The Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center is pretty much a food wasteland. The restaurant on site is under renovation, and the former Books & Books Café is now a grab-and-go casual café with a very limited menu.

But a couple of blocks away in the new rental apartment complexes with names like CASA, Art Plaza and Square Station Apartments, we discovered the Argentinean restaurant, Bunbury. Named after an imaginary Oscar Wilde character from “The Importance of Being Earnest,” Bunbury serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

On a Wednesday pre- theatre we made a 6 pm reservation at Bunbury. The skies were threatening, so we opted to dine indoors. We were glad we did because the minute we walked in we felt as if we had escaped the bright sun and bustle of Miami and been transported to a cozy haunt for bibliophiles.

The polished dark walnut bar is dimly lit and I could even imagine a famous author or playwright quietly sipping a cocktail while reading a classic by Tolstoy.

Next to the bar is an inviting nook with a dark red tufted leather sofa surrounded by antique typewriters and shelves of books.

But it is the secret entrance to the restaurant which is behind another bookshelf and past a wall of wine bottles that takes the charm and coziness of Bunbury to a different level.

It opens into a large dining room with tables, hightops and a stage where a guitarist was playing and singing hits from Buddy Holly and other 50 and 60’s hitmakers. On a Wednesday!

The menu is straightforward with many options as starters including six different empanadas. We took our servers suggestion and selected the hand cut beef with chimichurri and the day’s special, a creamed corn and cheese. Both were amply filled and served with sides sauces. The Cheese and Meat Charcuterie plates are well-curated and a perfect choice if you want to pair with one of the wonderful wines on the extensive wine list.

Small plates to share (pair again over wine!) include Burrata with Prosciutto, Non Provleta , a Swiss Raclette over roasted cauliflower, and Buñelos de Espinaca, Grandma’s Spinach bites.

Bunbury has many Main Courses to choose from. We again deferred to our server and ordered the house signature, Grilled Vacio Prime, a perfectly cooked 10 oz flap steak served with truffled mashed potatoes, a mixed greens salad served in a glass jar and a side of chimichurri sauce.

The Duck Confit was also delicious served over sweet potato puree, Malbec caramelized shallots and mushrooms. Other options include Oat Breaded Corvina, Chicken Breast Milanese, a variety of pasta dishes, and a gluten-free Veggie Lasagna with thinly sliced veggies replacing the pasta.

While we did not save room for dessert, we were unable to resist the very decadent dulce de leche filled crepe with vanilla ice cream.

Weekends are busy, outdoor dining is available and reservations are recommended. Closed on Mondays

Bunbury

Square Station Apartments at 1425 NE Miami Place

Miami ,FL