Josef's

This funky/elegant Plantation restaurant specializes in the Northern Italian fare of the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region; it's run by an Austrian chef and his American wife. This region of Italy was dominated by the Austrian Hapsburgs for years, and its cuisine incorporates Greek and Turkish elements as well. Shrimp casserole is laced with grappa and Edam; homemade spaetzle is tossed with speck, sage, and caramelized onions. A generous pounded and butterflied veal chop coated with bread crumbs, egg, and Parmesan and served with a simple, perfectly dressed green salad is simply one of the best veal dishes we have ever tasted. The menu changes seasonally. Splendid desserts include a puff-of-air apple strudel. A gift of the house, chocolate-covered strawberries end every meal here. One of the finest restaurants in Broward County.