Although stuck in a neighborhood between Little Havana and Coral Gables better known for insurance agencies than for restaurants, Asador 5 Jotas provides a delicious oasis in a dining desert. Combining traditional Basque touches with a restrained modern decor, the restaurant makes Spanish expats and Miami socialites alike feel at home. The menu, which concentrates on the cuisine of northern Spain, features more than 20 tapas in addition to entrées and a succinct dessert list. Small plates such as sautéed eel with shrimp (gulas con gambas) highlight the kitchen's knack with seafood and Spanish ingredients. Huevos rotos — made with poached eggs, crusty bread, serrano ham, and flakes of manchego — could double as a brunch item. Carnivores will delight in the specialty grilled meats, including lamb chops and a two-pound rib eye. Owner Javier Eseverri says, “This restaurant is in the middle of nothing and in the middle of everything.”
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