Miami's Best Eats and Drinks This Week: Tacos, Bastille Day, and Funky Buddha Barbecue Dinner

Nothing starts off a week quite like tacos. Get them at Wapo Taco in Coral Gables, which opened on Friday. After going authentically Mexican it's time to go French. At least tomorrow anyway considering it's Bastille Day and lots of eateries are celebrating the independence of France with a little food and drink. 

But don't overdo it because Wednesday there's a Funky Buddha beer-meets-barbecue dinner at Devon, and Thursday you're sampling bites from over 50 of Miami-Dade and Broward's hottest restaurants at annual fundraiser Taste of the Nation.

Week starts now.  

Monday

Tacos at Wapo Taco
There's a new Mexican joint in Coral Gables, and it goes by the name of Wapo Taco. These guys are no strangers to the taco game either. They've been making tortillas by hand and from scratch since in Mexico City since 1962, when the authentic taqueria was dubbed El Farolito. And although it took them half a century to bring their tortas, volcanes, gringas and rotating spit to the states, we're just glad it's finally a short drive away.

Tuesday

Bastille Day
Tuesday is Bastille Day, which commemorates and celebrates the unity of France and its people, so naturally it's a good excuse as any for us Americans to sip on French 75's and nosh on escargot, French onion soup, or steak tartare. Good thing celebrations are happening all throughout town, from a three course prix-fixe menu at Bistro Cassis for $39 or at Café Brasserie for $42 to a more decadent five-course affair at Pascal's on Ponce for $66 and even a gratis glass of rose at Bagatelle. Just don't forget to say merci.

Wednesday

Devon Seafood and Funky Buddha Barbecue and Beer Dinner
If you're a fan of Funky Buddha (who isn't?) but don’t want to have to drive all the way up north to get your fix, head South to Devon Seafood & Steak this Wednesday for a five-course barbecue dinner that will pair items from the grill with the brewery's creations. On the menu: Asian barbecue octopus salad, smoked brisket, pulled pork sliders, chipotle barbecue baby back ribs, and raspberry cobbler. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. and costs $55 per person.

Thursday

Taste of the Nation at Loews Miami Beach 
Nothing says saving childhood hunger like a benefit with well over 50 of South Florida's top sommerliers, toques, mixologists, and brewers gathering under one roof and dishing out infinite quantities of bites, vino, and craft beer. For 25 years, Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation has been raising funds for the No Kid Hungry campaign. The epic affair is once again taking over the ballroom at Loews Miami Beach and will be followed by an even more epic "Chef on a Half Shell" after party hosted by chef Josh Capon and chef de cuisine Josh Latrellis at Lure Fishbar. Expect lots of oysters and prosecco. Tickets for Taste of the Nation, which runs from 7 to 10 p.m. costs $125. Should you want to VIP and after-party it up from 10 p.m. to midnight, as well as get an hour early admission to the benefit, you can do so for $250. Purchase ticket here.

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