The first thing you notice about The Gibson Room, right off Coral Way, is that it’s dark. Very, very dark.

This is because the walls and ceiling are painted slate grey, but also because the lights on the tables are itty, bitty votives and there isn’t much more in the way of lighting. The second thing you notice, in this speakeasy-feeling bar and restaurant, is that it’s filled with young people (20 to 30-year-olds) who are chatting, drinking and having fun. The third thing you notice as you walk in is a huge black grand piano on a stage to your right, but more about that later. 

My husband and I were there, of course, for Miami Spice, the two months that send us out into parts of Miami we don’t usually visit to try restaurants we don’t normally frequent. The décor inside- stuffed animal heads, fussy flower arrangements in brass urns and paintings in gold frames- reminded me of The Cypress Room, Michael Schwartz’s failed experiment of a retro supper club in the Design District. Guess who was the chef there? The chef and restauranteur of The Gibson Room– Michael Beltran.

While the décor reminded me of the Cypress Room, which I didn’t love but did eat one of the best desserts of my life (Hedy Goldsmith) there, the food definitely reminded me of Ariete in the Grove. With good reason, as Michael Beltran opened Ariete and The Gibson Room is part of the Ariete Hospitality Group. Beltran is known for his propensity to use local ingredients and incorporate his Cuban upbringing into dishes with a modern twist. 

Our server seemed a little bored and distracted, but did offer suggestions for Miami Spice. She brought us out a complimentary amuse bouche, which was a cucumber slice with prosciutto and ricotta salata on top. It didn’t quite work for me. The topping was salty, the cucumber bland and unevenly cut. Our drinks took a while to come out, but that was ok because I was taking it all in. The Gibson Room has a New York vibe and I enjoyed seeing the guests- on Date Nights or Girl’s Night Out- enjoying themselves. Everyone seemed to ordering off the Miami Spice menu. 

While I was tempted to get the House Gibson, I instead ordered the Video Vixon ($17) with vodka, passionfruit and vanilla liqueur and champagne. My husband got a Jack and Coke; my drink came out in one of those old-fashioned champagne glasses like my grandmother used to have, with a carafe of bubbles on the side to refill. Perfect.

We ordered the Grilled Oysters and Maduros for appetizers. The oysters- four to a plate- came out on an oyster plate decorated with seaweed and a lemon wedge. The oysters had a garlic butter sauce and melted Parmesan cheese on top, but luckily they weren’t not overly-cheesey or garlicky, so you could still taste the oysters. My husband ordered the Maduros which I loved. It was pastrami beef cheeks with caramel fish sauce and it was mouth-watering and filling. The tender, sweet plantains underneath went perfectly with the savory and juicy beef cheek pastrami topping it. P.S. Some of my photos are blurry due to the lack of lighting.

I was planning on ordering the Pork Schnitzel for my entrée, but the server steered me to the Crispy Duck Leg with sweet potato and duck pierogis. While I love duck, and it was indeed crispy, it was also over-cooked and a little dry. The pierogis had a nice brown crust on them but were a bit doughy and needed some seasoning; the kale that came with tender and sopped up the juices.  

My husband’s dish- Shrimp and Ham Hock Mezzaluna in a clam broth, was really good. The filled pasta was tender and full of flavor. Situated in the broth with the half moon pasta were cut cherry tomatoes, parsley, shaved garlic and croutons for crunch. 

Of course we got one of each of the desserts. The Sticky Toffee Pudding, had a dark, date cake, topped with vanilla ice cream and loaded with caramel sauce, which flowed over the top to a puddle on the plate. There was also a crunchy topping, gilding the lily. My Mango Sorbet was a brilliant orange shade with chopped pistachios on top. It came out on a pretty floral plate that looked like it was straight out of Abuela’s kitchen. It was a light, tart and refreshing way to end my meal. 

The music- a piano player- started at 8 p.m. and played a variety of songs. I can’t remember any of them now except Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida”, which is not your typical lounge bar tune. It’s such a treat to find a place with live music and they have it Wednesday through Sunday.

Miami Spice was only $45, which is a great deal. The Gibson Room was a fun, young and hip cocktail bar/restaurant. It has the Cypress Room’s décor, Ariete’s funky food and a New York City jazz club vibe. It’s a hidden gem off Coral Way with innovative cocktails and solid food, but seems a world away from Miami. Now, if they could just turn on some more lights! 

The Gibson Room

2224 SW 22^nd Street

Miami, FL 33145

Ambience: Dark, retro & fun

Noise Level: Moderate

Service: Filled with ennui (wee wee if you saw Inside Out 2)

Recommended dishes: Maduros, Shrimp and Ham Hock Mezzaluna, Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Miami Spice: 5-11 p.m. Wed- Saturday 

Live music weekly: Wed- Saturday

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