While Ultra pulses away in downtown Miami, the food scene is really heating up.
This weekend, find parties, festivals, and plenty of beer all around town.
Start with the Slow Food Miami tasting party at the Nobu Eden Roc, or dine at the Wynwood Yard. Saturday, check out J. Wakefield's limited-edition bottle releases, and Sunday, eat a bounty from the ocean at the Deering Seafood Festival in the afternoon before heading to Cochon 555 or the Saffron Supper Club in the evening.
Weekend starts now!
Taste of the Yard at the Wynwood Yard
Can’t decide what to eat? Now there’s a wonderful solution: Taste of the Yard. Why commit to just one purveyor when you can savor bites and libations from eateries around the Yard? Every Friday, a $25 ticket allows you five samples from the Yard’s culinary concepts, including the Bar at the Yard, BBQ by Darian, the British Garden, Charcoal Garden Bar + Grill, Della Test Kitchen, Kuenko, Mr. Bing, Radiate Apothecary, Steelcity Coffee, and World Famous House of Mac.
5 p.m. Friday, March 24, at the Wynwood Yard, 56 NW 29th St., Miami; 305-351-0366; thewynwoodyard.com. Tickets cost $25 via eventbrite.com.
Barú Kendall
With locations in Brickell and Doral, Barú has made a name as a fun bar with cool drinks and a hot Latin vibe. Now it has expanded to South Miami-Dade. Barú Kendall, located at the Palms at Town & Country, offers 5,500 square feet of entertainment. Find three cocktail bars, two terraces with lakeside views, and a Latin-inspired food menu. It's the perfect escape from Ultra madness.
Barú Kendall at the Palms at Town & Country, 8326 Mills Dr., Miami; 305-477-6022; barulatinbar.com.
Slow Food Miami Snail of Approval
This Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Slow Food will celebrate its 2016-17 Snail of Approval honorees at its sixth-annual tasting event at the Nobu Eden Roc. Guests can roam the property's terrace and sample dishes from a mix of past and present Snail of Approval recipients, including Zak the Baker, Matthew Kenney, Giorgio Rapicavoli, Sean Brasel, and Allen Susser. In addition, Snail winners Jonathan Wakefield (J. Wakefield Brewing), Kevin Rusk (Titanic Brewing), Carlos Cararas (MIA Beer Company), Cristina Ivory (Angry Booch), Nick Paton (Kelvin Slushies), and Buster Brown (Counter Culture Kombucha) will provide liquid refreshment. Helene Henderson, chef/owner of Nobu Eden Roc's Malibu Farm, will host the event.
7 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Nobu Eden Roc, 4525 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-531-0000; nobuedenroc.com. General-admission tickets cost $85 in advance and $100 at the door via freshestnightout2017.bpt.me.
J. Wakefield Brewing Beer Releases
This Saturday at noon, J. Wakefiend Brewing will release six beers. They will be sold at the brewery bay door, and sales are cash only. The following beers will be available while supplies last:
- Ay Que Rico (Red Label): Bourbon-barrel-aged imperial stout with dulce de leche added. ABV: 12 percent. 750ml bottles. $25 plus tax. Limit three bottles.
- Ay Que Rico (Blue Label): Scotch-whisky-barrel-aged imperial stout with dulce de leche and Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee from Monstra Coffee in San Diego added. ABV: 12 percent. 750ml bottles. $30 plus tax. Limit three bottles.
- Orange Dreamsicle: Sour ale with oranges and vanilla. ABV: 7 percent. 750ml bottles. $15 plus tax. Limit three bottles.
- Forbidden Forest, collaboration with Modern Times Beer (San Diego): Imperial stout with Modern Times barrel-aged coffee. ABV: 12 percent. 750ml bottles. $20 plus tax. Limit three bottles.
- Rock Box: Northeast-style double India pale ale with Mosaic hops, Amarillo hops, and honey added. ABV: 9 percent. Four-packs of 16-ounce cans. $18 plus tax. No limit.
- That’s My Jam: Northeast-style India pale ale with strawberries, coffee, and cocoa nibs. ABV: 7 percent. Four-packs of 16-ounce cans. $20 plus tax. No limit.
