When the craving for something healthy and delicious strikes, look no further than The Strand. Located inside the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, The Strand certainly puts wellness at the forefront of the menu. The Mediterranean-inspired selections fill you up without filling you out, all while serving up fantastic flavors. Healthy food doesn’t have to be dull – The Strand proves it.
Spaghetti Parmigiano
Chef Simon Apollonio and his team have put together a diverse list of items for guests to enjoy, but you’ll notice Italian influences stand out the most. Starters like the Super-fresh Burrata or the mouthwatering Mussels whet the palate beautifully for the meal to come. Pizzas such as the Truffle Bechamel or the Prosciutto taste decadent, but they’re also surprisingly light. You’re just full enough when you’re done; there’s no need to hit the gym afterward.
Where the menu truly shines is its pasta, of which there are many. Gnocchi, Linguine, and Ravioli are all favorites that make an appearance on this menu, but the Spaghetti Parmigiano is a must – especially for the experience. At $38, it’s easily among the more expensive of the selections, but it’s well worth the premium. Having the staff come up to your table and serve it out of a cheese wheel makes for a fun Instagram moment. Plus, it’s really tasty – what’s not to love about Cheesy Pasta?
Patrons who don’t want to overdo it with carbs also have plenty of options to choose from. The Faroe Salmon with Cauliflower, Asparagus, and Parsnip Puree is a colorful, fragrant dish that will have you salivating the second it hits your table. It’s a big portion of fish, and our leftovers made for a great lunch the day after. Just as satisfying is the Lamb Chops Entrée, whose Couscous Lentils, Cucumber Gremolata and Tzatziki sauce pair beautifully with the generous portions of protein.
Faroe Salmon
If you’re part of a large party, consider ordering the Bistecca Alla Florentina. At $199, it’s not cheap but it can feed a family easily. Expect more than 2 pounds of wagyu beef porterhouse carved tableside with roasted potatoes and arugula salad. It’s a feast for the senses. Should you have room for dessert – unlikely but still possible – there’s a range of treats to be had. Lighter options include ice cream and sorbet, but diners who aren’t counting calories should check out the tiramisu or carrot cake. Everything is big enough to share, so one dessert for two people is ideal.
The Strand offers a menu with your well-being in mind, and it shows. The restaurant takes pride in its carefully crafted selections that are both satisfying and healthy(ish). But whether you’re counting calories or not, you’re in good hands.
Lamb Chops
Located inside the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, The Strand offers a delicious Mediterranean-inspired menu with your well-being in mind. Carefully crafted selections highlight local ingredients and fresh flavors that satisfy the most discerning of diners. Burrata, Truffle Bechamel Pizza, and Spaghetti Parmigiano are just a few of the enticing dinner selections inspired by Chef Simon Apollonio’s Italian roots.
Guests will also find a wide array of exquisite meat and seafood options, including Faroe salmon with cauliflower, asparagus and parsnip puree as well as lamb chops with couscous lentils, cucumber gremolata, and tzatziki sauce. A $199 Bistecca Alla Florentina – 2.2 pounds of Florida Jackman wagyu beef porterhouse – is a conversation starter and ensures larger parties leave awestruck and full. Indoor seating is ample, but outdoor seating is a must if the weather is cooperating; scenic ocean views are the ultimate backdrop for your meal, whether you visit for dinner or for breakfast, lunch or brunch. And no matter when you visit, you’re in good hands.
6801 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33141 (305) 514 7474
Seawell Fish N’ Oyster is a restaurant we’ve been eagerly anticipating for a while now. Chef Julian Garriga and his crew had been teasing the restaurant’s food at its sister bar Minnow up until its opening – and now it’s here. The verdict? Well worth the wait.
