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The latest room package includes up to three complimentary Miami Spice meals

Miami Spice is an exciting time in the Magic City. Giving locals and visitors yet another reason to check out Miami’s mouthwatering restaurant scene, these tasty two months of the year are when the city’s most popular, and often most expensive, restaurants offer three-course lunch, brunch, and dinner menus for just $23 and $39 per person, respectively. This year, guests can couple Miami’s most iconic restaurant deal with its most iconic hotel! Thanks to the Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s new Spice & Stay Package, you have no reason not to indulge in both.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 800.548.8886}

The deal is simple: Stay at the Fontainebleau between August 15 and September 30, and for every night you stay, you’ll get a free Miami Spice dinner for two at Scarpetta by Scott Conant, StripSteak by Michael Mina, or Hakkasan. These are the hotel’s three signature restaurants, and where you choose to take advantage of the deal is completely up to you. In addition to meals, you’ll get an Ocean View room or higher, complimentary overnight valet for one vehicle, and a copy of the “Little Bleau Book”—which offers coupons and savings throughout the hotel—when you check in. The best part? Rooms start at just $249 a night.*

MIAMI SPICE CUISINE

As it goes every year, the Miami Spice 2019 offerings at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach won’t disappoint. Guests of Scarpetta, the hotel’s world-renowned destination for Italian fine dining, can choose from options like its famous Spaghetti, Mediterranean Octopus with smoked crema, and the Amedei Bar dessert with a hazelnut crunch, passion fruit, and praline ice cream. If a steak dinner is more your style, StripSteak by Michael Mina will offer choices like “Instant Bacon”—braised pork belly with smoked pineapple and radish salad—Salmon Bourguignon, the 8-ounce Moyer Farms Filet Mignon with a charred onion soubise, and housemade Key Lime Pie with a blackberry-ginger frozen yogurt.

Mediterranean Octopus at Scarpetta

The best Miami Spice offer of all, however, is undoubtedly at Hakkasan. Both the lunch and dinner menu requires a two-guest minimum, and for good reason: all appetizers and entrées are brought to the table and served family-style, so guests get a taste of everything on the menu. On weekends, Miami Spice ties in with the restaurant’s popular Dim Sum Lunch, serving top dishes like Hakkasan’s Dim Sum Basket, Sautéed Shanghai Pak Choi with Mushroom, and Stir-Fry Udon Noodles with Duck and Black Pepper. On the dinner menu, find plates like Beef Fried Brown Rice, Sautéed Diced Chicken in a black pepper sauce, and Steamed Snapper with green ginger. Both menus let guests pick their choice of an individual dessert, either the Mango Custard with coconut sorbet or the Black Sesame Cheesecake with blackberry yuzu sherbet. 

Dim Sum Basket at Hakkasan

Miami Spice dinner menus will be available at Scarpetta by Scott Conant, StripSteak by Michael Mina, and Hakkasan every night of the week. Hakkasan will also offer a Miami Spice lunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays only.

*In order to take advantage of this deal, bookings must be made before September 30 and stays must happen between August 15 and September 30. Each stay can only be a maximum of three nights. Bookings can be made here. Use the promo code “SPICESTAY” to get the deal. Blackout dates: August 30-31, September 1, and September 22-23. Nightly room rates exclude tax and gratuity.

By Jennifer Agress, contributing writer

Bleau Bar

Looking for a new Friday night date idea? Well, look no further than our own backyard—at the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.538.2000}. With 11 restaurants, eateries, and bars to choose from, just hop in the car, head to Miami’s most popular hotel, hand your keys to valet, and make a night of it… a whole night.

For a date that’s fun, fancy, and delicious, follow this guide for a Fontainebleau bar crawl like you’ve never had before:

Go early, and start with Day Drinking at Bleau Bar

We won’t judge you for actually day drinking, but this time, we’re referring to one of Bleau Bar’s best summer cocktails. As the saying goes, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere, so grab your sweetheart and head to the Fontainebleau right after work. The first place you’ll see when you walk in is Bleau Bar, so belly up and order two Day Drinking cocktails: it’s a mix of Pavan Liqueur de France, Whispering Angel rosé, lychee purée, and a mint and fruit garnish. Just remember to sip it slowly… after all, it is meant to be something you drink all day long.

Move on to Talladega Days at Hakkasan

Shake n’ Bake! This Talladega Days cocktail is just what you need for a hot summer night. Hakkasan is a world-renowned hotspot, and its talented team of bartenders spare no luxury in this mix of Corzo Tequila Silver, Cointreau, orange and pineapple juices, and guava purée. Throw in a hint of Filthy Black Cherry Syrup, garnish it with a fresh orchid, and drink up. Ricky Bobby!

Indulge in a Vita di Luxuary at Scarpetta

You’ve had a couple light drinks, and now it’s time to move on to the serious stuff: like this Vita di Luxuary cocktail. Part Sauternes Wine, Spring gin, Domain de Canton, lime juice, and hibiscus syrup, this drink will taste delicious when you pair it with Scott Conant’s famous spaghetti (which we also won’t judge you for ordering). The Hibiscus blossom and citrus foam garnish? Well, that just adds more pizzazz.

