35 Northeast 40th St
(786) 391-1818
Oaktavernmiami.com

Oak Tavern is a comfy rustic new entry in the heart of the Design District.  A brick archway opens onto a pleasant garden with a namesake oak tree springing from the center courtyard.  Taverns of Yore were seldom known for serving creative, or high quality fare. The weary traveler was more focused on the bar and beds. Such is not the case here, at David Bracha’s modern day version, where the food is surprisingly tasty. Bracha’s River Seafood and Oyster Bar has been a staple on Brickell for more than 10 years, and he knows his way with a crustacean.  Oysters and stone crabs head up the list, “Jewels from the Sea,” but the scallop and snapper crudos are equally well presented and pristinely fresh from the sea.

A long list of small plates to satisfy everyone provides a strong supporting cast.  Bistro fare such as deviled eggs, rabbit pâté, and crispy pigs ears with kale compete for your attention. Try a perfect offering of beets with whipped goat cheese, arugula and pistachio vinaigrette, along with an heirloom tomato salad with sheep’s milk feta. Bracha’s has been one of Miami’s earliest chefs to embrace buying his produce from the area farmers. Pizzas are a standout; my pick for the best is duck confit, mushrooms, oozing Fontina, and a bit of truffle, on a crisp and thin crust.

On one visit, the tavern’s wood grill yielded a perfectly grilled Cobia topped with a medley of peas in a light lemon olive oil, and it was a triumph. Whole branzino at $34 is in keeping with their moderate prices.  The charcuterie offerings are crafted in-house, and the restaurant is justly proud of  this area of the menu.  Each is accompanied by marinated olives, mustard pickled fruit and country bread. The emphasis at this gastropub is craft beers, so enjoy one of the twenty microbrews and 10 draft beers on tap. Their Happy Hour should not be missed.

Monday – Thursday: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Friday – Saturday: 6:00 pm – 12:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm

4000 N E 2nd Avenue
(305) 573-5474
Southstreetmiami.com

Soul food in all its traditional renditions has arrived in the Design District at the distinctive, former Post Office, at the corner of 40th and 2nd Avenue. It’s a refreshing and welcome idea, but the restaurant has yet to fulfill the promise of “great Neo soul food.” Nor does Southstreet give the kind of service Design District regulars have come to expect.  The menu features the family recipes of Philadelphia transplant, Amaris Jones.  There is a vibe here that lets you know you have arrived at a happening spot. The interior’s coolness is a result of both an attractive crowd bent on having a good time, and the sounds of R & B, Motown soul sounds, and a bit of hip hop. Record covers line the walls, and the upper level finds occasional inspiration from the sounds of visiting DJ’s.

While the menu and service are the second and third reasons to go, (not the first), there are some bright spots in a rather mundane take on “Neo soul ” food. If stopping by for drinks and small plates, try the herb-flecked fries and catfish fingers with Cajun tartar sauce for dipping.  Large plates suggested for sharing include a crowd pleasing, mom’s free-range fried chicken ladled with collard greens and candied yams, crispy skin wild salmon and bone-in short rib in sherry sauce and buttery mash.

Lunch is served with an abbreviated menu but offers a Wagyu burger, and a traditional Philly cheese steak.

Monday – Thursday: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Friday: 12:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday – Sunday: 11:00 am – 4:00pm
Saturday: 6:00 pm – 12:00 am

3451 1st Avenue
(786) 507-5799
myacmebakery.com

This simple, artisanal bakery is hitting all the right notes when it comes to a real old-time, sweet spot.  A couple of country-style tables and a long communal table pepper this diminutive space. It looks more like a general store with a counter, a conventional refrigerator holding sodas and juices, and an antique armoire displaying market products.

