El Novillo has long been one of my family's favorite restaurants to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or special event. The decor of the restaurant instantly transports you to another time and place, where you feel as though you have been invited dine at a Nicaraguan hacienda.

A special occasion dinner always starts with a pitcher of sangria and a plate of assorted appetizers. The sangria is not too sweet, just how we like it and the variety of the appetizers ensures that everyone will find something that they like, whether it is the kielbasa, spare ribs, beans and tortilla, taquitos, fried cheese, or my favorite: vigoron, Nicaraguan cole slaw with yuca and chicharron. Most main courses provide a protein served with a trio of tasty sides, plantain chips, sweet plantains, and gallo pinto (red beans and rice), as well as a side salad. The restaurant's signature dish is the churrasco steak which comes in three sizes: the 8 oz. "Baby," 12 oz. "El Novillo," and the 16 oz. "Big Daddy". My family also likes the chicken churrasco and the Nicaraguan fajitas, but we recommend avoiding the Medallions Marchand de Vin as the sauce masks the flavor of the meat. When we have room, we also order the tres leches, which is, without exception, one of the best tres leches commercially available in Miami.

El Novillo [MenuPages]
El Novillo [Official Site]

Friday night is date night for many couples and this week my fiancée and I set off for The River Oyster Bar in search of some much needed private time. The restaurant space is open and airy and the bar features prominently when you walk in through the South Miami Avenue entrance. It was happy hour, so the space was loud, but the waiter seated us at a cozy corner table without too many distractions besides the menu. We did notice, and love, an oversized signed poster announcing Johnny Cash’s performance at the Jackie Gleason, hanging just beyond the curtain behind our table.

But enough about the décor, and on to the food. We ordered a variety of small plates and dessert rather than choosing an entrée. For starters, we opted for something heavy, the charcuterie plate with jamón serrano, olive salad, and cubes of manchego cheese, and something lighter, the tomato and Napa Valley goat cheese salad with arugula, walnut-basil pesto and balsalmic syrup. Both of these plates were winners, but the tomato and goat cheese salad was a knock-out. It won points for both presentation and an elegant balance of flavors. Round two of dinner was something of a disappointment. We ordered the grilled flatbread with pepperoni, fontina cheese and tomato, which seemed promising, but turned out to be greasy and bland. The second small plate, steamed mussels with coconut milk, chile, cilantro and lime, had the opposite problem: too much flavor for the delicate mussels. The heat from the chiles and the acidity of the lime just didn’t seem to complement the natural sweetness of the mussels. The River nevertheless redeemed itself with an excellent warm berry tart with strawberry ice cream and great service. I regret that we didn’t try any of the oyster dishes, but we will just have to come back.

The River Oyster Bar [MenuPages]
The River Oyster Bar [Official Site]

Although West Kendall is most well known as a morass of strip malls and mega-marts, surprisingly it offers some excellent and hidden dining gems at discount-store prices. Take Off the Grille Bistro, for one. This storefront café is wedged in an unassuming strip-mall between a Christian bookstore and a Peruvian food market, just spittin’ distance from a CVS. However, behind those sheet glass windows, an unsurpassed culinary experience awaits. Founded by two brothers with culinary school training, the café offers made to order gourmet meals at fast-food prices. Inconceivable, you say? This food has flavor and flair. The presentation never disappoints. The steak fajita wrap (pictured), a generous portion of beef, peppers, onions, and cheese, is grilled perfectly and served with artfully cut plantain chips and a side salad. Our personal favorite (so far!) is the Mediterranean salad with grilled shrimp. One of the rare times that you will find shellfish and dairy paired, the salad perfectly contrasts the saltiness of the feta cheese with perfectly grilled succulent shrimp, hot off the barbie. If you just can’t get enough of Off-the-Grille, the café also offers a catering menu.

Off the Grille Bistro [MenuPages]
Off the Grille Bistro [Official Site]

Buttercream Cupcakes and Coffee [Official Site]

Not only is the food at Miss Saigon Bistro consistently good — the caramelized short ribs (pictured) are phenomenal, but the staff treat their customers like family. It’s rare these days to find yourself moved by a restaurant experience because it is so GOOD! We came in early on a Sunday night and avoided the evening rush. Our table was attended by almost all of the waiters who seemed to be providing a different role at each table. We’ve seen this style of service once before at a comparable restaurant and the results were disastrous. Appetizers were delivered promptly and after an appropriate interval our dinner was served with a smile. The manager also took time to attend to each table and oversee the staff in a collegial and welcoming manner. Now we realize that this kind of service should be the rule and not the exception, but the staff at Miss Saigon executed this with such charm and grace that they merit a little extra attention. This is definitely a place to come with a large group or a number of children.

Miss Saigon Bistro [MenuPages]
Miss Saigon Bistro [Official Site]

When you come to Sundowners on the Bay (mile marker 104), the hostesses greet you with the traditional restaurant question “Indoor or Outdoor?”, but add the not-so-traditional: “On the Deck or the Sand?” Intrigued at the possibility of more beach side dining, we promptly responded, “Sand!” The friendly hostess then directed us to a sweet table ten feet away from the water. The sun began its descent as the waiter took our order. We ordered drinks while we drank in the sunset: a Key lime martini for us that tasted exactly like Key lime pie and even had a graham cracker rim, and a Peroni for the fiancée.

After perusing the menu, we both decided to go for the Friday night fish fry: all-you-can eat dolphin fingers, fries, corn, and coleslaw. For $16, this dinner surely left us satisfied, but we saved enough room to try the white chocolate crème brulèe with raspberry sauce, a sweet finish to a stunning evening. Although, we think we had the best seat in the house, there isn’t a bad place to sit at Sundowners. The restaurant faces west towards the bay and floor to ceiling windows ensure that even those sitting inside feel the nearness of the water. The indoor part of the restaurant also sits on higher ground which slopes downward to accommodate a bar and the sandy seats. The stadium effect ensures that everyone has a clear view of the sunset and the boats coming into the adjacent marina.

Sundowners on the Bay [MenuPages]
Sundowners on the Bay [Official Site]

Lan Pan-Asian Cafe [MenuPages]
Lan Pan-Asian Cafe [Official Site]

Ah the Jersey Shore, a seaside escapade that offers more than just sand and sun, bringing together piers of entertainment and a boardwalk lined with tasty treats. In the past, Miamians needed a plane ticket and a beach pass to savor these delights, but with the opening of the Boardwalk Tavern & Pizzeria in Coconut Grove, an authentic slice of Jersey pizza is just a short drive away. The pizzeria/bar recently opened up across the street from Le Bouchon du Grove, the former home of Cozzoli's. While the ovens are still the same, the pizza is a huge upgrade. Owner Paul imports the dough daily from NYC, for that true up-state flavor. The Boardwalk Tavern offers traditional bar snacks, like chicken wings and nachos, as well as salads and pasta. The decor is true to the Shore with pictures of Seaside and Belmar lining the walls and arcade games for entertainment and atmosphere.

My advice: Come hungry and bring friends; you will want to order a fresh pie rather than having just one slice.

Boardwalk Tavern & Pizzeria [MenuPages]

It's hard to improve on the American classic, burgers and fries, without losing the meal's ease and simplicity, but at OneBurger in Coral Gables, this Americana staple gets all gussied up. OneBurger, a hip and trendy eatery, spices up the traditional sandwich by offering a plethora of toppings including goat cheese, roasted peppers, pesto, bacon, cheddar, and mozzarella on your choice of beef, chicken, turkey or veggie burger. Sides aren't limited to plain potatoes, as diners can choose from sweet potato fries, yuca fries, onion rings, soup, or salad. We went for the double decker bacon cheddar burger with onion rings, and the goat cheese and roasted pepper burger with sweet potato fries. The double-decker proved yet again that you can never have too much bacon and cheese, and the neatly stacked onion rings were crispy and light. We weren't quite sure how goat cheese would pair with the smoky burger, but it couldn't have been more delicious. The sweet potato fries were some of the best we have eaten, succulent and salty. OneBurger also makes an Italian inspired burger with buffalo mozzarella, tomato, and pesto. Delicious! Seating is limited at OneBurger, but during lunch hours outdoor seating is available next door at the Globe.

