Miami needs more restaurants like Chimba Miami, restaurants where you can have dinner for two for $100 or lunch for $22 in an attractive place with good, friendly service; tasty food; appealing menu; and a glass of wine for $11 (5 ounce pour) or bottle for $42. Plus, they do some interesting takes on fusion Latin American cuisine.

In Midtown,  Chimba Miami  honors the unique flavors of countries like Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay with a modern touch. It’s owned and operated by the Argentine restaurant Grupo Alfor. Chefs are Kevin Acosta and Pablo Ranea, the latter renowned for his Azafran restaurant in Mendoza, Argentina,

The space seating 160 has a large outdoor area and smaller, more intimate indoor area with a bar seating eight and small conversation area. I liked the décor at first sight – it’s colorful and playful. The interior boasts open-faced brick walls with a contemporary design.Find abstract and folk art and modern themed furnishings by artists from Central and South America. For social groups and families there are two communal tables seating 8 and 12.

The menu   is divided into appetizers, empanadas, sandwiches, salads, mains, sides and desserts. There’s an all day menu, lunch specials and brunch.

We started with two of their signature dishes, the birria arepa and ceviche Nikkei. The former is a Mexican-Venezuelan fusion creation with its shredded meat cooked birria style with an accompanying spicy sauce and arepa made with the red broth from the meat. With an added sweet plantain and smoked gouda, it had an unusual taste sensation of spicy, sweet, and creamy. I opted for the ceviche with sushi grade tuna, rocoto, pineapple ponzu and a different touch – fried calamari on top. It was very fresh and tasty.

We couldn’t decide between the pulpo al olivo, an octopus dish with botija olive aioli qujnoa risotto, jicama saice with chimichurri or a churrasco. My friend was craving meat and the Argentines do it so well, so we opted for the skirt steak with a side or divine truffle fries that were crispy on the outside and with just the right density inside. And unlike truffle fries in a lot of places, you really taste the truffles. Next time I’d like to try the Fresh House Rigatoni Pasta, tossed with ribeye and mushroom ragu or have the skirt steak again (really enjoyed it).

Desserts at Chimba Miami  were two other specialties, both delicious: the key lime tres leches with Italian meringue and vanilla streusel, and the panqueque dulce de leche with homemade ice cream. Next time I want to try the Malbec and Sabayon Homemade Ice Cream with quince and caramelized walnuts

s any serious restaurant nowadays, there’s a mixology program, here with . Signature libations isuch as Angel Mezcalita, clarified Mezcal with passion fruit, lime juice, Triple Sec, and Taji; and the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, a mix of Sotol, cucumber, jalapeño, lime music, Triple Sec, and Tajín ring. As a tribute to Grupo Alfoz’s homeland, a strong portion of their wine menu also hails from Argentina. Cocktails range from $15 to $17.

The figure I gave for dinner for two for $100 (plus tax and tip) includes two appetizers, a steak entrée, two desserts and a glass of wine for each diner. Monday through Friday there are lunch specials, two courses for $22 or three courses for $28.

Chimba Miami is located at 2830 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, 33137.  Open Monday through Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations can be made via OpenTable or by calling (786) 558-5898. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily and serves a happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m., and a Sunday brunch from  11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Chimba’s monthly calendar of events includes special classes and discounted offers. For more information, visit www.ChimbaMiami.com or follow @ChimbaMiami on social media.

There’s street parking in the neighborhood.