A wall of pastries and multicolored gelato beckons from the cold case as you enter restaurateur Angelo Elia’s new café, an expansion of his flagship Italian restaurant, Casa D’Angelo. Elia’s outpost is bright and spacious, a retreat for morning coffee and croissants, where one can relax along the Oakland Park Boulevard-facing patio with a bomboloni (Italian doughnut filled with custard). Java is numerous here — espresso with mountains of whipped cream, or macchiato and cappuccino – and pairs well with the croissant panini, stuffed with frittata, parmacotto ham, provolone and tomato.
Angelo Elia The Bakery Bar, 2104 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-566-6100; angeloeliabakery.com
FINALISTS:
The Continental, 2360 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-604-2000; continentalmiami.com
Flashback Diner; flashbackdiner.com; 1450 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 561-750-2120; 220 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, 954-454-8300; 4125 Davie Road, Davie, 954-321-3400
