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Chart House

By Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor

Still no reservations for Mother’s Day? No problem! We founded up our favorite places for both brunch and spa, but many more options for Mother’s Day dining in Miami exist. Since there’s never too many ways we can celebrate Mom this year, below are a few more places in Miami offering specials on Sunday, May 10.

1. Chart House {51 Chart House Drive, Coconut Grove; 305.856.9741}
As Coconut Grove’s favorite waterfront restaurant, you can’t really go wrong by booking your family’s Mother’s Day brunch here. Chart House’s sweeping salad bar, selection of fresh fish dishes such as the signature Macadamia Crusted Mahi or Snapper Hemmingway, and a decadent Hot Lava Chocolate Cake are all waiting to be enjoyed.

2. The Bazaar by José Andrés {1701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.455.2999}
Enjoy a specialty brunch menu featuring dishes such as Huevos a la Cubana with fried rice, tomato sauce, bacon, banana, and fried egg; SLS Eggs Benedicto with poached eggs, English muffin, hollandaise air, and Canadian bacon; and Torrijas, The French Toast-Spanish Connection featuring sweet soaked Spanish toast, mango, and Garden of Ian hone. Click here for full menu.

3. db Bistro Moderne {255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Downtown; 305.421.8800}
In addition to its regular menu, Chef Daniel Boulud’s downtown eatery is offering an elegant three-course prix-fixe menu featuring classic French-inspired dishes. Choice of main dishes include Maine Salmon with vidalia onion, sorrel, and pumpernickel; Omelette with ham, Gruyère cheese, wild mushrooms, and petite salade; or Local Dayboat Swordfish with potato causa, achiote, and tomato. And, of course, a full menu of decadent desserts will also be available.

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4. Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833}
Lincoln Road’s go-to destination for fine Northern Italian cuisine is offering several specialty Mother’s Day items created by Executive Chefs Alex Protilo and Yoandry Garciga. Expect to find Maine Lobster Tartare with avocado, tomatoes, lemon dressing, and Tradition caviar; Risotto with Champagne, scallops, zucchini, and Tradition caviar; Seared Beef Filet Mignon wrapped in prosciutto with purple mashed potatoes, asparagus, and a truffle demi-glace sauce (pictured above); and a Coconut Millefoglie with a blackberry sorbet for dessert.

5. Piripi {Village of Merrick Park, 320 San Lorenzo Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.448.2423}
Celebrate Mom at the Village of Merrick Park with the shopping center’s newest restaurant. Enjoy a convivial journey across Spain with traditional dishes through Chef Najat Kanaache’s creative lens. In addition to homespun regional favorites, Chef Najat is offering all moms a complimentary dessert: Mil Hojas, Catalan cream with mango purée. Keep the day alive by taking Mom for a little post-brunch shopping spree. You know she deserves it.

6. Siena Tavern {404 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.534.5577}
For its first year open for Mother’s Day, Siena Tavern will be offering a special prix-fixe menu, which was inspired by Chef Fabio Viviani’s own mother. Start off with the Heirloom Tomato Salad with grilled asparagus tips, Gorgonzola dolce, Marcona almond vinaigrette, and white balsamic; next, enjoy the pan-seared halibut with artichoke caponata, pea shoots, sea salt, and grilled lemon. For dessert, indulge in the Meyer Lemon and Blueberry Bread Pudding with candied pistachio and toasted marshmallow. The specialty cocktail of the day will be the Spring Spritz, a combination of Grey Goose le Melon, aperol, pink grapefruit, and lemon.

bellmont spanish restaurant

7. Bellmont Spanish Restaurant {339 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; 786.502.4684}
Not only will this Coral Gables gem be offering an expansive brunch featuring huevos rotos, eggs Benedict, goat cheese with langoustines, and more (all for just $39 per person), but the restaurant is featuring a special four-course prix-fixe menu featuring its unique “Cochinillo a la Leña” suckling pig (pictured above) roasted in a traditional wood-fired oven brought from Spain.

Chef Tim Andriola & Belkys Nerey

Chef Tim Andriola of Basil Park & Event Ambassador Belkys Nerey

On Friday, April 24, 2015, the who’s who of the Miami food scene gathered at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden for an evening of small bites, beverages, and mingling with some of the city’s best chefs and local farmers. The occasion? The fourth-annual Snail of Approval Tasting Party—dubbed Miami’s “Freshest Night Out.” Presented by Slow Food Miami, the party raises funds to support the 100-percent volunteer nonprofit dedicated to “planting a fresher future for our children.” All in all, the event raises funds for 20 new edible gardens throughout the community.