Here are five reasons you need to check out Seawell Fish N’ Oyster ASAP:
Incredible Value
Monkey Bread
The majority of starters and entrees won’t break the bank; prices typically fall into the ‘teens and twenties’ price range. And they’re big portions: Items like the smoked fish dip come with tons of saltines, the crabby patty aka crab cake is sizable, and the everything monkey bread can feed an entire table (and it’s just $7). Finding something this good and reasonably priced is rare on the beach.
Quality Seafood
Peel n’ Eat Shrimp
As you’d expect from the name, Seawell Fish N’ Oyster focuses on … well, fish and oysters. A daily menu highlights the restaurant’s fresh catches like black grouper, branzino, and Caribbean snapper – to name a few. This ever-changing menu ensures that diners always have something new to look forward to during every visit.
Lobster Roll
On the permanent menu, guests can enjoy highlights like peel n’ eat shrimp with clarified butter and Old Bay as well as a hearty lobster roll with kewpie mayo. The former, in particular, was one of our favorite dishes of the night. On its own with just Old Bay seasoning, the shrimp was spectacular. But dipping it in the warm butter took the dish to the next level – and had us raving about it for hours. On that note …
Fun Sauces
In our opinion, sauces don’t get enough credit. They can elevate a ho-hum dish or take an already spectacular item even further. At Seawell, the latter is the case. Chef Garriga and his team pair their food with sauces that will make your taste buds dance.
That everything monkey bread we mentioned earlier? It’s made even better with the addition of whipped dill butter. Our already amazing black grouper? Paired with a citrus tarragon butter, it blew our minds. And the Serrano Leche de Tigre that came with our yellowtail snapper Crudo didn’t disappoint either.
Varied Options
You don’t have to be a seafood fan to enjoy Seawell. Yes, the menu is predominantly seafood, but the non-fish options are just as tasty. A hefty poutine with ‘nduja gravy, fried chicken with tabasco honey, and a 16-ounce ribeye showcase the kitchen’s versatility and talent.
You can tell the staff put their heart into everything, from the starters and entrees all the way to the side dishes; veggies like charred broccoli, roasted butternut squash mushrooms shine with elements like Calabrian chili pesto, cacio e pepe butter and caper raisin vinaigrette (again with the sauces).
Crafty Cocktails
Cocktails from Seawell Fish N’ Oyster
No meal is complete without something to drink, and the restaurant has put together a short-yet-impressive libation list. Guests seeking something sweet can refresh themselves with the Angel of the Morning (vodka, St. Germain, strawberry, lemon) or Tavern Spritz (lillet blanc, white port, aperol, bubbles), while the whiskey-based Sea Wolf and Billy Budd take care of the other end of the flavor spectrum.
Open for breakfast, dinner, and brunch, there’s never a bad time to visit Seawell. What are you waiting for? Go make a reservation.
Seawell Fish N’ Oyster on South Beach is putting innovative twists on classic seafood dishes. Chef Julian Garriga and his team have developed a playful yet familiar menu full of favorites at this Kimpton Angler’s Hotel eatery. Begin your experience with everything monkey bread and a rotating selection of oysters before diving into daily catches, fish, and chips, peel n’ eat shrimp and other delightful selections.
Crabby Patty
Non-fish options like the Seawell Burger – a cheddar, caramelized onions, and Marie Rose sauce creation – and fried chicken with tabasco honey ensure all palates feel welcome; you don’t need to be a seafood fan to leave impressed. Decadent desserts, including whoopie pie Alaska and croissant bread pudding, provide a satisfying finish to any meal.
Rounding out the offerings is an equally impressive list of libations that runs the gamut from light and refreshing to stiff and spirit-forward. Open for lunch, dinner, and brunch, there’s never a bad time to visit Seawell.
660 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (786) 594-5820
In a party city like Miami, you’re never short on options for New Year’s Eve parties. But for those craving something beyond the typical champagne-soaked DJ-driven nightclub affair, we’ve got you covered. From a Gatsby-themed soirée and a nine-course culinary journey at the iconic Biltmore Hotel to global delicacies paired with an intimate performance by a Grammy Award-winning band at The Setai, these New Year’s Eve parties offer the perfect mix of flavor and fun.
