Not like I’m breaking any news here, but today marks the beginning of Miami Spice. Looking back, I realized that last year’s Miami Spice was the topic of one of the earlier posts on this blog, which means mango&lime is almost one year old. Wow.
Dinner prices this year raised $5 and the lunch prices increased by $2, but there are a lot of newcomers. I haven’t changed my approach to Miami Spice. Although it’s a great opportunity to try the usually expensive, trendy restaurants, I like to choose based on the menu. I like the restaurants that give me options and make an effort to make their Spice menu great. However, I’ll confess that I am curious about some of the trendier restaurants this year, but menus still carried the larger weight in my picks.
Here’s my Miami Spice to-do list:
* Table 8 - yes, I know, just like everyone else, but I have to see what all the fuzz is about. Menu looks good anyways.
* The Restaurant at the Setai - see above. Actually, the menu is interesting.
* Azul - for lunch because I work close and because my coworkers raved about it last year.
* Oceanaire - also because I work close to it and I find it a little too expensive on regular days. Menu isn’t that impressive but I want to give it a second try so I can make up my mind about it.
* The Food Gang - I’m curious about it.
* Ortanique - Because I want to.
I think that’ll keep me busy for some time, but I’ll keep refining my list as I go. For tips on making the best of Miami Spice, check out this Miami Herald guide.
Update: More good tips at SotP. And Critical Miami calls Miami Spice’s bluff.
tags: Miami Spice, restaurants
Congrats on the anniversary!!!
I love Miami Spice…it is the perfect excuse to try new menus around town…since I will be in Miami this weekend perfect opportunity to try something interesting…yummy yummy…
Sorry for bombarding the blog…but did you look at Sushi Samba’s dinner menu??? They have three different menus: a Brazilian, Japanese and Peruvian menu. All the dishes sound incredible…
Let me know when you’re going to the Setai. I’ve read so much about it and the menu looks exciting.
Im hitting up Table 8 on Friday night so I’ll be posting on my site or as a reply on FOODTASTIC. I hope it lives up to the hype. Im going in blind without looking at the menu, so I guess Im Blind (open) Mind hehe.
I don’t think I’ll make it to Table 8 ’till next week. Looking forward to comparing notes, Blind Mind.
I don’t know if you watch ‘top chef’ but one of the chefs currently on season 3 is from ‘The Food Gang’.
Yes I do. Howie. I just hope he doesn’t really let the sweat drip into his food. Somehow on Top Chef, it always looks like he does.
I went to the opening of the Food Gang and it seemed interesting but I’ve never been back, so I may go and give it a try.
OK, just looked at the Table 8 menu to try and gauge what Im gonna order tonite. CAn anyone tell me what the hell a “Warm Boucheron” consists of? Ive googled and searched all over teh place and got no help on its ingredients…
Menu doesnt look taht impressive btw… Everything seems simple and kinda bland, but I’ll try not to judge until it hits the taste buds.
Based on my research, boucheron is a semi-aged French goat’s cheese. The menu is simple but that doesn’t mean the flavors won’t be good. Can’t wait for the review.
BM: Boucheron is smoked goat cheese. It comes with a covering of wood ash.
Paula: Setai is really good (I keep singing its praises) and one of the Spice menus I’d actually recommend (Kurobota pork belly, yum). I liked Food Gang a lot the three times I’ve been, even pronosticating it would become a destination. Sadly it hasn’t happened -mixed reviews, location- just like it hasn’t with Timo, another deserving spot.
I’m going to Table 8, but not for Spice. As soon as I recover from the vacation financial hit.
Thanks for the hook up on teh boucheron. I may give it a try cuz Im definitely a fan of goat cheese.
[…] their Miami Spice menu and let me know how it was. After all, this was one of the restaurants on my Miami Spice to-do list. But I figured I’d just let him tell us about it.) “As sleek as a 1930s ocean liner, yet […]
I went with 4 friends to Orthanique for the Miami Spice Menu. On the positive side, the Miami Spice Menu was included with the regular menu, service was fantastic and the Mango Salad appetizer was abundant and delicious. My steak entree was perfect..a 10 oz steak, tender and juicy. Creamy mashed potatoes and asparagus cooked to perfection. However, the other 3 people with me ordered Mahi-Mahi and they had to send it back because it was so salty they couldn´t eat it. The waiter was very nice about it. Two of my friends changed to steak and loved it. One had another fish sent to her and it was still salty. We all had the chocolate molten lava cake and it was OK. No “lava” but it was light and fluffy.