December 2019 – DiningOut Miami

Happy Hours with Great Food

December 22, 2019

5:55 am

You don’t have to wait until the weekend to get your drink on when you live in Miami. Because there are so many options, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite happy hour spots in the city for you, so you can focus less on scouring Yelp and more on deciding how many cocktails are acceptable on a Wednesday night. The best part? These bars and restaurants aren’t just known for delicious tipples and wallet-saving deals — they also serve up incredible eats. Raise a glass to that.

Bourbon Steak

If you live or work in the Aventura area, head to Bourbon Steak between 5 and 7 p.m. on weekdays and sip your fill of house wine for just $10 a glass in the bar and lounge area. And come with an appetite, because you’ll also get to dig into an off-menu selection of burgers by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina, all priced at $21. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for the Falafel Burger.

Details: Bourbon Steak is located at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, 19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura, FL. For reservations, call 786-279-6600 or visit www.bltprime.com.

Corsair Kitchen + Bar

This American-inspired kitchen and bar spotlight comfort food that’s light and good for you. And during happy hour — served daily from 3 pm – 6 pm — it’s all about $9 specialty cocktails, $5 draft beers, $7 house wine by the glass, and specially-priced bites like a signature burger, a fresh Mediterranean platter, creamy mac ‘n’ cheese, wings and more, all for $10.

Details: Corsair is located at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, 19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura, FL. For reservations, call 786-279-6800.

Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden

A lush garden oasis at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Isabelle’s is one of Miami’s top spots for date night. It also hosts one of the best ladies’ night specials in town. Every Wednesday, gather up your gal squad and sip $5 rose in the terrace from 5-10 p.m. Make sure you save room for some shareable plates off the restaurant’s Secret Garden menu, like Mediterranean-inspired mezzes, raw oysters, lollipop chicken wings, crisp artichoke, and buttery gambas al ajillo — starting at $11.

Details: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden is located at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, 3300 Southwest 27th Avenue, Coconut Grove. For reservations, call 305-400-0562 or visit www.isabellescoconutgrove.com. Guests receive a discounted rate of $7 for valet with validation.

Pizza & Burger by Michael Mina

Social Hour at Pizza & Burger by Michael Mina has one of the best-loved drinking deals in Miami Beach. All you have to do is purchase a specialty cocktail from 5-7 p.m. (and then again from 11 p.m. until midnight), and you’ll get your second drink for just $1. If you want to snack while you sip, try some of the amazing eats off Pizza & Burger’s Bar Bites menu. Think Beer Bratwurst with grain mustard aioli for just $8, al Tartufo waffle fries with truffled pecorino and truffle oil for $12, and crispy chicken chicharrones with garlic shallot mignonette for $15.

Details: Pizza & Burger by Michael Mina is located at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. For reservations, call 305-674-4636 or visit https://fontainebleau.com/dining/pizza-burger.

Stripsteak by Michael Mina

If you’re craving a more elevated post-work power-hour, head to Stripsteak. Also located at Fontainebleau, this classic meat-lovers’ haven hosts a Cigar Social on the terrace, where you can enjoy a cigar-and-spirit pairing starting at $25. Go the extra mile and order some east or west coast oysters, some truffle-flavored steak tartar, or Chef Mina’s take on “instant bacon” — Braised Pork Belly served with Smoked Pineapple and Radish Salad or Splurge and go for the Imperial Seafood Tower — a whole Maine Lobster with Lobster Salad, Chilled Shrimp, a dozen Oysters, King Crab and Tuna Tartar for $150.

Details: Stripsteak by Michael Mina is located at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. For reservations, call 305-674-4641.

Lobster Bar Sea Grille

Famous for its fresh seafood offerings, Lobster Bar Sea Grille is a go-to for special occasion meals and upscale client dinners. It’s also hotspot among those looking to grab affordable and delicious drinks every day. You read that right — Twilight Happy Hour at Lobster Bar Sea Grille runs daily from 5:30-8 p.m. and features specials like $6 wine by the glass, $8 spirits, $4 domestic beers, and $7 specialty cocktails — the fancy kind, with ingredients like lavender petals, rosemary-basil essence, and mint-infused ice. There are plenty of delectable small bites to choose from, too, including lobster buns, oysters and crispy-thin tartes, all starting at $5.

