Cecconi's

[mrmagee]

Sharing my birthday with my sister-in-laws 30th who is visiting from London. As it her big 3 0 I want to go somewhere very special, and a good ambiance is as important as the food (but both should be great). I cousin of mine has recommended Cecconi's as he has been there a few times and really enjoyed it. before that I was leaning towards Hakassan as I always enjoy it there (although my wife things the food is just ok). There are just the four of us for dinner this Thursday. Kinda of sucks sharing my birthday (although I am used to it as my 3 year old was born on my birthday!) and I am feeling the pressure as it is such as big birthday for her.

The space at Cecconi's looks really nice, but I have read mixed reviews on the food. Anyone with any experience there? Any other alternative suggestions?

Comment appreciated.

[mrmagee]

So, just as advised, the ambiance was great, but we had a very slow waiter, they did not have the first three bottles of wine I selected, and the food was good, but not great. Enjoyed it, but would not go back for that sort of money.

[Frodnesor]

I've been to Cecconi's once and overall enjoyed it. The outdoor seating area really is gorgeous, but it was dead of summer and we didn't want to sit outside, so we stayed inside in what is a sort of lounge area that has the feel of a very posh living room.

The food was overall pretty good, not exceptional. I'm a big fan of vitello tonnato and was disappointed they'd taken it off the menu, but they did have a bar bite type item with hard-boiled quail eggs with a tonnato sauce. Wood-oven baked sepia in a tomato sauce were very nice and tender. I thought a salmon carpaccio with grapefruit was overwhelmed by the tart fruit. The pasta in a pappardelle dish was very nice, the duck and pepper ragu was good not great.

It's not necessarily mind-blowing food but it's good and the setting is very pleasant. Hakkasan is a very different atmosphere but also has a good ambience and good food, though it's pricey.

I'd say try Cecconi's - and then make the wife take you to Hakkasan for brunch to make up for having to share your birthday.

[mrmagee]

Thanks Frod. Makes my feel better about this choice. Unfortunately, I won't get to Hakkasan for lunch :(

Anyone else have any experience of Cecconi's? How does it compare to Prime Italian?

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Hakkasan
Miami Beach, FL, Miami Beach, FL

Prime Italian
101 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

[djs7d]

The food at Cecconi's is good, but not great. The portions are small and it is very expensive. The ambiance is great, but when I went it was very hot and that ruined the experience for me.