Miami Spice 2023 | Participating Michelin-Recommended Restaurants Part 2 Posted on August 28, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Here we are. This is the grand finale of the Miami Luxury Homes-featured lists of Miami Spice 2023 menus. Yesterday, we went through the Miami Spice 2023 menus of some of Miami’s historic and iconic restaurants that also received a Michelin-recommended rating across Miami. These are restaurants that have been around for awhile and also have been recognized by the Michelin inspectors as offering an exceptional experience and a really good meal. As Michael Ellis, the International Director of Michelin Guide books, puts it: “A restaurant in the Recommended selection is ths sign of a chef using quality ingredients that are well-cooked; simply a good meal. It means that the inspectors have found the food to be above average, but not quite at star or Bib level.” For our grand finale, we are doing a second list of Michelin-Recommended restaurants however these are all based in the Coral Gables area. By clicking on the name of any of these restaurants, you will be directed to their Miami Spice page, which details their prix-fixe menu with options, prices, days available as well as their website and a link to their OpenTable account in order to make reservations. Havana Harry’s Coral Gables For Miami Spice 2023 Havana Harry’s – 4612 S. LeJeune Road Starting off with something that Miami is known for. Top-notch authentic Cuban cuisine. Tampa may try to say they have the best, but it is just not the truth. Miami is the second home to authentic Cuban cuisine with Havana being the first, of course. Making their debut on the Miami Spice list this year is Havana Harry’s on LeJeune Road. Havana Harry’s is offering a lunch option during the week for $30 and dinner any night of the week for $45. Now, here’s where things get dicey. What to order?! My recommendation is to get an array of the appetizers. If each person in your party chooses one thing, everyone can try some of it all. You could also just order more appetizers but I’m trying to stick to the Miami Spice program for my suggestions. My top favorites from this section would be the croquetas basket, fried yuca and chicharrones explosion, anything with tostones and the ceviche. For the main dishes, I am so weak when it comes to vaca frita. It is not something I cook well at home and so I gravitate to it at the restaurant. any of the vaca fritas are amazing. The churrasco is also perfectly seared with a citrus marinade and beautiful chimichurri. I know full well that I sound like Bob Ross with my happy little description of Cuban food but it’s likely because I haven’t been to Havana Harry’s in awhile. I’m overdue. For the desserts, you’ll have to share again because they are all so good. Being that this is a Cuban restaurant, I would go traditional and get the flan, tres leches or cuatro leches and guava cheesecake. You should also be aware that on top of being Michelin-recommended, Havana Harry’s mojito was voted “Best in Miami.” So if you or a guest from out of town has never tried Cuban food, this is the place to start. Orno Miami Coral Gables For Miami Spice 2023 Orno Miami – 1350 S. Dixie Highway Steps from UM’s main campus in the THēsis Hotel is a New American restaurant called Orno Miami. Helmed by Chef Niven Patel, his main focus is to provide a menu of locally sourced vegetables, the highest quality meats and sustainably caught seafood in a casual yet upscale environment. Chef Patel has succeeded at his mission. Orno Miami was chosen by Timeout as one of the “30 Best Brunches in Miami” for 2021. He was also voted by Food and Wine Magazine as one of the “Best New Chefs of 2020” and here he is today, already with Michelin Recognition. For Miami Spice 2023, the famous Sunday Brunch is offered for $35 and dinner is offered each night for $60. Since the appetizers are served family-style, ordering is easy. The chilaquiles (pictured) are available at brunch as well as green chickpea hummus with pickled beets, which sounds pretty amazing to me. At dinner, the pork confit seems most interesting to me because of my love of mixing peaches in unexpected places, but the buffalo mozzarella and roasted eggplant tartine also sound divine. When it comes to the main course, the brunch menu is also served family-style. This way nobody has to choose between the bacon potato pave with cave aged gruyere and chives, or the ricotta pancakes with strawberries and Vermont syrup. Afterward, everyone gets banana bread with salted honey butter, making this a well-rounded tasting menu for brunch. At dinner, the entrees are plated. The first thing that catches my eye is the grilled Skull Island prawns with thai mango salad, but the braised short rib with peperonata, onion gratin and jus looks to have a very deep flavor. For dessert everyone gets smores with dark chocolate, marshmallow and mezcal. Fiola Miami Coral Gables For Miami Spice 2023 Fiola Miami – 1500 San Ignacio Avenue Closer to Red Road on San Ignacio Avenue, you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in a beautifully appointed restaurant or take in a Miami sunset on the nearby rooftop terraza at Fiola Miami. Chef Fabio Trabocchi is no stranger to the Michelin list, as his DC location of Fiola has already earned its star. The Miami location is well on its way with a Recommended rating. Chef Trabocchi’s Miami Spice 2023 menu is a beautifully plated brunch, lunch or dinner that will entice you to share to Instagram. The lunch and brunch are $35, available Sunday for brunch or Tuesday through Friday for Lunch. The $60 dinner is available Sunday through Thursday. Pictured is the elegant Georgia Peach Gazpacho that is available for dinner, with a similar offering available for brunch or lunch. Other fresh appetizers include cobia ceviche, East Coast oysters, Wagyu Steak tartare, Watermelon salad, and Ora King Salmon crudo. The entrees include fresh fish, meats and homemade pastas. The Spanish octopus with heirloom tomatoes looks beautiful as does the roasted airline chicken and pan roasted branzino. There are many different options for the entrees, it is difficult to choose. For dessert, the coppetta of sorbetto and gelato allows you to choose two flavors from chocolate, fior di latte, pistachio or mango, coconut panna cotta, and basque cheesecake with caramel and valrhona pearls. This is truly an elegant meal. Beauty And The Butcher Coral Gables For Miami Spice 2023 Beauty and the Butcher – 6915 Red Road You will recognize Chef Jeremy Ford from our list of Michelin-Starred restaurants in the Miami area this year where he earned the honor for Stubborn Seed on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood. In Coral Gables he is getting carniverous with Beauty and the Butcher, where they offer a rotating menu of seasonal small plates and a variety of the highest quality meats. As the restaurant is open only for happy hour and dinner service, they are offering a $60 prix fixe menu for Miami Spice 2023 Sunday through Thursday evenings. Before enjoying a protein-rich meal, I always like to start with a salad and the Ceasar salad with little gem lettuce and sourdough croutons sounds amazing. The entrees offer three choices. There is a chicken, fish and beef option. The truffle organic chicken is plated with pomme purée, baby turnips and natural jus. Thyme-crusted roasted halibut sounds divine with Colombian chorizo, white bean cassoulet and shaved celery salad. For a small upcharge, they are offering the beef tenderloin with crispy polenta, sour cherry mustard and creamy peppercorn. Either of these would be a beautiful choice. The Gibson Room Coral Gables For Miami Spice 2023 The Gibson Room – 2224 SW 22nd Street At last, we head over to Coral Way to visit The Gibson Room, which is part of the Ariete Hospitality family that includes Coconut Grove’s Ariete and Chug’s Diner, both of which have been featured here before for their Michelin stars. Under the dim lights and elegant atmosphere, you will find a dinner option any day of the week at The Gibson Room for $60. On this menu, there are several options for shareable appetizers including chicken truffle croquetas, Raviolo, which has poached shrimp and snapper and a caesar salad. The dinner portion offers a snapper with oyster and mussel enchilado or a double smash burger with pickles, special sauce, American cheese and shaved lettuce or the Tantan Raman, which is filled with wild boar, sesame, soy egg and peanuts. Any of these look amazing, so there’s no way you can go wrong. To finish up, you can choose between flan with rum drunken figs or stickly toffee pudding that comes with vanilla ice cream, date sponge cake and toffee caramel. Chef Beltran has outdone himself again with these bold flavors and creative combinations. The Gibson Room is a must-try. So, this does it for our Miami Spice 2023 feature. We really hope you try as many of these restaurants as possible. It is one of the most anticipated Miami promotions of the year each year and is something the locals look forward to. The restaurants depend upon in order to keep their staff happy and busy and the Miami economy turning during low season so we hope you use it as an opportunity to broaden your horizons and try something new in our beautiful city. Featured Image Credit: Orno Miami
Miami Spice 2023 | Participating Michelin-Recommended Restaurants Part 1 Posted on August 21, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Now that we have devoured the Michelin Starred and Michelin Bib Gourmet restaurants who are participating in Miami Spice 2023, we are moving on to another delectable category. The Michelin-Recommended restaurants. There are twenty of these restaurants in the Greater Miami area this year, so we chose our top favorites to begin the feature. These restaurants are not only delicious and offer impeccable service with well-thought out menus, but they also are sort of staples in our community. Next week, we will delve into some of the newcomers who have both made the Michelin-Recommended list and are participating in Miami Spice 2023. But what does it mean to be Michelin Recommended? – Many may ask. According to the Michelin Guide, to be Michelin Recommended is this: “A restaurant in the Recommended selection is ths sign of a chef using quality ingredients that are well-cooked; simply a good meal. It means that the inspectors have found the food to be above average, but not quite at star or Bib level,” said Michael Ellis, who is the International Director of the Michelin Guide Books. So, by visiting any of these locations, you are pretty much guaranteed an amazing meal. Here we go! By clicking on the name of any of these restaurants, you will be directed to their Miami Spice page, which details their prix-fixe menu with options, prices, days available as well as their website and a link to their OpenTable account in order to make reservations. Image credit: Joe’s Stone Crab Joe’s Stone Crab – 11 Washington Avenue (South of Fifth) To start off the list, we have to respect Joe’s Stone Crab. It is an iconic Miami Beach staple. It was established in 1913, before Miami Beach even had paved roads. Located on the corner of South Pointe Drive and Washington Avenue, what started as a small, beachy eatery now takes up much of the block. The menu features the requisite fresh stone crabs, but also amazing steaks that are Florida-sourced as well as more affordable options. If you’re in a hurry, you can also stop off at Joe’s Takeaway next door. Joes Stone Crab has also been a staple on the Miami Spice list since its inception. For Miami Spice 2023, they have a $35 lunch menu Friday through Sunday as well as both price tiers ($45 and $60) for dinner every Wednesday through Sunday evenings. Since their menu is so vast, I’ll touch on some of my personal favorites. For starters, you could upgrade any meal with a $20 Joe’s Mule, their take on a Moscow Mule cocktail that is served in a commemorative Joe’s Stone Crab copper mug. On the starters, I tend to choose the copped salad. It has so many ingredients and a rich depth in flavor with an array of textures. Plus it is not overly heavy, so you can be prepared for something rich and/or heavy for your main course. For the main course, you have to remember that the fried chicken was endorsed by the “Queen of Southern Cooking” herself, Paula Deen. It is to die for. There are also stone crabs for a slight upgrade and you obviously can’t go wrong with that. In the fish selections, the Jumbo Crab Cakes are always delicious and the 8oz Miso Cod has a very rich taste. The desserts are classics for Joe’s. The key lime pie tends to be the most popular, as it matches well with Florida things like stone crab, but the apple pie is a southern classic and is layered with warm spiced apples that match well with the fried chicken. Image Credit: Los Fuegos Los Fuegos at Faena Miami Beach – 3201 Collins Avenue Next we’ll head up to 32nd and Collins in the Faena District to visit Los Fuegos where Chef Francis Mallman is passionate about South American live-fire cooking. Set to the backdrop of the lush Faena Hotel or poolside, you’ll enjoy a meal that the Michelin inspectors described as “Theatrical”. From Monday through Friday, they are offering a $35 lunch menu and Sunday through Thursday there is a $60 dinner menu at Los Fuegos. The appetizers are served in a way that everyone at the table could order one, then share so that everyone tries a bit. The braised lamb empanadas have a deep flavor, wild salmon tartare is served with potato skins, roasted garlic and anchovy oil and, yes. This man even wood-fired romaine lettuce for a very interesting thing to try and write home about! On the lunch menu, the Organic Airline Chicken Breast is refreshing with a lemon butter caper sauce, or the Wood Fired Wild Salmon. For dinner, it is difficult to go to an Argentine restaurant and not have a