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The latest room package includes up to three complimentary Miami Spice meals

Miami Spice is an exciting time in the Magic City. Giving locals and visitors yet another reason to check out Miami’s mouthwatering restaurant scene, these tasty two months of the year are when the city’s most popular, and often most expensive, restaurants offer three-course lunch, brunch, and dinner menus for just $23 and $39 per person, respectively. This year, guests can couple Miami’s most iconic restaurant deal with its most iconic hotel! Thanks to the Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s new Spice & Stay Package, you have no reason not to indulge in both.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 800.548.8886}

The deal is simple: Stay at the Fontainebleau between August 15 and September 30, and for every night you stay, you’ll get a free Miami Spice dinner for two at Scarpetta by Scott Conant, StripSteak by Michael Mina, or Hakkasan. These are the hotel’s three signature restaurants, and where you choose to take advantage of the deal is completely up to you. In addition to meals, you’ll get an Ocean View room or higher, complimentary overnight valet for one vehicle, and a copy of the “Little Bleau Book”—which offers coupons and savings throughout the hotel—when you check in. The best part? Rooms start at just $249 a night.*

MIAMI SPICE CUISINE

As it goes every year, the Miami Spice 2019 offerings at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach won’t disappoint. Guests of Scarpetta, the hotel’s world-renowned destination for Italian fine dining, can choose from options like its famous Spaghetti, Mediterranean Octopus with smoked crema, and the Amedei Bar dessert with a hazelnut crunch, passion fruit, and praline ice cream. If a steak dinner is more your style, StripSteak by Michael Mina will offer choices like “Instant Bacon”—braised pork belly with smoked pineapple and radish salad—Salmon Bourguignon, the 8-ounce Moyer Farms Filet Mignon with a charred onion soubise, and housemade Key Lime Pie with a blackberry-ginger frozen yogurt.

Mediterranean Octopus at Scarpetta

The best Miami Spice offer of all, however, is undoubtedly at Hakkasan. Both the lunch and dinner menu requires a two-guest minimum, and for good reason: all appetizers and entrées are brought to the table and served family-style, so guests get a taste of everything on the menu. On weekends, Miami Spice ties in with the restaurant’s popular Dim Sum Lunch, serving top dishes like Hakkasan’s Dim Sum Basket, Sautéed Shanghai Pak Choi with Mushroom, and Stir-Fry Udon Noodles with Duck and Black Pepper. On the dinner menu, find plates like Beef Fried Brown Rice, Sautéed Diced Chicken in a black pepper sauce, and Steamed Snapper with green ginger. Both menus let guests pick their choice of an individual dessert, either the Mango Custard with coconut sorbet or the Black Sesame Cheesecake with blackberry yuzu sherbet. 

Dim Sum Basket at Hakkasan

Miami Spice dinner menus will be available at Scarpetta by Scott Conant, StripSteak by Michael Mina, and Hakkasan every night of the week. Hakkasan will also offer a Miami Spice lunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays only.

*In order to take advantage of this deal, bookings must be made before September 30 and stays must happen between August 15 and September 30. Each stay can only be a maximum of three nights. Bookings can be made here. Use the promo code “SPICESTAY” to get the deal. Blackout dates: August 30-31, September 1, and September 22-23. Nightly room rates exclude tax and gratuity.

By Jennifer Agress, contributing writer

la-cote-3

Whether it’s for dinner, drinks, a spa day, or a night out on the town, everyone loves a weekend at the Fontainebleau. That said, ask any local, and they’ll tell you the best time to go is on a sunny weekend day when you can take in its 1950’s glam from the pool. Of course, any long day in the South Florida sun demands some tasty food to reset and refuel, so start your Fontainebleau pool day with a light, delectable lunch at the Côte d’Azur-inspired La Côte {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.674.4710}.

Spread across two levels, this chic beach club and restaurant sits right by the pool, offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, and fuses Florida-meets-French Riviera cuisine with a lively bar scene, live DJs, and bespoke cocktails made with only the freshest ingredients.

And because we love it so much, we’ve even rounded up a list of our favorite things on the La Côte menu. Follow our lead, and next time you’re there, be sure to order these five menu items:

Sancerre and Pear White Sangria Pitcher ($70): There’s nothing like cold sangria on a hot day. Perfect for Miami, this Fontainebleau special infuses Sancerre with fresh Asian pears, Canton Ginger, and St. Germain Elderflower.

Grilled Brie ($18): This tasty appetizer pairs soft, grilled Brie with peach chutney and toasted baguette, all drizzled with lavender honey.

Watermelon Basil Margarita ($16): In the mood for a light drink with a little more of a punch? Try this refreshing cocktail, which mixes Corzo Silver tequila, Cointreau, basil, muddled watermelon, and hand-pressed lime.

Mediterranean Grain Salad ($14): This light, satisfying salad is a mix of grains, tomato, cucumber, feta, olive and lemon vinaigrette.

Fruits De Mer ($42): If you’re in the mood for a light lunch, this iced platter with king crab, poached shrimp oysters and a chilled mussel salad is just the thing.

mediterranean-grain-salad_la-cote-3

Mediterranean Grain Salad

La Côte is open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations are accepted, and walk-ins are accepted from the boardwalk.

By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau by Fontainebleau

From its crisp white walls to its ocean-facing curves, the pulsing neon of its club to the refined elegance of its food, Fontainebleau is a modern marvel.

But this Miami landmark is no creation of the early aughts; its origins date back to 1954, when a modest 520 rooms housed guests in a hotel a third the size of Fontainebleau’s current property. In 1978, real estate mogul Stephen Muss bought the property and hired Hilton to manage it. It was only in 2008 when the now-majestic hotel really began to take form under direction from developer Jeffrey Soffer.

The first addition to the property was the Versailles Tower, adding 380 rooms. Then came two more towers, bringing the grand total to 1,504 rooms—the most of any property in greater Miami. While the additions were designed to modernize Fontainebleau with updated design and top-of-the-line amenities, they also stayed true to the property’s designation as a historic landmark. Thanks to this architectural foresight, guests can now enjoy the best of midcentury modern and 2016 aesthetics in the same space.

Not surprisingly, the renovation brought with it several brand new restaurants and serious culinary talent. Grounded in authentic Chinese cuisine, Hakkasan is what Vice President of Culinary Operations Thomas Connell calls a “concept-driven, not chef-driven, restaurant.” But guests can also find the culinary genius of celebrity chefs employed with panache, notably in Michael Mina 74, a casual American concept; Stripsteak by Michael Mina—a steak-centric Mina creation; and Scarpetta, the regional Italian inspiration of James Beard Award- winning Chef Scott Conant.

Unlike other hotel properties, where leased space leaves restaurants to their own devices, Fontainebleau has crafted a brilliant support structure that balances the experience of celebrity chefs Mina and Conant with Connell’s daily oversight and the innovation of each concept’s head chef. Thanks to recent additions to the hotel, the chefs can also lean on a full suite of onsite facilities—including banquet halls, a bakery, expansive storage, space for onsite butchery, and other research and development facilities.

“Fontainebleau’s unique model for collaboration works when you have common vision between founding chefs and property staff,” Connell says. “We always have open dialogue, and the chefs are onsite at least monthly so that they can interact with guests and review their concepts.” Thanks to this approach, nearly every concept on the property is leading its respective empire in revenue—while helping to define Miami as a culinary destination.

“Michael Mina 74 leads the brand,” Vice President of Food and Beverage Joshua Summers says. “And Hakkasan—which we brought over from London—outperforms all other Hakkasan locations. That’s because Chef Connell’s skills keep menus fresh and focused.”

Part of that focus is keen attention to sourcing. The chefs’ collaboration has ensured that only the best ingredients find their way into the hotel’s restaurants—including fish caught off the hotel’s boat, meat sourced fresh daily, and produce picked within miles of Fontainebleau.

Another perk of having top-notch restaurants in the same hotel: custom dining itineraries. “You can be here for days and not leave the property,” Summers says. Guests often craft their own hours-long enjoyment of Fontainebleau’s culinary talent, stretching from Champagne at Michael Mina 74 to light seafood indulgences at Scarpetta, to continental steak entrées at StripSteak. Some lucky diners have even been invited to the onsite pâtisserie, where they can pick and choose chocolate indulgences from the hotel’s pastry case.

Supposing loyal diners are keen on learning the ins and outs of Scarpetta’s pasta, or the secrets to pairing wine with steak, Fontainebleau also offers classes open to the public. Interested foodies can even have classes and events customized to fit their interests—and with such a diversity of concepts, the theme can be almost anything.

“Our culinary offerings are truly the majesty of Fontainebleau,” Summers says. It helps, of course, that the luxurious property is steps away from the deep blue ocean, and that there seems to be no limit to the talent and potential within its walls. If Fontainebleau aims to elevate Miami dining—indeed, to redefine it—it’s well on its way.

Dining Highlights at Fontainebleau

Stripsteak: For something a bit different, be sure to try the Japanese Whisky Ceremony— perfect for whisky aficionados and novices alike. Multiple varieties of Japanese whisky are brought to your table and your server will guide you to the whisky that most suits your taste. They then perfume the glass with ingredients and aromas naturally found in the whisky. Participants complete the ceremony with a luscious taste of the whisky they prefer.

28oz Dry-Aged Bone-In Rib-Eye—If you’re coming to StripSteak, this most regal of steaks is not to be missed. Dry-aged in the restaurant’s own butcher shop to enhance the flavor and tenderness, the rib-eye is then grilled over a wood-burning grill to perfection. The result is a beautifully marbled, tender steak that you will never forget.

Tuna Tartare—A classic featured at many Michael Mina restaurants, the Tuna Tartare is one of the property’s best-selling dishes. Spicy and sweet play well together in this blockbuster dish; sushi-grade tuna is mixed tableside with garlic, chile, and Asian pear for the perfect balance of flavors.

