16 JULY 20-26, 2023 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | ▼ NORTH MIAMI BEACH LA BIRRA BAR CELEBRATES LIONEL MESSI WITH NEW “MESSY” BURGER One of South Florida’s best burger restau- rants has unveiled a specialty sandwich in honor of one of the world’s best soccer play- ers — and they both hail from Argentina. La Birra Bar in North Miami Beach is cele- brating the arrival of star professional soccer player Lionel Messi with a new specialty burger that’s especially, well — messy. The Argentina-based brand, known for its large assortment of over-the-top burgers, has launched a new menu item, the “Messy,” a nod to the jersey number Messi has worn for teams in Argentina, Spain, and France — and it is believed, the one he’ll don for Inter Miami. Priced at $16, the “Messy” is two beef patties topped with melted Argentinian white cheese, grilled red onions, and a chimichurri aioli sand- wiched between two upside-down buns. The final touch: a toothpick flag that reads, “It’s not soccer, it’s fulbo.” “It’s a messy burger to eat, for Messi,” La Birra account manager Antonella Rizzo tells New Times. “With us, the whole thing is sort of an inside joke for our Argentinian custom- ers and the Messi fans here in Miami.” On June 9, Messi made headlines when he announced his intention to relocate to South Florida to play for Inter Miami. The move by the man who led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup in 2022 is said to be one of the big- gest deals in Major League Soccer (MLS) his- tory after Messi reportedly turned down billions from Saudi Arabia and took the Inter Miami offer, which includes partnerships with Apple, Adidas, and MLS. Messi’s debut is slated for Friday, July 21, when Inter Miami hosts Mexico’s Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opener at the DRV Pink Stadium. If you can’t afford a ticket to the game — prices have surged since news of Messi’s move — don’t fret. There’s a more affordable, decidedly tasty way to watch Messi play on July 21. La Birra will host an Inter Miami watch party, sweetening the deal by offering the “Messy” burger for $10 a pop all day. The burger is not the only local tribute to Messi. Ahead of “the Unveil,” Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham put the finishing touches on a massive Wynwood mural re- portedly designed by Beckham’s wife, Victo- ria, to welcome South Florida’s newest luminary. “It was time to go to the U.S. league to ex- perience football in a different way and enjoy the day-to-day,” Messi told Mundo Deportivo and Sport. And maybe a “Messy” burger or two? La Birra Bar. 14831 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami Beach; 305-705-2143; labirrabarusa. com. Sunday through Thursday noon to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday noon to mid- night. NICOLE DANNA ▼ SOUTH FLORIDA MIAMI RESTAURANTS EARN WINE SPECTATOR RESTAURANT AWARDS Every year, Wine Spectator magazine hands out awards to restaurants where wine is truly superb, and in 2023, more South Florida restaurants than ever before are being recognized. A total of 72 restaurants across Miami- Dade and Broward counties received designations from the magazine — the most ever for South Florida, with 30 earning the “Best Award of Excellence” designation. None made it to the very top rank with a “Grand Award,” given this year to only 93 restaurants globally. The process for earning an award is rigor- ous: Restaurants apply for consideration, and if approved, the magazine sends inspectors to make sure their wine lists are expertly cu- rated and sourced. Each of Wine Spectator’s three categories is sorted by the size and breadth of their wine programs, taking into account the depth of regions, vintages, and staff expertise on display. The consumer guide is equally compre- hensive, describing selected restaurants’ cui- sine, number of selections, and regional strengths. Ariete in Coconut Grove, for in- stance, is particularly good for French and Californian wines, while Basque specialist Leku is strong in Spanish varieties. Naturally, the list leans toward high-end and trendy spots. Instagram-famous restau- rants Carbone, Swan, and Sexy Fish earned awards, as did mainstays like Prime 112, Smith & Wollensky, and Michael’s Genuine. The Surf Club, whose celebrity chef founder Thomas Keller features on the is- sue’s cover, earned a “Best Award of Excel- lence,” as did Michelin-starred chef Fabio Trabocchi’s Fiola. New Times 2023 “Best of Miami” winners Klaw, Zuma, and Chica also earned awards. See the full list of all 2023 South Florida winners at bit.ly/winespec23. Think of it as the ultimate Miami wine lover’s to-do list. DOUGLAS MARKOWITZ | TASTE TEST | ▼ Café La Birra Bar photo La Birra Bar’s “Messy” burger
