Set the Scene
Located on a buzzing street in Miami’s graffiti-clad Wynwood neighborhood, you will find Sparrow Italia, a hybrid between an award-winning steakhouse and an Italian comfort-food establishment.
The place is swanky and dark, with a perfect setting created with mood lighting, velvet booths, wood arches, and brass accents. The sunken dining room and stone bar contribute to the intimate, exclusive feel of the place. The Italian-inspired steakhouse showcases a menu inspired by Italy, set to the vibrance of 90s hip-hop music. I dined at Sparrow on a Sunday evening and was delighted by a musical mix of a live jazz singer and old-school hip-hop soundtracks in between live sets. The music and décor change throughout the year, reflecting holidays. This establishment perfectly captures the essence of a swanky, upscale restaurant.
Sparrow Italia Miami follows the success of its London location, which has become a celebrity hotspot. Founders Mikey Tanha and Tosh Berman named the restaurant after Italy’s national bird, symbolizing joy and freedom.
What's The Food Like?
The menu features an array of Italian classics and steakhouse staples. From rich creamy pastas to hearty chops, I found the dishes to be easily shareable.
Start your meal with a light Hamachi doused with lemon, Italian chili, cucumber, red onion, and celery. It’s light and refreshing, a great way to open up your palate for the evening. Don’t miss out on the complimentary warm Tuscan bread and focaccia, served with olive oil and perfectly balanced with balsamic.
Next, I indulged in the eggplant rollatini, a heavenly mixture of eggplant, tomato sauce, and cheese. It was a “film this cheese stretch” type of cheese. This was also a great shareable appetizer.
I’m a carb girl through and through and ordered both the truffle pizza and Mikey’s spicy rigatoni alla vodka. I don’t tire of tomato bases, so for me, this was the cream of the crop. They came around with a large family-style glass bowl of shaved cheese and smothered my pasta until I told them to stop. The truffle pizza was thin, not too filling, and provided a much-needed different flavor profile from the other dishes. Pizza slices are also offered at the bar.
I am a seafood lover and ended the meal (dessert doesn’t count) with halibut topped with cilantro and bathed in a sauce that tasted like a mix of tomato and barbecue. I preferred the former dishes. Sparrow also serves lobster, salmon, branzino, and shrimp.
Though I opted for seafood and more Italian-style dishes, the steakhouse has a section on the menu labeled ‘Butcher’s Reserve’ with carnivorous offerings, from Calabrian chili-rubbed NY strip to prime black truffle ribeye to Tuscan veal chop.
The Sparrow affogato is an absolute must. The vanilla gelato is served in a mug, carved out in the middle for the espresso to be poured into it. An amaretto cookie and caramelized raisins are served along one side of the mug.
Sparrow also offers a seasonal menu and will add items such as Panettone bread pudding and Italian coquito to coincide with the holidays.
Let's Talk About The Drinks
The beverage program, led by Juan Carlos Santana, the sommelier behind L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon and Le Jardinier, consists of Instagram-worthy cocktails (think smoke and colors) and highlights like C.R.E.A.M., which is clarified milk punch made with basil and tomato juice, strained until transparent, then garnished with mozzarella, tomato, and balsamic crème.
Final Thoughts
For someone who isn’t typically thrilled about steakhouses because I usually leave feeling too full with a bit of a stomach-ache from the rich dishes, Sparrow Italia changed my perception.
I loved that the menu was more diverse and played with a variety of flavor profiles. I also feel that you can hardly go wrong when Italian is on the menu.
The music really stood out to me. From the jazz artist’s phenomenal voice to the nostalgic hip-hop tunes, dinner was a whole vibe, and the restaurant being packed night after night is proof of their success.
Fast Facts
Location: Miami’s Wynwood Neighborhood —255 NW 25th St, Miami, FL
Cuisine: Italian Steakhouse
The Vibes: Swanky, upscale, speakeasy vibes
Pricing: $$$
Reservations: Recommended via their website or Sevenrooms
Standout dishes: Mikey’s Rigatoni Alla Vodka, the Eggplant Rollatini
Attire: Business casual
Hours: Open for dinner.
Miami, Florida, United States
