It was 1990, in the Argentine province of Córdoba, when childhood friends Héctor Rolotti and Javier Cividini unknowingly undertook journeys that would change their lives forever.
Rolotti chose New York. Cividini left for St. Johns, Virgin Islands.
The two friends proceeded to achieve the dream of owning a restaurant together in New York, and despite some challenges that included an economic downturn, Novecento Argentinian restaurant is still standing and thriving in a new location on Key Biscayne.
“It was a great bet and since we opened, we felt that we had been successful,” Cividini recalled. “We looked for a different proposal from the beginning, where people know that they can come until late. And if they want to stay talking and having a drink, they can also do it. If we have to go, we are not going to ask people to leave.”
When some restaurants fold after a few short years, Novecento has long been a staple in Miami’s dining scene because of its welcoming atmosphere, delectable Argentinian-inspired menu and lively ambiance. It has now reached a milestone: 35 years in business with several expansions.
To celebrate, Novecento is throwing a big bash at its locations in Key Biscayne, South Beach, Brickell and Doral, at 8 p.m., on Friday, Sept. 25.
The Argentine and Mediterranean-influenced restaurant is located in the Square Shopping Center at 260 Crandon Boulevard.
Cividini said the celebration bash will feature live entertainment, dancing, a show and, of course, the best Argentinian dishes in the U.S.
Skirt steak, New York steam flat steak and homemade meals and drinks are among the foods on the menu.
“It’s family fun, Cividini said. “Thirty-five years is something to celebrate.”
Rolotti unexpectedly passed away in 2016, a major and emotional blow to Cividini and Novecento.
Héctor Rolotti and Javier Cividini.
(Photo courtesy: Novecento)
“It was a very big blow,” Cividini said of the passing of his partner and great friend. “We didn’t know how to go on without him. Héctor was very clear about what he wanted. It was very simple. Every time someone raised a situation with him, he would say, ‘Let’s do this’ and then tell you what to do,” Cividini told Islander News in 2021 when the restaurant was celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Rolotti’s legacy and contributions to Novecento live on, as customers will see his images adorning the restaurant’s walls. Cividini said he and Rolotti, both cooks, launched Novecento Argentinian in New York in 1991.
He said the idea was to open an Argentinian restaurant for the large Latin population in New York, where they can eat delicious food, socialize and have drinks.
“New York didn’t have a place to socialize and eat like in the Latin countries,” Cividini said.
Then, the business partners had another idea: Move the restaurant to a city with an even bigger Latin population.
It worked.
Cividini said they first opened in Brickell and expanded to South Beach, Coral Gables, Doral and Key Biscayne.
The island location opened in 2009.
Cividini said the restaurant has faced many challenges but is still thriving.
He said the first location in Key Biscayne was next to Key Pharmacy and Winn Dixie liquor store at the Key Biscayne Shopping Center but moved to its current facility where it took time for people to realize they had relocated.
“In the beginning, it was a little rough but it’s getting better,” Cividini said.
Cividini said Rolitti convinced him to allow Novecento in Key Biscayne to be part of the SuViche Hospitality Group, which acquired the Novecento brand in 2018.
SuViche Hospitality Group was founded in 2010 by brothers Aliosha and Andrei Stern, who grew the concept from a 10-seat restaurant to multiple brands, including SuViche, ChiFa and Novecento.
The group has more than 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry, with landmark locations in Miami, Buenos Aires, Córdoba (Argentina) and Punta del Este (Uruguay) Novecento.
Under the Stern brothers’ leadership, Novecento has continued to maintain its Argentinian-inspired menu and family-oriented atmosphere, while adapting to modern dining trends.
In 2024, Novecento moved from their old location in the Key Biscayne shopping center to the Square shopping center, where it joined Costa Med Bistro, Kazumi Modern Japanese, Narbona, Patagonia Nahuen and other restaurants.
For more information on Novcencento’s 35th celebration, call 305-362-0900 or click here.