Openings Aplenty

Burgers, mezze, pizza and more arrive this week courtesy of three new restaurants.

Graphic: Samantha Riepe

Busy week in the Miami restaurant scene. At least three promising new eateries opened their doors to hungry crowds.

Burgers & beer come back to the Grove via the newly re-opened Taurus. The beloved bar rejoins the living after a six-year hiatus (it closed following a $23 million condo deal). Restaurateur Tom Billante (Calamaria, La Bottega) brought the bar back in its original 875-square-foot space, albeit with a few modern touches – think cream walls, marble countertops & a flat-screen TV. The restaurant is be Calamari but the bar stays Taurus.
The Taurus: 3540 Main Highway, 305-443-5553

Mediterranean meets SoBe courtesy of Solea, the newly opened W Hotel’s first restaurant. The menu sweeps across Europe with stops in Spain, France, Italy and Greece courtesy of Executive Chef Michael Gilligan (Ritz Carlton NY, Conrad Hotel Miami) and Chef de Cuisine Arturo Artiles (Brosia). Options include hot and cold meze-style appetizers, brick-oven baked flatbreads, paella and grilled and roasted seafood and meats. Indoor and al fresco seating available – we’re thinking indoor for at least a few more weeks.
Solea at the W Hotel: 2201 Collins Ave, 305-938-3111

South Beach welcomes its newest highbrow pizza heaven this weekend as Casale Pizzeria and Mozzarella Bar opens its doors. Created by the team behind Sardinia, Casale boasts simple wooden tables, a weathered stone floor, a carpaccio-rich crudo bar, a fresh-cheese bar and two wood-burning ovens churning out blistering thin-crust pizzas, calzones, paninis and more. Don’t miss the full bar featuring flat-screen TVs, a foosball table and an outdoor deck.
Casale Pizzeria and Mozzarella Bar: 1800 Bay Road, 305-763-808