There are some restaurants that are so popular, it’s almost impossible to get a table — even if you know a guy, who knows a guy, who says he knows the owner. You know how that goes.

A legendary New York Italian eatery with a waiting list longer than Interstate 95 has opened its doors in SoFlo. Quick, everybody mangia!

What do stars like Jimmy Fallon, Fran Drescher and Sting have in common? They’re all famous enough to have eaten at Rao’s in Manhattan.

Salvatore Viscomi: “To get in is impossible if you don’t know someone. If you don’t know someone, and that someone’s got a table that will call for you, you won’t be eating here soon in New York.”

But you won’t have to worry about that, now that Rao’s has settled into the St. Moritz Tower at Loews Miami Beach.

Salvatore Viscomi: “So it’s the perfect opportunity to get a reservation down in South Beach.”

Up north, the 127-year-old restaurant has to be exclusive — it only has 10 tables.

You won’t lose that feeling of intimacy down here.

Salvatore Viscomi: “We treat all our guests as family members in here. You really feel at home.”

Roseline: “I’ve always been dying to go to this restaurant, and the fact that it’s open here finally in the Miami location, I’m very thrilled.”

You’ll be thrilled at what’s offered up here. When it comes to Italian cooking, this is as authentic as it gets.

Salvatore Viscomi: “They’ve always kept their original recipes, their traditional ,simple food, South Neapolitan food, and they’ve always done great service, great ambiance.”

The chicken parm, the pasta with clams and Rao’s famous “meatball” are three of the signature dishes that made it down from the Big Apple.

The seafood tower is something they came up with just for the South Beach location.

Salvatore Viscomi: “We got the lobster, crab, oysters, you can’t miss out on.”

Your appetite for cocktails has been well attended to.

Try a negroni or a coffee martini to get your night started.

Salvatore Viscomi: “So we have amazing cocktails, craft cocktails from our great bartender here.”

OK, so we’ve established that celebrities get into Rao’s pretty easily. Their photos line the walls here.

But that hasn’t worked for everyone.

Salvatore Viscomi: “Keep in mind that Leonardo DiCaprio had to call someone else to get a table in New York. True fact.”

At Rao’s Miami Beach, there’s enough room and enough food for everyone.

Brandon: “Very rich, very flavorful. It was great to get a chance to experience a very historic restaurant that’s outside of New York City for once.”

Rao’s Miami Beach is now officially open for business. Reservations are highly recommended.

FOR MORE INFO:
Rao’s
1601 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
raosrestaurants.com

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