SOUTH FLORIDA RESTAURANT HAPPENINGS
SOUTH FLORIDA RESTAURANT HAPPENINGS
WINE FRIDAYS AND NEW LUNCH MENU AT AZUL
Azul, 500 Brickell Key Drive, (305) 913-8254
Sommelier Cynthia Betancourt is introducing Wine Fridays, a weekly wine bacchanalia, offered during lunch and featuring $20 per person bottomless pours of amazing wines. To complement Wine Fridays, try the new lunch menu that features yogurt marinated swordfish skewers and a grilled trout salad with wild mushrooms, truffle vinaigrette and fried egg.
“Azul’s Way” is also available, featuring a special three course tasting menu for $35 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Changing regularly, the menu features your choice from three appetizers, three entrees and a set dessert.
ANDÚ RESTAURANT & LOUNGE OPENS THIS WINTER
Andú, 141 SW 7th street, (786) 871-7005
Andú Restaurant & Lounge is opening late December at 141 SW 7th street. Owned by brothers Antonio and Juan Pablo Viejo, Andú will feature an eclectic menu of Mediterranean cuisine with international influences, created by consulting chef Jason McClain (formerly of 8½) and executed by executive chef Nate Martin. Designed by architect Tom Telesco of Miami-based Telesco Associates, the 4,600 square foot space will seat 150.
The Menu: Lighter fare offers choices such as interesting panini’s and sandwiches ($10.50-$14.50), including a spiced lamb gyro filled with grilled asparagus, feta and alfalfa sprouts. Main plates are Family Style ($24-$29) or Andú Signatures ($18-$27). Desserts ($6-$8) will include delicious offerings like Florida orange glazed doughnuts with white hot chocolate.
LEVEL 25: REDESIGNED RESTAURANT & LOUNGE LAUNCHES
Atrio at Level 25, 1395 Brickell Avenue, (305) 503-6529
Level 25 has re-opened at the Conrad Miami with new spaces and menu concepts. Executive chef Michael Gilligan oversees the menus for the signature restaurant, Atrio, as well as at The Bar at Level 25.
The Menu: The dinner menu offers a slate of enticing new dishes that blend the flavors of the East and West. Among the new entrees ($28-$42), Chef Gilligan presents succulent pan seared day boat sea scallops, with a sautéed morcilla slice, couscous tabouleh and a chili-garlic yuzu sauce. Atrio’s wine list has also undergone a renovation, featuring 40 wines by the glass.
GRASS RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE – UPDATED WINTER MENU
Grass Restaurant and Lounge, 28 NE 40th Street, (305) 573-3355
Check out the updated winter menu at Grass. Signature Cocktails are half off at happy hour every Wednesday thru Friday from 6-8pm.
WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS AT CHEF ALLEN’S
CHEF ALLEN’S, Aventura, (305) 935-2900.
Wednesday, December 12, Wine Down Wednesdays at Chef Allen’s includes a multi-course dinner prepared by Chef Allen Susser. The dinner featuring Bracco Wines and is hosted by Special Guest Lorraine Bracco from “The Sopranos” series who is also the proprietor of Bracco Wines. $95 per person
WORTH TASTING ON WORTH AVENUE
Via Gucci, 256 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, www.jlpb.org
Thursday, December 13, 6-8 p.m., Worth Tasting on Worth Avenue will be hosted by The Worth Avenue Association and the Junior League of the Palm Beaches to celebrate the launch of the Junior League’s latest culinary release, “Worth Tasting.” Proceeds benefit the JLPB projects. $50 in advance, $65 at the door, includes one cookbook per person, as well as food and wine.
ALTA COCINA OPENS IN SOUTH MIAMI
Alta Cocina, 5837 Sunset Drive, altacocinarestaurant.com
Chef-spouses Juan Mario Maza and Vani Maharaj are serving up culinary flair in their new South Miami restaurant. Together Maza and Maharaj have created a menu that blends their Caribbean and Latin American influences, producing dishes that add a fresh twist to salads, meats and seafood and are full of delights right from the beginning. For dinner, Alta Cocina offers something for everyone from chorizo-stuffed chicken over cream corned rice to the Filet Mignon served with wild mushroom cream sauce and house cut cube fries.