Vesper American Brasserie (Closed)

Closed South Beach travelers flock to popular steakhouses like Prime 112 or BLT Steak to ensure that their big night out merits the money invested in the endeavor. This simple truth is not lost on the friendly folks at the Shelborne South Beach where the brand new Vesper American Brasserie seeks to stand out from the crowd by adopting retro James Bond era heroines as inspiration for their signature cocktails and the restaurant’s very name.

For those unfamiliar with the pre-Daniel Craig Bonds, buxom bombshell Ursula Andress first brought Vesper Lynd to life in the 1967 Bond film “Casino Royale.” Her character dates back to the 1953 Ian Fleming novel which included a recipe for Bond’s notorious “shaken, not stirred” Vesper Martini. Though 40+ years of film history may be lost on local diners, Chef Frank Ferriero’s Wagyu beef, Chilean sea bass and garlicky shrimp scampi will quickly remind them why they chose this bold new dining destination.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Vesper offers Shelborne guests the choice of a breezy poolside patio, a swank cocktail lounge and a clubby wooden dining den to enjoy their every meal. Start the day with a variety of eggs, griddle cakes and cereal, lunch alfresco on salads, sandwiches and burgers or unpack your little black dress to enjoy a tropical vixen-themed cocktail and a thick USDA prime steak under the watchful eyes of an impressively professional wait staff. Vesper is an old-school classic steakhouse that embraces the Shelborne’s storied past and promises South Beach a bright culinary future.