OneBurger [MenuPages]
OneBurger [Official Site]

Hummus Sandwich: n. a delightful combination of the Middle Eastern chickpea and tahini paste conveniently enveloped by two slices of multi-grain bread. With the addition of crisp cucumber and tomato slices and slivers of roasted red pepper, the hummus sandwich provides the flavorful nutrition of its predecessor, hummus dip, without the risk of “dipper’s wrist” — a rare, but lamentable condition caused by repeatedly engaging in a scooping motion, usually with a chip or pita slice in hand. Served daily at The Cafe at Books & Books in Coral Gables, the hummus sandwich can usually be found in the company of a mesclun salad with the café’s signature Dijon vinaigrette.

The Cafe at Books & Books [MenuPages]
The Cafe at Books & Books [Official Site]

Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q [MenuPages]
Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q [Official Site]

Yes, finally. It took a while to get it, but we have it now, the new-and-improved menu of the recently renovated Japanese restaurant. Enjoy.

Matsuri Japanese Restaurant [MenuPages]

The party this week is at Boston's on the Beach in Delray, where Red Sox fans have been gathering during the team's postseason run. It's a Boston haven in an area dominated by ex-New Yorkers who cling to their love for the Yankees and/or Mets. (Someday, hopefully, we'll be able to call the region "Marlins Country," but unfortunately, as it is now, there's more blue and orange than teal at the stadium formerly known as Joe Robbie when the Mets play the Marlins.) So if you're looking for a good World Series party, we'd suggest heading over to Boston's on the Beach; they can seat 500, so there's plenty of room. Just don't wear any purple.

Anyone know of any Denver-friendly sports bars for those of us who are rooting for the Rockies? (We feel a sort of kinship with fans of 1993 expansion teams.) Let us know in the comments!

Boston fans flock to Delray eatery to get a taste of home [Palm Beach Post]
Boston's on the Beach [MenuPages]
Boston's on the Beach [Official Site]

Joe's Stone Crab opens for its regular season tonight at 5 p.m., which means you should probably head over there now to wait for a table. Remember: no reservations. The restaurant will be serving only dinner until Tuesday, when lunch will be added. Takeaway begins tomorrow.
Stone crab season technically doesn't begin until Monday, but fear not, the restaurant will have crabs tonight.

Joe's Stone Crab [MenuPages]
Joe's Stone Crab [Official Site]

Photo: Flickr

The big news today, uncovered by the Miami Herald, is that Alex Patout has left Christabelle's Quarter, the new-ish New Orleans-themed restaurant in Coconut Grove. Patout, who used to have a restaurant in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina, and Christabelle's owner apparently couldn't agree on the menu:

''Alex is a wonderful chef -- his cuisine is very rustic, very country, from the heart of Louisiana,'' said co-owner Kim Koch. ``We just didn't see eye-to-eye on the concept of the food.''

Koch envisions a lighter, more Miami menu.

''His food was too heavy,'' she said. ``Locals did not receive it well.''

Christabelle's chef packs up his knives [Miami Herald]
Christabelle's Quarter [MenuPages]
Christabelle's Quarter [Official Site]
Emeril's Miami Beach [MenuPages]
Emeril's Miami Beach [Official Site]

We got worried when we called A recently and learned that the phone was disconnected. The funky BYOB Design District spot had only been around for a few months, and now it was seemingly out of business. So we managed to get in touch with Marc Solomon, who owns the restaurant with his wife Blue, on his cell phone in New York, where they own the original A and a restaurant called Ivo &Lulu.
Solomon needs room to expand the 40-seat restaurant and couldn't find a reasonably priced place in the same neighborhood. "I love the Design District, but it's gotten pricey for a big space," he said.
The plan is to move to South Beach, where the rents aren't cheap either, but the foot traffic is far greater, making it easier to earn the rent. The new location will feature a similar menu, but they also plan to have a wine license. They'll keep the no-corkage-fee policy for those who want to bring their own bottles though.
We'll keep bringing you updates, but keep an eye out for the new A sometime in December.

A [MenuPages]

Seems like people are using Facebook for everything these days. (We're culpable as well. Just finished sending a message to a friend through Facebook. Maybe it really is killing e-mail.) Today, we learned on Chowhound of an upcoming Miami restaurant that's been posting updates on its Facebook group. Seems fairly popular too: 424 members so far. From the group's description:

Only for the people that are looking forward for the best restaurant in Miami to open. Ran by the Craziest Chef in Miami: Chef Duly and His brother Tony. This restaurant promises to be one a of a kind dining experience in an Avante Garde atmosphere. This club will keep you posted on estimated opening dates and progress the restaurant makes. Menu's, tastings, pics etc. etc...

They started interior buildout for ANDU Restaurant Lounge at 690 SW 1st Ct on April 16. (We imagine the photo above was taken around that time.) On that day, estimated time of project completion was five months, which means that with delays, general contractor issues, and the mess of getting permits, the project will actually be completed sometime in December. They did, however, manage to already score a liquor license that will allow them to serve alcohol until 5 a.m.

Anything new or coming to Dade? [Chowhound]

Enough steakhouses for you yet? No? Good, because we've got another one coming this winter, this time from Michael Mina, who has four restaurants in Vegas, three in California, and one in Atlantic City. The new restaurant, BOURBON Steak, will be modeled after Stripsteak in Las Vegas, which offers "modern American fare with a focus on all natural Certified Angus Beef and American Wagyu cuts of beef cooked over wood." Pioneering stuff indeed.

It's all part of a huge renovation project at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Aventura; in addition to remodeling the pool, spa and guest rooms, they also cleared out a bit of room for the 250-seat steakhouse. It'll be the first restaurant at the resort that will be open to the public.

We recently learned of a few dishes that will grace the menu once the restaurant opens in December, and as we're not ones to hoard information, we thought we'd pass it along. A few samplings from the menu are included after the jump. Warning: Simply reading these items may have adverse effects on your cholesterol level.

Continue reading "Because What Miami Really Needs Right Now Is Another Steakhouse" »

We love hot dogs. We love plain dogs, dogs with the works, fried dogs, beef dogs, pork dogs, etc. As you can imagine, we were excited to learn of La Perrada de Edgar, a Colombian hot dog shop written up by Category 305:

Stepping into La Perrada, an unsuspecting diner is confronted with oh, so much more. Forget about onions, chili, or relish. Here a hot dog is the foundation for a smorgasbord: the Roman ("bun, sausage, mozzarella cheese, bacon, meatballs, potato sticks, cheese sauce"), the Hawaiian ("bun, sausage, mozzarella, cheese, pineapple, potato sticks, cheese sauce"), and the Super Edgar ("bun, sausage, mozzarella cheese, shrimp, crab, potato sticks"). Taking nothing for granted, the descriptions note that each hot dog comes with a bun. All of these combinations are topped with special sauces invented by owner Edgar Gomez, a one time fashion designer turned hot dog vendor.

The story about how Gomez got into the business is great too: he went to a fashion trade show in Dallas and ended up in the wrong building, which happened to be hosting a fast food convention (who booked those two together?), where he fell in love with the hot dog.

La Perrada de Edgar
6976 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
305-866-4543

New Dog in Town [Category 305]