Noodles Panini is an Italian restaurant located on the famous Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, offering casual dining in a vibrant setting.
What Makes It Unique
The restaurant prides itself on preparing many ingredients from scratch, which is a key part of its unique offering:
- House-Made Ingredients: They make their own mozzarella cheese in-house, bake all of their desserts, roast their own turkey and beef, and prepare all of their soups, dressings, spreads, and sauces from scratch.
- Quality Imports: They use fine imported Italian ingredients such as Italian pastas, prosciutto di parma, parmigiano-reggiano, and San Marzano valley tomatoes.
History
According to the restaurant’s own history, the name “Noodles Panini” is an homage to a fictional, food-loving Italian-American family. The story traces the Panini family, inventors of the panini sandwich, and their descendant, Giuseppe Jr., who was nicknamed “Noodles” for his passion for making and sampling pasta. The restaurant was named in honor of this fictional, food-loving family and their traditions. It is located on the historic Las Olas Boulevard, known as the “Venice of North America.”
Highlight Menu Items
Noodles Panini offers a diverse menu focusing on Italian specialties, including salads, pasta, entrees, and paninis. Some highlighted items include:
Pasta al Dente:
- Bombolotti #1 with Brent’s tomato sauce, topped with parmigiano-reggiano.
- Spaghetti with aunt marion’s meatballs (made with fresh ground beef, veal, and pork).
- Penne with a splash of vodka, tomatoes, prosciutto di parma, peas, fresh cream, and parmigiano-reggiano.
Panini:
- House-roasted breast of turkey with homemade mozzarella, roasted peppers, dijon, mayo, balsamic vinaigrette, and baby greens on ciabatta.
- Prosciutto di parma with grilled artichokes, baby greens, and shaved parmigiano-reggiano cheese on ciabatta.
- Housemade mozzarella with vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, and balsamic vinaigrette on ciabatta.
Entrees:
- Pan Seared Canadian Salmon with marinated tomatoes, key lime aioli, fresh vegetables, and mashed potatoes.
- Eggplant Parmigiana with homemade mozzarella, portobello mushrooms, Brent’s tomato sauce, and parmigiano-reggiano cheese.
Desserts (Sweets):
- Cannoli
- Tiramisu
- Flourless Chocolate Cake
Customer Feedback
Customer feedback generally praises the quality of the food and the ambiance, often describing the food as fantastic and authentic. Specific dishes like the meatballs, eggplant rollatini, and various pasta dishes often receive high praise. The decor is sometimes described as a blend of “Italy meets Las Olas,” and the option for outdoor seating is appreciated.
However, some common points of concern from customer reviews include:
- Pricing: Some patrons find the prices, particularly for pasta dishes and non-alcoholic drinks, to be on the higher side.
- Service: While many praise the staff and attentiveness, there are also reports of service being slow or inconsistent, particularly during busy periods.
- Extra Charges: A specific frequent complaint is the charge for bread served at the table, which some customers noted is typically complimentary at other Italian restaurants.
Significant Events
While there are no widely reported historical events tied to the restaurant itself, Noodles Panini does offer catering and can host private events for up to 75 people. They also have a “Take Home” option where customers can purchase their high-quality soups, sauces, and meatballs to prepare at home.
Restaurant Information
