Reviews for Proof Pizza and Pasta and Midtown Oyster Bar

Proof Pasta and Pizza has been wow-ing people across town, including the Miami Herald's food critic Victoria Pesce Elliott who gave it a glowing three-and-a-half star review this week. In it she says the restaurant staffs some of "Miami's sweetest and most competent waiters," compliments the warms and inviting decor and notes that while pizza might be in the name the restaurant isn't a one-trick pony, adding:

Instead, though its name features pizza and pasta, this adorable newcomer also deals in stunningly balanced, non-carby fare served in refreshingly small portions. You will not see patrons leaving with doggy bags.

That's not to say Elliott isn't a fan of its namesake pizza, saying the shredded oxtail pie, "is the stuff craving are made of." However, Elliott had a few critiques like the "chewy" farro found in Proof's farro salad and the somewhat "soggy" pizza dough. All in all she closes saying, "this is one of my favorite new restaurants of the (past) year."

Over at the Miami New Times, its resident food critic Zachary Fagenson reviewed the newly opened Midtown Oyster Bar. In it he raves about the fresh seafood selections but the cooked items didn't get as much praise. He describes the lobster roll a "$24 mess," notes the monkfish is poorly executed and the chowder "watery." With such similar concepts opening in the past few months Fagenson adds:

Competition is fierce, which should encourage everyone to show off beautiful products in the best way possible. Unfortunately, that's not the case here -- yet. They have the talent and know-how to fix the problems. If they can't, they're shucked.

• Miami restaurant review: The Proof is in the pasta (and pizza) [Miami.com]
• Midtown Oyster Nails the Raw Bar but Misses in the Kitchen [Miami New Times]