. Maybe it’s my unsophisticated palete xD
Pasta was fine. Not the best thing I tasted, so it was kind of a let down when you’re paying almost $ 40 dollars for it. It didn’t have too much sauce and it’s flavors weren’t too on point. Not terrible, of course, or anything unbearable to eat. Just not even close to the best pasta i’ve had.
Switching subjects, the ambiance is very nice. Inside is like a little mansion/​house. Bathrooms are very classy. They had cloth napkins, and I wasn’t even sure where to put them when i was done xD
We sat on the outside with nice sparkling lights. Makes you feel like your in a European city, until you realize your in a meh area of Ft. Lauderdale.

Oh yeah! Now we’re talking about a really great place. It’s really a class act place.
I’ve been going to Bistro Mezzaluna for a number of years, starting off at their prior location over on 17^th Causeway. Now they’ve moved into what was formerly Rio, a big, sumptuous, elegant facility. They have a beautiful lobby, bar/​lounge area, inside dinning room and shaded outside patio with a nice fountain which when seated with older men I tend to avoid because of what seems to be the resultant effects of running water seems to have on their enlarged prostates. Excuse me for pointing that out, but some people really do need to know about that.
The service is professional, totally top notch and the food, though somewhat on the pricey sides is top quality, properly prepared, elegantly presented and generally worth it.
One thing that they have that most other restaurants do not have is high tech background illuminating menus. So, no matter the lighting and even if you have poor vision, the menus are easily read.

I let my friend the Internet millionaire choose and I was sorta hoping that he might spring for the check. Oh well. It was still an absolutely top notch excellent meal.
I had a beer in the bar while I waited for my friend to show up. We were then shown to a nice table outside (it was only 75, so it was cool). Another table had the buffalo mozzarella salad and it looked excellent, so I had that to start. A good choice. Some big pieces of fresh beefsteak tomatoes and slices of creamy mozzarella cheese with three big roasted peppers. It was enough for two.
For my main, I had the chicken and sausage pasta. Lots of thin sliced pamesan on top, it had an excellent rich flavor and a really yummy brothy sauce mixed through. So much, I ended up taking half of it home to leave room for dessert. A piece of key lime pie. The side was let down a bit here — it was nice and creamy, but it wasn’t as tart as I would have liked. The crust was good — I ate all of that and maybe a third of the pie.
As Michelle mentions, a great place for a date. Good ambiance and good service and good food. You can skip the valet parking — the lot is plenty big.
Note: The map pin is slightly off. East of Federal Highway on 17^th Street, turn right (south) onto Tenth Avenue.