One of my new “go to” places for a casual, relaxed and delicious lunch or dinner with friends is the waterfront Bayshore Club in Coconut Grove. I’ve been there four times in six weeks which is a lot for me given the number of places I need to check out. My friends share my opinion as do a lot of diners, as it’s not easy to get a reservation in the evening, especially now that there’s live music five nights a week and at Sunday brunch.

Bayshore Club is at Regatta Harbour, near Dinner Key which got its name for being a beautiful picnic stop while traveling by boat along the coastal waters of the city. It’s part of the Grove Bay Hospitality Group known for high profile restaurants ranging from Stubborn Seed and Stiltsville to Red Rooster Overtown and more. The multi-level 300 seat restaurant is open air with a massive overhang and electric heaters on the way for the cooler winter months. A centerpiece is an oval bar seating 34 people. The vibe is friendly and easy, and the furniture is like what you’d find on a friend’s patio. Just north of the restaurant, Bayshore Club has an outdoor “hangout”, the lawn, with private cabanas, lounge seating, game stations like ping pong and cornhole and fire pits for the coming winter months. 

The menu is well curated, designed to appeal for lunch, dinner, light bites and brunch. It’s divided into raw bars, small plates, salads, handhelds, for the table, signatures, and sides. Grove Bay Chef/Partner Jeff McInnis has done his job well in developing the menu featuring classic fare with tropical Miami and Latin Influences.

Favorite dishes I’ve enjoyed over my several meals have included the very fresh ceviche colorfully decorated with purple potatoes and an oversize rice cracker ($18), and a new pick, whimsical mini cones filled with tasty tuna tartare with yuzu aioli and topped with whipped avocado mousse. It has just the right amount of kick, plus it’s creamy and refreshing ($16). Another recommended selection are the fish tacos, three in an order ($18).

They do seafood very well, such as the seared mojo snapper my friend had, which had a crispy skin while being moist and perfectly cooked. It is served with pineapple chunks giving it a welcome touch of sweetness, and broccolini. Next time I’d like to try the whole snapper, roasted or fried, and served with saffron rice with pistachio and pine nuts (market price). In the seafood department,  another selection on my list is the lobster roll “yankee style”. Served on a large brioche roll, it has pickled onion, pickles, lettuce, heirloom tomato and Bayshore club sauce ($38). And then there’s the WOW instagrammable Cocktail Cooler, featuring 2 dozen local blue crab cocktail claws, 2 dozen local red royal shrimp and house made Bayshore Club secret sauce all assorted on a bed of ice inside a boat cooler.

In a tough competition, the winner of all is the 10 ounce churrasco skirt steak, the best I’ve had in Miami. The papaya marinade is one of the secrets, made with papaya seeds, flesh of papaya, olive oil, paprika, and garlic. The papaya has special enzymes that tenderize the meat called papain, which is then marinated overnight . Suffice it to say that I could have eaten the whole thing! It was served with perfectly cooked broccolini, basil chimichurri and papaya salad ($36). Another favorite with my foodie friends was the lime and pepper rare crusted tuna with coconut rice, scallion and soy soubise ($33).

Favorites for dessert are the  decadent six layer carrot cake filled with whipped cream cheese, and the guava bread pudding with creamy vanilla ice cream, or better yet, ask for it with caramel ice cream.

A glass of wine (5 ounce) starts at $9 and a bottle at $32. Cocktails are $15-$18. Happy hour is offered Monday to Friday 4 to 6 p.m. with half priced cocktails, beer and wine and $2 oysters on Monday. There are also half priced bottles of Rosé wine every Wednesday. Brunch dishes include lobster & goat cheese omelet and medianoche French toast.

Bayshore Club, 3391 Pan American Drive, Miami 33133. It’s next to Miami City Hall. There’s pay to park adjacent to the restaurant. To see the full all day menu, click here.

P.S. If you go for lunch and haven’t been to the Grove in awhile, check out the redo of Coco Walk and Gas boutique with lovely jewelry made in France. Click here to read my review.