Hakkasan: Opt for the carefully curated dishes and drinks on the $45 three-course dim sum lunch menu—from authentic Peking Duck combined with caviar, to the crafted cocktails and eclectic wines. Don’t miss the the Smoky Negroni Cocktail, either. Must-try dishes include Pepper Steak and Honey Sea Bass.

Michael Mina 74: This is undoubtedly one of the best places in the city for innovative cocktails; there are three mixed drinks on tap, three barrel-aged concoctions, and three carbonated creations, all made in-house. Plus, you can enjoy the seafood cart filled with bounty from the hotel’s own boat. Necessary menu indulgences: Ahi Tuna Poppers and the Dry-Aged Steak Burger with American cheese.

To learn more about Fontainebleau, its amenities, and the many dining possibilities on property, visit fontainebleau.co

1. Shanghai Nights at Bazi

When: Every Sunday beginning April 10
Where: Bazi {The Marlin Hotel, 1200 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.695.0101}
What: Starting April 10, every Sunday, Bazi will offer a special Shanghai Nights menu allowing diners to indulge in some of their favorite dishes—such as Chicken, Beef, or Shrimp Lo Mein; Beef and Broccoli, General Tso’s Chicken, and Mu Shu Pork—for only $10 each.

Quattro Miami Interior Photo credit Gary James

Quattro’s Wine Tower

2. Bacco Nights at Quattro

When: Every Monday night
Where: Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833}
What: Lincoln Road’s top destination for authentic regional Italian cuisine introduces Bacco Night every Monday during dinner, where bottles of wine on La Bucca di Bacco, Quattro’s impressively diverse wine list of over 200 bottles from 20 different Italian regions, will be 50-percent off.

3. Half-Off Wine Bottles at TiramesU

When: Every Tuesday through October
Where: TiramesU {101 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.532.4538}
What: At its new South of Fifth location, the 25-year-old TiramesU continues to bring familiar flavors to the next level by creating specials that feature fresh seasonal produce and imported ingredients. Starting this month, every Tuesday, the restaurant will offer any of its bottles of wine at 50-percent off, a weekly occasion to indulge in one’s expansive taste or try different wines.

4. Administrative Professionals Day

When: Through April 27
Where: Bulla Gastrobar {2500 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables; 305.441.0107}
What: In honor of Administrative Professionals Day on April 27, Bulla is offering a free glass of sangría or dessert to all administrative professionals just by showing their business card. Bosses too can show their appreciation: Purchase a gift card for your assistant and receive a $10 gift card for every $100 you spend!

DIRT recipe

Beet & Goat Cheese Toast by DIRT’s Jeff Latulippe

5. StarChefs 2016 Rising Stars Gala

When: Wednesday, April 13, 6:30-9:30pm
Where: Marlins Park {501 Marlins Way, Miami}
What: StarChefs honors up-and-coming chefs and hospitality professionals who represent the vanguard of the contemporary American dining scene. The 2016 winners, which include Chef Diego Oka of La Mar by Gasón Acurio and Jeff Latulippe of DIRT, will be honored and will showcase their finest dishes alongside the winning sommeliers and bartenders. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to Feeding South Florida, a nonprofit food bank that distributes more than 40 million pounds of food per year. General Admission: $85 per person. Click here to purchase tickets.

6. (Mostly) Jazz at The Betsy

When: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8-11pm
Where: The Betsy-South Beach {1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; 305.760.6900}
What: Twice per week, guests are invited to enjoy sumptuous BLT Steak cuisine at the Lobby Bar while enjoying the live jazz music. Upcoming performances include:

  • Wednesday, April 13: Roxana Amed / Martin Bejerano
  • Thursday, April 14: Mike Gerber
  • Thursday, April 21: Liz Bieler
  • Wednesday, April 27: Davis and Dow Duo
  • Thursday, April 28: Markus Gottschlich
Quality Meats_Double Rib Steak for two

Quality Meats Double Rib Steak

7. Quality Meats Three-Day Steer Roast

When: April 14-16
Where: Quality Meats {1501 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.340.3333}
What: Over the course of three nights, Executive Chef Patrick Rebholz is partnering with up-and-coming Chef Norberto “Negro” Piattoni for a whole steer cookout extravaganza. A 900-pound steer will be cooked in a specially constructed “fire kitchen” on Quality Meats’ expansive terrace. Events are as follows:

  • Thursday, April 14: Asada Barbecue ($59 per person including beer pairings) with whole ribs, sausage, and various steaks including bavette, hanger, flank, and skirt steak.
  • Friday, April 15: Family-Style Meal ($79 per person including wine pairings) with menu items such as Beef Liver Pâté, Fried Ground Beef Empanadas, Smoked Brisket, and Roasted Bone Marrow.
  • Saturday, April 16: Formal Night, a seated four-course affair ($99 with wine pairing) with a sophisticated menu to match featuring a main course of tender grilled Bone-In Rib-Eye with wild mushrooms and Charred Beef with grilled bok choy and dashi. Click here to reserve your space.

8. COYA Miami’s One-Year Anniversary Celebration

When: Thursday, April 14, at 7pm
Where: COYA Miami {999 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.415.9990}
What: Brickell’s chic Peruvian eatery COYA is celebrating its first year in Miami with a special celebration featuring complimentary Para Picar and Pisco Sours in the Pisco Bar until 8pm. Guests who make dinner reservations will also receive complimentary bubbles and dessert. RSVP here: [email protected].

9. Fontainebleau’s Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series

When: Thursday, April 14, at 8pm
Where: Scarpetta at Fontainebleau {Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}
What: Fontainebleau’s Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series continues with dinner at Scarpetta featuring Napa Valley’s legendary Opus One Winery. The evening will be hosted by France Posener, sales director for the winery. Diners will enjoy a five-course menu prepared by Chef de Cuisine Neil O’Connell, each of which will be paired with a different varietal from the winery. Price is $350 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by clicking here.

10. Standard Sounds Presents Jazz Lounge

When: Thursday, April 28, 8-11pm
Where: The Standard Spa, Miami Beach {40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.673.1717}
What: The Standard Spa, Miami Beach is bringing live jazz to The Lido. The hotel has teamed up with Peroni to bring you the best of Magic City’s scene the last Thursday of every month, April through June, curated and hosted by Dr. Chad Bernstein, trombonist, social entrepreneur, and lover of mollusks. Click here to RSVP.

Snail of Approval chefs and hosts

Slow Food Miami’s 2015 Snail of Approval chefs and hosts

11. Slow Food Miami’s Snail of Approval Tasting Party

When: Friday, April 29, 7-10pm
Where: 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach {2341 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach}
What: Join world-renowned chef, restaurateur, and TV host Tom Colicchio for Miami’s “Freshest Night Out.” The fifth-annual celebration will welcome South Florida’s best farm-to-table chefs, including Anthony Sitek of Apeiro Kitchen & Bar, Nicole Votano of Dirt, Mark Zeitouni from The Lido at The Standard, and many others. All event proceeds benefit Slow Food Miami’s Edible Garden Program. Click here to purchase tickets.

12. Las Olas Wine & Food Festival

When: Friday, April 29, 7:30-10:30pm
Where: Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale
What: The 2016 LOWFF will welcome 45 wineries and 60 restaurants to take over Las Olas Boulevard, one of the few nights of the year Fort Lauderdale’s main thoroughfare closes down to pedestrians. This year, the American Lung Association has partnered with CI Management to create an unforgettable evening. Each street will have a little flair with live music, DJs, culinary and mixology demonstrations, interactive retail displays, and more. Also new this year: Best of the Best Restaurant Competitions on the main stage featuring various dueling restaurants. An expert panel of judges from will decide who will be named best of the best. For a complete lineup of events and ticket information, visit lasolaswff.com or call 954.727.0907.

13. Villa Azur’s Five-Course Menu + Wine Pairing

When: Every Friday evening
Where: Villa Azur {309 23rd Street, Miami Beach; 305.763.8688}
What: Delight your palate with Villa Azur’s flavorful, refined, yet approachable Mediterranean cuisine with a five-course menu that changes weekly. Each dish is paired with a hand-selected wine—all for just $80 per person. Plus, on the last Friday of every month, the restaurant will feature live music to enhance your dinner experience. This month’s featured artist (April 29, 9pm-Midnight) will be the R&B/soul/funk musician Keba and her band.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

stripsteak

The Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series, which pairs the world’s most prestigious wines and winemakers with Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s award-winning cuisine, continues this month on Tuesday, March 15, at StripSteak by Michael Mina {4440 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.512.8002}, the hotel’s signature steakhouse.

The four-course dinner, prepared by StripSteak’s Chef de Cuisine Derrick Roberts, will feature wines from Sonoma’s Adobe Road Winery, with owner Kevin Buckler as host for the evening.

Buckler, a professional race car driver and racing team owner, founded the winery in 1995 with his wife Debra. He spends countless hours in the vineyard and the winery perfecting the flavor of each wine.

The evening’s menu:

Passed Hors d’Oeuvres
Beausoliel Oysters
Caviar, green apple, and white ponzu

Salmon Crudo
Pickled cucumber and ginger-soy dressing

Tomato Ricotta Arancini
Basil and aged Parmesan

Paired with Adobe Road 2013 Sauvignon Blanc

Appetizer
Roasted Baby Beets
Pomegranate, mango, goat cheese, and walnut vinaigrette

Paired with Adobe Road 2012 Redline Red Wine Blend

Entrée
Wood-Grilled Angus Tenderloin
Globe carrots, maitake mushroom, and Bordelaise

Paired with Adobe Road 2011 Knights Valley Cabernet and Adobe Road 2011 Beckstoffer Cabernet

Dessert
Pistachio Mousse
Sour cherry compote and spice ice cream

Paired with Adobe Road 2009 Zinfandel

Cost is $190 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by clicking here.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

Scarpetta at Fontainebleau

This Wednesday, February 10 at 8pm, Fontainebleau’s signature Italian restaurant Scarpetta {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412} will host the next edition of the popular Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series, which pairs the cuisine of the hotel’s award-winning restaurants with some of the most prestigious wines and winemakers.

