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Home / Posts Tagged "italian"

2:44 pm
Tips and Trends
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If a fully tantalizing experience is what you’re looking for, check out these all-inclusive specials from the crème de la crème:

The Seventh Annual South Beach Seafood Festival

Are you ready to put your toes in the sand, get a cocktail in your hand, and enjoy some of the best seafood in Miami? This fall, the South Beach Seafood Festival returns for its seventh consecutive year. Brought to you by William Hill and presented by Jack Daniel’s, City of Miami Beach, GOYA Foods, and Baptist Health South Florida, the South Beach Seafood Festival is taking over Miami from October 22-26 to showcase some of the area’s leading chefs and culinary masterminds. Touted as one of the fastest growing festivals in Miami Beach, the beachfront event—which features over 70 different restaurants and mouthwatering eats from Florida’s freshest seafood hotspots—spans five blocks and welcomes over 14,000 seafoodies for a day of fun in the sun in South Beach style. For $49, guests can enjoy seafood dishes paired with complimentary all-day open bar service. If you choose to splurge on the VIP experience ($150) you can enter to win the Land Rover South Dade VIP Hospitality Village and enjoy VIP access to Joe’s Stone Crab Miami, plus a ton of other awesome perks. The five-day event is the perfect combination of gourmet cuisine, wine pairings, live music at three different stages, chef competitions, and seemingly endless interactive experiences, all to benefit a great cause in Miami Dade County: CI Foundation’s EAT SMART program. The South Beach Seafood Festival has become the number three top recurring event on South Beach behind Art Basel and SOBEWFF. Kick off the fun with exclusive experiences at some of South Beach’s favorite spots, such as Meat Market, The Mondrian, or the Shore Club! Tickets can be purchased for all events at SOBASEAFOODFEST.COM

Miami Spice Specials at Market at EDITION

Looking to spice up your dining options? Look no further than Market at EDITION right in the midst of Miami Spice (August 1-September 30). The EDITION hotel’s signature restaurant is pulling out all the stops for the area’s largest and longest food event of the season. Open for lunch Monday-Friday, and dinner Monday-Sunday, Market at EDITION is including fan favorites on its specialty Miami Spice three-course prix-fixe menu, including the Crispy Salmon Sushi, Angel Hair Pasta with asparagus pesto, and Mushroom and Farm Egg Pizza, just to name a few! And why stop there? Also included are signature cocktails and decadent desserts. Brought to you by Michelin-starred chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Market at EDITION is proud to participate in Miami Spice—the perfect opportunity to enjoy Miami Beach’s finest fare at a reduced price but with the same extraordinary culinary experience. EDITIONHOTELS.COM/MIAMI-BEACH/RESTAURANTS-AND-BARS

Sunday Asado at Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann

Nothing says “Sunday Funday” more than Sunday Asado at Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann. Using live fire and traditional Patagonian cooking methods, watch as award-winning chefs prepare a buffet of slow-cooked meats, locally-caught fish, seasonal vegetables, and more—right in front of excited patrons. Priced at $95 per adult, from noon-4pm, pair your brunch with bottomless mimosas, sangría, or Bloody Mary pitchers. If that’s not tempting enough, Sunday Asado guests receive complimentary passes for Faena Beach to finish the morning in total relaxation. And yes, you can bring the whole family! Children are also welcome for $45 per child (ages 10 and younger). FAENA.COM/MIAMI-BEACH/RESTAURANT/LOS-FUEGOS-BY-FRANCIS-MALLMANN

Adventurous Omakase Dinners at Pao by Paul Qui

Every month at Pao by Paul Qui, James Beard award-winning Chef Paul Qui and his culinary team whip up a one-of-a-kind omakase feast centered around a specific theme or ingredient. Set around a communal table where diners can mingle and interact, these intimate epicurean adventures aim to expose guests to flavors they’ve never tried before. Dinners start at $95 per person, with the option to upgrade the experience with a sake or Japanese whiskey pairing. Since the series launched earlier this year, editions have highlighted themes ranging from Wagyu beef and mushrooms to Texas barbecue and beyond. Sign us up! FAENA.COM/MIAMI-BEACH/RESTAURANT/PAO-BY-PAUL-QUI

