STK Miami has always been unlike any other top steakhouse in Miami. And now they’ve picked up their game. Of course there’s the prime Angus beef and a selection of primo seafood that you’d expect, but there’s much more. None of the traditional clubby steakhouse décor but rather, a “glam” ambiance, loungey music and delicious food, all of which come together to create what STK has called “vibe dining.”And now, fully a third of the menu is devoted to steaks and every imaginable topping and sauce, plus steaks divided into small, medium and large sizes which I wish more steakhouses would do. They offer one of the better happy hours in town as well as you’ll read, a good opportunity to check out the restaurant.
STK has low lighting and intimate spaces set off by high vases with white silk cherry blossoms. Soft mauve lights add a welcome element of color and richness. Besides tables there are plush curvy, off white leather banquettes and sleek, polished mahogany table tops. The inviting bar area has small cocktail tables strategically placed for checking out people as they walk in, and for enjoying the long happy hour.
The menu is divided into starters and market salads, raw bar, shellfish platters, entrees, steaks, sides and desserts. There’s also a separate menu called “endless holidays” that’s heavy on the Wagyu beef and other celebratory foods like caviar. Portions are good sized, so can be shared.
We hadn’t had lunch so wanted something to nibble on while sipping our cocktails, their signature spiced watermelon cooler made with silver tequila, st germain, watermelon puree, fresh lime and jalapeno. Our choice, the tater tots ($19), something we never eat but, at the waiter’s suggestion, went for them, and were glad we did. They were lightly fried and crisp, filled with mozzarella cheese, topped with parmigiano and served with a jalapeno sauce. They hit the spot.
Knowing we were going to have a steak, we opted for the traditional accompaniment, a wedge salad which here they call “blue iceberg” for the blue cheese, along with smoked bacon and lots of it, and cherry tomato ($24). Steak lovers will be in heaven, with 15 different cuts and sizes of meat, much of it dry-aged, categorized by size, and a selection of Japanese wagyu (from $52 for a filet to $160 for a 34 ounce dry aged tomahawk). To this you can add a choice of five toppings, from shrimp and king crab Oscar to STK zingy rub; and signature butters including a Wagyu Umami made with Wagyu fat, butter on a tomato base ($5 to $44). Coming with every steak is a choice of eight sauces including the signature STK (tamarind), STK bold (bbq sauce), au poivre, and more.
We had the dry aged porterhouse which was of very high quality, tender, and crusty on the outside ($122). Our topping was a decadent truffle butter. A vegetable is always on our menu. Here we chose the daily special of green beans and snow peas that were delicious – crunchy and garlicky ($19).
For non steak eaters at STK Miami there’s a selection of entrees ranging from mushroom and truffle tagliatelle ($55) and roasted lamb rack with carrots and baby kale ($66) to miso glazed Chilean sea bass ($58).
Save room for decadent desserts including a warm chocolate chip cookie sundae or bag of donuts ($15). The chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream and carmel sauce tasted like an ice cream sundae, satisfying any sweet tooth.
A glass of wine (6 ounce pour) starts at $16; bottles at $60. Cocktails are $21. There’s a very good happy hour daily from 3:00 to 6:30 Monday through Friday. Signature cocktails and wine are $9. There’s a selection of 14 bar bites ranging in price from $3 to $9 such as oyster on the half chef, lil’burger and truffle fries, Japanese A5 Wagyu taco and japapeno picked shrimp cocktail.
The DJ plays background music until around 9:30 p.m. and then the sounds pick up and it’s not unusual to see people dancing tableside.
Dinner is offered seven days a week, from 3 p.m. to midnight and brunch on weekends.
STK Miami , 2305 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach (T.305-604-6988). There’s valet parking at the 1 Hotel which, when validated, is $10 or there’s a municipal garage near the Miami City Ballet.
