With the spring semester finally over, it is time to get out and try a few things out of our Coral Gables/South Miami comfort zone. This week, Jen the Carnivore, a fellow grad student, joined us for a leisurely bite at the Lost & Found Saloon on NW 36th street in Wynwood. We were looking for a little culinary adventure and decided to heed the sage advice of Paula from Mango & Lime who first tried Lost and Found Saloon in December. She raved about the saloon’s fresh Southwestern cuisine and Sea Dog Blueberry Wheat Beer, which is delicious by the way — a nice blueberry nose with a clean wheat finish, really a tasty beer to complement the smokiness of the chipotle — but I digress. Not only is it a fantastic place to eat, but the décor is a feast for the eyes. As you first walk into the saloon, you feel caressed by an array of textures and colors each carefully selected to complement the quirky and casual atmosphere. A long bar stretches the length of one room of the restaurant and features blonde wood and leather upholstered accents that contrast with the terracotta walls. Behind the bar, a full size cowhide, carved cacti, and longhorn beer taps finish off the eclectic look. The tables, bar stools, and chairs are crafted from rough-hewn wood and are not only aesthetically pleasing, but surprisingly comfortable. We sat in the long back room next to a nearly life-size poster of John Wayne marveling at the sliding bathroom doors (a stroke of genius in the tight space) and jamming to the Cherry-Poppin’ Daddies as we waited for our food. The feast for the eyes turns into a party for your mouth when the dishes arrive. Jen opted for tacos with chipotle-seared chicken and steak add-ons. I started with the Baja Chicken Enchilada soup, a hearty tomato-based soup which sparkles with the saloon’s signature cheese mixture (shredded manchego, monterey jack, and cheddar cheeses), as well as the crabmeat-stuffed endive: a savory mix of crab meat, chipotle mayonnaise, corn and tomatoes. The portions are just the right size and left us both feeling pleasantly full. The saloon offers quite a few vegetarian options and a variety of egg dishes, making the saloon a good choice for a morning brunch. Take-out and delivery are available as are a variety of micro-brews, wines and homemade desserts.

Happy I found Lost and Found Saloon [mango&lime]
Lost & Found Saloon [MenuPages]
Lost & Found Saloon [Official Site]