(Primavera Restaurant)

The Primavera Restaurant has been a fixture in the Oakland Park area for many years (since 1985). Chef Giacomo's menu is total Italian and has gone through some changes recently.  The menu is smaller and the prices are lower.  This is a great move considering the economy's blow to restaurants.  The inside of the restaurant also got a face-lift from what I can see.  (Sorry about the picture quality...only had my cell phone with me.  It was getting dark as dinner progressed...so the pictures get a little dark.)

The old menu was a little high priced, but with the new lower prices and the $25 certificate available on Sun Sentinel...this was the perfect opportunity to give them a try.  Primavera is located just East of NE6th Avenue on E. Oakland Park Blvd.  Just past the Kmart.  It sits in a strip mall, but you can't miss it once you pull in. 

The inside of the restaurant is nicely decorated, but could use a little more touches to warm it up.  We showed up without a reservation...and were early enough that it didn't cause a problem.  They do offer a 'pre-theater' menu before 6PM, but we ordered off of the regular menu.
 
(Primavera dining room)

Warm bread is served with butter...which took a little longer than usual as they were baking it in the back.  They were crusty dinner rolls with a warm inside.  Not bad.  We ordered the $7.95 Crispy Calamari, with a medium spicy Fra Diavolo marinara sauce .  It came out fresh and hot.  It was actually quite good.  The sauce was only slightly spicy and was a perfect blend for the average diner.  The calamari wasn't overcooked and was very tender.


(Calamari appetizer)

There was adequate spacing in the appetizer and main course.  They inform you that they make everything fresh to order...so it might take a bit longer than some are used to.  It actually was spaced out perfectly.  I hate when your main course comes out too soon.  Some places even bring your main course when you haven't even fished your salad or appetizer! 

I ordered the $24.95 Bone in Veal Chop Milanese...which is thinly pounded, lightly breaded, pan cooked, with side of chopped A Primavera salad.  The veal was done perfectly and was fresh from the kitchen.  Not only do you get a small salad with this entrée...but you also get a choice of a side.  I went for the angel hair pasta with marinara sauce.  I couldn't even finish it all.  I took home half that was perfect for lunch the next day.  The pasta was done well and the sauce tasted fresh and light. 


(Bone in Veal Chop Milanese)
Jeff ordered one of the daily specials.  The NY Strip steak was grilled and topped with a sauce, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese which was melted in the oven.  The temperature of the steak was perfect at 'medium'.  The special came with a side and he opted for the green beans.  The green beans were 'ok'...and could have used a little more garlic.  The steak was huge and he had left-overs as well.


(NY Strip Steak special)

We passed on the dessert, we were just too full.  After the $25 certificate, the bill came to $35.  Well worth the price even without the $25 certificate.  The service was also a highlight. 



FTLToday Restaurant Grade:    B
Primavera Restaurant
830 East Oakland Park Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale (Oakland Park), FL

Reservations:  954-564-6363