Massimo Bottura opens his Dubai-based Torno Subito concept in Downtown Miami

Massimo Bottura runs Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, which twice ranked number one on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. He’s also behind Michelin starred Torno Subito in Dubai, and he’s been profiled extensively on television, including on the Netflix show “Chef’s Table.” So, he’s become something of a household name even for those who’ve never been to his restaurants. Now stateside diners can try his food without bringing their passport, as Torno Subito has debuted in Miami.

Massimo Bottura and Bernardo Paladini on the Torno Subito roof. Photo from Flow Gallery Food

The restaurant opened Aug. 21 and is perched atop Downtown’s upscale food hall, Julia & Henry’s. It was opened in partnership with King Goose Hospitality, the group that runs Julia & Henry’s and other Miami concepts like Pubbelly Sushi.

Torno Subito’s interior draws inspiration from Bottura’s childhood trips to the coastal town of Rimini, Italy, and sports big windows and a vibrant color palette. There’s a red U-shaped bar, a yellow-tiled pizza oven, and colorful stripes meant to evoke the feeling of a circus.

Bottura entrusted Bernardo Paladini, the same chef behind Torno Subito Dubai’s inaugural Michelin star, to lead the Miami outpost as head chef. Paladini has been in Miami for the past 18 months getting to know the farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and cheesemakers of the South Florida area so the menu can reflect its location.

“This is more like an urban circus; Dubai is more beach-inspired,” Paladini explained. “Each restaurant is designed to incorporate local flavors.”

Starters at the new Miami restaurant include pappa al pomodoro, which is made with day-old bread, tomato and Parmigiano Reggiano foam. The I Love Tartar lets guests customize their own dish, choosing the raw fish and its accompaniments.

Paladini is making pasta favorites like spaghetti with Italian tomatoes and fresh basil, Cacio e Pepe, and Carbonara. The menu also features the iconic Emilia Burger that appears on many of Bottura’s menus. This unique riff on the American classic infuses Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and balsamic vinegar into a patty made with beef rib eye and cotechino pork sausage.

One of the desserts, called Oops, I Burned the Key Lime Pie, is exclusive to the Miami location but is a take on Bottura’s classic Oops, I Dropped the Lemon Tart from Osteria Francescana.

Oops, I Burned the Key Lime Pie is an exclusive dessert to the Miami restaurant. Photo by Cristian Gonzalez

“Instead of dropping the lemon tart, like a server did in Francescana Osteria, we did a play on it by saying we left the pie in the oven too long,” said Paladini. “It’s a celebration of imperfection and local tradition.”

The food menu is accompanied by an extensive wine list featuring a varied mix of renowned and lesser-known producers. And the cocktail menu was created by Dante, the New York City bar that hit the top of the 2019 World’s 50 Best Bars list. The menu is centered around Italian drinking traditions and features Negronis and spritzes, but there’s also a nod to Miami culture, with a few beach-inspired drinks.

New York bar Dante created the cocktail menu, which includes this Last Sip Negroni. Photo by Cristian Gonzalez

Now that Torno Subito has a foothold in Miami, one has to wonder if Bottura and company have plans to open more concepts in the U.S. But we may have to wait.

“Right now, we are just taking in the fact that we are finally open in Miami,” said Paladini. “We value quality over quantity.”