Welcome to Florida, it’s been waitin’ for you.
The storied, no-frills Italian restaurant Emilio’s Ballato in New York City is known for hosting top celebrity clientele — including recent A-list patron Taylor Swift.
The pop star dined at the family-owned hotspot with Blake Lively, Sophie Turner and Brittany Mahomes in September amid the “Game of Thrones” star’s high-profile divorce and custody battle with Joe Jonas, who had raved about Ballato just two months prior.
And now, the famed eatery’s executive chef, Anthony Vitolo, has partnered with Miami hospitality guru Rob Crosoli to open his new eponymous Italian joint in South Florida: Vitolo.
The cozy yet elevated restaurant, located inside the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach hotel, opens its doors Tuesday night.
“It’s going to be the same food, but I’m bringing more seafood dishes there because everyone likes seafood and it’s on the beach,” Vitolo tells exclusively. “But I’m basically keeping it classic Italian. I’m staying true to myself, staying true to my family and all my family recipes.”
Vitolo says he wants a place where everyone is welcome.
“We’re just trying to create an experience for all our customers in the area,” he shares, adding, “It doesn’t matter if you’re Joe Shmoe or a celebrity.”
Crosoli also has a vision of “building a long-lasting relationship with the community.”
“We want to be approachable, and we want to be welcoming to everybody because everybody deserves that type of dining experience,” he tells . “We’re just two regular guys who are very family-oriented, and we want to bring a little of that to the Fort Lauderdale community.”
Their new restaurant offers a three-pronged dining experience. The first room is Vitolo’s “Cucina,” which features a “chef’s table”-style environment; the second is the “Sala Arco,” an art deco-inspired supper club…
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