Le Jardinier

Located in the Design District, Le Jardinier is the southern outpost of Alain Verzeroli's first solo restaurant (also called Le Jardinier), which opened in 2019 in a luxury building in midtown Manhattan and quickly earned a Michelin star. For two decades, Verzeroli worked alongside the great Joël Robuchon, helping the French chef assemble menus and a small galaxy of Michelin accolades. On his own after Robuchon's death in 2018, Verzeroli runs his restaurant in partnership with the same company that operates L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, which is located a spiral staircase up from Le Jardinier. As its name suggests, Le Jardinier adheres to the increasingly fashionable "eat your vegetables" ethos. Dishes like farro risotto with a confit tomato and mimolette cheese are soulful and satisfying enough that meat becomes an option rather than a necessity. That doesn't mean the menu is stocked with only rabbit food. A bavette steak resting in its own juices and served with roasted artichokes and royal trumpet mushrooms will grab any carnivore's attention. Verzeroli's pristine Miami outpost earned a Michelin star in the guide's Florida debut.