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Not that we need an excuse to dine out, but deals that make you do a double take and extraordinary culinary escapades of our favorite chefs really get us out the door. We’ve scouted out some of our favorite happenings this month for you to mark on your calendars.

 

A Taste of Germany at Wynwood Kitchen & Bar 

This summer, Chef Miguel Aguilar is dedicating each month to a different World Cup contender country. Last month was Spain, and July brings

Wynwood Kitchen & Bar

Wynwood Kitchen & Bar

Germany. August will feature Portuguese cuisine. The tasting menu is available for lunch and dinner every Wednesday through July.

Begin with a bratwurst upon a pretzel bun, and topped with sauerkraut. A plate of Spätzle is as fun as its name—egg noodles with shredded Coca-Cola braised short rib. Then, slice into a Rouladen—bacon, onions, and pickled, wrapped in thinly-sliced flank steak with a side of potato salad. And it’s not a true German meal without a bier—pair it with the Radler, where beer meets lemonade.

Wynwood Kitchen & Bar (WKB)’s popular summer dining series continues its celebration of cuisine from around the world in July with a tribute to World Cup contenders, Germany. The three-month long series crafted by Executive Chef Miguel Aguilar has added to the flavors of WKB’s already robust menu by showcasing dishes from Spain in June, and concludes with Portugal in August.

The summer tasting menu will be available for a limited time only during lunchand dinner every Wednesday throughout July beginning on Wednesday, July 3rd.  Foodies can embark on a culinary tour through Germany with a la carte dishes to include. wynwoodkitchenandbar.com 

 

Prix-Fixe at Fish Fish 

The bar at Fish Fish

The bar at Fish Fish

Before Miami Spice kicks off on August 1, Fish Fish will be getting you in the mood for prix-fixe fun with a three-course meal for $39. Pair that with their all-day, every-day happy hour, and you’ve got yourself an unbeatable deal. fishfishmiami.com

 

dbQ at db Bistro Moderne

The barbecue series is back now through August 29. Available daily in the

dbQ Bistro Sandwiches

dbQ Bistro Sandwiches

lounge and terrace from 5-8pm, dbQ features barbecue items with a db twist. Grilled Oysters get a dousing of spicy garlic butter, and Baby Back Ribs liven up spoon bread.

On Fridays, guests can keep Executive Chef Jason Pringle company as he grills and shares tips. A Barbecue Tour section of the dbQ menu will change bi-weekly to feature global barbecue traditions, like Suon Nuong Vietnamese Pork Chop from Southern Asia. Happy hour prices will be available on all cocktails. dbbistro.com/miami

 

Wine Dinner Series at The Setai

The Setai continues its wine dinner series this July with Castello Banfi, Tuscan Treasures, on July 31.

Founded in 1978, Castello Banfi is a young winery, yet what they have

Pasta at The Setai

Pasta at The Setai

accomplished since their inception has had a profound effect on the Italian wine world today. Today, with a state of the art wine making facility and an advanced scientific approach in the vineyards, Castello Banfi is producing premium high quality wines with a nod to traditional wine making techniques.

Luciano Castiello, ambassador for Castello Banfi, will host this exclusive dinner presenting the top wines of the estate. The reception will begin at 7:30pm, and the dinner will follow at 8pm. Cones of Gorgonzola with prune marmalade, white chocolate, and candied olive chorizo Madeleine will pair with a sparkling Pinot Noir. Then, feast upon scallops and Chardonnay, Porcini Risotto with Bordeaux … and, well, we won’t give it all away. For a full menu, visit thesetaihotel.com/culinary-artistry/culinary-offers-events.jsp

Tickets are $150 (includes tax and gratuity). Call 305.520.6400 to make reservations.
Fontainebleau Escapades

Over at The Fontainebleau, there’s no shortage of relaxing, indulgent experiences to partake in at the Fontainebleau this summer. fontainebleau.com/web/specials/dining_events__offers

 

Once in a Bleau Moon: Fontainebleau marks the rare astrological

The Fontainebleau sets the right mood with palm trees and white lounge furniture.

The Fontainebleau sets the right mood with palm trees and white lounge furniture.

phenomenon, the “Bleau” Moon, the appearance of four full moons instead of the usual three, with a celestial, one-of-a-kind culinary experience on July 10, 11, and 12.

