Home / Posts Tagged "brasserie azur"

Halloween is creeping up on us faster than you can say “trick or treat” five times fast. Here’s a breakdown of this weekend’s top events.

Friday, October 30

biltmore halloweenFrom 8pm-midnight, the Biltmore Hotel {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.913.3230} hosts its annual Halloween party featuring an open bar, buffet dinner, and entertainment. Don’t miss out on the costume contest with great prizes for most creative (must be handmade), spookiest, and best couple. Members $100; nonmembers $125; RSVP required.

Starting at 8pm, Piripi {320 San Lorenzo Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.448.2423} will shut down San Lorenzo Avenue for its Noche de Duende Masquerade Bash featuring flamenco, tapas, cocktails, live music, and more. The night will also include cocktail specials and a bewitching hour-inspired prix-fixe dinner menu. Tickets: General admission $25; VIP $50; click here to purchase.

STK HalloweenFrom 7-10pm, STK Miami {2311 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.604.6988} will host a themed night featuring a two-hour open bar “Boos and Booze” package for just $50. Engage in the enchanting magic of Halloween and dress to impress, with prizes awarded to the best costumes and a special performance by Nu Deco Ensemble’s Peter White.

Saturday, October 31

From 11am-5pm, join Brasserie Azur {3252 Northeast First Avenue, Midtown; 786.800.9993} for Halloween brunch, featuring $25 unlimited mimosas for two hours. Bring the kids from for games, face-painting, balloons, cotton candy, a live magic show, and more. Then, head over to sister restaurant Villa Azur {309 23rd Street, Miami Beach; 305.763.8688} for an adults-only Halloween party featuring music by DJ Stephan M.

12087214_673408396128529_2116532048617010515_oGet ready for a night of DJs, drinks, food trunks, and $500 costume contest at Hallowyn, Wynwood’s FREE Halloween block party. The event kicks off at 7pm at the Mana Production Lot {318 Northwest 23rd Street}. Throughout the night, a 240-inch jumbo screen LED TV will be playing  the best Halloween videos of all time, including a special screening of ”The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 10pm.

Segafredo HalloweenFrom 5pm-2am, Lenox Avenue will be closed for Segafredo Espresso l’Originale’s {1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.673.0047} 15th annual Halloween party. Two remote bars will be set up in addition to Segafredo’s permanent inside bar, and a fantastic lineup of DJs is scheduled to play. A limited food menu will also be available.

Also on Lincoln Road, Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833} will offer a special four-course prix-fixe dinner, where guests can delight in a selection of the restaurant’s finest dishes while admiring the costumes, trick-or-treaters, and holiday fanfare along Lincoln Road. Outdoor tables are $110 per person; inside tables $65 per person.

Hyde Beach HalloweenFrom 7pm-midnight Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails {111 South Surf Road, Hallandale Beach; 954.699.0901} is getting into the Halloween spirit by offering guests FREE access to its Haunted Beach Bar, located on the first floor. Enjoy ghoulish sounds by DJ YSL while watching scary movies right on the sand. A popcorn cart, massive candy bar, and specialty drinks will also be available all night long.

Morton’s The Steakhouse {multiple locations} is offering a three-course dinner for just $35 featuring entrée selections such as 6oz Filet Mignon, Honey-Chile Glazed Salmon, and Chicken Bianco. The restaurant will also offer an extended happy hour from 5pm-close.

The Oceanaire Seafood Room {900 South Miami Avenue, Brickell; 305.372.8862} is offering a three-course dinner for two PLUS a bottle of wine for just $60. They are also serving happy hour all night in the bar.

basement halloween 2015Starting at 11pm, Basement at the Miami Beach EDITION {2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.641.7119} will host its first-annual Halloween party, “Into the Jungle,” featuring DJs Cosmo Baker, Brett Sylvia, and DJ Spiff. Tickets are $20; click here to purchase.

Seaspice {422 Northwest North River Drive, Miami; 305.440.4200} gears up to celebrate Halloween with a two-day event around the theme “Dia de los Muertos.” On Saturday, the hot spot will transform into a goulish haven on the river for its invitation-only Day of the Dead Halloween Ball, with Modern Garden serving as an offering altar filled with flowers to honor those who have passed. Guests will indulge in Champagne, specialty cocktails, and delicious bites throughout the evening.

