Frequenters of the old Pearl will feel right at home in the 8,000 square foot space which still boasts the familiar yet chic all white décor with orange accents; champagne-only sunken bar in the center and pretty servers wearing mini dresses with the little dangling pearls and go-go boots a go-go! The new Pearl also features a new oceanfront terrace, dramatic white drapes which divide the restaurant from the lounge area and DJ booth during dinner hours, and a prix fixe 3-course World Taste menu, complemented by an international wine flight, for only $40 per person, in addition to the á la carte menu. This option is available nightly through the end of February. We highly recommend the

truffle, mushroom risotto, and the Petite Wagyu tenderloin. Ceviche lovers will delight in the extensive Ceviche bar offerings. Those with a sweet tooth should head to Pearl on Saturdays, for a delicious sampling of the dessert menu carefully crafted by the pastry chefs for $25 per couple. During Sweet Saturdays guests receive a gourmet dessert tasting, paired with an inventive cocktail flight.

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 There typically exists an inverse relationship between a restaurant’s hip factor and food quality.  This is not the case at Bar Tanaka in the newly “swankified” Shelborne Hotel. The 36-seat Philadelphia-based sushi eatery, a favorite of celebrities and scenesters, boasts outstanding sushi and sake and a communal approach to food and drink. 

Acclaimed Executive Chef Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka, who has sharpened his Ginsu knife under the direction of famed Japanese chef, Morimoto Masaharu, has created an extensive menu replete with a selection of the world’s freshest and finest fish as well as imported Japanese beers, sakes and wines.  Zama uses the culinary seasonal approach:  what is fresh in the market determines Tanaka’s specialties, both locally sourced and flown in daily from Japan. Culinary twists include:  Edamame tossed with truffled sea salt; Hamachi Tataki – seared yellowtail served on a tempura avocado maki with a red yuzu pepper-sesame sauce; and a wide range of fresh sushi and sashimi.  Two of the top signature items are the Double Shrimp Dragon Roll – tempura shrimp with scallions wrapped with shrimp outside, prawn chips and a wasabi-cocktail sauce and the Miami Hurricane Roll, tempura eel with scrumptious avocado salsa.  Our favorites were the Bronzizzle- which may or may not have been named by Snoop Dogg during a bout with the munchies and the Jumbo Lump California roll.  Not to be missed is the Surfer- an open-faced adventure involving yellowtail, jalapeno, tuna and avocado.  We suggest you do as we did- tell Andres, the handsome manager or one of the friendly servers to surprise you, you won’t be disappointed.  And fear not, after a few rounds of Sake, the names of the rolls actually start to make sense. 

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You may have noticed Symcha’s huge crimson umbrellas on a recent trip to Joe’s Stone Crab, which is located directly across the street, unsuspecting that this romantic little restaurant serves up stone crabs to rival its front door neighbor (we’re talking XXX claws, the size of Lennox Lewis’ boxing glove, with truffle Ponzu sauce). But the stone crabs that could leave you limb-less in the ocean are just one of many favorite dishes at this fantastic restaurant which serves modern American cuisine with Asian and European influences in its home-style fare, courtesy of Executive Chef Joshua Wahler, whose resume includes work at Gramercy Tavern, Spice Market and Nobu.

Wahler incorporates and enhances the finest ingredients from around the world to create dishes such as pan seared scallops; the perfect Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio; piping hot truffled polenta, served in its own crock; and our favorite, the creamy tomato soup served with mini grilled Gruyere cheese crispy croutons- simplistic perfection in a bowl. But we can honestly say that every single item we tried was fresh and delicious.

At par with the food is Symcha’s gorgeous setting, which includes the picturesque, lush outdoor garden- similar to those found in just about every street in Europe- with one extraordinary exception: smoking is NOT allowed inside or outside at Symcha’s- so that those who actually wish to taste their food while sitting outdoors have the freedom to do so. Inside, Symcha’s offers seating at the rustic Cyprus wood bar or intimate library lounge, which has the feel of being in someone’s chic home, thanks to the design savvy of co-owner, Anna Ezratti, who selected every finish and facet of the completely custom tailored décor. Co-owner and namesake, Symcha Zylberman, worked with engineers and architects to oversee every detail of construction. Their combined expertise has resulted in a beautifully designed space. Hands-down, Symcha’s elegant setting and flavorful dishes make for a dining experience like no other.

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Miami Socialholics

Veteran restaurateur, Steve Haas along with acclaimed chef, Tom Azar invited guests to City Hall, Haas’ new bustling eatery on Biscayne Boulevard for Lights Out Miami- a night of dining in the dark last Wednesday, to benefit Ability Explosion, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and bettering the lives of individuals with disabilities. Risk-taking diners at City Hall got the chance for a sneak “peek” of the large scale benefit to take place on October 20 with over 100 participating venues. 

Dark dining guests had only the cocktail hour to take in the beauty of the 6, 000 square foot eatery, which reminds us so much of WPA, back in the halcyon days of South Beach and “Glory Days” of our youth.  Perhaps it’s the 80 foot-long art deco mural, created by artist Andrew Reid- who also created the floor-to-ceiling mural depicting FDR’s Works Progress Administration for WPA, (the restaurant), which we spent many a night admiring; or the dark walnut and black varnished wood tables and chairs, comfortable leather banquets, original art and Art Deco accents that create the chic ambience at City Hall and make us feel right at home. 

After the cocktail reception, each guest was blindfolded with a mask made by the same materials as a Victoria’s Secret push-up bra-turned-Batman mask and escorted upstairs by Steve Haas himself then served a three course, wine-paired mystery dinner. Before the adventure began, Haas assured his guests that all of the food would be from the menu selections of the restaurant- no “Fear Factor” surprises and implored them to keep their masks on throughout the entire meal to get the full experience- which we proudly obliged. 

City Hall’s friendly, specially-trained wait staff was extremely helpful in guiding diners through the event, showing them exactly where their plates, glasses and utensils were, and on occasion, escorting them to the restroom, for those die-hards who kept their masks on even for that! Judging from the heightened flavors of the delectable dishes, which included tuna tartare, skirt steak and fish (we think) and the din of laughter and conversation that filled the dining room, dining in the dark is an exciting way to enjoy a meal and bring people together for a unique experience. 

This, in the end, is Haas’ primary goal.  “We wanted to create a restaurant for Miami’s diverse communities to gather and to offer people a comfortable, cosmopolitan place to meet with friends for dinner or even step out for lunch during the workday and enjoy a great meal in a convivial atmosphere.” 

For more information and to purchase tickets to Lights Out on October 20, call Irene at 305.389.0009 or irene@abilityexplosion.org.

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