If you plan on attending a concert, comedy show, theater or dance performance during the upcoming arts season, you probably want to pair that event with a pre-show meal at a restaurant close to the venue. Here are our recommendations for dining near the Miami area’s performing arts theaters.
THE ARSHT CENTER, MIAMI
Officially the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade Country, the Arsht Center complex features the Knight Concert Hall, the Ziff Ballet and Opera House, and the Carnival Studio Theatre. In addition to the many local, national, and international performers who appear at the Arsht each year, the center is home to theater companies Zoetic Stage and City Theatre, Broadway in Miami, and the annual Jazz Roots series.
While the Arsht Center does feature on-site dining options – check out our feature on Teatro – there are also restaurants nearby.
Bunbury Miami, 305-333-6929, 55 NE 14th St., Miami, in the nearby Square Station apartment building, which is a six-minute walk from the Arsht. This chef-owned/operated restaurant specializes in modern Argentine food offered at a good value.
Make yourself comfortable in the cozy living room-piano bar area. There’s also a separate bar area that’s popular for cocktails at happy hour. Try their delicious house-baked empanadas, or the log of warm brie cheese breaded with almonds and served with fig vinaigrette.
The dinner menu is divided into Argentinian-style meats, homemade pastas, sides, empanadas, cold cuts and cheese, and salads. All entrees include a vegetable or potato. Try the 10-ounce prime vacio, a flap steak perfectly charred on the outside, tender inside, served with truffled mashed potatoes, chimichurri and mixed greens. The duck confit is served with mashed sweet potatoes, caramelized shallots and mushrooms. Pair your meal with a selection from the wine list, which includes many reasonably priced wines from Argentina.
For dessert, don't miss the panqueque de dulce de leche with vanilla ice cream, or the sticky toffee pudding, a warm date pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream. There’s also live entertainment and a DJ on various nights and at Sunday brunch.
(Photo courtesy of Verde at PAMM)
Verde at PAMM - Maitake mushrooms
Verde, The Restaurant, 786-345-5697, 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, is located just a few blocks south of the Arsht Center inside the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM.) This restaurant offers a culinary experience that’s as inspiring as the art surrounding it. Choose to sit indoors or outdoors; The restaurant’s terrace provides breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay, where sparkling blue waters and passing boats create a beautiful backdrop.
The restaurant has great brunch offerings and an all-day menu by executive chef Valeri "La Cocineitor" Fuentes of Constellation Culinary Group, turning out artful dishes such as the guava short rib bao buns, and entrees like brick chicken – half a boneless chicken with crispy smashed potatoes – plus pizzas, salads, tacos, and burgers. Verde is open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays, leaving plenty of time to enjoy dinner before a show at the Arsht, and until 6 p.m. on Mon., Fri., Sat., and Sun., which makes it a great pre-matinee option.
(Photo courtesy of Casadonna)
Casadonna Saturday lunch
Less than half a mile from the Arsht Center, there’s Casadonna, 305-475-2272, 1737 Bayshore Dr., located in Miami's Edgewater neighborhood, is a coastal Italian-inspired restaurant housed in the same Mediterranean revival building as Miami's historic Women's Club. The name “Casadonna” is derived from the setting – it is a fusion of Italian words translating to “house of the woman.”
At the heart of Casadonna's cuisine is Riviera-style Italian cooking. Plates are based around traditional recipes found in Italian coastal towns such as Naples, Taormina, and Positano, each presented in a contemporary fashion. Bespoke cocktails and an extensive wine list are also featured.
The menu highlights include Casadonna’s daily selection of a half-dozen oysters or tuna carpaccio; grilled octopus or Sardinian gnochetti with Florida pink shrimp; salt-baked branzino with lemon caper vinaigrette; and an 8 oz. filet mignon with porcini mushroom. For dessert, don't miss the tiramisu affogato, a special coffee caramel dessert with mascarpone and almond sorbet. Casadonna is open for weekend brunch every weekend from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and for dinner daily.
ACTORS’ PLAYHOUSE, CORAL GABLES
The award-winning regional theater company Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre is located on Miracle Mile, a bustling street which boasts a plethora of restaurants within walking distance of the theater. Here are a few highlights:
Francesco, 305-797-4039, 278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, the beloved Peruvian restaurant, is the perfect place to dine before a musical or play at Actor's Playhouse.
The dining room is anchored by a circular bar and a lively outdoor terrace. The restaurant's traditional Peruvian fare is influenced by Italian cuisine. Francesco's list of appetizers includes grilled scallops served with crispy pancetta, and a red pepper filled with shrimp and finished au gratin. For mains, options range from cannelloni filled with classic Peruvian chicken stew to seared sea scallops over a creamy walnut sauce spaghetti. Francesco hosts a "Happy Bites" happy hour from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., perfect for pre-performance snacks.
Zucca (786-580-3731) 162 Alcazar Ave., Coral Gables in the landmark Hotel St. Michel in Coral Gables, is just a few blocks from the Actor's Playhouse.
