Mexican Import Cantina La Veinte Now Open in Miami

CANTINA LA VEINTE MAKES ITS DEBUT AT ICON BRICKELL - Upscale Mexican Waterfront Restaurant & Bar Opened First U.S. Outpost in Miami

Mexican food lovers, foodies and imbibers alike rejoiced when Cantina La Veinte opened its doors to the public in July 2014. Located in downtown Miami’s Icon Brickell, the new waterfront restaurant and bar offers an authentic Cantina dining experience – a traditional Mexican gastronomic adventure in which the bar plays a pivotal role and offers a cultural expression of its location. Cantina La Veinte was brought to Miami by Cinbersol Group; a leading Mexico City-based hospitality firm committed to providing high-end dining experiences and exceptional service in a luxurious yet unpretentious setting. Here, guests can enjoy an eclectic menu of traditional Mexican cuisine, as well as expertly crafted cocktails and one of the country’s largest selections of high-end tequilas and mezcals.

At the helm of Cantina’s kitchen is Executive Chef Santiago Gomez, a talented young toque who has a passion for authentic Mexican cuisine with a playful, eclectic twist. A native of Mexico, Gomez worked at the prestigious restaurant NOBU, both in Miami and Mexico City. It was in Mexico City during his work at NOBU that Alberto Cinta – CEO & Co-Founder of Cinbersol Group – hired him to work as sous chef for the hospitality firm’s Thai/Japanese concept, Erawan. Since then, Gomez has worked with Cinbersol in multiple concepts and capacities including being named executive chef of Piso 51 – a fine dining restaurant in Mexico City – and eventually becoming Corporate Chef of Cantina La Numero 20’s multiple locations in Polanco, El Angel and Santa Fe, MX. Looking to further sharpen his cooking skills, he went to New York City in 2012 and did a stint at the critically-acclaimed restaurant, DANIEL by renowned chef Daniel Boulud. Now, at Cantina La Veinte in Miami, Cinbersol’s first U.S. restaurant, Gomez delivers a deliciously diverse menu of authentic Mexican food incorporating whimsical touches.

Staying true to his Mexican roots, Gomez serves up authentic dishes from south of the border. To begin, diners can choose from Seafood Appetizers, Ceviches and Aguachiles or Earthy Appetizers, starters from the land. Dishes include Almejas Chocolata Rasuradas (MP) – raw clams served with Maggi-lime caviar and chopped red onion; Chicharrón De Rib Eye ($23) – fried rib eye chunks served with guacamole; and Dobladitas De Jaiba Suave ($21) – crunchy soft shell crab, served in flour tortillas with jalapeño sauce.

In true Mexican fashion, Stuffed Chiles include Güero ($12) – chile Güero stuffed with smoked fish ceviche, served over passion fruit coulis; Pasilla ($12) – Pasilla chile filled with duck confit in a tamarind-mezcal sauce; and Escamoles (MP) – Chile Poblano filled with escamoles and sautéed with butter, garlic, white wine, olive oil and epazote leaves. Main Dishes feature Callo De Hacha Sellados Con Arroz Poblano ($35) – seared scallops atop creamy poblano rice with sautéed mushrooms and truffle oil; and Langostinos Al Mojo De Ajo (MP) – giant prawns sautéed with garlic-lime butter. Also on offer is fresh daily Fish, done-your-way with a choice of A La Talla – dried chili-mayo mix; Cilantro – cilantro sauce with serrano chile, jalapeno and lime juice; or Adobo – chile guajillo sauce. Carnivores can delight in Dry Age Rib Eye Angus (MP) – with sugar cane-chile crust and a 3-chile sauce; or Filete Arriero ($32) – grilled beef fillet with sautéed onions and serrano in a Maggi-lime sauce. Rounding out the menu are Desserts such as Ate Con Queso De La No. 20 ($9) – baked wonton with quince paste and blue cheese ice cream and Trufas de Chocolate ($10) with mezcal and hibiscus powder. An essential part of Cantina’s gastronomic experience is the restaurant’s bar and cocktail program, which features a massive selection of over 260 tequilas and mezcals, considered one of the largest in the U.S.

Designed by Mexican architectural firm Niz + Chauvet, the 450-seat indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar pays homage to the Mexican Art Deco style, while maintaining the distinct décor of a traditional Mexican Cantina. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a striking, contemporary, floor-to-ceiling black onyx bar with antiqued mirrors and a geometric, pyramid-shaped black and gold chandelier straight out of The Great Gatsby. Black and white marble flooring separates the bar area from the restaurant’s dining room, while the open exhibition kitchen showcases the talented culinary team executing authentic creations. Blending modern design elements with traditional history, the restaurant features expansive framed windows and rich black wood-paneled walls, with carefully selected pieces of sophisticated, award-winning Mexican folk art displayed throughout. A staircase leads guests downstairs to the restaurant’s outdoor waterfront patio showcasing gorgeous views of Brickell Key and Biscayne Bay. The covered al fresco dining area makes for the perfect spot for Happy Hour, dinner under the stars and lunch with an ocean breeze. Thick frosted glass etched with Cantina’s symbols of maize and agave protects diners from the elements, while the outdoor cooling system keeps it comfortable year-round. Unique to its concept, Cantina La Veinte has its own upscale Mercado adjacent to the outdoor dining area, offering prepared foods, imported Mexican ingredients, charcuterie, fresh baked bread, caviar, wines, and horchatas – a traditional rice-based Mexican beverage. Menu attached.

Cantina La Veinte is located at 495 Brickell Avenue at the Icon Brickell. Lunch and dinner served Monday – Wednesday, noon until midnight; Thursday – Saturday, noon – 1 a.m. Sunday Brunch is served from noon – 5 p.m. and the restaurant is closed for dinner on Sundays. Mercado hours: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Discounted valet parking available. Telephone: (786) 623-6135.

About Cinbersol Group:
Cinbersol Group is a leading Mexican hospitality company dedicated to providing high-end dining experiences and exceptional service in luxurious yet unpretentious settings to its savvy patrons. Over the past few years, the entrepreneurial team behind Cinbersol has successfully launched more than 30 restaurant and lounge concepts throughout Mexico. In 2011, the first Cantina La Veinte was opened in Polanco, a trendy district in Mexico City; in early 2013 and 2014, another two Cantina La Veintes were opened in the city’s Reforma and Santa Fe neighborhoods. In addition to its Cantina concepts, Cinbersol currently owns and operates multiple restaurants and lounges in Mexico including Asadero Uno; Sud 777; Splendido; Fat Crow; Ragga; 50 Compas; Kiga; Joy Room; Ivoire; and Club Piso 51, among others.