Design District Dining – South Beach Magazine

The Cypress Tavern

AM Dreer — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 00:10:42 +0000

Chef Michael Schwartz expands his sphere of influence in Miami’s Design District with the recent addition of The Cypress Tavern, his third and most elegant venture in the burgeoning Midtown neighborhood. Surrounded by tony furniture showrooms and an expanding roster of designer boutiques, the wood-paneled dining room is decidedly retro in style with vintage tableware, taxidermied deer trophies and retro seafoam banquettes. Waitstaff are prompt and professional at weekday lunch service and during dinner which is served every night except Sunday.

While most of Michael’s restaurants offer an ecclectic mix of entrees, snacks and small plates, the menu at The Cypress Tavern is more traditional in style with just a handful of appetizers, entrees and sides. Lunchtime favorites like the Cypress Burger topped with onion marmalade and the smoked shaved beets served with robiola are savory and satisfying and at dinner the roast lamb or duck are perfectly rendered and lightly sauced with just a hint of gaminess. Hedy Goldsmith’s desserts include a Florida citrus chess pie spiked with tarragon, huckleberries and white chocolate or a complex hazelnut parfait with puffed farro and tart pickled cherries. The Cypress Room is a more tailored and grown up presentation of Chef Schwartz’s innovative cuisine and a welcome addition to the Design District.

Restaurant Information:

Name:	The Cypress Tavern
Rating:	/ 3.5 stars based on 49 reviews across the Web
Address:	3620 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
Phone:	(305) 520-5197
Cuisine:	American
Price:	$$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	On-street parking
Chef:	Michael Schwartz
Website:	www.thecypressroom.com
Bar Service:	Full Bar
Hours:	Mo-Th 12:00pm-2:30pm, 6pm-11pm, Fr-Sa 6:00pm-12am, Su Closed

Mandolin Aegean Bistro

AM Dreer — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 23:49:57 +0000

Capturing the essential flavors of Greek and Turkish cuisine, the husband & wife team behind Mandolin Aegean Bistro creates a romantic alfresco oasis in the heart of Miami’s Design District. Specializing in fresh, simple ingredients prepared with recipes handed down from generation to generation, the kitchen showcases locally caught fish, fresh vegetables and house made bread, feta cheese and rich yogurt. The rustic quality of the dishes makes every meal served at this enchanting urban garden a soul-satisfying experience.

Mandolin Aegean Bistro is an ideal destination for a romantic date or a gathering of hungry friends who might enjoy sharing an evening of wine, music and conversation under the stars. Start with a bottle of wine and a variety of “mezze” small plate appetizers including traditional Greek or Turkish dips of eggplant, pureed chickpeas and yogurt or choose a number of seafood starters like fried calamari, steamed mussels or tender marinated octopus fresh from the grill. Entrees of grilled whole fish, lamb or chicken kebab are also designed to share which adds to the sense of fellowship that makes this such an inviting atmosphere. Built from a historic 1940’s house, the restaurant’s charming atmosphere and candle lit tables provide the perfect backdrop for a quiet lunch or genial supper seven nights a week.

Restaurant Information:

Name:	Mandolin Aegean Bistro
Rating:	/ 4.4 stars based on 1,027 reviews across the Web
Address:	4312 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
Phone:	(305) 576-6066
Cuisine:	Greek & Turkish
Price:	$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	On-street parking
Chef:	N/A
Website:	www.mandolinmiami.com
Hours:	Mo-Su 12:00pm-11pm

MC Kitchen

AM Dreer — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 22:26:18 +0000

Expanding the culinary offerings in Miami’s Design District, Chef Dena Marino and her partner Brandy Coletta own and operate MC Kitchen, a farm-to-table Italian restaurant & mercato offering seasonal dishes with soulful flavors. Chef Marino moved from Colorado to Florida to build a restaurant that reflects her personal style and showcases her creativity. The double height dining room is sleek and sophisticated with entire walls of windows, dark wood paneling and endless sheer curtains that allow for plenty of unabashed people watching in the fashionable neighborhood.

With very little softness to absorb the noise when MC Kitchen is busy, the restaurant is a peaceful oasis at brunch service when the tinkle of glassware gently punctuates muted conversation. House made pastas are inspired by the recipes Marino learned in her grandmother’s kitchen. Start with crisp piadena flatbreads topped with spicy shrimp, a tossed “PLT” salad (pancetta replaces traditional bacon) or creamy fresh mozzarella with spinach and tomato. A honey-glazed pork chop with caramelized brussel sprouts or Niman Ranch braised short ribs are rich and satisfying entrees. Keep an eye on Chef Marino as she powers through the open kitchen; she’s the heart and soul of every plate.

Restaurant Information:

Name:	MC Kitchen
Rating:	/ 4.0 stars based on 92 reviews across the Web
Address:	4141 NE 2nd Ave #101a, Miami, FL 33137
Phone:	(305) 456-9948
Cuisine:	Italian
Price:	$$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	No
Parking:	On-street parking
Chef:	Dena Marino
Website:	www.mckitchenmiami.com
Hours:	Mo-Su 11:00am-11pm

Oak Tavern

AM Dreer — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 21:10:50 +0000

Oak Tavern is a cozy watering hole in the heart of the Design District, a clubhouse for local showroom workers and visiting designers to relax an unwind at lunchtime or to celebrate the day’s success at happy hour seven nights a week. Miami’s short roster of elite chefs includes David Bracha who also owns and operates the popular River Oyster Bar in Downtown Miami. Bracha’s roots run deep in Miami’s culinary turf with successful ventures dating back two decades when the chef partnered with Norman Van Aken at the A Mano Restaurant at the Betsy Ross Hotel in South Beach. In a town where it seems only dogs have pedigrees, Bracha is the real deal!

Bracha knows just what the neighborhood craves – small plates, pizzas, trays of house-made charcuterie and snacks as a warm up to daily specials and delicious entrees. Stop in on a Wednesday night for Southern style fried chicken, collard greens and biscuits with gravy or feel like you’re at Nonna’s house on Sundays when the chef slowly simmers a pot of traditional spaghetti sauce to top meatballs and sausage. Weekend brunch service is as unfussy as it is delicious with house made sticky buns, fried chicken and waffles or a crab cake po’boy to soothe your Sunday blues. Sup inside the brick-lined dining room or enjoy the scene at breezy patio tables outdoors.

Restaurant Information:

Name:	Oak Tavern
Rating:	/ 4.0 stars based on 150 reviews across the Web
Address:	35 NE 40th St, Miami, FL 33137
Phone:	(786) 391-1818
Cuisine:	American
Price:	$$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	On-street parking
Chef:	N/A
Website:	www.oaktavernmiami.com
Hours:	Mo-We 11:00am – 3:00pm, 4:30–10:30 pm, Th-Fr 11:00am – 3:00pm, 4:30–24:00 pm, Sa 16:30am-12am, Su 11:00am – 3:00pm, 4:30–10:30 pm

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink

AM Dreer — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 22:22:46 +0000

Once a quiet destination for local interior designers scouting exclusive furniture showrooms, Miami’s Design District owes much of its new-found popularity to Chef Michael Schwartz who opened his farm-to-table American bistro in the heart of the area and brought countless hungry foodies to Midtown. While other eager chefs soon followed, Schwartz remains the Godfather of Miami’s burgeoning culinary scene. Proving his commitment to the area, he has since opened The Cypress Room, an “Elegant American” restaurant along with Harry’s, a wildly popular pizza joint. Laid back and local, Michael’s restaurants give the Design District a more accessible neighborhood vibe.

Crafting his menu with seasonal selections from area farmers, the kitchen sets out snacks, small plates and larger entrees for lunch and dinner and serves a top-rated Sunday brunch. Menu standouts include the wood roast double yolk egg served with gruyere cheese and a sourdough crostini and the tender grilled pork chop served with tart plum chutney. Partnering with James Beard nominated Pastry Chef Hedy Goldsmith, Chef Schwartz ensures that each meal dazzles from start to finish. Locals gather for half priced cocktails, wine & beer at happy hour weeknights from 4:30-6:30pm. Dine indoors or book a table out on the breezy patio where table hopping and people watching is tops in town.

Restaurant Information:

Name:	Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
Rating:	/ 4.3 stars based on 2,711 reviews across the Web
Address:	130 NE 40th St, Miami, Miami, FL 33137
Phone:	(305) 573-5550
Cuisine:	American
Price:	$$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	On-street parking
Chef:	Michael Schwartz
Website:	www.michaelsgenuine.com
Hours:	Mo-Th 11:30am-3pm, 5:30–11:00 pm, Fr-Sa 11:30am-3pm, 5:30–11:00pm,, Su 11:00am-2:30pm, 5:30–10:00 pm,