Restaurant Happenings South Florida July 14, 2008

RESTAURANT HAPPENINGS – 7.14.08

CITA’S ITALIAN CHOPHOUSE TO THRILL LOCALS
 
Cita’s Italian, 3176 Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove, 305-446-2207
At the core is Italian born executive chef Carlo Macaluso who has taken Benitez’s vision of serving simple, fresh, high quality, steak and fish house items, alongside authentic Italian pastas and sauces, and created a delicious menu sure to woo the most discerning of palates.  Carpacci ($18-$21) include trittico di mare – a seafood variety with thinly sliced smoked tuna, swordfish and salmon dressed with a citrus emulsion and orange wedges, cherry tomatoes, shallots and fresh chives; and manzo classico beef and mushroom in a lemon oil emulsion with domestic mushrooms, celery, baby frisee and shaved Parmesan.  Insalate ($8-$14), the perfect start to a hearty meal, include Cita’s mista di stagione with mixed baby greens, cherry tomatoes and fennel slaw in a Pinot Grigio dressing; spinach with Gorgonzola cheese and Williams pears in a raspberry vinaigrette or a chopped salad with organic mixed greens, sopressata, fontina cheese, cucumber, red onion, roasted yellow pepper, corn and Pinot Grigio vinaigrette.
 
RED, WHITE AND BLUE ALL MONTH LONG

China Grill Fort Lauderdale is located at 1881 SE 17th Street, 954-759-9950
China Grill Ft. Lauderdale celebrates the Fourth of July all month long with complimentary red, white or blue Cointreau Margaritas.  From 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 19th, 2008. “Cointreau Ladies” will be handing out one free drink ticket to each customer that comes to the China Grill Ft. Lauderdale bar.  Each customer will then choose which color margarita they would like to sample.  Additional Cointreau Margaritas will be available for $12.00.
 
PATRICK BOUCHER, NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF AT THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL MIAMI

Acqua, The Four Season Hotel Miami, 1435 Brickell Ave., 305-358-3535
Following the departure of Patrick Duff, The Four Seasons Hotel Miami has appointed Patrick Boucher as executive chef. Mr. Boucher comes from the Four Seasons Golf Club in Dubai, and spent the last 12 years in the kitchens of top Four Seasons properties around the globe including the Four Seasons Resort Bali Jimbaran Bay where he oversaw five restaurants and the Resort’s Cooking School, before which he worked at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. The new menu at Acqua will now feature dishes such as Lacquered sea bass with honshimiji mushrooms, bok choy, soybeans, carrots and ginger miso broth; Study of Duck – five spiced breast, crispy foie gras spring roll, sesame glazed confit and fresh plum jus and Hazelnut, dulce de leche crusted Colorado lamb chops, broccolini, warm goat cheese and fingerling potato salad.

RA SUSHI BAR RESTAURANT OPENS IN SOUTH MIAMI

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant, 5829 SW 73rd St, 305-341-0092 www.RAsushi.com.
The new RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in South Miami is the 21st location nationwide and the third in Florida – Palm Beach, Pembroke Pines and now South Miami – of the chain of restaurants owned by Rich Howland and Scott Kilpatrick in partnership with Benihana. The 5,800 square-foot indoor/outdoor, high-energy restaurant features a traditional sushi bar adjacent to the table dining area, as well as a separate, full cocktail bar and lounge with Asian inspired spirits. The patio has an indoor/outdoor bar and the Flying Fish Lounge area. The chef is Hui Li, a.k.a. Kenny Li, a native of Hong Kong. The menu is a combination of starters ($3.25 to ($9.25) such as fresh sushi, tempuras, gyozas and teriyakis; soups and salads ($3.25 to $12.95); noodle dishes; and cold and hot Japanese-fusion specialties from the sea and from the land ($15 to $22) with a modern twist. RA Sushi Miami is open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and for dinner from 3 to 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 3 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday. Happy Hour food and beverage specials are offered Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., and the bar remains open until 1 a.m. Sunday nights from 8 p.m. to midnight The Flying Fish Lounge offers Happy Hour prices on sushi and drinks.