Brace yourselves. Miami Spice is here!

Inarguably Miami’s most anticipated dining season, for two months, Miami Spice invites South Florida “foodies” to experience the Magic City’s most dazzling restaurants at an affordable price. From now through September 30^th, grab your friends and family members, plan a date night, or round up your girlfriends for three-course, prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus at just $23 and $39, respectively. As delicious as it is exciting, diners can choose from a staggering 243 eateries, bistros, fine-dining locales and more–a significant jump from the 181 restaurants on the list in 2015.

And to kick-off it’s first day, we’ve rounded up a list of some of our favorite steakhouses participating in the fun. Treat yourself to dinner and take one (or all) of our menu recommendations below. You deserve it!

Red, The Steakhouse: Found in charming South of Fifth, Red, the Steakhouse {119 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.534.3688} spares no luxury when it comes to crafting the perfect steak dinner. Led by Executive Chef Peter Vauthy, this contemporary steakhouse serves up only the best USDA Prime, aged Certified Angus and Kobe beef. Everything is made from scratch, and the bar boasts 500+ wines, including Red’s private blends, and a list of handcrafted cocktails that promise to make any night in Miami Beach a good one. Add that level of quality to its unbeatable location, and it’s no wonder this legendary locale doubles as a frequent celebrity stop.

What to order: During this first week, start with the Wedge of Iceberg salad with crisp pancetta, crumbled bleu cheese, picked onion, tomato challah croutons, and peppered ranch dressing. For the main event, move on to the 48oz C.A.B. Prime Bone-In Porterhouse with a side of 40oz Maine lobster (when combined, there is a $118 up charge). Finish with a slice of Chocolate Silk Pie with bittersweet chocolate mousse, raspberry sauce and berries, and pair it all with Chef Peter’s favorite cocktail, Chef’s Medicine. It was designed especially for him, and blends fresh juices, sour orange, tequila, and a touch of freshly-grated cinnamon. NOTE: The Miami Spice menu at Red, the Steakhouse changes weekly. Suggested menu is based on the first week.

StripSteak by Michael Mina: It’s no secret we love James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Mina. A lot. Coming straight from its raved-about Las Vegas outpost, StripSteak by Michael Mina {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412} has a second location here in Miami. Located in none other than the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach, this sexy, two-story, indoor-outdoor venue uses an onsite aging room and butcher shop and a la carte cuts of Prime Angus, Châteaubriand, Wagyu and Japanese Miyazaki Prefecture beef. Diners can choose from a range of house-made sauces, and pair it all with a glass from the restaurant’s impressive wine or cocktail list: like Bobbing for Apples, a popular favorite. It’s on the restaurant’s exclusive “Cocktails of Today and Tomorrow” list, and mixes D’Usse VSOP cognac and Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, with Domaine de Canton ginger, Fuji apple, honey, lemon, and clove.

What to order: If you couldn’t already tell, you can’t go wrong at StripSteak by Michael Mina. As for the standouts, start with the Lacinto Kale with shaved Parmesan, pickled tomato, and anchovy dressing. For the main event, choose the Wood Grilled 6oz Filet Mignon, which is marinated in port wine jus, and served with jewel yam purée and charred rapini. Any summer meal in Miami isn’t complete without a slice of Key Lime Pie, and StripSteak’s is certainly one worth tasting. It comes with caramelized honey and lemongrass sherbet.

BOURBON Steak Miami: Well, what do you know? Another Michael Mina staple. (Go figure!) Located in Aventura, at the enchanting Turnberry Isle Miami, BOURBON Steak {19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura; 786.279.6600} is a contemporary American steakhouse known as much for its James Beard Award-winning chef as its three-part menu of prime, wood-grilled Angus, American Kobe and Japanese A5 Kobe beef. Touted as fine-dining, BOURBON Steak is sleek, sexy and boasts an award-winning wine list of more than 500 vintages, with a menu of handcrafted cocktails–like the “FDC,” Four Roses Bourbon infused with toasted pecans, rosemary, and maple syrup–that’s sure to impress. Need another reason to go there? Instead of bread, BOURBON Steak starts every meal with a combination of truffle, herbed and smoked paprika duck-fat fries with corresponding dips. So, yeah. Go there.

What to order: After the duck-fat fries, start your three-course meal with Summer Corn Chowder, a light, flavorful soup with Iberico ham, fingerling potatoes and a dill biscuit. Then, indulge in the Angus New York Strip with organic carrot purée, potato confit, and foie gras jus, and finish with a sweet ending. The trio of Hemingway daiquiri, coconut calamansi, and papaya pineapple Mini Sorbet Pops are just the thing on a hot Miami night.

LT Steak & Seafood: Famed chef Laurent Tourondel recently replaced BLT Steak with LT Steak & Seafood {1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; 305.673.0044}, but spared no expense in making sure the change was a definite upgrade.  Sitting in the charming Betsy Hotel, right on Ocean Drive, this must-try South Beach gem serves up an impressive (expected) menu of high-quality steak and seafood. The menu is seasonal and American, with a long list of USDA Prime steaks and rotating market sides, and the ambiance is decidedly young, hip, and romantic. Having just opened in Spring 2016, the menu is as creative as the spot is new, and adds a fresh raw bar, sushi and sashimi options, sharing plates, salads, and various house-made steak sauces to its staple steak and seafood main plates.

What to order: Start with the Squid Ink Empanada with octopus escabeche, asparagus, pickled baby heirlooms, and jalapeño aioli. For an entrée, choose the Jackman Ranch 10oz Wagyu Bistro Steak with grilled baby squash and mushrooms, parsnip crema, and onion ash chimichurri. Finish up with something that’s truly “Miami”: mango. The Mango Pavlova with chocolate cremeux, candied orange, and spiced pecan crumble is the perfect ending to any night on South Beach.

By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor