Preview: Miami Spice at Bourbon Steak Gets a Check Plus

By Ilana Shulevitz Tue., Jul. 3 2012 at 11:08 AM

Categories: Miami Spice

Miami Spice couldn't come fast enough for restaurants in the slow, slow Miami summer, particularly for places like Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak, tucked out of the way for many South Florida foodies. But the staffers at Bourbon Steak aren't the only ones who should be excited for the upcoming August 1 kickoff, because the restaurant's $39 dinner menu is pretty exceptional.

As we've mentioned, this year participating Miami Spice restaurants are being split into two categories: fine dining ($19 lunch and $33 dinner) and luxury ($23 lunch and $39 dinner). Bourbon Steak is notoriously expensive year-round, so although the price hike may seem like a deterrent, the cost is less than the majority of the main dishes on the regular menu.

Local Wahoo with Haas Avocado, Tomato Gelée, and Pickled Onion (Sample size)

The appetizers to choose from for Miami Spice are the local wahoo, grilled peach salad, and corn ravioli. The corn ravioli, complimented with brown butter and Chanterelle mushrooms, brings a sweet taste of autumn, and the peach salad, served with ricotta and spicy coppa, is a strange, but interesting palate experience. The local wahoo is a standout without question. Served with a spread of Haas avocado, tomato jelly, and onion, it practically tastes like Michael Mina yanked it out of the ocean himself and sliced it right on to the plate.

Kurobuta pork short ribs and Wagyu eye of rib eye (Sample sizes)

Entrées include a choice of Thai curry rock shrimp over seasoned rice, Kurobuta pork short ribs, and vegetable decorated Wagyu eye of rib eye. The short ribs and the Wagyu steak keep with the steakhouse's reputation for a strong, delectable meaty taste.

Dessert options range from wild blueberry shortcake to pecan butterscotch parfait with snickerdoodle crumbs. None are too sweet or overpowering, but more of a touching goodbye to a saga of a meal.

There's still a month to go, but if you're willing to splurge for the Miami Spice luxury items, Bourbon Steak is a solid choice for the agenda.

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