NORTH ONE 10
A FINE DINING OASIS ON BOOMING BISCAYNE BOULEVARD

Since it opened in May 2004, North One 10, the celebrated contemporary American restaurant owned and operated by husband and wife team Dewey & Dale LoSasso, has become a fine dining gem in South Florida. Located on the up-and-coming Biscayne Corridor, the restaurant has charmed diners and critics with its mix of casual sophistication, superb service and incredible food. Truly, with North One 10, the LoSassos, a pair of seasoned industry veterans, have created a culinary oasis that regularly draws diners from the delicious haunts of Miami Beach and beyond. For North One 10, LoSasso, a founding member of the 1980's era “Mango Gang,” has created what he calls “comfort food with an edge,” a menu both familiar and evocative, infused with tropical ingredients from Florida’s rich cornucopia and the subtle nuances of international haute cuisine.

And, indeed, LoSasso’s menu reflects his wide-ranging influences – starters ($7-$14) include “little snacks”, soups and salads that are both classics of his repertoire as well as new dishes. Choices include white truffle garlic bread, smoked salmon “croquettas” served with sliced smoked mahi mahi and “damn hot“ guava sauce, lobster gazpacho and porcini dusted goat cheese with hearts of palm, mizuna and pomegranate syrup. Main courses ($14-$32) are sophisticated yet always contain familiar elements. These include grilled filet mignon, served in “onion soup”, topped with Swiss cheese toast accented with a drizzle of chili oil; peanut butter and jelly with an edge – sliced charred Florida lobster tail with a roasted peanut sauce and pear chutney served on toasted brioche; and a longtime favorite for LoSasso groupies, yuca crusted snapper served with a black bean and shrimp broth and dried yellow tomatoes. To further encourage the convivial atmosphere, larger dishes ($40-$44) are offered for sharing by two or three – a grilled whole fish topped with wild mushroom ragu or a whole rack of lamb served with a ricotta tart and red onion-mango marmalade, using mangoes from the trees in the Losassos’ yard. Vegetarians are well taken care of with choices among the main plates as well as in the pastas and grains section ($9-$14) of the menu, with offerings such as potato vegetable cannelloni and corn artichoke ravioli. Tasty side dishes include “overcooked broccoli” -- an homage to LoSasso’s mother’s cooking, as well as sautéed asparagus.

Desserts ($6-10) intriguing and bold enough to tempt adventurous palates include rum raisin risotto rice pudding, layered with crisp macadamia filo. More straightforward is a longtime LoSasso standard -- chocolate bread pudding. Incredulous dieters can indulge guilt-free when ordering the restaurant’s low calorie option – grilled angel food cake with tropical fruit compote and coconut sorbet.

Housed in the former Il Tulipano Cenotdieci space, one of South Florida’s few fine dining establishments to thrive during the 1980s, the LoSassos have spruced up the cozy upscale Italian eatery, offering seating for 96. Walled-over windows have been opened up to bring light into dark corners.

A tin ceiling has been installed; redesigned lighting throughout creates a warm glow, as do amber and tortoiseshell tones that complement the beautiful original Italian custom woodwork that they’ve retained. Stained glass wall treatments come from a Homestead artist, glasswork has been shipped from Murano, Italy, and antiques scattered through the restaurant come from travels across the United States.

LoSasso, a CIA graduate, first garnered critical acclaim during a decade-long stint as executive chef and beverage director at the award-winning Foundlings Club. After it closed, LoSasso served as Donatella Versace’s private chef and then signed on with China Grill Management, as executive and concept chef of Tuscan Steak, moving to New York to open restaurants there. Dale LoSasso has held top management positions in South Florida’s most acclaimed restaurants including Mark’s South Beach, Chef Allen’s and most recently Carmen the Restaurant. She also served as corporate wine director for China Grill Management, managing 24 restaurants and six concept wine programs in New York, Las Vegas, California and Florida. For North 110 she has fashioned an eclectic and approachable wine list, notable for a strong roster of moderately priced vintages, and a large selection of wines by the glass, half bottles and magnums.

Beyond its la carte offerings, North One 10 has become known for its ongoing series of innovative and whimsical theme dinners, which have included an “Out of Africa” dinner featuring African wines and a Godfather-themed dinner with tongue-and-cheek offerings such as “Swims with the fishes swordfish” and a “Leave the gun, take the cannoli” dessert course. “We challenge ourselves to keep things interesting,” Dale says of the theme dinners. “We enjoy putting them together and believe that translates into an unforgettable time for our guests.”

North 110 serves Brunch on Sundays, Dinner, Sunday through Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and until 11:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Complimentary valet and self-parking available. All major credit cards accepted. Reservations suggested. Phone: (305) 893-4211.