As even the most casual restaurant patron knows, enjoying the experience of dining out is about much more than the act of dining. Of course, there are the gratified taste buds and the satiated breadbasket concocted by the cuisine — and the sparkling sensations conjured by the beverages that elevate it (along with your mood).
But equally important are the ambiance of the restaurant, the luxury of being waited on and the camaraderie of sharing a meal out with friends or family. And then there is the rare pleasure of being waited on by a server who makes you feel like a friend or family.
Sandro Triglia is that kind of server.
An effervescent fixture at Casa D’Angelo Ristorante in Fort Lauderdale for over 30 years, Triglia remains one of the celebrated restaurant’s most enduring and beloved presences, working to ensure that guests leave with a smile and a memorable experience.
“It’s rare in any business to find someone who gives their heart and soul every single day — but that’s exactly what Sandro has done,” says owner and Executive Chef Angelo Elia. “From the moment he joined our team, he has embodied everything Casa D’Angelo stands for: passion, integrity, consistency and a true love for hospitality. Our guests feel it, our staff is inspired by it, and I personally feel incredibly lucky to have had him by my side all these years. He is not just part of the team — he is a part of the foundation.”
Triglia was born and raised in Rome, where the entwined traditions of family and good food were kneaded into his nature like pasta dough. In 1982, he moved briefly to New York before a long vacation in South Florida turned into a life-changing experience. At Antonio’s, his brother’s gourmet shop on Oakland Park Boulevard, he met Joy, the woman who would become his wife three years later. Now, 40 years on, they have two sons and two grandchildren and still reside in Fort Lauderdale.
Triglia began his South Florida restaurant career that same year, in 1985, and a couple of years later became maître d’ at the famed Il Tulipano in Miami. In the early ’90s, he met Chef Angelo through a mutual friend — and it took just one dinner invitation for Triglia to make the career move that stuck.
“I along with my wife and two others had dinner with Angelo — and I began working for him immediately after,” he says. “It brought me back to Italy, the way the food tasted there. I said, this guy, he knows how to cook. It’s authentic Italian. And every plate that came out, he did it out of love.”
At first, Triglia worked as a manager. “But I had many different hats,” he says. “I used to do the wine. I used to do everything there … six days a week, sometimes seven. And now he has like four guys doing what I used to do.”
Several years ago, he started cutting back to spend more time with his family. Now at 66, he works exclusively as a waiter, keying on his sense of humor and his familiarity with the clientele.
“I know the customer,” he says. “I know what they want. So if I see that they’re coming in, I may go get them either the bottle of water or specific wine that I know they drink, and just present myself at the table with the water or the wine.
“My whole thing with my customers is that I like to see people smile and laugh. So if I can be a clown or a jokester for a little bit to make you forget about everything else and just focus on enjoying yourself for that hour that you’re there dining with us, I did my job. I feel good.”
And so do the diners — for example, Brett Rose, CEO of United National Consumer Suppliers in Fort Lauderdale. A Casa D’Angelo regular for nearly 20 years, Rose speaks for many of his fellow diners.
“Sandro has truly become part of our family,” he says. “Dining with him feels like having dinner with your favorite uncle: warm, joyful and full of laughter. I’m pretty sure he even taught one of my kids how to use a knife and fork!”
For our Food, Dining & Spirit Issue, we turn the tables on this noteworthy waiter — we take his order, in the form of our Quote Unquote questionnaire.
Aside from the weather, what do you enjoy most about South Florida?
My home.
Aside from the weather, what do you dislike most about South Florida?
TOO much construction.
Are you a beach person or a pool person?
Beach.
When in your life are you or have you been the happiest?
Every day I see my family.
What do you do when you’re stuck in a traffic jam on I-95?
I don’t.
What music are you listening to now?
Lucio Dalla.
Are you a fan, and if so, of what?
Florida Panthers and my wife.
If you had to choose: Beatles or Stones?
Stones.
What are your social media user names?
NONE.
Apple or Android?
Apple.
Who is your real-life hero or heroine?
My mother — because my mother was a very strong woman. She raised four children. No one ever got into trouble of any sort. And she was my idol. She was a great woman, a great person. And she loved her family.
What car are you driving now?
Audi.
If you had to choose: Rocky or Raging Bull?
Rocky.
What do you like most about yourself?
I am true to myself.
What places in South Florida do you recommend to guests visiting from out-of-town?
Casa D’Angelo.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To be taller. I’m 5-foot-6. I tell my customers I used to be 6-foot-4, but working for Angelo, I lost all that height.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My wife, my children, my family.