The Boho Chic Rooftop Scene at Vista 

Whether you’re looking for a pre-dinner bite or the perfect ending to your night, why not head to the rooftop at Vista Miami? The two-story modern-Italian restaurant located in the Upper Buena Vista area is a trendy concept combining Italian cuisine with Miami flavor and style. With prices ranging between $9-$29, enjoy delicious bites from the rooftop’s tapas menu—think coconut ceviche, oysters, or picoteo, then top it all off with an after-dinner drink special, like a Carajillo. With live music playing and the greenery surrounding, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a tropical, boho chic dream. VISTAMIAMIRESTAURANT.COM

By DiningOut Staff

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9:52 am
Restaurant Features
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And it’s not just the delicious Italian fare either …

LDV Hospitality, the team behind Dolce and Regent Cocktail Club, has transformed the restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove into Isabelle’s Grill Room and Garden {3300 Southwest 27th Avenue, Miami; 305.400.0562}, bringing some South Beach swagger to the posh hotel. The kitchen is helmed by Executive Chef Abel Veulens. The name pays homage to Isabella Peacock, one of the Grove’s earliest settlers.

1. The space is chic and inviting.

The cavernous dining room is made intimate with handsome dark green leather banquettes, burnished brass fixtures, and dark wood finishes. An outdoor trellised garden terrace is outfitted with over-sized planters and lush green landscaping, natural wood tables, and white and taupe woven chairs with plush cushions.

2. The eclectic menu of modern Italian-inspired dishes.

Start off with small plates like the Spanish Octopus with baby artichokes, fingerling potatoes, olives, and spicy romesco or the Crab Cake with apple slaw. Vegans will love the Carrot Ginger Soup, while a handful of salads keep things light and fresh, like the Roasted Beets with Greek yogurt, apples, and oranges dressed with pickled mustard seeds or Isabelle’s Salad with endive, radicchio, candied pecans, craisins, pecorino, and honey mustard vinaigrette.

Spaghetti Pomodoro and Lobster Papardelle will fulfill carb cravings while those looking for steakhouse fare can go for chops like an 8-ounce filet, a 14-ounce NY Strip, and a massive 40-ounce porterhouse for two. A Kurobuta Pork Chop and Seared Striped Bass round out the mains, along with sides of truffle fries, roasted carrots, and wild mushrooms.

3. The Wednesday happy hour is the perfect way to rosé the evening away.

Hump Day just got a lot better with the restaurant’s “Rosé for the Ladies” special from 5-10pm on Wednesdays. Ladies can enjoy a selection of rosé for only $5 per glass in the lush garden terrace. And added bonus: Guests receive a discounted rate of $7 for valet with validation.

By Sara Liss, contributing writer

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5:08 am
Restaurant Features
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Birrificio Anelo Poretti

When it comes to good Italian classics, few do it better in Miami than the South of Fifth Staple, TiramesU {101 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.532.4538}. And on August 31st, this restaurant will wrap up Summer 2016 in style by hosting an Italian-inspired, beer-pairing dinner with none other than Varese-based brewing company, Birrificio Angelo Poretti. Priced at just $65 per person, this five-course feast is filling up fast, so see what food Chef Fabrizio Pintus has in store below and make your reservation(s) now.

