Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Home / Posts Tagged "Boulud Sud"

As Easter Sunday is fast approaching what are your dinner plans? How can we maintain any sense of “normalcy” during this unprecedented time of COVID-19? Grab your laptops, iPhones, iPads—any tool to set up your virtual family dinner and indulge in a delicious homecooked meal.

So, what should you make?

Well, DiningOut had the opportunity to speak with executive chef Luis Polanco of Miami’s trendy Boulud Sud Méditerranée and he says, why not bring a taste of the Mediterranean right to your kitchen?

Maybe we can’t physically go on an adventure during this time, but our taste buds sure can!

First stop: the Mediterranean for Chef Luis’ favorite dish, Braised Lamb Rigatoni. (Cue the applause!)

While the dish is a slow cookin’ commitment, Chef Luis makes a great point: during this lockdown “we all have the time, so why not?”

Chef Luis added, the best part about this recipe is, regardless of how complex the dish seems, the ingredients can be bought (use your delivery services) from your local grocery stores.

Braised Lamb Rigatoni
Braised Lamb Rigatoni

Ingredients:

3 lb. boneless lamb shoulder 
1 ea Spanish onion 
1 ea stalk of celery 
1 ea carrot 
16 oz. can of DOP San Marzano tomatoes 
1 bottle of your favorite red wine 
1lb. of butter 
4 oz. oil (Grapeseed or any high smoking temperature oil) 
32 oz. beef broth (store bought) 
salt 
black pepper 
1lb. of your favorite dry rigatoni 
8 oz. ricotta cheese 
1 ea lemon 
Parmesan cheese 

Directions:

Use a pot large enough to fit all the contents. Add 4 oz. of oil and half a pound of butter and let your butter brown, but ensure it doesn’t burn—this could change the taste of the final result!

Clean your lamb of all bone and hard cartilage.

Season your lamb with salt and black pepper.

Once your pan is hot, add in your lamb and brown evenly on both sides. 

While your lamb is roasting in a food processor add your onions, celery, and carrots and pulse until they become small pieces. (Do these separately because they break up differently).

Once your lamb is roasted remove from the pot and let sit until the braising liquid is ready.

Remove the fat you used to roast the lamb and add in 4 oz. of butter. Then, add your onions, celery and carrots. Cook this out until tender for about 10 minutes at medium heat. 

Once your vegetables are tender add in 1/2 of your bottle of red wine. Simmer your wine until it reduces by half and the smell of alcohol is gone. It will smell sweet.

Add your tomatoes, beef broth, and lamb back to the pot. Bring it to a simmer. At this point, you can cover it and cook it on a stove top until tender or place the covered contents into a 350 F oven for about 2-3 hours, depending on your oven or until the lamb is tender. 

While your lamb is cooking, now it’s time to get your ricotta ready!

In a small bowl add in your ricotta, zest of 1 lemon, some grated parmesan, and black pepper.

Once your lamb is done let it rest in the liquid.

Bring a pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Cook your pasta for about 10-13 minutes until it is al dente. 

Once your lamb has rested, remove the meat from the pot and choose nice big pieces of the lamb for the final dish.

While you shred it, put the braising liquid back on high heat and simmer it until it becomes the consistency of a nice tomato sauce.

Add your pieces of Lamb back to the pot then add in your cooked rigatoni, 4 oz. of butter, and parmesan and mix until nice and creamy. 

Grab your favorite pasta bowl and place some of the ricotta mixture to the bottom of the plate. Next, add your beautiful Lamb Ragu Rigatoni on top, grate some fresh parmesan cheese and fresh black pepper and enjoy with a glass of wine!

Chef Luis’ Cooking Tips for Success:

DO: What is your go-to cookware for this dish?

Chef Luis: “My go to for this dish at home is my 4.5 qt. Le Creuset.”

DO:  Why is it important to clean the lamb of all bone and hard cartilage?

Chef Luis:  “if bone and cartilage is still intact, it will not cook out during the braising process.”

DO: What if you don’t have a food processor?

Chef Luis: “if you do not have a food processor you can cut the vegetables into small pieces, just dice with a knife”

DO: What is the secret behind a perfect pasta dish?

