With the highly-anticipated, annual Miami Spice Program just around the corner – I wanted to pop in and share some incredible menus on the roster this year including Chotto Matte, Negroni, Villa Azur and newcomer Fratelli La Bufala. They will be featuring popular dishes and new offerings in their exclusive, multi-course menus ranging from $28 to $60.
A Nikkei (+ Vegetarian) Experience at Chotto Matte Miami Beach
Located in Miami Beach and right off Lincoln Road is Chotto Matte, a hidden gem that stylishly incorporates the bold flavors of Peru with Japanese techniques to celebrate the best authentic and innovative Nikkei cuisine. For Miami Spice, the vibrant and electric Chotto Matte is offering guests a Nikkei Vegetarian Menu ($45) and traditional Nikkei Menu ($60), two sharing menus including staples of appetizers, entrees and desserts for the ultimate dining experience. The Nikkei Miami Spice Menu offers guests a choice of starters including Edamame, Shrimp Spring Roll, Salmon Tataki Tartare, and signature starter Chotto Ceviche, made with fresh branzino sashimi, a citrusy Leche de Tigre and chive oil. Also featured are entrees like Charcoal Roasted Sweet Potato; Pollo Picante; the Spicy Tuna Maki, a roll made with tuna, spicy miso mayo and scallions; and Asado de Tira, made with slow-cooked BBQ beef, a creamy purple potato puree, teriyaki jus and chives. Going meatless is just as delicious with starters like Edamame; Lychee Ceviche made with citrusy Leche de Tigre, chive oil, sweet potato, Peruvian corn and cilantro; the Jungle Salad, a fresh mix of green papaya, mango, daikon, red onion, pomegranate, cashew, furikake and yellow chili dressing; and El Jardin Maki. The vegetarian menu also features BBQ Huacatay Broccoli; Nasu Misu; and the King Oyster Mushroom Tostadas, made from pulled mushrooms mixed with smoked aji panca chili, guacamole, lime and cilantro for taste, and served on a crunchy tostada. Don’t forget to save room for something sweet and indulge in a warm Chocolate Brownie or a Chef’s choice sweet concoction to conclude the meal.
Address: 1666 Lenox Ave. #1664, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Fratelli La Bufala, Miami’s first Neapolitan Pizzeria, makes Miami Spice Debut
Located in Miami Beach’s historic SoFi neighborhood is Fratelli la Bufala, known as Miami’s first Neapolitan Pizzeria. For the first time since its opening in 2005, the restaurant is introducing a piece of Italy to Miami Spice, serving specially curated and authentic Italian cuisine for all lunch and dinner. For $28, guests can enjoy Fratelli’s lunch menu, starting with Bruschette, sliced house-made bread with diced tomatoes, dried kalamata olives and garlic oil; Mozzarella in Carrozza, fried fresh mozzarella served with cherry tomatoes and basil; and Minestrone Soup, the pizzeria’s classic recipe. For the main lunch course, guests can choose from Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese, with Frateli’s signature meat bolognese sauce; Spaghetti Alla Carbonara; Parmigiana; and Quattro Formaggi, with smoked mozzarella, gorgonzola, emmental and basil. Dessert is Pannacotta or Neapolitan Cheesecake. Fratelli’s dinner menu ($45) is not to be missed, as Miami Spice diners can enjoy Signature Focaccia to start, and choose from appetizers such as Carpaccio di Polpo, an octopus carpaccio with arugula, capers, cracked black pepper and olive oil; Veal Tonnato; and Parmigiana di Melanzane. The main courses are sure to satisfy Italian cravings with Pappardelle Ai Funghi Porcini, a homemade pappardelle with sauteed porcini mushrooms; Seafood Linguine, with shrimps, calamari and mussels in fresh tomato sauce and cherry tomatoes; Gnocchi Pesto and Shrimps, ricotta cheese gnocchi served with fresh basil pesto shrimps and sliced almonds; Casara; and Salmon Pizza. Save room for the Key Lime Pie or Tiramisu. As part of a second dinner menu for $60, Miami Spice diners can enjoy appetizers including Burrata cheese served with cherry tomatoes over a bed of arugula with parma prosciutto and truffle oil; Calamari Fritti, fried calamari with vegetables, marinara sauce and shrimp. For entrees, diners can choose from Spaghetti Clams, tossed in garlic and extra virgin olive oil white wine sauce; Seafood Risotto; and Porcini E Salsicce, pasta with porcini mushroom, sausage, basil and Bufala mozzarella. Top of the meal with Pastiera, a typical Neapolitan cake made with buckwheat and ricotta cheese; or Profiteroles, cream puffs filled with vanilla cream and topped with chocolate cream.
Address: 437 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Brunch Mon-Fri with Negroni’s 2022 Miami Spice Menu
Negroni Bistro & Sushi Bar, located in Midtown, is the first and only Miami location of the renowned brand from Latin America. Known as a local hotspot, the restaurant is serving up a diverse menu of international comfort food and bringing the heat to Miami Spice with a specially curated Brunch & Lunch Menu ($28) from Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., and Dinner Menu ($48) from Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to midnight, featuring a curated selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts. With the Brunch & Lunch menus, guests can indulge in starters like Salmon Maracuya Tiradito, a Japanese-South American dish topped with arugula, passion fruit sauce and spring crackers to accompany; Beef Carpaccio; Wagyu Empanada; and Fiorentina, a vegan dish with mixed greens, quinoa, beets, almonds and sweet potatoes with balsamic vinegar. Additionally, guests can choose from entrees such as New Avocado Toast, with smashed avocado, red onions, cherry tomatoes, soft-boiled egg and crispy quinoa over a sourdough bread; Croque Madame Huancaina, a grilled cheese and ham sandwich topped with Huancaina sauce and fried eggs; Latino Maki; and Vegan Maki.
For dinner, Negroni offers appetizers such as Octopus Carpaccio; Italian Burrata; and Wakame Salad, a mix of fresh greens, arugula, wakame, mango, onions, cucumber and Nikkei vinaigrette. For the main dish, options include Truffle Gnocchi, asiago cheese stuffed potato gnocchi with truffled mushroom sauce; Tuna Tempura; Rib Eye; Huancaino Maki, fried breaded shrimps with cream cheese and avocado covered with hamachi, Huancaina sauce and shoestring potatoes; and Vegan Maki. Save room for dessert, as both menus offer either a homemade Coconut Flan, with dulce de leche sauce and whipped cream; or New Apple Crumble, with mascarpone ice cream, poached apples and toffee sauce to satisfy that sweet tooth.
Address: 3201 Buena Vista Blvd, Miami, FL 33127
Villa Azur’s Limited-Time August Menu for Miami Spice 2022
Known for its avant-garde weekly vibe-dining dinner series, Villa Azur is a chic French-Mediterranean super club in Miami Beach. Offering a decadent three-course dining experience for $60+ throughout August, the restaurant fuses Mediterranean and European flavors with appetizers such as Branzino Ceviche, made with sliced branzino, citrus juices, cured onions, hearts of palm, mint, basil, Espelette pepper, cilantro sprouts and lemon oil; and Summer Burrata, 4oz burrata with mango mustard and pistachio dust served with Filone toast. For an additional $5, guests can try the Arancini Lobster, and for an additional $7, the Tuna Tartare. For main dishes, Miami Spice diners can indulge in the restaurant’s main dishes including Lobster Ravioli, Beurre blanc with trout roe, basil oil, lobster jus, and fine herbs; Pan Roaster Pork Chop, charred haricot vert, cherry sauce and herb butter; Seabass is available for an additional $10, and Fillet for an additional $15. Top the meal with one of Villa Azur’s epicurean desserts such as the Bordeaux Poached Pear, with vanilla ice cream, spiced sable, berries compote and Chantilly cream; or Cheesecake and Nutella Mousse, for an additional $5.
Address: 309 23rd St., Miami Beach, FL 33139