Here’s what’s on the menu at TiramesU’s August 31st Birrificio Angelo Poretti dinner:

Aperitivo: Gamberie Fiori Di Zuvva in Tempura
Shrimp and zucchini flowers in tempura, paired with Birrificio Angelo Poretti 10 Hops Bollicine

Antipasto: Carpaccio di Salmone agli Agrumi
Marinated salmon, fennel orange salad and 4 HOPS sorbet, paired with Birrificio Angelo Poretti 4 Hops

Primo Piatto: White Lasagna
Sausage, chestnut, spinach and 5 HOPS jus, paired with Birrificio Angelo Poretti 5 Hops

Secondo Piatto: Petto D’Anatra
Kale, mango chutney, rapes and 6 HOPS reduction, paired with Birrificio Angelo Poretti 6 Hops

Dessert: Parfait Speziato ai 6 Luppoli
Spices 6 HOPS parfait and warm raspberries sauce, paired with Birrificio Angelo Poretti 10 Hops Rosé

Drooling yet? We know we are. This dinner will take place on August 31st at 8:30 p.m. Make your reservation now by calling 305.532.4538 or sending an e-mail to [email protected].

Happy Dining!

By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

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9:35 am
Restaurant Features
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Tamarina Miami

Did someone say wine? We’re listening.

Tonight only, head to the elegant-and-enticing Tamarina Restaurant {600 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.579.1888} for the next installment of its popular Wine Dinner Series: Wines of Sicily and Coastal Italian Cuisine. Featuring select wines from Firriato Winery and a four-course tasting dinner for just $65 per person, this evening promises great food, delicious vintages, and of course, the five-star service and luxury that fans of Tamarina have come to expect from this Brickell Avenue gem.

Here’s a taste of the evening’s menu:

Branzino Carpaccio with strawberry gel, orange foam, pistachio dust, and lime zest (Pairing: Charme Rosato 2015) 

Ravioli with asparagus and ricotta, butter, and sage sauce (Pairing: Le Sabbie dell’Etna, Etna Blanco DOC 2014)

Pork Belly with balsamic rosemary glaze, ruby beets purée, and Brussels sprouts (Pairing: Harmonium, Nero D’Avola, Sicilia DOC 2013)

Snickers made with chocolate cake, roasted peanut caramel, and milk chocolate; served with chantilly and vanilla ice cream (Pairing: Passito, Sicilia IGT 2014)

To join in the fun, contact [email protected] and make a reservation. See you there!

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8:31 am
Restaurant Features
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Cibo Fort Lauderdale

The much-anticipated Cibo Fort Lauderdale {4100 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 786.900.2426} has finally opened its doors! The Italian restaurant and wine bar, which already has successful locations in Coral Gables and the South of Fifth neighborhood of South Beach, is a welcomed addition to the Fort Lauderdale dining scene, offering classic Italian cuisine in a relaxed and casual atmosphere at affordable prices.

Cibo Fort Lauderdale

The menu, which takes a cue from Cibo’s other South Florida locations, is what you’d expect from a traditional Italian eatery—only better. Selections include housemade pasta and signature pizzas, not to mention an extensive award-winning wine list. Upon arrival, diners are treated to a divine plate of fresh-from-the-oven bread, which set the tone for the meal to come.

Cibo Fort Lauderdale

Cibo Fort Lauderdale

Like the dishes themselves, the restaurant has been designed to evoke a sense of unpretentious sophistication and elegant rusticity. The new space incorporates the same unique design elements that are found throughout all Cibo locations, including its open kitchen, spacious bar area, industrial feel, and the use of natural materials such as wood, stone, and exposed brick, along with, of course, hundreds of wine bottles on display.

Cibo Fort Lauderdale

The restaurant will also be offering Cibo’s signature weekly specials, including Lobster Tuesdays, Cibo Sociale Thursdays, and Italian Bubbles + Brunch on Sundays.

So, to all our readers who live or work in Broward County; we say, “Buon Appetito!”

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

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8:03 am
Restaurant Features
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Quattro Miami

Photo by Gary James

When you think of South Beach’s Lincoln Road, most likely you think crowds of tourists, bustling outdoor eateries, endless shopping opportunities, and street performers. But lo and behold, there exists a quiet, authentic Italian restaurant right in the middle of the action: Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833}.

Since summer 2006, this KNR Restaurant Group restaurant has been wowing locals and visitors alike with its decadent Northern Italian cuisine, excellent wines, and inviting ambience.