Chef Luis: “You want your pot of boiled water for the pasta to be salted enough so the pasta can soak up the flavor. It’s a crucial step for making the perfect pasta dish.”

Boulud Sud decided to temporarily close on March 20th as a safety precaution for their staff and customers. They’re looking forward to welcoming their guests back soon! Until then, Bon Appétit and let us know how your recipe turned out!

Looking for amazing food and drink deals to take advantage of after a long day at work? We’ve rounded up another five restaurants that know how to do happy hour in Miami right. Amazing bar bites, global wines, local brews, and expertly crafted cocktails — you’ll find them all at these South Florida hotspots, and at prices that won’t break your budget. 

Central Fare

Even if you’re not catching a train to get back home, Central Fare at the VirginMiami Central is a great spot to hit up for happy hour. One of it’s buzziest restaurants, La Estacion American Brasserie, serves $4 beer, $5 wine and $6 cocktails weekdays from 4-7 p.m.

600 NW 1st Avenue, 2nd Floor, Miami

Vista

Vista should be your happy hour go-to if you live or work in the Buena Vista area. Happy hour here runs from 3-8 p.m. on weekdays and highlights an amazing selection of craft cocktails and wine for $7 and draft beer for $5 — plus 50% off anything from the well drink bar.

5020 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami

Pizza & Burger 

This month’s award for most flexible happy hour goes to Pizza & Burger at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The Michael Mina spot hosts Social Hour from 5-7 p.m., followed by Reverse Hour from 11 p.m. until midnight, spotlighting specially priced cocktails, half-priced beer on tap, and a somm’s selection of vino.

4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

Corsair Kitchen + Bar

Happy hour at Corsair Kitchen + Bar takes place daily from 3-6 p.m., so you can take advantage during the weekend, too. Forget run-of-the-mill bar bites — this hotspot serves up amazing options like Corsair’s famous wings, a five-ounce burger, a Mediterranean platter, charcuterie and cheese, and more — all for great prices. You’ll also enjoy $9 specialty cocktails, $5 draft beers, and $7 wines by the glass.

19999 West Country Club Drive in Aventura

Boulud Sud

Located inside the JW Marriott, Boulud Sud turns up weekdays from 5-8 p.m. Brickellites flock to the bar and lounge to take advantage of $9 cocktails, $8 wines by the glass, $7 house drinks, $6 frozen drinks, $5 beer and $4 tapas — how’s that for a sweet slew of specials? The weekend crew can also save on late-night sips and snacks with deals every Saturday from 10 p.m. until midnight.

255 Southeast 4th Street, Miami

By Amanda Mesa, Contributing Writer

Much has changed since the days hotel bars were just a waystation for jet-lagged, bleary-eyed travelers. Players in hospitality are focusing more than ever on turning their onsite watering holes into buzzed-about hubs for locals and visitors alike. From speakeasy-style drinking dens, like The Blind Barber at Nautilus by Arlo, to gilded havens that harken to a glitzy past, like Le Sirenous at Four Season Hotel at The Surf Club, these Miami hotel bars are shaking up the scene with the first-class service, prime people-watching, and plenty of personality.  

Minnow Bar at Kimpton Angler’s Hotel

If you love gin, head to Minnow Bar at the reimagined Kimpton Angler’s Hotel (also home to Seawell Fish n’ Oyster). The menu here spotlights herb-infused craft cocktails made to complement unique gins from around the world. The atmosphere is great, too — sip a martini inside at the intimate counter, or enjoy a G&T al fresco in the bar’s breezy outdoor terrace. Not the biggest fan of gin? Don’t worry. The talented staff can shake up something delicious with pisco, cachaca, or white rum as a base, and there’s a great wine and beer list, too. 

660 Washington Ave, Miami Beach

Boulud Sud at JW Marriott

Beloved by Brickellites for its great daily happy hour deals, the bar and lounge at Boulud Sud inside the JW Marriott is perfect if wine is your thing. The selection sources heavily from the Mediterranean (though you’ll find some French, South American and domestic offerings). We especially love their Greek and Middle Eastern wine selection, which includes Assyrtiko from Santorini, Agiorgitiko from Nemea, and rose from Lebanon — all available by the glass and served with a side of gorgeous views.