Details: Lobster Bar Sea Grille is located at 404 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach. For reservations, call 305-377-2675 or visit buckheadrestaurants.com.

Amare Ristorante

Regulars at Amare love Michelin-starred chef Cosimo Cassano’s coastal Italian dishes, like the Cappellacci Di Branzino, a Ravioli stuffed with sea bass, mascarpone, butter, sage and lemons from Sorrento, and the Torta di Formaggio, a decadent Ricotta Cream Cheesecake made with Strega Liqueur and best-paired with a Double Espresso Chocolate Martini. But mouthwatering food isn’t the only reason to make a beeline for this Miami Beach mainstay. The restaurant recently launched Apericena Hour every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8 p.m., offering $9 Aperol Spritzes and Negronis, $8 select wine by the glass, and $7 Peroni.

Details: Amare Ristorante is located at 1 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. For reservations, call 786-598-8622.

By Amanda Mesa, a contributing writer

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Sophisticated Mocktails Offering Miami Party Appeal

December 20, 2019

1:46 pm

Tips and Trends

diningoutmiami

What is a mocktail? Well, it’s an alcohol-free drink still offering the Miami party appeal. Before you say, “yuck,” believe us when we tell you these are some of the best Miami mocktails you’ll actually want to drink and not just look at. Whatever the reason–designated driver for the night, pregnant, dieting, looking for a fun drink for the kids–here are some of the best-sophisticated mocktails to sip on while you’re out on the town and you can even re-create them at home.

Esotico Miami

About the Restaurant: Take a trip to the islands of Hawaii by experiencing tropical chow and exotic cocktails at the new tiki spot in Miami, Esotico. Located in Miami’s A&E District, Esotico is decorated with Hawaiian surfboards and lush greenery, creating the ultimate “tiki experience.” Enjoy unique cocktails served in volcanoes, pineapple mugs, tiki cannibal bowls, treasure chests, and more! Can we all say, “ALOHA!”

Mocktail: If You Like Piña Coladas
What’s in it? Creamy and sweet, delicious on your palate. Made with real ginger syrup, the real cream of coconut, pineapple juice, lime juice, coconut water, a sexy touch of ginger, and a pinch of salt. Shake with crushed ice or slushy machine serve in a pineapple or squall glass. Don’t forget to garnish with a cocktail umbrella, pineapple wedge, and cinnamon powder.

[1600 NE 1st Avenue Miami; esoticomiami.com]

Sugar Factory American Brasserie

Lollipop Passion Goblet

About the Restaurant: Celebrated for their sweets and treats, dine amongst celebrities like the Kardashian’s, the Jenner’s, Katy Perry, Britney Spears and so many more. Sugar Factory American Brasserie, located at the Victor Hotel, serves up everything from crepes, to burgers, salads, and pizza. But, the desserts and drinks are making waves. The presentations are outrageously over the top and of course, decadently delicious. Get your Instagram ready…your followers will thank you.

Mocktail: Lollipop Passion Goblet
What’s in it? This delicious bubbly concoction is made with pineapple juice, sour mix, and sprite to create a true taste of the tropics that’s as fun to look at as it is to drink. For the final touch, the goblet is garnished with lollipops and a candy necklace. We’ve got a crush on this sugar rush!

[1144 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach; sugarfactory.com]

The Sylvester

About the Restaurant: Brought to Midtown by the same owner’s behind the popular restaurant, Beaker & Gray, is the Sylvester – a spot where vintage is embraced and encouraged. Comfortable seating, classic cocktails with “new-level techniques” and fun bites that celebrate Miami’s culture is the goal behind the retro bar with antique furniture and tropical touches at every turn.

Mocktail: Phoenix
What’s in it? Coconut cream, honey, pineapple, watermelon, grapefruit. Even without the alcohol, are you ready to rise and fly like a phoenix?

[3456 N. Miami Ave., Miami; thesylvesterbar.com]

Le Jardinier

About the Restaurant: Located in Miami’s Arts District, Le Jardinier is as forward-thinking in cuisine as it is in ambiance. With a vegetable-focused menu, feel as though you’re dining in a modern greenhouse. The interior elements are one-of-a-kind, complimenting dishes that utilize the highest quality vegetables, seasonal ingredients, and fresh herbs and cocktails made with teas, fresh fruit, and house-made bitter tinctures.

