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Who’s ready to get a little UGLY? This Friday, December 16, don your worst fashions for a good cause at the first-annual “Ugly Sweater Party” at Pizza & Burger by Michael Mina {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.674.4636}. And you’ll want to get into it, too—the person with the most creative ugly sweater will win a one-day pool experience in an Ultra or Arkadia Cabana for up to ten guests, a bottle of tequila for their pool party, and as if that’s not enough, a $300 dinner credit at Pizza & Burger.

As the newest addition to the Fontainebleau family, Pizza & Burger by Michael Mina is award-winning chef Michael Mina’s version of a backyard bash. With its impressive, made-from-scratch pizzas and burgers—like The Surf pizza with butter poached lobster, chanterelle, cauliflower, and truffle; or the classic MM74 with a dry-aged steak burger, double-smoked bacon, American cheese sauce, and a special “secret sauce”—as well as hearty snacks, mouthwatering craft cocktails, lively vibes, good music, and fun games, this Fontainebleau hotspot is the perfect place to hangout, nosh, and drink with good family and friends. 

During this Friday’s event, party-goers will get food and drink specials, and $1 from every beer on tap purchased will benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation. And that aside, the real excitement of the evening will be choosing the winner. Who’s doing the honors, you ask? None other than NBC6 reporter Kelly Blanco, Brickell Living Editor-in-Chief Amber Love Bond, and your very own DiningOut Miami Editor, Jennifer Agress.

Come out this Friday, December 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and support a good cause, good food, your DiningOut Miami team, and of course, a good time. 

Happy dining!

By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Christmas Dinner at Scarpetta