255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami

Zucca at Hotel Place St. Michel

Hotel St. Michel is one of Coral Gable’s best-kept secrets. A true hidden gem with nearly a century of history behind it, Hotel Place St. Michel is the best place to go if you’re looking for Old World charm in the heart of South Florida. The bar here is located inside the hotel’s acclaimed Zucca Ristorante and offers a great selection of light bites, charcuterie, global wines, and Italian-inspired craft cocktails.

162 Alcazar Avenue, Coral Gables

The Biltmore Bar

The Biltmore Bar is famous for a number of things — it’s where you’ll find the best Vesper martini in Miami and one of the city’s most extensive collections of vintage liquor and cognac (the hotel even keeps a cognac expert on staff to help guests navigate the menu). And with its dark wood paneling, gleaming marble floors, and dim golden lighting, it’s the perfect place to unwind like it’s 1926. Get there between 5 and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and you’ll enjoy half-off select drinks. Premium cigars are also available to smoke in the bar’s loggia.

1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables

Le Sirenuse Champagne Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Surf Club

For those who like to sip champagne with a heady dose of glamor, there’s no place like Le Sirenuse Champagne Bar at Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club — the first U.S. outpost of the iconic brand in Positano. The bar seems to exist between two worlds; housed in a ballroom where legends like Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra once danced, with white wooden windows thrown open to reveal the Atlantic Ocean, a crowd that’s always smartly dressed, and white-jacketed bartenders that serve the greatest negronis in the country, Le Sirenuse keeps you wondering if you’re truly in Miami, or if you’ve fallen through the rabbit hole and emerged somewhere on the Amalfi Coast. 

9101 Collins Avenue, Surfside

Edge Steak & Bar at Four Seasons Miami

Also popular among downtown Miami and Brickell’s professional scene, Edge Steak & Bar at Four Seasons Miami checks all the boxes. It has a great selection of bites, like chorizo and cheddar croquetas, spiced lamb meatballs, spiced onion rings, and foie gras and truffle bonbons. The craft cocktails are top-notch, blended with housemade syrups and infused spirits (you can’t leave without trying the Double Cask Auld Fashioned). The wine list is well-rounded and robust. And during happy hour, which happens on weekdays from 4-7 p.m., you can enjoy it all at a discount.

1435 Brickell Avenue, Miami

Blind Barber at Nautilus by Arlo

Speakeasy-style bars have become as commonplace in Miami as vape counters and exotic car rental shops. But Blind Barber at Nautilus by Arlo has managed to maintain ]a high cool factor with its unique brand story, its barbershop-meets-bar concept, and its delicious drinks. Cocktails here are creative, pairing flavors like hibiscus-infused vodka with sparkling wine, sage, and grenadine, or reposado tequila with Campari, sweet vermouth and cacao nibs. And while there’s a solid menu of small bites to choose from, the real gem here is the bar’s selection of artisanal grilled cheese sandwiches (there are five varieties in total).

1825 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

There’s nothing quite like sitting down to a Thanksgiving meal.  Between the turkey, multiple sides and decadent desserts, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleasing treat.  For those that want to enjoy the food without the backbreaking work involved to get it on the table (or deal with the mountain of dishes left to clean), these Miami restaurants are offering tempting Turkey Day specials.

ARIETE
3540 Main Highway, Coconut Grove
(305) 640-5862
Website

Ariete

Chef Michael Beltran has captured food lover’s hearts with an innovative fare that blends modern-American with the chef’s Cuban roots. Showcasing seasonal ingredients, the cozy Coconut Grove space marries exquisite food in a relaxed space.  For Thanksgiving, the restaurant will be offering a New American feast from 3 pm to 10 pm where diners will be treated to an all-you-can-eat buffet ($75 per adult and $35 per child under 10 years old, excluding tax and gratuity.) Menu offerings include an assortment of holiday favorites and Chef Michael Beltran’s beloved family recipes with a contemporary twist. Guests can enjoy dishes like Smoked Turkey Legs, Fried Turkey Breast, Green Bean Casserole, Cheddar and Fresno Cornbread and Candied Yams.  Deserts include Pecan Pie, Goat Cheese Flan and Apple Streusel Pie. 

