Ariete and Proof Chefs Open Navé, a Casually Elegant Seafood-Centric Eatery

Chefs Michael Beltran and Justin Flit’s much-anticipated restaurant Navé (540 Main Highway) officially opens its doors in Coconut Grove tonight right next door to Beltran’s longstanding eatery, Ariete.

Close to two years in the making, Navé blends each chef’s style and culinary approach into the menu, which highlights Italian and Mediterranean flavors with plenty of seafood options. Standouts from the menu include caviar panna cotta, clam pizza, octopus with ‘nduja vinaigrette, scallops a la plancha, smoked chicken a l’orange, tuna and frites, and snapper Milanese.

Flit, who was the mastermind behind Midtown’s now shuttered Proof Pasta and Pizza (which also has a pop-up at the Beltran led Taurus Beer and Whisk(e)y House), is bringing his popular pastas back as well with items like spaghetti with clams; lasagna with braised lamb and spinach bechamel; risotto with Maine lobster; and tagliatelle with beef, veal, and pork Bolognese filling out the menu.

It wouldn’t be a complete meal without dessert and classics items like baked Alaska, Sicilian cannolinis, and Paris-brest can be found. Manning the cocktail program is beverage director Bobby Gilardi and has created update takes on traditional Italian drinks like negronis and spritz. Additionally, Navé has teamed up with Veronese winemaker Severino Barzan, who was named man of the year by Wine Spectator in 2004, to create a selection of Italian wines that are unique to the restaurant.

The indoor-outdoor space features a foliage-lined patio boasting roughly 50 outdoor seats and 50 indoor. The focal point of the space is the floor-to-ceiling, glass-enclosed temperature-controlled pasta room, which is housed right by the 14-seat marble granite bar top.

The restaurant is now open for dinner Sunday through Thursday 6 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m. Call 786-615-3747 for more info.