When acclaimed chef/restauranter José Mendín closed the doors of La Placita earlier this year, fans of the concept were left wondering what was next for the iconic MiMo space. In the location that housed Mendin’s heartfelt homage to his birthplace of Puerto Rico, the chef, along with owners, Executive Chef Santo Agnello, Sergio Navarro, Jose Luis Serrato, Julian Gil and Antonio Ortiz, are transforming the former La Placita into an alfresco Italian paradise in the heart of MiMo: Patio Isola. The sister restaurant to the wildly-popular Casa Isola in Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbour, Patio Isola will open its doors on Friday, July 15, 2022, signaling the arrival of Mendín and Agnello’s inspired Italian comfort cuisine on the mainland.
Located at 6789 Biscayne Boulevard, the 8,000-square-foot space has been reimagined by designer Sergio Navarro as a garden patio escape from Miami’s hustle and bustle; complete with lush vegetation, rustic wood furniture and fixtures, a cobalt and white color scheme, and abundant seating for 60 indoors and 140 outdoors.
“The space offers great open areas; we always saw it as a perfect place to showcase outdoor dining,” said Mendín in a statement, who envisioned Patio Isola to feel like a verdant, coastal Italian eatery. Equally suited for an everyday bite or a special night out, Patio Isola oozes warmth and charm with equal parts innovation and authenticity. “We’re keeping the cozy, homegrown mood that La Placita established but taking it in a different direction.”
Among the many things Mendín is known and respected for is his scratch-made, no shortcuts approach; where high quality ingredients are the bedrock of memorable cuisine. Inspired by Agnello’s childhood spent growing up, eating with and learning from his Nonna, the menu showcases the bold flavors Mendín is renowned for alongside Agnello’s “la famiglia” style. Fans of Casa Isola will recognize several staples on the menu including Isola Arancini, Carpaccio Milanesa and Soft Polenta al Funghi as well as signature pastas ranging from Rigatoni all Vodka and Ravioli Bianconeri to Pappardelle alla Bolognese and Vongole Isola. Fan favorite Branzino Aqua Pazza is also crossing the causeway to Patio Isola.
New to the Patio; a roster of house-made Pizzas, cooked in the restaurant’s brand-new pizza oven. Flavors include The Don Enzo – pepperoni, sausage, nduja, Mike’s Hot Honey, pecorino and fresh cut basil; Vecchia Signora – braised short rib with Taleggio white sauce, truffle oil and pecorino; Primavera – pomodoro, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and mozzarella; and La Polpetta – meatball crumbles, ricotta, mozzarella, pecorino and fresh basil. A nod to La Placita – the La Plazita Pie is topped with pastrami, ham, roasted chicken, mozzarella, papitas and pink sauce, while the MiMo Pie features roasted chicken, baby kale, ricotta, mozzarella and pecorino. Also on offer, several indulgent Calzones including the Employees Only stuffed with pepperoni, shallots, long hot peppers, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan as well as more traditional Prosciutto and Cheese Calzones.
Notable new highlights on the menu include Antipasti plates such as Brooklyn-Style Baked Clams with oreganata, garlic and olive oil; Cheesy Garlic Bone Marrow served with house-made focaccia, and Zuppa di Clams with Calabrian chilies, white wine, garlic and toasted bread. Other new additions include Macaroni offerings such as Linguini Mendini – aglio olio, pepperoncino e acciughe, garlic, olive oil and anchovy; Fettuccine Taleggio Freddo – Taleggio sauce and black pepper with an option to add truffles; Bucatini a la Norma – roasted eggplant, tomatoes and ricotta salata; and Eliche Fusilli Amatriciana – pomodoro, guanciale, shallots, white wine and nduja and pecorino.
In addition, Patio Isola will offer several Insalatas such as the Isola Chopped Salad; Burrata Panzanella and Meatball Salad, as well as Secondi entrees including Chicken and Eggplant Parms and Braciola di Maiale Marsala – heritage pork chop served with roasted wild mushrooms and polenta bramata.
From Aperitifs and Spritzes to Negronis and Bellinis, Patio Isola’s vibrant, Italian-inspired cocktail program will transport imbibers to summers relaxing on the veranda. Signature libations include Giardino Verde, a refreshing vodka aperitif with fresh cucumber, lime and rosemary; Il Merengue, the perfect dessert complement made with Licor 43, fresh lime juice and caramelized merengue; and the tropical, bourbon-based Punch della Passione. Beloved classics are elevated with an Italian twist, such as a Basil Mojito, Sicilian Gin Fizz – made with Italian lemon gin – and the concept’s signature Negroni featuring Mezcal Recuerdo and Antica Vermouth. In addition, several pours from Casa Isola will be on the menu, along with Italian craft beers from BeviBirra and a wine selection representative of Italy’s different regions and grape varieties, highlighting small and unique producers.
Patio Isola is located at 6789 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. The restaurant will serve lunch Tuesday to Sunday from 11AM to 5PM; and dinner Tuesday and Wednesday from 5PM to 10PM; Thursday to Saturday from 5PM to 2AM. Brunch on Saturday and Sunday will be served from 11AM to 4PM. Takeout and delivery will be available.
