The holidays are a time when we gather together to joyfully celebrate the season with friends and loved ones. Whether it's a gourmet dinner at a fine Italian restaurant, a Peruvian or Cuban Christmas Eve feast, sweet indulgences of eggnog and Christmas cookies, a sumptuous burnt Basque cheesecake with a cult following, or a simple taco spread, we've got you covered.
Indulge in the joys of the season as Fiola Miami (305-912-2639) 1500 San Ignacio Ave., Coral Gables presents their “12 Days of Christmas,” Dec. 14-25. It's worth the drive to Coral Gables to experience their festive offerings that capture the spirit of the holidays like no other. Fiola is known for Italian fine dining and as the restaurant you reserve for important celebrations, whether it's a special date night or a gathering with your loved ones. The daily special menu highlights include prime Delmonico steak Wellington, and decadent desserts including the bombolini. You'll be drinking some fine wines too: Fiola Miami won the 2024 Wine Spectator "Best Of" Award for the sixth year in a row for their broad selection of high-quality wines.
(Courtesy Commodore at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove)
Coquito and Cookies at Commodore at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
Christmas cookie fans will love the delectable "Coquito and Cookies" menu at The Commodore at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove (305-644-4680) 3300 SW 27th Ave., Coconut Grove, offered throughout the holidays Dec. 1-31. Coquito symbolizes family, friendship, and celebration in Puerto Rico. For $20, enjoy three cookies paired with a glass of festive coquito, a traditional Christmas drink similar to eggnog from Puerto Rico, blended with Bacardi Ocho rum, accompanied by enchanting mantecaditos cookies. Or savor the exquisite Mexican Rompope, the Mexican version of eggnog, with Patron Repo tequila, complemented by delightful Mexican wedding cookies. The Cuban eggnog, Crema de Vie, featuring Havana Club Blanco rum, is paired with tantalizing Cuban torticas de moron cookies. Delight in American eggnog with Angels Envy bourbon and D’usse cognac served with chewy, spicy gingerbread cookies. For the ultimate indulgence, try all four "Coquitos and Cookies" for $39.
Celebrate Noche Buena Latin-style on Dec. 24 at Cafe La Trova, (786-615-4379) 971 SW 8th St., in Little Havana, Miami, an ode to Cuban culture which James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein and maestro cantinero Julio Cabrera created together. The headliners here are the stylishly-attired cantineros behind the bar who take the art of making cocktails very seriously. Cantineros have a history going back to the days of Prohibition, a time when Cuba was the hot spot for American tourists looking to imbibe. On Christmas Eve, they'll blend, shake, stir, and garnish their way through the restaurant's classic Cuban cocktail menu. Watch them in action as you listen to live Latin music while being treated to a special family-style, three-course dinner ($95 pp) featuring contemporary Latin and Cuban-style dishes. Children 12 and under are $30 pp. Don't miss their special Cuban Christmas coquito, available all December long.
(Courtesy La Mar by Gastón Acurio )
La Mar exterior terrace
La Mar by Gastón Acurio (305-913-8358) 500 Brickell Key Dr., Downtown Miami is hosting a special "Jingle Bells Christmas Eve Dinner" on Dec. 24, a traditional Peruvian-inspired holiday cuisine by executive chef Diego Oka. With a backdrop of stunning views of Biscayne Bay and the Brickell skyline, indulge in a delicious family-style pork feast and a lavish buffet. Featured are the restaurant's grilled favorites, including anticucho de corazón, anticucho de pollo, and anticucho de camarón, with live stations of seafood rice and scallops. There's more: signature whole fish Nikkei, ají de Gallina empanadas, papas y choclo, quinoa salad, and pasta salad. The dinner is priced at $250 per person (21+, and $125 per person for guests 7-20 years of age), which includes a two-hour dinner with Champagne plus a selection of cocktails, wines and beers.
