Miami Art Week 2016: Beautiful Fall Dishes to Eat During Art Basel

As Miami Art Week and Art Basel take over the city, hotels, restaurants, and public spaces transform into vibrantly colored, well-lit exhibitions. Yes, that means even your plates.

But let it be known there's more to this week than sought-after showcases and exclusive parties. Fall is less than a month away from transitioning into winter, and though that change doesn't mean much temperature-wise, it will undoubtedly affect local eateries and their seasonal menus.

Use Miami's art-filled week as an excuse to indulge in some of the area's best eats, marrying taste, design, and seasonal elements to create a plate worthy of both a bite and a photo. Plus, gallery-going gets exhausting and often calls for much-needed refuel and recharge sessions.
1. Cauliflower at Kyu
The wood-fire Asian concept features more than dark-colored meats and seafood. Find a variety of beautifully designed, veggie-centric dishes to complement the heartier mains. Among the most popular is the roasted cauliflower ($12). Charred cauliflower florets are placed on a bed of goat cheese and shishito-herb vinaigrette. The creaminess of the green-and-white sauce is offset by the fresh and light texture of the veggies. Kyu recommends pairing the dish with a meatier plate, but it can be eaten alone too. Though it might look too good to nosh on, be sure to scoop up every drop of its emerald-colored, buttery paste using the cauliflower's florets.
2. Doughnuts at the Salty Donut
Art Basel 2016 marks one year since the Salty Donut's launch as well as the official opening of the artisanal doughnut shop's permanent brick-and-mortar. That calls for a sweet-filled celebration. The store recently rolled out a medley of fall-inspired flavors ($3 to $5), and more are on the way in the coming weeks. For now, keep an eye out for a green apple and cinnamon doughnut filled with Granny Smith apple pie and topped with a sprinkle of oat streusel, and a cran-blueberry crumb fritter drizzled with a sugary glaze.
3. Roasted Heirloom Carrots at the Continental
At Stephen Starr's retro-chic diner, roasted heirloom carrots ($10) are the perfect addition to any meaty dish. The fall-inspired plate places dark roasted carrots on top of a velvety scoop of Greek yogurt. Ginger, honey, crisp quinoa, and citrus are sprinkled throughout, adding sweet flavor to an otherwise smoky dish. It's not the most filling dish, so order a few other plates.
4. Arroz Marinero at Bulla Gastrobar
There's something about a green dish that begs to be eaten in the fall. At Bulla (pronounced boo-yaonly), consider the arroz marinero ($28). Whipped up inside a Josper, which looks like an oven but has the force of a charcoal grill, the dish fuses bomba rice with sofrito verde, clams, shrimp, Spanish hake, and plankton, creating a thick, creamy texture and a hearty dinnertime plate. Note: The dish is available only at Bulla's Doral location.

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