steak, so the Milanesa Napoltana would be hard to pass over but the Mediterranean Branzino also looks to have a deep flavor with a refreshing lemon butter caper sauce. If you are vegetarian, the Spinach, Ricotta and Mascarpone Crepe is definitely worthwhile. The desserts are a selection of thoughtfully paired sorbets or ice cream. The Chocolate Crumble incorporates pineapple, which is something I’ve never thought to do but would be interested to try. The Pie De Limon and Strawberry Passion Fruit Gratin are both exotically paired and feel refreshing. Image Credit: Mignonette Downtown Miami Mignonette Seafood and Oyster Bar – 210 NE 18th Street Downtown Miami In Downtown Miami, Mignonette has been a staple for many years now. It is located in a 1930’s gas station that is now a chic eatery where you can pull up in a dinner jacket or flip flops and fit in just fine. It is very popular with the locals from all the surrounding neighborhoods. Their Miami Spice 2023 menu is a $60 dinner any night of the week and is as simple as their dress code. You can choose from any one of their appetizers, entrees and desserts from the menu. There are a few exceptions such as seafood towers, caviar and whole fish, but it is very straight forward. I love raw oysters, so that is my obvious go-to on their appetizer menu but there are other options such as Casino Clams that are served in bacon broth, Charred Octopus and Lobster Deviled Eggs that are all winners. The list of options is really more extensive at Mignonette than at most any restaurant we’ve seen so far. On the dinner menu, the Crispy Skin Snapper is amazing as are the Diver Scallops. I’ve found that many restaurants don’t do scallops any justice but this is not the case at Mignonette. For dessert, there are four options. The key lime pie is topped with berries and whipped cream, an obvious staple for Florida. They also have a fudgy chocolate cake served with a glass of cold milk, a rich carrot cake smothered in caramel pomegranate molasses or heath bar butterscotch bread pudding that interestingly comes with cayenne whipped cream. Any of these would be something to try and enjoy. Image Credit: Hakkasan Miami Beach Hakkasan – 4441 Collins Avenue Miami Beach Existing on the Michelin lists since 2003 and located within the famed Fontainebleau Hotel at 4441 Collins Avenue, Hakkasan features Chef Loo’s inspired and innovative Cantonese selections. Visiting the Fontainebleau for any reason is another activity that all Miamians do at some point during their tenure in the 305, and Hakkasan is a great reason to do so. For Miami Spice 2023, Chef Kenny Loo (his real name is Chef Jian Heng Loo, but everyone calls him Kenny so we will here as well) is offering Sunday brunch for $35 or a $60 dinner service Sunday through Thursday. This is a very popular brunch spot, by the way for tourists and locals alike. Dim sum baskets are offered on the appetizer menu, and I don’t know many people who dislike dim sum but even those people would likely enjoy these. They have a complex flavor that is very savory and delicious. On the dinner menu he also offers Jasmine Tea Beef Short Ribs, which are amazing as well and stays straight on the theme of innovative Cantonese classics. Of the main courses, you choose one protein and one side or vegetable. Sticking to theme, I really enjoy the Sweet and Sour Prawn with a side of Baby Pak Choi or the Peking Duck. Other stars of the show are the Crispy Orange Chicken and the Charcoal Grilled Honey Chilean Sea Bass. Getting to dessert you have Mandarin and Vanilla, which is an interesting and refreshing gelato that has lemongrass and vanilla with orange segments. Alternatively there is the Yuzu Smore, an interesting raspberry marshmallow, yuzu ice cream, raspberry gel, cashew crumble and hot milk chocolate sauce. Image Credit: Le Zoo Bal Harbour Shops Le Zoo Restaurant – 9700 Collins Avenue Bal Harbour Shops After a long afternoon of shopping at Bal Harbour Shops at 9700 Collins Avenue, you can stop by space #135 at the main entrance and enjoy a beautiful French Brasserie overseen by Chef Stephen Starr. This is Le Zoo Restaurant. The menu is reminiscent of the cafes in Paris and the shores of St. Tropez, nestled under the trees and in an alfresco atmosphere. It is a great place to meet the girls to catch up, or to impress a date. There are both lunch and dinner options, for $30 and $60 respectively. The Cucumber Soup is a refreshing choice as an appetizer either for lunch or dinner. Alternatively at lunch, you are offered Salmon Tartare and at dinner, Steak Tartare. They also have Escargot or Pate de Campagna which are both very rich. For lunch, you could choose between the white wine Moules Frites, St. Tropez-styled Grilled Salmon or a Steak Tartare. At dinner, the Trout Amadene would be my choice, followed by the Coq Au Vin, which is red wine braised chicken. There is also Pates a L’Encre de Calmar, which is squid ink pasta with fresh crab and calamari. On the dessert menu, there is a classic Creme Brulee, ice cream or Pot du Creme au Chocolate (chocolate mousse). Image Credit: MILA Restaurant South Beach MILA Restaurant – 1636 Meridian Rooftop South Beach The only rooftop option on our list is MILA Restaurant on South Beach. Still a relative newcomer to Miami Beach, the combination of MILA’s flamboyant venue, propensity of attracting celebrities (JBalvin, Jared Leto, Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly to name a few), and their inspired Japanese/Mediterranean fusion fare has jetted it to the top of the Miami Beach food chain. It is important to note that MILA does not accept walk-ins. You must call them at 786-706-0744 to reserve your spot. Now, on with what they have for their $60 Miami Spice 2023 dinner. I have mentioned before that I am a slave to a Mediterranean Greek Salad, so I will make a beeline to their Mila Greek Salad for my starter. Other offerings that also look appetizing are the Hirame Crudo, which would be amazing and refreshing on a rooftop while you feel the Miami Beach air, or the Fried Eggplant and Zucchini Chips that come with a very interesting tzatziki shiso. The entrees start with a vegetarian option, the Mushroom Hotpot with sticky rice. They also have Mediterrasian Whole Roasted Young Chicken, which seems interesting. My choice would likely be the Seared Salmon or Lobster Dynamite glazed in sake soy. They also have a beef tenderloin option. To wrap it up, there are three options that are difficult to choose from, so I recommend all three to share. The Molten Chocolate Lava Cake is always a good choice, Tropical Fruit Salad with Coconut Sorbet is refreshing and cool, but they have another offering. It is called a Coconut Sphere with mango-vanilla, passion fruit coulis and purple shiso. I do not know what it is, but it seems very delightful so I would order it just to be adventurous. Miami Spice is one of the most anticipated Miami promotions of the year each year. It is something the locals look forward to and the restaurants depend upon in order to keep their staff happy and busy and the Miami economy turning during low season. We hope that you will make it out to try at least one of these options this year. Featured Image Credit: Faena Hotel Miami Beach
Miami Spice 2023 | Participating Michelin-Honored Restaurants Posted on August 7, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Eating at a Michelin-honored restaurant is something everyone should do at least once in their life. The Michelin star is one of the end-all honors in the culinary world. It’s like winning an Oscar, but for a dedicated and passionate chef. If you have not yet done so, now is definitely the time to do it. A Michelin Star is awarded to restaurants using top quality ingredients, where dishes with distinct flavors are prepared to a consistently high standard, according to the Michelin Guide. For restaurants who offer a Michelin-quality experience with a more affordable cost, there is the Michelin Bib Gourmand. We are fortunate in Miami to have many of these restaurants to choose from. For today’s list, we’ll go through six that are participating in Miami Spice. By clicking on the name of any of these restaurants, you will be directed to their Miami Spice page, which details their prix-fixe menu with options, prices, days available as well as their website and a link to their OpenTable account in order to make reservations. Phuc Yea | Photo Credit: Facebook/PhucYea Phuc Yea – 7100 Biscayne Boulevard This is a really fun place. Beginning in 2011, I believe they were Miami’s first pop-up. Rap music blared and the atmosphere was casual, plus the food was obviously amazing. Now that they have moved to the Upper Eastside and set more permanent roots, Phuc Yea has earned a Bib Gourmand award. But do not go there looking for Pho. Their eclectic menu is deep in flavor but absolutely not traditional. For Miami Spice they are offering a $45 dinner Wednesday – Sunday. My personal favorite appetizer is the Chu Jon Shrimp Toast. One thing I will say about the entrees, I’m sure they’re all good but I personally know someone who walked into the restaurant as a vegetarian, was convinced to try the smoked brisket short rib and left a meat-eater. And they’re still a meat-eater today. For dessert there is the Croissant Bread Pudding or the chef’s choice, which never disappoints. Cote Miami Design District Tasting Menu | Photo Credit: Facebook/Cote Miami Cote Miami – 3900 NE 2nd Street We have spoken about Cote Miami before on this blog. It’s one of our favorite places. They were on our list of Michelin-starred restaurants to try this year and we did. I’m sure we will again too. They are one of only two restaurants to have a Michelin star in multiple cities, so they’re very consistent. Their Miami Spice menu this year consists of a Monday – Friday lunch for $35. I would choose the tuna tartare for my appetizer, with the Optimus Prime for the main course. It is a thinly-sliced 8oz prime rib served on a ciabatta bun with horseradish cream and sweet & tangy cote galbicue™ sauce. Amazing steak sandwich. And to cool your palette when you’re done, there is vanilla soft serve with soy sauce caramel. Doya Restaurant Miami | Photo Credit: Facebook/DoyaRestaurant DOYA – 347 NW 24th Street If you didn’t make it to the Mediterranean this summer, you at least need to make it to Doya and pretend. Their Bib Gourmand menu will make you feel like you took the trip. The dishes are made to be shared, and are inspired by the Grecian and Turkish Meze culture. The Spice menu is a $30 lunch every day of the week and the offering is solid. I am incredibly picky about Greek house salads, but Doya has it right. So that is what I’d choose for my appetizer. The Turkish Kofta has a deep flavor and one of my favorites. For dessert you have the option of Turkish-style chocolate cake or homemade pistachio baklava. Chug’s Diner | Photo Credit: Facebook/ChugsDiner Chug’s Diner – 3444 Main Highway Chug’s is a thoughtful mix of Cuban fare mixed with American diner food. Where else can you choose between croquetas and broccoli & cheese casserole? My American-yet-Miamian palette is confused already, but happy about it. A staple in Coconut Grove, Chef Michael Bertran’s Chug’s Diner has earned a Bib Gourmand honor from the Michelin Guide and it’s very well-deserved. He is offering for Miami Spice both a $30 lunch menu Monday – Friday and a $45 dinner menu Thursday – Sunday. For the appetizer, I’m going to be confused between the Duck Croquetas and the Broccoli and Cheese Casserole. That’s probably never going to end, so I might as well try both. On the main courses, I am again confused. The wedge salad is a classic, but so is the burger, the flavors are so good and the meat is juicy, but the Pollo a la Milanesa is cooked so perfectly. I’m just going to have to go over there a few times. For dessert, the Trigo French Toast is so decadent at dinner. For lunch it will have to be the flan. Very classic and perfect. Classic and happily confused seem to be my theme with Chug’s, and I kind of think that’s Chef Bertran’s aim. Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink | Photo Credit: Facebook/MichaelsGenuine Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink – 130 NE 40th Street You will not be issued your Miami Card until you have tried Michael’s Genuine. It’s a staple in the Design District and was there before the Design District was really all that. Chef Michael Schwartz has definitely made his mark on the Miami culinary scene, and this is where it started. Today he boasts a Bib Gourmand honor in his namesake eatery and you should check it out if you haven’t already. Michael’s Genuine is offering a $35 lunch Monday – Friday and a $45 dinner menu every day of the week for Miami Spice. Some of the standouts that are my personal favorites are the Harissa Braised Lamb Meatballs and the Wood Oven Baked Cobia on the lunch menu. For dinner, my favorites are the Wood Roasted Shrimp with watermelon, jicama, jalapeno, lime, cilantro (it is refreshing and has a nice mix of textures) with the Fisherman’s Stew. And for dessert, nothing beats the Lava Cake. All are solid options. Le Jardinier Miami | Photo Credit: Facebook/LeJardinierMiami Le Jardinier Miami – 151 NE 41st Street Retaining their Michelin Star again this year, Le Jardinier offers a light and sophisticated yet laid back atmosphere that is incredibly welcoming. I love the French garden theme (Le Jardinier), with incredibly fresh ingredients and the green decor sticks to the theme from the tables to the plates, but in a thoughtful way. For Miami Spice, Chef Alain Verzeroli is offering a $35 lunch from Tuesday through Sunday and a $60 dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Everything is so fresh and beautiful here that it is difficult to choose. For the lunch appetizer, I’d have to go back and forth between the Golden Beets and the Salmon Tartare, each one is a dish I love. At dinner, it would have to be the Yellowfin Tuna, although the Murray’s Burrata also looks amazing. On the main course, a lobster roll always hits the spot at lunch and this one is so beautiful and flavorful. The dinner has two exceptionally elegant options, European Sea Bass or the Filet Mignon Au Jus. Both are winners. And for me, there is just something neat about having a Key Lime Pie in a green-themed restaurant in Miami. It just fits. There’s really no way to lose with this menu, it is a scene-stealer. Miami Spice is one of the most anticipated Miami promotions of the year each year. It is something the locals look forward to and the restaurants depend upon in order to keep their staff happy and busy and the Miami economy turning during low season. We hope that you will make it out to try at least one of these options this year.
