Cristina O.
Yelp
Wow, wow, wow! I've driven by Casa Mariano hundreds of times (my mother lives in Doral) and have always wanted to stop in. Last night, my boyfriend and I invited my mom and sister to dinner, and it was the perfect opportunity to finally visit.
From the moment we walked in, the experience was flawless. The host was warm and welcoming, seating us immediately. Our waitress, Alicia, was absolutely lovely; beaming smile, great energy, super attentive, and genuinely helpful.
We started with a bottle of Mendoza, Argentina Chardonnay and three appetizers that were as gorgeous on the plate as they were on the palate:
* Tenderloin Carpaccio -- Portobello mushrooms, arugula, Parmigiano Reggiano, capers, poached tomatoes, red onions. All the meat eaters at the table raved about it.
* Tuna & Stracciatella -- Passion fruit and nori. I'll admit, tuna and cheese sounded unusual, but it was fresh, flavorful, and absolutely perfect.
* Butternut Squash Salad -- Arugula, goat cheese, pumpkin seeds, hazelnut-maple vinaigrette. Oh. My. Goodness. This might be one of the most beautiful & best tasting salads I've ever had! The flavor combinations were flawless.
For mains:
* My sister kept it light with the Signature French Onion Soup and Truffle French Fries (which I sampled. YUM).
* My boyfriend and mother both chose the Butterfly Branzino with lemon caper butter sauce and asparagus--crispy skin, moist interior, and a sauce worth mopping up.
* I went for the Blackened Salmon with sweet corn risotto, artichokes, and cherry tomatoes. The spice rub was spectacular, with a noticeable hint of star anise, and the risotto tasted like summer in a bowl.
Even though we were full, dessert was non-negotiable. We shared the Goat Cheese Flan with passion fruit and honey sauce. Whoa! Flan was super silky & tangy due to the goat cheese. The sauce was amazing & bright & had little pieces of crunchy sour bits! Amazing contrast of textures & flavours. One of my favorite desserts in recent memory.
The interior is beautiful, the ambiance spot-on, and the staff outstanding. "Hidden gem" doesn't even begin to describe it. This is fine dining at its best... without the Gables or Brickell price tag. Can't wait to return!