New restaurant openings by Miami’s high profile chefs, lunch in South Beach, food products made by Syrian women refugees in South Florida, another New York Michelin star restaurant on the way, second outpost of cult favorite Salty Donut and lots of light bites you can use in Eating News Part 2. For Part 1, click here.
Brad Kilgore has debuted his fourth restaurant, Ember, in the Miami Design District. Located inside Paradise Plaza, it features a menu centered around wood-fired prepared dishes, smoked meats, pastas, and creative sides. Signature dishes include lasagna roasted over an open flame, angel food cake grilled and served with blistered strawberry compote and mozzarella ravioli sticks. Plus there’s a wide selection of steaks. The 3,200-square-foot indoor and outdoor space seats 90. Ember, 151 NE 41st Street, is open for dinner starting at 6:30 p.m., while the bar opens at 6 p.m., with brunch and lunch launching soon. T. 786-334-6494.
Yet another restaurant for Michael Schwartz , Tigertail + Mary in Coconut Grove (3321 Mary Street at Tigertail Avenue). He describes the food as “vegetable forward” American cuisine inspired by the Grove’s “bohemian lifestyle and textured tropical landscape”. The restaurant offers seating for 120 guests, including a bar, main dining room, private dining room, patio and front lawn. Tigertail + Mary is open Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday until 10:30 p.m. Soon to come are breakfast, brunch and lunch. (T.305-722-5688).
Light bites…..When looking at restaurants on Google Maps, users on Android devices and soon iOS users can now match the names of a restaurant’s most talked-about dishes with online photos and reviews .This is in addition to hours and location….alas, Cibo Wine Bar in South Beach is now closed…..Semilla French Bistro & Wine Bar, a best bet for quality, value and attractive ambiance in South Beach has a good value $23 lunch menu. It includes small appetizer such as crowd favorite onion soup, entree (including steak au poivre or fresh fish) and espresso.
Love Churros, the Spanish answer to donuts — fried dough dipped in sugar? You can have them in an ice cream sandwich, covered in chocolate, filled with dulce de leche, and even as a hot dog “bun” at Churromania at 1417 SW Eighth Street. I passed on the exotic versions, but tried the classic with my son who knows his churros. We declared them first rate!…Novikov which has the best lunch deal in Miami considering quality of the dishes, portions, setting and service, has come out with their new 3 course, $23 menu. It has signature favorites including to die for dim sum and crispy Peking duck and new additions of grilled branzino and a divine pineapple kakigori dessert (a $6 addition). There’s also a new three course Sunday lunch menu for the same price.
A top notch walnut baklava made by Syrian refugee women living in South Florida is now being sold at Whole Foods. It is made by Zaytouna Foods, which also sells a variety of different typical sweets, Aleppo laurel soaps, and herbs such as Syrian seven spices mix and the spice of the moment, Zaatar. Prices are reasonable, with most between $10 and $15. They will also cater. How’s that for a different dinner party?
Cult spot Salty Donut opened its second outpost in South Miami.The menu features favorites like chocolate tres leches, brown butter and salt, guava and cheese, innovative vegan and gluten free choices, and changing specials. Of course there are all kinds of coffees. Different from the Wynwood location, there’s an open kitchen. The Salty Donut South Miami. 6022 S. Dixie Hwy., South Miami; saltydonut.com , open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
Peruvian top chef Gaston Acurio is set to open his second outpost in Miami at Esplanade at Aventura, a new high end open air shopping and dining complex. It will be part of a series of six new restaurants in the new addition that used to be Sears, opening in the spring of 2020. Others include food hall Mixtura Mercado from Medellin, Japanese eatery Su Japanese from Brazil, and fine dining option Blanco Bistro by Mexican chef Carlos Gomez. There’s also an American style brasserie, The Loyal, by Jon Fraser,chef of New York City’s Michelin starred Nix.
