Issabella's — Restaurant in Miami Beach

My group and I came last night to try the Miami Spice menu and to also see the new restaurant in the space formerly held by the old Lincoln Road staple, Balans. Miami Spice is supposed to showcase the very best a restaurant has to offer, but I walked away with a mediocre impression caused by elements of inconsistency. I wanted to like the new restaurant as much as it's predecessor but, despite a few bright spots, there were some issues which made it hard to do so.

THE GOOD The service. The service was very good starting with the host who sat us half an hour before our reservation. I appreciated that they had so many staff available to wait on our table. The genuinely seemed happy to serve us which was nice.

The octopus. I had the octopus starter. It was wonderfully cooked. Often octopus is rubbery when cooked by inexperienced chefs but I was impressed that it was executed so well.

The linguine carbonara. Perfectly al dente... good flavor... solid presentation... the egg yolk on top was a nice touch.

THE BAD The vibe. The vibe is really generic. There is a random sofa to the right as you walk in. Above it are ~10 random plates hanging on the wall. A large bold piece of art would make the area pop. A missed opportunity. The art on the walls was also generic and uninspired. Big bold plants could help improve some of the balancing issues.

The table. The table was fine but having some white table linens would have taken things up a notch. The bare table just didn't do it for me. The tables are not nice enough to be left uncovered.

The value for the price. The price was a bit high for the value. I've had better Italian meals at North Italia in Brickell for a fraction of the cost. One of my friends ordered the filet mignon, and while he said it was good, it also came with no vegetables or simple sides. This struck me as a distasteful gimmick to force us as diners to purchase additional sides. Who orders just steak without any accompaniments? Simply adding a side of vegetables and absorbing the cost into the overall Miami Spice price would have provided a more balanced meal and offered an impression of greater value.

PARTING THOUGHTS I would not yet say this place falls into the "tourist trap" category, but it is currently forgettable dot on the Lincoln Road landscape. It sits on the knife's edge-- Will it fall the way of the mediocre restaurants desperately hustling passersby to step inside and spend a fortune on very little or will it choose to elevate and offer something unique? With a few modifications this place could have staying power but it needs to move quickly. Fix the vibe. Reevaluate the pricing to offer more value. Focus menu offerings around things the kitchen staff does well.

Would I return for another meal at Isabella's? At this time, probably not. But I remain hopeful for their future and wish them...

From the moment we stepped into Issabella's 🏠, we were swept away by the cozy, welcoming ambiance 🕯️ and the promise of a dining experience to remember 🍽️💭. Tucked away in the pulsating heart of Miami Beach Lincoln Road, this restaurant is a shining star 🌟 in the city's bustling food scene.

The crown jewel of our meal was undoubtedly the Salmon Bowl 🐟🥗. This dish was a melody of flavors and textures that waltzed gracefully on our taste buds 💃🎶. The salmon was cooked just right - soft, juicy, and flaky, with a beautifully seared exterior that added a whisper of smokiness 🍳🔥. The interior had a sashimi like quality to it. Absolutely unseen or matched anywhere I’ve ever experienced 😃 The accompanying ingredients were just as stunning. The crunch of fresh veggies 🥦, the creamy goodness of avocado 🥑, and the zesty zing of the house-made hummus and dressing 🥣 all came together to lift the dish to extraordinary heights. Each bite was a revelation, enticing us to relish and enjoy the culinary journey 🍴🌍.

But what truly set Issabella's apart was the top-notch service we received from the outstanding manager, Victor 👨‍💼. He was attentive without being overbearing, ensuring our needs were met with a smile and genuine warmth 😊🔥. He was well-versed in the menu, offering insightful recommendations that enriched our dining experience 📜👍. His professionalism and dedication to customer satisfaction were evident in everything, making our experience one to remember 🏅👏.

Our visit to Issabella's was an absolute joy 🎉. The Salmon Bowl was a testament to Issabella’s commitment to quality and flavor, and the exceptional service we received, especially from Victor, made our meal all the more enjoyable 🏆🍽️. If you're in Miami Beach and looking for an unforgettable dining experience, make sure to put Isabella's on the top of your list. You most definitely won't be disappointed! 😊👍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐...

We really enjoyed this little gem on Lincoln Road. The staff was extremely attentive, especially the two men in a suit (I know, I can't tell who they were - managers, owners etc) that came to our table multiple times to check on us. The atmosphere is nice but relaxed which was exactly what we had been looking for. The only negative was the bill at the end. We arrived in time for HH, ordered two food items off the HH menu and three drinks (off the HH menu, in my head). One Aperol Spritz ($8), one G&T($8)and one Estrella ($5). Once HH ended, we procedeed to get two more beers and one Sangria, the grilled octopus and the Greek salad. When the bill arrived, I did not see the G&T on it but I did see the an item called "Monkey 47" ($21). I asked our server about it when I handed him the card and he responded "That is the gin and tonic". I really did not want to bicker over $20 and I simply said "Oh, okay". I do not see why they would charge $21 for a G&T that is not even on the regular drink menu among the gin and tonics they offer (all around $17), charge the Aperol Spritz the HH price, and the Estrella the full price - all three drinks were ordered at the same time. Maybe I should have specified that I wanted the HH gin&tonic, I do understand that could have been my mistake. I would not have minded paying $17-18 for one G&Ts listed on the menu. However taking the freedom of charging $21 when I simply said "and I will have a gin and tonic, thank you", is a bit out there. The beers were also all fully priced, instead of one being on HH and the rest standard price. I did not want to make myself nor anyone uncomfortable asking for more clarification but I will keep an eye out next time we dine here. Besides that little bump, the place is lovely and we will return for the nice,...