Fi'lia Offers Lighter Approach To Italian Favorites

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - From grilling up prawns flown in from South Africa, molding the made-on-premises pizza dough for their Putanesca Pizza or hand mixing the dressing for the ultimate Caesar salad, it's all happening at the new Fi'lia inside the SLS Brickell.

The name means daughter in Italian with a dropped "g". At the helm is renowned James Beard award winning Chef Michael Schwartz.

"It's just stuff that I like to cook and I like to eat," said Schwartz. "It represents a lighter approach to Italian food."

The 'feel' of Fi'lia is relaxed and organic. It was designed by award winning interior designer Phillipe Starck who created all of the spaces in the hotel. During the recent opening party for the hotel, CBS4's Lisa Petrillo asked Starck how Miami inspires him.

"Miami is a cross of all of the cultures, all of the people and all of their energies," said Starck. "The result is creativity."

Speaking of creativity, there are citrus trees and an herb garden at every table.

Chef Schwartz started the Petrillo's tasting at his table side Caesar station where the classic salad is made and presented at your table.

"We start out with this griddle and grill the croutons to order and start with garlic butter on it," said Schwartz.

He then works anchovies in a wooden bowl, adding in garlic and an egg yolk. He then emulsified it by hand to create a dressing.

"And then we toss," he said as he added it to the salad.

Scwartz then finished it off with fresh grated cheese and those home made toasted croutons. The result was a Caesar salad worth waiting for.

"This is a real Caesar salad," said Petrillo after tasting it, "Caesar himself would be happy."

Next up were grilled prawns.

"I like to say prawns are the new octopus. You now how everyone has octopus on their menus? I'm doing prawns. We simply split grill it, finish it with garlic, parsley and a big piece of lemon to squeeze on it," explained Schwartz.

"This is sweet and savory and just the amount of bite. It's to die for," said Petrillo.

Finally Pizza Putanesca with sausage, cheese and veggies.

"The crust is thin. I love the sausage, it has has a kick to it and the cheese gives it a texture of smoothness. This is a dynamite pizza" Petrillo said.

Fi'lia, located at 1300 South Miami Avenue, is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.