Sunday, November 1

But the Halloween fun doesn’t stop there! On Sunday, November 1, from noon-6pm the celebration continues at Seaspice with LVMH and Veuve Cliquot for Dia de los Muertos Sunday brunch, featuring live music, photo booths, makeup artists, models, Champagne, giveaways, and more.

By Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor

Looking for ideas on where to eat this upcoming long weekend? From rooftop parties to new restaurant openings to Miami Spice specials, we’ve got you covered.  Here are Miami Labor Day 2015 happenings.

Friday, September 4:

Gale South Beach

Gale South Beach Rooftop

Bubbles & BBQ at the Gale South Beach
Kick off the weekend right on the rooftop of the Gale South Beach {1690 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.673.0199} for a Bubbles & BBQ soiree. The party starts early—at 6pm—which means you’ll be there to watch the sunset while sipping a glass of Veuve Clicquot accompanied by delicious barbecue bites. Sounds from local band Psychic Mirrors and DJ Michelle Leshem will be bouncing off the rooftop pool until 11pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

Saturday, September 5:

Torrijas Piripi

Torrijas from Piripi

Brunch Espectacular at Piripi
Merrick Park’s newest restaurant Piripi {320 San Lorenzo Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.448.2423} has now expanded its popular Sunday Brunch “Espectacular” to Saturdays. New Executive Chef Angelina Bastidas shows off her culinary prowess with a twist on traditional Spanish cuisine, offering a three-course prix-fixe brunch menu for just $27 per person. In keeping with the true meaning of Piripi (Spanish for “tipsy”) you can also enjoy bottomless sangría and mimosas for an additional $17 per person.

Cheesecake from Oceanaire

Cheesecake from The Oceanaire Seafood Room

Dinner for two at The Oceanaire Seafood Room
Head to Mary Brickell Village for dinner for a romantic evening at The Oceanaire Seafood Room {900 South Miami Avenue, Brickell; 305.372.8862}. For a limited time, the restaurant is offering a special three-course dinner for two plus a bottle of wine, all for just $75. Still full from brunch earlier in the day? Not to worry. This special is available from September 1-7.

Sunday, September 6:

american social

Sensation Sunday Party at American Social
Toast to having Monday off of work at American Social Brickell {690 Southwest First Court, Brickell; 305.223.7004} while enjoying tunes spun by DJ Madd Linx. Be sure to rock your best white attire, as it’s technically “unacceptable” to wear white after Labor Day. The party starts at 9pm, when ladies wearing all white will receive a complimentary glass of Champagne.

Monday, September 7:

Goat Cheese Salad from Brasserie Azur

Goat Cheese Salad from Brasserie Azur

Lunch at Brasserie Azur—Now Open
Brasserie Azur {3252 Northeast First Avenue, Midtown; 786.800.9993}, the highly anticipated sister restaurant to Miami Beach staple Villa Azur is finally open! Become one of the lucky firsts to experience a plethora of options, including a rotisserie station, a seafood bar, a massive wine list, a foosball table, hookah, and more. Oh, and the restaurant is offering a Miami Spice lunch menu, too (just $23 per person).

HYDE beach kitchen + cocktails

Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails

Mojito Monday at Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails—Now Open!
More brand-new culinary adventures await this Labor Day at Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails {111 South Surf Road, Hallandale Beach; 954.699.0901}. Mondays are dubbed “Mojito Mondays,” when you can enjoy $8 mojitos all night long. If you don’t make it in time for a table, you can enjoy your mojitos beachside. Watch the final sunset to the long weekend and toast to a delicious Labor Day weekend and the fall season ahead.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

Miami Spice is less than a week away, and we can hardly contain our excitement! Throughout August and September, over 200 restaurants throughout Miami-Dade are participating in Spice by offering special prix-fixe lunch and/or dinner menus at discounted prices (lunch: $23; dinner: $39). This is the 14th year that Miami Spice has been in effect, so there are plenty of tried-and-true favorites on the list. But there are also some 50 restaurants entirely new to the program this year. Here, we’ve selected five of our favorite newcomers—and our Spice menu recommendations for each.

brasserie azur

1. Brasserie Azur {3252 Northeast First Avenue, Midtown; 786.800.9993}
Spice menus available for lunch and dinner Monday-Friday
Azur Hospitality Group (the same group behind Miami Beach’s upscale Villa Azur) recently debuted Brasserie Azur in the former Mercadito space in Midtown Miami. From the rotisserie station to the raw bar to the fresh charcuterie, there’s always a boatload of sensational flavors to try from the Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Our Appetizer Pick: West and East Coast Shooters with bloody-mary granite
Our Entrée Pick: Butter-Poached Lobster with fava bean ragoût and European cucumber foam
Our Dessert Pick: Warm Banana Pithivier with rum anglaise and caramelized banana chips—there’s only one dessert option available, but we’re confident that this would be our top pick either way.

