
2

"Opened by Jamie DeRosa and Hedy Goldsmith with John Kunkel of 50 Eggs, the new 106-seat restaurant and lounge in Coral Gables at 2415 Ponce de Leon Blvd offers modern American cuisine that reflects both chefs' strengths. The à la carte dinner menu begins with small plates such as zucchini blossoms stuffed with ricotta, sumac and preserved kumquats; skewered Iberico pork with aji amarillo and Japanese pickles; and dry-aged beef tartare with caviar and white miso, while larger pasta, meat and seafood dishes include a New York strip served with heirloom carrots, eggplant and black sesame béarnaise; branzino with littleneck clams; and a rib cap with romanesco, hen of the woods, and ricotta dumplings in black truffle butter. An 18-seat communal Chef’s Table on the main floor offers a tasting menu of four courses for $65 or six for $85. Goldsmith’s desserts put spins on the classics, from a strawberry pavlova with lemon curd, olive oil cake and Campari sorbet to a brown butter semifreddo with Moroccan spices, pistachio halvah and apple confit, and a bittersweet chocolate tart with sourdough gelato, blood orange marshmallows and salted caramel. Sam Ross oversees cocktails and Daniel Toral leads the wine program, and the 4,000-square-foot space—revamped from its Swine days—features whites, varying shades of blue and yellow, brass and gold accents, navy blue leather and herringbone banquettes, teak and marble tabletops, suede and leather chairs, and white brick and textured tiled walls; art includes floor-to-ceiling gold Montera leaves hand-painted by Austin Kerr and original canvases by Tony Larson and Betsy Eby showcased in a gallery-like setting. Ad Lib is now open Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., with lunch service starting February 18 from noon to 3 p.m. and brunch to follow; for more information call 305-504-8895." - Olee Fowler