Chef Profile: Angelo Elia Founder & Chef-Owner, Casa D’Angelo

Chef Angelo Elia, Founder & Chef-Owner, Casa D’Angelo

Casa D’Angelo: “Where Exquisite Taste is Always on the Menu” with Iconic Chef Angelo Elia.

For nearly three decades, Chef Angelo Elia has defined Italian fine dining in South Florida, blending Old World tradition with modern elegance. As the celebrated chef and visionary behind the Casa D’Angelo brand, Elia has cultivated a culinary empire rooted in authenticity, family values, and an unwavering passion for exceptional food and wine.

From Salerno to South Florida: A Culinary Journey

Born in Salerno, Italy, Elia’s earliest culinary education came from his parents – his mother, who taught him the art of scratch cooking in their home kitchen, and his father, a local butcher, who emphasized the importance of quality ingredients. By age 14, Angelo had immigrated to New York City, where he trained in some of the city’s most prestigious kitchens, including The Four Seasons and La Cisterna. These formative years laid the groundwork for a philosophy centered on integrity, craftsmanship, and tradition.

In 1998, alongside his wife and hospitality partner Denise, Elia opened the original Casa D’Angelo in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It quickly became a beloved fixture in the culinary landscape, known for its refined Tuscan fare, impeccable service, and world-class wine list. Since then, Casa D’Angelo has expanded to include locations in Boca Raton and Aventura, Florida, with each restaurant maintaining the highest standards of Italian excellence.

The Casa D’Angelo Experience

With a menu anchored in handcrafted pastas, fresh seafood, and sauces made from scratch, each Casa D’Angelo location celebrates the soul of Italian cooking. The Fort Lauderdale flagship boasts a wine cellar with more than 10,000 bottles and has been a Wine Spectator honoree for over two decades. Signature dishes like veal chop Milanese and truffle tagliatelle have earned the loyalty of guests ranging from devoted locals to celebrities such as David and Victoria Beckham, Dan Marino, Katy Perry, and Derek Jeter.

Today, Casa D’Angelo continues to deliver an upscale timeless experience, where guests are treated like family, and every dish is a celebration of Italian heritage and culinary artistry.

Costoletta di Vitello

Vongole

Beyond the Dining Room: The Art of Wine at Casa D’Angelo

For guests who travel for extraordinary food and wine experiences, Casa D’Angelo offers an authentic Italian wine journey, without ever leaving South Florida. Internationally recognized for pairing refined Italian cuisine with one of the most comprehensive Italian wine programs in the region, Casa D’Angelo has curated its cellar with intention since opening its doors.

Each wine list showcases hundreds of selections from Italy, France, and California, beginning with an extensive Champagne and sparkling wine program, followed by benchmark white wines and an exceptional depth of age-worthy reds. The collection places particular emphasis on Piemonte and Tuscany, home to Nebbiolo and Sangiovese, where grapes are prized for their structure, elegance, and food-friendly balance.

The red wine cellar is especially formidable, featuring Barolo, Barbaresco, and Brunello di Montalcino alongside Super Tuscans and elite international bottlings. Rare and sought-after labels such as Masseto, Ornellaia, Tignanello, Dom Pérignon, and benchmark Barolos and Barbarescos from iconic producers including Gaja anchor the program. Many wines are hand-selected directly from producers, reflecting decades-long relationships within the global wine community and underscoring Casa D’Angelo’s standing as one of South Florida’s most serious wine destinations.