Miami Spice is the much-anticipated August thru September summer culinary event presented by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) and features over 250 different restaurants in Miami. View all restaurants here.

Offering 3-course menus for $28 for lunch/brunch and $45 to $60 dinner menus, Miami Spice is the once-a-year opportunity to revisit a favorite or explore a new spot at an affordable price.

MIAbites has tried year after year to cover as many Spice spots as possible and this year is trying to focus on “NEW to Spice” restaurants and menus,

This week we are featuring Miami Beach favorite, Abbalé Telavivian, the ode to Israeli cuisine in partnership with Chef Sam Gorenstein and Pura Vida founder, Omer Horev.

Tucked into a cozy Miami Beach bungalow a stone’s throw from Joe’s Stone Crab, Abbalé has been introducing diners to creative, colorful, and flavorful cuisine now for over a year.

Their $45 Miami Spice menu, which is offered Tuesday thru Thursday with optional beverage pairing of $22 and is curated to highlight the authentic and unique flavors and cuisine of Israel and the Middle East. Some items do have a supplemental charge, but don’t let that sway you from ordering them.

There is also a $28 lunch option Tues-Saturday and a $60 dinner option Friday and Saturday.

The Appetizer selection is impressive, with five different options including the traditional Salatim of dips; baba ghanoush, hummus and Abba’s pickles. This is shareable and a good option to start.

Other apps include the Grilled Peach and Halloumi (+$6), and Crunchy cauliflower with Tamarind Glaze and Tahini.

The Local Fish Ceviche( +$10) made me smile as I have always been a fan of Sam Gorenstein’s former food venture, My Ceviche, and this is every bit as good, if not better.

The Kale and Avocado Salad offered a fresh take on these two often paired ingredients, with fresh slices of grapefruit, spiced walnuts and a date honey vinaigrette.

The Entrée options again provided a chance to try something new, with another five selections.

The Moroccan Spiced Fish, came in a spicy tomato braise, roasted cipollini and a grilled Jerusalem bagel.

Other options included Lamb Kefte kabob over charcoal tahini, Grilled Branzino with Arugula salad and Sumac Chicken Shashlik with Hummus, crunchy garbanzo beans and roasted tomato.

The Shawarma spiced Wagyu Top 12 oz Sirloin was the entrée showstopper. With a $22 supplement, it was worth it. Cooked perfectly to medium rare, and paired with roasted cipollini, herb salad, tahini and smoked salt it made the meat lover in our group very happy.

BUT…Miami Spice is a 3 course menu and saving room for dessert is of upmost importance especially at Abbalé, where Hedy Goldsmith reigns over the pastry and dessert menu!

While you may be tempted to select the Mango sorbet or Tahini Ice Cream after such a remarkable meal, it is the Sticky Date Caramel Cake that must be ordered. Topped with Labneh Crema and Feta it is a Hedy Goldsmith signature dish that is worth its only mention.

Miami Spice runs through September 30th, 2022.

Abbalé Telavivian

864 Commerce St.

Miami Beach, FL 33139

Note: Special thanks to MIAbites contributors and photographers, Yvonne, Alex, Izzy and Nick