After solidifying his position as one of South Florida's most prolific chefs and restaurateurs – with seven Italian "ristorantes" to show for it – Angelo Elia wanted a new challenge. On Thursday, about two years since he last opened a restaurant, the Italian-born Elia decided to take a slice out of the bakery business, opening Angelo Elia The Bakery Bar in Fort Lauderdale.

Located at 2104 East Oakland Park Boulevard, the bakery serves Italian fixtures like sandwiches, pizzas, pastries, gelato – and 10 different types of Italian coffee. It offers counter-only service, a departure from Elia's white-cloth restaurant blueprint. Elia said he opted for the more casual format this time because quality Italian bakeries are few and far between, while ristorantes are everywhere.

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Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/