April Quick Bites: Aussie Chicken Parm, Lettuce Wraps and More

The Aussie Way

Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen does its chicken parm two ways: traditional and Aussie-style. The Australian version is the way to go, with a fried egg on top of a small mountain of “chips” (aka French fries), bacon, caramelized onions, cheese, and barbecue sauce ($17). If you want traditional chicken parm, there are Italian restaurants by the handful here in the Gables. But there’s only one place you can go for pub food from “the Land Down Under.”

Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen
65 Alhambra Plaza
786.452.0935
www.bay13brewery.com

Vegan Delight

Cauliflower is not a typical menu item for Greek restaurants, but that hasn’t stopped Kaia Greek Restaurant on Miracle Mile from creating an excellent side dish from the cruciferous vegetable. Theirs is grilled and then tossed with tahini sauce, pomegranate, and cashews for a tasty, slightly crunchy serving that could feed two people ($11).

Kaia Greek Restaurant
232 Miracle Mile
786.362.6997
www.kaiagreek.com

Wrap It Up

These DIY Korean-style lettuce wraps ($16.50) have been fairly Americanized by Tap 42, but that doesn’t mean they’re not delicious — just don’t eat them in front of someone whose opinion you care about. The lettuce cups are great for eating, but not so much for holding in the marinated chicken, sweet soy glaze, and collection of extra greens. Be prepared for a thoroughly enjoyable mess and remember to ask for an extra napkin.

Tap 42
301 Giralda Ave.
786.391.1566
tap42.com/coral-gables

Kamikaze

Sawa may have the most eclectic menu we’ve ever seen — even more so than their sister restaurant, Ecléctico — featuring dishes from fettuccine alfredo to naan pockets to chicken yakitori. But it’s the sushi that shines in this fusion of cuisines. The Kamikaze Tempura Roll is the sparkle on top ($18; $14 on happy hour). With saku tuna, avocado, masago, spicy mayo, and eel sauce, each bite explodes in the mouth.

Sawa at Shops at Merrick Park
360 San Lorenzo Ave. Suite 1500
305.447.6555
sawarestaurant.com

Pepper Up

The burger for people who like a little spice in their lives, Clutch Burger’s Volcano Burger comes with a veritable smorgasbord of peppers (roasted piquillo peppers, pickled habanero peppers, and pepper mayo) combined with onions, arugula, tomato, pepper jack cheese, and bacon ($18). Go on a Wednesday night to enjoy a burger with your comedy show — at 8 pm, stand-up comics take the stage. 

Clutch Burger
146 Giralda Ave.
305.400.8242
clutchburger.com