Inside, the romantic space, which was designed by New York-based Studio A Design, feels worlds away from the busy pedestrian-only thoroughfare that it faces. Warm browns and deep pine greens are offset by the glimmering custom Murano glass chandeliers overhead. The focal point of the space is a Calacatta marble bar that’s surrounded by the sleek two-story wine cellar that showcases the hundreds of award-winning wines on offer. Even Quattro’s outdoor tables that line the sidewalk seem more intimate than their neighbors, as though they were plucked from a cozy Italian café and dropped straight into the South Florida sunshine.

Quattro Miami

The menu reflects this unassuming atmosphere: extensive, but not overwhelming. Overseen by Executive Chef Alex Portillo, this is Italian cuisine at its finest, with seasonal dishes that reflect the Piedmonte region of Italy, which is known for its fine cheeses, hearty local game dishes, and exotic white truffle mushrooms. In fact, the mushrooms are such an important ingredient that during truffle season (mid-October through December), the restaurant offers a special white truffle menu.

Quattro Melanzane

Parmigiana di Melanzane in Forma

We started with the Burrata, Pomodori, e Basilico, a gooey mozzarella and tomato dish; and the Parmigiana di Melanzane in Forma, a melt-in-your-mouth, baked eggplant covered in melted mozzarella and tomato sauce. Both appetizers were excellent, and we licked the plates clean. (What was leftover, we unabashedly sopped up with the oven-fresh bread that was brought to the table.)

Quattro Miami

Paccheri di Gragnano con Zucchine e Gamberi

Of course, we had to try the pastas, which are made in-house daily in an imported La Monferrina machine, a pasta-making device that is rarely found in the U.S. Both the Preparazione Casalinga dei Ravioli di Casa Savoia Tartufati (fontina and Taleggio cheese ravioli drizzled with white-truffle flavor) and Paccheri di Gragnano con Zucchine e Gamberi (paccheri di Gragnano with zucchini and shrimp) were exquisitely rich in flavor, and certainly filling enough to be a meal in and of themselves.

Though we made our primi piatti our main course, our waiter informed us that the seafood here is top-notch, and recommended that next time we try the Branzino Intero in Crosta di Sale Marino (Mediterranean sea bass baked in salt crust with sautéed vegetables). He also recommended the Scaloppine di Vitello al Limone (seared veal scallopini with lemon sauce, broccoli, and rosemary potatoes).

Quattro Miami

Scaloppine di Vitello al Limone

We couldn’t resist having a look at the dessert menu, and settled on the Bomboloni della Casa (made-to-order Italian doughnuts filled with vanilla custard, Nutella, and apricot jelly) and the Semifreddo al Gianduja (chocolate hazelnut semifreddo, torrone gelato, and caramelized bananas).

The verdict? The next time you find yourself strolling Lincoln Road, be sure to stop in at Quattro Gastronomia Italiana. You won’t be disappointed.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

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7:53 am
Restaurant Features
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Moye MiamiBy Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor

Mary Brickell Village has no shortage of great restaurants, but if you head two blocks northwest to the less foot-trafficked First Avenue, you’ll find one of the newest additions to the neighborhood: Moyé {829 Southwest First Avenue, Brickell; 305.372.5168}.

Moye MiamiThis quaint Italian eatery helmed by Owner Tony Gallo and Owner/Chef Pietro Vardeu keeps a modest street-front, but the food and service are anything but. Start off with the Polpette meatballs or the Parmigiana (zucchini Parm with tomato, basil, and mozzarella), then order one of the signature simple yet flavorful pastas, such as the Penne with beef ragu and stracciatella cheese, the Spaghetti with fresh seafood, or the homemade Lasagna, which is delivered to your table bubbling hot still in its pan.

moye lasagne

And don’t forget their extensive wine list, which features mostly Italian reds and whites sprinkled with some selections from Argentina, Napa Valley, and beyond.