Acme serves up cakes and candies, pastries and tarts.  Bread here is sensational, and the star player of this petit gem is a large selection of breads freshly baked in the wee hours of the morning. Don’t miss the buns, biscuits, cornmeal waffles and baguettes, called “flutes.”  Whether it’s sour dough, rye or brioche, better to take out more than one. Ever tried pickleberry jam, (3rd generation family recipe) or Vermont butter? Where else to find four varieties of scones: ginger-almond, scallion and Vermont cheddar, Vermont cheddar and bacon or jalapeno and cheddar?   As they say, it’s all in the details.

Breakfast is served from 8 am, and of course, there’s a brunch on the weekends. Granola is homemade, and the eggs are of the organic local farm-raised variety from Lake Meadow Farm in Ocoee, Florida.  Breakfast is served daily until 11:30 am.

Luncheon fare is a bit limited. Chicken soup with dumplings on one occasion was overly salty, but heirloom tomato ‘bread salad’ and mixed greens in an apple-cider dressing, to accompany one of their two sandwich selections should make you a regular in no time.  We do hope that they will expand the sandwich selections in the near future.

Acme, founded by the Pious Pig Restaurant Group, also owns and operates the Federal Food Drink and Provisions on Biscayne Boulevard on the Upper East Side.

Tuesday – Sunday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

4141 NE 2nd Ave #101
(305) 456 – 9948
mckitchenmiami.com

MC Kitchen in the Design District, has the makings of a great Modern Italian restaurant. Dina Marino began cooking in her childhood home where her mother and grandmother manned the kitchen, turning out homemade pastas, sausages and creative pizzas. She honed her culinary skills at the Culinary Institute of America. Marino then worked under the tutelage of Michael Chiarello in his celebrated Tra Vigne in Napa Valley, followed by years as a chef of three of Aspen, Colorado’s top restaurants. Upon her arrival in Miami, Dina and partner, Brandy Coletta, wasted no time giving the interior of what was formerly Fratelli Lyon, a smart new look.  White orchids on crisp tablecloths and butterflies that flutter on a Brazilian wood wall soften the main room.  The ambiance is at once sophisticated and calm; where diners can share an intimate dinner and a conversation, even when all 145 seats are occupied.

Several remarkable antipasti spearhead the menu. I was most captivated by the artichoke heart bruschetta, which is exquisitely posed below a farm poached egg and shaved black truffles, and finished with a creamy Parmigiano fonduta. On a rather quiet evening, it appeared that the artichokes had run low and one heart was portioned among several plates. Nonetheless, the flavors sang out, and the combination was a triumph.  On a lighter note, halibut crudo was perfectly dressed in hearts of palm, baby artichoke shavings and lemon oil. Chili, garlic, basil and orange zest enlivened oven roasted langoustines over polenta. Ten pastas, mostly homemade, are currently on the winter menu. This is an area of the menu where Marino excels. The garganelli Bolognese is a lusty standout of veal, venison, pork and porcini mushrooms. The pumpkin tortellini is flush with Florida rabbit ragu, Tuscan cabbage and house made ricotta.  Signature selections include the lamb sirloin, charred outside locking in the meaty juices, and served with braised lentils, apple butter, and a frisee salad.

Also deserving of your attention and a cause for real indulgence is the Gianduia chocolate mousse crowning a sea salt sugar nest.

Monday – Sunday: 11:00 am – 4:30 pm, 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm

4141 NE 2nd Avenue
786-332-3772
Mckitchenmiami.com

Dena Marino of Mc Kitchen has launched a charming, casual breakfast and lunch petite cafe on Second Avenue, adjacent to her fine-dining establishment. This fills a void in the Design District which had few options for high quality, quick takeout or very casual eat in restaurants.  The neighborhood business people are overjoyed. The menus is limited to sandwiches served on croissants or mulitgrain baguettes.  Fillers include roasted turkey, Swiss cheese with fruited mustard a and local arugula($10) or rosemary Cotta ham, provolone, local arugula and mustard seed aioli.($9)

“Pressatas,” (pressed sandwiches) such as the Cubano, with shaved porchetta, Cotto ham, melted Swiss and Brooklyn pickles for the carnivore, or marinated and grilled garden vegetables, raise the bar on grilled sandwiches.  Three salads are on the menu at $9-$11 and ask for the  soup of the day, if you call for takeout.  Cream of cauliflower, sampled recently, was an elegant rendition. All the salads are as fresh as spring after a light rain. Free Wi-Fi are available.

