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Birrificio Anelo Poretti

When it comes to good Italian classics, few do it better in Miami than the South of Fifth Staple, TiramesU {101 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.532.4538}. And on August 31st, this restaurant will wrap up Summer 2016 in style by hosting an Italian-inspired, beer-pairing dinner with none other than Varese-based brewing company, Birrificio Angelo Poretti. Priced at just $65 per person, this five-course feast is filling up fast, so see what food Chef Fabrizio Pintus has in store below and make your reservation(s) now.

Here’s what’s on the menu at TiramesU’s August 31st Birrificio Angelo Poretti dinner:

Aperitivo: Gamberie Fiori Di Zuvva in Tempura
Shrimp and zucchini flowers in tempura, paired with Birrificio Angelo Poretti 10 Hops Bollicine

Antipasto: Carpaccio di Salmone agli Agrumi
Marinated salmon, fennel orange salad and 4 HOPS sorbet, paired with Birrificio Angelo Poretti 4 Hops

Primo Piatto: White Lasagna
Sausage, chestnut, spinach and 5 HOPS jus, paired with Birrificio Angelo Poretti 5 Hops

Secondo Piatto: Petto D’Anatra
Kale, mango chutney, rapes and 6 HOPS reduction, paired with Birrificio Angelo Poretti 6 Hops

Dessert: Parfait Speziato ai 6 Luppoli
Spices 6 HOPS parfait and warm raspberries sauce, paired with Birrificio Angelo Poretti 10 Hops Rosé

Drooling yet? We know we are. This dinner will take place on August 31st at 8:30 p.m. Make your reservation now by calling 305.532.4538 or sending an e-mail to [email protected].

Happy Dining!

By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

mother's day

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8. Have you made your dining plans yet? Below, the only guide you’ll need to decide where to treat mom on her special day. Be sure to make reservations as soon as possible!

Adena Grill & Wine Bar {900 Silks Run, Hallandale Beach; 954.464.2333}
From 11am-4pm, the elegant steakhouse at Gulfstream Park will host a very special Mother’s Day brunch buffet featuring a variety of gourmet stations serving both breakfast and lunch options. Breakfast offerings include a home-baked bread station with homemade waffles, pancakes, bagels, and more, as well as a custom omelet and fresh fruit station. Lunch options will feature shellfish, sushi, and pasta stations, plus a meat-carving station and various entrées. $49 per adults; $20 for children 10. Adena’s regular à la carte dinner menu will be available from 4-10pm.

Apeiro Kitchen & Bar {3252 Northeast First Avenue, Midtown; 786.800.5389}
The acclaimed Delray Beach restaurant that recently opened in Midtown invites guests to Mother’s Day brunch from 11am-4pm. Specials include Stracciatella with pickled cantaloupe, watermelon, and crispy prosciutto; Bouillabaisse of mussels, clams, shrimp, octopus, and tomato broth atop cuttlefish capellini; and Rib-Eye with roasted fennel, fingerling potatoes, and saba reduction.

The Bazaar by José Andrés {SLS South Beach, 1701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.455.2999}
Visit The Bazaar from 11am-2:30pm for “The Brunch Table,” which will include a selection of Spanish cured meats and cheese, Iberico porchetta, smoked salmon, caviar selection, fresh fruits, pastries, and assorted yogurt parfaits. Guests can also choose one à la carte entrée, like the Huevos a la Cubana, Olive Oil Mini Pancakes, SLS Eggs Benedicto, Wild Alaskan Salmon Veracruzana, and more. Top off the meal with a choice of dessert. $75 per adult; $35 per child.

The Biltmore Hotel {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.913.3200}
From May 6-8, the Biltmore’s signature French restaurant, Palme d’Or invites guests and their mothers to a spectacular six-course tasting menu with a complimentary glass of Champagne to toast the occasion. In addition, don’t miss out on the Biltmore’s Sunday Champagne brunch, an extravagant buffet that takes place every week in the hotel’s courtyard with delicacies such as caviar, smoked salmon, shellfish, carved meats, fresh omelettes, pasta, sushi, and more.

Café des Arts {22 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.534.2555}
South of Fifth’s Café des Arts’ has a new chef, Patrick Kirschner, who is offering a special Mother’s Day seafood tower for two paired with a bottle of rosé for only $60. In addition, all moms will receive a $20 gift card, so they can come back and try any of the other dishes they crave.

Cleo {The Redbury Hotel, 1776 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.534.2536}
Along with its nightly menu, Cleo at The Redbury will be offering a special prix-fixe Mother’s Day menu. All mothers who opt for the prix-fixe menu will receive a complimentary glass of prosecco with strawberries. $65 per person. Click here for full menu.

db Bistro Moderne {255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Downtown; 305.421.8800}
Treat mom to a bubbly Sunday brunch at Daniel Boulud’s downtown Miami eatery. Chef Clark Bowen is serving up a seasonal three-course prix-fixe menu from 11am-3pm along with a bottle of Moët & Chandon to share for every two guests. $70 per person; $50 per person without Champagne; $35 for children 12 and under. Click here for full menu.

Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails {111 South Surf Road, Hallandale Beach; 954.699.0901}
Along with views of the Atlantic and beats by DJ YSL, this Hallandale Beach hot spot will be offering a brunch buffet that will include a complimentary mimosa or Bellini that will perfectly pair with its Blueberry Pancakes, Fried Chicken and Waffles, an omelette from the omelette station, and more. $45 per adult; $18 for children 5-12; free for children under 4.

