Located inside The Gale Hotel, in Miami Beach, Dolce Italian {1690 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.975.2550} has become synonymous with sexy vibes, snazzy décor, made-to-order mozzarella dishes, and of course, fabulous Italian cuisine. And now, Miami’s finest foodies have two more reasons to visit this Italian hotspot: “Mangia Mondays” and “Wine Down Wednesdays.”

Starting tomorrow, October 10, Dolce Italian fans can head to the restaurant every Monday and get a plate of Dolce Italian’s signature, authentic pasta for just $10. As if that weren’t enough, they can then return on Wednesday, every Wednesday, pick their favorite wine sold by the glass, and get the whole bottle for 50% off.

Offering a taste of la dolce vita right here in Miami Beach, Dolce Italian channels Fellini’s Rome of the 1960s.  With its mid-century dining room, romantic veranda, and fresh take on Italian classics—like homemade pastas, Neapolitan pizzas, seasonal salads, and “secondi” plates like Veal Milanese—a night at Dolce Vita promises to make any guest feel like they’re in Italy in no time.

Happy dining!

By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

October is National Pizza Month, and as it happens, it’s also the month when one of Lincoln Road’s longest-running pizza spots, Spris {21 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.673.2020}, turns 18. To celebrate both occasions, this Graspa Group favorite has come out with three new types of dough—each with more health benefits and fun colors to keep pizza-lovers coming back for more.

To join the birthday-and-Pizza-Month party, head to Spris this month and order one (or five) of its mouthwatering, thin-crust pies using one of these hot new doughs:

NERA
Dating back to 18th century Apulia, “Nera,” which means “black” in Italian, is believed to have started when peasants made flour for their families from charred grains they found in the soil. Today, this same flour is made by carefully toasting the grains, a much more sanitary process that creates the same result: black dough. The Spris version of Nera dough is made with a combination of regular and black flours, as well as activated vegetable charcoal, the latter of which adds healthy benefits and aids digestion.

TURMERIC
Turmeric alone is known for reducing cholesterol and blood pressure, and is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant. When added to pizza dough, it also gives it a yellowish color—which means it’s fun AND makes you happy.

HEMP
As a superfood, hemp four is a great source of protein, fiber, amino acids, minerals and vitamins, and it’s the main ingredient in this tasty new dough. Adding to its allure, it has various health benefits, from reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and lowering blood pressure, to regulating metabolism, increasing brain function and more.

In addition to its flagship Lincoln Road location, Spris also has two locations in Midtown {3201 North Miami Avenue, Midtown; 305.576.0999} and Downtown Miami {200 South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 500-A, Downtown Miami; 305.400.6667}. Visit the restaurant’s website for the hours associated with each location.

Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Baby Iceberg Wedge at StripSteak by Michael Mina

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fontainebleau Miami Beach {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.538.2000} is teaming up with the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine for its eighth annual “Bleau Goes Pink” campaign. To raise both awareness and funds for the cause, the iconic Miami Beach property is offering dining promotions at Scarpetta and StripSteak by Michael Mina throughout the month of October, part of the proceeds of which will benefit Sylvester’s efforts. Priced at just $55 each, these three course, prix-fixe dinner menus will include an appetizer, entrée, dessert and a glass of Conde de Valdemar Rosé, and $5 of every menu purchased will go towards breast cancer research.

Hungry already? We are, too. Eat while aiding a good cause with the following menus at Scarpetta and StripSteak by Michael Mina this month:

SCARPETTA

Appetizers (Choose One)
Burrata: pesto, heirloom tomatoes, basil, and arugula
Creamy Polenta: fricassee of truffled mushrooms
Mediterranean Octopus: potatoes, capers, olives, and smoked crema

Entrée (Choose One)
Duck & Foie Gras Ravioli: marsala reduction
Roasted Branzino: artichoke, olive, anchovy, and tomato dressing
Long Island Duck: beet, carrot, and cherry

Dessert
Chef’s Choice!

STRIPSTEAK BY MICHAEL MINA

Appetizers (Choose One)
Yellowtail Sashimi: shaved cucumber and ponzu dressing
Duck Duck Soup: duck consommé, duck ravioli, and black truffle
Baby Iceberg Wedge: smoked blue cheese, house bacon, and pickled shallots

Entrée (Choose One)
Scottish Salmon: peas and carrots with a ginger-carrot emulsion
Roasted Petite Chicken: asparagus, chanterelles, and lemon sage jus
Moyer Farms Angus 8 oz Filet Mignon

Dessert
Chef’s Choice! 

