They have a new Chef, LUDO for a month now. And it is or became Italian Cuisine. They have an ample lunch menu, from pasta and pizza, to churrasco, to a hamburger and fries all under $10.00 My boss went to the restaurant and loved it. I ordered the Meat Lasagna and Salad for $7.95 with tip and delivery it was 10. The lasagna was good, not a huge portion, but over all filling, and tastey. I'll probably order again.
(4)
Debby Ann D.
What a gem! We found this place as we were on our way to another restaurant and decided to come back the next day and try it out. What a wonderful surprise to find a quaint Italian restaurant where the owner comes to the table and takes your order. We shared a margarita pizza and spinach ravioli which were absolutely delicious. We enjoyed our wine and a scrumptious tiramisu! I really recommend this place for a wonderful dinner experience. The food, service and prices were very good and reasonable.
(5)
Maxine V.
The food is okay, just very average. I ordered a meatball sub take-out. The bread was good, but the meat balls were kind of small (not a good bread to meatball ratio). Even though they were still making the sandwich when I arrived the cheese wasn't melted all of the way. Additionally they put PEAS in the meatball sub (gross). They also put peas in my friend's spaghetti and meatballs (again gross - who does that?). Finally both of our Cesar salad's were lacking dressing...just romaine lettuce and croutons. Overall I was not impressed. Our other two friends liked their food. One had a spinach lasagna and the other didn't mind peas in his meatball and pasta lunch. the place itself is nice and clean. I don't know if I would come back.
(3)
Adys D.
We tried this restaurant on a recommendation from our friends and we loved it. This small Coral Gables restaurant is a hidden gem. The chef/owner Ludo is a pleasure, he came to our table and asked us what we wanted to eat, after a brief conversation he recommended the branzino grilled with a little olive oil and white wine impeccably prepared and deboned by Ludo at our table. My husband had the spaghetti amatriciana that was also delicious, Ludo, who is a native of Rome knows exactly how to make this classic Roman dish. We will be returning here soon.
(5)
Leon K.
The earlier reviewers had it right. This off the beaten path restaurant is a great addition to the Coral Gables dining scene deserving the support of Miami foodies. The chef/owner does meet you at the door. He discusses the menu with you at the table and then goes to the kitchen and cooks the food from scratch. As the place gets better known, Ludo will have to spend more time in the kitchen but it will be worth it. If you enjoy traditional Italian cuisine, don't miss this place.
(4)
Tina D.
The gentlemen who delivered the food was SO nice. A pleasure to deal with. The portions were a bit smaller than most lunch restaurant in the area but still very filling and the prices are reasonable. The food came HOT and extremely fresh. I would order again, pleasant and content with the service.
Small place that gives its customers a lot of attention. Their lunch special is very inexpensive for the area, most likely because they are off ponce. I felt the portion of shrimp ravioli with pink sauce and the split pea soup to be quite small, but I am a big guy (weigh 240 lbs). Pasta tasted homemade, and the sauce was good. The soup reminded me a lot of the one my mom makes, so definitely a home style flavor to this place. Nothing was out of this world. I feel their Caesar dressing could use improvement (tasted straight out of a cheap bottle), and they could start toasting the bread a little more...
(4)
Arturo L.
Had a Margherita pizza and glass of wine. Definitely one of the better pizzas I've had in Miami area. Chef came to table and chatted with us a while. Really great dining experience.
(5)
Jesica J.
I'm surprised this place isn't as popular as it should be! We came here on a Saturday night and were greeted at the door by the chef. My husband had the lasagna and I had the lobster ravioli. Both of the entrees were delicious! The lobster ravioli was flavorful with a a smooth tomato sauce. The lasagna was soft and meaty. Overall it's a pleasant surprise: the food is delicious, the service is outstanding, and the price is fair for the portions.
(5)
Daniel R.
Vinoteca has great and authentic Italian. Everything that I ordered and that my guests ordered was very good. One complaint was the service. It seems that the night that I went the server was being trained. I counted two people in the restaurant as far as staff. The chef and the server. You can expect extended wait times. Seating on the wood seats gets uncomfortable after 45 minutes if you have no padding. Alfredo was incredible and my dad stated that the spaghetti was very, very good. Improve the service and you'll be hard to beat.
(4)
Dennis R.
The Vinoteca is also known as Ludo's Ristorante. Ludo is a gentle, gracious host. The restaurant has 12 tables and is intimate and pleasant. The menu is brief with standard Italian dishes and pizza. We had lasagna and spaghetti with fresh clams. Both dishes ere excellent. Fair sized portions and prices much lower than one might expect in Coral Gables. Lasagna on a Saturday dinner is $12. The restaurant is off the beaten path, on Navarre Avenue, right around the corner from the Aromas del Peru location on Ponce. I recommend trying Ludo's/Vinoteca. You will enjoy it.
(5)
Lilly P.
