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Posts Tagged ‘Upper-Moderate’

EGG & DART

Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

4029 North Miami Avenue
(786) 431-1022
www.egganddartmiami.com

Brought up in the family restaurant business, with establishments in Coral Gables and Mykonos, co-owners, Costa Grillas and Niko Theodorou, have created a white hued urban environment in which to showcase their rustic Greek cuisine.  The essence of which is simply prepared and perfectly fresh ingredients.  Always on the menu, the grilled fish of the day incorporates nothing more than a drizzle of olive oil, lemon and oregano.  The marinated, grilled octopus, served on a bed of tomatoes, and a half chicken, roasted with lemon and herbs are signature dishes.  Classic dishes that delight, include Spanakopita, homemade spinach pie, and Papoutsaki, baked eggplant, and ground beef topped with a creamy béchamel and sweet tomato sauce.

Mezze, or small plates provide a quick luncheon bite or a sampling to be shared with friends before the main course.  We bestow our stamp of approval on the pikilia, a plate of tzatziki, hummus, and taramosalata, a Greek-style caviar spread made from delicate codfish roe.

An array of sweets to round out the meal should include creamy Greek yogurt with honey, or the crowd pleasing, puffed pastry drizzled with honey and sprinkled with walnuts and cinnamon.

Monday – Thursday: 11:30 am–3:30 pm, 5:00 – 11:00 pm
Friday: 11:30am–3:30pm, 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
Saturday: 5:00 pm – 12:00 am; Sunday: 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm

GEORGE’S KITCHEN

Wednesday, April 10th, 2013

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

MICHAEL’S GENUINE FOOD & DRINK

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

130 NE 40th Street  Atlas Plaza
305-573-5550
www.michaelsgenuine.com

Chef/owner, Michael Schwartz has created an unpretentious American bistro rated one of the 10 best new restaurants in the United States in 2008 by the  “New York Times,” and it continues to live up to its initial reviews.

The menu is down to earth, classic and often features organic and regional ingredients. Dishes from the wood-burning oven are a highlight and the Berkshire pork and fig pizza is an awesome combination.  For a snack ,the deviled eggs and homemade potato chips with onion dip will satisfy your longing to return to your youth, only, they’re better.  The house-made cherry rosemary soda is a smash.  The restaurant is all about wines at a reasonable price, A light lunch might include the heirloom tomatoes and burrata or one of their reasonably priced salads.

Don’t pass on desserts, the pastry chef,Hedy Goldsmith, has fun with an exquisite list of mouthwatering, playful desserts that include popcorn and peanuts, or a tangerine cream-sickle pot de crème.

Monday – Thursday: 11:30 am – 11 pm; Friday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 12:00 am
Sunday: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm

MICHY’S

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

6927 Biscayne Boulevard
305-759-2001
michysmiami.com

Michy’s is the kind of restaurant where many of the dishes linger in your mind and keep you coming back over and over just to see if your memory played tricks. Michele Bernstein, a former ballerina and previously at Azul downtown, runs this serious eatery alongside her husband David who mans the reservation desk and expertly oversees the somewhat funky, floral dining room.

Trained in classical French cooking, Michele decided to offer innovative, beautifully presented plates in two sizes, more often referencing the New American style. On a recent visit, we noticed the number of dishes offered has dimmished. At the beginning, they took a risk opening this ambitious restaurant in an area of Biscayne bereft of fine dining. But word travels fast and bolstered by her reputation at Azul, Michy’s was an instant success. Now Michy’s only improves with age as she continues her quest for “luxurious comfort food.”

Signature dishes include the jamon serrano and blue cheese croquettas, Peruvian-style ceviche and seared foie gras “n” waffles for  starters.  Falling off the bone shortribs with parsnip potato mousseline or seared halibut with wild mushroom salsify or the pan-seared sole accompanied by sunchoke puree, baby artichokes, preserved lemon and olive nage are all dishes in the “transcendent” category.

For desserts I gravitate to the baked Alaska and Michey’s ethereal bread pudding which are killer endings to an evening at one of Miami’s best.

Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday: 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Friday and Saturday: 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm

SUGARCANE RAW BAR GRILL

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

3250 NE 1st Avenue
786-369-0353

sugarcanerawbargrill.com

International flavors referencing Brazil, Peru, Japan and America are inventively prepared in a raw bar, tapas and grill format.  This large room vibrates with an attractive young crowd in a stunning modern setting.  Everything about this new addition to the Midtown dining experience is right. This recently established area has taken off and this restaurant is at the forefront.

Chinese, Trinidadian chef, Timon Balloo, formerly of Chef Allen, Azul and La Broche is leading the way. The snacks and tapas categories yield mouth watering bites like bacon wrapped dates, Kobe beef sliders with quail eggs, golden beets or Florida tomatoes and strawberries with burrata.  Instead of the ubiquitous chips, with one of the 30 rums and 40 beers, savor the shishito peppers. Fantastic!.  You’ll never reach for a chip again.  The robata grill, a Japanese invention fired up with bincho-tan charcoal, is used for everything from asparagus to Korean-style short ribs.  Crudos of Atlantic salmon, fluke or yellowtail are seldom found in Miami and provide a fresh, light course.  It takes several visits to sample all the categories on this extensive menu unless you share with a group of friends.  Sushi, sashimi and specialty rolls also deserve your attention

Sunday – Wednesday: 11:30 am – 12:00 am
Thursday: 11:30 am – 1:00 am
Friday and Saturday: 11:30 am – 2:00 am

THE FEDERAL FOOD, DRINK & PROVISIONS

Wednesday, April 10th, 2013

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