The menu features authentic regional Italian cuisine, similar to what you would experience if you were traveling around Italy. Start with the antipasto burrata con pomodorini marinati, fresh creamy burrata cheese marinated with heirloom tomatoes and basil oil. Don't miss the fried zucchini flowers, filled with goat cheese and sprinkled with truffle honey; or the lamb meatballs simmered in San Marzano tomato sauce. For the main course, try the grilled branzino Mediterranean sea bass, served with sauteed organic vegetables; the grilled Angus filet mignon with seared foie gras; or if you prefer pasta, the tagliatelle with mixed wild mushrooms and black truffle caviar. If you're a wine aficionado, Zucca has been a recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for six consecutive years.
GABLESTAGE AT THE BILTMORE HOTEL, CORAL GABLES
Because GableStage is located on the ground level of the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave., dining before a show offers the ultimate convenience of several on-site restaurants.
Fontana, 305-913-3189, is a casual grill featuring a 3-course Italian-inspired meal with appetizer offerings such as the Biltmore bruschetta, toasted baguette with sprinkle tomatoes, stracciatella, kalamata olives, roasted peppers, crispy prosciutto, aged balsamic, and basil; entrees such as rigatoni carbonara; chicken Milanese, and short-rib lasagna. Save room for their tiramisu or lemon panna cotta.
Cascade Pool Cafe, 305-913-3189, is tucked under a cascading 24-foot waterfall, alongside the world-famous Biltmore pool and a colonnade-lined loggia. The al fresco Cascade Grill offers casual poolside dining for lunch and afternoon fare, as well as picture-perfect views of the majestic Biltmore Tower and garden. For appetizers, try the oysters on the half shell, the octopus ceviche, or crispy calamari. For an entree, try the fish and chips or the beer-braised short ribs. Refreshing cocktails and an impressive beer and wine list are on offer during breakfast, lunch and afternoon dining.
And for an extra touch of old Hollywood, visit the Biltmore Bar, a cozy hug of a room with dark wood walls lined with glamorous black and white photos of movie stars from long ago, comfy club chairs, and tables. Enjoy drinks, cocktails, and elevated bar food, including chicken parm sliders and charcuterie boards.
THE COLONY THEATER AND NEW WORLD CENTER, MIAMI BEACH
The historic art deco gem The Colony Theatre is home to Miami New Drama, but is also a venue for other performances, while New World Center is home to New World Symphony. And while the area is full of restaurants, here are a couple of favorites close to the theaters.
Segafredo l'Originale, 305-673-0047, 1040 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, is the place to enjoy wonderful coffees, Italian tapas, and cocktails before heading to the Colony theater next door for a show.
(Photo courtesy of The Graspa Group)
Segafredo antipasti selection
Enjoy a salumi and cheese antipasti selection which can be shared, or the bruschetta originale. Crudos include carpaccio Segafredo, with beef, arugula, shaved parmigiana Reggiano, artichokes, onions and cherry tomatoes. For mains, try the risottino al funghi porchini with carnaroli rice, porcini mushrooms, and cheese; a rare sesame tuna over cannellini beans; or a bistecca e patatine – an 8 oz. steak with rustic fries. For dessert, don't miss the mixed berries cheesecake and the Nutella mousse.
(Photo courtesy of the Graspa Group)
Spris margherita pizza
Spris Pizza 305-673-2020, 731 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach is an authentic Italian pizzeria where the pizza is cooked in a wood brick oven. Pizzas include the classic Margherita with fresh basil; the pepperoni; and the Genovese with kalamata olives, garlic and pesto sauce. There's also focacce; carbonara pasta and amatriciana pasta.
(Photo courtesy of World Red Eye)
Andres Carne de Res
Andres Carne de Res, 786-843-5910, 455 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, the iconic Colombian restaurant, has officially arrived in the U.S. with a 400-seat space spanning four floors that include a main dining room, a mezzanine bar, and a rooftop terrace. The menu includes chicarrones – crispy pork belly bites, served with guacamole; and traditional Colombian dishes such as lomo al trapo and ajiaco soup with chicken, white rice and avocado; alongside Caribbean-style shrimp ceviche and empanadas. The restaurant also features a gift shop for unique, handcrafted Colombian treasures.
WHAT'S NEW
Located on the ground floor of Andaz Miami Beach with indoor and terrace dining, Aguasal, 844-509-0787, 4041 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, is an original concept and derived from agua salada, the Spanish term for saltwater. The all-day restaurant transports guests from Miami to Mallorca to Mykonos — where Mediterranean flavors and techniques mix with local Florida influences under the legendary creativity of José Andrés Group.
Highlights from the dinner menu include: Chilled seafood selections including kumamoto oysters with harissa mignonette and Meyer lemon, stone crab and pink Gulf shrimp; mussels Saganaki with feta cheese and chives; grilled leeks, stracciatella, sumac, hazelnuts, brown butter breadcrumbs; roasted cauliflower with tahini, sesame seeds, ground coriander, pomegranate and puffed quinoa; whole Snapper served two ways, crudo with preserved lemon dressing, comice, pear and nasturtium, and Frito with tartar sauce and zhoug; hanger steak, marash rub, harissa roasted carrots, Cypriot potatoes; saffron rice pudding with blood orange, caramelized attiki honey and lemon sorbet.
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