The ABC's of Miami Spice 2019: MIAbites

We are basically halfway through Miami Spice, BUT, don’t despair as there is still the entire month of September to visit or re-visit our ABC’s of Spice. Many of these restaurants also introduce new menus for the second month of spice to check ahead to see if there are new options.

The popular Miami Spice season is upon us. Now in its 18th year, over 250 restaurants have designed special menus to offer 3 course $23 lunches and/or $39 dinners from August 1 to September 30th.

This year the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau has sorted the many restaurants by neighborhood making it easier to stay close to home or to be adventurous and explore a new area. All participating restaurant menus are available on their Miami Temptations Link.

Although everyone has their favorite “list”, Team MIAbites reviewed the menus and thought it fun to do the ABC’s of Spice. So here are our choices from A to Z ( excepting X and Y). In some cases there was a tie, so we listed both. We also noted 7 NEW places to try during Spice. Please check the individual restaurants Spice link to confirm any day or time restrictions.

A

Alter- A rare Spice chance to revel in Chef Brad Kilgore's "soft egg", as one of the 3 appetizer choices, add the sumac and dill crust bread with umami butter for $8- supplement and pick from Artic Char, Smoked Duck or Lamb Belly as your main. 3 special dessert choices as well.

B

Blue Ribbon Sushi-With Spice items like a full sushi platter and their famous fried chicken with wasabi honey sauce, you can't go wrong at this NYC outpost.

Byblos- Always a solid Spice menu. Choose two appetizers from choice of 9 including the delicious pides and select from 6 entrees and sides. Turkish, Moroccan, Persian food at its best.

C

Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant- This menu is only offered for lunch Tuesday-Saturday, but features all of Chef Adrianne's staples from her braised beef short rib, pork tenderloin, 8-hour bolognese, and her dark chocolate nutella croissant bread pudding with ice cream and ganache.

Café La Trova- NEW- Make a visit to Little Havana for Chef Michelle Bernstein’s and Tales of the Cocktail Best Bartender winner, Julio Cabrera's Cuban spot which features multiple empanada and croqueta appetizer choices and mains that include Braised then Grilled short ribs and arroz con pollo. Sweet ending with Michy's Bread Pudding or Bourbon Tres Leches.

D

Dragonfly Izakaya- Don't miss the Nagoya style braised pork bell with fried onigiri rice, braised short rib claypot, local whole grilled snapper or omakase and the japanese chocolate cake at this contemporary Japanese pub.

E

Ember- NEW- New and buzzy open fire “comfort food” grilled items from JBF finalist Brad Kilgore. Try the fried chicken with caviar creme and the decadent chocolate chess pie.

F

Fooq’s- Enjoy a global farm-to-table menu at Fooq's by ordering the Fooq's meatballs, binchotan pork shoulder steak, bucatini carbonara, crispy rice bowl and order the date cake or pancakes for dessert from their brunch menu.

G

Gianni’s at The Versace Mansion- Dinner at the Versace Mansion just got better with Gianni's Miami Spice menu, which features their burrata, salmon tartar, gnocchi in filet mignon ragu, and their homemade shrimp stuffed ravioli in zucchini sauce. For a sweet treat, opt for the tropical panna cotta.                                                                                                                                                      

H

Hakkasan- A seductive enclave of gourmet Asian in the Fontainebleau features a Spice Dim Sum Lunch/Brunch that includes a basket of dumplings and shu mai appetizers and choice of 3 mains.

I

Il Mulino Sunny Isles- Transport to another world and enjoy fine-dining at Il Mulino NY. Opt for their ricotta meatballs and veal scallopini topped with marinara sauce and imported cheese. Indulge in any of their amazing desserts from the tiramisu, cannoli, or panna cotta.

J

Jim & Neesie- NEW- This new restaurant located inside Generator hostel is worth the visit, especially during Miami Spice to try three-courses! Their house-made pastas are outstanding, which is why we recommend the cacio e pepe with summer black truffle and spicy breadcrumbs, but you won't be disappointed if you order the prime NY strip steak or crispy skin airline chicken. We also appreciate their dessert menu offering four amazing choices including their banana bread, panna cotta, cheesecake and sundae.

Juvia- Take in the view from the top of 1111 Lincoln Road for dinner or brunch and choose from multiple options including lamb shank for dinner and huevos rancheros on brunch menu..

K

KYU- Spice Lunch Only, but so worth it. Choose mussels to start, and either the roasted whole cauliflower with shishito goat cheese dressing or the Korean Fried Chicken and end with KYU's famous coconut cake.

L

Le Zoo by Stephen Starr serves French Mediterranean cuisine in a luxe restaurant in Bal Harbour, but you can always guarantee an amazing meal and their Miami Spice menus for lunch and dinner are no different.

M

Michael’s Genuine- James Beard Award winner, Michael Schwartz's restaurant put Miami on the map when it first opened in the Design District. The lunch menu features favorites like the fried okra with pimento cheese, open blue cobia tacos, and house made casarecce. The dinner menu features prosciutto cotto, smoked fish dip, wood oven roasted grouper, grilled lamb leg and ricotta gnudi. Both menus feature honey roasted peaches with brown butter crumble and tres leches ice cream and the mango tart tatin with rosemary honey ice cream proving you cannot go wrong with either menu.