Don’t know where to enjoy your Christmas feast this year? Try some of our favorite restaurants, listed here:
AZUL
Head to Azul {500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8288}, in the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and indulge in an impressive, four-course feast. These prix-fixe dinners feature inventive plates like Foie Gras Torchon with bee pollen, kumquat, pomegranate, coffee, and popover; Bichotan Grilled King Crab with yakitori, coconut-lime, Thai chili, and persimmon; and Suckling Pig with swiss chard, apple cider, quince, and mustard. A kids a la carte menu will be available for children 12 and under. Azul is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. It’s priced at $125 per person.
LA MAR BY GASTON ACURIO
Also in the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, La Mar by Gastón Acurio {500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8288} serves up haute, creative Peruvian cuisine. On Christmas Eve, La Mar will offer an assortment of Christmas Eve dishes on its a la carte menu, like Pastel de Choclo with beef, mushrooms, artichokes, fontina cheese, huancaina sauce, or Cordero, Colorado rack of lamb, huacatay, tandoori, fingerling potatoes, zucchini, parsnip, and seco sauce. Then, come back on Christmas Day for La Mar’s famous Sunday champagne brunch. Brunch has three price points: it is priced at $85 per person for unlimited champagne and brunch, $120 per person for premium entrees (including unlimited Charles Heidsieck champagne), and $35 per child ages 6-12. La Mar is open for dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Christmas Day brunch from Noon to 3:30 p.m.
IZZY’S FISH & OYSTER
On December 24, head to Izzy’s Fish & Oyster {423 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.397.8843} for the restaurant’s Feast of the Seven Fishes. Start with the On the Rocks plate with Bay scallops, Shiro Shoyu, yuzu, Florida avocado, and Key Lime, and move on to other fish courses, like Oysters on the Half Shell with Champagne Mignonette and Linguini with clams, chili, lemon, and breadcrumbs. Finish it up with dessert: Grandma Celia’s Lemon Meringue Pie is sure to be delicious. Izzy’s Fish & Oyster will be open on Christmas Eve from 6 p.m. to close. Dinner is priced a $65 per person and $100 per couple, and wine pairings for each course are available for $25 per person.
STRIPSTEAK BY MICHAEL MINA
This Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, go to StripSteak by Michael Mina {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, for a three-course, holiday-inspired prix-fixe menu. Start with Roasted Baby Beets with Acacia honey vinaigrette, candied hazelnuts, blue cheese, balsamic, and watercress; and move on to the main course, Wood Grilled Filet Mignon with Malabar peppercorn, fingerling potato confit, and parsley mustard purée. For dessert, enjoy a true Christmas treat: warm apple crumble with eggnog ice cream. StripSteak by Michael Mina is open from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is priced at $75 per person.
SCARPETTA
Another Fontainebleau spot, Scott Conant’s haute Italian locale, Scarpetta {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.674.4660}, is serving up a rustic, yet elegant holiday dinner with a nod to Italy’s famed Feast of the Seven Fishes. Available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, this four-course feast centers around the sea. On the menu? Cioppino with mussels, clams, prawns, and shellfish brodo; Tagliatelle with lobster, crab, concentrated tomato, and pickled ramps; Seared Snapper with spiced fennel purée, fregola nero, and salsa verde; and for dessert, Salted Caramel Budino with rum chantilly and gingerbread. Scarpetta will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dinner is priced at $75 per person.
BULLA GASTROBAR
Head to Bulla Gastrobar {2500 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables; 305.441.0107}, which one location in Coral Gables and another in Doral, and indulge in a Christmas-inspired dinner market menu leading up to the big day. While the restaurant won’t actually be open on Christmas Day, leading up to December 25, guests can order a la carte holiday-esque dishes like Ensalada de Pollo y GabonCroquetas, Sopa de Mariscos Navideños, and a Coquito cocktail.
PISCO Y NAZCA
This holiday season, Pisco y Nazca {8405 Mills Drive #206, Kendall; 305.630.3844} is offering a special market menu for a Christmas-style dinner, including plates like Ceviche Tropical, Arroz con Pollo, and for the main drink, a Christmas in Miami cocktail. While the restaurant won’t actually be open on Christmas Day, guests can order these holiday dishes a la carte from now until December 24.
DB BISTRO MODERNE
If you’re looking for a haute Christmas Eve meal, look no further than Executive Chef Clark Bowen’s three-course, prix-fixe dinner at db Bistro Moderne {255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Downtown Miami; 305.421.8800}. Choose from seasonal starters like Lobster Soup with lobster ravioli, tarragon, and butternut squash; Endive and Escarole with spiced nuts, orange segments, and Parmesan; Roasted Beets with pears, walnuts, and blue cheese; and more. For the main event, try the Spaghetti Chitarra with King Crab, fennel, and saffron, or perhaps the Duck Breast with sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and duck jus. The Steak Frites with supergreen spinach, pommes Pont-Neuf, and shallots are a guaranteed delight, and for a sweet ending, try the Bûche che de Noel Nouveau: a mix of passion fruit crémeux, macadamia nuts, and pineapple sorbet. Reservations for Christmas Eve dinner can be made between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. To make a reservation, call 305.421.8800.
PALME D’OR
When you want to go all out for a holiday, there’s nowhere better to go than the Biltmore Hotel. Go to Palme d’Or {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.913.3200}, the Biltmore’s French restaurant, for a five-course Christmas Eve menu prepared by none other than the talented Chef Gregory Pugin. While there, nosh on haute plates like La Fume, smoked salmon with Golden Yukon Potatoes, salmon egg, and cream fraîche; La Truffle Blache D’Alba with Beaufort Tortellini, chestnuts, ham, and Alba White Truffle; La Traditionnel Bûche de Noel, or traditional Christmas cake; and more. This Christmas Eve dinner is priced at $125 per person, and another $75 per person for wine pairings for each course.
QUATTRO GASTRONOMIA ITALIANA
This upscale Northern Italian eatery, located right on Lincoln Road, has a special menu for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, both of which feature seasonal Alba white truffles. Guests of Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833} can order from the a la carte menu or choose a few Christmas specials: like antipasti like Fonduta Tartufata con Crostini, Fontina cheese fondue, poached egg yolk, and toasted biova croutons; Tartare Di Filetto All’Albese, tartar of filet mignon, artichoke salad, and crispy Parmigiano Reggiano; Tagliolini Delle Langhe Al Burro Montato, “langhe” tagliolini in Italian butter sauce; Robespierre Di Filetto Con Porcini, thinly sliced beef tenderloin with sautéed porcini mushrooms; and more. The Christmas menu is available on December 24 and 25, from Noon to 11:45 p.m.
VAGABOND KITCHEN AND BAR
On Christmas Eve, Vagabond Kitchen and Bar {7301 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami; 786.409.5635} is celebrating Christmas Eve with a special four-course menu created by Chef Roberto Dubois. For the first course, enjoy a delicious Lobster Bisque, and for the second course, choose from plates like Foie Gras Terrine, Dive Scallop Gratin, or Endive Salad. The third course has three tasty options: a 12-ounce New York Strip Steak, a Miso Sea Bass, or an Herb Roasted Duck Breast. To end the night on a sweet note, wrap up dinner with one of two desserts, either a Dark Chocolate Bar or Pumpkin Cheesecake. Reservations for Christmas Eve dinner can be made between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., and is priced at $69 per adult and $35 per child under the age of 12.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Brasserie Azur