This week, diners will enjoy a decadent five-course meal prepared by Scarpetta’s new Chef de Cuisine Neil O’Connell complemented by wines from Napa Valley winery Odette Estate and its sister wineries Cade and PlumpJack, presented by winemaker Jeff Owens.

Menu items include a trio of canapés—Roast Chicken Arancini, Hamachi Crudo, and Crispy Polenta—followed by Caramelized Veal Sweetbread, Truffle Raviolini, and Herb-Crumbed Loin of Lamb, topped off with a Walnut Financier for dessert.

Cost is $225 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by clicking here.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

In anticipation of this Sunday’s Miami Marathon, Fontainebleau’s award-winning four-diamond Italian eatery, Scarpetta {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}, will offer marathon runners a special “Carb-Up” three-course prix-fixe menu specially crafted to ensure runners’ muscles are fueled and energy levels are high for optimal performance.

The menu is available from 6-7pm on Friday, January 22, and Saturday, January 23, for $45, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Items include:

Choice of Primi Piatti:
Burrata with broccoli rabe pesto, heirloom tomatoes, baby basil, and arugula
Arugula Salad with toasted pine nuts, pecorino, and truccioletto vinaigrette
Creamy Polenta with fricassée of truffled mushrooms

polenta scarpetta

Creamy Polenta

Choice of Piatta:
Spaghetti with tomato and basil
Duck and Foie Gras Ravioli with Marsala reduction
Short Rib Agnolotti Dal Plin with horseradish, red wine, and breadcrumbs

Spaghetti with Tomato and Basil

Spaghetti with Tomato and Basil

Choice of Dessert:
Coconut Panna Cotta with caramelized pineapple and guava “soup”
Amedei Chocolate Cake with toasted almond gelato and salted caramel sauce

Click here for more information.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

Happy New Year, Miami! 2016 promises to be an incredible year for the local culinary scene and we can’t wait to see what’s in store over the next 12 months. Here are nine of our must-do/must-try January events taking place throughout the city.

Chicha Morada

Chicha Morada from La Mar by Gastón Acurio


1. Healthy “Mocktails” at Mandarin Oriental
When:
Ongoing
Where: Mandarin Oriental, Miami {500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8288}
What: Keep your New Year’s resolutions going strong with creative new non-alcoholic “mocktails” made with fresh, flavorful ingredients. At MO Bar + Lounge, Steven Minor presents the Purple Plush, with a floral and sweet blend of hibiscus tea and lychee purée finished off with club soda. At La Mar by Gastón Acurio, Lef Kraounakis makes fresh daily Chicha Morada, a traditional Peruvian purple corn juice cooked with pineapple, green apples, cinnamon, and cloves, then served with a splash of lime and sugar.

2. Whites of Winter Special at Oceanaire
When: Through February 5
Where: The Oceanaire Seafood Room {900 South Miami Avenue, Suite 111, Brickell; 305.372.8862}
What: Upgrade your dining experience and sample up to four three-ounce white wines of your choosing for just $19 when you purchase an entrée. Choose from a list of 15 fine white wines from all over the world, from Napa Valley to Provence to Marlborough, New Zealand, and many more. Purchase additional pours for $5.

Chicken Parm Pizza from Quality Meats

Chicken Parm Pizza from Quality Meats


3. New Menu Items at Quality Meats
When:
Ongoing
Where: Quality Meats {1501 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.340.3333}
What: Chef de Cuisine Patrick Rebholz is kicking off 2016 by adding several new dishes to his already-acclaimed menu. Perhaps the most exciting addition is the signature Chicken Parm Pizza, which is making a special “pop-up” appearance from Quality Meat’s NYC sister restaurant, Quality Italian. Intended for two people, this 14-inch chicken Parmesan topped with mozzarella, Parmesan, and pecorino is delivered on a pizza rack and sliced tableside. The dish is so popular in New York that the restaurant often runs out midway through dinner service.

4. Paella Cooking Demonstration and Dinner at Bulla
When:
January 16 at 6pm
Where: Bulla Gastrobar {2500 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables; 305.441.0107}
What: Share your passion for paella at Bulla’s next Let’s Eat Dinner Series. After tapas on the terrace, you’ll join Chef Miguel Rebolledo in preparing authentic Spanish paella, a dish he learned at one of the world’s most famous restaurants, El Bulli. Top off the culinary experience with a flavorful feast paired with fine Spanish wine and a tantalizing dessert. Cost is $65 per person. Click here for tickets.

5. Weekly Wine (and more) Tastings at Uvaggio
When:
Saturdays, 5-6pm
Where: Uvaggio Wine Bar {70 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; 305.448.2400}
What: Join Head Wine-O and Managing Partner Heath Porter for weekly fun and education wine tastings. Upcoming themes include:
January 16: Spain with an Attitude, Not Your Parents’ Rioja
January 23: Piedmont and Tuscany … an ode to the next Uvaggio wine club trip
January 30: Beers Around the World … from the USA and Belgium, to our own backyard
Tastings are limited to just 24 people, so it’s best to reserve your space in advance. For more information, contact [email protected] or call 305.448.2400.

