Like flocks flying prematurely south for winter, the stork brigade delivered four new bundles of culinary joy to our cyber doorstep last week care of Thrillist and Urbandaddy. With them came the pleasure of perusing new restaurant menus and finding some hits, as well as the inevitable, unfortunate misses. Some read well, presenting a case like a rock solid Grisham. Others wouldn't make the New York Times Best Seller List if they bribed the publisher. Here's what caught our eyes, ripe for the picking and the reckoning.
Cheeseme, Grilled Cheese & Fry Bar Extraordinaire (menu courtesy Urban Daddy)
(786) 276-6146
1200 Washington Ave
Miami Beach
> Five cheese mac n' cheese carrozza - $9
> The BCT i.e. bacon, cheese, and tomato - $13
> One bread and one cheese (we'll take fruit and nut with raclette, please) - $8
> Fried Italian ricotta cheese dough - $8
I ♥ Sushi at the Chesterfield Hotel
(305) 531-7169
841 Collins Ave
Miami Beach
> Salmon or tuna tartare (misspelled "tartar" on the menu) - chopped salmon or tuna, sesame oil, avocado, sesame seeds, and spicy mayo - $9
> Yellowtail jalapeño (a "specialty roll") - chopped yellowtail, scallions, masago, sprout, cilantro, and jalapeño served with a scoop of ginger and lime sorbet - $12.50
> Yami-Mami - Yams, cream cheese, and masago (misspelled "masogo,") topped with salmon and lemon slices - $8.50
> Chef's Choice - "Ask the chef to prepare a customized creation" - $12.50
The Filling Station
(786) 425-1990
95 SE 2nd St
Downtown Miami
> Homemade chili topped with cheddar and onions - $4.20 per bowl; $2.57 with a meal
> Mel's Car... provolone cheese, peppered bacon, and tater tots smashed all together in garlic bread (we'd add a tomato or two to this whip if it were up to us) - $6.77
>The Floor Mat... cajun meatloaf topped with sautéed onions and served with mashed potatoes and gravy - $8.41
Botequim Carioca
(305) 675-1876
900 Biscayne Blvd
Miami
> Pastel misto - a basket of deep fried special pastry turnovers, with assorted fillings - $12 per six pieces
> Casquinha de Siri - Brazilian exotic crab specialty $8
> Linguica Calabresa aceboldada - Brazilian style barbecue pork sausage grilled with onions, served on a sizzle plate - $12 (serves two as an appetizer)
> Ossobuco with gorgonzola risotto and arugula - $27
Mia at Biscayne (menu prices not listed online)
(305) 642-0032
20 Biscayne Blvd
Downtown Miami
> "Snacks" like pan tumaca with ciabatta, grated tomato, and olive oil served with choice of jamón serrano, marinated white anchovies, or mojama (dried tuna roe,) and goat cheese crostinis with roasted garlic, thyme, and organic honey
> "Pinchos" (two per order) like chicken with ají amarillo, skirt steak with ají panca, lamb with cucumber yogurt, shrimp with chimichurri, and salmon with soy-citrus
> "Montaditos" like grilled pizzette with serrano ham, tomato, celery salad, and garlic oil, and pulled pork with smoked paprika, pickled onions, and cotija cheese