HAUTE PARTNERS

THE CROWN JEWEL

Major Food Group introduces Contessa, a regal dining concept, to the Miami Design District.

BY ADRIENNE FAUROTE

THIS FALL, MAJOR FOOD GROUP MADE ANOTHER GRANDIOSE DEBUT IN THE Miami Design District with the opening of Contessa. Sitting at the intersection of art, culture, and fashion, the two-story dining destination is rooted in the old-world sophistication of Northern Italy’s iconic villas and estates; in fact, Contessa translates to “Italian countess,” embodying the very essence of the new restaurant.

Upon entry, guests are immediately transported back to the 1960s in Lake Como with subtle design touches, like the high-gloss tweaked woodwork detailing, that allude to traditional Italian Riva boat design. The first floor is teeming with lavish touches, from the emerald striped drapery and lush paintings to the jewel-toned marble floor embellished with an Art Deco pattern. But perhaps the design focal point of the restaurant is the pink Venetian plaster on the walls and ceiling paired with bespoke Italian Murano light fixtures, ultimately setting the incredibly glamorous mood. Upstairs, guests are whisked away to the upper dining room, which is inspired by a historic lakeside villa, with elegant touches of golden antique mirrors set against a deep-teal wall paneling for a more intimate atmosphere.

Remaining true to the elegance of the design, Contessa’s menu also possesses an Italian sophistication. “Contessa Miami channels the singular sense of refinement and pleasure of those Northern Italian meals we wish could go on forever, right in the heart of the Magic City,” reveals Mario Carbone, Major Food Group co-founder, alongside Jeff Zalaznick and Rich Torrisi. “I can’t think of a more perfect location to bring this restaurant to life and to share with the people of Miami a menu dedicated to a rich and elegant region we’ve long hoped to celebrate.” The menu is teeming with classic Northern Italian dishes enhanced through Major Food Group’s contemporary lens, like the carpaccio of Chianina beef, octopus agrodolce con peperone, fusilli Genovese, 40-ounce dry-aged bistecca Fiorentina, and signature pizzas complemented by desserts like homemade gelati, amaretti, and more.

And, of course, we must mention the wine and cocktails. Created by Major Food Group’s Wine Director John Slover, Contessa’s wine selection is highly curated from central and northern Italian regions with a keen focus on Nebbiolo-based wines from Barolo, Barbaresco, Alte-Piedmont, and Lombardy — along with other premium wineries throughout France and North America. Bar Director Nathan McCarley O’Neill designed the cocktail list, taking inspiration from the swanky 1920s to create cocktails like the Negroni and Vesper, to name a few.

From the extravagant design and atmosphere to the culinary experience, Contessa is an Italian dining oasis that captures the charm of the Miami Design District. “Contessa is grand and glamorous,” notes Zalaznick. “It’s designed to be an all-day anchor where you can eat, drink, and celebrate into the night in the most elegant yet energetic neighborhood in Miami.” 111 NE 41st St.

40-ounce dry-aged bistecca Fiorentina

ART BASEL

Daniel Arsham’s “The Ares House”

GALLERY GUIDE

As the pulse of art and culture in Miami, the Miami Design District will be home to several notable installations and exhibitions, including this year’s design commission by Miami-based architect and designer Germane Barnes, which features Rock | Roll, a multifaceted installation that draws on the vibrancy of Miami Carnival to honor the BIPOC communities that contribute to Miami’s polyethnic culture. Miami Design District will also be home to “The Row,” a collaboration between the Alexander Team and Everyrealm to create an exclusive collection of metaverse real estate featuring architecture designed by a variety of talented artists like Daniel Arsham; Craig Robins’ Two of The Same Kind exhibition featuring pieces by Zaha Hadid, Jean Prouvé, and more — to name a few. In addition, Superblue Miami and Meta Open Arts will also present Aerobanquets RMX, an innovative mixed-reality art and culinary experience that engages all senses. Across the bridge, the Art Basel fair will feature 283 galleries, with 26 of them being first-time exhibitors with a strong presence from Latin America.

A chair by Gaetano Pesce with Matthieu Blazy for Bottega Veneta

THIS YEAR IS MAJOR, AS IT MARKS THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ART BASEL IN MIAMI BEACH AND THE LARGEST EDITION YET. WITH MIAMI AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE ART AND DESIGN SCENE LIKE NEVER BEFORE, HERE IS THE HAUTE GUIDE TO ART BASEL 2022.

BY ADRIENNE FAUROTE

CULINARY CONCEPTS

Resy and American Express are creating a pop-up in the Miami Design District headlined by Michelin and James Beard Award-winning chefs Massimo Bottura, Missy Robbins, and Mashama Bailey. Artist Phillip K. Smith III has also curated an immersive work for the space called Garden of Reflections. Cote Miami is debuting Art After Dark at COTE Miami, an experiential dining experience where renowned private collectors will join together for the first time to showcase their world-class pieces.

FASHION HAPPENINGS

For its first partnership with Design Miami/, Bottega Veneta will present an installation that follows an unprecedented commission by Creative Director Matthieu Blazy as he tapped Gaetano Pesce to design Bottega Veneta’s Summer 2023 show space in Milan, which included a sculptural resin floor and 400 resin chairs. Fendi Casa will officially open its first flagship store in the U.S. in the Miami Design District. And Dolce & Gabbana will unveil the Alta Gioielleria collections, showcasing the creative expression of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana through an evocative tale of Italian artistic treasures and crafts that come to life through one-of-a-kind jewelry creations as well as the Dolce & Gabbana Casa Collection. Finally, Loro Piana will present an exclusive limited series of candle holders, created in collaboration with the French designer Charlotte Chesnais at Art Basel.

The 2022 Miami Design District Commission: Rock | Roll by Germane Barnes