L'Italiano Restaurant — Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

First of all, Uriel gave snappy, friendly and attentive service. Second of all, the pizza crust was freshly hand made. No pre-made crusts, no sauce from a jar, no bottom-shelf meats. We’re kind of picky about pizza (I love St. Louis style—Imo’s/Cecil Whittakers), and we had been eating Mexican all week. My teenaged daughter picked out the “Maialona” pizza. It did not disappoint. Probably the best pizza since we moved away from Houston (other than occasional trips to St. Louis). Definitely haven’t had anything like it in Toronto. Now, for the margaritas. They had a 2 for 1 deal. So the 2nd margarita was on the house. Excellent frozen margarita—almost no ice chunks—although a little small. (Mind, we spent 17 years in Texas and had become used to giant, cheap, strong margaritas.) Next: the live music. A solo guitar act, not too loud, not in your face. Peppy but not intrusive. He was the reason we went there. It was a father-daughter day on the town and she chose the place over the Argentine place next door. One other cool thing happened. These two old guys—well over 75, if not over 80–very well dressed, were casually walking down the street, and the host called out to them. The host and 2 waiters came to greet and chat with them. A solo diner next table over from us joined in and they had a lively catch-up on the goings-in since they had last met. It was a stark contrast to the general atmosphere of aggressive hawkers accosting tourists. It left us with the impression that this was no tourist trap, and that (at least this stretch of 5th Avenue) this was also people’s home/neighborhood. It really enriched our dining experience—and for me perhaps it elevated my opinion of this part of...

Some of the more recent reviews were not good so we almost didn't try it but I'm glad we did. After we ordered water for the table, they brought out complimentary bruschetta for the table. I really enjoyed it since it was sumply toasted bread with tomatoes; it wasn't soggy or oily.

The kids and I had pizza. I know it was good because my 15 year old quickly polished his off and was trying to help his 12 year old sister with hers. She successfully fought him off until she was full but he "won" the last 2 pieces. They accommodated my request for no cheese on the Margherita pizza. This made me happy because not everyone will. They even brought over, unsolicited, red pepper flakes, Tabasco sauce and a spicy oil. This was a refreshing change from my last weeks in Paris where adding spices to pizza isn't normal.

My wife, the foodie of the family, raved about her pasta. I'm sorry but I don't remember the name. It was mushroom based with some meat that she didn't like the texture of. Despite that, she said it was her best meal so far in Playa.

Contrary to what some reviews said, we found the service to be 1st rate. Fill disclosure: We were there at lunch and they weren't very busy so maybe the situation is different at dinner when they are crowded.

One final note: they have a 2-for-1 happy hour at lunch which includes mojitos,...

My recent dining experience at this restaurant offered a tantalizing journey through Italian cuisine, albeit with mixed results. The pasta with seafood was the star of the show—every forkful was a harmonious blend of perfectly cooked pasta and succulent seafood, each bite bursting with flavors that whisked me away to the Mediterranean coast. It was a dish I would not hesitate to recommend to any lover of Italian fare or seafood.

However, the journey took a slight detour with the Pizza Hawai. Expecting a tropical blend of flavors that would complement the Italian dough and sauce, I was met with a dish that didn't quite live up to those expectations. The pizza was less than average, lacking the vibrant harmony of flavors I anticipated. It was a reminder that even in the best of restaurants, not every dish can be a masterpiece.

Despite this, the culinary experience was memorable, with highs that far outweighed the lows. The ambiance of the restaurant and the service provided were commendable, making for a pleasant dining experience. I would definitely return, eager to explore more of the menu—with a keen interest in everything...