January 2026 Often we head south to the Florida Keys during the month of January to escape the cold fronts that pass by Amelia Island in the winter. However to try something new and to break up the driving, we decided to spend two nights on the way in Coconut Grove and dine in two awesome restaurants. One of these restaurants was Arieta. Arieta has been awarded a Michelin star each of the three years Florida has had a Michelin Guide. Considered innovative new-American, the restaurant merges old Latin tradition, south Florida ingredients and high level French techniques. Chef-owner Michael Beltran was raised in Little Havana and grew up watching his Cuban-exile grandparents bring people together with food. He trained at some of Miami’s most celebrated restaurants and has been recognized with two James Beard Awards. So our evening started with the evening’s amuse-bouche, a small tart with pumpkin and cheese. Next were cocktails and the bread service. While the specialty cocktail menu looked interesting, we went old school and ordered a Negroni and a rye Manhattan. Both were excellent and went well with the bread, a calabaza brioche with cultured butter. Our starters were a lobster salad and the “farmer”, a plate of seasonal vegetables, goat cheese espuma and caramelized pepita praline. Next for our entrees, we tried the kampachi and the venison. The kampachi was grilled with mofungo (plantain dish), pepper veloute, and criolla slaw and was delicious together. The venison was prepared medium rare and served with twice baked truffle potatoes, wild mushrooms and faux gras sauce diane. Very hearty but not gamey and the richness of the mushrooms complimented the venison. Too wrap up this wonderful meal, we ordered the corn affogato which was sweet corn ice cream, miso caramel, and corn “espresso”. This dessert is very difficult to describe the flavors but I will say we ate every last bite! If you find yourself in Coconut Grove, make sure you book an evening at Arieta…you will be very happy you did.
Myers Bites the World 