Having walked by Miracolo countless times, drawn by its charm, we finally decided to stop in for a birthday supper. The restaurant's interior design is quirky & densely decorated in a way that feels intentional yet unique-a style that might not suit everyone but worked well for me. We were greeted warmly & given a choice of seating, which was a nice touch. Opting for a cozy table by the windows, we enjoyed a view of the lively street outside. It quickly became apparent that Miracolo's atmosphere draws as much attention from passersby as it does from patrons inside; people often stopped to peer in, some even taking photos, which only added to the restaurant's sense of allure. The service was friendly, though it seemed the staff might be fairly new, as our server needed to consult the kitchen several times when we had questions about the menu. I do appreciate their honesty & willingness to find answers instead of improvising-a small thing that shows a commitment to quality service. We arrived at around 5 p.m., when the dining room was still quiet, but it quickly filled up as the evening progressed. Thankfully, even with a full house, the noise level was manageable, allowing for comfortable conversation without feeling like we had to raise our voices-a definite plus in my book. Our dining experience began with the "mortadella, salsa verde, provolone, & pistachio" starter, which we ordered with a mindset of sharing. Expecting a charcuterie-style presentation, we were surprised to receive a rolled dish with all the ingredients combined into a single structure. This was a bit of a misstep for us, as the rolled format prevented my vegetarian partner from enjoying it, & I ended up eating it solo. In retrospect, we should have asked more about the presentation to avoid any surprises. For the mains, I ordered the lasagna bolognese with béchamel & pesto alla genovese, along with a side of scarpetta & focaccia. The lasagna arrived as a generously sized yet quite thin slice, baked to perfection with a great balance of textures & flavors. The focaccia was beautifully soft & fresh, but unfortunately, the sauce served alongside it was so salty that it was virtually inedible. The heavy-handed seasoning left the sauce untouched for the rest of the meal. My partner ordered the eggplant with salsa pugliese, labneh, & pangrattato, but sadly, it suffered from the same issue: the seasoning was overpowering, with salt dominating every bite. It's unfortunate when the richness of a dish's flavors is drowned out by excessive salt, especially with ingredients as promising as these. Thankfully, dessert saved the day. We opted for the tiramisu, & while its presentation was modest-almost humble-it was wonderfully executed, with a smooth, creamy texture & balanced sweetness. It was a true standout & showed that Miracolo has the potential to deliver quality when everything aligns. Our experience with the drinks was mixed as well. An espresso martini that was delightful, bold yet smooth, & a cider that was crisp & refreshing. However, the long island iced teas left much to be desired. Mine tasted unexpectedly of ginger, while my partner's tasted oddly reminiscent of cough syrup. Neither tasted remotely like a classic long island iced tea, which was a bit disappointing given how well they did with the other drinks. I should mention that I don't think this drink is on the menu, but they fulfilled our request for them - a greatly appreciated touch. At around $160, including tip, the price point felt completely reasonable had the food consistently met expectations. However, with the number of hits & misses, it was hard to walk away feeling completely satisfied. Miracolo has an undeniable charm & an ambiance that's both unique & inviting, but when it comes down to it, we visit a restaurant primarily for the food. While I enjoyed parts of the experience, the meal didn't quite hit the high note I'd hoped for on a special occasion like a birthday.
I am giving the lovely lady that waited on me & the ambiance 5 stars. The food however was a 2. The goat cheese salad was not really a salad, it was melted cheese sauce with some beets & a few pecans. The spaghetti with clams & garlic sauce was not good at all. The pasta was chewy, even after re making it. The thin sliced clams, maybe 4 were most likely from a can, were inedible & like rubber. I've been traveling & looking forward to a nice meal, the reviews were quite misleading sadly. Very disappointed.
Very nice place, stopped in on a recommendation. The food was very good, & the atmosphere was nice. We were well cared for as well. Our only complaint was the prices did not justify the flavour or portions. Other than that, great experience.