The Place: Mai Tardi
69 NE 39th St., Miami
305-572-1400
maitardimiami.com
The Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The Deals: Enjoy $4 beers, $5 wines by the glass, and $6 specialty cocktails.
The Scene: This week the Design District's Mai Tardi got a revamp. The outdoor area went zen with Buddahs, serene fountains, and over-sized umbrellas. The menu now features tapas-style items made for sharing; think Grilled Asparagus ($9), Portuguese Octopus ($12), and Wood-Baked Quail ($12). Mai Tardi's unique additions compliment their diverse signature cocktail menu, which includes options like the Mint Julep (mint leaves, brown sugar, bourbon, and ginger ale) and the Caipiwi (lime, kiwi, white sugar, and prosecco cin cin.) The outdoor patio and center bar is constantly buzzing with couples, post-work down-timers, and social butterflies.
The Conclusion: For those who love to eat outdoors or be engulfed in ambiance, it does not get much better than Mai Tardi. The new sharing-style menu items offer unique flavors at reasonable price points. Avoid the cevichi; though it tastes fresh, it does not offer any new or excited flavors. Try the Grilled Asparagus: it is cooked to perfection and the crunchy Parmesan and sunny-side-up quail eggs come together perfectly.
