Now in Downtown Dadeland, Barley an American Brasserie fans can celebrate another hot restaurant: Faith & Pizza {8945 Southwest 72nd Place, Downtown Dadeland}, a pop-up restaurant helmed by Barley’s chef/owner, Jorgie Ramos. First launched on May 17, this much-anticipated opening has already seen countless patrons, all of whom are lining up for a taste of Chef Ramos’ inventive Italian gastropub cuisine–like his Mushroom and Truffle Burrata and Miami Smoker gourmet pizzas, spicy pork cheek meatballs in ricotta cheese, oxtail in roasting gravy and chile peppers, pork sugo and fusilli pasta, and more.

And while the food is to die for, there’s something even more special about this new restaurant. Designed to give back to the community, proceeds from the first six months of Faith & Pizza’s operation will be donated to three South Florida charities: Live Like Bella, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, and the South Florida chapter of Autism Speaks.

“The mission behind Faith & Pizza is to give back to the community. It’s an honor to be able to do what I love while donating to such substantial causes. I’m thankful that Downtown Dadeland has worked with me to bring the idea to life.” –Chef Ramos

And once you fall in love with Faith & Pizza, you can head next door. In the very near future, Chef Ramos will reopen a new-and-improved Barley an American Brasserie just two doors down.

By Jennifer Agress

Where better for a happy hour than Miami Beach?

Now, fans of a good happy hour can head to NaiYaRa {1854 Bay Road, Miami Beach; 786.275.6005} in Sunset Harbour from 5 to 7pm daily and indulge in Chef Bee’s best bites and cocktails for–wait for it–just $7.

Also included on the happy hour menu? Specialty sippers like the restaurant’s signature Tom Kha-Piña, Stone Sour Jerk, Royal Blush, or S(H)ANGRIA-(L)A cocktails; as well as appetizers like white fish tacos, tempura papaya, grilled pork and shrimp, crispy pad Thai, kimchee fried rice, and more.

It’s a feast for the tastebuds … and a party for your wallet. See you at happy hour!

By Jennifer Agress

A quaint Mediterranean locale tucked in the heart of Miami’s South of Fifth neighborhood, Café des Arts {22 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.534.2555} boasts cozy vibes, tasty food, and an adorable terrace that keeps patrons coming back for more. As its name implies, this haute haunt also puts an emphasis on art–evident in the pop art strewn across its walls, the Mickey Mouse statue at its main entrance, and a revolving art gallery that never fails to catch your eye.

Acting on its love for art, Café des Arts has partnered with famed photographer, Alexy P., to take visitors and locals alike on a unique journey of love, titled “Place to Kiss,” through the Magic City. Creating what he believes to be an interactive artistic expression, the photographer has strategically graffitied his Place to Kiss circle in symbolic destinations throughout South Beach, Wynwood, and Downtown, all to encourage lovers, friends, and family (or even strangers) to photograph themselves kissing in front of it, or on it.

When they do, the idea is that they would then post their photo on social media with the hashtag #place2kiss. If a couple hits every spot on the map with a photo to prove it, Café des Arts steps in–giving them a complimentary bottle of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne when they celebrate their love (and the journey!) at Café des Arts.

To kick-off the event, on Saturday, May 21, Café des Arts will host a live presentation of Alexy P.’s work and an unveiling of the “Place to Kiss” map, making it the official home base of the project. In honor of Prince and his hit, “Kiss,” this special evening will be a “purple night,” one involving cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres from 7-9pm. Dinner reservations will be available immediately afterwards, allowing guests an opportunity to munch on what the restaurant does best: Half Maine lobster salad, foie gras au torchon, Wagyu rib-eye, tomato and burrata rigatoni, and much, much more.

By Jennifer Agress

For a restaurant with that special “je ne sais quoi,” look no further than French 27 {850 Commerce Street, Miami Beach; 305.764.3948}, Miami’s newest fine dining French spot in enchanting South of Fifth. As elegant as it is surprising, at French 27, no detail is left unattended. In addition to a fabulous menu representing all 27 regions of France (hence the name), it has a long list of fine wines and cocktails, like the Champagne en Rosé; which is served on a dazzling silver platter and comes with Veuve Clicquot Rosé, French rosé wine, maraschino juice, berries, and fresh rose petals. As if that’s not enough of a draw, the locale sits in an open-air setting with soft lighting, charming décor, a sea of red roses everywhere you turn, a fountain with floating candles, and enchanting, delicate presentations of only the freshest food.

And while we’re on the topic of the restaurant’s true heartstrings, its food, Executive Chefs Andreas Trilk and Yann Rio have created an extensive menu for any type of palate. Seafood is imported fresh daily from different parts of the world, fueling dishes like Chilean Sea Bass with tomato confit, cured shallots, and almonds; Scottish Salmon with a lemon beurre blanc, capers, and pommes de terre nouvelles; and Loup de Mer.

Traditional French favorites are also an obvious choice, like the classic French delicacy, Escargots Tartiflette; or the mouthwatering French Onion Soup, a mix of Brie, Emmenthal cheeses and puff pastry that has been passed down to Chef Andreas Trilk through three family generations of master chefs. You’ll get an explosion of flavor from the Duo Duck Confit, a plate of fresh duck imported directly from France, cassis sauce, and pommes de terre nouvelles; or savor the Steak Frites, where you can choose from an array of tender meats, dry-aged 21-28 days, topped with France’s famous Café de Paris butter.

