Eating news this month features new restaurants to watch for, great ladies’ night deal, new Greek dining options, dining promo at always delicious spot SUGARCANE, and last but certainly not least, a review of new Brickell eatery and entertainment spot, Level 1 Miami. Part 1 in a two part series.
Restaurants on my “watch list” scheduled to open this month or next include TATEL Miami, a club and Spanish restaurant whose owners include Rafael Nadal and Enrique Iglesias. Ritz Carlton South Beach; Malibu Farm, farm to table concept in the Nobu Hotel; Ghee Indian Kitchen with produce from the owners’ Homestead farm. Downtown Dadeland; Dashi, from the former chef of Kuro and disciple of Morimoto – Japanese specialities. River House, 401 SW 3rd avenue.
More news….
Ladies take note — looking for a glam spot for a girls’ night out that’s a deal too? Villa Azur now has Ladies Night on Monday and not just a deal on drinks, but 50% off beverage AND food. Wish that other restaurants would follow suit….. Miami can use more good Greek restaurants, so I was pleased to hear of three new entries for my “check out” list including Meraki Greek Bistro, 142 SE 1st Avenue. Erik, a reader who hasn’t steered me wrong yet, also told me about BarMeli 69 Greek Bistro and Wine Bar, 6927 Biscayne Blvd., and there’s the St.Regis Bal Harbour which has opened Atlantikos.
In the Brickell Area, Level 1 Miami has opened the first stage of its offerings – a casual restaurant with well chosen items for a light meal, and more serious food dishes. Now open for dinner, it will soon offer lunch and live bands on Thursdays (a DJ on Saturday). On a recent visit I found much welcome large tables, well spaced ( too often, tables at restaurants seem to get smaller as the prices increase!) which allows for conversation, and a long sports club type bar. Ricardo Nieri, the Brazilian-Italian chef, has worked at leading restaurants in Sao Paulo and Lake Como, Italy. Our favorite dishes included a generous charcuterie board with prosciutto, speck, salami, pistachio mortadella, fresh mozzarella and pomodorini tomatoes. It was accompanied by baguette toasts and a delicious, rich tapenade along with two other sauces. At $20 it was easily enough for two people.
We also liked the pair of tender and sweet sea scallops pictured above with an oh so perfect pesto, and black tapioca crisps ($16). Getting Mr.W and a foodie friend’s thumbs up for entrées (I don’t eat octopus), was a baked octopus a Lagareio with potatoes, capers, and black olives served in a cast iron pan ($27). Best of all was the deconstructed banana creme brûlée with house made ice cream and thinly sliced bananas. The bananas rested on a bed of crème brûlée surrounded by crocante (like a crunchy toffee) and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Divine. Wines are reasonably priced. We had an excellent bottle of Tuscan SanGiovese, Podere Del Guiggiolo for $48 which tasted like one for $70 or more. Bottles start at $40 and glasses at $10 for a 6 ounce pour. Last but not least, Saturday brings Brazilian feijoada.