Long Island Duck at Scarpetta

Adding to the excitement, as part of the 2016 Bleau Goes Pink initiative, Chez Bon Bon, Fontainebleau’s coffee and patisserie shop, will have pink pastries and specialty sweets like raspberry eclairs, mille feuille and rose lychee macaroons ready to eat all month long.

For more information about Bleau Goes Pink, visit fontainebleau.com/bleaugoespink. 

Happy dining!

By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Giving pasta lovers authentic Italian cuisine with a modern twist, La Moderna {1874 Bay Road, Miami Beach; 786.717.7274} has become one of Sunset Harbor’s most popular gems. The sister restaurant to Fratelli La Bufala, in Miami Beach, and the famed Splendor Parthenopes in Italy, this restaurant and one-of-a-kind cocktail lounge is offering a new dining and cocktail menu that truly represents the flavors of every corner of the country it pays homage to, from fashionable Milan all the way to the southern Amalfi Coast.

Taking diners on a journey, La Moderna uses only the best, seasonal ingredients to make sure its patrons always have new and innovative flavors, the majority of which center around seafood. Working with the executive chef from Splendor Parthenopes to create a menu guests will love, La Moderna’s newest dishes include: the Tagliolino All’ Astice, a savory combination of house-made Tagliolini with half a lobster, cherry tomatoes, thyme and shallots, and Sea Bass Al Cartoccio, a seared Chilean sea bass paired with complimenting flavors of capers, olives and fresh vegetables.

Head to the bar, and you’ll find another modern twist, a cocktail list inspired by different bar patrons and infused with Italian ingredients, giving each that extra Italian flair. Adding to its allure, the oversized bar area is set to host guest bartender series where, for a short time only, famed bartenders from all over the world can come and teach cocktail classes and whip up their carefully-crafted cocktails.

Dinner is served Monday through Thursday, from 5 to 11p.m.; Friday and Saturday, from 5 to 11:30 p.m.; and on Sunday, from 5 to 10 p.m. Happy Hour runs from 5 to 7 p.m.  

Happy dining!

By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Here is all of the food news you can get excited about in Miami this week:

Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Fontainebleau
In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fontainebleau Miami Beach {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.538.2000} is teaming up with the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center for its eighth annual “Bleau Goes Pink” campaign. To raise both awareness and funds for the cause, the iconic Miami Beach property is offering dining promotions at StripSteak by Michael Mina and Scarpetta throughout the month of October, with part of the proceeds benefiting breast cancer research at Sylvester. Priced at $55 each, these three course, prix-fixe dinner menus will include an appetizer, entrée, dessert and a glass of Conde de Valdemar Rosé. For every dinner ordered, five dollars will be donated to Sylvester.

Quattro Gastronomia Italiana Introduces “Pranzando Al Quattro”
This October 1 to 28, Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833}, on Lincoln Road, will offer “Cenando Al Quattro” – a special dining promotion that includes three-course lunch and dinner menus for $25 and $39, respectively. At lunch, order the Caprese Salad or Penne Alla Norma, which is penne served with fresh tomato sauce and eggplant topped with salted ricotta cheese. At dinner, opt for choices like the Insalata Di Quinoa – a quinoa and lentil salad served with cherry tomatoes, kale and goat cheese – or the Pappardelle with diced tuna, tomato, zucchini and fresh mint, all followed by Quattro’s homemade ice cream for dessert.

DIRT Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This month, Miami Beach’s favorite “fine food fast” wellness bar and eatery, DIRT {232 5th Street, Miami Beach; 305.763.8548} is working closely with Susan G. Komen to raise money to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To do so, $1 from each Rosewater Greek Yogurt Parfait and BLUSH juice sold will benefit breast cancer research.

Bulla Gastrobar Doral Launches Venezuelan Market Menu
There’s no denying Doral has a strong Venezuelan influence, and for a short time only, Bulla Gastrobar {5335 NW 87th Avenue C102, Doral; 305.260.6543} is inviting guests to celebrate that influence with special Spanish menu items created by Chef Miguel Rebolledo. Available during dinner for the next two weeks, guests can indulge in signature items like Arepitas Ibéricas, Bocata Recuerdos de Hallaca, Tequeños, Tagliatelle Que Quiso ser Hallaca, Arroz en Coco, Nuestro Vuelve a la Vida and even a Spanish-inspired cocktail, Paso Fino.

Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor