After visiting the Dolce and Gabbana exhibit, I came here to grab a bite since it was so close. At first, it was not as full but around 7-8 pm it got packed, which was surprising as it was a Wednesday night. The ambiance of the restaurant is nice and I absolutely adore the furniture and decorations. Although the chair I was sitting in was quite heavy to move without assistance. My favorite thing about the restaurant is how they offer a Prix Fixe menu that offers an appetizer, main entree and dessert for $54. It gave me Miami Spice vibe as soon as I saw it and loved it. As an appetizer, I ordered the whipped ricotta, which was so delicious. It was also quite big so definitely shareable. I also tried the tuna crudo, which was okay. I probably would not order it again. As an entree, I got the branzino portofino. The fish itself was delicious but I was not a big fan of salad underneath. I also tried spicy lobster capellini and it was the best entree of the night. It was a good portion size and so tasty. As a dessert, I ordered the Nutella fudge cake and it was also delicious. I am not a big fan of chocolate and I absolutely enjoyed this. The service was great. I loved how they refreshed our utensils and plates throughout our dinner. I would definitely return to this restaurant and continue to try other items on the menu. read more

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The only reason I'm giving 3 stars is because the service was incredibly lackluster. First the food was delicious, I will give it that. I love everything we had. The drinks and wine were good. The ambiance was beautiful. But for such a nice restaurant and especially for the price point, the service was very disappointing. Our server was not attentive, did not ask if that was our fist time, did not provide recommendations, we ordered $100 bottle of wine and didn't even bring it to chill. He didn't bring us side plates, we had to ask for everything. Eventually we noticed mid meal our server that he left, we didn't know because he did not let us know. So we had no idea who was going to take care of us Overall, they could have done better. He could of been better, you could tell he wanted to leave, it was disappointing for our first time read more

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This is my least favorite MFG restaurant for many reasons and I'll never go back again after my visit from last night. Everyone is allowed to have a bad day but this was just simply disgraceful. From the initial water and beverage orders, to the delivery and timing of said drinks, to the ordering process, the food delivery, taste and execution, and finally management. What an epic failure across the board. My new name for this company is MAJOR FAILURE GROUP. Stick to CARBONE! Skip Contessa. They will be closed within the year if this nonsense continues. Wow!! read more

Absolutely beautiful restaurant. My girlfriend and I came here after the Dolce and Gabbana exhibit for extra dirty martinis and a debrief. These martinis were so perfect we wound up staying for two more. Our bartender was very attentive. The soft romantic music in background, plush seating, dim lighting all created the perfect Miami vibe for a sophisticated night out. read more

Contessa Miami - Italian Near Me - Miami, Florida

Don't get the 5 stars fool you.. although the food was BOMB the service was ok.. there was a HAIR in the calamari sauce and all we got were "im sorry" no they didn't make it seem like a big deal at all but it is completely unsanitary and disgusting. The servers are very nice but they make it seem like these are minor things, spoiler alert this can be VERY serious and they treated it like it wasn't. Their communication skills aren't great either. They said they were going to get another sauce and never came back with one and then took the remaining calamari. When we asked where the sauce was he said he took it off the bill which was nice but communication is key. The place is very cute but do not come here if ur looking for 5 star service and no hairs in ur food. read more

Contessa Miami - Italian Near Me - Miami, Florida

First off, amazing little spot to be in. A lot going on and it provides a great spot to stop and get a bite and drink. The decoration is classy, but the bar stands out the most being absolutely stunning. All the chairs super comfy some being almost like couch pieces. The staff were also super nice. Giving out suggestions without asking and recommending things that they'd all normally get too! The food itself was good BUT it wasn't like mind blowing. I will say the appetizers were the best bites. The whipped ricotta I would recommend in a heartbeat. So good! Staff recommended meatballs and thy were kickass! Other than that everyone ordered their entrees, myself included, I got the veal Milanese with a side of roasted mushrooms. The Milanese came with an arugula salad which was really good. The mushrooms were ok. read more

