Heaven knows, there’s no lack of happy hours in Miami. Everyone is liking the value on food and beverage, the live entertainment, and the socializing thing. What’s your pleasure? A romantic happy hour? See our list. The “in” one of the moment? EAST, Miami. An older business crowd? TruLuck’s. Asian, Peruvian, steakhouses, Italian, French cuisine and more, take your pick. And they’re all around town. The newest addition to the list, and one of the best for its delicious food, a large variety of choices, great value, and the chef happens to have a Michelin star pedigree. Plus, Friday Night happy hour starts at 5 p.m. and lasts till closing. It’s Semilla restaurant, 1330 Alton Road (T.305-674-6522).
I first met owner and executive chef Frederic Joulin when he was at Villa Mayfair in Coconut Grove. Loving his cuisine, I followed him to Semilla when it opened, but hadn’t been back in awhile. He calls Semilla an “eatery and bar” but to me and Mr. W it’s more of a gastropub.
The stars are the “happy bites”, a baker’s dozen of choices What I like about the choice is that you can get a well rounded meal – pasta, vegetables, and a protein. The big crowd pleasers are the kobe beef sliders with cheddar cheese and caramelized onions ($3 each). They couldn’t make them quickly enough for the Friday crowd. My personal favorites are the truffle gluten free linguini ($11), shrimp tempura with terikyaki sauce ($6), beef short ribs tacos with spicy tomato sauce ($6) and the deep fried gluten free calamari ($7). And then there are the brussel sprouts with gluten free tempura and chilli sweet sauce ($6), one of my favorite dishes of the year. Most are $6 or $7.
Wine or prosecco is $6 a glass; draft beer $4; and a choice of six appealing cocktails, $6. Choose to sit at a long wrap around bar, inside, or at high top tables outside. On Friday nights thre’s a DJ too. And better yet, free parking in the back.
Happy hour is offered at Semilla restaurant Monday through Saturday. If you go Friday get there early as the place fills up quickly as does the parking.
