The restaurant scene is booming with new entries, and here in Eating News are Miami restaurant reviews of new ones to check out in the Grove and Miami Design District; a delicious cocktail recipe to fuel the holidays; DIY Mexology; lunch and dinner special at Truluck’s and news on the popular bagel spot, Bagel Emporium. all in Eating News – Part 1 for November 2024. Next week check out part 2.
A welcome change from the high priced, party scene restaurants in Miami is a new addition, Cotoletta – an Italian bistro that you could imagine finding anywhere in Italy. The 50 seat restaurant in Coconut Grove, is cozy, convivial, and has solid Italian classic dishes. The price is reasonable, too — $80 for two, for two antipasti, the signature Cotoletta alla Milanese, two sides including a choice of homemade spaghetti, arugula salad with parmigiana, and fried zucchini. Dessert is an additional $9 including a yummy flourless chocolate cake with ice cream or tiramisu. Wine prices and selections make you think you’re in Italy.
Founded by 84 Magic Hospitality partners Ignacio Lopez Mancisidor, Mattia Cicognani, and third-generation restaurateur Andrea Fraquelli, Cotoletta embodies the rich legacy of Italian dining. The story of Cotoletta dates back to the 1950s when Andrea’s grandfather, Lorenzo, moved from Italy to London, starting as a busboy at the legendary Savoy Hotel and rising to own one of the UK’s first restaurant chains.
You feel like you’re eating in a friend’s home, with the friendly service, colorful décor, and what looks like family photos on the walls. There’s also a welcome human element, reservations are only available by phone talking to a real human.
As the restaurant’s name implies, the veal Milanese, a pound of it, is the main event, prepared with their signature recipe of breadcrumbs with rosemary, and fried in a combination of olive oil and butter (love the butter).
Wine and Italian beer are offered (no liquor license yet). A glass of Chianti Classico or Gavi is $11 (5 ounce pour) and a bottle at $45.
No surprise, there’s no DJ, though there’s an energetic sound level so if you want quiet conversation, go early. They open at 5:30 pm. from Tuesday through Sunday and also lunch on the weekends, Indoor and outdoor seating. For more information click here or reservations call 786-409-7151. 3206 Grand Ave, Miami, FL 33133
After having done some major damage of the shopping kind in the Miami Design District (but worth it), do you want to have lunch in an attractive setting and not break the bank even more? Check out Elastika in the Moore Building and their new fall prix-fixe menus, offering a two-course lunch for $32 and a two-course dinner for $70. Dessert is an additional $8.
The menu is appealing, offering a global approach to modern American cuisine. The Executive Chef, Joe Anthony, has an impressive pedigree which includes Restaurant Daniel and the opening of the Gabriel Kreuther restaurant, where he became culinary director. Under his leadership, the Gabriel Kreuther restaurant garnered two Michelin stars.
Some of the highlights from the lunch menu are tomato gazpacho, olive oil poached red snapper and pot de crème. Dinner choices include miso marinated grilled NY Strip steak, spiced seared diver scallops and chamomile poached peaches.
Elastika ‘s menu also boasts a curated selection of cocktails, wines, and beers, featuring an artful mixology program designed by internationally renowned mixologist Nico de Soto. A glass of wine starts at $17.
Elastika is open for lunch and dinner 12 pm to 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 12 pm to 10 pm Sunday through Thursday. For reservations, visit OpenTable.com . To learn more visit www. Elastika Miami.com . Valet parking from the Design District is $5.
One of the best cocktails I’ve had these days (and my friend, a woman about town agreed) is the Green Acre which we recently enjoyed at the Cocktails & Croquettes offering at The Commodore of the Ritz -Carlton Coconut Grove. In case you missed my earlier mention of it, the idea is they offer three different cocktails, each teamed with a special croquette from Miami’s Dos Croquetas. The Green Acre came with a Mexican Street corn croquette made with char grilled seasoned corn and cotija cheese in crispy panko breadcrumbs. The drink and croquette is $24 or you can order 5 mini croquettes for $16. The bar, with its deep upholstered leather sofas, fireplace and antique furnishings, is made for comfortably lounging and conversation. The promotion runs through November.
Happy to report they shared the recipe with readers. Enjoy!
Green Acre from the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
1.5oz Patron Repo Tequila
.75oz Ancho Reyes
1 Lime
.75 oz Pineapple Syrup or Grilled Pineapple Syrup if the kitchen wants to make this
.5oz Agave
Shaken, Rocks Glass, Ice, Tajin & Sugar Rim
Longtime deli and bagel shop Bagel Emporium & Grille is moving to a new location next year , to be replaced by student housing.The good news, Bagel Emporium, founded in 1975, will celebrate its fiftieth birthday in a brand new home, at 4000 Ponce , the retail and office development based at 4000 Ponce de Leon.
Still, even if the move doesn’t come under the most auspicious conditions, the new space is a big upgrade
The new location will feature a full bar and will also be serving dinner after 4 pm The move is expected in Q1 of 2025, before Easter and Passover.
You’ve most likely heard of mixology, the art of mixing cocktails. Here’s a new one — Mexology, making cocktails with Mexican liquors like tequila and mezcal. I just returned from a super fun Mexology fest with workshops from leading mixologists in the US and Mexico and garden parties (even agave facials) at the Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Puerto Vallarta (my client). I tried my hand at making mezcal cocktails using everything from candies and flavored salts to agave syrup, ginger beer, sliced beets, hibiscus tea and more. What I learned is basically you can add anything. Here’s a video to inspire you to try your hand at Mexology at home. And if you prefer to have the experts do it. next year from October 31- November 2 will be edition #3 of the Mexology Fest. If you go, you can also enjoy all the decorations of the Day of the Dead which is the same time period. Contact me to get my friends and family rate.
Truluck’s on Brickell Avenue has always been a popular dining option for a leisurely date night or a business dinner. Now, you can enjoy their fine cuisine when you only have a short time to spend on your way to another engagement with their new TRU Ninety-two 2-course menu for $49 plus tax and tip, designed to get you in and on your way. Choose from seven appealing appetizers and entrees such as a 6 ounce filet mignon, scallop and shrimp saute, sesame seared salmon. Add dessert from among their crowd pleasers for $7. A special list of wines by the glass are $12.50 to $15. It’s offered daily until 6 pm. To see the menu, click here.
