Sit in the glamorous dining room or the leafy outdoor terrace that's a nod to the Tropicana nightclub in Havana and begin with one of the Latin-inspired eatery's famous cocktails. Two new $12 libations have been added to the menu for Spice, including the Lighten Up made with Ketel One vodka, Moët & Chandon brut champagne, cassis liquor, and lime.
New Times was invited to sample the Spice menu. For first courses, choose among sweet pea guacamole paired alongside warm and crunchy tortillas; a heart of palm salad; or maitake mushrooms with goat cheese. We couldn't get enough of the heart of palm salad featuring heirloom tomatoes, avocado, and a zesty coconut oregano dressing. The maitake mushrooms are decidedly more filling paired with creamy goat cheese and a slightly spicy Fresno pepper vinaigrette. What's more, the mushrooms themselves have a rich, meat-like quality.
For main courses, one option is the charred octopus, a mainstay at Matador Room. The mollusk is braised for six hours to give it that delicate taste, then tossed in a lime vinaigrette. It's served with paprika-dusted potatoes and placed atop a creamy paprika emulsion. It's a well-constructed dish that allows each lovely flavor to shine through.
Arroz con pollo.
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Desserts include a warm Valrhona chocolate cake, a coconut panna cotta with raspberry sorbet, and a tres leches cake with glazed cherries. You have to like dessert to reap the full benefits of a Miami Spice menu, and Matador Room's selection definitely caters to those with a sweet tooth.
Matador Room. 2901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 786-257-4600; matadorroom.com. Miami Spice dinner menu is available Sunday through Thursday.