Finish the night with a Perfect Hemingway Daiquiri at StripSteak by Michael Mina

There’s nothing more “Florida” than this Perfect Hemingway Daiquiri: two kinds of Diplomatico Reserva rum, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, Luxardo Maraschino, and one Amarena cherry. To really treat your special someone, pair it with a sweet slice of key lime pie with caramelized honey, graham cracker crust, and lemongrass sherbet. It’s also very “Florida.”

Happy dining!

By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau by Fontainebleau

From its crisp white walls to its ocean-facing curves, the pulsing neon of its club to the refined elegance of its food, Fontainebleau is a modern marvel.

But this Miami landmark is no creation of the early aughts; its origins date back to 1954, when a modest 520 rooms housed guests in a hotel a third the size of Fontainebleau’s current property. In 1978, real estate mogul Stephen Muss bought the property and hired Hilton to manage it. It was only in 2008 when the now-majestic hotel really began to take form under direction from developer Jeffrey Soffer.

The first addition to the property was the Versailles Tower, adding 380 rooms. Then came two more towers, bringing the grand total to 1,504 rooms—the most of any property in greater Miami. While the additions were designed to modernize Fontainebleau with updated design and top-of-the-line amenities, they also stayed true to the property’s designation as a historic landmark. Thanks to this architectural foresight, guests can now enjoy the best of midcentury modern and 2016 aesthetics in the same space.

Not surprisingly, the renovation brought with it several brand new restaurants and serious culinary talent. Grounded in authentic Chinese cuisine, Hakkasan is what Vice President of Culinary Operations Thomas Connell calls a “concept-driven, not chef-driven, restaurant.” But guests can also find the culinary genius of celebrity chefs employed with panache, notably in Michael Mina 74, a casual American concept; Stripsteak by Michael Mina—a steak-centric Mina creation; and Scarpetta, the regional Italian inspiration of James Beard Award- winning Chef Scott Conant.

Unlike other hotel properties, where leased space leaves restaurants to their own devices, Fontainebleau has crafted a brilliant support structure that balances the experience of celebrity chefs Mina and Conant with Connell’s daily oversight and the innovation of each concept’s head chef. Thanks to recent additions to the hotel, the chefs can also lean on a full suite of onsite facilities—including banquet halls, a bakery, expansive storage, space for onsite butchery, and other research and development facilities.

“Fontainebleau’s unique model for collaboration works when you have common vision between founding chefs and property staff,” Connell says. “We always have open dialogue, and the chefs are onsite at least monthly so that they can interact with guests and review their concepts.” Thanks to this approach, nearly every concept on the property is leading its respective empire in revenue—while helping to define Miami as a culinary destination.

“Michael Mina 74 leads the brand,” Vice President of Food and Beverage Joshua Summers says. “And Hakkasan—which we brought over from London—outperforms all other Hakkasan locations. That’s because Chef Connell’s skills keep menus fresh and focused.”

Part of that focus is keen attention to sourcing. The chefs’ collaboration has ensured that only the best ingredients find their way into the hotel’s restaurants—including fish caught off the hotel’s boat, meat sourced fresh daily, and produce picked within miles of Fontainebleau.

Another perk of having top-notch restaurants in the same hotel: custom dining itineraries. “You can be here for days and not leave the property,” Summers says. Guests often craft their own hours-long enjoyment of Fontainebleau’s culinary talent, stretching from Champagne at Michael Mina 74 to light seafood indulgences at Scarpetta, to continental steak entrées at StripSteak. Some lucky diners have even been invited to the onsite pâtisserie, where they can pick and choose chocolate indulgences from the hotel’s pastry case.

Supposing loyal diners are keen on learning the ins and outs of Scarpetta’s pasta, or the secrets to pairing wine with steak, Fontainebleau also offers classes open to the public. Interested foodies can even have classes and events customized to fit their interests—and with such a diversity of concepts, the theme can be almost anything.

“Our culinary offerings are truly the majesty of Fontainebleau,” Summers says. It helps, of course, that the luxurious property is steps away from the deep blue ocean, and that there seems to be no limit to the talent and potential within its walls. If Fontainebleau aims to elevate Miami dining—indeed, to redefine it—it’s well on its way.

Dining Highlights at Fontainebleau

Stripsteak: For something a bit different, be sure to try the Japanese Whisky Ceremony— perfect for whisky aficionados and novices alike. Multiple varieties of Japanese whisky are brought to your table and your server will guide you to the whisky that most suits your taste. They then perfume the glass with ingredients and aromas naturally found in the whisky. Participants complete the ceremony with a luscious taste of the whisky they prefer.

28oz Dry-Aged Bone-In Rib-Eye—If you’re coming to StripSteak, this most regal of steaks is not to be missed. Dry-aged in the restaurant’s own butcher shop to enhance the flavor and tenderness, the rib-eye is then grilled over a wood-burning grill to perfection. The result is a beautifully marbled, tender steak that you will never forget.