Miami Spice 2023 | Riverfront Outings Posted on July 24, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs It is the dead of summer. The Sunshine State is outdoing itself (again). The heat is blazing and the tourists are scarce. This is a great time to go explore what I feel is an under-appreciated part of our city. The Miami River District. This area does have a storied past. The 1980’s and early 90’s saw some interesting cargo. Tony Montana was there, or others of his type at least. But today you will find a network of calm waterfront eateries, where you can watch the boats pass as you luxuriate over a charcuterie board or whatever. I really like the riverfront area of Miami because tourists haven’t caught on yet. There are some celebrity hotspots, yes. But this is largely a space for locals who want to be calm and by the water, completely unbothered. This week we will go into the Miami Spice offerings of such restaurants… so here we go! By clicking on the name of any of these restaurants, you will be directed to their Miami Spice page, which details their prix-fixe menu with options, prices, days available as well as their website and a link to their OpenTable account in order to make reservations. Seaspice – 412 NW North River Drive Starting off, Seaspice (pictured above) is the most attention-grabbing restaurant for our list today. If you want to see a celebrity, Seaspice is a really good place to start. They arrive by yacht, and you can too. It is like you are in Ibiza except you didn’t have to update your passport. The Kardashians have been there, all of the Real Housewives, sports stars, you name it. For Miami Spice, Seaspice has both lunch and dinner options. For me, the Watermelon Gazpacho is very refreshing and pairs well with the steak for the main course. If you are entertaining out-of-towners or just want a selfie-worthy night out, Seaspice will be your answer. Crust Miami for Miami Spice | Image Credit: Crust Miami Crust Miami – 668 NW 5th Street If you are a fan of history and perfectly-plated food, you will love Crust. The owners have repurposed a 1950’s-era Art Deco building and made it a welcoming spot for locals who love elegant plates with deep flavors. For their Miami Spice menu, my favorite is the beet & goat cheese salad. The flavors go so well together, I may fight someone over it (light joke but the salad is something to write home about). For a main course, there are so many options. I’m looking at the lobster ravioli with peas and cream sauce. It seems decadent and fulfilling, especially with the atmosphere of the restaurant. This is where you will go on your own or if you have company coming and you want to show them high-quality food and an “I’m in the know” vibe. Because you are in the know. Casablanca Fish Market for Miami Spice | Image Credit: Casablanca Fish Market Miami Casablanca Seafood – 400 NW North River Drive You don’t earn your Miami card until you have gone to Casablanca. This is a Miami staple. Casablanca Miami is both a fish market and a restaurant. It’s a little bit fancy and a little bit casual, but it is necessary. If you are cooking fresh seafood dishes at home, Casablanca is the recommended getting spot over Publix and we love Publix. Today, let’s talk more about the restaurant. The Miami Spice menu is offered from Monday – Friday with both lunch and dinner options. They do have meat dishes on the menu, but I go all-out seafood since fresh seafood is kind of their thing. The seafood ceviche is an amazing chilled starter, followed by a Corvina “Al Pescador”, which is a corvina fillet topped with shrimp, calamari, black mussels and octopus with aji amarillo sauce and this is something to write home about. Capital Grille Brickell for Miami Spice The Capital Grille – 444 Brickell Avenue We spoke about Casablanca being a Miami staple for seafood, but The Capital Grille is also a staple. If you are a banker in Brickell, the international finance hub of the United States, and you have never been to the Capital Grille then you are not a banker at all. That’s just it. You should also make it a point to visit this restaurant soon as it is in the throes of new development. The institution will continue, but we don’t know about the physical building. Related Group is currently building Baccarat Residences next door and some Tequesta artifacts were discovered during the construction process. The artifacts trouble could affect the building where The Capital Grille serves, but the institution remains. When I eat at the Capital Grille, I tend for the wedge salad and a steak. If you are interested in a familiar, high-quality meal that never disappoints, The Capital Grille is where you go. The mystery of the artifacts is pretty cool too in my personal opinion. American Social Brickell for Miami Spice | Image Credit Ra-Haus Fotografie, LLC American Social – 690 SW 1st Court American Social is just that. American and Social. This is where you go to see a person you met on Hinge or gather with your neighbors who all support the same soccer team. It is the neighborhood Brickell hangout. You can arrive by boat, or you can walk over. Their Miami Spice menu is also varied so there is something for everyone. They do a brunch on the weekends and a special menu for dinner 7 days per week. My favorite for the starters fluctuates between the hummus or loaded guac, but I imagine the steamed clams with chorizo are also interesting. For the main course, there are solid go-to’s that include fresh seabass or a steak, but also a more adventuresome cauliflower steak. This is intriguing to me but I haven’t mustered the aim to order it yet. This is a solid choice if you want to walk over with friends and just hang out. Miami Spice is one of the most anticipated Miami promotions of the year each year. It is something the locals look forward to and the restaurants depend upon in order to keep their staff happy and busy and the Miami economy turning during low season. We hope that you will make it out to try at least one of these options this year, we will certainly be there ad look forward to expanding our culinary horizons.
