94 June 27- July 3, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times b e s T o f m i a m i ® 2 0 2 4 BEST RESTAURANT FOR A FIRST DATE The New Schnitzel House 1085 NE 79th Street Miami, 33138 305-675-4287 thenewschnitzelhouse.com Got a match on the apps? Then, you need to score a reservation at the New Schnitzel House. The New Schnitzel House upgrades the flair and delightful German fare of the old Schnitzel House. It also features a creative cocktail pro- gram reminiscent of its sister bar, Gramps, in Wynwood to provide a tasty social lubricant for a best first date. You can actually hear the other person talk at New Schnitzel House, assuming that’s a goal — you know, to see if they’re empty between the ears. Sharable “appeteasers” like the housemade pickle plate or pretzel with beer cheese and mustard are guaranteed to spark convo. The schnitzel is obviously a solid choice, but so is the array of “snausages.” While salads usually suck at restaurants, New Schnitzel House cracked that code with three great op- tions. Just be sure to check your chompers in the mirrored bathroom after you indulge. De- pending on what you want out of your date, the weekend brunch is a little more wholesome, the outdoor patio with its twinkling lights pro- vides a When Harry Met Sally rom-com energy, but the dimly lit and thoughtfully decorated in- terior is the way to go to bring the Moonstruck- in-Miami vibe. The restaurant is taking a summer hiatus but will reopen in the fall. So start planning a rendezvous now. BEST INTIMATE RESTAURANT Grand Central by Nuno Grullon 7919 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, 33138 305-456-3088 grandcentral79.miami A veteran of many a Miami restaurant kitchen, Nuno Grullon became his own boss in 2020 when he and business partner Akira Van Eg- mond opened Uptown 66, a taco ventanita across Biscayne Boulevard from Legion Park. With the pandemic as its crucible, Uptown 66 flourished, winning “Best Tacos” in the 2022 edition of this issue and backing that up with a $20,000 grand prize in Good Morning Ameri- ca’s “United States of Tacos” tour in ‘23. Last fall Grullon doubled down on Biscayne with the debut of Grand Central by Nuno Grullon, a hole-in-the-wall bistro just north of 79th Street. The menu is focused — a half-dozen starters, a half-dozen mains, and a few dessert options. But service and execution are superb from the moment you step inside. Standout appetizers include a plate of baked clams and a wonderful Little Gem wedge salad, and, among the mains, a decadent lobster ravioli, one of the best burg- ers on the eastern seaboard, and a chicken pot pie that’s nothing like Mom used to make un- less Mom wore a toque for her day job. And all of it exists in the least likely of locations — sand- wiched between a vape shop and a payday loan establishment — for a wee, French-inspired white-tablecloth restaurant, but Grullon and Van Egmond pull it off with grace, flair, and more than a soupçon of affection. BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT Casadonna 1737 N. Bayshore Drive, First Floor Miami, 33132 305-475-2272 casadonnamiami.com Occupying the lower level of Miami’s historic women’s club, Casadonna is coastal Italian-in- spired bliss. The spot marks the first collabora- tion between two mega-hospitality icons, Groot Hospitality and TAO Group. A buzzy vibe and showy offerings (e.g., a lemon dessert that liter- ally looks like a lemon) were to be expected. But, there’s a romance factor that was compara- tively unexpected and is best experienced at its river-adjacent outdoor space. Candlelit tables, plush pink couches, pops of palms, and Italian- inspired lighting complete the vibe. Inside, it’s equally as warm, with dashes of bubble gum pinks and aqua blues, and gold touches. If this atmosphere doesn’t get the engines going well, that’s on you. BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT Mareva 1939 1677 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, 33139 305-532-2311 mareva1939.com Located beneath the timeless National Hotel on Collins Avenue, Mareva 1939 transports diners to a sophisticated seaside spot somewhere in coastal Spain. Come nightfall, the semi-outdoor restaurant transforms into a romantic haven with dazzling palm trees and candlelit tables bordering the hotel’s infinity pool. Aside from its charming ambiance and friendly service, the restaurant’s Spanish-style cuisine is legit. The menu features delectable Galician-style octo- pus, melt-in-your-mouth Iberico ham croqu- etas, and various paellas (we strongly recommend the black paella made with squid ink). If you’re feeling extra fancy, pair your tapas with a refreshing glass of sangria or una copa de vino from renowned Spanish wine regions like Basque Country and Ribera del Duero.
