Boiled and Baked Octopus from Old Lisbon, Serves 6
Ingredients – 6 lb octopus (preferably from Old Lisbon market) – 8 potatoes, peeled and rinsed – 4 lb fresh broccoli florets, washed – 10 oz garlic, minced – 4 Tbsp Olive Oil – 1/2 c olives – 1 tsp Parsley
Method Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large pot, boil the octopus for 30 minutes. In a separate pot, boil potatoes and broccoli with oil and garlic. Place octopus and vegetables in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. To assemble the plate, place broccoli first, then octopus, with potatoes on the side. Garnish with parsley and olives.
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
When you think of water park food, what usually comes to mind? We think of hot dogs, burgers and other casual bites—nothing out of this world. At places like amusement parks where thrill and entertainment is the focus, food is typically an afterthought.
At Surf House Bar & Grill inside Tidal Cove Waterpark, however, the kitchen is elevating park fare into something that’s more than just passable. You can tell a lot of thought went into the menu at this Coastal American locale on the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa property. It reads impressively with a wide range of fresh seafood options for all palates and ages. Key Lime Biscuits with honey butter, Tempura Oysters, Shrimp Cocktail, and Charred Octopus are just a few of the many appetizer selections that let you know Surf House means business.
That said, don’t skip over less exciting items like the salads—you’ll miss out. The Seafood Louie in particular is a star: Tasty lobster, lump crab, and shrimp make for a stellar meal you’ll remember well after it’s over. Handheld selections are plentiful and substantial, but you won’t feel too weighed down to continue exploring Tidal Cove. Standouts in this section include the Blackened Mahi-Mahi Sandwich and Fish Tacos, both of which can be easily shared between two people.
Although the menu is predominantly seafood, there are still ample choices for those who prefer meat or vegetables. Non-seafood items like Buffalo Chicken Wings, Nashville Hot Chicken or the Vegan Burger help ensure that everyone in your party has something to savor. That’s what we love the most about Surf House: its versatility.
Case in point: Whether you’re looking for a quick bite for lunch or if you prefer a more leisurely experience, Surf House delivers. Entrées like Steamed Mussels and Swordfish Churrasco are things we’d expect to find at Turnberry’s other upscale restaurants—not in the middle of a water park. But having these more refined selections available is a welcome treat; especially when all you want to do after a long day of fun in the sun is relax and indulge.
Speaking of fun, the cocktails at Surf House are also not to be missed. Curated by Miami’s own Cocktail Cartel, the libations list is home to familiar frozen drinks like Strawberry Daiquiris and Piña Coladas, as well as more creative concoctions like a Strawberry Stormy (strawberry-infused rum, nutmeg, ginger) or a Smokey Tommy (mezcal, lime and agave with a savory salt rim). In a large group? Get your preferred cocktail in a pitcher.
The next time you find yourself at Tidal Cove and need to fuel up for all the slides and pools, pay a visit to Surf House. Its approachable yet elevated seafood offerings and refreshing cocktails are rare in a world of water park food that’s phoned in. Other parks need to take note.
In Portugal, they say there are 365 recipes using bacalhau; one recipe for each day of the year. If you’re unfamiliar with bacalhau, it’s codfish that’s dried and salted and considered an absolute staple at most Portuguese dinner tables—and one that is rare to find here in South Florida. However, at Old Lisbon Restaurants, they bring the tradition to life by importing 16 tons of the specialized cod every year to offer customers the finest bacalao dishes in the Miami area. On its way to Old Lisbon, the fish is first fished from Norway, then salted and dried in Portugal. On a menu of over 20 seafood specialties, half of them feature this tasty tradition, and every bite you take is another moment of beachy Lisbon bliss.
