It’s May 1, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Burger Month! Looking for somewhere to get a fabulous patty? Look no further than these restaurants below—even when it’s not National Burger Month, they’re still some of our favorites.
American Harvest
This fast-casual, Brickell City Centre spot is the ultimate shopping break—it serves made-from-scratch lunch, dinner, and afternoon snacks. This month, celebrate National Burger Month with the American Harvest Burger at none other than American Harvest {701 South Miami Avenue, Suite 340, Brickell; 786.814.6968}. It’s an all-natural, grass-fed, free-range burger made with chuck short rib and brisket, and topped with fontina cheese, house mayo, and caramelized shallots on a Martin’s potato bun.
Big Easy Winebar & Grill
This South African restaurant, the brainchild of legendary golfer Ernie Els, sits in the dazzling new Brickell City Centre. This month, head to Big Easy Winebar & Grill {701 South Miami Avenue, Suite 339, Brickell; 786.814.5955} and nosh on The ‘Big Easy’ Burger—it was named for Ernie “The Big Easy” Els himself, and is topped with heirloom tomatoes, onion jam, and braai BBQ sauce, and is served with hand-cut fries.
Glass & Vine
This Coconut Grove spot, which overlooks Peacock Park, is the joint effort of Grove Bay Hospitality Group and the restaurant’s star chef, Giorgio Rapicavoli—Eating House owner, Food Network Chopped champion, FORBES 30 Under 30 list-maker, and a James Beard Award semi-finalist. Head to Glass & Vine {2820 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove; 305.200.5268} any weekday during lunch, and you can get The Burger with certified Angus beef, cheddar bacon, and charred onion. If you’re there during weekend brunch, get the popular Broccoli Cheeseburger with cheddar, roasted broccoli, and buttermilk ranch on a buttered bun.
R House
Located in Wynwood, this trendy spot is both a popular restaurant and a local hangout. If you’re there during Saturday lunch, get the r burger. It tops an Angus beef burger with shredded braised short rib, BBQ sauce, and sharp cheddar cheese, and puts it all on a brioche bun. Want to make it even tastier? R House {2727 NW 2 Avenue, Wynwood; 305.576.0201} has something for that, too. For just $2 more, you can top this decadent burger with bacon, egg, or both.
Shula’s 347 Grill
Even outside of #NationalBurgerMonth, Shula’s 347 Grill {6915 Red Road, Coral Gables; 305.665.9661} loves burgers so much that it even has its own burger menu. The Shula Burger tops a perfectly-seasoned patty with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and applewood bacon, while the French Onion Burger tops its patty with caramelized onions, double gruyere cheese, garlic mayo, and crushed garlic croutons. A third of many options is The House of Blues Burger, which comes with blue cheese, red onion jam, and balsamic greens, and is absolutely delicious.
Swine Southern Table & Bar
During the month of May, head to the pork-centric Swine Southern Table & Bar {2415 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables; 786.360.6433} for The Swine Burger. It has a short rib, brisket, and smoked pork patty, all topped with homemade dill pickle, thick-cut, house-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, American cheese, and Swine’s “Special Sauce.”
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Throughout the month of May, Magic City diners can celebrate a great American pastime—eating burgers—at one of Miami’s top spots to get one, Pizza & Burger by Michael Mina {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.674.4636} at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. And to make it extra special, this restaurant is teaming up with a handful of celebrities to make this month’s burgers as A-list as the names behind them. Each week in May, a different celeb will come up with his or her own specialty burger, each of which will be featured on the Pizza & Burger menu for that week only. As an added benefit, 15% of the proceeds from that burger will benefit the charity of the celebrity’s choice.
And kicking it all off is none other than husband-and-wife duo, Ray and Shannon Allen—two-time NBA champion and his wife, both of whom co-own the South Miami fast-casual restaurant, Grown. Committed to promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle, the duo will celebrate #NationalBurgerMonth with their own restaurant’s menu item: Grown’s Signature Salmon Burger, a 100% organic burger that tops pan-seared salmon with crisp romaine lettuce, sliced Roma tomatoes, juicy caramelized onions, and Dijon aioli, all on a toasted Ezekiel bun.
