Now the best of Mediterranean dining is available right here in Miami in downtown Brickell’s up-and-coming restaurant district.
Mare Nostrum, Latin for “Our Sea,” brings the tastes and culinary traditions of the Mediterranean to you. From its contemporary and chic design to the authentic old-world tastes and rustic dishes, when you come to Mare Nostrum, you’re in for a treat!
Mare Nostrum is located at 1111 SW First Avenue and SE 11th Street. It is just across the street from the Brickell Avenue Metrorail MetroMover station, providing easy, convenient access from anywhere on the Metro line. It’s just a block away from Mary Brickell Village and established Brickell restaurants like Morton’s The Steakhouse and Perricone’s Marketplace and Café. If you’re coming by car, valet and street parking are available.
Everything on the menu will be made in house daily from scratch using the highest quality available ingredients. Award winning Chef Pedro Gallardo has been known to reject shipments of fish or vegetables, sometimes even a whole truckload, if they do not meet Mare’s high standards for quality and freshness.
Here’s a taste sampling from the menu to give you an idea of what you can expect:
Something to Start With
Select from croquetas made with Iberico ham and gruyere cheese; fried eggplant with organic honey; or Bluefin tuna “Toro” tataki (a Japanese word for the tender belly meat of the blue-fin tuna – butter soft and marbled). Or make a selection from the iced seafood bar; perhaps freshly shucked blue point oysters, seared Mediterranean red shrimp, or a bountiful seafood platter of tiger prawns, langoustines, oysters and stone crabs.
Green and Fresh
Enjoy the freshest of salads such as the Ensalada Capresse, with heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil foam and extra virgin olive oil. Or perhaps a simple Ensalada de rucula: arugula, sundried tomatoes, pine nuts and parmesan dressed with a tangy citrus vinaigrette.
Soups
Mare’s special soups include a classic gazpacho, a fresh and tasty bouillabaisse, and a hearty minestrone.
Fresh Pastas and Pasta Dishes
Choose your favorite pasta and combine it with any of our authentic Mediterranean sauces – all homemade in Mare’s kitchens. We have the latest, high-tech European pasta making equipment to make fresh pastas in-house, including spaghetti, fettuccine, capellini, linguini, bucatini, tagliatelle, pappardelle and gnocchi.
Match your pasta with any of six freshly prepared sauces – pesto, Alfredo, Bolognese, puttanesca, tomato and basil, and olive oil, garlic and parmesan. How great is that!
If you prefer, you can also choose from a selection of pasta dishes including Fettuccine with white truffle oil and shaved Parmesan. Or Classic Italian raviolis stuffed with a four-cheese blend and sautéed with sage butter.
Paella, Rice and Risotto
Traditional paellas, risottos, rice dishes and Spanish seafood stews (minimum of two people, allow 25 minutes for preparation) are also available. Consider the Arroz de pescado y marisco, a traditional Spanish dish with Mediterranean seafood. You’ll be glad you did.
Fish by Portion and From Our Market
Seafood lovers will exult in Mare Nostrum’s fresh fish and seafood – the star of our menu! Exceptional ingredients and flavors shine in signature specialties made from the recipes from the old countries.
How about salmon a la plancha finished with saffron salt. Or seared branzino with sea salt. Red snapper, lubino (Spanish sea bass) and dorado are offered by the pound for an individual or a shared dining experience, with traditional Spanish preparations. Choose lubino covered in rock salt and baked whole, a succulent dish that transports you to the sea. Or perhaps a soulful red snapper dusted in chick pea flour and lightly fried in olive oil.
Fair warning: You’ll be returning soon for more.
Meat Specialities
Mare’s choice meats include chicken, pork and grilled lamb chops as well as the classic 24 hour slow baked cochinilo asado. Tender cuts of beef include USDA skirt steak, New York strip USDA Prime Angus tenderloin and USDA Prime Angus rib eye steaks; all served with a fresh vegetable side dish.
Vegetable Dishes
It would not be authentic Mediterranean cuisine without these delicious preparations of fresh vegetables prepared in the time-honored styles. Choices include mashed potatoes with extra virgin olive oil; asparagus with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper; sautéed spinach with pine nuts and raisins; and broccoli sautéed with garlic, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. Healthy, nutritious and certainly delicious.
Desserts
Mare’s delicious desserts offer tantalizing temptations with inspired creations. Choose the classic Spanish flan with caramel sauce and candied Marcona almonds. Or the Manchego cheesecake with crème anglaise and quince sorbet.
No, well if you need your chocolate fix, try the dense, delicious olive oil cake with dark chocolate cream, citrus sauce and vanilla ice cream.
If you think reading about these delicious dishes and desserts is appetizing, wait till you enter Mare Nostrum!