CANAL-FRONT RESTAURANT
Osteria Morini brings the soulful cuisine and convivial spirit of Northern Italy— particularly Emilia-Romagna, known as the birthplace of prosciutto, mortadella, Parmigiano, and balsamic vinegar—to Kimpton Hotel Palomar conveniently nestled between the Sunset Harbour and West Avenue neighborhoods. “Osteria” translates to a place where an owner “hosts,” so whether stopping by for a quick rendezvous or a hearty meal, guests can expect to feel at home at Morini. Guests can select seating in the expansive dining room or alfresco along Collins Canal.
SOULFUL CUISINE
Once I was settled in at my table, I was ready to dig in, so I ordered a tantalizing cocktail called Passione Arrabiata crafted with Espolon Blanco Tequila, 400 Conejos Joven Mezcal, passion fruit, lime, and chili. It was refreshing, tangy, and had a little bite on the back end. I also dove into their Proscuitto di Parma from their cured sliced meats and Parmigiana Reggiano from their selection of cheeses. They were served on a charcuterie board with grilled bread, buttery spreads, and tigelle modenese (little discs of bread cooked on the stove). I highly recommend this appetizer—the cured meat was soft and really complemented the breads. The cheese really helps to balance out the other flavors. Up next, I ordered my main course and indulged in one of their house-made pastas, Cappelletti. Wow! This pasta was heaven made with little pockets of truffled ricotta ravioli, melted butter, and prosciutto. It comes together amazingly. It’s buttery, the pasta is cooked al dente, and the ricotta and prosciutto tasted delicately sweet with a bit of saltiness. This dish was impeccably executed by executive chef Bill Dorrler.
LA DOLCI VITA
After finishing my dinner, I was ready to order my sweet ending for the evening. I went with the classic Tiramisu and accompanied it with a cappuccino. The Tiramisu was masterfully made with marsala- mascarpone mousse, espresso-soaked ladyfingers, and cocoa powder. The dessert was dreamily soft, but not mushy. Each bite had a rich yet airy yellowish cream and a subtle sweetness with the just the right amount of bitterness from the coffee and cocoa powder. I felt like my waitress, Concetta, was the perfect hostess! I highly recommend Osteria Morini.
OSTERIA 1750 ALTON ROAD, MIAMI BEA CH
By VANESSA C. GUZMAN