Katsuya {SLS South Beach, 1701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.455.2995}
Join Katsuya for Mother’s Day dinner, where all moms will receive a complimentary Champagne cocktail. Enjoy bites such as the Crispy Rice with spicy tuna; the Hamachi Sizzle Roll, an array of options from the robata bar, and more. After dinner, all moms will receive complimentary chocolate-covered strawberries to end their night on a sweet note.

La Mar by Gastón Acurio {Mandarin Oriental Miami, 500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8358}
Mandarin Oriental’s signature Peruvian restaurant will be offering a special Mother’s Day brunch from noon-3:30pm featuring unlimited Champagne and brunch cocktails and savory entrées such as Egg-topped Lomo Saltado and Pescado Chorrillana. An elaborate seafood station with cebiches, causas, tiraditos, and Peruvian-style sushi rolls, as well an anticucho grill providing skewers, empanadas, sliders, and whole fish will also be available. $85 per adult; $35 for children ages 6 to 12.

Midtown Oyster Bar {3301 Northeast First Avenue, Midtown; 786.220.2070}
Chef Pierluigi Angioi has created Mother’s Day deals on several signature dishes, including a beautifully plated Whole Branzino, Oysters Rockefeller, and Seafood Paella. In addition, the restaurant is offering bottomless Syltbar sparking rosé for $25 per person, along with $7 Bloody Marys, $5 mimosas, and amazing select wines by the glass for $6. Not to mention, select oysters will be half-off all day long.

Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833}
In addition to its regular dinner menu, Lincoln Road’s upscale Northern Italian eatery is celebrating Mother’s Day with special à la carte dishes such as Insalata Mista Di Crostacei (seafood salad with Maine lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, and lemon dressing), Paccheri con Polpo (pasta with octopus, cherry tomato, Taggiasca olives, and light red sauce; Filleto Di Manzo (seared filet mignon wrapped with prosciutto); and more.

The Restaurant at The Raleigh {1775 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.612.1163}
The Raleigh Miami Beach is offering an à la carte menu from noon-4pm. The Restaurant will also be featuring a raw bar that will include multiple varieties of oysters, king crab legs, poached lobster, and shrimp cocktail with assorted accompaniments and sauces. Every mother will receive a complimentary glass of rosé and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Riviera Focacceria Italiana {3252 Northeast Buena Vista Boulevard, Midtown; 786.220.6251}
Midtown Miami’s authentic Ligurian restaurant is launching its weekly Sunday brunch on Mother’s Day. Look for menu items such as the Polpettone Faglioni e Patate, a unique vegetable “meatloaf” with eggs, Parmesan, string beans, and potatoes, and a traditional home-cooked Frittata. Order either one with the restaurant’s new Basil Bellini, a refreshing cocktail of prosecco, peach purée, a touch of housemade basil syrup, and ground local sweet basil.

Scarpetta {Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.535.3283}
From 11am-3pm, Fontainebleau’s signature Italian restaurant will host an Italian-inspired buffet with countless options from an ample spread of Italian meats and cheeses, a frittata action station, live-action carving station, fresh seafood, a pasta station, and a cornucopia of desserts. $75 per adult; $37.50 per child under 12; free for children under four.

The Setai Hotel {2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 855.923.7899}
South Beach’s exclusive Setai Hotel always offers a lavish jazz brunch every Sunday, and Mother’s Day is no exception. From 11:30am-3pm, experience a delightful buffet with all the brunch staples you could imagine, along with limitless Louis Roederer Champagne and Bloody Marys while listening to the sounds of live jazz.

TiramesU {101 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.532.4538}
South Beach’s landmark restaurant is celebrating Mother’s Day with bottomless mimosas for just $25 per person. In addition, Chef Fabrizio Pintus will serve an à la carte menu with selections such as Tartare di Tonno, served between layers of pane carasau, a crispy flatbread from Sardinia; Grigliata di Pesce, an assortment of grilled scallops, head-on prawns, salmon, and tuna; and Ravioli with spring vegetables, ricotta, and sage butter sauce.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

What is your favorite internationally inspired dish on your menu this season?

Mathias Gervais

Chef Mathias Gervais of Jaya 
My favorite dish on the Jaya menu is our Hamachi, and it truly represents who I am as a French chef at The Setai. It is a great expression of my love for Asian food and culture, and my enjoyment of fresh, raw fish marinated in yuzu.

Benjamin Murray

Chef Benjamin Murray of Azul 
My favorite dish is our Warm Alaskan King Crab with umeboshi, Asian pear, and Thai basil. Umeboshi is my favorite ingredient. My mother used to serve us a piece in a bowl of rice when I was a child, and I would always ask for more. Umeboshi is a Japanese fruit that is salted, dried, and pickled; it is very salty and sour. Eventually, I started eating them like candy. We mix it with ponzu and butter and slowly poach the king crab in it until it’s just warm. We aim to hit all the taste buds with the sweetness of Asian pear and cucumber, the heat of pickled chiles, and the fresh herbaceous notes of the Thai basil. It’s a favorite dish of mine, and you will always see it here at Azul.

Fabrizio Picture

Chef Fabrizio Pintus of TiramesU
When I think of spring and summer, I think of light dishes and that usually means fresh seafood. Since South Florida is extra summery, a carpaccio allows me to create an even lighter dish without taking away from the depth of flavor. On the contrary, the delicate makeup of the Capesante—a scallop carpaccio dish—at TiramesU is layered with bursts of citrus, berries, and nutty almonds. That combination really speaks to my palate and I wanted to share it with our customers.

Carpaccio-style dishes are innate to Italian chefs like me and I wanted to find the best and freshest local ingredients to create a version that appeals to South Florida’s tropical palate. Scallops were my choice because they are consistently fresh. I truly see the Capesante as a beautiful combination of Italian and South Florida flavors.

