By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore
Wunderkind chef/owner Fernando Salazar and lifelong friend-turned-business-partner, Andres Marmolejos recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of wildly successful Prime Peruvian Steakhouse, Platea Miami, the first of its kind in Miami. The talented pair parlayed a background in butchery into a unique take on the traditional steakhouse by sourcing only the highest quality USDA Prime beef, and incorporating distinctive Peruvian flavors, ingredients, and techniques into every dish on the menu.
The restaurant is sleek and welcoming, elegant yet family-friendly. The interior is dimly lit and features jewel tones, velvet and leather seating, and a living wall inspired by Chef Salazar’s home, alongside an open kitchen.
The menu boasts classic offerings with a Peruvian spin such as Fried Ceviche with hake, jalea crust, aji amarillo, creamy leche de tigre; 
Seared Scallops, aji amarillo, chalaquita; and fried choclo. Starters on the menu feature flavor-packed openers like Aji De Gallina Bites with dehydrated botija olives – a delicious take on classic croquetas; Tostones with Wagyu picanha saltado, aji amarillo topped with salsa criolla.
But the beef steals the show! Meat lovers can relish in the exceptional Prime graded selections including USDA Prime Filet Mignon, USDA Prime Porterhouse, and USDA Prime Dino-Rib (which would give Fred Flintstone pause). Each is prepared with an intricate technique incorporating Peruvian Ají Panca, the foundation for the marinade which in turn seasons the salt that becomes the rub for the meat.
Seafood offerings such as Stuffed Galapagos Lobster, King Crab, and Sea Bass are flown in daily. Vegetarians have a full selection of menu items from which to choose, as well.
We had the opportunity to chat with Chef Salazar who shared that after attending MIT, he worked as a profiler for Homeland Security, then went on to study at Le Cordon Bleu. Salazar lead and managed various restaurants at the corporate level including Darwin’s on 4th, Pisco Y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar, Dr. Limon, Bulla Gastrobar, and Ceviche 105, before opening Platea (all by the age of 29). We were so impressed with Platea and with Salazar’s talent and dynamic personality that we were urged to find out more about his upbringing, techniques, vision, and future plans.
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The Coconut Grove Arts Festival, one of the most fun and artistic social events of the year, takes place this weekend, from Saturday February 18- Monday, February 20. Over 80,000 attendees from across the region will pass through the festival gates to experience one of the nation’s top outdoor, fine arts festivals, which dates to 1963. This iconic South Florida event will showcase 285 internationally recognized artists who were selected during a blind-jury process based solely on artistic merit. Fun for the whole family- this year’s festival promises to be the best one yet.
