Miami Skyline
Miami is full of amazing places to eat. Known historically as a vacation destination due to its beaches and nightclubs, it has recently risen as a foodie destination as well. According to one article I read, the city saw a 50% increase in food and gastro-tourism in 2021 and just last year, Bon Appétit named Miami "Food City of the Year."
With all of the recent acclaim, I was excited to take a food journey through the city. As I mentioned in my first post in this series, I started my trip to Miami with a food tour in Little Havana, where I experienced the city's Cuban cuisine. Now, I'm excited to share my experience at other restaurants I visited on my trip.
Stubborn Seed
Stubborn Seed
I'll start with Stubborn Seed, a restaurant in South Beach's South of Fifth (SoFi) neighborhood. The restaurant is the creation of Top Chef winner, Jeremy Ford. Since opening in 2017, the restaurant has already earned one Michelin star. Stubborn Seed offers only a tasting menu in their dining room, with limited a la carte options available if you sit at the bar. I chose to partake in the tasting menu, excited to try as many dishes as possible.
Sesame Milk Bread
The meal began with Japanese-style, sesame milk bread, which the Michelin guide accurately describes as "tender-delicious." The bread was moist, fluffy and warm. It was served with a cultured miso butter, koji honey and pickled petit vegetables.
Coal Kissed Kusshi Oyster
The second course was entitled "Coal Kissed Kusshi Oyster" and indeed, underneath the Asian pear granita, sour orange foam and pickled celery root, there was an oyster that tasted like it had been kissed by coal.
Bison Tartare
The third course was a bison tartare which was rolled inside this crispy tube with leek-daikon kimchi, and shiso leaf. On top was a generous sprinkling of truffle shavings.
Everglades Alligator Bite
I found the plating for this alligator course so clever, and the flavor was fabulous as well. The fried alligator was seasoned with Hondashi furikake spice and a fermented, habanero hot sauce.
Humboldt Fog and Butternut Squash Agnolotti
This next course featured pasta. The house-made agnolotti was stuffed with truffle creamed spinach and pepita dukka. Surrounding the agnolotti were koji-honey glazed mushrooms, umami froth, and a brown butter, cherry reduction sauce. This dish was excellent in its balance and richness of flavors.
Intermezzo
Next, the kitchen brought out an intermezzo of cucumber frozen yogurt, pomegranate tea and a sugar tuile, to prepare my palate for the main course.
Dry Aged Crescent Farm Duck
The main entree was a duck breast served with foie gras, turnip textures, cranberry gel, and jus. The duck was cooked perfectly and thus, exceptionally tender.
Stubborn Sundae
The finale for the evening was a sundae made with angostura sherbet, pistachio cake, and Florida orange compote. The entire meal was truly wonderful with not a weak dish in the lineup. I would enthusiastically recommend this restaurant if you are looking for a fine dining experience in Miami.
Michael's Genuine
Michael's Genuine, another restaurant I visited, is the creation of James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur, Michael Schwartz. The restaurant first opened in 2007 with the ideal of genuineness in terms of hospitality, ingredients, and execution. Recently, it received Michelin acclaim as well, not because it was late to be recognized, but because Michelin only recently began reviewing Floridian restaurants.
Deviled Eggs
I decided to stop by for appetizers and ended up ordering dessert as well, enticed by the many people around me enjoying it. I started by snacking on deviled eggs. The filling was the epitome of creaminess and yet, I found it lite and airy as well.
Chicken Liver Crostini
Next, I ordered the crostini topped with chicken liver. The topping was silky and filled with so much flavor. The richness was balanced by the crostini, some fresh herbs and caramelized onions.
Assorted Cookie Plate
This was the crème de la crème (best of the best) of the evening. My dining neighbor "twisted my arm" into ordering dessert. The plate consisted of the following: chocolate chip cookie, bourbon pecan brownie, apple pie cookie, carrot cake cookie, brown sugar walnut cookie, an alfajor, and gingerbread. I only had room for one cookie, but took the rest to go. The cookies remained fresh and delicious for the following three days to come, which is how long it took me to finish this munificent portion.
