Photo Preview of Area 31 SBWFF Wine Dinner

Photo by Lee Klein

Seared Yellowtail with salsa verde and caramelized chestnuts

​Area 31, which has quickly established itself as one of Miami's best seafood restaurants, will host a dinner called Fish + Wine on Thursday, February 25, during the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Executive chef John Critchley and master sommelier Emily Wines have put together a doozy of a four-course dinner -- boutique wines paired with fresh, sustainable seafood sourced from the waters of the UN-designated Area 31 fishing region and produce from local growers such as Paradise Farms in Homestead and Swank Farms in Loxahatchee.

We were fortunate to get a taste of the tasting menu and can vouch for its delectability -- as well as that of the wines, especially this fresh, non-oaky Arbois Chardonnay with nutty notes that paired well with the chestnuts under the Key West snapper:

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The event will commence at 7 p.m. with exhibition stations of
paella, crudos, and cured fish paired with selections of beer, sake, and
cocktails. Seemingly already-sated guests will be seated at 8:30 p.m.
for a four-course "duet" menu with wine pairings -- each course
composed of two tasting dishes complemented with the same wine. For
example, one course will feature the aforementioned yellowtail along with house-smoked kingfish croquettes and avocado cream -- paired with the Arbois Chardonnay. The dinner promises to "serve as a delicious education on
Area 31's locally caught fish as Emily Wines will offer explanations
and tips from her 'duet' pairings of all eight tastings."

Photo by Lee Klein

Crudo of local yellowfin tuna and gulf escolar with Peruvian peppers, citrus, and passion fruit.

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Photo by Lee Klein

Florida gray dorade with roasted fennel in saffron tomato broth.

​Price is $175 per person, and proceeds will benefit the Marine Mammal Conservancy. Seating is limited to 150 people.

To be paired with the gray dorade and second, surprise fish on the plate.

​Area 31 is located on the 16th floor of Epic Hotel, 270 Biscayne
Blvd. Way., Miami. For more information and reservations, call 305-424-5234.
To guarantee reservations, credit card information will be taken at the
time of booking.