Marion restaurant in Brickell somehow manages to achieve a sort of casualness in its elegant and grandiose setting. Setting foot inside the restaurant leads to a comforting and warm feeling, one coming from the picturesque décor and accommodating staff. Charcuterie hangs from the kitchen ceiling, fresh cheeses are displayed, and a raw oyster bar showcases fresh produce. Aromas of fresh bread fill the restaurant and French music plays throughout the area. In other words, this is as close to the Mediterranean as you can get.
Located in Brickell, Marion gave me one of the better dining experiences I’ve had all year. In regards to lunch, the do a fixed price option that actually offers spectacular food that I am ecstatic to try again soon. $24 gives you an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. You’d be remiss if you didn’t start with the Galician Octopus, which is served with fingerling potato, chorizo, espelette, and peanuts. Although the serving is somewhat petite, the flavors are large and manage to evoke Mediterranean flavor to perfection. This is decadence at its finest.
Entrée options include fresh Fish of the day, rotisserie chicken, and Bomba Rice amongst other. Similar to paella, the Bomba Rice is bursting with seafood flavor, saffron, and massive prawns. This portion is somewhat more significant, and was enough for me to have to take some home. The rice maintained a toothsome texture and a sort of spiciness that complimented the seafood well.
Options for dessert include various tarts, each one more beautiful than the next. Tarts including fruit, chocolate, caramel, and so on are available, so choose wisely. I went for the bittersweet chocolate and caramel, and it was spectacular. The portion of the tart is ideal for one person, and is enough to satisfy a sweet tooth.
As mentioned earlier, the bread is baked in house and offers options from Sicilian Focaccia, Parisian Baugette, Fruit loaf, and an Olive Tapenade Roll. Bread comes out at the oven at 11am and 4am and is delicious enough to merit a trip Marion just to fill yourself with carbs. If I lived anywhere remotely close to Brickell, this would be a definite stop with craving some bread.
Marion just launched a Happy Hour that offers $1 oysters, and in a restaurant as beautiful as this one, it is quite the deal. The house cocktails are spectacular and expertly made at the beautiful bar, and you wouldn’t go wrong in ordering the Marion Mule. Served with berries, this is a refreshing drink that will act as a reward for getting through the work day.
Overall, Marion is one of Miami’s newest gems. Miami has been stepping up its restaurant game recently, but Marion has managed to stand out in my mind. Dinner at this beautiful restaurant is in the horizon. I can’t wait.
1111 Southwest 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33130
By MCT Blogger, Santiago Cardona