Miami Spice 2023 | Restaurants To Try In Coconut Grove Posted on July 17, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Miami Spice is a very special time of year for Miami as a whole. For one, it helps our valuable culinary scene to remain strong during the slower season, when many are traveling to other beaches and enjoying their summer breaks. Miami Spice also offers a unique opportunity for Miamians to taste test restaurants that maybe they otherwise would have missed. With special three-course prix-fixe menus at a reduced cost, Miami residents and tourists alike are able to sample the cuisine of world-famous chefs and trendy eateries. These are restaurants that we might skip over if we didn’t already know a bit of what to expect, as they are not traditionally inexpensive options. Adding Miami Spice months is the opportunity to try the cuisine at a reduced rate so that we know where we will want to splurge when we go out during high season. It’s a win-win for the entire community! For 2023, there are a record 208 local restaurants participating in Miami Spice, which runs from August 1 – September 30 each year. With this number of options to try, we obviously cannot give a summary of each restaurant. Instead, we will break down the list into our favorites and arranged them by neighborhood and atmosphere. For this week, we will start with our own stomping grounds, Coconut Grove. By clicking on the name of any of these restaurants, you will be directed to their Miami Spice page, which details their prix-fixe menu with options, prices, days available as well as their website and a link to their OpenTable account in order to make reservations. Amal Lebanese Restaurant Miami Coconut Grove Entry Amal Miami – 3480 Main Highway If you are a fan of Lebanese food or have been curious to expand your palate, Beirut-native Charles Khabouth’s Amal Miami is a great place to start. For Miami Spice, they are offering a three-course lunch on Monday through Friday for $30. The appetizers are a choice of several authentic Lebanese dips with flatbread, my favorite would be the hummus or tabbouleh, but when eating Miami Spice menus, I always encourage each person at the table to choose a different appetizer and dessert so that you wind up with an extensive tasting menu. The main entrees offer a choice of beef and lamb in the form of Pistachio Kababs or Kefta, homemade Amal Falafels or Salmon with chickpeas, tomatoes, sweet pepper and eggplant. To wrap up, you will choose between assorted homemade Baklava or Mistkeh cotton candy and pistachio ice cream. Bayshore Club Coconut Grove Patio | Image Credit: Bayshore Club Bayshore Club – 3391 Pan American Drive One of the newer locations in Coconut Grove, The Bayshore Club is located in the newly-redesigned Regatta Park along the Biscayne Bay. For Miami Spice, they are offering both a lunch menu at $35/person and dinner option for $60 as you enjoy the sea breeze on the patio or in the open-air bar area. For lunch, you can choose between fresh ceviche and a niçoise salad for your starter, with blackened mahi or a grilled jerk chicken sandwich for your main dish. Both are dressed with tropical fruits and fixings. After your meal, you can cure your sweet tooth with a slice of cheesecake or bowl of seasonal sorbet before heading back to the office. The dinner option is available Sunday through Thursday and starts with hearty steamed mussels or salmon tartare tostadas. The main dish is Jalieta, a crispy calamari, fish and seafood mix with yucca fries and avocado tartare, or a more healthy grilled fresh protein skewer (fish, beef, shrimp, chicken, onion, zucchini, and bell peppers) with yucca mash. The dinner finishes with your choice of cheesecake or churros. Bill Hansen Catering Coconut Grove | Image Credit: Shea Christine Photography Bill Hansen Catering – 2167 South Bayshore Drive Something outside of the box this year is Bill Hansen Catering’s Miami Spice Menu. The menu itself is as decadent as you would expect at any time of the year from the renowned event-planning service. What is different is that Miami Spice is offered for parties this year. If you have an event of 50+ attendees, you will have the option of a lunch or dinner menu to offer your guests. The appetizers involve several different salad offerings from arugula and watercress, caprese with buratta cheese and charred tomatoes, crab cakes or more traditional caesar salad or iceberg wedges. The entrees will allow the host to choose two options between fish, steak, chicken or lobster. There are several varieties on each menu with different preparations. Finishing up, you are offered a chocolate torte or strawberry cheesecake. Botanico Coconut Grove | Image Credit: Botanico Botanico Gin & Cookhouse – 3015 Grand Avenue Cocowalk In Cocowalk, Botanico blew our mind with their offering for Miami Spice. They pulled out all the stops with a comprehensive menu for both lunch and dinner every day of the week. This is a menu you will be able to visit several times in order to get a taste of everything. The appetizers offer seven options for lunch and eight for dinner. As an added flex option, if you are dining with a companion, you may switch one of the appetizers for two glasses of any of the house wines. The main entrees also offer seven options for both lunch and dinner. You can choose anything from a large salad, a gourmet burger, sauteed salmon, tuna steak, sirloin steak, filet or ribeye. The list is extensive. Before calling it a meal, you will choose between two options of key lime pie, seasonal sorbet or vanilla gelato. Glass and Vine Coconut Grove | Image Credit: Glass & Vine Glass & Vine – 2820 McFarlane Road In Peacock Park, Glass & Vine is one of our favorite places to have a family-friendly date night. There is a kiddie play area within walking distance for our daughter, and plenty of romantic ambiance with a casual garden and inspired menu with Latin and European influences. For Miami Spice, they are offering a $30 lunch option Monday through Friday as well as a $45 dinner option on Sunday through Thursday evenings. The menu is filled with summer-friendly choices such as watermelon feta salad, branzino crudo with cucumber, radish and citrus, and charred cauliflower with green tahini and lemon. Main dishes are also well-rounded with steaks, seared scallops, citrus brined chicken, seared mahi or spicy rigatoni. The meal completes with a