Culinary Highlights from Terry Zarikian
Week of October 3rd
In October, Miami Spice continues…
Without a doubt the most regal dining room in Miami is The Forge, and owner Shareef Malnik knows how to keep this culinary legend, founded by his father, thriving for almost 50 years! Miami Spice goers are in for a treat as the menu changes weekly, but if you see the Canadian Salmon, seared to the temperature of your liking over creamed spinach and a red wine sauce in the menu, order it!
The Forge
432 W. 41st Street
Miami Beach, FL 33140
305/538-8533
I had not been back to 1111 Peruvian Bistro in almost a year and last week I was pleasantly impressed to find it as good or better than ever. The Ceviche Apaltado prepared with corvina and avocado in a creamy leche de tigre and the Fried Calamari are numero uno in my list of favorites. New, off the “Spice” menu are the caramelized Peruvian Scallops grilled in their shells and the most striking and flavorful Arroz Con Leche.
1111 Peruvian Bistro
1111 S.W. 1st Avenue, Suite 106
Downtown Miami, FL 33130
786-615-9633
I can’t wrap my head around how Tanuki has such exceptionally good food. I dream about their deftly prepared Dim Sum selection and wish I lived closer by to savor them more often. Their Miami Spice offering is one of the most generous with guests invited to choose a snack, the chef’s sushi plate or two nigiris, a dim sum, an entrée and a dessert. My favorites dim sums offered: the Mushroom Dumpling and the Xiao Long Bao, beef & foie gras accented with black vinegar.
Tanuki
1080 Alton Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-803-2286
Hiro Leung watches over the Dragonfly brand with great passion and respect to his loyal followers. A lunch or dinner at the Doral’s Dragonfly Izakaya & Fish Market is a convivial experience as the staff enjoys preparing and selling their food as much as the diner eating it. Miami Spice offerings I have loved include the wonderfully Fried Shishito Peppers with garlic ponzu vinaigrette and shaved bonito and the Wagyu Short Rib Curry served with white rice and miso soup.
Dragonfly Izakaya & Fish Market
5241 N.W. 87th Avenue, Suite D101
Doral, FL 33178
305-222-7447
Don’t let the “cantina” name fool you, by any means, this is not your typical street side watering hall. At Cantina La Veinte Chef Santiago Gomez continues at the helm of this ultra-deluxe restaurant that serves beautifully curated Mexican cuisine. A full flavored Arroz Verde con Camaron and the Huachinango Frito (whole red snapper) are splendid examples of Santiago’s heritage, and the Pannacota de Mango delivers a happy ending. For a more casual experience, visit Santiago’s Tacology at the Brickell City Centre.
Cantina la Veinte
495 Brickell Avenue
Miami, FL 33131
786-623-6135
One of the most hard working and passionate chefs in town is Cindy Hutson. Together with partner Delius Shirley they have successfully run their flagship, Ortanique on the Mile, for almost two decades. Now at ZEST Cuisine of the Sun, Cindy offers a stylish modern approach to her island cuisine. Spice continues with Tomato Kaffir Lime Bisque, with goat cheese foam, a slightly piquant Jerk Chicken Fricassee Pappardelle, and her popular Blue Mountain Coffee & Cocoa Crusted Faroe Island Salmon, wonderfully brushed with a chipotle agave glaze. The daily changing offerings is full of pleasant surprises.
ZEST Cuisine of the Sun by Chef Cindy Hutson
200 S. Biscayne Boulevard
Southeast Financial Center
Miami, FL 33131
305-374-9378
Since Michael Beltran and Jason Odio opened Ariete, dining in Coconut Grove changed for the better. Their new Miami Spice offers some of their most delicious dishes, like the Wood Grilled Octopus served over abuela’s black beans and grated bottarga, their Chuleta Ahumada, tender, juicy, smoked pork chop with creamy tamale en cazuela, and Arroz con Calamar, black ink rice with sweet and delicious grilled prawns.
Ariete
3540 Main Highway
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
305-640-5862
Terry Zarikian is a connoisseur of good food and wine with unparalleled experience and vision in the culinary sphere. His early beginnings at the award winning L’Alouette Restaurant in Bal Harbour served as a stepping stone to the luxurious Grand Bay Hotel and its legendary Regine’s, the international disco and private club atop the hotel, where he directed the food and beverage operations in the 80s and 90s. Entering the new millennium, his culinary PR agency, Shapiro & Zarikian joined forces with Jeffrey Chodorow’s China Grill Management.
Zarikian is most recognized for his strong hand in the development of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival under Festival Director and Founder, Lee Brian Schrager. Today Zarikian is the festival’s Culinary Advisor and liaises with some of the most renowned chefs in the world.
Since 1988 Terry has been the Food Editor of Selecta Magazine, a national Latin lifestyle publication; he is also the Culinary Content Director for azureazure.com, an online publication dedicated to all things luxury, as well as contributor to American Airlines’ Celebrated Living magazine and SocialMiami.com. The focus of his writing is travel, restaurants, food and wine.
Additionally, Zarikian is the Director of New Business and Development at Rockaway PR, Marketing & Events, a culinary agency with offices in Orlando and Miami.
Enjoy some recent published articles written by Terry: 5 Best Star Restaurants; 5 Best City Hotels; and 5 Best Classic Restaurants.
