We’re coming into “off season” in Miami but there’s no let up in restaurant openings and other eating news including a high profile chef in residence at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami, a new option in luxury brunch offerings, a new chocolate destination with classes,  a great deal at Fogo de Chao Brazilian churrascaria. Plus, my review of Greek restaurant Bakalo Mykonos on Miami Beach.

Happily I happened on a delicious new chocolate destination, Ben B Coco in Wynwood.  One bite of a sample of 70% Peruvian chocolate and I was hooked — bought a bar and some milk chocolate covered marshmallows. Besides bars they sell chocolate bites, drages,  and artful bon bons that would make a wonderful hostess gift (from $18). Always wanted to learn how to make chocolate? They offer a chocolate workshop at the shop or the destination of your choice. The workshop includes a tasting of 20 chocolates, insight into the world of chocolate and a chance to make your own bar. It’s priced from $95 person for 8 people or more, to $150 per person for a duo. 170 NW 26th Street, Wynwood.

Light Bites (restaurants with an asterisk have a review): Popular restaurant café Call Me Gaby* from South Beach will be opening an outpost in Aventura Mall….Ghee Indian Kitchen is opening in Wynwood…Sorry to see when Juvia* closed, so happy to hear it will be opening in the Miami World Center….Prime Fish closed. Taking its place is Motek Mediterranean which continues its rapid expansion in Miami…Joliet in Sunset Harbour has closed for good….New York import Bondi Sushi has opened another outpost in Midtown, at 3409 NE First Avenue, joining its sister on West Avenue. It touts its 12 piece Omakase experience for $75…Elastika American restaurant opens in the Moore building in the Design District. According to the Miami Herald the kitchen is lead by Florida native and executive chef Joe Anthony whose previous restaurants include New YorkCity’s Restaurant Daniel and the Gabriel Kreuther…Tacombi*  taqueria has opened its newest eatery on Brickell near Brickell City Centre.  Tacombi’s menu celebrates the distinct flavors and recipes found across Mexico’s 32 states.

Thanks to the Four Seasons Miami the Magic City can enjoy the cuisine of much awarded chef Nina Compton and her restaurant Compere Lapin from now until May 19. She is known for her cuisine blending the flavors of her Caribbean roots with French culinary training and extensive experience with Italian cuisine. Four of us, including a top social media food influencer (my son @snackeatingsnacks), went to try it out on launch night and all agreed that all of the over a dozen dishes we tried were consistently very good (not very usual in Miami) – flavorful, well presented, quality ingredients, and some new taste sensations.

The menu isn’t large, divided into snacks, first, and second, but the selection is very appealing. Our group was pretty much in agreement on our favorites – to die for fluffy buttermilk biscuits (still thinking of them) with mango butter, smoked lardon and chili salt ($10); a delicious tuna tartare where you experience the Caribbean influence in the coconut dressing with dasheen chips ($22); Caribbean chop salad, light and fresh with its baby lettuces, and refined coconut dressing with herbs ($21); and short rib burnt ends, tasty, so tender the pieces fell off the bone, and cooked to perfection ($89). My hands down favorite was the blackened ½ Maine lobster, its intriguing flavor unlike any other ($65). There’s also a special cocktail menu, but I Mr. W and I always opt for the classics. My gin martini was superb. I hadn’t been to Edge on the rooftop of the Four Seasons in awhile and, going there reminded me of how delightful it is – low key, attractive, low noise level, and comfortable. We vowed to return soon. Compere Lapin by Nina Compton at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Bakalo Mykonos is a delightful Greek bistro that offers the kind of warm hospitality and welcome that you’d find in Greece.  The menu focuses on Greek taverna classic dishes and a wide range of wines from various Greek regions. The charming co-partner of Bakalo, Egidio Guerreri, along with our Greek friend George and his “in the know” food and wine writer wife, Irene guided us on the menu selections and certainly taught me a thing or two,  even though I’ve been to many Greek restaurants. We started with George’s two recommendations which he says are tops in Miami, the trio of mezze, the star of which was the taramosalata, made of Greek fish roe, red onion, lemon and olive oil. It was especially creamy, fresh and refined. Next up was the moussaka, one of the most classic dishes, made of beef ragu, grilled eggplant, potato and bechamel sauce. Unlike the usual serving style, this was made in an individual ramekin which George said and I agreed make for a moist (not dry) dish that tasted homemade.

