September 16 has become a double holiday celebrating  Mexican Independence Day and National Guacamole Day on September 16.  The original commemorative day is highlighted with  the traditional  “cry of independence” or (Dia de la Independence) that started a revolt against the Spaniards in 1810.  It is fast becoming the autumn counterpart for the spring holiday of Cinco de Mayo (or national margarita day).

National Guacamole Day on September 16 is a great excuse to eat delicious Mexican cuisine and celebrate our unique Mexican-American culture. Here are our top picks for celebrating National Guacamole Day in Miami. On this special day celebrating the creamy and delicious snack, we’ll make sure your guacamole cravings are fulfilled.

 

Ball & Chain

At Little Havana’s most iconic musical landmark, Ball & Chain, everything is heavily Latin-influenced, from their location, to their music, to their menu items. In fact, Ball & Chain is offering up fabulous specialty cocktails on their newly updated and refreshed menu. With Hispanic Heritage Month approaching on September 15th, here are a few of the venue’s most festive tasteful beverages, infused with the finest Latin liquors, that are a must-have:

  • Pastelito Daiquiri: The Pastelito Daiquiri tastes like home-sweet-home with a kick, made with Bacardi rum, guava puree and garnished with a bite-size version of everyone’s favorite Cuban pastry, the pastelito.

  • Banana Daiquiri: No basic Daiquiris here at Ball & Chain! This creamy banana cocktail is the perfect drink featuring Bacardi rum.

  • Calle Ocho Old Fashioned:  Nothing says “old fashioned’ quite like tobacco infused bitters and Bacardi 8 aged rum. Order this drink for the perfect classic refreshment.

 

Chotto Matte

After traveling the world to research and learn from the best local chefs across the continents, Kurt Zdesar, owner of Chotto Matte, was determined to create a fine dining experience never seen before. To celebrate the very best of authentic and innovative Nikkei cuisine, as well as National Guacamole day, guests can order the vegan Purple, Green & White Tostada Chips with guacamole ($9) as well as the King Oyster Mushroom Tostadas ($14), with pulled mushroom, smoked aji panca chili, guacamole, lime, and cilantro. The elaborate menu includes a wide selection of shareable plates for the entire table to enjoy, spanning choices for both meat lovers and plant-forward pallets. Address: 1666 Lenox Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139

 

Casa Sensei

Casa Sensei brilliantly blends traditional Latin American cuisine with Pan-Asian staples to create the best of both worlds. The Latino Bites section of the menu highlights Casa Sensei’s homemade guacamole for the perfect celebration. Enjoy the freshly fished Lobster Guacamole (MKT), with seared lobster tail skewers, house-made Casa guacamole and malanga chips, as well as the Cuban Tostones ($16), with shrimp, house made Casa guacamole, tostones, and creamy chimichurri sauce. These authentic comfort dishes are paired with an immersive dining experience in the restaurant’s elegant dining room, dog-friendly waterfront patio or via a scenic Riverfront Gondola Tour along the Himmarshee Canal.  Address: 1200 East Las Olas Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

 

Negroni

Known as a favorite local hot spot in Midtown Miami Negroni Bistro & Sushi Bar is helping you jumpstart your National Guacamole Day. Their brunch menu includes the Avocado Toast ($13), with poached eggs, crispy bacon, grilled toast, and Huancaina sauce. This classic brunch dish can be paired with deliciously crafted cocktails and homemade varieties of negronis, spritzes and tonics. Their new Happy Hour menu is available everyday, Monday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the restaurant’s elegant indoor bar and alfresco patio. Address: 3201 Buena Vista Boulevard, Miami, FL 33127

 

Villa Azur

Celebrate National Guacamole Day the classy way at the chic French supper club Villa Azur. Its fresh ingredients are hand-picked from the south of France and are beautifully blended with local flavors and recipes. The Apple Crab Louis ($27), with mint citrus avocado mash, fresh crab salad, lemon emulsion, apple batonnet, fennel salad, will please even the most refined of palettes. Made with coconut citrus ginger sauce, hearts of palm, red onion, butternut squash, mint avocado mash, and chili oil, the Heart of Palm Ceviche ($25) has avocado lovers drooling. Additional avocado bites include a Latin twist on Tuna Tartare with avocado salsa verde. Address: 309 23rd Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139

NATIONAL GUACAMOLE DAY AT BODEGA TAQUERIA Y TEQUILA

Celebrate National Guacamole Day at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila with a FREE side of guacamole and chips on your order of $20 or more, across all locations all day long but you must make the purchase on the Bodega app! And just for the Aventura location only, we’ll be doing a complimentary guacamole cart for all guests!