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Visited contessa during art Basel weekend and it was pretty busy. The restaurant was super accommodating with our reservation as we got stuck in traffic. The dining area was beautiful upon entry. They had many tables and some with little couches around them. We ended up sitting in one of those which I thought was going to be so cute but was a bit uncomfortable. I got the pesto and an espresso martini, both were very good and I would eat again! read more

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5 Stars!!!! The Macaroni with wild boar ragu was excellent. Stand out dish was the Branzino! It was cooked delicately and very flavorful. Servers were extremely attentive and professional. Restaurant is beautiful and the music created a wonderful atmosphere. The crema inglese was the best dessert I've had in a very long time. read more

Contessa Miami - Italian Near Me - Miami, Florida

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There is an Italian restaurant. Decoration, ambience and location is pretty good. It's on the middle of the design district. We came in to drink at the bar. We decided to eat here too. Service was good too. Kalamar was good, tuna was good, beef carpaccio was pretty good and plenty. We also shared spicy lobster capellini was pretty good! I enjoyed! Don't worry about the parking in this district. Because just front of the restaurant there is a vale parking and it just 5 dolar read more

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We celebrated my friends birthday last night! It was phenomenal ! First and foremost , Beef carpaccio is out of this world , it's literally the best I've tried in Miami umami-packed, and nutty notes, adding a dry texture that contrasts with the moist beef, yuuuuum! Lobster salad - delicious then Rigatoni Bolognese, deeply savory, featuring a combination of braised beef, pork, and veal in a slow-cooked ragu, finished with a touch of cream for a velvety texture. And Dover Sole - sophisticated, buttery, and delicate... they also put candles and beautiful decorations for the birthday desserts. And they play old school Italian songs in the background as well. Try Contessa in Design District , definitely the Northern Italy vibe! read more

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It's very sad because M. F.G. will never allow that kind for customers service! We staid 10 mn at the table with ya server acknowledging our presence!!!! When the server arrived I really thought it was stone !!!! At the end we left without ordering any think ! And glad we did ! We had better time somewhere else ! With server that care about us . Sorry MFG u suck ! All u can see is money and not people! . And by the way the table that's we seat at ( outside terrace was available for 20 mn ) but they didn't want to seat us there because they had "reservation" so we made it on line and we go seated outdooor ..... nothing to really add to that ! No value no respect and the brunch menu suck ! read more

Overall good food and vibes. The spicy lobster was a fantastic despite the fact that I don't like thin styled pastas. The pesto was fresh and fusilli had a good bite. The honey ricotta with rosemary felt warm and comforting with the perfect crunch of the toasted baguette. The tuna with artichokes were unique. The drinks didn't hit that well but service was fast. Music was a little loud for conversations. read more

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Nice restraint with a traditional old school Latin feel. The service is pretty good. All of the food items were also very tasty. There are a good number of dishes that are Italian pasta based and well portioned. Went with a group of friends and everyone ordered an appetizer size dish and main entree which was enough to share. Would recommend for a nice night out and don't mind spending a little extra coin. read more

Contessa Miami - Octopus Agrodolce - Italian Near Me - Miami, Florida

The ambiance immediately gave me chic Italian restaurant mixed with a Florida twist. Pink and green everywhere, soft lighting, early 20's elegance... truly such a cute, aesthetic spot. Definitely a place you want to take photos or shoot content because every corner looks good. Now on to the food... I started with the truffle beef carpaccio and it was honestly one of the best I've had. The beef was tender, the arugula added that perfect peppery kick, the walnuts gave a nice crunch, and the white mushrooms added freshness. Everything combined so well with the truffle flavor. I liked that the truffle wasn't overpowering. It was just the right amount. I also tried the calamari. The sauce it came with was amazing. The calamari itself was cooked pretty well. A little chewy for me, but not overly rubbery, and the flavor was good especially when you dip it in the sauce. I had a dirty martini too. It was delicious but I do wish they had blue cheese stuffed olives. That would've made it perfect. John the bartender was awesome. Super friendly and helpful the whole time. Overall, Contessa during was such a vibe. Beautiful space, delicious food, and a fun environment. I would absolutely go back. read more

