Miami's Best Eats and Drinks This Weekend: The Continental Opens, Miami Spice Begins

Were you at Iron Fork yesterday?  If you were, you tasted some amazing food, maybe danced, and watched Mignonette's Lisa Chadwick smoke the competition in the Shuck It oyster shucking contest and MC Kitchen's Dena Marino take on Finka Table and Tap's Eileen Andrade for the win and the coveted Skillet of Excellence.

Of course, the entire evening was the kickoff party for Miami Spice, which starts tomorrow and is the tastiest thing to do this weekend. 

Your Miami Spice kickoff weekend starts now!

Visit the Iron Fork Winners
If you were at yesterday's Iron Fork competition, you were probably left amazed at the skills of both Mignonette's Lisa Chadwick and MC Kitchen's Dena Marino. Unfortunately, unless you were a judge, you didn't get to eat the oysters shucked or the dishes prepared. Why not rectify that situation this weekend? Fortunately, both restaurants are just down the road from each other, so here's the recipe for the best meal ever. Start at Mignonette's bar for a cold beer and a dozen oysters, before moving on to MC Kitchen for a taste of chef Marino's culinary flair. 

The Continental Opens
If you've been to Philadelphia, you're familiar with the Continental's cool, retro Mad Men-style and classic martinis. Now, Stephen Starr is finally opening his Miami Beach version tomorrow, August 1. The restaurant, located adjacent to the Aloft Hotel at 2360 Collins Ave., features inventive dishes and fine cocktails in a mid-century landmark building. Chef Matthew Oetting, along with Starr's corporate chef Erik Battles, created this Miami-specific menu that includes a build-your-own sushi dish with tuna, salmon, sushi rice, toasted nori, vegetables, and garnishes presented in a bento box. There's also a foie-gras McGriddle with fried egg, American cheese, bacon, hollandaise, and maple griddle cakes. Of course, there are lots of cocktails. The Continental is open for dinner only this weekend, and will start serving lunch and dinner on Monday (with breakfast and brunch to follow). Valet parking is available for $15 at 2361 Liberty Ave.

Miami Spice
Miami Spice, the two-month-long promotion that offers $23 lunches and $39 dinners at Miami's finest restaurants, starts tomorrow. With nearly 200 restaurants to choose from, there's something for everyone. Just note that if you're starting Spice this weekend, many restaurants don't offer the deal on weekends. One restaurant that does offer a great dim sum deal on weekends is Hakkasan at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. For $23, you'll get a three-course lunch filled with little dumplings, crispy lemon chicken, and stir-fried baby pak choi served with stir-fried noodles. There's also dessert. Hakkasan calls it a weekend lunch, but call it what it rightfully is — a great brunch at a bargain Spice price. 

Steak Brasil Celebrates the Feijoada
Steak Brasil, located at 190 SE First Ave., is celebrating the feijoada tomorrow with a deal on the traditional Brazilian dish. For $21.99, you'll have your choice of eight different variations of this soulful dish, traditionally made with pork and beans. Each feijoada comes with rice, collard greens, Brazilian farofa, and more. Plus, you'll be able to treat yourself to the restaurant's well-stocked salad bar — because you need your veggies! The special feijoada meal is served from noon to 10 p.m.

Full Moon Seafood Grill at Nikki Beach
Celebrate the full moon at Nikki Beach's blowout seafood grill celebration tonight, July 31. Starting at 7 p.m., howl at the moon on Miami Beach's white powder sands as fire dancers, fortune tellers, and a live saxophonist entertain you. DJ YSL will spin tracks as you enjoy a paella station, fresh lobster, pinchos, and more. Entry is free, and menu items start at $20. 

Follow Laine Doss on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.