I don’t find a lot of enticing eating options for pre or post Arsht center or American Airlines events, so it was good to hear about Biscayne Tavern in the B2 hotel , 146 Biscayne Boulevard (Tel.305-307-8300) which comes with a  pedigree of being a creation of Jeffrey Chodorow (of China Grill and Asia de Cuba fame). It’s billed as an upscale pub and that it is, a casual spot with a bar as a centerpiece, comfy booths,  black and white photos of historic Miami, neutral tones, and the ubiquitous flat screen TVs (isn’t it funny that so many places have the tvs but not many people seem to watch them)? Chodorow once again shows his creativity along with executive chef Will Biscoe, with a menu that is fun and exciting, twists on comfort food.The menu of starters, salads and sandwiches is especially appealing – dishes like crispy shrimp dynamite with chili mayo (a serious favorite of the crowd, in fact they ran out the night we were there), eggplant fries with tomato jam (super fresh ,coated with panko crumbs, and crunchy, loved them),  and blue crab cake sliders.

Kale is very much the vegetable these days, and here they do wonders with it, as in kale Caesar salad with sundried tomatoes, lavash bread, parmigiano cheese and  blue cheese dressing. You can get it with shrimp or chicken. I got it with the shrimp.  If you’ve made kale and wonder how they get it soft but crunchy and not bitter, the secret said sous chef Steven Artica, is soaking it in olive oil overnight. Wonderful. We had the special of the day, prime rib with blue cheese mashed potatoes. OMG, the mashed potatoes – made with red bliss potatoes, not totally mashed so you dig your teeth into them, and the prime rib was served with the bone, a serious plus. It comes with a demi glace and onions (I prefer it “au naturel”, without sauce). We had wanted to try the pastrami bacon reuben sandwich with melted fontina cheese and the three cheese macaroni with bacon crust,  but it was late, and I didn’t think those were exactly the kind of dishes you eat before you go to bed (especially after having eaten the others).

Desserts range from cheesecake, five layer chocolate cake, and key lime pie to their specialty, oversize chocolate chip cookies (we took them for the road). Portions are easily for two (or three small eaters). There’s also a Miami spice menu that comes with your choice of beer or non-alcoholic drink.  And speaking of beers, there are a number of local ones, would you believe from West Palm Beach, Key West and Tampa even. It’s a fun place, definitely consider it when you’re in the neighborhood and it’s a good spot for a casual Sunday meal when you’re craving jazzy comfort food. P.S. I’m definitely going to try that Reuben sandwich.