POST TAGS:

1. Shanghai Nights at Bazi

When: Every Sunday beginning April 10
Where: Bazi {The Marlin Hotel, 1200 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.695.0101}
What: Starting April 10, every Sunday, Bazi will offer a special Shanghai Nights menu allowing diners to indulge in some of their favorite dishes—such as Chicken, Beef, or Shrimp Lo Mein; Beef and Broccoli, General Tso’s Chicken, and Mu Shu Pork—for only $10 each.

Quattro Miami Interior Photo credit Gary James

Quattro’s Wine Tower

2. Bacco Nights at Quattro

When: Every Monday night
Where: Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833}
What: Lincoln Road’s top destination for authentic regional Italian cuisine introduces Bacco Night every Monday during dinner, where bottles of wine on La Bucca di Bacco, Quattro’s impressively diverse wine list of over 200 bottles from 20 different Italian regions, will be 50-percent off.

3. Half-Off Wine Bottles at TiramesU

When: Every Tuesday through October
Where: TiramesU {101 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.532.4538}
What: At its new South of Fifth location, the 25-year-old TiramesU continues to bring familiar flavors to the next level by creating specials that feature fresh seasonal produce and imported ingredients. Starting this month, every Tuesday, the restaurant will offer any of its bottles of wine at 50-percent off, a weekly occasion to indulge in one’s expansive taste or try different wines.

4. Administrative Professionals Day

When: Through April 27
Where: Bulla Gastrobar {2500 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables; 305.441.0107}
What: In honor of Administrative Professionals Day on April 27, Bulla is offering a free glass of sangría or dessert to all administrative professionals just by showing their business card. Bosses too can show their appreciation: Purchase a gift card for your assistant and receive a $10 gift card for every $100 you spend!

DIRT recipe

Beet & Goat Cheese Toast by DIRT’s Jeff Latulippe

5. StarChefs 2016 Rising Stars Gala

When: Wednesday, April 13, 6:30-9:30pm
Where: Marlins Park {501 Marlins Way, Miami}
What: StarChefs honors up-and-coming chefs and hospitality professionals who represent the vanguard of the contemporary American dining scene. The 2016 winners, which include Chef Diego Oka of La Mar by Gasón Acurio and Jeff Latulippe of DIRT, will be honored and will showcase their finest dishes alongside the winning sommeliers and bartenders. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to Feeding South Florida, a nonprofit food bank that distributes more than 40 million pounds of food per year. General Admission: $85 per person. Click here to purchase tickets.

6. (Mostly) Jazz at The Betsy

When: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8-11pm
Where: The Betsy-South Beach {1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; 305.760.6900}
What: Twice per week, guests are invited to enjoy sumptuous BLT Steak cuisine at the Lobby Bar while enjoying the live jazz music. Upcoming performances include:

  • Wednesday, April 13: Roxana Amed / Martin Bejerano
  • Thursday, April 14: Mike Gerber
  • Thursday, April 21: Liz Bieler
  • Wednesday, April 27: Davis and Dow Duo
  • Thursday, April 28: Markus Gottschlich
Quality Meats_Double Rib Steak for two

Quality Meats Double Rib Steak

7. Quality Meats Three-Day Steer Roast

When: April 14-16
Where: Quality Meats {1501 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.340.3333}
What: Over the course of three nights, Executive Chef Patrick Rebholz is partnering with up-and-coming Chef Norberto “Negro” Piattoni for a whole steer cookout extravaganza. A 900-pound steer will be cooked in a specially constructed “fire kitchen” on Quality Meats’ expansive terrace. Events are as follows:

  • Thursday, April 14: Asada Barbecue ($59 per person including beer pairings) with whole ribs, sausage, and various steaks including bavette, hanger, flank, and skirt steak.
  • Friday, April 15: Family-Style Meal ($79 per person including wine pairings) with menu items such as Beef Liver Pâté, Fried Ground Beef Empanadas, Smoked Brisket, and Roasted Bone Marrow.
  • Saturday, April 16: Formal Night, a seated four-course affair ($99 with wine pairing) with a sophisticated menu to match featuring a main course of tender grilled Bone-In Rib-Eye with wild mushrooms and Charred Beef with grilled bok choy and dashi. Click here to reserve your space.

8. COYA Miami’s One-Year Anniversary Celebration

When: Thursday, April 14, at 7pm
Where: COYA Miami {999 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.415.9990}
What: Brickell’s chic Peruvian eatery COYA is celebrating its first year in Miami with a special celebration featuring complimentary Para Picar and Pisco Sours in the Pisco Bar until 8pm. Guests who make dinner reservations will also receive complimentary bubbles and dessert. RSVP here: [email protected].

9. Fontainebleau’s Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series

When: Thursday, April 14, at 8pm
Where: Scarpetta at Fontainebleau {Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}
What: Fontainebleau’s Cellar 1954 Wine & Dinner Series continues with dinner at Scarpetta featuring Napa Valley’s legendary Opus One Winery. The evening will be hosted by France Posener, sales director for the winery. Diners will enjoy a five-course menu prepared by Chef de Cuisine Neil O’Connell, each of which will be paired with a different varietal from the winery. Price is $350 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by clicking here.

10. Standard Sounds Presents Jazz Lounge

When: Thursday, April 28, 8-11pm
Where: The Standard Spa, Miami Beach {40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.673.1717}
What: The Standard Spa, Miami Beach is bringing live jazz to The Lido. The hotel has teamed up with Peroni to bring you the best of Magic City’s scene the last Thursday of every month, April through June, curated and hosted by Dr. Chad Bernstein, trombonist, social entrepreneur, and lover of mollusks. Click here to RSVP.

