Overrated Eats: Ortanique on the Mile

• I went to Ortanique last night with 5 others and we kept ordering the bread, because it was prepared and served perfectly. The boulabaise dish looked like it was large enough for 2 and I was sucking the shells before I was done. Ortanique is my favorite restaurant. I always take out-of-town visitors there because the food and atmosphere are unique and wonderful. Cindy is a great chef. Delius is the perfect manager and host. Ernesto puts together an exceptional wine list. John

• Dearest Blogger: You are out of your mind. But of course you would be because a statement such as Ortanique's award-winning mojito needing more rum only indicates that you, yes, you, dear blogger are an ALCOHOLIC. Get some help, please. In terms of Ortanique's cuisine, well, let the people speak: Excellent cuisine.

• This blogger is out of his mind. This is a restaurant that has outlasted most and for a reason. The decor is beautiful and being at this restaurant takes you away to where you want to be. Chef Cindy is one of the best there is and her food is amazing. Her food wakes up your senses and delights your taste buds with a harmony of the most delicious tastes you will ever experience. And the mojito needing more rum? blogger please...It seems your palate needs some help. The mojito is made proudly, with fresh ingredients AND NO MIX....to a perfection that has been compared to the original Cuban Mojito. I am suspicious that the blogger is anonymous, and even more suspicious of this blogger's off the wall palate. Hey, blogger, please read the responses to your opinion, it may give you an idea, that your palate is off its senses completely. Chef Cindy will always have a following...because of her amazing dishes and awesome bartenders, waiters and staff. I will always be a fan of Ortanique on the Mile!

• An anonymous blog. I am very suspicious about these comments. I have been to Ortanique on the Mile, their food is more than excellent, their bread one of the best, and their Mojitos are made fresh with no added mix and the way they are supposed to be made. IT IS SO OBVIOUS that this blogger is out of his mind. Yes, everyone is entitled to his opinion, but he is the few and NOT the majority. Please blogger, next time, if you mean what you say and are truly legit, please show who you are. You are so wrong about Ortanique on the Mile. And if you'd like, read the comments about your blog. It may reveal that your palate is a little off the norm. Even Ortanique's competition love the restaurant. As far as I am concerned, there is a reason why this restaurant has been awarded, and why it's lasted and been open for so long. Lesson learned, don't pay attention to anonymous bloggers!

• My experiences at Ortanique's over the last 10 years are the exact oppossite of this tasteless critique!!! What is overrated is the critics' ability to accurately inform readers as to the excellent quality of this restaurant. Keep the fine food coming!!!!!

• Anonymous comments used to be acceptable during the pamphleteering days of the American Revolution for fear of retribution by the British. Today, only a coward would hide behind "Miami Times Staff" - but that is a sign of the times dominated by a bitter and underpaid media that worships mediocrity in the form of the Sarah Palins of the world. We are all entitled to our opinions for better or worse but when you wear the mantle of a journalist -- if you even qualify (or are you a mere blogger)-- have the dignity to sign your name. Given that your have not, your comments are worth the price of your paper - oh, I forgot - it's a free newspaper. On a personal note, I frequent Ortanique on a regular basis, have great respect Cindy and Delius and Ernesto for their continued dedication to bringing top quality food to the Gables even during the great recession, and believe that they continue to meet the very high standards that continue to merit the accolades you are so quick to dismiss. I recommend that you try to elevate your writing skills which are sadly lacking, quit the business of a "wanna be" food critic, and leave it to the professionals who actually merit a paycheck. Frank Eaton

• Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It saddens me that those who claim to be regulars at Ortinique are expressing themselves so nastily. While I do appreciate having the restaurant as an option, I must admit I never thought the food was all that great. I am Carribean and do not enjoy Cindy's interpretation of most of the dishes she offers. However, when non Carribean friends visit they enjoy many of the dishes offered. It really is a matter of taste. I enjoy supporting a local ethnic dining option and Cindy is a lovely hostess and good chef. But I must agree with the writer, though Cindy is not exactly the most talented of chef, she does a good job and I will continue to support the place.

• I have lived overseas my entire life (Italy, Singapore, London, Norway and the United States) and have had a plethora of authentic cuisine. More authentic than most food critics could possibly imagine or even hope to taste. I have had great food, bad food, and food that doesn't look, smell or taste edible. I had the pleasure of dining at Ortanigue on the Mile and walked away with the same warm cozy feeling that I've experienced in the back streets of Singapore, mountains of Norway, and beyond. Her food has so much depth that it's enlightening. Now a days people are too concerned with price. The author of this review sounds a bit stingy and frugal. Uptight people are too blinded by the dollar sign and tragically miss out on what's right in front of their face. It irresponsible reporting at best. Ortanique offers a great menu, great service, and a great dining experience. If you like being anonymous and cheap, there's a McDonalds down the road. The McGriddle isn't half bad.

