Seasons 52: Another Chain To Choke Miracle Mile

Just what the depressed Coral Gables dining scene needs: Another  corporate restaurant chain. The newest malignant link is Seasons 52, which aims to exploit the trend towards eating local, seasonal, healthy food.

A press release lists two upcoming seafood entrees: Caramelized sea scallops and cedar plank roasted salmon. Not very local, but closer to home than roasted rack of New Zealand lamb.

Manchester Farms boneless quail breast is the other meat highlighted. The quails are hormone-and-antibiotic free, but Manchester Farms isn't the little pastoral setting you might imagine. It's in South Carolina and processes over 110,000 quail per week -- then ships them to only the finest, most discriminating venues. Like Publix. Classic desserts will include key lime pie, carrot cake, and mango cheesecake (only when mangoes are in season, right?).

On the positive front, the restaurant uses "natural cooking techniques" such as "wood-fire grilling, brick oven cooking and caramelizing vegetables" (as opposed to presumably unnatural methods like steaming, poaching, etc.) Every menu item is less than 475 calories. Master Sommelier George Miliotes will oversee 100 different wines, including 60 available by the glass, in 26 different varietals. A circular piano bar will feature live music nightly. The 300-seat interior design will no doubt be dazzling.

Seasons 52 is slated to open at 321 Miracle Mile on November 15.