Hotspot! Baru Urbano

Hotspot! Baru Urbano

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Arriving at Miami’s new Baru Urbano, a destination for Brickell-area hipsters, my first reaction was ‘cool.’ The bohemian interior is quasi-industrial and graffiti-filled with colorful compelling Latin-inspired street art. It works, especially with the rich dark-wood-filled décor set against gold-hued banquettes. Immersed in the scene, I imagined this was a café in Buenos Aires or perhaps Bogota! I fully enjoyed the Baru leek and mushroom dip, a yummy starter served in a homemade bread bowl. When owner Juan Carlos Pardo says you must taste the Black Seafood Hallaca, a black tamale stuffed with sautéed scallops, shrimp and mussels—you know it’s bound to be special. And it is. Straight out of central casting, the charming Pardo’s strategy for Baru Urbano is in keeping with how he likes to entertain at home: clients should come for dinner and stay late. He’s not rushing anyone out the door, rather, he hopes diners enjoy themselves so much they linger, mingle and listen to hot rhythms as the evening wanes (and the interior lights grow even dimmer). Be sure to check out the patio bar too. 1001 South Miami Avenue, 786.991.4570.

Tags: bar | Mary Brickell Village | Miami | music | seafood