Q: I am traveling to the Miami area soon. Can you recommend some good restaurants for the entire family to enjoy?
A: Why not consider a nice a variety. Steak at Morton’s, Chinese food at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and a great South Beach culinary experience at Preston’s which is extremely well prepared for young children. Located within the posh Loews Miami Beach Hotel (www.loewshotels.com) at 404 Washington Avenue, which recently completed a $5 million renovation, this is a great place to dine. And you have never experienced South Beach’s trendy Art Deco district, then we strongly recommend that you make reservations, arrive early, take advantage of the valet parking service and go for a nice stroll in the area. There is a real joie de vivre in South Beach, not to mention some fun shopping. Preston’s specializes in Florida fish. Its menu features a variety of soups and salads and tasty appetizers, especially the crab cakes - a neat blend of crabs from Florida, Canada and Spain. While the house specials do include chicken and pasta dishes, our party favored the grilled swordfish, the chimichurri grilled grouper and the John Dory. There were a lot of young families there the night we dropped by. Kids receive a Loews colouring book and crayons, with a special menu just for them on the first page. From macaroni and cheese to chicken nuggets, pizza or spaghetti, there is something for every little one’s tastebud. Throw in an ice cream brownie dessert and a Shirley Temple and they are in heaven. The adults, meanwhile, must save room for the sumptious dessert choices.This includes the award winning Key Lime pie, the oversized creme brulee and the flourless creamy chocolate cake. According to manager Brian Mendez, the assistant food and beverage manager at the hotel, most of the restaurant’s clientele comes from those staying on the premises However, locals and tourists seeking an evening out on South Beach are also discovering what can only be described as a superb dining establishment in terms of food, service and presentation.
Moving over to Morton’s, and more specifically the North Miami Beach (17399 Biscayne Blvd.) location., it is hard to believe that there were only nine franchises in eight cities back in 1989. Today, that number has mushroomed to more than 65 Morton throughout the United States, not to mention Hong Kong, Singapore and Canada. And more are on the way. Log on to www.mortons.com where a complete listing is available. Morton’s is recognized as the nation’s premier steakhouse group, specializing in classic, hearty fare, serving generous portions of USDA prime aged beef, as well as fresh fish, lobster, veal and chicken entrees. The kids, not to mention the adults, will get a real culinary education during the animated signature tableside menu presentation: steaks, whole Maine lobsters and other main course selections, along with fresh vegetables, are presented on a cart rolled to your table, where the server displays and describes each menu item in appetizing and entertaining detail. The menu, which is the same at all locations, features a variety of favorite cuts, including a 24 ounce porterhouse, which is the house specialty; a 20 ounce New York sirloin and a 14 ounce double cut filet. The hot godiva chocolate cake is so popular and specially prepared that you are asked to put in your order at least 30 minutes in advance. For the kids, an appetizer of smoked pacific salmon, a piece of hot bread and an entree of Chicken Christopher should fill their tummies nicely. Add the hash brown potatoes as a side and you won’t hear a peep from them except for some compliments to the chef.
Interestingly, there is a P.F. Chang’s right next door to Morton’s on Biscayne Blvd. Choosing from the menu is not always an easy task. So let your waiter make some suggestions. In North Miami, Izzy first checked on our individual dietary needs and whether anyone had allergies. He then promised to surprise us. And that he did. For starters, there were Chang’s chicken in soothing lettuce wraps, steamed shrimp dumplings and harvest spring rolls. That was followed by Mongolian beef, lemon pepper shrimp, crispy honey chicken, Cantonese roasted duck, mixed vegetables and three versions of Chang’s fried rice. We all shared the various dishes, topping this off with the absolutely decadent great wall of chocolate cake. The kids seem to enjoy the opportunity to sample a little bit of everything, especially the decadent cake.
There was a two hour wait for a table the night we dropped by - less if you called ahead. The prices are very reasonable here, which is why this 11 year old chain has been embraced by diners across the United States. The menu indeed features traditional Chinese offerings and innovative dishes that illustrate the emerging influence of Southeast Asia on modern Chinese cuisine. The chefs are respectful of the culture and traditions that are behind the dishes they prepare. Working in a dramatic exhibition kitchen, they use Mandarin style wok cooking to prepare the dynamic menu. Using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients, the chefs create lightly sauced dishes that allow natural flavors to emerge and stimulate the senses. There are presently more than 90 Bistros in 28 states.You can call 1.866.PFCHANG’S or log on to www.pfChang’s.com to find the location closest to you.
You can always log on to the website of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau miamiandbeaches.com for any other queries you might have about the area.
Q: I am looking for some new and interesting restaurants to explore in the Miami, Florida area?
A: I recently sampled three restaurants for the first time, each of which offer a fine dining experience for the adults while attending to children as well.
