Eating News February ’23
MiamiCurated
A new addition to rooftop restaurants in Miami, this with a Spanish twist, taqueria for your list in Miami Beach and soon in Brickell, new restaurant by Master Chef Israel winner, uber cool vintage Volkswagon mobile bar for your next party, and a candidate for the next “it” restaurant, and more in Eating (and Drinking) News for February ’23.
Looking for a delicious, quick bite in the Lincoln Road area? Now there’s another good option – Tacombi taqueria, the second outpost in Miami joining one in the Design District. Founded on the sand dusted streets of Playa del Carmen in Mexico, Tacombi has popular items from across Mexico’s 32 states. The casual atmosphere with its tomato red and white décor, domino tables, open kitchen and sit up bar make for a lively setting. The menu categories include entradas, tacos and tostadas, quesadillas, burritas and breakfast tacos served all day.
Our favorites for our pre theater light dinner included guacamole with rich corn tasting chips made daily and sold to take home ($13.95); addictive corn esquites, corn off the cob seasoned with dried chili poblano, mayonnaise and dried chili powder ($4.49); Baja crispy fish tacos that were plump with good size pieces of beer battered cod ( $6.49) and all the garnishes; and mushroom quesadilla ($7.95). Note, there’s one taco in an order which makes for mixing and matching.
We washed it all down with their mezcal mule with ginger beer and lime ($13.98) and a beer ($6.98). There’s also a selection of aguas frescas (water with fruit juice), fruit sodas and Mexican bottled waters. Service was friendly and attentive. They have a weekday happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. with $5 beers and micheladas, $9 margaritas and sandia santas.
With each new opening, the taqueria participates in growing the impact of The Tacombi Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance Mexican communities through education and food accessibility. As part of the foundation, The Tacombi Community Kitchen provides food for people in need by donating thousands of quality and reliable Mexican meals prepared in the kitchens of Tacombi taquerias. Recipients include the Miami Rescue Mission and soon to come, Lotus House. The Miami Beach location on 17th Street and Meridian Avenue is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Soon to come, locations in Brickell and Wynwood.
A new hot spot for drinks and a modern and urban twist on Spanish cuisine is the 4000 square foot Level 6 rooftop bar and restaurant above Amal Lebanese restaurant in Coconut Grove. Unlike many other rooftop restaurants in Miami which I often find a little bare and cold, Level 6 is more like an inviting café with its intimate seating areas punctuated with vegetation, and a welcoming bar.And oh those 360 degree views!
Find Spanish favorites like a wide variety of classic tapas, paellas, raw bar, salads, and options for meat eaters. Menu highlights include Spanish charcuterie with sourdough bread, ibérico chorizo, ibérico salchichón, pickles, crème fraiche ($26), shrimp al ajillo, tapa ($24 ), and paella de mariscos (Spanish bomba rice) made with Argentinian shrimp, langoustine, clams and lemon. We had the shishito peppers that were perfectly prepared and tasty ($12) and salt cod croquetas ($16). Our main dish was the novel paella with truffle stuffed chicken,($56). Dessert was the all time Spanish favorite – churros with vanilla ice cream, a choice rendition. A glass of wine starts at $18. Cocktails are in the twenties.
Level 6 is located at 3480 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. Hours of operation are Sunday – Wednesday from 5pm – 12am and Thursday – Saturday from 5pm – 1am. Brunch is offered on weekends from 10:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. For reservations at Level 6 please call 786-800-2080 or visit level6miami.com Parking is available in an adjacent municipal lot.
Here’s an unusual bar for your next event. Check out Kombi Keg Miami, a unique vintage 1964 Volkswagen Kombi bus turned to mobile bar, I recently discovered at the Motorcar Cavalcade. The bus bar includes 6 taps that can serve icy cold beer, handcrafted mixed cocktails and so much more! Their team can be on hand to pour the drinks for you or invite your guests to help themselves. The rental includes the use of up to 6 taps, an attendee throughout the event, ice, choice of bar top on the bus and the option to use the LED Smart TV to display your choice of media. The rental also includes the team buying all beverages ahead of time for you. If you are working with an event or catering company, you can have them supply the beverages. Additional add-on packages are also available such as a fun karaoke system; plastic cups, flutes and glasses; lawn games and balloon garland/arch. For more information go to: www.kombikegmiami.com or check them out on Instagram @kombikegmiami
Find your salads or sandwiches kind of boring? Here’s a find from the Seed Wine and Food Festival that helps you add some excitement and lots of vitamins and nutrients: Fullei sprouts. Get this, seven different kinds including alfalfa, beet, broccoli, clover, daikon, sunflower, snowpea plus combos and organic options. They’re grown hydroponically in South Miami by the second generation sprout grower, Fullei Fresh. For added safety, they’re inspected yearly by a third party that tests each lot for E.coli and salmonella along with listeria. To find out where to buy them, click here.
Arguably one of the most famous chefs in the world, Massimo Bottura of three Michelin star restaurant in Modena, Italy, is opening a new outpost in downtown Miami! According to the Miami Herald, the Miami restaurant will be a version of a one star restaurant from Dubai. It will be in Julia & Henry’s, a seven story food, bar and entertainment space at the Walgreen’s building on Flabgler Street and Second Avenue. It will take its place with about 20 other food and beverage offerings. No opening date set.
Sounds like Queen Miami Beach, opening February 9, will be vying to be the new “it” place, described as “recreating a nostalgic world of decadence, glamour, power, and inimitable magnificence”. On the 5th street corridor of Miami Beach,it will be in the iconic Paris Theater, built in 1945 by famed Art Deco architect Henry Hohauser. The Theater has graced album covers and music videos of Madonna, U2, J. Lo, Christina Aguilera, and Ricky Martin.
Chef Julien Jouhannaud, who oversees several Michelin-starred restaurants in New York and most recently led the culinary teams at Annabelle’s in London, serves as Queen Miami Beach’s Chief Culinary Officer with local Chef Mitchell Hesse, leading as Queen Miami Beach’s Executive Chef. Together, the pair has created a curated menu that marries French techniques with Japanese ingredients.
An extensive cocktail program will encompass libations that incorporate fresh ingredients and Japanese spirits, while a separate world-class wine and champagne list will offer an elite selection from exclusive labels and boutique producers, including a unique partnership with the luxurious Louis XIII.
The distinct ‘Salon Lounge’ area will house Queen Miami Beach’s main bar, which will offer a selection of craft cocktails.
A covert ‘Omakase Counter’ will live on the second floor and peek out into the main dining room below, catering to those looking for chef’s selection of delicately composed nigiri and traditional dishes.
Queen Miami Beach will open Tuesday through Saturday, from 6pm until late, and is located at The Paris Theater | 550 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Valet Parking is available in the front entrance and public parking garages located at 555 Washington Ave. and 500 Collins Ave. For more information, reservations and updates, visit: queenmiamibeach.com or, follow @queenmiamibeach on Instagram.