Indulge in a private, moon lit dinner atop the chic setting of La Cote Mediterranean Grill, with sweeping oceanviews and the iconic sights of the Fontainebleau pools cape. Perfect for any romantic occasion you are celebrating this fall or simply an excuse to spoil someone special.

Observe the rare fourth—“bleau”—moon of the month with a private moonlit four-course dinner at the La Côte Mediterranean Grill. Advance reservation required. Call 877.326.7412 to reserve your cabana.
New Yum Cha Lunch Menu: Hakkasan just launched a new Yum Cha prix-fixe menu, available every Saturday and Sunday, from noon-3pm. Menu items include dim sum, spring onion egg fried rice, jasmine tea smoked ribs with grilled honey char sui, white coffee ice cream, and many more. Lunch also includes choice of Bellini, mimosa, beer, Curious white, or red wine.

 

World Cup Specials: At the Lapis Spa, try the Copacabana, a 50-minute Blast of Oxygen Facial plus a Lapis Mineral Soak. $148 (a savings of $37), valid 10am-3pm daily. The GOL, GOL, GOL! includes a 50-minute Mudslide with a 25-minute Take A Load Off My Back Massage, plus a Lapis Mineral Soak. $196 (a savings of $49).

Spend World Cup 2014 at Fontainebleau’s glamorous poolscape in a private cabana watching the games. Relax and absorb the seclusion and solitude of your own oasis in the midst of the action of Fontainebleau’s festive atmosphere. fontainebleau.com/web/spa

Wynwood

What inspired you to pursue a career as a chef? 

While living in Venezuela, I was a tour guide and would prepare lunches and snacks for the groups I led. While shopping for ingredients, the vibrant, fresh produce at the local farmers’ markets caught my attention, along with freshly-baked goods at local bakeries. On my days off, I would cook for my family and friends. This led me to seek out a career in the culinary world.

Before Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, you worked at well-known restaurants Alma de Cuba and El Rey in Philadelphia. What’s different about cooking in Miami?

Since Miami has a tropical climate, I enjoy being able to use ingredients at any time of year instead of waiting for the change in seasons.

What are some of your favorite ingredients to use during this time of year in Miami?

Spaghetti squash, boniato, and mushrooms.

How would you describe the cuisine at WKB?

The cuisine at WKB fuses Latin cultures by using ingredients from different countries, along with different techniques. The spices used in cooking Latin foods are robust and flavorful and add liveliness to any dish. I enjoy preparing plates using methods like confit (inspired by the French), brining, braising, et cetera.

Are there any dishes on the menu that take you back to your childhood?

Yes, there are a few dishes on the menu that reflect my Venezuelan heritage and were staples in my household. My mother and aunt used to cook for my family and prepared certain dishes when we had company over or hosted family reunions. A few of my favorites are the chicken ropa vieja empanadas, which is fried pastry dough stuffed with shredded spiced chicken; maduros or sweet plantains, a side dish my mother used to make for my family on a regular basis; the queso frito or fried cheese, which I top with paprika sausage, crispy cilantro, and salsa at WKB; and soon-to-be on the menu, the tequeños—breaded dough filled with white cheese.

The restaurant itself is adorned in bold, striking artwork. In what ways does the art influence the dining experience, or vice versa?

The dishes I create are vibrant and have a lot of natural colors, which coincide with the restaurant’s surroundings. For example, the Wynwood Salad was somewhat modeled after the Christian Awe paintings featured in the restaurant’s main dining room.

Do you have a favorite piece of art in the restaurant?

Yes, the David Sherry sculpture in the dining room window. It’s a sculpture of a very tall, slender, colorful man. The sheer presence of the piece demands attention because of its height and unusual features. I like to think that it reflects the ambience and the menu at WKB because it’s simple yet captivating, and it resonates with our guests, who enjoy art and can appreciate how food reflects it.

What can guests look forward to at WKB as we head into 2014?

We add new items to the menu a few times throughout the year. Guests can look forward to dinner collaborations with popular artists, local breweries opening in the area, and special events. Next year, I’d like to bring back our popular “Taste of the Americas” series (for a limited time), showcasing the cuisine of a Latin American country.