A Foodie's Paradise in Paradise

A Foodie's Paradise in Paradise
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

When I think of paradise, the ocean and food come to mind including one particular place in Miami Beach; the iconic Fontainebleau Resort. The Fontainebleau has been a destination for tourists, celebrities and locals since the early 1950s but today, this lux hotel also boasts some of the best restaurants in town hailing in the likes of the pickiest foodies from all around. Whatever your palate is in the mood for, The Fontainebleau has got you covered.
2017-01-05-1483647798-4564994-FB1.png
I recently had the privilege to take a tour of the grounds and I was impressed beyond words. There are a lot of new things going on at The Fontainebleau like their exclusive fresh seafood program, BleauFish Ocean to Table, which delivers fresh, live catch to the resort's restaurants. This magnificent concept is housed underneath the hotel where live catch is brought in daily and maintained until it is put on your plate for your consumption. This year alone, over 3000lbs of the freshest stone crabs have been served to patrons at The Fontainebleau eateries and wait til you see the on-site aging room for the fabulous meats, oh my!
2017-01-05-1483641421-4726977-FB1.png
2017-01-05-1483641468-6457765-FB2.png
2017-01-05-1483641510-1877003-FB17.png
2017-01-05-1483641004-887906-FB19.png
2017-01-05-1483641113-1329461-FB18.png
Chef Thomas Connell, Vice President of Culinary Operations at The Fontainebleau encourages all of their chefs to be as creative as possible and have provided every opportunity for same which clearly shows in the masterpieces that you are presented with wherever you chose to dine here. From the craft cocktails that you will be sipping on to the deliciously exquisite food you'll be eating and the perfect final touch of sweet and delightful desserts and coffees you end your dining experience with.
2017-01-05-1483641183-5647492-FB26.png
Let's start with Bleau Bar located in the lobby level. This magnificent area is the perfect place to meet up with your family and friends to sit back and enjoy some people watching while you contemplate your plans for the day, afternoon or evening. Go ahead and treat yourself to a classic cocktail or get a little funky with a craft or seasonal cocktail like the Fall Sangria, one of their Winter cocktail features which vary in each restaurant.
2017-01-05-1483647842-8482611-bb.png
2017-01-05-1483646974-2756920-001.png
2017-01-05-1483647018-6418318-002.png
Fall Sangria
.75oz Gran Marnier
1oz apple juice
.5oz Pomegranate Juice
1 dash Angostura bitters
3-4oz Strongbow cider
Build & stir
Pour into wine glass over ice
Garnish with red apple slices, orange slice, & mint
2017-01-05-1483640920-4499630-FB.png
Award winning Chef, Michael Mina has two fabulous restaurants at The Fontainebleau; Stripsteak and Pizza & Burger. If you are looking for an elegant and hearty dinner, head to Stripsteak for any of their mouth-watering dishes which include Moyer Farms Angus, Wagyu or Japanese Miyazaki Prefecture cuts. Some of the accompaniments available for your steak include pinot noir jus, bourbon caramelized onions, black truffle butter, smoked bleu cheese, Oscar king crab and half a Maine lobster and scrumptious sides such as mac 'n cheese, jewel yam puree, whipped potatoes and truffle fries. They also have seafood entrees like the Scottish Salmon, Pan Seared Hake and Lobster Pot Pie, as well as a mushroom risotto and roasted petite chicken. Stripsteak also boasts an extensive wine list (ask to check out their magnificent wine cellar) as well as classic and craft cocktails. The featured Winter cocktails at Stripsteak are the Fortune Teller and Notorious F.I.G.
2017-01-05-1483647963-3847612-SS.png
2017-01-05-1483647231-7762101-SS.png
2017-01-05-1483648078-6096131-FB22.png
2017-01-05-1483647271-7592936-SS1.png
2017-01-05-1483640690-9090528-FB23.png
2017-01-05-1483640734-2574208-FB24.png
Fortune Teller
1.5 oz High West Double Rye
1/2 oz Plymouth Sloe Gin
1/2 oz Pomegranate Juice
1/2 oz. Raisin Syrup
1/2 oz Tempus Fugit Gran Classico
2017-01-05-1483637940-3332183-FB8.png
Notorious F.I.G.
1/2 oz Partida Reposado Tequila
1/2 oz Sotol por Siempre
1/2 oz Christian Drouin Calvados
1.5 oz Fig & Pear Purée
1/2 oz Bliss Maple Syrup
2017-01-05-1483637993-7532825-FB9.png
Are you in the mood to chill and not get dressed up but still want to eat like a king or queen? Head on over to Chef Mina's Burger & Pizza where you'll find casual fare and drink in a relaxed atmosphere. With flat screen TVs, fuss ball, a photo booth, games at your table and upbeat music, you are guaranteed a fun time. So go ahead and kick back and enjoy yourself along with others as you munch away on some of Miami Beach's the best made-from-scratch pizzas, signature burgers (The Cuban Frita with beef, chorizo, smoked paprika aioli and crispy potato and Hippie Chick with marinated and grilled eggplant, tomato jam, crispy zucchini, red onion labneh, and halloumi cheese) and appetizers like lobster corn dogs, nachos and the must try, mouth-watering The Toast. You'll also find delicious salads and entrees as well as decadent desserts here. Burger & Pizza also has a "social hour" every day from 5pm-7pm with buy-one-get-one for $1 cocktails, ½ priced local beers and $5 wine specials.
2017-01-05-1483647896-8660851-HK1.png
2017-01-05-1483647084-7512698-003.png
2017-01-05-1483638598-3318744-FB12.png
2017-01-05-1483638642-176108-FB13.png
2017-01-05-1483638679-5670137-FB14.png
Burger & Pizza's featured Winter cocktail is the Matador.
Matador:
1.5 rendezvous rye
0.5 oloroso sherry
0.5 apple cider reduction
0.5 lemon juice
0.25 simple syrup
Rocks glass
Large rock
Lemon peel (expressed)
2017-01-05-1483640366-5565660-FB21.png
If a romantic dining experience is what you're looking for, then Scarpetta is the place for you. As you walk into the candle lit and romance induced AAA Four Diamond Award winning restaurant with pristine views of the Atlantic Ocean through the glass encased veranda, you'll immediately feel the allure that has made Scarpetta the go-to place for many couples. James Beard Award winning celebrity Chef Scott Conant's artistic and palate enticing pasta combinations are the talk of the town. The menu consists of classic Italian dishes with refined flavors such as tagliatelle with Maine lobster, tomato and tarragon, the duck and foie gras ravioli with a marsala reduction, roasted branzino and veal tenderloin. Scarpetta's also boasts an extensive wine list to compliment all their dishes and they have the most delicious bread basket ever!
2017-01-05-1483648270-8608119-sp.png
2017-01-05-1483648315-9638670-sp1.png
2017-01-05-1483641347-3396436-FB27.png
2017-01-05-1483637801-1232469-FB7.png
2017-01-05-1483637719-68426-FB6.png
The featured Winter Cocktail at Scarpetta is Sardegn, named after the city in Italy where Mirto was invented.
Sardegn:
0.25 oz Lime Juice
1 oz Strawberry Shrub
1 oz Mirto Myrtleberry Amaro
0.25 oz Ancho Reyes
3/4 oz Silver Tequila
Shake and Double Strain into Aperitif glass (porto glass)
Top with 3 drops of Heritage Absinthe
1 in by 1 in ice cube or cracked 2 in by 2 in pieces
Looking for something a little more exotic like Cantonese cuisine? The Fontainebleau's second AAA Four Diamond Award winning Hakkasan is all that and dim sum! With a modern and vibrant vibe as well as an abundant selection of food and cocktails, Hakkasan is the place for you. Chef de Cuisine, Jian "Kenny" Heng Loo serves up traditional yet innovative dishes like the steamed crystal lobster dumplings, the seared snapper, and crispy duck salad with pomegranate as well as an extensive dim sum menu on the weekends. Hakkasan is located rooftop on the 4th floor so before you leave, make sure you step outside for the most breathtaking views of the ocean.

