{"id":23609,"date":"2022-09-13T16:02:11","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T23:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/somimag.com\/?p=23609"},"modified":"2022-09-27T07:14:07","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T14:14:07","slug":"a-return-to-somi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/somimag.com\/a-return-to-somi\/","title":{"rendered":"A RETURN TO SOMI"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/a>\n

Maurizio Farinelli, an experienced, third-generation restaurateur born and raised in Torino, the gastronomic heartland of northern Italy, boasts an impressive track record of opening and operating successful, high-quality restaurants. Whether the concept is fine dining or casual, Maurizio truly has the \u201cgolden touch,\u201d noted writer Peter Laird in an earlier article published in SOMI (cf: Vol XVI, No.4).<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Maurizio has returned to South Miami where in 1996 his career as a restaurateur was born with the opening of Trattoria Sole. He has now opened Mosaico in the former location of Blu la Pizzeria del Sole.<\/em> Mosaico is a boutique fine-dining restaurant which showcases his four-decade culinary journey from Italy to Israel and Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sole was the city\u2019s first fine-dining, white-tablecloth establishment since Grentner\u2019s for Steak in the late 1960s. The restaurant proved to be an instant success, drawing a well-heeled crowd that included, among others, actor Michael Douglas and Miami Heat president Pat Riley, a regular there for years. From Trattoria Sole, Trattoria Luna, and Blu la Pizzeria del Sole in South Miami to Coconut Grove\u2019s Strada in the Grove, Farinelli 1937 Pizzeria & Cucina and more, Maurizio has always had a keen sense for what diners want, and the ability to deliver a winning concept that checks all the boxes: desirable location, inviting ambiance, excellent service, and superb cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SOMI Magazine\u2019s first cover (October 2005) pictured the vibrant al fresco dining scene at Trattoria Sole on Sunset Drive. Having personally known Maurizio since 1988 from Coral Gables\u2019 Ristorante La Bussola and the Asti Sister-City program, I have appreciated witnessing his culinary journey and accomplishments over the years. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In 2019 Maurizio decided to sell his Coconut Grove restaurants and travel the world to expand his culinary horizons, traveling throughout Italy and Israel, visiting acclaimed restaurants, wineries, and markets to learn from fellow culinarians about different customs, cuisines and cooking methods. He spent months studying at Japan\u2019s prestigious Tokyo Sushi Academy and is now certified by Japan\u2019s Ministry of Food Industry to prepare sushi, sashimi and Japanese cuisine according to the country\u2019s stringent standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n