By Jan Engoren and Yours Truly
With prices on the rise and inflation taking a bite out of each paycheck, why not try to see and be seen at great lunch venues offering fabulous food with prix fixe menus. Many of Miami’s four and five star restaurants roll out their red carpet for lunch, often offering their signature dishes. From as little as $25, enjoy a two or three-course meal plus tax and tip. Here’s a roundup of local fine dining restaurants offering everything from Italian, French and Latin to Greek and Asian cuisine and even a Brazilian steakhouse churrasco lunch at a price you can’t resist. Here’s Part 1 of a two part series.
Lunch specials in Brickell
Hutong
If you’re in Brickell, take advantage of Hutong’s Signature Lunch offered every Monday through Friday from noon to 3:00 p.m. for $45 per person. Guests are greeted with the Dragen Iced Tea upon arrival followed by the Hot and Sour Vegetable Soup and Dim sum Dumpling Platter as starters. Then, choose one entrée – the Dong Bei Salad, Pan Seared Beed Tenderloin, Kung Po Chicken or Spiced Golden Tofu. Elevate the experience by adding sides such as fried rice or noodles for $8 or desserts such as sweet miso with caramel and sea salt or sorbet or ice cream for an additional $6.
Hutong is located at 600 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131. Tel: (786) 388-0805. Visit Hutong-miami.com.
Sexy Fish
Sexy Fish continues to be one of the restaurants of the moment, the one with a great buzz you have to see and experience. It has the visual entertainment as in over the top decor to the tune of millions of dollars. The special deal for lunch is a good way to try it. The Kuikku menu, priced at $32.00 per person, has been updated for the season. Guests can select one starter, one main, and one sweet finish, with dishes including crispy tofu with lime and chili, sea bass crudo with pepper and apple, zucchini flower tempura, fried black cod, and salmon teriyaki. To make a reservation, visit www.sexyfishmiami.com or call (305) 889-7888. 1001 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130
Downtown
Novikov
Situated in the heart of Downtown Miami, Novikov Miami showcases a high-end signature à la carte menu of Chinese and Japanese cuisine in a genial atmosphere. Modern techniques and seasonal ingredients come together in colorful, flavorful robata and wok dishes, along with an extensive dim sum and sushi selection along with specialty desserts.
Why not stop by for their Weekday Business Lunch?
With a prix-fixe, three-course Business Lunch menu from Monday through Friday (noon to 3 p.m.), priced at $30, what could make your workday more uplifting? Sample their White Miso Soup or Cucumber Tataki to start the meal, followed by an appetizer choice of Shrimp and Cilantro Dim Sum, Spicy Salmon Maki, or Brussels Sprouts and Crispy Pork. For a main course, Novikov offers Robata Grilled Branzino, signature Crispy Peking Duck, Chirashi Bowl, or Sweet & Sour Mango Chicken.
Novikov Miami is located at 300 S. Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Florida. Tel: (305) 489-1000. Visit novikovmiami.com.
Looking for an affordable but high-quality lunch option in the Downtown Miami area? Well, look no further than Zuma. The famed Japanese Izakaya dining style eatery offers a $38 ebisu menu with four hot or cold dishes of your choice. Favorites include the sliced seabass sashimi with yuzu, spicy yellowtail roll with serrano pepper, or skirt steak with shiso chimichurri accompanied by Miami’s picture-perfect backdrop. Pair your dishes with a cocktail or wine glass of choice from Zuma’s extensive cocktail list. Lunch is served Monday – Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Zuma is located at 270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami, Florida, 33131. Tel: (305) 577-0277. Visit https://zumarestaurant.com.
MiMo
CHICA
With a menu crafted by Celebrity Chef Lorena Garcia, the menu at CHICA draws inspiration from classic renditions of Latin dishes, giving diners the opportunity to explore the flavors of Latin American cuisine as one culture. CHICA’s menu features influences from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina, among others. Enjoy a two-course prix fixe lunch menu at CHICA Miami for $25 Monday through Friday from noon to 4:00 p.m. Try out CHICA’s new menu and enjoy specialties including the Tijuana Caesar Salad, Smoked Cauliflower Salad or Mexican “Mezze” to start. Follow that with either the Oaxacan Fried Chicken Sandwich, Fish Tacos or Fire-Roasted Veggie Quesadilla. Miami CHICA IS AT 5556 NE 4th Court, Miami, Florida 33137. tel. 786-6327725 CHICA
DORAL
Dragonfly Izakaya & Fish Market
While not technically a prix fixe menu, Dragonfly offers what they call “lunch sets.” With a choice of maki roll, (Market Price + $3), shrimp and vegetable tempura, ($17) a miso ginger salad ($15) as starters, you can choose their Unagi Donburi (BBQ smoked eel ($18) or miso salmon ($16), Kushiyaki steak skewers ($18), Katsu chicken curry made with Japanese yellow curry ($15), the Tonkotsu Ramen ($19), Steak Yakisoba ($17) or Chicken Yakitori ($15). Add soup and salad to any entrée for an additional $3.
Dragonfly Izakaya & Fish Market is located at 5241 NW 87th Avenue, Doral, Florida 33178. Tel: (305) 222-7447. Visit www.dragonflyrestaurants.com.
South of Allapattah
Tanuki River Landing
The second location of Tanuki has arrived as they have opened at the River Landing Shops and Residences, near the historic Miami River with their new “Tanuki Lunch By The River,” – Business Lunch menu. With an inviting lunch deal in a scenic riverside setting and prices starting at $25 for two courses and $30 for three courses, what could be a better way to spend your lunch hour(s)?
First course offerings include a choice of salty or spicy Edamame, followed by a choice of Mango Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Salmon Avocado, Vegetable Udon Noodle, Mango Salmon ($25+$5), Striploin 5-oz. Prime (($25+$5) or Chirashi Don (($25+$5), all served with white rice. For dessert chose vanilla, chocolate or matcha mochi or espresso, double espresso or an Americano coffee.
Tanuki River Landing is located at 1420 NW North River Drive, Miami, Florida 33125. Tel: (305) 433-2436. Visit .www.tanukimiami.com
