Shireen's Favorite Things

Drinks & Dinner at a new family-owned gem called “Biella Ristorante” — named after a picturesque town in Northern Italy known for its culinary traditions and delicious wines.

Chic, glamorous and interesting, “Biella Ristorante” is quickly making a name for itself on the South Florida food scene. The Italian eatery, which has only been open a few short months, proves you don’t have to travel to Italy to taste REAL Italian food.

Snuggled inside a busy strip mall on Sunny Isles Beach, the inside of the restaurant is completely different than the outside. With European wall paper, Italian leather furniture and sophisticated decor, you’re transported into modern luxury. The atmosphere is warm & welcoming and the staff (special shout-out to Hector) is totally on it. They definitely know their stuff.

With an extensive cocktail list, I started my #Spotlight experience at Biella’s Bar, which is decorated in glamorous black & white photos and accented with a plush purple couch. It’s a #SocialMediaPic waiting to happen. Plus, who doesn’t wanna sink into a #PlushPurpleCouch?

If you like Cosmos (think Sex and the City) and Apple-tinis (think tart green apple) you’ll wanna try the “Cosmo Tiny” — a perfect blend of both drinks. It’s topped with apple foam and garnished with a maraschino cherry. I love how the drink is layered with flavors; to get the full effect, you have to take more of a swig than a sip. #BottomsUp

The bite-sized “Crispy Pork Belly” appetizer (which is on the bar menu,) is a must-try, marinated in Italian sweet sauce. If you’re more of a carb lover, “Avocado Crostini” is yummy with charred corn, goat cheese and rainbow trout caviar. Both are pretty healthy, which is always a good thing when you’re saving calories for pizza and pasta. Speaking of…

When it comes to amazing pies, they have great options: Margherita, Prosciutto, Pancetta etc. I went with “Salmone” with homemade Squid Ink Pizza Dough. Don’t let its dark appearance dissuade you, it’s incredibly delicious. Smothered in cream cheese and topped with smoked salmon, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to pizza heaven. (If you’ve never tasted squid ink, it’s rich and briny.)

“Ooh Child,” if you like pasta, you’ve hit the homemade noodle jackpot at Biella. I tried the mushroom ravioli drenched in decadent creamy mushroom sauce topped with fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano. If you need more sustenance, they have steak, lamb chops, chicken and fish on the menu, too. After dinner…

I had three desserts, two creative cocktails (for the girl who likes to drink her calories #me) and one mind-blowing dish called “Apple Torrejas” served with cinnamon ice cream & caramelized apples. It was a pile of ooey-gooey love in my mouth. I’m still daydreaming about the maple butter sauce and fluffy brioche. I slid into #Spotlight home base with the “Almond Joy Martini” topped with coconut foam and YES, it tastes like the candy bar it’s named after. I finished with a palate cleansing “Kiwi Tiny” — made with muddled cucumber and mint kiwi cucumber foam.

I love that Biella Ristorante has spiced-up the food scene on Sunny Isles Beach and best of all, you don’t have to trudge through some gi-normous condo building to find it. Instead, walk right up and enjoy an intimate night of classy cocktails & scrumptious Italian cuisine — that’s why it’s one of my Favorite Things. Cheers!

Biella Ristorante
17082 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160

Monday: Friday 5pm-11pm
Saturday: 12pm-11pm
Sunday: 10am-10pm

Reservations: 305-974-0174
www.BiellaRistorante.com

Be Social:
FB: @BiellaRistorante
IG: @biellaristorante