Brickell Dining – South Beach Magazine

Cipriani Downtown Miami

AM Dreer — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 14:55:41 +0000

An elegant, sun-drenched retreat in the heart of the Brickell Financial District, Cipriani Miami carries on an 80 year family tradition of luxury and hospitality. The waterfront diningroom – crafted by Florentine architect Michele Bonan – seats up to 400 guests in two expansive spaces featuring 22 foot ceilings, walls of gleaming windows and glossy wooden paneling with chrome details designed to evoke an Art Deco oceanliner. Bringing the dazzling eatery to life at the Icon Brickell, brothers Maggio and Ignazio Cipriani are fourth generation restaurateurs who trace their lineage back to the original Harry’s Bar in Venice Italy, opened by their great grandfather in 1931.

The restaurant features many of the signature dishes that make a pilgrimage to Italy part of any foodie’s bucket list including a delicate meringue cake and a baked taglioni in a buttery bechamel sauce. Harry’s Bar enchanted world famous expats including Truman Capote, Sinclair Lewis and Ernest Hemingway with the advent of the bellini cocktail, a heady combination of bubbly Prosecco and fresh peach puree. The thinly shaved beef dish Carpaccio is also credited to Cipriani. Populated by Miami power brokers by day, the restaurant is nothing short of breathtaking in the evening when the soft glow of giant Murano glass chandeliers illuminates the airy space, lending a sparkling finish to an already perfect night.

Restaurant Information:

Name:	Cipriani Downtown Miami
Rating:	/ 3.5 stars based on 93 reviews across the Web
Address:	465 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131
Phone:	(786) 329-4090
Cuisine:	Italian
Price:	$$$
Attire:	Casual Chic
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	Valet
Chef:	N/A
Website:	www.cipriani.com
Hours:	Mo-Su 12:00pm-12am

Edge Steak & Bar

AM Dreer — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 18:14:00 +0000

Updating the traditional steakhouse for guests at Miami’s luxurious Four Seasons Hotel, Chef Aaron Brooks brings his enthusiasm for the farm-to-table movement to every dish he serves. Sourcing local fruits and vegetables from top growers as well as ample fresh Florida seafood, the chef prides himself on working with boutique suppliers to keep his menu healthy and sustainable. The newly updated 3,300 square foot restaurant incorporates a dazzling dining room, a popular Downtown bar and an amazing alfresco dining terrace.

Owing much to the seafood of South Florida, the restaurant’s appetizing raw bar includes several tartares, shellfish and hard-shell local stone crabs during the short winter season. Entrees from the infra-red grill like steak, tuna, pork and lamb chops can be served in small, medium and large portions to suit every appetite. Chef Brooks experiments with homemade rubs to season the meat and enjoys crafting signature side dishes to elevate even the most simple grilled entree to new heights. Serving breakfast, Sunday Brunch, lunch and dinner, EDGE is also a popular destination for local professionals in Miami’s Financial District who keep the 7th floor bar hopping until midnight.

Restaurant Information:

Name:	Edge Steak & Bar
Rating:	/ 4.3 stars based on 202 reviews across the Web
Address:	1435 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131
Phone:	(305) 381-3190
Cuisine:	Steakhouse
Price:	$$$
Attire:	Casual Chic
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	Valet
Chef:	Aaron Brooks
Website:	www.edgerestaurantmiami.com
Hours:	Mo-Su 6:30pm-11pm

Lippi Restaurant

AM Dreer — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 13:46:30 +0000

Following the success of his upscale Japanese Restaurant Zuma in Downtown Miami, owner Tunu Puri is rumored to have spent over five million dollars to create Lippi Restaurant at the Brickell World Plaza Building in Miami’s Financial District. His efforts are breathtaking as the luxurious dining room and wraparound terrace fill with well-heeled diners who turn out in force to sample Chef Philippe Ruiz extensive (and expensive) menu. Inspired by the flavors and techniques of Mediterranean cooking, the kitchen’s culinary offerings meander all over the map with many dishes offering surprising and delightfully unexpected tastes for adventurous diners willing to sample and share over 70 different small plates on the current dinner menu.

The richly-appointed dining room sports golden velvet banquettes, polished marble floors and double-height windows swathed in shimmering metallic drapery. Service starts with steaming cheese puffs and an extensive selection from the innovative cocktail menu or a 350 label wine list. Service is discrete and professional which comes in handy when requesting help sorting out the unique variety of rich international choices crafted by this adept and inventive chef. Another bright spot at Lippi is the technically perfect and deliciously different pastries crafted by Sarah Thompson who adeptly handles bold new ideas and old school classics like an impeccably lofty soufflé. Next time you’re celebrating something special, this Brickell showplace offers the perfect backdrop for a memorable night.