 

MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY AT BODEGA TAQUERIA Y TEQUILA

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila is doing things big for Mexican Independence Day! The lounges will be decked out with Mexican flags and there will be fun giveaways, surprise Mexican entertainment inspired by the culture of Mexico taking place at each location (think dancers and Mariachi!), along with Casamigos specials featuring $8 shots, $12 margaritas and $250 bottles (please note minimums for tables may apply after 10PM at select locations). We’ll also have DJs at each of our locations featuring DJ Felva (SOBE), DJ Spiff (FLL), DJ Belly (WPB), and DJ Burton (CG). Specifically at our Coconut Grove mezcaleria, we’ll have Ilegal Mezcal special cocktails and flights including $12 Tropical Negroni, $18 Smoked Mezcal Old Fashioned and an Ilegal Mezcal flight (Joven, Reposado, Anejo) available with reservations through Resy.

 

CHEF ADRIANNE TAKES OVER BROWARD

Chef Adrianne Calvo will take over Oceans 234 weekly specials menu from September 15th – 28th as part of Oceans 234 2022 Chef Takeover Series. Chef Adrianne’s globally-inspired dishes include Wahoo Sashimi with avocado, red radish, soy, chill crisp, cucumber fresh and lemon juice; Truffled Oysters Rockefeller with malpeque oysters, spinach,parmesan, lemon; Corvina Ceviche lime juice, roasted corn, aji limo, red onion, pomegranate, sweet potato chips; and Whole Fried Snapper red chimichurri, parsley, oregano,arugula, grilled lemon. Oceans 234 is located at 234 N. Ocean Blvd, Deerfield Beach, Florida.

 

COTE Miami “SUNDAY SOMMELIER SUPPER SERIES”

Michelin-starred COTE Miami’s “Sunday Sommelier Supper Series” dinner will continue this Sunday, September 18 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.  in partnership with Maritime Vines with Macarena Carrillo ($195 pp).  Whether it’s under-the-radar producers from Australia, wines made by female and BIPOC winemakers, or biodynamically farmed fruit, there’s a lot in the wine world that excites the COTE brand.  Dinners run every Sunday through Sunday, October 16 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.  and will include an exclusive wine dinner ranging from $185 to $215 pp for food and wine. Each week, COTE’s award-winning somm-family will curate a beautifully themed selection of wines, from their 1,200+ bottle wine list to experience alongside their signature steaks and sides. Event/ticket information here.  Address:  3900 NE 2nd Ave. Miami, FL 33137

 

LA TRAILA BARBECUE

Tailgate from your couch with La Traila Barbecue, Miami’s genuine Texas-style craft barbecue, founded by Miami native/Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver Isaiah McKenzie and Austin native and pitmaster Mel Rodriguez. In addition to platters and meat by the half pound, signature drool-worthy items include: Brisket Sundae with a mac and cheese base then layered with baked beans and cream corn then topped with smoked brisket, cotija cheese, crema and house sauce; La Barbecue Stack with sliced brisket, pulled pork, smoked sausage, topped with our house-made sauce, pickles and onions; a variety of burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and sides. As a nod to Mel’s Mexican heritage, additional feature items  graze the menu: Brisket Queso Empanadas, Brisket Quesadillas and Brisket Elote which is made of mexican street corn, topped with brisket, cotija cheese, mexican crema and housemade sauce. Mel Rodriguez and team are also available for tailgate catering and larger scale gatherings. For more information on custom packages, please visit www.latrailabbq.com.

 

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH (SEPTEMBER 15-OCTOBER 15)

 

BODEGA TAQUERIA Y TEQUILA

Founded in South Beach in 2015 by Menin Hospitality’s Keith Menin and Jared Galbut, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila is South Florida’s iconic brand offering an array of Mexican street food along with a unique night-life experience serving up award-winning tequila and cocktails. The Mexican-inspired concept features an extensive menu showcasing authentic Mexican favorites along with unconventional and innovative interpretations. Since its inception, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila has been nationally recognized and revered as one of the region’s hottest culinary and night-life destinations. The brand currently has a total of five locations, including South Beach (2015); Fort Lauderdale (2020); Aventura (2021); West Palm Beach (2022); Coconut Grove (2022); as well as a partnership with FTX Arena. Bodega Taqueria y Tequila is currently undergoing an expansion and gearing up to welcome several new outposts this year and in 2023. For more information, please visit https://www.bodegataqueria.com/

 

