13 December 15-21, 2022 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | Contents | Letters | news | night+Day | CuLture | Cafe | MusiC | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | Make a Mall of It The ten best mall restaurants in Miami. BY LAINE DOSS AND NICOLE DANNA I t’s that time of year: You’ve finally se- cured your holiday shopping list items. Your seasonal gift-giving mission can be considered a success — and now you’re famished. But if you’re at the mall, don’t fall for the usual fast-food-chain fare. There’s something better. In the past few years, Miami-area shop- ping centers have been amassing a surfeit of good restaurants, making it easier to fuel your errand running with hearty, wholesome dishes from some of the city’s best chefs. From the mega malls out west to the up- scale retail districts by the beach, here’s a list of the best places to eat while you do your holiday shopping. Bulla Gastrobar at The Falls 8870 SW 136th St., Miami 786-988-5231; bullagastrobar.com If you overindulge by spending too much at the Falls, you might as well head to Bulla Gas- trobar to indulge your appetite as well. This lively Spanish restaurant with several loca- tions across South Florida is the best post- shopping pitstop, be it for brunch, dinner, happy hour — or even a dessert break. The sprawling menu offers something for every- one from tapas, platters, and seasonal dishes to creative cocktails, post-dinner digestivos, and an impressive wine list. Cantina Catrina at Dadeland Mall 7535 N. Kendall Dr., Miami 786-536-2453; cantinacatrina.com If shopping leaves you feeling a little “dead,” why not stop for a break at this Dia de los Muertos-themed restaurant inside Dadeland Mall? Cantina Catrina brings color to the mall with its whimsical display of Mexican catri- nas, the fancy-dressed skeleton that’s a be- loved satire of Mexican high society. Wind down with a margarita or two before chowing down on favorites like street tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. Vegans and vegetarians will appreciate a selection of meatless tacos. La Cañita at Bayside Marketplace 401 Biscayne Blvd., Second Floor, Miami 305-392-0811; lacanitamiami.com If you haven’t been to Bayside Marketplace since you were a kid, you’re letting the tourists have all the fun. Besides shopping, there are boat tours, live cheesy entertainment, and a restaurant by beloved chef Michelle Bernstein. La Cañita offers a menu that combines Carib- bean and Latin American flavors with fare that includes everything from a whole snapper and lechon asado to Jamaican jerk chicken wings. Contessa at Miami Design District 111 NE 41st St., Miami 305-990-8707; contessaristorante.com If you’ve worked up an appetite after a few pricey purchases at the high-end stores that make up Miami Design District, Major Food Group has just the solution. The group re- cently opened Contessa as part of a two- story space in the famed development located at 111 NE 41st Street. Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, the menu offers the old-world sophistication of Northern Italy’s iconic resorts and estates, making for an equally glamor- ous dining destina- tion. Indulge in a carpaccio of Chi- anina beef, the most coveted Italian pro- sciutto, or tuck into a bowl of hand- made tortellini en brodo. After a few glasses of wine from Cont- essa’s vast list, you’ll forget all about how much you just spent shopping. Issabella’s at Lincoln Road 1022 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach 305-397-8040; issabellas.com After trekking the stretch of Lincoln Road, Miami Beach’s beloved outdoor walking mall, you’ll no doubt be famished. Make sure your shopping sojourn ends near Isabella’s, where you can enjoy menu highlights that feature coastal-inspired fare from grilled Spanish oc- topus, tuna crudo, and langoustines a la plan- cha to decadent dishes like the yuzu truffle soy-marinated beef carpaccio or a charcute- rie and cheese board for you and your fellow shopaholics to share. Le Zoo at Bal Harbour Shops 9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour 305-602-9663; lezoo.com Restaurateur Stephen Starr delivered a touch of Paris to Bal Harbour when he opened Le Zoo. The French brasserie serves authentic bistro cuisine, everything from veal Milanese to escargots with Chartreuse-spiked hazelnut butter. Maybe you can’t afford to buy that Chanel handbag, but you won’t feel guilty splurging on a second glass of French rosé. Marabú at Brickell City Centre 701 S. Miami Ave., Miami 786-598-8012; maraburestaurant.com Paying homage to Cuba’s culture and heri- tage, Marabú boats a central bar serving Ha- vana-inspired cocktails (like the Marabú mojito made with guava), as well as a beauti- ful pergola that channels the outdoor ambi- ance of cities like Camagüey and Viñales. Here, you can kick back and relax while sup- ping on Cuban favorites like croquetas, vaca frita, and charred octopus for lunch or happy hour. Items cooked in a Josper charcoal oven are outstanding, from the half rotisserie chicken and sharable lechón asado to the tasado, a salt-cured short rib that literally melts in your mouth. Ornos Estiatorio at Aventura Mall 19565 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura 786-697-1681; michaelmina.net Michael Mina’s fourth Miami-area restaurant is a stunning homage to the Mediterranean. The dining room is decorated in neutral col- ors with accents of the colors of the sea, mak- ing your trip to the Aventura Mall a secret escape to the Greek Isles. The menu offers a full raw bar and fresh fish wheeled to your ta- ble and described in detail by the restaurant’s own fish sommelier. Classic Greek dishes such as lemon chicken, tzatziki, and hummus round out the experience. Pani at Aventura Mall 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 940, Aventura 877-568-7264; welovepani.com This whimsical bistro in Aventura Mall’s out- door restaurant area is the perfect break from shopping. The robin’s-egg-blue restaurant is lit by giraffes holding crystal light fixtures in their mouths. The restaurant offers various ways to rewind from the terrors of bargain hunting — from a perfect espresso martini to afternoon tea service. A full menu offers sal- ads, sandwiches, and more but Pani’s cakes — displayed in a jewel case at the front of the dining room — are a must-have. These outra- geous creations are served in supersized slices large enough to share. Try the piña colada mooncake with pineapple and coconut cream- cheese frosting and mango topping, or the kat flora, a traditional Argentinian sweet tart made with sweet potato paste, dulce de leche, cream cheese, and Kit Kat bars. Texas de Brazil at Dolphin Mall 11401 NW 12th St., Miami 305-599-7729; texasdebrazil.com Texans have few rivals when it comes to their love for steak. Few, that is, if you leave out the entire population of Brazil. Instead of taking this rivalry to a duel, the two camps can coex- ist seamlessly at this Texas-Brazilian steak- house. Carvers greet you at the table with grilled offerings of beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and Brazilian sausages before escorting you to the accompaniment area, where you’ll find more than 50 appetizers, soups, and salads that represent both locales. Top off the expe- rience with a signature Brazilian cocktail, the caipirinha. [email protected] ▼ Café Major Food Group photo Contessa offers northern Italian cuisine and an “emergency” Aperol spritz. MAYBE YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO BUY THAT CHANEL HANDBAG, BUT YOU WON’T FEEL GUILTY SPLURGING ON A SECOND GLASS OF FRENCH ROSÉ.