Tuna Tartare—A classic featured at many Michael Mina restaurants, the Tuna Tartare is one of the property’s best-selling dishes. Spicy and sweet play well together in this blockbuster dish; sushi-grade tuna is mixed tableside with garlic, chile, and Asian pear for the perfect balance of flavors.

Hakkasan: Opt for the carefully curated dishes and drinks on the $45 three-course dim sum lunch menu—from authentic Peking Duck combined with caviar, to the crafted cocktails and eclectic wines. Don’t miss the the Smoky Negroni Cocktail, either. Must-try dishes include Pepper Steak and Honey Sea Bass.

Michael Mina 74: This is undoubtedly one of the best places in the city for innovative cocktails; there are three mixed drinks on tap, three barrel-aged concoctions, and three carbonated creations, all made in-house. Plus, you can enjoy the seafood cart filled with bounty from the hotel’s own boat. Necessary menu indulgences: Ahi Tuna Poppers and the Dry-Aged Steak Burger with American cheese.

To learn more about Fontainebleau, its amenities, and the many dining possibilities on property, visit fontainebleau.co

stripsteak

The Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series, which pairs the world’s most prestigious wines and winemakers with Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s award-winning cuisine, continues this month on Tuesday, March 15, at StripSteak by Michael Mina {4440 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.512.8002}, the hotel’s signature steakhouse.

The four-course dinner, prepared by StripSteak’s Chef de Cuisine Derrick Roberts, will feature wines from Sonoma’s Adobe Road Winery, with owner Kevin Buckler as host for the evening.

Buckler, a professional race car driver and racing team owner, founded the winery in 1995 with his wife Debra. He spends countless hours in the vineyard and the winery perfecting the flavor of each wine.

The evening’s menu:

Passed Hors d’Oeuvres
Beausoliel Oysters
Caviar, green apple, and white ponzu

Salmon Crudo
Pickled cucumber and ginger-soy dressing

Tomato Ricotta Arancini
Basil and aged Parmesan

Paired with Adobe Road 2013 Sauvignon Blanc

Appetizer
Roasted Baby Beets
Pomegranate, mango, goat cheese, and walnut vinaigrette

Paired with Adobe Road 2012 Redline Red Wine Blend

Entrée
Wood-Grilled Angus Tenderloin
Globe carrots, maitake mushroom, and Bordelaise

Paired with Adobe Road 2011 Knights Valley Cabernet and Adobe Road 2011 Beckstoffer Cabernet

Dessert
Pistachio Mousse
Sour cherry compote and spice ice cream

Paired with Adobe Road 2009 Zinfandel

Cost is $190 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by clicking here.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

In Miami, it’s not just Chinese restaurants that are open on Christmas. The following dining establishments are not only open, but are offering delicious special holiday menus. Happy Holidays!

Atrio

Atrio Restaurant & Wine Room {Conrad Miami, 1395 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.503.6528}
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Staring at 6pm, relish in a special prix-fixe menu featuring your choice of Appetizers (Clam, Lobster, and Corn Chowder or Duck Confit Roll); Entrées (Roasted John Dory or Roasted Beef Tenderloin); and Dessert (Coquito Panna Cotta or Traditional Christmas Chocolate Yule Log) for $65 per person.

Bulla - Miami, Florida

Bulla Gastrobar {2500 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Cables; 305.441.0107}
Christmas Eve: Open for lunch and dinner (last reservation at 8:45pm), Bulla is offering its regular menu. For guests looking to enjoy their dinner at home, the restaurant will offer an à la carte to-go menu that includes Spanish favorites such as: Jamón De Bellota Ibérico; a dozen Croquetas De Jamón; Paella De Mariscos; and Cochinillo Ibérico Asado served with Patatas Panaderas and Salad (10 lb. pig for up to 10 guests: $300; 10-plus lb. pig for 10 to 16 guests: $360).

db bistro moderne miami bar

db Bistro Moderne {255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Downtown; 305.421.8800}
Christmas Eve: From 6-11pm, Executive Chef Jason Pringle is offering a four-course prix-fixe menu featuring seasonal inspirations such as Nantucket Bay Scallops, Roasted Elk Loin, and Suckling Pig.
 On the sweet side, Pastry Chef Saeko Nemoto will be offering up variations of the Classic Bûche de Noël in addition to other delicious holiday treats. Share and taste options including charcuterie, cheese, and a raw bar are available as add-ons to the menu. Cost is $80 per person; $35 for children 12 and under. Complementing the dinner, Sommelier Alan Feldman will offer five bottles of Champagne from different producers at $99 each.

biltmore fontana

Fontana at the Biltmore {Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.913.3200}
Christmas Eve: Expect a vast three-course dinner menu with a variety of delectable options prepared by Chef Giuseppe “Beppe” Galazzi for $105 per person.
Christmas Day: Lavish Champagne brunch for $95 per person.

