Leveled-Up Italian

Celebrated Chef Massimo Bottura Opens Torno Subito In Miami

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On my visit to Torno Subito, the new restaurant from renowned Italian Chef Massimo Bottura, it was raining cats and dogs. The downpour was so intense that I considered canceling and staying dry and traffic-free at home. Thankfully, my love of food (Italian food, no less) propelled me off the couch and into nature’s wrath. Unbeknown to me, I was on my way to enjoy one of the most exquisite meals I’d ever had in Miami.

If Bottura’s name sounds familiar, you may have seen him in the popular Netflix series “Chef’s Table,” which recounts his rise as a young chef inspired by his mother and grandmother’s cooking to the launch of his three-Michelin-star restaurant, Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy. Today, Bottura has multiple restaurants in Italy and another in Dubai. Torno Subito ­— Italian for “I’ll be right back” — is his only eatery in the U.S.

Helmed by Chef Bernardo Paladini, who worked at Osteria Francescana for seven years before earning a Michelin star for Torno Subito Dubai, the Miami location is perched on the top floor of the popular Julia & Henry’s food hall.

Simply walking into Torno Subito puts you in a good mood. It’s a vibrant space, rich in whimsy and color, with an energy that even a South Florida thunderstorm can’t dampen.

Servers greet diners with genuine enthusiasm and the design, a blend of Miami fun and nostalgic nods to the Italian Riviera (where Bottura spent summers in his youth), sets the venue apart. From the bright red bar to the yellow pizza oven and the striped blue chairs on the expansive patio, every detail evokes the playful spirit of Bottura’s childhood memories.

And the night only gets better. For starters, Dante — an award-winning cocktail bar in New York City — partnered with Torno Subito to create Italian-inspired cocktails that complement the modern Italian fare. Divided into four sections, Negroni Sessions, Spritz Selection, Martini Hour and Classics, there are inventive riffs on beloved drinks. I chose the Nuovo, a martini made with parmesan-infused Grey Goose, Cinzano 1757, Martini Riserva Ambrato, walnut bitters and parmesan. It arrived chilled, garnished with a tiny drop of olive oil encasing an even smaller drop of balsamic vinegar. The drink was crisp, acidic and nutty all at once — the perfect accompaniment to the opening courses of the “La Dolce Vita” tasting menu my guest and I sampled (though à la carte dining is also available).

The eight-course tasting menu features a rotating selection of the restaurant’s most celebrated dishes, each with its own story. Take the Pappa al Pomodoro, made with day-old bread, Parmigiano Reggiano rind, tomato and olive oil. It’s one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, addressing the issue of food waste by transforming ingredients typically discarded into a remarkable amuse-bouche. Other standouts include Feelin’ Green, a barbecue scallop with seasonal green vegetables, foamy beurre blanc and smoked trout and Milano - Portofino, a union of langoustine and bone marrow, representing two iconic risotto styles in Italy. The Seabass Porketta, stuffed with smoked pork and served in a bright herb sauce, was equally impressive. For an additional treat, the wine-pairing option exceeded expectations, matching each course with surprising selections that are sure to delight even the most seasoned wine enthusiasts.

The savory side of the meal concluded with tortellini lightly bathed in a parmesan cream sauce, said to be inspired by Bottura’s nonna. The tiny ring-shaped pasta, lovingly stuffed by Tina La Rocca, a charismatic donna from Italy, holds the comfort and love only a grandma could provide.

Dessert ends on a classic note with Tiramisubito, a circular take on the beloved coffee-flavored dessert. Other popular options include Oops, I Burned The Key Lime Pie, which is comprised of key lime pastry cream, citrus crumble, lime ice cream and foam and a broken crispy milk top. As a final indulgence, two decadent chocolate and balsamic lollipops were placed before my guest and me, daring us to find room. Of course, we did, knowing there is always space for a bit more happiness.

Torno Subito is located at 200 E. Flagler St., Miami. For more information, call 786-206-1395 or visit tornosubitomia.com.