Fried Chicken and Waffles Hyde Beach Kitchen

Fried Chicken and Waffles from Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails

6. Waves and Rosé Brunch at Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails
When:
Every Sunday
Where: Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails {111 South Surf Road, Hallandale Beach; 954.699.0901}
What: Hallandale’s newest hot spot is now offering a sweet-meets-savory brunch menu featuring delicious comfort dishes such as the Hang Over Burger, Banana Nutella Waffles, and Very Berry French Toast. In addition to the mouthwatering fare, you’ll never go thirsty with bottomless Whispering Angel rosé for just $30 a person.

7. Wine Dinner at Fontana at the Biltmore
When: January 21 at 7pm
Where: Fontana at the Biltmore {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 877.624.2830}
What: Take part in an enchanting, seated, four-course wine dinner hosted by Wine Director Christophe Bristiel with wine from Chateau La Nerthe in Rhone Valley, France, sponsored in part by Pasternak Wine Imports. Cost is $45 for members, $55 for guests.

Chef Cindy Hutson

Chef Cindy Hutson

8. A Taste of Jamaica Cooking Class with Chef Cindy Hutson
When:
January 23, 11:30am-2:30pm
Where: Ortanique on the Mile {278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; 305.446.7710}
What: Join Chef Cindy Hutson for an interactive cooking class featuring staples of Jamaican cuisine: Guinness-Braised Shredded Oxtail on a crispy cassava cake; Red Snapper Rundown with boiled green banana mash and Caribbean veggies; and Drunken Banana “Stamp and Go” Fritters with rum-raisin ice cream and salted caramel. Cost is $108 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing [email protected].

9. Fontainebleau’s Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series
When:
January 23 at 8pm
Where: StripSteak by Michael Mina {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.535.3283}
What: The Cellar 1954 Wine and Dinner Series pairs the world’s most prestigious wines and winemakers with the award-winning cuisine of the Fontainebleau’s signature restaurants. The 2016 season kicks off with a five-course meal prepared by StripSteak Chef de Cuisine Derrick Roberts. Each course will be complemented by a different variety from the Napa Valley winery, Darioush, hosted by proprietor Darioush Khaledi. Cost is $225 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by clicking here.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

Fireworks New Year’s Eve is quickly approaching. Don’t miss out on scoring a table at one of the hottest restaurants in town, many of which will keep the party going well into 2016. Here’s where to spend New Year’s Eve in Miami.

A Fish Called Avalon {Avalon Hotel, 700 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; 305.532.1727}
Celebrate with mojitos, live music, an elegant prix-fixe menu, and a prime view of the Miami Beach fireworks. Seating begins at 7pm. Cost: $275 per person; $138 per child.

Bagatelle {220 21st Street, Miami Beach; 305.704.3900}
The intimate French bistro is offering two dinner packages, along with bottle service. First seating (starting at 7pm) includes Dom Pérignon welcome toast and a savory three-course menu; the second seating (starting at 10pm) offers a Veuve Clicquot welcome toast and an expanded four-course meal. Cost: First seating, $150 per person; second seating, $425 per person.

The Biltmore {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.913.3246}
The Biltmore’s annual New Year’s Eve Gala begins at 8:30pm and includes an exquisite dinner, premium open bar, and Champagne toast at midnight. The stage will be shared by the band Flavor and DJ Chris from Sarz Entertainment. At midnight, fireworks will light up the sky and confetti will fill the ballroom. Click here for tickets and more information. The Biltmore’s French restaurant Palme d’Or will also be open for New Year’s Eve, offering a seven-course tasting menu created by Michelin-starred Chef Gregory Pugin. Cost: $225 per person.

Cleo South Beach {Redbury Hotel, 1776 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.534.CLEO}
For its first New Year’s celebration, Cleo is offering a prix-fixe menu and specialty cocktails from Chef Danny Elmaleh with seatings at 6pm and 9pm. At 9pm, guests will have access to the rooftop where Cleo will be giving away party favors, offering cocktail specials, and toasting at midnight with a complimentary glass of Champagne. Cost: First seating, $125; second seating, $150.

db Bistro Moderne {255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Downtown;
305.421.8800}
Enjoy an early three-course pre-fixe menu (reservations from 5:30-7pm) or a luxurious five-course gala dinner (reservations from 8:30-10:30pm) featuring Executive Chef Jason Pringle’s seasonal favorites and toast to 2016 with a complimentary glass of Champagne. Cost: Early dinner, $85 per person; gala dinner, $195 per person. The Lounge at db Bistro will be open (no cover!) from 5pm-3am with bottle service and cocktail menu available and a limited à la carte menu from 5:30pm-midnight.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.535.3283}
Of course, everyone is talking about the Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s incredible poolscape New Year’s party featuring musical guests The Weeknd and KYGO. [Cost: Tickets start at $325 per person; click here for info.] But for those who want a more intimate celebration, head to one of the Fontainebleau’s signature restaurants for an exquisite meal:

StripSteak by Michael Mina is offering two seatings featuring four-course prix-fixe menus. Vegetarian menu available. Cost: First seating (6-7:30pm), $195 per person; second seating (8:30-10pm), $295 per person. 

