Avenue 31 Café, a restaurant that originates from Monte Carlo, opened its first American branch in Bal Harbour Shops. The café offers a perfect blend of a full-day café filled with pastries and bakery items and a high-end Italian restaurant. It takes inspiration from the lovely Italian coffee shops and cafés to offer patrons authentic Italian dishes, freshly baked croissants, colourful pastries along with an extensive coffee bar and an assortment of top-quality wines.
The café pays tribute to the original Monte Carlo restaurant, Avenue 31 Monte Carlo, located on Avenue Princesse Grace in Monaco. It was established by founders Stefano Frittella and Alexa Carcelli, and head chef Julian Baker, all residents of both Miami and Monte Carlo. With its inception in Bal Harbour, this is a welcome addition to the community.
The culinary destination brings in a touch of sophistication to the lively Miami food scene. Julian Baker states, ” Avenue 31 introduces a high-end, yet sophisticated culinary destination with Italian favourites. The precious attention to detailing in the ambiance and authenticity of dishes pays ode to the beloved Italian coffee bars in Milan and Rome, along with the distinctive style of Monte Carlo and the Côte d’Azur.”
The Avenue 31 café is located on Bal Harbour Shop’s second level. The café’s facade is adorned with bronze finished lettering, leading to the entrance. The open-air café is decorated with light wood, white onyx ceramic counters, navy blue walls, with bronze finishings and light fixtures. The countertops display colourful croissants, pastries, and desserts encased in eye-catching glass displays. There’s also outdoor seating spaces on the covered terrace, adorned with lush green plants, following the same blue and beige colour palette.
The menu includes breakfast staples alongside a European-style coffee bar. The all-day menu includes signature dishes like tagliatelle verde bolognese with veal and mushroom, a tuna tartare with crisp tempura and soy truffle, the fritto misto di mare with calamari, shrimp, and baccala”, and a cacio e pepe with specially sourced Costa Rican organic peppercorns.
Avenue 31 Café aims to elevate the overall experience by adding a touch of Monte Carlo to Miami, inculcating a sense of luxury and enthrallment within the shops. “We are pleased to open our second Avenue 31 location in Miami, bringing European elegance to the area,” says Carcelli. Avenue 31 Café will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. It will take takeaway orders from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offer brunch specials over the weekends.
Avenue 31 plans to grow throughout different markets in the U.S. soon. Avenue 31 Cafe. At Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., Level 2, Bal Harbour; 786-359-4074; avenue31cafe.com.
