First Look: Bernie's L.A. Café on South Beach

Lee Klein

The $9 red plate special

​Bernie's L.A. Café opened to a packed house on Alton Road last week, and it continues to pack 'em in this week. Part of the built-in appeal is the familiarity with chef/owner Bernie Matz, who has a following from his Café at Books & Books. There is no literary backdrop to L.A. (Latin American) Café, just about 30 seats and a counter -- it's located where The Spot sandwich shop used to be. The menu is extensive and inexpensive. There are tacos, burgers, seafood cocktails, ceviches, tapas, salads, sandwiches, sandwiches a la plancha, quesadillas, fajita wraps, sweet potato fries, main plates, sides, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and cafecitos. Each day brings a different soup du jour ($4) and trio of daily specials that come with white rice, black beans, and maduros (solid deal at $9). I sampled Tuesday's lechón asado special (in photo above) and a grilled flank steak fajita that comes in a whole-wheat tortilla with grilled onions, roasted red peppers, and avocado salsa. The beef used has no antibiotics or hormones.

Lee Klein

Flank steak fajita

​Bernie's offers simple, fresh, and tasty home-cooked Latin fare without a fuss. It serves lunch daily and stays open for dinner until 10 p.m. weeknights, an hour later Friday and Saturday. Plus they deliver. We like it.

Lee Klein

On Alton Road

​Bernie's L.A. Café
1570 Alton Rd., Miami Beach
305-535-8003