Hungry? Giving You 15 Reasons To EAT Your Heart Out!
Eating out is what I love to do most. It is also the act of chewing that I adore complaining about. However, because a large part of my life entails being out on the town, combined with the fact that I do write food and cocktail features for various pubs, I figured why not share my favorite local finds with you. I offer you a mix of Miami’s best, from my top prix-fixe lunch options, gastronomic experiences, happy hour’s, the best upcoming chef collaborations, sweet tooth destinations and some random discoveries that should you decide to step out of the box, you will be happy AF!
Best Three Course Prix Fixe Lunches
Milos – $29
I urge you to be prepared for the flavors of the Mediterranean that explode in your mouth. Milos is the place to see, and be seen. Notably one of the hottest lunch spots in town since they launched, get ready to experience a vast selection of specialties, from the octopus app, a Greek salad or perhaps the best bagel with smoked salmon in town. Pair that with the seared tuna entree, salmon, lamb chops, chicken skewers or john dory fish….I mean….and, it does not stop there! The Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts is beyond. If you have not been in thus far, do it. Trust. 730 1st St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
La Mar at the Mandarin – $25
Just yesterday while on Brickell for a meeting, we decided to head over to Brickell Key’s Mandarin Oriental. Chef Diego Oka is a genius, offering his guests a gourmet Peruvian meal with a magnificent view. La Mar may just be the most delectable ‘express lunch’ menu in the downtown area. The first course is three small appetizers on a plate, then you choose your entrée. And, a beautiful desert follows. 500 Brickell Key Dr, Miami, FL 33131
Cantina La 20 – $25
Cantina’s lunch has by far the largest selection when it comes to pre-set lunch menu’s. You legitimately have 20 items to pick from, so it is a good spot to not become a repeat meal offender. Mexican gastronomy at its finest, I also love their michelada….because, you know, I am very Mexicanaaa! 495 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131
Prix Fixe Casual Gastronomy
I had heard about alter for years, but never was a true exploratory eater. That was than. This is now. So, the reality is simply that Brad Kilgore and his team at Alter define living genius. I headed in a few weeks back, and although you can choose between ala-carte, a 5-course or 7-course, I stuck with the five. Plate after plate came, with some changes, as I added this famous egg dish he dreamt up, and switched the meat entrée for a lobster pasta (the noodle was 30 ft long or something wild like that), and if you are craving a non-snooty, yet truly WOW meal, go to Alter in Wynwood. Reserve online! And, get that egg! Oh, if you want, sit at the bar out back and just have a cocktail and that umami egg. I will not explain more and truly I look forward to your emails! 223 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL 33127
Happy Hour -You just may be able to find me at one of these two spots….
This Stephen Starr establishment in the Bal Harbour Shops offers $1 oysters every day between 4 and 7 p.m. All you need to do is take a seat at the bar! Are you an Aperol Spritz lover? I just solved all of your problems because theirs is the most delicious for just $8! They also have different wine specials, so stop on in for a shopping pick-me-up! 9700 Collins Ave #135, Miami Beach, FL 33154
Take a seat at the bar between 4:30- 7:30 p.m., M-F, and sup on some bite sized snacks, or just go for the gold with their En Fuego tequila for just $6.50! En Fuego is blanco tequila with watermelon, serrano and lime salt. Jennifer is the best bartender, so be sure to ask for her! 130 NE 40th St, Miami, FL 33137
Best Upcoming Chef Collabs!
KYU + beyond…
KYU completely grew on me. At first, I was SO anti-Asian cuisine and felt that my meat was too fatty to put in my mouth. A year later, I gave it another chance and am fully obsessed. Truly. But, what makes me fascinated and eager to return is not only their completely creative mixologist team (they got me to drink a chicken fat tequila mix, and it was FAB), but it is their creative strategy of combining excellent chefs and offering communal tables (or your own) for a real culinary journey. The first time around, I attended their PAOx KYU collab where they sent over approximately 8 courses with a pairing of a cocktail. Coming soon is not like the one I attended, but if you are a real philanthropy-foodie:
Click on the above paragraph to see the other chefs who are participating!
Best Meat in Miami – and salad, and fish!
People always ask me for steak houses. I now know where to send them.
Opened by a group who were formerly with Peter Luger’s, forget the Palm and I urge you to not go to Smith & Wollensky, a legit tourist trap! Those places are so old, nasty and crusty.
