Shireen's Favorite Things

Sunday brunch at Café Roval, one of the most enchanting restaurants in South Florida — and perfect for a Mother’s Day celebration.

Captivating & beautiful: Café Roval is one of the most magical and romantic restaurants I’ve seen in a long time.

When I first walked into its beautiful back garden (which is how you enter the eatery,) I was completely blown away.

Was I really still in Miami and what did this beguiling building used to be? I’ll get to that in a minute, but first…

Café Roval’s outside patio easily spills into a massive ode to Mother Nature with a pretty pond, a wide scenic pathway and eye-popping palm trees lining the property.

I especially love the dining tables speckled throughout the garden, offering up a real sense of intimacy (which is hard to find in a big city restaurant.)

Inside, the greenery gives way to dark wood, moody lighting and interesting artwork. Even the bar has its own awe-inspiring personality, suggesting its just stepped out of the pages of a fancy magazine like, say, Architectural Digest.

The walls, which are made out of a blanched coral-rock, hint at the building’s rustic beginnings. Originally built in the 20’s, it served as a pump house, providing fresh water to what’s now known as MIMO.

Over the years, it’s been turned into a bit of everything: a private home, a vagabond hang-out and a beauty salon.

Now, thanks to the keen eye of prominent restaurateur, Mark Soyka (yes, of Soyka Restaurant fame, which is in the same area,) Café Roval is one of Miami’s newest hot spots; one I’ve been dying to try. With that said…

I started Spotlight with a gorgeous craft of crisp & delicious “White Sangria” made with a medley of fresh fruit. It was the perfect accoutrement to go along with the sparkling weather.

BTW…Café Roval doesn’t serve hard liquor, but you’d never know it by their craft cocktails, which are wine-based.

The “Shrub Fizz” is the perfect example, made with house-made shrub, Mionetto Prosecco and your choice of one of the following: fig cinnamon, strawberry balsamic, celery, raspberry, blueberry or blackberry.

I went with the raspberry (which came with the slightest speckling of brown sugar.) This drink is definitely garden-party worthy and the fizziness was fabulous.

I was also curious about…”It Became Bloody Mary” without the vodka (with cilantro, radish, lime, tabasco, smoke agave reduction, house-made tomato juice,) it gets an A+ for originality (they also serve beer and sake.)

If you’re a sucker for a good “Eggs Benedict”, the “Lobster” will NOT disappoint (made with local eggs, watercress, asparagus and lemon hollandaise.) This plate wasn’t just pretty, it was beyond pleasing to the palette and hands-down my favorite. Until I tasted the “Short Rib Grilled Cheese”…. Yum!

My photographer, James, fawned over it, too. A generous helping of short rib is served on thick country toast with smoked cheddar, field greens and balsamic fig dressing.

Just writing about it makes me wanna run back to the restaurant to order one for the memory and another for the road. Lol. Yeah, it’s THAT good.

My stylist, Jackie, was smitten with the deliciously decadent “Tres Leches Pancakes” (garnished with pecans, caramel and tres leches sauce.) Also on the sweet side, “Roval French Toast” (made with Brioche, fresh berries, caramel, sea salt butter and pure maple syrup.) You can add applewood bacon or artisanal breakfast sausage.

Although I didn’t taste the “Heirloom Tomato” salad (made with feta, basil and fig balsamic vinaigrette,) it was too gorgeous to not take a photo. In fact, everything about Café Roval is gorgeous. It’s all photo-worthy so, if you have good social media game, you’re gonna go crazy with your camera.

Brunching at Café Roval is such a special experience, from the breathtaking scenery to the incredible food, you won’t be disappointed and that’s why it’s one of my favorite things.

Café Roval
5808 NE 4th Ct.
Miami, FL. 33137

(There’s Valet on property and street parking, too.)

Monday & Tuesday: 5pm-10pm
Wednesday-Saturday: 5pm-12am
Sunday Brunch: 11am-3pm & Dinner: 5-10pm

Be Social:
IG: @caferoval
FB: @caferoval
Twitter: @caferoval

Make a reservation:
www.caferoval.com
786-953-7850