Here is this week’s Miami food news:
Foodie Tuesdays at Brasserie Azur
Every Tuesday, stop by the Shops at Midtown Miami for “Foodie Tuesday” at Brasserie Azur {3252 NE 1st Avenue, Miami; 786.800.9993}. On this treat-yourself kind of day, parties of up to six diners can enjoy 50% off on all dishes ordered. Please note: drinks not included in this offer.
Ugly Sweater Party
Who doesn’t love a good Ugly (Christmas) Sweater Party? This Friday, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., don your worst holiday sweater and head to Pizza & Burger by Michael Mina {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.674.4636}, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Throughout the event, $1 from every draft beer purchased will go towards the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, and the person with the BEST worst sweater will win a one-day experience in an Ultra or Arkadia Cabana for up to ten guests, a bottle of tequila for his or her pool party, and a $300 dinner credit at Pizza & Burger. Of course, to win these, you’ll have to impress the judges: NBC6 reporter Kelly Blanco, Brickell Living Editor Amber Love Bond, and your DiningOut Miami Editor, Jennifer Agress.
Slow Food Miami’s “Snail Social” at Semilla Eatery and Bar
Every month, Slow Food Miami hosts a “Snail Social,” and this month, it’s taking place at South Beach’s Semilla Eatery and Bar. Happening this Tuesday, December 13,  from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., guests of this event will enjoy a complimentary welcome cocktail, Semilla’s Organic Cucumber Garden, a complimentary Chef’s Choice appetizer, and discounted appetizers like Florida Stone Crab from the Keys,  Organic Cajun-Spiced Cauliflower, Grilled Organic Chicken Brochette with Thai peanut sauce,  Fried Organic Chicken Tacos, Kobe Beef Sliders with Cheddar cheese and caramelized onions, $4 draft beers, and $6 wine and specialty cocktails. All proceeds from the event will benefit Slow Food Miami’s efforts to encourage local, seasonal, and sustainable eating in South Florida, and all guests are invited to stay for dinner and get a 20% discount on Chef Joulin’s delicious plates, like Florida Gluten-Free Lobster Pasta, Branzino Filet “A La Plancha” and Organic Chicken Breast Cordon Bleu.

Blue Collar Offers Chanukah Baskets
What’s a holiday without good food and drink? This Chanukah, celebrate with a tasty Jewish Holiday Basket from none other than Miami’s best diner: Blue Collar. Good for all eight nights, these baskets cost  $35 per person, and include latkes, applesauce, Marsha’s salad, Chef Danny Serfer’s popular braised brisket, roasted potatoes, and the recipient’s choice of a veggie side and a dessert. Start ordering your baskets now, and schedule a pick up on your desired date. Place your order by sending an email to [email protected]. Please allow at least 48 hours between order and pick-up.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Joe’s Stone Crab


