Reviews & Ratings for Hosteria Romana

10/08/11

"BEST EXPERIENCE" FOR 1ST TIME MIAMI VISITORS

by EL MAGO at Citysearch

I MUST SAY THAT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FRIENDLY, CHARMING AND EXCITING DINING EXPERIENCE - THAN BRING EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO THIS RESTAURANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE WAITERS SING WITH GLEE, THE STAFF ARE BURSTING FULL OF GREAT ENERGY AND THE OWNER LOOKS LIKE HE WALKED RIGHT OUT OFF A MOVIE SET STARRING THE GODFATHER MEETS SOPRANOS. DONT GO HERE FOR WOLFGANG PUCK, GO HERE FOR THE THRILL AND LAUGHS!!!!!

03/04/11

ripoff restaurant

by r leff at Citysearch

what a ripoff. we were offered cheese and meats and my wife looked on the menu and it said $28 which i thought was a bit high but not ridiculous. when the bill came it was $46 which was outrageous considering the size of the portion. we complained to the waiter who said yeah this happens all the time. well if it happens all the time why do you continue to rip off the customers.

we told the waiter he should do something about it and he said he'd talk to the owner. he came back and said that the listing on the menu was a different meat and cheese platter and he was so sorry but wouldn't change the price but hoped we'd have a good rest of the night.

considering that the rest of the meal was just mediocre it is not good business to ripoff the patrons.

I'd never go back

09/07/10

OVERPRICED decent food, inconsistent service

by bellster11375 at Citysearch

Weren't craving tapas which is what the other restaurants offered, so we tried this place. Wished I checked out Citysearch first. The bread was actually very tasty and warm! The service was touch and go, however. The staff was nice to our child (a plus). The menu itself was fine, but I wasn't overly hungry. Had the grilled calamari salad. The salad itself was okay, but the calamari had a "weird" texture (reminded me of slimy mushrooms from a can) and taste. Thankfully I didn't get sick.

The kids menu was good, and the portion was decent as far as child size goes. My son eats anything so he didn't care. Perfectly fine spaghetti & red sauce. The staff was really kind to him, so again, I didn't mind.

The next morning, my husband realized that he left his AmEx at the restaurant. BE CAREFUL to insert your card back into the wallet! I don't want to get into specific details... but we believe that our card was subsequently used to ring up charges at other places. Thankfully, AmEx also alerted us at the same time we found out what had happened.

Our actual waiter was nice and attentive (though it would take about 5+ minutes), but the other blond waiter would always "yes" me at whatever my request was (more water? more napkins?) and then we would never see him again. Wasn't sure if he didn't understand English perhaps? Very odd.

Would I return to this restaurant? Maybe (the pasta dish my husband got was plentiful and looked tasty). But I would not order a salad, and I'd make sure I had cash only.

02/25/09

One of the Worst Restaurant Experiences Ever!

by mltoppino at Citysearch

HORRIBLE! I was treated terribly by the owner. He asked how my experience was so far, I told him very politely that I was a little uncomfortable with how he was yelling at his staff and smashing his fists on the bar just 5 feet away from me. Instead of apologizing or offering any explanation, he told me that he was the owner and if I didn't like it I could leave. He ordered the bartender to stop making our drinks and we left, before even being served! As I was quietly walking out, he followed behind me screaming "That's why we are the best restaurant in South Beach" It was the most unprofessional display I have ever experienced. I have been a server, host, bartender, and restaurant manager for 20 years! This is not a personal attack, It is an honest depiction of my awful experience in this restaurant.

12/18/08

Horrible EVERYTHING!!! overpriced, bad service, bad food

by thuthuca at Citysearch

FOOD - HORRIBLE

we ordered 2 main courses and 2 horrible salads.

both salads came - with only leafs, 3 pieces of cheese, and NO DRESSING. and the price.... $15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

$15 for a bunch of leafs and goat cheese without any dressing???? one of the salads was supposed to come with fennel, as stated on the menu. but surprise surprise... no fennel AT ALL.

SHAME ON YOU.

Service - DISGUSTING!

had to wait and ask more than 10 times for more water, and olive oil.

