New Places: La Rosa Gastrobar, Quore Gelato and Dōjō

La Rosa Gastrobar

Left: La Rosa Gastrobar Interior Features A Warmly Lit Bar
Right: Our Favorite Dish Of The Night – The Coconut Flan

The first thing we noticed when we walked into La Rosa was how inviting the space was. Though it’s in a slightly less trafficked area of Miracle Mile on the west side of the first block, La Rosa is an eye-catcher. Outdoor seating spills onto a corner of sidewalk near a tinkling fountain, while inside the warm interior features a warmly lit bar and a huge rose on one wall. Rust-orange and forest-green chairs complement the space nicely with tropical-themed upholstery giving it an extra Miami-style vibe. We found the menu to be similarly fun and Miami-esque, with three steaks served “on fire” tableside – quite literally. We tried the picanha ($35) and our only wish was that it was larger, though we enjoyed the blazing show. We also enjoyed the chipotle cauliflower tacos ($12), which were extremely flavorful, and the jamón and chorizo croquetas ($14), which came with a delicious sauce we also spread on our tacos. But our favorite dish of the night by far was the coconut flan ($10) for dessert. With just a hint of coconut, the dish was light and yet still sumptuous, slightly less rich than a usual flan. Though La Rosa is primarily a Latin restaurant, we’ll also be back to try some of their pastas and burgers – and for more flan. –Kylie Wang

382 Miracle Mile
786.870.5466
Larosagastrobar.com

Quore Gelato

The Cheesecake And Rum Alcohol-Infused Gelato Is A Combination Of Santa Teresa 1796 And Strawberry Cheesecake

In addition to their various classic gelatos, Quore Gelato, located right next to Copper 29 on Miracle Mile, offers a wide selection of alcohol-infused gelatos in either their medio ($12) or pinto ($22) sizes. Of course, we went with the alcoholic versions. After much deliberation (and a handful of kindly offered samples), we landed on three flavors, all of which came in at 4.8 percent alc./vol. First up, we tried the cheesecake and rum, a combination of Santa Teresa 1796 and strawberry cheesecake. The richness of the cheesecake and the sweetness of the strawberry swirls smoothly, blended in with the rum, while the crunchy crumbles on top were a perfect finishing touch. We also had to give the salted caramel and whiskey a shot, which we were told is Quore’s most popular flavor. This mixture, which combines Macallan’s 12-year-aged single malt whiskey with Quore’s salted caramel gelato, lived up to the hype. To finish off our unique ice cream / cocktail parlor experience, we went the sorbet route and tasted Quore’s strawberry and champagne – a strawberry sorbet infused with Veuve Clicquot Rose. Maybe it’s our fruity bias, but this flavor proved to be our favorite: light, refreshing, and easy on the tummy. We also tried a spoonful of the chocolate sorbet and Hennessy Cognac, as well as the piña colada and Zacapa 23 Rum; both delightful. We’ll be sure to include the dulce de leche with tequila, and the hazelnut with hazelnut liquor, on our next adventure to Quore, along with maybe an Uber ride home. –Luke Chaney

210 Miracle Mile
Quoregelato.com

Dōjō

Left: Niman Ranch 14-Ounce Grilled Denver Steak
Right: Tangy & Bold Okonomiyaki Cabbage Pancake

When Chef Pablo Zitzmann initially opened the now-famous Zitz Sum, it was just a pop-up. But the chef has since proved himself not only worthy of that now-permanent structure, but of another in Coral Gables. His latest creation is Dojo, an izakaya restaurant on Giralda Plaza that encourages its patrons to start with some chilled sake. We did just that, ordering a nice carafe of the Makihata junmai sake for $32 to go along with our starters. With warm lighting, a blend of minimalistic Japanese and Mediterranean inspired décor, and an intriguing playlist featuring grungy favorites like Nirvana’s “The Man Who Sold The World,” we dug in. The Karaage ($16) was an immediate favorite: mochiko fried chicken oysters (that refers to the rear end of the chicken – not actual oysters) served with kosho ranch, these were reminiscent of popcorn chicken bites, though a bit spicier and more flavorful. We also fell in love with the Okonomiyaki cabbage pancake ($22) served with saporous smoky bacon bits, pickled ginger, dried seaweed (nori), and kewpie, a Japanese mayonnaise. The dish was tangy and bold, great for sharing with small pieces we easily picked up. Of course, we also had to try Dojo’s best protein-packed dish: a Niman Ranch 14-ounce Denver steak cooked on a teppanyaki grill and served with a range of sides and dipping sauces. Full to the bursting with flavor, we ordered ours medium rare at our server’s recommendation and thoroughly enjoyed the Asian flavors paired with a premium, juicy cut of meat. Zitzmann has done it again! –Kylie Wang

148 Giralda Ave.
305.849.3456
Dojomiami.com