Food

A Top Choice for Miami Spice

I’ve probably been to the Lobster Bar Sea Grille a half a dozen times and it’s always a top of the line dining experience by any measure. Plus, during Miami Spice Lobster Bar Sea Grille offers exceptional value with whole grilled fish, lobster and beef tenderloins on the special menu. These items alone are worth more than the entire cost of the Spice menu, considering what you pay for these dishes in other fine restaurants. Then there’s the professional and friendly service and ambiance that evokes the Oyster Bar in New York City’s Grand Central Station with its white subway tiles, arched ceilings, mahogany walls and art deco inspired chandeliers.

Be sure to have a drink first at the U-shaped white Carrara marble bar that overlooks the restaurant and lends itself to meeting new people, a good option if you’re dining alone. There’s also an excellent happy hour menu with a wide selection of appealing light bites and good prices on beverages,

In my book the Greeks and Spaniards really know their fish the best, and so not surprising that Buckhead Group’s Greek Founder and CEO, Pano Karatassos, made an all out commitment to both variety and quality of the fish.

On to the Spice Menu with versions for a three course brunch ($23) and dinner ($39). There are numerous very tempting choices in each category. For appetizer I highly recommend their decadent Lobster bisque au cognac. Made with lobster shells and cognac, it bursts with flavor and has just the right consistency – not too thick or thin. Alternatively opt for the baby calamari, lightly fried and with a zip that comes from fresno chilies. I also always like their oh so fresh Jumbo Blue Gulf large shrimp served on ice.

For entrée, don’t miss the whole wood grilled European fish that was yellowtail snapper the night we went. It was deboned and skinned tableside and drizzled with Greek ev olive oil, lemon, and Santorini capers. Food of Epicurious no less. And of course, whole Nova Scotia lobster stuffed lobster is on the menu ( l ¼ pound), stuffed with Alaskan king crab and served as it should — with drawn butter and lemon. Meat lovers will be pleased to hear there’s twin beef tenderloin medallions au poivre and potato confit. For an $8 supplement you can have surf and turf. Next time I’d like to try the lobster pasta Americaine with fresh tomato lobster sauce.

Dessert favorites are all here, from classic profiteroles and key lime bar with toasted meringue to their signature tropical pavlova, a crisp meringue that you crack open to find soft creamy passion fruit mousse, and passion fruit sorbet.

A glass of wine (6-ounce pour) starts at $12 and bottles start at $38. For Spice you can also pair two of a choice of three wines with your dinner selection for $21.50.

And a special bonus for you art lovers: Throughout the month of August, Lobster Bar Sea Grille Miami Beach is teaming up withARTECHOUSE to offer guests a great deal on tickets for the ARTECHOUSE exhibit, which is just down the street from the restaurant. Guests who order the Spice menu at Lobster Bar will receive a voucher to redeem for two ARTECHOUSE tickets for the price of one.