When it comes to business lunches or daytime affairs, a budget-busting meal isn’t always an option. Here’s a look at four casual eateries in Broward and Palm Beach counties for meetings or events for groups of 130 or fewer.
1. If you’re looking for a quick bite in Fort Lauderdale, D’Angelo Pizza opened in March, serving pizzas, tapas, and salads for both lunch and dinner. The 2,000-square-foot eatery can seat 90 in its dining room, which features a long counter along one wall with seating on either end and ordering stations in the middle. The patio can also seat an additional 40 or host private receptions for about 50.
2. For those further north, head to Taste Gastropub in Delray Beach. Open since April, this 4,500-square-foot eatery, designed by James Beard Award-winning chef Allen Susser, is divided into three areas: an indoor bar and lounge for 38, a dining room for 18, and a back garden with a waterfall and bar for 33. There is also sidewalk dining for 20. Buyouts are available for groups of 125 for receptions, and an expansive candy bar is up for grabs.
3. Earlier this week Il Mercato Café and Wine Shop opened in Hallendale Beach. The 60-seat international eatery specializes in global cuisines with health-conscious components, mixing classic Italian dishes like spaghetti with French specialties like duck confit. The restaurant lists 70 wines hand-selected by the in-house sommelier and priced at $99 or less, though an additional list of high-end wines is available.
4. Cooper City got its first Cuban restaurant in early June with the opening of Havana’s Cuban Cuisine. The 2,400-square-foot restaurant can seat 80 people in its open dining room. The establishment specializes in classic Cuban cuisine like picadillo criollo (ground beef simmered in tomato-based Cuban sofrito) and masa de cerdo (pork chunks served with a guacamole-style avocado sauce) mixed with Argentine grilled meats and Mexican spices.