Luscious looking pastries and a Lazzaro coffee should fit the bill for the afternoon tea time.

Monday -Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

3404 North Miami Avenue
(305) 438-9199
georgeskitchenmidtown.com

Building on the success of George’s South Miami Parisian Cafe and George’s in the Grove, George-Eric Farge has recently opened George’s Kitchen. Weary shoppers from the bustling mid-town complex of stores have merely to cross North Miami Avenue to find Georges. It’s a two-story space that clearly defines modernity with comfortable banquets, soft lighting and pleasant colors. An open-air, copper enhanced kitchen dominates the main room.  Bird’s-eye seating at a bar surrounding the kitchen is available for anyone choosing to observe their meal as it’s being prepared.  Aside from the cozy banquets, there is a communal table at the front of the restaurant; and singles needn’t feel self-conscious about joining the big table or settling in at the kitchen bar.

At the helm of George’s is the Michelin starred Executive Chef, George Rojas, whose focus is on fusing French and Spanish cooking techniques. Take for instance, a classic croquette small bite that oozes a Comte cheese or steamed mussel with piquillo pepper and aioli toast baguette. More often, Rojas excels with French classics such as the house-made foie gras terrine which seldom appears on Miami menus, short rib Bourguignon, served with pureed and crisp parsnip and bacon lardon, or poussin with garlic and tomato confit. The list of desserts is short, but the raspberry macaroon/strawberry soup and chocolate “kit-kat”/creme Anglaise, which the waiter implored us to try, should elicit sheer delight at meal’s end.

Monday – Tuesday: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Wednesday – Saturday: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 12:00 pm
Sunday (Brunch): 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

6730 Biscayne Blvd.
(305) 576-0366
bluecollarmiami.com

Daniel Serfer, Chef de Cuisine for 5 years at Chef Allens in Aventura, and most recently, 15th Street Fisheries in Fort Lauderdale, has created a much buzzed-about neighborhood restaurant along Biscayne Boulevard. Now open a little more than a year, he is sending out some ambitious, mouthwatering, if oversized, plates in this tiny (25 seats) interior with an additional outdoor patio. Blue Collar certainly implies the working-class are being catered to, but the crowd is also young singles, and families who are joining the crowd for a sampling of Serfer’s widely varied American comfort food.

Appetizers to “nosh on ” seem the perfect place to start. Do not skip the shrimp and grits, which is outfitted with a Piedmontese trugole cheese charged with chunks of bacon, and a New Orleans style bbq sauce.  It doesn’t get any better than this marriage of flavors topped off with lots of local pink shrimp. What blue-collar meal would be complete without a healthy portion of pork and beans and Berkhire sausage under an oozing egg? While “healthy” as in size, not as in “nutrition,” the menu is heavy on carbs and fried foods. The daily chalkboard always includes: Ribs with warm German potato salad, a “Parm,” that could be chicken, veal pork on angel hair with a red sauce, and a Braise which could be a tender brisket, pot roast or ox tails, accompanied by mash potatoes.

I don’t know of another eatery that offers more than 20 different vegetables, and at recession prices of $4.00 a plate. This is a vegetarian paradise of grilled asparagus topped with blue cheese, roasted butternut squash or fennel, sautéed kale and artichoke hearts in a lemon aioli among others. The choice of crispy snapper with rock shrimp, grilled Cobia, and Mahi Mahi are simple and pleasing local offerings.

Thirteen brews from Delaware to Belgium and some old fashioned sodas, such as orange, or black cherry cream soda, numbers among the offerings. The bread pudding is a popular conclusion to the meal.  Be ready for small tables and close quarters, but it’s recommended over the outdoor patio, which is far too close to the Biscayne traffic.

