On Saturday, October 29, kick off the Halloween weekend at Joey’s Italian Café – in the heart of Wynwood at 2506 NW 2nd Avenue. Talented chef Ivo Mazzon and his costumed staff will be serving up an array of Halloween specials such as antipasti of burrata with pumpkin and balsamic onion ($16); followed by beef tenderloin with porcini and pumpkin sauce served with potato puree ($34) and topped it off with a pumpkin bavarese with strawberry sauce and pistachio ice cream ($8). Local neo-folk act Raffa & Rainer, known for their earnest and heartfelt songs, will give a live musical performance at 8 p.m. For more information and reservations call (305) 438-0488 or visit www.joeysitalianrestaurant.com
Just a hop, skip and a jump behind Joey’s and next to Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, the evening’s festivities continue at Wynwood Walls; a massive outdoor space where street artists have used the walls of surrounding buildings as their canvases. Inside the “walls” is a sense of creativity and an energetic vibe that is sure to rev-up the Halloween spirit. Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to party to the electronic sounds of Lazerdisk Sex Party while they spin and mix tracks. The DJ’s, distinguished by wearing Star Wars drone-masks, will play tunes from 8 p.m. until midnight. For more information call (305) 531-4411 or visit www.thewynwoodwalls.com
After twilight, vampires and werewolves alike can stop by Wynwood Kitchen & Bar (2255 NW 2nd Avenue) to enjoy signature artist cocktails. Playfully crafted to mirror the styles of the street artists involved in creating the murals which embody the décor of the restaurant itself, artist cocktails are signature one-of-a-kind drinks. The Clare Rojas provides the savory flavor of the Bloody Mary without the heavy and thick texture by mixing hand-crafted tomato cilantro water, vodka, Tabasco and lemon. Those who enjoy a sweeter cocktail will be enchanted with the Shepard Fairey, a luscious blend of raspberry liquor and cranberry juice. Pair these fun cocktails with one of chef Miguel Aguilar’s Latino inspired global small plates like his famed chicken ropa vieja empanandas ($9) or the signature pork tenderloin with apple jicama slaw and shallot gravy ($12) For more information and reservations call (305) 722-8959 or visit www.wynwoodkitchenandbar.co
On Halloween, head across the causeway to South Beach’s infamous Lincoln Road. On Monday, October 31, the savory steak house Meat Market will offer a special three-course set menu, prepared by talented chef Sean Brasel, at a price of $75 per person, excluding cocktails, tax and gratuity. Diners can tickle their taste buds with a variety of appetizers such as pumpkin lobster bisque with roasted pumpkin and lobster and finished with a fresh tart apple salad. Mouthwatering entrée options include the Kobe basted filet, a 10-ounce filet mignon with Gruyere Rosti, roasted corn salsa, baby corn and fire roasted chilis. Keeping to the traditional bites of the season, a delicious trio of cupcakes – pumpkin with pumpkin cream cheese frosting, red velvet with white butter cream and double chocolate – will seal the meal.
Brewing inside a cauldron is the Witches Brew, a cocktail concoction of Appleton rum, fresh lemon, agave nectar and topped off with root beer; a drink so good even the Wicked Witch of the West herself couldn’t resist. For those who prefer a darker blend, have a taste of the Black Sangria – Malbec wine and Stolichnaya blended with black fruits, citrus and agave. Meat Market’s “prime” location (915 Lincoln Road) will provide guests with a front-row seat outdoors to the parade of ghouls, ghosts and goblins that flood the streets of Lincoln Road annually. For more information and reservations call (305) 532-0088 or visit www.meatmarketmiami.com
Across the “road”, bringing the authentic tastes from Northern Italy to South Beach, is the delectable restaurant Quattro Gastronomia Italiana (1014 Lincoln Road). Guests have the choice to enjoy a scrumptious four-course set menu inside the restaurant for a price of $65 per person or outside for $85, excluding cocktails, tax and gratuity. An appetizer of mini arancini with ham and porcini served with marinara, fresh wild mushrooms and truffle robiola cheese crostini will be served to all. Just one of the many antipasti options is the carpaccio di manzo, thinly sliced raw beef with mustard dressing, lemon dressed mache, cherry tomatoes and parmesan flakes. The seasonal entrée of pumpkin gnocchi with gorgonzola and walnut sauce is sure to delight any pumpkin lover. Quattro doesn’t stop there; desserts of pumpkin and pecan pies along with their famous home-made classic tiramisu are just some of the delicious sweets being served. For more information and reservations call (305) 531-4833 or visit www.quattromiami.com
