Le Chick

Wynwood’s newest restaurant is now open for lunch. Le Chick offers elevated comfort food and craft cocktails perfect for your next lunch break. Grab a seat at the kitchen counter and make sure to keep an eye out for the exclusive lunch menu items including the Tomato Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Basil, sliced Almonds and Manchego; Avocado Toast topped with Ricotta, Radish, Cilantro and Lemon Lime Vinaigrette; and the mouth-watering Pulled Rib Bun made with Baby Back Rib, BBQ sauce, Iceberg Lettuce, Red Onion, Cilantro and Pickles (pro tip: add Fried Egg). Of course, don’t forget to try the chicken which comes fried or rotisserie style. 

Tues-Sun: Lunch 12PM

Quinto la Huella – 5^th Floor at EAST, Miami

Can’t decide on what to have for lunch? Let the spread of meats, salads and sides at Quinto la Huella’s Chef’s Table inspire your next lunch break. Whether you need to grab a quick lunch or prefer to linger a little longer, the Chef’s Table at Quinto la Huella in EAST, Miami is the perfect weekday retreat with savory selections like the Wood-Oven Langoustines with Curry Potatoes and Octopus A La Plancha with Potatoes Confit and Paprika. Priced at $21 per person, you won’t find a better lunch deal in Brickell. Don’t forget to grab a glass of wine! 

Tue-Fri: Chef’s Table 12PM-3PM | Buffet style $21+ per person

Reservations: dine@quintolahuella.com or 786-805-4646

The Miami Beach EDITION  

MARKET

Part patisserie, part boulangerie and part salumeria, Market features counters serving everything from Prosciutto & Gruyere Pizza, and Florida Red Snapper Ceviche to wines by the glass and pressed juices. The café-style dining room overlooks bustling Collins Avenue and is the perfect location to take a lunch break. Try one of Market’s newest menu additions including the Broccoli Soup with Thai flavors, Coconut and Lime and Spring Pea Pizza with Smoked Mozzarella, Pickled Chillies and Mint or the classic Kale Salad with Serrano Pepper, Croutons, Mint and Parmesan dressing.  

Sun-Mon: Lunch 12PM-6PM

Reservations: 786-257-4600

Le Pain Quotidien

Start your day off right with a nourishing lunch with friends and family at our communal table while enjoying items like the Spicy Shrimp and Avocado Toast topped with Corn Salsa and Chipotle Aioli or the delicious and filling Baker’s Lunch with your choice of Gazpacho or Soup of the Day, half Avocado Toast and Quinoa Taboulé Salad. In the mood for a salad? Try the Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai with a wonderful mixture of Red Peppers, Cabbage, Arugula, Toasted Cashews and Cilantro and Sesame-Cashew dressing. Don’t forget the refreshing Watermelon Cooler that’s always the perfect drink to pair with any choice.

Sun-Mon: Lunch 12PM-6PM

Skorpios

Located in the epicenter of Miami’s popular Midtown neighborhood, Skorpios combines signature Greek cuisine with South Florida flare. Join us for lunch and enjoy a wide selection of fresh Mediterranean fare that will have you yelling Yia Mas in no time! Priced at $27 per person, the lunch special includes your choice of one hot meze, one cold meze, one entree and one dessert. Signature menu items include Tzatziki, Hummus with Oven Baked Lamb,Chicken Souvlaki, Butterflied Cipura Fish, Homemade Baklava and Fresh Berries with Rose Water & Yogurt Foam.

Mon-Fri: Lunch, 11:30AM – 4:00PM 

Reservations: www.skorpiosmiami.com or 786-329-5905

COYO Taco

Miami’s freshest Mexican street food experience, COYO Taco, should be your next lunch break stop. Guacamole is smashed to order and tortillas are handcrafted on-site in an authentic Mexican tradition. Enjoy the Pulpo Taco with Charred Octopus, Salsa Veracruzana and Pickled Jalapeños or try something sweeter like the Pastor de Pollo Tacowith Chicken, Roasted Pineapple and Onions. No matter the dish, know our ingredients are 100% natural. Make sure to grab an Aguas Fresca and a Margarita to wind down while you enjoy some delicious tacos.