This burger will be available during the first full week of the month, from Monday, May 1 to Sunday May 7, 2017. All proceeds from this burger will benefit the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF).
Pizza & Burger by Michael Mina is open for dinner daily from 5 p.m. to Midnight.  
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Here in the Magic City, we embrace our global dining scene—and the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast is coming to town to celebrate it with us. On May 2 and 3, this organization will host Miami’s first-ever Italian Culinary Tour, which was created to promote the Italian food tradition in Miami. The project is developed in the frame of “The Extraordinary Italian Taste” program, which is promoted by the Italian government.
Based on the notion of a “mobile meal,” the idea that participants can both try lots of food and wine and follow a “Path of Taste” to other restaurants, this tour tackles sprawling Miami by neighborhood. During each installation, guests will get to discover new flavors, participate in culinary sessions with Italian chefs and sommeliers, and get a guided tour of four of Miami’s most authentic Italian restaurants in one night.
Ready? Here’s what you need to know:
May 2, 2017
Brickell/Downtown Miami  
Stop #1: Toscana Divino
Stop #2: Farfalle
Stop #3: Stanzione 87
Stop #4: Fratelli Milano
Buy your tickets here.
May 3, 2017
Coral Gables/Coconut Grove
Stop #1: Zucca
Stop #2: Cibo Wine Bar
Stop #3: Strada in The Grove
Stop #4: Spasso
Buy your tickets here.
Each tour takes four hours, and all transportation between locations is provided.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

As a health craze sweeps the nation, some of Miami’s top restaurants are catering to the trend. Read below for some of the Magic City’s tastiest gluten-free dishes, all from some of our favorite food spots in South Florida.
Bulla Gastrobar
What you’re eating: Arroz Caldoso with bomba rice, clams, shrimp, chicken, calamari, red sofrito, and saffron
The Lido Bayside Grill
What you’re eating: Spicy Tuna Poke with avocado, macadamia nuts, daikon sprouts, green onion cucumbers, quinoa, sesame, ponzu, and nori
db Bistro Moderne
What you’re eating: Maine Lobster Salad with avocado, hearts of palm and watermelon
NaiYaRa
What you’re eating: Pad Thai with rice noodles, tamarind, bean sprouts, and chicken or a meat of your choice
Sarsaparilla Club
What you’re eating: Sarsaparilla Club’s Fried Chicken, a plate of green curry fried chicken crisped to perfection and served with kaffir lime powder, cilantro, lime, and toasted coconut
Pisco Y Nazca
What you’re eating: Passion Fruit Ceviche with fish, shrimp, passion fruit leche de tigre, cancha, and choclo
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Who doesn’t love a good happy hour? From now through the end of summer, The Betsy South Beach, an Ocean Drive Art Deco hotel staple, invites wine lovers to indulge in one made just for them.
Appropriately named “The Grape Escape,” this daily mental vacation offers guest unlimited white, red, or rosé wine and Prosecco, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, for just $19 per person.
Adding to the fun, these same guests can munch on light bites from Laurent Tourondel’s LT Steak & Seafood {1440 Ocean Drive, South Beach; 305.673.0044}, like these, below:
Spicy Tuna (4 pieces; $7)
yuzu guacamole, sriracha, and puffed rice
Yellowtail & Jalapeno (4 pieces; $8)
grated ginger, avocado, and soy glaze
King Salmon (4 pieces; $7)
fresh & smoked salmon, avocado, cucumber, and daikon sprouts
Wagyu Beef Tataki (2 pieces; $9)
crispy rice, soy, grated daikon, and truffle aioli
Nigiri & Sashimi (1 piece; $3)
ahi tuna, spicy tuna, yellowtail, cobia, king salmon, and teriyaki eel
Oysters (6 pieces, minimum; $2 each)
Kumamoto or Kushi
Short Rib Bao Bun ($6)
pickled jalapeno, chimichurri, and watercress
Crispy Mushroom Bao Bun ($5)
hen of the woods and truffle aioli
Seafood Ceviche “Leche de Tigre” ($9)
octopus, snapper, shrimp, scallops, coconut milk, citrus, cilantro, onion, yuzu, and chili oil
Avocado & Green Pea Toast (Half order; $5)
7-grain bread, feta cheese, sprouts, and lemon zest
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Earlier this year, the award-winning Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833} kicked off January 2017 with a new chef, Chef Luciano Sautto—and now, he’s kicking off Spring with some new, creative dishes. A product of his Italian roots and mixed culinary background, these fresh, made-from-scratch plates add the flavors of the season to Quattro’s popular house-made pastas and authentic menu.
