Traditionally, tapas are snacks, canapés or finger food served in bars and cafés in Spain. A vital part of the culture and social scene, the Spanish people actually coined the verb “tapear” which means to go and eat tapas. While most Miamians speak some Spanish, not everyone is familiar with the tapas style of dining sweeping all kinds of restaurants in town. Clever chefs in local restaurants are twisting the tapas tradition and reinventing the way we dine out in Miami Beach.
Most people are familiar with the old-style “soup to nuts” process of dinner out; we get an appetizer and an entree and then possibly share some dessert. A new wave of South Beach restaurants offer lists of interesting smaller plates so diners can pick their favorites to sample and share around the table. This is a great way to break the ice on a date or to deal with a finicky eater who just can’t decide what to order. Think about it – how many times have you stared at the menu or craned your neck in a dining room trying to see what everyone else is eating?
Tapas dining is a great idea for the commitment-phobic who orders the fish and then wishes it was chicken. We got hooked on the idea at Espanola Way’s Tapas Y Tintos (448 Espanola Way, 305-538-8272) a casual sidewalk cafe and wine bar. This Spanish-style restaurant has pages of traditional tapas from garlicky grilled shrimp to baked goat cheese in tomato sauce. A bottomless basket of crispy bread helps diners mop up spicy sauces and cheesy plates. Just across Washington Avenue, Vino Miami Wine Bar (1601 Washington Avenue, 786-207-8466) offers a number of tasty tapas plates to complement their vintage pours. Enjoy French cheeses, spicy chorizo, smoked salmon and caviar while sipping one of the small production boutique wines on their regularly evolving menu. If you’re getting an early start on your evening out, stop in from 4-7pm Tuesday – Friday for the “Sophisticated South Beach Happy Hour” featuring a number of wines at just $5 a glass.
Around the corner on busy Lincoln Road, late night scenesters climb the stairs at O Asian Grill (330 Lincoln Road, 305-531-2811) to sample Japanese-style tapas cooked on the hibachi grill. Skewers of meat, seafood and fresh veggies are seared to perfection and served in bunches to compliment tropical drinks. A variety of Asian dipping sauces from vinegar to spicy bring a tingle to your tastebuds. Just north of the Grill, Chef Douglas Rodriguez creates tapas “Of Latin America” at OLA at the Sanctuary Hotel (1745 James Avenue, 305-695-9125). An original member of the Mango Gang, this chef specializes in ceviche preparations of marinated fresh raw fish that update classic South American recipes. For diners unused to eating uncooked fish, the house made meatballs are the most popular dish on the menu. Create a culinary trip around Latin America with tuna tacos, crispy rock shrimp chicharron, lobster empanadas and the delectable fried oysters Rodriguez.
Another star chef offering tapas on South Beach, Michele Bernstein has consulted on the little plate menu at Social at the Sagamore. A tremendously successful see-and-be-scene on Friday and Saturday nights ’til 1am, Social serves ceviche of shrimp, calamari and tuna plus devilled eggs with caviar and truffle oil, lobster nachos, mini crab cakes and Korean style chicken wing lollipops. This is a great place for a group to gather for drinks and snacks while waiting for the clubs to warm up.
A popular one-stop-shop during a long night out, Miss Yip (1661 Meridian Avenue) is a local favorite for Chinese-style small plates and strong drinks before hitting the upstairs after-hours club Buck 15. Opened until midnight, this east-meets-west tea room is a favorite weekend meeting spot for local club kids trying to avoid the parking crunch on Washington Avenue. Choose dumplings, crispy shrimp, BBQ ribs, and the delicious wok fried dynasty garden cups wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves.
One last stop?
Taverna Opa (36 Ocean Drive, 305-673-6730) has finally installed air conditioning on their popular outdoor patio. Tapas in Greece are actually called “mezze,” but these tasty little plates are a similar regional favorite. Believe us when we tell you – there is no better place in town to swill ouzo, feast on spinach pies, fried calamari, Greek olives, and garlicky do-it-yourself hummous. One word of warning about the sexy Greek waiter boys – they’ll get you drunk and up dancing on the tables before the night is through. Don’t say we didn’t warn you…
Spend a night nibbling around town and you’re sure to experience some tasty tidbits on your tapas tour!
