Miami Spice 2008 is coming up in August and September. But in the meantime, we're already in the middle of the Miami Spice Preview, June 16-30. And some interesting restaurants have chosen to participate in the preview -- such as Kobe Club (which is offering the $36 menu, but if you want to upgrade your main course to Kobe or Kobe-style beef it will run you an additional $30-80).
Is it just me or does it seem like restaurant are vanishing every day?
Especially in the Gables? A recent commenter said that Tarpon Bend is closing -- but a just-placed call to the restaurant seems to say they're still open. Closing soon? Not that the guy answering the phone knew, but he might not be in the loop. Stay tuned.
Also, another recent commenter stopped by to say that The Smoking Rabbit on Ocean Drive has closed. It has been replaced by Bellini Italian Bistro. If you go, stop by here and let us know what you think!
Seen in the news:
Actress Jennifer Aniston has sparked speculation of a new romance with rocker John Mayer, after the pair was spotted dining together in Miami, Fla., on Friday.
The former "Friends" star met Mayer at Michael's Genuine Food and Drink, where they enjoyed a mid-afternoon meal.
The two stars were locked in conversation for 90 minutes, and sat with their heads close together, according to the eatery's general manager Charles Bell.
They even shared their food -- Aniston "ate some of" Mayer's ham sandwich, and they split a chocolate dessert.
I doubt I would even notice there were celebrities around. And, maybe they are dating, but sharing food at Michael's doesn't mean two people are dating. Michael's is made for sharing.
After a couple of hours on the water on my friend's boat, we tied up in No Name Harbor for lunch. The restaurant is perched there right next to the water, looking like any number of other harbor restaurants. The thing is, this place is packed! And maybe that's because the food is... well, it's actually good!
We had a big group -- and ordered enough food to match. The tostones to start were great, and the fried calamari rings were... well, they were so-so, nothing spectacular, but pretty good. The mains were where I got really impressed though. We ordered the seafood paella for 4, and that was really excellent, with the only little problem being the lobster pieces were a bit overcooked. The flavor was so good I kept eating more and more of the rice even though it wasn't actually my dish I ordered. I had the special grilled snapper, a simple piece of fish with a choice of two sides -- mine: maduros (sweet plaintains) and fries. Actually a whole bunch of us ordered the snapper, and someone else the salmon... and it was all good.
Let's be honest. cJ had pretty low expectations of this place because in our experience, when you're out in a national park for the day or on the water enjoying the sun, people aren't likely to quibble about the food and will probably be happy with a burger and some fries. But this place delivered above and beyond. I would definitely go there again, because it's not that many places you can go for a nice hike and get a meal that satisfies this much.
Not to mention that pitcher of sangria may have colored my impression of the place.
No Name Harbor Restaurant, in Bill Baggs State Park on Key Biscayne.
Word has it that Nexxt Cafe on Miracle Mile, only just opened a few months back, is already closed. cJ never got around to visiting, partly because we just don't really like the other Nexxt Cafe on Lincoln Road that much anyway. But it's sad to see a restaurant fail -- especially if it just ends up replaced by some national chain. Here's hoping something good takes its place.
Link: MenuPages Blog :: South Florida: Closed: Nexxt Cafe Miracle Mile.
Last weekend we stopped at Abokado for dinner with a friend from out of town. cJ was intrigued by the name, which is how Japanese people say the word "avocado," and we love avocado. And Japanese and Latin cuisine.
Abokado's got a nice environment, sort of modern interior, and quiet enough for us to have a real conversation. It has an extensive drink menu -- the Tokyopolitan was refreshing with a touch of fruitiness. The food menu leans more Japanese than Latin, veering into Peruvian with ceviches and usuzukuris (thinly sliced fish with flavored sauces). It includes a range from sushi through entrees -- we skipped the big dishes and focused on ceviches, rolls and appetizers like the deep-fried cheese on sticks (not so un-Japanese as you'd think!). Service was smooth too, which was a relief considering how often you get the opposite in Miami.
Photo from Abokadosushi.com
Impressions? All the food was beautifully presented, and it tries hard to be great. It may be trying a little bit too hard. We loved the way the food looked, and we enjoyed getting the plates with multiple flavors. Not all the flavors worked however, some overwhelming their bases they were supposed to be carrying, and others simply not carrying much flavor at all. The "nachos" -- tempura shiso leaf with sort of a tuna tartare on top -- were "pretty good" according to the DH, but "not so-shiso-y" because the batter was a bit too much for the delicate leaf. The rolls were ambitiously designed and fun to eat, but none of them have stuck in the mind enough for us to recall their precise names.
Overall? Abokado serves up okay sushi and has options that appeal to both Western and Eastern palettes. It may even be good enough to deliver on the owners' ambitions to expand from this first outpost to "chain."
