Six weeks may seem like a long time but before you know it they’ll be gone and the South Beach Wine & Food Festival will be upon us. To coincide with the festival, Area 31’s chef John Critchley will be serving a four-course sustainable seafood dinner paired with wines selected by Master Sommelier Emily Wines on February 25. Each course will be a “duet” of dishes. I had the chance to preview some of them during a media lunch last week. Take a look.
Local Yellowfin Tuna Gulf Escolar Crudo
The escolar outshines the tuna in this dish. Bright white, the fish is silky and rich. It was my first time tasting it and I loved it. Luckily for those who don’t attend the dinner, the current Area 31 dinner menu has an Escolar crudo marinated with passion fruit, Peruvian pepper, radish and mint.
Seared Key West Yellowtail Snapper with salsa verde and chestnut puree
Loved the chestnut puree. Its nutty flavor and subtle sweetness paired very nicely with the snapper and the salsa verde. I loved the surprise crunch of a few slivered chestnuts on the fish.
Florida Grey Dorade with roasted fennel and tomato broth
I’m secretly hoping chef Critchley will add this dish to his regular menu. Dorade is currently featured in the menu whole and salt-crusted with grilled fennel and meyer lemon preserve. While I haven’t tasted it, this preparation had big flavors, created by the hearty but delicate tomato broth combined with the roasted fennel.
Mignardises
Lunch ended with a trio of bit-sized desserts created by pastry chef Lynn Moulton. From left to right: coconut-chocolate truffle, Turkish Delight and honey caramel.
The dinner is on the pricey side ($175 ++) but not so much compared to other South Beach Wine & Food Fest events. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Marine Mammal Conservancy. The price also includes a pre-dinner reception with stations of paella, crudos, and cured fish paired with sake, beer and wine. VIP tickets ($275++) are available for a maximum of 16 guests and include the dinner with a caviar and champagne reception, a boat excursion, and lunch with chef Critchley, who will give guests tips on picking the fish to be featured at the dinner.
Fish + Wine Dinner
What: Four-course duet dinner with wine pairings
When: Thursday, February 25 ~ 7 p.m. (reception); 8 p.m. (dinner)
Where: Area 31
16th Floor of the Epic Hotel
270 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami
305.424.5234
How much: $175++ per person (dinner); $275 ++ (boat excursion, lunch, dinner)
Reserve by: Calling the restaurant.
[...] 31 is holding a Fish + Wine Dinner to coincide with the South Beach Wine & Food Fest on February 25. Four-course menu of dish [...]
[...] 31 Fish + Wine Dinner – I previewed this dinner in an earlier post and there are still seats available. Call 305.424.5234 to reserve and check the restaurant’s [...]