Bacaro Miami Wine Bar and Restaurant Review
Bacaro Miami, Chef Carlo Bernardini’s new late night Italian eatery and wine bar, is our newfound favorite spot. With a live DJ spinning, a lively and sophisticated crowd, and a host serving wonderful wines and delicious dishes, Bacaro is like being at an intimate house party with very cool friends.
The word Bàcaro, from the Venetian dialect, refers to a small bar that offers wine and cicchetti, -the Italian take on tapas, usually eaten standing up. Just off Lincoln Road, the eclectically decorated bar and restaurant offers a variety of seating options -outdoors on the sidewalk or inside on a sofa lounge, at a small table or large communal table.
When I walked inside, after being warmly greeted, I came upon the granite bar. As a wine bar, you can expect French selections among the over 120 Italian wines as well as sparkling wines and champagne – by the glass or bottle.
While sipping on Zonin’s Silver Edition Prosecco, I perused Bàcaro ‘s cicchetti menu. From the small plates of specialty cured salami and artisanal cheeses, I ordered the Pecorino with Saffron Honey. Served on a board with dried fig & mango, the silky and sweet Saffron Honey was drizzled over the fresh, soft cheese. The combination enhanced the flavor of creamy and delicate Pecorino, and paired well with the fruity Pinot Grigio –blended Italian sparkling wine.
The Venice-born Bernardini, brought over antipasto of three lightly breaded Crispy Artichokes dressed with spicy aioli on spinach leaves. To accompany the scrumptious small plate, the chef, now my newest migliore amico, poured a glass of Roero Arneis Prunotto 2015 -a light-colored white wine with a floral aroma, and a clean, well-balanced taste.
Next, Carlo paired Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico 2011 –a fruity, medium bodied red wine, with his excellent signature dish, a creamy, but firm Risotto with Porcino Mushrooms, generously served with freshly sliced Black Winter Truffles.
I also tried another savory pasta dish, Garganelli with Ossobucco Sauce with a glass of Primitivo Salento Sasseo 2014. My favorite wine of the evening, I savored slowly sipping this intense and slightly spicy red wine, with notes of cherries and violets.
For dessert, I enjoyed the remarkable light and tangy Balsamic-marinated Berries with Warm Marsala Sabayon, topped with almond-flavored Amaretti cookie crumble.
We look forward to returning, again and again, to Bacaro Miami to dine as well as for the wine and the friends.
Bacaro Miami is located at 1625 Michigan Avenue in Miami Beach, FL 33139