Cochon 555's Bespoke Dinner at Pubbelly Noodle Bar
Ramp up for Cochon 555's mega Sunday porkfest with the Chef's Course Bespoke dinner this Saturday. Guest chefs Diego Oka of La Mar at Mandarin Oriental and Michael Beltran of Ariete will take over the Pubbelly Noodle Bar kitchen for a five-course dinner that incorporates the theme "culinary modernity." Hosted by chef Jose Mendin, the evening will offer premium wine and cocktail pairings and a predinner cocktail reception with appetizers presented by House of Angostura. Proceeds benefit the Piggy Bank charity.
7 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Pubbelly Noodle Bar, 1418 20th St., Miami Beach. Tickets cost $125 via pubbellygroup.com.
Click "Next Page" for more great food and drink events this weekend in Miami.
Deering Seafood Festival at the Deering Estate
Short of a shellfish allergy or a hurricane, nothing should keep you from attending the 13th-annual Deering Seafood Festival on the Bay. Mix the natural and historic beauty of the Deering Estate with freshly caught and cooked sea creatures, and you have yourself a perfect Florida day. Celebrity chefs will show you how to create drool-inducing dishes while stilt-walkers and a Bahamian Junkanoo parade will keep the kids hypnotized. The Green Mobility Network will provide bicyclists with valet parking if you ditch your four wheels for two.
10 a.m. Sunday, March 26, at the Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72nd Ave., Palmetto Bay; 305-235-1668; deeringestate.org. Admission costs $5 to $15 via extremetix.com or $25 at the gate.
The Juice Is Loose at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
Get smashed this Sunday at Bodega when J. Wakefield Brewing brings some juicy beers, including its Other Half collaboration: Jiu Jitsu Juice and the mango double IPA Mango & Cash. Specials include $2 tacos, $5 beers, $6 cocktails, and much more. Enjoy music from DJ Miner, challenge your friends to some games, and make your Sunday a fun day. Ladies, register now for free "special punch" until 4 p.m.
2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, 1220 16th St., Miami Beach; 305-704-2145; bodegasouthbeach.com. Free admission with RSVP at eventbrite.com.
Oh What a Nitro at Concrete Beach Brewery
Calling all beer nerds to unite at the Social Hall. Concrete Beach is releasing an imperial chocolate chili stout with the help of Lulu’s Nitrogen Ice Cream. Guests will be able to make their own nitro beer float with three flavors of ice cream and learn about the science behind nitrogen gas and how it affects beer (and ice cream) during a live Q&A by head brewer Marco Reyna.
4 to 8 p.m Sunday, March 26, at Concrete Beach Brewery, 325 NW 24th St., Miami; 305-205-9983; concretebeachbrewery.com. Admission is free.
Bali Ha'i at the Kampong
Bali Ha’i is South Florida’s favorite garden party and food-and-wine fundraiser. The 23rd-annual shindig will take place Sunday at the Kampong, the historic waterfront estate of plant explorer David Fairchild, a tropical botanic oasis in Coconut Grove. This is the perfect setting for the bash, featuring an afternoon of garden beauty, handcrafted cocktails, and fabulous food. A dazzling array of luxurious auction items will be available for bidding.
5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at the Kampong, 4013 Douglas Rd., Coconut Grove; 305-442-7169; ntbg.org. Tickets cost $175 via balihaiparty.com.
Saffron Supper Club at Mina's
Mina’s Mediterraneo will host the next Saffron Supper Club in its garden. The traditional Egyptian-themed dinner will include a cocktail reception with passed bites, a three-course dinner, wine, signature cocktails, and live music for $65, which includes tax and gratuity. This magical evening under the stars will be an intimate experience filled with tastes and culture from Mina’s owner Yasmine Kotb’s native Egypt.
6 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at Mina's Mediterraneo, 749 NE 79th St,, Miami; 786-391-0300; minasmiami.com. Tickets cost $65 via mixstir.com.
Cochon 555 at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach
People love pig. They love pork, they love ham, and they love everything from skin to snout. And Cochon 555 knows that. This roving culinary experience is set to hit South Beach this Sunday. It places 1,500 heritage porcine pounds in the paws of chefs to prepare and pair with wine, cocktails, and artisanal brews. Support family farmers while tasting heritage porkers done up properly for your palate.
4 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at Ritz-Carlton South Beach, 1 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach; 786-276-4000; ritzcarlton.com. Tickets cost $125 to $400 via cochon555.com.