Zucca Miami is classy, service-centric, attractive, and with very good Italian food, dishes from Sardinia to Tuscany. The soft background music is a complement to the place, the right volume level, rather than a main event. White tablecloths are perfectly starched, the lighting is just right, and a bouquet of white roses graces every table.  It’s pricey, but not over the top. Little wonder it was busy on a Monday evening in late May, including with small groups of friends.

Housed on the ground floor of the landmark Hotel St. Michel in Coral Gables, Zucca is the work of Venezuelan-born entrepreneur Erasmo Da Silva whose family has a long pedigree in the restaurant and hospitality business and Executive Chef Manuel Garcia .The restaurant has two dining rooms, each anchored by a bar accommodating a total of 140 guests.

 I had been to Zucca in the past for lunch and dinner and always liked it, but haven’t gone back as other Italian restaurants had opened that I needed to try. On this return visit I found they had taken their game up a notch, with an even more exciting Italian menu, especially the pastas. The dinner menu is divided into a large variety of  salumeria, signature Fiori di Zucca (variations of fried zucchini flowers), soup and salad, antipasti, pasta, fish dishes, meat dishes, a selection of a meat or fish dish to share, sides and desserts.

A winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for five consecutive years, Zucca Miami has a wine cellar of more than 2,000 varietals — Italian , other European and American selections. They offer wine pairing which we opted for, and turned out to be impressed by the choices of sommelier Serguei Ruisanchez. The selections complemented the food, and were reasonably priced for a 6 ounce pour. While sipping a glass of prosecco we enjoyed a board of prosciutto and parmigiano cheese from their wide selection of salumeria, both of high quality, and served with bread and two kinds of olive oil.

The first course was a house specialty, fried zucchini flowers stuffed with goat cheese and sprinkled with truffle honey ($24). They were refined and superb – lightly floured, crisp,and once we put a fork to them, oozed runny goat cheese. There’s also an option with mozzarella which is the more traditional kind. The dish was paired with a light and crisp Vermentino wine from Sardinia ($16).

 After looking at their wonderful selection of pastas, we settled on the tagliatelle with mixed wild mushroom, parmigiano fonduta (a cheese sauce) and black truffle caviar ($33).  The pasta was perfectly al dente, the sauce rich and creamy, but with the taste of the mushrooms shining through. Pure heaven. We shared it, which was perfect. The wine selection for pairing was a Brunello de Montalcino Santa Giulia 2017 ($25). Next time I’ve earmarked the homemade potato gnocchi with prosciutto crudo, aged provolone cheese, dry tomatoes and arugula ($28) and the trofie with pesto over eggplant caponata and smoked Stracciatella ($30).

Mr. W couldn’t resist the veal chop Milanese breaded with Grissini crumbs. The 14 oz chop comes with the bone in and served  alongside an arugula and tomato salad and crispy chunks of roasted potatoes on a wooden board (M/P; the night we went it was $70). The chop is larger than the size of a plate and can easily feed two or even three people if a pasta is ordered.  The wine selected was a red Primitivo from Puglia ($17).

Next time we’re going to try the black cod with mussel stew, Sardinian fregola, spinach and cherry tomatoes ($55) or the 8 ounce center cut grilled Angus filet mignon with seared foie gras, truffle braised potatoes and leeks ($60 or $55 without the foie gras).

Desserts are the traditional Italian favorites including pistachio gelato, always my pick ($15).

Compliments of the house, all guests get a glass of limoncello, a welcome touch. As you can imagine, we really enjoyed dinner, and will be back soon.

 You’ll be pleased to hear that Zucca Miami offers good value three course prix fixe lunch specials served from Monday through Friday, from noon to 4 p.m. To give you an idea of the dishes there is Burrata, broccolini puree, white anchovies, and lemon crispy breadcrumbs; Endives salad, watermelon, pickled ramp and Gorgonzola cheese;Pecorino Romano Tortellini, wine, pork sausage and white truffle sauce; and Seared Strip Loin, cannellini beans with rosemary and fried shallots.  Cost is $39 per person, before tax and gratuity.

 Zucca Miami is situated at St. Michel Hotel at 162 Alcazar Ave., Coral Gables; 786-580-3731. Lunch is served daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dinner service is from Tuesday through Saturday, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays and Mondays, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Happy hour is offered daily, from 5 to 7 p.m. Valet parking is available Monday through Friday for dinner and on the weekends for lunch and dinner. There’s also street parking and a nearby garage.For more information, visit  www.zuccamiami.com,