Snail of Approval chefs and hosts

Slow Food Miami’s 2015 Snail of Approval chefs and hosts

11. Slow Food Miami’s Snail of Approval Tasting Party

When: Friday, April 29, 7-10pm
Where: 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach {2341 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach}
What: Join world-renowned chef, restaurateur, and TV host Tom Colicchio for Miami’s “Freshest Night Out.” The fifth-annual celebration will welcome South Florida’s best farm-to-table chefs, including Anthony Sitek of Apeiro Kitchen & Bar, Nicole Votano of Dirt, Mark Zeitouni from The Lido at The Standard, and many others. All event proceeds benefit Slow Food Miami’s Edible Garden Program. Click here to purchase tickets.

12. Las Olas Wine & Food Festival

When: Friday, April 29, 7:30-10:30pm
Where: Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale
What: The 2016 LOWFF will welcome 45 wineries and 60 restaurants to take over Las Olas Boulevard, one of the few nights of the year Fort Lauderdale’s main thoroughfare closes down to pedestrians. This year, the American Lung Association has partnered with CI Management to create an unforgettable evening. Each street will have a little flair with live music, DJs, culinary and mixology demonstrations, interactive retail displays, and more. Also new this year: Best of the Best Restaurant Competitions on the main stage featuring various dueling restaurants. An expert panel of judges from will decide who will be named best of the best. For a complete lineup of events and ticket information, visit lasolaswff.com or call 954.727.0907.

13. Villa Azur’s Five-Course Menu + Wine Pairing

When: Every Friday evening
Where: Villa Azur {309 23rd Street, Miami Beach; 305.763.8688}
What: Delight your palate with Villa Azur’s flavorful, refined, yet approachable Mediterranean cuisine with a five-course menu that changes weekly. Each dish is paired with a hand-selected wine—all for just $80 per person. Plus, on the last Friday of every month, the restaurant will feature live music to enhance your dinner experience. This month’s featured artist (April 29, 9pm-Midnight) will be the R&B/soul/funk musician Keba and her band.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

Valentine’s Day is less than two weeks away. Do you know where you’re spending it? Below, we offer the most complete roundup of V-Day offerings Miami has to offer. Here’s how to spend Valentine’s Day in Miami.

Downtown and Brickell

Valentine's Day in Miami

Atrio’s Raspberry Mille-Feuille

Atrio Restaurant & Wine Room {Conrad Miami, 1395 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.503.6529}
Spoil your sweetheart with a three-course meal with choices such as Poached Oysters and Beef Tenderloin, and decadent Raspberry Mille-Feuille, all with a side of skyline backdrop from 25 stories up. Price is $65 per person; includes one glass of prosecco and complimentary valet parking.

Azul {Mandarin Oriental, Miami, 500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8358}
A five-course meal will be served Feb. 12-14 for $350 per couple. Includes bottle of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, a box of handmade chocolates, and a rose petal decorated table. Menu items include Yellowfin Tuna, Whipped Foie Gras, Sea Scallops, Hibiscus Braised Short Rib, and a Couples Dessert.

Scampi al forno

Langoustine Scampi al Forno from Cipriani

Cipriani {465 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 786.329.4090}
Celebrate V-Day Cipriani-style with an authentic three-course Italian dinner for $95 per person. Includes signature welcome Bellini; choice of appetizer; choice of entrée from Gnocchi al Pomodoro, Roasted Rack of Veal, or Langoustine Scampi al Forno; and choice of dessert. Click here for full menu.

db Bistro Moderne {255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Downtown; 305.421.8800}
February 13-14, Daniel Boulud’s French bistro is offering a four-course menu for $155 per person, featuring choice of Peekytoe Crab Salad or Guinea Hen Terrine, followed by Black Truffle Risotto and your choice of a Duo of Beef or Butter-Poached Lobster. Sommelier Alan Feldman will offer wine selections to highlight the dishes. Click here for full menu.

La Mar by Gastón Acurio {Mandarin Oriental, Miami, 500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8358}
A trio of special dishes will be available 11:30am-11pm February 12-13 and 6-11pm February 14. Also on V-Day, indulge in a Peruvian-style brunch with cebiches, specialty entrées, and decadent desserts, plus unlimited Champagne and brunch cocktails for $85 per person.

Seaspice valentines

Seaspice’s Seafood Carnival

Seaspice {422 Northwest North River Drive, Miami; 305.440.4200}
Enjoy the Seafood Carnival, market priced from $600-$750, which includes two two-pound lobsters, eight jumbo prawns, 24 oysters, Alaskan king crab, Florida stone crab, tuna sashimi, salmon sashimi, hamachi sashimi, salmon coconut ceviche, and 2oz Sevruga caviar. Tip: Ask for Table 85, a dimly lit riverside table overlooking the downtown skyline.

Tamarina {600 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.579.1888}
February 12-14, enjoy the chef’s special tasting menu for $180 per couple. On February 13, there will be a free open-air movie, “The Book of Life,” at the Brickell World Plaza, where Tamarina will be serving Valentine’s sweets and gelato. On Sunday, the restaurant hosts its “Lovers Brunch,” featuring a live jazz band performing in the plaza.

The Trapiche Room {JW Marriott Miami, 1109 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.329.3500}
Share a romantic dining experience with a four-course menu for $80 per person (or $105 per person with featured wine pairings). Includes amuse bouche, Chef’s Creek Oyster, and entrée selection of Chocolate-Dusted Prime Filet or Coho Salmon. Click here for full menu.

Miami Beach

Bagatelle {221 21st Street, Miami Beach; 305.704.3900}
Order the $185 Le Sobe, which includes 16 market oysters, half an Alaskan king crab, stone crab claws, one Maine lobster, eight littleneck clams, 12 mussels, 12 shrimps, seafood ceviche, yellowfin tuna tartare, and Scottish salmon tartare. Tip: Ask for Table 203, the restaurant’s most romantic table.

Bazi

Bazi Dining Room

Bazi {1200 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.695.010}
Chef Michael Pirolo is offering a five-course menu for $75 per person. Start with Dressed Oysters, followed by Sweet Potato Dumplings, Shrimp and Crab Udon, and a choice of Miso-Marinated Grouper or Grass-Fed NY Strip Steak. Cap off the evening with a Molten Chocolate Bowl with passionfruit and Thai basil anglaise.

BLT Steak {The Betsy-South Beach, 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; 305.673.0044}
February 12-14, BLT Steak is featuring a three-course menu for $70 per person, with enticing selections such as Royal Red Shrimp Ceviche, Seared Yellowfin Tuna, Meyer Lemon Quinoa Risotto, and Raspberry Chocolate Cake. Click here for full menu.

Café des Arts {22 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.534.2555}
South of Fifth’s new Mediterranean café will offer a $75 menu featuring Maine Lobster Salad; a choice of Dorade Fillet or Tender Wagyu; and choice of dessert. Also includes a Love Kiss Shot (a cold shot of red beet and gin) and glass of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne. Click here for full menu.

Cleo {The Redbury Hotel, 1776 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.534.2536}
Enjoy a prix-fixe menu for $85 per person featuring choice of dip (hummus with tahini, cucumbers and yogurt, labneh with feta, or baba ghanoush); classic items such as the Brussels SproutsSpicy Cigars, Grilled Branzino, and chef’s selection of gourmet desserts. Click here for full menu.

Miami Beach Edition

Movie under the stars at the Miami Beach EDITION

EDITION Miami Beach {2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.257.4600}
Spend a romantic evening under the stars while enjoying a picnic basket for two and watching “Casablanca.” Baskets are $100 and include cheese and charcuterie, freshly baked bread, tuna tartare, gourmet popcorn, house-baked cookies, and a bottle of rosé. Movie begins at 7pm.

Jaya {The Setai, 2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 855.923.7899}
The Setai’s new restaurant will offer two five-course menus, one February 12-13 for $98 per person, and one on February 14 for $125 per person. Wine pairings are available for an additional $110 per person. Ladies receive a complimentary glass of rosé and delectable macarons. Click here for Friday and Saturday menu; click here for Sunday menu.

Katsuya {1701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.455.2995}
Take a culinary journey with Chef Jose Icardi’s special family-style menu, offered Feb. 13-14 for $85 per person. Menu items include Toro Tartare, Wagyu Foie, Whole Lobster, chef’s dessert selection, and a complimentary glass of Champagne. Click here for full menu.

Standard Valentine's Day drink

2 Hearts R Better Than 1 from the Standard

Lido Restaurant at The Standard {40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.425.0990}
Be sure to order Beverage Director Amy Demoga’s specialty Champagne cocktail, 2 Hearts R Better Than 1: Veuve Clicquot Rich over ice with red pepper hearts.

Macchialina {820 Alton Road, Miami Beach; 305.534.2124}
Miami Beach’s beloved rustic Italian eatery will offer a five-course menu for $75 per person featuring dishes such as Dressed OystersYellowfin Tuna CrudoTruffled RisottoVeal Cheek Crepinette, and Molten Chocolate Cake.

Michael Mina 74 {Fontainebleau, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.674.4636}
Spoil your loved one at the Fontainebleau’s contemporary American bistro with a lavish four-course menu for $250 per couple (add wine pairings for an additional $100). The menu can also be served in a romantic private cabana for $500 per couple. Click here for full menu.

Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833}
Lincoln Road’s upscale Northern Italian eatery is offering several à la carte dinner specials, including Tuna Carpaccio, Creamy Truffle Polenta, Gnocchi Pesto with Shrimp, and Rack of Lamb with beech mushroom sauce. Click here for full menu.

TiramesU {101 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.532.4538}
South of Fifth’s quaint Italian eatery is offering an à la carte dinner menu. “Each dish is meant to awaken passion, through your palette,” says Chef Fabrizio Pintus. A specialty cocktail appropriately named “Valentino” includes strawberries, basil, balsamic, and Effen vodka. Click here for full menu.

Coral Gables

The Biltmore {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.445.8066 ext. 2373}
Let Executive Chef David Hackett personalize and prepare a custom menu for you within a private cabana nestled alongside the Biltmore’s world-famous pool. Four-course dinners start at $200 per person. Let the Biltmore Design Team enhance your cabana experience with flowers, live music, or special décor.

Bulla Cordonices

Bulla Cordonices con Rosas

Bulla Gastrobar {2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables; 305.316.3631}
The Gables’ favorite gastrobar will offer a weekly à la carte Valentine’s-themed menu; highlights include Pargo a La Sal, Florida red snapper baked in salt; Codornices con Rosas, grilled semi-boneless quails; Carrilleras de Ternera Lechal, veal cheek fricassee; and Brazo Helado de Mango y Vainilla, Mango gelée roll filled with vanilla ice cream and yogurt.