Cote Korean Steakhouse
Cote is America's first, Korean steakhouse to receive a Michelin star. The restaurant blends Korean barbecue with a prototypical, American steakhouse. The decor is sleek and glitzy, complete with a neon-lit, purple entryway.
Lobster Fritters
I was not able to have dinner at Cote due to time limitations, but I did enjoy drinks and appetizers at the bar, which is standing room only, as in there are no chairs. Instead, patrons gather around the bar and enjoy inventive cocktails and snacks, while standing. And that is exactly what we did.
We started with the fritters which were served with a side of truffle aioli. Though they are called "lobster" fritters, the filling inside these small orbs of joy, is a mix of both lobster and shrimp.
Korean "Bacon"
Next we enjoyed the house-smoked, crispy, heritage pork belly. It arrived sizzling in its mini cast-iron skillet. The bacon was served with pickled jalapeno and sauce. When I next return to Miami, or visit Cote's original location in New York, I look forward to trying their steak, which is their signature. This time around, snacks and cocktails were all that time allowed.
Gianni's (At the Versace Mansion)
Versace Mansion Entrance
In my last post, I shared that Miami is, or has been, home to many celebrities. One of those, is the late Gianni Versace, the Italian fashion designer and founder of luxury brand, Versace. Gianni Versace was tragically murdered by serial killer, Andrew Cunanan in 1997, on the front steps of his mansion on Ocean Boulevard, in Miami's South Beach neighborhood.
Fountain at Gianni's
Today, to pay tribute, the mansion has been transformed into a restaurant called "Gianni's at the Former Versace Mansion," or simply "Gianni's." The indoor dining room is lovely, but I opted to dine outside on the patio and enjoy the Miami weather. The stunning, mosaic wall and fountain, face the brightly tiled, pool floor, and collectively serve as the centerpiece of the outdoor, dining area.
Artichoke Salad
Honestly, the food at Gianni's is not the draw inasmuch as being in the opulent (some would say ostentatious) home of the former fashion icon, who designed for everybody from supermodels to actresses to Princess Diana.
Given that, I relied on the recommendation of a trusted foodie who suggested I come for the three-course lunch for under $40, instead of a far more expensive dinner where the food might not justify the price tag. Lunch began with a baby arugula salad, topped with shaved parmesan, artichokes and drizzled with a lite, lemon dressing.
Grilled Branzino
The second course was a grilled, Mediterranean branzino, which was topped with fresh tomatoes and served with a side of crunchy, broccoli rabe.
Pavlova
The final course was my favorite. This pavlova, a baked meringue dessert, was crispy on the outside with a marshmallowy center. It was served with macerated berries and gold leaf.
Hoja Taqueria
Craving tacos one night, I headed to Hoja for dinner. Hoja has two locations; one is located in Washington D.C., and the other, in Miami Beach. The star ingredient on their menu is corn. To be specific, 12 different kinds of corn that are ground daily for their made-to-order tortillas.
Spicy Margarita
Before jumping into the meal, I enjoyed a spicy margarita.
Al Pastor and Carne Asada Taco
For dinner I ordered one al pastor and one carne asada taco. Both the pork and the beef were cooked very well. I was not able to decipher any of the 12 kinds of corn in the tortilla, but I can verify that it was very fresh and tasty.
Mister 01
My last dining stop in Miami was at Mister 01, a local favorite that has been recognized by Food and Wine magazine and Michelin for its extraordinary pizza, just like the logo says. This pizzeria is tough to find. It is hidden in an office building and seats less than 20. As a result, most locals opt for take out or delivery and enjoy it at home.
Pepperoni Pizza
The pizza here is made by chef and co-owner, Renato Viola who moved to the U.S. from the small town of Agripoli, in the province of Salerno, Italy. Viola specializes in Neapolitan pizzas, which are thin, with a lightly charred crust and a soft center. I can understand why many Floridians claim that this is the best pizza in the state.
This, in conjunction with my first Miami post, completes my dining experience in the beautiful city of Miami. Next, I'll conclude this series with my experience of Miami's art scene.
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