Earlier this month I went to Miami, FL to visit my family. When my parents first moved to Miami in the spring of 2007 they discovered some great restaurants that are still their favorites, including Tutto Pasta. I've heard my parents rave about this fresh pasta haven for years and on this recent trip I finally got to dine there myself.
Tutto Pasta feels like a trattoria in Florence, Italy. The stone walls and the warm lighting make for an inviting dining room.
The Tutto Pasta menu is enormous and that doesn't even include the 15 specials they offer every night!
We started our meal with a bottle of Prosecco. Our waiter served the bubbly in chilled glasses which was a very nice touch.
While we looked over the menu we noshed on the bread basket which was overflowing with hearty pieces of bread in a multitude of flavors.
To start we shared the bruschetta, which I have to admit, wasn't the best version. This dish was just lackluster.
We also shared the focaccia salad which was crusty bread soaked in balsamic vinaigrette and served with tomatoes, mixed greens and olives.
There were five of us at dinner and we each ordered something different. My mom decided on one of the specials, red snapper over red fettucini. She said the dish had "a generous serving of fish" and was topped with fresh spinach, peppers, pesto sauce and garnished with delicious shrimp.
My dad selected the red fettucini served with sausage, mushrooms and peppers. He was disappointed in the dish saying, "The pasta was tasty, but I really would have preferred whole sausage instead of tiny little slices. I felt like I could barely taste the sausage."
Across the table one of my friends ordered the pumpkin ravioli. Who doesn't love pumpkin flavored dishes at this time of year? The dish was incredibly sweet and tasted like dessert!
Next to her, another friend ordered the gnocchi. When she first placed the order the waiter asked which of the four sauces she'd like to have with the dish. She mulled it over and picked one, but then the waiter asked if she'd like to try two! Her plate came divided into two beautiful mountains of gnocchi - one with tomato sauce and one with alfredo sauce.
I snuck a bite of the alfredo topped gnocchi and it was incredible! It actually tasted like rich macaroni and cheese.
I went with the rigatoni arrabiatta. I love spicy tomato sauce. The pasta came topped with fresh basil leaves and our waiter grated half the wheel of parmesan cheese on top. I was in heaven.
When the dinner plates were cleared I think we were all wondering if anyone would notice if we unbuttoned our pants! Despite being super full, we decided to share a dessert.
My dad started the dessert round with an espresso, which came with a teeny tiny cookie on the side.
The rest of us shared the chocolate mousse which was topped with white and dark chocolate shavings. This mousse was smooth, rich in chocolate flavor and the perfect ending to a superb meal.
Tutto Pasta is a classic, old world restaurant with the hearty food you expect from Italia (or perhaps your friend's Italian grandma). The servers are friendly and attentive, the atmosphere is lovely and the housemade pasta is truly outstanding.
Visit Tutto Pasta at 1751 SW 3rd Avenue in Miami.