Ortanique on the Mile {278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; 305.446.7710}
Chef Cindy Hutson will host a themed cooking class on February 13 from 11:30am-2:30pm for $108 per person. Dishes include: Hearts on Fire, steamed artichoke hearts, crisp greens in a pink peppercorn Caesar, and shaved Grana Padano; Sweet Cheeks, Niman Ranch braised pork cheeks and sweet corn polenta in a cherry chipotle agave glaze; and Making Whoopie, red velvet cookie cake filled with white chocolate cream cheese icing.

And Beyond

Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails {111 South Surf Road, Hallandale; 954.699.0901}
From 11am-3pm, couples can revel in a $50 brunch buffet that includes dishes such as Fried Chicken and Waffles, Blueberry Pancakes, and thick-cut bacon topped off with $30 bottomless rosé. For dinner, there will be a $75 prix-fixe menu with plates such as the Pumpkin BriocheWasabi Tuna Tartare, Mushroom Gnocchi, and a selection of desserts. Click here for full menu.

Mortons valentines

Morton’s Valentine’s Day Surf ‘n’ Turf Special

Morton’s The Steakhouse {Locations in Brickell, Coral Gables, and North Miami Beach}
February 12-14, Morton’s is offering a taste of the good life by offering diners the chance to order a succulent steak AND a cold water lobster tail with drawn butter for only $55.

Riviera Focacceria Italiana {3252 Northeast Buena Vista Boulevard, Suite 110, Midtown; 786.220.6251}
For a quiet evening at home, order Riviera’s take-home basket for a Valentine’s dinner that you and your loved one can prepare together. Baskets are $45 and include Red Shrimp Ravioli with a creamy pink peppercorn sauce, chef’s choice of dessert, and a bottle of Syltbar Rosé.

Pisco y Nazca {The Palms at Town & Country, 8405 Mills Drive, Kendall; 305.630.3844}
Treat your love to a seat at the bar to share one of the special Valentine’s Day menu items. And don’t forget to order the Noche de Pasion cocktail, a mixture of Ron Cartavio Black, passionfruit purée, vanilla cinnamon syrup, lemon juice, Garnish black cherry, and sprinkled cinnamon.

—Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

Why is food presentation so important when it comes to dining? as a chef, how do you ensure a beautiful plate?

Fabrizio Pintus

Executive Chef Fabrizio Pintus of TiramesU
I believe dish presentation is an essential part of the dining experience. First of all—because the visual element is the first impression—sight is the first sense to entice the diner. For this reason, it is just as important as the actual taste of the food.

The way a dish is presented also hints at the type of cuisine and tells the diner what the chef is trying to accomplish. I try to plate in a simple way so the protagonists are the high-quality ingredients, enhanced by Italian influences and our modern twist.

Jason  Pringle

Chef Jason Pringle of db Bistro Moderne
Dining isn’t only about taste. It’s a complete sensory experience. You can “taste” the food just by looking at it. The appearance of the plate prepares your palate for the flavors to come.

We work with amazing products from our purveyors and it’s important to present them in a way that mimics the care and dedication these purveyors put into cultivating them. I strive to create plates that have a variety of different colors and textures to help capture the diner’s attention and draw them into the experience of enjoying the dish.

Chef Juca

Chef Joao “JuCa” Oliveira of Tutto Pizza
I see food as a form of art that plays to our many senses. You see, smell, taste, and sometimes touch food. Sight is the first experience. Most people are visual eaters—if they do not like what they see, chances are, they won’t be too willing to try it. If they do try it, their experience will be influenced by the presentation. To create a beautiful plate, I keep it clean and simple, allowing the vibrant colors and textures of the food to shine.

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

Tiramesu

TiramesU

Never a dull moment this fall with restaurant openings galore and Miami Spice all at once! Here’s the scoop on Miami restaurant openings, recent and forthcoming.

Wapo Taco! {2526 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables; 786.452.9634}
Hallandale Beach residents’ favorite Mexican restaurant has found a second South Florida home in Coral Gables. The cool and casual taqueria, whose motto is fittingly, “For the Love of Tacos,” was brought to the U.S. by way of Mexico City and boasts an authentic menu of family recipes. Just like its original location, which pioneered “tacos al carbon,” Wapo Taco! cooks meats on a charcoal grill, corn tortillas come fresh from the comal griddle, and salsas are made in-house daily using only the freshest ingredients. Choice menu items include the Campechano Taco—a combination of skirt steak, chorizo, and crispy pork chicharrón grilled with salsa especial; and the Pastor Tacos— meat marinated in a mixture of spices, slowly roasted and sabered from the spit, and topped with pineapple, onions, and cilantro.

Libar Steakhouse {900 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami; 786.376.8660} 
Located on the ground floor of the exclusive 900 Biscayne luxury condominium building, Libar Steakhouse is one of Downtown Miami’s newest culinary masterpieces. Colombian-born entrepreneur and chef Brian Aaron (the man behind the successful catering company, Aaron’s Catering) will take the helm. Based on Aaron’s successful track record as both a chef and businessman, guests can expect Libar to execute a high-quality dining experience from the get-go. “It is an incredible opportunity to showcase modern styles of cooking and presentations where quality, taste, and service are the number one priorities,” says Aaron. “The attitude is to make it playful … to make simple dishes taste extraordinary.”

Elia Gourmet {3300 Mary Street, Coconut Grove; 305.377.3400}
Miami’s dynamic Coconut Grove neighborhood is getting a new tenant: Elia Gourmet. Coconut Grove is seeing an influx of new restaurant talent, and Elia is no exception. Its sister restaurant downtown is known for its Mediterranean and Greek cuisine such as moussaka, kebabs, pastitsio (imported Greek pasta, hearty meat sauce, and béchamel cream), and yemista (stuffed peppers with rice and seasoned ground turkey). Now, Miami residents have a new way to get their Greek on.

