Italian takeout restaurant to open

Anthony’s Runway 84 owner takes ‘easy’ approach for Anthony’s Pronto Kitchen

Fans of venerable Fort Lauderdale Italian restaurant Anthony’s Runway 84 soon will be able to enjoy similar fare without enduring long waits or the maddening crowds of meatballsand-martinis night.

Owner Anthony Bruno plans to open Anthony’s Pronto Kitchen later this year in downtown Fort Lauderdale, an eatery with no tables or bar that will be strictly for takeout and delivery.

“It will be for people who don’t want to cook but who still want a high-quality Italian meal,” Bruno says.

Bruno says he hopes to have the small store, located at 656 N. Federal Highway in the Victoria Park Shoppes, open in December. Permits are pending, and construction of the kitchen should begin by month’s end. A sign in the window touts it as “Italian made easy.”

Using high-end packaging and delivery services such as UberEats and DeliveryDudes, Anthony’s Pronto Kitchen will deliver to homes and offices, keying on downtown neighborhoods Victoria Park, Flagler Village, Colee Hammock and Rio Vista. If it does well, the concept could expand throughout Broward County.

The eatery will offer pastas, sandwiches, salads and entrees such as chicken, veal and shrimp dishes. Bruno says family-style dinners and catering packages will be available. He envisions the concept as a mobile and affordably priced Runway 84, with pastas and entrees in the $13 to $20 range.

The eatery will not offer pizza. Bruno founded the Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza chain, and he still sits on its board of directors. When he sold a controlling share to a corporate group in 2015, he agreed not to open any new pizza competitors. The chain has nearly 70 locations in eight states.

Bruno has been keeping busy. Besides launching the Pronto Kitchen concept, he will soon open Andy’s Live Fire Grill & Bar at the former site of Ernie’s Bar-B-Q on South Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale.

Construction and licensing are moving along, Bruno says, and he says the restaurant is aiming for an opening in early November.

MIKE MAYO/SOUTHFLORIDA.COM Anthony’s Pronto Kitchen, a delivery and takeout concept from the owner of Anthony’s Runway 84, will open later this year at 656 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale.