Scarpetta, Hakkasan, and Gotham Steak at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach will participate in Miami Spice this August and September. As always, the dinner Spice menu will cost $35 per person.
Scarpetta's menu will include a creamy polenta ($16 regularly) with fricassee of truffled mushrooms. The spaghetti ($24 regularly) with a tomato & basil sauce has a kick that makes it difficult to become bored with the dish. The Mediterranean branzino ($30 regularly) with razor clams, rock shrimp & tomato has a crispy skin around the flaky filet.
The dishes in the photos are of tasting portions and not representative of the actual portion during Spice.
Hakkasan's menu features prawn with crispy wheat flake ($32 regularly); the actual portion contains eight to ten pieces. Be sure to request the chili sauce; otherwise the dish might be too dry. The hot and sour soup ($16 regularly) was listed as vegetarian on the tasting menu; however it is made with chicken stock. There is white pepper and vinegar for an added kic, which doesn't allow for tasting the other ingredients . The stewed beef tenderloin (regular menu price not available) is prepared with dried chili and Chinese spice.
Gotham Steak's Spice Menu will include yellow fin tuna tartare ($21 regularly) with shiso, lime, and ginger. The creamy Florida rock shrimp risotto (regular menu price not available) includes roasted tomatoes, zucchini, and garlic lemon butter. It is an impressive dish with good balance. The braised beef short rib with grilled prime spinella of beef (regular menu price not available) is the top cap of prime rib grilled to perfection with a hint of char flavor. The dish includes Dutch marble potatoes, caramelized Vidalia onions, and Bordelaise sauce.
When assessing value, Gotham's menu would most likely rank as the best deal for $35. While Hakkasan is an exceptional Chinese restaurant, the Spice menu has a lot to prove. All things considered, Scarpetta's courses improved and -- of the three menus -- has the most to be excited about.
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