16 OctOber 24-30, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | culture | Night+Day | News | letters | coNteNts | miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Italian authenticity, with options like a flourless chocolate cake, cheesecake with raspberry coulis, and Cotoletta’s signature dessert, the “Vanilla Affogato Supreme,” made with Italian gelato and a double shot of espresso. Fraquelli tells New Times that, at its core, Cotoletta is all about community. The menu and the way it is prepared in the kitchen by his longtime partner and chef Gi- ulio Rossi are meant to do justice to Fraquel- li’s grandfather and the authentic Italian dish. “It’s all about regulars,” he says. “My num- ber one metric is not how much you spend; it’s how often you come. All of the restaurants that made me successful in London had peo- ple who came multiple times a week. With a dish like this, I don’t pretend people will come three or four times a week, but I really believe it can be a place you come weekly. The way we serve people, the way we won’t have online bookings (only over the phone)... we’ll get to know our regulars. We’ll always have a space if you’re a regular, that’s the sort of thing that me and Mattia foster.” The opportunity to bring this idea to Miami was sudden, so the partners had to work over- time to get the restaurant ready in under six weeks. Still, from the location to the art hung on the walls, they wanted the space to reflect the history and meaning that the menu holds. “It’s one of those real examples of some- thing that’s years in the making and once I found this place in Coconut Grove I could make it,” says Fraquelli. “It’s got such soul to it, and we had to sweat over it ourselves. There wasn’t one drawing for this space — it was a friend of ours who’s an amazing de- signer. The art is real covers of theater pro- grams that Mattia brought from Bologna. He then went to the market to get cool frames, and we framed them ourselves. There’s an old shelf from the restaurant that was here be- fore, and it’s super charming, so it couldn’t go anywhere. Everything just came together. It’s got a little magic to it.” Cotoletta. 3206 Grand Ave., Miami; Reservations via 786-409-7151. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 11 p.m. with a Saturday lunch service from noon to 4 p.m. and plans to extend the opening hours and offerings. RACHEL COSTA ▼ NORTH MIAMI OPEN SESAME A very popular Mediterranean restaurant chain in Miami has quietly opened an Israeli- style bakery and brunch spot at SoLé Mia in North Miami. Motek recently debuted Sesame Bakery by Motek, which serves all-day brunch and offers European and Israeli-inspired pastries in partnership with a renowned pastry chef. The trendy new spot is spearheaded by the team behind Miami’s beloved Motek, in part- nership with Etai Almog, the former head baker at New York’s Balthazar Bakery. Here, guests can expect a fusion of European pas- tries and dishes with a hint of Israeli flair as the menu features artisanal dishes and freshly baked goods inspired by Mediterra- nean flavors. “Sesame Bakery was conceived from a need to bake our own bread and dedicate a space entirely to this craft,” explains owner Charlie Levy. “Originating from our restau- rant, Motek, this vision quickly blossomed into the full-fledged bakery and kitchen you see today. We are thrilled to open our doors in the heart of the newly built SoLé Mia community. By blending the best of Euro- pean baking techniques with the rich fla- vors of Israel, we are eager to welcome everyone and become an integral part of your daily life.” The all-day menu features salads such as a Greek, endive, and a classic caesar; sand- wiches, which include the “Brooklyn Salmon” bagel (Moroccan bagel, fish schnit- zel bun, and a cauliflower cream and tahini pretzel). Signature brunch dishes include av- ocado toast, zucchini croquette, green shakshuka, and sesame breakfast. Pastries will be displayed on the bakery counter framed with pink subway tiles. High- lights include the pistachio financiers, mon- key bread, Jerusalem bagels, orange olive oil cake, and Amarena cherry cheese. Sesame Bakery is located inside the mixed-use SoLé Mia neighborhood, a luxury apartment neighborhood in North Miami that spans more than 184 acres. The bakery itself accounts for 5,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space that offers rattan-style seating for 165 people. The decoration matches the bakery counter in tones of pink, white, and wooden accents. Sesame Bakery. 2211 Sole Mia Square Ln., North Miami; sesamebakery.com. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. RACHEL COSTA Sesame Bakery photo One of the many pastries now available at Sesame Bakery.