Will we be back? We'd have to be "in the mood" for that type of food -- and are more likely to hit Matsuri for some authentic Japanese or Jaguar for inventive ceviches -- than to hurry back. But we like it and would love to go to Abokado again with friends to share some rolls while we knock back a few drinks.
Novecento has opened a new location in Coral Gables. They got their approval Wednesday, and immediately kicked it off -- with some pre-opening drinks. They will have their official grand opening on March 26 but in the meantime they are up and running.
The new Novecento is located at 121 Alhambra Plaza, with a pleasant little outdoor seating area. Inside, it has a bit of a bistro-bar feel, with dark wood paneling and red leather banquettes, and vintage signs. It's large, but also cozy and welcoming.
We ate lunch there for the first time today, French Toast and spaghetti caprese. Both were good, tasty dishes, and very reasonably priced. We didn't order perhaps what they're famous for, but it will still good. Service was attentive and our water glasses were kept filled, and it's clear they're concerned about getting started on the right foot because they kept asking how things were.
cJ is happy to welcome Novecento to the neighborhood -- decent food at reasonable prices, nice people. Best of luck to them and let's see how they do once everything is in full swing. I'm sure we'll be back with our dog to enjoy a meal under the shelter of their large red umbrellas.
Note to restaurant owners: try to stay abreast of things like Daylight Savings Time. Otherwise you may have incidents like that at Mint Leaf on Sunday, when cJ showed up at noon only to find that the restaurant owners / chef were not there because they thought it was still 11 am. Oops.
cJ went away for an hour and came back for lunch anyway. Verdict for 2nd visit? Food is good -- this time the tandoori tikka paneer, channa masala and bathura. Service is fairly attentive. However, food delivery is definitely slow. There was a family already seated when I arrived, but I had my full meal before they received their dosai, which makes me a little scared to go there if I'm pressed for time. Dosai probably take more time to prepare than the things that must already be ready such as channa masala and other "stews" or curries.
The other thing is that the meal was rather pricey. It might be the right price for a London eatery, but can seem a little steep for the Miami area. Is this what people are willing to pay for a good Indian meal here? We'll have to wait and see.
cJ will keep going back, because we like it, and where else will we get a good dosa without driving 30 minutes? And we're willing to pay the price, at least once in a while. But will others?
Update: I'm saddened by the fact that early reviews and comments on this site seem to say Mint Leaf is under-delivering relative to its cost for visitors. I hope that Mint Leaf's management takes heed and does something to fix service issues, and, to the extent possible, price point questions.
Great brunch today with some members of the Miami blogging community. And when I say "great" let me emphasize that that is because of the company, and not because of the location. The weather was fabulous and the people watching great. The companionship was absolutely delightful.
As for the restaurant itself, the menu is overwhelming in much the same way as the Cheesecake Factory's menu is too much (for reasons which if you've been around long you already know). And when I ordered my avocado wontons I accidentally called them by the name they have at the other restaurant (cough, cough, oops). Strangely, however, the "Sunday Brunch" items (maybe 10?) are the only items on the whole menu not available the rest of the week... even when you are trying to order at 10:30 am. How hard is it, when you have 1000 menu items, to offer those other 10 along with everything else?
Hard, apparently, since Hidden City was a woeful 1 for 3 on first choices actually being in stock and the Pisco Sour was not available, much to cJ's dismay. We had to settle for the traditional mimosa instead.
The food, however, is not intrinsically bad. It's not amazing, but it's acceptable, and it's food. The service, on the other hand, leaves a lot to be desired. Thank goodness the company was so worth spending time with. Otherwise, the ridiculously long periods of time between being seated and ordering, and between ordering and actually getting the food delivered (45 minutes? maybe more?) would have been completely unacceptable. As it is I suppose they could claim they were just trying to let us enjoy our time together.
Conclusions? Breakfast at Nexxt Cafe: not my first choice on Lincoln Road. Spending time with other Miami bloggers: priceless.
Pros: Surprisingly good food, bellydancers and patrons dancing on the tables, jovial party atmosphere. Cons: Oppressively loud music, ears ringing persistently for hours afterward, and the impossibility of carrying on a conversation with your companions. (That last one may actually be an advantage, depending on who you're with.)
Love the smash-your-own garbonzo beans teaser, the flambeed cheese, the massive plates of tomato, onion and feta salad, the grilled meats. Mildly amused by the napkins-as-confetti, the servers in a conga line, the flaming bottles of vodka, and the skeevy old men eagerly stuffing dollars in the waistbands of the belly dancers' outfits. Energized to even get up on the table myself for a little dance action. Annoyed by the ridiculous volume inside louder than a rock concert and need to yell in the ears of the person next to me and to stand up and lean over the table to talk to the person across.
cJ's love-hate relationship with Taverna Opa. If I ever go again, I'm bringing earplugs.
