New restaurant features handmade pastas, prime steaks and specialty cocktails.
Omni Fort Lauderdale announced the opening of Barchetta, a new coastal Italian chophouse overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Located at 1880 SE 17th St. on the waterfront plaza adjacent to the hotel and Broward County Convention Center, the restaurant draws from the traditions of coastal Italy with a modern take, pairing imported Italian ingredients with South Florida influences throughout its menu, cocktail programme and design.
Led by Executive Chef David Caceres, Barchetta’s menu features handmade pastas, premium seafood and prime steak selections. Highlights include Bistecca Fiorentina, a prime T-bone for two; Frutti di Mare, a mixed seafood dish with Florida black grouper and Kaluga caviar; and Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, a handmade pasta with black truffle.
“This is the kind of food I love — great ingredients, bold flavours and dishes with a lot of character,” Caceres said. “We’ve created a menu that celebrates all of those things and I’m incredibly proud of what our team is bringing to the Fort Lauderdale culinary scene.”
Behind the bar, Barchetta’s cocktail programme takes a playful approach to Italian classics and aperitivo culture, with South Florida flavour woven throughout. The Pomodoro Negroni puts Barchetta’s spin on the classic Italian cocktail, using tomato-basil-washed gin alongside Campari and sweet vermouth. The programme also features J.F. Haden’s Lychee Liqueur from Miami-based Tropical Distillery, owned by Florida natives and former NFL players Mike and Maurkice Pouncey. The liqueur is featured in the Day Drift, a refreshing combination of Prosecco, lemon juice and St-Germain. J.F. Haden’s craft liqueurs are also featured in cocktails throughout Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel. The list also includes spritzes, Italian wines and classic pours.
Barchetta, Italian for “little boat”, takes its name from the small, open boats found speeding along Italy’s coast. The term was later adopted to describe the lightweight, open-top sports cars that became synonymous with chic Italian design. Both meanings bring the restaurant’s identity to life, pairing the ease of coastal living with the effortless sophistication of vintage automotive design. Warm red tones, wood, stone, leather and layered textures create an inviting sense of depth, while clean lines, contemporary details and bright Italian-inspired artwork reflect the energy and movement of Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront.
Barchetta joins the collection of restaurants and bars at the Broward County-owned Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel, including Reef 76 Kitchen + Bar, Fair Ketch, Ibis Sky Lounge, Hidden Key, Tide Coastal Kitchen and Leeward Market. The opening brings approximately 52 jobs to the area and expands Broward County’s growing hospitality and tourism district.
“Since the hotel opened last December, we have envisioned Omni Fort Lauderdale as a place that would become part of the fabric of this community,” said Gayla Guyse, General Manager of Omni Fort Lauderdale. “Barchetta is an important part of that vision. It gives our local community, convention attendees and visitors a new reason to experience the waterfront and reflects the continued momentum we’re seeing across Broward County.”