Just what the depressed Coral Gables dining scene needs: Another corporate restaurant chain. The newest malignant link is Seasons 52, which aims to exploit the trend towards eating local, seasonal, healthy food.
A press release lists two upcoming seafood entrees: Caramelized sea scallops and cedar plank roasted salmon. Not very local, but closer to home than roasted rack of New Zealand lamb.
Manchester Farms boneless
quail breast is the other meat highlighted. The quails are
hormone-and-antibiotic free, but Manchester Farms isn't the little
pastoral setting you might imagine. It's in South Carolina and
processes over 110,000 quail per week -- then ships them to only the
finest, most discriminating venues. Like Publix. Classic desserts will
include key lime pie, carrot cake, and mango cheesecake (only when
mangoes are in season, right?).
On the positive front, the restaurant uses "natural cooking techniques"
such as "wood-fire grilling, brick oven cooking and caramelizing
vegetables" (as opposed to presumably unnatural methods like steaming,
poaching, etc.) Every menu item is less than 475 calories. Master
Sommelier George Miliotes will oversee 100 different wines, including
60 available by the glass, in 26 different varietals. A circular piano
bar will feature live music nightly. The 300-seat interior design will
no doubt be dazzling.
Seasons 52 is slated to open at 321 Miracle Mile on November 15.
