Dishes are meant for sharing at Casa MX
Photos by Salar Creative
‘Alma de Cempasuchil’ by Nina Diaz
My first impression of Casa MX wasn’t architectural or culinary — it was personal. As I entered, I was guided to my table by owner Mario Bernal and his daughter, still in her elementary school uniform and clearly more interested in the hum of the dining room than homework. Bernal, who cut his teeth at Rosa Mexicano and Barcelona Wine Bar before moving to José Andrés Group, knows that in this business, work and family life rarely keep separate hours.
Perhaps this is why Casa MX so seamlessly embodies both. The generous 2,800-square-foot space — accommodating 150 seats, including an expansive patio — feels intimate, wrapped in earthy tones and paintings of women holding bouquets reminiscent of Diego Rivera’s depictions of flower vendors. The restaurant is not atop a modern downtown skyscraper or along a trendy Miami Beach strip, but rather tucked discreetly in a former house on a quiet Coral Gables block.
Dining area
La Pasion
I began with a Mexican classic: the margarita. Whether ordering the Casa MX Margarita (Mijenta silver tequila, Combier, agave, lime and salt foam) or the Reposado Margarita (Gran Centenario reposado, Combier, agave, orange blossom water and lime), the attention to detail is evident, with freshly squeezed lime juice, premium spirits and chilled glassware setting the tone for the meal. Other cocktails include the tequila-based Chipotle Watermelon, Mezcal Negroni and Paloma (the grapefruit-and-tequila classic). The wine list spans Argentina, the U.S., Spain and France. An unfortunate omission, however, is Mexico — a curious gap given the country’s growing reputation for producing compelling bottles.
Executive chef Kevin Acosta designs a menu meant for sharing, allowing diners to sample widely. My table began with Ceviche De Atún Sinaloa, a tangy blend of tuna, soy, avocado and Maggi; Aguachile De Pulpo (octopus, cilantro, jalapeño, cucumber and salsa cruda); and Elote & Calabacitas, a roasted squash and corn salad with lime dressing, pepitas and Mexican crema that emerged as one of the evening’s most surprising favorites.
Tacos range from the familiar Carnitas and Pescado to Lengua (beef tongue), a dish I came to love while living in Mexico City.
The Duck (prepared tinga-style) was smoky, savory and served in lightly charred housemade tortillas that transported me back to the taco stand on the corner of my old neighborhood.
Ceviche De Atún Sinaloa
Order a quesadilla in the U.S., and you’ll often receive a thick tortilla weighed down by melted yellow cheese. The version at Casa MX feels worlds apart: a soft tortilla, lightly blistered from the griddle, filled with chicharrón, chipotle, pork belly, refried black beans and Oaxaca cheese. For vegetarians, Squash Huitlacoche replaces the pork with the prized corn fungus often dubbed the “Mexican truffle” for its deep flavor.
Seafood shines throughout the menu. The Pulpo, a roasted octopus tentacle atop potato, black garlic aioli, daikon and salsa macha, is tender with just the right amount of heat. Scallop Al Pastor offers a thoughtful twist on the traditional pork preparation, replacing it with plump, caramelized scallops topped with pickled pineapple and shishito pepper.
Pulpo
Larger plates include Camarones Zarandeados — grilled shrimp with guajillo brown butter, burnt avocado and pickled onions — and a Carne Asada section where diners can choose from cuts such as Prime rib-eye and skirt steak, each accompanied by a velvety mole that is downright addictive. Pickled nopales (cactus paddles that are a staple in Mexico) complement the experience.
Dessert continues to balance tradition with creativity. The Tres Leches arrives with fresh pineapple and salted caramel, while the Ensalada De Frutas reminded me of Mexico’s enduring love affair with sweet and heat — from the candy children buy after school to the Tajín-dusted mango slices sold curbside. Casa MX dresses up seasonal fruit with passion fruit ice and a dusting of chile piquín, delivering that same irresistible blend of spiciness and sweetness.
I can’t leave out a detail that feels almost radical in Miami: free parking. Casa MX has its own dedicated lot, a rarity in a city where circling for a space or paying steep valet fees can test even the most seasoned diner. It’s a thoughtful touch that reinforces what the restaurant does best: make hospitality feel seamless.
Casa MX is located at 2345 S.W. 37th Ave., Miami. For more information, call 645-233-2005 or visit casamxmiami.com.