Photos courtesy of Leonardo
Miami Beach’s Leonardo has the kind of polished glamour that makes dinner feel like an occasion. Opened in April, the restaurant draws inspiration from the elegance of Italian-American restaurants from the 1930s through the 1950s, with rich textures, refined service and a sense of ceremony woven into every moment.
Linguine All’Arogosta
Founder Igor Dze’s design sets the tone: Deep green walls, antique mirrors and warm wood finishes conjure an intimate, Old-World ambience. Da Vinci–inspired artwork pays homage to the restaurant’s namesake throughout the space. As Dze put it in a press release, the place “was created to revive the romance and ritual of classic Italian dining.”
Executive chef Andrea Albanese brings Tuscan heritage and fine-dining precision to red-sauce cuisine elevated with contemporary finesse. Handmade pastas anchor the menu, including Fettuccine Alla Leonardo, finished tableside in a Parmesan wheel; Linguine All’Arogosta with Maine lobster, Calabrian chili and basil; and Tagliatelle Al Sugo Di Carne (eight-hour braised Barolo short rib).
Starters include Carpaccio Di Manzo topped with 36-month Parmigiano-Reggiano; Polpo, a Mediterranean octopus with Yukon potato air and cherry tomato confit; and Tartare Di Tonno, featuring yellowfin tuna, Ambika mango and sesame soy sauce.
The beverage program reflects the restaurant’s refined ethos, featuring hibiscus-infused martinis, a pancetta-washed Italian Old Fashioned and a selection of spritzes, zero-proof cocktails and Italian wines.
Top off the meal with Tiramisù, a Chocolate Lava Cake with a molten center or the Lemon Delight, a light cream dessert with a citrus finish.
Leonardo is located at 2000 Collins Ave. #2 in Miami Beach. For more information, visit leonardomiami.com.