Farm to booth
Erba, Coral Gables
RESTAURANTS • First Word
The Skinny: After debuting as a pop-up in 2019, Erba opened last fall in permanent Coral Gables digs. Chef Niven Patel’s restaurant reimagines traditional Italian dishes with a Florida twist, incorporating classic Miami flavors and seasonal ingredients grown on his Redlands farm, Rancho Patel.
The Vibe: A giant glass chandelier, warm lighting, velvet booths, textured glass, floral wallpaper, bright pops of color — Erba doesn’t hold back on the 1980s-era design elements, yet somehow pulls them off.
The Food: Starting with a complimentary butter candle and fresh-baked focaccia, the food is showy, sure. But beneath that flare is always substantial, excellent cooking — cacio e pepe potatoes, agnolotti with Wagyu beef cheeks and Robiola Bosina, mafaldine with Bahamian conch, and (the favorite on our table) a Mishima Reserve Denver steak served with bone marrow salsa verde, black garlic, and maitake mushrooms. It’s exactly the kind of smart, fun food we’ve come to expect from Patel. There’s also a six-course pasta tasting ($45 per) offered during happy hour, 530p-630p.
The Verdict: In a city with a surplus of Italian restaurants that overpromise and underdeliver, Erba refreshingly upends the standard. –Katelin Stecz