L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon — Restaurant in Miami

Had an anniversary date and a really nice time here. Definitely worth a one time experience...BUT...in comparison to the many 1 star restaurants we have visited, I have mixed feelings about 2 Michelin Stars vs the overall experience vs the pricing. Here's why....

Our server Hasna was a sweetheart. The hosts at entry were pleasant, and the general manager was extremely attentive and he made his rounds several times to ensure all was smooth. In general...all was smooth. However, it's all in the details.... my first impression was the bathroom I visited before being seated. How is there no toilet paper in a 2 star restaurant that is not full on a Thursday night? It was strange to me...but I moved on. I mentioned that our server Hasna was lovely. We had the Evolution (8 courses plus dessert)...and with every course, several servers would assist in serving and someone would stay behind to explain the course. Some of the servers seemed robotic and unenthusiastic....we could barely hear what was being said. Some servers were better than others in descriptions....it was very inconsistent. My husband accidentally dropped a steak knife at some point. It clanked and clattered all the way down...and no one noticed. Though this may be a function of there not being many servers on the floor since the majority of the seating is bar counter seating. We had to pick it up at the end of the night...I didnt want anyone getting hurt.

I did love that they had substitutions for certain things. For example, I am not crazy about foie gras...so they offered a substitute for mine. I did try my husband's and it was quite different and very good in comparison to others, but my spinach tart was even better. The bread was AMAZING...but we joked about it being a filler for the tiny dishes we were expecting and that's exactly what it was. The bison was spectacular...and the truffle ravioli was divine (I wish they had put 2 pieces instead of 1...I was saddened it was only one). The dessert was spectacular....and they gave us an anniversary dessert as a plus which was a nice touch. The cocktails were nice, but kind of mediocre in presentation and there was not much to choose from. The wine selection seemed extensive.

Side note....I did have an off putting moment but it was no fault of the restaurant staff...and I am not sure how they could have handled it better. One of the patrons near us a few empty seats away was putting makeup on throughout her ENTIRE meal. Like she literally had makeup bags sprawled out spilling into the seat next to her. At first i thought it was a momentary thing...but it just went on. The makeup bags all over the counter where people eat is what was off putting. I started wondering if the area where she placed all of her cosmetics bags would be cleaned properly for the next patron. I did hear the general manager make a suggestion to use the "very spacious bathroom with a large mirror." She wasn't budging. In the end, it was entertaining....and it didn't affect us....but there was something about eating nearby someone giving herself a makeover with full on makeup brushes and powder makeup.

One major thing I did enjoy during this visit (besides the croissants and the dessert I can't stop thinking about) is the fact that Hasna saw how much I enjoyed the croissants and packed me some to go, along with an extra bread we had not tried. We also requested a menu at the end of the meal to take a picture of for our collection of memories, and she took the extra step to give us a paper menu to take home with a note from her and the chef.

We highly enjoyed the night and we were satisfied with the visit overall, but we came to the conclusion that there was nothing that set aside this restaurant as a 2 star experience. We have had similar experiences at 1 star restaurants without the extra price tag. Maybe having a couple of drinks and a dish or two a la carte would ne more worth it. I do recommend visiting amd having the tasting menu at least once. It was a...

So as a world traveler i like to see myself as a Restaurant  connoisseur and maybe not so much as a critic but when it comes to great restaurants a full and well written review is should be done.

We heard about this restaurant from a friend and he recommended it highly for a fine dining experience, well that’s an understatement.

My wide made our reservation and called the baby sitter cause we weren’t going to rush this night out.

As we walked up to the entrance the Le Jardiniere is downstairs and the hostess greeted us by our name, thats a good sign right from the start.

She told us to walk upstairs and another hostess greeted us and walked us to our table.

My wife had received a recommendation from the hostess when she called for our reservation so we sat on a bar type table facing the kitchen.

The spacing between the guest next to us was very roomy and we felt very private in our dining space. This seat I highly recommend if your dining in a couple, its unique , private and you can call it romantic as well.

The view is very interesting as you have a first hand view of the entire kitchen, waiters, cooks and the chef, something you would see in a tv show.

As im enjoying this new experience i see a symphony in action and the CHEF leading the orchestra.

Wow.... what precision of team work down to the littlest detail... its what I call PERFECTION.

Well on to the dining.

I believe we had a Head Hostess, named Maria. I can tell as everyone in this team she was very nice in attitude, presentation and knew how to please her guest. You can see the extensive training and dedication she had to be perfect.

In this seating space one wrong move can be a disaster because they are leaning over a bar setting for your water and plates, so they need to be precise when they place your drinks and food.

I have been in one of the best restaurants in the world and have a waiter spill a small glass of oil all over me, and ruined my complete night, so she’s making sure thats not happening here.

