I’ve had some wonderful eating experiences in Miami in recent history, but fine dining, as you know ,is a special level. What is “fine dining”? Google sources define it as “exceptional cuisine characterized by innovation, quality ingredients and handsome presentation; upscale ambiance; and fine service”. Yes, that describes the one star Michelin Le Jardinier Miami in the Design District. And, more, special for the summer season, Le Jardinier has a new three course lunch special at $39 and prix fixe dinner offering at $68.
The cuisine at the hands of very talented Chef de Cuisine Christian Pasco Diaz is contemporary French, but in a nod to Miami, with some Latin influences. Designed by architect Pierre-Yves Rochon, the décor is retro glam with a modern aesthetic with custom made black and white marble walls and floors, marble tables, Art Deco light fixtures and a novel accent color of lime green. There’s also a covered outdoor dining patio.
The one page dinner menu is well curated, divided into starters, entrees, seasonal accompaniments and desserts. There’s a three course fixed price menu for $68 per person inspired by the season.The lunch menu has some similar, but also different dishes.
Let me begin by saying everything we had at Le Jardinier Miami was excellent, starting with the house made baguettes that come with every dinner. We started with a golden beet salad, chunks of beets teamed with herb goat cheese, and grapefruit in a sherry dressing. It was light, flavorful and the grapefruit gave it a citrus tang.
We then had the first of what will be one of my best dishes of the year, the snapper crudo with tropical sauce, avocado mousse, jalapeno and Royal Kaluga Caviar. The fish couldn’t have been fresher, the sauce was refined, and the caviar put it over the top. Then it was on to the super plump seared scallops with ginger carrot puree, coconut kaffir and lime sauce. Delicious.
For mains, Mr. W opted for the grilled Pacifico seabass with mint fava bean puree and pine nut gremolata. The novel combo of ingredients really worked, and was a welcome and creative change from usual preparations. I went with the Wagyu bavette which is like a flank steak that came with broccolini puree, confit heirloom and bordelaise sauce. The meat was very tender inside, and slightly crusty outside, and very flavorful. The second dish for my best dishes of the year is the very original summer corn linguine with creamy corn, grilled corn and tomatillo sauce. It looked and tasted amazing. Something else worth noting that we really liked: a lot of vegetables in all the dishes, reflecting the name of the restaurant, Le Jardinier which means “The Gardener” in French.
Next time I’d like to try the Faroe Salmon for dinner and the lobster roll for lunch.
I can never pass up a pavlova so we went with the berry pavlova for dessert, topped with mango Chantilly, coconut sorbet and crispy meringue, a riff on the traditional that really worked.
There’s a list of signature cocktails and innovative mocktails priced from $18 to $21. Wine by the glass starts at $16 (5 ounce pour) and bottles at $60.
For dinner for two including a glass of wine or cocktail each, one starter and one entrée each, and one dessert, plan on spending about $225 plus tax and 20% gratuity. For summer there’s a three course prix fixe dinner offering at $68 .
The three course summer lunch special at Le Jardinier Miami is offered from Tuesday to Saturday. There’s also a bar bites menu with items for $14 and a Sunday Soiree brunch with a la carte menu.
The Design District offers a terrific valet service for $7 and there are several reasonably priced garages nearby.
Le Jardinier Miami, 152 NE 41st Street, Suite 135, Miami 33137.
If you want to combine your meal with a day at the Design District, click here for my writeup on a Day in the Design District
