Baoli Miami

Think of Cannes, the Cote d' Azur and the French Riviera. Now add a little of the Miami bling bling and you have Baoli Miami, located at 1906 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. One of four venues around the world operated by the Baoli Group, Baoli Miami is a restaurant and night club that offers Mediterranean cuisine influenced by the Orient.  It is the Magic City's own version of the jet-setter, celebrity favorite, tailored after the elegant supper clubs in France.  The outdoor courtyard offers a charming, French feel that transforms in the evenings to a vibrant party scene while the inside exudes a more intimate setting.

Head Chef Gustavo Vertone has recently revamped the menu, infusing a strong Asian influence into the globally inspired dishes. Along with Nobu's former sushi chef,  Fnu "Danie" Armandani,
Vertone has added a myriad of sushi rolls to the already extensive menu,  taking guests on a magical journey through several continents during their multi-course dinner.

I recently visited Baoli and indulged in a variety of their extravagant dishes, exotic cocktails and sophisticated ambiance. I have to say that the first thing that blew me away, besides the décor, was a new, refreshing cocktail I had at the bar. Crystal Passion, a sinful combination of caramel vodka, passion fruit puree, and fresh lime juice, kept most of us buzzing around the table. Served in a large cognac glass with crunched ice and a star fruit slice, it left a sweet taste in my mouth that, for some reason, reminded us all of butterscotch. I can't remember a cocktail I've enjoyed quite as much as this one.

Crystal Passion

  

But on to the food - it was August 6th and the jump start of an incredible promotion at Baoli where the new menu items are offered at half-price every Tuesday. In addition to the half-priced menu, Tuesdays also bring a unique wine specially selected by the sommelier and a cocktail list with preferential pricing (Again, I highly recommend the Crystal Passion). This special promotion is being offered through October 29th, so don't wait too long to take advantage of it. It's one of those experiences you'll want to try more than once.

I figure you probably want to see for yourself what it is I'm talking about so let me give you a glimpse into Baoli by parading a few of the memorable plates. Oh and please don't blame me for any refrigerator raids that occur from this point forward.

Foie Gras au Torchon 
Terrine of foie gras on a brioche, served with fruit and 
figs compote 

Ahi Tuna Tartare
Fresh diced tuna mixed with avocado and kimchee lime 
dressing, and served with artisan sesame sticks and a side of caviar
My all-time favorite!

Ceviche Mixto
Hamachi tuna, scallops, shrimp and Maine lobster, combined
with rocoto lime sauce and served with crispy plantain chips
This one flew off the plates!

Burrata & Tomato
Heirloom tomatoes sit under a creamy Buffala Mozzarella,
 accompanied by olives, and drizzled with evvo

Roasted Beets
Yellow and red beets artfully served with feta cheese and 
bathed with orange miso sauce

Grilled Tiger Prawns
Yakiniku BQ with smoky citrus soy sauce

Rack of Lamb
Flavorful herbs and so tender it practically fell of the bone

Filet Mignon - All the meat is Certified Angus Beef

Miso Broiled Sea Bass
Unbelievable Chilean sea bass with bok choy, shitake and clear ocean broth

Australian Kobe Wagyu - Juicy and served with a creme of truffles

Hamachi Jalapeno 
Light sushi roll prepared with soy paper, chopped Hamachi,
jalapeno garlic, cilantro, cucumber, avocado and wasabi mayo

Black Truffle Risotto- Served in a Parmesan Wheel
Aquarello Organic rice with porcini broth and Mascarpone
and topped with Black Truffle shavings
One of my favorites of the night!

Whole Grilled Branzino
Prepared table side and served with steamed veggies

Sauteed Dover Sole
Prepared table side with lemon caper sauce and vegetable tempura

Truffled Mac & Cheese - Mouthwatering - Must Have!

Sampling of Desserts - Artwork or Heavenly Bliss?
 My favorites were the Warm Chocolate Fondant and Banana Rum Cake
Fireworks and all!

For more information on Baoli Miami, visit their website at www.baolimiami.com/.

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Box Park (CLOSED)

Back in February, I promised you I'd let you know as soon as Part 2 of the trio of gastronomic and thirst-quenching fun became a reality at the Axis Condominium Building in Brickell. As promised, I am excited to let you know that Box Park, located at 1111 S.W. 1st Avenue, is now open and serving up a respectable mouthful of their tag line "Food Unfiltered" philosophy.

