Austin Powers would feel right at home at Michy's, a 50-seat storefront tapas-style
restaurant on a hardscrabble stretch of Biscayne Boulevard. Local
darling Michele Bernstein earned her top-chef reputation at the haughty
dining rooms of the Mandarin Oriental, but has opted for a more casual
approach at her eponymous neighborhood bistro. Just as "Michy" suggests
something small and delightful, the portions served at this color-crazed
cafe are small enough to give each person just a taste of the dish and
the opportunity to try many different things.
The mix and match dinner menu changes frequently and includes 30-35
different dishes which can be served as full or half portions. Starters
as simple as gazpacho brightened with fresh grapes are light enough to
pair with braised short ribs over mashed potatoes, house made ham
croquettes or a hearty polenta whisked tableside with a tiny
just-poached egg. Crisply fried baby quail and tender pink lamb chops
make safe choices, but the crispy sweetbreads served with veal ravioli
are a revelation.
The wine list is carefully selected to include both full and half
bottles so that the appropriate choices might accompany the patchwork
variety of fish, meat and fowl available on any given night. Better
still, there are over 20 different wines available by the glass and
listed from lightest to darkest. Few restaurants in Miami go to such
great lengths to make wine pairings as accessible.
The best desserts on the menu are the baked alaska and the fresh,
whipped-creamy strawberry shortcake. Both choices reveal the intense
personal effort that goes into so many of the dishes that make Michy's a
little taste of heaven.
Review: This
place rocks! The menu is awesome because everything come with the
option of half or full sizes; this way you can make any order an
appetizer or entree! The ingredients are all high end and fresh! The
cuisine is upscale comfort food! Try the Croquetas and the braised
short ribs! Heaven! Also this is the only place I eat foie gras; it is
sensational! The Chocolate bread pudding is fabulous! Pricey but worth
it!
Reviewer:
Charles Bruce from New Jersey
Recommended:
Yes
Overall Rating:
Service:
5-Excellent
Ambiance:
4-Good
Food Quality:
5-Excellent
Value for Price:
5-Excellent
Review: Michy's
was an excellent dining experience starting with an eclectic assortment
of appetizers to the amazing entrees, but the real pearl in this event
was the unpretentious sommelier who displayed an awesome knowledge of
the contents of the cellar and whose recommendations were truly perfect
for the particular servings.
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