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Home / 2019 (Page 12)

9:00 am
Restaurant Features
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Want to eat for a good cause? At the 31st-Annual Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry, you can! Taking place on Friday, May 17—from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.—this annual tasting event will bring together South Florida’s top chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and brewers for a tasting event like no other.
Along with mixing, mingling, and indulging in fine fare, artisan beer, craft cocktails, and decadent desserts, guests of this event will be able to bid in a silent auction and participate in a “giving tree,” where attendees can make donations in exchange for exclusive dining opportunities at the night’s participating restaurants. The best part: every penny made from all of the above, and ticket sales, will go towards No Kid Hungry’s efforts to end childhood hunger in America.
Led by Chef Chair Timon Balloo (SUGARCANE | raw bar grill), Co-Chair Cesar Zapata (Phuc Yea), and Chef Co-Chairs Paula DaSilva (The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale) and Alex Kuk and Diego Ng (Temple Street Eatery), this year’s chefs are no joke. Here are the restaurants you can expect to find at Taste of the Nation 2019:

Tickets to South Florida’s Taste of the Nation are priced at $125 per person until May 10, 2019. After that, the price will increase to $150 per person. For more information about the event, or to purchase tickets, click here.
South Florida’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry is supported by national co-presenting sponsors Citi and Sysco®, national media sponsor Food Network, and national sponsor OpenTable. Local sponsors include: Breakthru Beverage, Brustman Carrino Public Relations, Chrysler Pacifica, Events on the Loose, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, iHeart Media Miami, JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa, Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Mike Sipe Entertainment, Social Thinkking, Staff Squad, and Veza Sur Brewing Co.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

9:00 am
Restaurant Features
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Two of Miami’s top chefs will head west to the California coast this April—and they’re bringing a taste of their iconic Miami restaurants with them! From April 11-14, the renowned 12th-Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival will once again bring together 100 of the world’s top celebrity chefs and 250 acclaimed wineries to showcase some of the world’s best food and wine.
And on that list are two Magic City favorites: James Beard Award winner, Chef Michelle Bernstein of Café La Trova, and Executive Chef André Bienvenu of Joe’s Stone Crab {11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.673.0365}. Here’s where you can find them at the festival:
Celebrity Chef & Winemaker Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links
Presented by Chase Private Client
Thursday, April 11
During this event, America’s most iconic golf course will welcome icons of American food and wine. After a morning Champagne toast at the first tee, golfers will play the 18 holes in a “Team Scramble” tournament, and take breaks at epic food and wine booths and tents along the way. This event will run from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Coastal Caribbean With Michelle Bernstein
Presented by Lexus
Saturday, April 13
Wake up early and enjoy a morning of Caribbean cuisine. Pulling from her lifetime in the tropical environs of Miami, Chef Bernstein will whip up a menu of bites featuring bright, exotic, and Caribbean flavors. This event will run from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Lexus Grand Tasting Sunday
Sunday, April 14
Catch both Chef Bernstein and Chef Bienvenu, two of a veritable “who’s who” of 30 celebrity chefs at the festival, for an afternoon of mixing, mingling, and culinary indulgence. This event will run from Noon to 3 p.m.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

9:00 am
Restaurant Features
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There’s something truly special about Matador Bar. Tucked away to the right of The Miami Beach EDITION {2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.257.4600} lobby—and marked by wood-paneled walls, a glamorous black walnut and stone centerpiece bar, evocative photos, and floor-to-ceiling windows that look right out at the ocean—this sultry, sophisticated drinking den seems to just suck Miami’s finest in. Snag a chair at the bar, or for something more discreet, cozy up to the long, leather banquette lining Matador Bar’s walls. No matter where you sit, live music, low-key (but elegant) vibes, and Spanish-inspired cocktails are sure to keep you entertained all night long. 
And now, the Miami Beach hotspot has a new Absolut Elyx cocktail for everyone to enjoy: Confession of Love Punch. Designed to share, this deliciously tropical, very Instagram-worthy cocktail can serve six to eight imbibers by making 12 glasses total. This cheerfully-pink cocktail is brought out in a bronze, flamingo-shaped punchbowl; blends Absolut Elyx, Luxardo Maraschino, passion fruit, hibiscus, and lemon; and is topped with floating orchids and pineapple.
The Confession of Love Punch is priced at $125, excluding tax and gratuity. This drink, along with the bar’s full menu of artfully-crafted cocktails, are available at Matador Bar every Sunday through Thursday, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays, from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

