November 08, 2012

La Cote Restaurant At The Fontainebleau Hotel

The good weather is here, finally! - and going out to lunch anywhere in Miami is special, and more special when you head to the Fontainebleau. This hotel is breathtaking, there are only a few hotels like the Fontainebleau in Miami. The decor is simply shocking. What I absolutely love are the marble floors, and of course, inside the Fontainebleau is like being in a different city altogether. We actually got lost when looking for La Cote Restaurant and we passed at least three coffee houses, one gelato place, the gym, spas, clothing stores, you name it.

We finally made our way to La Cote Restaurant after walking through the pool area. There were a lot of people sunbathing, the hotel definitely felt full.

We sat with my friend Cameron who is visiting from San Francisco at one of the less noisy tables in the back. Immediately we got attended and greeted by a very well spoken waiter who smile the entire time. He explained the menu and took our drink order. Of course we were up for a bottle of sauvignon blanc. It arrived shortly, chilled and our waiter poured it right away. I have to say that the plastic wine glass through me off but it is a pool area restaurant so I think by law they have to have it.

flatbread

VEGETABLE PISSALADIERE $19

I ordered the grilled Flatbread that comes with caramelized onions, goat cheese, kalamata olives, and roasted sun-dried tomatoes and arugula. For a little extra fun the waiter recommended the grilled shrimp. This dish was absolutely delicious, well balanced and exactly what you want on a sunny and cool day in Miami. The shrimp was crunchy and well seasoned. My favorite ingredient on this dish was the caramelized onions as they were sweet and tender yet not watery neither dry.

MAHI MAHI BOUILLABAISSE

MAHI MAHI BOUILLABAISSE $28

I loved the presentation of this dish. The tomato saffron broth was one of the best ones I ever tried. Not too overpowering or salty, just perfect to complement and give accent to the different ingredients. It had mussels, clams and chorizo. I have to make special mention about the chorizo because it was insanely deliciopus, just a perfect Spaniosh chorizo which it was salty and grilled keeping the juices inside intact. I hate when I get chorizo that has been overcooked because it dries all the juices inside.