Last Wednesday, a couple of friends invited us to dinner at Il Gabbiano! I was very excited because this restaurant was already on my Miami’s Wine & Dine wish list.

Located in the bustling Downtown, the restaurant was designed by the brothers Fernando and Gino Masci, who grew up in the Abruzzi region, Italy, and commanded for nearly three decades, the famous Il Mulino in New York.

Il Gabbiano came out on top among Italian restaurants in Miami, according to USA Today’s Road Warriors and restaurant guidebook publisher Zagat. Dinner plates here overflow with authentic Italian flavors — and homemade pastas, sautéed to order, and boast simple but compelling tastes. It’s distinguished from the others by the environmental class exemplifying all that a restaurant should be.

We arrived there and were a bit on the bar, to enjoy the Italian’s atmosphere. To start, I ordered a Kir Royal, my favorite drink. My friend asked for a Chadornay and the boys chose a good Malbec.

Then, we went to our table, outside. Stunning views of the Biscayne Bay, where yachts and boats paraded while we were enjoying a bread basket, antipasti and fresh parmesan.

The ambience is clean, with white tablecloths, wooden chairs, with flowers and fruit (such as the famous Sicilian lemon) naturals on every table, so the traditional cuisine of the regions of Marche, Lazio and Molise are the real stars of the place. Classic recipes are harmonized with predominantly Italian wines, bowing to fine cuisine.

Like a pasta lover, I chose Linguine alle Vongole. And It was divine! Andrei had Ossobuco with Risotto alla Milanese, which was delicious!

Our friends chose Capellini "il Gabbiano" and Tortellini con Panna and Prosciutto.

For dessert, we ordered Tiramisu, and as was Andrei's birthday eve, the dessert came with a birthday candle!

The wine was a fantastic Rosso di Montalcino, from 2012.

To the end, our beloved Lemoncello!

I hope to be back there soon!

Il Gabbiano

335, Biscayne Boulevard – Miami