La Mar Terrace

La Mar by Gastón Acurio {Mandarin Oriental, Miami, 500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8358}
Christmas Eve: From 6-11pm, parties of four or more can enjoy a family-style Peruvian meal featuring dishes that include Cebiche Mixto, King Crab Causa, Whole Cornfish Hen, Arroz Arabe, and Warm Chocolate Tart. Cost is $70 per person; $35 children ages 6-12; free for children under 6.
Christmas Day: From noon-3pm, delight in a spectacular Peruvian brunch with gourmet items including stations of cebiches, tiraditos, and grilled anticucho skewers. Guests will enjoy Chaufa Aeropuerto for the table, as well as choice of specialty dish such as egg-topped Lomo Saltado served alongside refreshing beverages such as Chicha Morada. Decadent dessert towers will provide the perfect sweet ending to the meal. Cost is $85 per adult and includes Champagne and unlimited brunch cocktails; $120 per adult includes premium entrées and unlimited Charles Heidsieck Champagne; $35 children ages 6-12; free for children under 6.

Michael Mina 74

Michael Mina 74 {Fontainebleau, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: From 6-11pm, supplementary to the à la carte menu, diners can feast upon Roasted Chestnut Soup with pumpernickel, duck confit, and cinnamon gastrique, followed by Braised Short Ribs served with smoked polenta, pearl onion, and a Cabernet reduction; and for dessert, a decadent Christmas Bread Pudding with panettone, candied orange, and dark chocolate gelato.

palme dor biltmore

Palme d’Or at the Biltmore {Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.913.3200}
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Join Michelin-Starred Chef Gregory Pugin for a four-course ($115) or six-course ($145) prix-fixe dinner. Menu items include Foie Gras Retour des Vendanges (red wine-poached foie gras with petite baguette); Le Cabillaud d’Alaska (Alaskan cod, king crab, coconut sauce, and potato bread); La Noisette de Chevreuil à la Chartreuse (venison tenderloin, chartreuse, grand veneur sauce, and shallot bread); and Traditional Christmas Log with fruit, ice cream, and chocolate. Bring gifts to be donated to Miami Children’s Hospital through Radio Lollipop.

Quattro Miami

Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833}
Christmas Eve and Day: Miami Beach’s go-to dining destination for authentic Northern Italian cuisine will offer its signature white truffle menu in addition to the regular lunch and dinner menus. Antipasti choices include Fonduta Tartufata con Crostini di Foccacia (fontina cheese fondue with truffle and fried quail egg with housemade focaccia); Tagliolini al Tartufo Bianco (fresh tagliolini with Italian truffle butter sauce); and Scaloppine di Vitello Tartufate (veal scaloppine with truffle butter sauce and truffle fries).

StripSteak

Seaspice {422 Northwest North River Drive, Miami; 305.440.4200}
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: 
Seaspice will be featuring a Christmas-inspired specials menu in addition to it regular dinner menu. Appetizer specials include Hudson Valley Foie Gras Torchon and Chicken Boudin Blanc, while entrées include a Whole Roasted Sucking Pig that serves four people and a Prime Rib Roast. And for dessert, don’t miss out on the delectable Eggnog Cream Tart with stewed apples and ginger cookie crumbs.

StripSteak by Michael Mina {Fontainebleau, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}
Christmas Eve: From 6-11pm, the restaurant is offering a three-course holiday-inspired prix-fixe menu ($75 per person) featuring a first course of Beausoliel Oysters with Petrossian caviar and a cucumber-ginger mignonette, followed by the main course, Pan-Roasted Duck Breast served with applewood smoked bacon, celery root purée, and huckleberry jus. For dessert, diners will enjoy the Yule Log topped with vanilla cream, cherry jelly, and flourless chocolate sponge.
Christmas Day: From 11am-3pm, StripSteak will offer a special brunch for $68 per person; the same Christmas Eve menu will be available for dinner.

Scarpetta at Fontainebleau

Scarpetta {Fontainebleau, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: From 6-11pm, those seeking a rustic yet elegant holiday meal can indulge in Scarpetta’s three-course prix-fixe menu ($75 per person) featuring Hamachi, Local Snapper, and Mussels Crudo with ginger, chile, and smoked royal trumpet mushroom as an appetizer, followed by the Scarpetta Cioppino with cod, prawn, scallop, clam, rapini stufato, and shellfish brodo. For dessert, a Ricotta Gelato Cream Puff will be served with warm peppermint chocolate sauce.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

Art Basel has come and gone and Christmas and New Year’s are just weeks away (stay tuned for guides to each), but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate good food and friends in between! Here are some happenings taking place this month as we prepare to say farewell to 2015.

Palmeiras Beach Club at Grove Isle
When: Now open!
Where: Palmeiras Beach Club at Grove Isle {4 Grove Isle Drive; 305.858.8300}
What: Grove Isle, the pristine island located just a quarter mile from Coconut Grove, welcomes Palmeiras Beach Club, a new restaurant, beach club, boutique hotel, and spa concept by hospitality gurus Sami Kohen and Jacques Wulffaert. The main dining room, helmed by renowned Venezualen Chef Alfredo Alvarez (who helped open Seasalt & Pepper) presents a Mediterranean menu with dishes evocative of the Spanish, French, Italian, and Greek coasts. The restored property also features a 20-room hotel, a marina, tennis courts, the Taittinger Lounge and Beach Club, a private Perrier-Jouët Chef’s Table for up to 20 guests, a Patron Tequila Lounge, and more.

