MIAMI, October 5, 2023—Alpareno, one of Miami's most dynamic restaurant groups led by Co-Founders & Co-Owners/Operators Chef Niven Patel and Mohamed (Mo) Alkassar, today announces the opening of Erba, an Italian-inspired farm to table restaurant in Fall 2023. With its name meaning “herb” in Italian, Erba showcases Chef Niven's exuberant interpretations of Italy's cuisine as seen through Miami's lens of local cultures, colors and energy with farm to glass cocktails and an Italian-focused wine list.

Chef Niven's cooking incorporates fruits, vegetables and herbs that he cultivates at Rancho Patel, the group's nearby farm, which are harvested at the height of flavor and freshness. Erba's décor blends Old World and New World to celebrate love and connection. Accommodating 150 guests in its dining room, bar, Chef's Table and private dining room, Erba is located at 227 South Dixie Highway in Coral Gables, Fla.

The Latest Addition to Alpareno Restaurant Group's Award-Winning Portfolio

Erba is the latest addition to Alpareno Restaurant Group, which was founded in 2020 by Chef Niven, a four-time James Beard Award “Best Chef: South” nominee, and Alkassar, a James Beard Award “Outstanding Restaurateur” nominee. The group has made a name for itself with three acclaimed restaurants: Ghee, a casual Indian concept that won Eater Miami's “Best Restaurant of the Year” and a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022 and 2023; Mamey, inspired by Chef Niven's travels in Asia, Polynesia and the Caribbean, which earned a spot on the New York Times' Top 50 Restaurants, and Orno, a New American restaurant boasting a wood-fired menu that was recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2022 and 2023.

Chef Niven Shares His Vision for Erba

“It has always been an ardent dream of mine to bring Erba to life, and it is the apex of everything we do, all of our hopes and ambitions. My time in Florence had a profound influence on my cooking. I was enchanted by the beautiful seasonality that Italians love and respect, eating from the land and honoring their ingredients. I brought my culinary revelations back to Miami and have adapted them to local ingredients, many of which I grow myself at Rancho Patel. I'm cooking something completely new, original and very personal.”

 Mohamed Alkassar on Erba as the Crown Jewel

“Erba is the crown jewel of Alpareno Restaurant Group and our first foray into the world of higher-end dining. It tells the story of Chef Niven, who fell in love with Italy and Italian food over the course of his life-changing travels there. It is a melting pot for those who want to partake in thoughtful hospitality, unique dishes and memorable experiences. We are very excited to share Erba with our friends and neighbors in Coral Gables, Miamians and visitors to our wonderful city.”

Rancho Patel: A Sustainable Approach That Respects the Earth and Its Creatures

Much of the inspiration for Erba's menus comes from Rancho Patel, which was Chef Patel's home, and its ecosystem that provides the ability to grow a plethora of fruits, vegetables and herbs. In the summer, the farm harvests mangoes, lychees, taro leaves, curry leaves, okra and eggplant, while in the winter, the crops shift to tomatoes, beans, zucchini, carrots, turnips and herbs. The farm's soil is lovingly protected using crop rotation, cover crops and composting. In addition, the kitchen works with local fishermen who embrace sustainable fishing techniques and heritage farmers who raise livestock and poultry using humane, eco-friendly practices.

Staying True to Ingredients in Dishes That Riff on the Classics

Chef Niven's approach to cooking is to really stay true to ingredients and make them shine in very simple but boldly flavored ways. Erba's culinary program is an eclectic mix of classic and “new age” Italian cuisine. Chef Niven's cooking imagines what it would be like to be whisked from the Old Country and dropped into Miami's ecstatic cultural, culinary and agricultural bounty.

Highlights include Roman Hearts of Palm, which forgo traditional artichokes in a nod to Miami's famous palm trees; Mafaldine, a creative take on Linguine al Vongole using braised Bahamian conch instead of clams; Rotolo Calabaza made with a Latin American squash; and a 42-ounce Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Chef Niven's ode to Florence. Even Tiramisù is reimagined with housemade ladyfingers, a dousing of espresso and rum to salute Miami's Latino culture, shards of mocha tuile and a tableside finishing dollop of an espresso and rum zabaione.