The hotel’s modern Chinese restaurant Hakkasan will be offering a four-course prix-fixe menu that begins with family-style Dim Sum Platter. Vegetarian menu available. Cost: First seating (6-7:30pm), $195 per person; second seating (8-10pm), $295 per person. 

Chef Scott Conant’s AAA Four Diamond award-winning Scarpetta will be offering a delectable four-course prix-fixe menus Vegetarian menu available. Cost: First seating (6-7:30pm), $195 per person; second seating (8:30-10pm), $295 per person.

The chic yet laid-back contemporary American bistro Michael Mina 74 will be serving a limited football menu from 11am-4pm and offering a three-course prix-fixe menu from 6-11pm. Cost: $150 per person.

JW Marriott Miami {1109 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.329.3500}
Celebrate the New Year at Isabela’s at the JW Marriott Miami from 7:30pm-1am and indulge in a sumptuous buffet accompanied by live entertainment by Christabel Bertrand and Maya-Mi Sound Band. Cost: $150 per person; $60 per child (ages 5-12).

Katsuya {SLS Hotel South Beach, 1701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.455.2995}
Katsuya will offer two seatings featuring prix-fixe menus. Cost: First seating (starting at 5pm), $145 per person; second seating (starting at 8pm), $245 per person.

Mandarin Oriental, Miami {500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8288}
Join Mandarin Oriental’s Peruvian restaurant La Mar by Gastón Acurio for a three-course menu. Click here for more information and full menu. Cost: $150 per person, includes Chicha Morada Champagne cocktail. Mandarin is also hosting a party at its sleek MO Bar + Lounge from 9pm-1am. Cost: $75 per person, includes two glasses of Champagne; $250 per couple, includes VIP table seating with a lavish seafood platter of fresh king crab, Maine lobster, stone crabs, and more, plus a bottle of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne.

Seaspice {422 Northwest North River Drive, Miami; 305.440.4200}
Ring in the New Year along the Miami River at Seaspice, which is offering three separate packages from which to choose. Option 1: A four-course menu in the main dining room ($500 per person) that includes a bottle of Verve Clicquot per couple. Option 2: A four-course menu at Modern Garden on the patio ($750 per person) that includes a bottle of Dom Pérignon per couple. Option 3: A four-course menu on the outdoor mezzanine (1,000 per person) that includes a bottle of Dom Pérignon per couple.

Segafredo Espresso L’Originale {1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.673.0047}
Segafredo on Lincoln Road will be hosting its signature European New Year’s Eve from 5-8pm (midnight in Europe) with complimentary prosecco toasts while showing fireworks from Europe on its big screens. The restaurant will also have live DJs playing throughout the afternoon and evening.

Uvaggio Wine Bar {70 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; 305.448.2400}
Starting at 7pm, Uvaggio invites gourmands and wine lovers to a five-course meal prepared by Chef Tanner Gil paired with wines from Foxen Winery poured by founder Dick Doré and his wife Jenny. Cost: $150 per person; click here to purchase.

Villa Azur {309 23rd Street, Miami Beach; 305.763.8688}
While dressed in your finest Old Hollywood glamour, enjoy a four-course menu and a bottle of Champagne for two, (Dom Pérignon Rosé, Dom Pérignon, or Krug). An after-dinner party and live show will keep you dancing until dawn. Cost: Packages start at $500 per person.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

In Miami, it’s not just Chinese restaurants that are open on Christmas. The following dining establishments are not only open, but are offering delicious special holiday menus. Happy Holidays!

Atrio

Atrio Restaurant & Wine Room {Conrad Miami, 1395 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.503.6528}
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Staring at 6pm, relish in a special prix-fixe menu featuring your choice of Appetizers (Clam, Lobster, and Corn Chowder or Duck Confit Roll); Entrées (Roasted John Dory or Roasted Beef Tenderloin); and Dessert (Coquito Panna Cotta or Traditional Christmas Chocolate Yule Log) for $65 per person.

Bulla - Miami, Florida

Bulla Gastrobar {2500 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Cables; 305.441.0107}
Christmas Eve: Open for lunch and dinner (last reservation at 8:45pm), Bulla is offering its regular menu. For guests looking to enjoy their dinner at home, the restaurant will offer an à la carte to-go menu that includes Spanish favorites such as: Jamón De Bellota Ibérico; a dozen Croquetas De Jamón; Paella De Mariscos; and Cochinillo Ibérico Asado served with Patatas Panaderas and Salad (10 lb. pig for up to 10 guests: $300; 10-plus lb. pig for 10 to 16 guests: $360).

db bistro moderne miami bar

db Bistro Moderne {255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Downtown; 305.421.8800}
Christmas Eve: From 6-11pm, Executive Chef Jason Pringle is offering a four-course prix-fixe menu featuring seasonal inspirations such as Nantucket Bay Scallops, Roasted Elk Loin, and Suckling Pig.
 On the sweet side, Pastry Chef Saeko Nemoto will be offering up variations of the Classic Bûche de Noël in addition to other delicious holiday treats. Share and taste options including charcuterie, cheese, and a raw bar are available as add-ons to the menu. Cost is $80 per person; $35 for children 12 and under. Complementing the dinner, Sommelier Alan Feldman will offer five bottles of Champagne from different producers at $99 each.

biltmore fontana

Fontana at the Biltmore {Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.913.3200}
Christmas Eve: Expect a vast three-course dinner menu with a variety of delectable options prepared by Chef Giuseppe “Beppe” Galazzi for $105 per person.
Christmas Day: Lavish Champagne brunch for $95 per person.

