Weekend Cooking- Good Eating in Miami

My husband and I  made a trip to Miami Beach over Mother's Day weekend, and we stayed at the beautiful Fontainebleau Hotel. It is a famous hotel, recently remodeled and it reminded me of a hotel you'd find in Vegas.

Gotham Steak is located in the hotel, and it was a great start. We took the server's recommendation to try the appetizer special to share, grilled shrimp and tenderloin on vertical skewers over a bed of greens. It was served with three sauces- lemongrass aioli, sweet and sour and manchego cheese. The shrimp was delightful, and the beef was so tender.

Gotham appetizer

The next food highlight was breakfast at Vida. The buffet was included in our room rate, and normally I am not a big fan of buffets, but this one was top-notch. They had everything from oatmeal to pancakes, waffles, a large variety of fresh fruit (the pineapple was so sweet), ham, bacon, chicken sausage (another big hit), scrambled eggs, eggs Benedict and omelettes to order. I looked forward to breakfast every morning.

The highlight of lunch poolside was the turkey wrap, which was made with freshly sliced turkey. We also enjoyed the Wild Berry Blast beverage, with the just the right amount of rum.

Cheers!

Our next dinner was at a Miami institution, Joe's Stone Crab, where most of us had the Mahi Mahi in a corn tortilla broth, which had a zesty spicy taste to it.

We made reservation at The Forge, another Miami institution, for night three. The ambience there is so spectacular, with high ceilings, and eclectic chairs at each table. The table next to us had a chair that would have looked at home at the Mad Hatter's table.

Our server was extremely knowledgeable, and he and my husband discussed their extensive wine list. We started with a LycheeSpumante, and I liked the juxtaposition of the lychee with the champagne, topped with lychee foam.

I took our server's advice and had their famous Lobster Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich snack. It had chopped lobster, chopped peanuts and sweet onion marmalade on a toasted brioche. It tasted just like peanut butter and jelly,with lobster. It was interesting, but I'm not sure I would order it again.

Lobster Peanut Butter & Jelly

My entree was much better. Again taking the server's suggestion, I had the Grilled Shrimp Waffle. It was small, but oh so tasty. Two grilled jumbo shrimp on top of a waffle, with a basil butter sauce and caviar on top. This ranks as one of my top ten entrees ever, I just wish there were more. I had never had caviar before, and I enjoyed it.

Grilled Shrimp Waffle

Our last night's dinner was at Smith & Wollensky, which is located right on the water. We have eaten at other Smith & Wollensky, but this is worth it for the view alone. We sat at an outside table, and it was very romantic. The highlight was my prime rib, which may have been the best I have ever tasted. Cooked to perfection, it melted like butter in my mouth. I don't usually eat my entire entree, but I devoured that and left practically nothing.

Our funny waiter

The server was wonderful, and we asked him to take our photo. He took several shots from different angles, then took one of himself. It was a funny schtick, and I am certain it gets him better tips.

At Smith & Wollensky's

We had a champagne toast for my birthday (this is the LAST of the birthday celebrations, I promise), and when the waiter found out it was my birthday, he brought us a chocolate molten cake with ice cream on the house.

The birthday cake

We took a stroll along the beautiful walkway, and it was the perfect end to a romantic vacation.

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