Chef Alex Chang of Vagabond Restaurant & Bar

Chef Alex Chang of Vagabond Restaurant & Bar

All restaurant participants, which included previous Snail of Approval Winners such as Siena Tavern and Meat Market, embrace the farm-to-table movement, incorporating only fresh, local produce, fish, and meats into their dishes. All of the participating chefs honor the producers, purveyors, and artisans who contribute to food and beverage quality, authenticity, and sustainability.

Chef Paula DaSilva of 3030 Ocean

Chef Paula DaSilva of 3030 Ocean

Upon arrival, we were given a tiny clothespin and instructed to place it in the jar of the table that we thought offered the “Best Bite of the Night.” The options were near-endless, but several stood out in our minds, including the Roasted Tofu and Radish Sprout Summer Roll with cashew dipping sauce from Chef Mark Zeituni of Lido at The Standard; the GF Sapodilla Braised Wild Boar with local cheese arepa and root vegetable relish from Chef Kris Wessel of Oolite; and the fresh bread paired with Lucini Olive Oil from Zak “The Baker” Stern.

Snail of Approval chefs and hosts

Snail of Approval chefs and hosts

Around 8:30pm, Belkys Nerey, the ambassador for the evening and an Emmy award-winning journalist of WSVN’s 7 NEWS, took to the microphone to announce the winners for “Best Bite of the Night”: Chef Alex Chang of Vagabond Restaurant and Bar for his Cobia Tartare with yuzu, avocado, and quinoa; and Chef Paula DaSilva of 3030 Ocean for her Florida Rabbit Taco with Swank Farm slaw and fermented pepper sauce.

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.

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By Sherri Balefsky | Contributing Writer 

The whirlwind weekend that is the South Beach Wine & Food Festival officially kicked off on Thursday, with dozens of events scattered throughout the city. Here’s a look inside the most exciting weekend (for food lovers!) in Miami, and our three favorite events during the festival weekend.

1. The Italian Al Fresco Feast

On Thursday evening, we headed for the tents, which spanned several blocks on the sands of South Beach. Despite the brisk temperatures, there was no way we were missing the festival’s first-ever Italian Al Fresco Feast on the Beach hosted by the Cooking Channel’s Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos. The evening was sponsored by storied pasta brand Ronzoni, which was celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Ronzoni Pasta's 100th Anniversary: Al Fresco Feast Sponsored By MIAMI Magazine Hosted By Debi Mazar & Gabriele Corcos - 2015 Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival

This night was all things Italian, featuring over 30 chefs from around the nation offering hungry event goers variations on their signature pasta dishes—spaghetti, linguini, rigatoni, ravioli, tortellini, and more in red sauce, pink sauce, Alfredo, pesto—every delectable combination you could imagine, all paired with Folonari Amore Italia wines. Several notable south Florida restaurants participated, including Chef Israel Mora of the new Brickell eatery Tamarina with a Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli topped with sage butter sauce, and Fabio Viviani of Siena Tavern with delicious wagyu meatballs.

Ronzoni Pasta's 100th Anniversary: Al Fresco Feast Sponsored By MIAMI Magazine Hosted By Debi Mazar & Gabriele Corcos - 2015 Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival

2. Best of the Best at the Fontainebleau

On Friday evening, while many Sobe Festers returned to the tents for the ninth annual Amstel Light Burger Bash, we headed to a more intimate affair at the Fontainebleau hotel. Aptly named the Best of the Best, the Wine Spectator-sponsored evening was arguably one of the more exclusive events of the weekend, attended only by the who’s who of Miami, New York, and beyond.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach Presents Wine Spectator's Best Of The Best Sponsored By Bank Of America And Merrill Lynch - 2015 Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food

The event, which took place inside the hotel’s Sparkle Ballroom, was an overwhelming maze of over 60 featured restaurants, each serving up samplings of their best gourmet dishes. Restaurants were interspersed with equally impressive wineries offering sizable tastings and interesting tidbits about their varietals. True to its name, this event certainly was the best of the best, especially since all of the wines offered were rated 90 points or higher on Wine Spectator’s prestigious scale.

Top chefs came from all over the United States, though many of them were from right here in Miami, including the Fontainebleau’s very own Chefs Scott Conant and Michael Mina. Other notable South Florida restaurants in attendance included db Bistro Moderne, Katsuya, Seaspice, BLT Steak, and the Biltmore’s Palme d’Or, among many others.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach Presents Wine Spectator's Best Of The Best Sponsored By Bank Of America And Merrill Lynch - 2015 Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Fontainebleau Miami Beach Presents Wine Spectator's Best Of The Best Sponsored By Bank Of America And Merrill Lynch - 2015 Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food

3. Eats & Beats Miami

On Saturday night, we switched gears, opting for a more low-key experience: the second-annual Eats & Beats Miami, an event–that’s not officially part of SoBe Fest–that took place at the glitzy Moore Building in the Design District. Luckily, we arrived early, because by the time we were through (about two hours in), the line to get in had snaked around the block.