Opens Sun-Mon: 11AM

1111 Peruvian Bistro 

Whether your crave a hot, steamy, tasty pork bao,a traditional Peruvian Ceviche and Tiradito or some Nikkei cuisine, 1111 Peruvian Bistro in the heart of Brickell is the place to go.  This casual eatery with outdoor seating boasts a busy dinner crowd but is quiet and quick for lunch. You may want to go for lunch and stay for dinner- it’s THAT good. We loved the sweet sticky shrimp appetizer (the secret is the sweetened condensed milk), the bao and the traditional lomo saltado, but everything was fresh and delicious.  The neighborhood bistro is the perfect representation of international Peruvian fusion. The wide variety of causitas, ceviches, to Nikkei Makis and other Peruvian Inspirations are offered at affordable prices.

Lunch starts at 12 PM and valet parking is conveniently located in the Axis building, which also houses the restaurant. 

1-800-LUCKY

Inside the spacious and lively 1-800-LUCKY marketplace are seven different vendors for you to choose from, both local and international, each serving different Asian-inspired dishes. From Lotus + Cleaver’s Chinese BBQ and dim sum, to Hayato Miami’s Japanese ramen and sushi, to Poke OG’s Hawaiian-inspired poke bowls and Instagram-worthyTaiyaki ice cream, whatever you want to eat, 1-800-LUCKY will be sure to satisfy your cravings. Don’t forget to go to the outdoor patio where you will have the opportunity to grab a drink at the bar, relax in the lounge seating and enjoy live music from an eclectic variety of artists.

Opens Sun-Mon: 12 PM

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

When an Iron Chef invites you to dinner, you cancel all plans. When said chef happens to be Geoffrey Zakarian, you know you are in for the experience of a lifetime.  Needless to say that dinner at Point Royal at the newly renovated Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood Beach was nothing short of extraordinary.  While it goes without saying that the food is exceptional, the

coastal American restaurant, is as welcoming, elegant and larger-than-life as chef/partner  Zakarian himself. Picture an expansive, perfectly-lit space with a soothing color palate of earth tones, gold and gradient hues of blue, illuminated by enormous lanterns and filled with comfortable, cozy booths so well-positioned that there isn’t a bad seat in the place.

But the real star at Point Royal is the food. The menu features snacks, starters, items to share and a variety of meat, seafood and poultry dishes, including a daily catch and raw bar selections. For starters, the seafood is caught and served fresh daily, and only of the utmost quality. Start with one of the seafood towers and a few snacks. The 12 oz Alaskan king crab leg  crab croquettes with the “comeback sauce” will make you want to do just that.  The GZ butter poached lobster roll is the best we’ve tasted this side of Maine, complete with the specially-baked and buttered grilled bun and chunks and chunks of lobster dressed minimally with Coleman’s mustard- as it should be. The roasted Maine diver scallops were another favorite and beef lovers will enjoy the dry aged New York strip or the pomegranate glazed short rib. But the great news is that no matter what you order, you are sure to have an extraordinary experience. Save room for dessert. Standouts include chocolate budino and the key lime pavlova.

Don’t forget to sample some of the craft cocktails, as GZ is well-known for his expertise when it comes to creating creative concoctions, to which any fan of The Kitchen will attest.

Point Royal serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.  For information and reservations visit: 

http://www.pointroyal-fl.com.

Sleek, Modern and Earthy Design Demonstrates the Mature Version of the Local Sushi Empire 

The newest location of Miami’s own hip and happening sushi empire, Sushi Sake—Biscayne, opened April 2017, across from the American Airlines Arena at 900 Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami is already packing the house and wowing guests. The 390-seat, 3,500 square foot indoor/outdoor locale unveils a sleek, new design for the concept within its impressive dining room with a large, seated sushi bar, wine cellar, communal table and wrap-around Oasis Terrace boasting incredible views of Biscayne Bay and the vibrant Miami skyline. The downtown location is also the first in the company to have a fully appointed bar with plans to institute a craft cocktail program in the works.

The original location of the late-night neighborhood sushi den revered for its tasty Japanese and pan-Asian cuisine, extensive sake list, excellent service and upbeat ambiance, opened eight years ago, to immediate success in a strip mall in Kendall. Since then, the family-owned operation has opened a total of 14 successful locations. “We are so thrilled to have opened our 14^th location in the heart of downtown Miami, right across from the home of our favorite team, The Miami Heat,” exclaims Owner Angel Aguayo.  “The downtown location is our largest and nicest yet, and we are psyched to show off our updated concept and sleek design. Sushi Sake fans will love our refreshed earthy, and modern decor, and new friends will embrace what so many have come to love over the last eight years.”

Revered for consistency of quality, the menu showcases hot and cold Meat and Vegetarian Appetizers ($5-$15) including Pork Gyoza, deep fried or steamed; Beef Tataki – lightly seared meat in ponzu sauce and scallions; Yukke – thin slices of raw beef in kimchee sauce; Ebi Ten – a combination of shrimp and vegetable tempura; Ika – deep-fried squid; and vegetarian options such as Cheese Maki – deep fried cheddar pastry; Sweet potato tempura; and Aged tofu – deep- fried soybean curd with a special sauce; as well as cold Appetizers from the Sushi Bar ($10-$16), such as Wahoo Tataki – lightly spiced seared wahoo served with ponzu sauce, scallions and sesame seeds; Spicy Conch – thinly sliced conch served with sweet vinegar kimchee sauce and sesame seeds; and Hamachi Jalapeno. Sushi, Sashimi ($4-$6/piece) include Unagi (EEL), Ebi (shrimp), Wahoo, Tuna, Salmon, Tamago (Sweet egg); and Hamachi (Yellow Tail). They also offer a 20-piece Chef’s Choice of sashimi for $36.00. Temaki and Hand Rolls ($5-$7) include California Eel, Salmon Skin, Spicy Tuna and JB, among others.

Signature and traditional Sushi Rolls ($5-$17, $25) are fun and frivolous showcasing nearly 40 choices including, the Black Jack roll – half tuna, half eel, with avocado, asparagus and masago; and the Spicy Conch – conch, asparagus, cucumber, masago, sesame seeds and spicy sauce; with odes to our neighborhoods such as the Calle Ocho – ham croquettes, avocado, asparagus, topped with sweet plantains and potato sticks served with eel sauce; and Kendall Roll – tuna, hamachi, salmon, white fish, krabstick, masago and avocado; as well as our sports teams, including Marlins – seared scallops, asparagus, and krab salad, topped with thinly sliced scallops, avocado and tempura crunch; Dolphins – fried white fish fillet, cream cheese, avocado and krab salad, topped with baked hamachi and served with eel sauce and tempura crunch; and Miami Heat – shrimp tempura, cream cheese, krab salad, topped with baked salmon, spicy mayo and crunch. A Chef’s specialty Lobster Roll – ($25) has lobster temp, asparagus, cucumber and avocado, topped with special crunch, tobiko, a touch of spicy mayo and eel sauce; and the Lobster Blast ($35) is a lobster three ways dish with lobster roll, fried lobster and lobster sautéed with mushrooms, served with eel sauce, spicy mayo, tobiko and tempura crunch.

Hibachi Specials such as scallop, seafood, teppanyaki (mushroom) and Deluxe Treat with filet mignon and cold water lobster tail; Katsu Dinners ($6-$19) featuring chicken, shrimp and fish; Teriyaki ($19-$26) with choices of salmon, steak, scallop, lobster, fish and more, along with Fried Rice and Noodle Specialties, as well as Salads, Soups and Desserts, round out the extensive menu.

A massive change from the dark, red and black interiors of the Sushi Sakes that have come before, Sushi Sake – Biscayne dons a more modern and comfortable décor. Clean, simplistic and light, the large dining room is awash in neutral colors with hints of slate and charcoal. Round Edison bulbs are draped over the hostess stand below the black, exposed ceiling. A sit-at sushi station allows diners to watch the sushi chefs at work, while a 20×20-foot wine cellar displays 600 bottles of red and white and bubbles. Buddha statues bless the room filled with light wooden tables and charcoal leather chairs. A walkup bar showcases the fully-appointed liquor selection, while vats of infused sakes decorate the black granite bar top. A communal, or VIP table, seating 10, is located along the small rear wall that is dressed in gold wall paper with blooming cherry blossom trees. Walls have been left mostly empty to make way for projector screens to show games, videos, etc. Floor-to-ceiling doors line most the corner restaurant, providing views to the lush wrap-around Oasis Terrace and twinkling lights of downtown Miami. Outside, eclectic tables and chairs sit among lavish foliage, providing privacy from the street without blocking the scenery of sparkling Biscayne Bay. Two large koi ponds flank the street entrance to the terrace and main restaurant doors, creating a truly tropical feel.

A Monday- Friday, 4-7 p.m. Happy Hour, offers select cocktails, beers, wine and sake at half price, as well as half off all hot appetizers and Thai donuts, and specials on select rolls. Plans to incorporate a Japanese-inspired craft cocktail program are in the works.

Sushi Sake – Biscayne, located at 900 Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami, serves lunch and dinner, Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m.- midnight and Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m.-5 a.m. Affordable valet parking is available with validation from the restaurant. Telephone: 305.285.3232, Website: www.sushisakemiami.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/sushisakemiami, Instagram and Twitter: @sushisakemiami.

Media Contact:

Ali Jeffries

Ali.jeffries@gmail.com

Jeremy Yoza, General Manager presents The Duck and Waffle

Miami favorite, SUGARCANE Raw Bar Grill’s award-winning Executive Chef & Partner Timon Balloo has brought his culinary genius to the Las Vegas Strip. Diners are transported to a tropical paradise with an open fire grill, a raw bar, and a traditional kitchen where the creations are anything but traditional. The menu is an assortment of small plates and larger platters that you may not want to share. Some of our favorites included the Pig Ear Pad Thai, Goat Cheese Croquettes, and the Bacon Wrapped Dates, and those were just the appetizers. The main dish that really left an impression was the Duck and Waffle. Not only was it beautifully presented, but delicately fileted for us to enjoy the perfect bite of egg, duck and waffle along with a mustard seed maple syrup. Absolutely decadent. SUGARCANE is a welcome addition to the Venetian’s Restaurant Row and will be opening a third location in Brooklyn. For more information visit: https://sugarcanerawbargrill.com/

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Elegant yet cozy, Seasons 52, fresh grill and wine bar, is a restaurant that caters to a romantic dinner, an outing with friends or a convivial experience with family. Because of the restaurant’s ever-changing creations, you are guaranteed the freshest ingredients and can be sure that you will have a unique experience with each visit.  The servers are attentive and knowledgeable and the best part? Each exceptional dish is prepared in a health-conscious manner, with its calorie-count printed right on the menu, so guests can choose the dishes that are right for them.

The restaurant’s core menu changes four times a year with every season, and certain items on the “features” (on the right-hand panel of the menu) change every week: 52 times a year. That’s where the restaurant gets its name.  In addition, the menu showcases over 100 different bottles of wine, 52 of which are available by the glass.  With winter well underway, Seasons 52 has recently introduced its offerings for the season. The restaurant’s newest menu is replete with all the goodness you crave in winter:  from Bosc pears and cranberries to golden beets and root vegetables. Guests can look forward to favorites, such as new chef creations like warm Portuguese Kale & Chorizo Soup and rich Seafood Paella that are perfect for the cool winter months.  Other favorites include the Braised Short Rib and Cheddar Flatbread and the Triple Lobster Ravioli. Don’t miss the sea bass (one of the best in town) the shrimp scampi skillet, the warm harvest mushrooms and arugula salad with truffle dressing, duck lollipops, wood-grilled New York Strip or the lamb shank.