The bar features a nice selection of original cocktails

Walking in to the cozy, relaxed space, I noticed the focus is immediately drawn to the spacious, open kitchen in the back. Executive Chef Matt Hinckley uses locally sourced ingredients to create his farm-to-table favorites. He receives much of his inspiration from his extensive travels, and the global influence of his experiences can be tasted in his dishes. Box Park participates in a unique restaurant certification and consulting program called SPE, born from the Latin phrase Sanitas Per Escam, which literally means "Health Through Food". It is designed to enhance the nutritional quality of meals without compromising taste. Developed by both chefs and dieticians, SPE works with restaurants and chefs to develop delicious dishes that promote healthy living, through the use of grains, fruits and vegetables, quality protein and healthy fats. It's a great concept because unfortunately, we usually associate healthy eating with bland food. This program bridges the gap by ensuring the specific ingredient combinations are not only nutritious, but also pleasing to the palate.

Behold the Boxmopolitan and the Saketini

After this bit of information, I got to sample a wide variety of the menu items offered at Box Park, many of which are classified under the SPE program, and let me tell you, clean-plate living can be a reality for a foodaholic like me. The dishes were tasty, satisfying and interestingly presented. But instead of rambling on and on, let me take you through them in this festival of foodporn, and show you a few of my favorites.

Kumamoto Oysters served with Pickle Juice Mignonette

Brickell Pickles - Out-of-season local vegetables

Kimchi- consisting of house-fermented cabbage, carrot,
scallion, chili, ginger and garlic **

Smoked Octopus- One of my top picks served with
horseradish mustard, pickled onion and saltines

Citrus-Cured Yellowjack - Refreshing ceviche with scallion,
cilantro, sweet potato, aji amarilo and chulpe **

Fried Alligator - Another popular favorite - they were
crispy, well-seasoned and served with datil pepper sauce

Duck Liver Pate - My #1 dish of the night - the creamy
delight was served with smoked peach jam on a charred bread

Bone Marrow - served with parsley, capers, red onion, chervil,
lemon, and charred bread

Their selection of  bread changes daily and is served with flax
seed dukkah and evoo

Goose Rillette - a nice treat served with cornichons, caperberries,
homebrew mustard and charred bread

Box Park Charcuterie - They offer a vast selection including
Whipped Lardo, Coppa, Piquante, Duck Prosciutto, Chorizo,
Wild Boar Finocchiona, Saucisson Sec and Amberjack Jerky

Mediterranean Salad - Light and refreshing, it is a medley of
romaine, red pepper, olives, red onion, cucumber, chick peas,
pepperoncini, and mint, topped with feta and drizzled with red
wine vinaigrette **

Watermelon and Crispy Pork Belly - Bam! I had dreams with
this one!

Chilled Beets - Orange, scallion, living yogurt, mint, saffron
dukkah, and harissa vinaigrette

Ancient Grain Salad - Changes daily and it's downright
irresistible. You can choose to add a farm egg, rock shrimp
or duck ham for an additional price **

Florida Mango & Burrata - Need I say more? Sweet and
salty colorful explosion with basil, evoo and chili salt

Pan-Seared Yellowjack with swiss chard, fennel and
muhammara **

Grilled Bison Shortrib  served with kale and polenta in
mouth-watering game jus

Margherita Pizza  with San Marzano Tomato, Mozzarella and
Basil - Or choose from the Herbivore, Carnivore, and
Omnivore!

BBQ Rabbit Wings - Loved the sweet and savory flavor
served with pickled okra and chives

Mango Tart Dessert - Spiced Custard, mango, passion
fruit and lime

Daily Sorbets - Creamy and light

Are you hungry yet? If you're adventurous like me, they have an option on the menu called "Just send food" where for a fixed price, the chef will send out a selection of dishes to try. You can even choose to have it with or without a wine or beer pairing. For more information on Box Park, visit their website at http://boxparkmiami.com/.

** SPE

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Miami Spice at Atrio at the Conrad-Miami Hotel in Brickell

What goes perfect with unparalleled service and impressive food? A great view! My first pick for this year's Miami Spice is Atrio Restaurant & Wine Room at the Conrad Miami Hotel located at 1395 Brickell Avenue. Atrio is a luxurious restaurant in the trendy yet sophisticated area of Brickell, offering panoramic views of the city and bay area. Its beautiful decor personifies unpretentious elegance, with a warm and inviting feel.

