Prestige Hospitality Group is launching its first-ever restaurant, La Romanita Restaurant & Lounge, right in the heart of Hialeah. The Amelia District, a mixed-use development created by Prestige Companies that borders Amelia Earhart park, will be home to this exciting new culinary addition.
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Executive Chef Reinier “Rey” Mendez is the mastermind behind this eatery. Born and raised in Havana, he started his culinary journey working as a Pizzeria Manager in Cuba. So, his intersection of Italian and Cuban cuisine at La Romanita makes sense. In 2007, Chef Rey began working as a Sauté Chef at Novecento in Key Biscayne and from then on only grew his repertoire; he spent time at STK Miami, Casa Tua Cucina and most recently Lure Fish Bar at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel – just to name a few.
“We are excited to partner with Chef Rey and to bring something new and different to the area,” said Dennis Rodriguez, Partner of Prestige Companies. “Chef Rey’s unique cooking style coupled with the restaurant’s grower champagnes and boutique wines approach, will elevate Hialeah to new levels in the local culinary scene.”
La Romanita Restaurant & Lounge will offer appetizers ($7-$18) like Garbanzo Frito — featuring chorizo and sofrito — and a Cuban Caesar salad. Numerous housemade pasta dishes ($14-$32) will be made available to guests, including Amatriciana — made with bacon, tomatoes, white wine and parmesan — and Carbonara. Lasagnas are made daily as well.
Chef Rey’s creations also include an array of seafood dishes ($18-32) like Salmon A La Parrilla — grilled salmon filet accompanied by lemon beurre blanc — as well as La Tuna China, a crispy yellowfin tuna filet with shrimp stir-fried rice. Heartier entrees ($21-$64) such as Montaito — fried pork shoulder with mojo and fried egg — and Conejos A La Naranja, featuring roasted rabbit with orange salsa, are sure to satisfy all guests.
Drawing on his experience in the pizzeria, Chef Rey’s Pizza ($15-$26) features a perfectly thin and crispy homemade dough. The Vaca Frita includes a tomato sofrito sauce, secret mixed cheeses and vaca frita. The Zetas Y Tartufo offers a decadent truffle white sauce, cheese, mushrooms and truffle oil.
To finish off the meal, desserts ($5-$9) include Lemon Ravioli and Goat Cheese Flan. In addition to this extensive menu, fresh soups ($6-$9) are made in-house daily and sides ($3-6) as well as a kid's menu ($8-$12) will remain available too. 80 types of wine from all over the globe can be enjoyed with each meal, as well as craft cocktails, beers, fresh-squeezed juices and coffees.
The inviting atmosphere at La Romanita features a dining room able to seat 65 people and a patio for 40. The full bar and open kitchen bring the room together. The eatery will even feature late-night live jazz, completing the ambience!
The restaurant will officially open to the public on August 5, 2022 at 7755 W 4th Avenue in Hialeah. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from Noon to 10:00 p.m.; Friday from Noon to 11:30 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. For more information, visit the website, or follow the restaurant on Instagram (@la_romanita_restaurant).
Photography by: Courtesy La Romanita
