"After shuttering his popular namesake Doral restaurant Mariano’s Cuisine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, chef and restauranteur Mariano Araya has returned to the neighborhood with his latest creation: Casa Mariano. Debuting Saturday, September 18, the menu showcases the way the chef likes to eat blending his Argentine background with Mediterranean flavors. The vast menu at Casa Mariano kicks off with items like black garlic shrimp, mussels steamed in Albarino wine and topped with Gorgonzola cream and coffee powder, and cacio e pepe flatbread. Large plates include lobster thermaidor, lavender crusted lamb chops, Basque-style branzino, and ossobuco ravioli. Desserts like crepe Suzette with pineapple and coconut ice cream and a doughnut torrijas (Spanish-style French toast) topped with mango creme anglaise round out the options. Leading the beverage program is at Casa Mariano is general manager and sommelier, Victor Tapia, who created a selection of wine-based cocktails like the Casa Americano that combines Cappelletti, vermouth, grapefruit soda, and basil; the Kat Berry with cardamaro, strawberry syrup, balsamic, lemon, and tarragon; and the Spanish-inspired Alcazar that mixes oloroso sherry with vermouth and burnt orange syrup. Casa Mariano’s 1,475-square-foot space is decorated in a Mediterranean-inspired palette of blues, whites, tans, and browns. The restaurant offers three different dining areas including the main dining room dubbed the “living room,” a private dining room that can hold up to eight people, and a wine library with a built-in cellar that can seat up to 10 guests. Mariano wanted to achieve a home-like feel at his new restaurant with chandeliers, large wooden floor lamps, wallpaper depicting images of his plate collection, and large cushioned seating. Casa Mariano is located at 8200 NW 27 Street, Suite 106 in Doral. The restaurant will be open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Brunch service to follow at a later date. For more information call 305-392-0507 or visit CasaMariano.com." - Olee Fowler
