Black and white movies featuring some of the most iconic legends in show biz, drinks being poured in Gatsby-esque coupe glasses and delicious food with every turn you take. This is the charm of the 20th Century. This is also the charm of Osteria Del Teatro {1200 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.538.7850}, Miami’s oldest and award-winning Italian restaurant, situated in the boutique Marlin Hotel in the Art Deco district of South Beach.

Providing the perfect blend of atmosphere, taste and tradition, the old-world comfort combined with new Miami style is what has contributed to the restaurant’s success for more than 30 years, says long-time owner Gilbert Gonzalez. Adding to that, the success and reputation of Osteria Del Teatro is also due to consistency. How do you achieve consistency? A combination of quality, carefully chosen, fresh ingredients, as well as an experienced waitstaff and kitchen team who have been dedicated to making customers feel like family for more than three decades.

As you walk through the doors, you’re immediately immersed in a decade where good food, drinks, and jazz music are at the center of a fabulous time. The exposed brick walls, vintage Edison bulbs, and tufted dark leather booths set the scene for a trendy culinary experience for visitors and locals alike.

Start your night in the lounge with a specialty cocktail such as the Sophia Loren or a wine from “Gilbert’s Selection,” an extensive hand-selected list of reds and whites from Italy and other regions around the world.

When it comes to the fare, the menu offers northern Italian dishes influenced from the Bergamo region. After lavish drinks in the lounge, head to your table in the dining room where your waiter will not only suggest the chef specials, but even give insight on some of the best “off-the-menu” dishes that will leave you saying, “wow!”

To start, try one of the “off-the-menu” favorites among regulars, which is the avocado and mango salad with black truffle vinaigrette. And if you’re a bread lover, we can’t fail to mention the homemade bread served on the side—for your dipping pleasure!

For your main course, whether you’re a pasta, seafood, or meat lover, Osteria Del Teatro caters to everyone. The homemade pastas are, in fact, a highlight on the menu offering both traditional and specialty pastas. The Casonsei alla Bergamasca is a handmade bow-tie candy shaped ravioli with roasted veal stuffing, Parmesan cheese, and crispy pancetta in a brown-butter sage sauce. The Agnolotti al pesto is pasta infused with ricotta and spinach and topped with a creamy pesto sauce. Or try the Pappardelle porcini made with pappardelle pasta and porcini mushrooms topped with a pink vodka sauce.

The menu is expansive, and if you’re looking for a seafood treat, you’ll find both locally caught and imported options. However, another favorite “off-the-menu” item is the South African Black Tiger Shrimp marinated in olive oil and lemon then steamed and grilled in the shell and served with French green beans and scalloped potatoes. While it’s rare to find, it’s delicious to eat, and Gonzalez says they’ll serve it as long as they can get it. Heading into dessert, grab a cappuccino to pair with their classic tiramisù, the flourless chocolate cake, the vanilla bean créme brûlée, or the caramelized apple torte. Like the name of the restaurant, Osteria Del Teatro, your dining experience is bound to be a production, and one you won’t be able to stop talking about for days following.

By Loren Gutentag, contributing writer