Milos - this elegant Greek restaurant located South of Fifth guarantees an unbelievable dining experience every time. When ordering from the Miami Spice menu, we suggest the charcoal grilled octopus, calamari or Greek salad for starters. Dorado Royale, lamb chops and the grilled vegetable plate for the main entree, and "the real Greek yogurt" for dessert -- it's a game-changer, just trust us. If you're able to split dessert with another diner, make sure to also try the baklava.

N

Novikov- NEW - Downtown Miami's buzzy multiple kitchen concept offers those delcious Spicy Prawn Money Bags Dim Sum, and choice of 4 entrees including Branzino, Miso Chicken and Beef Ho Fun and Guava Cheesecake for dessert.

O

Ortanique-  Chef Cindy Hutson's island flavors can't be beat! Don't miss the caicos island conch & corn fritters, certified angus beef citrus BBQ flap skirt steak with yucca fries, or the West Indian Cornish game hen. Don't forget to ask the server what the creme brûlée flavor of the night is. 

P

Planta features some of the best tasting plant-based food that South Florida has to offer. They also boast one of the top Miami Spice brunch menus. We can't get enough of their famous cinnamon bun, crab cake tostadas, chicken & waffles or the banana pancakes. If you dine for lunch or dinner, don't miss the best truffle mac n' cheese (you won't believe it's vegan), frenchie or bianca pizzas, steamed dumplings or spicy tuna.  

Prime Fish's Miami Spice menu is the perfect time to try an array of the restaurants top menu items. From the lobster bisque, Key West Calamari, Hawaiian big eye tuna poke, to the Alaskan King Crab Lasagna, crispy curried branzino, wagyu skirt steak and even swordfish schnitzel, diners have so many incredible options to choose from. Just don't forget to go for the fried oreos and chocolate pudding s'mores with bourbon popcorn brittle for a sweet finale.

Q

Quality Meats- Miami Beach steak powerhouse has no less than six options to choose from for both appetizer and main courses. Chose Crudo, Slab Bacon, Herb crusted Salmon, Pork Chop “al pastor” and of course the 8 oz Filet Mignon, 10 oz Bavette steak and a slew of decadent desserts.

R

Red, The Steakhouse- Chef Peter Vauthy is the King of Miami Spice featuring four roatating menus throughout the duration of Miami Spice. Don't be fooled by the restaurant's name, their menus include more than just steak. We reccomend the pasta & seafood dishes in addition to their juicy steaks. Pro-tips: order the chicken parmigiana, fried chicken or the Fruity Pebbles panna cotta if available! It doesn't matter which menu you choose from, you simply can't go wrong with any of the dishes at Red, The Steakhouse.

RWSB- NEW - diners won't regret the Miami Spice dinner menu at RWSB. From the crispy pork belly and lobster etoufee appetizers, to the red snapper, roast chicken, and braised short-rib for entrees, and the molten chocolate cake or lime rum carrot cake for desserts, everyone will go home happy.

S

Scarpetta- Chef Scott Conant's Scarpetta Miami is a Miami Spice mainstay and features the always bestselling fresh made spaghetti with tomato sauce and basil, duck and foie gras ravioli and branzino as mains.

Stubborn Seed- Top Chef winner, Jeremy Ford strikes again with an unbelievable Miami Spice menu offered for brunch or dinner featuring all of their top dishes. Just make sure to save room for their divine desserts and incredible cocktails.

Swan- NEW- This chic spot in the Design District offers European cuisine in the Miami Design District and is the place to see and be seen. Don't forget to order their Swan Caesar and the branzino or NY strip steak for dinner. If visiting for brunch, we recommend the shrimp & grits, ham & truffle omelet, or the Groot dip made using Grandma Sylvia's secret recipe. For a sweet finale no matter which menu you select, try out the tres chocolate featuring with coca cake, dark chocolate ganache, white chocolate & caramel chantilly, and pecan

T

Tigertail & Mary- NEW - Michael Schwartz's latest neighborhood restaurant in Coconut Grove is offering a tremendous Miami Spice menu featuring charred hangar steak, black grouper and spaetzle. Featured desserts include brown sugar cake and a chocolate brownie bomb with roasted banana gelato.

U

Upland- This NYC spin-off features wood-fired Californian and Italian dishes with staples on their dinner and brunch Miami Spice menus like avocado & falafel salad, bucatinia cacio e pepe, coal-roasted short rib, bigeye tuna bowl, chilaquiles, their famous upland cheeseburgers and their california dreamsicle or key lime pie for dessert.

V

Vista- NEW- In Upper Buena Vista, with outdoor dining and a rooftop terrace, choose from lunch or dinner with avocado toast, summer corn fritters and bavette steak or panini and Pork Osso Bucco.

W

Wynwood Kitchen & Bar- Located next to the Wynwood Walls this striking restaurant offers a fun ambiance with beautiful art and latin-influenced cuisine. From duck empanadas to truffle croquetas for appetizers and wood grilled half lobster with yuca "mofongo" to their tres leches, they are offering a Miami Spice menu that offers a real taste of Miami's spice.

X & Y(maybe next year!)

Z

Zuma- This Japanes hot spot overlooks the Miami River and serves up some of Miami's top dishes. Miami Spice is the perfect time to score a deal for lunch or dinner. You simply cannot go wrong with anything on their lunch or dinner menus.

Other

27 Restaurant- Cozy Farm-to-Table spot next to Freehand, Spice choices includes Lamb Kafta meatballs to start and daily fish with eggplant, Israeli salad harissa and tahini. And a Vegan key lime pie.

Miami Spice runs from August 1 to September 30th, so plan out the next couple of months and Get Spicin!