Review of Torno Subito Miami
Our recent dining experience at Torno Subito Miami was memorable for its culinary excellence, though the service left much to be desired. Being a restaurant under Massimo Bottura's name, we arrived with high expectations for both food and service, and while the kitchen certainly delivered, the front-of-house experience fell short.
The Highlights: Exceptional Food
The food at Torno Subito was undoubtedly the star of the evening. Our meal began with a delightful amuse-bouche and complimentary focaccia served with an exquisite olive oil—small touches that set a positive tone.
We then enjoyed the marinara pizza, a flavorful combination of creamy burrata and anchovies, and the modern salad with a surprising variety of 14 dressings, both delicious and unique.
For our mains, we ordered:
Agnello: Roasted lamb saddle paired with four unique sauces,
Sea Bass Porketta: Mediterranean sea bass stuffed with pork bacon and served with a lemon emulsion, and
Riviera: Spaghettoni with clams, garlic, chili, lime, parsley oil, and botarga.
Every dish was impressive, but if I had to choose a standout, the Sea Bass Porketta stole the show.
The combination of pork bacon with the delicate sea bass was superb and brought out a depth of flavor that was truly memorable.
Overall, every dish reflected a high level of creativity and execution, making the food the highlight of our experience.
Food Rating: 4 out of 5
Room for Improvement: The Service
Unfortunately, the service at Torno Subito did not rise to the same standard as the food. Upon seating, it took several minutes and a request on our part to receive water, and there was a similar wait before the server came to take our order. This delay set the tone for what became a consistently unrefined service experience.
Throughout the meal, there were multiple times when dirty plates sat on our table for several minutes without being cleared, which disrupted the flow of the evening. Cutlery placement felt inconsistent, with servers not adhering to the same standards across courses. Water refills were another challenge, as we frequently had to ask for refills, with long waits before the water was replenished.
These lapses pointed to a lack of attentiveness, communication, and coordination among the staff. The absence of an attentive manager overseeing operations was noticeable, as there was no proactive approach to table maintenance or communication between staff members. Service lacked the polish, proactivity, and seamless coordination expected in a fine dining environment, which detracted from the overall experience.
Service Rating: 2 out of 5
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Torno Subito Miami delivers outstanding cuisine that celebrates traditional Italian flavors with creative, Miami-inspired twists.
However, the service needs substantial improvement to match the quality of the food and live up to the restaurant's fine dining aspirations.
With refinements in training and attentiveness, Torno Subito has the potential to be one of Miami’s premier dining...
Read moreMy wife and I recently dined at Torno Subito during their pre-opening event. Unfortunately, the experience left much to be desired, especially considering the high price point.
Located on the rooftop of Julia & Henry’s food hall, the restaurant aims to evoke a “la dolce vita” vibe, according to the staff. However, the décor felt more like a colorful cafeteria with poor lighting rather than a premium dining space. While this might not be an issue in other contexts, when you're charging $50 for pasta, the ambiance needs to match the price.
The service was friendly and mostly attentive. The waitstaff did a good job explaining the dishes and offering recommendations, though there were a few hiccups that should be ironed out by the time they fully open. For instance, we had to request olive oil for our bread after waiting for some time, even though it was available at other tables. Additionally, no one offered us extra cheese for our pasta, a gesture we noticed being made at other tables. These might seem like minor issues, but at this price point, especially in a city like Miami, expectations are higher.
As for the food, it was a mixed bag:
Steak Tartare ($36): The presentation was creative and visually appealing, and the taste was good. The portion was small, but we didn’t mind that.
Marinara Pizza ($32): This was the highlight of our meal. The simple combination of marinara sauce, burrata, and anchovies was excellent, and the dough was delicious. Our only suggestion would be to use larger anchovies (oo or ooo rated).
Tagliatelle Al Ragu ($36): This dish was well-balanced and not overly heavy. The pasta was cooked perfectly, and the portion was generous enough to share.
Milano Portofino Risotto ($48): This dish was disappointing, particularly for the price. While it had a complex flavor profile, the overpowering lemon made it difficult to enjoy. We struggled to finish it.
Tortellini ($52): Another letdown. The dough was too thick, and the filling had a rubbery texture that was unappealing. The dish lacked the refined taste we expected.
Aside from the pizza, the food was generally unremarkable and didn’t justify the hefty price tag. We did notice another table order the carbonara, which looked promising.
Miami boasts a wide array of excellent Italian restaurants at various price points, and at this stage, Torno Subito isn’t living up to the hype. It feels like a typical celebrity chef restaurant: mediocre food with an...
Read moreThere’s a certain magic in the air at Torno Subito Miami’s “Amarcord! Brunch” that evokes the whimsical nostalgia of Fellini’s classic film Amarcord. Much like the cheeky recollections of a 1930s Italian village depicted in the movie, the weekend experience evokes a storyline filled with nostalgia, colorful characters, and a little bit of wild fun. Set against the stunning rooftop backdrop of Julia & Henry’s—with sweeping downtown views, a red U-shaped bar, and a yellow-tiled pizza oven—the ambiance is as much a feast for the eyes as the food is for the palate. For $95, you get a sextet of sharable starters plus a main dish, and desserts or go all out with an unlimited two-hour drink package—choose house wines for $40 or premium picks for $70, crafted by Nolita landmark and negroni authority, Danté NYC.
The food is where the fun really kicks off. Start with sharable bites like Burrata with tomato salad and crispy octopus, then move on to the show-stopping Seabass. This isn’t your everyday fish—imagine something that looks like a sausage until you slice into it and it flakes perfectly. It looks avant garde, but tastes expertly familiar. Of course, there’s the Cacio e Pepe, so named for the citrus essence on this comforting classic.
And then there’s dessert. The Tiramisubito is life changing—crispy coco cracker over a mascarpone filling that tastes so bright, it practically screams “BON GIORNO, BABY!” You’ll never eat tiramisu the same way again. Along with a playful selection of whimsical desserts, the drink menu is equally inventive. Enjoy Negronis reinvented for the modern palate, like the Negroni Rosa, served in super frosted glasses with wilted rose petals that add a light, floral bitterness. There’s also a selection of spritzes—ranging from a very Italian Spagliato Sicilia with a burst of limoncello to a very Miami Piña Colada Spritz crafted with Jim Meehan’s Banks 5 rum and pineapple sherbet.
All of this fun happens on a rooftop that’s as bold and colorful as its menu. With killer downtown views and a color palate of playful primaries and poppy pastels, it feels like a day spent at a modern Italian carnival. Live tunes from The French Horn Collective set the scene for an unforgettable brunch that’s equal parts Italian flair and Miami cool. Just like Fellini’s Amarcord, this brunch is a joyful, cinematic memory in the making — an experience you’ll remember until you “torno subito,” or come right back...
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