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Home / Posts Tagged "South Beach" (Page 2)

1:23 pm
Restaurant Features
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BLT Steak at Betsy South Beach

Easter Sunday is less than a week away! Do you know what your plans are? In addition to the restaurants included in our Easter roundup, BLT Steak at The Betsy-South Beach {1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; 305.673.0044} is offering a gourmet three-course brunch for just $40 per person from 11am-4pm. Executive Chef Laurent Tourondel (the “LT” of BLT) has created a delectable menu with enticing selections all to be enjoyed in the beautiful dining area of the storied beachfront hotel’s main floor.

For appetizers, choose the Sweet Pea and Avocado Soup or the Porcini-Crusted Lamb Carpaccio; for the main course, choose the Lake Meadow Farms Eggs en Cocotte or the BLT Short Rib Sliders; and for dessert, choose the Banana Kuchen or the Challah Bread Pudding. And, of course, there will be plenty of the restaurant’s famous Popovers to go around.

—Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor

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8:42 am
Restaurant Features
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Bazi Bar

On Wednesday, March 9, at 8pm, Bazi {1200 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.695.0101} will host its inaugural Kaiseki dinner, an exclusive monthly dinner series taking place at the new modern Asian-inspired eatery located at the Marlin Hotel in South Beach.

Kaiseki traditionally consists of small, artistically arranged dishes that foster a harmonious balance between taste, texture, and aesthetic. This one-of-a-kind experience will feature 10 to 12 courses by acclaimed Executive Chef Michael Pirolo, a James Beard Award semi-finalist, who will showcase seasonal ingredients from the decadent to the exotic. Every course will be paired with unique libations ranging from sake to Asian teas, courtesy of Bazi’s Beverage Director William Rivas.

The dinners will be held in the intimate Bazi Bar and are limited to just eight seats. Price is $150 per person (including tax and tip). To reserve your spot, email [email protected].

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

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12:15 pm
Restaurant Features
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Burrata Soft Serve 2 - photo credit Dominique Ansel Kitchen

Acclaimed French pastry Chef Dominique Ansel (of his eponymous New York City bakery) is heading to SoBe for Art Basel to launch a special pop-up experience at The Setai {2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 888.625.7500}.

From noon to midnight on Wednesday, December 2, the award-winning chef will set up an exclusive soft serve ice cream window featuring delicious frozen treats–perfect for Art Baselers looking for a midday refresher or late-night dessert.

Featured flavors include: Caramel Stout (chocolate “caviar” with sea salt brownie) and Burrata Soft Serve (balsamic caramel with confit strawberry and micro-basil). Each super-creamy flavor is made with fresh milk (as opposed to a mix or a powder) and is served in a homemade, hand-rolled honey tuile cone.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

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1:52 pm
Restaurant Features
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Sardinia Enoteca

You know Ocean Drive. You know Lincoln Road. You even know South of Fifth. But there’s one area of South Beach that locals have been trying to keep secret for over a decade: Sunset Harbour. Just minutes from the more touristy areas of SoBe, this sophisticated strip facing the bay is made up of quaint boutiques, fitness studios, a coffee shop, and a handful of elegant yet unpretentious dining establishments. One of these restaurants, in particular, stands out in our minds: Sardinia Enoteca Ristorante {1801 Purdy Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.531.2228}.

Sardinia Enoteca Ristorante

Opened in 2006, this cozy and comfortable restaurant on the corner of Purdy Avenue and 18th Street fits perfectly into the vibe of this locals-in-the-know neighborhood.

Over the years, Sardinia has earned itself a well-deserved reputation for having one of the best wine selections in Miami. In fact, wine bottles are the focal point of the restaurant’s décor, taking up every spot on the wooden wine racks along the walls, with even more onsite in the temperature-controlled cellar.

Sardinia Enoteca Ristorante

But Sardinia’s emphasis on wine certainly does not take away from its cuisine. The kitchen is helmed by Sardinian-born Chef Pietro Vardeu, a self-taught culinary mastermind who has worked in kitchens of well-known chefs and restaurateurs including Pino Luongo. His menu showcases the rustic cuisine of his native Sardinia (think: outstanding pizzas and pastas—simple yet full of flavor), in addition to some more adventurous dishes.

