Review Archives - Page 5 of 7

La Mar: New Menu Items + Old Favorites = A Good Time

Brickell, Review December 1, 2016January 3, 2017Arroz Verde, Big Whole Fish, Candy Tuna, Chaufa Aeropuerto, chef diego oka, diego oka, dinner, Fuente Cebichera, Gastón Acurio, la mar, La Mar by Gaston Acurio, mandarin oriental, Mini Express Lunch Box, new menu, peruvian, Pork Omochi, Quinoa Tamal, Salmon Fusion, Soft Shell Crab Taco, Tiradito Bachiche, Veal Cheeks with Pallares

If you were to ask us where to go for brunch on a Sunday, La Mar by Gastón Acurio at the Mandarin Oriental would be one of our first recommendations. The Brickell Key restaurant’s brunch, which we tried last year, was — and continues to be — one of the best weekend deals in town. An extensive buffet spread and unlimited pisco sours? Yes, please.

But it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that we finally stopped in for dinner. Chef Diego Oka has been traveling the globe lately, and he’s come back and put all that worldly inspiration onto the plate. We were fortunate enough to take part in a 12-course affair that highlighted classic La Mar dishes as well as some new additions (shout out to Chef Oka for the hand-written menu).

Twelve courses is a lot, so we’ll keep this short and sweet. Cue the food porn.

Happy Wine: It’s All in the Name

Review, West Miami September 28, 2016January 3, 2017calle ocho, champagne, Charcuterie, coconut grove, happy wine, jamon iberico, jc restrepo, joanna restrepo, Moët, paella, paninis, tapas, wine

Blink, and you’ll miss Happy Wine while driving on Southwest 8th Street (Calle Ocho). The cozy wine shop/wine bar on 57th Avenue sits inside an unassuming building, and it’s easy to pass by if you’re not looking closely. Those who do spot Happy Wine will be rewarded with over 1,000 wine selections, tasty food and amazing hospitality.

Toscana Divino: Where Quality and Quantity Meet

Brickell, Review September 27, 2016January 3, 2017beef tartare, brickell, burrata caprese, cake, duck ragu, gelato, italian, mary brickell village, panna cotta, pappardelle, pappardelle finocchiona, pasta, Pici senesi all’anatra, pistachio, risotto, risotto cacio e pepe, toscana divino

Italian restaurants are a dime a dozen in Miami. It’s hard not to go a few blocks without stumbling across yet another eatery serving up our favorite carbs. With so much competition out there, it takes a real winner to stand out from the crowd.

Enter Toscana Divino, which has been a centerpiece of Mary Brickell Village for years now. Other tenants have come and gone, but the Italian restaurant has stuck around through thick and thin. Its longevity should come as no surprise, though. This is some of the best Italian food in town.

Coyo Taco Brings Tasty Tacos and Tortas to Brickell

Brickell, Review July 19, 2016January 3, 2017barbacoa, brickell, carnitas, chips, coyo taco, duck, grouper, guacamole, octopus, pato, pulpo, salsa, taco, tacos, torta

Brickell residents and visitors have a new place to get their taco fix: Coyo Taco. The Wynwood eatery opened a second location at Axis Brickell (1111 SW 1st Avenue) back in May, bringing its beloved Mexican street food experience across town. Guests can expect many of the classics from the original outpost, plus several items specific to the Brickell branch.

When we’re in Brickell and in the mood for Mexican food, we usually think of Cantina La Veinte. However, that’s not a place we can afford to eat at every day … but Coyo Taco is. Having visited Coyo’s Wynwood location and the now-defunct Shore Club location, we know to expect quality food at a reasonable price point.

For us, Coyo Taco is just what the neighborhood needs: a reliable fast-casual Mexican restaurant that won’t break the bank and is open late. And now with even more delicious items on the menu, it’s no surprise that Coyo has quickly become a neighborhood favorite.

Barceloneta: Did We Just Become Best Friends?

Miami Beach, Review May 6, 2016May 6, 2016Barceloneta, caramel, cocktails, Copa de Caramelo, Daniella Rezai, escargot, juliana gonzalez, Langoustines a la Plancha, Manuel Suarez-Inclan, miami beach, octopus, Pubbelly, pulpo a feira, spanish, steak tartare, sunset harbor, tapas, tequila, wahoo, wine

When we visited Barceloneta for a media dine a few weeks back, we weren’t expecting much. The Sunset Harbour restaurant, which specializes in Spanish Mediterranean cuisine, has been a staple of the area since 2011, but we just never had any urge to stop by; our “just-okay” experience at their now-shuttered South Miami location probably had something to do with it.

But life is all about second chances, right? Well, we’re glad we went back. Little did we know that we would enjoy one of our favorite meals of 2016 here — and one that had us immediately asking, “Did we just become best friends?”