Red Ginger

Red Ginger {736 First Street, Miami Beach; 305.433.6876}
Like a bright, tasty pop of pickled ginger, Red Ginger—South Beach’s newest Southeast Asian fusion concept—is tickling taste buds all over the neighborhood. Opened by Menin Hospitality, Red Ginger is stationed in the South of Fifth district just a stone’s throw from the beach and neighboring Radio Bar. Top Chef Master Herbert Wilson mans the kitchen as executive chef, delivering a menu with high-end sushi selections, binchotan charcoal robata grill creations, and omakase feasts. With 136 seats, the space is both roomy and intimate, designed to resemble an ancient Cambodian temple with marble flooring and hand-carved wood panels. Order off the family-style menu for fried rice, curry, and soups; meatballs, short rib, and filet; and sushi or sashimi omakase at three different price points. Add a sip of rare aged Japanese whisky to round out your experience.

Chef Bee Oishi Thai

Chef Bee

Naiyara {1854 Bay Road, Miami Beach; 305.947.4338}
Naiyara will sound its arrival in the fall of 2015, bringing with it elegant yet approachable Thai street fare and sushi to the hungry public. Chef Piyarat Arreeratn—nicknamed “Chef Bee”—is behind this much-anticipated new restaurant, named after his daughter (and translating to “little elephant”). The 120-seat restaurant will be adorned with vibrant colors, elephant- themed art, and authentic Thai decorations, recalling Chef Bee’s home in Thailand. The menu will incorporate street fare dishes and sushi inspired by Bee’s homeland and his mother’s cooking—savory curries like Chicken Khao Soi and Massaman, flavorful beef with yellow sticky rice, Mu Yang rotisserie pork, and fresh papaya salad, along with delicate toro and salmon, to name a few. This spot will feature happy hour deals both early and late, serving until 4am Thursday through Saturday.

Craft Social Club {100 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.123.7891}
Led by restaurant industry veterans LP Steele (former marketing director representing Bacardi USA and Diageo), RT Murphy (former GM of EMM Group), and Evan Hawkins (former head bartender at Marquee NYC), Craft Social Club promises to be Miami’s next “it” destination. But what sets this cool lounge apart from numerous others that have come and gone in SoBe? We’d have to say it’s the unique beverage program, complete with an open-air “Cocktail Kitchen,” which allows guests to watch their drinks being prepared from scratch. It’s also the “Cocktail Suites,” which feature built-in service bars that allow for a VIP tableside experience like no other. A series of small bites complements the innovative cocktail program, including Tequila Ceviche Shooters; Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit Sliders; and a variety of Brooklyn Hot Dog Co. Sliders.

HYDE beach kitchen + cocktails

HYDE beach kitchen + cocktails

Hyde Beach Kitchen & Cocktails {111 South Surf Road, Hallandale Beach; 954.699.0901}
Hitting Hallandale in the summer of 2015, the newest Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails invites you to relax with inspiring food, drink, and entertainment. Set on the sand in this up-and-coming neighborhood just north of Miami, Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails encompasses 10,000 square feet over three levels, including three full-service bars, private dining spaces and meeting rooms, a boutique retail store—even valet parking. The beachside main floor welcomes guests with delightful bites, fresh juices, and a rejuvenating spa, while one level above offers a rooftop restaurant serving New American cuisine by Chef Danny Elmaleh. On the third floor? Member-exclusive pool, lounge, bar, and cabanas for the ultimate in relaxation. Social dining options and outdoor patio spaces can be booked for private events.

Visa-o1 {1680 Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.397.8189}
Tucked in a tiny corner of an office building, Visa-O1 is the epitome of a hidden gem; this mouthwatering pizza place is well worth the hunt. The concept behind this modern, trendy spot is the O1 visa itself—reserved for “individuals with extraordinary ability.” In this case, Visa-O1 is extraordinarily able to make salads and, of course, pizza like the Star Luca, a star-shaped pizza covered in pepperoni, mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce, and the star feature—a crust filled with ricotta cheese. After all that savory delight, satisfy your sweet tooth with Visa-O1’s sought-after Nutella Pizza. Do yourself a favor and get to this extraordinary spot.

La Boulangerie {20475 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura; 305.974.4634} and {1242 Coral Way, Miami; 305.858.1080}
Café enthusiasts of Miami, you are in luck. La Boulangerie, Key Biscayne’s fabulously French bakery and café, recently opened new locations in Aventura and on Coral Way, bringing European-inspired pastries and freshly brewed coffee to two more neighborhoods. Guests can sip on a latte and nibble on a Guava and Cream Cheese Croissant while taking in La Boulangerie’s bright and airy interiors. With gourmet sandwiches such as Prime Roast Beef with marinated artichoke and Parmesan cheese, these cafés are not only for breakfast lovers, but anyone with a craving for French fare. C’est magnifique!

9beach miami

9beach

9Beach Fusion Kitchen & Lounge Bar {1628 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.717.7174}
The glamourous beaches of Tel Aviv and the hard rock opulence of Camden, London recently came together for a dining and nightlife experience like no other in South Beach. Opened in July, 9beach fusion kitchen & lounge bar is the first American venture from 9beach Group, whose successes hail from Israel and London. Explore the spacious indoor escape and the 5,000-square-foot outdoor lounge as you soak in live music and nightly DJs, carefully crafted cocktails, and artfully presented Mediterranean fare. Cocktails like the Raspberry Ginger Collins and Coco Nib Old Fashioned beckon for a midday chill or late-night festivities. Expect ornate lion heads, grand chandeliers, and rock lyrics on the walls—all illuminated by Miami sunset lighting. We can’t wait to see what the world of 9beach brings to South Beach.

