For 13 Years, This Miami Beach Five-Star Family Restaurant Has Mastered French Cuisine with a Spanish Soul.

February 24th, 2026

This restaurant, Semilla, whose name is Spanish for seed, has grown from a local favorite eatery, to one with statewide recognition. Its recognition goes well beyond just the food in Semilla. This restaurant has a heart and a warm-inviting atmosphere that you feel the moment you pass through the doors. Many establishments have books on courtesy but it’s manufactured with robotic greeting. Semilla makes even the first timer, feel like they’re a friend and someone they want to serve. This is why I truly value family restaurants over corporately owned ones. 

Semilla is owned and operated by Chef Frederic Joulin, (who is already a well-established chef in the culinary world) and his wife Letitia. With them are their oldest son heading the bar, and their brother helping to cook. At Semilla, this family is front and center, as the bar and the cooking are the centerpiece of the restaurant, right in front of you. 

This open concept only furthers the family vibes as everything comes together and isn’t hidden behind some drab walls and swinging doors. The high walls, ceiling’s and well-spaced tables give you that privacy and comfort level without making you feel boxed in. The restaurant’s decor is elegant but done so with casual-classiness using familiar portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. 

Semilla has a wonderful selection of wines and mixed spirits. On this night for our pre-entrees, we had the Blood Orange Jalapeño Margarita and the Tropical Storm. This margarita was no subtle drink but hit like a well-fashioned Bloody Mary.

The Tropical Storm was so smooth and refreshing and you really got a citrus blush of passion fruit and mango with every sip. 

Our incredible host Letitia, while telling us stories of her father, who’s a renowned chef as well, brought us the most delicious Charcuterie & Cheese Board loaded with Dry Soppressata, Old Fashioned Ham, Prosciutto di Parma, Brie Cheese, Gruyere, Cornichons, Walnuts, Grapes and Cherry Jam. Of course, we had to get a warm French Baguette to go with it. 

Everything was so good, mixing and matching, and tasting every combination. My favorite from this appetizer had to be taking a piece of the warm crispy baguette, smearing some of that jam on it, putting a slice of Prosciutto over it, and topping it with a generous helping of their soft Brie cheese. Man did that hit just right!

We also enjoyed their French Onions Soup Au Gratin, poured into beautiful tureens with lion’s heads. I’ve had every imaginable version of French Onion Soup, but never like this. Usually the beef broth deludes everything and the only other taste is the cheese that you scrape off the sides of the bowl. At Semilla, you tasted the quality of everything. The broth was humming with Sherry, the onions held their flavor, and the charred Gruyère cheese was the crown on top. 

As our entrees were in their final stages we enjoyed a Chardonnay from southwest of France and a glass of Pinot Sauvignon, which was delightfully complex. As we drank and enjoyed our time there, we were amazed at how busy the place was but how quick the service came. You weren’t left counting the minutes but rather enjoying each one. 

Our entrees came and we got the Veal Milanese and the Boeuf Bourguignon. Two huge pieces of thin, lightly breaded veal blessed my plate accompanied by some Rigatoni Pasta with some rich tomato sauce, and a side of Arugula salad with shaved parmesan topped with a delicious vinegar-based dressing. 

The Boeuf Bourguignon was a classic French dish come to life. The beef, carrots, Pearl onions, and mushrooms, all together just melted in your mouth. The Rigatoni pasta underneath filled up with the dishes juices with added to one heavenly bite after another. This was home found in a pan.

Instead of gorging ourselves with overindulgence, we agreed to take some of it to-go and save room for dessert. This was indeed a genius decision. French desserts, c’mon, who could say no?! We got a literal mountain of sweet perfection called a Red Berry Pavlova.  The strawberries & raspberries adorning this tower of whipped creams and meringue was amazing!

Our final bite of the evening, I had no idea what to think. I was simply intrigued by it, so I had to get it. This was their Floating Island. 

This French dessert Île Flottante or Floating Islands, was actually legendary chef Julia Child’s 2nd favorite dessert, (her first being Baba au rhum). This dessert was an island of the fluffiest meringue surrounded by a sea of Crème Anglaise and topped with toasted almonds for elevated texture. This was truly heavenly for I was eating the clouds. 

Semilla is everything that’s right about casual fine dining. Its food is simplistic and quality driven. Its atmosphere is open and inviting. Its service is fast and friendly. The question isn’t if you should go, but rather, when will you go?