One of Fort Lauderdale’s hidden gems, Cafe Vico, is a traditional Italian restaurant with incredible food and an amazing dining experience for customers.

The restaurant, founded in 1997, by Marco Vico and Eclair, is extremely charming and offers an array of recipes going back decades.

“When you walk into the doors, you feel like you are in Tuscany,” Marco explained. “The charm of the restaurant is inviting.”

Originally from Brazil, Marco and Eclair grew up south of Sao Paolo in the state of Parana. Marco’s mother had Italian roots, and his stepfather was Italian. The tradition of the family was making a lot of food.

At the age of 15, Marco went to work for a bank. Across the street from the bank, there was a pizza bar type of restaurant. Marco became friends with the owner, Indio, and decided then that he wanted to have his own pizza place one day.

Following five years at the bank, Marco wanted to move to the United States.

He moved to East Rutherford, New Jersey as his friend, Indio, was there. One day, Marco found an Italian restaurant called Sorrento’s and knocked on the door. They hired Marco on the spot to be a dishwasher and as kitchen help.

“I really became an Italian in Jersey because I worked for an Italian family from Day One until the day that I decided to move to Florida,” Marco said.

Carlo was the owner/chef, and his mom was also a chef. Marco learned a lot about cooking from Carlo’s mom, and part of his job called for him to help her with everything.

“She adopted me. My recipes today come from her. She was an absolute amazing cook for recipes for sauces,” Marco explained.

Everything was going so well that Eclair along with daughter, Nina, joined Marco in East Rutherford 10 months after Marco had arrived there. Priscilla, the youngest daughter, was born in New Jersey.

Besides learning how to cook, Marco was learning three languages – Spanish, Italian and English.

Things continued to progress as Marco became a food prep and then a line cook. Marco worked next to Carlo in the kitchen for several years.

“He was an amazing chef,” Marco stated. “He was very passionate and a workaholic. He was so obsessed with his restaurant.”

Marco learned a lot from both Carlo and Carlo’s mother.

After five years in the kitchen, Carlo gave Marco the opportunity to work the front of the house. Carlo preferred cooking.

“Since then, Carlo never had to worry about the dining room anymore,” Marco said. "I had experience with people because I worked at the bank. Dealing with people is something that I enjoy doing.”

The place was busy, and there was a line out the door.

Eclair was also working at Sorrento’s, and both Marco and Eclair worked the front of the house (They both still work the front of the house today at Cafe Vico).

The family took a trip to Florida in 1994 and went to Disney World.

“Soon after returning to New Jersey, we decided… let’s move to Florida,” Marco said.

Marco found a job in Miami making the same amount of money. It was at an Italian restaurant in Miami.

The family moved down to Treasure Island, and Nina cried the entire way down.

“Two hours after arriving, Nina saw the water and the pool and was excited,” Marco said.

Marco and Eclair both worked at the Italian restaurant for a couple of years and really enjoyed it.

An opportunity arose for a restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, which became Cafe Vico.

“We opened in 1997 with six tables,” Marco recalled. “The first eight months were really tough.”

Then, in 1998, the food critic from the Sun Sentinel did an article about Cafe Vico. It was a hit, and there was a line out the door.

Marco and Eclair made a decision to offer exceptional customer service and quality food from Day One.

“We make everybody feel like they are walking into our house,” Marco said. “We want to make the customer feel good. Early on, I would kiss the ladies’ hands.”

Another reason for Cafe Vico’s success is the consistency of their dishes. “Our staff in the kitchen has been with us for more than 20 years. This allows us to be very consistent,” Marco says.

Due to all of the success, the restaurant has expanded seven times.

The biggest expansion happened in 2014 when the former yoga studio space was taken over and the present state of the art bar was built.

On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the bar features three piano players, Danny Heis, Denny O and Jim Bannac. Giulia often sings with them.

The most recent expansion involved a focus on pizza and adding a new oven for this. The recipe is delicious, and people are going to love it.

“If we are able to get awards for our lasagna and our ossobuco, we can definitely get awards for our pizza,” Marco stated.

Marco cherishes seeing his customers enjoying the food and says it is very fulfilling to him.

“When I am in my restaurant, I feel like I am on the stage. Greeting my customers gives me the most pleasure,” Marco says. “I didn’t do this alone though. My family was the pillar with how we became successful – Eclair and the kids. I am grateful for all of my customers and the family.”

Nina and Priscilla have both worked at the restaurant. In fact, Nina is presently the Office Manager.

Marco and Eclair enjoy spending time with their four grandchildren, three boys and one girl. Marco likes boating and is a Miami Dolphins season ticket holder while Eclair likes gardening.

Marco’s family looks forward to serving you and your family!