Carbone Miami

"Verdict: Carbone is not really a restaurant. It's a pasta theme park for the social media generation. And like so many tourist attractions, it's overpriced, needlessly difficult to book, and prioritizes appearance over everything else. Still, the red sauce performance here has its charm, and if you're simply dying to see it for yourself (and OK with eating at an odd weekday hour) go for it. Just manage your expectations. " - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino

"We knew this day would come. Messi at Carbone just makes sense. It’s a restaurant that exists for VIPs and we’re sure they treated him like the star he is. Messi famously loves milanesa, so we’re guessing he enjoyed the veal parm. If Messi has a sweet tooth, he also probably got a little giddy when they brought out the dessert tray. Still, we wouldn’t send him here if he asked us where to find the best Italian food in Miami. And our hearts go out to any mortals who may have gotten bumped to accommodate Messi’s party and had to wait an extra 45 minutes for their table. " - ryan pfeffer, mariana trabanino

"The Freebies: Bread basket, pickled cauliflower, cured meats, parmesan cheese, and rainbow cake. Dinner at Carbone peaks early. Before you’ve even placed your order, the sceney Italian restaurant drops a series of items on the table that are, to everyone’s astonishment, free. There’s a large bread basket with warm and bouncy tomato bread, pickled cauliflower, cured meat, and parmesan chunks cut from a giant cheese wheel. Usually, we’d warn you not to spoil your appetite. But Carbone is expensive and the entrees are hit-or-miss, so eat up and you’ll probably save a few bucks. The meal also ends with another freebie: small bites of rainbow cake that come with the (very large) bill.  " - mariana trabanino, ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo

"Carbone reservations have gotten slightly easier to find since it first opened—although mostly on weekdays at 5pm or 10pm. You may be able to find a slightly better table (especially during summer) if you check Resy 30 days in advance precisely at 10am. Don’t bet on being able to walk in. They'll probably turn you away and possibly be a little mean about it." - Ryan Pfeffer

"The South Beach location of Carbone serves the same high-end takes on classic Italian-American dishes that its New York City counterpart has since 2012. On the menu, expect dishes like its famous spicy rigatoni in a vodka sauce, the Caesar salad “alla ZZ” that is prepared tableside, veal chop parmesan, alongside some serious old school vibes, strong yet balanced cocktails, and plenty of people watching. Reservations are a hot commodity, but the people watching make it worth it." - Amber Love Bond, Olee Fowler