The opening menu, subject to change, includes:

Vegetables(ish):

• Roman Heart of Palm, Carrot Giardiniera, Farm Celery, Tropea Onions $17
• Endives, Roasted Grapes, Walnuts, Piave Vecchio, Verjus Vinaigrette $21
• Farm Eggplant, Fennel, Calabrian Chiles, Shallots, Rosemary $18
• Pizza Rossa, Heirloom Tomato, Stracciatella, Basil, Garlic $22
• Heirloom Tomato, Smoked Grouper Tonnato, Avocado, Crispy Shallots, Barolo Vinaigrette $22
• Lettuces, Truffle Vinaigrette, Asiago, Pine Nuts $21
• Cacio e Pepe Pave, Tellicherry Pepper, Caramelized Onion, Crispy Potato $19
• Mozzarella Arancini, Prosciutto di Parma, Roasted Tomato $22

Sea:

• Wahoo Crudo, First Harvest Olive Oil, Fresno Chili, Citron Vinaigrette $23
• Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, Yucca, Crispy Allium, Capers, Chervil $22
• Grilled Calamari, Marinated Artichokes, Celery, Preserved Lemon $22
• Mussels Escabeche, Cucumber, Sherry, Focaccia, Pimenton $22

Land:

• Mortadella, Sicilian Pistachio, Castelvetrano Olive, Salmoriglio $22
• Lamb & Fennel Sausage, Pepperonata, Basil, Sherry $22
• Wagyu Carpaccio, Arugula, Caper Aioli, 24 Month Parmigiano, Fennel Pollen Cracker $23
• Foie Gras, Vin Cotto, Herb Salad, Crostini $29

Pasta:

• Chitara | Everglade Tomatoes, Petite Basil, Crispy Garlic, First Harvest Olive Oil $25
• Campanelle |Niman Ranch Lamb Ragù, Marsala, Pecorino Toscano $28
• Mafaldine | Bahamian Conch, Vermentino, Lemon, Parsley $28
• Rotolo | Calabaza, Spinach, Ricotta, Sage Pesto, Hazelnuts $26
• Agnolotti | Wagyu Beef Cheeks, Caramelized Onion, Robiola Bosina $30
• Gnocchi | Key West Pink Shrimp, Broccoli Rabe, Calabrian Chili $28
• Lumache | Confit Rabbit, Hen of the Woods, Lemon, Oregano $28
• Ravioli | Black Truffle, Roasted Pears, Ricotta, Nutmeg $34

Entrées:

• Mishima Reserve Denver Steak, Bone Marrow Salsa Verde, Farm Hakurei Turnips $62
• Niman Ranch Ibérico Porchetta Chop, Braised Lentils, Farm Carrots, Mushroom Conserva $58
• Poulet Rouge Chicken, Heritage Polenta, Brussels, Lemon Thyme Jus $38
• Black Grouper Cioppino, Venus Clams, San Marzano Tomato, Key West Pink Shrimp, Capers $46
• Ora King Salmon, Broccoli Rabe, Sunchokes, Red Onion Agrodolce $42
• Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Rosemary Butter, Grilled Potatoes MP

Dessert:

• Tiramisù, Espresso Zabaione, Brugal Mascarpone, Mocha Tuile $17
• Hazelnut Budino, Valrhona Chocolate, Crostini $15
• Gelato: Pistachio / Farm Mango / Espresso $12 (selection of)
• Black Truffle Cannoli, White Chocolate Ricotta, Pizzelle $24
• Fig Crostata, Marcona Almond, Mascarpone Gelato $16

A Chef's Table Experience Par Excellence

To celebrate the height of his culinary creativity, Chef Niven is orchestrating an eight-course Chef's Table for two to six guests with two seatings a night. These are ticketed events ($195/pp on OpenTable) with two tiers of beverage pairings available. A sample menu, subject to change, is below:

• First Course: Tuna, Roasted Grapes, Verjus Granita, Kaluga Caviar 
• Second Course: Arancini, Black Truffle, Fine Herb Puree
• Third Course: Fennel Coppa, Gnoccho Fritto, Charred Scallion Ash, Vincotto
• Fourth Course: Chilled Chitarra, Mussels, Pimenton, Shallot, Lemon
• Fifth Course: Caramelized Onion Agnolotti, Seared Foie Gras, Jus, Black Truffle 
• Sixth Course: Poulet Rouge, Turnips, Gnocchi, Farm Greens, Jus 
• Seventh Course: Denver Steak, Charred Broccoli Rabe, Beef Cheek Marmalade, Potato Pave 
• Intermezzo: Sip of something (Farm Lavender Ginger Ale, Spoon of Granita or Sorbetto) 
• Eighth Course: Triple Play Desserts (Tiramisu, Budino and Cannoli)