From the Antipasti menu
Arancini: crispy rice balls stuffed with Fontina cheese and Bolognese sauce
Carpaccio Di Salmone: salmon carpaccio with frisée and pickled onions drizzled with citrus dressing
Fiori Di Zucca: stuffed zucchini flowers with ricotta, mozzarella, and lemon zest
From the Insalate menu
Tritato Di Insalata All’ Italiana: a chopped salad with Provolone, Finocchiona salami, roasted peppers, and imported Cerignola olives
From the Primi Piatti menu 
Tagliolini All’astice: tagliolini with Maine Lobster and cherry tomatoes
Penetta Alle Zucchine E Gamberetti: penne with zucchini and shrimp
From the Il Pesce menu
Tagliata Di Tonno: seared sliced yellowfin tuna with lemon sauce
Orata Al Cartoccio: Mediterranean sea bream filet, steamed in white wine with zucchini and tomatoes
From the La Carne menu
Pollo Al Forno: oven-roasted half chicken
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Looking for a haute night out this weekend? Look no further than Miami Beach’s swanky, see-and-be-seen spot, Villa Azur {309 23 Street, Miami Beach; 305.763.8688}.
Taking place this Saturday, April 29, this dinner event—presented by Dom Perignon—will bring the visual and culinary arts together. And priced at $250 per person, this isn’t just any dinner party. To go with their five-course dinner of Roasted Oysters with arugula, Parmesan cream, and pata negra; Salmon Tartare with lightly-smoked salmon, citrus, endive leaves, and Kaluga caviar; Scallop Carpaccio with yuzu pearl, schaum pepper jelly, and lemongrass dressing; Lamb Medallion with braised artichokes and caramelized onions, and Strawberry & Rose St. Honore, guests will sip on perfectly-paired glasses of Dom Perignon (’06, ’04, P2 1998 and Dom Perignon Rosé).
Even more surprising, despite the menu, the food isn’t even the main event. Adding an artistic flair to the evening, there will be an exclusive vernissage of photos by husband-and-wife team Formento & Formento, two artists known for their romantic and stylish photographs that explore in-desaturated, cinematic scenes, themes of love, longing and the burden of memory.
Reservations for this event are required.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

It was only a few years ago that Miami’s Wynwood District was considered the city’s ugly neighborhood to the north—a tag-ridden, spotted swath of real estate few wanted anything to do with. But as with any city hot on development, these are the neighborhoods that become gentrified, eventually blossoming into destinations that become the talk of the city, the state, the nation.
And like any of its analogous neighborhoods across the country, Wynwood needed champions—pioneers ready to shoulder the risk of starting a business in less-than-ideal environs. As history now proudly proclaims, one of those champions was Rocco Carulli.
Carulli is as affable a chef as they come, punctuating conversation with laughter and smiling at his own (occasional) misfortunes. But while Carulli’s decision to launch R House {2727 NW 2 Avenue, Wynwood; 305.576.0201} in Wynwood back in January 2014 was a risk as a virtual unknown in Miami, he had plenty going for him—decades cooking in and running restaurants from Provincetown, Massachusetts to San Francisco. As luck would have it, he spent a few winters in Miami waiting tables for extra money and fell in love with Wynwood. Craving a concept of his own in a space of his making, Carulli seized the opportunity to introduce R House as one of Wynwood’s culinary standard-bearers.
