New Mandolin Bistro, New Look for DiLido, New Hours for Petit Rouge, New Location for Burger n' Beer

Mandolin Set To Play Turkish/Greek Cuisine
It is a white-washed 1940's house with blue trimmed windows. There are bougainvillea boasting bright colors, greek oil canisters turned into flower vases, traditional taverna chairs at wooden tables beneath a lantern-lit tree. Mandolin Aegean Bistro, serving rustic dishes authentic to the villages of Greece and Turkey, opened last night at 4312 NE 2nd Ave. in Miami. Owners Ahmet Erkaya, Erhan Kostepen, Anastasia Koutsioukis pledge to use seasonal ingredients, local purveyors and growers, and freshly caught fish of the day -- along with lots of vegetarian options. It's B.Y.O.B for now, but wine and beer license should come through in 2 weeks. We like that the mezes include some distinctive tastes such as olive oil-poached leeks with carrots and dill, and tomato-walnut dip. Another interesting sounding dish: Turkish spoon salad made with finely chopped tomato, parsley, onion and pomegranate molasses. The pide bread will be made on premise.
For more info: 305-576-6066.

Lunch at Petit Rouge
Starting this Monday, December 14th, Petit Rouge will be open for lunch Monday through Friday from noon until 3:00 p.m. Good news, as Petit is one of our favorite French bistros.
Petit Rouge, 12409 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami; 305-892-7676.

New Look for DiLido in March
The DiLido Beach Club at Ritz-Carlton South Beach will be presenting a whole new look along with a new name come this February or March. The space will be enlarged, the decor refurbished, the lighting redesigned, and a new outdoor deck installed -- all to better showcase what is the only SoBe restaurant with a direct oceanfront location. Chef Jeff McInnis will be back at the helm, so the cuisine should remain exquisite.

Another Burger and Beer Joint
I just heard that Buzzy Sklar will be opening another Burger and Beer Joint somewhere near Mary Brickell Village. Not sure if this is a scoop or if I'm the last to find out, but I'm passing the news along.