Nestled in a bustling corner of the Design District, Contessa offers not only unique Italian food, but also boasts a gorgeous environment to get lost in for a night. Think of this as a place to see and be seen. A place where not only the décor and the environment are beautiful, but a place where the beautiful people connect with each other over a cocktail, good food and conversation.
And guess what? We are all beautiful. So put on that outfit, and go show it off, ready to dine in style.
Let it be known that my husband and I sure did dress up for this first visit to a place that truly left a mark. A place that stands out as one that is meant for any type of special occasion, from date night to simply a night out with great people. Or just to celebrate a good day. The sky’s the limit.
Think of Contessa as a place where you can indulge on the type of food that you would enjoy in Northern Italy. Think of dishes that are classic, and dishes that are inspired by the classics, all together in a menu meant to satisfy every palate and taste.
The brainchild of MFG (Major Food Group) Co-Founders and creatives Jeff Zalaznick, Mario Carbone, and Rich Torrisi. Contessa’s first location in Boston, located on the rooftop of The Newbury Boston, already has a dedicated fan base and it’s already a hot spot in Miami as well. And, based on our experience, that is not surprising at all.
Expect to be pampered at Contessa. As soon as we walked in, we felt like true royalty, and like we were about to be treated like a king and queen. The lush seating, soft colors and dim lights of the restaurant set the perfect scene for magical dining in our own Magic City. And, of course, that is thanks to the food, the hand-crafted cocktails and the wine program. It’s because everything is prepared and presented with the outmost care and is curated and thought about before being given to guests.
Contessa’s wine program is a special one that was created by MFG’s Wine Director John Slover. We made sure to pair our meal with a selected one from the list, a list that boasts central and northern Italian options and a lot of Nebbiolo-based wines from Barolo, Barbaresco, Alte-Piedmont and Lombardy. The server made sure we were satisfied and expertly walked us through the selections, and we made sure he had the freedom to select for us after his presentation.
The cocktails are spectacular, proven by the espresso martini that my husband indulged on, as well as my dirty martini. There are plenty of options to enjoy while perched at the restaurant’s sleek bar, or inside the main dining room. This is all thanks to the spot’s Bar Director Nathan McCarley O’Neill, one who takes pride with the cocktail menu and its offerings.
The menu at the restaurant is completely varied, and it works. For starters, you can enjoy Italian classics with a twist such as Carpaccio of Chianina Beef, Octopus Agrodolce con Peperone and Squash Carpaccio.
Also, I’m a huge fan of charcuterie, and at the restaurant, you could enjoy delicious and fresh prosciutto, cheeses, and simply any sort of Italian treat meant to be authentic.
While we were there, the knowledgeable server made sure we took a tour of the restaurant’s menu. We were delighted by the restaurant’s signature pizzas, all of which mix and match classic meats and veggies alongside other creative toppings. It’s a great choice to start your meal and share with others as well!
The pasta is fresh, and you can tell they are prepped carefully in-house. While there, we were treated to the rich and filling Garganelli Verdi Bolognese. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and we were certainly pleased with that, as was the fresh fish that we tried, a special selection that was available that evening. Expect to be surprised every time you visit by secret offerings meant only for that evening, as the server pretty much whispers that there JUST might be something special available. We recommend you go for it.
We finished the evening with sweets. They included a gelati made in-house and savory cakes of pistachio, amaretti, and gianduja and chocolate. And, what a sweet way to end the night it was!
We left happy and feeling pampered, which is why we recommend that you pay Contessa a visit. And don’t leave without a picture in front of the restaurant’s golden stairs and in front of the classy flower décor. This place is a gem and one that is not afraid to be itself.
For more information on Contessa and to make a reservation, visit https://contessaristorante.com/miami/.
