I recently visited a brand new restaurant in Coral Gables called To Be Determined, located at 2240 SW 32nd Avenue. It is a charming, no-frills spot with lots of heart. The front of the house features a cozy bar/lounge, while the back room seats around 24 guests. Plans are being made to expand with an outdoor space shortly.
Opened in late March 2025, on a modest budget, the space has been thoughtfully refreshed-cement floors painted a glossy grey, grey sponge-painted walls, and simple wooden tables and chairs create a laidback, inviting atmosphere. Like its name, the menu at To Be Determined changes every two weeks, depending on what’s fresh and available. Chefs Johnny Delgado and Richard Ortega focus on enhancing seasonal ingredients rather than overworking them. This is not a place for picky eaters- the menu is short and adventurous, with just eight food items. You may find yourself sampling most of the menu in one sitting.
On our visit, the menu included a scallop espuma layered with housemade potato chips, black truffle caviar, a poached egg, and scallop foam- a creative and luxurious bite. A standout was the Florida roasted corn in umami butter, a dish developed by chef Ortega at the Maiz Project in New York and at the Time Out Market in Miami. The corn is grilled over charcoal for a deep, intense smoky flavour, then cut from the cob, mixed with spices and butter, and returned to the husk for serving.
Blue oyster mushrooms, sourced from a small production farm in West Palm Beach, were a solid vegetarian option. The scallops with shishito sauce, pecans, and brown butter were perfectly cooked, though I found the flavour too mild for my liking. I didn’t try the truffle cavatelli or the steak tartare, but I did have the ribeye au poivre, which was a bit chewy, fatty, and under-seasoned for my taste.
Of the six savoury dishes and two desserts on offer, we ended with a Venezuelan quesillo flan-a creamy and satisfying finish to the meal. Dishes range from $12 for desserts to $17-$50 for the savoury plates. Every two weeks, you can expect at least one meat, one carb, one vegetable, and a fish or seafood item.
There is no cocktail program yet, but the small wine list includes one champagne, three reds (one by the glass), and five whites (4 by the glass).
To Be Determined is a seasonal kitchen offering a unique and casual dining experience, open Wednesday through Sunday for dinner only. It can get quite noisy inside, but the team is working on approving the acoustics. What stands out most is the passion behind this little gem. The staff is warm and attentive, and the atmosphere is genuinely welcoming.
Happy dining,
Shanea
04/24/2025
