80 June 22-28, 2023 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times b e s T o f m i a m i ® 2 0 2 3 B E S T C H E F Brad Kilgore MaryGold’s Florida Brasserie 2217 NW Miami Court (in the Arlo Wynwood Hotel) Miami, 33127 786-522-6601 marygoldsbrasserie.com During the pandemic, fine-dining restaurants that couldn’t pivot to takeout didn’t fare well, and all three of Brad Kilgore’s trendy, fine- dining restaurants — Alter, Ember, and Kaido — tragically closed. But, instead of languish- ing, Kilgore thrived personally and profes- sionally. He took consulting jobs, worked on the menu for the exclusive, members-only Concours Club, and had a son with his wife, Soraya. Last fall, Kilgore partnered with Bar- Lab’s Gabe Orta and Elad Zvi to open Mary- Gold’s Brasserie, a Florida-inspired restaurant offering modern American cuisine that highlights the many cultures Miami em- braces. The restaurant in the Arlo Wynwood hotel has become a playground for Kilgore, who cooks with joy and tests the limits of his creativity. Dishes like oxtail beignets and his “Chicken & the Egg” are both whimsical and classic at the same time. When Kilgore pours flaming liquid onto his “Baked Florida” des- sert, a tropical take on the cruise line staple Baked Alaska, he seems downright giddy. His happiness is not only palpable, it’s palatable. B E S T N E W R E S TA U R A N T ( M I A M I - DA D E ) Branja Miami 5010 NE Second Avenue Miami, 33137 786-765-5555 branjamiami.com Why settle for falafel when you have “falaf- ish”? Why dine on shawarma when you can enhance that experience with a healthier “fishwarma”? Why settle for a salad when you can order “Tom[atoes] ’n’ Tahini”? This inventive Israeli restaurant shines with light from both the stained-glass ceiling and the exuberant talent of chef Tom Aviv. Winner of MasterChef Israel, this self-taught culinary savant is out to teach Miamians how to eat, drink arak cocktails, and hang out in cool, vintage, artisanal surroundings. B E S T N E W R E S TA U R A N T ( B R OWA R D ) Evelyn’s 525 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard (in the Four Seasons Hotel) Fort Lauderdale, 33304 754-336-3100 fourseasons.com/fortlauderdale/dining /restaurants/evelyns A newcomer to the Fort Lauderdale dining scene, Evelyn’s seemingly has it all: a team of top chefs, a coastally influenced Eastern Mediterranean menu, and pristine beach- front views from the Ocean Sun deck of the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences. Named for Evelyn Fortune Lilly Bartlett, the original owner of the city’s historic Bonnet House, this poolside rooftop restaurant is a hidden gem amid the string of beachside establish- ments on Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard below. For executive chef Brandon Salomon, each dish is about exploration and storytell- ing, right down to the breads, including chewy, stone-fired pitas and a savory buck- wheat lavash — they pair perfectly with the house mezze. The menu traverses the Medi- terranean, from small plates to soups and sal- ads, wood-smoked skewers, and elegant mains. You might splurge on a vintage Cham- pagne to accompany your meal, but it would be a shame to ignore the cocktail list. Try the “Rangpur Daiquiri,” a modern rendition of the drink crafted by Evelyn Fortune Bartlett herself. (The original recipe is displayed in the shell museum at the Bonnet House.) B E S T P O P - U P The Lazy Oyster 305-905-0257 thelazyoyster.com Alexander Gilardi and Brandon Mesa started the Lazy Oyster as a delivery service, bringing fresh oysters to homes during the pandemic. The partners now host pop-ups throughout South Florida, shucking oysters at wine shops, festivals, and breweries. The Lazy Oys- ter also has a weekly pop-up on Saturdays and Sundays at Smorgasburg Miami in Wyn- wood. If you’re an oyster lover, you owe it to yourself to seek them out. Gilardi and Mesa obsessively choose the