Lots of eating news in June 2023 including a first look at Julia & Henry’s food hall extravaganza, all day brunch 7 days a week, CalaMillor replaces Delicias de Espana spot, new omakase restaurants from notable chefs, amazing burnt Basque cheesecakes in 8 flavors, exquisite vegetarian menu from Fiola and much more.
A first look: Julia and Henry, the new food hall on Flagler Street in Downtown Miami is impressive. A soaring central court with a two story bar feature is surrounded by several dozen food vendors. Some of the names I recognized from their other sites around town but then there are new entries that offer up everything from all manners of Asian food including Burmese (that impressed me), American and Italian comfort food to options that will please any sweet tooth. Two bars, too, and seating sprinkled throughout. Watch for my upcoming review.
Basque Burnt cheese is one of the desserts of the moment. If you’ve had it, that won’t surprise you as it’s almost decadent in its richness, creaminess and caramelized top layer. Claudia Aponte, the owner and founder of Camila’s Patisserie has taken the creativity and taste sensations up a notch with her passion and creativity and come up with an especially creamy version as well. She offers no fewer than eight varieties beyond the classic that blends vanilla and almond flavors. Some of the more unusual of the selection include pistachio dream, the big seller, with a buttery shortbread crust and the delicate flavor of roasted pistachios; Nutella lava drip for chocolate and hazelnut enthusiasts topped with raspberries; maple bacon pecan paradise that’s sweet and savory; and Florida orange creamsicle that tastes like — you guessed it, creamsicles.
Other flavors include guavalicious, dulce de leche, and Ube fusion fiesta that’s a Spanish fusion dessert showcasing the flavors of Ube, a purple yam native to the Philippines. The cheesecake is sold in individual slices from $10 to $12, a trio sampler at $30 and cakes from $65 to $80(serve 10 to 15 people). You can order it online and it’s also sold Sunday at the Pinecrest Gardens Farmers Market. Also look for it in 14 coffee shops and restaurants ranging from Books & Books to Sapore di Mare and Sawa Restaurant and Lounge. A portion of the proceeds of sales go to the bereavement program at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
According to the New York Times , brunch is becoming big in the restaurant world across the USA (“Americans Hanker for Brunch All Week”). It cites many eateries offering it even weekdays, as well as so late into the afternoon, it would almost overlap with the early bird specials. Right out there with the trend is Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill , the brasserie-style restaurant and raw bar serving sushi, open fire-grilled fare and globally inspired small plates. It is now offering its brunch 7 days a week until 4:30 p.m.. Another big draw is its bottomless brunch. For $35pp++ (2 hr. max), guests get to sip on unlimited red or white sangria or prosecco rosé. You can order your dish from the enticing a la carte menu which doubles for brunch and lunch such as its riced rolls, sushi, salads, sandwiches and Asian specialties.
Some of the more traditional brunch dishes, albeit with Sugarcane’s own Miami twist include Cuban benedict – roasted pork, smoked ham, swiss cheese, pickles, caramelized onion, mojo, smoked paprika hollandaise and poached eggs ($18) and duck and waffle made of duck confit, fried duck egg and mustard maple syrup ($26). Finish it all off with warm cinnamon & sugar churros made with jasmine rice with a ramekin of Mexican hot chocolate ($14). Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill, 3252 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137
Smart idea, other restaurants take note! To cater to the growing number of cruisers coming and going from Port Everglades, the award-winning Pan-Asian, Latin fusion hot spot Casa Sensei – located less than 5 miles from the global seaport – is offering an exclusive Cruisin’ with Casa deal: Cruise guests arriving from the port and those planning to take a voyage in the near future receive 15% off their bill.
Pre-cruise diners can show their server their official booking information for an upcoming cruise to snag the deal (must be departing within 1-2 days), while post-cruise visitors must show physical proof of their recent cruise trip (cruise ID, cruise bracelet, etc.).
Casa Sensei has been voted “Best Asian Restaurant” by Fort Lauderdale Magazine in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The emphasis is on “authentic comfort food dishes”, including Bigeye Tuna Guacamole, sushi boats, Japanese spirits and tropical cocktails from the dining room, on the dog-friendly waterfront patio or via a scenic Riverfront Gondola Tour along the Himmarshee Canal – perfect for enjoying the fresh outdoors of Las Olas.
