Photo Credit: Bert Ochoa
“No f**cks given” are the three words that culinary expert and part-time rock star Rino Cerbone lives by. And after speaking with the chef and pioneer of Fort Lauderdale restaurant Heritage, we understand why this motto has kept him at the top of the culinary pyramid.
Backtracking to the early stages of his era, Cerbone had always had food in mind. Raised in the family business, he always knew that opening a restaurant was going to happen. “This was always the plan. Music was a bonus. I am fortunate to have two plan A’s that were equally as important as the other,” said Cerbone. “Whether it was peeling potatoes or carrots, I kept my eye on everything. I wanted to know the ins and outs of the business, and getting to be by my dad’s side was a plus.” After years spent being part of a father-and-son duo, Cerbone set out to start his own journey ― one that he knew wasn’t a decision but a transition.
Photo Credit: Bert Ochoa
Now his restaurant isn’t your regular hot spot. There truly are no f**cks given. To create a chef-driven environment filled with culture, Cerbone focuses on three things: the menu is what he wants, the music is what he wants to play, and the team that works around him are people whom he loves to spend time with outside of opening hours. “If I am going to hang around you, I have to like who I spend time with.”
Heritage is authentic to Cerbone, transcending the vibe to what we claim as epic. And boy, does the small but delicious menu break the scale.
Photo Credit: Bert Ochoa
We know this was a tough question to throw his way, but we had to find out what the culinary expert’s favorite menu item was, and honestly, it was exactly what we expected. “I love them all. I am a pizza fanatic, but my Bolognese, I’ve heard it’s life-changing,” Cerbone said. In fact, the Bolognese ― just like the other menu items ― is a unique combination of his mother from Sicily, Italy, and his father from Naples, Italy, hence the name Heritage. Cerbone took the oldest techniques from both sides and combined the two.
Photo Credit: Bert Ochoa
Food is in Cerbone’s blood, and Heritage, the casual but mystic fine-dining hub, proves it all. He’s excited to create more concepts and expand his horizons for years to come. “You need to keep guests excited. It is all about synergy and energy,” he said. Cerbone didn’t reinvent the wheel; he simply used it to his advantage, set the standard, and created a dining spot like no other.