Monday – Friday: 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
Monday – Thursday, Sunday: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 6:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday – Sunday (brunch): 11:00 am – 3:30 pm

5132 Biscayne Blvd
(305) 758-9559
thefederalmiami.com

A trio of Miamians: co-owners Cesar Zapata, Aniece Meinhold, and Alejandro Ortiz, have already experienced success with pop-up restaurant, Phuc Yeal, and Acme Bakery in Midtown. Now they have set up shop in a small strip shopping center on Biscayne and 51st as the Federal Food, Drink & Provisions.

This is definitely a neighborhood-meeting place with a relentlessly rustic and funky decor. The mood here is indisputably jeans-casual and retro. Following the trend of modern day gastropubs, the menu is divided into sections by size and sharing is encouraged. The featured jumbo lump crab cake, 3 ounces of crab served with shaved fennel, citrus and spicy remoulade is outstanding. Memorable dishes include the jar-o-duck and the juicy lamb burger with chow chow relish, pretzel bun and goat cheese.  On one occasion, the glazed double-cut pork chop had remained in the oven far too long and was returned to the kitchen. Meat is often served unconventionally. The Wellington, made from short rib not prime beef, comes simmered with bacon, mushrooms, and pearl onions beneath a potpie crust.

Thirteen all American  “Brewskis” and wines from around the world contribute to the convivial atmosphere.  Wait staff is pleasant and accommodating.  The restaurant is closed on Mondays and does not serve lunch.

Tuesday – Thursday: 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Friday – Saturday: 6:00 pm -11:00 pm
Sunday: 11:30 am -10:00 pm

3930 NE 2nd Ave
(305) 572-9444

Crumb on Parchment, a Michele Bernstein bakery and café, located in the atrium of the Melin building on NE 2nd Avenue that houses cutting edge furniture showrooms.  Early mornings, you’ll find interior designers dining on steel-cut oatmeal and homemade granola.  Other favorites are the French toast baguettes piled high with bananas, candied pecans and maple syrup, and the Croque Madame of melting cheese, Serrano ham, fried egg and béchamel.

You will want to return for the soup, salad and sandwich offerings at lunchtime.  Pulled rotisserie chicken with carmelized onions and apples, seared Ahi Tuna accompanied by kimchi aioli and grilled portobello mushroom with onion and kale, round out the “Hot and Messy” category.  Classic home-style sandwiches include a comprehensive list of chicken salad, turkey, homemade roast beef, “BLATs”, (add avocado to the traditional BLT), tuna salad and gooey grilled cheese. Fresh salads include a rustic Greek salad, Caesar, “Green Goddess” chicken, and a Greek style tuna salad.

Pastries and desserts are all lovingly made in- house. In any cookie competition, their chocolate chip takes first place. Mischy’s “Mama B” coconut cake with cream cheese icing will leave you dreaming about your next piece.

Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

3451 NE 1st Avenue
(305) 424-9588
www.salumeria104.com

Salumeria 104 is more than a pleasant surprise from another of the unassuming new restaurants lining 1st Avenue in Midtown. The restaurant showcases an extensive list of artisanal carved meats and cheeses which include: Prosciutto di Parma, Proscuitto San Daniele,  Cotto al Tartufo, Mortadella and Bresaola, as well as a homemade bufala, and parmigiano reggiano.

If you long for homemade pasta, you are in luck. The menu currently boasts five including Ricotta cheese cavatello, semolina gnocchi with Parmesan and crispy prosciutto, tagliatelle laden with a rich Bolognese sauce or ham in a cream sauce.  Porchetta, roasted pork loin wrapped in pork belly was dry on one occasion but braised pork ribs with broccolini and chick peas were tender and flavorful.  Like the other restaurants along this tree-lined street, outdoor dining is an added perk.

Monday – Thursday, Sunday: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am