So, i offer you a suitable suggestion: Wolfgangs. It just may be the most impressive establishment if you are in the mood for meat, fish, shellfish, and great service. I am rarely impressed by these kind of restaurants, however, last week I went in with my mother and a few friends. If it is not too hot out, sit on the patio, overlooking the water. It was wow. My server was excellent, and the food….heavenly.
The porterhouse for two, paired with the Caesar salad was the way to go should your body need protein and iron. I flipped for the filet mignon portion of the porterhouse that I shared with my friend Jenny. We left looking forward to a return visit. 315 S Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33131
Random’s – for some really, really good International food
Down the street from Bal Harbour is Bay Harbour Islands. My girlfriends from Lakzya sent me to O’lima and let’s just say that I have been back for lunch two times in a week. This Peruvian chef serves it up! Trust me when I tell you, there is NO better ceviche in town. Try their smoked aji fish ceviche. This chef also offers daily lunch specials all for under 17 dollars! Their fish is superb, and my grandmother who barely eats and enjoyed the gorgonzola steak, ate the entire plate plus ordered desert. For those of you who know her, understand that this means something major. Check this place out. It is private, cozy and I LOVE supporting small business’! 1052 Kane Concourse, Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154
When my foodie aunt Amy and her wife Rachel were in town, I met them at this hidden jewel. What was Uzbek food? Well, for all intensive purposes, if you have never experienced this cuisine, it is a blend of Beirut, Tel Aviv and Russia. The steamed meat dumplings, mushroom blintzes, cucumber and tomato salad and the traditional (non-salty) soup that I enjoyed, was worth the strange parking experience (you have to go up a narrow garage that is hidden. Thank god for Waze). The décor is very Uzbek questionable, but the staff was lovely and the food is inexpensive! Always a plus!! 250 Sunny Isles Blvd, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160
My dear friend, and former Editor Evan Benn, his wife Terri and their son Jagger suggested we brunch at L.F.F. So, because French Food in Hialeah sounded interesting, I agreed. Believe it or not, it is not that far. Close to Miami International Airport, La Fresa Francesca was WOW. Craving brunch food? A bit of salt, savory and sweet? I highly recommend the egg dish on the menu. Get down and dirty while you navigate through the layers of the deep dish with fresh, heavenly French bread. The guava Bellini was so good, that I had two. YAS.59 W 3rd St, Hialeah, FL 33010
Located in Midtown, Salumeria serves up some of the most delicious Italian cuisine in town. Casual, yet so right, their lamb chops knocked my socks off. The pasta’s are mostly made fresh and you are in for a truly pleasant surprise. Their daily specials are also innovative and simply really good! 3451 NE 1st Ave #104, Miami, FL 33137
The Best Duck in Town – and their appetizers are enough to stop you in tour tracks
LPM, known for their Italian cuisine, has a surprise item on the menu that you may not normally order at a restaurant like LPM. One would think to order pasta or fish (all of which are lovely), but take leap of faith and follow my guidance. Their duck is OH MY GOD, simply the best. Get it with a side of lentils, e allora! Basta. You may just take a one way trip to heaven! 1300 Brickell Bay Dr, Miami, FL 33131
The Best Desert in Town
Stubborn Seed ala Dallas Wynne
Do you have a sweet tooth? Hands down, the best kept secret in the citt is a young, sweet blonde who works diligently and passionately at Stubborn Seed. Stubborn Seed is not only one of the most absolutely cool restaurants in town, it has kitchen that allows for diners to watch the magic happening within. So aside from the bad ass design elements, peer in and check out Dallas Wynne through the glass as she constantly crafts concoctions. Warning: when you start you can not stop. It has happened to me on numerous occasions, and I suggest you head in not only for the amazing food at S.S., but save room for her preparations. I flipped for some sort of a merengue strawberry x graham cracker molecular experience. My grandmother and a friend of mine flipped for her cookies which legitimately melt when they touch your tongue. 101 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Favorite Gin con Tonic paired with a BAD A$$ Bar
After Wolfgang’s the other night, we headed to Lost Boys. I had never been to that area for an evening activity, except years ago for the Young Arts Gala. SO JADED. Anyways, to get down and dirty, with a Colorado style vibe, go to Lost Boys. The place is super cool, the people are attractive and friendly and they just so happen to serve the best Gin x Tonic, EVER! The guests are young, cool and hip. Give it a try. 157 E Flagler St, Miami, FL 33131
You should go where I wanted to take you…but you stood me up.