It’s true, Miami is full of great restaurants. But when it comes to a restaurant that so effortlessly combines delicious, gourmet cuisine, top-notch service and sweeping city views, Atrio Restaurant & Wine Room—located inside the Conrad Miami—takes the prize.
Contemporary Elegance
Towering 25 floors over Biscayne Bay, Atrio is a stylish yet laid-back gem of a restaurant, located in the heart of Brickell, Miami’s bustling financial district. With a long list of menu offerings to satisfy any craving—from creative appetizers, to fresh seafood and hearty steaks—this restaurant is an ideal choice for dinner and drinks with friends, a romantic meal before a night out on the town, or other special celebration. In fact, when I visited the restaurant for dinner with my boyfriend earlier this week, we noticed the wait staff hard at work preparing a quaint corner table with fresh flowers, candles and a bottle of wine—surely for some guests who were celebrating a special occasion of their own.
Besides boasting expansive views of the city below—we heard the sunsets from up here are pretty magnificent—Atrio features plenty of sleek tables and plush booths, a collection of contemporary artwork and a unique wine room with over 200 selections.
On the Menu
Under the direction of Chef Jonathan McCann—a culinary veteran whose previous experience includes tenure at several Michelin-starred restaurants, including London’s Claridges Hotel and The Berkley Hotel—Atrio’s menu blends classic cooking techniques with a modern flair for an eclectic blend of dishes, all exuding flavors that stay true to South Florida’s tropical environment.
Appetizers include selections such as the Tequila Cured Salmon with picked limes and cucumber, Conch Escabeche on tostones, and my personal favorite, Duck Confit Spring Rolls with smoked corn and tomato jam.
When it comes to entrees, Atrio’s menu is a seafood lover’s paradise. Overwhelmed by delicious contenders, our waiter Michelangelo suggested trying the Grilled Florida Yellowtail Snapper served with red grapefruit salsa and cilantro aioli— and it was absolutely delicious. We also had a taste of another seafood favorite, the Vanilla Butter Poached Lobster. The ultimate in lobster dishes, this selection comes with over five ounces of lobster meat, along with parmesan truffle linguine and Americane sauce.
Michelangelo’s other suggested menu items include the Grilled Veal Chop with rosemary and apple, and the Artichoke Ravioli, a vegetarian-friendly entrée with goat cheese, spinach and vierge sauce. There’s also a generous selection of steaks, which you can top with sauces like cilantro chimichurri or creamed mushrooms, among other choices.
Don’t forget to save room for dessert. For chocolate lovers like me, try the Chocolate Ganache Terrine made with rich chocolate and espresso ice cream. Other sinfully sweet menu items include the Strawberry and Macaroon Trifle, and the Pineapple and Myers Rum Tart.
Atrio Restaurant and Wine Room is located at the Conrad Miami, for more information visit ConradHotels.com.
