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CONTACT: Juan Camaliche
The Cellar Club (305) 913.3203
e-mail: jcamaliche@biltmorehotel.com
La Dolce Vita Flows at Biltmore’s Fontana
Life is meant to be savored — and there’s no better place to do it than at the Biltmore. A feast of Italy’s bella cucina and grilled specialties beckons discriminating palates to Fontana, Biltmore’s new ode to Italian culinary arts. “The success of our signature French restaurant Palme d’Or inspired us to introduce an Italian counterpart to the Biltmore experience, with its own distinct environment,” says Biltmore Hotel Manager Dennis Doucette. “The authenticity of Fontana’s Italian cuisine complements the property’s food and wine culture.”
This vibrant infusion of Italian gusto is spearheaded by Chef Gaetano Ascione, a native of Naples, Italy. Ascione’s dynamic culinary talent has toured the globe at luxury properties in the U.S., France, Italy, South Korea, South Africa and Singapore. Many of these countries are peninsulas, bordered by water on three sides. The peninsula theme takes center stage in Ascione’s signature dish, Trilogy, a mélange of Porcini mushrooms, foie gras and lobster medallions. “The Porcini mushrooms represent the mountainous core of the peninsula, the foie gras represents the outlying flatlands, and the lobster medallions embody the surrounding sea,” Ascione explains. Inspired by his trajectory around the world, Ascione adapts global ingredients to Italian cuisine sensibility.
Sous-Chef Brandon Boyd and Junior Sous-Chef Nicole Bottano play key roles in elevating the dining experience, using authentic artisanal products imported from Italy, as well as the freshest, local seasonal produce. “Authenticity is not in the recipe, it is in the ingredients,” remarks Ascione.
Diners ordering grilled meats enjoy specialty cuts of Prime USDA beef supplied by Allen Brothers of Chicago's famous Union Stockyards, where each steak, roast and chop is aged to perfection and hand-cut by master butchers. “I like to serve grilled meats on the bone,” says Ascione. “The flavor is incomparable.”
In addition to a broad selection of wines from around the world, Fontana boasts a list of stellar Italian wines, including Super-Tuscans and older Amarone vintages from the house of Bertani. Other Italian gems include Bramasole La Braccesca, an award-winning Syrah from Cortona, and Serpico, a rare superstar from the Campania region. Fontana’s Italian whites feature exotic bottlings by premium producers as well as Piedmont favorites like Ceretto Roero Arneis and the limited-production Sicilian Chardonnay, Planeta. Fontana Sommelier Jason De Leo’s depth of wine knowledge and friendly service enhances the dining experience for wine connoisseurs and novices alike.
Desserts at Fontana tantalize all the senses. Tiramisu and other traditional favorites enjoy new incarnations, deconstructed to dazzle the palate and fire the imagination. Classic Cannoli is reinvented by presenting a crispy dough shell on the plate with the rest of its ingredients on the side, seducing diners into becoming active participants in constructing Cannoli “their way.” Whoever said you can’t play with your food?
Patrons at Fontana can opt to dine outdoors around the fountain-centered courtyard — or indoors with full views of an open exhibition kitchen and wood-fired oven. Lunch includes à la carte choices along with an Executive menu that changes weekly, while dinner offerings feature nightly specials in addition to à la carte selections.
At Fontana’s “Chef’s Table,” a privileged spot next to the open kitchen, up to 10 diners can enjoy a customized, improvised multi-course meal created by Chef Ascione with items not listed on the menu. And there’s more: each dish can be perfectly paired with its ideal wine companion, raising the pleasure to magnificent heights — but don’t just take our word for it. Drop in and see for yourself why “Meet me at Fontana” is the new catchphrase around town.
About The Cellar Club @ Biltmore Golf & Spa Resort
An oasis of sophistication and tranquility in the heart of America’s vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Miami, the landmark Biltmore is surrounded by 150 acres of lush, tropical gardens and features a championship golf course, the largest hotel swimming pool in the country, a world-class spa and award-winning fitness center. The 276-room Biltmore is one of the very few destination resorts in a major metropolitan area.
The hotel’s iconic status has made it a favorite among heads of state, celebrities and sports stars. Its leisure lifestyle membership club — The Cellar Club — upholds the Biltmore’s historic role as the epicenter of social life in South Florida. An ambitious calendar of events features wine and spirit tastings, wellness seminars, black-tie gala winemaker dinners, art exhibitions, book signings, interactive luncheons with celebrity chefs and other innovative programs for members, guests and the community. www.thecellarclub.com
The award-winning Palme d’Or – voted Best Restaurant in South Florida – the 1200 Courtyard Grill, the Poolside Cascade restaurant, and the Biltmore Bar, Cellar Club Bar and Boules Bar have placed the resort on the map as one of South Florida’s most sought-after dining experiences and “must-do” social scenes.
Other facilities at the Biltmore include the 12,000 sq. ft. Grand European Spa, a member of Leading Spas of the World;; the 40,000-sq. ft. Conference Center of the Americas; 33 meeting rooms and three majestic ballrooms; a full-service Business Center; 24-hour concierge service and a shopping arcade.
Biltmore Golf & Spa Resort is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. For further information, contact the Biltmore, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33134; telephone (800) 727-1926. www.biltmorehotel.com |