Mocktail: The PSL (The Pumpkin Spice Version)
Cold-brew shaken with toasted pumpkin seed, cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg, and cream. Who said PSL’s are basic? Not us!

[151 NE 41st St suite 135, Miami; lejardinier-miami.com]

La Cocina

About the Cocktail Bar: After collaborating with some of the best mixologists in Miami-Dade County, the product is: La Cocina Coctelería. Located in Hialeah, it’s the city’s first eccentric coctelería that celebrates the area’s history. Created by the same team behind LoKal, Kush, Spillover, Vicky’s House and Stephen’s Delicatessen, the cocktail bar celebrates the 305. We should also mention that the suite number is 305. Coincidence? No, it’s meant to be!

Mocktail: Quinceanera
What’s in it? Guava, lemon, and coconut water.

[1000 East 16th Street, Suite #305; lacocinahialeah.com]

Lido Bayside Grill

About the Restaurant: There’s nothing standard about the Lido Bayside Grill at the Standard Spa. Situated on the water, Lido is paying homage to the Japanese diet and lifestyle – quality healthy food and vitamin C. Lido prides itself as being the perfect place to “gather with good friends, good food and good drinks.” On a menu that’s guided by locally sourced seafood and seasonal produce, citrus and fermentation are woven throughout the dishes. Whether you’re looking to indulge in options from the raw bar, chilled dishes, fried options, or grilled, you’ll be transported to a relaxing oasis the second you step foot on the property.

Mocktail: Limonda De Coco
What’s in it? Coconut milk, syrup and lime juice. Loco for this limonda de coco!

[The Standard Spa, 40 Island Ave, Miami Beach; standardhotels.com/miami/features/bayside-grill]

By Loren Gutentag and Kathy Buccio, contributing writers

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Esotico Miami La Cocina Le Jardinier lido bayside grill Miami Mocktails Sugar Factory American Brasserie The Sylvester

The Best Food-Driven New Year’s Eve Parties in Miami

December 19, 2019

6:07 pm

Restaurant Features

diningoutmiami

In a party city like Miami, you’re never short on options for New Year’s Eve parties. But for those craving something beyond the typical champagne-soaked DJ-driven nightclub affair, we’ve got you covered. From a Gatsby-themed soirée and a nine-course culinary journey at the iconic Biltmore Hotel to global delicacies paired with an intimate performance by a Grammy Award-winning band at The Setai, these New Year’s Eve parties offer the perfect mix of flavor and fun.

The Biltmore Hotel

The historic Biltmore Hotel is all about Golden Era glamor, so it’s only fitting that the theme of this year’s New Year’s Eve fete is “Ringing in The Roaring Twenties.” In the Alhambra and Granada ballrooms, guests will enjoy a four-course dinner, an extravagant dessert buffet, hand-rolled cigars on the terrace, and a laser light show by Event Factor. Sounds will be provided by a visiting DJ and the band, Higher Ground. Once the clock strikes midnight, a fireworks show will light up the night. Tickets to this can’t-miss event are $495 for the general public, $395 for members and $120 for teens. Guests are encouraged to wear white, gold and champagne colors.

Details: The Biltmore is located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables. For more information, visit www.BiltmoreHotel.com or call 305-913-3230. Tickets won’t be sold at the door, so make sure you purchase yours ahead of the event here.

Fontana at The Biltmore Hotel

To usher in 2020, Chef Giuseppe Galazzi has created a seasonally-inspired four-course feast at Fontana spotlighting delicacies included braised short ribs with polenta, Maine lobster stuffed with blue crab, homemade tortellini, and more. The New Year’s Eve menu is $120 per person, but an additional limited menu will also be available. Stay after dinner and enjoy live music, fireworks, and more at the hotel.

Details: Fontana at The Biltmore is located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables. For reservations, call 1-855-311-6903.

Palme d’Or at The Biltmore Hotel

Foodies will find plenty to rave about at Palme d’Or’s New Year’s Eve dinner — a lavish nine-course culinary adventure curated by Chef Rogelio Fiallo. Priced at $175 per person, the gastronomic journey will feature dishes like Kumamoto oysters, Alaskan king crab, Jackman Ranch wagyu strip steak, and more.

Details: Palme d’Or at The Biltmore Hotel is located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables. For reservations, call 1-855-311-6903.

