Bar Rosso Restaurant & Vinoteca Opens in Downtown Aventura

Trattoria Offers Sophisticated Italian-American Fare and Extensive Wine Selections in Relaxed Setting    

AVENTURA, FL. May 8, 2009. After much anticipation, Bar Rosso Restaurant & Vinoteca, located at 19004 NE 29^th Avenue, will open its doors for business on Monday, May 11, 2009, offering South Floridians a place to experience inspired Italian cuisine and hand-selected wines in an old-meets-new-world setting.  

“Bar Rosso is destined to become Aventura’s hottest destination,” says the restaurant’s general manager Ian Falconi.  “This is a place where patrons can stop in for a quick glass of wine and a bite, or luxuriate over a handcrafted gourmet meal. Bar Rosso captures the true essence of hospitality; not only is the space warm and inviting, but our menu offers beautiful Italian classics infused with innovative American accents.” 

Executive Chef Joshua Medina, formerly of Wish in South Beach, Miami, has created an enticing menu of decadent Italian fare with worldly overtones that perfectly complements the restaurant’s broad selection of wines by the glass. 

“Chef Medina is truly a culinary genius,” says Falconi.  “His flavor combinations and attention to detail set the standard quite high.” 

Bar Rosso’s menu will feature piccolini, or “small plates”, such as arancini crispy risotto served with goat cheese and tomato sauce; giant ravioli stuffed with Kobe beef, homemade ricotta, tomato and basil; wood-grilled octopus served with chorizo, potatoes, roasted peppers, and parsley; and the ever-changing crostini trio, which for now will feature ricotta and saffron honey, prosciutto with fig jam and spicy cauliflower. 

Pastas, which include rigatoni carbonara; whole wheat pappardelle with Porcini broth, plum tomatoes, wild mushrooms, arugula and goat cheese;  and fettuccini Nero with clams, squid, spicy sausage and tomato sauce; can be ordered in full or half-portions to foster Bar Rosso’s signature tasting experience.  

Main plates from the wood-burning grill range from colossal shrimp with grilled tomatoes and horseradish to a 14-oz. Sterling Silver sirloin served with Cipollini onions.  Organic chicken, fish, and leg of lamb are also included on this well-balanced menu, and guests are encouraged to watch as their meals are expertly prepared in the exhibition kitchen, which is open and situated in the dining room.  

Bar Rosso offers more than 65 wines by the 3-oz. “piccolo” or 9-oz. “quartino” pours.  Falconi, an advanced sommelier, has personally selected each offering on the wine list. 

“Bar Rosso is a Vinoteca,” Falconi states. “We will offer an amazing selection of wines at all price points, from places like Italy, France, Argentina, Chile, Napa Valley and more.  There will be a continual evolution in our wine program, and we will also host wine dinners, tastings and educational seminars.” 

Chic and eclectic, the 2,200-square-foot space is ideal for both post-work decompressing as well as intimate evening gatherings.   The restaurant features a 21-foot-long full-service marble bar set off by scarlet wall tiling, and tufted bar stools.  A large mahogany communal table can accommodate parties of up to 20 people and will also be the centerpiece for tasting events, while smaller rounds with seating for four to eight grace the dining room, surrounding the exhibition kitchen.   

For a hint of nostalgia, guests can select songs from throughout the decades from a vintage Wurlitzer juke box.  The wine room, lit by crimson mouth-blown glass fixtures, showcases a solid mahogany dining table for 12, and is ideal for semi-private events. Dining al fresco is also an option at The Park, Bar Rosso’s enclosed 1,500-sqaure-foot outdoor dining patio. There’s even a flat-screen TV to keep guests abreast on the progress of their meal via “exhibition kitchen cam”. 

About Bar Rosso Restaurant & Vinoteca:

Bar Rosso Restaurant & Vinoteca is located at 19004 NE 29^th Ave., Aventura, Fla. will be open as of Monday, May 11, 2009. Dinner will be served nightly, from 5:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., seven days a week.  Lunch service will begin mid-summer Prices range from $6-$14, piccolini; $7-$24, pasta; $9-$19, wood burning grill; $21-$150, wine. Parking is available on premise. For reservations please call (305) 933-3418.  To learn more about Bar Rosso, please visit the Web site www.barrosso.com.

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