AVA Mediterragean Coconut Grove has only been open for a few months and already it’s a hot spot in Coconut Grove and I can see why. It’s part of the Riviera Dining Group which has to its serious credit MILA and Claudie.  As soon as I walked in I said to Mr. W this is attractive – casually stylish, done with taste and inviting. The cuisine is described as MediterrAegean. I think of it as upscale Greek with French touches thanks to the Executive Chef Frederic Aumeunier whose pedigree includes Per Se in New York City. It’s not very usual that we really like every dish we try, but here we absolutely did. There were a lot of serving personnel and managers, so no surprise the service was excellent and friendly.

There’s indoor and outdoor dining with a bar in each along with a members club in a separate room.The décor uses natural materials – think sisal chandeliers, liberal use of wood, large rustic ceramic pots and greenery throughout. The ambient lighting, especially outside, is just right.

The menu at AVA Mediterragean Coconut Grove is divided into mezze, marinated fish, salads, sea, earth, pasta, sides, brick oven pizza and dessert. They also have a collaboration with Sabatino for black winter truffles at a reasonable $25 supplement. Fresh produce is sourced from Greek purveyors and local farms. The fresh fish is displayed on ice  was impressively fresh and, according to availability, features some varieties not regularly offered like John Dory and Madai It is prepared simply grilled or Spetsiota style but more on that a little later.

We started with the melted saganaki cheese, a unique and delicious preparation with radicchio, peas, jasmine and honey. It was both sweet and salty. For a main Mr. W had the half a rack of lamb made with pistachio zaatar vierge, charred lemon and herb salad. He gave it the thumbs up for the tasty seasoning and meaty chops.

I opted for the lavraki fillet, branzino in a divine preparation that combined smoky melitzanosalata, tomato olive vierge and Meyer lemon condiment. It was very fresh and expertly and unusually seasoned. We accompanied both with the baby spiced carrots with romesco sauce and the mixed seasonal mushrooms seasoned with ginger, shallot, Manitari and wild pepper, a very good combo.

Dessert at AVA Mediterragean Coconut Grove was the Valhrona chocolate mousse souffle. I sometimes find souffles a little insipid, but this was sooo chocolately and rich and a little crunchy thanks to the pistachio praline and accompanied with malt ice cream, an unlikely but very good choice. It will be one of my best desserts of the year.  If you really want to splurge there’s a chef’s dessert platter for $100.

There’s a good size wine list at AVA Mediterragean Coconut Grove which includes Greek wines. A glass (5 ounce pour) starts at $15 and bottles at $80. Cocktails are $17-$23 and zero proof $15.

Dinner for two with one starter, one entrée each, two sides, one dessert and a cocktail each will run about $240 plus tax and tip.

The noise level is moderate to energetic weekdays. We really liked their music, Middle Eastern, and in fact asked for  the playlist.  Friday and Saturday there’s a DJ.

AVA Mediterragean Coconut Grove , 2889 McFarlane Road, is open daily for dinner and Saturday and Sunday for brunch from 11:30 to 3 pm. Valet parking is $25. There’s also the Cocowalk garage a block away.