Toro Toro brings a rodizio/tapas bar hybrid to Downtown Miami

Sara Liss11/2/2012

The goods: Toro Toro is a glossy new rodizio/tapas bar hybrid at downtown’s Intercontinental Miami.

Ambience: Situated in the hotel’s lobby, the secluded space is outfitted with a long marble bar, wood-plank floors, cushy black leather banquettes and a small lounge.

The grub: Modern pan-Latin. Chef Rodolfo Cuadros executes the concept honed by executive chef Richard Sandoval in Dubai. Prices are reasonable: Starters $8-$14, mains $22-$49 and an all-you-can-eat rodizio $55.

Dinner begins with Colombian cheese bread and a salsa for dipping. Small plates include smoked swordfish dip with plantain chips, lamb skewers with yogurt sauce, crab cake croquettes, mushroom flatbread and mini-arepas with short rib. The rodizio experience features picanha steak, Angus rib-eye, lamb chops, sausage, achiote-marinated chicken and other meats carved tableside. Alternately, order a la carte achiote-barbecued salmon or pan-roasted grouper with boniato puree. Desserts include raspberry mint suspiro (sorbet, baked meringue and an almond butter cracker) and flourless hazelnut chocolate cake with buttermilk ice cream and apricot compote.

Verdict: A stylish spot for well-priced tapas and a cavalcade of carved-on-demand grilled meat.