This week on "Check, Please!

South Florida,"# a neighborhood gem in North Miami.

We walked in, it had a homey# feeling like Casa di Nonna.

[Michelle] A fresh take on Cuban in Brickell.

Every dish had its own unique little nuance that stood out.

[Michelle] And a beach spot with real Florida charm.

Fluffy rolls that you would just pick with your hand and dip it in the# miso butter.

It was just incredible.

[Announcer] Cultural, culinary# secrets and global flavors.

We have a passion for blending ingredients and# seasonings from around the world.

Additional funding for "Check, Please!

South Florida" is# provided by the Friends of South Florida PBS.

We were just really in heaven.

That was the best red curry I've ever had.

It was snapper and it tasted so fresh.# I was going in between each dish.

The home fries were out of this world.

It was just perfect.

Hello, I'm Michelle Bernstein, and welcome# to "Check, Please!

South Florida," the show where regular people from all over South Florida# recommend and review their favorite restaurants.

So this is how the show works.

Every week we# have three guests.

Each recommends his or her favorite spot, and then the other two go to check# them out and see what they think.

Today we are back at Dada Restaurant, located in the historic# Tarrimore House in downtown Delray Beach.

Thank you Dada for hosting us.

This week, Dolphins# cheerleader alumni Maria Ferrer brings us a new take on Cuban cuisine.

Contract analyst Ray Louis# has the perfect spot for laid back Florida vibes.

But first general contractor, JP Quirino, says# he's found the ultimate in comfort food.

He says, while there's not a lot of fluff,# there is terrific food and a comfy atmosphere.

It's Casa Mia Trattoria.# It's located in North Miami Beach.

Hi, my name is Paolo Retani and I'm the owner# of Casa Mia Trattoria Restaurant in North Miami.

Casa Mia Trattoria started in 2005.

I look at# the place in May, 2005, and I thought I really liked the place because I'm being this area for# 12 years before I came to Casa Mia.

So I knew a lot of people, a lot of customers.

I always been# in the restaurant business since I was 17.

17, I was working in Italy.

I start off in the pizzeria# as a waiter always.

And then I start in the hotel business, restaurant business in Switzerland# and Germany.

We pride ourself for offering homemade dishes full with signature Italian# flavor, prepared with love and care, of course, and are infusing the traditional Italian food# with favorite American flavors.

Casa Mia is the place where your family, friends, can feel at# home from the moment they come into the door.

JP, you're a regular, right, at this place?

Yes, been a regular for a long time.

I used to go there with my parents and now I take my own# family there.

Great in and out spot or share a bottle of wine for hours.

Great service,# great portions.

Good food, good stuff.

That's great.

Maria, what# were your first thoughts?

It was our first time there.

My first thought was# when we pulled in, the parking lot was packed.

We were like, this must be good and it was.

We walked# in.

It had a homey feeling like Casa di Nonna.

Right.

Type, you know?

Like Grandma's house, right?

Grandma's house,..

I couldn't think of a restaurant with a more a# propos name.

Casa Mia, right?

Because in fact, for me, when I made the reservation, right?# Calling ahead Paolo leaves a message online that he updates every day.

Huh?

You leave a message.

He calls you# back by name.

"Ray, alright.

We're expecting you.

"Come this afternoon."

[Michelle] It's almost like come over to my home.

Yeah.

Right.

This is what restaurants get wrong nowadays.

Yeah.

That's the vibe.

Yeah.

That's the vibe, The personalization.

Yes.

All right, let's get into the food.

JP,# what did you have this last time?

We started out with the Caesar salad, which# is one of my go-to.

It's always chilled.

The Caesar dressing is not overwhelming.# We then went to the fried calamari with a little bit fried zucchini with# it as well.

My kids eat it.

It's always fresh.

It's crispy.

You looked like you had, did you have fried zucchini as well?

I had the fried calamari e zucchini.

Yeah.

And it was delicious.

Yeah.

It was delicious.

Super yum.

We enjoyed it, yeah.

And then, you know, another one of my favorites# is the eggplant rollatini,.. with just the Caesar salad and the calamari.

Maria, what'd you have?

Other than the calamari, of course.

We had the calamari and we also# had the appetizer of the meatballs.

Okay.

How were they?

Delicious.

And then for the main course I had, it was off the# menu.

It was at the special of the day, I think.

And it was like a black squid ink.

[JP] Oh, that's one of my favorites.

[Maria] Linguini, did you try it?

[JP] I've had it before.

Delicious.

Oh my gosh, with the shrimp and the# calamari on it.

The plate is huge.

No one person cannot finish it, but it Did you have the same special?

No, I didn't.

I had stuffed ravioli with crab.

Oh, my dad had that.

With a lobster sauce.

My dad had that.

With shrimp on it.

Yes.

For 26.99.

Yes.

How is that even possible?

Where are you gonna find a meal like that for 26.99?

And take it home.

[Michelle] I can't do it for that price.

Yes, yes.

Anybody have dessert?

I always go to my go-to, which is a tiramisu.

It's light and fluffy.

It's not overwhelming.

And of# course it's a shareable dessert.

So my kids always love it, my wife, and it's my go-to.

Wine, anyone?

[Maria] I had a Pinot Grigio.

[Michelle] How were the prices of the wine list?

Fine, it was good.

Reasonable priced.

Yeah, yeah.

How was service?

For me, obviously service.

They know me by# name, I come in.

When you're done eating, you don't get that rushing feeling# like, get outta my restaurant.

Right, yeah.

But they do clear the tables very well.

You get new silverware after every course, and you know,# anything you need, they'll take care of you.

How's parking, Maria?

Parking was fine.

Like I said, it was packed.

Yeah.

But we were able to, when we pulled in, a car was coming out,# so we .. so the parking is right in front.

[Michelle] Okay.

So and then throughout as# well, so yeah, yeah, yeah.

And I'm not even gonna ask you about prices.

You# already talked about the deal of your stuffed shell, so I'm guessing everything else was a# pretty good price for what you're getting.

For what you're getting.

Great price for what you're getting.

Yes.

I mean, it's your old school Italian place, you know?

Right.

No fanfare.

Great tasting food..

Yes.

All right, well I'm glad you guys liked it.

.. Well, Casa Trattoria was your# pick.

Sum it up for us please.

Great local cozy spot for quick in and out or# all-night dining experience and on or off the menu, you can't go wrong.

[Michelle] Maria?

I would say authentic Italian cuisine# with delicious flavors and a cozy Casa di Nonna feeling.

Right?

Yeah.

Your local Italian place where you want to# go so that everybody knows your name.