The historic Biltmore Hotel is all about Golden Era glamor, so it’s only fitting that the theme of this year’s New Year’s Eve fete is “Ringing in The Roaring Twenties.” In the Alhambra and Granada ballrooms, guests will enjoy a four-course dinner, an extravagant dessert buffet, hand-rolled cigars on the terrace, and a laser light show by Event Factor. Sounds will be provided by a visiting DJ and the band, Higher Ground. Once the clock strikes midnight, a fireworks show will light up the night. Tickets to this can’t-miss event are $495 for the general public, $395 for members and $120 for teens. Guests are encouraged to wear white, gold and champagne colors.
Details: The Biltmore is located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables. For more information, visit www.BiltmoreHotel.com or call 305-913-3230. Tickets won’t be sold at the door, so make sure you purchase yours ahead of the event here.
To usher in 2020, Chef Giuseppe Galazzi has created a seasonally-inspired four-course feast at Fontana spotlighting delicacies included braised short ribs with polenta, Maine lobster stuffed with blue crab, homemade tortellini, and more. The New Year’s Eve menu is $120 per person, but an additional limited menu will also be available. Stay after dinner and enjoy live music, fireworks, and more at the hotel.
Details: Fontana at The Biltmore is located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables. For reservations, call 1-855-311-6903.
Foodies will find plenty to rave about at Palme d’Or’s New Year’s Eve dinner — a lavish nine-course culinary adventure curated by Chef Rogelio Fiallo. Priced at $175 per person, the gastronomic journey will feature dishes like Kumamoto oysters, Alaskan king crab, Jackman Ranch wagyu strip steak, and more.
Details: Palme d’Or at The Biltmore Hotel is located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables. For reservations, call 1-855-311-6903.
Jaya at the Setai is going all-out this New Year’s Eve with “Vanderbilt Glory,” an extravagant five-course feast that will blend southeast Asian flavors with all the glitz and glamor associated with the Vanderbilt empire. The evening will kick off with canapes, followed by a menu spotlighting delicacies like foie gras and brie, wagyu filet mignon, and more. Louis Roederer champagne will flow freely all night. After dinner, Grammy Award winner Marlow Rosado & Band will perform alongside dancers and Latin cabaret-themed stage acts. Pricing starts at $695 for adults and $320 for kids age 12 and under.
Details: Jaya at the Setai is located at 2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL. To make a reservation, email [email protected], and [email protected], or call 855-923-7899.
Choose from a range of global cuisines to ring the new year in with at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. StripSteak by Michael Mina, Scarpetta by Scott Conant, and Hakkasan will each offer exclusive 4-course prix fixe dinners priced between $225 and $295 per person, depending on the seating time you select (later reservations are pricier). Chef Michael Mina’s casual underground eatery, Pizza & Burger, will serve up a three-course prix fixe dinner for $79 per person from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m., and the oceanfront restaurant Vida will serve a walk-in-only New Year’s Eve dinner buffet for $89 per person ($44.50 for children) from 5-11 p.m.
Details: Fontainebleau Miami Beach is located at 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. To make a reservation, call (877) 326-7412 or email [email protected].
The jewel of the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden offers one of the most romantic settings in which to spend New Year’s Eve. This year, the chic indoor-outdoor oasis will serve a prix fixe menu from 5-10 p.m. priced at $105 per person, which includes a complimentary welcome glass of bubbly, an amuse-bouche, and an exclusive three-course menu you can curate yourself form a range of options — think petit filet mignon, king crab, pan-seared halibut, crisp boneless Long Island duck and more. And save room for indulgent desserts like ginger snaps, chocolate, Rice Krispies and hot cocoa.
Details: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden is located at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, 3300 SW 27th Avenue, Miami. For reservations, call 305-400-0562 or visit isabellescoconutgrove.com for more information.