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A combination event for both foodies and music lovers, the evening featured four floors of local restaurants offering a smorgasbord of tastings, from Asian-inspired dishes, to juicy slabs of rib-eye, to Indian curry, to empanadas, to sushi. The beverage offerings were diverse as well—wine, beer, Champagne, tequila, rum, vodka, you name it—Eats & Beats had all its bases covered.

The DJ booth didn’t miss a beat, which included sets by Michelle Leshem, Sean Drake, Chris Valencia, and Malone. All in all, it was the perfect ending to a very hectic—but very enjoyable—weekend. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year! Until then, our palates won’t quite be the same.

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This Valentine’s Day, there are tons of romantic activities, dinners, and specials to celebrate in the Miami area. From lavish five-course dinners, to luxurious spa packages, we don’t know where to begin! Here’s our round-up of the ultimate V Day events to take advantage of.

Deals and Packages

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Cleopatra’s Love Package

Surprise your better half with a memorable Skyline seaplane tour and a romantic dinner for two at the famous Cleo South Beach {1776 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach}. Your night will begin with a 15-minute flight from the bay towards South Beach. You will pass over the eclectic Downtown Miami, Star Island and admire the trendy South Beach Deco Drive with its many hotels and restaurants. The package is just $395 for two, and is available February 14 and 15. Upgrade with a bottle of Moet Rose or Whispering Angel Rose for $445.

Valentine’s Day Spa Deals at The Mandarin Oriental

Indulge in one of the spa packages at The Mandarin Oriental {500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami}. The Couples Delight package is perfect for guests seeking a truly pampered and romantic experience, offering all the pleasures of the hotel’s five-star spa enhanced by amorous amenities. The package includes two hours of treatment time plus relaxation time in a VIP Couples Suite, Champagne, and an assortment of chocolate pralines. The package is $720 plus gratuities for two, or $360 plus gratuities for one, excluding advanced facials.

Perfect as a gift for a loved one or as a personal treat for Valentine’s Day, the spa is also offering the luxurious Perfect Beauty package. With an 80-minute Hydrating Oxygen Facial and a manicure, guests will leave feeling pampered, refreshed, and looking their best. The package is $285 plus gratuities.

Couples seeking an experience to treat the senses can enjoy the Couples Connection Journey, which includes Inner Strength Massage in the VIP Couples Suite, side-by-side Mandarin pedicures with mimosas, and his and hers perfume from Dossage to take home. The Journey is $845 plus gratuities, and is also available for one.

My Valentine Package at Azul 

Azul {Mandarin Oriental, 500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami} is offering the My Valentine Package, which includes overnight accommodations in a deluxe room, a full American breakfast at La Mar with mimosas, and a romantic welcome gift including a bottle of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, for $739.

Dinners and Meals

La Mar Chocolate Mousse HR

A Special Evening at La Mar by Gastón Acurio

La Mar by Gastón Acurio {Mandarin Oriental, 500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami} will serve a trio of special dishes created in celebration of romance, with Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline serving as the backdrop. Available on an á la carte basis from 5:30-11pm on February 14, the Power, Passion, and Spicy menu is priced from $9 to $25 per dish and includes:

  • Power Cebiche with scallops, oysters, and uni in a creamy rocoto leche de tigre with chalaca
  • Passion Tiradito with thinly sliced salmon, peanut sauce, and passionfruit leche de tigre
  • Spicy Parihuela, a traditional Peruvian soup with chiles, served with toasted baguette

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Azul

At Azul {Mandarin Oriental, 500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami}, a sumptuous five-course Valentine’s Day menu will be served from 6:30-11pm on February 13 and 14 for $148 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Guests will enjoy:

  • Two glasses of Champagne per couple
  • Beausoleil Oyster with herb granita and Tellicherry
  • Citrus Marinated Beets with caviar, crème fraîche, fennel, and radish
  • Maine Lobster Espagnole with tomato, saffron, lavender, potato, and garlic
  • Wagyu Beef Duet with au poivre, onion mousse, pickled shallot, black truffle, and forest mushroom
  • His and Hers Desserts: Passionfruit Mascarpone Cream Dehydrated Strawberries with white chocolate sorbet, and Chocolate Truffle Cream Salted Caramel Crunch with peanut ice cream

Un-Valentine’s Day Boozy Brunch at Barceloneta 

Chef Juliana Gonzalez has singles and couples covered at Barceloneta {locations in South Beach and Miami Beach}. From noon to 4pm, guests can celebrate their singlehood at the Un-Valentine’s Day Boozy Brunch. For $30, one can enjoy specials à la carte and an open bar that includes: well liquors, draft beer, Aperol, and citrus popsicles, tangerine Mimosas, and a make-your-own sangría bar, including three different types of sangría with fresh fruit.

