Lion & The Rambler modern American restaurant will officially open to the public June 15, 2022.
The brainchild of Chef/Owner Michael Bolen, Lion & The Rambler was designed to champion an affordably sumptuous tasting experience in laidback dining environs. The vibey kitchen and bar, located at 804 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, will feature an exquisitely heady 9-course tasting menu priced at $120 per person – each dish a playful nod to the nostalgic food of Bolen’s youth. Inspired by South Florida’s local bounty and executed with masterful technique, seasonality is the name of the game at this eclectic eatery. A welcome addition to Coral Gables’ robust culinary roster, Lion & The Rambler will pioneer the tasting-counter restaurant format while offering locals and visitors a bespoke and intimate dining experience unlike anything else in town.
“Heading my own hyper-seasonal dining concept was always a dream of mine until it became a reality just two short years ago,” said Bolen in a statement, who did most of his culinary training at both Sel de la Terre and L’Espalier in Boston and, most recently, at Mister A’s in San Diego. “Cooking with the abundance of locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients has always been important to me – it allows us the opportunity to constantly be experimenting in the kitchen and I can’t wait to see how our menus will unfold in the year ahead,” he said. “We’re challenging ourselves to meld familiar flavors with modern technique to create unique dishes that are not only exciting to plate, but even more exciting to eat.”
Bolen’s menu is self-described as complex yet seemingly simple modern American dishes made with hard-to-find ingredients from some of the most esteemed purveyors around the globe. From house-milled flour for bread service, to homemade Koji – a Japanese fermentation starter used to make fresh miso, Lion & The Rambler has its heart set to be one of the most “from-scratch” kitchens this side of the Mason-Dixon line. Guests can expect groundbreaking, genre-bending cuisine packed with flavor, and dishes one will remember long after they fold up their napkins. Highlights include Trout Roe with crème fraiche and nori; Boniato prepared with orange and macadamia; Tuna made with blood orange and furikake and New York Strip; complemented with charred onion and watercress. On the sweeter side, the playful Twinkie with sesame amazake and Peach with almond and kumquat.
To drink, guests can indulge in an a la carte selection of low-proof, rare and imported spirits including beer, sake, wine and house-made kombucha. Diners can upgrade their tasting experience with a thoughtfully-curated wine/sake pairing priced at $55.
Designed by Miami interiors guru, Paula Lemme, the intimate, 42-seat restaurant located in the former Eating House space, has been transformed into a sultry, sophisticated dining lair.
Upon entering through the double doors, guests are greeted by the familiar sounds of old school hip hop, classic rock anthems and 80’s dance music. Hand-painted lion frescos by Canadian muralist, Derkz, adorn the walls exuding a sense of eccentricity. Ambient lighting and dark, moody tones are paired with warm woods, creating a polished, inviting atmosphere. A wall lined with cozy banquettes and walnut tabletops provide ample indoor seating for guests. Plateware is all uniquely handcrafted by independent ceramists hailing from New York City and Los Angeles while the pink-and-purple cutlery is French-imported.
Lion & The Rambler will open to the public June 15, 2022 at 804 Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Coral Gables, FL. Reservations are available via Resy.
