A welcome new addition to waterside dining options in Miami is Tigre, nestled by a manatee sanctuary and yet steps off Biscayne Boulevard. It’s inspired by traditional Buenos Aires cafes and neighborhood bistros or “bodegones” in the river town north of the Argentine capital. The menu at this Argentinian restaurant in Miami is laced with the country’s classics, with more than a nod to Miami’s love of seafood and farm to table vegetables. With its location and garden like décor, friendly service, tasty  menu and reasonable prices, it’s a good choice for a meal with friends and family and casual date night.

The menu is divided into entradas (starters), mains, parilla (grilled items), sides and desserts.For starters, there’s a fresh crudo daily which sounded enticing, but we opted for the less usual bunuelos, lightly fried, and crispy balls of goodness filled with Swiss chard, kale and aged gouda cheese ($12). A favorite. Mr. W had the grilled heart of palm salad, a signature dish with  chicory, fennel and parmesan ($15) which he enjoyed. Foodies sitting next to us sweared by the blue crab croquetas which I’ll try next time.

Sadly I’m allergic (recent vintage) or I would have tried the creative shrimp and pork belly chorizo (sausage) with braised fennel and  tomato confit ($15). For a main course, being in an Argentine restaurant,  we had to try a grilled meat. So we split the 22 ounce bone-in New York strip steak which was absolutely delicious – perfectly charred yet tender and beefy ($45).

We accompanied it with oyster mushrooms provencal.  Also very appealing sounding is another of their specialties, the whole short rib which they lightly smoke, cook sous vide, and grill  for 36 hours total and serve with kim-chimi ($30). They call it their “meat candy”. I would also would have liked to try the Milonga – breaded heritage pork chop with charred Napa cabbage slaw and spicy apple butter ($28).

The fish selection comes from Argentina and Florida and includes Patagonian shrimp and squid and a catch of the day. The evening we were there it was grilled grouper served with braised leeks, yuzu, pink peppercorn, beurre blanc and sunchoke chips.

For dessert we opted for the daily special, a dense cheesecake topped with Florida strawberry compote ($12). Spotting an eye popping, serious espresso machine, we decided that caffeine be damned and we each had a macchiato that was tops, accompanied by a slice of chocolate covered orange.

There’s a selection of signature cocktails served in elegant champagne like glasses we coveted ($8-$13).

Not surprising, at this Argentinian restaurant in Miami find a wide selection of Argentine wines which start at $40 a bottle. A glass of wine  (5 ounce pour)  starts at $12. There are also high end selections such as the Zuccarda Emma Bonata, Valle de Uco Argentina 2016 ($116).

Valet parking is $7.

Tigre, 620 NE 78th Street, T.(305)456-9540. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday for dinner.