Situated in the iconic boutique Marlin Hotel in the Art Deco District of South Beach, Osteria del Teatro offers a nod to the past. Complete with black and white movies on display, soft jazz music playing in the distance, fantastic food, and signature cocktails, Osteria is the place to go when nostalgia strikes. Discover daily happy hour in the quaint lounge area from 5-7pm daily. For only $8, enjoy popular dishes such as the Casoncelli alla Bergamasca, made with handmade candy-shape ravioli and roasted veal stuffing, Parmesan cheese and crispy pancetta, all in a brown butter sage sauce. Try other greats, like the Agnolotti al Pesto or the Ravioli di Pesce. Pair your favorite bite with a signature cocktail, like the Sophia Loren, or perhaps a Bellini, an Old Fashion, or a Scotch Collins. If you ask us, it’s a savory way to unwind every day!
If the 1955 Oldsmobile convertible parked in front of A Fish Called Avalon isn’t enough to make you say, “Wow,” the culinary experience will certainly do the trick! For nearly 30 years, A Fish Called Avalon has set the standard for culinary excellence. For the past 10 years, Executive Chef Kal Abdalla, a veteran of The Forge and a native of the Syrian island of Arwad, has created award-winning dishes adored by locals and travelers alike. To the croons of live music daily, indulge in the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, the Chilean Sea Bass with a miso glaze, and for dessert, try the Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée. It will be the joy ride of a lifetime for your tastebuds!
Bourbon Steak {19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura; 786.279.6600}
When you have the word “steak” in your restaurant name, you’re setting the bar high for your beef. This is especially true when celebrated Chef Michael Mina is attached to the concept. Unsurprisingly, the fine-dining establishment inside JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa offers diners plenty to like—both in the steak department and beyond.
First things first: Bourbon Steak isn’t cheap. The steakhouse fare comes at a premium, with entrees as high as $95 (and even $195 for an 8-ounce Japanese A5 Striploin). Prepare to spend a pretty penny on your meal. But you should also prepare to leave the restaurant in awe.
From start to finish, Bourbon Steak doesn’t disappoint. Instead of bread service, guests are welcomed with a trio of Duck Fat Fries, each with tasty sauces and seasonings like Smoked Paprika, Spicy Ketchup, and Smoky BBQ Sauce. As tempting as it is to gorge on these fries, overdoing it will leave less room for notable starters like Steak Tartare and Spicy Beef Lettuce Cups.
Make sure to balance all that meat with some seafood. The chilled seafood section of the menu features favorites like Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, a Chef’s Oyster Selection, and Caviar Parfait. Larger groups can indulge in heftier items like a Cast-Iron Broiled Shellfish Platter or an Ice-Cold Shellfish Tower.
There’s
so much on the menu that sounds great—so much so that you’re
likely to skip over the salads section. Pro tip: don’t. While
Simple
Greens
may not sound exciting, the salads are done really well; The
‘Wedge”
is big enough for the table and dazzles with its blue cheese, bacon
and a heavenly buttermilk ranch.
Obviously, you can’t visit Bourbon Steak without ordering steak—it’s a crime (we read that somewhere). A range of options are available, including an 8-ounce Filet Mignon, a 16-ounce Delmonico Rib Eye and a 32-ounce Porterhouse. Notably, the 8-ounce, Chef’s Favorite Cut ‘Rib Cap’ gets its own little box on the menu and rightfully so: It’s the perfect balance of tenderness and flavor.
Bourbon Steak Bar
If
steak isn’t your thing, a diverse Land & Sea section includes
Day-Boat
Scallops,Scottish
Salmon,Veal
Chop and
more. Or you can enjoy one of Bourbon Steak’s Signature selections
such as the Miso-Glazed
Sea Bass
or the $95 Maine
Lobster Pot Pie
(a deliciously decadent affair). Daily specials are also up for
grabs, so listen to your server.
Should you have room for dessert, you can stick to something light such as a Chef’s Selection of Cheeses or go all out with Molten Chocolate Cake with malted milk ice cream or the Bourbon Steak Candy Bar with dulce de leche and Guanaja brownie.
In the end, you get what you pay for at Bourbon Steak. A phenomenal dining experience is waiting for you here: You may walk out with your wallet a little lighter, but you’ll be grinning ear-to-ear with a full belly. So treat yourself—you deserve it.
