The corner of Collins and 23rd street on Miami Beach has always been a mystery to me.  Walgreens replaced the long vacant deli on the northwest corner . The sleek W Hotel replaced the Holiday Inn,  the Roney Plaza condos housed Phillipe Chow for a bit, and has always seemed to be under the renovation of whomever the adjacent current hotel owners are.  A series of nightclubs ( currently Mokai Lounge) right on 23rd attract a late night crowd.   It has seemed to be in flux for years.

KLIMA, the new Western Mediterranean and Catalan restaurant which just opened, replaces a long line of short-lived unsuccessful restaurants in that same location at 210 23d St.  But, while the other concepts did little to improve the entrance and interior not to mention the menu, KLIMA seems to have taken on the challenge by creating an upscale look and feel to the location.

Press release information reveals that the owners, Pablo Fernández-Valdés and Yago Giner, are the former CEO and COO respectively of the highly reputable and award-winning Grupo Tragaluz hospitality corporation in Spain.

The 70 seat restaurant features both indoor and outdoor garden seating with “Soft Woods” as the theme of the interior design with inspirations coming from Brazil, Sweden and Spain. Thin slates of beige wood that has been dried and aged for 6-months are packed across the ceiling of the restaurant’s front section, giving an impressive initial focal point when entering the property.

The menu is a modern take on Barcelona and Catalan cuisine including small plates and encourages sharing. Originally from from Barcelona, Spain, Executive Chef David “Rusti” Rustarazo has created an  eclectic menu of seasonal seafood, meats and pasta dishes presented with a simplistic style – inspired by the techniques and flavors from the principality of Catalonia and the western Mediterranean coastal region. Appetizers include Tuna toast with chipotle, leek and lime, Jotas Iberian ham with Pata Negra bread and fresh tomatoes, Oysters with Ponzu sauce and salmon roe and Salmorejo with quail egg.. Options from the Raw Bar include White fish ceviche with avocado, Chilean green onion, salmon roe and Togarashi Beef Carpaccio, Foie and truffle.
 
Main entrées generally range from $32 -42 and include Rigatoni stuffed with lobster and Veal stuffed Cannelloni Oporto with parmesan. Fresh fish entrées include Black cod with spinach pesto and haricote verte. Red snapper with vegetables, Peruvian causa and orange roasted chicken glacé and Fish of the day with garrison. Meat dishes include Rib eye with smoked eggplant and mustard , Pork ribs with fingerling potatoes, garlic and shallots, Lamb shoulder with potato parmentier .

KLIMA Restaurant and Bar is open for daily dinner reservations from 6:00 p.m. by calling 786.453.2779 or by emailing Reservations@klimamiami.com.  For more information, visit www.klimamiami.com 

Watch MIAbites for updates as we welcome this newest addition to the growing upscale restaurant scene in Mid-Beach.

KLIMA

210 23rd St. 

Miami Beach, FL

786.453.2779

( Information provided by Elliot Stares Public Relations , Images provided by KLIMA Miami )