Tag

Featured Restaurants

Browsing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Novikov Miami offers a high-end dining experience with a luxurious atmosphere, a stylish bar, and high-quality food.  The restaurant has a modern and upscale ambiance with a mix of Asian-inspired decor and sleek, contemporary design. The dining area features bold colors, dim lighting, and an energetic vibe, making it a great spot for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings. Outdoor seating is available with views of Biscayne Bay, adding a scenic touch to the experience. The music and crowd lean towards a trendy and fashionable clientele, making it a go-to for influencers and business professionals.

The bar at Novikov Miami has an extensive cocktail menu, featuring creative drinks with Asian influences. The bar also offers a wide selection of premium sake, Japanese whiskies, and fine wines.

In general, Novikov is a Chinese-Japanese fusion restaurant, offering high-quality ingredients and an emphasis on fresh seafood. The sushi and sashimi are top-tier. The Peking duck, wagyu beef, and black cod are among the standout dishes. They have a raw bar and a robata grill, ensuring a mix of bold flavors and high-end ingredients.

I visited Novikov with 3 other people. We had a terrific meal. We started by ordering Tuna Jalapeno Sashimi, Spicy Salmon maki roll, Salmon Miso Truffle, and the Ultimate Spicy Tuna Roll. The tuna was buttery, slightly sweet, and rich melting in your mouth. The salmon roll was velvety, slightly fatty, giving it a smooth texture.

Our next order was Spicy Prawn Money Bags. These golden parcels deliver a delightful mix of textures and flavors. The prawns inside are sweet, succulent and slightly briny, complimented by garlic, ginger, and a kick of chili for heat.  Peking Duck Foie Gras. This dish combines the rich, buttery decadence of foie gras with deep, umami packed flavors of Peking duck. The foie gras melts in your mouth, offering a creamy texture and intense savory flavor. Peking Duck Bao Buns. These soft, fluffy buns are filled with tender, crispy skinned Peking duck, offering a combination of sweet, savory and slightly smoky flavors.

Finally, we ordered the Szechuan pepper beef. This dish is bold and electrifying, featuring the signature numbing heat of Szechuan peppercorns combined with deep umami flavors. The beef was tender and coated in rich savory sauce with soy, garlic and ginger and dried chilies.  Sweet and Sour Mango chicken. A vibrant mix of fruity sweetness and tangy sharpness. Singapore Noodles. Fragrant and lightly spiced, Singapore noodles featured thin rice vermicelli stir-fried with curry powder, chicken, egg and a mix of crisp vegetables; simply delicious.

To cap off the night we shared a silk road. It is a pistachio Cremieux and a five spice ice cream. This desert has a rich, velvety texture with an intense pistachio flavor that’s nutty, slightly sweet and deeply aromatic.

While the food was excellent, it comes with a premium price tag, so expect fine-dining pricing. Overall, Novikov Miami is a trendy, upscale dining spot with a vibrant atmosphere, a stylish bar, and exceptional food quality. It’s ideal for special occasions, date nights, or anyone looking for a high-end culinary experience.

Rating 8.5/10

 

Truluck Ocean’s Finest Seafood & Crab is an upscale seafood restaurant renowned for its commitment to sustainability and exceptional dining experiences. Truluck’s offers a diverse menu featuring fresh seafood and prime steaks, with a particular emphasis on Florida Stone Crab.

The restaurant’s ambiance is designed to provide a captivating and memorable experience, complemented by remarkable cocktails and an extensive wine selection.

Truluck’s is located at 777 Brickell Avenue, Suite 100, offering lunch and dinner services with live piano music in the Lounge from Wednesday through Sunday

I brought a party of 3 people to Truluck’s, and we had an incredible meal!

Our dinner included the following.

For appetizers we had the Blue Point Oysters with horseradish, cocktail sauce, and champagne mignonette. The Ahi Tuna Tartare with avocado, jalapeno, mango, ponzu, sesame oil, and crispy wonton chips. The dish had a great balance of freshness, spice, and crunch. Prime King Crab simply a luxurious treat. The meat was sweet and melted in your mouth

For the main entrees we had The Sweet & Spicy Grouper with warm quinoa, jalapeno, tomato, and sweet chili sauce. It was a flavorful mix of heat and sweetness. The other entrée was Blue Crab Stuffed Lobster Tails with parmesan mashed potatoes, asparagus, and lobster-sherry sauce. This was definitely a rich and decadent dish.

