Inside Mother Wolf Miami: Evan Funke’s Homage to Roman Cuisine
Los Angeles' renowned chef Evan Funke has brought his celebrated restaurant, **Mother Wolf**, to Miami, making waves with his signature take on Roman cuisine. Situated in the vibrant **Miami Design District**, this East Coast debut is a collaboration with **Ten Five Hospitality**, the team behind high-profile venues like Baia Beach Club. Known for his dedication to traditional Italian techniques, Funke elevates Roman dishes with a modern Miami twist, blending authenticity with the city’s sleek, contemporary style.
A Taste of Rome in Miami
Evan Funke, a two-time **James Beard Award** nominee and star of Netflix’s *Chef’s Table*, is not interested in opening just another Italian restaurant. “Mother Wolf is not an Italian restaurant. It’s a Roman restaurant,” he explains. Funke’s cooking stays true to the roots of Roman cuisine, following time-honored recipes that highlight simplicity and tradition. Dishes like **cacio e pepe** and **amatriciana** are executed with precision, reflecting the discipline that Roman cuisine demands.
Already an A-list hotspot in Los Angeles, where its original location boasted a 1,500-person waitlist before even opening, Mother Wolf’s Miami outpost brings that same buzz to South Florida. Alongside iconic Roman pasta dishes, the Miami location introduces new coastal-inspired offerings like **spaghetti Ricci di Mare**, featuring sea urchin, and a seafood-forward **Fritto Misto di Mare**. “We’re cooking as Italians would, using what’s around us,” Funke says, highlighting the importance of local ingredients and flavors in this new venture.
A Space Where Rome Meets Miami
Designed by the renowned **Martin Brudnizki Design Studio**, the restaurant’s interior seamlessly blends Roman influences with Miami’s iconic **art deco** style. Guests are greeted by Funke’s signature “pasta lab,” where they can watch the daily process of pasta being handmade. The dining room, framed by **Murano glass chandeliers**, terrazzo floors, and gold marble tables, reflects a mix of rustic elegance and old-school glamour.
Oak paneling, brass accents, and hand-glazed ceramic details create a warm, inviting atmosphere, while the open kitchen offers an interactive experience. For those hoping to walk in, bar seats are reserved, allowing a front-row view of the culinary action.
Italian Elegance with a Miami Twist
At Mother Wolf, every detail is designed to transport diners to the heart of Rome. The **wood-fired pizzas** follow Roman tradition with thin crusts and classic toppings like **Margherita** and **Diavola**, while the menu also features a range of Roman-inspired appetizers, from fried squash blossoms to meatballs filled with short rib.
The experience is elevated by a meticulously curated **wine list** of over 400 bottles, featuring rare Italian wines from regions like Piedmont and Sardinia. The cocktail program is equally impressive, offering inventive takes on Italian classics, such as the **San Lorenzo**, a mix of gin, sage, and black pepper, and the **R&R**, which pairs whiskey with Italian herbs.
For those craving a genuine Roman experience right in the heart of Miami, **Mother Wolf Miami** offers a unique blend of rustic Roman cuisine and modern Miami flair, creating a dining experience that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.
