Executive Chef Scott Lindquist’s Mexican restaurant, Como Como Miami, in The Moxy Hotel has it all: original, upscale ambiance; friendly and professional service; and wonderful, creative dishes, much different from what you usually find here. Plus, there’s a separate lounge, Mezcalista, featuring an impressive collection of 210 mezcals and tequila, and music and dancing on the way.
It’s billed as a marisqueria – seafood restaurant and raw bar that is said to be inspired by the flavors of Puerto Escondido, Los Cabos, Acapulco and other seaside destinations.. But it has very appealing selections for carnivores and vegans as well. The menu is not especially large, which I happen to like, but there is no lack of exciting selections in all categories. The menu is divided into barra cruda (raw bar), to share, on fire, from oven, desserts, specials.
The interior design is by Saladino Design Studios, its dimly lit space creating an almost mystical setting, set off by stone and brick walls displaying handsome glass and ceramic Mesoamerican artifacts. Natural materials, from carved wood and leather to embroidered and woven fabrics are used throughout. At the center of the bar is a spectacular “tequila tree” sculpture made of hand-blown glass spheres and copper pipes, symbolizing the distillation process that transforms the blue agave plant into tequila and mezcal. There’s also outdoor dining in a garden courtyard.
We started with the slightly chunky and very flavorful guacamole which came with three sauces, tortillas, and the best chips ever ($16 Single / $26 Double).A serious point of difference in this seafood restaurant is the wood burning grill which cooks the whole fish with a mixture of wood and mesquite charcoal. Then there’s the tableside preparation and special preparations that one seldom, if ever, finds here in Miami.
One of those is Tikin-Xic, a Mayan preparation of whole branzino flavored with bitter orange, habanero chiles, and achiote, cooked in banana leaves, and unwrapped, fragrant and steaming, at the table ($62). Another top choice is the Pescado a la Talla: snapper that is butterflied, grilled, and painted with two marinades – green on one side and red on the other ($62). All of the seafood carries the Ocean Blue designation which means it’s from open waters.
A barra cruda (raw bar) sits on a monolithic, rough-cut stone in the middle of the dining room. Dishes from the barra cruda come with a Mexican twist, like oysters served with a pineapple-vinegar mignonette or a picadillo made with tomatillos and cucumbers. Ceviches have a new take as well, inspired by the traditional coastal varieties of Mexico
Other dishes on the dinner menu, these for carnivores, include Alambre al Pastor: scallops or pork tenderloin grilled on skewers with pineapple and spring onions, a variation on Mexico City’s beloved al pastor tacos; a rotating selection of traditional Oaxacan-style mole sauces; and meat dishes, including Chuletón (ribeye steak), Filete (filet mignon), and adobo marinated rack of lamb ($72) which I’d like to try next time, all of them flame-grilled in the fuego and served with a variety of house-made sauces and condiments.
So often at restaurants the vegetable sides have a sameness. Not here. We had a tough time choosing, but decided on the delicious Charcoal Oven tender roasted artichokes with roasted jalapeño aioli, buttery herbed bread crumbs that gave a surprising crunch and charred lemon ($16).
We also loved the Hongos con Huitlacoche ( roasted mushrooms with the Mexican delicacy that’s a fungus which grows on corn ($18) . Not to be missed are esquites, roasted corn off the cob with homemade garlic aioli, morita chile, and cotija cheese($17).Many dishes are accompanied by tortillas, ground and pressed in-house and cooked on a comal, the traditional Mexican griddle.They’re served in a cast iron skillet ensuring they’re nice and warm.
Dessert ended the meal on yet another high note, the seductive fondue of a mixture of chocolate from Oaxaca with Valhrona with a selection of fruits, yummy churros and house made marshmallows ($21).
The nightlife crowd will enjoy Mezcalista, a sexy, intimate lounge featuring an impressive collection of 210 mezcals and its derivative, tequila. Expert mezcaliers are on-hand to engage with guests and explain the different floral and smoky notes. On the weekends, coming up will be performances from top DJ’s and dancing.
Adjacent to the lounge, a velvet-draped, stone-walled tasting room provides an intimate setting for private parties. Like the food, the signature cocktails ($16) are original and exciting, deftly combining Mexican herbs, fruits and flavors.
A glass of wine (5 ounce pour) starts at $12 and bottles at $60.
For more information on Como Como Miami or to make a reservation, http://www.comocomomiami.com. Note that dinner only is served from Wednesday through Sunday nights. For private event inquiries at Como Como or Mezcalista call 305-423-8004.
Como Como Miami. 919 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139.. Valet parking is available at the Moxy Hotel for $25 ($18 with validation from restaurant) and there are municipal garages nearby.
Note, also in the Moxy Hotel is sister restaurant Serena, which I also enjoyed, though it’s a different concept. For the review click here.
6 Responses
Is there outside dining there for those of us who choose not to eat inside?
Yes, in fact, the last image in the post shows the outdoor dining area.
Thanks! It would be great if you could include that information when you post. Appreciate it and you!
Actually, it’s mentioned in the post. I agree that it’s important for many of my readers.Thank you.
Can’t wait to try it Karen. All of the dishes look amazing.
I look forward to reading your newsletters.
Yes, you’ll love it. And thank you!