New Taco craft coming to Fort Lauderdale
Eatery to open in November downtown at Victoria Park
Atightly coiled ball of energy bouncing between present and future projects, Marc Falsetto only became certain about the location of his new Tacocraft Taqueria & Tequila Bar in downtown Fort Lauderdale whenhewas able to sit still. For two weekends late last year, Falsetto set a chair on the sidewalk in front of the former MidiCi restaurant space on Federal Highway, the border between the new bust le of Flagler Village and the upscale moderation ofVictoria Park.
Andhejustwatched: Runners zippedby, dogswerewalked, strollerswere strolled, young professionals filled restaurants, millennial sb ought coffee and moms pulled up to use the ATM.
“You really have to feel the location,” Falsetto says. “There’s just a lot of synergy in that area. Our brand really appeals to young professionals and mill en ni a ls who have a lot of energy. Our whole demographic is right there in Flagler Village and Victoria Park.”
Falsetto expects Tacocraft Victoria Park to open in late November. Pushing aside blueprints on the bar thisweek, the 40- year-old long time Bro ward County resident shared a sneak peek at thenewplace.
Team Tacocraft
Tacocraft Victoria Park is the first project by the team that will drive the brand going forward. Along with Falsetto, it includes Anthony Bruno (Andy’s Live Fire Grill and Anthony’s Pronto Kitchen) and PatMarzano, the duo behind the rapidly growing Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza chain; Miami Dolphins icon DanMarino; and South Florida radio legend Paul Castronovo.
It is an ambitious group with design son making Ta co craft a regional brand. Comingsoon is aTacocraft at PlantationWalk,
which Falsetto expects to open in late spring-early summer. A location in Aventura also is on the drawing board.
Tulum room
Nearly 4,000 square feet and more than three times the size of the original Fort Lauderdale Tacocraft that once operated in theHimmarsheeDistrict, thenew location will be similar in size and feel to its sister spot in Lauderdaleopened in early 2019. There are about 160 seats, a massive marble bar where more than 400 bottles of tequila and other spirits will be displayed, and a largecoveredpatio.
The attractive décor that Falsetto (also a designer) calls “coastal Tulum” is a classy marriage of heavy woods with citrusy green subway tile, a color repeated on crushed-velvet clamshell banquettes. Whenlight pours through the massive windows — several windows and the front doors foldopento allowfresh air to flowin— the effectwill be bright, freshandrelaxing. Inthedimlighting of night, whenthe bar glowsin signature green, the same room achieves a sexy, dramatic sophistication.
Just inside the door is a nod to the evolution of dining in the COVIDera, abuilt-in station dedicated to takeoutandfood-delivery pickup. One wall at the far end of the dining roomwill be covered in murals, but don’t expect skullsand skeletons.
“Goneis all thatDayof theDead stuff. UpscaleMexican coastal is
in,” Falsetto says.
Newmenu
You’ll still be able to find many of the ambitious twists onMexican street food that made Tacocraft popular. But along with a new raw bar, Tacocraft Victoria Park will introduce“refinedMexican” menu items that also will be added at sister restaurants in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and South Miami. Core entrée favorites from executive chef RobbynsMartinez will be joined by Achiote Brick Chicken($19), PanSearedGrouper ($26) and a fire-grilled Skirt Steak ($24). Newtacos include Chicken al Pastor ($5) andKey LimeGrouper ($6).
The raw bar will offer Snapper Ceviche ($14) and Tuna Poke Tacos ($14).
“We’ve elevated the menu with some of the entrees, with the raw bar. We’re moving away from burritos and all that kind of stuff,” Falsetto says.
Keep on the grass
The feature that may come to define Tacocraft Victoria Park will be a large covered patio at the entrance on the north side of the building.
Featuring 1,500 square feet of artificial turf bracketed by built-in seating covered in colorful cushion sand pillows, the patio will have mounted TVs and space for live music andDJs. Falsetto expects to programmusicfour orfivenights a week, including their popularTaco Tuesday parties and during Saturday and Sunday brunch.
Kids are all right
While Falsetto talks a lot about upscaling and elevating, he hopes Tacocraft Victoria Park will be popular with families, who used to crowd the old MidiCi pizza space. He points out that unlike many restaurants nearby, Tacocraft will have a kid’s menu.
“We’re upscale casual butwe’re still casual,” he says. “One of the reasons we picked the edge of VictoriaPark is there’s lots of families, sporting teams, soccermoms. Andeverybody loves tacos.”
Ta co craft Victoria Park is expected to open in late November at 510 N. FederalHighway, Fort Lauderdale, adjacent to a garage with free parking. VisitTacocraft.com.