Talula

Description:

• Take two star chefs and combine their epicurean efforts, and you've got Talula, one of the most creative, refreshing restaurants to come onto the South Beach scene since Barton G. The Restaurant. Owned by husband-and-wife team Andrea Curto-Randazzo, formerly of Wish, and Frank Randazzo, formerly of the now-defunct Gaucho Room, Talula is a blissful marriage of many flavors, as seen in such signature dishes as grilled Sonoma foie gras with caramelized figs, blue-corn cakes, chile syrup, and candied walnuts; and sausage Vidalia onion stuffed grilled center pork chop with garlic-sautéed broccoli rabe, apple smoke bacon, bean ragout, caramelized Granny Smith apple and whole grain mustard sauce. Chef Frank's chophouse specials are also hot-ticket items, including the 14-ounce, 21-day dry-aged rib-eye. Daily specials always include a chopped salad, soup, risotto, and a meat or fish dish. The wine list is well-balanced, featuring 85 vintages from California, Italy, France, Australia, and South America. Wines by the glass are a reasonable, un-South Beach $6 to $10. As to be expected with any restaurant in South Beach, Talula is cool looking, with an unpretentious, warm decor and outdoor garden patio that is a popular spot for the fantastic buffet-style Sunday brunches. An exhibition kitchen is a tempting seating option, with five seats allowing a priceless view of the culinary action.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Very Highly Recommended 2009
•  Very Highly Recommended 2010