Tasting Miami at Eating House

Chef Giorgio’s homage to some of the most iconic spots in the Magic City

Restaurants are always cooking up new ways to keep patrons engaged, but few come close to Eating House’s Tasting Miami series. This rotating, sharing-style menu is a culinary delight dreamt up by Miami native Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli. As a chef that focuses on fusing his Argentine and Italian heritage with the city’s rich culinary culture (he also helms nearby Luca Osteria), there’s no one we trust more to recreate the essence of classic Miami spots.

We sat at the sleek bar during a busy-as-usual night at Eating House, not knowing what the second rendition of the series had in store for us.

The first two courses were tributes to two Coral Gables staples: Christy’s steakhouse and Sports Grill. In a nod to the local steakhouse’s revered meats, the first plate consisted of Mishima wagyu beef tartare topped with Caesar breadcrumbs — a rich dish self-served on lettuce leaves. It was paired with Chef Giorgio’s take on the Gables’ wings mecca: grilled heirloom carrots (a tribute to Sports Grill’s “Special Grilled” chicken wings) in a gorgonzola and Worcestershire sauce. The carrots alone are worth the experience, almost making us forget that we weren’t actually eating wings. One can only hope they make their way onto Eating House’s regular menu.

The decades-long dim sum favorite on Bird Road, Tropical Chinese, was channeled in the next dish with a true Miami twist: croqueta bao buns topped with cucumber, green onion, hoisin, and a special “3-0-5 spice.” With the softness of the buns and the crispiness of the croquetas, it was a match made in culinary heaven.

Our bartender recommended pairing it with their signature “Mr. Pink” cocktail, a mix of Havana Club Blanco, Chinola passion fruit, and coconut cordial. You can also order a “Mrs. Pink” made with strawberries – both equally light and refreshing.

The feast continued with two main courses modeled after the South Miami Cuban eatery Casa Larios and Hialeah’s Pincho Man. The former was reinvented as camarones enchilados risotto, a creamy shrimp risotto stewed in chili sauce, which could hold its ground as a standalone plate. For the meat lover, the beautifully plated short rib “pincho” took skewers to another level with Gruyere, mojo, smoked bordelaise, and potato crisps.

As if our dinner wasn’t decadent enough, we closed out the night with two desserts. Palace 18, named after the iconic Tamiami movie theater, consists of Palmetto Bay’s Cry Baby Creamery popcorn ice cream plated with meringue flakes and topped with brown butter glaze. At first skeptical of the mix, the first spoonful won us over. The best part is how it combines with the final plate: potato “buñuelos” coated in sugar and served with cafe con leche condensada. A fitting tribute to the Cuban coffee and pastries served at Versailles on Eighth Street.

For $59 per person with a minimum of two diners (it is, after all, meant to be shared) this elaborate gastronomic journey makes it worth a weeknight outing when the menus are available, Tuesday through Thursday.

Eating House Miami
128 Giralda Ave.
786.580.3745 
eatinghousemiami.com