the world for some reason becomes a much better place. Restaurants inspire me, not that I go home and start creating a master piece using that inspiration plus in reality the only thing I get when I leave a restaurant is a few more pounds to my collection (I hate that), but in my hectic day, going out for dinner is like a new adventure, I think I can compare it to pretty much what people probably feel when they go to an airport to fly to an amazing new place, yes, that's exactly what I feel when I go out to eat. It's the time for me to relax, or perhaps is just that the wine relaxes me - okay, not sure what it is, I just LOVE going out to eat.
And Mandolin Bistro in the Miami design district was a place that when I walked in it was like walking into food heaven (I would think very much like for nudists when they finally arrive to a retreat to join in the fellow-naked citizens). Oh, and I have teenage tendencies when it comes to obsessions. When I find a restaurant that I like, I go there obsessively for a period of time until I move to the next one, is like a teenager who plays the same record over and over and over, I think that I actually should not have said that, it's kind of embarrassing, but that's me and it's not that I am talking about crack cocaine over here, is food people so relax.
There are no words to describe this dish because as a serious octopus eater (another obsession but I'll spare you the details), this creature is rare to find well prepared, and when I had the first bite of this tender, crusty outside and buttery inside, it was very much like a sign from god; I am here on earth to eat. Period.
Things that annoyed me about Mandolin is their petit bread servings. Okay, I love that they bring their focaccia in a little brown bag, but please we are more than one person at the table (yes, because even thought I have food obsessions you'll rarely find me eating alone, that's just too alcoholic-ish hanging out at a bar alone). Back to the bread, I always have to keep asking for more, I don't like that, it makes me feel I'm desperate (and I am not, yet). Just bring some decent amount of bread so that I do not have to fly you for more and make everyone think that I lack manners, that's just not cool Mister Mandolin.
Yogurt you would say? ... yep, and they were so good that they should actually be illegal.
Mandolin this dish is nothing out of the ordinary.
Cheers started to come out when I tried this. The eggplant thingy - I am big on eggplant while my husband hates them (Good. more for me), this was absolutely divine because it had a smokey flavor that you could close your eyes and imagine seeing Greek people roasting them in rocks near the ocean (not sure why this thought but I hope you get the picture). Oh! authentic is what I tried to say! Gee, I am getting complicated.
The other two were good, but not worth more than one sentence of my time. Oh, the pink one was salty, maybe too salty, but trust me, I would have licked the plate if it weren't because I live in a civilized world.
Watch the video (not a masterpiece) - one side note though about the it; I remember one time I stopped to ask the owner if I could shoot the restaurant because I really like the place, and he either was confused by my request or he did not know what a camera is, whatever the reason the video below is not good, but I think that he deserves it. Look if a food blogger is asking you to shoot your place, just say yes, or aren't you in the hospitality industry? I mean come on- if he would have been nice, the video would have been much better (gosh I can't let it go) - here, watch it!
4312 NE 2nd Ave.
Miami, FL 33137
T: 305.576.6066
www.mandolinmiami.com
This site uses Google reCAPTCHA V3. Read the privacy policy and terms of service for more information.