Next when I visit a restaurant fine dinning or not, my first action is to test the waiter or waitress and see if there willing to do there job right or just there for a paycheck.

So i ask Maria whats you most popular cocktails, here is were you see a waiter leanes towards a popular item or just personal preference. Sometimes they even tell you themselves which for me its what im looking for, Honestly.

She recommended 2 drinks and I had a feeling they would be good, and she was right.

I went on to the menu and I took the lead on this one and told Maria, what do recommend, which is popular.

Now when I dine in a restaurant you will never see me post anything about pricing, im so im not looking at a price per meal. A well trained waitress will guide you and recommend you to course of foods that would not be hidden item on the menu that cost hundreds of dollars.

So Maria recommend a Spring Menu which you can choose from several different foods per course.

I think a great restaurant and leading Chef knows exactly how large a portion of food should be to satisfy your palate and stomach by the end of your dining experience.

So a basket of warm fresh bread is served so dont be afraid to taste the variety of the ones served.

The waitress has a team member that is always either serving food of removing your plates, at the precise time and setting up for the next item on the course.

Our food came out and cooked to perfection and the presentation was spectacular. The order on which the food came out was timed to perfection and i was enjoying my food and a wonderful conversation with my wife.

Overall I highly recommend this restaurant for a complete fine dining experience.

My compliments to the entire team, to the Chef and the manager of “L’ Atelier Miami by Joel Robuchon, Im proud to add them to my favorite list of the Best Restaurants in Miami, South Florida and the World.

I can see the legacy of Joel Robuchon continues....

For me this is definitely a 3 Michellin...

After a long four-year wait, Miami finally has its very own L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, an essential modern French cuisine concept. Our location is almost a replica of their other mostly Michelin-starred spots.

South Florida has never had a shortage of impressively designed restaurants; this one is no exception. Equally beautiful, dark and sleek lacquered wood with exposed cherry wood grains, and signature pops of cherry red surround the open kitchen. Black leather placemats with their distinctive logo serve as neutral backdrops of the plates to come. Dramatic lighting shines directly on each place setting, offering them a well-deserved spotlight. The staff completes the look, donning on-brand black and red attire. A modern spiraling staircase connects L’Atelier with the downstairs Le Jardinier. Robuchon’s photo hangs on an otherwise bare wall, overlooking the kitchen: perhaps a reminder to execute as he would have and to honor his legacy.

What about substance? I’m happy to report, they’ve got it. And more.

Unable to hold my excitement, I first dined on opening night. I figured there was no better way to follow its progress and watch the restaurant evolve. I sat on one of the (surprisingly comfortable) barstools and took in my surroundings. The collective nervous energy was palpable. Diners of all ages and backgrounds filed in throughout the night and joined the main event.

The counter format took some getting used to at first. Unlike a traditional omakase seating of six to eight diners, here, 34 counter seats make up the majority of the restaurant with a few tables for larger parties available behind them. With this setup, the expected formality of white-tablecloth fine dining disappears. A tall vitrine-style counter, with seasonal rotating decor inside, serves as a barrier between the diner and the kitchen. On the opposite side, an energetic team of at least six glide from side to side confidently taking orders, pouring water, opening wine, and serving course after course. The kitchen’s every move exposes itself behind them, making it nearly impossible to look away: organized chaos, art in motion.

To date, I have tried the ambitious Evolution Tasting Menu three times (perfect for a first visit), and also enjoyed creating my own, ordering off the ever-changing a la carte menu. Ingredients have shifted with each visit based on seasonality. While not as over-the-top as Las Vegas’ Joël Robuchon Restaurant, where the bread service is out of an am-I-in-heaven rolling cart, believe me when I say the bread service here is not an afterthought.

Robuchon is about the pursuit of perfection, attention to detail, and care about the diner having the ultimate journey from the time one enters the door. Service by the sommeliers on staff has been equally professional each time.

Miamians might be surprised to learn that the overall service at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon is neither stuffy nor intimidating. The staff is incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to please.

Park in the covered underground garage. Once there, take the elevator to the second level. The restaurant is on the opposite side of Kaido.

If available, consider trying one of their tasting menus during the first visit. It takes the guessing out of the equation and allows you to sit back and enjoy the experience.

Talk to the sommelier about a pairing or a by-the-glass option.

Outside dining is now available.

*Masks are required to enter and when walking around.

*QR code menu is available.

*Sanitizer is provided to each party.

If possible, plan for pre-dinner drinks downstairs at Le Jardinier before your dinner reservation. Then take the beautiful staircase upstairs to L’Atelier.

Allow plenty of time to dine and not be rushed. This is not the spot in which to grab a quick...