El Pimiento Restaurant

El Pimiento is a Miami staple with a feel-good vibe and friendly service. The owner, Veruska Chalbaud, greets you with a warm smile and immediately makes you feel like a family member who has just arrived home for the holidays. The festive atmosphere gives way to roars of laughter from the tables around you and everyone always seems to be having a good time.

You won’t have to wait long for a glass of sangria and warm bread to whet the appetite as you peruse the menu – everything looks delicious so narrowing the choices can be a challenge. The Chef, a culinary transplant from Burgos, takes great care to ensure the authenticity of the dishes and even as international imports have become more difficult to find during the pandemic, the restaurant insists on serving certain items from Spain for flavors which cannot be replicated. For example, the Boquerones (a must have!) are Spanish anchovies marinated in white vinegar and finished with olive oil. These old-world delicacies are perfect on their own or with bread, but either way you’ll need that bread to lap up the last remnants of mouthwatering briny sauce they leave behind on the plate. Other menu items imported from Spain include the Chipirones, squid stuffed with buttery sauce, and the Chistorras, salty Spanish pork sausages that make several proud appearances throughout the menu. It would be difficult to pinpoint one standout dish, but the Jarrete de Cordero Al Vino is in the running. This slow cooked, bone in lamb shank braised in a tempranillo wine reduction is meltingly tender and the lamb falls apart with the touch of a fork. The richness of the meat is balanced by its slightly sweet and deep flavored, herbaceous wine sauce and is served alongside aromatic rice to soak up its juices.

I’ve had Spanish food at a number of restaurants in Miami and New York and while many of them are good, El Pimiento’s atmosphere and flavors are the complete transport to your favorite neighborhood restaurant in Burgos. My only criticism is that it’s difficult to leave room for dessert, and you should, because the dessert menu does not disappoint.

El Pimiento is a great spot for a dimly lit date, family gathering or celebration. The attention to detail, love for comfort food and interest in the community is what drives the restaurant’s staff to deliver an authentic experience. It’s easy to see why this place has such a loyal following.

Favorite dishes: Tortilla española, Huevos Rotos con Chistorra, Caldo Gallego, Tostones con Champis, Patatas Bravas, Boquerones, Chipirones, Croquetas de Bacalao, Piquillos Rellenos de Bacalao, Pulpo al Ajillo, Albóndigas Bravas, Chistorra Brava, Paella con Langosta, Paella Negra, Montaditos de Cerdo, Jarrete de Cordero al Vino, Crema Catalana, Flan de Turron Casero.