9:00 am
Restaurant Features
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This April, 21 of South Florida’s most popular chefs will come together to cook for a good cause: raising money for the Diabetes Research Institute and its mission to find a cure. And in true Florida fashion, this dinner is anything but normal! Not only will each chef be tasked with creating an innovative, three-course meal tableside, but their guests won’t know what they’re eating until it’s served right to them.  
Taking place on Sunday, April 7, at 6 p.m., Out of the Kitchen will start with a cocktail hour in the Oceanview Ballroom at the St. Regis Bal Harbour {9703 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.993.3300}, and move on to a seated dinner, fun raffle giveaways, and more. Each of the 21 chefs will be assigned to a table, where they will whip up a secret, adventurous three-course dinner for 12 hungry guests.
To top it all off, the fun, fanciful night will be hosted by Bravo’s Top Chef alum, Sam Talbot—who lives with type 1 diabetes, was a semifinalist on Top Chef Season 2 and a fan favorite on Season 14, and was named one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive in 2012. Jeremy Ford of Stubborn Seed {101 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.322.5211}, David Hackett of The Biltmore Hotel {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.913.3189}, and Norman Van Aken of Three {50 NW 24 Street #101, Wynwood; 305.748.4540} will serve as Culinary Chairs. The evening’s Event Chairs are Amy and Scott Greenwald and Tammy and Steve Klein.
Here are the chefs participating in this year’s exciting Out of the Kitchen event:
Chef Jeremy Ford, Stubborn Seed
Chef David Hackett, The Biltmore Hotel
Chef Norman Van Aken, Three
Chef Mike Beltran, Navé
Chef Brian Nasajon, Beaker & Grey
Chef Josh Gripper, The Dutch
Chef Cesar Zapata, Phuc Yea
Chef Sean Brasel, Meat Market
Chef Alex Olivier, Area 31
Chef Jeffrey Williams, The Social Club
Chef Adrianne Calvo, Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar
Chef Brooke Mallory, Burlock Coast
Chef Tasos Chasekioglou, Atlantikos
Chef Tim Andriola, Timo
Chef Raheem Sealey, KYU
Chef Vijay Veena, Jaya at the Setai
Chef Abel Veulens, Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden
Chef Scott Linquist, Coyo Taco
Chef Pablo Zitzmann, No Name Chinese
Chef Alex Kuk, Temple Street Eatery
Chef Abraham Silva, M House
When dinner is over, save room for dessert, because some of South Florida’s sweetest vendors will be popping up with treats galore. They include: Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop, MadLab Creamery, Phenomenon Nitrogen Ice Cream & Bake Shop, Mo Scotti, and Angelica Lenox/Sweet Guilt. And don’t worry… if you really are full, to-go boxes will be available.
Tickets are priced at $300 per person and can be purchased by calling 561.596.1025 or 954.964.4040.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

9:00 am
Restaurant Features
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When it comes to the food world, French-American Michelin-star chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, trendsetter, and all-around nice guy, Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, has done it all. And here in Miami, he’s blessed us with three of his mouthwatering concepts at The Miami Beach EDITION: Matador Room, Market at EDITION, and Tropicale.
So when we heard “JGV” was going to be in town for the 18th-Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF), we had to sit down with him and find out about his career, his childhood, his passion in the kitchen, and how he became one of the world’s best chefs.
Here’s what he had to say:
Tell us about your chef journey. How did it start?
My journey started about 45 years ago, in 1973, and it hasn’t stopped. I started when I was sixteen, when I took an apprenticeship in Alsace, France, where I come from. I was lucky enough to start in a three-star Michelin restaurant, and then I went to a second three-star Michelin restaurant in the South of France. I ended up getting my first real chef job in 1980, in Bangkok.
Did you ever consider another career?
I was actually supposed to be an engineer. My grandfather worked in coal, and my father took over his heating company, where he was doing central and solar heating. He sent me to engineering college and I hated it. I was spending my days smelling like gasoline, and I really wanted to smell chicken, potato, and cabbage! For my 16th birthday, my parents took me to a three-star restaurant. It was my first high-end dining experience, and that was that. I knew that was what I wanted to do.
Were you always a master in the kitchen?
When I was a kid, I was doing all the birthdays for my brothers, sisters and cousins. I was born an entertainer, but not on stage; the kitchen is where I was most comfortable. It’s kind of  form of entertaining, you know? In the beginning, I had no idea about food, but I would organize the lighting, the music, and the mood. Today, I realize it was all part of it.
Looking back on your chef career, what was your most defining moment?
I owe a lot to New York. When I arrived in New York in 1986, there was a whole new movement of food happening. I was lucky to be part of new wave of food in America. When I first got there, there were only a few markets and they only had the basics. Now there’s a good local market in every city. New York only had a few Japanese places at the time, a few places where you could get sushi, and some Italian places; but maybe not the best food in the world. When I arrived, I was part of a group of chefs who changed the city into what it is. We had a good time, and I never stopped. Now we’re up to 38 restaurants, and we’re still having a good time!
Have you always worked with hotels?
My first job in 1980 was at the Oriental Hotel, in Bangkok, so I’ve been very familiar with hotels. I love to work with hotels. People stay with you! It’s not just a two-hour lunch or dinner and they go away. At hotels, you get to pamper them for a couple days, and I love that.
What made you want to bring some of your restaurants to Miami?
Ian Schrager actually approached me about it. He was building The Miami Beach EDITION, and he said, ‘Do you want to do something here?’ and I said, ‘I would love to.’ So we did Market, which is a little bit like my ABC Kitchen, in New York; and then for the main restaurant, I wanted to do something Latino to bring in a touch of Miami. We put Tropicale outside, and it’s all worked out very well. Here we are, five years later, still kicking, still improving, and still trying new dishes.

You spent five years in Asia, which you’ve always said changed your cooking. How so?
I was from France, so I didn’t know about lemongrass, chili, or ginger, and I’d never had spicy food a day in my life. The only spices we ever used were salt and pepper. There were no Asian ingredients in the region I grew up in. It was all cabbage, potato, and foie gras. The food was good, but it was so one-dimensional there. By the time I got to Bangkok, I felt like Christopher Columbus discovering a new world! I got to start adding a lot of sexy stuff to my food.
You’ve set a lot of trends in the kitchen. What’s next for the food world?
Plant-based. Two weeks ago, people wanted a radish. Two years ago, it was a steak. It’s all about plant-based now. I’m not 100% vegetarian, but I eat it twice a week—my restaurant, ABCV, is all vegan. I think this new generation has a new energy about plant-based food. It’s good to eat a steak every once in awhile (I love my steak!), but you just have everything in moderation.
Tell us your must-have kitchen tool.
Probably a microplane—you can do a zest of citrus, truffle, cheese, dry spices, and even ginger. I can do all of that.
What’s your favorite late-night snack?
Chocolate. Milk chocolate. I eat my chocolate after I brush my teeth, because then I wake up in the morning and still have the taste of chocolate in my mouth. It gives new meaning to ‘sweet dreams.’

What do you make for dinner when you’re at home?
I make pasta! I boil water and throw my pasta in there with a whole egg, so it cooks at the same time. I drain the pasta and add pepper, Parmesan, and butter, and then I have a soft-boiled egg on top. One pot. It takes five to seven minutes to cook the pasta. It’s my quick dinner before I go to sleep with my chocolate.

Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

9:00 am
Restaurant Features
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The 18th-Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) brought a slew of new events to our South Florida shores this year, and like all of them, BACARDI’S Beach Carnival was a total hit. Taking place on the sand behind the dazzling The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach {1 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 786.276.4000}, this adult-friendly carnival was hosted by none other than James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef, food writer, teacher, and host of Travel Channel’s Bizzare Foods: Andrew Zimmern.