Restaurant Information:

Name:	Lippi Restaurant
Rating:	/ 4.0 stars based on 72 reviews across the Web
Address:	600 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131
Phone:	(305) 579-1888
Cuisine:	Mediterranean
Price:	$$$$
Attire:	Casual Chic
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	Valet, Garage & Street parking
Chef:	Philippe Ruiz
Website:	www.lippirestaurants.com
Hours:	Mo-Fr 12:00pm-3pm, Mo-Sa 6:00pm-1am

Momi Ramen

AM Dreer — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 01:27:04 +0000

Films about Japanese handicraft often show a Young Apprentice repeating a seemingly menial task over and over again until the result satisfies his ancient Master. This sort of dedication to excellence is nowhere more apparent than at Miami’s Momi Ramen where Chef Jeffrey Chen labors to develop the perfect Tonkotsu stock over the course of 18 slow, simmering hours until the broth takes on a silky texture and a deep and soulful flavor. Once the soup meets his expectations, he crafts a tangle of bouncy hand made noodles using flour imported from Japan. The broth speaks of his meticulous labor, the noodles are made fresh all day long. Together they form a masterful mouthful!

Miami is decidedly behind the culinary curve when it comes to dedicated noodle parlors, but for devotees of authentic artisanal fare, Momi Ramen more than makes up for the wait. This fusion of noodle and broth gets a choice of toppings which the chef often varies. Most popular is the roast pork belly sliced and draped over the slippery noodles with a just-poached egg and a tangy dice of green onions. Chen also offers steamed greens, kelp and mushrooms atop the ramen which may make the dish a little lighter than roast meat but still offers an appealing taste and texture. Truly destination dining, Momi Ramen delivers a singular dish made nowhere else in town.

Restaurant Information:

Name:	Momi Ramen
Rating:	/ 4.0 stars based on 258 reviews across the Web
Address:	5 SW 11th St, Miami, FL 33130
Phone:	(786) 391-2392
Cuisine:	Japanese
Price:	$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	On-street parking
Chef:	Jeffrey Chen
Website:	www.momiramen.com
Hours:	Mo-Su 11:00am-5am

NAOE

AM Dreer — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 16:56:27 +0000

One of Miami’s most remarkable dining experiences, NAOE offers guests a journey through the unique tastes and textures of fine Japanese Omakase dining. The restaurant is a tiny space with minimal decoration and seats just a handful of people who reserve weeks in advance for one of two seatings each night at 6pm or 9:30pm. There are no walk-ins available. Request one of 5 seats at the sushi bar for the opportunity to watch Chef Kevin Corey handcraft each of the main dishes served in a traditional bento box and then a progression of perfectly wrought pieces of sushi that arrive one by one so that guests can appreciate the delicate flavors of every type of fish.

Truly a special occasion restaurant, dinner at NAOE can last up to three hours and starts at $160 per person with an additional charge for sake, sushi and gratuity. The small space is designed to focus attention away from the world and zero in on the meal itself with seafood being the star of each night’s menu. Perhaps the most important element of the NAOE experience is that every person in the room made an extraordinary effort to be there, which makes this an exceptional culinary adventure provided by a truly dedicated team.

Restaurant Information:

Name:	NAOE
Rating:	/ 4.5 stars based on 370 reviews across the Web
Address:	661 Brickell Key Dr, Miami, FL 33139
Phone:	(305) 947-6263
Cuisine:	Japanese
Price:	$$$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	On-street parking
Chef:	Kevin Cory
Website:	www.naoemiami.com
Hours:	Mo Closed, Tu-Su 6:00pm-9:30pm

Ristorante Fratelli Milano

AM Dreer — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 20:44:45 +0000

Offering a taste of Italy in the heart of downtown Miami, this quaint family-owned and operated restaurant runs on the dual engines of twin brother chefs who craft both the entrees and pastries in-house. Bringing the flavors of their mother’s Milanese kitchen to the breezy sidewalks of Miami’s business district is a labor of love for Roberto & Emanuele Bearzi who serve as Chef de Cuisine and Pastry Chef in the tiny urban kitchen where they prepare lunch and dinner for the city’s power brokers every day but Sunday. Dine in a sleek dining room or under deep green market umbrellas outdoors surrounded by crowds of hungry regulars; the restaurant is busy day and night.

Service is prompt and professional at this popular bistro where house made bread and a silky sundried tomato dip are presented while guests peruse the daily specials. Known for pressed panini sandwiches, seasonal salads and northern Italian entrees, the brothers hand-crafted pasta filled with cheese and pear is a best seller. Chef Roberto stirs up a soulful soup each day and a gleaming glass pastry case is filled with tiny fruit tarts, airy cream puffs and Chef Emanuele’s signature bombolone doughnuts filled with nutella and cream. Dine in, take out or call for delivery but be sure to make reservations to score a table at dinner time.

Restaurant Information:

Name:	Ristorante Fratelli Milano
Rating:	/ 4.5 stars based on 537 reviews across the Web
Address:	213 SE 1st St, Miami, FL 33131
Phone:	(305) 373-2300
Cuisine:	Italian
Price:	$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	On-street parking
Chef:	Roberto & Emanuele Bearzi
Website:	www.ristorantefratellimilano.com
Hours:	Mo-Th 11:00am-10pm, Fr-Sa 11:00am-11pm, Su Closed