It's a banner year for The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB)'s promotion, Miami Spice 2024. Three hundred restaurants in more than 20 neighborhoods are participating throughout September. Locals and visitors alike have the chance to indulge in the finest eateries and Miami's diverse cuisines in prix fixe, three-course meals for just $30 or $35 for lunch and brunch, and $45 or $60 for dinner. We've checked out several, and these are some of the best.
Bar Habana (202.276.3076) and El Patio (202.276.3076), 600 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, feature Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine respectively, and offer Miami Spice brunch and lunch daily at $30 per person, and dinner at $50 per person. Lunch features a blackberry bellini cocktail with starter choices of short rib tacos or cod croquettes. Entrees include the pasta of the day, a surf and turf burger, and fish and chips. For dessert, choose a Neapolitan ice cream sundae or walnut orange cake. Dinner includes a limoncello spritz, with fried calamari or short rib starters, while entrees are paella marinara, pasta with meatballs, or chicken parm spaghetti. Choose guava Basque cheesecake or key lime pie for dessert.
(GMCVB)
Kissaki, where dining is as delicious as it is artful.
Kissaki (305.701.1320) 500 South Pointe Dr., Miami Beach, in South Beach's South of Fifth neighborhood honors traditional Japanese omakase sushi and Kaiseki traditions, serving up artistically arranged small dishes. Their Miami Spice dinner menu is offered Wednesday through Sunday, $45 pp for three courses. The menu includes starters such as a four-piece Nigiri Flight, crab avocado salad with romaine and Napa cabbage, spicy tuna maki, and hamachi tiradito. Entree choices are black cod with bok choy or wagyu fried rice with scallions and a poached egg. For dessert, choose bruleed torija with brioche cinnamon, an assortment of ice cream and sorbet, or peach cobbler.
(Courtesy of Mignonette)
Oysters on a half shell on ice at Mignonette.
Mignonette (305.374.4635) 210 NE 18th St., Miami, located in what was once a 1930s gas station, is now one of the best seafood spots in Miami's Edgewater neighborhood. Mignonette’s Chef Danny Serfer is also the owner of Blue Collar in Miami's MiMo District, which celebrated its grand opening in their new space in June. Mignonette continues Miami Spice this month with a three-course dinner for $60 per person. Appetizers include chargrilled oysters with charred chilis, and lobster deviled eggs with smoked paprika. Entrées include prime dry-aged strip with potatoes Anna and broccolini, and Maine lobster tails with two veggie sides. Choose from three desserts, carrot cake with pralines, Heath Bar bread pudding, or key lime pie with berries.
(domawynwood.com)
There are great deals at Dōma during Miami Spice.
Dōma (786.953.6946) 35 NE 26th St., Miami, located in Wynwood, is celebrating its sixth anniversary. In Latin, Dōma translates to “home” and there’s no place in Miami like this hidden Italian gem. Owner Luca Lomonaco and executive chef Marco Giugliano welcome guests to their “home” during Miami Spice, providing a three-course prix fixe dinner for $60 per person, available Monday through Thursday. Kick off dinner with a choice of caprese burrata, fried calamari, or beef tartare. For an entrée, decide between classic pastas like homemade bucatini cacio e pepe, tossed with pecorino Romano cheese scorza nera; mushroom risotto with charred seasonal mushrooms, or sweet and spicy glazed salmon. As a grand finale, choose crème brûlée with homemade strawberry sorbet, mixed berries, and vanilla sponge cake, or tiramisu layered with espresso, cocoa powder, homemade biscuits, and chocolate.
Esplanade at Aventura, 19505 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, is the place to experience several restaurants that have been added to this year’s Miami Spice roster.
The globally inspired menu at Joey Aventura (786.763.2300) Suite #1150 showcases a variety of fusion dishes and fun cocktails for lunch at $35 per person and dinner at $60 per person. Choose from appetizers that include jumbo crab cakes and Korean fried cauliflower. Entrées include the fan-favorite steak and sushi. Choose crème brulée cheesecake or warm Italian donuts for dessert.
Indulge in weekday lunch and dinner, as well as weekend brunch at North Italia (305.466.5647) Suite #3180. Enjoy everything from hot honey and smoked prosciutto pizza to pork Milanese and lemon olive oil cake at the restaurant’s outdoor bar or indoor seating area. Lunch and brunch are $35 per person. Dinner is $60 per person.
(The Amalfi Llama)
The Amalfi Llama at Esplanade at Aventura and you just may catch soccer legend Lionel Messi. / Miami Spice Selections
Soccer legend Lionel Messi’s frequented restaurant, the Amalfi Llama (305.726.0226) Suite #4150, is known for blending rustic live-fire steakhouse tastes with traditional Italian and Argentinian cuisine. Miami Spice dinner options include short rib empanada, truffle tagliatelle, an 8-ounce center-cut filet and more. For lunch, select from focaccia, Margherita pizza, or braised short rib sandwich. The Miami Spice lunch menu is available Saturday and Sunday for $35 per person, while the special dinner menus are available every day for $60 per person.
OPENINGS
Wine country has come to downtown Miami at Sixty Vines Miami World Center (786.607.7846) 150 NE 8th St., It's known as the wine lover’s restaurant for its vineyard-inspired menu and revolutionary wine on-tap program. Sip and savor 60 different wines on tap selected from wine regions around the world, providing wine lovers with the closest “from the barrel” tasting experience.
(Courtesy of Velvet Taco)
The popular Velvet Taco opened a new spot in Wynwood.
The popular Velvet Taco (786.408.9091) 2800 NW 2nd Ave., Miami, has opened a new location in Wynwood. The indoor-outdoor restaurant is known for innovative, globally inspired tacos in memorable flavors and inventive combos, delicious sides, house-made red velvet cake, boozy libations, and late-night hours until 4 a.m. on weekends. The Wynwood location features the brand’s first-ever cocktail bar.
Another new opening, this one in Miami's Edgewater neighborhood is The Canvas Bar, (305.800.8454) at 1600 NE 1st Ave. Miami, which is part of The Graspa Group, the hospitality firm behind South Florida's popular restaurants Segafredo, Spris Pizza, Salumeria 104, and Osteria. There's been a real need in the neighborhood for a place where locals can hang out, and the Canvas Bar is that long overdue spot, offering retro vintage arcade games such as Pac-Man, billiards, foosball, cocktails, craft beers, and wines. The menu features burgers, sandwiches, salads and Roman-style flatbreads called pinsas, including truffle mushroom ricotta. Signature plates include baby back ribs with wedge fries, and homemade lasagna Bolognese.
Irene Moore is a Miamibased writer and certified sommelier whose vivid descriptions take readers through culinary cultures around the world.
