With news that several restaurants have closed recently, other restaurants are having milestone anniversaries. Still others are opening in new locations. Congratulations!
August is also the month to spice up your life with the annual Miami Spice promotion, loved by locals and tourists alike. Don't miss the chance to savor Miami's great restaurants at the special prices being offered. Check out the official website at www.miamiandbeaches.com under Eat & Drink for participating restaurants.
Delilah Miami, (305.400.4657) 301 Brickell Key Dr., Downtown Miami is new to Miami Spice this year. Delilah, a modern-day supper club, is offering Miami Spice fans an opulent dinner menu for $60 per person, featuring luxurious starters like wagyu carpaccio with black truffle, or their famous chicken tenders with spicy barbecue sauce, buttermilk ranch and Zab's hot honey.
(Courtesy of Delilah)
Chicken tenders at Delilah.
Entrees include juicy roasted chicken with farro, fava beans, and English peas; or branzino cooked in brown butter with almonds. Save room for the Key lime pie, topped with whipped cream and Key lime zest.
Casadonna (305.475.2272) 1737 Bayshore Dr., in Miami's Edgewater neighborhood, a gorgeous, coastal Italian-inspired restaurant, is also new to Miami Spice this year. Dock your yacht for their waterside dock and dining experience with gorgeous waterside views and try their different Miami Spice menus for $60 per person from Sunday -Thursday during August and September.
August menu choices include the starter choices of Hamachi with apple and oregano; or wagyu beef carpaccio with Parmesan, baby arugula, and black truffle. Main dishes are campanelle Bolognese and whipped ricotta; and Mediterranean branzino with roasted asparagus and lemon vinaigrette. Dessert is frangipane tart with an almond crust and amaretto ice cream.
(Courtesy of Doya)
A Miami Spice spread at Doya.
Doya (305.501.2848) 347 NW 24th St., Wynwood Miami, a three-time Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recipient, is celebrating its fourth anniversary. A modern Aegean restaurant, the restaurant's menu embodies the food and lifestyle of the Mediterranean region where executive chef Erhan Kostepen grew up.
During Miami Spice in August and September, Doya is offering its crowd pleasers for $35 per person from noon -4 p.m. daily. Cold mezes include muhammara, made with roasted red pepper, pomegranate, and walnuts; Haidari, with garlic yogurt and mint; and maroulosalata, with mixed greens, dill, and scallions. Hot meze choices are wood-fired chicken thigh with onion, sumac, cherry tomatoes, and mint; and kofte, grilled Turkish meatballs with buttered rice. Choose baklava or figs and walnuts for dessert.
To add to the celebration, Doya's beverage director, Anthony Medina, has come up with exotic new cocktails, inspired by chef Kostepen's cuisine and bolstered by Doya's extensive gin collection of 226 labels. Taking imbibers through the Aegean's diverse flavors, the new quintessentially Aegean cocktails include the Karfas Martini and the Chios Collins, botanical and refreshing drinks that use Axia Mastiha, a spirit distilled from the resin of mastic trees grown on the Greek island of Chios.
(Courtesy of Vinya Hospitality)
Tortelloni Iberico at Vinya.
Vinya Hospitality (305.203.4229) at 266 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables is marking its second anniversary this month with an exceptional Miami Spice menu. A similar menu is also offered at their Key Biscayne location, Vinya Wine & Market (305.361.7007) at 328 Crandon Blvd.
Inspired by Chef Mariano Araya’s travels to Spain, the 3-course Miami Spice menu, priced at $49+ per person, highlights Jamón Ibérico, made exclusively from the meat of black-hoofed Iberian pigs which spend their days roaming the forests feasting on acorns.
Choose patatas bravas, white asparagus or a croquetas trio, followed by entree choices of tortelloni Iberico with ricotta; Jamón Ibérico, and tumaca (tomato) sauce; grilled pork chop with moho chimichurri; or seared Mahi-Mahi. Top off dinner with pear blue cheese tart or dulce de leche crème brûlée.
