Culinary forces unite to help Haiti.  From Monday, February 1, through Sunday, February  7 .  Twenty of South Florida’s finest  restaurants,  and U.S. Fund for UNICEF, will be participating together in an effort to send relief to Haiti.  Diners will be given the option to contribute funds by adding their donation onto their checks.

 Participating restaurants include:  Azul at Mandarin Oriental Miami, Café Sambal at Mandarin Oriental Miami, Eos at the Viceroy, The Grill at The Setai,  The Grill on the Alley, Jaguar Ceviche, La Marea at The Tides, Lime Fresh Grill, Luna Corner Pizza, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Michy’s, Ortanique, Perricone’s,  Red the Steakhouse,Quattro, The Restaurant at The Setai, Solea at W South Beach, SRA. Martinez, Talavera Cocina Mexicana, Talula, Two Chefs, and Wish at The Hotel restaurants. For more information, please contact Susan Brustman or Larry Carrino at Bustman Carrion Public Relations, 305.573.0658 or BCPR@brustmancarrinopr.com.

SUSHISAMBA,  Sunny Isle’s Kitchen 305, Miami Beach’s Café Prima Pasta, LUCKY STRIKE, MAYA Tapas and Grill, and MORENA will also be collecting donations for Haitian relief to assist the American Red Cross. Patrons will be able to add contributions on their checks, as well.  One hundred percent of the proceeds collected will be  donated for relief supplies and  financial resources to aide the victims of this devastating tragedy. For more information, please contact Abbi Johnson at  www.Treskoipr.com.

Maya Tapas & Grill

 Located along the famed Lincoln Road walkway in Miami Beach, Maya Tapas and Grill serves Spanish-style tapas and Argentinean inspired dishes.  Its central location makes it the ideal spot to grab a delicious dinner before a big night out, but its ambiance is relaxing enough to spend an entire evening enjoying the food while reveling in the South Beach scene.

 Maya’s signature feature is its large selection of Spanish tapas, small plates that can be shared among groups of diners.  There are over thirty options including Chorizo & Garbanzo ($7.95), garbanzo beans and Spanish sausage, Morcilla Argentina ($8.95), Argentinean blood sausage with marinated onions and Beef Carpaccio ($10.95) – thin layers of beef with baby arugola, manchego, smoked sea salt and truffle oil.

 809 Lincoln Road

Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: 305.538.0058                                        

Website:  www.mayatapasandgrill.com

 Cuisine: International fare with Argentinean influences and specialty in grilled meats and tapas

 Restaurant Hours: Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

(1:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays)

 The Yard House in Coral Gables has become the destination for happy hour lovers and diners from all around South Florida.  With a measly three-hour wait on a random weeknight, it has certainly created quite a buzz on the restaurant radar.   The menu of American cuisine includes an impressive selection of appetizers, (my personal favs seared ahi sashimi and the classic sliders, ask for the wasabi basil pesto sauce on the side), salads (don’t miss the grilled hearts of romaine), pastas, sandwiches (roast beef dip is delectable), individual-size pizzas, seafood, steaks (the mouth watering pepper crusted filet), ribs and chops.   The portions are plentiful, large enough to share for those of us on a budget.  For beer connoisseurs, each Yard House location features a transparent keg room containing more than 600 barrels, some 1,000 gallons of beer, and endless fleets of tap handles – 100 to 250 – depending on the location. 

Yard House also offers happy hour specials that are quite delightful.  For those needing an afternoon fix, happy hour begins at 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and for the late night munchies, from 10 p.m. to Midnight.  Select appetizers are half off and drink specials are also offered.

 For more information go to  http://www.yardhouse.com/food.asp