Daniel Boulud’s Miami outpost is dialing up dinner on December 31 with a three-course menu and optional wine pairing priced between $85 and $140 per person during the first seating. The second seating — known as the “Gala Seating” — will feature a five-course menu priced between $175 and $250, depending on whether you opt for the wine pairing (and you totally should — Boulud Sud boasts one of the most extensive wine lists in the area).
Details: Boulud Sud at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami is located at 255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami. For reservations, call 305-421-8600.
Faena is going back a few centuries to Europe’s baroque period — and adding a few South American touches — for its New Year’s Eve party. Guests will be treated to welcome champagne and cocktails, followed by a multi-course dinner at either Pao or Los Fuegos. After, live musical acts will keep the party going in the hotel’s Living Room as Perrier-Jouet and G.H. Mumm champagne flows. The countdown to midnight will take place at Damien Hirst’s Golden Mammoth, where there will be live musical performances, a fireworks display, and more surprises. General admission tickets start at $250 per person, will dinner plus admission starts at $650 per person and includes Faena house wines, spirits, and champagne.
Details: Faena is located at 3201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. For reservations, call 305-534-8800.
Celebrity Chef Richard Sandoval is bringing the heat this New Year’s Eve with a buffet spread fit for royalty at his acclaimed Pan-Latin Steakhouse, Toro Toro. Guests will find all their favorite holiday fixings here, including a seafood and raw bar and indulgent desserts, plus one bottle of champagne per couple. They’ll also enjoy access to an exclusive firework viewing area with a complimentary glass of champagne and grapes at midnight. The New Year’s Eve dining experience is priced at $225 for adults and $99 for children ages 6-12 (it’s free for kids age 5 and under). After the big countdown, Toro Toro’s lobby bar and lounge will keep the festivities going with a DJ and dancers.
Details: Toro Toro is located at the InterContinental Miami, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami. For reservations, call 305-372-4710. You can purchase tickets for the NYE dining experience here.
This iconic South Beach hotel invites guests to close the year out at LT Steak and Seafood, where they’ll enjoy a five-course tasting menu curated by Executive Chef Danny Ganem. There will be live music all night, and if you make a reservation for the restaurant’s second seating at 8 p.m. you’ll enjoy midnight access to the hotel’s rooftop terrace for a midnight champagne toast, a live band, and a prime view of the fireworks. Reservations for the first seating at 5 p.m. are $250 per person. Reservations for the second seating at 8 p.m. are $295 per person. If you’re looking for a more laid-back family-friendly vibe, The Alley will offer an a la carte menu all evening long, spotlighting pizza, pasta and gelato specials — no reservation needed.
Head to any of Novencto’s locations — Aventura, Brickell, Doral or Key Biscayne — on New Year’s Eve and you’ll enjoy a sumptuous three-course meal for just $99 per person. Then, stay for an after-dinner celebration set to beats by a visiting DJ, including party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.
With 200-plus restaurants offering three-course dinners for just $39 per person, Miami Spice is one of the best times of year to treat your special someone to an extravagant night out on the town. But with so many great restaurants, how do you know where to go? That’s where we come in. Read below for our favorite date-worthy restaurants on the Miami Spice list.
Pao by Paul Qui {3201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.655.5630}
James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur, Paul Qui, runs a sexy Asian restaurant in the extravagant Faena Hotel—and its sultry hues, whimsical unicorn statue, and intimate ambience make it a great place for a date night. Go during Miami Spice, and you and your S.O. can enjoy a three-course meal with Kinilaw, Pao’s popular Fried Chicken with roasted banana ketchup, Mushroom Bistek, Sisig Rice with crispy pork and fried egg, and for dessert, Elderflower Peach Sorbet with almond baba and Concord grape syrup. *Miami Spice dinner at Pao by Paul Qui will be available every Tuesday through Saturday, from August 1 through September 30.