And finally, you can’t leave without tasting the crème de la crème, dessert: where options like Crème Brulée made with a Jack Daniel’s infusion, Krispy Kreme Pudding with vanilla ice cream, or Bombolini–mini doughnuts filled with warm Valrhona chocolate and paired with vanilla ice cream–promise a sweet, sweet ending.

French 27 is open from Sunday to Thursday, from 6-11pm, and Fridays and Saturdays, from 6pm until midnight.

By Jennifer Agress

With its mesmerizing margaritas, tantalizing tacos, and not-so-secret “secret” backend tequila bar with popsicle-infused “paletaritas,” COYO Taco {2300 Northwest Second Avenue, #3, Wynwood; 305.573.8228} has certainly made a name for itself as one of the hottest spots in Wynwood. And to celebrate its success, this trendy taqueria is giving Miamians a new way to enjoy it–by opening a second, much larger location in the Magic City’s trendy Brickell neighborhood. Official opening date? TOMORROW.

Located right at the foot of Axis Brickell {1111 Southwest First Avenue, Brickell}, one of the area’s most popular high-rises, this Brickell addition to the COYO Taco family will continue to delight with COYO classics like slow-roasted pork shoulder tacos and grilled cactus tacos, bean burrito bowls, fresh-made guacamole, and carne asada quesadillas. In the near future, Executive Chef/Partner Scott Linquist plans to add Mexican treats exclusive to the Brickell outpost; like tortas and a reinvented crispy octopus taco, this time with ají amarillo aïoli.

Similarly, the bar menu will start with quality local and Mexican beer and wine, and will eventually add on micheladas and sangría. Like the original location, this locale will be open for lunch, dinner and late-night, and will keep pumping the high-energy music the brand has become known for.

In short, COYO Taco will continue being the fine Mexican street food spot us Miami locals have come to know and love. And lucky for Brickell residents, starting tomorrow, it will be right outside their door.

Executive Chef/Partner Scott Linquist with Founders Alan Drummond and Sven Vogtland

COYO Taco Brickell will be open seven days a week, from 11am-11pm Sunday through Thursday, and 11am-3am Friday and Saturday.

By Jennifer Agress | Online Editor

Sitting on sunny Miami Beach, DIRT {232 Fifth Street, Miami Beach; 305.239.3000} is the Magic City’s latest attempt to join the clean-eating training–and so far, everyone is on board. Priding itself on serving fine foods fast, DIRT whips up clean, sustainable, local, and organic fare that reflects its passion and respect for people, food, and the planet as a whole.

Next Wednesday, May 11, from 8pm to 10pm, this health-inspired haunt is giving you another reason to visit. Hosted with JoJo Tea, this five-course wine and tea-paired dinner prepared by DIRT Chef Nicole Votano promises farm-to-table food and small-batch teas guaranteed to leave your taste buds bursting with flavor. And to make this unique pairing event even more unique, the tea chosen for each course will actually be incorporated into the recipe of the farm-to-table dish it is paired with. It’s an indulgent yet thoughtful dinner like Miami Beach has never seen before.

Priced at just $75, this limited-seating event is selling out fast–so make your reservation today to make sure you don’t miss the following feast:

Course 1: Matcha Green Tea Ricotta Crostini (sticky orange and black sesame)

Course 2: White Tea Hogfish Ceviche (thinly sliced hog snapper, citrus, tamari, carrot chile purée, avocado, and toasted sesame)

Course 3: Mao Feng Miso Soup (local rock shrimp, enoki mushrooms, spring onion, smoky tofu, and Tuscan kale)

Course 4: Tuscan Kale Risotto with Lapsong Sushong-Cured Duck Confit (citrus zest, marigolds, micro-fennel, and crispy leeks)

Course 5: Warm Earl Grey Tea Cake (lavender latte gelato, local goat’s milk caramel, and salty almond brittle)

By Jennifer Agress | Online Editor

Estiatorio Milos {730 First Street, Miami Beach; 305.604.6800} was founded in 1979 in Montreal by acclaimed Chef and Restaurateur Costa Spiliadis. Its selling point is impeccably fresh fish flown in daily from the Mediterranean and beautifully displayed on a long counter covered in ice.

Don’t expect complicated, rich sauces, but rather the freshest fish simply grilled. You need to visit the fish display to see what has arrived that day, from St Pierre (John Dory) and Loup de Mer (sea bass), to Dorado Royale (sea bream). There are a couple of meat dishes on the menu, but to eat lamb chops at Milos would be like going to a steakhouse for Dover sole. The deceptively simple Greek Salad with barrel-aged feta is a superb way to begin your meal.

The hardest quality for any restaurant to maintain is consistency, but having eaten at Milos in London, New York, and most often in Miami (obviously, our favorite), we have to say that the quality of food, presentation, and service is second to none in all three. It’s therefore no surprise that Zagat ranked Milos among the top 10 restaurants in Miami.

At the Miami location, Architect Jeffrey Beers has created a beautiful light and airy space with white Pentelikon marble from Mount Penteli outside Athens. Pentelikon marble was in fact used to build the
Parthenon.

Here are a few photos to enjoy of the Milos experience:

Milos Special with lightly fried zucchini, eggplant, tzatziki, and kefalograviera cheese

Big Eye Tuna Tartare with tuna from Hawaii, micro-basil, serrano chile, and orange

Charcoal Grilled Octopus with sushi-quality grilled Mediterranean octopus

Mediterranean Lavraki (Loup de Mer), baked in sea salt crust with Santorini capers, olive oil, and lemon juice

The Real Greek Yogurt served with thyme honey

By Richard Temple | Contributor