After reading mostly great reviews, we were excited to try out this place. When we called to order,they were out of prosciutto (at an Itakian restaurant) and cured beef for the appetizers. Once we got our food and tried it at home realized that we could have done a better job ourselves. The spaghetti marinara was over cooked and just bland. We also ordered a meatloaf which was disgusting despite being "freshly made". The side of vegetables looked like they came out of a frozen veggies bag. Maybe they don't use the best ingredients, this became evident we we tried the mozzarella caprese. I only ate my food because I was starving. My boyfriend ended up eating cereal. So sad and never again.
(2)
Jose Q.
I don't know what the last person left a bad review. This place is amazing. The lasagna is out of this word. The carpaccio, pasta, meat, fish, everything was delicious. It is so authentic Italian. Everything you will find there is from Italy. The people there is super kind (they are Italians of course). If you want to go to a real Italian place, not to an American-Italian place, please try it. I definitely will come back. Grazie per tutto.
(5)
Jenaia F.
Had plans with the husband to go to La Moon for lunch today - the sound of a sancocho on a cool day really excited us this morning! Unfortunately, La Moon in the Gables has closed, so we just happened to have parked in front of this little restaurant, right around the corner from the old La Moon spot, and decided to give it a go. The staff was very friendly and attentive. They wanted to know what we thought of everything that we ordered and got genuinely happy when we sang our praises. The ajiaco was delicious - great flavor and filled with "viandas". My meatballs with white rice and avocado salad was fantastic! It had great flavor and with a little hot sauce, it really hit the spot. I would definitely return to this little hidden gem very soon. It's far enough away from miracle mile that there is plenty of metered parking all around. Another plus!!
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Gaby P.
They have a new Chef, LUDO for a month now. And it is or became Italian Cuisine. They have an ample lunch menu, from pasta and pizza, to churrasco, to a hamburger and fries all under $10.00 My boss went to the restaurant and loved it. I ordered the Meat Lasagna and Salad for $7.95 with tip and delivery it was 10. The lasagna was good, not a huge portion, but over all filling, and tastey. I'll probably order again.
(4)Debby Ann D.
What a gem! We found this place as we were on our way to another restaurant and decided to come back the next day and try it out. What a wonderful surprise to find a quaint Italian restaurant where the owner comes to the table and takes your order. We shared a margarita pizza and spinach ravioli which were absolutely delicious. We enjoyed our wine and a scrumptious tiramisu! I really recommend this place for a wonderful dinner experience. The food, service and prices were very good and reasonable.
(5)Maxine V.
The food is okay, just very average. I ordered a meatball sub take-out. The bread was good, but the meat balls were kind of small (not a good bread to meatball ratio). Even though they were still making the sandwich when I arrived the cheese wasn't melted all of the way. Additionally they put PEAS in the meatball sub (gross). They also put peas in my friend's spaghetti and meatballs (again gross - who does that?). Finally both of our Cesar salad's were lacking dressing...just romaine lettuce and croutons. Overall I was not impressed. Our other two friends liked their food. One had a spinach lasagna and the other didn't mind peas in his meatball and pasta lunch. the place itself is nice and clean. I don't know if I would come back.
(3)Adys D.
We tried this restaurant on a recommendation from our friends and we loved it. This small Coral Gables restaurant is a hidden gem. The chef/owner Ludo is a pleasure, he came to our table and asked us what we wanted to eat, after a brief conversation he recommended the branzino grilled with a little olive oil and white wine impeccably prepared and deboned by Ludo at our table. My husband had the spaghetti amatriciana that was also delicious, Ludo, who is a native of Rome knows exactly how to make this classic Roman dish. We will be returning here soon.
(5)Leon K.
The earlier reviewers had it right. This off the beaten path restaurant is a great addition to the Coral Gables dining scene deserving the support of Miami foodies. The chef/owner does meet you at the door. He discusses the menu with you at the table and then goes to the kitchen and cooks the food from scratch. As the place gets better known, Ludo will have to spend more time in the kitchen but it will be worth it. If you enjoy traditional Italian cuisine, don't miss this place.
(4)Tina D.
The gentlemen who delivered the food was SO nice. A pleasure to deal with. The portions were a bit smaller than most lunch restaurant in the area but still very filling and the prices are reasonable. The food came HOT and extremely fresh. I would order again, pleasant and content with the service.
(5)Stephen S.
