The world of gastronomy is beautiful and varied because every day there seems to be someone ready to bring a breath of fresh air. And if you thought you'd seen (almost) everything, this story will still make you smile. In Miami, in the United States, there's an Italian restaurant that the local press has dubbed "No Menu Restaurant, " a restaurant without a menu, and never has a definition been more apt. The reason is simple: there is, in fact, no menu. The restaurant serves only one dish, always the same: the Milanese cutlet. The name could only be "Cotoletta" and was born from the idea of three partners, restaurant professionals with different but complementary experiences: Andrea Fraquelli, Ignacio Lopez Mancisidor and Mattia Cicognani. A trio that combines entrepreneurial vision, in-depth knowledge of the hospitality world and a solid Italian gastronomic culture. The promise is clear from the first moment: to bring to the table a slice of meat prepared to perfection, without distractions, without compromises.
Love and Passion for The Essential
As reported in an article in the Miami New Times, the project stems from a simple, almost philosophical idea: strip away the superfluous to leave room only for quality and conviviality. Opened in 2024 in Coconut Grove, a residential neighborhood of the city, the restaurant has just one dish on the menu: the Milanese cutlet, breaded and fried in butter, flavored with rosemary and lemon. The concept is simple: rather than forcing customers to browse endless menus, they are invited to relax and enjoy a single well-made dish. In addition to the cutlet, however, which costs $80, or a portion for two, there are also appetizers like arancini and bruschetta, and even the option of ordering a small bowl of spaghetti or penne with tomato and basil—which Americans use as a side dish, despite Italians' criticism—or other generic sides like French fries, salad, and zucchini.
Cotoletta's formula has become part of its appeal: a down-to-earth, simple yet refined Italian experience, which for many Miami residents is competitively priced and worth the money. Considering the city in which it's located, residents find the prices at this establishment absolutely affordable for the quality offered. The dishes are accompanied by a selection of Italian wines, also minimal, but seemingly well-thought-out and thoughtful. The restaurant's success hasn't gone unnoticed: thanks to the enthusiastic reception and positive customer reviews, the trio has decided to open a second location in SoFi (South of Fifth), a tourist destination also in Miami, surrounded by the ocean. There will also be a third opening, though it's not yet known when, in New York, the beating heart of the United States.
Identità Golose, which reconstructed the journey of its three founders, offers a deeper insight into the story behind this restaurant. The project was conceived by Mattia Cicognani, a native of Romagna born in 1990, who moved to the United States in 2024 to open 84 Magic Hospitality together with Andrea Fraquelli and Ignacio Lopez Mancisidor. Cicognani leads the kitchen, Mancisidor brings an international entrepreneurial vision, while Fraquelli, a Londoner with Italian roots, comes from a historic restaurant family: his grandfather started at the Savoy Hotel and founded the Spaghetti House chain. The kitchen is overseen by Giulio Rossi, a long-time chef.
Behind this radical choice lies the desire to showcase an Italy far removed from stereotypes and made up of famous dishes that need no reinterpretation. Cotoletta isn't meant to shock, but to refocus on the value of raw ingredients and sharing. As the local press points out, the meat served on the plate is designed to be shared between two people, and the service is fast and seamless. In short, who knows, perhaps a project born almost by chance could make this Milanese comfort food an even more recognizable symbol overseas.
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