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Barceloneta 

At Barceloneta {locations in South Beach and Miami Beach}, couples can enjoy a six-course dinner for two, plus a bottle of Juve Camps Reserva de la Familia Cava, for $90. Sample menu items include Salmon Crudo with raw salmon with a citrus vinaigrette, watermelon radish, pickled grapes, and garnished with salmon roe; Fig Toast with rustic flatbread with herbed goat cheese, Port-poached figs, Forum reduction, and Paleta Iberico de Bellota Ham; Grilled Langostines with grilled prawns over a bouillabaisse broth and garnished with a fresh fennel salad; and Strawberries and Cream with compressed strawberries, stracciatella gelato, balsamic reduction, and sugared rose petals. Call for reservations.

A Special Menu at L’echon Brasserie

Chefs Jose Mendin and Josh Elliott are letting couples celebrate Valentine’s Day from Friday throuh Sunday at L’echon Brasserie {Hilton Cabana, 6261 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach}. Guests will enjoy a special menu including dishes such as Foie Gras Torchon with Sicilian pistachio, rhubarb chutney and confit, aged balsamic, and brioche; and Butter Poached Maine Lobster with sauce Américaine, orange, braised fennel, and lobster mushroom. Call for reservations: 786.483.1640.

Oratnique Interior

Lovers Lane Martini at Ortanique on the Mile

Enjoy menu specials and this V Day cocktail at Ortanique on the Mile {278 Miracle Miles, Coral Gable} from 5-11pm. Or, shake up the martini yourself with this recipe!

Lovers Lane Martini

Muddle 2 ounces watermelon in a shaker. Add 1/2 ounce St. Germaine, 1/2 ounce lychee juice, and 2 ounces Bacardi grand melon, and shake vigorously. Serve in chilled martini glass with a watermelon garnish.

The Biltmore

Valentine’s Day at The Biltmore

At Palme d’Or {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables}, enjoy a five-course tasting menu prepared by Chef Pugin for $135 per person. Over at Fontana {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables}, a three-course dinner for $95 per person tempts. Fontana is also offering La Settimana del Tartufo–a week of truffles! Chef Beppe will serve four courses featuring truffles for $75 per person. Make your reservations online or by calling 305.913.3200.

The Avalon

Three-Courses at A Fish Called Avalon 

Choose from a medley of offerings to create three fantastic courses for your Valentine’s Day Dinner at A Fish Called Avalon {700 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach}. Sample selections include charcoal-grilled Mediterranean Octopus or Bang Bang Shrimp for the first course; an 8oz Roquefort Filet Mignon or Macadamia-Crusted Snapper for the main course; and  Chef Kal’s Cheesecake or Classic Key Lime Pie for dessert. Pricing depends on entrée choice, and ranges from $42-$180.

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Valentine’s Menu at Seaspice

A five-course menu plus a bottle of Veuve Rose at Seaspice {422 Northwest North River Drive, Miami} is a splendid way to spend Valentine’s Day with your significant other. The first course is a dozen Shigoku Oysters served family-style. The second course is a Pan-Seared Diver Scallop. The third course is Alaskan King Crab Fettuccini, and the fourth course is the Wood Oven Roasted Chateaubriand with chestnut purée, Brussels sprout petals, and fresh shaved black winter périgard truffles. For dessert, look forward to the Strawberry and Rosewater Crémeux. The dinner is $500 per couple, excluding tax and service charge.

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Valentine’s Day Dinner at Siena Tavern

Siena Tavern {404 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach} is offering a four-course prix-fixe menu for $85 this Valentine’s Day. Add on an order of West Coast Oysters for $20 to start your evening, and a bottle of Champagne to make sure it stays lively and fun. Here’s a sampling of some of the dishes on the menu: Burrata with seared foie gras, walnut crème, pomegranate, and brioche toast; Beet Gnocchi; Pan Seared Branzino; and Red Velvet Cake with dark chocolate gelato and candied rose petals.

Valentine’s at Zen Sai

Indulge in a three-course dinner at Zen Sai {1001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach} this Valentine’s Day for just $49 per person (plus tax and gratuity). The meal comes with one glass of wine or Champagne, or a specialty cocktail. Enjoy Asian-flavored dishes like Garbanzo Spring Rolls, Robata Grilled Organic Chicken Steak, and Fried Green Tea Ice Cream.

Miami is ringing in a slew of recently opened restaurants with the new year. Here’s a look at the latest and greatest.

Midtown Oyster Bar {3301 Northeast First Avenue, Suite 103-1, Miami; 786.220.2070}
From the creators of Salumeria 104 comes Midtown Oyster Bar, a seafood-centered restaurant located inside the Shops at Midtown. You’ll find a daily selection of oysters plus many other New England favorites that have a hint of Italian, like Scampi Crudi, Lobster Rolls, and other seasonally-inspired items. The restaurant is cozy yet elegant, with nautical accents and colors, comfortable seating, a dimly lit bar, raw offerings at the oyster bar, and an inviting outdoor patio.

