Traymore – BY MICHAEL SCHWARTZ
As a result of the overwhelming success of their Miami Spice Lunch menu last summer, Traymore by Michael Schwartz is now serving a pre-set lunch menu, dutifully named the “Lunch Set,” featuring two- and three-course options for $23 and $29 respectively. Perfect for a business meeting, ladies’ lunch or boozy afternoon jaunt, the affordable lunch is offered both indoors, in the restaurant’s main historic Art Deco dining room, and outdoors on the restaurant’s beautifully appointed veranda overlooking the boardwalk. The specialty menu features signature Traymore dishes prepared by executive chef Jorge Negron such as the classic Royal Red Shrimp Ceviche with Kumquat-aguachile, cucumbers and red onions; Crispy Chicken with black pepper glaze and curried pickled jicama. Entrées include the Smoked Chicken with curry rice, bhel puri, tamarind chutney; Steamed Maine Blue Mussels with coconut, ginger, green sambal, purple basil and black rice; and a Turkey Sandwich with kimchi aioli, shaved vegetables, soy cured egg and milk bread. According to Schwartz, the philosophy is simple: The secret to good food is good food. His menu celebrates in-season, local ingredients; to each dish, he adds sophisticated Asian nuances that speak to COMO Hotels’ roots, in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. The menus at Traymore therefore continue to be a perfect reflection of the brand’s heritage, along with Schwartz’s commitment to healthy yet flavorful cooking.
2445 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305.695.3555; comohotels.com
Prezzo – BOCA RATON
Hailing from Milan, Italy, Fabrizio Pintus—the newly appointed executive chef at Prezzo, Rapoport Restaurant Group’s signature Italian trattoria—is introducing a number of new, seasonally driven dishes sure to remind loyal fans why it stands apart from competitors. Beyond its laidback ambiance and convivial neighborhood vibe, the beloved Boca Raton locale has been celebrated for its delicious, rustic Italian fare since its inception in 2017. Now the talented team at Prezzo has rolled out a refreshed menu rich with concept classics and new creations. While a number of new offerings make their debut, signature favorites remain, such as Fusilli with oak-roasted chicken, broccoli, sun-dried tomato, goat cheese, pine nuts, balsamic, and roasted chicken stock and Wood Oven-Baked Apple Tart with cinnamon gelato. The highly anticipated menu is a testament to Pintus’ boundless creativity, dedication to technique and mastery of bold, authentic Italian flavors. New dishes across all categories include Burrata Bruschetta, garlic toasted rustic Italian bread, tomato crudo, fresh basil, Mozzarita burrata and balsamic reduction; a Ham & Mushroom pizza with pomodoro sauce, shaved Italian ham, roasted mushrooms and mozzarella; and the season-forward Butternut Squash Ravioli crafted with housemade spinach pasta, crispy Brussels sprouts, Pecorino Romano, butter and sage. Secondi additions include the Brasato, Chianti-braised short rib, polenta cake, wilted spinach and roasted baby carrots; and Pollo Arosto, wood-roasted half chicken and Yukon Gold potatoes served with an eggplant caponata.
Complementing Chef Pintus’ cuisine, new cocktails perfect for toasting this season include Double Shot Espresso Martini with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Kahlúa, creme de cacao and cream and Brooke’s Best with Bulleit Bourbon, elderflower, lemon, and simple syrup.
5560 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, 561.314.6840; prezzoboca.com
Navé – COCONUT GROVE
Navé, the highly anticipated new restaurant by Chefs Michael Beltran and Justin Flit, opened its doors to the public in the heart of Coconut Grove in November. Italian by definition, coastal Mediterranean in spirit, the eatery features a simple yet sophisticated, seafood-centric menu served in a casually elegant setting directly next door to Beltran’s heralded restaurant, Ariete. This newest addition to Beltran’s family of restaurants and bars features memorable dishes that showcase proper technique, smart sourcing and bold flavors and an extensive, thoughtfully crafted beverage program in a stunning indoor/outdoor space. “Coconut Grove is my home and when I opened Ariete my vision was to make this community the heart of our endeavors,” says Beltran. “This is a historic neighborhood with an amazing vibe and a real sense of itself and I love being a part of that.” The menu is divided into eight sections: Raw Bar, Appetizers, From the Oven, Seafood Plateaus, Pasta, Entrées, Prepared Simply and Sides. Standout offerings include oysters; middle neck clams, prawns, sea urchin and scallops; Caviar Panna Cotta with shallot agrodolce, cuttlefish pizzelle and smoked trout roe; wood-fired specialties like Clam Pizza with olive oil, garlic, mozzarella and parsley; Warm Peekytoe Crab with white bread, saffron rouille and watercress; and The Whale, a whopping, $148 serving of clams, prawns, oysters, Big Eye tuna, half tray of uni, Insalata Di Mare and jumbo stone crab. Noteworthy entrées include Australian Rack of Lamb with zucchini pave, fig jam and Smoked Chicken a l’Orange with roasted, raw fennel salad. Last but not least are the sweet endings, among which the Chocolate Bar with caramelia ganache, chocolate olive oil cake and salted rum caramel crème fraiche sherbet and Paris-Brest, consisting of mocha-infused pâte à choux and cocoa craquelin pastries and hazelnut chiboust, are must-tries.
3540 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove, 786.615.3747; navemiami.com
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