Representing DiningOut has its perks, and we were able to sample the restaurant’s eight-course tasting menu, which included:

Sardinia Enoteca RistoranteFregoletta
Sardinian couscous, baby clams, and saffron broth

Sardinia Enoteca RistoranteAnimelle
Veal sweetbreads, pancetta, sage, and Brussels sprouts

Sardinia Enoteca RistorantePolpettine
Veal meatballs and braised fennel

Sardinia Enoteca RistoranteOrecchiette
Boar sausages, rapini pesto, and pine nuts

Sardinia Enoteca RistoranteSpaghetti
Bottarga di muggine

IMG_2024Coniglio
Rabbit, Brussels sprouts, scallions, pancetta, and olives

IMG_2048Diver’s Scallops
Over pesto fregola and crispy greens

IMG_2083Oh, and lets not forget the desserts, which included a panna cotta and chocolate mousse.

The standouts of the evening were the meatballs (simple, yet delightful) and the rabbit, which, in our experience, is a very difficult dish to perfect.

The service, too, was outstanding. Every course was perfectly timed and gracefully presented—colorful masterpieces oozing delicate aromas enough to make even the diners next to us drool in envy. Next time, they say, they’ll have to try the tasting menu.

Sorry, locals, but your secret’s out.

By Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor

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2:04 pm
Restaurant Features
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Halloween is creeping up on us faster than you can say “trick or treat” five times fast. Here’s a breakdown of this weekend’s top events.

Friday, October 30

biltmore halloweenFrom 8pm-midnight, the Biltmore Hotel {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.913.3230} hosts its annual Halloween party featuring an open bar, buffet dinner, and entertainment. Don’t miss out on the costume contest with great prizes for most creative (must be handmade), spookiest, and best couple. Members $100; nonmembers $125; RSVP required.

Starting at 8pm, Piripi {320 San Lorenzo Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.448.2423} will shut down San Lorenzo Avenue for its Noche de Duende Masquerade Bash featuring flamenco, tapas, cocktails, live music, and more. The night will also include cocktail specials and a bewitching hour-inspired prix-fixe dinner menu. Tickets: General admission $25; VIP $50; click here to purchase.

STK HalloweenFrom 7-10pm, STK Miami {2311 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.604.6988} will host a themed night featuring a two-hour open bar “Boos and Booze” package for just $50. Engage in the enchanting magic of Halloween and dress to impress, with prizes awarded to the best costumes and a special performance by Nu Deco Ensemble’s Peter White.

Saturday, October 31

From 11am-5pm, join Brasserie Azur {3252 Northeast First Avenue, Midtown; 786.800.9993} for Halloween brunch, featuring $25 unlimited mimosas for two hours. Bring the kids from for games, face-painting, balloons, cotton candy, a live magic show, and more. Then, head over to sister restaurant Villa Azur {309 23rd Street, Miami Beach; 305.763.8688} for an adults-only Halloween party featuring music by DJ Stephan M.

12087214_673408396128529_2116532048617010515_oGet ready for a night of DJs, drinks, food trunks, and $500 costume contest at Hallowyn, Wynwood’s FREE Halloween block party. The event kicks off at 7pm at the Mana Production Lot {318 Northwest 23rd Street}. Throughout the night, a 240-inch jumbo screen LED TV will be playing  the best Halloween videos of all time, including a special screening of ”The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 10pm.

Segafredo HalloweenFrom 5pm-2am, Lenox Avenue will be closed for Segafredo Espresso l’Originale’s {1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.673.0047} 15th annual Halloween party. Two remote bars will be set up in addition to Segafredo’s permanent inside bar, and a fantastic lineup of DJs is scheduled to play. A limited food menu will also be available.

Also on Lincoln Road, Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833} will offer a special four-course prix-fixe dinner, where guests can delight in a selection of the restaurant’s finest dishes while admiring the costumes, trick-or-treaters, and holiday fanfare along Lincoln Road. Outdoor tables are $110 per person; inside tables $65 per person.

Hyde Beach HalloweenFrom 7pm-midnight Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails {111 South Surf Road, Hallandale Beach; 954.699.0901} is getting into the Halloween spirit by offering guests FREE access to its Haunted Beach Bar, located on the first floor. Enjoy ghoulish sounds by DJ YSL while watching scary movies right on the sand. A popcorn cart, massive candy bar, and specialty drinks will also be available all night long.

Morton’s The Steakhouse {multiple locations} is offering a three-course dinner for just $35 featuring entrée selections such as 6oz Filet Mignon, Honey-Chile Glazed Salmon, and Chicken Bianco. The restaurant will also offer an extended happy hour from 5pm-close.