For desert we had the World-Class Carrot Cake with homemade cream cheese icing, spicy pecans, and warm butterscotch. It was the perfect way to end an elegant seafood feast.

Lastly, our waitress Paola Valderrama really made our dining experience special. She was a great waitress that elevated our meal with attentiveness, knowledge and warm hospitality. She had great recommendation for all 3 of the courses we had. Simply outstanding lady that provided great service.

Overall, we had a top-tier dining experience!  We highly recommend this restaurant, and we would definitely return.

Rating 9.5/10

Fair Haven Oyster Co. is a seafood bar located at 307 Front Street in New Haven, Connecticut, along the picturesque Quinnipiac River.  The restaurant offers an intimate and nautical ambiance, featuring expansive waterfront views and a  deck. The interior boasts mid-century design elements combined with a modern and cozy tavern atmosphere.

The menu, curated by Chef/Owner Emily Mingrone and her team, is eclectic and classic, complemented by gin and sherry-focused drinks.  Notable dishes include the Bone-in Skate Wing.

Fair Haven Oyster Co. operates from Tuesday to Saturday, 4 PM to 9 PM.  Reservations can be made through their website.

Appetizers:

  • Ninigret and Black Point oysters – Very good.
  • Seared Foie Gras –with apple butter, radicchio & pickled onion. Okay, but slightly bitter to some.
  • Linda’s Escargot –with garlic herb butter & crusty bread; Lacked flavor and seasoning.
  • Chickpea Cacio e Pepe –in parmesan broth with pecorino and black pepper; Not enjoyable for our group, though popular with other patrons.

Main Courses:

  • Pan-Roasted Striped Bass – with Yukon gold potatoes, spigariello kale, salt cured olives & pine nut butter; Very good.
  • Grilled Dorade (fish) –with stewed beluga lentils, bagna cauda & roman spices; Very tasty.
  • Bone-In Skate Wing (fish) – pan seared with capers, Meyer lemon, tomato preserves & brown butter; Excellent!

Desserts:

  • Chocolate Mousse with whipped cream & cacao nibs
    and Date Cake with averna caramel & salted crème fraîche; Both great.

Drinks:

  • Well-prepared and enjoyable.

Service

  • Service:  Mixed—a detractor from the overall experience.

Overall Opinion

  • Rating: 6.5/10.

Return

Most of our group would go back, likely for the standout main dishes and desserts. This seems like a place worth revisiting for the highlights while perhaps managing expectations on service and certain menu items. Everyone would also consider trying other offerings next time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1864 The Restaurant, situated in Mongoose Junction on St. John in U.S. Virgin Islands

The atmosphere was very cozy and inviting, setting a nice tone for the evening. For appetizers, we ordered oysters, conch fritters, chicken potstickers, and mussels—a delicious variety to start. The main dishes included buttermilk fried chicken, jumbo stuffed shrimp, sausage and seafood risotto in red sauce, and macaroni and cheese. While the options for main courses were somewhat limited, the flavors were satisfying. Dessert was banana cheesecake, which rounded out the meal nicely.

Service was good, but it felt a bit rushed, as if they were eager to turn the table. Despite this, the experience was enjoyable overall and worth a visit.

Rating: 6.5/10

The Park Bar & Grill

If you’re seeking buffet options in Abu Dhabi, I highly recommend the The Park and Grill Restaurant in the Hyatt hotel in Abu Dhabi. The Park Bar & Grill is an award-winning restaurant located on Saadiyat Island. Renowned for its signature steaks and grilled dishes, the restaurant offers a great salad bar a terrific desert selection and a diverse menu featuring a large seafood selection, Pasta, Pizza,  authentic Asian dishes, and carefully selected steaks prepared on a charcoal-fired grill.

The restaurant provides an elegant dining experience in a contemporary setting, complete with its own private dining room. Guests can enjoy outdoor seating with views of the pool and sea, surrounded by palm trees, creating a beautiful and intimate atmosphere.

Rating 8.5/10