Mouthfuls of Miami menus during special week-long birthday celebration

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Just recently I had an opportunity to enjoy mouthfuls of Miami menus after being invited to a special week-long birthday celebration for a dear friend of mine, known simply as Don Ernesto. The Don had gathered close family and friends to come celebrate his special B-Day, in which every day was literally a feast for all senses, full of fun, sun – and sustenance.

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And, boy! Did we eat well!

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With its world-famous weather and beaches along with lively neighborhoods (the recent Spring Break drama notwithstanding) Miami is home to some of the finest restaurants in the world, and it’s truly an eater’s paradise. TripAdvisor 2022 recently handed out its “Best of the Best Awards” and Miami and Miami Beach received top honours. It rates fourth overall in the U.S. for best food experience.

“The culinary scene in Greater Miami and Miami Beach holds the magic of the destination and provides guests with a feast for the senses,” said David Whitaker, president & CEO, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, (www.miamiandbeaches.com) in a recent email. “The secret to Miami’s culinary success lies in the diversity of our chefs who are inspired by the international community embedded within a tropical and cosmopolitan landscape.”

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From old-world charm to bold Caribbean and Latin flavours, Miami offers a food experience like non other – the place is awash with celebrity chefs and fabulous food festivals. And – from humble little eateries to powerhouse restaurants – the gastronomic experiences can go on forever.

I was particularly delighted to find a chain of ice cream shop’s with my name! Rita’s Ice and Frozen Custard (www.ritasice.com) offers up a variety of hard and soft-serve flavours – my favourite being a vanilla/chocolate twirl in a waffle cone.

Even our hotel – the Grand Beach Hotel on Collins Ave., (www.grandbeachhotel.com/hotels/miami) – has a most inspiring restaurant with one of the best breakfast selections around, and a dinner menu that included one of my all-time fave dishes: Spaghetti con vongole. Yum!

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Here in no particular order are some of the eateries we visited – thanks, Don Ernesto, for throwing one of the best birthday bashes in birthday history!

Cecconi’s Miami Beach, 4385 Collins Ave. (www.cecconismiamibeach.com)

Nicely situated in the courtyard of Soho Beach House, this place is elegant and relaxing, offering up classic Italian-inspired dishes with a modern twist. We tried the beef carpaccio, a variety of amazing pastas and pizzas and fresh salads. The spaghetti lobster with chili, tomato and basil is a must. Although not a big fan of the dessert, the tiramisu was a big hit.

Mandolin Aegean Bistro Restaurant – 4312 NE 2nd Ave, (www.mandolinrestaurant.com)

Opened in Miami back in 2009, this place is one of the most popular. Situated in a restored 1940’s home with beautiful gardens and outdoor patio space, a person is easily transported  to the tavernas along Aegean coastal towns. Impeccable service and hospitality – and the food fabulous! We had a selection of traditional Greek appetizers and samplers – tzadziki, hummus,  plus olive pate and tirokafter. The roasted beets in tahini yogurt and mint was a huge hit, along with with köfte (grilled meatballs) and whole, grilled Mediterranean sea bass. This restaurant is considered one of the top ten in the U.S.

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Cipriani, 465 Brickell Ave, (www.cipriani.com/us/cipriani-downtown-miami)

Located in Miami’s downtown financial district, this place – named after the owner of the iconic Harry’s Bar of Venice – offers panoramic views of Biscayne Bay to go with the elegant dining rooms and distinct menu that includes a dynamic lobster bisque and the freshest of salads, thanks to the intensely sweet tomatoes that taste of a summer day. Cocktail of choice? The Bellini, whose history dates back to 1948 when restaurateur and hotel scion Giuseppe Cipriani found inspiration in fifteenth century Venetian painter Giovanni Bellini. We topped off the night with a slice of the magical Torta Meringata Classica – Vanilla Merengue Cream Cake.

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Mr. Chow’s in the W Hotel, South  Beach. (www.mrchow.com.)

This place is world-renown, offering up traditional cuisine in a fine-dining experience. The dining rooms are elegant, as is the serving staff (formally attired) with dishes placed “family style” instead of individual servings. The duck is world class but we enjoyed a selection of dim sum, pan-fried sole, filet mignon in a soy-based sauce, chicken tenders and the restaurant’s famous home-made noodles (there are noodle-making demos you can watch.) A big hit? The lychee martini!

,La Industria Bakery, Bayside Marketplace on Biscayne Blvd. (www.laindustriabakery.com)

One of the many restaurants owned by award-winning singer and actor Nick Rivera Caminero – aka Nicky Jam – this place is so popular you have to start lining up early in the morning to get a seat. Famous for its go-big-or-go-home size of entrees (honestly, bring an army to help finish the dishes) the restaurant  is famous for the pancakes, waffles and French toast along with a variety of delicious Latin American delicacies. Even the drinks should come with their own agents! The lineup when we left snaked around the Marketplace.