The Oceanaire Seafood Room {900 South Miami Avenue, Brickell; 305.372.8862} is offering a three-course dinner for two PLUS a bottle of wine for just $60. They are also serving happy hour all night in the bar.

basement halloween 2015Starting at 11pm, Basement at the Miami Beach EDITION {2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.641.7119} will host its first-annual Halloween party, “Into the Jungle,” featuring DJs Cosmo Baker, Brett Sylvia, and DJ Spiff. Tickets are $20; click here to purchase.

Seaspice {422 Northwest North River Drive, Miami; 305.440.4200} gears up to celebrate Halloween with a two-day event around the theme “Dia de los Muertos.” On Saturday, the hot spot will transform into a goulish haven on the river for its invitation-only Day of the Dead Halloween Ball, with Modern Garden serving as an offering altar filled with flowers to honor those who have passed. Guests will indulge in Champagne, specialty cocktails, and delicious bites throughout the evening.

Sunday, November 1

But the Halloween fun doesn’t stop there! On Sunday, November 1, from noon-6pm the celebration continues at Seaspice with LVMH and Veuve Cliquot for Dia de los Muertos Sunday brunch, featuring live music, photo booths, makeup artists, models, Champagne, giveaways, and more.

By Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor

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9:04 am
Restaurant Features
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Tiramesu

The latest news from Miami Beach’s exploding South of Fifth neighborhood is the reopening of TiramesU {101 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.532.4538}, a South Beach staple for over 25 years. The restaurant debuted in 1988 on Ocean Drive and later moved to a prime location on Lincoln Road, where it reigned for 17 years. The Italian restaurant caused a stir when it closed its doors in April of last year, announcing that it would soon reopen in the SoFi district. And now, after a seemingly endless hiatus, the restaurant has finally reemerged under the new managing ownership of Valeria Longoni.

tiramesu

The brand-new location, situated on the unassuming corner of First Street and Washington Avenue, is an open space featuring a bustling bar adjacent to an intimate dining area. Italian interior designer Francesco Fregonese pays homage to the old setting in subtle details while infusing the new space with contemporary touches. A horizontal window along the back wall gives diners a peek into the inner workings of the kitchen. Cool blues, beige walls, and a dark-gray quartz bar create a slightly nautical feel, while elegant chandeliers and candelabras create a warm and cozy ambience.

Tiramesu

For the new and improved space, Italian-born and trained Chef Fabrizio Pintus introduces a new and improved modern Italian menu featuring traditional dishes with unexpected (albeit very much welcomed) twists. We started with the Burrata, which instead of being served with sliced tomatoes, was served atop a bed of pappa al pomodoro, a thick tomato paste prepared with finely chopped tomatoes.

Tiramesu

Burrata

Although the pastas are labeled under “primi piatti,” they are large and hearty enough to enjoy as a main course. We settled on the Rigatoni, served with eggplant, tomato sauce, pine nuts, and dry ricotta cheese, and the Fettuccini, which is actually kale fettuccini served with a rabbit ragoût.

rigatoni

Rigatoni

tiramesu

Fettuccini

Standout second piatti include the Filetto di Manzo, an ounce sterling beef tenderloin with smoked eggplant and rosemary jus; and the Branzino, Mediterranean sea bass with saffron cauliflower and asparagus.

Tiramesu_0926152966

Filetto di Manzo

Beautifully presented, each plate constituted a surprising kaleidoscope of colors and textures, yielding simple yet astoundingly flavorful dishes. Be sure to pair any dish with a glass of fine wine from the extensive wine list or a specialty drink from the creative cocktail menu.

tiramesu

And, of course, no visit to TiramesU would be complete without trying the restaurant’s namesake dessert. We recommend the Tiramisù Sampler trio featuring a selection of both unique and traditional flavors, including chocolate, espresso, strawberry, red pepper, and mixed berries.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

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8:25 am
Restaurant Features
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bagatelle miami

Get ready Miami for an incredible meal of cuisine française at an unbeatable price.