As we entered the tents, we were greeted by festive fire-eaters, jugglers, circus conductors, and glittered dancers right on the sand. Popular carnival games like ping pong, ski-ball, and mallet games were scattered between 20+ food and drink booths; a live DJ; full Grey Goose, Heineken, and BACARDI bars; and at the other end of the tent, the main stage. While Mr. Nice Guy kept everyone moving and shaking, a special on-stage jam sesh with Zimmern himself had fans screaming with joy. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., we filled our bellies a mix of fun-tastic carnival fare from popular chefs and vendors, most of which were from right here in Miami. And considering our mouths are still watering, it’s safe to say we liked what we found.

Here are some of our favorite bites at SOBEWFF’s first-ever BACARDI’s Beach Carnival:

S’mores Cookie
Ooey-gooey s’mores cookie filled with chocolate chips, graham crackers, and marshmallows
From: Phenomenom {11401 South Dixie Highway, Pinecrest; 754.216.3478}
Butternut Nachos
Vegan nachos with butternut-cashew queso
From: Chef Chloe {140 NE 39 Street, Design District; 310.748.9484}

Fried Oreo Bar
Red velvet- and vanilla-fried oreos
From: Circus Eats Food Truck & Catering {1851 Delaware Parkway, Miami; 786.488.2709}
Oh My Dog, Look At Her Fries
Hand-battered all-beef corn dog served with funnel cake fries and a BACARDI Oakheart spiced rum sauce
From: Cheeseburger Baby {1505 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.531.7300}
Truffle Croquettas
Croquettas with Pecorino, crimini mushrooms, and fresh shaved truffles
From: Wynwood Kitchen & Bar {2550 Northwest Second Avenue, Wynwood; 305.722.8959}
Cuban Nachos 
Bed of plantain chips topped with shredded pork, mojo onions, and garlic-cilantro aioli 
From: Sandwich De Miami {2057 SW 8 Street, Little Havana; 305.539.0969}

Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

9:00 am
Restaurant Features
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Richard Sandoval of Toro Toro


Sit-down dinners are the stuff of legends at the 18th-Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF)—and we were so excited to attend last night’s Dinner hosted by Aarón Sánchez and Richard Sandoval (part of The NYT Cooking Dinner Series) at Toro Toro {100 Chopin Plaza, Downtown Miami; 305.372.4710}. After a contractual agreement unfortunately pulled Chopped judge, Heat Seekers co-star, and host of Cooking Channel’s Emmy-nominated Taco Trip, Aarón Sánchez, away from SOBEWFF at the last minute, we were blessed with an equally-wonderful replacement: four-time James Beard award-winning TV personality and the fun and friendly host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods, Andrew Zimmern!
When we arrived, we were sent to the bar for a Reception, where we were treated to glasses of Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec 2017 and the wine host’s spin on an Aperol Spritz, a Terrazas Spritz Blanco with Aperol and Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Torrontés 2017. Passed hors d’oeuvres—like Gulf Tuna Tostadas with Cajun caviar and Chorizo and Roasted Plantain Empanadas from Aarón Sánchez, and Short Rib Mini Tacos and White Coconut Ceviche Spoons from Richard Sandoval—accompanied these welcome drinks, making for a yummy start to a delicious dinner ahead.
And while Andrew Zimmern may have replaced Aarón Sánchez, dinner guests still got to enjoy the original, collaborative Mexican-Latin fusion menu from both the Chopped judge and the talented Richard Sandoval, a famed cookbook author, restaurateur, and the mastermind behind Downtown Miami’s Toro Toro. In fact, working the kitchen all night long was Executive Chef Miles Landrem (of Aarón Sánchez’ popular restaurant, Johnny Sánchez), Richard Sandoval, and the whole Toro Toro kitchen team.
Here’s what we ate and drank:
Scallop Aguachile by Aarón Sánchez
Wine pairing: Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Chardonnay 2017
Huitlacoche and Urbani Truffle Tamales by Aarón Sánchez
with a roasted corn sauce
Wine pairing: Terrazas de los Andes Single Vineyard Las Compuertas Malbec 2014
Pan Roasted Chilean Sea Bass by Richard Sandoval
with Pipian sauce
Wine pairing: Terrazas de los Andes Single Vineyard Los Aromos Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Corn Cake with Hibiscus by Richard Sandoval
with cinnamon ice cream
Wine pairing: Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Torrontés 2017
This event was hosted in part by Terrazas de los Andes wine, as well as Toro Toro, The Intercontinental Miami, BADOIT, Evian, The New York Times, and The New York Times Cooking.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

11:35 am
Restaurant Features
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What do you get when you combine one world-famous chef, a beautiful Miami evening, a stunning, over-the-top hotel, and tables and tables of fire-grilled meats and vegetables? A spectacular dinner. Add that the chef is the unbelievable Francis Mallmann and the hotel is the dazzling Faena Miami Beach {3201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.534.8800}, and you have a night that’s beyond compare.
On Thursday, February 21, 2019, Francis Mallmann, the chef and restaurateur behind Faena’s Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann {3201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.655.5610}, welcomed Miami’s finest to wine and dine under the stars at his unofficial festival event, “An Evening with Francis Mallmann—Asado Dome Dinner.” We were so honored to be among them!
In town for the 18th-Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF), South America’s “Master of Fire”—known across the globe for his passionate spirit, rustic ingredients, and open-flame culinary techniques—delighted us all with an asado, the meat-centric BBQs of South America Mallmann is famous for. Taking it one step further, he led guests on a sensory journey by constructing his signature six-foot wire dome, on which he used fire and traditional Patagonian cooking methods to roast hanging Bone-In Rib-Eye, Fresh Whole Salmon, Organic Chicken, and other meats and proteins to peak smokiness, succulence and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. All around the dome, long tables were piled high with any side you could crave: like different salads, charred whole carrots, Vegetables ‘Rescoldo,’ Mallmann’s famous Domino Potatoes, and more.
And to answer your next question, yes… it was all as delicious as it sounds.

As if the long wooden tables dotted with deep red roses, all in the hotel’s enchanting Path of the Warrior, weren’t enough, a live band set the ambiance with seductive songs that kept guests swaying like Miami Beach palm trees in the wind. Well-dressed waiters swirled around the courtyard with Spanish-inspired Kalimotxo cocktails, glasses of Faena’s small-batch Malbec and Torrontes Argentine wines, and at the end of the night, dessert. Even then, fire and indulgence was still the theme. We all enjoyed a perfectly-charred ‘Panqueque’ de Dulce de Leche dessert with fire-roasted pineapple, offering a sweet ending to a sweet first night of SOBEWFF 2019.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

9:00 am
Restaurant Features
0

Michael Symon and famous friends at Tacos After Dark 2019

This year, we kicked off the 18th-Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) with one of the fête’s favorite late-night events: Tacos After Dark! Taking place at the dazzling Loews Miami Beach {1601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.604.1601}, and back by popular demand, this taco-and-tequila fest was hosted by none other than famed chef, restaurateur, Food Network personality, cookbook author, and self-proclaimed carnivore: Michael Symon.

As we walked around the hotel’s pool area, we filled our bellies a mix of treats from popular chefs and vendors, both from right here in Miami and abroad. And what we found did not disappoint—like a make-your-own paloma booth, a Tequila Cazadores margarita booth, a live DJ, and 20+ chefs with more tacos than you have time to crave.

