May 29, 2011

The Dining Room, A Modern Bistro In Miami Beach

After conducting the South Beach Food Tour in Miami Beach I headed south of 5th as my GPS was instructing me (I use my IPad GPS) because it has little blew dot that walks with me while I am walking (genius, I never get lost not even in my own neighborhood as right to me means left and viceversa, I think is a brain prolem). Using my IPAD GPS IS like a personal friend who will lead me to the unknown places because although I know Miami Beach pretty well, I am always wondering - where was that place?

I arrived at the Dining Room hoping for the best, in always hope for the best for me because it is hard to find good service, exceptional food at reasonable prices in SOBE. I guess you know this by now.

As soon as I walked in, I knew this was my type of place; perfect ambiance with low key lightning (I don't want people to see I am tired after a long day of work). They have an astounding chandelier that really adds a romantic touch to their small room inside - and although it was a very nice night out and everyone walking into the restaurant requested to be sitted there, I was more than happy to enjoy the tranquility on my own sitting inside. I dine solo a lot, so I always have my iPad to catch up on business duties.

The first thing that stroke me as a surprised was the incredibly charismatic waiter - I wish I would have asked him his name because he deserved the waiter of the year title, maybe not employee of the month like in Mc Donnad's but I made sure to mention this to the chef who by the way cooks everything on an open kitchen (love that!). The waiter was delightful, on time, catering rapidly when I finished my first glass of Chilean sauvignon blank which I have to say at $7 a pop, this was more than fair and had to order a second one.

dining room restaurant in Miami Beach

Grilled Calamari ay $13 (not bad)

With tossed in citrus- chili glace, red radish, watercress, kalamata aioli. First I'll start with the kalamata aioli which I thought at first would be overpowering the watercress but to my surprise it complemented and gave closure to the dish. The citrus- chili glace was so noticeable adding an harmonious touch to the delicate calamari because it was tender and not fishy-type, well cooked.