PALM D’OR
1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables
305-913-3189
Website

Palm d’Or

Set in Coral Gables’ stunning Biltmore Hotel, this elegant award-winning restaurant is a go-to destination for special occasions.  For Thanksgiving, the restaurant will be offering a tasting menu (priced at $95 with an additional $75 for wine pairing, excluding tax and gratuity) featuring classic fall dishes.  Begin with the Pumpkin Soup, served with Crispy Cranberry Bread, Sunflower Seed tuile and Spinach Cream Cheese followed by a Fall Salad (kale, fresh cranberries, roasted butternut squash, and apples.)  Beyond the Oven-Roasted Turkey (served with Sweet Potato Confit and Cranberry Compote) main courses include Jumbo Sea Scallops with Honey-Roasted Carrots, Celery Root Confit, Carrot Purée and Lentil Cake, Sea Bass with Cauliflower Purée, Baby Leeks and Ginger Beurre Blanc and Wagyu Strip Steak with Truffle Mashed Potato, Sauté Shiitake Mushroom and Vermouth Veal Jus.  Follow dinner with the restaurant’s legendary cheese cart followed by dessert options of Pecan Pie, Crème Anglaise, Caramel Sorbet and Warm Apple Tart.

RUSTY PELICAN
 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne
305-361-3818
www.therustypelican.com

Rusty Pelican

Pair Thanksgiving celebration with a quintessential Miami sunset by heading to this long-standing favorite.  For $89 per adult and $35 per child (excluding tax and gratuity), the Brunch Buffet served from 10 am to 3 pm includes a wide assortment such a  Banana French Toast, Baby Kale and Goat Cheese Scrambled Eggs and Applewood Smoked Bacon and Pork Sausage. Beyond breakfast, diners will enjoy a raw bar, sushi, and ceviche plus carving stations with Rosemary Crusted Leg of Lamb, Garlic Crusted Tomahawk Prime Rib, Miso Glazed Mahi-Mahi and of course, a Hickory-Smoked Whole Turkey. End the meal on a sweet note with an assortment of Mini Desserts and Pastries like Pumpkin Pie, Carrot Cake, Pecan Cheesecake, Apple Tart and Chocolate Mousse Cake. 

BIRD & BONE
4041 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140 
305.424.1234

Bird & Bone

Chef Richard Hales dishes out Southern-inspired cooking in a modern farmhouse setting at the Confidante Miami Beach.  From 5 pm to 10 pm, the restaurant will be offering a Thanksgiving prix fixe dinner ($60 per person) with a choice of a starter, main dish, accompaniments, and dessert.  Diners can enjoy a Seasonal Squash Bisque, Turkey Cooked Two Ways, Cornbread Dressing and a Trio of Sweets: Chocolate Pecan Tart, Dutch Apple Cobbler, and Pumpkin Brûlée. 

BOULUD SUD
255 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Miami
305-421-8800
www.bouludsud.com/miami

Boulud Sud

Celebrated chef Daniel Boulud’s Miami eatery is an ode to refined Mediterranean cuisine.  The South Florida outpost to New York’s original is a welcome addition to Downtown.  For Thanksgiving day, Boulud Sud is serving a three-course prix-fixe menu featuring starters like  Spiced Pumpkin Soup and Italian Chicory Salad and Pumpkin Agnolotti, Seared Mediterranean Branzino and Lamb Chops for the main course.  Desserts range from Spiced Pumpkin Sundae to Pecan Tarte.  Prices are $65 per person, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm or $75 per person from 2:30 pm to 10 pm

ESSENSIA
3025 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
305-908-5458
www.thepalmshotel.com

Essensia

Set in the posh Palms Hotel & Spa, this restaurant has a keen focus on seasonal fare, promoting the use of local and sustainable ingredients, beginning with their own on-site organic garden.  For Thanksgiving, a buffet dinner priced at $54/per person, and $22 for children 12 and under gains access to a bounty of dishes like Deviled Eggs with Salmon Caviar and Smoked Paprika, Winter Harvest Salad with Arugula, Pickled Golden Beets, pomegranate, feta, toasted pine nuts, and lemon vinaigrette dressing and Slow-Roasted Heritage Turkey with Turkey Gravy, Rosemary and Cranberry-Orange Chutney.  Prime Rib Roast and Salt-Baked Salmon will also be served along with signature sides like Caramelized Butternut Squash Wedges with Sage Hazelnut Pesto and Roasted Roots of Parsnip, Yams, Carrots and Ginger-Maple Glaze.  They’ll be an assortment of seasonal desserts and pies as well. The buffet will run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

THE SURF CLUB RESTAURANT
9011 Collins Ave, Surfside
305-768-9440
www.surfclubrestaurant.com

Renowned Chef Thomas Keller is the mastermind behind this elegant eatery with a nod to the property’s historic past.  The restaurant will be offering a special menu priced at $150 per person featuring starters of Crudités, Deviled Eggs, Fall Spiced Nuts and Cheese and Crackers followed by a Waldorf Salad.  Main courses include the choice of  Slow-Roasted Turkey Breast with Confit Leg En Persillade, Sage Gravy, Cranberry and Blood Orange Relish, Olive Oil Poached Halibut, or The French Laundry Garden Pumpkin Cannelloni. Cornbread stuffing with Garlic Sausage and Leek Confit and Garnet Yam with Brown-butter Gingersnap Streusel are among the delectable sides. Dessert features Bourbon Pecan Pie or Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Cranberry Cherry Coulis

DIEZ Y SEIS
1901 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
305-695-3226

Turkey Tamale

Mexican cuisine is mastered by Argentinian Chef Jose Icardi at this Shore Club signature spot. For those looking to step outside the traditional Thanksgiving box, head over to the poolside restaurant for Turkey Tamales made with braised turkey in tomato chipotle sauce, cotija cheese, and topped with pickled red onions, Mexican cream and tamale sauce. They pair well with anything off of the beloved tequila cart making the rounds.

EMBER
151 NE 41st St Suite 117, Miami 
786-334-6494
www.embermiami.com

Ember Roasted Cornbread Custard

Chef Brad Kilgore’s contemporary  American bistro has garnered South Florida’s attention with unique dishes like Fire-roasted Lasagna and Roasted Cornbread Custard with Bone Marrow Butter. Come Thanksgiving, the restaurant will serve a pre-fixe dinner ($65 per person from 4 pm to 9 pm) offering holiday favorites like Pumpkin Soup with Bacon, Pecan, Maple and Pumpkin Seed Oil, Slow Roasted Heritage Turkey, Cornbread Stuffing and Smoked Neck Gravy. Dessert comes by way of a Pie Station featuring Sweet Potato Pie, Apple Pie, Pecan Pie, and Peanut Butter Pie.

CORSAIR kitchen + bar
19999 West Country Club Drive (inside of JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa)
786-279-6800

CORSAIR kitchen + bar

Tucked away in Aventura’s Turnberry Isle Miami, this venerated brunch-spot favorite is the second South Florida restaurant of celebrity Italian chef Scott Conant.  The contemporary American boasts a 45-seat bar and an overall festival vibe that makes it an ideal Thanksgiving destination.  Appetizers include Calabaza Soup, Prosciutto, and Figs, Seared Sea Scallops or Sweet Potato Gnocchi.  For entrees select Roasted Turkey Breast with Stuffing, Buttermilk Mash, Green Beans, Cranberry Sauce, and Gravy  Stuffed Roasted Acorn Squash, Seared Chilean Sea Bass or Pan-Roasted Filet Mignon. The trifecta of Thanksgiving Day pies (pumpkin, apple, and pecan) are offered for dessert.  Prices are $65 per person, $32 for children 5-12 and will run from noon-10pm.

By Alona Abbady Martinez
Staff Writer

These timeless classics stay true to tradition and keeping it real

Keeping Up with Chef Chan of MR CHOW

Located at the W Hotel South Beach, MR CHOW has been a dining staple among celebrities and local foodies alike since 2009, taking authentic Chinese cuisine to gourmet heights. Since the restaurant’s opening, the kitchen has been spearheaded by Executive Chef Hing Fung Matt Chan, who every day conquers the almost impossible challenge of staying “on trend” with Miami culture while maintaining the authenticity of Beijing’s cuisine. DiningOut spoke with Chef Chan to learn more about his time in the kitchen and his culinary creations Miamians have come to crave.

DiningOut: You were part of the opening team at MR CHOW 10 years ago, what brought you to Miami?
Chef Hing Fung Matt Chan: I wanted to see the world and travel, so when I learned about the opportunity at MR CHOW through a well-known chef in Hong Kong, I thought it would be a great experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

You began your cooking career in 1992 in your hometown of Hong Kong; did you always want to be a chef?
Yes, even at a young age I pictured myself becoming a chef. My chef mentor not only taught me how to cook but also taught me about life.

What is your essential cooking tool in the kitchen?
A frying pan and kitchen knives!

Can you drop a hint on any new dishes you’re cooking up this season at MR CHOW?
I have made a few new dishes this season that will incorporate shredded chicken in Beijing sauce and sweet-and-sour pork.

What is your guilty pleasure on the MR CHOW menu?
I would say the Chashu (Cantonese roasted pork) on the MR CHOW Miami menu is one of my favorites. Although the MR CHOW menu is mostly based on Beijing cuisine, this is one of our best dishes, in my opinion. It’s a complex dish to make and every step of the cooking process is very important. Every dish is made to order here.

How do you stay up to date with the Miami food trends while still paying tribute to old authentic Beijing cuisine?
My idea is to keep the plating and garnishing trendy, but the cooking method has to follow the traditional way.

MR CHOW is famous for the best prepared Beijing Duck in the world—what sets this dish apart from everything else on the menu?
Beijing roast duck is much different compared to other dishes. Not only does it have a long history, it also has a complicated cooking process. The chef who is responsible for making the Beijing duck has to be highly skilled and have proper training. The taste of the duck skin is the most flavorful part and the key to this is to make it crispy but not greasy! Ideally, each piece should come with skin, sliced, wrapped with slices of scallion, and served with cucumber and a special duck sauce.

Legendary Tapas at Casa Juancho

Escape to Spain in this traditional Spanish restaurant offering tapas that will whisk you straight to the Iberian Peninsula. Just one of many fan favorites on the menu is the Jamón de Bellota—Iberian ham considered the finest in the world served with Manchego cheese and chistorra a la plancha (grilled Spanish sausage links). Seafood-lovers will find sanctuary among dishes like Sepia a la Plancha (grilled cuttlefish), Boquerones Fritos (fried fresh anchovies), and grilled octopus with potatoes. Save room for the Paella, crowned the best in town by many, and, in true Spanish fashion, explore the expansive collection of extraordinary wines.

Boulud Sud’s Chicken Tagine

Chef Daniel Boulud’s passion for Mediterranean flavors is evident in this downtown eatery. The menu’s Chicken Tagine—a Moroccan dish traditionally prepared in a clay vessel by the same name—has been a bestseller from day one. The secret lies in the cooking style, which lends itself to a moist and flavorful end result, as well as the combination of spices used. Boulud collaborated with spice guru Lior Lev Sercarz of La Boîte in New York to create a unique blend that includes rose petals, cumin, cardamom, and coriander. Presentation of the dish varies by season. In the summer, it is served with zucchini, yellow squash, and tomatoes while the winter months feature a garnish of cauliflower, turnips, and onions. Preserved lemons, Sicilian olives, and cilantro leaves complete the dish year round.

