New York Italian Restaurant Serafina Debuts in Aventura

Popular Italian eatery Serafina has opened its doors inside Aventura Mall at 19565 Biscayne Boulevard, marking its return to Florida after its location inside the Dream Hotel South Beach closed in late 2013. Originally launched in New York City, the celebrity favored spot now has more than 30 locations across the world.

Owned by Benny Shabtai, Stacey Shabtai, Samantha Cooper and Mike Baccaro alongside Serafina founders Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato, it boasts Italian cuisine in a lively atmosphere with monthly live music.

Running the kitchen is executive chef Dustin Ward, who was most recently at Trump Doral’s BLT Prime, who has created a menu serving the restaurant’s best-known dishes along with new Miami additions. Dishes include items like pastas, salads, pizzas and main dishes including a filet mignon burger, sea bass, and the restaurant’s popular black truffle topped pizza. To wash it all down, guests can opt for drinks made by the Cocktail Cartel or choose from wine from its large wine list.

The 220-seat space, designed in-house by the owners, features indoor and outdoor dining options and design elements like copper lighting, large wood tables and 12-foot-tall moveable “living” plant wall that can section of the space for private events, along with art installations including a Neon Angel Wing sign and an arched star lit infinity bathroom hallway that are sure to pop up on Instagram feeds all over the city.

The restaurant is now open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for lunch and dinner. Call 786-920 - 0989 for more information.