Five Essential Dishes at Otto & Pepe, Wynwood’s Game-Changing Pasta Bar

Gazpacho e Stracciatella

While much of Otto & Pepe’s Italian menu remains traditional, begin your meal with a creative dish that blends the best of Spanish and Italian flavors. Gazpacho e stracciatella is a refreshing dish consisting of a chilled tomato and pepper gazpacho, topped with creamy stracciatella cheese and crispy croutons. Together, the dish offers a balance of tangy and savory flavors and blend of textures.

“Gazpacho, as a classic refreshing Spanish dish, introduces fresh flavors, while the stracciatella brings a creamy Italian touch,” Chiriboga explains. “The idea behind this culinary creation was taking a tomato-based dish and spinning it to showcase an authentic taste of Italy.”

Vitello Tonnato

This timeless Italian classic features tender slices of cold veal, elegantly draped in a creamy tuna and caper sauce (don’t knock it until you try it) – one of the many traditional and comforting plates Otto & Pepe serves. Veal is known for its smooth and velvety texture, and with its topping of a creamy tuna-caper sauce, each bite is simultaneously rich yet tangy and bright.

“Our version stays true to the original recipe and is inspired by its simplicity and elegance. while the flavors are a perfect balance of creamy and savory,” Ghouzi says.

Tagliolini Limone e Caviale

Otto & Pepe’s homemade tagliolini is a ribbon-like egg pasta that’s thinner than traditional tagliatelle. They use it as the base for their luxuriously creamy tagliolini limone e caviale, featuring a rich sauce of butter and zesty lemon that feels both indulgent and light.

“This traditional lemon pasta has been topped with Oscietra caviar to transport you to the Italian coast with the freshness of the lemon and saltiness of the caviar,” Chiriboga says. “With our straightforward pasta-focused menu, the introduction of caviar provides an indulgent treat and layered taste experience.”

White Truffle Pasta

A seasonal special (Italy’s white truffle seasons typically runs through December), this white truffle pasta ensconces that same homemade tagliolini in a decadent butter sauce that’s finished with freshly shaved white truffle sourced directly from Alba, Italy.

White truffles are considered the most sought-after truffle for their more delicate, subtly nutty flavor (as opposed to black truffles’ bolder umami notes), making Otto & Pepe’s version a highly sophisticated take. “The earthy aroma and rich flavors of the truffle elevate each bite, making for an unforgettable, aromatic dining experience,” Ghouzi says.

Tiramisu

Made from scratch and inspired by the team’s travels across Europe, chef Varese’s traditional tiramisu combines layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers and velvety mascarpone. It’s prepared in house each morning using traditional Italian recipes and ingredients, an approach reminiscent of the kind of time-honored recipes that have been passed through generations. It’s a dish that, unsurprisingly, that Chiriboga loves: “With each bite, the layers come alive,” he enthuses.