More than a year in the making, TiramesU opens Tuesday evening in Miami Beach’s South-of-Fifth neighborhood, with a new owner at the helm promising a fresh take on Italian cuisine.
Graziano Sbroggio’s Graspa Group, TiramesU’s former owner, has handed the restaurant off to 15-year employee Valeria Longoni, who, backed by silent investors, has revamped the restaurant’s feel, decor and cuisine.
“It’s an evolution, Longoni, TiramesU‘s managing owner, told The Real Deal. “This is the third TiramesU. People are calling it TiramesU 3.0.”
TiramesU started out at the corner of Ocean Drive and Fifth Street in 1988, then moved to 721 Lincoln Road in 1997. After 17 years at that location, the restaurant closed in April 2014.
Now at 101 Washington Avenue, TiramesU has created a more intimate dining spot amid 2,000 square feet. The restaurant has 80 seats inside and outside, designed in beiges and greys, with blue curtains.
“The blue is the color of ocean and the beige represents the color of the sand,” Longoni told TRD. “We wanted a place that is relaxing and is tranquil and peaceful.”
Other features include a quartz bar top, industrial-inspired pendant lights, crystal chandeliers and antique metal appliques from the 1930’s Oriental Express train.
Amid the neutral setting, the goal, Longoni said, is for the modern Italian cuisine “to be the star.”
Executive Chef Fabrizio Pintus leads the open kitchen, with a full menu ranging from fresh-made Italian burrata cheese and bone marrow appetizers to kale fettucini with rabbit ragout, risotto, short rib ravioli, duck breast, lamb chops and branzino.
The restaurant will initially be open only for dinner, and will be adding lunch in about a month, Longoni said.
“The idea is to create a neighborhood place of South-of-Fifth,” Longoni told TRD. “where you can come and have a drink, have dinner, or have a celebration.”