New Places: Italian Bistro, Creative Japanese, and More
The newest restaurants to dine in the Gables
Vita Bistro Italiano: Casual Classic Italian
Amongst a sea of fine dining Italian restaurants comes Vita Bistro Italiano, a more casual take on traditional Italian cuisine. The latest establishment to hit Giralda Plaza, the bistro is cozy and informal, with ingredients imported directly from Italy, including the wine. The hospitality group behind Vita Bistro started in Italy in 2002 and then came to Miami Beach in 2013 with Cara Mia Trattoria, followed by Vita Osteria Italiana in 2023, also on Miami Beach.
While we can’t say we found the plating particularly attractive, the food itself was fair and the menu large. We tried the diavola pizza ($15) first, with spicy Italian salami, and found it to be a good option for a casual lunch, served on a rectangle of thick, crispy dough with fresh mozzarella cheese. It took us back to childhood, with the kind of puffy slices layered with cheese that you itched for as a kid.
The melanzane alla parmigiana ($20) was another winner, though we were initially a bit put off by the presentation. The taste, however, was more than compensation, combining baked eggplant with basil and layered mozzarella to form a happy swirl of tomato and cheese. We’ll be back to try the all-day breakfast next! – Kylie Wang
Vita Bistro Italiano
147 GIRALDA AVE.
305.456.9536
VITABISTROITALIANO.COM
Kojin 2.0: Creative Japanese
There must be something in the air at 804 Ponce de Leon, the spot which formerly hosted the first iteration of Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli’s Eating House and Chef Michael Bolen’s Lion & The Rambler. Today, the address belongs to Kojin 2.0, another second version of a beloved local favorite that closed in 2023 in Little River. Similar to its predecessors at 804 Ponce, Kojin 2.0 takes inventiveness to a new level.
At the new Coral Gables location, you can find twice-cooked chicken, a Japanese take on the traditional chicken sandwich, and scallops with white bean sauce and pork. We tried a few items off the a la carte menu, although the modern Japanese restaurant also offers tasting menus from $85-plus with constantly changing ingredients depending on the season. Chef Pedro Mederos calls one of the restaurant’s themes “hyper-seasonality,” where ingredients are only used at their peak and not just to make a point.
We started with the brown butter brioche bread, which features a truffle honey butter so good we considered bathing in it, followed by the chicken “sando,” which was served katsu-style, rather than a traditional American sandwich, and with tsukemono, Japanese pickles. The scallops, meanwhile, with pork and a pool of white bean sauce, were smoky and flavorful – an instant favorite. All three entrees stood out, but the best was the market fish, which, on the day we visited, was the halibut with seaside petites, salted potatoes cooked with parmesan. Excellent, fresh, and beautifully plated. Safe to say, we’ll be returning for more. – Kylie Wang
KOJIN 2.0
804 PONCE DE LEON
786.747.1404
KOJIN2.COM
Tartine: French Redux
Tartine in Coral Gables welcomes you with the same clean, modern ambiance as Gustave, the French restaurant it replaced. Rather than attempt to woo diners with a complex menu of haute French cuisine, as did Gustave, Tartine keeps it simpler, providing an inviting spot for excellent coffee and pastries, along with salads and sandwiches, in the tradition of a French café.
The exterior features a few tables perfect for people watching on Miracle Mile. But the inside, with its balance of modern and classic design, is a more comfortable, airy place to sit, especially in the summer heat. A long marble countertop and light-wood furnishings create a sophisticated setting, with large mirrors and contemporary lighting to brighten the space.
The menu presents an array of classic French café fare, from onion soup to croque madames. We came for dessert, attracted by the pastries behind their glass display cases, and started with the cream puff ($2.30), which offered a satisfying contrast between its crisp exterior and smooth custard filling. The cappuccino ($4.25) was the perfect pairing, its rich espresso a testament to the French love for good coffee.
However, the real star of the visit was the crème brûlée ($9.00), with its caramelized sugar crust cracking just right to reveal the luscious custard underneath. Whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee or settling in for a warm goat cheese salad, Tartine is perfect for either. – Amanda Martell
TARTINE
366 MIRACLE MILE
Gallery Café: Where Sandwiches Rule
Though Gallery Café is nestled within The Watermark at Coral Gables, a senior living community near the Shops at Merrick Park, you can still visit the surprisingly expansive dining area whether you’re a member of the Watermark community or not. The café dishes include coffee-house classic pastries, as well as an assortment of more substantial breakfast and lunch items. As we stopped by during our lunch break, we went with their Cuban sandwich ($14) and arroz con leche ($7).
The sandwich, which was dubbed ‘El Cubano Grande,’ lived up to its name – it was massive. Between two crunchy pieces of bread were layers of ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles. Aside from a heavy amount of mustard and mayonnaise, the sandwich was delightful and large enough to take home leftovers or share with a friend, if you’re feeling generous. Plantain chips, well-salted, were served on the side.
In need of something sweet, we moved on to the rice pudding. Chilled and served in a ramekin, this was the perfect treat to round out lunch. The pudding was creamy but not mushy, with a heavy dash of cinnamon atop to enhance its flavor. Meanwhile, the café’s patterned floor, brick walls, and black and- white paintings create a homey vibe. We’ll go for breakfast next time and try one of the Gallery’s hot options, like the croissant sandwich, or one of their cold selections, like the bagel and lox sandwich. – Luke Chaney
GALLERY CAFE
363 GRANELLO AVE. (THE WATERMARK)
786.688.6010
Explore more dining spots in our Bites section!