southern staple, banana pudding or your choice of guava bread pudding or key lime pie. Isabelle’s Grill Room and Garden Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove | Image Credit: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden – 3300 Southwest 27th Avenue If you find yourself at the Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove, you will want to partake on Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden’s Miami Spice offering. Available Monday through Thursday for lunch ($35) or dinner ($60), you will dine in the comfortable elegance of the indoor grill room or the outdoor garden terrace if you prefer the fresh air. Your starters will include Ricotta Bruciata, Pomodoro Verdi Fritti, or Beef Tartare, all which incorporate summer tomatoes with cheeses and protien in light portions. The main dish choices are also thoughtfully chosen and well-rounded. There is a Pasta Pomodoro, a Surf & Turf or Heritage Roasted Chicken accompanied by seasonal sides. Wrapping up, you can choose between a Chocolate Budino Tart or Tropical Napoleon with sorbet and mousse. Jaguar Restaurant Coconut Grove | Image Credit: Jaguar Restaurants Jaguar Restaurant – 3067 Grand Avenue No matter the day of the week, Jaguar Restaurant is going to have a Miami Spice lunch or diner for you. The lunches are priced at $35 and dinners are $60 per person, but if you have yet to try Jaguar, this is a great time to get in on one of Coconut Grove’s staple eateries. The Peruvian-inspired menu offers shrimp in aji amarillo sauce, ceviche, fish croquetas or three-cheese quesadillas for appetizer options. For dinner you can try a Fresh Whole Snapper, roasted with salsa and orange mojo, or Caribbean Chicken Patagonia. The lunch main courses are beefy Lomo Saltado or seared Salmon Norma. Finish up your meal with a creamy Flan de Queso. Like Mike Italian Taste Restaurant Coconut Grove | Image Credit: Like Mike Italian Taste Like Mike Italian Restaurant – 3433 Main Highway During the work week, Like Mike Italian Taste on Main Highway is offering an authentic contemporary lunch or dinner menu for Miami Spice. The $30 lunch includes a soup or salad, four main course options that incorporate chicken, fish or vegetarian pastas with fresh sides. To wrap up, you can choose between homemade Tiramisu or Cannoli. During dinner, which runs $60 per person, guess are offered additional choices for salads that include a beet and pear salad, beef carpaccio or Salmone Marinato. The entrees include two seafood options, a roasted chicken or slow cooked beef and pork ragu. For dessert, they have made Chocolate Caprese, which is a gluten free chocolate cake, or Semifreddo Amalfi, a lemon cream and chocolate crumble that is divine. Key Club Coconut Grove Entry The Key Club – 3015 Grand Avenue If you are a fan of Groot Hospitality’s offerings, The Key Club in Cocowalk is going to be your first stop in Coconut Grove during Miami Spice. Since it opened in 2022, The Key Club has been an ever-growing destination for nights out with good food and good company. Let’s face it, Dave Grutman is good at what he does. Since the restaurant caters toward the social crowd, they are offering a $35 brunch on the weekends and a $45 dinner any night of the week. The brunch offering includes snapper ceviche, a bourbon sticky bun, baby beet salad or smoked salmon rosti for the starters, and your choice of Cinnamon Toast Crunch French Toast, a spicy croissant sandwich, a Club Burger or Black Truffle Omelet followed by creme brulee or key lime pie to wash away your sins of the night before. If you would prefer to start the night off at The Key Club, they are preparing a similar offering of starters, adding a tuna roll or steak tartare, with your choice of branzino and lemon with capers, organic half chicken with salsa verde, bbw baby back ribs or skirt steak frites with chimichurri followed by a warm salted caramel brownie or key lime pie to finish up. Minty Z Plant Based Restaurant Coconut Grove | Image Credit: Minty Z Minty Z – 3206 Grand Avenue If these other menus are sounding too “meaty” for your taste, you’re going to want to check out Minty Z. This is where you’re going to find all of the Asian-fusion plant-based options you could possibly want. Minty Z is the only restaurant in Coconut Grove to offer so many different Miami Spice menus. They have a $35 lunch special during the week, or a $35 brunch menu during the weekend. If you visit for dinner, there is a menu that is $45 per person. or an expanded option that is $60 per person. Each menu features its own list of choices that vary quite a bit and could really warrant their own post just for this one restaurant. One ingredient that sticks out to me is the prosperity “beef”, which is prepared in an array of forms from classic bao buns to shumai, chow fun and more. Visit the website here to see all of the menu options. Sushi Garage by Juvia Coconut Grove Miami Spice | Image Credit: Sushi Garage Sushi Garage – 3015 Grand Avenue Cocowalk If you are new to the area, the idea of a “Sushi Garage” might sound quirky at first, but this restaurant group is a part of Juvia Group, a lineup of elegant Japanese cuisine in casual yet elevated settings. The juxtaposition is quite fun. As the restaurant is open for dinner seatings only during most of the week, they are not offering lunch menus. The dinner selections for Miami Spice begin with a complimentary specialty cocktail as you peruse the menu to decide your combinations. For appetizers, you can choose between black edamame, avocado crispy rice, Wagyu beef gyoza or shrimp tempura tacos. These are definitely shareable, so I suggest that each person in your party to choose one to share. The main courses are all served with miso soup and fried rice. You can choose between Maple Miso Seabass, Tenderloin Teriyaki or the Sushi Combo (Chef’s Choice). Before turning in, you can appease your sweet tooth with a choice of ice cream flavors, Lychee Rice Pudding or Chocolate Lava Cake. Miami Spice is one of the most anticipated Miami promotions of the year each year. It is something the locals look forward to and the restaurants depend upon in order to keep their staff happy and busy and the Miami economy turning during low season. We hope that you will make it out to try at least one of these options this year, we will certainly be there ad look forward to expanding our Groveite culinary horizons.