Doral’s bustling Shoma Bazaar food hall with its varied food choices and live entertainment has announced plans to open a second location in Hialeah. The destination, which is scheduled to open later this year, will be the anchor in the Shoma Group’s Shoma Village development, a luxury rental property according to the Miami Herald.
Those of you who bemoan the disappearance of Delicias de Espana and its Spanish food and wine market and restaurant will be happy to learn that there’s a new Spanish import that moved into the space. It’s CalaMillor Gourmet Experience, a family business with roots in Mallorca and Madrid. Owner and third generation pastry chef Alberto Garcia serves up his Spanish pastries and tapas for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I went and had a quick look and liked what I saw. The place is bright, cheerful, and fresh, with a large kitchen open to view, a retail space selling cold cuts, cheeses, Spanish gourmet items and Spanish wines. A display case shows off the house baked cakes and pastries which look traditional French and of course the Spanish tortilla. Dining is indoors. The menu features Spanish favorites with several American comfort dishes also on the list. CalaMillor, 4000 SW 57th Ave, Miami, FL 33155,
New additions to the Miami omakase explosion have just opened in Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. Shingo, an intimate Japanese restaurant with 14 seats and big ambitions, is at the historic La Palma building. Led by chef and owner Shingo Akikuni, formerly the executive chef at Hiden in Wynwood, the restaurant offers an 18-course tasting-style menu of nigiri (a small ball of rice topped with raw fish or shellfish) for $180 per person. The menu also features wine and sake pairings for an additional cost. Akikuni is a third generation sushi chef from Osaka, Japan and a former sous chef at The Den at Azabu in Miami Beach. Shingo, 112 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables, FL 33134
The second is Omakai Sushi at 3304 Mary Street. Its menus is similar to the popular spot in Wynwood with hand rolls, nigiris as well as Omakase for $95. It also offers Homeakase boxes for the experience at home. It’s open for lunch and dinner. There’s also an Aventura location exclusively with takeout and delivery.
For those of you who have been fans of Chef Timon Balloo who launched Sugarcane and subsequently his eponymous restaurant Balloo after leaving Sugarcane. Balloo closed during COVID, but you’ll be pleased to hear he has opened a new spot, The Katherine, on East Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. As reported in the Miami Herald, his new spot is “a scaled down, modern version of Sugarcase with atttention paid to the diverse cultures that represent his family”. Earlier this year he was nominated as a semi finalist in the James Beard awards for “Best Chef South” for The Katherine.The restaurant is open exclusively for dinner from 5 p.m.723 E Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
I’m putting a serious watch on this one as it will be the newest offering from the group behind faves Mila and Baoli. According to The Real Deal, on the Miami River, up from The Wharf will be Casa Neos, home to a members-only beach club with pool, a formal Mediterranean restaurant, a four-key boutique hotel and a rooftop lounge offering “MediterrAfrican” eats. (The Real Deal)
What is sure to be a worth trying, a vegetarian menu from Fiola’s Executive Chef Daniel Ganem. The new menu showcases his artistic culinary skills and passion for locally sourced produce. The five-course menu will feature seasonal vegetables, with each dish showcasing a variety of textures and flavors.. Menu highlights include White Asparagus Carpaccio, a work of art featuring thin slices of white asparagus that are delicately plated and drizzled with Agrumato (lemon olive oil), and finished with Ricotta Crème Fraiche and fresh Basil; Pasta e Verdura, triangular green ravioli with artichoke, flageolet beans, and zucchini blossoms served in a light tomato water brodo;
and an English Pea Acquerello Risotto made with Acquerello rice known for its quality, texture, and ability to blend perfectly with other ingredients. The dish is served with a mint-basil crema, Sorrels and Vacche Rose espuma. Also included is a Canape, Amuse, Intermezzo and a delectable Panna Cottafor dessert.
Fiola Miami’s Degustazione Di Verdura tasting menu will be available during dinner service. It’s $145 per person; wine pairing is $95. The restaurant is located at 1500 San Ignacio Ave, Coral Gables. For reservations, visit Resy.