With its coral-rock walls, antique chandeliers, torchlit patio, and cascading waterfall, the Mediterranean-inspired Café Roval is definitely one of Miami’s most romantic restaurants. During Miami Spice, treat your special someone to appetizers like barbecued cobia Kebabs with manouri cheese or Buttone with braised lamb neck and green olives, followed by Gnocchi with rabbit sausage, Whole Orata with a fava bean labneh, or a Mixed Grill Platter with urfa peppers and tarator sauce. Finish the meal with Chocolate Marsala Cake, a Macadamia Nut Tart, or a Roasted Strawberry and Coconut Sorbet, and leave with a happy heart and a full stomach. *Miami Spice dinner at Café Roval will be available every Sunday through Thursday, from August 1 through September 30.
The Setai, Miami Beach is like an Asian temple, and inside, Jaya at The Setai serves a menu of Indian-inspired fare with Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese influences. Grab a seat in the intimate dining room, or for a real romantic ambience, opt for a candlelit table by the hotel’s courtyard zen pond. Appetizers like Hamachi with avocado mousse and Chive or Truffle Dumplings are on the menu, as well as main dishes like Faroe Island Salmon with cardamom-scented sweet potato purée, GreenCurry vegetables, Lamb Masala, and a tandoor-baked Chilean Sea Bass. For a romantic ending, get the Textures of Valrhona Chocolate with milk chocolate mousse, chocolate nib crumble, white chocolate snow, and chocolate sorbet, or the Masala Chai Crème Brûlée with chai-infused custard and a spiced chantilly. *Miami Spice dinner at Jaya at The Setai will be available every night of the week, from August 1 through September 30.
As if The Biltmore wasn’t alluring enough, try its signature French restaurant and you’ll never want to leave. Helmed by Michelin-star Chef Gregory Pugin, Palme d’Or serves haute French cuisine in an elegant, vintage setting. Start with appetizers like Pan-Seared Lump Crab Cake with a curry aïoli or Pate de Foie Gras with brioche chips and buttery sautéed apples. From there, move on to Roasted Duck Breast with a wild berry gastrique or the Marinated Flat Iron Steak with shishito peppers and a pink peppercorn sauce. The desserts are sure to be as sweet as your other half—think: Madagascar Vanilla Cream with soft caramel, Chocolate Fondant Cake, or a Macaroon Tart with pineapple compote and mango sauce. *Miami Spice dinner at Palme d’Or will be available every Tuesday through Saturday, from August 1 through September 30.
Here is all of the food news you can get excited about in Miami this week:
Last Week of Miami Spice! You only have until the end of September to take advantage of Miami’s most raved-about foodie season, Miami Spice. From now through September 30, checkout your favorite restaurants—like StripSteak by Michael Mina, db Bistro Moderne, Tamarina and 200+ more—for lunch or dinner, and get three-course prix-fixe meals for $23 and $39, respectively. For a real treat, head to one of our favorites, GK Bistronomie {218 NW 25th Street, Wynwood; 786.477.5151} and find modern Peruvian plates, like lobster empanadas and crispy pork belly with sundried potato “stew,” on the Spice menu.
Barley an American Brasserie Opens Its Doors A new restaurant, Barley an American Brasserie {8945 SW 72 Place, Miami; 786.623.6733}, the latest culinary venture by Chef Jorgie Ramos, opened its doors this week. Located in Downtown Dadeland, this haute gastropub will serve rustic Americana comfort food with Latin and Asian influences: from charred octopus with seaweed, miso aioli, and a farro salad, to braised beef tongue with yucca mofongo and sofrito salad, lamb neck filet doused in a horseradish tzatziki, and the Latin burger topped with chorizo cantimpalo, sweet plantains, manchego, and a chimichurri aioli. Go there for its daily mac ‘n’ cheese rotation and specialty craft beer, cocktail and boutique wine menu, and stay for the relaxed vibes and hearty, creative cuisine.
