Miami Spice 2016 at Los Fuegos Makes Opulence Affordable

The words "luxury" and "Los Fuegos" can easily be interchanged when talking about the Argentine eatery that opened to the public early this year inside the Faena Hotel Miami Beach. The restaurant, created by grill-master Francis Mallmann, seamlessly falls in line with the lavish lifestyle of the $1 billion Faena complex, which spans five blocks of Collins Avenue beginning at 32nd Street and includes a hotel, residences, an art center, and a theater.

Such opulence comes at a price — well, most of the time. Through September 30, what would be a meal priced at a few hundred dollars now costs only $23 for lunch and $39 for dinner. Thanks to Miami Spice's two-month promotion, three-course lunch and dinner menus are offered at discounted prices, making the most grandiose meals in Miami accessible to all.
At Los Fuegos, come hungry, because the Spice lunch menu here is hearty. New Times was invited for a taste, which began with a wood-oven empanada. Boasting a soft center and crisp shell, the empanada is stuffed with hand-cut prime filet and served with a touch of tangy llajua sauce. Unfortunately, diners are served only one per order, leaving a pestering feeling of wanting more. 
Luckily, lunch entrées on Los Fuegos' menu are filling. Choose between a wood-oven pizza or a lomito sandwich. The pizza changes daily but usually includes a variety of freshly sliced vegetables and cheese.
The sandwich contains three to four sices of prime beef between two slices of thin, toasted pita bread. Tomato, mustard, and arugula are stuffed inside as well, with wood-oven potato wedges served alongside. Pro tip: If you're dining with a guest, order both plates and share, because the dishes are more than enough for one person alone.
Dessert is dulce de leche flan. The small portion is misleading — the puck-size treat offers substantial richness, making it nearly enough for two diners to split. Its sweetness is hard to top as well.

Los Fuegos' discounted Miami Spice lunch is offered Monday through Friday through September 30. For more information, visit miamiandbeaches.com.

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