Zuma at the Epic Hotel - Miami Spice

This past week, I got together with some foodie friends to enjoy a nice, leisurely lunch.  Eleanor Hoh, (the famous Wok Star), Hugh Sinclair (otherwise known as Chef Irie), and I decided to go check out the Miami Spice menu at Zuma, located at 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, in the Epic Hotel. One of the great things about this foodalicious time of year, is that it gives everyone yet another reason to go out and explore the Miami dining scene. Lunch and dinner become just a tad bit more exciting when you know (a) you're choosing from a carefully designed menu and (b) you're saving money.

Zuma is an Asian restaurant featuring modern Japanese dishes served in the informal dining style called "izakaya".  It offers both indoor and outdoor seating, overlooking Biscayne Bay. The Miami restaurant is one of several of this brand located around the world including London, Hong Kong, Dubai, Istanbul and Bangkok. It has a very energetic ambiance and was pretty much packed throughout our entire lunchtime adventure.

White Miso Soup

Japanese Mizuna Salad

Back to Miami Spice, one thing that stood out for me right away with the lunch menu was that the options were rather limited. There isn't really a choice of appetizers.  Instead, they serve a White Miso Soup and a Japanese Mizuna Salad with each entrée. Lucky for me, I happen to like both soup and salad but if somebody doesn't, that might be disappointing. The Miso Soup was nice. It was served in a small bowl and was light and salty with some firm tofu cubes and seaweed. The Japanese Mizuna salad was very refreshing, which is a good thing in this summer heat, and had bits of bacon in it. It was drizzled with a maple dressing that gave it a tangy kick.

Salmon Teriyaki

For entrees, there were four choices: a selection of Sashimi, Salmon Teriyaki, Chicken Teriyaki and Vegetable Don Buri. Since none of the dishes sounded really imaginative, we all  decided on the Salmon Teriyaki. The relatively simple dish brought sweet and savory flavors together in harmonious balance. Mildly glazed with a slightly crispy skin, the fish was served with white rice, pickled cucumbers and soy sauce for dipping.

Chocolate Flan

Coconut Tapioca

The best course for me was the dessert. This one really took the cake, sort of speak. There are two options: the Chocolate Flan and the Coconut Tapioca, and you probably already know which one I chose. The Chocolate Flan was worth every calorie. It was creamy and bittersweet,  practically dissolving in my mouth in sinful decadence. Served with salted caramel ice-cream and a ginger streusel, I ate every spoonful very slowly in order to make the moment last longer.

I have to say that as we chatted our afternoon away, I glanced around and saw some dishes at other tables that caught my eye. Their presentation was appealing and they looked interesting. I can see myself coming back for dinner to check out their regular menu sometime.

I highly recommend making reservations if you're planning to come to Zuma. For more information, you can visit them online at http://www.zumarestaurant.com/zuma-landing/miami/en/welcome

Baoli Miami

Think of Cannes, the Cote d' Azur and the French Riviera. Now add a little of the Miami bling bling and you have Baoli Miami, located at 1906 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. One of four venues around the world operated by the Baoli Group, Baoli Miami is a restaurant and night club that offers Mediterranean cuisine influenced by the Orient.  It is the Magic City's own version of the jet-setter, celebrity favorite, tailored after the elegant supper clubs in France.  The outdoor courtyard offers a charming, French feel that transforms in the evenings to a vibrant party scene while the inside exudes a more intimate setting.

Head Chef Gustavo Vertone has recently revamped the menu, infusing a strong Asian influence into the globally inspired dishes. Along with Nobu's former sushi chef,  Fnu "Danie" Armandani,
Vertone has added a myriad of sushi rolls to the already extensive menu,  taking guests on a magical journey through several continents during their multi-course dinner.

I recently visited Baoli and indulged in a variety of their extravagant dishes, exotic cocktails and sophisticated ambiance. I have to say that the first thing that blew me away, besides the décor, was a new, refreshing cocktail I had at the bar. Crystal Passion, a sinful combination of caramel vodka, passion fruit puree, and fresh lime juice, kept most of us buzzing around the table. Served in a large cognac glass with crunched ice and a star fruit slice, it left a sweet taste in my mouth that, for some reason, reminded us all of butterscotch. I can't remember a cocktail I've enjoyed quite as much as this one.

Crystal Passion

  

But on to the food - it was August 6th and the jump start of an incredible promotion at Baoli where the new menu items are offered at half-price every Tuesday. In addition to the half-priced menu, Tuesdays also bring a unique wine specially selected by the sommelier and a cocktail list with preferential pricing (Again, I highly recommend the Crystal Passion). This special promotion is being offered through October 29th, so don't wait too long to take advantage of it. It's one of those experiences you'll want to try more than once.