If a fully tantalizing experience is what you’re looking for, check out these all-inclusive specials from the crème de la crème:
The Seventh Annual South Beach Seafood Festival
Are you ready to put your toes in the sand, get a cocktail in your hand, and enjoy some of the best seafood in Miami? This fall, the South Beach Seafood Festival returns for its seventh consecutive year. Brought to you by William Hill and presented by Jack Daniel’s, City of Miami Beach, GOYA Foods, and Baptist Health South Florida, the South Beach Seafood Festival is taking over Miami from October 22-26 to showcase some of the area’s leading chefs and culinary masterminds. Touted as one of the fastest growing festivals in Miami Beach, the beachfront event—which features over 70 different restaurants and mouthwatering eats from Florida’s freshest seafood hotspots—spans five blocks and welcomes over 14,000 seafoodies for a day of fun in the sun in South Beach style. For $49, guests can enjoy seafood dishes paired with complimentary all-day open bar service. If you choose to splurge on the VIP experience ($150) you can enter to win the Land Rover South Dade VIP Hospitality Village and enjoy VIP access to Joe’s Stone Crab Miami, plus a ton of other awesome perks. The five-day event is the perfect combination of gourmet cuisine, wine pairings, live music at three different stages, chef competitions, and seemingly endless interactive experiences, all to benefit a great cause in Miami Dade County: CI Foundation’s EAT SMART program. The South Beach Seafood Festival has become the number three top recurring event on South Beach behind Art Basel and SOBEWFF. Kick off the fun with exclusive experiences at some of South Beach’s favorite spots, such as Meat Market, The Mondrian, or the Shore Club! Tickets can be purchased for all events at SOBASEAFOODFEST.COM
Miami Spice Specials at Market at EDITION
Looking to spice up your dining options? Look no further than Market at EDITION right in the midst of Miami Spice (August 1-September 30). The EDITION hotel’s signature restaurant is pulling out all the stops for the area’s largest and longest food event of the season. Open for lunch Monday-Friday, and dinner Monday-Sunday, Market at EDITION is including fan favorites on its specialty Miami Spice three-course prix-fixe menu, including the Crispy Salmon Sushi, Angel Hair Pasta with asparagus pesto, and Mushroom and Farm Egg Pizza, just to name a few! And why stop there? Also included are signature cocktails and decadent desserts. Brought to you by Michelin-starred chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Market at EDITION is proud to participate in Miami Spice—the perfect opportunity to enjoy Miami Beach’s finest fare at a reduced price but with the same extraordinary culinary experience. EDITIONHOTELS.COM/MIAMI-BEACH/RESTAURANTS-AND-BARS
Sunday Asado at Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann
Nothing says “Sunday Funday” more than Sunday Asado at Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann. Using live fire and traditional Patagonian cooking methods, watch as award-winning chefs prepare a buffet of slow-cooked meats, locally-caught fish, seasonal vegetables, and more—right in front of excited patrons. Priced at $95 per adult, from noon-4pm, pair your brunch with bottomless mimosas, sangría, or Bloody Mary pitchers. If that’s not tempting enough, Sunday Asado guests receive complimentary passes for Faena Beach to finish the morning in total relaxation. And yes, you can bring the whole family! Children are also welcome for $45 per child (ages 10 and younger). FAENA.COM/MIAMI-BEACH/RESTAURANT/LOS-FUEGOS-BY-FRANCIS-MALLMANN
Adventurous Omakase Dinners at Pao by Paul Qui
Every month at Pao by Paul Qui, James Beard award-winning Chef Paul Qui and his culinary team whip up a one-of-a-kind omakase feast centered around a specific theme or ingredient. Set around a communal table where diners can mingle and interact, these intimate epicurean adventures aim to expose guests to flavors they’ve never tried before. Dinners start at $95 per person, with the option to upgrade the experience with a sake or Japanese whiskey pairing. Since the series launched earlier this year, editions have highlighted themes ranging from Wagyu beef and mushrooms to Texas barbecue and beyond. Sign us up! FAENA.COM/MIAMI-BEACH/RESTAURANT/PAO-BY-PAUL-QUI
The Boho Chic Rooftop Scene at Vista
Whether you’re looking for a pre-dinner bite or the perfect ending to your night, why not head to the rooftop at Vista Miami? The two-story modern-Italian restaurant located in the Upper Buena Vista area is a trendy concept combining Italian cuisine with Miami flavor and style. With prices ranging between $9-$29, enjoy delicious bites from the rooftop’s tapas menu—think coconut ceviche, oysters, or picoteo, then top it all off with an after-dinner drink special, like a Carajillo. With live music playing and the greenery surrounding, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a tropical, boho chic dream. VISTAMIAMIRESTAURANT.COM
Last week, Graspa Group eatery Midtown Oyster Bar {3301 Northeast First Avenue, Suite 103-1, Midtown; 786.220.2070} debuted its revamped menu and a new logo with the tagline “A Fish Kitchen.” The popular restaurant is staying true to its original concept by continuing to offer an unmatched selection of fresh oysters, but it has refocused its menu to embrace “seafood dishes made simply.” The idea is to make guests feel comfortable with a more approachable, seafood-centric menu.
