Gold and Pepper

You know how they say not everything that shines is gold? Well that is certainly not the case at the new gem (quite literally) that has opened its doors in the South of Fifth neighborhood of Miami Beach, Gold and Pepper. Making it debut this past week, Gold and Pepper, located at 101 Washington Avenue, is a different culinary experience, bringing a Midas touch to Italian food. The cozy establishment seats just 37 diners, and exudes a warm, romantic aura, with its dark, chocolate walls and seductively lit ambiance.

Prosecco with Gold Dust

Maltagliati al ragu di carne

Featuring Chef Andrea Chiriatti at the helm, whose impressive resume includes some of the most prestigious restaurants in Florence, owners Fabienne Corliano, Ilaria Re, and Giorgio Rubini have endeavored to bring authentic Italian cuisine to South Florida with a twist: everything Chiriatti touches turns to gold. Menu items are either sprinkled with gold dust or covered in 23 karat gold leaf. The reason behind incorporating this opulent ingredient to the dishes goes beyond pure luxury to its healthy qualities. Based on their research and philosophy, gold has been used for centuries for its medicinal and healing qualities, ranging from curing ailments to rejuvenation. You mean I can get younger by indulging in this precious metal? Bring it on! I absolutely love being worth my weight in gold.

Chef Andrea Chiriatti preparing the meatballs

Gold Raviolo

Tonno Pinna Blu

Menu items include Gold Raviolo, one of my personal favorites, featuring wheat bran ricotta cheese, spinach raviolo with 23 karat gold leaf, goat butter and seasoned parmesan,  Another favorite for me was the Arcobaleno di tartare di tonno, a rainbow tartar of tuna, sea bass and avocado, drizzled with citronette dressing. Since tuna and I are inseparable, I also couldn't keep my hands off the Tonno Pinna Blu, consisting of blue fin tuna in a poppy seed, flavored with Vernaccia wine and served with steamed asparagus. This baby was sprinkled with 23 karat gold dust. 

Tuscan bread baked daily

Polpetta di carne

Grand Filetto

Other dishes I couldn't resist included the Grand Filetto, Gold and Pepper's 8 oz Grand Fillet with bengala pepper mallow sauce and 23 karat gold powder, and Polpetta di Carne, flavorful meatballs moistened with eggplant in San Marzano tomatoes sauce. Their tasty sides are infused with Gold and Pepper's aromatic oils and desserts include the Golden Brownie, a luscious gold brownie topped with 23 karat gold leaf and bathed in a creamy vanilla sauce. Ahhh yes, what a way to end a date; worth a million bucks!

Golden Brownie

Chef drizziling the vanilla sauce

Loved this tuna

The local, fresh ingredients used to prepare the original dishes at Gold and Pepper make the experience even more memorable and their carefully selected wine list will bring guests on an unforgettable journey to the finest wine regions of Italy. (I know I loved my Super Tuscan). For more information, visit their website at http://www.goldandpepper.com/#profile.