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VEry poor service. FOod is low quality n certain not Italian. The manager has no clue of customer service. Do not eat here

Not bad but not the best I would go again, but I prefer other spots in the miami design district like cote or mother wolf- however this is a great brunch/sunday spot or maybe during the week The layout inside of the tables is just too crowded & I feel like was not very well thought out I feel indifferent about this place but good spot to chat it up with a bestie read more

Contessa Miami - Italian Near Me - Miami, Florida

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My husband wanted to go to Contessa for lunch on his birthday to give it a try. We tried the Spicy Lobster Capellini, the Squash Carpaccio, and the Insalata Verde salad. The Lobster Capellini was definitely on the spicier side, on a scale of 1-10 I'd give it a 7. The pasta was very light, not heavy at all, and contained a few pieces of lobster. The Squash was very tasty. I definitely recommend going out of your comfort zone and try it. I would get it again. However, the salad was very blah and I would not get that ever again. The service was good. They do team work on the tables when serving and removing dishes. They charge per person for a bottle of water verses a bottle for the table to share. The ambiance was beautiful. They played music at a medium level, not too high or too low. You have the option of seating indoor or outdoor under a covered patio with views of the shops. Overall, Miami has a lot of delicious restaurants so the competition is tough. With that said. It was nice to try but I'd be ok to not go back. read more

Contessa Miami - The Spicy Lobster Capellini ($39) - Italian Near Me - Miami, Florida

I am not usually a fan of these type of "upscale" Miami hotspots, however, I feel that Contessa proved itself! The quality and freshness justified the high prices, and the service was excellent and attentive as well. Our server was so sweet and happened to be from the same town as my husband and I. This might not be an everyday splurge, but next time I find myself in Miami, I will most definitely be back. The only negative is the parking/location, but that is not the fault of the restaurant! Well done. Cheers xx read more

Came here on a Saturday night to celebrate my birthday with my boyfriend. They sat us upstairs in the dining room. The ambiance reminds me of carbone, which makes sense since they are owned by the same food group. Service was great, our waiter was attentive and always made sure our drinks were filled. The veal Milanese was my favorite dish of the night, ask for extra lemon to make it brighter. We enjoyed the rigatoni and the pesto pasta but my favorite was the dessert! The coffee gelato and espresso martini are a must get! read more

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Came here for a birthday celebration and left stuffed & extremely happy. Our waitress told us that we were only allowed to order once, she had to put in all of the food/meals at the same time. That's the only downfall. The food was extremely fresh and flavorful. The environment of the restaurant was chic and well kept. Ordered : - bacon 10/10 & we got it more crispy - meatballs 7/10 - taste is acquired bc of the sauce they put on. It's not bad but not my favorite - spicy lobster pasta 100/10. A fan favorite & they give you the option to not have it spicy - rigatoni 8/10. Very good but I found the pasta a bit hard. I would recommend this restaurant for any brunch, lunch or dinner events! read more

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When you walk in you feel like that you're in a retro ice cream parlor and somebody ought to be bringing you a float/sundae. Went for lunch. It's not about being cheap, but the prices are offensive even by Miami standards. I found the menu extremely underwhelming. I don't know how it survives. I don't know what else to say at this point. I had a salad of asparagus, an avocado for $24 which looked more like a side dish.. My friend had the meatball appetizer which was not bad just not memorable. The service was horrific. Nobody ever came and asked us if we would like to order another course or dish or entrée so we paid the bill and left. We each had sparkling water and the bill was $90 cross that one off the list..been there and done that. read more

horrible experience. olive varden food. the manager has no clue how to treat high end guest. u sit for 30 m n noone serve u. food not italian. no manners. just go for drinks. read more

Spicy Lobster Pasta! Best Pistachio Gelato. Great service and the theme is very unique.

Honestly, I'm not sure where to begin, here. We made a reservation, and after we were ignored at the bar, the hostess ended up seating us close to twenty minutes after our slotted time (bonus: she seated folks who came in after us). It was clear she gave our table away, even though we checked in, and had to scramble to find us a table. When we were seated, the table wasn't fully set and it took twenty minutes for our server to greet us. Granted; it was busy. But being art week, you'd expect management to put the varsity team to handle the crowd. We were seated; our server didn't greet us for 20 minutes. Then, we ordered classic cocktails that every bartender should know, and our drinks took another 40 minutes to arrive. Our server barely paid any attention to our table, brushing past us over and over. The MOD also fully failed to touch our table - but managed to touch every other one in our section. The food was good, but the service was nonsensically poor. And they had the audacity to auto-grat 20%. I'm a hospitality professional and this was probably the worst hospitality experience I've had outside of visiting the DMV. Do not bother with this place, it's trash. 0/5. Unless you order takeout. The food's decent enough to warrant the delivery fee. But nothing else. read more

Great location and food that actually substantiated the high price in Miami! I will definitely revisit when I am in town again.

Contessa Miami is just as good as the one in Boston but they don't have the bread service with olives and Parmesan similar to the Boston location or Carbone! Our Italian server was lovely! Squash carpaccio 5/5 Pea pasta 5/5 Lemon dessert 5/5 read more

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Food was mid. Portions are super small, and our food came cold. Alex M was our server and was not attentive, when splitting checks he made us do our own math. Service was so slow it took 4 hours when many big parties next to us came and went. The ambiance was nice but not worth the price, many nicer places. When the food came out it was a mess, food was delivered to the wrong people at the table. read more

Lovely dining experience at Contessa on 12/5 during Art Basel in the Design District. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and located very close to a parking garage and valet parking which is convenient. The bar is beautiful and the lovely flowers were a pretty touch. The processco was nicely chilled and crisp. I initially ordered the squash carpaccio which I had to sadly return as it was not the flavors for my palette. The waitress was kind enough to switch it out for the beef carpaccio which was deliciously served with truffles. My entree was macaroni dish with boar meet; flavorful, salty, and definitely a hearty meal. I would recommend and definitely return when in the Miami Design District. read more

This place was just beyond words! I'm so happy that my bestie brought me here for my birthday. It surely didn't disappoint. From the moment you walk in you feel good. The decor is on point the hostess is very nice and the food is exquisite! I'm not sure if what was my favorite because everything was so delicious! The salad was exquisite, like I want to learn how to make it or at least imitate it. The fish was juicy not cooked too much. I mean just everything. The desserts were out of this world especially the special one don't even know the name of it. It has like some type of coffee taste. I can't wait to go back again. read more

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Great spot for ladies night. Absolutely love the ambience very dark and sexy. My favorite dish was the lobster pasta, so much flavor and the sauce delicious. Thinking back I should had asked for bread with it because how yummy it was. Their drinks I wasn't really impressed, but we do live in a city where restaurants fight to impress you with their cocktails. If it were my restaurant I would revamp the drink menu. Overall good place, amazing service. Our server was so friendly everyone very attentive and made you feel taken care of. Would definitely go back again to have that pasta. read more

Contessa Miami - Italian Near Me - Miami, Florida

Atmosphere is amazingWas able to get seated fairly fast. Food is great but service is terrible. Waitress would bring food out at different times would take a long time to refill our drinks. Waitress also got my meal wrong so I had to wait even longer. Not exaggerating at all. No matter how busy a restaurant is there should be constant communication about the food and drink situation. read more

Good food, ambiance, and service! Highly recommend if in the design district. I've gone a few times now and it never disappoints. read more