The menu has three brand-new sections:
Crudo: Featuring a selection of raw bites such as Salmon Tiradito (marinated salmon, orange, and pink peppercorn), Branzino Carpaccio (fennel, Tuscan pecorino, and caramelized walnuts); and Tuna Tartare (yellowfin tuna, carrot, celery, and zucchini mirepoix).
Fried: Featuring flavorful items such as Croquettes (cod croquettes with spicy aïoli and baby arugula), Fritto Misto (calamari, shrimp, baby smelt, and vegetable tempura), and the Shrimp Combo (shrimp kataifi, phyllo-wrapped, and yogurt mint sauce).
Crostoni: Featuring five sandwiches, including the Open Face 9 Grain Bread (octopus, cabbage, tomato, and crispy kale) and the beloved MOB Burger (Angus beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion with french fries).
Other menu additions include the Burrata appetizer (white anchovies, tomato confit, baby arugula, and crispy onions); the Duo of Sardines (homemade, marinated sardines with brioche bread and homemade butter and breaded sardines topped with pickled onions); and the Mediterranean Salad (organic salad blend, grapefruit, pistachios, grilled calamari, and berry dressing).
A lot of changes are happening in Brickell, where seemingly a new skyscraper or real estate project is sprouting up daily. But rest assured, there’s one local favorite that’s not being engulfed by the construction chaos: The River Seafood & Oyster Bar {650 South Miami Avenue, Brickell; 305.530.1915}.
Since 2003, The River has been welcoming Brickell residents and nearby office workers with its laid-back, no-fuss ambience, outrageous happy hour, and fresh-from-the-sea menu options. It almost seemed inevitable that the restaurant would have to close due to the construction of the massive Brickell City Centre, the same project that forced Miami’s oldest bar, Tobacco Road, to shutter in late-2014. Instead, The River used the time to give itself a facelift, expanding its bar area and adding a new oyster-shucking station featuring its already-famous daily selection of oysters from around the country.
Tuna Poke
DiningOut recently had the chance to check out the updated digs, and we couldn’t have been more impressed. The place was hopping as usual, especially around the bar area and the new communal table. And the food tasted better than ever. For our appetizers, we tried the Tuna Poke, the Grilled Octopus, and the Thai Barbecued Ribs. Everything served was fresh from the kitchen, perfectly cooked and presented with extra attention to detail.
Grilled Octopus
For our main courses, we split the NY Strip Steak, served on a piping hot plate (a great option for non-seafood fans), and the extremely delicate Snapper Fillet, a highlight of the evening.
Snapper Fillet
The River is already known for having a reasonably priced menu, and now, it has stepped up its game on Tuesdays with its $20 Lobster Night. Now, you can treat yourself to five lobster dish specials for only $20 each. Choose from Lobster-Foie Gras Spring Rolls; Lobster Udon Noodles with pork belly and spicy crab-lobster broth; rich Pappardelle and Lobster; the classic Lobster Bun with crème fraîche and lemon on a brioche bun; or the savory Lobster Bake in parchment paper with artichokes, cream, and corn.