A 120-Bottle List Celebrating Italy's Wine Producing Regions and Beyond

Erba's thoughtful 120-bottle Italian-focused wine list was curated by Kirsta Grauberger, Alpareno Restaurant Group's Beverage Director, an acclaimed 15-year veteran sommelier who collaborated with Chef Niven and Alkassar on the wines for Mamey and Orno. Conjuring an oenological trip through Italy from North to South, Erba's wine list is divided into Classic Italian Options, The Adventurous Road Less Traveled and International Friends of Italy, namely wines from other countries that mirror their Italian counterparts in terms of grape varietal and style. They are further categorized by whimsical, user-friendly titles, including Fun & Elegant, Bold Yet Refined and Fun & Funky to encourage exploration. Bottles range from $50 to $500+, with 20 by the glass options at $15 to $48.

Farm to Glass Cocktails Carry on the Theme

Erba collaborated with Scott Beattie, a renowned mixologist, to create its cocktail menu. Beattie is currently Director of Beverage at the Michelin-starred Barndiva (Healdsburg, Calif.) and has overseen programs at the W Miami South Beach and Schloss Elmau (Bavaria). He is also the author of “Artisanal Cocktails” (Ten Speed Press). Beattie's approach to drinks aligns with Chef Niven's philosophy of sourcing and cooking ingredients from Rancho Patel and nearby purveyors.

Erba's 20 cocktails, ranging from $15 to $24, are divided into four categories:

• Erba's Garden – Visually vibrant garden refreshers that highlight Rancho Patel ingredients
• Negroni – Honor Italy's most iconic cocktail
• Spritz – Feature a wide array of apéritifs and DOCG Superiore Prosecco
• Classics – Erba's unique takes on iconic tipples like the Old Fashioned and Whiskey Sour

Signature tipples include the Butterfly, featuring Rancho Patel Butterfly Pea Flowers, Yuzu, and Pickled Huckleberries; the Napa Negroni, utilizing Charbay Blood Orange Vodka and Napa Valley Bitters; and the Seville Orange Spritz, made with Mommenpop Seville Orange Apéritif, Aperol and Bordiga Bitters.

Décor That Celebrates Love and Connection

Designed by Saladino Design Studio in Miami, the look and feel of Erba begins in the restaurant's foyer when guests are greeted with wallpaper adorned with traditional elements like Cupid, the Roman god of love, but with playful elements of bold colors and the addition of a Dante, a dog. This sets the tone that guests are embarking on an experience based on love, a common theme in all Alpareno Group Restaurants. Its walls are shaded in vibrant hues of pink and red, aligning with the group's commitment to promoting love and connections among its guests.

About Erba

Erba is an Italian-inspired restaurant that showcases Chef Niven Patel's interpretations of this beloved cuisine as seen through Miami's multicultural lens. Chef Niven's dishes incorporate ingredients that he grows at Rancho Patel, which are complemented by a wide array of Italian and global wines, as well as farm to glass cocktails. Located at 227 S. Dixie Highway in Coral Gables, Fla., Erba is open seven days a week, Sunday to Thursday, 5:30pm to 10pm, Friday and Saturday, 5:30pm to 11pm. For more information and reservations, please call (305) 712-7788, visit www.erbamiami.com and follow us on Instagram at @erbamiami.

 About Alpareno Restaurant Group

Headquartered in Miami, Alpareno Restaurant Group is a dynamic restaurant group whose experience-oriented vision has been recognized by the Michelin Guide, the James Beard Foundation and Food & Wine. It merges the culinary ingenuity and attested operational expertise of its founders, Chef Niven Patel and Mohamed Alkassar, the quintessential union of food and beverage visionaries. With its own farm, Rancho Patel, and a commitment to farm to table cooking, its innovative concepts include Ghee, Mamey, Orno and the newly opened Erba. Erba marks the latest collaboration between Alpareno and NRI, whose vision and portfolio aim to revolutionize hospitality by delivering unparalleled experiences that exceed guest expectations. With its opening, Erba embodies the evolution of Alpareno and NRI's established partnership, unifying a single goal of marrying elevated hospitality with memorable culinary experiences. Patel and Alkassar's cultured global backgrounds amplify the team's ability to create unique experiences with a hospitality forward mindset. Alpareno's foundation is built around sourcing the freshest local ingredients with a commitment to ensuring Florida's rising culinary scene receives the recognition it deserves. For more information, please visit alpareno.com and follow us on Instagram at @alparenorestaurants.