Miami chef couple's culinary journey from food truck to Michelin stars
MIAMI - This week marks the 24th Annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival, a celebration of culinary talent that draws renowned chefs from across the globe to Miami's shores.
Among the city's brightest stars are Chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer, a couple whose journey from a humble food truck to Michelin-starred restaurants embodies the spirit of Miami's vibrant food scene.
They'll be showcasing their culinary prowess at this year's festival.
From La Poita to Michelin Stars
Boia De ("oh wow" in Italian), tucked away in a Little Haiti strip mall, is a testament to the couple's dedication and vision.
This intimate 27-seat restaurant, marked by a playful neon exclamation point, earned a coveted Michelin star in 2022 and has retained it for three consecutive years.
Just steps away, their newer venture, Walrus Rodeo, opened in 2023, further solidifying their presence in Miami's culinary landscape.
Their story began with La Poita, a taco trailer that graced the Miami Midtown Garden Center and later the design district.
After two and a half years on wheels, they transitioned to brick and mortar, creating Boia De, an Italian-inspired fine dining experience that quickly captivated Miami's palate.
"We just wanted to make the food that we wanted to eat when we went out in an environment that we wanted to feel comfortable in," explains Giangrandi. "Not feel pressured to dress up or be the coolest person in the room - just go have a really, really high-quality dinner."
Balancing act and culinary delights
The couple, together for 12 years and married for two, emphasizes trust as the key to balancing their personal and professional lives. "I trust that she's always doing everything she can to make both places as good as possible and I would hope that she's trusting me the same way," says Meyer.
While reservations at Boia De are highly sought after, walk-ins are welcome.
The restaurant boasts a devoted following, with some guests returning hundreds of times. "It's incredibly humbling and we feel honored," says Giangrandi. "It's crazy that they're still finding it interesting and still finding it worthwhile."
At Walrus Rodeo, diners can savor specialties like Luci's famous beef carpaccio, Alex's truffle sausage pizza and their legendary mustard green lasagna with lamb ragu and stracchio cheese - a dish hailed by many as "perfection in lasagna."
South Beach Wine and Food Festival and beyond
Meyer acknowledges the South Beach Wine and Food Festival's significant role in elevating Miami's culinary scene.
"It's certainly elevated the visibility and the status of the restaurant scene in the city," he says. "It gives us something to work towards and creates a sense of community with other chefs."
Despite their success, the couple eagerly anticipates the festival weekend.
"It's gonna be a lot of work, but we're looking forward to it. It's going to be a great weekend, we know for sure," says Meyer.
For those eager to experience the culinary magic of Boia De and Walrus Rodeo, arriving early is recommended.
For more information on Boia De, click here and for here for Walrus Rodeo.
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