SOURCE ARTICLE: Newsbreak.com
Before popular red sauce establishments like Carbone, Prime Italian, and Café Martorano made their way to South Florida, there was Anthony’s Runway 84. The iconic dining institution first opened in the heart of Fort Lauderdale 40 years ago, considered a landmark establishment that maintained a well-earned reputation for classic Italian-American cooking and hospitality. No matter the night, its vibe — equal parts raucous dinner party and Goodfellas glam — combined with its celebrity magnetism and delicious food and drink, made it a nightly hotspot for cocktails and conviviality or a meal with friends or a special occasion. The restaurant closed in spring 2022 for a complete (and pricey $4 million) renovation, and loyal diners have patiently waited in anticipation for the grand reopening. Now, after an eight-month closure and a complete makeover that promises a cool, contemporary look that evokes the historic spirit of Anthony’s Runway 84 — now simply Runway 84 — will reopen to the public later this month.
“The decision to close was not an easy one to make but it was the right one,” owner Anthony Bruno tells News Break. “A successful 40-year run is almost unheard of in this business. We were blessed and lucky to have such a loyal following that stayed with us over so many years. It was time to refresh and prepare for our next 40 years doing what we do best: make people feel like family.”
With the official January opening date still pending, anticipation has been and remains high for what looks like one of it not the biggest restaurant openings of the year. The major refresh is the brainchild of partners Bruno, Pat Marzano of Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza and Marc Falsetto of Handcrafted Hospitality; a trio of restaurant kingpins who envision Runway 84 as a tony supper club worthy of The Rat Pack at their hippest. “Those that loved the original Anthony’s Runway 84 will find plenty of new to love and will find familiarity around every corner, from the art of the walls to the food on the plate,” adds Marzano.
For the design, the team has tapped Miami-based award-winning design firm Bigtime Design Studios to reimagine the space and turn their vision into a reality. Among the additions, a live music lounge featuring a gorgeous new grand piano and dramatic crystal chandelier; a tony new bar complete with an elevated cocktail program and a dramatic new entranceway delivering major Copacabana vibes.
Taking cues from the restaurant’s rich 40-year history and the storied lives of its owners, the design team strived to reimagine the space in a way that preserved what was, mirrored our present-day affections and channeled future inclinations.