conrad miami

Jack Frost Happy Hour at Conrad Miami
When: Through December 30
Where: The Bar @ LvL25 at Conrad Miami {1395 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.503.6500}
What: Celebrate the holidays with friends and colleagues with a special Winter Wonderland happy hour taking place all month long. Enjoy special cocktails and holiday quick bites as glittering snow falls over The Bar every 30 minutes!

biltmore

Share the Spirit at the Biltmore
When:
Every Tuesday and Wednesday through December 31
Where: The Biltmore Palme d’Or {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.445.3200}
What: Bring an unwrapped toy for a child and open the treasures of Palme d’Or’s exquisite tasting menu created by Michelin-starred Chef Gregory Pugin. Discover the flavors of France every in our four-course, prix-fixe menu for just $62 per person. In addition, Maître D’ Gregory Zarzycki invites you to bring your favorite bottle of wine or Champagne, and he will waive the corkage fee of $30 for up to two bottles per couple. All gifts will be donated to Miami Children’s Hospital through Radio Lollipop.

Wynwood Yard

Slow Food Miami’s Snail Social Happy Hour
When:
Tuesday, December 8, 6-8pm
Where: The Wynwood Yard {56 Northwest 29th Street, Wynwood}
What: Slow Food Miami, the local 100-percent volunteer nonprofit dedicated to planting a fresher future will hold its fourth Snail Social at The Wynwood Yard, a vibrant new pop-up that houses four exciting new food concepts: Della Test Kitchen, featuring a menu of customizable, globally inspired plant-based bowls; Myumi a traditional omakase sushi experience; Arabian Knife, offering Middle Eastern dishes; and Vibe 305, featuring Americana-inspired dishes curated by consulting chef Bradley Kilgore. Thyme, the full bar at the Wynwood Yard will offer attendees a complimentary glass of wine in addition to several drink specials.

Fontainebleau Wine cellar

Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series featuring StripSteak and Moet & Chandon
When:
Thursday, December 10 at 8pm
Where: Stripsteak at the Fontainebleau {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.535.3283}
What: Paying homage to its storied past is commonplace at the Fontainebleau, so it makes sense that the Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series (named after the year the hotel opened), which pair the world’s most prestigious wines and winemakers with the award-winning cuisine of the hotel’s restaurants, have been a huge success. The series continues at this month StripSteak by Michael Mina with a decadent five-course menu prepared by Chef de Cuisine Derrick Roberts complemented by beverages from Moët & Chandon.

Thali Platter jaya at setai

Jaya Opens at The Setai
When:
Friday, December 11
Where: The Setai, Miami Beach {2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.520.6400}
What: The award-winning Setai hotel unveils its newest restaurant concept, Jaya, a bold and modern Asian-inspired restaurant. The restaurant is a partnership with Chef Mathias Gervais, who announced the new concept shortly after winning Food Network’s hit cooking show “Chopped.” Jaya is a sure win, too, thanks to its vibrant menu inspired by regional dishes of Japan, China, India, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand. Jaya, which means “victory” in Sanskrit, was chosen to honor The Setai’s renowned interior designer, Jaya Ibrahim, and the hotel’s first decade of successful Asian-inspired hospitality. Menu highlights include the Egg Steam Bun with poached egg, bacon, cucumber relish, and caramel ginger; the Pork Bao Bun with grilled peach, cilantro, and Chinese barbecue; and the Thali Platter (pictured above), a traditional Indian dish with chicken, fish, and okra.

segafredo bayside

Segafredo Bayside Grand Opening Celebration
When:
 Wednesday, December 16, 7-10pm
Where: Segafredo Bayside at Bayside Marketplace {401 Biscayne Boulevard, Downtown; 786.420.2496}
What: From the same people who brought you Segafredo Espresso L’Originale on Lincoln Road comes Segafredo Bayside, a state-of-the-art kiosk with a full self-contained kitchen and an expansive bar at Bayside Marketplace in Downtown Miami. The restaurant is celebrating its grand opening with a party that’s open to the public with complimentary prosecco and a live show by Spam Allstars. The 580-square-foot kiosk and 2,500-square-foot outdoor space features the signature Segafredo red-and-black tabletops, its branded color red throughout in addition to an extensive craft cocktail menu with favorites such as the Aperol Spritz and the Pimm’s Cup.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

Fontainebleau Wine cellar

Paying homage to its storied past is commonplace at the Fontainebleau {4441 Collins Avenue; 877.512.8002}, which has been a Miami Beach icon for over 60 years. So it makes sense that the Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series (named after the year the hotel opened), which pair the world’s most prestigious wines and winemakers with the award-winning cuisine of the hotel’s restaurants, have been a huge success.