Powerful Pies at Call Me Gaby

Think back to the last time you had pizza. Did it leave you feeling uncomfortably full? Well, at Call Me Gaby, a cozy and romantic eatery located in the South of Fifth neighborhood, you will only feel comfortable bliss after eating the shop’s Pinsa Romana-style pizza. Why? It’s all about the dough, which undergoes an intense process of 72 hours of leavening. In turn, guests can enjoy an extra hydrated, light, airy, highly digestible, and delicious pizza. Named after beautiful and strong women—like Gabrielle “CoCo” Chanel (allegedly the restaurant’s namesake)—some of the favorite gourmet pies include bold creations like the Carla, made with Mortadella, basil pesto, and pistachio crumble, or the Andrea, made with fig jam, fresh stracciatella, speck Alto Adige, and fresh rosemary. The Pinsa possibilities are endless at Call Me Gaby. Between the dose of girl-power mixed with fierce pizza and an atmosphere resembling the French Riviera, it makes for a perfect dining experience you won’t stop talking about.

By DiningOut Staff

You’ve got two more weeks to dine like royalty. Make it count.

Los Fuegos Kitchen Prep

The annual restaurant extravaganza known as Miami Spice is quickly coming a close, so we’ve gathered our top picks for the best Spice menus in town. From celebrity chefs to neighborhood spots, there’s plenty to keep even the most discerning foodie happy.

Los Fuegos {3201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; 786.655.5600}

Lamb Ribs

Argentine super chef Francis Mallmann is the mastermind behind this gaucho-inspired restaurant at the posh Faena Miami Beach. As such, expect rustic Argentine and Patagonian specialities like Oxtail Croquettes or Octopus A La Plancha for appetizers. For mains, we loved the Lamb Ribs with peach chutney, while the Local Snapper comes with an intriguing grilled polenta and tomato mayonnaise. Dessert keeps things simple with a Mascarpone Cheesecake with red berry sorbet.

Octopus A La Plancha

Boulud Sud {255 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami; 305.421.8800}

Boulud Sud Dining Room

The plush downtown outpost of celeb chef Daniel Boulud’s homage to Mediterranean delights is a sophisticated spot to do a fancy Miami Spice lunch. The menu changes regularly, so there’s plenty of reason to keep coming back throughout the Spice promotion. We started with the Babaganoush appetizer and a “Horiatiki” Greek Salad, both of which were fresh and flavorful. For mains, we opted for the Branzino A La Plancha with freekah and apricot and the Lamb “Frita” with harissa aïoli, crispy potato, and onion compote. Desserts were showstoppers and included a Lavender-Peach Zalabia (a Tunisian donut filled with labneh mousse) and Chocolate Profitroles. And don’t forget to save room for those special warm madeleine cookies that are always served gratis!

Market at Edition {2901 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; 786.257.4600}

Crispy Salmon Sushi

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Market at Edition’s global cafe/patisserie/salumeria is one of our favorite spots, simply because there’s so much tempting food on display—from the crisp pizzas to the insane charcuterie. For our Spice lunch, we started with the Crispy Salmon Sushi and Summer Squash and Arugula Salad—both refreshing and light starters. The Roasted Beef Tenderloin is a solid choice for an entrée, complimented by goldbar squash, Parmesan cheese and a buttery hot sauce, while the Mushroom and Farm Egg Pizza will please any carb lover. For dessert, choose between the Strawberry Sundae or the Passion Fruit Cheesecake (or splurge for a slice of the Carrot Cake—one of the best in town).

Scarpetta {4441 Collins Ave, Miami; 305.674.4660}

Branzino

The Italian restaurant at the Fontainebleau is always a winner for Spice, if not solely for the fact that they consistently offer their legendary Spaghetti Pomodoro as a Spice entrée and it is consistently, delectably, life-changing. That said, we were a tad disappointed that their Creamy Polenta with Mushrooms was not offered on this year’s Spice menu, but we understand the need to innovate—in its place, we loved the Mediterranean Octopus with capers and olives. For mains, there’s the classic Spaghetti, a beautifully crisped-skin Branzino, the Duck and Foie Gras Ravioli, or Chicken Breast with Pancetta. Desserts selections of Coconut Tapioca and Chocolate Amedei Bar with hazelnut crunch were lovely.

