New York City, Los Angeles and Miami dominate most any culinary “best of’’ poll worth its salt (pardon the pun). The order, of course, is always subject for debate, but there’s little doubt these three cities dominate the country’s culinary landscape.
Each has something else in common. That is, with the opening of Rao’s Miami Beach this past Fall, each city now boasts one of the top -and more popular – Italian restaurants in North America. Located at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in the heart of South Beach, Rao’s Miami Beach, with seating for approximately 150 guests, is by far the larger of the three eateries from Rao’s Restaurant Group.
It’s also the signature restaurant for Loews Miami Beach Hotel, which began the South Beach renaissance more than 25 years ago.
Michael Wesley
On the subject of history… the original Rao’s opened more than 127 years ago in Harlem, New York and is celebrated as one of the oldest family owned and operated restaurants in the country. Rao’s Miami Beach – on the site of the old Lure seafood restaurant at Loews Miami Beach Hotel, stays true to the franchise, with a menu that includes its signature Meatballs, as well as a deep assortment of pastas, seafood, steak and chops.
Make sure to check for the Chef’s Specials, among the more popular being Oxtail Ragu. You won’t be disappointed.
Rao’s Miami Beach is a combination of all things that makes the Loews Miami Beach Hotel a great destination. Spread across two dining rooms in the old St. Moritz Tower adjacent to Loews Miami Beach, Rao’s is a bit larger than life, unpretentious and dedicated to service.
“When I think of Rao’s, I think of people having a nice bottle of wine at your grandmother’s house,’’ said Michael Wesley, head chef at Rao’s Miami Beach.
Being in South Beach, Rao’s Miami Beach is slightly more seafood-centric than in NYC and LA. Don’t pass on the Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Lemon and Fennel or the Lobster Fra Diavolo. My favorite? The Sweet and Hot Sausage with Sautéed Peppers and Onions.
“What we do is old school cooking. We want people to enjoy themselves with a nice bottle of wine and let the service and food speak for itself,’’ Wesley said.
Wesley certainly knows the language. He was at Rao’s Los Angeles for seven years before he opened Rao’s Miami Beach.
“The team is a lot bigger here in Miami Beach,’’ Wesley said. “I’ve been working with all new products and new equipment, which has been great. I had to use my ‘Spanglish’ a lot in the beginning, but we took the time and had the patience to work out the kinks. Now we’re hitting on all cylinders.’’
Photos Courtesy of Loews Miami Beach Hotel