Miami Spice Returns

OUR FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR IS BACK!

There’s something about the summer months in Miami, when the tourists return to their cooler climes and a five minute walk has you panting. But still, we love it nonetheless, if only for Miami Spice. The annual two-month affair gives you a more affordable opportunity to try out some of the best restaurants in town with three-course meals from $30 to $60. This year, there are 36 participating restaurants, all listed here, followed by reviews of some of our favorites.

Lunch

Pisco y Nazca

Pisco y Nazca’s outdoor patio makes for the perfect environment to enjoy its vibrant Miami Spice lunch, which offers guests a three course menu at $30 per person that includes an additional non-alcoholic beverage.

Tostones with pulled pork and pepper Sauce (left) and Dessert of golden berry créme brûlée (right)

For starters, we tried the tostones, which were topped with a pile of pulled pork, avocado, red onion salsa, and a Peruvian yellow pepper sauce that gave the dish a slight spicy kick. We also tried the chicken stew stuffed empanadas, which were excellent, and the crocante de camarón roll, a filling sushi roll comprised of panko shrimp and avocado, and dusted with dehydrated red pepper.

For our first entrée, we gave the pollo saltado, a traditional Peruvian dish, a shot. The chicken was well-seasoned, and the soy and oyster sauce savory and nicely balanced. The chicharrón de pescado, which included strips of fried fish paired with a spicy Asian sauce and fried rice, was more of an Asian dish – unexpected and filling, but not our favorite.

In desperate need of a sweet treat, we had high hopes for the Golden Berry Crème Brûlée, which costs an extra $3 but did not disappoint. The superstar of this sugary delight was the aguaymanto, a small and tart Peruvian berry scattered throughout the dish. Other dessert options include flan and suspiro, a dulce de leche dessert with a dollop of meringue and passion fruit glaze. – Luke Chaney

101 Miracle Mile
786.810.2266
Piscoynazca.com

Vinya Table

Centered around owner-chef Mariano Araya’s adventures in Spain, where he fell wildly in love with the rich flavors of jamón iberico, Vinya Table’s $50 Miami Spice menu is full of the iconic Spanish ham.

We started with the croquetas trio, which include one each of cod, chorizo, and – of course – jamón iberico. Similarly, the patatas bravas appetizer features the ham, this time in tartare form. Stacked atop razor-thin slices of potato that have been cooked and pushed together into a stack, the tenderized concoction is mixed with mustard, capers, and onions. With each bite, slices of potato slide easily apart, giving it a wonderfully unique texture and gastronomic experience.

Of the entrees, our favorite was a tie between the grilled pork chop and the seared mahi mahi. The pork chop, served with a side of sweet plantain puree, was covered in mojo chimichurri and came covered in a peaches and port wine reduction that was vaguely sweet with a tropical finish. The mahi, meanwhile, was served swimming in a citrus saffron sauce with lardo crust, saffron mashed potatoes, and, most importantly, cooked well with a firm base and moist flaky bits. The jamón iberico entrée – tortelloni pasta stuffed with ground ham – was good but paled in comparison to the other two. 

The star of the desserts, meanwhile, was the blue cheese tart, which was wonderfully flaky and savory, while the dulce de leche créme brûlée was richly anointed with an extra side of vanilla ice cream and berries. –Kylie Wang

266 Miracle Mile
305.203.4229
Vinyawine.com

John Martin’s

The renovated John Martin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, which reopened in 2022, offers more than traditional Irish fare. Known for shepherd’s pie and fish and chips, the establishment also serves up fresh takes on American and Irish cuisine, especially with its $35 Miami Spice lunch menu.

We began with the fried goat cheese. Each bite through the crunchy exterior was followed by the rich flavors of bacon and creamy herb goat cheese that melted on the tongue. For our second starter, the beef tartare, we were delighted by the truffle mayo topping, which added a fresh blend of textures and flavors to the classic dish.

For the main course, we went with the homemade potato gnocchi. These tender dumpling-esque bites came with a pancetta fennel pomodoro sauce, which delivered a savory depth. The further addition of truffle oil infused a vaguely earthy aroma. We also tried the Kilt Skirt Steak, a 10-ounce skirt steak served with potato hash, creamed spinach, and an Irish demi-glace. Tender and richly flavored. The potato hash added a satisfying crunch, while the creamed spinach provided the balance of a smooth, velvety texture.

We ended with the Irish pub’s New York-style cheesecake. Topped with a red wine berry compote, this smooth, creamy cheesecake paired perfectly with the tart, sweet compote, creating a vibrant balance of flavors that had us wanting more. –Amanda Martell

253 Miracle Mile
305.209.0609
Johnmartinsmiami.com

ZUCCA

Everything about Zucca’s three-course $35 Miami Spice lunch was light and fresh, from the complimentary prosciutto and parmesan served with bread and olive tapenade to the final tiramisu dessert.

To warm our palates, we began with the crudo di pesce. This bright and colorful plate of salmon, sprouts, and veggies dressed with a lemon vinaigrette was simple but elegant; a must-try option for raw fish lovers and the perfect pairing with Zucca’s refreshing watermelon spritz ($11). The tempura prawn appetizer was similarly spectacular, with a crisp but not overdone fried coating. The burrata cream and black lentil salad that came with it paled in comparison to the dish’s main attraction, however.

