A Taste of Italy in Miami
From the classics to pasta, pizza and dessert
In Brickell, Toscana Divino (900 S Miami Ave., 305.371.2767), has been one of the few long-term tenants at Mary Brickell Village. While businesses have come and gone at the shopping center, this Italian gem has withstood the test of time. The reason for its success is simple: a consistent dining experience that’s full of flavor and value. The expansive menu is packed with memorable dishes like a tortelli with buffalo ricotta and spinach, and a porcini mushroom and black truffle risotto.
Further north in Wynwood, Pastificio Propaganda (97 NW 25th St., 786.615.2555) also is wowing guests with its Sicilian favorites. Pasta, pizza, proteins … this restaurant provides diners with a range of delicious options to tantalize the senses. Start with the arancini (rice balls) and then indulge in items like the burrata pizza, spaghetti vongole and steamed osso buco veal with saffron risotto. Just make sure to save room for the restaurant’s popular zoccolette – fried pizza buns with Nutella and cinnamon.
Biscayne Times readers should be familiar with our next entry: Boia De (5205 NE 2nd Ave., 305.967.8866). The pappardelle and rabbit dish from this charming Little Haiti restaurant was featured in Chefs Share a few months back. That flavorful dish continues to impress, as does the rest of the menu, which includes such delectable options as the king crab tagliolini and the bufala ricotta gnocchi. Another thing to like about the eatery: The selections are constantly changing and keeping guests on their toes.
If your restaurant is named after a pasta, it better be good. That’s exactly the case at Cacio e Pepe (15903 Biscayne Blvd., 305.627.3436), where the namesake dish is one of many stars on the menu. This North Miami establishment is a carb lover’s paradise with more than 18 pastas to choose from. Fettuccine bolognese, short rib ravioli, rigatoni alla vodka ... the list goes on (and on). Don’t fret if you’re looking for something non-pasta related; meat and fish options like branzino, rib-eye and sea scallops also abound.
New Attractions
It’s crazy that it’s been just over a year since the pandemic flipped our world upside down. Around this time in 2020, restaurant dining rooms were shuttered. The exact opposite is true now, as more and more new eateries join the fold.
Among the latest newcomers is Tobacco Road by Kush (650 S Miami Ave., 786.703.3120), an homage to one of Miami’s oldest bars. The original Tobacco Road closed back in 2014 and now it’s back – sort of. Restaurateur Matt Kuschner (of LoKal and Kush fame) has partnered with one of the Road’s former owners to develop a tribute pop-up that’s just steps away from the original bar. Drinks are stiff and the food is hearty. Options include barbecue chicken nachos, bang bang shrimp, veggie tacos and fried mushrooms.
Another notable addition to the scene: Salt & Straw (246 NW 25th St., 786.633.0157). The ice cream company hails from the West Coast and has opened its first Florida location in Wynwood (with another coming soon to Coconut Grove). Expect to find the scoop shop’s signature flavors like sea salt with caramel ribbons, chocolate gooey brownie and honey lavender. The real treats, however, are the more hyper-local options, like The Salty Donut guava and cheese and the Wynwood Brewing mango flavors; hats off to Salt & Straw for collaborating with area businesses so quickly.
And in downtown Miami, locals have a new pizza joint: Eleventh Street Pizza (1035 N Miami Ave., 786.536.2749). This tasty pie concept replaces Mediterranean eatery Fooq’s, which is looking for a new and larger space. Guests have several options to choose from, including a pepperoni and hot honey pie, and the Nerano with roasted zucchini, pistachios, mozzarella, caciocavallo cheese and stracciatella. Fear not, Fooq’s fans: There are a few menu holdovers – like the restaurant’s signature meatballs – to keep you busy until it reopens.
Geoffrey Anderson Jr. and Dianne Rubin-Anderson are co-founders of Miami Food Pug, an award-winning South Florida food blog that fuses the couple’s love of dogs and food.