Chocolate Amedei Bar with Hazelnut Crunch

Maska {3252 NE 1st Ave Suite 109, Miami; 786.971.9100}

Crab Tadka Dumplings

Chef Hemant Mathur, the first Indian Chef in the U.S. to receive a Michelin Star, has opened a high-end homage to Indian cooking in midtown.  The dining room is an opulent space with crystal chandeliers, plush blue chairs, an open kitchen and a lounge and wine cellar. Be prepared to eat modern Indian dishes with creative spins like the Maska Chicken, the restaurant’s version of a butter chicken, Khoya Mushroom (paneer stuffed portobello mushroom), Crab Tadka Dumplings, and a variety of Kulcha (stuffed bread). Maska’s Miami Spice offering includes a complimentary cocktail—the Aam-Chi Martini—a gin-based cocktail topped with mango lassi foam. Next door to Maska, Mathur has also opened Cho:Tu, which focuses on Indian street food with a more casual atmosphere.

Khoya Mushroom

By Sara Liss, Contributing Writer

Miami Spice lunch deals you can’t refuse

It’s lunchtime in Miami! So where do you go? From August 1 to September 30, these restaurants promise the best bang for your Miami Spice buck. 

Plant Miami

Plant Miami {105 Northeast 24 Street, Wynwood; 305.814.5365}

Don’t let the word “plant” deter you—Plant Miami serves flavorful plant-based cuisine like you’ve never had before! The appetizer options include Smashed Avocado with cilantro and sunflower chia seed crisps, soup, or the Som Tam Salad with green papaya and housemade sesame-ginger dressing. After that, move on to mains like Kale & Avocado Salad, Sesame Ginger Noodles, or the Rainbowl with sprouted beans, quinoa, tahini, eggplant, kimchi, and a red pepper-tahini dressing. Round out the meal on a sweet note with a surprise from Pastry Chef Veronica Manolizi: Cheesecake inspired by the season’s best flavors.

Plant Miami’s Miami Spice lunch menu will be available Monday through Friday.

Novikov Miami {300 South Biscayne Boulevard, Downtown Miami; 305.489.1000}

When it comes to Miami Spice, this snazzy London transplant won’t disappoint. Head to Novikov Miami for lunch and take advantage of its varied menu. Think: appetizers like Spicy Salmon Maki, Wild Baby Squid, and Saffron and Sweetcorn Dim Sum, followed by Robata Salmon, Black Bean Chicken, Pork Ribs with ginger and sesame, or Vegetarian Singapore Noodle for your main dish. Desserts like Key Lime Tapioca and Umeshu Black Forest are different enough to satisfy every palate, bringing Novikov’s Miami Spice lunch menu to ten options in total.

Novikov’s Miami Spice lunch menu will be available Sunday through Friday.

Hakkasan {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.276.1388}

Dim sum lunch is the best lunch—and Hakkasan whips enough up for two. During Miami Spice, head to the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach and enjoy a family-style lunch that begins with a dim sum basket of Chinese Chive Shrimp Dumplings, Spinach Beef Shui Mai with Crab Roe, and Seared Foie Gras Chicken Dumplings. Next up, indulge in plates of Baked Spicy Chicken Thigh with Cumin, Sautéed Shanghai Pak Choi with Mushroom, and Stir-Fry Udon Noodles with Duck and Black Pepper, also served family-style. End the meal with your choice of Mango Custard or Black Sesame Cheesecake, and you’re in for a treat.

Hakkasan’s Miami Spice lunch menu will be available on Saturday and Sunday only.

Boulud Sud Miami {255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Downtown Miami; 305.421.8800}

Located on the bottom floor of the JW Marriott Marquis, Daniel Boulud’s coastal Mediterranean eatery, Boulud Sud, offers an expansive Miami Spice menu that brings out the flavors of Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, France, and more. Start with appetizers like Corn Soup or the “Horiatiki” Classic Greek Salad, and move on to your choice of Grilled Skirt Steak with mejadra rice, Branzino a la Plancha, Moroccan Shakshouka with a soft-poached hen egg, or Chicken Souvlaki with pita and tzatziki. Don’t leave without dessert, which is an absolute must here. Choose from Torrijas with a berry compote and sangría sorbet, Double Chocolate Mousse Cake, or Tiramisu Sundae with ladyfingers and coffee gelato.  

By Jennifer Agress, contributing writer