Heaven knows there’s no lack of Asian, Mediterranean, or Mexican restaurants in Miami so we were happy to see – surprise – an American bistro open. Better yet, it’s run by a professional operation that is also serious about its food. The Henry is the creation of Sam Fox, eleven time James Beard nominated restauranteur and founder of Fox Restaurant Concepts that owns multiple brands. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week and also has a ventanita selling my kind of pastries and cakes. We tried The Henry Brunch pre-opening and it surpassed our expectations.
Located on the first level of Brickell City Centre, and spacious, it has 260 seats with indoor and outdoor dining and a 68 seat bar. The brunch menu is divided into chilled seafood, breakfast, burrito or bowl, breakfast sides, appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts.
Find classic American breakfast items in The Henry brunch like the smoked salmon bagel ($26) , smashed avocado toast with aged cheddar ($17) and the cinnamon sugar French toast with strawberry compote and vanilla crema ($21). But there’s also what they call “globally inspired” cuisine like rancheros breakfast bowl ($22) or spicy tuna and crispy rice ($20). The chefs have a flair for taking classics and making them exciting, like roasted turkey French dip sandwich that you dip into turkey broth ($21) and exciting salads ($16 to $24) like one I describe below along with burrata, summer strawberry and basil pesto and seared tuna chop with avocado snap pea, carrot, wonton, cashew, and sesame ginger vinaigrette.
We started with a sprouts and squash salad bowl, sweet and savory, chewy and crunchy, made with roasted brussel sprouts, kale, farro, maple glazed butternut, cauliflower, quinoa , golden raisin, fig, pumpkin seeds, candied pecan , pecorino and mustard vinaigrette ($20), a favorite which we shared. I went on to the rosemary ham and cheese quiche, a classic that’s unfortunately absent from most menus.
It couldn’t have been better, either the tasty 2 inch high filling or the yummy pastry crust, served with a super fresh garden salad ($21). Mr. W opted for the Scottish salmon which he dubbed “phenomenal” for its quality, perfect temperature, and its nuanced flavors of cauliflower tahini, toasted grains, lemon sultana vinaigrette and watercress ($36)
Dessert was a molton butter cake, served warm with caramel sauce drizzled on top tableside. The piece de resistance was the inside – pretzel toffee!
Next time on our list to try is the novel pretzel and provolone fondue made with four cheeses, a signature dish of The Henry; Korean prime skirt steak with spicy double egg, fried rice, pickled shiitakes and ginger; and the short rib potstickers.
Signature cocktails include the Spicy Margarita with tequila rosa, jalapeno spiced agave and fresh lime and the Thai Grapefruit Smash with vodka, fresh Thai basil, ruby grapefruit and Himalayan salt. A glass of wine is offered in 6 or 9 ounce pours (wish more restaurants would do that) starting at $13 and bottles at $48. Cocktails are $14-$17.
Prices are fair, given the quality and good size portions that can be shared, as well as the fact that entrees come with French fries and salad, not the “naked” entrees one finds in many places. Everything is made in house, including the baked goods, in a large kitchen one can view through windows in the dining room. The one exception is the bread which comes from Sullivan Bakery. The service we experienced was friendly and attentive.
The Henry brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Henry is located at 701 S.Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33130. There’s also a ventanita serving coffee and house made pastries.
