Chef Miguel Aguilar (41), recently appointed to helm the kitchen at Goldman Properties’ artistic Miami hot spot, Wynwood Kitchen & Bar (WKB), is introducing a new menu of delectable small plates and chef’s specials incorporating local ingredients in straight forward preparations, with subtly layered global-Latino flavors. The new dinner menu will be available beginning Friday, August 26, 2011; the lunch menu will debut later this summer.
Chef Aguilar was discovered after a nation-wide search by WKB co-owners Jessica Goldman Srebnick, and her partner and father, Tony Goldman. Born in Venezuela, he previously dazzled foodies in Philadelphia, where he served as executive chef at Doug Rodriguez’ Alma de Cuba; catering chef for the venerable restaurateur Stephen Starr and opening chef for El Rey Restaurant. “We believe chef Aguilar’s beautiful, vibrant flavors and creative culinary style will take Wynwood Kitchen & Bar to even greater heights,” says Goldman Srebnick.
Complementing the cutting edge street art that is the heart and soul of Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, chef Aguilar’s menu offers a variety of flavorful small plates, priced at an affordable $5 - $16, that gives guests the freedom to mix and match dishes, coordinating their meal to satisfy their personal palates.
One might begin the meal with Chef Miguel’s hearty and delicious black bean soup, nicely textured with whole and pureed beans and topped with a playful squiggle of cilantro flavored crema; or one of three salads, including a refreshing tropical mix of avocado, hearts of palm, artichokes, shaved local carrots and tomatoes dressed with a Latin spiced balsamic emulsion. A variety of cool plates, perfect for Miami diners, include tomatillo salsa with house-made tortillas; a soul satisfying hummus served with roasted peppers, cucumber and warm pita; or a roasted pepper crostini, in a garlic-parsley marinade with shaved Grana Padano cheese.
Hot dishes include tender empanadas stuffed with a savory chicken ropa vieja; a mélange of clams and mussels flavored with a broth of Cantimpalo chorizo, celery and caramelized onions; and fried calamari, with lemon pepper, spicy marinara sauce, and crispy pepperoncini. Also available are four tasty skewers: chicken with grilled scallions and chipotle aioli; juicy skirt steak with chimichurri; shrimp with aji amarillo vinaigrette and octopus with black olive tapenade.
Heartier meat, fish and poultry dishes include a savory braised short rib with sautéed spinach and herb salad; juicy pork tenderloin served with shallot gravy and apple-jicama slaw; large scallops with crispy polenta, tomatoes and feta, and pan seared snapper with corn salsa and a delicate fennel herb salad. Tasty veggie small plates include roasted local mushrooms with rosemary and garlic; Brussels sprouts with bacon and caramelized onions; crispy chorizo fingerling hash brown potatoes, crunchy flash fried bok choy and a heavenly plate of fried maduros (bananas) with queso fresco and a touch of crema de nata.
To end on a sweet note, beautiful new desserts, $7 each, include coconut upside down cake
with whiskey caramel sauce; a refreshing mojito sabayon with mint syrup; decadent chocolate bread pudding with crème Anglaise, and fresh, frozen berries with champagne sabayon.
An international wine list with many hard to find wines by the glass, artisanal beers, and amazing classic and artist-inspired cocktails – make this one of the hottest bar scenes in Miami.
Open November 2010 during Art Basel, WKB boasts a floor-to-ceiling collage mural in the bar by acclaimed graffiti artist Shepard Fairey, famed for his iconic Obama poster. Berlin artist Christian Awe’s brightly layered panoramic canvases adorn the dining room. Visible from the street, a multi-colored sculptural man, by David Benjamin Sherry, rises 11 feet high welcoming guests to the dining room. WKB is wrapped in murals by twin Brazilian artists Os Gemeos on one side and Kenny Scharf artwork on the other. There’s al fresco dining at the graffiti art park, Wynwood Walls, which encompasses a series of breath-taking murals by leading international artists.
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