(Courtesy of Zucca)
A Sunday brunch spread at Zucca.
Zucca (786.580.3731) located in the landmark Hotel St. Michel, 62 Alcazar Ave., Coral Gables, is celebrating its seventh anniversary. The restaurant is the ideal place for family dinners and romantic dining. Zucca serves authentic Italian fare in a beautiful, elegant setting, and features a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list.
To mark the milestone, Zucca is offering a special Sunday brunch prix-fixe menu this month, served from noon to 4:00 p.m., which includes seven signature appetizers, a choice of a main course and dessert, for the price of $59 per person. Guests may also enjoy a bottomless Prosecco option of mimosas and Bellinis for $20/hour. Enjoy it now before it moves to a luxury residential rental tower in 2026.
The Pelican Cafe, (305.673.3373) in the historic Pelican Hotel, 826 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The Pelican Hotel was founded by Renzo Rosso, an Italian entrepreneur and businessman, who also founded the Italian fashion brand Diesel, and is president of OTB Group, the parent company of fashion brands Maison Margiela, Marni, Viktor & Rolf, and Jil Sander.
You can choose to dine indoors or outdoors on the terrace overlooking Ocean Drive, where the ambience is relaxed and the people watching is great. Tantalize your taste buds with Sicilian Chef Gio Sofia's Italian classics such as octopus alla Siciliana; prosciutto e burrata; meatballs in marinara sauce with Parmigiano Reggiano and basil; chicken Milanese and decadent pasta dishes: lobster ravioli; capppellini al pomodoro, and tagliatelle alla Bolognese. There's an extensive curated Italian wine list paying homage to Italy's diverse regions, including the Diesel Farm brand by owner Renzo Rosso.
(Courtesy of Loews Hotel)
Rao's Baked Clams + Seafood Tower.
Rao's (305.404.7267) Loews Miami Beach Hotel, 1601 Collins Ave., recently launched their legendary "Sunday Gravy" Sunday evening special. During August, guests can savor the legendary dish every Sunday. Priced at $160 for two, the special serves up a bounty of hearty meats including beef braciola, short rib, meatballs and hot and sweet sausage, simmered all day to perfection, resulting in the "gravy." It's served with rigatoni marinara and salad. For dessert, don't miss the orange cake with vanilla ice cream.
OPENINGS
(Courtesy of Kimpton Hotels)
Spanish cod at Kimpton Hotels' El Patio.
Georgios Vogiatzis, the restaurateur behind South Beach local favorite Santorini by Georgios, has debuted a multi-venue food and drink concept at the Kimpton Angler Hotel (305.534.9600) 600 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. The concept features three new food and beverage spots: Bar Habana, a cocktail/tapas bar and lounge; La Terraza Miami Beach Rooftop & Pool, and El Patio Miami Beach, featuring Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine. El Patio, a laid-back restaurant set amid flowers and lush greenery, offers breakfast Saturdays and Sundays, and lunch and dinner daily, including specialty paella varieties; crispy pork belly with hot honey, chipotle, chimichurri and lime; a crispy chicken melt made with bacon, tomato, and melted cheddar cheese; and Spanish cod baked in a clay pot, with tomatoes, capers, olives and onions.
(Courtesy of Burgermeister)
A gourmet burger at Burgermeister.
Burgermeister, founded by Alexander Ringleb, is a premier destination for gourmet burgers in South Florida, and is known for its innovative approach to the classic American burger. Burgermeister Brickell (305.500.1424) 1111 SW 1st Ave., Miami, is celebrating its third anniversary this year. Burgermeister South Beach (305.534.0070) at 425 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, is now celebrating its sixth anniversary, and has been a real success story. Burgermeister is expanding to a new location in Doral.
If you want a hefty craft burger loaded with tons of options, the best bet is their Bacon N' Shrooms, an 8 oz. patty with melted brie, bacon, sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, lettuce, pickle, and onions.