Weekly Nibble: Cinco de Mayo in Miami
Cinco de Mayo is primarily a holiday celebrated in the United States. It is said that Cinco de Mayo originated when Mexican-American communities wanted to commemorate freedom during the first years of the American Civil War.
BUT, let's be real, Cinco de Mayo is our favorite excuse to drown our souls in tequila and dip to our hearts content in salsa and guacamole.
What if you could do both and be culturally enlightened?
Wall Brawl has been pitting international, national, and local artists against one another in an art competition where attendees get to witness the creation process live, while supporting a good local cause or celebration. Cinco de WallBrawl will be taking place at Sunset Harbor's Mexican resto of choice, Tequiztlan Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. You've got over 150 selections of tequila to choose from, but just in case you need a good incentive to get you there, there'll be El Jimador cocktails being poured for no pesos--that's complimentary, for you gringos.
If tequila isn't your thing, but you still want to partake in some activities then head on down to The Federal, where local hophead (and Miami Herald food editor) Evan Benn will be teaming up with J. Wakefield Brewery to cure a selection of drafts that will be paired along with Cesar Zapata's Mexican inspired dishes. The evening will begin with a cocktail session including Passion Fruit Margarita Berlinerweisse and appetizers will be passed around along with tequila shots as an added bonus.
We don't want to give away too much, but some of the 5 course menu items from Chef Cesar Zapata will include a guanabana Saison and a Tootsie Roll brown ale that will be matched with scratch-made chorizo flauta with refried beans, migas and avocado mousse, and a massive pork shank in mole negro, respectively. Is your mouth salivating yet? Then get your tickets! $65 per person plus tax & tip. For reservations call 305 758 9559
5132 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL
305 758 9559
And we hear through the grapevine that the Pubbelly fam is also celebrating tacos this Tuesday, and have recruited local masa expert Steve Santana from Taquiza to host a one-night-only pop-up to celebrate the culture that brings to us this street-food favorite. The Masabelly menu hasn't been finalized yet, but MIABites got a sneak peak into what the renowned chefs are working on and it's worthy of a fiesta, with concepts that include traditional bold ingredients like chapulines (grasshoppers) and rabbit and oxtail tacos.
1418 20th St. Miami Beach, FL
305 532 7555
A few other spicy fiesta happenings in Miami include:
HaVen, the Gastro Lounge with Chef Todd Erickson is also hosting Cinco de Mayo with Happy Hour specials, $10 Margaritas, $5- beers and special and authentic Chicken Mole Taquitos Kumquat Salsa Partida Tequila & Oculto Beer. and live music and dancing.
Wynwood's COYO Taco presents the ultimate Cinco de Mayo fiesta, featuring luchador matches with Mexico's famed Blue Demon Jr. Matches taking place in the back patio at 6:30, 7:30 with the grand finale at 8:30PM.
Tacos, Margaritas, ceviche, beer, & cochinta pibil pig roast! $5- specials all night long
Live music from a Mariachi band, DJ spinning in the back lot and a very special performance by Columbia's own Quantic playing in the lounge from 12-2AM . Pre sale tickets available on eventbrite: $10 while they last.
2300 NW 2nd Ave. Miami, FL.
305 573 8228
Jalapeno Mexican Kitchen and Power96 are hosting the ultimate Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on Ocean Drive. Bring your sombreros, shake your maracas and put on your favorite poncho for a day of eating, drinking and celebrating like our South of the Border neighbors. Nothing festive in your closet? Don’t fret – we’ll have plenty of props and gear on deck!
Fiesta festivities include:
Live broadcast starting at 5 p.m. with the Power96 Morning Show Crew
$3 street tacos; $4 beers; $5 margaritas sponsored by Herradura Tequila and Cointreau
Photo Booth,Live DJ and Mariachi Band and Contests, Giveaways and Prizes
530 Ocean Dr. Miami Beach, FL
305 532 4747
Kick off the fiesta at the Caribbean-inspired al fresco bar, The Rum Line, as it welcomes Manhattan’s gourmet Mexican eatery, El Toro Blanco, to Miami for an exclusive Cinco de Mayo takeover. Festivities begin on Tuesday, May 5th from 6PM until 12AM with live entertainment, Happy Hour specials starting at $8 and more. Guests can enjoy bites and libations on The Rum Line’s alluring deck inspired by El Toro Blanco’s contemporary Mexican cuisine including a variety of small plates such as shrimp a la plancha and mini pulled pork empanadas in addition to tacos served a la carte or as a taco platter ($16) with three tacos of choice - Al pastor with slow roasted pork, grilled pineapple, red onion and avocado; chipotle glazed grilled shrimp with roasted tomato and avocado; and grilled swordfish with chipotle slaw and pico de gallo.
The Rum Line - St. Moritz Tower at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel
1601 Collins Avenue. Miami Beach, FL.
305 695 0110
And if you are more interested in Cinco de Drinko, in addition to The Rum Line, some really unique specialty tequila cocktails are being mixed up at The Living Room, Devon Seafood and Steak, and 3030 Ocean.
On the Fifth of May, celebrate Mexican pride at The Gale Rooftop’s grand Cinco de Mayo party from 6-11 pm. Guests will enjoy live music by DJ Pirate Stereo and the Fox Brothers while sipping on tequila and margaritas via the tequila station and build-your-own margarita bar. The party goes over the top with piñatas to break and a dog adoption area. The Cinco de Mayo Party is free.
1690 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33139
The Shelborne Wyndham Grand’s Oasis is commemorating Cinco de Mayo with a fun poolside party from 12:00 Noon until 6 pm. Guests are invited to lounge in a relaxing, social atmosphere with delicious food and drink specials while enjoying a live mariachi band and dancing to the fun Latin beats from the house DJ. Mexican inspired bites by the pool include Carne Asada Tacos with Chili Charred Beef ($16); Chicken Taquitos with Pico De Gallo ($10); and Smashed Avocado with Fire Roasted Salsa and Crispy Tortillas ($7). Patrons can also enjoy Mexican beer and cocktail specials at Oasis and inside Drawing Room Bar & Lounge including Margaritas ($12), Milagro Tequila shots ($10), Michelada ($9), and Corona bottle beer ($5).
Shelborne Wyndham Grand Oasis Grill
1801 Collins Avenue. Miami Beach, FL 33139
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila will be throwing the biggest Cinco de Mayo neighborhood block party! On Tuesday, May 5th from 12 Noon to 5 pm, Bodega will be featuring mariachi band, Fiesta Grande, along with drink specials including $5 Modelos and $6 margaritas all day from the food truck. In the evening, $5 shot specials will start at 6pm along with music and a churro cart outside featuring complimentary churros. In addition, Bodega will be featuring a “shot chair” where two lovely ladies will be pouring tequila shots directly into guests’ mouths. There will also be a piñata, sombreros and maracas for guests!
Bodega’s full menu will also be available as well. Guests can order from a wide variety of tacos including the Al Pastor, spit- broiled pork, charred pineapple, red onion, cilantro, salsa rosada and the Camaron BLT, grilled shrimp, bacon, lettuce, tomato, chipotle-cotija dressing. Tortas de la Bodega options include the Frita, Mexican chorizo, roasted peppers, Oaxaca, potato sticks, chipotle-cotija dressing and the Late-Night, guajillo braised short rib, bacon, black bean refrito, Oaxaca, habanero soaked onion straws, salsa rosada.
1220 16TH Street. Miami Beach, FL 33139
305 704 2145
Radio Bar is offering an alternative to the usual beer drinking on Cinco de Mayo with its monthly mixology class. On Tuesday, May 5th Radio Bar will be hosting its May Mixology Class from 7-8pm. In honor of Cinco de Mayo, the spirit this month will be tequila. Radio bartender, Teddy Collins, and a special guest will be teaching attendees how to make two tequila cocktails with giveaways at the end of the session. Stay "after class" and join in the festivities as the party continues.
814 First Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139
305 397-8382
Always ready to party, Jamie DeRosa and Tongue & Cheek will be hosting starting at 4pm $5- tequila shots, $5 Micheladas and Cheladas beer and $5 snacks along with souvenir sombreros, mustache tattoos and Lucha Libre masks.
431 Washington Ave. Miami Beach, FL
305 794 2900
Just a taste...check for other Cinco de Mayo festivities at other MIAbites Contributors faves like Pubbelly, Taquiza, Huahuas Taqueria and HaVen.
( Information and images provided by various sources and subject to change. Please call ahead for specific details and to make reservations )