SIX SNOWBIRD DINING DESTINATIONS FOR THE 2009 SEASON

09-21-2009

NEW YORK, NY [September 21, 2009] – Flying south for the winter? Trends show that wallet-friendly South Florida is the hottest place to be this season for food, fun and festivals. Whether visiting to enjoy the surf, sand, Art Basel, Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival or Miami International Boat Show, be sure to take advantage of some of the best restaurants in the Sunshine State.

 

                   
Celebrated Chef Laurent Tourondel’s modern American steakhouse BLT Steak, located at The Betsy [1440 Ocean Drive, (305) 673-0044], earned glowing three-and-a-half star reviews from both The Miami Herald and The Miami New Times for its quality steaks, show-stopping sides and attentive service. In addition to the 96-seat dining room, the extensive front patio seats up to 84 guests for al fresco breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch on South Beach’s stylish Ocean Drive.

 

A refined palette of crisp whites, cool greens and light woods conveys an elegance befitting the colonial-style hotel. The bustling 11-seat bar and 25-seat lounge are the perfect spot to sip a cocktail or relax with a glass of wine. Drinks and light fare from BLT Steak will also be served on The Betsy’s rooftop solarium, opening soon.

 

 

 

Eos [485 Brickell Avenue, Miami, (305) 503-4400], the stunning Mediterranean-inspired restaurant by Chef Michael Psilakis and Restaurateur Donatella Arpaia is located downtown on the 15th floor of Viceroy Miami.  Sexy and stylish, Eos encapsulates both the ethereal lightness characteristic of Psilakis' cuisine and the dramatic feeling of this modern space.  Borrowing ingredients from Spain, Portugal, France and Morocco, Psilakis offers modern expressions of his native Greek cuisine with a menu of raw and cooked refined small plates.

 

The Kelly Wearstler-designed space complements the menu, merging classical forms with exotic eastern finishes for an affect that is both elegant and flirtatious. Highlights include layered geometric patterns, bold lines and an array chairs in vibrant colors.

 

Identical twin chefs Nicola and Fabrizio Carro are serving some of Miami’s most authentic Italian food at restaurants Quattro Gastronomia Italiana [1014 Lincoln Road, (305) 531-4833] and Sosta Pizzeria [1025 Lincoln Road, (305) 722-5454], located directly across from each other on Lincoln Road. 

Quattro transports guests to Northern Italy with sophisticated tastes from the chefs’ native Piedmont region.  Pastas are made in-house and many of the ingredients featured on the menu are sourced directly from Italy.  Studio A Design transformed the breathtaking 3,500-square foot space into a sumptuous Milanese-style trattoria outfitted in warm tawny browns and deep pine greens, accommodating 170 people in the dining room and outdoor patio for lunch and dinner daily. Design accents include custom-made Murano glass chandeliers, cognac Italian leather and a Calacatta marble bar trimmed with Makassar ebony. Two exquisite refrigerated wine towers showcase the restaurants’ extensive award-winning collection of Italian wines, each green glass bottle individually lit inside glass towers.

Sosta offers casual Italian fare for a more relaxed alternative for lunch and dinner. Sosta’s menu boasts more than 30 pizzas baked to order in an Italian-made Morello Forni rotating pizza oven. Although pizza is the focus, Sosta also offers a selection of classic antipasti, hearty salads, pastas, panini and focacce. Studio A Design also created this inviting space outfitted in deep brown and orange hues. A white marble countertop sets the bar apart from the open kitchen.

 

 

 

Located in the new W South Beach, Soleá [2201 Collins Avenue, (305) 938-3111] features an inspired menu of fresh Mediterranean flavors created by Executive Chef Michael Gilligan and Chef de Cuisine Arturo Artiles.  Highlights include hot and cold “meze-style” appetizers, fresh salads, a signature Paella for Two, and the best local seafood and Mediterranean fresh fish flown in daily. 

 

[Back to Press Releases Main]