Torno Subito, a new Miami restaurant serving contemporary Italian dishes with an ironic approach is most definitely a destination restaurant.

Getting to my ultimate Miami location was a saga.

Before I entertain the fabulosity of the food and staff I shall share my 21/2 hour journey to Torno Subito.

The traffic to Miami even with Sun Pass was horrendous.

When we finally exited I-95 the road the restaurant is on was closed for holiday festivities.

Navigating all the one way streets in order to locate the valet parking took time and then the car sputtered and died in the middle of a 2 lane one way street in a less than stellar neighborhood.

Divide and conquer. My husband jumped out to assess the situation. I headed to a valet stand (wrong valet) to inquire.

Returning to the car he was abruptly departing with a homeless gentleman who knew where a car supply store was located. My husband had figured out that the vintage vampire was dehydrated and in need of an oil infusion.

Being a bottom line problem solving male, he leaves me alone in a dead car not in a South Beach type ‘hood!

Several men were gawking at the car which always draws attention. They approached offering help in the “Hey baby, need a big strong guy to save you?!” style of macho.

A bit on edge I glanced down and there resides my husband’s cell phone on the console.

So here are the facts…I am stranded in a non working car in the middle of the street, drivers are honking, men are hassling me and now I have no idea where my husband has gone off to being led by a complete stranger with no way of communicating.

30 minutes later he returns, alive, armed with motor oil.

His new bestie who was very helpful (in gratitude, my husband provided for his stay at the local YMCA), aided in quenching the Jag’s thirst.

The Jag roared back to life and we finally found the correct valet and walked the 3 blocks to the restaurant.

The Torno Subito staff warmly welcomed us after our brief ascent in the red padded elevator.

I must have looked like a deer in headlights as the absolutely lovely host immediately took me to the bar and graciously ordered a round of bubbly.

We were seated at a fabulous terrace table with a stellar view.

Torno Subito in Miami draws its design inspiration from Chef Massimo Bottura’s childhood memories of the Italian Riviera. The interior mixes bold colors and playful elements.

Chef Bottura is among the world’s most-awarded chefs. His Modena, Italy flagship carries three Michelin stars and spent years listed as the world’s best restaurant.

Our server was amazing and already knew of our plight.

The Amuse Bouche was incredible, the bread  fantastic.

The menu is outrageously creative and we started with a delicious Modern Salad served with a plethora of combined dressings totally 14, inspired by Modena, Dubai and Miami, a tradition in evolution ($26).

Next was the outstanding Rockster Roll, a take on a Maine Lobster classic served on a delectable homemade bun. No mayo was used in the making which is abhorrent to this New Englander. Instead a dash of horseradish which was a divine element ($36).

Pasta is what super Michelin Star chef Bottura is all about.

The Cacio e Pepe in Miami dish made with spaghetti, pecorino cheese, black pepper and a citrus essence infusion was unusually spectacular ($32).

The much ballyhooed Tagliatelle Al Ragu, a traditional egg pasta with Massimo’s favorite hand chopped ragù is meat based and not suitable for sharing with my pescatarian partner, but for me they provided a half order of a dish that had been marinating for 72 hours (full order $36).

Our charming  server had told the chef of our ordeal and he insisted on personally bringing his house specialty dessert to our table.

After a decade of working with chef Massimo Bottura, Chef Bernardo Paladini who successfully guided Torno Subito Dubai to its inaugural Michelin Star, was handpicked by Bottura to lead the charge at Torno Subito Miami.

Chef Palladini engaged with us and we discovered his great friend is Mattia Agazzi, the superb chef at Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Beverly Hills.

The dessert was off the charts as was the Oops, I Burned the Key Lime Pie with key lime pastry cream, citrus crumble, lime ice cream and foam, inspired by Osteria Francescana’s famous “Oops, I dropped the lemon tart.”

Another round was presented along more sweets and a visit from the lovely restaurant manager.

Even the Espresso which fortified me for the ride home was exemplary.

It was an insane evening that was almost completely erased by the incredible food and warm, gracious hospitality of the entire staff.

Heading back to the valet stand we had our doubts about the Jag starting. Thankfully, it did and we made it home in under one hour, happy, replete and grateful for such kind and hospitable people.

Torno Subito 200 East Flagler Street Miami, Florida. Open Monday-Saturday for Lunch 12-3pm. Dinner 6-10pm. Monday-Thursday and Sunday, Friday and Saturday 6-11pm. Sunday brunch 12-3pm. Reservations on OpenTable.com. Fixed price 8-course dinner available for $165.00