Our favorite of the two entrées we tasted was the filetto di corvina all’acqua pazza, a corvina fish filet in a tomato-based broth, served with a medley of potatoes, olives, and fresh oregano. We also had the braised ossobuco agnolotti, though we found the saffron sauce it was tossed in to be almost too buttery. 

The homemade limoncello tiramisu was a splendid way to end the luncheon, as citrus combined with cream to make one of our favorite takes on the classic Italian dessert. We’ll be back next time to try out Zucca’s beef tenderloin, which is sliced and served with crispy polenta, parmigiano fondue, and a black truffle sauce. –Luke Chaney

162 Alcazar Ave
786.580.3731
Zuccamiami.com

Dinner

Bouchon

The Miami Spice menu at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon features all the staples one would expect from a high-end brasserie. For $60, guests can try these culinary classics crafted by one of the foremost French chefs of the 21st century.

To start, we tasted the escargots de bourgogne, a French delicacy of puff pastry and snails topped with a rich garlicky butter, as well as the salade d’haricots verts et tomates, a modern spin on a niçoise salad, a traditional dish from Nice. Bouchon’s steak frites, one of the prototypical tests of any French restaurant, was impeccable. The steak is pan-seared with finely

chopped shallots, basted in a parsley compound butter and served alongside a mound of thin, crispy French fries. For the vegetarians, the Spice menu features gnocchi à la parisienne, a pasta dish consisting of pillowy potato dumplings sauteed with zucchini, carrots, and other spring vegetables. 

While most gnocchi is dense, leaving you feeling a bit bloated, Bouchon’s is light and airy, as though they somehow rolled up pieces of creamy mashed potatoes. While Keller may be known for his superb skills in the kitchen, the atmosphere at Bouchon is equally as impressive, transforming one’s dining experience from excellent to unforgettable.

The combination of dim lighting, burgundy wood, and chalkboards displaying the plats du jour creates a warm, hospitable atmosphere. Servers are attentive without being overbearing. And, of course, Miami Spice is a perfect excuse to indulge in an exquisite evening here that won’t be so painful to your wallet. –Maya Rego

2101 Galiano St.
305.990.1360
Thomaskeller.com

Levant

Jaded as we may be, we are happily surprised to see Levant still operating in what we formerly considered a “cursed” space on Ponce de Leon Blvd. Here, Crudos Art House, Swine, and other largely well-received establishments have ended up closing shop. Levant, however, which serves up cuisine from the Levant region of the Middle East, has continued to break the bad mojo, serving up lamb kababs and baklava by the potful. The $60 Miami Spice dinner menu has all the favorites.

We started with several iconic Middle Eastern dishes, including kibbeh and baba ganoush, though our top pick was the cigar cheese rolls. Wrapped in a crispy outer egg roll-esque shell, the “cigars” are filled with sheep’s milk feta cheese and basil, and taste almost like a spiced version of the classic mozzarella stick. The hummus was also wonderful, though we liked the puffy bread buns it was served with almost more than the dip itself.

Cigar cheese rolls with feta cheese filling (left), and the grandma vegetable pot in a doughy bread bowl (right).

The main course standout was the Grandma Vegetable Pot: eggplant, peppers, tomato, onion, and rice seasoned and slowly cooked in a clay pot and served steaming hot in a doughy bread bowl. The other rival was the adana kabab, a simple kabab with chopped spiced lamb that was elevated by traditional Levantine spices and served on a bed of homemade lavash bread.

By the time we made it to dessert, we were stuffed with breads, veggies, and meats, but went forward with the chocolate baklava anyway, which we would recommend saving more room for – as it was delicious. –Kylie Wang

2415 Ponce De Leon
786.762.2905
Levantmiami.com

Americana Kitchen

At Americana Kitchen, we are constantly drawn to Chef Ricardo Jarquin’s sauces, which are fantastically flavored. As always, his mojo aioli, served alongside the plantain empanadas on the $60 Miami Spice dinner menu, is the perfect complement to a dish he constantly revives with new fillings.

Five Ounce Angus Strip Loin with Asparagus salad (left), and Crispy Duck Confit, Fennel and Spinach Pasta (right)

If you’re looking for aesthetics as well as flavor, we recommend the salmon tiradito, where a beautiful and flimsy tapioca cracker wraps around jalapeño slices atop a vibrant bed of rice, avocado mousse, diced salmon, chalaquita (Peruvian salsa), and aji amarillo (a Peruvian chili pepper). A work of art in all senses: visual, tactile, and flavor-wise.

Among the entrees, we were hard-pressed to choose a favorite, although the Angus strip loin certainly inspired joy with its truffle demi-glace and asparagus salad. Our only complaint was that, at only five ounces, we could’ve happily eaten two. The crispy duck confit, meanwhile, was superbly accompanied with charred fennel and house-made spinach pasta that almost combined two dishes in one. Of course, the seared branzino, with its bed of carrot romesco sauce, charred broccolini, and frisée, is a masterclass in contrasting flavors and textures.

Unfortunately, by the time we were done with our mini tasting menu, we had left absolutely no room for dessert, but we’ll be back to taste the Grand Marnier Créme Brûlée Tart with mandarin gel. –Kylie Wang

2950 Coconut Grove dr. ( Loews Coral Gables Hotel)
786.772.7600
Americanakitchen.com