The new modern phrase is to buy experiences and not things. As such you have the not so new trend of people buying smaller homes so that they can travel. A trip to Coconut Grove for Ariete grants you a culinary experience perhaps of a lifetime. This michelin star restaurant is next to the Coconut Grove Playhouse and created by Michael Beltran who is born and raised in Miami. I am always pleased to see local talent do well, as having grown up in Miami myself, a lot of friends swore to leave for bigger and better things, but having done so and returning, I believe it's not better "out there" and the grass is not always greener.
For some unbenownst reason I expected a huge restaurant with lots of seating and boisturous activity, but this restaurant is a relaxing smaller size and could be consdered a romantic destination. There is outside seating and inside is well laid out to not feel overly crowded.
I was seated at a window table with a beautiful view of the courtyard entrance and was quickly greeted by my wait staff of approximately 3 different people. However, I mostly interacted with one person. The service was impeccable as every need was attended with prompt refills of water, table cleaning between courses and of course clean silverware. The impressive thing about the service was that things were anticipated. The staff had interleaved additional dishes into my meal without having too contrasting or similar flavors between them. When I left to go to the bathroom, my napkin was neatly folded upon my arrival.
If I had ordered the wine pairing, I would have had an additional person come by and explain the wine selections. However, I generally don't order the wine pairing though I know it can greatly accentuate intended flavor profiles. I opted for a 9 course meal to get as much overview of the restaurant as possible.
My first course was the "taste of miami" which consisted of vaca frita, cuban sandwich gougere, creme fraiche, and caviar flan, wagyu tartlet. The presentation was dramatic.