That sense of walking into a world of its own, somehow reminiscing of Woody’s “Midnight in Paris”. Get ready to fox trot.
The door of The Cypress Room opens into an inviting quaint room with not so many tables but enough to be so closed to each other that you can almost taste your neighbor’s order, very sexy French bistro.
Unexpected feminine touches like crystal chandeliers and toile wallpaper, tables set with mismatched china. A manly speakeasy-esque wine bar accessorized with a ladder rolling like an old library and a cypress [what else?]-lined wall decorated with antlers and a line of mirrors expands the room and lets you see the action by the bar. although for a second you could be in a man only club in San Francisco. oh no wait, how about the wall covered by B&W vintage original pictures of old Miami? anything else that the eye has to take? because here guys we gotta seat and go down to business. and if these are the premises, wait until you meet the roster of geniuses behind the scenes of another “Genuine” approved masterpiece.
Seating on the pastel baby blue tufted banquet certainly gives you that retro feel of a Riva on lake Como. The oversized marlin across the room reminds you though you are still in Miami.
The menu is an exquisitely concentrated profusion of delicacies that tease you enough to wanting everything. now. really, what to choose?
‘The beverage book’ is not a joke with its eleven pages worth a magna cum laude graduation of a sommelier. The ‘Barrel Aged’ aperitifs are house made and a must to prepare your taste buds to what’s coming up. Maps guide you through the Chablis to the Nebbiolo and finally to the after dinner regions of Madeira. FYI, who knew that in Madeira they were making Malvasia? In my Ante-The-Cypress-Room times, la malvasia was that wine we drink at night after dinner in Stromboli and we bring home as a memento of another fantastic mediterranean summer vacation. There’s never an end to learning.
Appetizers. What to say about the pairing of the soup a l’onion with a sherry? Nothing but so perfect that you would never want it to finish. Not to mention la bagna cauda: last time I had it it was 2001 Italy, so yes another 1000 points bravo. The lamb tartare tender and soft like a baby’s butt (rather graphic but true).
Entrees. Chicken, rabbit and antelope are like a boom, boom, boom in your face, I have the moves like Jagger. Of course you gotta love them. Being born and raised on il lago Massaciuccoli, Tuscany where hunting and game eating is a Sunday tradition, helps.
Desserts & master pastry chef Cathy may come as last in order but never with another bang. ‘Toasted Oregon Hazelnut Parfait’ says the paper and a sense of abandon tells you that it’s OK to indulge and yes there’s still room to stimulate your senses.
My grand father, great gourmand, used to tell me that when you eat a lot and don’t feel overwhelmed or drunk or disgusted by the quantity of food is when your eating is perfect: perfect produce, recipe, portions, wine pairing, company and music. According to his rule of thumb The Cypress Room has got it all: a celebration of all senses that leaves you with a sense of happiness and satisfaction.