2017-01-05-1483646404-2662850-HK1.png
2017-01-05-1483645581-9396957-HK.png
2017-01-05-1483646296-6317519-HK2.png
2017-01-05-1483646120-2715109-FB3.png
The featured Winter Cocktail at is Circa 1800.
Circa 1800:
3 Dash Bittermen's Orange Citrate
3 Dash Fee brothers Plum Bitters
3/4 oz Lustau Eas India Solera Sherry
1 1/2 oz Pierre Ferrand Cognac
Served in Torched Thyme/ orange peel Old fashioned glass with ice sphere
2017-01-05-1483638161-8270405-FB11.png
Got a sweet tooth? Head on over to Chez Bon Bon where all of their treats are house-made. The chocolatiers and pastry chefs here take pride in handcrafting delicious chocolates and it shows. With freshly baked pastries, muffins, croissants, bagels and doughnuts along with fresh brewed and cold pressed coffees, Chez Bon Bon is a great place to start your day. If you'd like to spend the day at the beach, you can also pick up some of their "grab 'n go" sandwiches and salads for a bite on the sand. You must also try any of their house-made chocolates, patisseries, cakes and gelatos as the perfect way to end your day.
2017-01-05-1483644857-9756288-CB4.png
2017-01-05-1483644893-1977023-CB.png
2017-01-05-1483644920-4019350-CB1.png
2017-01-05-1483644954-4358739-CB2.png
2017-01-05-1483645001-1613363-CB3.png
Although the list above offers several different restaurants, I must mention that there were three others which I did not have the opportunity to visit on this trip. There's oceanside bistro, La Cote with a South of France vide and Mediterranean style bites and plate along with drinks and dessert. The lovely American brassiere, Vida which is home to The Fontainebleau's famous Sunday Brunch and Blade where you'll find an array of sushi, sashimi, tartares and carpaccios along with premium cocktails, sake and Japanese beers for lunch and dinner.
2017-01-05-1483644669-4699304-FB.png

So there you have it, folks. Not only is The Fontainebleau one of the most beautiful resorts in South Florida with impeccable and pristine lodging, pools, spa and beach but also a cornucopia of eateries for any craving you have which makes The Fontainebleau a true a foodie's paradise in paradise.

For more information or to make a reservation, please go to: https://fontainebleau.com/dining

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot