New dining destinations from Brickell and Lincoln Road to Coral Gables, a look at the “new” Zuma, a top lunch special in Coconut Grove,  plus a special outdoor party “accessory” and a store to find the largest collection of sake in Florida, all in Eating News .

Talented young Grenadian chef Jonathan Wilson is working his culinary magic at Playa Miami restaurant on Lincoln Road mall. He came here by way of stints in Paris, with Jean Georges in New York, and most recently at the Ritz Carlton in Fort Lauderdale and learned his lessons well. We began what was to be a delicious Mediterranean inspired meal with what Mr. W proclaimed (and I agreed) was one of the best cocktails of the year – Los Muertos ($18). Made from Don Julio reposado, blood orange, and garnished with hibiscus leaves, the combo really worked.

The menu features starters, soups and salads, raw bar, fish market, specialty steaks, mains, sauces and add ons, sides, and desserts.

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We started off with the thinly sliced and perfectly fried rounds of zucchini and eggplant served with tzatziki, a favorite ($19). Then off to visual excitement in a whole red snapper that is flamed tableside and deboned and covered in a delicate yet tasty, light wine based sauce($57) We accompanied it with sauteed spinach ($14) that was so good we asked the chef for the recipe (roast garlic, butter, broil and then vegetable broth ).

Another dish not to be missed is the truffled al dente pasta made with truffle oil and sliced black truffles ($42). Next time we’d like to try some of the healthy selection of meats which range from a 10 ounce filet mignon ($60), lamb chops ($49) to a 38 ounce tomahawk ($240). Other choices on my list to try next time are the crispy pork lettuce wrap,  garlic roasted chicken,  and the lobster mac and cheese.

Playa also serves a solid brunch menu with all the traditional favorites and some decadent offerings like peach cobbler waffles and chicken ($28), four cheese creamy shrimp and grits ($26) and cinnamon crunch vanilla french toast sandwich with strawberry cheesecake filling, berry medley and sweet frosted sauce ($22).

The attractive décor at Playa Miami restaurant brings an outdoor feel indoors though with low lights, bamboo chandeliers, a vertical garden wall and waterfall. It has indoor seating for 120 not including the bar and outdoor seating. If you want quiet conversation, go early as, this being South Beach, there’s loungy music and a DJ.

 Playa Miami Restaurant serves dinner seven days a week, until 2 a.m. on the weekends, and brunch Saturday and Sunday . 915 Lincoln Road, South Beach

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Zuma has always been one of my favorite restaurants, a place where I gave a landmark birthday party. The inside dining room had been closed for renovations during COVID. I just made it back there to check out the “new” Zuma and liked what I saw. The entrance is more dramatic with a novel use of texture — bamboo “columns”, bold wooden sculptures to mark reception. The restaurant has a more spacious feel, comfortable seating and my favorite change, a handsome private dining room. No menu changes and the food, as always, was delicious.

One of the best lunch deals in town is at Saffron at Grove in Coconut Grove. For $18.95 you can choose the shrimp, lamb, beef, chicken, or vegetarian lunch. Get your protein in the style you want it such as chicken tikka, tandoori chicken, chicken saag (pictured here) or butter chicken. It comes with dal, cabbage slaw, naan, beans and the crispiest, tastiest samosa I’ve had in awhile. Everything is very fresh, tastes just made, and the service is friendly and accommodating. Saffron at Grove, 2982A  Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove.

The team who brought Miami CARBONE and HaSalon on Miami Beach, ZZ’s Club in the Miami Design District, and Sadelle’s in Coconut Grove (soon to be in Miami Beach too), Major Food Group, is at it again, now with its first-ever project in Brickell, Dirty French Steakhouse. Not surprising, it’s a riff on a classic steakhouse with takes on French preparations like duck a l’orange, a souffle program and dover sole meuniere. They describe the atmosphere as “a nod . to the neon glitz of the Magic City as well as the sumptuous elegance of legendary institutions like Maxim’s of Paris”. And get this, service captains dress in custom designed pink tuxedos.

DIRTY FRENCH STEAKHOUSE,1200 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131. Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday.For more information, visit www.dirtyfrench.com Watch for my upcoming review

Vinya, the popular sommelier-driven Key Biscayne neighborhood wine bistro, bar, and retailer, that I wrote about earlier (and greatly enjoyed),  has opened in Coral Gables. The 152-seat restaurant has a main restaurant, bar area, private dining room, 14 seat wooden pergola and market space for guests to purchase their favorite wine and spirits to-go.

The New American menu, created by local Executive Chef Mariano Araya also of Casa Mariano, is inspired by Latin flavors, European travels, and local Florida. Signature dishes include  Pernod Mussels (soaked in Pernod cream and served with French Baguette), Manchego & Truffle Risotto (made with portobello, cremini, and porcini mushrooms), and a 42oz Tomahawk (topped with chimichurri and served with grilled rustic vegetables) and a pina colada pavlova..

They have an extensive by-the-glass wine program, including exclusive servings of rare and collectible wines such as Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Library Napa.

Vinya Table is  located at 266 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL, 33134. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner service and the retail market is open Tuesday through Sunday .Happy hour is available Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.vinyawine.com/Coral-Gables.

James Beard Award winner Leo Robitschek, who was previously the bar director for New York City’s three-Michelin Star restaurant Eleven Madison Park will helm  the Nomad Bar, which is making its way down to Miami as part the new NoMad Residences Wynwood, The building will also include another dining spot on the ground floor, Casa Tua Cucina, the popular Italian food hall’s second location in the Magic City.

Love sake? With over 80 labels of sake, 305 Wines, is now offering the largest portfolio of sake in Florida. Co-founded by Master Sake Sommelier, Guilherme de Macedo and Master of Wine candidate, Alessandra Esteves, 305 Wines has selections for the sake enthusiast and curious wine drinker that range from hard-to-locate producers to everyday favorites. Limited selections include Dassai Beyond ($615.99) and the luxurious Tatsuriki “Nihon no Sakura Gold” Junmai Daiginjo ($259.99) – featuring infused gold flakes . It also offers a selection of 180ml canned sake, a ready and easy-to-drink option, for picnics.

305 Wines originally launched as an online shop in 2019, offering a special selection of wines around the world and sakes from Japan handpicked by the founders. The shop is based at 15904 SW 92nd Ave, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157.

The owner of SAWA and C’est Bon has come up with his latest restaurant, Eclectico, also in the Shops at Merrick Park. it features Pan-Latin cuisines with a strong emphasis on Mexican favorites and an impressive full bar stocked with more than 200 kinds of tequila and mezcal in an indoor-outdoor space that’s also covered. The happy hour offers a lot of variety and great prices, plus it’s every day. Enjoy $5 beers, many from Mexico, $6 wine, $7 Wells (all your fave liquors), $8 Classics, and $9 Craft margaritas. Mr. W and a friend gave high marks to the margarita and my wine pour was a healthy one. The food menu includes arepas ($7), patacones ($8), 2 – 5″ tacos with corn tortillas for $7, quesadillas ($10) and tacositos ($12). Eclectico Restaurant & Agave Bar Located at 320 San Lorenzo Ave #1315, Coral Gables, FL 33146 in the Shops at Merrick Park.