CAFE LA TROVA

From September 15th through October 15th, Cafe La Trova will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a special cocktail menu featuring ingredients from local South Florida-based Cuban purveyors, including honey from The Native Guy (based in Homestead); guava marmalade from PG Tropicals (based in Homestead) and fresh limes from Yes Fresh (based in Doral). Three special cocktails created by Master Cantinero Julio Cabrera include the Canchánchara made with Saint Benevolence Rum from Haiti, honey syrup, and lime juice; the Calle Ocho Daiquiri made with Bacardi Superior rum from Cuba/Puerto Rico, Habanero-Guava syrup, and lime juice; and the Mi Tierra Old Fashioned (plus 1 La Trova cigar) made with Flor de Caña 12 from Nicaragua, demerara syrup, and coffee-Tobacco bitters. With every purchase of these limited-time-only cocktails ranging from $14 – $15, a $1 per cocktail will be donated to the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora. Join us as we celebrate our Cuban/Hispanic culture all month long! Address: 971 SW 8th Street, Miami FL 33130

 

Casa Mariano

At the Mediterranean-inspired Casa Mariano, opened September 2021, Executive Chef-Owner Mariano Araya shares his personal style of cuisine with a menu representing an impressive career, drawing inspiration from his most beloved dishes. Casa Mariano is the culmination of Chef Mariano’s life’s work in the culinary arts, with more than 20 years spent in the Miami dining scene. His dedication to both South American and Mediterranean flavors as well as his cooking methods have melded into a distinct style that showcases the bold flavors and freshest ingredients from both areas of the world. The menu at Casa Mariano features Hot and Cold Appetizers, Salads, Pastas, as well as different choices of Entrees, Steaks, and a special selection of Chef Mariano’s suggested house specialties – all made with the highest-quality ingredients sourced from local farms whenever possible. The beverage program at Casa Mariano is spearheaded by General Manager and Sommelier, Victor Tapia, who has developed a creative and exciting list of exceptional wines to pair with Chef Mariano’s dishes. Decorated in rich Mediterranean-inspired hues of blues, whites, tans, and browns, Casa Mariano’s intimate interior reflects an elegant, warm, and inviting environment where diners are transported to a seaside casa. The intentional design is intimate and calming, making Chef Mariano’s casa as comforting as your own. Address: 8200 NW 27 Street, Suite 106 in Doral

 

La Cañita

La Cañita is the latest Caribbean-Latin American concept-driven restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein and partner David Martinez, located in Bayside Marketplace.  With spectacular waterfront views of Miami and live music curated daily, La Cañita is certainly the place to be for big bold flavors, fun specialty cocktails, and the overall quintessential Miami experience!  Address:  Located at Bayside Marketplace at 401 Biscayne Blvd., 2nd flr., Miami, FL 33132

 

 

LA ROMANITA

La Romanita Restaurant & Lounge, the first restaurant by Miami-based Prestige Hospitality Group, launched in August 2022. Adjacent to the 515-acre Amelia Earhart Park, La Romanita is located in the new Amelia District that was founded and developed by Prestige Companies. The district is the city’s newest mixed-use development located in the heart of Hialeah and is poised to be South Florida’s next dining destination. At the helm of this neighborhood eatery is Executive Chef Reinier “Rey” Mendez, who draws from both Cuban and Italian influences when creating his menus. Hailing from Havana, Cuba, Chef Rey began has worked in some of Miami’s most notable concepts including STK Miami, Shula’s Steakhouse, Naked Crab Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, alongside celebrity chef Ralph Pagano, Casa Tua Cucina in Brickell City Centre, and most recently Lure Fish Bar at Loews Miami Beach Hotel. The menu is a selection of Latin-inspired dishes, seafood, garden fresh salads, select cuts of meat, hearty entrees as well Italian focused dishes such as pastas and pizzas. The Pastas are made in house and come with a choice of orecchiette, spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine with sauce options ranging from rich to light and savory. Lasagnas are also made daily with vegetarian and meat options. Perfect for sharing, Chef Rey’s Pizza uses a homemade dough made into a thin, crispy crust with a variety of toppings. The globally sourced boutique wine list includes over 80 different types of wines from regions all over the world. The wine program features everything from grower champagnes, vintages, unique terroirs, and notable wineries to more approachable labels and bottles for any occasion. Address: 7755 W 4th Avenue in Hialeah

 

LEKU

Located within the notable Rubell Museum in the bustling Allapattah neighborhood and recently recognized by the 2022 MICHELIN Guide, LEKU brings the pleasures of eating in Spain’s enchanting Côte Basque to Miami.  Featuring innovative cuisine without losing sight of its Basque roots, Executive Chef Mikel Goikolea of LEKU follows the same principle of adhering to seasonal local ingredients and cooking methods based on tried and true techniques.  In addition to their inventive cuisine, LEKU’s beverage program is in a class of its own featuring innovative libations and sophisticated wine offerings, which recently earned them a winning title for Wine Spectator’s 2022 Award of Excellence.  Address:  1100 NW 23rd Street, Miami, FL 33127