APRIL 2022 (Coral Gables, FL) — Lion & The Rambler, Coral Gables’ highly-anticipated, modern American restaurant will officially open to the public April 2022. The brainchild of Chef Michael Bolen, Lion & The Rambler was designed to champion an affordably sumptuous tasting experience in laidback dining environs. The vibey kitchen and bar, located at 804 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, will feature an exquisitely heady 9-course tasting menu – each dish a playful nod to the nostalgic food of Bolen’s youth. Inspired by South Florida’s local bounty and masterful, new-Nordic technique, seasonality is the name of the game at this eclectic eatery. A welcome addition to Coral Gables’ robust culinary roster, Lion & The Rambler will pioneer the tasting-counter restaurant format in South Miami offering locals and visitors a bespoke and intimate dining experience unlike anything else in town.
“Heading my own hyper-seasonal dining concept was always a dream of mine until it became a reality just two short years ago,” says Bolen who did most of his culinary training at both Sel de la Terre and L'Espalier in Boston and most recently, at Mister A's in San Diego. “Cooking with the abundance of locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients has always been important to me – it allows us the opportunity to constantly be experimenting in the kitchen and I can’t wait to see how our menus will unfold in the year ahead,” he said. "We're challenging ourselves to meld familiar, South Florida flavors with modern technique – specifically fermentation – to create unique dishes that are not only exciting to plate, but even more exciting to eat."
Bolen’s menu is self-described as "built for exploratory palates: complex yet seemingly simple modern American dishes driven by the pristine, tropical bounty of Miami, infused with preserved and fermented elements." From house-milled flour for bread service, to homemade Koji – a Japanese fermentation starter used to make fresh miso, Lion & The Rambler has its heart set to be one of the most “from-scratch” kitchens this side of the Mason-Dixon line. Guests can expect groundbreaking, genre-bending cuisine packed with flavor, and dishes one will remember long after they fold up their napkins. Highlights include Vinegared Mamey with egg yolk jam, koji cream, and quatre épices; a dedicated “Chips and Dip” course including Pommes Soufflé with Barnburner cheddar and BBQ spices, ‘cool ranch’ Infladita, and Nori Millefeuille with sour cream & onion and roe; Agnolotti with boniato, cured duck and Florida orange. On the sweeter side, the Banana Split made with a chocolate and kombu mousse, Goldfinger banana ice cream, banana miso caramel and puffed amaranth crumble; a clever play on a Creamsicle - Blood Orange Sorbet with vanilla and pumpkin seed; and the nostalgia-inducing Twinkie with amazake and vanilla. Wine/Sake pairing options for the seasonal tasting menu will also be available.
The restaurant will offer a bar menu with several overlapping tasting menu items with standout a la carte additions: Osetra Caviar with sweet potato and chive; Pickle Plate with seasonal and unseasonal pickles; Chicken Wing with foie gras and sweet & sour; Dry-Aged Burger with onion served on a sweet roll.
Designed by Miami interiors guru, Paula Lemme, the intimate, 44-seat restaurant located in the former Eating House space, has been transformed into a sultry, sophisticated dining lair. Upon entering through the double doors, guests are greeted by the familiar sounds of old school hip hop, classic rock anthems and 80’s dance music. Hand-painted lion frescos by Canadian muralist, Derkz, adorn the walls exuding a sense of eccentricity. Ambient lighting and dark, moody tones are paired with warm woods, creating a polished, inviting atmosphere. A wall lined with cozy banquettes and walnut tabletops provide ample indoor seating for 26 guests, while outdoor tables can seat up to 10. Plateware is all uniquely handcrafted by independent ceramists hailing from New York City and Los Angeles while the pink-and-purple cutlery is French-imported. The bar, which seats 8, features a sleek backdrop housing a thoughtfully-curated selection of low-proof, rare and imported spirits including beer, sake, wine and house-made kombucha.
Lion & The Rambler will open to the public April 2022 at 804 Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Coral Gables, FL. Reservations will be available via Resy. For additional information please visit www.lionandtherambler.com; Telephone: (305) 603-7612. Follow Lion & The Rambler on social media: @lionandtherambler.
Images and interviews are available upon request.
Larry Carrino | Sarah Thaler
Brustman Carrino Public Relations
bcpr@brustmancarrinopr.com
(305) 573-0658
