New appealing brunch offering in a top waterfront restaurant, “Nomad” dining experience, Purim dinner, JARANA Miami new Peruvian restaurant, and fall harvest tour to Tuscany, all in Eating News in Miami March 2024, Part 1.
Looking for a new twist on a brunch that not is OTT in price and one of the best locations in town? The Riverfront buzzy Seaspice has launched a Mediterranean tapas brunch with not your usual menu selections. The concept is a selection of tapas from countries throughout the Med. We went there on a beautiful winter Sunday. The music was loungeybut not loud, the food was tasty, and atmosphere lovely. There’s a selection of 16 tapas. Each person chooses three for $40. It was just enough food and we paired it with their special tapas beverage menu that include wine and cocktails. Choose three for $30.
Our favorite dishes were the gambas al ajillo – jumbo Oishii shrimp cooked in olive oil and garlic resting on a bed of polenta; tomato salad with avocado, pickled cucumber, watercress, shaved radish and cilantro; lamb vol-au-vent, plum and onion braised lamb, puff pastry, carrot puree and pickled radish; and egg casserole with sofrito stewed garbanzos, Tuscan pecorino and grilled baguette. There were also pasta selections, egg dishes and more. It’s a lovely way to spend a weekend afternoon.
The newly opened JARANA Miami Peruvian restaurant in the Esplanade in Aventura features traditional Peruvian cuisine. What does that mean? I knew about Peruvian/Nikkei (strong Japanese influence) but I found out that the traditional food includes not only influences of the indigenous peoples, but also, of many decades of immigrants’ culinary traditions. Besides the Japanese, it means the Chinese (“chifas”) and the Italians (“Bachiche”). JARANA Miami is the first culinary concept Acurio International developed specifically for the U.S. market. .
The restaurant’s Miami chef, Martha Palacios, is from Lima and is passionate about her home style cooking. The casual décor is colorful, original, fun and playful, service is friendly and good, and the prices are reasonable.
An extensive menu features everything from ceviches, tiraditos , a Nikkei bar, and causas to a solid rib eye with yellow potatoes, and a tasty sauce, the aji de gallina chicken stew and a whole snapper deboned and fried with sweet and spicy Nikkei sauce, bok choy and white chaufa. The menu is perfect for small groups, great for sharing. Our favorite dishes were the tuna wantacos, three wonton tacos with Nikkei style tuna tartare, avocado mousse and aji Amarillo sauce, among the better ones we’ve had in town; the tiradito Bachiche with Hamachi, parmesan, leche de tigre,avocado, chalaca and olive oil, creamy and oh so tasty. Not to be missed is the chaufa aeropuerto, chicken and beer stir fried rice, shrimp omelet and spicy sauce.
And don’t miss their Pisco Sour cocktail! Expect to pay about $130 plus tax and tip for two for dinner.
JARANA Miami, 19505 Biscayne Blvd., Ste 5150, Aventura, FL 33180, adjacent to the Aventura Mall. There’s a large lot with plenty of free parking. For more information visit JaranaRestaurant.com . It’s open seven days a week for dinner, and lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Mix things up midweek, Wednesday, with a novel evening dinner experience called Nomad from Miami Beach glam spot Villa Azur. Nomad is designed as a journey into the heart of the Mediterranean and Middle East, where flavors, music, and dancers come together for cultural exploration and artistic expression with a menu by Chef Vincent Catala.
The menu features shareable plates such as the Villa Azur Mezze, featuring Labneh, Spicy Hummus, Zaalouk, Baba Ganoush, Shakshouka and Crispy Zaatar Pita ($25), Chicken Tajine featuring slow-cooked Lemon-Preserved Chicken, Green Olives, and Caramelized Onions ($27), or Couscous with Rose Harissa – chef’s secret recipe – topped with a choice of Chicken, Lamb, and/or Brisket (starting at $45). For a sweet finish, guests can enjoy Baked Honey and Nuts Baklava with Lemon Labneh ($14) or other dessert options. Also featured are belly dancers, complimentary henna tattoo designs, and hookahs And while you’re there, check out the fun drink served in a copper teapot.The outdoor courtyard is one of the prettier venues in town.
Always wanted to go to Tuscany for the fall harvest? Here’s an offering from a leading food and wine writer (and friend) that’s sure to be good (her tour to Greece last year sold out in no time)! Limited to 10-12 people, this 10-day luxury tour from September 2-11 is curated for Italian food and wine lovers. The itinerary coincides with the Tuscany’s harvest season, and you’ll dine at top restaurants and cozy trattorias featuring Tuscan harvest specialties and the best harvest wines.
In Florence, stay in a historic villa, explore the Central Market and take a private cooking class. See the statue of David, explore the Duomo and Renaissance art treasures at the Uffizi gallery with private guides. Enjoy lunch at Massimo Bottura’s cafe at the Gucci Museum, and take in a sunset view of the Ponte Vecchio at a rooftop aperitivo.
Outside of Florence, stay in an ancient castelo in the Chianti Classico region. Explore picturesque villages and prestigious wine estates, and have lunches while admiring spectacular views of the Tuscany countryside. Visit Siena and celebrate at a final dinner featuring local dishes before returning to Florence.
For more info, email irenemoore305@gmail.com or click here.
On Sunday, March 24th, celebrate Purim in Paris at Ostrow Brasserie in Buena Vista from 6-10pm. Guests are invited to dress in their favorite French designer or French theme to win a bottle of bubbly with dinner. Live music and French cuisine in Ostrow’s idyllic dining room that will transport guests to the Left Bank. Reservations available via Resy.
A DJ will spin the tunes, The French Horn Collective, Miami’s beloved French Gypsy Jazz Band will play from 6-10pm and Chef Olivia Ostrow will serve her signature dishes like Lyonnaise Salad with Poached Egg, Frisée, Beef “Bacon” Croutons and Tarragon Vinaigrette; Lamb Shank & Jardiniere with Port Wine Reduction and Parisienne Carrots; Trout Amandine with Almonds and Yellow String Beans; Duck Confit with Potatoes Sarladaises; and Beef Bourguignon with Carrots and Shallots and more.
Ostrow Brasserie is located at 4850 NW 2nd Ave; and is open for dinner from Sunday to Thursday (6-10 PM) and brunch every Sunday (10:30 AM to 3 PM). For my earlier review of Ostrow Brasserie, click here.
One Response
Thank you for featuring my “Fall Harvest in Tuscany Tour!”