100 Favorite Dishes: Grilled Octopus at Mandolin Aegean Bistro

As a countdown to New Times’ “Best of Miami” 2010, Short Order is serving up 100 of our favorite dishes in the 305. Send your nominations to cafe@miaminewtimes.com.

80. Grilled Octopus at Mandolin Aegean Bistro

This tender curlicue of octopus is first marinated in red wine, olive oil, and seasonings, then simmered (perhaps with a cork in the liquid?), then char-grilled (but not blackened) to juicy, smoky splendor; a squeeze of lemon and the treat is complete. The surroundings in which you get to enjoy the octopus is fetching as well: Mandolin’s outdoor patio, beneath a thick canopy of leafy, lantern-laced tree branches, with romantic Mediterranean music tinkling in the background.

Mandolin Aegean Bistro
4312 NE 2nd Ave.
Miami  
305-576-6066  

Hungry for more? The dishes in our countdown thus far are linked below:

100. Warm Buffala Mozzarella With Clay-Baked Roma Tomatoes and Eggplant at Timo

99. Butter Sweet Potato Pecan Cheesecake at the Mahogany Grille

98. Jerk Penne Pasta at Ortanique on the Mile

97. Herb-Basted Chicken Potpie at Gables Diner

96. Calzone Brooklynese at Pizza Volante

95. Deep-Fried Frogs’ Legs at Coopertown Airboats in the Florida Everglades

94. Caramelized Onion Quiche at La Provence

93. Huevo Frito con Patatas, Jamón y Setas at Solea

92. Side of Bone Marrow Served With Steak at BLT Steak in the Betsy Hotel, South Beach

91. Swordfish at the Oceanaire Seafood Room

90. Twice-baked upside-down Gruyère cheese soufflé at Pascal’s On Ponce

89. BBQ Shrimp at Red Light Little River

88. Thai Spring Rolls at the Asian Cultural Festival at Fruit and Spice Park

87. Sunday Fish Fry at the Shantel Lounge

86. Old Dirty Dawg at gastroPod Miami

85. Vegan Ding Dong at Lido at the Standard

84. Mahi-Mahi Tacos at Fish Shack & Market

83. Moroccan Spicy Chicken Sandwich at Elie’s Café

82. Spicy Tuna Rock at Asia Bay

81.Lechon Asado at El Palacio de los Jugos