Start off at trendy South Beach and Joia (www.joiamiami.com). Ideally located in the heart of Miami’s trendy South of Fifth neighborhood at 150 Ocean Drive, it opened six years ago but really took off when new ownership stepped in just over a year ago. Joia features world cuisine with influences from the South Pacific, Latin America and the Mediterranean, featuring a team of chefs from these regions. Using the purest and freshest ingredients, Joia presents cuisine pared down to its basic and best elements with bold flavors that engage the palate. The well-balanced wine list includes selections from international and domestic boutique wineries. A full bar is available. Recently given a facelift by designer Sharon Lewis, the 5,000 square foot restaurant has been streamlined and updated. An oversized polished wood bar welcomes patrons to gather with friends or enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail. With sand colored floors, white stone archways, and plush red banquettes, the front terrace resembles the outdoor patio of a luxurious Miami Beach home. Take a few steps inside and the breeze from the steel fans above cools the room and guides the tantalizing aromas from the ceviche and tempura bar around the room. The outside terrace is considered one of the best in Miami for dining and drinking. Joia’s covered terrace allows one to savor the tropical Miami nights while still protected from those unexpected, but refreshing rain showers. This is a true dining experience, with a regular Jewish clientele. To start, we recommend your party share some appetizers such as the crispy jumbo lump crab cake or the fall off the bone grilled lamb spare ribs. There are three salads to choose from. This place also has a sushi bar, where my wife raved about the "bejo" joia roll. It is made of eel, avocado and asparagus, with sweet and spicy sauce. From the choice of entrees, the grilled veal chop with caramelized leek mashed potato is delicious. Ditto for the roasted rack of lamb, with herb goat cheese crust, minted tomato relish and rosemary potatoes. The seared wild salmon is another good choice. If there are children in your party, the chef will prepare a penne pasta entree and they’ll even mix a Shirley temple for cocktails. Save room for dessert. The flourless chocolate cake and warm apple crostata, with cinnamon ice cream, are both to die for. Keep in mind that there is a $30 minimum per order and a $10 split charge in effect. This is a hip locale, with great music and lots of ambiance. And you never know which celebrity will be there. The restaurant’s Rosemary Staltare notes that South Beach has become the capital of the music industry, which is why the likes of Enrique Iglesias and others are regulars. Joia is open Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. For reservations call (305) 674-8871
Café Prima Pasta (www.cafeprimapasta.com), a local favorite in an emerging North Miami Beach neighborhood at 414 70th Avenue, is a real gem. I’d have to rank it as one of the best Italian restaurants I have ever dined at. Now entering its 12th year of operation and often referred to as the "Getaway of South Beach," this Italian-Argentine hotspot started off as a 28 seat eatery and has grown into a 156 nationally renowned locale. It offers homemade pasta and fresh seafood in one of four cozy dining rooms or an outdoor garden terrace. You’ll find the usual Italian recipes like lasagna, ravioli and other pastas in addition to chicken, fish and beef entrees. Over the past decade, the family-run business has seen Arturo Cea and his wife Carla lead the staff while their two sons, Gerry and Fabian, have taken the reigns to ensure the best customer service for their loyal patrons and keep the restaurant a popular culinary destination. Regular pasta lovers include the likes of Lenny Kravitz, John Travolta, Enrique Iglesias, Joe Pesci and Britney Spears to name a few. Chef Arturo’s innovative menu boasts some fabulous dishes. Start off with some appetizers. The crispy fried calamari and carpaccio di manzo (thin slices of filet mignon with olive oil, lemon and parmesan cheese) topped my party’s choices. The insalata tri color (arugula, endives and radicchio slices of parmesan in a mustard vinaigrette dressing) went over well. Then came the main course. For the children, a half portion of angel hair pasta with marinara sauce and basil is superb. The pollo limone e basilico, chicken breast sautéed with lemon, white wine and basil and the vitello picata are outstanding. And the same can be said for the ozzo bucco. Fish lovers have a few salmon dishes to select from. And if you ask, the salmon can in fact be prepared specifically to your own liking. Main courses are served with sides of penne pasta with marinara sauce. Save room for dessert. The crispy apple tart with caramel and the tiramisu are delicious. And the kids will gobble up the Tartuffe white chocolate served with hot chocolate sauce. Reservations are strongly recommended. You can usually avoid the crowd by dining before 8 p.m. For reservations call (305) 867-0106. If you can get Pedro as your waiter, you have really lucked out. Full of personality and fluent in seven languages, this native of Belgium makes it a point to get to know the regulars and can be seen giving the ladies two cheek kisses as they leave.
Finally, while I do not have any Donald Trump sightings to report, I did venture into the 32-storey, 390 room Trump International Sonesta Resort (www.trumpsonesta.com) in Sunny Isles Beach and its signature restaurant, Neomi’s, which overlooks the ocean and pool deck with indoor and patio dining. This impressive project, open just more than year ago, was developed by Trump and the father and son team of Michael and Gil Dezer. It is managed by Sonesta International Hotels Corporation and marks Trump’s first development in Miami. Manager At Neomi’s the menu offers a blend of contemporary American and tropical fare. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Neomi’s seats 90 indoors and 50 on the outside patio. Appetizers are described as before-play," and are highlighted by the lobster nori-roll and the spring rolls. "For the soul" features the b.l.t. soup, a unique blend of light tomato fennel cream and a mini bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. There are four salads, referred to as "from the earth" while entrees are listed as "air, land and sea." The sea bass lasagna is a mix of pan seared bass, sweet pea gravy, fresh pasta layers amd roasted tomato ensalada. Meat lovers will feast on the filet mignon while the scallop romagnoli hits the spot as well. All menu items may be prepared to meet special dietary needs. Don’ leave without sampling the dessert choices such as the cheesecake, chocolate mousse and a unique preparation of pistachio tarts. There is also a children’s menu, shaped in the form of a sun visor. It has lots of selections, from an all beef hot dog and fries to chicken fingers, mini pizza, macaroni and cheese or sandwiches. The little ones will top things off with a hot fudge sundae or warm hot fudge brownies. This resort has a specific Just Us Kids program. A high energy program for children aged five to 12, a wide array of activities and excursions take place throughout the day highlighted by the Trump Reality Circus Camp.