TiramesU {101 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.532.4538}
The latest buzz in Miami Beach’s exploding South of Fifth neighborhood is the highly anticipated reopening of TiramesU, a South Beach staple for 27 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 time has finally come for it to reemerge— bigger and better than ever. Since the Lincoln Road location closing, Chef Fabrizio Pintus has traveled throughout Italy, immersing himself in some of the best and most popular kitchens in the Lombardy region. He will offer a new and improved menu featuring the same authentic Italian flavors with a fun, contemporary twist.

Courtesy of Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau – MiamiandBeaches.com

It’s hard to believe that it’s already more than halfway through July. Time sure does fly! But that means it’s almost time for one of our favorite times of the year: Miami Spice. During August and September, nearly 200 restaurants throughout Miami will be offering special three-course prix-fixe menus at unbeatable prices (lunch is $23 per person; dinner is $39 per person). We’ll be posting some of our favorite participating restaurants in the upcoming weeks, so be sure to check back regularly. Can’t wait ’til August? The following three events are kicking off the two-month Spice a tad early.

Miami Spice Mash-Up Series
When:
Thursday, July 23, 7pm
Where: Dolce Italian {The Gale Miami Beach, 1690 Collins Avenue}
What: Chefs Paolo Dorigato and Cesar Zapata from Bravo’s “Best New Restaurant” will team up to create an exclusive dinner featuring two of the summer’s most popular Spice destinations: Dolce Italian and The Federal Miami. Dinner includes a complimentary pour of Stella Artois and one complimentary glass each of Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay and Terrazas Reserva Malbec
Cost: $65 per person. Click here to reserve seats.

South of Spice
When:
Tuesday, July 28, 6pm
Where: South of Fifth. Participating restaurants include Cibo Wine Bar {200 South Pointe Drive}, TiramesU {101 Washington Avenue}, Red Ginger {736 First Street}, and more.
What: Miami Beach’s bourgeoning SoFi neighborhood kicks off Miami Spice with a cool “restaurant-hopping” event featuring the area’s top dining destinations. Ticket holders can venture between participating eateries for a sneak taste of their Miami Spice menus, which will be paired with various wines and cocktails.
Cost: $45 per person. Click here for tickets.

Iron Fork Miami Spice Kickoff Event
When:
Thursday, July 30, 7pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Downtown Miami {400 Southeast Second Avenue}
What: The annual Iron Fork kickoff event features two of Miami’s finest chefs—Eileen Andrade of FINKA Table & Tap and Dena Marino of MC Kitchen—will go “pot-to-pot” in a culinary showdown overseen by famed Chef Allen Susser. Each competitor will receive a basket of ingredients to create an innovative dish to be judged by a panel of local celebrity chefs. In addition, Midtown Oyster Bar will present a Shuck It Oyster Competition, where chefs from select Miami Spice restaurants will be timed to see who can shuck a dozen oysters the fastest.
Cost: $50 per person; $85 for VIP. Click here for tickets.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

“Out with the old, in with the new,” is how the saying goes. But in the case of the three restaurants below, it’s more like, “Out with the old, in with the improved.” Here, a look at three highly anticipated restaurant openings for the summer:

PB Station

PB Station {121 Southeast First Street, Downtown; 305.532.7555}
Pubbelly “goes new American” this summer with the opening of PB Station, the first dining concept outside Miami Beach’s city limits for the Pubbelly Boys’ (Jose Mendin, Andreas Schreiner, and Sergio Navarro of Pubbelly, Pubbelly Sushi, and L’Echon Brasserie fame).

Located on the ground level of the new Langford Hotel in Downtown Miami, PB Station will be led by Executive Chef Guillermo Concha, who will offer original dishes inspired by the restaurant group’s former concepts PB Steak and PB Fish such as the Ceviche Taquitos, Steak Tartare Sliders, and French Onion Soup Dumplings, plus carefully selected à la carte steak and poultry cuts, with seafood selections varying daily based on what is fresh and local.

Tiramesu

TiramesU {101 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach}
The latest buzz in Miami Beach’s exploding South of Fifth neighborhood is the highly anticipated reopening of TiramesU, the 25-plus-year-old establishment that has been a South Beach staple since its inception.

The restaurant made its debut 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 forever hiatus, the time has finally come for it to reemerge bigger and better than ever.

Chef Fabrizio Pintus, who has been at the helm of the kitchen since 2010, will resume his role as executive chef, offering up a new and improved menu featuring the same authentic Italian flavors with a fun, contemporary twist.

CENA by michy

CENA by Michy {6927 Biscayne Boulevard, Midtown; 305 759 2001}
Unlike TiramesU, which is essentially an old restaurant in a new location, CENA by Michy is a new restaurant in an old location. After a 10-month closure and a total renovation, James Beard Award-winning Chef Michelle Bernstein’s landmark eatery Michy has reopened its doors, but with an entirely new name, look, menu, and spirit.

CENA by Michy has shucked the original incarnation’s bright colors and cottage-chic décor for a clean, white color palette complemented by dark chrome starburst chandeliers. The menu is approachable yet adventurous, boasting soul-pleasing favorites as well as an array of dishes inspired by what Bernstein says are her current culinary obsessions. The menu will feature nightly selections from the restaurant’s new rotisserie and has already been praised for its innovative and Latin-inspired flavors for which Bernstein is known.

By Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor