johnloomis's Profile
Favorites at Hiro's Yakko-San
Man, Frod... I've wanted this list from you for months... just never thought to ask. Thanks!
Hola, Sra. Martinez - Miami, Design District
MD - I also made the huge mistake of sharing the white bean "soup"... never again!
Miami Beach Fine Dining?
That's a great schedule and you'll def. get a solid sense of what is happening in Miami food-wise. As a big fan of both Sra. Martinez and Michy's, I think you need to choose Sra. Martinez because right now that is where Michelle's attention is focused and you're likely to see her and her husband running the show. Though if you don't like tapas-style eating then maybe Michy's will be a better fit.
Out of your choices, my guess would be that you'll find Pacific Time to be the dud, but I agree with Frod on just about everything else. And ditto the Icebox as a nice lunch spot around Lincoln as well. Not that you asked, but if you are in the mood for people watching on Lincoln and like beer, check out Zeke's Roadhouse for a nice selection and some of the lowest drink prices in all of South Beach (though they did recently raise it to $4 beer).
Hola, Sra. Martinez - Miami, Design District
Had our first experience at Sra. Martinez last night and it was just fantastic. Great to see Michelle and David looking so excited and probably not a little bit exhausted. Many thanks to all for your excellent notes... we had a ridiculous assortment of show stoppers with several bottles of the Alta Moncayo to wash it down -- on that note, we were told that the wine list is going to be significantly expanded soon by Michy's sommelier (who is doing double duty)... so something to look forward to there.
2 nights, 2 dinners Fort Lauderdale
Sunfish is good but not at the level of Johnny V's. Some of the dishes at Sunfish either try too hard, or not hard enough. A recent tasting menu at Sunfish was much more notable for the great wine we had (they have a great list) than for the food.
I would pencil in Johnny V's and Canyon for your two dinners in Ft. Lauderdale.
Whole Foods in Aventura
Exactly herbage... I think a big part of it is to do with WFs mostly taking over established and beloved local green grocers who had deep ties to organic supply lines in the region, which is why many of the original WF locations have a great spirit and vibe around them that comes from the previous business and relationships. The SF ones are brand new and completely without this "soul." The only reason I go to WF these days is to get very specific things (my girl is ga ga over the mexican layer dip) and then get out ASAP. The last time I was there I watched two employees get in a screaming match in the front entrance of the store, causing customers to have to wait to enter while they fought.
Michy's or Talula?
Just goes to show you how different experiences can be at these two different spots. I've had service completely ruin a celebratory meal at Michy's. And though its a nice, small little dining room, I think its going way too far to call it nice atmosphere (unless you've closed your eyes for the last several blocks before parking behind Michy's.) Though Talula is now surrounded with construction again as well.
I almost always agree with Frod, and he's right again. Check out the menus and take your pick.
Whole Foods in Aventura
Holy shit the Whole Foods locations in SF are terrible. We were very reliable shoppers when we lived in the Raleigh/Durham area and I've been so a bunch of great WFs around the country, but jesus the Aventura spot in particular is a nightmare. The produce is pretty bad, the selection is spotty at best, and the employees are completely worthless compared to many of the really passionate people you find working at WFs elsewhere. I'm staying away until we move somewhere else.
Michy's or Talula?
I understand you are trying to compare/contrast Michy's and Talula because you have limited time, but they really couldn't be that much more different. I've had great food at both, but I've had really uneven food and service at only one of them: Michy's. Talula continues to be one of the best and most consistent restaurants in the Miami scene. I would agree that sometimes their food should take more chances, but the very fact that a bad meal there is so rare makes it stand out in this roller coaster scene of SF.
Taj Mahal formerly Renaisa
Heelsha is very good -- we had a very nice meal there last weekend. Pretty moderately priced; deep flavor profiles; nice heat. We definitely won't be heading back to Renaisa/Taj Mahal.
New Neighbor...
Speaking of wine, we headed out to Wine69 (the new place on the same block as Michy's on Biscayne) this week, crossing our fingers twice that we were gaining a great little neighborhood wine shop and bar to call our own. Unfortunately, no. We had some food (cheese plate was OK, salads pretty boilerplate stuff), a few wine flights (their French, Old World, and Pinot -- none of which were rewarding), and I looked over their lists and I was very under-whelmed. Their collection seems to be pretty heavy on the French side, which is fine, but some of their bottles that I know very well were considerably overpriced. We met the owner who was very nice, but we won't be coming back.
Has anyone had any better experiences at Wine69?
Underrated in Miami
Surprised to see a d'Or rec... I've heard really, REALLY bad things.
Recent great meals in Miami
I thought it'd be a nice change (with all of the chaos going on in the Miami food scene, closings, etc.) to talk about some recent great meals that we've had around the area.
On Friday I had an amazing first trip to the new location (Sanctuary Hotel, James Ave. between 17/18, Miami Beach) of OLA Miami. I was in a group of six and we tried a ton of different food so I think we had a pretty good sampling of what is going on at the restaurant.
As is often the case, the starters and ceviche were the high points of the meal (along with several bottles of Spanish wine, picked with the guidance of their very helpful sommelier). Tops was the smoked marlin "tacos," figs and foie gras empanadas, and "mystery meatballs" (which seemed pretty out of the place on the menu, but were incredible). The ceviche was very good, but in my mind was not as standout as what I've found at numerous other spots. We also had tuna empanadas (great), and matambre (pretty good).
