Flora’s Italian Eatery and Angela’s Bar and Kitchen open their doors for a soft launch in Coral Springs with two stories of Italian dining
Coral Springs, Florida – Flora’s Italian Eatery and Angela’s Bar & Kitchen is officially opening its doors with a soft launch on Monday, January 19, promising a fresh and immersive take on Italian dining in Coral Springs. Located at 12335 West Sample Road, directly across from the Panthers IceDen, the sprawling two-story space is more than just a restaurant; it’s a carefully crafted ode to the way Italians eat, moving between casual daily meals and elevated, communal dining experiences.
The 15,000-square-foot location is the culmination of decades of experience importing, preserving, and refining Italian culinary traditions. The project is spearheaded by Giovanni “John” Flora, a 73-year-old Bari, Italy native and founder of Flora Fine Foods, a family-run importing company whose products—ranging from tomatoes and cookies to wine and gelato—can be found in supermarkets, on cruise lines, and in restaurant kitchens across the country. John Flora’s vision was to translate this lifetime of Italian food expertise into a living, breathing restaurant experience for the public.
“The two-story layout is intentional,” said John Flora. “It reflects how Italians really eat, with the ground floor serving the everyday meals that sustain life, and the upstairs offering a space to slow down, share plates, and enjoy wine and conversation.”
The ground floor of Flora’s Italian Eatery is designed for movement and accessibility, reflecting the fast-paced energy of Roman cafés and markets. Guests can choose from Roman-style pizza, hot dishes from a rotating bar, fresh pastries, or deli sandwiches sliced on imported Berkel machines built for prosciutto and mortadella. The kitchen bakes bread in-house, prepares soups and sauces from scratch, and features gelato imported directly from Italy. Coffee aficionados will notice the Lavazza machines carefully calibrated to replicate the bold, nuanced flavors of a Roman espresso bar.
Upstairs, the experience shifts to Angela’s Bar & Kitchen, named for Flora’s daughter Angela, a Coral Springs native and graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The upstairs space leans into small plates meant for sharing, paired with a curated wine list and a cocktail program designed to complement the food rather than overshadow it. A private dining room allows for intimate events, tastings, and structured wine education, drawing on Flora Fine Foods’ decades of importing expertise.
Executive chef Francesco Cavarretta leads the kitchen, bringing an international flair that balances subtle innovation with the family’s traditional Italian recipes. His culinary approach allows for flexibility in the menu while maintaining authenticity, creating a dining experience that is approachable, sophisticated, and distinctly Italian.
The ground floor will operate Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with slightly adjusted hours on weekends—8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. The upstairs space opens daily at 3:00 p.m., remaining active through dinner service and hosting a happy hour that highlights the bar’s beverage program. This split in timing reinforces the dual purpose of the space: casual daytime dining downstairs and elevated evening experiences upstairs.
For the Flora family, the new two-story plaza represents more than just a new restaurant; it embodies a lifetime dedicated to sharing Italian food culture with the United States. The soft opening is the first step in welcoming the Coral Springs community into this vision, combining the convenience and familiarity of everyday Italian fare with a refined, social dining experience upstairs.
Locals can expect a vibrant atmosphere where the aromas of fresh bread, simmering sauces, and roasting meats blend seamlessly with the energy of communal dining. From busy weekday mornings to leisurely evening meals, Flora’s Italian Eatery and Angela’s Bar & Kitchen aim to offer a holistic Italian culinary journey, capturing both tradition and modern interpretation.
As the restaurant begins operations, the Flora family hopes patrons will feel transported to Italy, whether enjoying a quick lunch downstairs or a leisurely wine-paired dinner upstairs. With its dual-concept design, expert leadership in the kitchen, and decades of importing experience informing every detail, Flora’s Italian Eatery is poised to become a cornerstone of Coral Springs’ dining scene, celebrating the flavors, rhythms, and rituals of Italian life in a space built to be savored.
