Toscana Divino — Restaurant in Miami

We hadn’t had a night out in a while, and so this was going to be a special one. We had a reservation over at Toscana Divino, I had requested an outdoor table with the hostess earlier that afternoon. My wife was worried to be sitting outside as it was pouring rain, but I assured her that there was an oversized outdoor shade, which when we arrived felt as if it were a night of stars covering us from getting drenched. The tables were full, and the hostess apologized for not having an available table - the rain must of pushed people to sit under the covered sky. We waited, antsy, but as patient as possible for a solution. Out came the manager, in a sharp navy blue suit, with a skinny tie - told his staff to remove the overly sized hostess stand from the area and set a table for 2. Although there weren’t any table cloth covered tables outside, he made sure that ours had one. He apologized for the wait and introduced himself “I am Francesco” he said with a stylish italian accent. “Can I offer you 2 glasses of Prosecco, on me”. I took him up on his offer and my wife and I were toasting moments later. But that was just the beginning. Francesco then approached us again and began explaining that they were an authentic italian restaurant, which you hear often enough, but something told me that he wasn’t kidding. He went through the entire menu, made some recommendations, one of which was the Burrata, which he said is prepared in a technique like no other. We ordered that, along with a tortellini stuffed ricotta spinach in a butter sage sauce, and a Mediterranean Branzino. A warm bread basket, along with thick EV olive oil followed to our table. Moments later Francesco approached us once again, but this time along side the chef, and went on to explain the Burrata dish, which had chilled pealed grape tomatoes in a basic foam coulee. It was spectacular. The rest of the meal did not fall short, in fact the experience kept on enhancing. On came the dessert. We went traditional and ordered a Tiramisu, and with it again came out the chef with a beautiful small, white frying pan, with what looked like a sunny side egg along with what looked like toast, but he went to explain that this was their “Late Breakfast” dessert, the “egg white” was the flan, the “egg yolk” was a mango apricot bubble about to burst with the touch of the “toast” which was square pieces of cake. What an experience. As soon as we thought that was it, the chef again came out with two wooden plates that had “gummy bears” shaped as a strawberry, a tiny raspberry, cherry and skinless lemon slice. He said “this is to brighten your taste buds” which is exactly what that did. An unforgettable experience, one for me to share. The service felt like a reflection of ownership and a business should not be ran in any other way. Thank you for a...

we were a group of 4 university of Miami doctors with one doctor visiting all the way from Mexico. we were trying to show him around and after giving him a Calle ocho experience which was on the same day. we decided to show him how good Miami restaurants are. all of us live in Downtown and Brickell and know the restaurants very well. and of all restaurants we chose this one because of the reviews and we felt like having an Italian food and I don't drink but my friends were interested in a happy hour drinks. food was ok, server was friendly and by end we were brought a dessert menu in those cute little boxes with cookies which we thought were cute. while we were checking the menu and trying to pick what desserts to pick the hostess comes out of the blue and rudely grabs the box right from my hand and walks away ( no permission . excuse me..nothing at all) to show a the menu to someone who was obviously asking about what desserts. we so shocked and speechless and was waiting for her to at least bring it back..but no..she walks away and takes the menu inside. I called the manager and explained to him what happened ..he gives a cold fast apology and brings another box..pushes it infant of us and was like : here are more cookies!!!! like if it was. ..yeah whatever and it was what we were asking for! needless to say we ended up not ordering any desserts, paid the bill and left feeling so offended. im not sure if he thought we were tourists or so but that behavior from both was totally unacceptable. this restaurant will be definitely off my list for business or casual dinners. would not recommend it to any one!! if it was not for the nice server I would give it a zero...

First, in fairness, I have eaten at Toscana 6 times or so, and would normally have rated it 4 or 5 stars. But, tonight, they just fell off the rails.

Service, food, timing were all off.

For service and timing, I ate at the bar and the bartender waited on me. He was very nice but there were several service issues.

First, I ordered sparkling water with lime. I had to ask for the lime three times.

Second, I had to ask for bread service.

Third, I ordered a main course with two vegetable side dishes, and one of the side dishes came 15 minutes before the main course (and the main course came 25 minutes after the appetizer). And, the only reason I got my main course was I asked the bartender to check on the main course and it had been sitting there.

Fourth, my main course came out but the second of my two vegetable side dishes did not arrive until after I had already finished eating my main course. At this point, I sent it back.

As for the food, generally, it was pretty good. The branzino is always good. The octopus puttanesca was overly salty and served over something that seemed like tomato paste. The tuna crudo was fine -- average. I enjoyed their new cabbage side dish.

Lastly, their wine list was not up to date. Several of the years on the wine list were not accurate.

So, I say all this -- again -- with the qualifier that my prior experiences at Toscana have all been good or very good. And, I will go back again. However, if I have another experience like I did this evening, it will...