As I rode the elevator up to the 25th floor, I saw the Miami Spice menu displayed on the wall. Usually, I know right away what dishes I want to try because not all of them will appeal to me. However, the first thing that jumped out on our high speed ride was that the choices they offer for each course of the Miami Spice menu all sound amazing. And on top of that madness, you could also choose a select wine pairing for just $6 a glass.  Me likey already!

We sat down next to the floor-to-ceiling window and admired the view, while our incredibly knowledgeable and friendly waiter, Shane, gave us an in-depth description of the preparation of each dish. Wow! I can get used to this. There were a few of us having dinner together, so since we really wanted to try everything, we each ordered something different. You know what they say, sharing is caring.

Almond  & Grape Gazpacho

Goat Cheese Salad

Atrio offers the same Miami Spice menu for both lunch and dinner, so let's start with the appetizers. The selections are Almond & Grape Gazpacho, Salmon & Grouper Carpaccio, and Goat Cheese Salad. All three are winners. I'm not talking about just taste either - the presentation is remarkable. The Almond & Grape Gazpacho is completely unique and fun. It actually consists of a fried shrimp, grapes and mixed greens salad on one side of the dish with a shot of gazpacho on the other. So you eat it by taking alternating bites and sips. Think of it as a "deconstructed" gazpacho. It was extremely refreshing and flavorful. The Salmon & Grouper Carpaccio is equally as alluring. Thinly sliced pieces of salmon and grouper are artfully arranged on the plate, and topped with a fine herb sorbet. My first observation was that it totally awakened my palate, providing an aromatic, cooling array of flavors. Perhaps one of my favorites of the night. The Goat Cheese Salad was another fresh start to the meal, expertly pairing fried chunks of tangy, goat cheese, with the crispness of organic greens sourced from Paradise Farms. I loved the touches of roasted beets and crunchy pecans which added more depth and texture to the experience, and found the dressing to be phenomenal. They certainly know how to put together an opening course befitting the culture and feel of Miami at Atrio. All of these choices were perfect summer dishes.

Salmon & Grouper Carpaccio

Seared Scallops

Mushroom Cannelloni

The second course offerings were as exquisite as the first, providing a delectable option for every preference. They include Seared Scallops, Glazed Kurobuta Pork Belly, and Mushroom Cannelloni. The Seared Scallops were buttery and soft, sitting on a nice, creamy and smooth cauliflower mousseline, and topped with a cardamon cloud. The cardamon gave the tender scallops an intensely fragrant character that seemed to warm the taste buds with every bite. The Glazed Kurobuta Pork Belly was, how should I say, a masterpiece. Oozing in superior taste, texture and marbling, it was the kind of dish you savor with your eyes closed. Difficult to describe with just one adjective, I have to alternate between crispy, tender, chewy and sweet. It was served with crispy octopus and mascarpone polenta, all coming together like a loving family on Christmas morning. Can it get any more genius than that? For those preferring a meatless or vegetarian alternative, the Mushroom Cannelloni would be spot on. Served in a creamy gorgonzola sauce, the strong flavors of the sauce balanced the earthiness of the mushrooms in pure, gastronomic harmony.

Glazed Kurobuta Pork Belly

Peach Trifle

Exotic Virgin Daiquiri

The third course choices proved to have been designed with as much care and detail as the other two. They consisted of Peach Trifle, Exotic Virgin Daiquiri and Farm Goat Cheesecake. The Peach Trifle was served in a glass; the chunks of peaches layered between dollops of Amaretto whipped cream. It was light, creamy and another refreshing ode to Miami weather. The Exotic Virgin Daiquiri was an original dessert, made with passion fruit, mango and kiwi, and served with champagne granite. This one was more subtle and fruity in taste yet memorable in its simplicity and presentation. It kind of reminded me of a tropical escapade through the Caribbean. Although I was enthralled by all the desserts, the Farm Goat Cheesecake was my favorite. A picture is worth a thousand words, but in this case it doesn't do it justice. The mild flavored, creamy texture of the goat cheese created a decadent sweet basis for this dessert, while the raspberry coulis infused a seasonal zest that brought it all together. I can sleep with one of these on my pillow every night.

Farm Goat Cheesecake

All this, for $23 for lunch and $39 for dinner. Can't think of a better place for a  fantastic, romantic night. And with a Miami Spice menu like this, it is an eat-and-repeat kind of place. After starting off with an experience as memorable as this one, I can't wait to see what else awaits us for 2013. For more information, you can visit Atrio online or call them at 305 503-6500.

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