The series continues on Thursday, December 10, at 8pm at Fontainebleau’s signature steakhouse, StripSteak by Michael Mina. The special event will feature a decadent five-course menu prepared by Chef de Cuisine Derrick Roberts complemented by Champagne from Moët & Chandon. Each of the five courses will be paired with a different varietal from the label. Here’s a preview of the menu:

First Course
Beausoleil Oysters, Tuna Tartare, and Heirloom Tomato Arancini
paired with Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut and Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial

Second Course
Yellowtail Crudo with citrus, shaved radish, and shiso
paired with Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut and Ruinart Brut Rosé

Third Course
Olive Oil Poached Halibut served with tomato, basil, Kalamata olives, and fingerling potato chips
paired with Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Brut 2006 and Veuve Clicquot Vintage Brut 2004

Fourth Course
Wood-Roasted KC Stripsteak with Thumbelina carrots, parsnip purée, and bordelaise sauce
paired with Krug Vintage Brut 2000 and Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Vintage Brut 2004

Fifth Course
Poppy Wild Berry Tart with lychee sorbet and  exotic gel
paired with Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec

The dinner is priced at $275 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by clicking here. For more information, call 877.326.7412.

Can’t make it on December 10? The Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series continues in the new year: Saturday, January 23, at StripSteak, featuring pairings from Napa Valley winery Darioush and hosted by proprietor Darioush Khaledi; and Thursday, February 10 at Scarpetta, with wines from Odette Estate presented by winemaker Jeff Owens.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

In exactly one week, who among us will be frantically slicing, dicing, basting, and frosting? Who will be making last-minute trips to the to the grocery store (for the third time!)? Who will be so caught up in preparing a feast of such epic proportions that there isn’t time to take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Thanksgiving: giving thanks?

While home-cooked meals can certainly be fabulous, perhaps this is the year, you let someone else do the work—so you can focus on the stuff that really matters, like spending time with the people that you love. The following Miami restaurants are inviting you in to enjoy their own Thanksgiving feasts. We promise, if you go the dining out route, you (and your family) won’t be sorry.

Brickell/Downtown

Mandarin Oriental, Miami {500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8288} invites guests to spend Thanksgiving at either one of its signature restaurants. From now through Thanksgiving, La Mar by Gastón Acurio will be offering a trio of à la carte Peruvian menu items inspired by the flavors of Thanksgiving, including Rocoto Relleno (shrimp stew with aji panca, pecans, cranberries, and sweet potato gratin); Jumbo Wings (turkey wings finished on the anticucho grill); and Cebiche de Pato (duck with orange, red onions, aji amarillo, and turmeric). And for dessert, don’t miss out on the to-die-for Peruvian Chocolate Cheesecake with caramelized pecans served with baked apple ice cream.

Azul

Azul at Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Over at Mandarin’s other restaurant, Azul, from 5-10pm, Chef Benjamin Murray is preparing a savory family-style four-course Thanksgiving feast with highlights that include Caramelized Butternut Squash Soup, Brioche-Sausage Stuffing, Poached Cranberries, Sweet Potato Purée, Broccoli Casserole, and, of course, Turkey! Price is $95 per person exclusive of tax and gratuity.

Meanwhile, on Brickell Avenue, Morton’s The Steakhouse {1200 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.440.9990} invites families to start a new Thanksgiving tradition. For more than 30 years, the steakhouse has served the finest USDA Prime aged beef, fresh seafood, and hand-picked produce—and Thanksgiving is no exception. All three Miami locations will be offering their regular menus from 1-9pm.

db Bistro Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich - PHOTO

To-Go Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich form db Bistro Moderne

Heading downtown, db Bistro Moderne {255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Downtown; 305.421.8800} is offering a Thanksgiving menu with options. Daniel Boulud’s acclaimed eatery presents a three-course Thanksgiving dinner prepared by Chef Jason Pringle featuring your choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert. But that’s not all. You won’t miss having Thanksgiving leftovers, as db Bistro will be sending each guest home with a complimentary Turkey Sandwich to-go (pictured above), to enjoy the following day. Dinner will be served from 1-9pm; price is $65 per person. A special kids’ menu will also be available for $35 per child. In addition, the lounge will be open at noon and will have a limited à la carte Thanksgiving menu.

Miami Beach

Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833}, Miami Beach’s go-to dining destination for authentic Northern Italian cuisine, will offer a special à la carte Thanksgiving menu alongside its regular lunch and dinner menus. Special entrées include Tacchino Ripieno alla Piemontese, braised turkey breast stuffed with focaccia, Italian sausage, and pistachio served with sage mashed potatoes and homemade gravy; Risotto con Zucca, traditional risotto with pumpkin, walnuts, and Gorgonzola cheese; and Fiorentine d’Agnello, t-bone of lamb with mint demi-glace, Brussels sprouts, and truffle potato fries.

Quality Meats Miami Beach {1501 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.340.3333}, Miami Beach’s hottest new steakhouse, will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 4-10pm. The restaurant will have its regular menu in addition to a special limited-time Thanksgiving dish: Herb-Roasted Heritage Turkey with cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, and spiced sweet potato fries accompanied by local honey butter, giblet gravy, and Quality cranberry sauce.

Bazi

Bazi

Bazi {1200 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 05.695.0101}, a brand-new concept from the owners of the acclaimed Alton Road Italian eatery, Macchialina, will feature an innovative prix-fixe Thanksgiving feast with an Asian-inspired twist. The meal kicks off with a bowl of Turkey Wonton Soup, followed by Gyoza, a popular dish consisting of shrimp and chive dumplings and sweet potato dumplings. It continues with Peking Turkey, served with wasabi mashed potatoes and scallion pancakes. Dinner will be offered from 5-10pm for $55 per person.

