Tony Mantuano, the chef/partner at Lorenzo, realizes Miamians are unlikely to come to Chicago this time of year. Therefore, the James Beard Award winning chef has decided to bring his popular Windy City trattoria, Bar Toma, to South Beach.
Starting Saturday March 15, Lorenzo will play host to a Bar Toma pop-up brunch on weekends. Mantuano, who many know from his stint on season two of Bravo's Top Chef Masters, won't be in town, however, Erik Freeberg, Bar Toma's chef de cuisine will be on hand.
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Expect to find Italian-style dishes like the eggs in purgatory, which feature two fried eggs swimming in a spicy tomato sauce, with fior di latte mozzarella, Pecorino Romano and flecks of rosemary focaccia.
Mantuano told Short Order that, "with Miami becoming such a foodie city, it's great to add a touch of the Windy City's culinary scene to the Magic City."
Lorenzo opened on the ground floor of the new Redbury Hotel last November, and represents Mantuano's first concept outside the Midwest. His Chicago restaurant Spiaggia was where President Barack Obama feted his presidential win in 2008, and Obama has let it be known that Mantuano is his favorite chef.
There's currently no expiration date for the pop-up, which will mark Lorenzo's first foray into brunch. The South Beach eatery has a slightly more upscale vibe than the casual Bar Toma, so the combination should offer customers a nice -- and tasty change.
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