Quality Meats

2. Quality Meats {1501 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.340.3333}
Spice menu available every evening for dinner
Manhattan’s award-winning steakhouse recently opened its second outpost in South Beach, and it’s been bustling ever since. Partner and Executive Chef Craig Koketsu has concocted a meat-centric Spice menu featuring variations on only the best quality beefs, all cured, aged, and smoked onsite.
Our Appetizer Pick: Kale and Manchego Salad with chorizo vinaigrette
Our Entrée Pick: Grilled Bavette Steak with cured orange salad
Our Dessert Pick: Coffee and Doughnuts—coffee ice cream swirled with chocolate doughnuts

SOHO Bay

3. SOHO Bay {520 West Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.618.2788}
Spice menu available for dinner Tuesday-Sunday
Although it’s relatively new to the Miami dining scene, SOHO Bay has been a success in Brazil for over 15 years, with eight locations throughout the country. Executive Chef Ricardo Sauri, formerly of Nobu fame, has devised a tempting Spice menu that can be optimally enjoyed on the breezy patio overlooking the bay.
Our Appetizer Pick: Sushi Tasting (a combination of house rolls)
Our Entrée Pick: Braised Oxtail Donburi served with rice cakes, eggs, scallions, nori, corn, and gochujang
Our Dessert Pick: Coffee-Coated Miso Mousse with dulce de leche, caramel pistachio, and praline

The Gang

4. The Gang {3500 North Miami Avenue, Midtown; 305.570.9430}
Spice menu available for dinner Sunday-Thursday
This eclectic gastropub on the border of Midtown and Wynwood has already proven itself to be one of Miami’s coolest dining spots. The cuisine is a blend of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine staples with a modern twist, while the inside feels like a hip postmodern gallery with distressed wooden floorboards, exposed piping, and vintage washing machines that make up the base of the bar.
Our Appetizer Pick: Vietnamese Pork Rolls—rice paper, lettuce, and fresh tenderloin pork meat with homemade ginger and mint sauce on the side
Our Entrée Pick: Thai Wok Chicken served with traditional homemade egg noodles, mixed vegetables, and lemongrass
Our Dessert Pick: Cheesecake or Key Lime Pie? You’ll be satisfied no matter which one you choose.

StripSteak

5. StripSteak {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}
Spice menu available for dinner Sunday-Thursday
All four of Fontainebleau’s signature restaurants are participating in Miami Spice this year, but this is the first time that Michael Mina’s StripSteak is around for it. There’s just two options for each course, but considering that the regular menu can be a bit pricey, this is a Spice deal that can’t be beat.
Our Appetizer Pick: Ricotta Cavatelli with English pea purée, sugar snap peas, basil, and ricotta salata
Our Entrée Pick: Red Wine-Braised Short Rib with mascarpone-whipped potatoes and bordelaise
Our Dessert Pick: Chocolate Orange Cream Cake with chocolate Chantilly cream and orange anglaise

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

Spring brings warmer temperatures, fresh beginnings, and lots of new Miami restaurants.

TheGang

The Gang Miami {3500 North Miami Avenue, Wynwood; 305.570.9430}
At less than three months old, this urban gastropub has already proved itself to be one of Midtown Miami’s newest hot spots. While the food is decidedly Asian (a blend of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine staples with a modern “Bangkokian” twist), the inside of The Gang feels more like a hipster Brooklynite’s loft: an open space with distressed wooden floorboards, unfinished ceilings with exposed piping, and brick walls displaying random knickknacks that beg to be posted on Instagram. It’s a welcomed addition to the neighborhood, further blurring the line between Wynwood and Midtown.

