Shireen's Favorite Things

A leisurely lunch at Salumeria 104 in Coral Gables, where delicious Italian food is served in a lively trattoria-esque atmosphere.

I’m not Italian, but that doesn’t stop me from daydreaming about what it would be like to have Mediterranean blood coursing through my veins. When I close my eyes, I imagine a big family, crowded around a spirited table laughing, drinking and eating pasta made from recipes handed down through generations. Hmmm…🍝

Lucky for me, dreams do come true, thanks to Salumeria 104 — a charming new trattoria located in Coral Gables on Miracle Mile. The restaurant, which specializes in Northern Italian cuisine, will make you feel like you’re in “Bel Paese” (a nickname for Italy, meaning “beautiful country”) without ever leaving South Florida.

The restaurant’s inviting personality is a reflection of its Chef & Co-Owner, Angelo Masarin. Not only is he a lovely human being, he eats and breathes his craft, literally. Angelo, who grew up in Treviso, a beautiful city known for its Prosecco, greeted me for my #Spotlight experience with a refreshing glass of Italian cuvee called Ca’ del Bosco Cuvee (which hails from Lombardy.)

Its crisp and fruity nature paired perfectly with the Grande Selezione, a board of four salamis and one prosciutto. Chef Angelo chose my tasting which included Mortadella, Coppa Dolce, Finocchiona, Bresaola and Prosciutto San Daniele. I also tried the Pecorino Toscano from the Cheese Selection. Amazing wine, salami, prosciutto and cheese? I thought I’d died and gone to foodie heaven, but that was just the beginning. #CueTheHarpsPlease

Even though I spent my early years in New Mexico, I also grew up in North Carolina. It took me a long time to lose my southern accent, but one thing I’ve never lost is my love for fried green tomatoes — which is why the Burratina is one of my #FavoriteThings on the menu. Burrata Cheese served on top of a #FriedGreenTomato drizzled with 12 year aged Bonini Balsamic. #Heavenly! Chef paired it with Angelo Poretti #4, a refreshing pale lager from Italy. Yes, the beer shares Chef’s first name, so it has to be good. 🍺

NOW, for my new dead woman walking dish (Lol.) If you’re new to #Spotlight, that’s how I usually describe my latest food obsession. You know — it’s so good, it’s the last thing I’d chow down on before being zapped into oblivion. Hello, “Spaghetti alla Bottarga,” where’ve you been my whole life?

Hmmm.. made with Gragnano Pasta, cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and cured fish roe (which is called Bottarga on the menu.) Mix together and devour. If you were wondering about Gragnano, it’s an Italian town snuggled between a hill and the Amalfi Coast best known for its dry pasta. I washed it down with a tropical-tasting white wine (Argiolas Costamolino, available by the glass.)

Chef Angelo loves to keep the menu at Salumeria 104 exciting by whipping up daily specials like Tagliolini with summer truffles, which he generously grated right in front of me. He paired the pasta with a well-rounded red (Pecchino San Luigi Dogliani, available by the glass.) Not a pasta person? The Porchetta wrapped in crispy pork belly served with fingerling potatoes and green beans is tender & savory. Chef paired it with a Super Tuscan red (also available by the glass.)

Don’t get too full, though, because their dessert specials are always enticing. I tried the extra-moist Almond Cake and nibbled on the Chocolate Log with nuts called Salame Al Cioccolato. Enhancing the sweet flavors? A nice Piedmont Moscato. The wine selection is so amazing, you can basically find anything to keep your tastebuds happy.

I love the food at Salumeria 104; it’s more than just delicious, it’s quality that you can taste in every bite. And, while that’s reason enough to try it, I think what you’ll really enjoy is how you’ll FEEL when you’re there. Chef Angelo treats every customer as if they’re the only person in the room and you just can’t find service like that anymore — that’s why it’s one of my #FavoriteThings. Saluti!

Salumeria 104
117 Miracle Mile
Coral Gables, FL. 33134

Monday -Sunday 12-11pm

There’s also a location in Midtown…
Salumeria 104
3451 NE 1st Avenue
Miami, FL. 33137

Monday-Thursday 12-11pm
Friday & Saturday 12pm-12am
Sunday 12-10:30pm

Be Social:
IG: @salumeria104
FB: @Salumeria104
Twitter: @Salumeria104

www.salumeria104.com