Poached Maine lobster in anise hyssop broth with vegetables from L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
After years of teasing us with signs announcing its arrival in the Design District’s Paradise Plaza (151 NE 41st St., Miami), L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (305.402.9070, latelier-miami.com) is here. Marked by the unmistakable signature of architect Pierre-Yves Rochon, the 3,300-square-foot restaurant sits 34 at a dining counter, plus 20 at traditional tables. The menu of modern French cuisine, overseen by culinary director Christophe Bellanca and chef de cuisine Nancy Dominguez, features plenty of the iconic dishes that lovers of other L’Atelier locations will recognize, as well as new entries like Les Tomates et Le Crab Royal, a masterpiece of king crab, zebra tomatoes and fresh basil. But that’s not all. Directly below L’Atelier is Le Jardinier (305.402.9060, lejardinier-miami.com), a vegetable-driven restaurant created by culinary director Alain Verzeroli and overseen by chef Leo Pablo. Signature dishes here include bass with fennel, tomato confit and Meyer lemon. The design (also by Rochon) of this 108-seat eatery includes touches such as an illuminated spiral staircase and alfresco dining in a tropical garden. Desserts at both locations come from master baker Tetsuya Yamaguchi and executive pastry chef Salvatore Martone. All that good taste, operated by Invest Hospitality, continues into fall with this month’s debut of Frohzen, Martone’s version of an ice cream shop. Bon appétit, indeed!
Photography by: L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
