Omni Fort Lauderdale Opens Italian Chophouse on Intracoastal Waterway
Barchetta, led by Executive Chef David Caceres, debuts with handmade pastas, prime steaks and Italian-inflected cocktails, adding 52 jobs to the waterfront dist
Omni Fort Lauderdale has opened Barchetta, a coastal Italian chophouse located at 1880 SE 17th St. on the waterfront plaza adjacent to the hotel and Broward County Convention Center. The restaurant overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway and draws from coastal Italian traditions with contemporary execution, pairing imported Italian ingredients with South Florida influences.
Executive Chef David Caceres leads the kitchen, which emphasizes handmade pastas, premium seafood and prime steaks. Menu highlights include Bistecca Fiorentina, a prime T-bone for two; Frutti di Mare, a mixed seafood dish featuring 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 flavors 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."
The cocktail program features playful takes on Italian classics and aperitivo culture, incorporating South Florida elements. The Pomodoro Negroni combines tomato-basil-washed gin with Campari and sweet vermouth. The Day Drift blends Prosecco, lemon juice and St-Germain with J.F. Haden's Lychee Liqueur, a craft product from Miami-based Tropical Distillery owned by former NFL players Mike and Maurkice Pouncey. The cocktail list also includes spritzes, Italian wines and classic pours.
The restaurant's name references small open boats found along Italy's coast and the lightweight sports cars associated with Italian design. The interior features warm red tones, wood, stone and leather with layered textures, while clean lines and contemporary details reflect the energy of Fort Lauderdale's waterfront. Barchetta joins Omni Fort Lauderdale's existing dining venues: Reef 76 Kitchen + Bar, Fair Ketch, Ibis Sky Lounge, Hidden Key, Tide Coastal Kitchen and Leeward Market.
According to Gayla Guyse, General Manager of Omni Fort Lauderdale, the opening "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." The restaurant creates approximately 52 jobs and expands the county's hospitality and tourism sector.
Barchetta operates Tuesday through Sunday, with dinner service from 5 to 11 p.m., extending until midnight on Friday and Saturday. The kitchen closes nightly at 10 p.m. Reservations are available through OpenTable. As Omni continues to develop its culinary offerings, the hotel seeks to establish deeper roots within the Fort Lauderdale community and convention market.