Mr. W picked the brussels sprouts made with honey and thyme. He liked them so much, he proceeded to try to make them at home the next day! I’m becoming something of a savant if you can use that word on meatballs, and I gave high marks to the keftedakia made with yogurt sauce and sweet paprika oil for being tasty and moist .My favorite dish was the lobster giovetsi made with orzo pasta, tomato sauce, manouri cheese, dill oil and lime zest. It all worked, and with just the right amount of sauce. For dessert don’t miss the orange syrup cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  For a glass of Greek wine each (6 ounce pour), mezze, moussaka, brussels sprouts, lobster with orzo and one dessert, expect to pay $130 plus tip and tax. Bakalo Miami Beach, 959 West Avenue #3.

A deal that caught my attention and is a “must go” for meat lovers is Brazilian churrascaria Fogo De Chão . It’s offering  Fogo for $44, a limited-time menu offering that allows guests to discover all Fogo has to offer at all its locations (Coral Gables, South Beach, Downtown Dadeland and Fort Lauderdale)!

Available now, the limited-time menu option includes a selection of Fogo’s signature Brazilian cuts of meat that are butchered and prepared in-house and roasted over an open flame in the culinary art of Churrasco, including the  best cuts of Brazil like the Picanha, the prime part of the top sirloin, and Fraldinha, the bottom sirloin known for its strong marbling characteristics and robust flavor. Brazilian sides are also included in this special menu alongside favorites from the Market Table

like plant-based proteins, imported charcuterie, and fresh soups and salads, bringing guests a seasonal variety of nutrient-dense offerings. To complete the Fogo For $44 menu offering, guests are invited to indulge in a decadent dessert including Tres Leches Cake, Crème Brûlée or Chocolate Brigadeiro.
Reservations HERE,
Bring your kids to discover the Fogo for $44 menu as well- kids under 6 eat free, and kids under 12 are half off!

Sexy Fish Miami has a new entry to the serious brunch competition,  a new, luxurious Sexy Sunday Brunch experience featuring the restaurant’s signature cuisine, cocktails, champagne, ambiance, and more. 

Every Sunday guests  can  tailor their experience with a choice of tiered beverage packages; options include endlessly flowing specialty cocktails, champagne, wine, or non-alcoholic elixirs ranging from $99 to $349. Each tier includes unlimited starters, sushi and maki, a choice of entrée, and dessert.

The culinary journey begins with a lavish selection of starters, meant to be shared by the table, including Smoked Salmon Bao, Chicken Gyoza, Prawn Tempura, Duck Salad, Salt & Pepper Squid, and Cauliflower Teriyaki.Guests are invited to visit the extraordinary Sushi Station, to choose from a wide  presentation of maki, sashimi and nigiri.

For the main course, diners can choose from  dishes like Slow Cooked Brisket, Baby Chicken & Yuzu, Caramelized Black Cod, or Prime Skirt Steak & Chimichurri. Entrees are complemented by accompaniments ranging from Grilled Sweet Potato & Coconut Wasabi and Grilled Shishito Peppers to Broccoli & Spicy Quinoa and Tofu & Truffle Salad. Save room for a sweet finish as the meal culminates with craveable desserts like Donuts, Ice Cream, Mochis, and other luscious treats.

Time: 12 pm-4 pm

Pricing (includes unlimited starters and sushi/maki, choice of one entrée, and dessert):

• $99/person Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package
• $129/person Unlimited Charles Le Bel – Inspiration “1818” N.V. Package
• $149 package Unlimited Louis Roederer – Collection 244 N.V. Package
• $349 package Unlimited Dom Pérignon 2013 Package

Sexy Fish Miami, 1001 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130

For more brunch ideas, click here.