Miami Culinary Tours adds Siena Tavern to Tour

Miami Culinary Tours’ ubiquitous South Beach Food Tour is now making a stop at the highly anticipated Siena Tavern for any of our private tours. Siena Tavern, located on 404 Washington Ave, is Fabio Viviani’s second location of his popular Italian concept. The first, located in Chicago, opened to wide acclaim in 2012 after Chef Fabio visited his native Italy in search of inspiration. He returned with a winning combination of open-kitchen style of a local restaurant with exquisite food at affordable prices. If you ask us, that’s quite the combination.

Chef Viviani is a Top Chef Alum, appearing on the show over two seasons. Although he was not named Top Chef champion, he is one of the most recognizable names from the whole series. His playful demeanor and breath-taking food made him a favorite throughout his time on the show, only enhancing the fact that his restaurants may be some of the best when it comes to Italian food.

Miami’s location follows the concept of the Chicago outpost but continues to be it’s own entity. Fabio decided to create a new menu for the Miami market, as he felt that te restaurant had to adapt to Miami culture and expectations. That means that he has worked with local vendors in an effort to keep things as “Miami” as possible. That includes having a specialty namesake beer brewed for them by Wynwood Brewing and having the cocktails crafted by none other than Bar Lab.

The restaurant, which seats 400 people, is manned by 30+ employees that are willing to create the most comfortable setting for you. The dim lighting and open-kitchen concept make for a casual atmosphere that somehow manages to maintain its chic profile. Just looking up at the roof will leave you in awe, as the classically designed decorations and grandiose chandelier are enough to make for a romantic setting. Yet, everything is relaxed and not as uptight as the typical South of Fifth eatery.

Menu highlights include Coccoli, crispy dough, stracchino cheese, prosciutto di parma, and truffle honey; Baked lasagna, made with Bellwether ricotta, meat ragu, and parmesan; and Colorado Lamb Shops, served with crispy prosciutto, polenta, pea shoots, and truffle pecorino. Fabio also decided to add a pizza bar, which is solely dedicated to creating handcrafted pizza very similar to a classic Neapolitan style. Some of he best selections include the Burnt Pepperoni, made with picy tomato sauce, red chilies, mozzarella; and the Carmelized Brussel Sprouts, made with charred corn, roasted garlic, shaved fingerling potato, and white truffle oil. Such is the case with the Crudo and Mozzarella bar, offering items like burrata, smoked mozzarella, hamachi, and Miami-favorite stone crab. The most recognized item on the menu may be the Wagyu meatball, served with roasted tomato sauce, bellwether ricotta, and shaved basil. This meatball is so notorious that it even has its own Twitter account. Enough said.