August & September | Don’t Miss Spa & Spice Months in Miami Posted on August 3, 2018 by Michael Light August & September are the hottest months in Miami and not just temperature-wise…these are the months that Miami and the Beaches offer the most popular “temptation programs,” Miami Spa Month and Miami Spice! And, whether you are a local or a visitor in ‘The Magic City,’ we know that you appreciate the luxurious lifestyle that makes Miami and Miami Beach a global destination hotspot, so get pampered and enjoy lots of mouthwatering cuisine to end the summer! 2018 Miami Spa Month – August Greater Miami and the Beaches are known for luxury spas and wellness centers that rank among the “Best Spas in America” and are loved by spa and wellness connoisseurs from around the globe. This year marks the 11th Annual Miami Spa Month which runs throughout August and includes the best spas in South Florida such as Acqualina Spa by ESPA, AME Spa & Wellness Collective, Mandarin Oriental and The Four Seasons. How Does Miami Spa Month Work? Spoil yourself in the highest standards of relaxation and pampering by selecting a spa from the list of participating spas. Then, check out their ultra-luxe revitalizing treatments that are on special during this time, choose your treatment and reserve directly with the respective spa via telephone or email. List of 2018 Participating Miami Spas 2018 Miami Spice – August & September Miami Spice is an annual restaurant promotion showcasing a variety of the hautest restaurants in Miami offering an eclectic array of local, Caribbean and international cuisine. Miami Spice began on August 1 and runs through and including September 30th, featuring such renowned dining options as Cipriani, Komodo, Katsuya and Novikov. How Does Miami Spice Work? There is absolutely no membership or special sign-ups required to dabble in Miami Spice, but note that the restaurants do not offer Spice every single day of the week. So, check out the list of posh restaurants that are participating in this year’s Spice, go to the website of the restaurant you choose, check out the days that Spice is offered at that specific restaurant and make a reservation. List of 2018 Miami Spice Participating Restaurants The Miami Luxury Homes Group at Douglas Elliman hopes that you enjoy Miami Spa Month and Miami Spice this summer, and if you have any general questions about Miami or Miami Beach, or you wish to make Miami your home or home-away-from-home, please contact us to help you find your perfect Miami residence. You may reach Michael Light at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
July – September | Don’t Miss Spa & Spice Months in Miami Posted on July 6, 2017 by Michael Light July – September are the hottest months in Miami and not just temperature-wise…these are the months that Miami and the Beaches offer the most popular “temptation programs,” Miami Spa Month and Miami Spice! And, whether you are a local or a visitor in our amazing city, we know that you appreciate the luxurious lifestyle that Miami is so renowned for, so get pampered and enjoy lots of mouthwatering cuisine this summer! Miami Spa Month – July – August Greater Miami and the Beaches are known for luxury spas and wellness centers that rank among the “Best Spas in America” and are loved by spa and wellness connoisseurs from around the globe. This year marks the 10th Annual Miami Spa Month which runs throughout July and August and includes the best spas in South Florida such as Acqualina Spa by ESPA, AME Spa & Wellness Collective, The Ritz-Carlton and The Four Seasons. How Does Miami Spa Month Work? Spoil yourself in the highest standards of relaxation and pampering by selecting a spa from the list of participating spas. Then, check out their ultra-luxe revitalizing treatments that are on special during this time, choose your treatment and reserve directly with the respective spa via telephone or email. It’s as easy as 1,2,3! Click Here for a List of Participating Miami Spas Miami Spice – August – September Miami Spice is an annual restaurant promotion showcasing a variety of the hautest restaurants in Miami offering an eclectic array of local, Caribbean and international cuisine. Miami Spice begins on August 1 and runs through and including September 30th, featuring such renowned dining options as Cipriani, Komodo, Nobu, The Forge and Michael’s Genuine. How Does Miami Spice Work? There is absolutely no membership or special sign-ups required to dabble in Miami Spice, but note that the restaurants do not offer Spice every single day of the week. So, check out the list of posh restaurants that are participating in this year’s Spice, go to the website of the restaurant you choose, check out the days that Spice is offered at that specific restaurant and make a reservation. Click Here for a List of Miami Spice Participating Restaurants The Miami Luxury Homes Group at Douglas Elliman hopes that you enjoy Miami Spa Month and Miami Spice this summer, and if you have any general questions about Miami, or you wish to make Miami your home or home-away-from-home, please contact us to help you find your perfect Miami residence. You may reach Michael Light at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
Miami Spice 2016 Begins Today!! Posted on August 1, 2016 by Michael Light Miami Spice is a mouth-watering annual restaurant promotion showcasing the finest cuisine in Miami and Miami Beach. Miami Spice begins today, August 1st, and runs through September 30th with participating restaurants offering 3-course meals featuring signature dishes created by world-renowned chefs at reduced prices: Lunch $23 and Dinner $39 (you can also order off of the regular menus at all of the restaurants during this period). Miami Spice is something locals look forward to every year, and I want all of my readers, whether you are a local or visiting from out of town, to know about this awesome concept that Miami offers so that you can take advantage of it too! Click Here for a full list of the 243 restaurants participating in this year’s Miami Spice, and also check out the Miami Herald article that has 7 food experts highlight their top choices of this year’s selection. Just a tip…many of the restaurants on the Miami Spice lineup offer online reservations through OpenTable, so you can beat the crowd!