Had a later dinner at NiDo Caffe on Thursday night. Ordered a nice Malbec to sip on as we split the Tagliere Misto and a Stuffed Cheese Pasta dish.
Quality
When we were first handed the wine list one wine immediately stood out to me, but unfortunately they did not have it in stock. After trying another wine and asking about a few others we eventually settled on a Malbec. We knew we were going to be ordering a charcuterie board and wine is a necessary companion. Once we spotted the Tagliere Misto on the menu we knew what we needed to get. A combination of four different meats, proscuitto, bresaola, speck, and mortadella with three types of cheese, mozzarella, burrata, and affumicata, served along with Sicilian caponata and olives it sounded incredible. There were definitely standouts on the board, I would say the burrata was the highlight, but we devoured every single bite. I also have to mention the affumicata which was a unique smokey tasting cheese that seemed to make each of the other elements of the board better. Now we could have and maybe should have called it quits after the massive platter, but I wanted to at least try a pasta dish. We went with a Stuffed Cheese Pasta that were served with a pesto sauce and chunks of meat thrown in. The pasta was delightful and cooked to perfection and the sauce was delicious. I found the pieces of cold cut meat a bit strange, but they were very rich and seemed close to bacon.
Quantity
The Tagliere Misto is absolute massive and could have served as an entire meal for two people. The pasta dish was also large and even split makes for a ample serving.
Value
Considering the quality and the massive portions I found the prices extremely reasonable. They have a good selection of wines with a range of prices that would satisfy a casual drinker or a connoisseur. The Tagilere Misto was expensive, but the plate that came out was likely meant as a appetizer for four people. The pastas were all around $20, but were very generous in size.
Ambiance
NiDo Caffe is nestled into the corner of a small strip mall located in the Little River area of North Miami. The restaurant is a relatively small space with several tables inside, a tiny bar area, and then a cute enclosed patio. It was a warm evening so we decided against the patio, though I think it would be great for date night. With a few lights strung overhead and bushes strategically placed to block out the rest of the world, it has the feel of a quaint restaurant on a quiet Italian street. Inside meanwhile gives off the vibes of a big family Italian kitchen. The walls are covered with art and pictures. The small bar area and the wall next to the kitchen are covered with spices and all manner of other ingredients needed in a kitchen. On the wall they list the specials and the wines available while ornate lights hang above the bar. Each table has unique little ceramic containers filled with oil and vinegar. And as can be expected at any small Americanized Italian spot, Frank Sinatra softly crooned over the speakers.
Crowd
We arrived late so only a few other diners were still out for the evening. It is definitely makes for a great romantic location for an intimate dinner, as long as it is not too humid out. But it also is perfect for a family dinner or casual occasion.
Service
When you arrive late the fear is always that the staff is going to push you through your meal. I did not get that vibe in the slightest as our waiter was happy to work us through the menu and allowed us time to enjoy each part of our meal.
Parking
There is a small shared lot in front of NiDo, which had several spots available at this point in the evening. I would expect a fight for spots on a weekend evening during primetime or being forced to settle of street parking on a nearby side street.
Extra
NiDo Caffe served us some delicious food with excellent service. The Tagliere Misto is reason alone to dine here as the burrata is to die for. I was also a fan of the versatile space that inside is warm and welcoming, while outside creates a romantic and intimate feel. An underrated spot when it comes to Italian food in Miami, NiDo is definitely a place to check out. read more