Cotoletta photo
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After opening in Coconut Grove in 2024, Miami’s first restaurant to serve only one main dish (Italian pan-fried veal) gained so much popularity in its first year that it’s already opening a second location.
Cotoletta, winner of New Times‘ Best Restaurant in Coconut Grove 2025, will open a new location in South Beach at 840 First St. It will take over the space formerly occupied by the restaurant of celebrated Peruvian chef Juan Chipoco, Intimo.
Friends and business partners Ignacio Lopez Mancisidor, Mattia Cicognani, and Andrea Fraquelli are behind Cotoletta, which has a rather unique concept for an Italian restaurant. Instead of offering a plethora of options, Cotoletta revolves around a single dish: cotoletta alla milanese, a veal cutlet pan-fried in a mixture of butter and oil. It is served alongside sides like pasta al pomodoro and zucchini fries.
Cotoletta photo
Making Choosing One Less Thing To Do: “The Freedom From Choice”
“At 84 Magic Hospitality, we always tap into the uniqueness of each location and space that we enter; in this way, we believe no two restaurants will ever be the same,” says Fraquelli of the South Beach outpost. “We believe a restaurant is like a tree; only by having deep roots in the local environment can it thrive. What we will bring is the same quality of food, the same value for money, the freedom from choice, and finally our signature warm Italian hospitality.”
Originally from London, Fraquelli has certainly been expanding his culinary roots since landing in Miami. After opening La Brasseria Milanese and Brasseria Notting Hill across the pond, he relocated to the Magic and founded 84 Magic Hospitality alongside Lopez Mancisidor and Cicognani. In addition to Cotoletta, the group has also opened San Lorenzo, an elegant yet relaxed prix-fixe spot alongside Miami’s Little River, inspired by Italy’s Lake Cuomo region, and 3190, a speakeasy tucked beside Cotoletta that serves only two items: lasagna and wine.
“We always strive to serve the communities we reside in first, knowing that only regular customers can make a restaurant business,” Fraquelli says. “I believe that our authenticity shines bright in Miami, and we have discovered that sticking to our values and being true to ourselves often in the face of doubters has been our success.”
Cotoletta photo
When Will Pan-Fried Veal Come to SoBe?
No date has been set yet for the opening of Cotoletta in South Beach, but the team is undoubtedly eager to debut its first venture into Miami Beach. “We are so excited to show the wider community of this great city who we are and what we believe in, as well as moving closer to some of our loyal regulars who have travelled long distances for the best cotoletta alla milanese in the world,” Fraquelli says.
Looking for more Italian fare? Check out New Times’ list of the best Italian restaurants in Miami.
Cotoletta South Beach. 840 First St., Miami Beach; cotolettamiami.com. Opening late 2025/early 2026.