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From the moment we arrived, Contessa reminded me a bit of Carbone on Miami Beach. The interior decor, color scheme, chandeliers, lighting fixtures, wall and ceiling treatments and the bar are all designed to evoke a classic restaurant from a bygone era, and are reminiscent of what one might have found in a high-end supper club back in my grandparents' day - possibly earlier. Once I got home and checked their website, it made sense; Contessa is one of 8 Miami-area restaurants operated by the Major Food Group. Carbone is indeed one of theirs as well. We'd come here for a special occasion later on a Tuesday night without reservations. We were seated right away and though there was no one seated at the bar, many of the tables in the dining area were occupied. We were offered waters and our server was there almost immediately with menus and he, the food runners and the rest of the staff were outgoing and attentive throughout our meal. We started with the tuna crudo to share which was very good, but would've been even better with some bread for the table, which we had to request and it took them a bit of time to warm and toast. When our bread arrived, it was served with small dipping vessels filled with olive oil and saba, which is a syrup made of cooked grape must. For our main courses I ordered the corn ravioli and my husband the branzino; we also selected a bottle of wine to share with our meals. Both our entrees were good, but my dish came with 5 or maybe 6 small raviolis and his branzino wasn't terribly large. We really wish the server had described the true sizes of the dishes we'd ordered and suggested we include a side or two, as we'd have done that from the beginning had we known. We requested an order of grilled mushrooms which our waiter put a rush on. For dessert we shared the crema inglese, which was sort of a deconstructed tiramisu, but with chocolate ganache. Everything we had here was very good, service was on-point and prices weren't out of line considering what this place is. If you were set on Carbone and didn't make your reservation a month in advance as that restaurant can sometimes command, you might consider Contessa as an alternate. read more

Shopping in DD with a friend but we were both famished and decided to pop in. Definitely had the Carbone feel walking in. Beautiful restaurant - was surprised by the faux flowers. Food was pretty good - the lamb chops and garlic broccoli were my fav. The squash carpaccio was good. Because we popped in at an odd hour, service was slow. I felt like he was very attentive when we arrived and when food was delivered, but then dropped off the map. We had to flag someone down eventually for a bill. Seems like the dinner menu might be worth coming back for. read more

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Very nice scenery and decorations, servers were very attending and the food was great. Thank you so much Alex Morel for serving us. affocato was so yummy and flavorful!!! read more

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I read some mixed reviews, but I found this place to be unexpectedly great. Service was top notch. From the friendliness to the attention, it was spot on. Ambiance was phenomenal. Beautiful decor and great music playing in the background. As far as food, we went heavy apps. All were great. The two that I would def recommend, the squash carpaccio and the spicy lobster pasta. Can't recall the name of the dessert (it was like a tiramisu, but without the coffee) but that was amazing. We celebrated a birthday for lunch and I would highly recommend. read more

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We try enjoyed the cocktails- martini yum! We had the lamb chops they are A+. The mushrooms are a must. We also had the calamari, it was delicious. The service was outstanding, we enjoyed the music and the ambience was fantastic! Definitely a location you want to visit although it is a little pricey. read more

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Mi novia y yo estábamos aquí para celebrar nuestros 7 meses juntos y todo fue bonito, la truffle pizza fue dulce y la pasta fue ricísimo, queremos tratar otra vez! read more

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Contessa is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Miami. Located in the heart of design district, the restaurant is always lively and vibey. I highly recommend the spicy capellini and the pesto pasta, both are delicious and very light. I also ordered the lamb chops and calamari, they were a little bland but tasted light and fresh. Great service and ambiance! read more

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A beautiful upscale restaurant with wonderful service and excellent food located in the design district. The arugula and fig salad with hazelnuts is an excellent starter. My wife and I ordered the grilled Mediterranean branzino portofino. The fish was well prepared with fennel and olives. Our daughter ordered the spicy lobster capellini. The sauce was authentic with a generous portion of lobster. We ended the evening we homemade pistachio gelato and nutella fudge cake. A perfect evening. read more