“As the temperatures continue to drop, it’s time to bring out the heartier, warmer dishes and richer aromas people look for during the cooler months,” says Chef Jim Messinger. “We’re ready to help our guests embrace what is left of the winter with exciting new dishes – and some recurring favorites – inspired by our favorite flavor combinations of the season.”

In addition to the broad selection of wines, guests can complement each dish with a handcrafted artisanal cocktail, such as the crisp Cranberry and Sage cocktail complete with Prairie organic gin, cranberries and candied sage leaf. There’s also a wonderful selection of Champagne and Prosecco from Chartogne-Taillet, Gruet and Riondo.  But those “in the know” will want to order the “secret menu” cocktail, the Botanical Buzz, which is made with organic vodka, honey and lemon and then garnished with the “Buzz Button,” a tiny, edible flower that creates an infusion that will make your taste-buds buzz (think pop-rocks but cooler)! Ask your server for it by name, as it is NOT on the menu.  Finish off your meal with one of Seasons 52’s delightful dessert shots, which are just the perfect size to satisfy your sweet tooth.

From the ambiance, to the service to the fresh, seasonal dishes, Seasons 52 offers one of the finest, most varied, dining experiences in Coral Gables.

For more information about Seasons 52, or to make your reservation, visit Season52.com.  Seasons 52, located on Miracle Mile at 321 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, offers lunch, dinner and bar service, daily. The restaurant opens Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday – Thursday from 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. – midnight.

By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Awash in Greece’s signature brilliant blue and glistening white, Atlantikós, the St. Regis Bal Harbour’s latest culinary debut exudes a truly authentic dining experience, unparalleled in food quality, creativity and service. Chef Anastasios “Tasos” Chasekioglou offers a curated selection of traditional Greek dishes, presented elegantly and with an emphasis on the ingredients. The Atlantikós experience is meant to be shared and enjoyed over time as the immersive menu takes you on a journey of exceptional flavors from the Greek mainland to the islands.

Chef Tasos expertly prepares dishes like grilled octopus with fava from Santorini, a roasted manouri cheese from Greneva with honey and bee pollen, black ink orzo with langoustines, crispy calamari and grey mullet bottarga from Messologgi, marinated sardines with crushed olives from Thassos Island, beef corfu sofrito, and semolina halva- we were not exaggerating when comparing the Atlantikós dining experience with an odyssey. More traditional dishes include the keftedes (lamb and beef meatballs in a savory tomato gravy), the lamb chops (among the best in town) and the prawns. These are musts as well.

Not to be missed is the “palate-altering” Karavides: langoustines fricasé with Avgolemono (which can only mean “from the Gods”). This is among the most remarkable dishes we have ever tasted, replete with tender- poached lobster tail floating in the most extraordinary, decadent sauce- words do not do it justice- nor does just one serving. Pair each dish with one of the various Greek wines from the menu or with a specialty cocktail. A number of traditional Greek desserts are also available.

Revel in the St. Regis’ hallmark elevated guest experience and impeccable service – wherein you are treated like a VIP from the moment you arrive until your departure. To add to Atlantikós authenticity, there is traditional Greek custom plate smashing on a regular basis and we heard that it is not uncommon for guests to dance on the tables from time to time.

The addition of this extraordinary Greek-inspired restaurant, along with three expansive four-bedroom suites and a reimagined and expanded lobby lounge follow the recent openings of the gourmet BH Burger Bar, the new St. Regis Bar & Sushi Lounge, and the debut of the Caroline Room, a 1,800-square-foot private events space.

“Miami continues to be an international epicenter for discerning travelers from around the globe, and we are responding to the needs of our guests by once again raising the bar on luxury in Bal Harbour,” said Oliver Key, General Manager, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. “These stunning enhancements to the resort and tremendous reinvestment from our ownership are a testament to the importance we place in providing the highest level of service to our guests.”

Atlantikós serves breakfast (buffet and a la carte), lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Atlantikós is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.