By Eleanor Hoh
As competition and new restaurants are on the rise, so are prices. Where to eat well for less in Miami, as in under $60 for two for dinner? One even qualifies for cheap eats in Miami at $29 for two. They are all chef owned restaurants, passionate about their vision and how they want guests to have a special dining experience. A word about the price: the under $60 price tag is without alcohol, dessert and doesn’t include tax and tips. Here is Part 2 in a two part series. For Part 1, click here.
HACHIDORI
“Hachidori is a combination of many different things. And all those things add up to an experience. And that’s what we want guests to feel when they come here. They’re not here only for the amazing food, but the staff welcomes you with great hospitality. There’s music that people love,” Guillermo Paniza explained, a hospitality dynamo. He’s owner with his wife, Jessica Daez who recently had their first baby.
Hachidori means, a humming bird in Japanese and a symbol of the enjoyment of life and its pleasures. Interestingly enough, neither of them are chefs but they set out to open a ramen, sake restaurant after their honeymoon in Japan. Their menu was developed by Chef Sam Gorenstein of My Ceviche. The zen approach to the restaurant design and the menu is modern with a hallway lined with Sake. There’s a few outdoor seating along the streetside. This is also at the Ebb & Flow newish development across the street from La Santa Tacqueria.
The game plan for Hachidori goes like this…order a few Izakaya Starters. We polished off 3 starters: Miso Charred Eggplant $14, that was the BEST I’ve ever had, soft and so tasty. Next up was Yakiniku Pork Ribs (Japanese BBQ) $16 — be prepared for a little sweet treat, and Pork Gyozas $10 which were nice and crispy.
However, since this is a ramen bar, a bowl of hot ramen is a MUST. The OG (Original) $19 has to be my favorite, Tonkatsu AND miso broth with cured pork belly that had crispy edges, umm. The ajitama egg (half boiled seasoned egg) was perfect.The only category we didn’t try was Donburi which is sushi rice with three choices of fish and a pork belly option. Next time.
Total was $59.
8222 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami
DOCE PROVISIONS
“One thing about Doce, we keep it simple and use fresh ingredients. Also, sustainably farmed fish like Open Blue Cobia and Verlasso Salmon,” said Chef Justin Sherrer, an American, and wife, Chef Lisetty Llampalla who is Cuban.Their cooking styles is a fusion of modern Cuban and American food and as their website declares, “locally sourced and crafted with love.” It’s just north of Calle Ocho, in Little Havana.
The main dining area is small with those trendy metal chairs and shabby chic decor, but go out to the back and there’s a large, lovely cobbled stone patio with vines, bougainvillea and bar area. On Friday nights, there’s live music.
We’ve dined there many times, so we usually have two appetizers like Short Rib Tacos $10.50 with chipotle crema, corn salsa and pepper relish and Ahi Tuna Tostados, $13 crushed avocado, green onion, spicy mayo. Or Lechon Asado Buns $9.50 aji amarillo, grilled pineapple confit and Vaca Frita Tostone, $13, crisp shredded beef in mojo, homemade tostone, aji amarillo aioli, pickled onions.
Follow that up with Short Rib Mac & Cheese $18.50 which comes in a wok like bowl and Crispy Brussels Sprouts $10. What a lovely mix of fusion American Mac & Cheese and Cuban Short Rib! I love oozy cheese. So, so addictive. It’s quite filling. We’ve also had Madura Fried Rice with Shrimp, $24 comes with pineapple confit and veggies. Even with 2 of the most expensive appetizers at $13, you still come in under $60 with the same entree and side!
Total came to $51.50.
541 SW 12th Avenue, Miami
CHEAP EATS MIAMI
LA SANTA TACQUERIA
https://www.lasantataqueria.com/
Chef Omar Montero declares, “La Santa Taqueria is a very authentic Mexican concept based on tacos and tacqueria to show how Mexicans really eat in Mexico City.” They’ve done a great job with presenting a modern looking yet cozy Mexican restaurant with wrap around outdoor patio seating and modern Mexican food. I love the wall along the bar filled with colorful Mexian cookie cutters. It’s just a fun place to hang with kids, friends, a new date or your loved one. It’s in Little River District at the Ebb & Flow newish development.
This is not like most taco restaurants that throw ready cooked meats and add fresh garnish in a taco shell, no! The fillings are cooked FRESH and make a world of difference. The menu consists of tacos, quesadillas, tostados and “to share” dishes, price ranges from $11 to $15.00. The flavors are complex and ingredients are top quality. On Tuesday Tacos, you get three tacos instead of two, all day long.
A Bistec & Cheese taco had cheese oozing and the beef was so tender, $11. This was one of the best tacos I’ve ever had. On another visit, I had Chef’s favorite, Villamelon $11, but sorry, not sorry, I was craving for that oozing cheese. Al Pastor was fresh pineapple with chunks of pork, also $11. I’ve only had tacos so far but judging from the quality of the tacos, I know the quesadillas and tostados will be just as exquisite.
At these prices, we had a dessert, Churros $7 which was delicious. A definite winner and qualifier for cheap eats Miami.
Total, only $29!
201 NE 82nd Street, Miami
Note from Karen: Also, Want to celebrate big time with an evening on the town on less? Team up your dinner with one of Miami’s buzzy happy hours. Click here to find out where.
About Eleanor Hoh:
Eleanor Hoh is a Cooking teacher, creator Wok Star Kit, blogger, content creator and youtuber . http://eleanorhoh.com Catch her @wokstar Instagram LIVE Wednesdays, 12pm EST.
2 Responses
I so enjoyed doing this roundup of chef owned restaurants where you can definitely eat well for less.
They all look yummy, go Eleanor!