All Fired Up At Los Fuegos
The fires are roaring once again at Francis Mallmann’s Los Fuegos. Whether it’s an intimate dinner, a Sunday asado barbecue or a special celebration, the restaurant’s flamelicked fare always makes for a memorable meal.
Mallmann protégé Argentine chef Sebastián Benítez has crafted a summer menu that focuses on simple, fresh ingredients. Chef suggestions range from crispy artichokes sprinkled with sesame and sourdough breadcrumbs to wood-fired eggplant milanesa with tomato chutney to a classic smoked tenderloin drizzled in foie gras sauce.
“Each dish uses our various fire elements like the grill, cast-iron griddle and wood-fired oven,” said Chef Benítez.
On Sundays, diners can experience the time-honored tradition of gaucho grilling with an authentic Argentine asado using a Patagonian fire dome. Justcaught fish and buttery cuts of grass-fed beef like bife de lomo, vacío, entraña and bife de chorizo are hung to slow-roast from a sixfoot iron dome above a ring of glowing embers. An array of fruits and vegetables like whole pineapple and cabbage also dangle from wires, roasting in the woodfired heat.
Dishes are served on the Los Fuegos terrace where friends and family come together in the smoke scented breeze to uncork a bottle of Malbec wine and enjoy delicious flame-cooked food in good company, just as it’s done in Argentina. A special Sunday asado will mark Father’s Day this June with a set menu showcasing a degustation of starters like prime beef empanadas, beets ‘al rescoldo’ carpaccio and pear and prosciutto, succulent entrees and a sweet finale of traditional Argentine desserts.
During the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in May, Mallmann himself stoked the fires to serve guests a spirited evening of indulgence typified by his lyrical panache and melt-in-your-mouth menu of hanging bone-in ribeye and wood-fired branzino paired with roasted vegetables. “Francis is unique because he cooks genuine, unpretentious, authentic food,” notes Chef Benítez.
“The Los Fuegos kitchen is very particular because we don’t use gas. Every dish is cooked over wood-fired flames.” Growing up in Buenos Aires, Chef Benítez left architecture school when he realized his passion for cooking on a monthlong trip to Brazil. “I spent everyday cooking for my friends and the people we met during the trip, and up until that moment I had never realized the simple pleasure of making people happy with food.” His passion for the craft has taken him all over the world including Australia, New Zealand and Spain. He’s worked under such acclaimed chefs as Mauro Colagreco, Alex Atala, and of course, Francis Mallmann.
“I really admire Francis for his simple and generous cuisine and at the same time I’m inspired by a number of European chefs like Alain Passard, Pierre Gagnaire and Joan Roca,”
“I think it’s important to have a foundation in the classics in order to be creative and develop your own identity as a chef.” With years of training in the art of livefire cooking, Chef Benítez has grown to express himself much like his mentor Mallmann— using humble ingredients that when charred to perfection, satisfy the palate and the soul.
“I spent everyday cooking for my friends and the people we met during the trip, and up until that moment I had never realized the simple pleasure of making people happy with food.”
CHEF SEBASTIÁN BENÍTEZ
Related Articles
The Faena Questionnaire: Andrés Reisinger
Our rendition of the Proust Questionnaire is a unique take on the famous parlor game that gained popularity, although it was not originally created by Marcel Proust, the renowned French essayist and novelist. Proust believed that by responding to these questions, individuals unveil their genuine essence.
Art, Cultural Adventures, and Current Affairs
Faena Rose is an exclusive private members’ club dedicated to art and culture, founded on the principles of community, cultural enrichment, patronage, and VIP access. Its mission is to enrich members’ lives through world-class programming and to foster a genuine sense of community.
Let The Sun Come In
In anticipation of a new restaurant opening at Casa Faena this fall, Brazilian artist João Incerti has created a vibrant tropical oasis in the hotel’s dining room with his mural titled “Let the Sun Come In.” We spoke with Incerti about his artistic journey and the inspiration behind this stunning artwork.
A Kaleidoscope of Rare Finds
Big Bang has a new influx of one-of-a-kind crafted designs from around the globe. Offerings span from vibrant jewelry and handbags to exclusive swimwear and ready-to-wear pieces, each telling a unique story of craftsmanship and creativity
Spiced Up at Los Fuegos
For the months of August and September Miami Spice brings a culinary spectacle to Los Fuegos offering an unforgettable dining experience that encapsulates the essence of Argentina’s finest flavors and its mastery of fire-based cooking.
Resonant Rhythms
In The Living Room, music reflects the soul of Miami’s vibrant energy. Resident acts from Alfredo Rivero’s American Gipsy to music from Liset Alea, a founding member of the Parisian bossa nova band Nouvelle Vague, captivate audiences on a weekly basis
Sip & Savor Summer Flavors
Restaurant Pao by Paul Qui is redefining seasonal dining with new summer ingredients, an art-inspired cocktail menu, a new wine class, and a must-try Miami Spice menu.
Learn the Delicate Craft of Sushi-making
Promising a summer of delicious discovery, El Secreto’s chef Erik Melendez is launching an interactive two and-a-half-hour sushi-making class this summer.
Beat the Heat
From cryotherapy and hydrating IV drips to summer facials and seasonally priced Miami Spa Months treatments, Tierra Santa offers a myriad of ways to cool down when the heat is high.
Carmen, The Cabaret
In a bold and original move, Faena Theater is set to present a formidable cabaret rendition of Georges Bizet’s 19th-century opera “Carmen,” reimagined by the creative minds at Quixotic, an award-winning performance art collective.