Best Italian Restaurant


Important: This article was last updated on September 21, 2005. Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, dates and other information.

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Readers' picks

Best Breakfast
 The Original Pancake House, various locations

Best Cheap Eats
 Taco Bell, various locations

Best Chain Restaurant (Tie)
 The Cheesecake Factory and Olive Garden, various locations

Best Barbecue
 Tom Jenkins B-B-Q, Fort Lauderdale

Best Mexican
 La Bamba, various locations

Best Chinese
 Toa Toa, Sunrise

Best Thai
 Siam House, Fort Lauderdale

Best Mall Food Court
 Aventura Mall

Best Pizza
 Downtown Pizza, Fort Lauderdale

Best Hamburger
 Cheeburger Cheeburger, various locations

Best Diner
 Lester's Diner, Fort Lauderdale

Best Romantic Restaurant
 The Melting Pot, various locations

Best Italian
 Il Mulino, Fort Lauderdale
 
Big Tomato Market Grill
8300 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, 954/704-0100; and 9457 W. Atlantic Blvd., Coral Springs, 954/753-4244; www.bigtomatomarketgrill.com

 The operators of this casual, inviting restaurant don't concern themselves with the pretentious trappings -- officious servers, forced quaintness and microscopic portion sizes among them -- that mar so many Italian restaurants in South Florida. The Big Tomato, while by no means lacking in faux artifacts and photographs from the Old Country, places the bulk of its attention where any good restaurant should: on its food. In fact, the restaurant runs the risk of overwhelming diners with the size and scope of its menu, and don't take that as a complaint. It would require many visits to sample everything the menu has to offer, from specialty pizzas and calzones to seafood, grilled and classic Italian entrées to salads, appetizers and focaccia sandwiches. Even the black-sheep cousin of most Italian restaurants -- spaghetti and meatballs -- is prepared with care here, served in a spicy homemade sauce and delivered in a portion so large the diner will have no choice but to ask for a box for the leftovers. The Big Tomato also has a sizable bar area, where customers can order anything on the menu and partake in a daily happy hour that stretches from 4 p.m. to closing time. See the restaurant's Web site for hours, daily specials and catering information.