| A Whole New Day: Morgans on the Beach, Makoto, DB Bistro Moderne, Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, City Hall, Burger & Beer, Crumb on Parchment, and much more |
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| The Dutch's famous fried chicken, the W South Beach |
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Thursday night, the art world high and mighty will join Aby Rosen and Samantha Boardman for dinner at The Dutch, the buzzy resturant from New York that replaces Solea. The fried chicken is supposed to be heaven (but it may not compare to that at Magnum supper club, and is probably a lot more expensive). And since last Art Basel/Design Miami, and prominent Design District restaurant, Vino & Olio, has closed. That spot on NE 39th is still empty, but the new Greek place on N Miami Ave and NE 40th Street, Egg & Dart, has successfully taken over the two nouns and an ampersand role in Design District restaurants. We love Greek food, and this is authentic, nonfussy, and affordable. But beware the skordalia -- the garlic will still be with you six hours later. Egg & Dart's gorgeous cheese plate, below, photographed by Bill Wisser for Miami New Times.
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| Vino & Olio |
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| Cheese Plate, Egg & Dart, Design District |
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| A Category By Itself -- Makoto |
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| Makoto -- from the Iron Chef |
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This is worth the trip, if you can get a reservation. Way up in Bal Harbour, Iron Chef Makoto Okuwa is in the kitchen, and the restaurateur is Stephen Starr (Morimoto, Buddakan and Alma de Cuba). Decor is gorgeous. There's an outdoor terrace designed by Gilles & Boissier. And this take on Japanese food will amaze you. Forget Nobu. Pristine sushi, a robata grill, and cocktails subtly accented with flavors you've never tasted before. We promise. Makoto is at 9700 Collins. Open until midnight during Art Basel. Reservations absolutely required, 305 864 8600, and go, even if it's too early or too late. If you think the cab ride is expensive, wait until you see your check.
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| Daytime, Design District, Affordable |
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| Crumb on Parchment -- affordable Michelle Bernstein |
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Michelle Bernstein's Sra. Martinez is just across the steet, but good luck finding Crumb on Parchment, a casual dining spot with a 94 percent positive rating on Urban Spoon. In the cute way the Design District lists businesses by building names, this is in the Melin Building, but no one knows where the Melin Building is. Best advice: park somewhere near Second Avenue and NE 39th Street or NE 40th Street. If on 40th Street, walk past Thomas Maier, Martin Margiela and Marni. You can enter the Melin building in the middle of the block on NE Second Avenue, or on NE 39th Street. Crumb on Parchment is in the builing atrium, under a great skylight. Free WiFi. Michelle and her mother bake. A Twitter feed tells you if it is chocolate chip scone day. Soups, salads, sandwiches, $. 3930 NE Second Avenue, 305 572-9444. No reservations possible. Just walk in.
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| Wynwood Kitchen & Bar |
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Wynwood Kitchen & Bar was open last year, but this year there's a new chef, Miguel Aguilar, fresh from a smash success in Philadelphia with Alma de Cuba. Stars of the new small plates menu include sliced skirt steak with black beans and roasted scallions ($12), maduros ($6), the chorizo hash ($7) and roasted beets ($9). Specialty cocktails are named for artists represented in the restaurant, and outside on Wynwood Walls.
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| Morgans Restaurants in Miami and Miami Beach |
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| Dewey Losasso's creations at the new Forge, not just a steakhouse |
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Cecconi's Good luck getting in, because this is the restaurant in Soho Beach House. Cecconi's is a satellite of the mother ship in London, and wildly popular there. Then one opened in West Hollywood, California. Again, wildly popular. The tables are small, but it won't matter. You will be in with the in crowd, people of style and substance. Incidentally, the food is great. (The chef here was at Casa Tua for 10 years.) Warning: the valet parking is difficult because of the location, especially for big events. Two tips. Park at the Fontainebleau next door (valet $20) or try the public lot. $$ Cecconi's is open 8 am to midnight. Thursday, Friday and Saturday to 1 am. 4385 Collins, Miami Beach.
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| Cecconi's, at Soho Beach House |
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The Forge. It's considered a steakhouse, but under the new chef, Dewey Losasso, it is so much more. And no matter how tempting the main courses, save room for the warm beignets for dessert. And if you are just looking for a glass of wine, you must try the Enomatic, the high-class wine dispensers, in the bar area. The bar offers a chance to sample what life is like in Vegas, with aging playaz, and aging coquettes. Note: you will see the owner, Shareef Malnick, most nights in the dining room. He's the one with the gorgeous, familiar looking girlfriend, Gabrielle Anwer, of Burn Notice, and with too much plastic surgery.Enomatic: wines by the glass. $$ Open 6:30 pm to midnight 432 W 41st Street (Royal Palm Avenue)
www.theforge.com
Restaurants at the Fontainebleau: The Fontainebleau operates a bit like a cruise ship: lots of choice of dining spots, with some open early and some open late and some open just for lunch. Unlike a cruise ship, this is AAA dining, and reservations for the top spots are a must. Or be famous. 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach.
Gotham Steak Steakhouse. It's a steakhouse, got it? Enough said. $$ Open 5:30 - 11 pm. midnight on Friday and Saturday, and a late-night menu those nights until 1 am.
Hakkasan Chinese/Cantonese. Forget Mr. Chow, unless you're going to the Gagosian dinner. Mr. Chow is closer to the action. Hakkasan is the action, the best Chinese restaurant in Miami. Reservations a must $$$. Open 6 - 11 pm and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. A dim sum brunch is available on Saturday and Sunday from 12 - 3 pm.
Scarpetta Italian. So not only did the Fontainebleau score with Hakkasan. They did it again with Scarpetta. The decor here is delicious, reminiscent of an ocean liner. Again, reservations a must. $$$ Open 6 to 11 pm, midnight on Friday and Saturday.
La Cote A place poolside for lunch or early dinner. $$ Open 11 am to 6 pm
Solo, a little bake shop just to the left of the lobby entrance. Great cakes and pastries, coffee, and -- if they still serve it -- a killer quiche. $ 6 am to 9 pm
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COLLINS AVENUE AND VICINITY
The Americana at the Ritz Carlton; American, natch—heirloom tomatoes and Wagyu beef served by the pool; 1 Lincoln Road, $$$. 786 276-4000; until 11 pm Friday and Saturday
Blue Door Fish at the Delano; same place at Blue Door, but now, of course, fish, 1685 Collins, $$$; (305) 674-6400; open to midnight. 305 674-6400;
Blue Sea at the Delano; sushi; with the table sticking right out into the lobby it’s a question whether you will be people watching or people watched; 1685 Collins; $$. Phone: (305) 358-3416; open until midnight; Fridays and Saturdays open until 1 am.
BondSt Lounge; sceney Japanese; Townhouse hotel, 150 20th Street and Collins, Miami Beach; 305 398 1806; open until 11, Monday through Wednesday, until 11:30 Thursday and until 12:30 Friday and Saturday.
Casa Tua; Northern Italian; the restaurant has been booked for a year for Art Basel, but here’s the address in case you’re someone’s guest: 1700 James Avenue. And yes, $$$.
El Viajante Segundo; inexpensive Cuban food; 1676 Collins; $; 305 534 2101; open 24 hours a day, good place to sober up.
Nobu Miami Beach; the same old Japanese/Peruvian and still good; the Shore Club, 1901 Collins, $$$; here’s your chance—Nobu takes reservations only for parties of six or more. 305 695-3232; open until midnight, Monday through Thursday; open until 1 am on Friday and Saturday.
Prime 112; steak house; even if you have a reservation, you will wait for a table—but such a good looking crowd!; and the owner has just built a new hotel and bar next door. Note that across the street is an interesting condo loft project called S5 South of Fifth. Prime 112 is at 112 Ocean Drive (yes, way down below Fifth) $$$, 305 532-8112; open until midnight, Monday through Thursday; Friday and Saturday, open until 1 am.
Tamara at the National Hotel; French fusion; named after the artist Tamara de Lempicka, whose artwork can be found throughout; No one goes there, which means you'll either love it or hate it. 1677 Collins; $$ (305) 532-2311; open to 11 pm.
LINCOLN ROAD-ish
You don’t need us to help you find a restaurant on Lincoln Road. Just stroll along and pick one that looks like locals eat there. But we do have some favorites, both there and on the nearby and charming Espanola Way
A La Folie; tres tres French, 516 Espanola Way, Miami Beach, $, stays open until midnight or later
Balans; multicultural; Balans got its start in London, but you couldn’t prove that to Miamians; want to find Miami Beach power players? just come here for breakfast; 1022 Lincoln Road; $$; (305) 534-9191, open until midnight, Monday through Thursday; until 1 am Friday and Saturday
Barton G … the Restaurant; American with a wow factor; Barton G... the Restaurant? Is that to distinguish it from Barton G ... the Gas Station? No, it's to distinguish it from Barton G... the Caterer; this is a Zagat top spot; dinner only; 1427 West Avenue, Miami Beach, $$$, 305-672-8881, open until 10 pm, Monday through Thursday; midnight Friday and Saturday.
Burger & Beer Joint: Just what it sounds like. This is a great late night place. Best place to sit, outdoors. $, 1766 Bay Road Miami Beach, (305) 672-3287 -- If you can't find it, it's right behind where Joe Allen used to be.
David’s Café; Cuban; do as the Cubans do and order at the window; ask for a cafecito; drink the cold water afterward, then go back into the Convention Center and buy! buy! buy!; $ 1654 Meridian Avenue just north of Lincoln Road; (305) 672-8707
IceBox Café, coffee & desserts; a local favorite, although you couldn’t prove it with the guys and gals prancing around in midriff tank tops; oh, and Ophra likes it too; $$, 1657 Michigan Avenue at Lincoln Road
Miss Yip’s Chinese, Asian, Jenny Yip has made this place a hang-out; late at night try the Buck 15 lounge upstairs; $$, 1661 Meridian Avenue just north of Lincoln Road
Morgan's: You know the one that opened just south of Midtown near Wynwood, that everyone loved? Well, they loved it so much Morgan's opened in South Beach in July. And the location? What used to be Joe Allen. 1787 Purdy Avenue, Miami Beach, 305 397-8753
Quattro Gastronomia Italiana; another immediate hit. A see and be seen place even at lunch; anything that comes with burrata drizzled with truffle oil is ok with us; $$+; 1014 Lincoln Road, 305 531-4813; open until 11:30 week nights; on Fridays and Saturdays, until 12:30
Tapas y Tintos, Spanish small plates; another great place to sober up late at night; $ to $$, 448 Espanola Way 305 538 8272. The bar is open until 5 am
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