More Eating News including a new restaurant near the Arsht Center and Art Miami from a Spanish Michelin star chef; exciting new menu options at The Henry Miami, one of my “go to” places in Brickell City Centre; Michelin star tacos from Mexico City; a first look at Felice Brickell;  and more restaurant openings coming up in this, Part 2. In case you missed Part 1, click here.

One of my “go to” places for a casual, delicious and reasonably priced lunch or dinner with family or a friend is The Henry at  Brickell City Centre. And now, with its new food and beverage menu which I just tried, it has moved up a notch or two in my list. The chefs manage to take popular classics and give them a fresh twist, along with an attractive presentation without being precious. Plus, portions are large so you can share, bringing down the cost, the service is attentive and friendly, and menu selections range from creative a meal in a salad to fancier dinner fare.  Plus, there’s no loud background music so conversation is a breeze.

I tried the sea scallops with parsnip crème fraiche, roasted squash, brussels sprouts, mushroom preserve and pine nut gremolata ($36) – very tasty. My favorite entrée dish was the tender braised short rib with bourbon caramel, roasted mushroom, fourme d’ambert (blue cheese) and smashed potatoes ($38). It was delicious, and lovely to behold.  Next time on my list is the very creative harvest bowl with melted sweet potato, ancient grains, grilled portobello mushroom, caramelized cauliflower, snap pea, grilled artichoke, brussels sprouts,avocado, marcona almond pesto and cashew harissa – truly a meal in a bowl ($25)..

The Henry Miami has always shined, too, in the dessert department, the kind I most like: American style cakes, puddings and pies. The star is the chocolate fudge pie ($14) which will be on my best desserts of the year list.

In three layers, it takes a day and a half to build. It’s peanut butter crunch, milk chocolate mousse, candied peanut caramel and Chantilly cream. New in the cocktail department are the calle ocho daiquiri, Cafecito martini and the Amalfi spritz. The Henry Miami is open from 9 a.m. seven days a week. For my earlier review, click here.

With the cultural scene soon to be in full swing, I thought it’d be a good idea to check out the newly opened Momento by Ikaro which, at 13th Street and North Miami Avenue, is within a few blocks from the Arsht, PAMM , and Art Miami. Momento is the creation of Inaki Murua of the Michelin star Ikaro restaurant in La Rioja, Spain and his wife, Ecuadorean chef Carolina Sanchez who combines the flavors of Spain and Latin America. I had a look on a Saturday night and the place was full, and the music at just the right level for conversation (what a nice change). The space is like a courtyard garden filled with greenery and climbing vines, and decorated with natural woods, handcrafted elements sourced from Ecuador, and soothing neutral colors with splashes of vibrant color as in the curving velvet banquettes. As you walk in, you pass the open kitchen.

The menu selections are appealing, and not your usual. A highlight are appetizers, entrees and vegetables using the traditional Basque wood burning oven such as roasted peppers with potato parmentier and crispy egg; roasted Neapia marinated cauliflower; lamb shoulder with mint yogurt cream and roasted eggplant; and Basque style turbot with baked potatoes. And of course there’s a corvina ceviche, here made with peanut sauce, green plantain empanadas filled with crab, crispy corvina with sweet corn puree, and an Amazonian tiradito. Unique desserts include a Tonka bean foam with salted caramel ice cream, Ecuadorean chocolate and agave chips. They also have a special twist on their wine selection, avoiding common La Rioja wines for unique varieties, along with choices from other regions of Spain and Italy.

Dinner for two including one appetizer and entree each, dessert and a glass of wine should run you about $170 plus tip and tax. There’s valet parking for $20 and street parking around the block. Momento by Ikaro, 1306 North Miami Avenue, Miami

A First Look: The new Tuscan restaurant Felice Brickell  is elegant in the way I like it, European style.  Outdoors is a garden terrace, with a lush wall of greenery and umbrellas. Bottom line; it’s lovely. The SA Hospitality Group which operates restaurants in places with demanding clientele, from Manhattan and West Palm Beach to Aspen, Milan and more, sure knows how to design a restaurant. The menu has the popular Italian  Tuscan classics, but then there are other dishes that one sees less often – like  zuppa Contadina made of farm vegetables, chickpeas, white beans, lacinato kale, Felice extra virgin olive oil; gamberi in salsa rosa;  pappardelle con salsiccia;black truffle New York strip steak and branzino al cartoccio.

          No surprise they have an Italian driven wine list, many from the partner’s own vineyard.  When we went to have a look, everyone couldn’t have been more accommodating and they seem to really like working there which I love to see. It’s open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Good news – there’s a two course lunch special weekdays for $37 (click here for the menu https://www.felicerestaurants.com/felice-brickell/); and Sunday night supper, a $45 prefixe menu with two courses and a glass of wine from a select list.  There’s also a happy hour weekdays from 5 PM to 7 PM. Find bites ranging from $7 to $13, featuring favorites like Gamberi en Salsa Rosa, Arancini, and Calamari Fritti. Pair your selections with curated wines, priced at $11 to $12, or with crafted cocktails like the Negroni and Amalfi Spritz .Felice Brickell, 1450 Brickell Avenue, Miami.  There’s valet parking for lunch and dinner.

New Restaurant Openings

Michelin star chef Juan Manuel Barrientos of ElCielo which I reviewed earlier, has opened Cartagena,  a restaurant featuring cuisine from his native Cartagena, Colombia in the SLS South Beach. According to Eater Miami, the menu blends Indigenous, European, and African culinary influences with modern techniques.

Diners can expect small bites, ceviches, salads, and mains highlighting coastal Colombian cuisine. Sample dishes range from seafood cazuela (casserole) to wagyu “al trapo” (cooked in cloth). The menu also includes a caviar service featuring corn and rice arepas with serum costeño (fermented milk cream).

Cartagena is open Monday through Thursday from 6 pm to 10 pm and Friday through Saturday from 6 pm to 10:30 pm. To learn more, click here.

The Miami Herald reported New York’s chef Michael White is opening a new restaurant in Coral Gables, Mika. He’s creator and founding chef of med restaurant Marea on Central Park which earned two Michelin stars. It emphasizes Italian coastal food. Open late 2024 in the Plaza Coral Gables. the arcade next to the Loew’s Coral Gables.

When I was in Bogota, Colombia last year for a business trip I was told not to miss going to Andres Carne de Res considered one of the leading party restaurants in  Latin America. I went and were they ever right, several stories worth. And now, they”ve come to Miami Beach, specifically, Lincoln Road.  The 10,000-square-foot space spans four floors with 400 seats, featuring a main dining room, mezzanine bar, rooftop terrace, and dedicated takeout area. Stay tuned. – Karen