Moyé, which translates to “this is the time,” currently has six locations throughout Italy in both Milan and Florence. And you know if their dishes have managed to impress Italians, then they must be doing something very right.

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1:02 pm
Restaurant Features
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Cibo South Beach

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

This was the theme of our evening at Cibo Wine Bar South Beach {200 South Pointe Drive, Miami Beach; 305.987.6060}, the newest addition to the South of Fifth dining scene, which made its official debut in December last year. It was only a matter of time before the Cibo concept, which was an instant success in Coral Gables when it debuted just over three years ago, made its way to the beach—quite literally, as its location on South Pointe Drive means it’s mere steps from the sand.

Bad decisions aren’t possible here; that wasn’t the problem. But selecting from the sheer volume of great choices proved to be much harder than you’d think!

Cibo Miami Beach

Decision No. 1: Upon arrival, we were greeted by a hostess who asked where we’d like to be seated. Inside the aroma-filled dining room facing the expansive wine cellar and open kitchen? Within the first-floor lounge area, which features an industrial-chic wraparound bar and the whimsical designs of pop artist Mr. Brainwash, whose signature slogan, “Life is Beautiful,” adorns the wall in bold letters? Or, did we want to dine on the sizable rooftop patio (one of the largest in South Beach), a quieter oasis romantically lit by flaming heat lamps and table lanterns?

Cibo Miami Beach

We opted for the rooftop, to which we were instructed to take the elevator up to the third floor where another hostess greeted us, escorting us to a cozy wooden table with plush white couches.

Cibo Miami Beach patio

Decision No. 2: We were quickly greeted by our server, who prompted our next big decision: wine. There is a tempting cocktail menu and plenty of fine beers on offer, but it’s called Cibo Wine Bar for a reason. The restaurant is engulfed by wine bottles, the focal point of which is the two-story cellar at the center of the first floor. If your desired bottle is up top, a harnessed “wine angel” ascends to retrieve it. We learned that the restaurant in total has some 2,500 bottles on offer.

Cibo Miami Beach wine

After settling on a bottle of Italian white, it was time to for the next—and perhaps the most monumental—decision of the evening: what to order.

Decision No. 3: This expansive menu is Italian cuisine at its finest, featuring fresh ingredients that have either been flown in from Italy or are made in-house. Hats off to Chef Massimo Giannattasio, who has created a menu of mouthwatering pizzas, pastas, and main courses. Again, there were no bad decisions here. Our words of advice: be sure you come hungry!

You’ll be tempted to fill up on the freshly baked loaf of rosemary-sprinkled bread that’s presented to the table with a side of the restaurant’s signature special chili-pepper olive oil blend (warning: spicy!), leaving us with the difficult Decision No. 4: “More bread for the table?”

Decision No. 5: For appetizers, we settled on the Buffalo Mozzarella and Tomato and the Black Tiger Shrimp served with a spicy wine-garlic tomato sauce. Both looked so incredible, we had nearly devoured them by the time we realized we’d forgotten to take our obligatory hashtagged photos of the dishes.

Cibo Fusilli

Decision No. 6: For entrées, we selected the Chicken Parmesan and the Fusilli with chicken and mushrooms in a light cream sauce. Both were served in beautiful heaping portions that made our eyes wide with awe and amazement. A happy food coma soon followed—that magical moment just past the point when your stomach tells you it’s full and your brain allows you to take that one last bite.

Cannoli

Then, the final debacle: Decision No. 7–dessert. How could we resist? We opted for the Cannoli, which seemed like an appropriate Italian choice. Fair warning: the plate comes with four! We again dug in immediately before realizing that a proper photo had yet to be taken. Before we left, we surveyed the bustling bar area, which was significantly more crowded than before. It was a Thursday, which meant that it was Ten After Ten Thursdays: two drinks for just $10 after 10pm.

As we made our way out in a lethargic, sleepy daze—an astoundingly blissful experience that one could only hope to have after relishing in a large meal and finishing off a bottle of wine—it occurred to us that life, at least at that very moment, certainly was beautiful.

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