RESTAURANTS

Welcome to the Delano, where for the price of an entrée you’re welcome to park your car with the valet. Defining nineties chic, the Delano is a destination point gawk-a-thon for visitors and locals from all walks of life. If imitation is a form of flattery, hotel proprietor Ian Schrager ought to be stoked. Literally creating an international movement in interior design with the Delano, superstar designer Philippe Starck has transformed the historic building into Miami Beach’s supermodel of properties.

Tourists traipse through the impeccably appointed corridors of the Delano, aching for a glimpse of anybody who’s somebody, and few are disappointed. The anchor restaurant of Miami’s darling boutique hotel is the Blue Door, featuring New York and Paris based Claude Troisgros’ impeccably designed Florida inspired French cuisine.

The food is precious; dainty portions of local and imported delicacies, with whopping price tags to match. Preferred seating is on the garden deck, amidst diaphanous sheets of blowing white linen and overstuffed, luxurious banquettes. The adjacent Rose bar is a who’s who of fashion industry movers and shakers. Lighter appetites check out Blue Sea, the Delano’s in-house sushi and raw bar.

Have you tried Blue Door?  Review it

Reviewer: William from NYC Recommended: No Overall Rating: Service: 4-Good Ambiance: 3-Fair Food Quality: 3-Fair Value for Price: 1-Bad Review:  I live in NY so I am no stranger to expensive/small portion meals.  However, this restaurant charged $48 for a pint-sized portion of paella (4 clams, 2 pieces of shrimp, 2 tiny pieces of lobster and a lot of rice and gooey gravy).  I admired the owner's chutzpah.  We also ordered a scallops appetizer which was well-conceived and presented but the scallops themselves were extremely undercooked.  I also did not enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant--I felt like I was still in the lobby of the hotel (bad acoustics) and the tables were laid across the room like at a wedding reception.  Overall a big disappointment.  The service was earnest and the manager did seem sincerely concerned when we expressed our opinions.  However, I would not return.

Reviewer: Patricia from Ann Arbor, MI Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 5-Excellent Ambiance: 5-Excellent Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 4-Good Review:  Hostess and staff made us feel like we belonged.  Food was excellent, I made reservations for one night and ate there two nights.  My husband really enjoyed the whole experience along with his cigar after dinner.

Reviewer: Twaunette from Miami, FL Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 5-Excellent Ambiance: 5-Excellent Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 5-Excellent Review:  It was great. The service was great and the restaurant itself is so beautiful.

Reviewer: Tenile R. from Las Vegas, NV Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 5-Excellent Ambiance: 5-Excellent Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 3-Fair Review:  I now know why the Blue Door is a five-star establishment. The service was flawless and the food was everything I hoped it would be - amazing. We dined at an outside table overlooking the garden area - it was so romantic! Everywhere you looked there were models and beautiful people dressed to the nines. If you are looking to treat yourself or someone special make a reservation here.