As you can imagine, I’ve seen some super creative presentations of dishes over the year, chefs with a finely honed artistic eye, especially at Michelin star restaurants. But never did I see a chef who created dishes that recreated works of art and with a QR code on the menu to see the works that inspired the dishes. Hats off to Valeri Fuentes at Verde Miami waterfront restaurant at the Perez Art Museum who manages to do this and make delicious food. And speaking of lovely sights for the eyes, then there’s the view of the Miami skyline that’s special.
Fuentes has an impressive background. She previously served as chef de cuisine at Constellation Culinary Group for events like Formula 1 and singer-songwriter Mark Anthony’s wedding in Miami. Prior to this, she honed her skills at prestigious establishments in Patagonia, Caracas, Miami and Buenos Aires, including Elena at the Four Seasons Hotel and Orilla by Fernando Trocca.
Fuentes’ seasonal menu was inspired by the current exhibition JoséParlá:Homecoming.
I tried the Mojito Cuban Tiradito ($19) an artistic starter featuring mahi-mahi, mint oil, lemongrass, Cubanelle pepper, shallots, cucumber, jalapeño, celery and mojito jello shots. The fish was very fresh and the flavors delicate and tasty. My friend, an executive at PAMM, had her favorite that she swears by: The Mango Salmon ($34), inspired by Parlá’s “Return to Miami’s Ancestral Circle,” a pan-seared salmon entrée served with Tajín-roasted mango sauce, soy-glazed baby carrots, garlic chips and wasabi oil.
The menu also features new small plates. Don’t miss the exciting and tasty The Artist’s Palette ($19), truffle turmeric hummus, beet tzatziki and baba ghanoush with a side of za’atar flatbread. The crispy Brussels Sprouts ($16), which I also tried, were among the best I’ve had, seasoned with lemon juice, pecorino cheese and spicy mayo. Another not to be missed dish is the Dragon Fruit Key Lime Mousse ($17), inspired by “Rorschach Polyrhythm,” featuring white chocolate milk crumbles, dragon fruit and raspberry coulis, and a pink oblea. Different and delicious.
Reimagined larger plates include the Mediterranean Sea Bream ($34), tail-on fish gratin, which now features panko, Parmesan cheese, caramelized lemon and chimichurri served with a frisée salad.
Fuentes is currently working on dishes for the upcoming exhibit,
Wines by the glass start at $11 and bottles at $38. Cocktails are $14-$17 and mocktails $12-$13.
And while you’re at PAMM, besides seeing the exhibits, check out their shop which is the best museum shop in town. You’re going to have to control yourself not to buy too much.
Verde Miami is open Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Monday from 11 a.m. with a last seating at 3:30 pm.. Verde’s Bistro Bar, which offers grab-and-go snacks, is open Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit pamm.org/dining or follow @verdemiami on Instagram.
3 Responses
The venue is unbeatable and now there is a great menu. Thank you Karen, for always finding and posting new and interesting items for your readers!
Looks fabulous!
Delicious too!