best oysters around. They also offer grilled oysters fired from a portable pizza oven. There are always at least a half dozen different oysters to choose from, and if you’re new to the oyster game, the staff can easily steer you to the perfect oyster for you. Plus, the Lazy Oyster’s oysters cost less than those at some schmancy restaurants. B E S T O U T D O O R D I N I N G Lido Bayside Grill 40 Island Avenue (in the Standard Spa) Miami Beach, 33139 786-245-0880 lidobayside.com Tucked away at the end of the Standard Spa hotel, the Lido Bayside Grill is perched di- rectly on an oversized deck with a breathtak- ing view of Biscayne Bay. Enjoy the cool breeze as you sip a spritz and slurp on some oysters. The menu offers light but flavorful fare that leans healthier with oven-baked peri peri chicken and local daily catch. But that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in lobster rav- ioli or parmesan tots. The view is so gorgeous, the ambiance so relaxing, you can’t help but softly sing Otis Redding to yourself because you’re just “sittin’ on the dock of the bay,” tas- tin’ wine. B E S T R O O F TO P R E S TA U R A N T Bellini 2988 McFarlane Road (in the Mr. C Miami hotel) Coconut Grove, 33133 305-800-7672 bellinirestaurant.com/coconut-grove Having trouble finding a rooftop fine-dining spot that doesn’t come with a DJ-thumping party vibe? Allow us to suggest Bellini. Inti- mately nested atop the Mr. C Miami hotel in Coconut Grove, this chic space is perfect for a relaxing lunch or after-work drinks and a lei- surely dinner. It might not be the city’s high- est-altitude venue, but don’t let that deter you: This peaceful European-style oasis boasts views of Biscayne Bay and the Coconut Grove skyline. On the menu: classic Italian cuisine inspired by the travels of hotelier brothers Maggio and Ignazio Cipriani, fourth-generation members of the family whose great-grandfather, Giuseppe Cipriani, created the famed Harry’s Bar in Venice. B E S T WAT E R F R O N T R E S TA U R A N T Il Gabbiano 335 S. Biscayne Boulevard Miami, 33131 305-373-0063 ilgabbianomia.com Located at the base of One Miami East condo tower, Il Gabbiano is an unexpected addition to the city’s waterfront dining game. Floor-to- ceiling windows look out onto an outdoor terrace, where a six-seat bar and covered din- ing patio overlook Biscayne Bay. Il Gabbiano has seen its share of special-occasion gather- ings, but that’s not a necessary excuse for vis- iting. The views here are stunning — the surrounding open water is a mirage of danc- ing lights from the cruise ships from the port to the left and the Brickell Key skyline to the right — the menu equally so, with a robust se- lection of Northern Italian dishes. If you’re unfamiliar with Italian cuisine, by all means avail yourself of your server’s expertise, lest the depth and breadth — from antipasto, in- salata, and verdura to minestra, pasta, and ri- sotto to heartier fare in the form of veal, beef, chicken, and seafood entrées — overwhelm you. The star of the show might be the restau- rant’s signature “Costoletta Alla Valdostana,” a massive bone-in veal chop stuffed with foie gras pâté, Fontina cheese, and prosciutto di Parma smothered in a rich cream sauce and served with sautéed mushrooms. Afterward, a stroll along Miami’s Riverwalk is the perfect nonalcoholic digestif. B E S T R O M A N T I C R E S TA U R A N T Klaw 1737 N. Bayshore Drive Miami, 33132 305-239-2523 klawrestaurant.com Klaw might sound more like the name of a cartoon villain than a romantic restaurant, but we can assure you that it’s the latter. Take the golden elevator inside the historic Miami Women’s Club building in Edgewater, and you’ll encounter an elegant dining room with blue leather chairs and warm lighting. If you’re here to gaze into your lover’s eyes, opt for the candlelit rooftop with sweeping views of Biscayne Bay. Order succulent oysters, Eat & Drink
