Marion, the hybrid bistro, café, market, bakery and oyster bar, opens its doors tonight and plans to serve up cuisine from the, "countries and cultures all around the Mediterranean."
The restaurant is the brainchild of Bâoli Miami owners Mathieu Massa and Michael Ridard, who have brought in some culinary big-wigs to help lead the kitchen. Serving in the Executive Chef role is Jean Paul Lourdes, who has worked in three-star Michelin restaurants in Paris, Tokyo, London and Hong Kong, along with pastry chef Christina Kaelberer, who worked under chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten as executive pastry chef of Market in the W Boston and Spice Market in New York prior to making her way to Miami.
On the menu expect dishes like watermelon gazpacho, Mediterranean fish, milk-fed veal, raw seafood platters, house-made charcuterie and plenty of desserts like lemon and olive oil madeleines and Italian meringues. As for the drinks, the cocktail program was created by the Bar Lab guys and features a variety of their signature inventive libations.
The space was designed by New York interior designer Robert McKinley, the designer of who is behind the look of popular NYC spots like Sant Ambroeus, GoldBar and The Surf Lodge. Marion features 45-foot line of grills, rotisserie, raw bar, charcuterie and a baking station. The Parisian feel carries throughout with walls draped in whites, creams and pinks, imported French lace curtains, vintage cream enamel, brass sconces and brasserie furniture from Drucker.
The restaurant is now open for dinner nightly at 1111 SW 1st Avenue with lunch service beginning October 5. For reservations call 786-717-7512.