The entrées were very good, but not as inspired as the small dishes. Several of us tried the Argentinian fixed price menu (3 courses for $35, pretty great deal), and a few others ordered a la carte. The portions were sizeable but not overlarge (thank god). The grilled skirt steak was cooked perfectly, but I felt that the seafood was the real winner. I had a catfish special on a bed of green rice and shellfish that was great. The seared salmom and crispy pork were also very good. The desert was an afterthough for our group (none of us ordered it except for what was included in the prie fix), and its pretty hard to go wrong with churros in dulce de leche/chocolate dip. My only complaint on the night was that the coffee sucks. Seriously guys, just serve expresso.
All in all, a fantastic dinner in a nice location (with cheap, for the area, $10 valet). I'll definitely be back for the starters and to dive deeper in the main dishes. Though OLA is also an easy place to drop a lot of cash, we all left with the rare feeling that it was money well-spent.
Duo Miami Closed - what's up with Brickell?
Miami Herald has a story in today's paper that tries to get a fix on why so many spots like Duo are closing their doors:
http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/179011.html
Nobu Report
We've had a lot of the same hits and misses -- and I especially liked the toro jalapeno roll. For those who are wondering, their thai food is very uneven (over the course of a dozen dinners, and a few lunches). I now only get the sushi (plus a thai salad) and am a much happier customer.
Overrated Miami Restaurants
Great post topic... especially in Miami, sadly.
I'm a little shocked that North 110 hasn't been added to anyone's list. It's long-since been on my "never again" list.
Evolution isn't overrated, its just overstuffed. The food and service are very good, but I don't consider it a favorite. Ice Box's food is a reliable bet for lunch, which is pretty rare on LR - if you only could get your check to pay and leave it would be even better. Lastly, Talula (especially now that Duo is closed) is one of the gems of the local scene... and is in no way overrated.
Timo Restaurant Sunny Isles
I had my first experience at Timo's and was very satisfied overall... thanks for the suggestions about specific dishes. I don't think Timo rates as one of my favorites, but I'd happily go back for a meal every once in a while...
The only thing I wanted to report was that the fried oyster salad really didn't hit the mark with us (and I'm a BIG fan). I was immediately reminded of the fried oyster appetizer at Kool Beanz (in Tallahassee) which has always been incredible. The oysters (which I thought were only OK) at Timo was more than balanced out by the entrees, even though the desert was pretty drab (roasted pear).
8 1/2 South Beach- been there?
You know, I read that somewhere and just stored it away in my brain... but haven't confirmed it myself, so I'm not sure about the exact relationship between Talula and 8 1/2. Glad to read (on another post) that Renaisa is worth a re-visit.
miami everything
What impresses me about Duo is the little details that seem to always be done right there. The really thin bread sticks they bring out in place of a bread bowl to begin with a white bean paste, the extra side of brussel sprouts, the depth of the wine list (which is incredible). A lot of places do the normal stuff well, but it takes it to another level when even the little extras are presented and created with a great deal of care.
Having said that, what is shocking about Duo, in talking with our servers there, is that they are apparently never that busy. I've mostly been there mid-week (on purpose), and its true that its a pretty large place (indoor and outdoor seating), but from what I've gathered you can walk right in and get a table almost any night of the week -- which makes me worried how long Duo will be an option.
Nobu Report
I totally agree with you here... I don't mind spending cash for great food, but so often in Miami you feel like you are throwing money away on pretty average fare, the truly fresh, seasonal, and immaculately prepared meal always ellusive. I think I need to stick to some of the out of the way cheaper eats for a while to restore my faith!
Miami Restaurants
I've had that happen as well... where the restaurant will fill in the dead space for the 1 member of your party who isn't interested in a tasting menu. It seems like there are a growing large handful of places in Miami who have tasting menu options... 8 1/2, Cacao, Talula, and probably several others the two of us can't think of...
Miami Restaurants
Another spot in the same strip of SoBe that I had my first experience at this week is David Bouley Evolution, located in the Ritz Carlton on Collins/Lincoln. Great food, interesting design/decor, but expensive as well.
I'm not sure if anyone else has had this problem at Bouley, but our party was pretty put off by the restaurant's rule that their tasting menu must to be ordered by the whole table, and not per the individual diner. The policy really seems pretty ridiculous to me, and I have never run into that before.
miami everything
I'll chime in with some of my fav's based on ethnicity:
Thai: I feel that there are a LOT of very solid Thai joints in Miami, but none are truly great (or at least consistently so)... and therefore I eat at the places that are more local to me (in the Shores).
Latin/South America: For upscale dining, there is not a better choice than Cacao in my opinion. Very very good food.
New American/French: My absolute favorite restaurant in Miami is Duo, located on S. Miami Ave. near Brickell.
Indian: The closing (then re-opening) of Renaisa right off of Biscayne (at 78th St.) has put a dent in our rotation. The new version isn't anywhere as close to as good.
Greek: Maria's on Coral Way is great and very warm/inviting.
miami everything
That whole strip on Collins is very, very packed and all owned by the same folks - Shoji, Big Pink, Nemo, and Prime One Twelve. Shoji going down hill is a tragedy... these days I stay in Miami and eat at local spot on Biscayne and 72nd called Sushi Square. Not the best in the city, but very close to us, and the owners (a pair of French brothers, Jann and Julien) are really great.
8 1/2 South Beach- been there?
Sparkplug - 8 1/2 is a great, small spot that my family and I really like. I've been there 4 or 5 times and never had anything but a great experience. In Sobe though, you might also want to give a try to their sister restaurant, Talulua, which is a little futher north off Collins on 23rd St.