(Courtesy of Lime Fresh)
A Lime Fresh catered spread
Here's something entirely different for the holidays. Whether it’s for a family night at home wrapping gifts, a holiday potluck, or having friends over, Lime Fresh (305-891-5463) 12000 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami or their other Miami location, Lime Fresh (786-420-5463) 1439 Alton Rd., South Beach, is your go-to option, with tacos you pick up or have delivered. They'll customize a catering plan that works for you, making the holidays easy. They offer a selection of appetizers, salads, burritos, tacos, and more. The Build-Your-Own Full Meal serves 15 people, and includes chicken, ground beef, black bean corn salsa, medium salsa, and cinnamon chips. Or choose the Build-Your-Own Taco Bar which serves 10 people, and includes your choice of protein, lettuce, grilled onions and peppers, cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream, and hard and soft taco shells, served with rice, black beans, chips and salsa, or customize your order. Order at Lime Fresh in North Miami (305-891-5463) 12000 Biscayne Blvd.; or South Beach (786-420-5463) 1439 Alton Rd.
(Courtesy Sushi by Bou)
Sushi by Bou Omakase
If you're entertaining at home during the holidays, we've found the perfect holiday dessert to impress your guests: the classic burnt Basque cheesecake ($65) at Chevre Cheesecake (786-332-4128) 1295 SW 22nd St., Coral Gables. The Chevre Cheesecake bakery was created by four cheesecake lovers, who took classic burnt Basque cheesecake to the next level. Through their combined expertise, they created an ultra-gourmet dessert appealing to the most discerning palates, while also gaining a cult following of foodies around the world. They also offer other out-of-this-world cheesecakes for the holidays, including pumpkin spice, Valhrona chocolate, and pistachio. Orders are easily done through their website at chevrecheesecake.com; which allow for pickup and local delivery. Send these exquisite treats as gifts to your friends or family across the U.S. through Goldbelly, offering gourmet food gifts with nationwide delivery.
NEW OPENINGS
Sushi By Bou (786-522-6600) 2217 NW Miami Ct, Miami reimagines the omakase experience across their 20+ locations spanning from South Florida to New York City. In a cool prohibition-inspired environment within the cocktail lounge, Higher Ground at Arlo Wynwood, Sushi Bou is the place for sushi aficionados to delight in omakase and craft cocktails. It features a 14-seat omakase counter, a bar, and lounge. The omakase menu offers fresh fish of the highest quality, including delicacies such as botan ebi (spotted prawn), Hamachi, ikura salmon roe, o-toro fatty tuna, and Sushi By Bou’s signature wagyuni surf and turf. With its ‘90s hip-hop theme, graffiti and portraits of The Notorious B.I.G., Sushi by Bou fits perfectly in this artistic neighborhood. The drink menu offers imported sakes, Japanese beers and unusual mixed cocktails such as the Shiso Southsider, made with Suntory Haku vodka, shiso leaves and lime juice, and the Yuzu Honey Bee with Maker’s Mark bourbon, honey syrup, yuzu, simple syrup, and pink peppercorn.
Pickle Restaurant & Lounge (786-216-7230) 560 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, is a stylish new Mediterranean hotspot that recently opened in South Beach. Led by culinary and entertainment visionary Izzet Çapa, the restaurant features chic interiors and a unique menu by executive chef Yılmaz Güney, a fusion of traditional Mediterranean and Aegean flavors (Turkish, Greek, and Israeli). Go for the awesome Turkish mezze sampler, with aisha, köpeoğlu, and hummus, served with seasonal crudités. Try the restaurant's namesake, the pickle signature salad with Mediterranean greens, Turkish tulum cheese, cherry tomatoes, walnuts, and fresh pomegranates. The big winners here are the Turkish manti dumplings; the lahmacun, a Turkish crispy flatbread, topped with wood-fired ground beef; and the adana kebab, wood charcoal grilled hand-minced meat served with lavash. The cocktail program is just as adventurous as the cuisine, with bartenders creating exotic signature drinks such as the Turkish coffee martini, with Belvedere vodka, Kahlua, Turkish coffee, and Turkish ice cream, served with fresh cotton candy and specially made Turkish affogato.
Esplanade at Aventura, 19505 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, known for fine dining and casual eateries, recently opened their third STK Steakhouse (786-347-5299) in Florida, where they serve up their popular steakhouse classics, signature cocktails and wines from their expansive list. STK joins Esplanade at Aventura's growing list of restaurants, including JOEY Aventura, the Amafil Llama, Jarana, North Italia, and Sweetgreen.
Irene Moore is a Miami-based writer and certified sommelier whose vivid descriptions take readers through culinary cultures around the world.
(Irene Moore)
Irene Moore