• Best food in Miami...Hands Down! If you don't like Flavor go down the street to Fritz and Franz. If you want good inexpensive food, go to One burger. If You want a mouthgasem... Go to Ortinique ; food that smacks you in the face and and ambiance that cradles your step children ! Ortinique = awesome Person who wrote this = A Douche that uses the word passe! Antony Graf

• Cindy is one of the best chefs I know. She is constantly traveling and getting new inspiration and that is nothing less than extraordinary. Anyone that is going to say these ludicrous things should man up and put your name. You clearly have something against Cindy. Perhaps you're jealous that she does so much for the community and also still maintains a 5 star restaurant. All of Ortanique�s accolades aren't made up clearly you are the one that is confused. If you are trying to get people to agree with your stupidity you picked the wrong chef and restaurant to mess with.

• I agree that the article published here without a name attached to it is cowardly. That said, while I wouldn't use the same prose as the author, I have to agree that I find Ortanique overrated. I gave it three visits and found the food over-sauced on every occasion, so much so that the proteins were lost. Too many sweet flavors for me. I don't do mixed drinks really so I can't comment on that. I just don't find the food there to be that great and choose to spend my hard-earned dollars elsewhere.

• Are you serious NT? I am very disappointed in the reviewer who is yet to be named? I have to completely agree with Clay about �Chefs put their name on the line nightly, it's only fair that bloggers/writers do the same.� My company refers our clients to restaurants almost on a nightly basis. If it wasn�t for the favorable meals and service I and my clients have had at Ortanique on the Mile, I don�t think it would be at the top of our list for restaurant referrals. We have numerous local attorneys, CPA�s and high profile clients who we favorably refer to restaurants such as Ortanique on a regular basis. Personally Chef Cindy or Delius put so much effort into their establishment I can�t see how anyone would say otherwise!

• I travel to Miami several times a year. My FIRST stop is the always the consistantly excelllent Ortanique. I love the decor and the staff but, most importantly, the food!My stays in Miami would not be complete without the special fish dishes created by Chef Cindy Hutson. Message to Cindy: Keep up the magic!!!

• I've got to give a "meh" to Ortanique as well. I went twice in the past month and the vegetarian option was simply the jerk chicken pasta dish without the chicken. This is in spite of the fact that their website says they have a vegetarian special that changes nightly. Without the jerk flavor of the chicken this pasta dish was bland, bland, bland.

• I agree with the first reply, the blogger must have a vendetta against Ortanique or Cindy. First of all the bread is the bomb, always fresh and hot out of the oven. As far as the other menu items, perhaps they do not have enough knowledge of food or running a restaurant to justifiably do a food or restaurant review. And perhaps they should just stick to whatever they do at the New Times like trying to sell Add copy. We will continue to dine at Ortanique no matter what this idiot says.

• The only bad thing about Ortanique is how cramped it is. Somebody not getting comp meals? Or did a PR maven for another restaurant(s) order a hatchet job?

• Whoever wrote this blog is an idiot

• Geez. I like Ortanique. I can think of a lot more restaurants (and chefs) that deserve the label "overrated." I personally think that Cindy Hutson is under-rated. Is it the same "staff" writer providing all the Overrated pieces? What a crappy job to have to just write negative things about people all day long. I feel sorry for you.

• Geez. I like Ortanique. I can think of a lot more restaurants (and chefs) that deserve the label "overrated." I personally think that Cindy Hutson is under-rated. Is it the same "staff" writer providing all the Overrated pieces? What a crappy job to have to just write negative things about people all day long. I feel sorry for you.

• Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but to write a review like this anonymously is quite cowardly. Chefs put their name on the line nightly, it's only fair that bloggers/writers do the same. I personally love Cindy and Delius and the product they produce.

• It's clear that the writer, who is suspiciously unnamed, has some sort of vendetta against Ortanique or Cindy, absolutely no merit, and little food knowledge. Ortanique has received critical acclaim because it deserves it. It has been packed nightly for a decade because it is consistently good. Perhaps you�re not a fan of Caribbean food, or perhaps you�re just bitter and mean spirited, but either way you�ll likely find that you�re alone in your opinion. And, please, if you want more rum in your mojito, just ask your bartender for it. I�m sure they�d be happy to oblige.

TotalComments: 21