Las Olas Gourmet and Wine in Fort Lauderdale: A Quiet Nook for Breakfast Through Late Night

A dark marble bar and flooring, wooden chairs, and drop lighting make 

for a civilized, albeit subdued dining room that seats no more than 20. A floor to ceiling cubbied wall showcases an interesting wine selection from France, Alsace, Napa, and Argentina: No Red Truck or animal-themed labels here. The restaurant is also on the beer bandwagon, though more selections come from other lands than local: think Bitburger, Peroni, Pacifico, and Delirium Tremens, for starters. 

During one lunch shift, a server in a football jersey --her hair a high, headbanded ponytail-- looked like a Duffy's refugee, but no matter. The place could use a little spunk, not to mention she was an exceptionally accommodating server, having started separate checks for a table of seven without their asking. 

The menu lists $12 to $22 pizzas, $8 to $10 sandwiches, $7 to $11 salads, $10 wraps, and $8 to $10 platters, though sandwiches are the way to go. Crusty baguettes from Al Forno are the selling point regardless of the innards, such as hot roast beef, Swiss, and a grainy mustard with bibb lettuce, or a saffron chicken with greens. 

With a 9 a.m. opening, the shop offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with late night hours until 2 a.m. on weekends. Daily happy hours from 4 to 7 p.m. lure with half off wines by the glass deals, though a food purchase is required. 

Las Olas Gourmet and Wine the place to go for a slice of quiet, though the shop offers free delivery from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday for the truly unmotivated.