Where do I begin.... So this is our third attempt to try and eat here. The first time, we came we arrived at 6:15 on a Friday night and the older man sitting at the table in the dark restaurant without a lit open sign said he wasn't opening until 6:45. We found this odd so went for Peruvian. The next time we attempted to go we called at 4:00 PM to find out what time they were opening since it seemed random. This time, no one ever answered the phone. This is our third attempt and this time we called in advance and the owner said they were opening at 6:00 PM. We hedged our bets and arrived at 6:20 and once again the restaurant was empty and the old man was again at the table. In the dark, with an unlit open sign. A little more promise was the fact that there was a server there as well, how exciting. We stuck our head in the door and asked if he was open, this time he said yes. We found a table near the window as we had our choice since there were no other customers and no lights, so the window was nice to have. The owner then immediately inquired if we had a coupon which we said he had a Groupon and then he began to grill us on the authenticity of our Groupon, stating it was not convenient for him to take them anymore. We got past the Groupon issue and then asked about the soup of the day, which he indicated he ran out of yesterday and would not have more until Monday. I immediately started feeling very uncomfortable as we were the only guests. I felt as if we were eating a grumpy old man's house. Needless to say we placed our order. Gabrielle ordered chicken Parmesan and I ordered lasagna. We also ordered two house salads. We heard him chopping the salad in the back so we knew they would be fresh, but when they arrived our only option for dressing was oil and vinegar. Which we had to ask for. Bread and salad's finally arrived 25 minutes after placing an order. The uncomfortable awkward feeling that we felt persisted the entire time, as if we were bothering him and his only server. Loud Italian music was playing in the background, the food was average at best, and we felt awkward the entire time we were there, as if we were intruding and if we asked a question we would be yelled at... Frankly put, I'd be scared to go back. In fact, while we were eating our entrées, a woman stuck her head in to ask a question and abruptly blurted out! "Never mind" and abruptly left. All in all, the most awkward and uncomfortable eating experience we've had ever.
(2)Francisco S.
Small place that gives its customers a lot of attention. Their lunch special is very inexpensive for the area, most likely because they are off ponce. I felt the portion of shrimp ravioli with pink sauce and the split pea soup to be quite small, but I am a big guy (weigh 240 lbs). Pasta tasted homemade, and the sauce was good. The soup reminded me a lot of the one my mom makes, so definitely a home style flavor to this place. Nothing was out of this world. I feel their Caesar dressing could use improvement (tasted straight out of a cheap bottle), and they could start toasting the bread a little more...
(4)Arturo L.
Had a Margherita pizza and glass of wine. Definitely one of the better pizzas I've had in Miami area. Chef came to table and chatted with us a while. Really great dining experience.
(5)Jesica J.
I'm surprised this place isn't as popular as it should be! We came here on a Saturday night and were greeted at the door by the chef. My husband had the lasagna and I had the lobster ravioli. Both of the entrees were delicious! The lobster ravioli was flavorful with a a smooth tomato sauce. The lasagna was soft and meaty. Overall it's a pleasant surprise: the food is delicious, the service is outstanding, and the price is fair for the portions.
(5)Daniel R.
Vinoteca has great and authentic Italian. Everything that I ordered and that my guests ordered was very good. One complaint was the service. It seems that the night that I went the server was being trained. I counted two people in the restaurant as far as staff. The chef and the server. You can expect extended wait times. Seating on the wood seats gets uncomfortable after 45 minutes if you have no padding. Alfredo was incredible and my dad stated that the spaghetti was very, very good. Improve the service and you'll be hard to beat.
(4)Dennis R.
The Vinoteca is also known as Ludo's Ristorante. Ludo is a gentle, gracious host. The restaurant has 12 tables and is intimate and pleasant. The menu is brief with standard Italian dishes and pizza. We had lasagna and spaghetti with fresh clams. Both dishes ere excellent. Fair sized portions and prices much lower than one might expect in Coral Gables. Lasagna on a Saturday dinner is $12. The restaurant is off the beaten path, on Navarre Avenue, right around the corner from the Aromas del Peru location on Ponce. I recommend trying Ludo's/Vinoteca. You will enjoy it.
(5)Lilly P.
After reading mostly great reviews, we were excited to try out this place. When we called to order,they were out of prosciutto (at an Itakian restaurant) and cured beef for the appetizers. Once we got our food and tried it at home realized that we could have done a better job ourselves. The spaghetti marinara was over cooked and just bland. We also ordered a meatloaf which was disgusting despite being "freshly made". The side of vegetables looked like they came out of a frozen veggies bag. Maybe they don't use the best ingredients, this became evident we we tried the mozzarella caprese. I only ate my food because I was starving. My boyfriend ended up eating cereal. So sad and never again.
(2)Jose Q.
I don't know what the last person left a bad review. This place is amazing. The lasagna is out of this word. The carpaccio, pasta, meat, fish, everything was delicious. It is so authentic Italian. Everything you will find there is from Italy. The people there is super kind (they are Italians of course). If you want to go to a real Italian place, not to an American-Italian place, please try it. I definitely will come back. Grazie per tutto.
(5)Jenaia F.
Had plans with the husband to go to La Moon for lunch today - the sound of a sancocho on a cool day really excited us this morning! Unfortunately, La Moon in the Gables has closed, so we just happened to have parked in front of this little restaurant, right around the corner from the old La Moon spot, and decided to give it a go. The staff was very friendly and attentive. They wanted to know what we thought of everything that we ordered and got genuinely happy when we sang our praises. The ajiaco was delicious - great flavor and filled with "viandas". My meatballs with white rice and avocado salad was fantastic! It had great flavor and with a little hot sauce, it really hit the spot. I would definitely return to this little hidden gem very soon. It's far enough away from miracle mile that there is plenty of metered parking all around. Another plus!!
(4)