Lyon's Plethore & Balthazar Opens at Hilton Bentley

Plethore & Balthazar, P&B for short, is headed across the pond to bring a bit of France to South Beach.

P&B co-owners Fabien Chalard and Julien Geliot have replicated the original restaurant, located at 72 Rue Mercière in Lyon, France, down to the black-and-white chairs, for its second home at the Hilton Bentley Hotel in South Beach. The restaurant is located on the first floor, occupying the former De Rodriguez space. The Hilton Bentley is also the home of Prime Italian.

The original restaurant, by the way, received all-around good reviews and a 100 percent positive rating on the local site lyonresto.com. 

"P&B is the result of our passion for wine and good food. Our goal is to give everyone the chance to enjoy the small wonders of gastronomy," Chalard says. "The idea is to share the best high-end French specialties, right on South Beach. Its vibrant beach atmosphere is the perfect setting for our concept, as we aim to create a new ‘laid-back, sophisticated’ approach to dining." 

The restaurant, whose grand opening is scheduled for October, is now open for dining previews, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, and cocktails. The decor is best described as modern bistro, with dark wood furnishings and black-and-white houndstooth upholstery, accented by columns of graffiti print.

Chef Diego Amat Lopez — former owner of Barcelona's La Estrella de Plata and executive chef at the Hilton Hotel in Lyon and the flagship Plethore & Balthazar — heads the Miami Beach kitchen, which turns out traditional French cuisine as well as Spanish-inspired dishes made with locally sourced produce. The chef is looking forward to serving Miamians. "When I was asked to join such a talented team of experts in Miami, I knew we would be making our mark to the booming Miami culinary scene."
That means tapas classics such as pan con tomate ($6) share a menu with steamed mussels à la Française ($14). Other dishes include grilled octopus salad ($19), Maine lobster salad à la Française ($38), paella ($30), and gambas al ajillo ($16). Chef Lopez says the menu "aims to please all palates, adding the exquisite flavors of France all while sourcing locally." 
P&B also offers a daily happy hour at the bar from 4 to 7 p.m. (with extended hours Tuesday and Friday until 9 p.m.). Guests can sip cocktails such as the Caribbean Smash, made with tequila, passionfruit, fresh organic mint, and house-made tiki passion syrup. Happy-hour beer, wine by the glass, select cocktails, well drinks, and tapas are $7 each.

P&B is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.