The goods: Chef Elida Villaroel transforms Charlotte Bistro into Mesa and offers a gourmet take on Latin cuisine.
Ambience: The petite Miracle Mile space with a small sidewalk patio is brightened by hot pink Barbarella silhouettes, pop-art murals by local artist Andres Risquez and fresh, locally grown flowers.
The grub: Modern Latin cooking with Asian influences. Venezuelan-born, French-trained Villaroel sources much of the produce from the co-owner’s Homestead farm. Prices are neighborhood-friendly: a $12 two-course lunch special, $6-$14 starters and $14-$35 mains.
The meal begins with toasted flatbread and house-made black olive tapenade. Starters include Venezuelan tequeños (fried dough stuffed with cheese) with cilantro sauce; baby arugula salad with pear, smoked almonds, goat cheese, fennel and a drizzle of orange dressing; classic onion soup and eggplant timbale accompanied by eggplant caviar. Mains include a crab risotto with truffled hearts of palm, duck leg confit and asada negro with red wine sauce. Dessert brings quesillo criollo, a Venezuelan cake, and decadent chocolate soup topped with coffee ice cream.
Verdict: Charlotte Bistro’s chef and her gourmet dishes in an intimate, revamped space.
Links:
[1] http://www.miami.com/restaurants/first-look
[2] http://www.miami.com/bite-something-new-june-article
[3] http://www.miami.com/restaurants/nibbles-and-bits
[4] http://www.miami.com/support-make-wish-month-intercontinental-miami-amp-toro-toro-article
[5] http://www.miami.com/bourbon-steak039s-fries-named-among-serves-quotamerica-s-best-french-friesquot-article
[6] http://www.miami.com/california-s-umami-burger-makes-its-south-beach-debut-article
[7] http://www.miami.com/barezzito-brings-live-music-amp-latin-influenced-sushi-south-beach-article
[8] http://www.miami.com/first-look-jeffrey-chodorow039s-biscayne-tavern-article
[9] http://www.miami.com/tudor-house-chef-jamie-derosa-opens-tongue-amp-cheek-miami-beach-article
[10] http://www.miami.com/barock-ambitious-new-ocean-drive-spot-european-pedigree-article
[11] http://www.miami.com/poseidon-brings-taste-greek-isles-south-beach-article
[12] http://www.miami.com/get-first-look-copperbox-wynwood-s-secret-gastronomic-studio-article
[13] http://www.miami.com/charles-st-brings-upscale-pub-grub-amp-late-night-dining-south-beach039s-boulan-hotel-article
[14] http://www.miami.com/50-eggs-team-opens-swine-southern-table-and-bar-coral-gables-article
[15] http://www.miami.com/devon-seafood-steak-brings-classics-kendall-article
[16] http://www.twitter.com/miamicom