Lobster Udon Noodles
And more good news! Although we encourage you to check out the restaurant’s updated interior, The River has now partnered with GrubHub to offer delivery for both lunch and dinner. Simply place your order online or through the GrubHub app and within one hour, you’ll have your pick of The River favorites.
For the freshest seafood in town, DiningOut has always been a huge fan of Fish Fish {13488 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami; 786.732.3124}. But now, we’re borderline obsessed! The restaurant has brought on Chef Peter Cadavieco, a Miami native previously of Red Fish Grill, the Doral Marriott (now the Trump National Doral), and Blue Point Ocean Grill at the Hard Rock in Hollywood. He has created a new and improved menu to go along with the restaurant’s already cool ambience and friendly atmosphere.
We had the chance to sit down with Chef Cadavieco to discuss his background, the new menu, tips for preparing fish, and much more. See below for the conversation that unfolded.
Tell us a bit about your background. Where are you originally from? How did you get started in the food world? I was born and raised in Miami. It’s pretty rare these days, as most people here are transplants from somewhere else. I started cooking at an early age because my grandmother was a terrible cook. My mother subscribed to Gourmet magazine, and I just started experimenting. My mother actually forbade me to go to culinary school out of high school. So, I went to FIU and tried to do it like everyone else. But eventually, I made it back to the kitchen.
What drew you to Fish Fish? I was looking for a small, privately owned business that I could team up with and create something special. This was a unique opportunity to do that with a beautiful restaurant with owners that care and a customer base that was eager for a breath of fresh air.
Tell us about the new menu. What changes have you made? The new menu is a much more modern approach to seafood. It’s simple yet with complex flavors. The focal point is the fresh fish and ingredients that stand out on their own. Some of the new items include Grouper Reuben Sliders and Coconut Curry Mussels. I also introduced an authentic ceviche (pictured above)—bold, tart, and spicy.
How did your background influence these changes? I am probably in the minority of chefs whose background really doesn’t influence their cooking. I grew up eating simple Cuban food. Honestly, if I never eat arroz con pollo again, I will die a happy man.
What do you hope to expand upon in the future? As we grow our business, I hope to introduce more fresh catch-of-the-day items. We are also introducing a Burger Night on Sundays that will feature one beef burger and some type of seafood burger each week. The first Burger Night takes place on May 24 and will feature a Shrimp and Pork Belly Burger with watercress and spicy mayo and a Barbecue Bison Burger with housemade barbecue sauce, fried leeks, and fire-roasted poblanos.
Favorite new menu items? It’s a toss up between the Shrimp Scampi (pictured above) and the Whole Grilled Lobster. The Shrimp Scampi is different in that we serve the whole head-on prawns. It really adds to the flavor of the dish—and the presentation is magnificent. Our Maine Lobster is truly a sight to behold: a two pound lobster split in the middle, brushed with garlic butter, and grilled whole. It’s served with a massive bed of truffle fries and Carolina-style coleslaw. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!
What tips would you give for someone preparing fish at home? Preparing fish is all about getting the freshest fish possible. Unfortunately, the major grocery stores are not very good with their handling of fresh fish. For cooking, I always recommend to stay clear of heavy cream sauces. Use vinaigrettes instead. They will enhance the fish’s wonderful flavor.
What do you love most about working at Fish Fish so far? The fact that it’s a small restaurant and that I have control over the food and have the last say with it. Another great plus is that I get to interact with the guests at their tables and talk food with them. It’s a rewarding experience when you see the smile on guests’ faces after they eat your dish.
Do you have a favorite food or guilty pleasure? My favorite food on this earth will always be foie gras. I don’t use it in the traditional sense. I actually use it more like a butter to add fat in my food. Of course, it is an indulgence. I have to say my everyday favorite food is a properly smoked beef brisket sandwich. That and some scratch-made mashed potatoes and I’m a happy guy!
