Carpaccio, Bal Harbour

Carpaccio's is perhaps the best restaurant in all of South Florida. We have been going to this place ever since it opened. We found it when we stayed at the Sheraton Bal Harbor that was across the street (sad to say the hotel is no longer :( as this was a great place) many years ago and make it a destination to go to every time we are either in Miami, Ft Lauderdale or Palm Beach areas. The food is fantastic as so is the impeccable service. Every time you look around there is someone servicing the table, you never need to ask for anything, the staff sees it all. For starters begin with the Pasta Fagioli soup and share it with someone who has ordered the Insalada Mista, pair these items with a buttery chardonnay or crisp Pinot if you want an Italian white wine. Moving on the next course, go with either the Seafood Fra-diablo with Lobster Tail or try the freshly made tortellini pasta with the vodka cream sauce, this is one RICH dish, one serving can be shared by 2. Finally for desert try either the fresh lemon sorbet if they have it or a nice after dinner cocktail. Dinner for 2 with a bottle of wine and deserts, will set you back about $75.00-$100.00, but it is worth every penny. Carpaccio's is one of the few places where if you wish to bring your own bottle of wine to enjoy with dinner they are more than happy to oblige and rarely will they charge a 'corking fee'. This place is a definite find and since it is primarily a locals, if you go there enough, you will see the same faces over and over. You might even see someone famous dining there, we sat right next to Donatello Versace and enjoyed a conversation with her dining party. So the people watching scene is definitely one to remember, you might even feel that you are dining at a little cafe in Italy, especially if you dine on the patio, my suggestion. Be sure to make reservations well in advance as it can be a wait on the weekend nights for a table. Arrive early and grab a drink from the bar, the Appletini's and Cosmo's are fabulous and well worth the $9-$11 for them. This place is really not designed for kids, however families are welcomed and the staff will go out of there way to accommodate the pickiest of eaters. Well, go out there and enjoy this place, and after eating, walk around the shops of Bal Harbor if they are still open even if just to window shop. Ciao Bella!

What sets this restaurant apart from others is the food, location, and the people watching. The food is not your ordinary Italian fare and thank goodness for that. Try the Polenta Bolognes, that will make you want to come back in itself. The Carpaccio Arugla is in a league by itself. The main course choices are pleantiful and well they speak for themselves. The people watching reminded me of sitting in a cafe in Paris, exotic woman with Gucci, Laurent, Prada etc. bags walking past you if your lucky to sit on the outside and exotic cars stopping in front waiting for the valet. The prices are right for this upscale Italian Dining Experience and it has surrounding eye entertainment. They are expanding the restaurant right now and you would not know it as they are doing it in a classy manner, just like the restaurant itself, pure class.

Carpaccio may be one of our favorite restaurants anywhere. Start with one of their great pizzas or calamari. The veal chop and salmon entrees are outstanding. The pastas are creative and delicious. The service is efficient without having any attitude. The managers go out of their way to make everyone feel special. The nightly international crowd makes it a fun event, whether you are dining inside or out. That's why we eat here 4 to 5 times every time we visit Miami.

still the real deal after so many years, awesome owner and management, very clean, food was delicious, and service like lightning. you must go.

The atmosphere is hot, the employees are all smiling, the good is to die for! Check out Enzo at the bar-He is the cherry on top of the sundae!

Love the food, the service is better at the bar, you can split plates and try much more, not suprising. Gotta love the italian exotics rolling into the valet, where's mine?

We had a tough time finding a restaurant on New Years Eve. But Carpaccio was one that was serving the regular menu and not charging $200+ for a pre-set menu. We enjoyed a grilled calamari appetizer, swordfish, and a seafood pasta. The food was excellent...and the service was better than average...especially considering it was New Year's Eve and they were trying to turn tables quickly. We did not feel like we were being herded out the door. The bill for two (including a $50 bottle of wine) was $160.00. I have paid almost twice this amount for lesser dinners. Great spot!