Catch Miami

Miami is quickly becoming a culinary hot spot, attracting celebrity, award-winning chefs to its tropical and trendy shores.  Set in an ambiance of amber hues and urban sophistication, Catch Miami, the newest extension of Top Chef Winner Hung Huynh’s popular New York Restaurant, finds its home at the James Royal Palm Hotel in South Beach, located at 1545 Collins Avenue.  Featuring globally infused seafood dishes, with a touch of regionally inspired cuisine, Catch Miami does to South Beach, what love does to marriage; it completes it.

Spanning two floors and three dining areas, the mood is different in each one. From an intimate and industrial feel upstairs, to a more laid back ambiance on the first floor, the magic lies in its simplicity. On a beautiful South Florida evening, we chose to enjoy the outdoor terrace, incorporating a dose of people-watching to the meal.  To start, the vast selections in the menu include a raw bar, sushi and sashimi, and hot and cold appetizers.  We chose the Shorecrest Roll, a flavorful sushi roll prepared with spicy tuna and cucumber, and served with a salsa verde sauce. The unexpected combination of the tuna with the tangy, zesty taste of the green sauce started the experience on a high note. We also ordered the Tuna Tacos filled with guacamole, ponzu sauce and Aleppo, which added a pleasant, robust flavor that tickled the throat.

The entrees feature big portions to share such as the Crispy Whole Snapper and Cantonese Lobsters, along with simply cooked fish and meat. The Whole Snapper, seasoned with peppers, oyster mushrooms, chili and garlic, sounded very appealing but unfortunately, they had run out.  Our waiter suggested we try the Scallop and Cauliflower, Chef Huynh’s award- winning signature dish, which brings together the mild, tender taste of scallops with a sweet and salty cauliflower puree prepared with tamarind brown butter and topped with pistachios. It was definitely a favorite at the table. As sides, the perfectly textured Yucca Tater Tots and the Creamy Basmati served as excellent complements to the main dishes.

For dessert, Executive Pastry Chef Thiago Silva, whose creativity has transcended from singing for the New York City Opera, to creating dessert masterpieces, has put together a sweet menu sure to entice the senses. The creative Banana Split, a rhapsody of caramelized bananas accompanied by strawberry, spiced chocolate and dulce de leche bombes, is divine, while the decadent Key Lime Donut, another popular favorite, blends the tartness of key lime with coconut streusel and rum meringue, ending the seduction with a creamy coconut sorbet. The food was truly phenomenal at Catch Miami. The service was OK but there were lapses between courses and a lot of confusion over what dishes were available and which ones were not. However, at the end of the evening, we were pleased with our experience and look forward to returning real soon. For more information on Catch Miami, you can contact them at 786-224-7200 or visit their site at http://www.jameshotels.com/miami/eat-drink/catch/.