Blog: Flavors of Edgewater
Posted 11.21.2024Away from the many showy and sceney venues of South Beach—and near the new Biscayne Bay waterfront condos at Missoni Baia—several culinary innovations and fusion restaurants are causing a stir among locals and tourists alike. The following sites are all just a short drive or Uber ride away from these luxury East Edgewater condos, and they’re where you’ll want to be this summer.
MC Kitchen – 4141 NE 2nd Avenue
Aspen-born chef Dena Marino made a name for herself in Colorado, but in Miami’s Design District, she is making it household. Utilizing her Nonna’s authentic recipes and techniques, she has infused rustic Italian cuisine with a contemporary emphasis on farm-to-table ingredients, and the results must simply be tasted to be believed. Simple, flawlessly executed recipes bring the richness of the Italian flavor palette to life, but with a uniquely American sensibility – take, for example, the Tennessee Honey Glazed Eden Farm Pork Chop, accompanied by a ceci puree, and a mind-blowing hash composed of brussels sprouts, bacon, and apple. The Capellini con Bottarga is not to be missed, either, tossed in a unique sauce featuring oven-dried tomatoes, chilis, and orange zest.
Mandolin – 4312 NE 2nd Avenue
Aegean cuisine thrives on simplicity, and in this sense, fans of Missoni Baia’s clean and crisp architecture will find spiritual harmony in their experience at husband-and-wife team Ahmet Erkaya and Anastasia Koutsioukis’s Mandolin Aegean Bistro. Set in a restored 1930’s-era home, this restaurant offers a dining experience that transports you to another time and continent, both through its atmosphere and its menu. Try the manti dumplings, featuring minced lamb, garlic yogurt, Aleppo pepper (not too spicy, we promise!) and burnt butter, and make sure to pinch yourself – yes, you’re still in Miami!
Sugarcane – 3252 NE 1st Avenue
With its sister location being named one of Las Vegas’s best new restaurants in 2016, Sugarcane is known for its outstanding food selection and beautiful presentation. The dishes are served tapa-style, allowing patrons to try a selection of menu options. Guests are awed by the fun, festive, inviting entrance and surrounding atmosphere that includes both indoor and outdoor seating. With the add-on of spotless service throughout the dining experience, Sugarcane is certainly an easy spot to spend hours, sipping cocktails and people watching. When you stop in, do yourself a favor and try the Foie Gras and Duck Fried Rice!
NOA Café – 2711 NE 2nd Avenue
This little gem of a restaurant is tucked away and can be easy to miss if it’s not on your radar. However, once you’re in the know, you’ll be glad NOA Café is just a short drive from Missoni Baia, with convenient street-side parking available right around the corner. A great find for healthy food that won’t leave you feeling overstuffed, the menu features an array of homemade Israeli dishes. With happy hour deals, outdoor seating, and the option to bring your dog along for the fun, it’s easy to understand how NOA has become a locals’ favorite. When you make the trek, say yes to indulgence and go for the flourless chocolate cake.
Mignonette Miami – 210 NE 18th Street
Nestled on a corner in Downtown Miami, Mignonette is known for real food and real service. Offering fresh, carefully prepared dishes that are filled with flavor, Mignonette is where you go to splurge on some of the tastiest seafood in town. The expansive wine list includes a lot of lighter, lesser-known whites that are great to pair with the dishes, especially the seafood tower or clams casino. And there is ample parking if you choose to take a drive from the luxury residences at Missoni Baia.
Lagniappe – 3425 NE 2nd Avenue
Lagniappe is a fantastic little wine bar, filled with an eclectic array of sofas, tables, and chairs. As you enter, you’ll immediately see the stage where live musical acts jam out throughout the evening. Pick your own meat and cheese plate, order a bottle of your favorite vino, and enjoy the gorgeous patio that is illuminated with twinkling lights and decorated by lush vines. The attentive service, reasonable prices, and dog-friendly, relaxed atmosphere make this a fun spot to spend an evening with friends.
