North Italia — Restaurant in Aventura

Last night, I went out to celebrate both Valentine’s Day and my birthday with my daughter, one of her friends, and my wife. When we arrived at the restaurant, we were told there was a 45-minute wait for a table, even though we could see at least 10 empty tables. The host, who was very kind, took our name and phone number and asked us to wait. Miraculously, just 15 minutes later, one of those previously empty tables was suddenly available.

Our waiter was exceptional—truly a champion of service—but everything else fell short. We were handed a Prix Fixe Menu. Since we had two young kids with us who wanted to share plates, we asked if that was possible. We were told it was, but only if we chose to sit outside and ordered from the standard menu. Since it was a special occasion, I decided to give the “Special St. Valentine Menu” a try. However, three of the appetizers and three of the main courses were unavailable.

As for the food… where do I even begin? It was dull, tasteless, overly salty, and overall terrible. Here’s a breakdown: • WILD SHRIMP SCAMPI: This was acceptable but nothing special. • BURRATA DI STAGIONE: The poached pear was overwhelmingly aromatic, but the stracciatella was delicious. • CACIO E PEPE ARANCINI: I’m still wondering who in the restaurant chain thought this was a worthy starter. Did anyone even taste the risotto before putting it on the menu? • SICILIAN MEATBALLS in Tomato Sauce and Polenta: At first, I couldn’t tell if it was polenta or tasteless risotto. When I checked the dessert menu, it confirmed it was indeed polenta… and frankly, the grits at Waffle House taste better. For a chain named North Italia, this was the most disgraceful starter. They don’t need to send their chefs to Italy to learn how to make meatballs; they just need to visit Louie Bossi’s Ristorante in Ft. Lauderdale or Lucali Pizza in South Beach.

The main courses were even worse: • HOUSE BOLOGNESE: This tasted like it came straight out of a can from Walmart, served over overcooked pasta. • BRAISED SHORT RIB MARSALA: The beef was dry and served over sour Brussels sprouts, other bland vegetables, and tasteless risotto. It was so unappetizing that even a plate of Uncle’s Kashori in Kolkata would’ve looked more appealing. • SPICY VODKA RIGATONI: It was definitely spicy, but good? Not at all. I haven’t been to Olive Garden in over a decade, but I’d bet their version (if they have one) would taste ten times better. • SMOKED PROSCIUTTO CHICKEN PARMESAN: This was the crown jewel of disappointment—a dry, salty breaded chicken breast served with overcooked rigatoni drenched in a dull, thickened milk sauce. The cheese on the plate was already dried out by the time it reached the table.

The desserts were acceptable, with the Tiramisu being the best of the three options. But by then, the damage was done. We will never set foot in that restaurant again, and I’ll be sure to tell my friends to avoid it...

I rarely leave negative reviews, but my experience at North Italia was so disappointing that I feel compelled to share. From start to finish, the service was absolutely terrible. Our server, Souza, was disrespectful, dismissive, and extremely unprofessional. The food itself was overrated and lacked flavor. The calamari arrived soggy, and one entrée was sent back because it was served ice cold. Shockingly, we could see the kitchen staff sampling from the plate before it was returned to us, and when it came back, it was still cold. To make matters worse, the server placed it down and sarcastically said, “Be careful, it’s hot,” even though it clearly was not.

Throughout the night, I had to look around multiple times just to find my server. He rarely checked in, and when he finally approached, it was only to ask if we were ready to pay. When the bill came, we decided not to leave a tip due to the unacceptable service. The server then returned to our table, shoved the receipt in my friend’s face, and announced, “Tip is not included.” When I calmly explained why we chose not to tip, he actually walked away while I was speaking.

I brought the issue to the manager, who was professional and understanding, but unfortunately, the damage had been done. To make matters worse, as I was speaking with the manager, the server followed me to the front, interrupting and sarcastically saying, “Oh, I’m not good enough for you. I’ll be better next time.” Later, when my friend realized she had left her camera adapter at the table, we returned to look for it twice, only to discover that the server himself had it on him, smirking as he handed it back and saying, “I guess I was good for something.”

What was meant to be a fun girls’ night turned into a stressful and upsetting experience. The lack of professionalism and basic respect was unacceptable, and I would never recommend North Italia to...

I discovered this restaurant on a random Saturday afternoon. My wife was craving Italian cuisine and noticed that it had received favorable reviews on various platforms. Since I was unfamiliar with the menu, I decided to call the restaurant and spoke with one of the most courteous and patient individuals I have ever encountered. My wife was having difficulty making a decision, and John was exceptionally helpful. His recommendations were remarkably accurate. Such a positive experience compelled us to visit the restaurant and dine in person. To our delight, it did not disappoint! The restaurant's ambiance was captivating, the service was impeccable, and the food was simply exquisite. If we possessed multiple stomachs like a cow, my wife and I would have gladly ordered several dishes. Alberto demonstrated exceptional attentiveness and accommodated our requests with utmost professionalism. Even the shift manager took the time to visit our table, introducing herself and engaging in friendly conversation. She inquired if we had visited the restaurant before and graciously offered recommendations based on her personal preferences. I eagerly accepted her suggestions, and once again, they proved to be outstanding. My wife and I have unanimously decided to include this restaurant on our list of must-visit establishments at least once a month. We sincerely hope to have the opportunity to personally express our gratitude to John during one of our...