Graziano's is Cosmic Eats Gem 1.0

Friday, 16 May 2008

Miami, FL-First of all, the Gem 1.0 methodology is not a rating system. It's just a way of keeping track of what the heck is going on in my mind. And that, at times, is God's own mystery. Updates to this and future Cosmic Eats gems will follow standard version nomenclature, 1.1 would be an update or addition to this thread whereas 2.0 would be a different food joint.

Graziano's is a restaurant, market, and pizzeria. The Coral Gables location is a sit-down restaurant of the wood-fired oven genre. Cosmic Eats has only been to the location at 3922 SW 92 Avenue. There is a Hialeah location that we'll soon visit. We suspect though that we will be equally as pleased.

Various online reviews focus on the quality of the restaurant food and the service. We can't comment on that aspect of Graziano's. In our estimation, the charm of Graziano's is the absolutely market fresh meats and the affordable fine wine selection.

At the Bird Road location (3922 SW 92 Ave), the bakery has well over a dozen selections of perfect empanadas, fresh breads, cakes and pastries. A small case has an assortment of deli favorites. This particular day we enjoyed several of the offerings including a prosciutto and mozzarella stuffed cherry pepper and marinated lengua (beef tongue) with four different blends of tantalizingly tasty empanadas. Two breads accompanied our ad hoc tapas plates, a soft crust and a medium hard crust. Both were splendid while performing their assigned task of absorbing the assorted marinades. Finally, there was an ensalada mariscos and a mild, ever so creamy gouda. The mariscos salad was a fresh blend of marinated octopi. To wash it all down, a six-pack of Stella Artois suffered the same fate as our food fare.

Like many of our cosmic food favorites, empanadas began their life as sustinence for the working stiffs. In recent years, adventurous Argentinean chefs began experimenting with less traditional fillings. A whim we freely endorse!

Down the aisle from the empanadas is the meat case. This is a true meat market in the traditional sense. No carbon monoxide treatments here (see footnote). And slabs upon slabs of assorted fresh, homemade chorizos. Wonderful, beautiful meat. The way it was intended to be. I wish I had some pictures but didn't bring the camera. Next time, I promise.

Much like the other joints we find alluring, Graziano's is one of those places that must be experienced slowly. Though you may have precise picks in mind for your menu, do yourself a favor, slow down and savor the various selections at Graziano's. You may just find a hidden gem within this gem.

**FDA Is Urged to Ban Carbon-Monoxide-Treated Meat
**Seeing red: Spoiled meat may look fresh
**Which Cut Is Older? (It's a Trick Question)
**Supermarket Chains Refuse To Sell Carbon Monoxide-Treated Meat
**FDA asked to rescind use of carbon monoxide for meats