Jaya at the Setai

Jaya at the Setai is going all-out this New Year’s Eve with “Vanderbilt Glory,” an extravagant five-course feast that will blend southeast Asian flavors with all the glitz and glamor associated with the Vanderbilt empire. The evening will kick off with canapes, followed by a menu spotlighting delicacies like foie gras and brie, wagyu filet mignon, and more. Louis Roederer champagne will flow freely all night. After dinner, Grammy Award winner Marlow Rosado & Band will perform alongside dancers and Latin cabaret-themed stage acts. Pricing starts at $695 for adults and $320 for kids age 12 and under.

Details: Jaya at the Setai is located at 2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL. To make a reservation, email [email protected], and [email protected], or call 855-923-7899.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

Choose from a range of global cuisines to ring the new year in with at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. StripSteak by Michael Mina, Scarpetta by Scott Conant, and Hakkasan will each offer exclusive 4-course prix fixe dinners priced between $225 and $295 per person, depending on the seating time you select (later reservations are pricier). Chef Michael Mina’s casual underground eatery, Pizza & Burger, will serve up a three-course prix fixe dinner for $79 per person from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m., and the oceanfront restaurant Vida will serve a walk-in-only New Year’s Eve dinner buffet for $89 per person ($44.50 for children) from 5-11 p.m.

Details: Fontainebleau Miami Beach is located at 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. To make a reservation, call (877) 326-7412 or email [email protected].

Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden

The jewel of the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden offers one of the most romantic settings in which to spend New Year’s Eve. This year, the chic indoor-outdoor oasis will serve a prix fixe menu from 5-10 p.m. priced at $105 per person, which includes a complimentary welcome glass of bubbly, an amuse-bouche, and an exclusive three-course menu you can curate yourself form a range of options — think petit filet mignon, king crab, pan-seared halibut, crisp boneless Long Island duck and more. And save room for indulgent desserts like ginger snaps, chocolate, Rice Krispies and hot cocoa.

Details: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden is located at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, 3300 SW 27th Avenue, Miami. For reservations, call 305-400-0562 or visit isabellescoconutgrove.com for more information.

Boulud Sud

Daniel Boulud’s Miami outpost is dialing up dinner on December 31 with a three-course menu and optional wine pairing priced between $85 and $140 per person during the first seating. The second seating — known as the “Gala Seating” — will feature a five-course menu priced between $175 and $250, depending on whether you opt for the wine pairing (and you totally should — Boulud Sud boasts one of the most extensive wine lists in the area).

Details: Boulud Sud at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami is located at 255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami. For reservations, call 305-421-8600.

Faena

Faena is going back a few centuries to Europe’s baroque period — and adding a few South American touches — for its New Year’s Eve party. Guests will be treated to welcome champagne and cocktails, followed by a multi-course dinner at either Pao or Los Fuegos. After, live musical acts will keep the party going in the hotel’s Living Room as Perrier-Jouet and G.H. Mumm champagne flows. The countdown to midnight will take place at Damien Hirst’s Golden Mammoth, where there will be live musical performances, a fireworks display, and more surprises. General admission tickets start at $250 per person, will dinner plus admission starts at $650 per person and includes Faena house wines, spirits, and champagne.

Details: Faena is located at 3201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. For reservations, call 305-534-8800.

Toro Toro

Celebrity Chef Richard Sandoval is bringing the heat this New Year’s Eve with a buffet spread fit for royalty at his acclaimed Pan-Latin Steakhouse, Toro Toro. Guests will find all their favorite holiday fixings here, including a seafood and raw bar and indulgent desserts, plus one bottle of champagne per couple. They’ll also enjoy access to an exclusive firework viewing area with a complimentary glass of champagne and grapes at midnight. The New Year’s Eve dining experience is priced at $225 for adults and $99 for children ages 6-12 (it’s free for kids age 5 and under). After the big countdown, Toro Toro’s lobby bar and lounge will keep the festivities going with a DJ and dancers.

Details: Toro Toro is located at the InterContinental Miami, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami. For reservations, call 305-372-4710. You can purchase tickets for the NYE dining experience here.

