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By Sherri Balefsky | Contributing Writer

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South Beach eatery Siena Tavern {404 Washington Avenue; 305.534.5577} recently introduced its own rendition of happy hour to the South of Fifth neighborhood with its daily Cicchetti (che-kett-ee) menu. In Venetian tradition, cicchetti is the name used to describe the small plates and appetizers that are typically offered in pubs at the end of the work day.

From 6-8pm daily, Siena Tavern now offers such dishes along with specialty cocktails at unbeatable happy hour prices. Choose from antipasti favorites such as Frito Misto, meatballs, and salumi and cheese boards for just $7 each; East or West Coast oysters for just $2 each; and classic pizzette offerings at for only $9 each. As for drinks, specialties include housemade sangría (a Siena Tavern favorite), negronis, Moscow mules, and other classic cocktails, all for just $7 in addition to $4 draft beers and $6 house wines.

But that’s not the only thing that’s noteworthy here. Join Siena Tavern every Saturday and Sunday for an impressive brunch featuring everything you could possibly want from a brunch menu—and more. (Think: Caramelized Waffles, Almond Pancakes, and Tiramisù French Toast.)

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It’s the perfect setting for larger groups, as there’s the option to mix your own breakfast beverage concoctions by ordering either the Bloody Mary or mimosa kits. The Bloody Mary kit comes with a bottle of Absolut vodka along with housemade Bloody Mary mix, celery sticks, dill pickle spears, and olives, along with cubed mortadella and fontina cheese skewers. Likewise, the mimosa kit includes a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for the table served with freshly squeezed orange juice and two seasonal juice purées such as blood orange and elderflower or cucumber limoncello.

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So if you’re looking a new place to earn your “regular” status, whether it’s a relaxed after-work hangout or a libatious weekend brunch spot, Siena Tavern has you covered.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

It’s hard to believe that in March 1915, Miami Beach was only a blip on the international radar. But in true form, the city has seen exponential growth, pushing and sprawling its way into becoming one of the world’s top travel destinations and hubs for dining, arts, history, and culture.

In honor of the 100th anniversary, the iconic Fontainebleau {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.538.2000} presents several special celebratory offerings that are available throughout the month of March.

At Bleau Bar, the hotel’s hopping central lobby bar, guests can sip on the aptly named American Riviera, a lavishly curated cocktail featuring Grand Marnier 100 Year, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select, and angostura and Peychaud’s bitters topped with Champagne.

Fontainebleau Specialty Cocktail

At the acclaimed restaurant Michael Mina 74 (whose Chef de Cuisine Thomas Griese was recently named one of Zagat’s “30 under 30”), guests can celebrate the centennial in style with a three-course prix-fixe dinner for two for just $100.

Michael Mina 74

The menu offerings are as follows:

Amuse Bouche: Chef’s surprise

Choice of Appetizer:

  • Japanese Wedge Salad with carrot-ginger vinaigrette, red onion, and radish
  • Lamb Meatballs with ricotta dumplings, Meyer lemon, and date chutney
  • Ahi & Hamachi Poppers with Sriracha aïoli, cilantro, tobiko, and crispy riceHamachi Poppers Michael Mina 74

Choice of Entrée: 

  • Florida Snapper 
with crispy shrimp “fried rice,” pineapple, and curry broth
  • Lobster Cavatelli with poppyseed, lemon beurre blanc, and chervil
  • Braised Beef Short Rib with Moroccan-spiced carrots and vadouvan couscous

Choice of Dessert to Share:

  • MM74 Beignets with Macallan 18 and caramel pudding
  • Rocky Road profiteroles with milk chocolate, hazelnut, and marshmallow

For information or reservations, call 1.877.326.7412 or visit fontainebleau.com/100miamibeach. You can be sure to see us there!

BLT Steak Betsy

By Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor 

On Monday, March 9, 20 incredible women gathered at BLT Steak at the Betsy Hotel {1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; 305.531.6100} for a breakfast salon in honor of International Women’s Day.

BLT STEAK

It was a who’s who of Miami’s influential women, all of whom work in and/or vehemently support the arts, music, education, and other community-driven initiatives. Invitees were asked to bring along a woman that they admired—mothers, daughters, friends, mentors, co-workers, and more. It was clear that in most cases, the admiration was reciprocal.

blt steak betsy

While many might associate BLT Steak with being only a lunch/dinner place, the quiet art-filled dining room—which opens daily at 8am—was the perfect setting for such an event. We sipped coffee and freshly-squeezed orange juice while noshing on fresh fruit, mini croissants and pastries, and creamy granola-topped parfaits. The Betsy is also known for its outstanding brunch—don’t miss out on trying the BLT Popover Eggs Benedict, a Betsy favorite.

Popover Eggs Benedict

The Betsy has been involved in women’s issues since its founding. After all, the hotel is named after America’s “founding mother” Betsy Ross. It is also very active in the local community, sponsoring salons that invite artists and thought leaders to head up conversations about various issues. The salons are one of the cornerstones of the PACE (Philanthropy, Arts, Culture, and Education) program at The Betsy. Since opening The Writer’s Room in 2012, there have been over 70 such events, featuring many prominent art world figures, such as “Joy Luck Club” novelist Amy Tan and flutist Eugenia Zuckerman.

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International Women’s Day was the perfect occasion for such a salon. The annual event has been celebrated since the early 1900’s and today is recognized as an official holiday by countries all over the world.

