Tuscany Italian Bistro — Restaurant in Miramar Beach

This was our first visit to Tuscany Italian Bistro. I had wanted to try it as we are familiar with other restaurants with the same owner over the past 25 years or so and their Italian food has always been very good.

Tuscany did not disappoint. The reservation process was a little unusual. We sent a text message and received a note back that it was accepted. I was not sure how well that would work. When we arrived, our name was in the registration book along with the request for a booth so apparently it worked well.

Tuscany is not open for lunch. It usually opens at 5 which is why we had not eaten here previously. We were there five minutes early, the door was open and we were greeted quickly and seated promptly.

The restaurant is comfortable. The booth had a partial view of the kitchen and it was very busy. While we were the second couple there, food preparation was well underway.

The wine list is not extensive. There were several options for a cabernet by the glass and a few more options for bottle sales. There were several options for an Italian red wine but we opted for a glass of Decoy Cabernet which was a good selection.

While we normally split a meal in the evening, in this instance we decided to each order an entree. The description by the waiter of a couple of fish entrees sounded good and neither one was very large. I had enjoyed a whole pompano fish dinner at a previous Italian restaurant with the same owner but that was apparently not an option.

The grouper piccata was very good. There were several shrimp topping the grouper. the entree was also covered with a lemon butter sauce. It had an excellent flavor and the appearance was excellent when initially served.

Having grown up in an area with a number of Italian dishes (and an Italian cook creating school lunches before there was any intervention in the menu by the federal government), I have a fondness for Italian marinara sauce. I substituted a side of spaghetti with marinara sauce in lieu of the vegetable of the day and did not regret the decision.

My dining companion enjoyed the Pesce Del Giorno. On this occasion, the fish of the day was flounder with an Italian sauce that was a little spicy, had excellent tomato flavor, and cooked perfectly.

I tasted her dish and may have even preferred the flounder with the tomato sauce as the fish was very tender and loved the tomato flavor with a hint of spice. It was accompanied by a serving of thin pasta (perhaps capellini).

Normally, I pass on dessert but will indulge in a sweet ending to the meal with a flimsy excuse. It has not often that spumoni is on a restaurant menu. It was available on this occasion and it was outstanding. It was a large serving with creamy gelato in three flavors and a drizzle of chocolate on top.

The meal was excellent.

The restaurant is not inexpensive. Our bill for the two meals, three glasses of wine, dessert, and a gratuity was about $186. Obviously, a family dining here could opt for the child's menu, pasta dishes without the wine and it would be much less. It was not unreasonable and was not a surprise as the food was well prepared and high-quality ingredients in an expensive tourist area.

Some reviewers noted the romantic atmosphere of the restaurant. I found it pleasant and comfortable but probably not a romantic setting. We were in the bar area with a large-screen TV which may have made a difference. The tables in the main dining area are close together and it was crowded and fairly loud. That is not a bad atmosphere for a restaurant but not a...

Perfect place for a date night, fine dining, or to hang out at the bar. The owner is very hospitable, and our waiter Fabio is very sharp and brought our experience full circle. My Fiance leaked it was my 30th so they provided a free birthday cake (one serving). My favorite pasta dish I have ever had is here as well. The Rigatoni Alla Ciociara. I don't even look at the menu when I go in now.

Edit April 2017:

Came back on vacation to enjoy my favorite dish. Couple things have changed from my 5 star review two years ago. First issue, something I noticed, either new wait staff has changed and not as authentic, or if you come in dressed casually and you'll be treated more casual. In the past we have always been well dressed and treated top notch, today we went dressed casual, myself in a tshirt and jeans. Our Waitress spent more time with a table she wasn't even taking care of (Fabios table). I also noticed and maybe just a coincidence, Fabio's guests were all dressed up, which is something 100% support believe it or not. Casual dining guests and people dressed up for a special occasion should not be sat next to eachother out of respect to the people who dressed up for the occasion. Anyway, Second issue which pissed me off quite a bit was when I ordered a double jack on the rocks. They did not have jack Daniels and offered to replace it with Gentleman Jack. I agreed. I know John* Daniels very well. I knew what I was drinking wasn't any type of jack. When I called it out I was responded with, "Oh yeah, we didn't have any Gentleman Jack so we just swapped it out with Makers Mark, most people can't tell." That was an actual response. They also sold it to me for 2 dollars more a shot. 17.50 for a double makers on the rocks. Even though a bottle of Makers on adverage runs 15 dollars less a bottle than Gentleman Jack. If they are this bold with their spirits it makes me wonder what they do with their more expensive wines. Not sure we will be back, which is disappointing as it's one of our favorite restaurants in the area. We were still polite and friendly throughout the entire meal, tipped fairly well and the server went on to tell us how other people have seemingly not cared for having their drinks swapped out and shrugged her shoulders saying she can't make everyone happy. Here's a thought, don't serve something to someone claiming it's something else. If someone orders a specific whiskey on the rocks chances are they are quite familiar with...

Don't waste your money here - food was awful!!!! We have been Destin residents for 12 years and loved Gugliemo's when it was in Destin, That restaurant is now a pizza parlor and they have since opened Tuscany Italiano Bistro and it is disgusting! We should have realized something was not quite right - all the restaurants in Destin during this peak holiday season are packed and we only waited 5 minutes, But after that observation the next thing is the the way they greet you - poor little girl at front desk is way out of her league, running around the restaurant trying to keep up with people coming in the door and seating everyone, For example: a man walked in the door after us and we were already standing there and she asks him first "can I help you" - we had to tell her (obvious as it was because we were first in line) that we were there first. We get seated and it only goes downhill from that point on... You have to pay for the bread and olive oil $2.50 - every other Italian restaurant in town give this as complimentary... I order Veal Toscanato and my husband orders the Seafood linguine... Our food arrives and his is cold and mine is disgusting - the veal has obviously been frozen and reheated - even the spinach has been reheated - ugh! I couldn't even tell if my veal was chicken or veal until I turned it over to take a closer look. We tell the waiter (not his fault so no names here) and he gives me the menu to choose a different entree - I assume now it is on the house (which it wasn't) - but decide to order something very basic shrimp fettuccine with Alfredo sauce - oh good grief - 5 shrimp and bowl full of hard fettuccine = $20.00. We get the $80.00 bill and we ask to speak to manager and she (Gug's wife) tells us that they can't comp anything but dessert, I tell her we don't want to eat anything else in your restaurant and she tells us, sorry but no-one has complained about the food before - not exactly the answer we were looking for - WE ARE complaining about the food... Don't waste your money going here - go to La'Familgia in the Heart of Destin instead. We didn't go because traffic was bad - wish we had just gone ahead and messed with the traffic instead of messing with ungrateful restaurant owners who think Destin owes them a living - not so Gug - we just want good food - needless to say at this point - we WON'T be back!!! And we are locals and you need US when the tourist...