Fresh Spring Bites
Simple, Clean and Crunchy
You would think that a Greek salad consisting of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, black olives, sliced green peppers, and chunks of feta cheese would be something that any restaurant could offer with a reasonable assurance of quality. If you believe that, you owe it to yourself to try the Greek salad at Sea Grill, the Mediterranean restaurant in the Shops at Merrick Park. Fresh, crisp, delightful, unbeatable — who knew it could be so good? (Small $15, large $22)
Sea Grill
4250 Salzedo Street
305.447.3990
seagrillmiami.com
Roll Into Spring
A far cry from the Asian appetizer that inspired The Globe Cafe’s Crispy Black & Black Spring Rolls, these rolls are more closely related to Mexico than China. With blackened chicken, black beans, and cheddar cheese, each one is soft and gooey inside, wrapped in a crunchy shell, and served with a small selection of greens and a savory dipping sauce ($16). We highly recommend having a plate Saturday night while the live jazz band, Entre Amigos, gives you a reason to spring to your feet and roll around.
The Globe Cafe
377 Alhambra Circle
305.445.3555
theglobecafe.com
Flan de Coco
What makes a flan? Mostly just egg, milk, and sugar. At Bulla, however, they add a little something extra, bringing coconut into the mix alongside a scoop of passionfruit sorbet. Topped off with fresh berries, Bulla’s version of this Latin dessert has the perfect consistency: soft and succulent, with a sweet flavor any South Floridian could identify after a single bite. Available off the regular menu ($9.50) or at brunch as your third course.
Bulla
2500 Ponce de Leon Boulevard
786.810.6215
bullagastrobar.com
Mexican Street Corn
It’s not the place you’d expect to find elote, but John Martin’s version of the classic Mexican on-the-cob treat is both a surprising and fun addition to their Irish-American fusion menu, great for sharing — as long as you don’t mind flossing later. The small cobs of “street corn” ($5) are dusted with chili powder and cheese and coated in a creamy mayo-based sauce, garnished with micro cilantro. A light snack while having drinks a good precursor to the ever-satisfying Guinness Burger.
John Martin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
253 Miracle Mile
305.209.0609
johnmartinsmiami.com
Right Out of the Water
It seems like an appropriate dish to eat while sitting next to the largest pool in the State of Florida. Regardless, the seared snapper at the Biltmore Hotel’s Cascade Poolside Café would be a delight in any setting — a handsome filet of our local fish, caught fresh and enhanced by a pool of coconut curry that is tasty without being overbearing. Making it extra special is a bed of “forbidden rice,” blackened by squid ink. And nothing beats the breeze, even on a warm day.
Cascade Poolside Café
1200 Anastasia Ave.
305.913-3189
biltmorehotel.com