Tamarina {600 Brickell Avenue, Miami; 305.579.1888}
Tamarina is a new concept by famed restaurateur Arjun Waney—who co- founded zuma, Coya, La Petite Maison, and The Arts Club in London—and husband-and-wife team Yona and Tunu Puri. Enjoy authentic, seasonal Italian coastal cuisine in the restaurant’s pristine dining room, and don’t miss the chance to order from the oyster bar, the restaurant’s crown jewel. Also of note is Tamarina’s alfresco, candlelit terrace with its own Champagne bar.

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Siena Tavern {404 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.534.5577}
What began as a trip to his native Italy has now transpired into a tantalizing culinary venture by Fabio Viviani, a “Top Chef” Season Five fan favorite. Opened in November in Miami’s quiet SoFi neighborhood, Siena Tavern has found the perfect balance between an upscale eatery and an upbeat tavern, with a lush dining room and outdoor terrace, open kitchen, and a fully-stocked bar with a cocktail menu curated by bartenders Elad Zavi and Gabriel Orta of the acclaimed Broken Shaker in South Beach. The menu includes locally-sourced produce and seafood, as well as Siena Tavern’s signature dishes, like Wagyu Beef Meatball and housemade Gnocchi with Truffle Cream and Crispy Pancetta. It’s as if Siena met South Beach, and it doesn’t get much better than that.

American Social {690 Southwest First Court, Miami; 786.801.2466}
Whether you arrive by foot or by sea, American Social is the place to be when you’re looking for a good time with friends. Just ask anyone in Fort Lauderdale, where the original haunt has a cult following. It was the first restaurant in South Florida to implement a table tap system, which puts pouring power in the hands of its customers. With a hefty selection of 52 craft beers and counting, it’s definitely a place for beer connoisseurs. Whether you come to watch a game on one of their 20 high-definition TVs, or simply for the live music and DJs on any given night, you’re guaranteed a good time.

IKRA Restaurant & Lounge {16850 Collins Avenue #106, Sunny Isles Beach; 305.974.0081}
As the largest restaurant in Sunny Isles, IKRA offers six distinct dining areas in which to indulge in extravagant seafood dishes, all prepared under the direction of Patrick Kirchner, who has worked at five-star restaurants across the globe. But besides the food and the live nightly entertainment, IKRA is notable for one thing that no other restaurant in Miami can offer: babysitters on staff, who will watch the little ones in a separate play room. Parents, you’ve found your nirvana.

Lokum Mediterranean Bar and Grill {1629 Alton Road, Miami Beach; 786.768.2423}
Located at the corner of Alton and Lincoln Road; Lokum Mediterranean Bar and Grill serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine at one of South Beach’s most bustling intersections. With options to dine in, take out, or place an order for delivery, Lokum offers affordable and quick cuisine for under $15, whether you’re into healthy appetizers like Baba Ghanoush and freshly-made tzatziki, or you just want a classic Falafel.

Moye {829 Southwest First Avenue, Miami; 305.372.5168}
Moye, Brickell’s latest Italian import, embraces the spirit of its parent restaurant—the much revered Sardinia Enoteca in Sunset Harbour—adding its own touch to classic regional Italian cuisine. With three locations in Milan and Florence, the restaurant is inspired by the cuisine of Puglia, known as the birthplace of Burrata, and for its great wines and olive oils. Fresh mozzarella and breads are made in-house daily in Moye’s open kitchen, and the restaurant features a rotating seasonal menu guests can enjoy inside the restaurant’s intimate 70-seat dining room or in its airy patio.

Campania {4029 North Miami Avenue}
In addition to newcomer Moye, the team behind Sardinia Enoteca is bringing more regional Italian cuisine onto mainland Miami. Campania, located in the former Egg & Dart space in the Design District, focuses on the sun-kissed cuisine of Napoli and the Amalfi Coast. Expect made-to-order pizzas created in its custom- made pizza oven, along with a retail marketplace where you can purchase fresh mozzarella and other authentic Italian products.

Cibo {100 South Pointe Drive at Continuum, South Beach; 305.442.4925}
After seeing much success with a location on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, Cibo Wine Bar will be opening this December in the up-and-coming South of Fifth area in South Beach. The brand is most notable for its extensive wine selection, impeccable service, and rustic Italian cuisine. This South Beach location is a special one, as it offers the only rooftop venue in the entire neighborhood.

Babylon Turkish Restaurant {560 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.216.7230}
Babylon brings traditional, fine-dining Turkish cuisine to vibrant South Beach. Experience relaxed, comfortable elegance, along with sultry belly dancers and world music entertainment, every night. Whether indoors under an elaborate mosaic chandelier or upon the restaurant’s lush, tree-lined patio, a meal here makes you feel as though you’ve actually stepped into the storied Gardens of Babylon. Order from a menu of classic Turkish mezes, lamb plates, seafood dishes, kabobs, moussaka, and more. Finish with a scratch-made dessert. Come to Babylon, and savor the deliciously revived flavors of an ancient empire.

Cleo {17756 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.534.2536}
Listed as number five on OpenTable’s list of “50 Hottest Restaurants in the U.S.,” Cleo is poised to impress guests in Miami just as it did in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The Mediterranean-inspired menu is enhanced to reflect South Beach’s bold, tropical flavors. Located within The Redbury South Beach, Cleo’s old-school Tinseltown setting spells dress up to dine. Continue feeling fancy as you sip specialty cocktails made with fresh juices and tropical ingredients. You can’t get much “hotter” than that.

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STRIPSTEAK at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami; 877.326.7412}
It has arrived. What, you ask? The award-wining, hot-trotting, Las Vegas-based concept from acclaimed Chef Michael Mina: STRIPSTEAK. This past November, STRIPSTEAK debuted at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach—as if we didn’t already have a reason or five to stroll into the hotel for a meal before this development. Yes, there’s our beloved Hakkasan, La Côte, and MICHAEL MINA 74, but now there’s also what promises to be a fantastic new concept calling our name. Here are a few reasons why we’re particularly excited: à la carte cuts from the onsite aging room and butcher shop, a fabulous raw bar, and seasonally- sourced, ocean-to-table seafood. An open kitchen means you can watch all the action as your appetite peaks. For the über-curious, here’s a preview: Chef de Cuisine Derrick Roberts will be pitting two wagyus against one another on the plate, in the American vs. Australian Wagyu entrée. That’s two cuts served with parsnip purée, Granny Smith apple, and fresh horseradish. We’ll compare and contrast meat from Chef Roberts any time.

Bellmónt Spanish Restaurant {339 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; 786.502.4684}
Bellmónt Spanish Restaurant brings the laid-back, elegant ambience and flavorful cuisine of Spain to Miracle Mile. Inside you’ll find a large 14,500-pound wood-fired oven imported directly from the country, not to mention a handcrafted wine bar carrying the best vintages from Europe. Chef and Owner Sergio Catalina Bellmónt himself hails from Spain, bringing with him an assortment of tapas, Spanish-inspired pizzas, and made-from-scratch dishes unique to Miracle Mile.

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Berries in the Grove {2884 Southwest 27th Avenue, Coconut Grove; 305.488.2111}
By the time you read this, Berries’ expansion will be complete and ready to book your private parties. They’ve taken over the former Las Culebrinas, Honey for the Bears, and Carlos in the Grove space to double their bar, seating, and parking capacity. Most importantly, they now have real indoor seating, so you can feel free to stay awhile.

By Erin Lavan | Associate Publisher

Sometimes, it’s best to leave the stress and fuss of holiday hosting and cooking to the professionals. Everyone needs a year off from time to time! Let one of Miami’s fine restaurants host you and yours for Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve dinners and parties, or New Year’s Day affairs.

Christmas Events

Traditional Mexican at Porfirio’s
Porfirio’s Restaurant is serving a prix-fixe traditional Mexican menu on Christmas Eve with a choice of one appetizer, a first course, a main course, and dessert for $65.

DB Bistro XMAS_NYE (2)

Dinner at db Bistro Moderne
From 6-10pm on Christmas Eve, db Bistro Executive Chef Jason Pringle will serve an á la carte menu of seasonal specials like Roasted Prime Rib and Nantucket Bay Scallops. What’s for dessert? A Classic Bûche de Noël.

Dinner at Trapiche Room
On Christmas Eve, join Trapiche from 6-10:30pm for an exquisite holiday dinner for $120 per person.

Classic Spanish Holiday Treats at Bellmónt
Bellmónt is sharing the Spanish holiday love this year on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Think traditional treats and a glass of Spanish cider, as is tradition in Spanish households. $150 per person, and $60 per child.

You can also enjoy Bellmónt’s signature “Cochinilla a la Leña” either at the restaurant or ordered for your own home with 12 hours notice. This whole suckling pig is roasted in a Spain-imported wood-fired oven.

Prix-Fixe Five Ways at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach
At any one of the Fontainebleau’s five concepts– Scarpetta, Hakkasan, Michael Mina 74, StripSteak by Michael Mina, and Vida–enjoy a special prix-fixe menu to celebrate the Christmas holiday. Visit the website for more info.

