Get ready for lots of  Eating News this month. Read about a fave new spot for comfort food in Wynwood straight from Amsterdam, another newcomer to the Brickell area with American and Venezuelan favorites, Malibu Beach Miami at the Nobu Eden Roc, famed chef Thomas Keller’s new restaurant opening, sure- to- be- a- new hot spot Novikov,  and more “light bites” you’ll want to know about. 

One of my new favorite spots for comfort food is  Le Chick (pronounced Le Chic). Inspired by Rotisserie Amsterdam, a Dutch hotspot, Le Chick has brought its uber popular rotisserie chicken and fried chicken, burgers, BBQ pork and desserts to Wynwood where the action never seems to stop. The interior of the fast-casual eatery has kept the industrial look and feel of its Dutch counterpart . Though open a short time, it has already been named as having the #3 burger in Miami by the Miami Herald.

The menu  features comfort foods with a modern twist. Starters and sides include fried chicken, onion rings and fries served five ways – truffle fries, sweet potato fries, turbo cheese cries, hand-cut french fries and roti potatoes.  The standout dessert is the  signature Chocolate Goodie Jar, an ice cream sundae in a jar but so much better.

José ‘YeYe’ Ortega, , creates and oversees the bar program which features craft cocktails named after different breeds of chicken. From the Fowl Play – Buffalo Trace Bourbon, mint syrup, cinnamon, ginger and coffee bitters to the Mother Clucker – Ketel One Vodka, chartreuse yellow, Italicus Liqueur, lime juice, strawberry, rosemary, ginger beer guests can imbibe through the night at Le Chick. Prices vary but to give you an idea, shareable starters like the brussels sprouts and roasted carrots are priced at $9, while the fried chicken is $14 and the 1/2 rotisserie chicken is $17. Salads range from $12-15, sides from $5-$12, sandwiches from $15-$21 and desserts are all $9. As for drinks, craft cocktails go for $13-$14, beers for $7-$8 and wines by the glass from $10-$14.

Note, the restaurant isn’t very large and it’s very popular, so be prepared for crowds, “energetic” noise level and possibly a wait even with reservations. Best to go for lunch or before 7:30 p.m. Le Chick is located at 310 NW 24th Street,  (T. 786-216-7086) . They serve lunch, dinner, and offer a happy hour Tuesday to Friday, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Been craving one of the over the top milkshakes you’ve seen on instagram or some Venezuelan specialties? Bocas Grill, the rapidly-expanding restaurant group with five locations across South Florida is now in the Brickell area, occupying the site of formerly of Pazzo’s. The extensive menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner includes an appealing appetizer selection ranging from fried green plantains with shrimp and guasacaca, to tequenos (cheese filled pasty shaped like a cigar, a fave), arepas and skewers; an entire section on Latin American way rice; original preparations of arepas; grilled meats and much more.

The signature dessert, pure excess, pays homage to the Americas — a Chocolate Flips Milkshake with Nutella that flips all around the rim, crowned with galleta María, a scoop of vanilla ice cream,a nutella brownie donut, Brazilian Brigadeiro de Toddy and a homemade nutella popsicle. There’s a lunch special Monday through Friday from 12 to 4 p.m. for $8.99. Bocas Grill & Bar Brickell is in the Nordica apartment building at 2525 SW 3rd Ave, T.(305-592-6333). The venue also features a wrap-around bar with a full-spirits signature cocktail list, and assortment of global beers and wines and outdoor seating. Prices are reasonable.

Light bites:

Just back from Moscow and hands down one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in awhile was Bolshoi, adjacent to the Bolshoi Theater. It had it all — white glove service, beautiful and glamorous people, excellent cuisine, and a grand decor. Turns out it’s the work of uber successful restaurateur Arkady Novikov who has 50 restaurants in Russia, London and Dubai. And now he has an outpost in Miami, albeit casually elegant,  at 300 S.Biscayne Boulevard. The cuisine is Japanese and Chinese and it’s called….no surprise, Novikov Miami.

Malibu Farm Miami Beach, which recently opened for breakfast and lunch late last month, is now officially open for dinner service. It’s the first East Coast location of owner, cookbook author and farmer Swedish born Helene Henderson  for the  farm-to-table dining destination which hails from California. The emphasis is on  fresh, organic and locally sourced vegetables, produce and seafood. It’s in the Nobu Eden Roc.

Thomas Keller of French Laundry and Per Se fame is scheduled to open his first Miami outpost in the Surf Club this July.

PHENOMENOM, a South Florida-based nitrogen ice cream and cookie concept, has taken its successful formula to Pinecrest,11401 S Dixie Highway, joining its Miami Beach sister (also in Boca Raton and Davie).Besides nitrogen ice cream, PHENOMENOM offers freshly baked cookies, ice cream cookie sundaes, and ice cream cookie sandwiches.

Miami Culinary Tours, a solid idea for Miami visitors, now has a fourth tour, a food and art tour of the Design District. It makes five stops with serious tastings, their forte. Highlights include art moments , multiple food tastings at new food hall St.Roch Market, visit to the tasting room of Abaco Wines for chilled rose, and some of the key foodie spots I’ve written about including MadLab creamery, Estefan’s Kitchen, Aubi & Ramsa for spirits flavored ice creams, and a new “haute” ventanita for tacos I haven’t even been to yet.

Been wanting to try 1-800-LUCKY (click here for my writeup) and haven’t been able to get in? I went on a Sunday night around 7 p.m. No problem getting a table and there weren’t any lines.

And finally, if you’ve wanted to check out Pied a Terre and its Michelin star cooking, now is the time. They’re offering a three course enticing dinner of haute cuisine for $45 for the summer.