The Betsy Miami Beach

This iconic South Beach hotel invites guests to close the year out at LT Steak and Seafood, where they’ll enjoy a five-course tasting menu curated by Executive Chef Danny Ganem. There will be live music all night, and if you make a reservation for the restaurant’s second seating at 8 p.m. you’ll enjoy midnight access to the hotel’s rooftop terrace for a midnight champagne toast, a live band, and a prime view of the fireworks. Reservations for the first seating at 5 p.m. are $250 per person. Reservations for the second seating at 8 p.m. are $295 per person. If you’re looking for a more laid-back family-friendly vibe, The Alley will offer an a la carte menu all evening long, spotlighting pizza, pasta and gelato specials — no reservation needed.

Details: The Betsy is located at 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. For reservations, call 305-673-0044 or visit www.thebetseyhotel.com/dine/lt-steak-seafood and www.thebetsyhotel.com/dine/the-alley for more information.

Novecento

Head to any of Novencto’s locations — Aventura, Brickell, Doral or Key Biscayne — on New Year’s Eve and you’ll enjoy a sumptuous three-course meal for just $99 per person. Then, stay for an after-dinner celebration set to beats by a visiting DJ, including party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.

Details: Novecento has locations in Aventura, Brickell, Doral, and Key Biscayne. For reservations and information, visit https://www.novecento.com/.

By Amanda Mesa, a contributing writer

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Stubborn Seed: Magic on a Plate

December 11, 2019

1:27 pm

Restaurant Features

diningoutmiami

Impressive from start to finish

There’s only one word to describe an experience at Stubborn Seed: magical. The restaurant, which has fed the South of Fifth masses for over two years now, is helmed by Top Chef season 13 winner Jeremy Ford. Ford, who has worked under culinary greats like Jean-Georges Vongerichten, is cooking up delicious cuisine that shows why he’s one of the most esteemed chefs in the scene.

Dinner at the 70ish-seat restaurant is intimate — you’re likely to encounter plenty of couples during your visit, along with a few larger parties. All are welcome, though, as Ford and his team make dishes that are equally innovative and approachable; everyone from food critics to curious diners should leave happy.

At Stubborn Seed, guests have the option of ordering a la carte or choosing from two tasting menus (five courses or eight courses) that promise surprises. That said, we opted to “choose our adventure” with a few — very tasty — recommendations from our helpful server.

Speaking of service, the staff does not miss a beat; water glasses were constantly refilled before getting too low, and someone was always touching our table and the tables around us; in a city where service can be lacking, that’s a welcome sight.

But back to the food: yowza. Diners were treated to a complimentary round of pumpkin soup, croquettes and oysters to start the meal, plus bread service that included a flavorful garbanzo chili dip. Then the real fun began with items like kombu-charred octopus and warm celery root, two dishes that should be a staple of any meal here.

The former with its guajillo chili and garlic puree is punchy, making for a memorably yummy bite each time. Meanwhile, the celery root’s presentation will have you salivating before the first bite. Surrounded by crackling maitake mushroom and a creamy mustard, it’s a beauty — and one that tastes as good (if not better) than it looks.

Also, we need to talk about the lavash. At $8, it’s easily the lowest-priced snack on the menu. Don’t let the price fool you: It’s the restaurant’s sleeper hit. Chicken liver butter and smoked chili jam is really all there is to this flatbread, and that’s all it needs; the amount of flavor packed into this bite is insane. With a price like that, you’d be foolish not to order it.

Larger plates also dazzle. A juicy Bell & Evans chicken with pomme puree is filling and hits the spot — this is chicken done right. Slow cooked beef cheek with white truffle grits is another highlight that commands its premium; the richness and depth of flavor is unlike anything we’ve encountered.

Ensuring your meal ends on a sweet note is pastry chef Dallas Wynne’s assortment of treats. If it’s your first time here, order the famous snickerdoodle cookies. They may not sound as exciting as other offerings, but you’ll be singing a different tune fast once you taste the valrhona gianduja. Seasonal delights like honey baked pears and espresso panna cotta help us forget that seasons don’t exist in Miami, and we’re grateful to Wynne for the escape.

All in all, Jeremy Ford and his team have crafted a stellar dining experience from start to finish. The service is impeccable, the food is exceptional (and Instagrammable), and the place is intimate — you feel like part of something special when you’re there. Few restaurants leave you not only feeling satisfied with your meal, but also feeling good. Stubborn Seed is one of them.

101 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(786) 322-5211

By Geoffrey Anderson Jr., a contributing writer

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