2017

Italian fine-dining.

Michelin caliber.

The real deal.

Curious about this new import, I set out to try Le Sirenuse Restaurant as soon as I could. And now I’m in love.

Located inside the new Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, the marriage of Italy’s Amalfi Coast and South Florida is a match made in seashore heaven. Meant to be an outpost of Italy’s Michelin-starred La Sponda Restaurant, this is Le Sirenuse’s first project away from Positano, Italy.

The entrance to the hotel appeared a bit hidden at first, but its splendor revealed itself as I got closer. I stopped to catch my breath once I entered the lobby. Vaulted wooden ceilings with exotic accents blended from one space to the next. Along the way,  a palette of blues and greens emerged, and a parade of tropical palms of all types framed the bar and dining room seating areas. I’m fully aware Miami doesn’t have a shortage of gorgeous venues and restaurants, but this one is truly breathtaking. When remodeling The Surf Club, the Parisian interior design team at Joseph Dirand Architecture captured that old-school glamour of yesteryear and brought it back to life in the most sophisticated way possible. Walking past the glorious champagne bar, immediately outside of the restaurant, I made a mental note to return and try it out. We indulged in a bottle of Louis Roederer “Brut Premier” Champagne before dinner at our table instead. Our party of four sat in one of the corner booths, surrounded by palms and enveloped by the luxe velvety upholstery. It took me a couple of additional minutes to take in the beautiful surroundings before I paid any attention to the menu.

To start, our waiter presented a single dainty pasta crisp per person as the official welcome bite, while we perused the wine and dinner menus. He then passionately explained the nightly specials and menu highlights. We considered bringing in our wine ($60 corkage fee), but ultimately decided to order a hard to find and old Italian favorite off their list: iL Pollenza- Tolentino, Italy. The charismatic sommelier visited our table often throughout the night, offering insight as needed. An endless stream of staff worked tirelessly clearing out dishes and bringing out new silverware and glasses. I can’t think of many Miami restaurants that serve three amuse bouches, a palate cleanser, and parting mignardises in one sitting. Color me happy. A couple of managers visited the table as well to ensure everything was running smoothly and to our liking. The answer was always YES! Perfetto!

The staff never stopped doting on us from beginning to end and ultimately delivered an outstanding experience. I can’t rave enough about it all. Has Le Sirenuse really been open for only a couple of months? It sure didn’t feel like it. I’ve analyzed Miami’s potential for Michelin-style dining for several years now on my blog. Missed it? Check out Part 1 (2014) and Part 2 (2016). While most of the time South Floridians steer away from formal dining and prefer a more casual feel, there’s something to be said about a seamlessly executed three-hour dinner experience: one that exemplifies grace, poise, and the pride that comes from a job well done, despite the ritzy environs and elegant vibe. More importantly, one that’s available right here in Miami. Not in New York. Not in San Francisco. Not in Chicago. Congratulations to Chef de Cuisine Antonio Mermolia, Executive Chef Jose Gamez, and the entire team for successfully bringing this project to fruition. It’s obvious you love what you do. The arrival of Le Sirenuse is a game-changer.