Da Silva Hospitality Group Celebrates Grand Opening of ZUCCA Ristorante & Bar

Photography by Loamis Rodriguez on March 3rd, 2017 in Food, Lifestyle

Coral Gables, FL – March 3, 2017 – ZUCCA – Coral Gables’ newest Italian ristorante and bar, located in the landmark Hotel St. Michel – hosted its grand opening celebration. Attended by more than 250 community leaders, food aficionados, friends and family, the event marked the official introduction of the first U.S. venture by Latin America’s leading Da Silva Hospitality Group. Located in the heart of Coral Gables, ZUCCA serves artisanal Italian cuisine and exclusive mixology by the bar-masters of Cocktail Cartel. Guests arrived to a grand, red carpet entrance, and were greeted with ZUCCA’s, signature Zucca Mule cocktail – a twist on the Moscow Mule that features Gra’it Grappa, fused with hints of lemongrass, ginger and watermelon. A first taste of ZUCCA’s menu was unveiled through passed hors d’oeuvres that included Vitello Tonnato – thinly sliced veal topped with a tuna and caper cream sauce; Arancini – crispy rice balls stuffed with mozzarella and ragù; as well as meatballs, grilled octopus, sage ravioli, and Paccheri pasta with pumpkin served in an Italian sausage sauce. Chefs entertained with a gourmet pasta-making demonstration, while delectable meats and cheeses were prepared on-demand using the restaurant’s classic, hand-cranked slicer.

As the soiree continued, guests transitioned to The ZUCCA Bar for an official debut of the destinations exclusive mixology program. Specially crafted for ZUCCA, creative cocktail samplings included, the Fiori di Sicilia – similar to an Old Fashioned, but made with Spiced Vanilla Cordial and chocolate bitters; the Fifty Sage of Grey – concocted with Earl Grey Tea, simple syrup, lemon juice, and vodka, and topped with East Imperial Yuzu Tonic and sage leaves; and glasses of Aperol Frizz and Frosé, both sophisticatedly offered in the form of a slushy. Perfectly paired red and white wine selections from the glass-enclosed, 1,000-bottle wine cellar were also presented.