I figure you probably want to see for yourself what it is I'm talking about so let me give you a glimpse into Baoli by parading a few of the memorable plates. Oh and please don't blame me for any refrigerator raids that occur from this point forward.

Foie Gras au Torchon 
Terrine of foie gras on a brioche, served with fruit and 
figs compote 

Ahi Tuna Tartare
Fresh diced tuna mixed with avocado and kimchee lime 
dressing, and served with artisan sesame sticks and a side of caviar
My all-time favorite!

Ceviche Mixto
Hamachi tuna, scallops, shrimp and Maine lobster, combined
with rocoto lime sauce and served with crispy plantain chips
This one flew off the plates!

Burrata & Tomato
Heirloom tomatoes sit under a creamy Buffala Mozzarella,
 accompanied by olives, and drizzled with evvo

Roasted Beets
Yellow and red beets artfully served with feta cheese and 
bathed with orange miso sauce

Grilled Tiger Prawns
Yakiniku BQ with smoky citrus soy sauce

Rack of Lamb
Flavorful herbs and so tender it practically fell of the bone

Filet Mignon - All the meat is Certified Angus Beef

Miso Broiled Sea Bass
Unbelievable Chilean sea bass with bok choy, shitake and clear ocean broth

Australian Kobe Wagyu - Juicy and served with a creme of truffles

Hamachi Jalapeno 
Light sushi roll prepared with soy paper, chopped Hamachi,
jalapeno garlic, cilantro, cucumber, avocado and wasabi mayo

Black Truffle Risotto- Served in a Parmesan Wheel
Aquarello Organic rice with porcini broth and Mascarpone
and topped with Black Truffle shavings
One of my favorites of the night!

Whole Grilled Branzino
Prepared table side and served with steamed veggies

Sauteed Dover Sole
Prepared table side with lemon caper sauce and vegetable tempura

Truffled Mac & Cheese - Mouthwatering - Must Have!

Sampling of Desserts - Artwork or Heavenly Bliss?
 My favorites were the Warm Chocolate Fondant and Banana Rum Cake
Fireworks and all!

For more information on Baoli Miami, visit their website at www.baolimiami.com/.

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/.

Sunday Brunch at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne

Sipping Mimosas near the water, while gentle tropical breezes caress your face takes any dining experience to a whole new level. The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, nestled between swaying palm trees and lush tropical foliage, has recently jazzed up their Sunday Brunch, by adding Southern-inspired dishes and live entertainment every second Sunday of the month. It's no secret that I love Sunday Brunches and the unparalleled food and service of the Ritz, so this was my cue to get on the Rickenbacker Causeway and head south to 455 Grand Bay Drive.

 

With a touch of signature Miami flair, Southern belles dressed in their Sunday finest greeted us at the entrance to Cioppino, the resort’s main restaurant, while a captivating saxophonist played soulful jazz favorites. For us, the anticipation kicked in almost immediately, as we perused the lavish selection of brunch stations. After taking a sip of our refreshing Mimosas, with an unspoken promise to return for a Bloody Mary, we started by sampling the caviar; an array of American, Keta and Trout Roe, displayed with the classical garnitures. Once we awakened our palates with these delicacies from the sea, we continued on the seafood route, enjoying a variety of tangy ceviches, crab claws, succulent shrimp and oysters. A sizable sushi boat also called out to us, accompanied by a variety of Asian dishes including Curry Beef wonton, soy marinated udon noodles and a selection of dim sums. This was just the beginning...

 

The beautifully displayed stations also included a feast of salads and a charcuterie offering fine meats, imported cheeses, and crispy breads and crostini, along with a Carving Station featuring tender cuts of Salt Crusted Sirloin with Beef Jus and Roasted Herb Crusted Salmon with Lemon Beurre Blanc. The Italian roots of the Chef were ever present with an array of tantalizing dishes such as Lobster Risotto and Penne a la Bolognese luring us to the Pasta Station. No brunch would be complete without the traditional breakfast items, and at the Ritz, they include an omelet station, unforgettable crepes, chicken sausages and crispy bacon. While the Southern staples may vary from one brunch to another, our taste buds were taken on a journey through the Big Easy with classics like Chicken and Waffles, Crawfish and mouthwatering Jambalaya.
 

There's no question you will bounce from station to station like a kid at Toys R Us, but you must save room for dessert. There is an impressive separate area dedicated exclusively to the decadent sensations. The fine line between art and sweet indulgence blurs at this point of the meal, and the selection of pastries reach unimaginable heights. From chocolate-laden creations to international treats, the choices are endless.

 

Who says you can’t have champagne wishes and caviar dreams? At The Ritz-Carlton, you can have both with a side of jazz.  For more information, visit their website at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne.