La Loggia Ristorante & Lounge

La Loggia Ristorante & Lounge Restaurant Review:

Open long before downtown Miami's current dramatic revival, this traditional Italian (via Argentina) restaurant was once the sole oasis of old-world elegance in a sea of cafeterias with steam-tabled stews, fast food carts, etc. The area now has numerous stylish eateries, but many judges from the county courthouse across the street still lunch here daily (and become offended if the particular tables they consider their own are not available). Considering the interior's classical columns and similar fancified décor, prices are most reasonable (entrées, including seafood and steaks, top out at $16) and the food is refreshingly simple as well as generously portioned; an antipasto platter, for instance, depends almost entirely on quality ingredients: prosciutto di Parma, fresh mozzarella, Genoa salami, Parmigiano-Reggiano, imported olives, and a variety of grilled or roasted fresh vegetables. The one must-have dish here is homemade ravioli filled with pumpkin and amaretto, with butter sage sauce. For dessert, the chocolate soufflé isn't very Italian but is quite good.