Servers stood behind us and looked at us eating like they're are short on plates or something. very uncomfortable to enjoy yourself and your company when the waiters just keep coming to check if you finished your food every 2 seconds.

the overly dry bread was probably recycled from other tables.

AND THE BILL including the mandatory tip? WAY TOO MUCH for this type of food and service.

Gross.

never going back... and telling everyone i know not to go. even for free.......

• Pros: its on espanola way
• Cons: everything else...

07/25/08

Best Authentic Italian Food in Miami

by Sole25 at Citysearch

I have lost count of how many times I have been to this place in the last 3 years. Never had a bad experience with the food or wait staff. I have been to Italy and I can say this is real authentic Italian, not that garbage you eat at Macaroni & Grill or even worst, Olive Garden. I pay for the pricey plates because it's worth it to me than paying half in other restaurants that stuff their pastas with salt and seasonings that don't belong. One thing, though, do go to their Espanola Way location because the other ones that have opened in Ocean Drive, for example, I've heard bad things from friends.

• Pros: Authentic Italian Food
• Cons: Parking

04/03/08

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

by MiamiFW at Citysearch

Don't waste your time here! Besides the over priced and small portion or bland tasting food, you will find a automatic 18%-20% mandatory tip on your bill for parties under 5! Yes, MANDATORY, Don't try and change the tip because they will not remove it. Don't try to send a dish back because it was undercooked, they will blame you for it. Avoid! Avoid! Avoid!

• Pros: On OceanDrive
• Cons: Service, Food, Price

02/18/08

Go somewhere else ... not good at all!

by Nancy73 at Citysearch

You know, I don't typically write reviews but had to let everyone know about the experience I had at this restaurant. I've been to Hosteria Romana at least a half a dozen times and hadn't been back in about a year. I went last night and my experience was so disappointing. To make a long story short, the food was horrible. One of the dishes was returned because it had an odd taste (dish had seafood so you don't want to risk it and eat it) and the waiter refused to replace it with another. We ordered another dish. When we received the bill, both plates were charged. We spoke to the manager, which was even more arrogant, and they refused to remove the dish from the bill. This is the first restaurant that I have ever gone to that when a customer is not satisfied they don't care. His logic was that if they were to remove the charge for all the customers that were not satisfied with their food, they would go bankrupt. He should rethink that before he tells anyone else. Good restaurants don't have their food returned often ... if they continue at this pace, I don't think I will see this restaurant at Espanola in a couple of years. Overall, food was bad, arrogant service and very very pricey.

My recommendation, if you want some good Italian food go to Prima Pasta on 71st St, service is excellent and the food is exceptional ... as it should be. Bon apetit!!!

• Pros: Good location
• Cons: Bad food, poor service and very expensive

01/16/07

Hottest Servers, Cutest Location

by tngirl at Citysearch

this place is a must , if u are visiting Sobe.

the location is adorable, the service is excellant, the Italian men that work there are charming, the mojitios are delicious...

just go!

• Pros: good location, good drinks, HOT men
• Cons: kinda pricey

09/27/06

Fun atmosphere, huge menu and good food!!

by gmone69 at Citysearch

I am not going to lie to you it can be kinda expensive, appetizers, drinks and specials are little expensive. The entrees are very reasonable between $15-25 and there are so many great choices to choose from almost every thing that my girlfriend and I have had there has been good. The battered/fried chicken choices are a little light on flavor some times though. The service staff at the one on Espanola Way is fun they always keep it lively and will joke with you through out dinner. If you are looking for a quieter time go to the one on Ocean (H.R.2) it is the one open on Mondays unlike the original. Of the many friends we have taken there every one loved the food and atmosphere. Sure you pay a little but you expect to if you get a couple drinks ($10-12 dollars a piece) and some appetizers (around 10-20 bucks) which you don't need because the bread is really good. But really you can have a good dinner for two for 80-90 bucks with gratuity included. Espanola Way is relaxing if you are looking for a less crowded alternative to Lincoln Rd and if you like people watching. In all my favorite special occasion dinner on the beach by far I highly recommend if you have the money for a nice night out.

• Pros: Atmosphere and food
• Cons: Price