top of page

Posted on August 21, 2018

Miami Spice

2018

Hit List

Words / Jessica Daez, Founder of @eatitmia

Yuzu

With the end of summer upon us, Miami gives us something to look forward to. From August 1 to September 30, Miami Spice is the perfect excuse to check off the restaurants on your “to-go” list without having to wipe out your bank account. Over 200 participating restaurants highlight the city’s best culinary creations at unbeatable prices, offering 3-course prix-fixe menus at $23 for lunch and $39 for dinner. As much as we’d love our readers to try every restaurant on the list in 60 days – and honestly there’s nothing wrong with that - we know the chances of doing so are slim. With so many options and so little time we have put together a Miami
Spice 2018 hit list with some of our favorite menus this summer.

Byblos

1.

Byblos

Dinner Only - $$$
Available Every Day

The boldness and creativity of Byblos’ menu defies the rules of traditional Mediterranean cuisine. The extensive Miami Spice menu lets you get a true taste of
the Byblos experience, choosing from two appetizers, one entrée, a side and a dessert. Start the meal with the lamb ribs, duck kibbeh with date molasses and tahini, a snapper crudo or my personal favorite, black truffle pide. For the next course the options include yogurt baked Atlantic cod, a shortrib kebab or the Byblos burger with a side of Persian kale rice. Make sure to leave room for the luscious pizelle, made of pistachio ice cream, salted caramel and couscous praline.

1545 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 / (305) 508-5041

Azabu

2.

Dinner Only - $$$
Available Every Day

We got lucky that one of New York’s most acclaimed Michelin-starred Japanese restaurants opened its doors in the city. We got even luckier that this year they are participating in Miami Spice, allowing us to get a taste of Chef Masatsuga “Masa” Kubo’s cuisine without the Manhattan prices. Start off with the Japanese wagyu tataki with truffle ponzu or the octopus, followed by a skirt steak with kobu or the branzino with umami butter as your main course. As for dessert, the yuzu key lime pie or the matcha cheesecake will make the perfect ending to a fantastic meal.

Azabu

161 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139 / (786) 276-0520

Red the Steakhouse

3.

Red the Stakehouse

Dinner Only - $$$$
Available Every Day

After more than a decade, this stylish restaurant has rightfully maintained its spot as one of South Beach’s – and possibly the country’s- most raved-about steakhouses. If you haven’t been yet, Miami Spice is the best time of the year to eat like royalty without spending like one! Start the experience with a tuna crudo or the mussels diavolo, moving on to the true star of the night, the certified angus petite fillet mignon with steak frites. If steak isn’t your thing, other entrée options include Berkshire pork chop and the scampi style shrimp. End your meal on a sweet note with the chocolate lava cake or the strawberry Nutella stuffed wontons.

119 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139 / (305) 534-3688

Bazaar by Jose Andres

4.

Dinner Only - $$$$
Available Sunday - Thursday

Two words come to mind when describing Bazaar: exceptional and impressive. Its inventive menu and astonishing presentations – combined with fabulously crafted cocktails - make dinning at Bazaar an experience itself. The vast appetizer options include bagels and lox, the bao con lechon and my personal favorite, the kueh pai ti with shrimp, peanuts, and chili sauce. For the entrees, you can select any 3 dishes including the Escalivada with blue cheese, the patatas bravas or the yuca churros. As for dessert, there’s only one way to finish a meal at chef Jose Andres’ restaurants, and that is with his famous key lime pie.

Bazaar by Jose Andres

 1701 Collins Ave suite 100, Miami Beach, FL 33139 / (305) 455-2999

Alter

5.

Alter

223 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL 33127 / (305) 573-5996

Dinner Only - $$$
Available Tuesday through Friday and Sunday

Even after three years in the Miami scene, Alter’s focus remains on the food. The casual yet exciting Wynwood hotspot led by James Beard nominee chef Brad Kilgore
is participating in Miami Spice for the first time. If you like daring combinations that surprise your palate and push the boundaries of what food should look and taste
like, this one’s for you. Kick off the meal with a XO rice or the oyster mushroom, followed by the rock shrimp risotto or the glazed short rib with melted yogurt grits and red onion caramel. The desserts include a whipped caramel with Camembert ice cream, roasted pineapple, marigold honey and bee pollen as well as a cheese collection to finish your meal.

For a complete list of participating restaurants and menus please visit:  

miamitemptations.com/miami-spice-month

bottom of page