Chef Adrianne Calvo of the popular Redfish Grill has opened her latest, Forte Miami by Chef Adrianne located in Coral Gables at 45 Miracle Mile. Judging from recent dinner visits, her big fan club is already flocking there for her interpretation of Italian cuisine, paying homage to her Sicilian lineage. And just off the press, a new happy hour!
Some of Calvo’s favorite “go-to” ingredients, including imported balsamic from Modena, parmesan, white truffles, and San Marzano tomatoes, hail from Italy and in their purest form show up on the Forte menu. Expect a raw bar menu, antipasti platters, handmade pasta dishes and highlights like wood oven whole roasted branzino and veal chop Florentine as well as wood fired pizzas and salads.
We were in the mood for pasta and found the selection especially appealing, so we went for it. The 24 hour braised short rib pappardelle sounded intriguing, along with the sedanini with farm roasted vegetables and Italian sausage (never heard of that one).
But when we heard the carbonara, a favorite, was prepared tableside, we opted for that. Made with guanciale rather than bacon as in some places, it was very satisfying and we enjoyed the show.
Between the pork chop scallopini with stracciatella chese and arugula salad and the 32 ounce veal chop Florentine, we opted for the veal chop as it’s a signature dish. Plus, one doesn’t often find that on the menu. We were pleased with our choice, as the veal was high quality, and the chop ideal for sharing. It comes with fingerling potatoes and cipollini onions.
The instagram star of the evening was the gelato that’s house made and crafted with an authentic gelato machine from Italy. OMG, it was huge, creamy, and delicious. A winner. Next time though we have to try the tiramisu prepared tableside.
There’s a solid wine list, with some grand (and pricey) Brunellos. A glass (8 ounce pour) starts at $14 and bottles at $52. Cocktails are $15-$17. Prices are for a fine dining restaurant: pastas in the thirties; entrees in the forties.
Now, just announced is a new happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Find beer or wine, $5-$7; cocktails, $11-$14; and raw bar like salmon carpaccio and some of her most popular dishes such as mortadella and Wagyu meatballs and sun dried tomatoes and leek mussels ($10-$17).
Though the restaurant is a large space, seating 260 guests, it’s broken up into three areas with a centerpiece, an appealing bar. The rustic decor is said to be inspired by the trattorias along the hillsides of the Emilia-Romagna region. For more information about Forte, visit ForteMiami.com or call 305.517.6181. Street and garage parking are available nearby.
3 Responses
Food was good but service needs to be improved You expect good service on this type of restaurant. We did talk to the manager about it
Spectacular in every way! The customer service, innovative and delicious food and the ambiance. Can’t wait to go back! The most exciting thing to happen to the Mile in a long time.
What did you have that you liked in particular?