Cioppino, Key Biscayne

When Italians came to San Francisco in the 1800’s, they brought with them their talent for combining fresh local ingredients in their food, creating new specialties.  In this northern California coastal city, one of these was a seafood stew called Cioppino (after Ciuppin a soup from Genoa), perfected by mixing the day’s catch with tomatoes, seasonings and red wine and cooking it on the boat. Fortunately, food connoisseurs need not travel to San Francisco’s North Beach to find the best Cioppino.  They can find it at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Key Biscayne in Miami, home to the celebrated restaurant Cioppino which features the finest seafood stew east of the Rockies.

There’s an immediate sense of escape as you pull into the hotel’s grand driveway and the complimentary glass of champagne upon arrival certainly helps with that. You’ll quickly find that a dinner at Cioppino almost transports you among the rolling hills of Northern Italy’s favorite region thanks to the first rate Tuscan cuisine and stunning ambience. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the restaurant epitomizes fine Italian dining in South Florida and is worth visiting for the resort alone, even if you don’t plan to stay at the hotel.  Chef de Cuisine Ezio Gamba has created an original culinary experience which stems from his childhood roots in Bergamo where he grew up on a farm.  His style is classic with an emphasis on creative presentations that highlight the best of Italy’s gastronomy by region and incorporating the freshest seasonal ingredients. The menu’s offerings include ingredients flown in from Italy twice a week like the creamy (and dreamy) Burrata, a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream and served with prosciutto, arugula pesto and toasted pine nuts.

Foodies with nostalgia for Italy can indulge their craving for original Italian comfort food.  Not only does Chef Gamba know how to dazzle the first-time Cioppino eater with an assortment of fresh Florida seafood as well as Branzino in his masterpiece, his menu also includes an array of traditional dishes like Risotto ai Porcini.  The chef understands the importance of the farm-to-table culinary trend, too, seasoning his creations with only the freshest herbs grown in the resort’s garden.  Homemade pastas like the Caramelle Al Tartufo are served perfectly al dente, this one with a simple and delicate sauce full of fresh Italian black truffles and a touch of ricotta.

Jorge Mendoza is the restaurants’ sommelier and travels regularly both to Tuscany and Burgundy to gain inspiration for ordering the restaurant’s amazing wines.  Jorge is particularly knowledgeable about Italian wines, clearly taking the craft to a higher level by pairing the perfect wine with any dish.  As well, the service at Cioppino is on its game.

Finish an evening at Cioppino with drinks and dancing at RUMBAR on the property, where you can sample 52 rums, cachacas and piscos from 18 countries (not all at once, please!).  On Thursday through Sunday evenings, the hotel’s Bermuda inspired lobby turns into an evening in Havana with a live band, Grupo Nostalgia, playing sounds reminiscent of the Buena Vista Social Club. Girls, don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes!