Haute Spot Artisan Beach House Opens at Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour

Nestled against the breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean and Haulover Cut at the Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour lies Miami’s newest haute dining destination: Artisan Beach House. The gorgeous restaurant is the brainchild of renowned Chef Paula DaSilva and restaurateur Seth Greenberg, bringing forth a new culinary destination that evokes a quaint beach house with an amazing, seasonally-inspired menu. The dynamic duo first collaborated at 1500 Degrees, located within Miami Beach’s Eden Roc Hotel, which earned national praise for its inventive menu and gorgeous decor. Now, the team has done it again, revamping the coveted space at the stately Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour hotel, transforming it into one of Miami’s newest and greatest dining destinations.

The beach-chic decor of the restaurant is the perfect backdrop, with soft tones of white, green and blue against elegant gold fixtures on the inside, and a gorgeous waterfront view on the outside dining terrace. The menu curated by Dasilva and Chef De Cuisine Tony Coddington, a Michelle Bernstein protégé and former collaborator of DaSilva’s, is something to write home about. The duo offers a menu featuring dishes both nostalgic to their upbringings and inspired by current culinary cravings. Although the menu is somewhat small, all of its offerings are made with the freshest ingredients, incorporating a fantastic mix of seasonal items.

“There is definitely a global element to the menu but the foundation is approachability. My style is very simple – respect for the ingredients, smart sourcing, proper technique and big flavors,” DaSilva said.

Photo Credit: South Moon Photography

DaSilva’s ethos for simple food with big flavors shines through each dish in a unique way. Working from the Chef’s Bites, a diverse selection of ever-changing small plates, standout dishes include the fresh Wahoo Ceviche, simply made with carrot juice, fresno chili and yucca chips, that bursts with a delicious citrus flavor in each bite; as well as the Toast, which comes with a charcuterie board that includes porchetta, romesco and radish slaw. Next, the Octopus must be tried, cooked to perfection and beautifully prepared with vandouvan carrots, yogurt and cilantro. The Crispy Pork Belly is another can’t-miss dish, one that will have you scraping the plate for more, prepared over a flavorful homemade kimchee and lime aioli, with a rice cracker that acts as a taco shell.

The remaining dishes are larger, so we recommend sharing them with the table. From the Composed Mains, the star of the show is the Braised Short Ribs, a deliciously rich dish which is prepared over tagliatelle, wild mushrooms and a light cream sauce. For the table, opt for the 4 oz Japanese Wagyu, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, the Rabbit Paella. To complete the dining experience, make sure to get your fair share of the sides, which are just as noteworthy as the main plates and come in generous portion sizes. Our top picks are the Brussels Sprouts, Charred Broccolini and Corn, the perfect accompaniments for the simple yet complexly flavorful menu items.

Photo Credit: South Moon Photography

While it may be tempting, it’s essential not to fill up on dinner and to leave room for dessert, because the DaSilva and Coddington have got a serious lineup to finish off the meal in a sweet way. The Strawberry Shortcake is a must, a beautifully decadent treat that is definitely worth cheating on your diet for, as well as the Peanut Butter Doughnuts, which are little bite-sized balls coated with sugar on the outside and filled with a warm peanut butter sauce on the inside.

Artisan Beach House is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Be sure to visit frequently, as the menu is constantly changing and evolving with the freshest ingredients available. For more information or to make a reservation, call (305) 455-5460 or visit http://www.artisanbeachhouse.com.