If you’re not the type that wants to wait ’til dinner to enjoy your Thanksgiving feast, you’re in luck. The Restaurant at The Setai {2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.520.6400} is presenting an elaborate and untraditional brunch (three seatings will be available: 11:30am, 1pm, and 2:30pm). Expect both Thanksgiving classics along with non-classics such as Indonesian Beef Rendang, Indian Lamb Vindaloo, Upma (Indian polenta), a selection of Indian tandoori breads, and much, much more. From 7-10pm, the Setai will resume food service with a delicious three-course menu offering choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert for $95 per person ($48 per child).

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts from Cleo

SBE’s celebrated Mediterranean restaurant, Cleo {1776 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.534.2536}, will host its annual “Cleopatra’s Thanksgiving Feast,” an exquisite Thanksgiving menu with a Mediterranean theme. For just $39 per person, diners will enjoy items such as Roasted Pumpkin Dip, Pistachio and Roasted Chestnut Stuffing, Blistered Brussels Sprouts, and a Pomegranate Glazed Turkey all served up by award-winning Chef Danny Elmaleh.

SBE’s other popular SoBe restaurant, The Bazaar by José Andrés {1701 Collins Avenue; Miami Beach; 305.455.2999}, will be offering its regular dinner menu along with an incredible à la carte Thanksgiving menu designed to be enjoyed family-style. Dinner will begin at 6pm and will feature items such as Squash Soup with vanilla, curry, and Taylor Bay scallops; Amish-Farmed Turkey, with a truffled breast, confit leg, and topped with traditional gravy; Green Bean Casserole with matsutake mushrooms and crispy shallots; Sweet Potatoes with marshmallow fluff and caramelized pecans; and more.

There will be a plethora of Turkey Day dining options available Thanksgiving Day at Fontainebleau Miami Beach {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.535.3283}. At Scarpetta, the hotel’s acclaimed Italian eatery, guests can indulge in a three-course prix-fixe dinner for $75 per person featuring Butternut Squash Soup Fregato with toasted focaccia and roasted mushrooms; Roast Turkey Porchetta with cranberry mostarda and Brussels sprouts; and Pumpkin Tiramisù, crafted with spiced pumpkin mascarpone and served beside Marsala-soaked lady fingers, mocha espuma, and cinnamon gelato.

Fontainebleau, Chez Bon Bon Coffee, StripSteak Restaurant

StripSteak by Michael Mina at Fontainebleau Miami Beach

The hotel’s signature steakhouse, StripSteak by Michael Mina will also offer a prix-fixe dinner menu from 6-11pm for $75 per person. The highlight of the dinner will be Roasted Turkey Breast with turkey leg confit and chorizo cornbread stuffing. The meal will start off with Roasted Baby Beets with dried cranberries, hazelnuts, and goat cheese, topped with walnut vinaigrette and conclude with Pumpkin Pie topped with cinnamon whipped cream and spiced caramel sauce.

Michael Mina 74 will have its regular lunch menu at the bar with football games airing from 11:30am-6pm and Thanksgiving specials offered à la carte from 6-11pm, including a hearty Turkey Breast Roulade with confit leg sage stuffing, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, and turkey gravy, and mouthwatering Pumpkin Cheesecake topped with spiced Jamaican anglaise and orange compote.

And Beyond

hyde beach kitchen + Cocktails

Pumpkin Butter Rolls from Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails

Let us not forget our friends further north. SBE’s newest hot spot, Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails {111 South Surf Road, Hallandale; 954.699.0901} will be serving a prix-fixe menu for $50 per person, with menu items that include a Seafood Tower; Pumpkin Butter Rolls; a Roasted Turkey Breast with apricot and pistachio stuffing; and Pecan Pumpkin Pie.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

The holiday season is just around the corner. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be celebrating in the meantime. Here’s a look at nine of the top events taking place in Miami this November—until Thanksgiving. We’ll have an entirely new roundup for you then.

fontainebleau frank sinatra
1. StripSteak and Jack Daniel’s Celebrate Frank Sinatra
When: November 11 at 8pm
Where: StripSteak by Michael Mina {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.674.4780}
What: The Fontainebleau continues its celebration of Frank Sinatra and his upcoming centennial birthday with a special five-course dinner at StripSteak hosted by Chef Michael Mina himself highlighting some of Ol’ Blue Eyes’ favorite dishes paired with specialty Jack Daniel’s cocktails. Click here for reservations.

2. Ortanique on the Mile Charity Wine Dinner
When: November 11 at 7pm
Where: Ortanique on the Mile {278 Miracle Mile Coral Gables; 305.446.7710}
What: Join Chef Cindy Hutson and Delius Shirley for Ortanique on the Mile’s second-annual Charity Wine Dinner benefiting The Learning Experience School, which supports children and young adults with developmental disabilities. The special five-course meal will begin with a Champagne reception with passed hors d’oeuvres and will feature wines by Far Niente, EnRoute, and Dolce. Space is limited; call TLC at 305.546.2315 or email [email protected] to reserve your tickets.

