First Brickell, then Miami Beach and now it’s time to feature top Coral Gables lunch specials for under $26.
It’s interesting. When I was pondering which restaurants to feature (I only write about ones I’ve tried and like), it got me to thinking how consistently good these classic restaurants are in the Gables. Consistency in food and service aren’t so common in Miami as friends and I frequently comment. Leading restaurants in The Gables also tend to be devoid of the “scene” at restaurants on the Beach and some in the Brickell area. Only La Dorada has valet parking but there are several municipal parking lots in the neighborhood. These are sample menus as they can vary daily. Here are my three picks:
278 Miracle Mile
T.305-446-7710
Cindy Hutson is considered one of Miami’s leading home grown chefs, doing her own thing – Florida and Caribbean cuisine, and doing it very well. In fact, the restaurant won the Best of Award of Excellence 2012-14 from Wine Spectator and its mojito was named cocktail of the year by Bon Appetit. The décor looks straight out of the Caribbean with bright, hand painted and latticed woodwork, pineapple lanterns on the bar and gauzy curtains. Fish in particular shines here. The menu:
Lemon roasted garlic Caesar salad (others include key west shrimp and chorizo fritters)
West Indian Cornish game hen with Jamaican peas & rice and sautéed haricots vert (others include coffee & cocoa crusted Faroe Island salmon with polenta, haricot vert and chipotle agave glaze;pan seared calabaza gnocchi with cherry tomatoes, beet greens, grilled baby bok choy & arugula finished with Jamaican style ackee rundown sauce)
Rum cake (others include tres leches, ice cream or tropical sorbet)
Price: $25; on Tuesdays select bottles of wine are 50% off
177 Giralda Ave.
T.305-446-7002
I’ve been going here for years, for dinner and lunch, and it never disappoints. The star is the fish, much of it flown in daily from Spain which is where the management is from. Everything about La Dorada is classic – from the starched white tablecloths and spacious tables, to the Old World, gracious service. It’s my preferred spot in the Gables for a business lunch and I also enjoy going there with friends. The menu:
Artichoke sautéed with extra virgin olive oil and Serrano ham (others include stuffed spinach and veal cannelloni au gratin in a cheese sauce, tortilla de chorizo and various salads)
Grilled Mahi Mahi fillet with roasted potatoes and vegetables (others are pork tenderloin in a garlic sauce with French fries and vegetable; boneless trout in fresh tomato and sweet red bell pepper sauce with potatoes and vegetables; and grilled sirloin strip steak with French fries and vegetables)
Almond tart (others include torrejas)
Price: $21.95
Valet parking is $8.
2611 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
T.305-444-2026
Pascal Oudin can also always be counted on to deliver delicious, solid, classic French cuisine with quality ingredients. It’s a friendly, neighborhood atmosphere, offers good service and value.
Young mesclun salad with tomato, chopped egg, olive and champagne vinaigrette (other is daily soup)
Pan Sauteed trout almandine with vegetable rice pilaf (others are roast chicken breast salad with spinach, haricot vert, orange, tomato shallot vinagrette ; risotto primavera with ragout of seasonal vegetable and mascarpone cheese)
Chocolate praline parfait
Price: $26.95 (it went over the limit by $.95 oh well!).
Love to hear about any lunch deals around town you’ve discovered including in the Design District, Bal Harbour, Aventura, Downtown and Midtown.
