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Crema Gourmet Coral Gables

A New Era in Coconut Grove: Crema Gourmet Opens at Lulu’s Former Spot

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Crema Gourmet Coral GablesMiami’s newest Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar quietly debuted late last month, taking over the location where Lulu had served brunch to Grove regulars for over a decade.

For 13 years, Lulu in the Grove held a special place at 3105 Commodore Plaza. While it may not have attracted the long lines of its across-the-street neighbor Greenstreet Café, Lulu carved out its niche with crowd favorites like Brussels sprouts and goat cheese croquetas and a laid-back atmosphere perfect for leisurely brunches and afternoon bites. The closure marks the end of an era for the Grove’s dining scene.

Crema Gourmet’s new location brings its signature minimalist aesthetic to the space, featuring white brick walls and seating options both indoors and outdoors. This opening marks the South Florida coffee chain’s 18th location, further solidifying its presence in the region.

The menu caters to all-day dining, offering breakfast staples like sandwiches on brioche and croissants, along with refreshing açaí bowls topped with fresh fruit. For lunch and dinner, diners can enjoy hearty quinoa bowls, penne pasta dishes, and sandwiches filled with prosciutto or chicken. Alongside Illy coffee drinks and fresh-pressed juices, Crema also serves wine and craft beer into the evening, making it a versatile spot for every time of day.

The arrival of Crema Gourmet coincides with a broader transformation of Coconut Grove’s dining scene. In 2011, the strip was defined by Lulu and Greenstreet Café, while CocoWalk stood half-empty. Today, the Grove buzzes with new energy as more establishments breathe life into this iconic neighborhood.

While Lulu’s closure has left a void for its longtime fans, Crema Gourmet’s arrival signals a fresh chapter for 3105 Commodore Plaza. As the Grove continues to evolve, it’s clear this corner remains at the heart of the neighborhood’s vibrant dining culture.

Erba: A Culinary Ode to Italian Classics with a Miami Twist

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Erba Italian Eatery in Coral Gables

Straight from the bustling corridors of Wall Street, where investment strategies and market trends dominate conversations, Chef Niven Patel introduces a refreshing narrative with his latest venture, Erba, in Coral Gables. This Italian culinary haven, while rooted in tradition, is infused with the vibrant essence of South Florida.

Gone are the conventional clams in your linguine al vongole, replaced by the rich flavors of braised Bahamian conch. The menu subtly nods to Miami with hearts of palm taking the place of artichokes and the rotolo pasta boasting calabaza squash.

The heirloom tomato dish, a staple in many Italian eateries, at Erba surprises with smoked grouper tonnato instead of the expected tuna. Even the beloved tiramisu undergoes a transformation, with espresso and rum paying homage to Miami’s Latin heritage.

Strategically positioned in Coral Gables at 227 South Dixie Highway, Erba is a stone’s throw away from Patel’s other masterpieces: the Michelin-acknowledged Orno and the exotic Mamey, both nestled within the luxurious confines of the Thesis Hotel. Erba, a collaboration between Patel and Mohamed Alkassar of the Alpareno Restaurant Group, promises a gastronomic journey spotlighting local treasures.

Chef Patel, a James Beard nominee and recognized as one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs in 2020, is renowned for his commitment to sourcing ingredients from his own farm, Rancho Patel. The creation of Erba’s menu, however, took a different approach. Instead of starting with a dish in mind, Patel and his team began with ingredients, crafting dishes around them, resulting in a truly distinctive menu.

The offerings at Erba span from the depths of the ocean to the richness of the land. Classic dishes are reimagined with Patel’s innovative touch, such as the Mishima Reserve Denver steak paired with a tantalizing bone marrow salsa verde. The menu is dynamic, changing with the seasons, ensuring the freshest ingredients grace your plate.

Even the cocktail offerings, curated in partnership with mixologist Scott Beattie of the Michelin-starred Barndiva, showcase the best of Rancho Patel, with concoctions like the Butterfly, a blend of Rancho Patel pea flowers, yuzu, and pickled huckleberries.

While Coral Gables continues to establish itself as a gastronomic paradise, Alkassar is confident in Erba’s unique position. He believes the community values quality, authenticity, and genuine hospitality – principles that Erba embodies to its core.

Mamey at the Thesis Hotel at Coral Gables

Food & Wine Magazine Name Niven Patel’s Mamey in Coral Gables as the Editor’s Pick for Best Restaurant Ambiance

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Mamey at the Thesis Hotel at Coral Gables

Miami is one of the top food cities in the nation, according to Food & Wine readers, which is no surprise that Miami was selected as one of the top 10 culinary cities in the United States in Culinary & Wine’s first Global Tastemaker Awards, which asked readers about their favorite eateries, pubs, cities, hotels, and other establishments.

The magazine’s May issue also includes a section on the outcomes. Miami was ranked eighth, ahead of Austin and San Diego.

One Miami eatery caught the editors’ attention: Niven Patel’s Mamey at the Thesis Hotel in Coral Gables was chosen as the editors’ pick for the nation’s top eateries for ambiance. The restaurant’s “food and decor both give you the impression that you’re in a lush, tropical paradise,” according to the magazine.

At this Coral Gables hotspot, Patel creates recipes using products from his own ranch that are influenced by his travels throughout Asia, Polynesia, and the Caribbean. Inside the meticulously planned interior, painted botanicals cover the walls and foliage seems to sprout up on every surface. Warm, ambient lighting and plants that dangle from the ceiling combine to give the impression that you are outside while maintaining a cozy ambiance.

Mamey is located 1350 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables at the Thesis Hotel Miami. To make a reservation to see what the hype is about, click here.

Chef Thomas Keller Opens Coral Gables Restaurant

Award Winning and “America’s Favorite Chef” Thomas Keller is Opening a New Bistro in Coral Gables.

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Chef Thomas Keller Opens Coral Gables Restaurant

Bouchon Bistro, the acclaimed French restaurant owned by Chef Thomas Keller, will debut in Coral Gables in the early months of 2023, according to the chef and his staff. Along with his upscale American eatery the Surf Club Restaurant in Surfside, it will be his second restaurant in Miami.

The French Laundry, Per Se, and the freshly starred Surf Club Restaurant are all three-star Michelin restaurants owned by the renowned chef. Chef de cuisine Thomas Castellon, a former employee of Keller’s the Surf Club Restaurant and TAK Room, will take over the kitchen at Buchon’s Miami branch.

Similar to the menus at the Bouchon restaurants in Yountville and Las Vegas, the menu in Miami will feature seasonal French cuisine in addition to traditional selections like steak frites, roast chicken, mussels, and escargot.

Around 160 people will be able to dine at Bouchon Coral Gables, which also has 30 outside seats and a separate private dining area. Longtime Bouchon colleague Adam D. Tihany of Tihany Design in New York City, who created both Bouchon locations, will design the area.

The restaurant will open in the La Palma building, a historic Mediterranean-style structure constructed in 1924 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, at 2101 Galiano Street in Coral Gables. The building was originally designed by architect H. George Fink.

According to Keller, “Since opening the Surf Club Restaurant four years ago, it has been a great privilege to re-establish relationships in South Florida. We were enamored with the rich history of the La Palma building and Coral Gables neighborhood and we look forward to introducing our classic French bistro to the community.”