La Mar Terrace

La Mar by Gastón Acurio {Mandarin Oriental, Miami, 500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8358}
Christmas Eve: From 6-11pm, parties of four or more can enjoy a family-style Peruvian meal featuring dishes that include Cebiche Mixto, King Crab Causa, Whole Cornfish Hen, Arroz Arabe, and Warm Chocolate Tart. Cost is $70 per person; $35 children ages 6-12; free for children under 6.
Christmas Day: From noon-3pm, delight in a spectacular Peruvian brunch with gourmet items including stations of cebiches, tiraditos, and grilled anticucho skewers. Guests will enjoy Chaufa Aeropuerto for the table, as well as choice of specialty dish such as egg-topped Lomo Saltado served alongside refreshing beverages such as Chicha Morada. Decadent dessert towers will provide the perfect sweet ending to the meal. Cost is $85 per adult and includes Champagne and unlimited brunch cocktails; $120 per adult includes premium entrées and unlimited Charles Heidsieck Champagne; $35 children ages 6-12; free for children under 6.

Michael Mina 74

Michael Mina 74 {Fontainebleau, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: From 6-11pm, supplementary to the à la carte menu, diners can feast upon Roasted Chestnut Soup with pumpernickel, duck confit, and cinnamon gastrique, followed by Braised Short Ribs served with smoked polenta, pearl onion, and a Cabernet reduction; and for dessert, a decadent Christmas Bread Pudding with panettone, candied orange, and dark chocolate gelato.

palme dor biltmore

Palme d’Or at the Biltmore {Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.913.3200}
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Join Michelin-Starred Chef Gregory Pugin for a four-course ($115) or six-course ($145) prix-fixe dinner. Menu items include Foie Gras Retour des Vendanges (red wine-poached foie gras with petite baguette); Le Cabillaud d’Alaska (Alaskan cod, king crab, coconut sauce, and potato bread); La Noisette de Chevreuil à la Chartreuse (venison tenderloin, chartreuse, grand veneur sauce, and shallot bread); and Traditional Christmas Log with fruit, ice cream, and chocolate. Bring gifts to be donated to Miami Children’s Hospital through Radio Lollipop.

Quattro Miami

Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833}
Christmas Eve and Day: Miami Beach’s go-to dining destination for authentic Northern Italian cuisine will offer its signature white truffle menu in addition to the regular lunch and dinner menus. Antipasti choices include Fonduta Tartufata con Crostini di Foccacia (fontina cheese fondue with truffle and fried quail egg with housemade focaccia); Tagliolini al Tartufo Bianco (fresh tagliolini with Italian truffle butter sauce); and Scaloppine di Vitello Tartufate (veal scaloppine with truffle butter sauce and truffle fries).

StripSteak

Seaspice {422 Northwest North River Drive, Miami; 305.440.4200}
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: 
Seaspice will be featuring a Christmas-inspired specials menu in addition to it regular dinner menu. Appetizer specials include Hudson Valley Foie Gras Torchon and Chicken Boudin Blanc, while entrées include a Whole Roasted Sucking Pig that serves four people and a Prime Rib Roast. And for dessert, don’t miss out on the delectable Eggnog Cream Tart with stewed apples and ginger cookie crumbs.

StripSteak by Michael Mina {Fontainebleau, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}
Christmas Eve: From 6-11pm, the restaurant is offering a three-course holiday-inspired prix-fixe menu ($75 per person) featuring a first course of Beausoliel Oysters with Petrossian caviar and a cucumber-ginger mignonette, followed by the main course, Pan-Roasted Duck Breast served with applewood smoked bacon, celery root purée, and huckleberry jus. For dessert, diners will enjoy the Yule Log topped with vanilla cream, cherry jelly, and flourless chocolate sponge.
Christmas Day: From 11am-3pm, StripSteak will offer a special brunch for $68 per person; the same Christmas Eve menu will be available for dinner.

Scarpetta at Fontainebleau

Scarpetta {Fontainebleau, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: From 6-11pm, those seeking a rustic yet elegant holiday meal can indulge in Scarpetta’s three-course prix-fixe menu ($75 per person) featuring Hamachi, Local Snapper, and Mussels Crudo with ginger, chile, and smoked royal trumpet mushroom as an appetizer, followed by the Scarpetta Cioppino with cod, prawn, scallop, clam, rapini stufato, and shellfish brodo. For dessert, a Ricotta Gelato Cream Puff will be served with warm peppermint chocolate sauce.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor