Not only is Soya e Pomodoro a delicious and authentic Italian restaurant, but it also offers one of the most unique dining atmospheres around. Owners Rosario Magrelli and Cristian D'oria left Italy with a Miami culinary career in mind, opening the downtown eatery in 2004. Nestled between two rundown watch repair stores, it's the kind of place where passersby stop to peer in and ask, "What is this?" The narrow interior looks like a combination of a thrift store and a Venetian coffee shop, lit almost entirely by sun that streams in through a floor-to-ceiling window. The open space, adorned with knickknacks and items such as clothes on a laundry line, creates the privacy and serenity of an Italian alleyway. The vintage aesthetic makes this restaurant distinct among Miami's ultra-contemporary buildings. Between the decor and the live music, this place is perfect for everything from a leisurely lunch to a hot date. A meal at Soya e Pomodoro is more than intimate — it's personal, and feels like you're eating in an Italian family's home. The restaurant is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and serves dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 6 to 11:30 p.m.