With CAVALLI MIAMI, iconic Italian designer Roberto Cavalli has expanded his entrepreneurial role to restaurateur to bring the glamour and cuisine of the Riviera Toscana to Miami Beach. White walls, leopard patterned fabrics and platinum finishes elegantly dress the Ocean Drive veranda and the dining room, while the second floor night club lounge displays a more vibrant and sexy attire.
Cavalli’s taste is not only reflected in the restaurant’s architectural and interior design. Under his influence, executive chef, Stefano Mazzi, presents diners with the Mediterranean-style experience of sharing long, leisurely meals of local fare with family and friends.
We began our journey through the Cavalli dinner menu with a generous plate of Grilled Octopus with Lentils, Radish, Tropea Onions & Bronte Pistachio. However, the ambrosial Duck Foie Gras with Cherry Preserve served with toast points won our palates over. Creamy-like-butter and nicely sweetened by the cherries, this delicacy was just too good to be shared.
For the second course, we headed for the Crab Ravioli and Short Rib Ravioli. Both were well-stuffed round pillows of pasta with a rich creamy sauce, yet their flavors were distinct. The Crab Ravioli, drizzled with cut Asparagus & Genova Pine Nuts, was delicate, while the Short Rib Ravioli, topped with Wild Mushrooms and Mascarpone, was hearty.
For all meat dishes, we learned that Chef Mazzi’s places the meat in a pan to braise in a mirepoix, (a combination of aromatic vegetables and herbs that have been sautéed in butter or oil to give a subtle background flavor), until tender.
Naturally, this made his Lamb Ossobuco with Saffron Risotto very tempting. However, to maintain our experience of feasting at a fabulous Tuscan seaside ristorante, we opted for the Branzino, a thin Mediterranean sea bass. Our succulent boneless fillet was simply prepared pan-roasted in olive oil with vegetables & potatoes, and served on a bed of sautéed spinach.
Our intuitive waiter, Moe, expertly paired our main course with an elegant Sauvignon Blanc from the Piedmont region.
Our unhurried pace enabled us to enjoy two incredibly delicious desserts –scrumptious Chocolate Bombolini’s filled with Nutella Crème, served with Strawberry Sorbet, and a heavenly Panna Cotta with Fresh Berries. As an aperitif, CAVALLI MIAMI’s cocktail designer, Lorenzo, shared his frothy, homemade Limoncello.
The nearby Marjory Stoneman Douglas Ocean Beach Park makes a healthy post-dinner walk very convenient.
CAVALLI MIAMI Restaurant & Lounge is located in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood at 150 Ocean Drive in Miami Beach. Reservations can be made by calling: (305) 695-4191, or visiting: miami.cavalliclub.com
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