National Pizza Month Starts Saturday, October 1st This Saturday is the start of an entire month dedicated to pizza – and that’s something we believe everyone should celebrate. Don’t know where to go? Try Dolce Italian {1690 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.975.2550}, on Miami Beach. It has a Tartufata Pizza that puts a unique twist on the classic cheese variety with savory blanca cheese, speck, spicy salami and truffle. Another delicious option is La Moderna {1874 Bay Road, Miami Beach; 786.717.7274}, where you can enjoy their traditional, but unparalleled, Margherita Pizza in a casual-chic setting.
Ocio Launches New Happy Hour Miami’s favorite new escape, Ocio {3399 NW 72nd Avenue, Doral; 786.360.4468} is unveiling a happy hour at its secluded and chic retreat. Tucked away in Doral, this Italian-driven locale invites guests to come on Thursday and Friday nights, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., and get a complimentary appetizer with the purchase of a glass of wine or beer. With your glass, delight in plates like fried mozzarella with homemade marinara sauce, Antipasto (salami, capicola, prosciutto, parmesan cheese, artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers), or the Octopus Carpaccio, thinly-sliced octopus with capers and steeped in an aromatic lemon vinaigrette.
Sunday Brunch at Wynwood Kitchen & Bar Between 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Sundays, there’s nowhere better to be than brunch at Wynwood Kitchen & Bar {2550 NW 2nd Avenue, Wynwood; 305.722.8959}. Order Latin-inspired dishes like the Wynwood Benedict with poached egg, crabmeat, chipotle hollandaise sauce and polenta, or the Tostada with a sunny side-up egg, tomato puree, black beans, cojita cheese and crema. You can never go wrong with the locale’s Steak & Eggs, a grilled skirt steak served with a fried egg and yucca frita, and whatever you do, pair it with a breakfast cocktail. Our personal favorites are the Prosecco cocktails—you get a nice glass of Prosecco flavored with your choice of Hibiscus, Palomimosa, Applish or Blue Pisco.
Now on Miami Beach, everyone’s favorite upscale Asian hotel, The Setai, Miami Beach, has added a tableside Japanese Beer and Sake Cart to its signature restaurant,Jaya at The Setai {2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.520.6000}.
Along with the restaurant’s modern Asian cuisine by Chopped winner and Executive Chef Matthew Gervais, Jaya diners can now choose from special Japanese and imported beers–like Echigo Koshihikari RiceBeer, Oze No Yukidoke IPA and Singha–as well as local Miami favorites, like Funky Buddha and The Floridian. As for Sake, the cart has plenty of handpicked options: including Flying Pegasus Daiginjo Koshu, Soto Junmai Daiginjo, Minato Harbor Yamahai Nama Genshu, or Dewatsuru Sakura Emaki Rose.
Rolling right up to the table, Jaya’s Japanese Beer and Sake Cart is available both indoors and in the hotel’s enchanting courtyard during lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch. To try it for yourself, head to Jaya at The Setai during the following hours:
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 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.
Head to the heart of the Magic City, to Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Matador Room in the EDITION Miami Beach, and you’ll find one of the area’s most popular hotel bars of the same name. Paying homage to the art of mixology, Matador Bar {2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.257.4600} has become a staple for Miami’s finest. And with its craft cocktails, sleek black walnut-paneled walls, sexy vibes, and floor-to-ceiling windows with sparkling Atlantic Ocean views… it’s easy to see why.
Now on Thursday, September 22nd, patrons have another reason to stop by Matador Bar: the fourth installment of its monthly Bar Takeover series. From 9 p.m. to midnight, come and drink to your hearts content as the cocktail-savvy team from The NoMad Hotel, in NYC, brings their talents to Miami Beach. For one night only, James Beard Award-winning mixologist and NoMad Bar Director, Leo Robitschek, promises to give the Matador Bar a taste of the real Manhattan—perhaps both the city and the cocktail.