Not surprisingly, the ambitious chef drew on his experiences in Provincetown for the R House concept. “There is an amazing art community in Provincetown,” Carulli explains of his inspiration. “Art and dining went hand-in-hand, so I knew I wanted to bring both to R House. With the space as big as it was, I thought I would originally divide it and run both a restaurant and a separate gallery. But the architect proposed combining both into a single space and I loved the idea.” That visionary combination is one of R House’s hallmarks. Many restaurants boast artwork on the walls—some even for sale—but R House has taken this exhibition to the next level. Moveable panels on columns were erected to hang rotating works of art, curated by White Porch Gallery. These panels not only allow for more intimate exhibition of artists’ work, but give the staff the freedom to divide the dining room for special events or private dining.
And lest diners think the art dominates the R House concept, Carulli wows with his globally inspired menu. For the last two years, it has been a coursed presentation, with standout dishes like the ocean-fresh Tuna Tartare, Arancini stuffed with jalapeño mozzarella, and Chile and Coffee-Braised Short Ribs garnering oooh’s and aaaah’s from diners on a nightly basis. But Carulli, along with his partner and husband Owen Bale, decided to transition the R House menu to a tiered model—one that allows guests to nibble or indulge, depending on their mood.
“I’ve found that coursed menus can be distracting,” Carulli admits. “While I’ve done them most of my career, I think people want more choice. That’s why we do a lot of family-style portioning and service now. It’s a great way for people to share and communicate, and it allows the kitchen to serve each dish in progression—when it’s ready.”
Carulli says the iconic dishes on R House’s menu will (thankfully) remain, but he will be digging into his Pugliese roots for more menu inspiration. “I’ve been playing with some of those southern Italian flavors, those rustic dishes,” he explains. “I’ve created simple dishes like Bread with Three Sauces as an appetizer, pepper-speckled Gamberi Aglio, beautiful pizzetta, and for sweet-tooths, Zeppole—blackberry or chocolate-filled Italian doughnuts.”
At the bar, the long-sung infusion program will continue apace, with some increased creative attention given to the seasonal infusions. Vodkas layered with tropical fruits like pineapple, tequila infused with jalapeño, and bourbons elevated with berries will all inspire signature cocktails, while the wine list—curated by Carulli himself—will continue to favor small vineyards and a balance of New and Old World labels.
As Carulli explores the next chapter of this relatively young concept, it’s nonetheless apparent that R House has become an anchor of the community—a landmark of growth and opportunity in a once neglected neighborhood. Today, foodies and nightlife revelers alike convene in R House’s dynamic interior, slowly pouring out into the gazebo-sheltered outdoors while DJs spin and cocktails pour under moonlight. And there are new happenings here, too, Carulli assures—new design, more greenery, an expanded deck. In six months, he says, R House will be the destination not only for dinner or art-gazing, but also for late-night revelry and dancing.
Not surprisingly, the long-hailed R House has mastered weekend brunch, too; all-you-can eat options like inimitable Berry French Toast and Steak and Truffled Eggs are apt pairs for bottomless mimosas or sangría. And if you sail in on the first or third Sunday of the month, you will be witness to drag queen performances galore at the restaurant’s twice-monthly drag brunch. “It’s so much fun,” Carulli laughs. “The community just loves those Sundays.”
But R House’s delivery of thoughtfully crafted, well-sourced food, drink, and culture is not the only reason it has sustained such a loyal following. Their belief in community engagement is equally as strong; participation in events like Taste of the Nation and countless fundraisers for the Human Rights Campaign, among other charitable organizations, sound their passion for activism to the entire city.
Indeed, R House is more than just a restaurant; it is a member of the community, a culinary polestar, a haven for culture. And in the jovial, passionate Carulli, the city could find no better inspiration.
Happy dining!
By Jeffrey Steen | Managing Editor