What is New Year’s Day in Miami without some stone crabs? This year, ring in 2017 with claws from some of our favorite Miami mainstays, listed below.
Joe’s Stone Crab
You can’t talk about stone crabs in Miami without mentioning the Magic City’s most iconic South of Fifth restaurant, Joe’s Stone Crab {11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.673.0365}. First opened in 1913 by Hungarian-born Joseph Weiss, the “Joe” of Joe’s Stone Crab, this popular locale started out as nothing more than a popular lunch counter with fish sandwiches and fries. Fast-forward to today, and it’s a 450-seat restaurant to the stars with white glove service, an A-list crowd, and of course, the best stone crabs in Miami… and really, anywhere. This New Year’s Day, get your claw fix at “Joe’s” (as the locals call it) by ordering them a la carte, or as part of the locale’s namesake Joe’s Classic Meal: a ½-order of Large Stone Claws, cole slaw, hashed brown potatoes, and for a sweet ending, the restaurant’s famous Key Lime pie. If stone crabs aren’t for you, try Joe’s Famous Cole Slaw, the Lobster Roll basket with Cottage Fried Chips, or the ½ Fried Chicken. At Joe’s, whatever you order, you never go home hungry. Joe’s Stone Crab will be open on New Year’s Day 2017 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
A Fish Called Avalon
Located on the bottom floor of the unassuming Avalon Hotel, A Fish Called Avalon {700 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; 305.532.1727} is one of Ocean Drive’s most elegant eateries. As its name implies, this award-winning South Beach staple has a menu of dishes inspired by the sea, all whipped up by  Executive Chef Kal Abdalla. A charming option for your NYD claws, start your meal with a creative cocktail (like the Ocean Side cocktail, perhaps?) and the popular Bang Bang Shrimp with turmeric curry spices, mint yogurt sauce, and a cucumber pepper relish, and move on to the main event: Jumbo Stone Crab Claws served over crushed ice. Finish your meal with Chef Kal’s Cheesecake with sugar glaze and a blackberry purée, and consider 2017 off to a great start. A Fish Called Avalon will be open on New Year’s Day from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Midtown Oyster Bar
Located in the heart of Midtown Miami, Midtown Oyster Bar {3301 NE 1st Avenue, Suite 103-1, Midtown; 786.220.2070} is one of the Magic City’s most popular places for seafood; namely due to its top-shelf oysters like Moon Shoals, Rocky Nooks and more. That said, its casual setting makes it the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed drink or any fresh-from-the-sea meal. On the first day of 2017, head to Midtown Oyster Bar, look through Chef Angelo Masarin’s delicious menu of local seafood with a Mediterranean flair, and get the Florida Stone Crabs. Hurry up, though! They’re based on availability, and trust us, everyone will be clamoring to get them. Midtown Oyster Bar is open Mondays through Thursdays from Noon to 11 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays from Noon to Midnight, and on Sundays from Noon to 10:30 p.m.
StripSteak by Michael Mina
Everyone in Miami knowns about the Fontainebleau, and everyone at the Fontainebleau knows about StripSteak by Michael Mina {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}. Coming from Las Vegas, this is the restaurant’s second outpost, and much like its Vegas location, Miamians can’t live without it. With an impressive menu of (you guessed it!) steak, this Magic City mainstay serves prime cuts of beef like A5 Wagyu strip loin from Japan’s Miyazaki region, its 8-ounce filet mignon, the 20-ounce Moyer Farms Châteaubriand and more, all served with diner’s choice of more than 12 sauces and sides. And like any modern steakhouse, its seafood menu also packs a punch. For the claws you’ve been craving, get the Florida Stone Crab Claw with traditional mustard sauce. You’re at a top-notch restaurant in one of Miami’s hottest hotels, so trust us: they won’t disappoint. StripSteak by Michael Mina is open Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to Midnight.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli at Glass & Vine


South Florida chef Giorgio Rapicavoli–champion of Food Network’s Chopped, a man listed on FORBES “30 Under 30,” James Beard Award semi-finalist and all-around Miami favorite–has done it again. After the wild success of his first restaurant, Eating House Miami, he teamed up with Grove Bay Hospitality in March 2016 to open his latest restaurant concept, Glass & Vine {2820 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove; 305.200.5268}. Located right in the heart of Coconut Grove’s Peacock Park, this is Miami’s first restaurant inside a park. And even today, nine months after its opening, fans still can’t get enough of it.
At enchanting Glass & Vine, Rapicavoli has put together a menu of creative plates inspired by his surroundings, including whimsical and modern Floridian plates like the Broccoli-Cheeseburger with cheddar and buttermilk on a brioche bun, or the Stone Fruit Salad with bitter lettuce, yuzu, grana Padano, and green herbs. The restaurant has become known for its “Garden, Sea and Land” menu, which has plates like the Pan Tumaca, bread topped with heirloom tomatoes, jamon Serrano, or the Half Chicken, Rapicavoli’s acclaimed mojo canario roasted chicken on a bed of bitter lettuce. The best part? To make sure you don’t have to miss a bite of it, all plates are designed to share.
At dinner at Glass & Vine, you can pair your delicious evening meal with sunset views over an enchanting landscape of lush greenery. Start your meal with appetizers like Sweet Potatoes with “huancaina sauce,” queso blanco, lime, and cured egg yolk or Florida Stracciatella with California olive oil, local bread and garlic confit. For a taste of the sea, Rapicavoli’s Local Fish ‘Aguachile’ with carrots, passionfruit and Florida citrus certainly won’t disappoint, and neither will his Shrimp ‘Al Ajillo’ with red pepper romesco, parsley salad and olive oil toast. Whatever you choose, complement your meal with the restaurant’s impressive cocktail menu, also helmed by Rapicavoli, and order cunning cocktails like the Peacock Punch with Leblon cachaça, passion fruit, condensed milk, and mint, or the Bay View Spritz: a concoction of orange flower-infused aperol, Cocchi Americano, and Montelliana prosecco. Cheers, indeed!  