Christmas Fare at The Setai
On Christmas Eve, The Setai will offer two Christmas Eve menus (one vegetarian menu) for $110 per person with offerings such as Champs-Elysées Soup Bay Scallops with roasted morel-herb butter; Fish Fumet with Noilly Prat; Dover Sole Poached with garden nage and lemon thyme; Polenta Crispy Poached Egg with a fricassee of mushrooms and Burgundy truffle,  and La Buche De Noel Chestnut and Black Currant and Hazelnut Rum with chestnut ice cream.

On Christmas Day, The Setai will serve a holiday buffet to the tune of a modern jazz trip from 11:30am-3:30pm for $95 per person. Dig into dishes like ham, leg of lamb, Alaskan king crab legs, and desserts aplenty.

Throw a Pig Roast
If you’re hosting a Christmas dinner and haven’t yet figured out your main course, we have excellent news for you. Through December 24, you can order a whole-roasted six-pound suckling pig from Pubbelly Chef Jose Mendin. This Puerto Rican tradition is sure to floor all your guests. It serves five to seven people and comes with mofongo, tostones, arooz mamposteao, and a six-pack of Medalla with Pubbelly sauces. Place your order soon as a 48-hour pre-order is required. The pig is priced at $250 plus tax and service. Email [email protected] to order.

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Holiday Tasting Menu at Siena Tavern 
Join Siena Tavern for Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day four-course dinners from 6-11pm for $85 per person, and $35 for wine pairings. The courses will include an antipasti of Octopus Carpaccio, a choice of  Pasti, an entrée of Branzino or Herb-Crusted Bone-In Prime Rib, and Spiced Brioche Bread Pudding for dessert.

Holiday Menu at Seasalt and Pepper
On Christmas Day, Seasalt and Pepper will serve a holiday menu from noon-11pm.

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Lobster at Semilla
For $59 from December 24-30, enjoy a lobster menu at Semilla Eatery and Bar. The dinner will include a lobster appetizer (like the Lobster Causa Croquettes with tartar sauce), an entrée (like the Lobster and Truffle Risotto), and a dessert.

New Year’s Eve Events

Toast to 2015 at The Bazaar by José Andrés
The Bazaar menu blends Andrés’ Spanish heritage and personal ingenuity with influences from the local Latin culinary tradition. The $175 per person menu will feature dishes like Cotton Candy Foie Gras and Tuna Ceviche. The first seating is at 6pm, and the second is at 9pm. Make your reservation online.

Sushi and Robata at Katsuya
Enjoy Katsuya Chef Uechi’s signature sushi and robata with new touches inspired by Miami’s local Latin flavor this New Year’s Eve. The first seating is at 6pm, and the second is at 9pm. The $145 per person menu will be served family-style and feature courses like Wagyu Carpaccio, Yakimon Whole Fish, and the Chef’s sushi selection. Make your reservation online.

NYE 2015 Vintro Hotel

A Five-Course Dinner at Vintro Kitchen
At 9pm, enjoy a five-course dinner at Vintro Kitchen with bottomless red, white, and rosé wines and Prosecco for $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Afterwards, enjoy a party in the Scorpion Bar.

Party at Casa Juancho
Casa Juancho‘s doors open at 8pm. A special prix-fixe menu will be available. Make reservations by calling 303.642.2452.

Wine Pairing Dinner at Tamarina
This special evening at Tamarina will be divided into two seatings. The first seating at 7pm will feature the fixed menu for $95 or $130 with expertly paired wines of Vermentino, Macon-Villages, Tempranillo, Riesling, and Limoncello.

The second seating at 9pm will also feature the fixed menu for $95 or $150 with the paired wines and a New Year’s Eve after party with an open bar package that includes Russian Standard vodka, Beefeater gin, 10 Cane rum, 4 Rouses bourbon, Olmeca tequila, Gavi di Gavi white wine, Corvina red wine, Sommariva Prosecco, domestic and imported beers, soft drinks, coffee, and tea.

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Something Different at Uvaggio
For $250 per person, Uvaggio Wine Bar brings you the best Champagnes from France and the US, oysters, caviar, crab, and so much more. Call to reserve your spot: 305.448.2400.

NYE 2014 Menu A fish called avalon

Five Courses at A Fish Called Avalon
For $250 per person, enjoy five courses and Laurent Perrier Champagne split bottle at A Fish Called Avalon. Mediterranean Meze, Lobster Thermidor, and Latin-Caribbean music, oh my!

A Special Menu at Tuyo
Tuyo‘s first seating is at 6pm, and the second is at 9pm. Call 305.237.3200 for more information.

Two Dinners or the Lounge at db Bistro Moderne
For the earlybirds, db Bistro will serve dinner at 5:30pm for $75 per person. Courses include dishes like Oyster Velouté, Black Truffle Risotto, Maple-Glazed Duck, and Coconut and White Chocolate Cake. There will be a five-course Gala Dinner at 9pm with complimentary Champagne for $195 per person wherein you can dine on Tuna Carpaccio, Black Truffle Ravioli, and more.

