The tony subsection of South Beach known as SoFi
(South of Fifth Street) is a unique dining destination where top
performers Joe's Stone Crab and Prime 112 boast record setting culinary
profits and lines out the door on many weekend nights. Setting up shop
in this neighborhood can be a baptism by fire for many restaurants and
only the VERY strong survive. Keeping pace with the frontrunners, RED,
the Steakhouse of Cleveland Ohio draws a great looking crowd to it's
sleek dining room in spite of the daunting number of upscale beef joints
nearby. Partnering with Executive Chef Peter Vauthy, Brad Friedlander's
restaurant showcases beef, veal, racks of baby lamb and fresh seafood
plus over 700 fine wines to pair with dinner.
Oenophiles gather on Wine Wednesdays when RED offers
every bottle priced under $100 at 50% off and wines from $101-$150 are a
flat 99 bucks. Weeknights from 4-7pm, thirsty locals crowd the bar for
two-for-one cocktails, wine and draft beers and many a clever diner
makes a meal of $9 bar bites including crisp parmesan truffle fries,
tuna tartare on crispy wontons, steak tartare on crostini and spicy
buffalo style rock shrimp. Since most of the South Beach scene barely
gets rolling until well after midnight, a second hour of happiness kicks
off at the bar at 9:30pm. More quiet than sceney Prime 112, it has been
said that RED is the spot to craft the deal and Prime is where you go to
celebrate your success.
Start dinner with the house special dirty martini
and move quickly forward with starters of garlicky shrimp or that tender
steak tartare. Pair any steak with creamy lobster mac & cheese drizzled
with truffle oil and prepare to be amazed. Gooey, cheesy and decadent -
this is a side dish that's large enough to share and practically steals
the show. A side of asparagus ordered with eggy Béarnaise on the side
brings an ample serving to slather over your steak. Service is prompt,
courteous (perhaps they import these people from Ohio?) and proceeds at
a pace you can quietly request to speed up or slow down as your evening
plans require. For a "Grade A" South Beach supper, stop on RED.
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