From October 29 through November 5, Bagatelle {220 21st Street, Miami Beach; 305.704.3900} will be participating in French Taste 2015, a weeklong Miami Spice-esque event that’s part of French Weeks Miami, which showcases more than 20 events aimed at strengthening ties between many local and international partners such as restaurants, universities, and art galleries. For French Taste, Bagatelle is offering a special $39 three-course dinner menu by Chef Matthieu Godard. Choose from the following:

Appetizer:
Les Escargots d’Olivier (Snail fricassee, chicken oysters, spaetzle, hazelnut, and parsley coulis)
OR
Assiette Lyonnaise (Assortment of terrine and cured meat, whole grain mustard, and country bread)

Main Course:
Traditional Coq au Vin (Pearl onion, wild mushroom, and farfalle pasta)
OR
Truite aux Amandes (Pan-seared trout, cauliflower, almond brown butter, and capers)

Dessert:
Profiterole
OR
Crème Brûlée

Bon appétit!

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

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8:22 am
Restaurant Features
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South Beach Seafood Festival

The time has come for the third-annual South Beach Seafood Festival, presented by Hess Wines and hosted by Coca-Cola.

While events are happening throughout the week to showcase the great culinary talent of Miami and kick off stone crab season (tonight is a Hess Select Wine-Pairing Evening; tomorrow night is the GOYA Foods’ Cooking & Cocktails Interactive Dinner; Friday is the Chef Showdown); and Saturday is when things kick it up a notch with the all-day main festival on the sand, from 1-9pm at Seventh Street and Ocean Drive.

Chefs from some of Miami’s top restaurants, including Joe’s Stone Crab, A Fish Called Avalon, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, and CIBO, are creating a culinary paradise on the sand with over 50 menu items from which to choose. (Think: stone crabs, lobster waffle cones, steak and lobster skewers, shrimp tacos, oysters, shrimp cocktails, crab cakes, lobster mac and cheese, and more.) There will also be live music, culinary and mixology demos, a kids’ zone, and VIP benefits for the all-access guests, including the all-day Heineken Light College Football Sports Bar, the Land Rover Hospitality Village, and GOYA Culinary Pavilion featuring an all-day party. Oh, not to mention that an open bar is included in the ticket price.

The event benefits the Community Initiatives Foundation in support of the Eat Smart Campaign to fight against childhood hunger, childhood obesity, and assisting the community to find the perfect balance through nutritional awareness and individual development in Miami-Dade County.

Tickets start at $35; all food is available for purchase between $5-$10. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit sobeseafoodfest.com.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

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1:59 pm
Restaurant Features
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pink building 2

For the seventh year in a row, the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach} is partnering with Susan G. Komen of Miami/Fort Lauderdale for the Bleau Goes Pink campaign, a month-long event in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

On October 1, Fontainebleau President and COO Philip Goldfarb initiated the pink illumination of the hotel’s Chateau Tower, which will remain pink from dusk until 10pm nightly throughout October. The hotel is also featuring special spa treatments at Lapis Spa, specialty merchandise from its retail locations, and—our favorite part—delicious prix-fixe menus at its signature restaurants.

Here’s how you can help:

Dine for the Cure
Enjoy specialty prix-fixe menus for $55 a person at Hakkasan, Scarpetta, Michael Mina 74, and StripSteak by Michael Mina; $5 from every cover will be donated to Susan G. Komen Miami/Fort Lauderdale. Click here to view the complete prix-fixe menus. Chez Bon Bon is also offering pink desserts and treats, including strawberry éclairs, raspberry macaroon tarts, pink cotton candy, strawberry gelato, and pink velvet cupcakes.

Chez Bon Bon 3

Spa for the Cure
Reserve a Bleau Ocean Luxury treatment and Lapis Spa will donate $10 for every treatment to Susan G. Komen Miami/Fort Lauderdale.

Shop for the Cure
Purchase a limited-edition pink Lokai bracelet for $18 at Morris & Co.; $1 from each bracelet sold will be donated to Susan G. Komen Miami/Fort Lauderdale. Or, stop the Lapis spa retail shop to purchase a breast cancer awareness braider bracelet by Lisa Schwartz Jewelry for $30, $10 of which will be donated to the charity.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

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12:36 pm
Recipes Restaurant Features
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OriginalCosmo Katsuya

This month, Katsuya at the SLS South Beach {1701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.455.2995} not only wants everyone to think pink, but to drink pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

From now through the end of October, the SBE hot spot on Miami Beach will be donating 10-percent of the proceeds from every purchase of its specialty rose-colored cocktail, the Original COSMO, to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Be sure to visit Katsuya to show your support of the cause, then make it for friends at home.

Mix 1-1/2 ounces of vodka with 1 ounce cranberry juice, 3/4 ounce lime juice, 1/2 ounce simple syrup and 1/4 ounce Cointreau. Garnish with cherry and lemon wedge.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

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