New restaurants and eating spots, tips for foodies, iconic New York foods , Cuban brewery, a stylish tea room, and light bites, all in Eating News for March 2021.

One of my favorite ethnic restaurants, Buya, has expanded its offerings all with an Asian touch to include Bao Buns and Beer, a new riff on happy hour, and brunch. Bao buns happen to be one of my new food cravings. And here they’re delicious. Choices are  pork-belly buns, shiitake buns, short-rib buns, and chicken meatball buns, paired with various beers (buns are $4 for an order of two).Brunch offerings include wagyu steak and fried egg with yuzu kosho and wasabi ($24), karaage chicken (fried) with waffles ($16), and a novel sweet potato hash with fried egg, kimchi and Japanese curry ($16). Boozy drinks include unlimited mimosas made with bushido sake, orange  juice or peach puree for $25 a head, Fuji sangria, and a detox cocktail of fruits and vegetables. I haven’t tried the brunch yet but based on their track record, it’s sure to be delicious. Bao buns and beer are offered Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Brunch is offered Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.  250 NW 24th St, Wynwood. For my full review on this special restaurant in Wynwood, see below.

Buya Scores Big with Japanese Street Food

Restaurant openings:

Cerveceria La Tropical, Cuba’s oldest brewery, dating from the late 19^th century, has opened along with its restaurant in Wynwood. Its spacious 28,000 square foot space includes a taproom, restaurants, outdoor botanical garden and live music stage.Besides La Tropical’s historic beer, 20 others are offered . These include the 4.5 percent ABV La Original Ambar Lager; Nativo Key, a 4.5 percent ABV session “suave” IPA with tropical notes of mango, passionfruit, and pineapple; and Gasolina, a  9 percent ABV double IPA available only in the taproom.

Other options range from lagers and IPAs to sour ales infused with local ingredients and barrel-aged brews. Cindy Hutson, formerly of Ortanique, has developed a Latin-Caribbean menu of cerveza bites, tapas plates, sandwiches, salads, pizza, entrees and desserts. Prices range from $5 to $27. 42 N.E. 25^th Street, Wynwood. Open Tuesday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 4 to 2 a.m., Saturday noon to 2 a.m. and Sunday noon to 11 p.m.

New North Miami entry, Tigre, is a restaurant & bar inspired by traditional Buenos Aires cafes and neighborhood bistros or “bodegones”,  described as “taking notes from American cuisine and Miami’s emblematic mix of cultural influences”. The indoor-outdoor property features over 100 ft of breezeway waterfront seating. The menu features an array of small plates, many of them based on Argentinian  classics with a contemporary update. Think vegetable forward dishes and a variety of expertly grilled meats and seafood. Watch for my upcoming review. 620 N.E. 78th Street.

Welcome addition to Bal Harbour Shops is Chocolatier, that’s an iteration of the French Laduree tea room. Enjoy macarons, pastries, sandwiches or an ice cream indoors or outdoors. There’s also a wide selection of coffees, teas, wine, beer and champagne. Just note though that Bal Harbour Shops is undergoing a major renovation so parking especially on weekends is challenging. Best to go during the week….Looking for new purveyors and to help independent cooks and bakers? Instagram has been called the world’s largest takeout menu! Find everything from pastries and dumplings to Vegan burgers, soups and tacos available by ordering directly from instagram…. Mister 01 pizza has opened in Coconut Grove. One of several outposts, their menu options include traditional and specialty pizzas, calzoni, antipasti and burrata bar, salads….. New York restauranteurs continue opening up in the Magic City. Besides Carbone, another of the latest that has opened is Osteria Morini featuring the food of Emilia Romagna. In the Kimpton Hotel Palomar on 1750 Alton Road, it’s open Wednesday through Sunday 5 – 10 p.m.

Light Bites:

Nespresso on South Beach has reopened its shop in a new location at 643 Lincoln Road . Alas, right now there’s no café or having a free espresso if you have a Nespresso card.

Looking for a great soup in Miami? A terrific low cal, super healthy, easy to prepare lunch, one of my staples, is Tabatchnik’s organic, gluten free Tuscany lentil soup (160 calories). It’s very tasty and can be heated in the microwave for five minutes. Sold at most supermarkets.

Roses delivered to your door, enjoying my new indulgence. And better yet, they’re $15 for one dozen or $28 for two dozen. Choose from among six colors. To order call Eduardo at 305-582-7881.

Can’t go to New York and craving the city’s iconic food? You’ll love this.Nikki Beach Restaurant & Beach Bar in South Beach has created a NYC platter for those seeking a taste of home, complete with hot dog, knish, soft pretzel, NYC-style cheesecake and a black & white cookie. Price, $55. It’s available daily 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Nikki Beach 1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Another tip….Katz’s Deli has a birthday box that includes a pound each of pastrami and corned beef, rye bread, Russian dressing, sauerkraut, mustard, two kinds of serious pickles and black and white cookies. I sent it to my son, an ex-New Yorker and foodie and he gave it a big thumbs up. The meat comes vacuum packed so you can freeze it or, to heat it up, put it in boiling water. He said it comes out steaming, just the way it’s served at Katz’s in New York. He also said the mustard was so good he could eat it plain.  It’s $120 which includes shipping. Great gift idea.