Which one of these would you choose for an ITALIAN dinner?

[elskin]

Looking for nice atmosphere, good food, not too pricey. Which one would you pick and why...? Thanks.

Grazie Italian Restaurant.

Spiga.

Cerione's Italian Cafe.

[tpigeon]

Grazie and Osteria are in the same price class, not sure where you are getting your not too pricey from. Spiga ain't cheap either.

[yomyb]

If Grazie is in the same range as Osteria and the OP is considering it...then Sardinia can be included right? That is where I would go.... besides the pasta dishes which are excellent are very nicely priced there.

[miamisweet]

For inexpensive italian on the beach I'd try Spris, Rosinella, or Sylvanos. None of those are blow you away restaurants. Spris does have great pizza though.

[karmalaw]

Rosinella.

[miamisweet]

None of those.

[elskin]

why...? Im not looking for anything too pricey... I thought those would be ok.

[Frodnesor]

Curious why you would pick those places. None particularly get much love here (Grazie and Spiga seem to get a few "good not great" reactions, can't see any mention of Cerione's, nor is it South Beach as it's up in the 60s on Collins) - not that CH is the be all and end all, but what made you narrow your choices to these three?

I haven't been to any so I can't tell you about them. I can say that for decent, reliable and inexpensive Italian I like Rosinella (particularly their vitello tonnato and their gnocchi), Spris or Piola for salads and pizza, Mrs. F is a fan of Macaluso's (not sure if it's at the right price point), and if you're looking further north than South Beach, I'd suggest Ragazzi in Surfside, or Cafe Prima Pasta or Oggi Cafe around Normandy.

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Cafe Ragazzi Restaurant
9500 Harding Ave, Surfside, FL 33154

Oggi Caffe
1666 79th Street Cswy, North Bay Village, FL 33141

Prima Pasta Cafe
414 NW 71st St, Miami, FL 33150

Rosinella
525 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Macaluso's Restaurants
1747 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Piola Pizzeria
1625 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Spris Pizzeria
731 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

[Blind Mind]

I think Rosinella is a tad overrated on this board but maybe Im in the minority. Ive never had a dish there that has made me want to go back for more. Ive never had anything horrible either but I have had a few dishes that were quite bland.

Cafe Prima Pasta is a great spot though. Any of the veal dishes are winners.

[karmalaw]

And, I am in the other camp -- I think Prima Pasta is over-rated and vastly prefer the authentic italian flavors of Rosinella (while they often present food that should be salted to taste, I've never found the food to be bland... have you tried the amatriciano, the gnocchi, the eggplant parm, the lasagna?)

[Icantread]

I've heard from two different peopel that Oggi isn't quite up to it's former glory anymore, though I haven't been. It was always a great restaurant otherwise.

[Frodnesor]

Icr - I'd never have called Oggi "great", but it's always been decent. I've been as recently as a few months ago and would still say that.

BM - I wouldn't (and didn't) call Rosinella great either, rather, "decent, reliable and inexpensive." I don't think by that description it is overrated. It is by no means a destination restaurant.

[miamisweet]

I agree it is decent. For the price there are better Italian restaurants but in the beach I'd say it's there or Sylvano's for inexpensive Italian. I like their Chicken Parm. Their pastas are ok.