'Extravagant' FL Eatery Named Among Most Fascinating In U.S.

MIAMI, FL — Diners who want both good food and a restaurant that tells a story should head to Gianni's at the Villa in Miami, according to a food site’s inventory of “The Most Fascinating Restaurant In Every State.”

Food Love, whose content includes recipes, food news and opinion pieces, ranked the selections. Some states had more than one restaurant in the ranking. Illinois had three, and Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maine and New York each had two on the list.

Gianni's at the Villa ranked second among the 58 restaurants on the list. Editors said:

"The extravagant Miami Beach mansion where fashion designer Gianni Versace lived – and died – is now an equally extravagant restaurant. While some might find it distasteful to dine here (or stay here, as the restaurant is within the Villa Casa Casuarina hotel) given the property's history, there's no doubting that it offers the opportunity to experience a kind of luxury that many of us can't even dream of. The menu of Italian and Mediterranean dishes comes at a price, of course," writer Dominique Ayling said.

The selections were based on user reviews, awards and accolades and first-hand experience by members of the Food Love team.

"Oh my gosh! I can’t stop raving about our experience at Gianni's at the Former Versace Mansion," wrote a Google reviewer. "It was absolutely incredible, and I can’t recommend it enough! You have to book a reservation—this is one experience you simply can’t miss! They have an amazing lunch option for under $40 that includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert —such a fantastic deal! Plus, their outdoor seating is perfectly shaded , making it a delightful spot to relax. We loved every moment, from the delicious meal to the fantastic service and stunning atmosphere. Trust me, you’re going to want to check this place out!"

Other reviewers complemented Gianni's on its service and atmosphere. One person who gave the Ocean Drive restaurant a 4-star rating said Gianni's "vibe is undeniably iconic."

“There are countless restaurants in America that tell a story – whether it's because they were beloved by presidents or film stars, because they reflect the state’s own fascinating history, or because they were the birthplace of a dish that went on to become iconic,” Food Love wrote.

Tennessee’s Prince’s Hot Chicken in Nashville topped the ranking. As the story goes, its spicy fried chicken “was invented after Thornton Prince’s scorned lover tried to take revenge on him by adding a significant amount of chili and spice to his favorite fried chicken,” the site said. “Far from hating it, he loved it – and he spent his time perfecting the recipe before opening his own restaurant.”

Rounding out the top five were:

No. 3 Katz’s Delicatessen in New York City, founded in 1888 and featured in films and television shows, including the famous Meg Ryan scene in “When Harry Met Sally”;

No. 4 Golden Steer Steakhouse in Las Vegas, Nevada, whose famous diners have included Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio and Natalie Wood; and

No. 5 The Griswold Inn In Essex, Connecticut, built in 1776 to house shipyard workers who worked on the first warship for the American Revolution and steeped in local and national history since.

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