Or, head to the cover-free lounge anytime between 5pm-3am for a $50 prix-fixe raw bar and charcuterie meal (until 10pm), or an á la carte menu, bottle service, and a live DJ.

An All-Out Buffet at Trapiche Room
At the JW Marriot’s fine-dining restaurant, between 7:30pm-1am, enjoy a buffet and live entertainment.

Classic Spanish Holiday Treats at Bellmónt
Bellmónt is sharing the Spanish holiday love this year on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Think traditional treats and a glass of Spanish cider, as is tradition in Spanish households. $150 per person, and $60 per child.

Five Dinners at the Fontaniebleau
The iconic Fontainebleau is home to Scarpetta, Hakkasan, Michael Mina 74 and StripSteak by Michael Mina, and this New Year’s Eve, they will each prepare especially lavish and delicious four and five-course menus to help ring in the New Year. Visit the website for more information.

Ring in 2015 at The Setai
The New Year will mark The Setai, Miami Beach’s 10 Year Anniversary. They’re commemorating this milestone with a New Year’s Eve celebration dinner for $625 per adult. The menu will feature dishes like Lobster-Poached Maine Lobster with lemon potato mousse, truffle vinaigrette, and fresh Burgundy truffles; and Wagyu Beef Filet Mignon Rossini roasted with red wine-braised onions and foie gras.

On January 1, return for a New Year’s-themed buffet, SBS Flamenco, and a Mediterranean jazz trio from 11:30am-3:30pm for $110 per person. The buffet will include items from the rotisserie, an extensive array of seafood, Mediterranean specialties, and a dessert buffet. Passed hangover drinks with raw egg yolk, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and black pepper will be offered as well.

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Prix-Fixe at Siena Tavern
Siena Tavern‘s first seating will be from 6-7:30pm for $195 per person for a four-course menu. The second seating will be from 9-10:30 pm for $295 per person for a five-course menu. A cocktail package for bar seating is also available.

On New Year’s Day, Siena Tavern will host a brunch from 11am-4pm.

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A Prosciutto-Pear Pie at Siena Tavern

By Condoideas Realty Group

Miami is swamped with refined restaurants and top-notch addresses, but there are some less talked-about places that provide even more sophistication for your plate. Let us tell you about the ultimate culinary condo experience!

It’s all about proximity–a luxurious sense of service and intimacy for those who prefer a more private experience.

Indeed, as you’re enjoying your condo lifestyle in South Beach, you are just a few steps away from the best dining experiences in the city. Whether it is at Porfirio’s Restaurant, Cibo Wine Bar, or Siena Tavern, some of the finest new restaurants of the area are right at your fingertips.

Porfirio’s gorgeous outdoor terrace is what caught our attention the most. Start by sipping a mezcal cocktail–they have around 100 different labels–before tasting the most tender octopus ever.

The gorgeous terrace at Porfirio's

The gorgeous terrace at Porfirio’s

If you would rather have wine, go to Cibo. Waitresses equipped with harnesses fly up to the wine tower storage, to bring your selected bottle down!

Nearby, you should try the ceviche-esque Hamachi Crudo at Siena Tavern and carry on with the Prosciutto Sausage Orecchiette. For dessert lovers, we recommend the Bombolini–gourmets doughnuts that you literally stab with the whisky caramel or raspberry chianti sauce!

Feeling like staying and cozying up at your condo, the Continuum has an amazing restaurant. Located between the curvy sun-deck pool and the cabanas, and right next to the Ocean, The Patio is the definition of privacy–only accessible to residents, it is set up on a nice terrace underneath the palm trees. Its menu is tailor-made to appeal to the healthy-wealthy of Miami with natural and organic ingredients. Indeed, everything on your plate is locally sourced and the juices are fresh and cold-pressed. Don’t miss the Detox Verde juice to go along with your Rainbow Quinoa Salad. The least one can say is that The Patio truly epitomizes luxury and sense of service.

La Piaggia also provides the most delicate dishes right down your tower if you live at the Murano at Portofino! Residents can come relax at the pool and be regaled while savoring a classical French Salad Niçoise with Boston lettuce, tuna, potato, egg, olive, cucumber, green pepper, and green beans with fresh tuna steak. You can indulge under the palm trees, enjoying Asparagus or Petoncles Risotto with your feet in the sand! An orange and white haven at 1000 South Pointe Drive transformed into a world-famous beach club!

Last but not least, the Icon South Beach also benefits from the services of the Crea Café, the very private café of the Icon South Beach. Some say “where you live is who you are”: in that case, proud owners of the impeccably Starck-designed properties enjoy extreme luxury, up to the point of having their own private restaurant.