Hannaya

Hannya {1063 Brickell Plaza, Brickell; 305.808.5833}
With a slew of new restaurants opening in Brickell, it’s hard to stand out from the pack. But Hannya manages to do just that, offering quality sushi and Japanese cuisine in a quaint and cozy spot just two blocks from bustling Mary Brickell Village. It is a concept by Larry Chi of Sunset Place’s Akashi, which was one of the first sushi bars in the area when it opened in 1993, and remains a local favorite to this day. A must-try: the Alex #2 Roll. It’s hard to resist this tasty blend of shrimp tempura, crab salad, masago, and cream cheese topped with avocado, spicy mayo, and eel sauce.

LIqueNewinTown

Lique {3957 Northeast 163rd street, North Miami; 305.705.2425}
From the experts at Trust Hospitality Group (the people who brought us Meat Market), comes Lique, an unmatched restaurant and lounge overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway in North Miami Beach. This trendy space offers a cool industrial-meets-nautical vibe with chic décor and an expansive patio complete with 1,000 feet of docking space. An eclectic seafood-heavy menu consists of shared appetizers; a robata grill offering King Crab Legs; various crudo and carpaccio bites; a raw bar with Stone Crab Claws, and much more. And if the food alone isn’t enough to entice you, Lique’s lounge features a 40-foot ice bar and a number of craft spirits.

QualityMeatsnewintown

Quality Meats {1501 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.340.3333}
Manhattan’s award-winning Quality Meats has a tropical place to call its second home, now open in a historic Art Deco hotel in Miami Beach. Partner and Executive Chef Craig Koketsu has concocted a meat-focused menu featuring variations of only the highest quality cuts of beef, all cured, aged, and smoked on site. Guests can expect a few new menu options along with tried-and-true New York classics (think Broccoli and Cheese Bites, Parmesan Waffle Fries, and Corn Crème Brûlée). Father-and-son team Alan and Michael Stillman of Fourth Wall Restaurants partnered with design firm AvroKO to design the two-story space and outdoor patio, combining both the ambience of a traditional family-run butcher shop with the trendy flair of Miami Beach.

BrasserieAzur

Brasserie Azur {3252 Northeast First Avenue, Miami; 786.800.9993}
The masterminds behind renowned Villa Azur (Jean Philippe Bernard, Michael Martin, and Bhanu Choudhrie) will come together this fall to unveil a new Mediterranean dining concept called Brasserie Azur. Set in the former Mercadito Midtown space, Brasserie Azur will face the world dressed from top to bottom in fresh, romantic décor courtesy of Designer François Frossard. Exposed brick, rustic wood accents, low-hanging light bulbs, and floor-to- ceiling windows create an alluring space in which to enjoy lunch and dinner from a true French chef, as well as traditional afternoon tea or a beverage at the expansive bar.

Piripi new in town 1 copy

Piripi {Village of Merrick Park, 320 san lorenzo Avenue, coral gables; 305.448.2423}
Spanish slang for “happy” or “tipsy,” Piripi is the first Miami outpost for renowned Basque Chef Najat Kaanache, who combines her culinary experience with the rustic flavors and fragrant spices from the Spanish countryside. As the newest addition to the Village of Merrick Park, Piripi’s sleek, contemporary atmosphere showcases an impressive attention to detail, from the glowing handblown glass chandelier that hangs in the bar area to Chef Kaanache’s handmade tableware. The menu is a convivial journey across Spain, offering an assortment of “Piripikoteos” (snacks), “Pure Blood,” and “Oh Que So” (Spanish meats and cheeses, respectively), as well as sumptuous main dishes that focus on fresh seafood. Be sure to try one of Piripi’s five signature Spanish gin and tonics or seven signature cocktails—or one of each. Get ready to get piripi.

SohoBay

SOHO Bay {520 West Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.618.2788}
Although new to Miami, SOHO Bay is no stranger to the restaurant biz. In fact, this modern eatery is already an established success in Brazil, with 15 years of experience and eight locations across the country. Located on the more subdued West Avenue in Miami Beach, SOHO Bay serves up authentic Japanese cuisine while offering stunning views of the bay through floor-to- ceiling glass windows. A sleek sushi bar offers guests a more interactive dining experience, while the lovely patio provides a breezy starlit setting. Executive Chef Ricardo Sauri, formerly of Nobu fame, has devised a tempting sushi and sashimi-focused menu, complemented by a sizable list of fine sakes and innovative cocktails.