Among the respected guests in attendance were Deborah Briggs, VP of Philanthropy at the Betsy; Violette de Ayala, founder and president of Femfessionals; Norma Jean Abraham, philanthropist and founder of new teahouse Serendip-A-Tea; Carlene Sawyer and Ruth Greenfield, arts activists from Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation; Cristina Cartaya, principal of Our Pride Academy and advocate for special-needs community; Wendy Silva, a local entrepreneur, singer, and Doggie Day Care owner; and many, many others.

Carole Ann Taylor, Rosie Gordon Wallace, Norma Jean Abraham

DiningOut was truly honored to be included in such an intimate gathering and to be surrounded by such inspiring women.

Cibo South Beach

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

This was the theme of our evening at Cibo Wine Bar South Beach {200 South Pointe Drive, Miami Beach; 305.987.6060}, the newest addition to the South of Fifth dining scene, which made its official debut in December last year. It was only a matter of time before the Cibo concept, which was an instant success in Coral Gables when it debuted just over three years ago, made its way to the beach—quite literally, as its location on South Pointe Drive means it’s mere steps from the sand.

Bad decisions aren’t possible here; that wasn’t the problem. But selecting from the sheer volume of great choices proved to be much harder than you’d think!

Cibo Miami Beach

Decision No. 1: Upon arrival, we were greeted by a hostess who asked where we’d like to be seated. Inside the aroma-filled dining room facing the expansive wine cellar and open kitchen? Within the first-floor lounge area, which features an industrial-chic wraparound bar and the whimsical designs of pop artist Mr. Brainwash, whose signature slogan, “Life is Beautiful,” adorns the wall in bold letters? Or, did we want to dine on the sizable rooftop patio (one of the largest in South Beach), a quieter oasis romantically lit by flaming heat lamps and table lanterns?

Cibo Miami Beach

We opted for the rooftop, to which we were instructed to take the elevator up to the third floor where another hostess greeted us, escorting us to a cozy wooden table with plush white couches.

Cibo Miami Beach patio

Decision No. 2: We were quickly greeted by our server, who prompted our next big decision: wine. There is a tempting cocktail menu and plenty of fine beers on offer, but it’s called Cibo Wine Bar for a reason. The restaurant is engulfed by wine bottles, the focal point of which is the two-story cellar at the center of the first floor. If your desired bottle is up top, a harnessed “wine angel” ascends to retrieve it. We learned that the restaurant in total has some 2,500 bottles on offer.

Cibo Miami Beach wine

After settling on a bottle of Italian white, it was time to for the next—and perhaps the most monumental—decision of the evening: what to order.

Decision No. 3: This expansive menu is Italian cuisine at its finest, featuring fresh ingredients that have either been flown in from Italy or are made in-house. Hats off to Chef Massimo Giannattasio, who has created a menu of mouthwatering pizzas, pastas, and main courses. Again, there were no bad decisions here. Our words of advice: be sure you come hungry!

You’ll be tempted to fill up on the freshly baked loaf of rosemary-sprinkled bread that’s presented to the table with a side of the restaurant’s signature special chili-pepper olive oil blend (warning: spicy!), leaving us with the difficult Decision No. 4: “More bread for the table?”

Decision No. 5: For appetizers, we settled on the Buffalo Mozzarella and Tomato and the Black Tiger Shrimp served with a spicy wine-garlic tomato sauce. Both looked so incredible, we had nearly devoured them by the time we realized we’d forgotten to take our obligatory hashtagged photos of the dishes.

Cibo Fusilli

Decision No. 6: For entrées, we selected the Chicken Parmesan and the Fusilli with chicken and mushrooms in a light cream sauce. Both were served in beautiful heaping portions that made our eyes wide with awe and amazement. A happy food coma soon followed—that magical moment just past the point when your stomach tells you it’s full and your brain allows you to take that one last bite.

Cannoli

Then, the final debacle: Decision No. 7–dessert. How could we resist? We opted for the Cannoli, which seemed like an appropriate Italian choice. Fair warning: the plate comes with four! We again dug in immediately before realizing that a proper photo had yet to be taken. Before we left, we surveyed the bustling bar area, which was significantly more crowded than before. It was a Thursday, which meant that it was Ten After Ten Thursdays: two drinks for just $10 after 10pm.

As we made our way out in a lethargic, sleepy daze—an astoundingly blissful experience that one could only hope to have after relishing in a large meal and finishing off a bottle of wine—it occurred to us that life, at least at that very moment, certainly was beautiful.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

semilla brunch menuMiamians looking to get their Sunday brunch on in style have yet another option to add to the list: Semilla Eatery & Bar {1330 Alton Road, Miami Beach; 305.674.6522}. And on Sunday, local journalists, bloggers, and culinary tastemakers—DiningOut Miami included—were treated to a VIP tasting event in honor of the newly launched brunch menu.

Not only does Semilla Eatery’s brunch have a respectable all-you-can-drink option (just $24 for bottomless mimosas, Bellinis, or Bloody Marys), but its à la carte menu features just the right combination of traditional fare and unexpected offerings.Semilla Omelet
Feel like breakfast? We recommend the decadently gooey Vegetable and Swiss Cheese Omelette. Feel like a light lunch? A must-try here is the Key West Shrimp Salad. And if you’re in the mood for a heartier meal, the menu also features entrées like the Braised Beef Short Ribs “Parmentier.”Semilla Shrimp SaladWe’ll also let you in on a secret: order the Pork Rillette. This French pâté-esque spread (though much meatier) is not listed on the brunch menu, but is still available to order, and it’s served with a slab of freshly baked baguette.Semilla Brunch

So be sure to head over to Semilla for brunch, offered every Sunday from 11am to 4pm. You might even see us there … we’ll definitely be going back soon.

Semilla Brunch