While we’re still recovering from our taco-induced food coma, here’s a rundown of the bites we can’t wait to eat again:

La Juana Taco
with steak, queso, white onion, cilantro, and salsa verde, in a blue corn tortilla
From: Pilo’s Street Tacos {1216 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.800.TACO}

Thai Pork Soft Taco
with Thai pork sausage, peanuts, and crunchy shallots, in a white flour tortilla
From: Jamie Bissonnette and Little Donkey {505 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA; 617.945.1008}

Quesadilla
with huitlacoche and crispy cheese
From: Taquiza {1351 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach}

Cochinita Pibil Taco
with slow-roasted pork, achiote, and habañero pickled onions
From: Coyo Taco {2300 NW 2 Avenue, Wynwood; 305.573.8228}

Sweet Taco
with tequila mousse, coconut, lime zest, and a lime garnish, in an almond-cookie shell that’s dipped in white chocolate
From: Loews Miami Beach {1601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.604.1601}

Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

9:00 am
Restaurant Features
0

Salumeria 104


Trying to escape the SOBEWFF madness? While we love all things SOBEWFF, that has its perks, too.
Fortunately, Miami has a slew of great restaurants in and out of the festival! Here are five of our favorites—none of which are anywhere near this weekend’s events:
Costa Med Bistro + Wine: If you’re looking for some peace and quiet while you eat, Key Biscayne is always a safe bet! And when you’re out there, there’s no better place to go for hearty Italian cuisine than Costa Med Bistro + Wine {260 Crandon Boulevard, Suite #46, Key Biscayne; 305.361.7575}. To celebrate sidestepping the SOBEWFF traffic, opt for the Pear & Gorgonzola Ravioli, the Pappardelle ai Funghi Porcini, or the perfectly-grilled Veal Chop with your choice of a side. (We recommend the Quinoa and French Lentil Salad.) And not that we need to tell you, but the restaurant’s extensive wine list pairs well with all of it.  
BLT Prime: For good meat and an old-fashioned steakhouse dinner, BLT Prime {4400 NW 87 Avenue, Doral; 305.591.6606} is just what you need. Grab a seat outside, overlooking the golf course, and your perfectly-charred lunch or dinner will rival the views. Start with the restaurant’s famous Poppers, and take your pick of any of its specialty red meats. There are plenty to choose from—like a 28-day, dry-aged NY Strip and a 20-ounce Kansas City cut, to three cuts of American-style Kobe beef—and a range of house-made sauces, from steak, horseradish, and three-mustards BBQ, to peppercorn, bernaise, red wine, and chimichurri.  
Caffe Abbracci: This iconic Coral Gables spot caters to locals and visiting A-listers (hi, President Obama!) alike. Owned by Nino Pernetti, a restaurateur from Lake Garda, Italy, Caffe Abbracci {318 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.441.0700} invites you to grab a streetside table and transport to Italy with just one bite of pasta. Favorites on the menu? Parma Prosciutto and Burrata; homemade Tortellini “Tatiana” with Asiago cheese, stewed pear, and a light Prosecco pink sauce; Risotto with Champagne and asparagus; Colorado Baby Lamb Chops with dry cherries and Cognac; and of course, Traditional Tiramisu with layers of ladyfingers soaked in espresso.
Old Lisbon: When you want good Portuguese, you go to Old Lisbon {1698 SW 22 Street, Miami; 305.854.0039}. Tucked away on Coral Way, and far away from all things SOBEWFF, this neighborhood staple serves plates like Carne de Porco à Alentejana—a pork tenderloin stew with potatoes, clams, pickled vegetables, and a white-wine garlic sauce—or Feijoada de Marisco, a white bean stew with clams, shrimp, mussels, squid, and sausage, in an open, rustic-style dining room. The wine cellar is filled with Old World bottles and Portuguese brews, all of which the knowledgeable staff can pair with whatever tasty dish you order.
Salumeria 104: Based on the Italian “trattoria” concept, set in the vein of a small neighborhood “salumi” shop, Salumeria 104 {3451 NE 1 Avenue #104, Midtown; 305.424.9588} serves up fresh homemade pastas and Italian products. Menu hits include: Spaghetti alla Bottarga, Lasagna del Salumiere with bolognese and Béchamel, Porchetta wrapped in crispy pork belly, Tiramisu with mascarpone cream and cocoa, and more. When you’re not eating (and we can’t blame you, if you are), peruse the unique cured meats, cheeses, Italian olives, baguettes, and more, all for sale in Midtown Miami’s own neighborhood “trattoria.”
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor