Foodie Find: Brunch at Mareva 1939
These international offerings are served against a backdrop of the National Hotel's famous pool.
For all of Miami’s international flair, Mareva 1930 – the restaurant located inside the National Hotel – has prepared for us a brunch featuring dishes from around the world. Served buffet style – a concept that originated in Scandinavian culture – the plates, platters and enormous paella pots transport diners to kitchens afar.
It all starts on a patio lit with art deco sconces, terrazzo tables and oversized planters, and foliage draped from the ceiling. The banquettes are grey satin and the chairs mahogany, with the dramatic backdrop of the hotel’s famous infinity pool. At 205 feet, it’s the longest in South Beach.
That’s why you’ll start with a cocktail to cool down, as all of them are made with designer ice cubes seemingly shaved to pebbles. Both the red and the white sangria and the respective wines are mixed with the secret ingredient: Martini Riserva Speciale vermouth. Also in the glass is Cava from Spain as well as oranges, cherries and for the white, green apple, pineapple and ginger. Also consider the “Endless Passion” and be sure to request Patron tequila mixed with your passion fruit, agave, fresh lime and orange blossom. Or the “No Let’s Get Another One,” with Bombay Sapphire gin, St. Germain, cucumber, lemon and yuzu.
To nibble, start at the seafood table. Offerings include raw oysters, shrimp cocktail and a generous serving of tuna tartare. Find also sushi rolls and a smoked salmon platter. For Middle Eastern fare, you’ll find an endless selection of breads to cover with lentil salad, humus, an international egg salad and squid sliced and served cold with vegetables. There’s also a variety of cheeses served alongside honeycomb dripping directly into the serving tray and ready for spreading.
When it’s time for the main course, choose pork loin or salmon – or both! And a succotash and mashed potatoes as sides. There are two paellas and a variety of Spanish tortillas. And, in representing America, there’s scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, sausage and bacon. Dessert is served atop a grand piano and offers a generous selection of sweets.
Let’s Get Another One
2 ounces of Bombay Sapphire
1/2 ounce St. Germain
1 ounce muddled cucumber
1 squeeze lemon
1 slice of yuzu fruit
Red Sangria
Endless Passion
1 ounce of Patron tequila
2 ounces Passion fruit juice
1/2 ounce agave
squeeze of fresh lime
orange blossom
Brett Graff is SocialMiami.com’s managing editor and has been a journalist covering money, people and power for over 20 years. Graff contributes to national media outlets including Reuters, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, Maxim, and the PBS show, Nightly Business Report. A former U.S. government economist, her nationally syndicated column The Home Economist is first published in The Miami Herald and then on the Tribune Content Agency, where it’s available to over 400 publications nationwide. She is broadcast weekly on two iHeartRadio news shows and is the author of “Not Buying It: Stop Overspending & Start Raising Happier, Healthier, More Successful Kids,” a parenting guide for people who might be tempted to buy their children the very obstacles they’re trying to avoid.
