ElCielo restaurant by chef Juan Manuel Barrientos opened in the heart of downtown Brickell in 2015. The space is situated in the financial district of Miami, right on the banks of the river. The cuisine is presented in a creative and innovative way, as is the style of Juan Manuel Barrientos, a young chef based out of Columbia who is tremendously influential on social media and the recipient of multiple awards.

The menu is influenced by the cuisine of Latin countries and uses local organic products grown in the state of Florida. At ElCielo, diners experience a culinary journey through the senses. See part of my experience below — I will hold on to some of the details of how the courses are presented in order to reserve the element of surprise for your visit.

Your journey begins with some chocotherapy (a chocolate spa treatment for the hands). Then, for starters, you can choose between some of the items below:

 

Croquets

 

Black and Yellow Soup

Tree of Life

Next, choose from the list of main courses.

Farmers Chicken with Colombian Atollado Rice

Lastly, select your dessert of choice.

 

Dessert is inspired by Colombian ancestral roots and uses the techniques of the neurosciences and avant-garde cuisine to surprise diners.

If you are looking for more than just a meal, this is your place. Reservations are required.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary tasting at ElCielo. All opinions are my own.

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All images appearing in this post photographed by Holli Ryan, property of TheSoFlaSage.com