Flying with the stars3. Flying with the Stars with Salumeria 104 and Midtown Oyster Bar
When:
November 11-12, 7-11pm
Where: Former Al Capone Mansion {93 Palm Avenue, Palm Island}
What: The second-annual Flying with the Stars will be two nights of six-course wine-paired menus curated by acclaimed Milan-based Italian chefs Alberto Buratti, Claudio Francesco Ceriotti, and Luigi Taglienti in collaboration with Chef Angelo Masarin of Salumeria 104 and Midtown Oyster Bar. The first evening will focus on Midtown Oyster Bar’s sea-based menu, while the second evening will focus on Salumeria 104’s land-based concept. The dinners will feature silent auctions, all in support of the Miami Children’s Health Foundation. Click here to purchase tickets.

4. A Night with the Winemakers at Wine by the Bay
When:
November 12 at 7pm
Where: Wine By the Bay {888 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 112, Downtown; 305.455.9791}
What: Join Wine By the Bay for a special night with iconic Italian winemakers Ettore Germano (whose family has owned and cultivated land in the Barolo region since 1856) and Silvia Piaggia (a cult winemaker from Carmignano, Tuscany). The duo will answer questions and share their wines with some of Chef Daniele Cosmo’s amazing creations. Planned pairings include Il Sasso, Carmignano 2013 paired with mini croissants with speck, Brie, arucola, and truffle sauce; and Barolo Serralunga 2011 paired with risotto with Taleggio cheese and truffle. Seating is limited. Click here to purchase tickets.

Lef Kraounakis

Lef Kraounakis

5. Thursday Happy Hour at La Mar
When:
Every Thursday, 4-7pm
Where: La Mar by Gastón Acurio {Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8358}
What: Celebrated for its unparalleled Peruvian cuisine and lively bar scene, Mandarin Oriental’s bay-front Peruvian restaurant has launched a sophisticated weekly happy hour under the supervision of Eleftherios “Lef” Kraounakis, who was recently appointed head of the restaurant’s expanded nightlife program. The new happy hour offers $8 creative cocktails, including traditional and flavored Pisco Sours; $6 wine and beers; and light bites such as Cebiche Criollo, Anticucho Chicken, Empanadas, and Pan con Chicharron for just $8 each. A live DJ will also playing music from the bar’s superior sound system.

WATER PARTY MIA 2015 FB Post[4]
6. Fifth-Annual Water Party MIA
When:
November 13, 6-10pm
Where: Four Seasons Miami {1435 Brickell Avenue, Brickell}
What: Join Bulla Gastrobar and soon-to-be-opened Pisco Y Nazca for a special fundraising event in honor of Global Water Brigades, an international, nonprofit organization constructing clean water systems in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Ghana. The goal of the event is to raise $12,500 to benefit the community of El Hatillo, Nicaragua, which is home to 67 families in need of a clean water supply. The minimum donation of $35 in advance will entitle each guest to endless cocktails by various beverage sponsors and savory bites from Bulla Gastrobar and Pisco y Nasca. The night will include music, a silent auction, and more. Click here to purchase tickets.

7. Weekend Lunch at Michael Mina 74
When:
Every Saturday and Sunday, Noon-6pm
Where: Michael Mina 74 {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.674.4636}
What: The Fontainebleau’s signature American restaurant is now open for lunch on the weekends with a daytime menu featuring an array of starters, selections from the fresh seafood bar, and the restaurant’s award-winning burgers, including the classic Dry-Aged Steak Burger, the Heritage Turkey Burger, and the Prime Beef Crunch Burger, which is topped with double-smoked bacon, pimento cheese, peanut butter, and potato chips.

8. Sunday Brunch at Tamarina
When:
Every Sunday (starting November 22) 11am-6pm (buffet open until 3pm)
Where: Tamarina Restaurant {600 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.770.6223}
What: Tamarina officially launches its Sunday brunch, which will feature all-you-can-eat buffet of breakfast and lunch staples accompanied by live music and all-you-can-drink specials. Expect to find made-to-order omelettes, pancakes, waffles, and crêpes; an American station featuring corned beef hash and roast beef; a fresh salad bar; a grill station featuring steak and eggs and pork ribs; an Italian station with frittatas, charcuterie, and homemade pizzas; a seafood station with oysters, shrimp, and smoked salmon; and a variety of freshly baked breakfast pastries, muffins, and scones; and much more.

Seed Food & Wine9. SEED Food & Wine Festival
When: November 18-22; Grand Tasting November 21
Where: Grand Tasting at MANA Wynwood {318 Northwest 23rd Street, Wynwood}
What: The second-annual SEED Food & Wine Festival, the nation’s only plant-based food and wine experience, will be a five-day festival featuring upscale dinners, film screenings, garden parties, and a Southern brunch, all leading up to a large-scale outdoor festival and grand tasting on Saturday, November 21, from 11am-6pm, with food, wine, juices, music, gifts, organic body care, clothing, yoga, and everything that celebrates conscious plant-based living. For more information, visit seedfoodandwine.com.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

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