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For a slice of South Beach in Coconut Grove, book a meal at AVA MediterrAegean. This upscale indoor-outdoor Greek concept comes courtesy of Riviera Dining Group, the same team behind MILA on Lincoln Road, Claudie in Brickell and CASA NEOS on the Miami River. Those very popular spots channel the sexy energy of a lounge paired with sumptuous, crowd-pleasing food menus. The formula works well here, too, tweaked slightly to cater to Coconut Grove’s more family-oriented feel.
The vibe: Like its sister restaurants, AVA is a dizzying sensory experience that continues to expand the further you venture inside. The lush outdoor patio is divided into multiple cozy sections, giving the sprawling space an intimate, hidden-away feel. Inside, a large macrame sculpture stretches over the dining room—though the gorgeous carved marble bar and seafood display are vying for your attention in here, too. AVA is all rich, handhewn materials, dim lighting and flowy drapes, filled with a mixed crowd of folks dressed like they’re on vacation in the Med.
The food: All of the Riviera restaurants lean Aegean with fusion twists, but AVA keeps things purely Greek, taking cues from the Mediterranean and its white-washed Cycladic Islands. Highlights from our dinner included the spanakopita, a beautiful rendition of crispy phyllo, basil, scallions, golden raisins and authentic Greek feta, along with the Australian rack of lamb—tender, earthy and textural. The Athenian Lobster Linguini is a delicious showstopper for the table that arrives neatly cocooned inside the shell.
The drink: Cocktails range from tart and herbaceous to velvety and spiced, made with unique ingredients like roasted barley, truffled honey and Skinos Mastiha (a woodsy Greek liqueur). Two staff sommeliers guide wine selections from an expansive list that includes a range of regions and expressions and, of course plenty of great Greek options.
Time Out tip: AVA resides in the former Peacock Garden, a longstanding Coconut Grove brunch staple. Honor its roots by visiting AVA for weekend brunch, which adds a menu of Greek-inspired favorites plus an appealing three-course pre-fixe option for $45.