Come January, Coral Gables will have a new edition to its restaurant scene. Gaetano Ristorante will be moving into Hotel St. Michel, lead by head chef as well as owner, Gaetano Ascione.

Ascione is a native of Naples and thoroughly enjoys using authentic Italian ingredients in all of his dishes. His resume is every bit impressive as it is extensive, having cooked for Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan and preparing dishes in places like Singapore and South Africa. Some of his favorite dishes to prepare are pasta fagioli with truffles and porcini mushrooms and Colorado rack of lamb with eggplant tartare and black olives. Though the restaurant isn’t open to the public just yet, it was up and running for a recent holiday party hosted by local lawyers Alberto Milian, Renee Sotorio, and Roberto and Josey Pertierra. Guests of the party included local political figures such as Don Slesnick, Mily Rodriguez-Powell, Carlos Rebollo, along with many more. So those who were lucky enough to get a taste of all the Italian delights coming out of Gaetano Ascione’s kitchen were just that-lucky. The rest of us will have to wait just a tad bit longer to experience the Italian talent that is Mr. Ascione himself.

Another soon to be open restaurant that has the community of Coral Gables anticipating with excitement is Smoke’t Southern Kitchen & Tap. The restaurant sits in the same space that at one time was J.J.’s American Diner, across from the University of Miami. Brandon Lurie and John Janette, owners of Miami’s Town Kitchen & Bar have their hands wrapped around this particular project. Menu items include all of the Southern fixings like ribs, pulled pork, sushi-style blackened catfish roll, country fried steak, and chicken and waffles. Sounds like Coral Gables is getting a sampling from around the globe. From Italy’s primo Italian, to mom’s country soul food, this city is getting a taste of it all and I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.

Via: Miami Herald