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“See and eat seafood” could be the motto of the swanky new Gibraltar, which debuted last week at Coconut Grove’s Grove Isle Hotel and Spa, which was recently  refurbished to the tune of more than $1 million.
The glass-enclosed, eco-friendly dining room delivers stunning Biscayne Bay views, while the outdoor patio looks out on "the water and the Miami skyline. The chef is Jeff O’Neill, who has worked in the Big Apple with heavy culinary hitters such as Charlie Palmer, Daniel Boulud, and Eric Ripert.
O’Neill’s menu includes dishes such as mussels in coconut-coriander broth with mint, tomato, and lobster oil; Florida striped bass with black olive faro, preserved lemon, and sun-dried tomato vinaigrette; organic chicken with spinach, bacon, mushrooms, potatoes, and onions; and warm chocolate fudge brownie with tarragon-infused coconut milk sorbet.
There’s also a new bar-lounge with its own menu of small plates, crudos, and signature cocktails. The décor “accents” of the former occupant, Baleen, which looked a lot like monkeys, are gone, hopefully taking with them memories of food that was often overpriced but rarely better than mediocre. |
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 Unwrap the present of a really good meal early at the Christmas Eve “Dinner of Kings and Queens” at Bin No. 18.
Beginning at 7 p.m., the downtown Miami wine bar/restaurant will dish a four-course holiday meal. Each course will be paired with a different wine or beer for the very reasonable sum of $48 per person.
Courses include grilled Castroville artichokes with Dijon rémoulade; roast lamb chops with hash browns, cranberry, and sage; guava-and-chorizo-stuffed pork tenderloin with polenta, tomato confit, and fried spinach; and Madagascar vanilla panna cotta with caramelized figs drizzled with chocolate port.
Reservations are strongly advised and can be made by calling the restaurant at 786-235-7575. Truly, it tastes good to be King. |
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Treat your honey to a holiday celebration on the water — cruising Biscayne Bay on a 140-foot luxury yacht, slurping up cocktails from  an open bar, and chowing down on prime rib while a DJ spins platters.
From Saturday, December 26, through Wednesday, December 30, Island Queen Cruises will dispatch its flagship Venetian Lady — all three decks, two bars, and two dance floors — to ply the bay while you party like a rock star (or maybe Tiger Woods). Cost is $75 per person, which includes dinner and unlimited booze.
The cruise lasts from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., with boarding beginning at 6:30 behind the Hard Rock Café at Bayside Marketplace. For those all-important rezzies, call 305-379-5119, Ext. 201.
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Spent all your money on Christmas presents or an airline ticket to visit friends and/or family? Here’s a cheap evening of noshing and  swirling.
On Wednesday, December 23, from 6 to 10 p.m., Eno’s Wine Bar on Lincoln Road will host the winemakers of Sunbox Eleven wines. There will be free hors d’oeuvres and, if you bring a business card and mention the invite you saw (or a little birdie told you that you saw) on Eno’s website, they’ll pour your first taste for free.
Sunbox Eleven — a California winery that’s based in Miami — specializes in single-vineyard boutique vintages. They ain’t cheap, that’s for sure, but, hey, a free taste is a free taste. |
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