Wood Oven Baked Eggs at Glass & Vine


Of course, when in Miami on a weekend, there’s nothing better than a hearty brunch. At Glass & Vine, munch on modern Floridian sharing plates like Sweet Potato Tater Tots with buttermilk ‘ranch’ dressing, fluffy Semolina Pancakes with buttermilk, lemon zest, vanilla-maple syrup and whipped butter, or Wood Oven Baked Eggs with confit garlic cream, black pepper, Grana Padano, grilled bread, cauliflower, nutmeg, and if you want it, cured meats or truffle sauce. The perfect starter, the Pan Con Tomate with raw tomato, jamon serrano, and dehydrated olives on local bread is another fan favorite; it’s somehow equally light, hearty, and as with anything at G & V, delicious.
Craving a taste of Glass & Vine? We are, too. To try it for yourself, head there for lunch Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m, or go to dinner Monday through Thursday, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., or on Sunday, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Jack Frost Happy Hour at the Conrad Miami

Jack Frost Happy Hour at the Conrad Miami

Here is this week’s Miami food news:

Jack Frost Happy Hour
From now until December 30th, head to the Bar at LvL 25 at Conrad Miami {1395 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.503.6500}, and experience what we’re sure will be Miami’s only “snowfall” this Christmas. Taking place from 4 – 7 p.m. on weekdays, this hotel hangout invites you come sit in igloos, eat appetizers out of personal snowglobes, sip on holiday-inspired cocktails, and every 30 minutes, stand under a snowfall—an indoor snowfall, that is.  

EDGE’s 5 YEAR Anniversary Celebration
EDGE Steak & Bar is turning five, and this Friday, December 9th, the restaurant wants you to come and celebrate the occasion. Taking place at EDGE itself, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., this event will feature drinks and bites from the restaurant’s closest friends: Taquiza Miami, Ghee Indian Kitchen, Izzy’s Fish & Oyster, PINCH, J. Wakefield Brewing, and The Tank Brewing Co., as well as a pop-up punch bowl station by Chat Chow TV and a whiskey hot chocolate bar by Exquisito Fine Chocolates.

Centro Storico Opens in South Beach
Owned by famed Atlanta restaurateur Giovanni Di Palma, Centro Storico is finally opening on Miami Beach this week—giving the Magic City it’s own mini Italian Food District. Open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to late night, Centro Storico boasts various stations with made-to-order pizza, Neapolitan cuisine, an intimate cocktail lounge and a “pasticceria” with homemade gelatos, espressos and fresh Italian pastries. Can’t wait to try it? Head there today! Centro Storico is located at 1058 Collins Avenue.

Arjun Waney Presents: DÔA
Arjun Waney, the mastermind behind haute Miami restaurants Coya and Zuma, now has a new spot on Miami Beach that fuses the flavors of both: DÔA. Serving what Waney calls “LatAsian” cuisine—a mix of Nikkei and Chifa, the Asian-influenced cuisine born in Latin  America—this restaurant is essentially an Asian Cantina concept. With a name that serves as the Japanese word for “door,” the team behind DÔA believes that the new concept is a gateway to incredible food, drinks, fantastic service, and an electric ambiance. Now open to the public, go there for shared seafood plates and signature robata grill dishes with a Nikkei, Chifa and Peruvian flair, like ceviches, makis, skewers, steamed buns, Dim Sum, “hot pots,” and more.  

Brasserie Azur Launches “Latin Nights”
Head to Brasserie Azur {3252 NE 1st Avenue, Midtown; 786.800.9993} this Friday, December 9th, and experience the debut of its new Friday night event, “Latin Nights.” During this weekly event, guests can indulge in Latin-inspired dishes, dance to beats by sexy DJ Yez, and get two-for-one drink specials on select exotic mixed cocktails.

Happy dining!

By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor