Tuscan Way –Visit North Bay Village to Dine in Tuscany
The Italian owners of Tuscan Way restaurant and bar, Nicola Simone and Maria Lucia Bechis, feed you as if you were in Toscana, but the fine dining establishment is only five minutes from Miami Beach, or a 20 minute drive from Downtown Miami, in North Bay Village.
Two islands, Harbor and Treasure, make up the North Bay Village (NBV). The island community is located in Biscayne Bay between the Miami mainland and the barrier island city of Miami Beach.
During the late 1940’s, North Bay Village’s nightclubs attracted celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. Today, it is a lush neighborhood of attractive condominiums and single-family homes as well as the newly opened Tuscan Way restaurant.
Well worth the travel to North Bay Village, this cozy and uniquely situated restaurant and bar is ideal for a special date night as well as an authentic Italian dining experience.
I arrived at Tuscan Way at the Grandview Palace marina by driving through an elegant porte-cochère (a covered portico-like structure). After this dramatic entrance, I drove on into a complimentary parking garage, and found the Italian restaurant’s bayside patio entrance.
Tuscan Way takes full advantage of its waterfront location with floor to ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay, the Miami skyline, South Beach, and the Ocean. The interior walls are painted in warm Tuscan yellow and uses teak to resemble the hull of a sailing yacht.
At the dining table with other invited bloggers, I feasted my way through Chef Ferdinando Garante’s menu.
For the antipasti, we started with Calamari e Zucchine Fritte –a great combination of lightly fried Calamari and Zucchini strips, and Mozzarella Milanese, or in-house made Mozzarella that was lightly breaded, then, fried, and served with thick fresh Tomato Marinara Sauce.
Next, we had a traditional Bruschetta topping of fresh chopped Tomatoes, Balsamic, Basil and Garlic as well as Bruschetta di Melanzane, or Roasted Eggplant Caponata. Both were served on top of grilled slices of Homemade Bread that soaked in the flavor of its topping, while still delivering a satisfying crunch.
These were followed by just even lighter appetizers, – Carpaccio di Manzo, or thinly sliced raw Beef, and the Carpaccio di Salmone, or thinly sliced raw Salmon. Both were both drizzled with the most wonderful Caper and Lemon Vinaigrette.
In Italy, the first course, or primi piatti, is a pasta or risotto dish. We were fortunate to be served Risotto ai Funghi, a delectable creamy Rice Dish with a mixed variety of fresh Mushrooms decadently dressed with White Truffle Oil.
Aside the from the in-house made baked goods and mozzarella, the owners and chef extend themselves further to present an genuine Tuscan meal to its diners. All proteins used in the Chef Ferdinando’s kitchen are imported directly from Italy.
Therefore, any one of our following main courses is an excellent choice from the Tuscan Way menu. The elegant Filetto di Manzo, a perfectly cooked Filet Mignon in rich Wine and Mushroom Sauce, the hearty Pollo alla Valdostana, -Roasted Chicken With Prosciutto, Asiago Cheese and Light Cream Sauce with Amazing Roasted Potatoes, or the Salmone in Crosta, baked Encrusted Salmon in a delicious Mandarin Sauce.
However, my favorite entree, Roast Lamb with Truffle Puree, was ‘off menu’. The tender lamb rested atop a mound of fluffy Homemade Whipped Potatoes, and exquisitely bathed in a rich Wine Gravy made with Mushrooms and White Truffles.
Just when we thought our dining experience at Tuscan Way could not have been better, it was time for dessert.
The Tiramisu, made twice a day, is incredible. Laced with Rum, the Cocoa-dusted dessert sits high in layers of Sweet Mascarpone Cheese and Coffee-soaked Lady Finger Biscuits.
However, the majestic Cioccolatissimo tastes even better than it looks. The spectacular warm Chocolate Soufflé is topped with a Semi-Sweet Chocolate Sauce and Crème Fraîche with a serving of Vanilla Gelato.
Tuscan Way is located inside the Grandview Palace Marina, at 7601 E Treasure Dr, North Bay Village, FL 33141. For reservations, visit: http://www.tuscanwayrestaurant.com/
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