Meat Market Steakhouse
Located in the middle of Miami, you can enjoy a swanky night out at Meat Market, which has emerged on the steak scene with its delectable fare, glamorous crowd and cool ambience. The sleek yet cozy setting of this high-end South Beach steakhouse has made it a popular and posh spot for those looking to escape into the world of old cinematic luxury. Owner David Tornek and Chef Sean Brasel have transformed the dining room into a sophisticated and deliciously decorated space. Themes of white, platinum and gold are complemented with accents of brick, leather, animal hides, cork and mirrors, resulting in a rich opulence that radiates throughout. As the restaurant’s name suggests, most people come here for the meat, though there are plenty of other mouth-watering options.
With a wide selection of wood-grilled steaks to choose from, offered in full and half portions, there is a tasty plate for every palate. Meat Market’s signature steaks include the 16-ounce New York strip and the 22-ounce bone-in ribeye, while other in-house creations include buffalo tenderloin, 30-ounce Kobe beef Tomahawk ribeye, prime short rib and lobster risotto. Set your sights on their delightful seafood plates, which include crudo selections and oysters on-the-half-shell that are treated with yuzu-truffle mignonette, horseradish, and a habanero cocktail sauce. Meanwhile, their mahi-mahi is spiked with jalapeño juice, tequila and cilantro. Their freshly prepared fish dishes include the wild salmon, which is topped with cinnamon, star anise and candied jalapeño, while the local grouper is prepared with browned goat butter and bacon-specked chipotle seafood broth. There is also a variety of vegetarian specialties – no matter what you order, you will always find personalized and attentive service. Don’t miss their daily happy hour between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; along with an impressive list of beverages, it includes a special food menu where you will find tuna tartare nachos, gouda bites and beef sliders. You will also find bartenders serving up signature creations like caipirinhas and mojitos at any hour! Their extensive wine list also highlights the domestic terrain. Whether you sit outside people-watching on Lincoln Road or dine indoors where you’ll be surrounded by the fabulous ambiance of Meat Market’s main dining room, this lively South Beach restaurant is the perfect choice for a romantic date night, celebration or special event.
915 Lincoln Rd.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.532.0088
meatmarketmiami.com
Bella Cuba Restaurant
Enjoy a Cuban-style meal at Miami Beach’s beloved Bella Cuba. Neighboring Lincoln Road Mall, Bella Cuba has provided guests with delicious home-style cooking for 15 years, and this local spot is not slowing down anytime soon. Try some of their delectable plates while getting down at their Latin Social, which takes place on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm. You can also dig into deliciousness at their Cuban Brunch, which is served Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm with live music beginning at 12pm. Bella Cuba recently added “Brunch with Bongos” where you can enjoy some music with your meal starting at 12pm on Sundays.
While their musicians rotate, you might stumble in one day to find Latin Grammy award-winner Tomasito Cruz, Lourdes Nuviola or Cachita Lopez. Bella Cuba’s own personal story is as sweet as their fan-favorite flan (a Cuban caramel-flavored custard). Owners Juan Carlos and Larisa Jimenez met in Ukraine when Cuba had a student exchange program with the former Soviet Union. They eventually settled in Ireland, where they started their family. Their youngest son, Omar, who studied Hospitality Management in Dublin, Ireland, became the manager and host of Bella Cuba when they moved to Miami. Omar came up with the latest brunch menu, blending traditional American brunch favorites with Cuban flavors to create a “nuevo Miami Cubano brunch.” As a proud family-owned restaurant, Bella Cuba is passionate about cooking up food made daily from scratch. This traditional Cuban cooking is primarily “peasant cuisine,” which is more about pouring love into every order than it is about strict measurements and timing.
Most of the fare at Bella Cuba, which will remind you of your mother’s cooking, is sautéed or slow cooked over a low flame. The majority of dishes include only a few basic spices, such as garlic, cumin, oregano, and bay leaves. What really sets traditional Cuban cooking apart is the staple market ingredients: tropical root vegetables such as yuca, malanga, and boniato complete a traditional Cuban meal and are found in almost every dish on Bella Cuba’s colorful and creative menu. Such traditional dishes include ropa vieja (shredded braised beef) cooked with tomatoes and red wine, slow roasted pork served with yuca in mojo and chicken stew with potatoes, olives and peppers. As a nod to the owner’s Irish past, you will also find fish and chips made with beer battered grouper. Finish your culinary trip to Cuba with a Classic Mojito or a cigar rolled in Calle Ocho and dance the night away with traditional live music!
From their award-winning Cuban sandwich, which came in first place at the Calle Ocho Music Festival, to their Guava French Toast, which is made with guava jam from the family’s own backyard tree, dining at Bella Cuba is one sweet experience! Other tasty and authentic treats include the Cuban country skillet, which comes in a cast-iron pan filled with two fried eggs, home-style potatoes, green peppers, ham, chorizo and cheese served with Cuban toast. You can also savor the sandwich de brunch on Cuban bread stuffed with two fried eggs, cheese, ham croquetas, grilled ham, bacon and pink sauce. Cheers to authentic Cuban cuisine!
1659 Washington Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.672.7466
bella-cuba.com
