Casa Tua Restaurant, South Beach

This was my second visit to this lovely spot.  This haven of casual elegance is very aptly named, Casa Tua, or, your house.  From the moment you pass through the tree lined entry way of this beautiful old home (there is a private club and guest rooms housed there as well), you will be overwhelmed by the gorgeous simplicity of the interior.  The host and wait staff are lovely and courteous.  There is a private dining room to the left and then the main indoor dining rooms (indoor and outdoor) are to the right.  It was too hot to sit outside (for me) so we sat in the cozy indoor dining room.  You truly feel as though you are in someone's home.  There are family pictures, books on the shelves, you feel at home.

For appetizers, we ordered the tuna tartar (a house specialty) and the grilled octopus.  The tuna was bright, fresh and luscious and the grilled octopus was cooked perfectly.  As a middle course we opted for the special risotto which was adorned with scallop (note: previously we had enjoyed the faro risotto with lobster which is OUT OF THIS WORLD, but was sadly not being offered that night, if it is available when you go, get it, period).  The risotto was prepared with just the right amount of firmness and the scallops were a lovely addition to the course.  For the main course, we both chose (because I had loved it the last time and my husband loved the bites he kept taking from me!) the beef tenderloin with foie gras, roasted hazelnuts and leeks.  This dish is incredible.  The tenderloin was cooked perfectly and all of the elements of the dish (surprising to me a few years ago, however, on this trip I noticed several restaurants offering a version of it) complimented each other in the most harmonious, glorious way.

The wine lists, yes, plural, there are two, the "regular" and the reserve which start at about $250 a bottle and go up from there, were both impressive.  I loved the fact that the regular one highlighted up and coming selections.  The sommelier recommended a brut from this grouping and it was light and crisp, excellent.

Place this restaurant at the top of your list!