As the alarm clock rings for the millionth time, you stumble out of bed with the sad realization that it's time to be responsible. You must return to work, emails, rush-hour traffic, and showering. If the stark reality of the workweek has given you a permanent case of the Mondays, don't panic.
Whether you're ready to hit the town tonight or you need a couple of days' rest, we have Miami's five best eats and drinks for the week.
Happy Hour & Family Meal at Tongue & Cheek
Tongue & Cheek, the new 150-seat restaurant owned by chef Jamie DeRosa and Michael Reginbogin features more than just foodie delights. "There is a great sense of personality in all things -- from the design and décor to the menu and our drinks, but it ultimately is a hospitable spot for a great meal at an affordable price or a drink with friends," Chef DeRosa says. He's not kidding.
Happy hour is offered at the eatery's Snack Bar seven days a week from 5 to 7 p.m. and includes specials on handcrafted cocktails, beer, and wines by the glass. The best part of happy hour is the "family meal." Here the chefs offer you a plate of the daily meal they prepare for their staff for $10. Your family meal plate varies daily and includes a main dish, two sides, and a drink. Past combos include roast chicken with mac 'n' cheese, chocolate cookies, and soda, or sausage-and-pepper hoagies with disco fries, Brussels sprouts slaw, and a kaffir lime Italian ice.
Wine Down Wednesdays
The first Wednesday of the month, HistoryMiami hosts Wine Down Wednesdays. Touted as the only cultural happy hour in the Magic City, the event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at HistoryMiami (101 W. Flagler St., Miami) in downtown. It's free for members; nonmembers pay $10 and enjoy unlimited empanadas and wine. Live local music, performances, and access to exhibition galleries are included with entrance. To RSVP, call 305-375-1614 or email [email protected]
Oh, did we mention free parking? It's included with admission at the Miami-Dade County Cultural Plaza Garage, at 50 NW Second Ave.
Lasagna Day at Bugatti
When the clock strikes 11:30 a.m. today, lasagna lovers will salivate. A horde of hungry patrons will swarm Coral Gables looking for béchamel. At Bugatti: The Art of Pasta, the first Wednesday of every month is Lasagna Day. The lasagna is composed of layers of delicate pasta topped with a velvety mixture of beef and veal. The whole thing is then topped off with a Parmesan béchamel that can only be described as sexy. Come and get it before it's gone. Lasagna day rules are firm: No take-out, no reservations, and it will run out. Lunch lasagna includes choice of soup or salad (house or caesar) for $17. Dinner is a party for your taste buds at $19.
Taste of the Americas at Wynwood Kitchen & Bar
Known for its Latin cuisine with a global twist, Wynwood Kitchen & Bar is launching Taste of the Americas this Thursday, May 2. This three-month series will celebrate the traditional cuisine of different Latin American countries. During the series, executive chef Miguel Aguilar will showcase signature dishes from Mexico every Thursday in May.
"Our menu is all about exploring Latin American cuisine from around the globe. Taste of the Americas allows me an opportunity to spotlight some of my favorite cuisines and share those with our diners," Aguilar says. "I'm excited to start with Mexico because the food is simple yet fun and packs a lot of flavor." Thursday, May 2, guests can enjoy the following Mexican specialties, available during lunch or dinner and sold à la carte: plato verde ($14), house-made guacamole and crabmeat pico de gallo with tortilla chips; queso fundido ($12), Mexican chorizo, Chihuahua cheese, and flour tortillas; pollo en mole negro ($14), pan-seared chicken breast, mole negro, and arroz pinto; and prickly pear margarita ($12)
Early Fridays at Blackbird Ordinary
Beginning at 5 p.m. Fridays, the back patio of Blackbird Ordinary becomes home to one of Miami's most talented chefs. Michael B. Jacobs, executive chef for the Miami Heat, serves tasty bites from his pop-up Hidden Kitchen. You don't have to spend like a baller to eat like one. Jacobs has served phenomenal fare for the nominal price of $5. Past menu items have included brisket, truffle mac, and pulled-pork bánh mì.
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