Miami born chef Giorgio Rapicavoli is getting well deserved accolades and attention for his latest venture into the local culinary milieu. Partnering with the restaurant group Grove Bay Hospitality, he opened Glass and Vine in Coconut Grove adjacent to Peacock Park.
An expansive patio provides a lovely outdoor tropical setting with lush foliage and provides most of the seating. A small amount of interior seating combines regular tables and high tops in a warm rustic yet contemporary atmosphere open to the outdoors. Bar seating is also available.
Restaurant exterior facing Peacock Park.
LEFT: Bar seating, RIGHT: Restaurant interior and kitchen.
Service is casual and precise with an ever full water glass and carefully replaced service plates and flatware. Beverages include seven Florida beers, carefully crafted cocktails, and a varietal of white and red wines offered by the glass, quarter bottle and bottle. Our party enjoyed an AIA Vecchia "Lagone" Super Tuscan priced at $35. The wine was crisp, full bodied and complemented all our food selections.
The food menu is divided in four components, Snacks, Garden, Sea, and Land, all amenable to sharing.
Snacks are a rotating list of five items. Selections for the evening included marinated olives, BBQ spiced nuts, ZTB bread with butter and olive oil, pickled vegetables, and cured meat. They can be ordered individually at $6 or all five for $25.
Our next adventure included three garden and two land items. Florida Stracciatella is a piece of Zak the Baker bread smothered with stracciatella cheese, drizzled with California olive oil and garlic confit - savory and simply sensational.
Florida Stracciatella.
Rapicavoli's wedge salad is a signature item. Baby heads of Romaine lettuce are grilled with charred tomato, abundant bacon, buttermilk, blue cheese and toasted buckwheat. This salad bears minimal resemblance to its classic predecessors and surpasses all expectations.
Wedge salad.
Charred cauliflower florets tossed with a light lemon vinaigrette and tahini are topped with crispy chickpeas and dehydrated olives. The flavors blend like a symphony and sing on your palette.
Charred cauliflower.
Our first land entree was the lamb ribs prepared with what Rapicavoli describes as '305' spice - a fusion of Chinese five spice mix with adobo. Spiced cashews and green herbs complete the preparation. The lamb was tender and the flavor savory, piquant, and robust.
Lamb ribs.
Grilled duck breast arrived as perfectly executed medallions. The dish is carrot-centric with roasted baby carrots, carrot purée, and smoked carrot juice creating a uniquely rich satisfying accompaniment.
Grilled duck breast.
Our dessert, dubbed the 'ETON MESS,' is a bowl of whipped cream and condensed milk with sorbet, meringue, passion fruit and frozen grapes. A refreshing and perfect finish.
Eton Mess.
Rapicavoli has taken locally sourced ingredients and with his artistry and design has created an innovative menu and a culinary sensation. GLASS and VINE is an extraordinary Coconut Grove destination not to be missed.
GLASS and VINE is located at 2820 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove, FL 33133 Call 305-200-5268. Reservations are accepted. Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Valet parking available; limited street parking; convenient garage parking.
