Since opening in 2016, Ariete, Chef/Owner Michael Beltran’s charming Coconut Grove eatery has made a name for itself as one of the city’s most dynamic restaurants, a destination for foodies seeking Beltran’s refined, worldly comfort food. With the Miami-born chef at the helm, Ariete has garnered rave reviews and collected an impressive handful of accolades, ranging from Eater Miami’s nod as “Restaurant of the Year”, Miami New Times’ designation as “Best New Restaurant” and a feature in Bon Appetit magazine. Now, the popular neighborhood restaurantis upping the ante with a revamped cocktail program and new menu offerings.
Thoughtfully curated by Beverage Director Felipe Ojeda, in collaboration with cocktail enthusiast and Director of Operations Rafael Vazquez, the new cocktail program perfectly complements Beltran’s bold cuisine and combines balanced flavors with meticulous execution. Like the restaurant’s menu, the new list of libations features an array of inventive concoctions and modern twists on classics. And, like the fare, cocktails highlight Ariete, and Beltran’s, Cuban roots and pay homage to the island’s rich cocktail heritage.
Promising new pours include the 90 Miles – Diplomatico Planas Rum, plantain, lime; Distinguished Gentlemen – Russell’s Bourbon, cynar, Antica Formula vermouth; El Gallego – saffron and lemon infused Havana Club rum, lemon, honey, bitters; Em’s Tonic – Letherbee gin, cucumber like shrub, honey ginger, lemon; Why is Marita So Loud? – Espolon Reposado, Grand Marnier, Aperol, lemon, agave; and the King Saint George – St. George apple brandy, St. George spiced pear, King’s ginger. A big standout, the “Rum Cola” – a soda-free take on the classic Rum & Coke with citrus-infused Havana Club rum, Chinato vermouth, Amaro Lucano and Heering Cherry. Signature favorites, such as the Ariete Daquiri – Havana Club rum, Redland guava, lime and Chug’s Old Fashioned – plantain maple syrup, Four Roses bourbon, sour orange bitters remain. And there’s no better time for a tipple than Happy Hour, available daily from 4PM to 7PM.
Beltran’s daring, unique dishes meld the flavors of his Cuban upbringing with New American Cuisine. The menu is ever-evolving to reflect the constantly changing bounty of each season and the seemingly boundless energy of his creativity. New offerings include beef tongue tartine – smoked beef tongue gribiche, cheddar, white bread; country fried quail – braised mustard greens, kimchi; grilled calabaza salad – endive, marinated bleu cheese vinaigrette, croutons, radish, pistachio; and burrata & avocado salad – honey yogurt, gem lettuce, poppy seed vinaigrette. Not-to-be-overlooked signature items include plantain wrapped local fish withpaella rice, pickled tomatoes and olives; wood grilled chicken – crispy yucca and salsa verde; venison tartare – black garlic aioli, fine herb salad, pickled mushrooms; and the pastrami style short rib – mixed greens and red pepper beef jus. And of course, the wildly popular chug burger, complete with a double patty, American cheese, B&B pickles and secret sauce.
Though a number of sweet finishes tempt, no visit to Ariete is complete without what might be the finest, and most unusual flans in all of Miami. Here, a traditional flan’s custard base is infused with dehydrated, crushed candy cap mushrooms, which impart an earthy, maple syrup flavor. “My goal wasn’t to meld sweet and savory,” says Beltran of the curious combo.
“I was just so blown away by the aroma and flavor of the mushrooms that I knew they’d elevate what is such a common dessert in Miami. There are a million and one flans in this town. My goal was to give it a unique twist but not move away from what makes flan so satisfying.”
Ariete is located at 3540 Main Highway in Coconut Grove. Located underneath the restaurant is The Cave, a private dining area available for special occasions and events. The restaurant is open for Lunch, Monday through Friday from 11AM to 3PM; Dinner, Monday through Saturday from 6PM to 11PM and Sunday from 6PM to 10PM. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 3PM. Happy Hour is offered daily from 4PM to 7PM. Telephone: (305) 640-5862; https://arietemiami.com/.
