Quick Bites: Mac and Cheese
The main ingredients are simple enough: Macaroni, cheese (usually cheddar), milk, and butter. Together they make a casserole that is one of America’s most popular comfort foods – albeit with origins going back to medieval times in Italy and England. But not all Mac and Cheese is the same. Here are a few variations you can find in the Gables.
Beauty and the Butcher
Smoked gouda queso, crispy garlic, and winter black truffle come together at Beauty & The Butcher for its Truffle Mac n Cheese ($19). The creaminess from the gouda mixes beautifully with the winter black truffle, and it’s baked to give it just enough of that pleasing crunch. It’s technically a side, but the portion can easily be shared – though you might not want to.
6915 S Red Rd
beautyandthebutchermiami.com
Bazille
Bazille, Nordstrom’s third-floor bistro, offers an elevated twist on traditional mac with its Crab Macaroni and Cheese ($23.50), made with fusilli, jumbo lump crab, mozzarella, provolone, pimento cheese, green onion, and parmesan. The bold, buttery crab is flavorful and rich, while the crispy breadcrumbs on top add a satisfying bite and some texture.
358 San Lorenzo Ave
shopsatmerrickpark.com
Tap 42
The truffle mac and cheese ($11.50) we ordered at Tap 42 was a mixed bag. The flavor was on-point, and the earthy aroma of the truffle was present as soon as the pasta arrived at our table. The butter-toasted breadcrumbs also provided a nice crunch. But parts of the dish were tepid and even cold. Not ideal – maybe we caught them on a bad day.
301 Giralda Ave
tap42.com
Yard House
With over 100 menu items, Yard House’s protein-packed [Mac + Cheese]² ($16.49) might get overlooked, but it’s worth a shot. Loaded with a hearty helping of chicken, bacon, mushrooms, and gooey cheese sauce, the dish filled us up before we were halfway done. The panko/cheddar crust on top balanced out the creamy richness of the dish, and while we would’ve liked a tad more white truffle flavor, the portion size alone makes it worth it.
320 San Lorenzo Ave #1320 (Shops at Merrick Park)
yardhouse.com
Books & Books
Pre-pandemic, Books & Books had one of the best macs in the Gables. Now, the iconic dish has finally returned in its new iteration ($16), featuring white truffle oil and breadcrumbs made from crushed croutons. Penne pasta coated in cheese is then topped with a healthy dusting of the crumbles plus some extra Parmesan –because who doesn’t love a little extra cheese with your cheese?
265 Aragon Ave
booksandbooks.com