By Beth Landman
An influx of renowned toques and restaurateurs has morphed Miami into a culinary mecca. Travel through Wynwood up to Sunny Isles Beach and find world-class dining spots opened by everyone from Daniel Boulud to the Carbone team. Here are a few of the latest.
Casadonna
Tao Group Hospitality’s first Miami venture is a partnership with Groot Hospitality, and the two major companies focus on a combo of local and Italian ingredients at their 20,000-square-foot, Riviera-inspired restaurant across from Biscayne Bay. Enjoy such coastal dishes as royal dorade aqua pazza, hamachi with compressed apple and oregano, and king prawns with grape leaf, chile and fennel. Among the homemade pastas are tagliatelle with Meyer lemon and caviar, and lumache pomodoro. Don’t miss the sides, including heirloom grains with black currant and pine nuts. 1737 N. Bayshore Dr., Miami; casadonnamiami.com
Rao’s
An outpost of the famed East Harlem restaurant is opening in Loews Miami Beach Hotel in the St. Moritz tower. Along with classic Southern Italian dishes and homemade pasta are new items like a seafood tower. The original has a simple charm, but the new location shows the elegance of a hotel dining room, and unlike the New York OG that famously functions on a timeshare system, down South you can actually make a reservation. 1601 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; raosonmiamibeach.com
The Amalfi Llama
A parrilla grill and wood-burning oven turn out clean fare at this stylish Patagonian Italian fusion complete with fire pits, due in December at the outdoor Esplanade at Aventura. Roasted mushrooms with truffle oil, fire-grilled branzino and grilled chicken are among the menu highlights. 19505 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura; amalfillama.com
Teatro
A new restaurant has been unveiled on the second floor of the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Ziff Ballet Opera House. Set against a theatrically inspired red background, the prix fixe menu has such entree choices as butternut squash chiocciole, cioppino, and pan-seared salmon with gigande bean ragu, braised fennel and basil oil. 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; arshtcenter.org
Branja
Located in Upper Buena Vista, Tom Aviv’s bold-flavored Israeli concept has a ’70s decor and a 150-seat outdoor terrace. Among his signature dishes are cabbage that, through a four-stage process, is meant to taste like slow-cooked short rib, polenta made with caramelized leeks and truffles, and branzino maftoul, served with fregola, chickpeas and fennel. 5010 NE 2nd Ave., Miami; branjamiami.com
