MARE NOSTRUM RESTAURANT - MODERN MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE TO DOWNTOWN BRICKELL

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by: jackauthors
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Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 Time: 2:07 AM

"Miami’s climate, demographic make-up and geography make it the perfect destination for Mare Nostrum to debut stateside," said Oscar Suarez, the group’s Miami-based director of operations. With a name that means "our sea" in Latin, Mare Nostrum is expected to make a lasting impression on Downtown Brickell visitors with its majestic 8,000 square foot venue at The Axis Building and its fresh culinary approach. The restaurant plans on impressing diners with a healthy, delicious and affordable spin on Mediterranean cuisine. The main attraction will be the seafood (seafood in Miami), and Chef Pedro Gallardo, who hails from Spain, pledges to deliver nothing but the freshest and most delicious. The restaurant will include seating for 154 in the main dining room for Fine Dining Miami as well as an outdoor patio large enough for 60.

As you enter, you won’t miss the 11-foot tall glass wine room; the best Wine Bar Miami which holds over 2,000 bottles of wine and separates the bar/lounge from the dining room. Continuing with the seafood theme, a beautiful 25’ long seafood/raw bar will showcase a variety of the freshest oysters, langoustines, crab claws and other specialties. The restaurant will open daily for lunch and dinner.

The menu is Mediterranean focused.

Starters: ($6.95 to $15.95): Croquetas made with Iberico ham and gruyere cheese; fried eggplant with organic honey; and Bluefin tuna “Toro” tataki, all tempt taste buds.Guests can also dive into items from the gorgeous seafood display table ($14.95 to MP) including seared Mediterranean red shrimp, freshly shucked blue point oysters, or a bountiful seafood platter of tiger prawns, langoustines, oysters and stone crabs.

Salads: ($9.95 to $14.95) such as heirloom tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, basil foam and extra virgin olive oil or a simple arugula, sundried tomatoes, pine nuts and parmesan dressed with a tangy citrus vinaigrette are light and refreshing, while
Soups: ($6.95 to $13.95) include a classic gazpacho, a fresh and tasty bouillabaisse and a hearty minestrone, among others.

Pastas, paellas and risottos: Mare Nostrum’s state of the art kitchen is loaded with upscale European equipment, including Italian pasta makers that give them the capability to make a wide variety of fresh pastas in-house, including spaghetti, fettuccine, capellini, linguini, bucatini, tagliatelle, pappardelle and gnocchi.Guests will be able to match any one of six freshly prepared sauces – pesto, Alfredo, Bolognese, puttanesca, tomato and basil and olive oil, garlic and parmesan ($10.95) for a simple yet satisfying starter or main plate.

Fish: Seafood lovers will exult in Mare Nostrum’s pescetarian quality and variety; the exceptional ingredients and flavors shine in signature specialties ($15.95 - $22.95) from salmon a la plancha finished with saffron salt to seared branzino with sea salt.Red snapper, lubina (Spanish sea bass) and dorada are offered by the pound ($28-$32 per pound) for a shared dining experience, with traditional Spanish preparations.

Meat: include chicken, pork and grilled lamb chops as well as the classic 24 hour slow baked cochinilo asado. Tender cuts of beef ($15.95 to $36.95) include USDA skirt steak, New York strip USDA Prime Angus tenderloin and USDA Prime Angus rib eye; all served with a vegetable side.

Desserts:($8.95) all prepared in-house offer tantalizing temptations with inspired creations including the classic Spanish flan with caramel sauce and candied Marcona almonds, Manchego cheesecake with crème anglaise and a dense, delicious olive oil cake with dark chocolate cream, citrus sauce and vanilla ice cream.

About the Author

The group has opened two restaurants in Brickell in December, both located at 1111 SW First Avenue directly across the street from the Brickell Avenue Metrorail and Metro Mover station. Fine Dining Miami is the best and street parking are available. For reservations, call Mare Nostrum at 786-691-2770.