Miami Living Magazine

n a city that boasts a number of Italian restaurants that all serve the so-called real deal Italian delica- cies, it's a breath of fresh air – and a heavenly scent of even fresher Apulian dishes – to welcome Moyé to Miami's Brickell area. Located at 829 SW 1st Avenue, the newly opened restaurant celebrates Southern Italy in the most authentic way. Floor-to-ceiling windows at the storefront offer a fully open vista to the bustling Calle Ocho and fill the eatery with an abundance of natural light during the day. At night, whimsical mozzarella-shaped lamps illuminate the airy-but-intimate space, closely resembling the ambiance at Moyé restaurants in Milan and Florence. Sleek white walls are adorned with an array of wine, olive oil --lots of it-- and other treats from Puglia, the birthplace of Moyé's cuisine. Owners Tony Gallo and Chef Pietro Vardeu, the duo behind Miami Beach's Sardinia Enoteca Ristorante and Miami Design District's new Campania, which opened just shortly after Moyé, have skillfully fused a menu of classic and contemporary Apulian masterpieces. To start off the evening, charming servers poured a glass of crisp white wine from Puglia to pair with delectable appetizers, all made with the freshest ingredients. But my favorite was the Polpo ($14), a pan seared octopus sautéed with fava beans puree and cherry tomatoes, creating an impeccable blend of different tastes and textures. The mouthwatering aroma coming from the open kitchen just a few feet away coupled with the next seven dishes sent my taste buds on an Apulian journey packed with olive oil and diverse flavors. Narrowing down my top three favorites (and, boy, was it hard), I had to choose the Flan ($14) as my first, a unique and deliciously moist zucchini flan, teeming with scamorzone Moyé. Next was the Tagliata ($28), a tender 14 oz ribeye oozing with juiciness and cooked to perfection. And the Troccoli ($14), also known as the cacio e pepe or Roman pasta dish cooked al dente, sent me straight to pasta heaven. Attentive servers filled sparkling water glasses, changed plates and utensils, and were incredibly pleasant to talk to in between each meal. But even they couldn't have prepared us for what was to come. Only three words can accurately describe Moye's dessert menu: to die for. From the divine Tortino di Cloccolato, a chocolate soufflé, to the beautiful and scrumptious texture of the Semifreddo almond parfait, there's something for everyone to enjoy. The Granita di Anguria, a beautiful ice blend of watermelon, ginger, rum and pineapple, was simply refreshing, but it was the Sporcamuss, a light, flaky puff pastry with Nutella and custard cream, that satisfied my sweet tooth. Because, well, Nutella, need I say more? For rich flavors and lick-your-plate goodness of authentic Apulian cuisine, head to Moyé, opened daily from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. An extensive list of praiseworthy dishes, moderately priced from $8 to $28, will fulfill all your rustic-Italian needs, and it's cozy atmosphere, accommodating staff and friendly owners make for a wonderful dining experience. Benvenuto, Moyé. ML 108 MIAMI LIVING Oh, Moyé! For authentic Apulian cuisine, make your way to Brickell Words by Maureen Aimee Mariano FOOD I

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