This Matador Bar Takeover will include $12 Nomad cocktails and live music. To find out more about it, visit the event’s Facebook page here.
See you there! By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor
In Florida, the only thing we love more than avocados is coming up with fun, new ways to eat them. Luckily, we here in Miami have Executive Chef Venoy Rogers III—the mastermind behind Essensia Restaurant + Lounge {3025 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.908.5458} and our personal guru on all things delicious, good-for-you cuisine—to make sure that happens. Fusing his own “New American” twist into Essensia’s local, seasonal, farm-to-table menu, Chef Rogers came up with a fun way to enjoy this favorite South Florida fruit, with a little indulgence thrown in for good measure.
Want to try this dish for yourself? Head to Chef Rogers’ must-try restaurant, in The Palms Hotel & Spa, and order his Tempura Avocado. Then, when you love it, go home and use the recipe below to whip it up on your own.
Tempura Avocado from Executive Chef Venoy Rogers III of Essensia Restaurant + Lounge serves four to six
The Ingredients
Tomato Chipotle Jam: 1 c Roma tomato, diced 1 medium red bell pepper, diced 3 tbsp sugar 1/2 c red wine vinegar 2 tsp Chipotle Purée 1/2 small red onion, 1/4 c diced salt and pepper, to taste
Cilantro-Lime Crème Fraiche: 1 lime, juice and zest 1/2 c crème fraiche or sour cream 1 tbsp cilantro, chopped salt and pepper, to taste
Tempura Batter: 2 egg whites 1 c All-Purpose Flour 2/3 c cold water
Tempura Avocado: 2 avocados 6 c oil, excluding olive oil sea salt, to taste
The Method
For Tomato Chipotle Jam: Sauté onion in a large sauté pan for four to six minutes. Add diced tomatoes and cook for an additional four to six minutes. Deglaze the pan with vinegar. Add all remaining ingredients, and allow everything to simmer on medium or low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced and the consistency resembles jam. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
For Cilantro-Lime Crème Fraiche: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
For Tempura Batter: Beat egg whites until frothy. Fold flour and cold water into the egg whites until the batter is barely mixed.
For Tempura Avocado: Remove the skin and pit from the avocado. Slice each avocado into six even wedges. Using a fork or a skewer, dip each avocado wedge into the tempura batter and shake off the excess batter. Fry each wedge in oil at 355 degrees for two minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the wedges from oil and season immediately.
To Serve: Drizzle Cilantro-Lime Crème Fraiche directly on the serving plate, and space battered avocado wedges evenly across. Fill the curve of each wedge, where the pit used to be, with a dollop of the Tomato Chipotle Jam and serve.
No matter where you are in the world, one thing’s for sure: there is no season more perfect for rosé than summer. And no place knows that better than the iconic The Standard Spa, Miami Beach {40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.673.1717}.
New this summer, The Standard Spa, Miami Beach has not only added 20 bottles of the pink vintage to its wine list, but it’s also come up with and released its very own “wine guide,” where in-house wine expert Amy Demoga teaches us which bottles are best for which occasions. Follow her suggestions below, and then go there for yourself and start ordering them one by one.
Rumor has it there’s even some rosé cocktails, including a frozen F’rosé concoction, along with one special rosé you won’t find anywhere else: The Standard’s own Sunset Beach Rosé by André Balazs, served by both the glass and the bottle.
Read below to get The Standard’s standard on the best rosé for every occasion:
Brunching:
Sunset Beach Rose, André Balazs Collection, Channing Daughters, Long Island New York ‘15
Peuch-Haut, Saint Drezery, Languedoc-Rouissillon ‘15 (Grenache and Syrah)
Domaine de Fontsainte Gris de Gris, Corbieres Languedoc-Rouissillon ‘15 (Grenache, Cinsault, Mouvedre, Carignan)
Poolside:
Villa Pereire Provence, Fr ‘15 (Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle (vermentino), Carignan)
