graydog914

Overview:

Altiro Lation Fusion is absolutely fantastic. Unique fusions of Mexican tapas blended with just a hint of Italy and South America.

Service is outstanding as the owners and staff are definitely truly happy you're there and they're so enthusiastic about their restaurant. You can sense their pride the second you walk in the door.

Special Dishes:

First off was an appetizer of tipalpia with mango, cucumber with Chipotle aioli, ceviche-like, also a trio of guacamoles. Clean and uncluttered flavors. Then the most perfect shrimp I've ever had, for real. Came in an exceptional tradtional cocktail sauce, exceptional because of the surprising ingredient of Orange Crush. Beautiful! And next, an example Italian fusion: Ravioli. Latin style, via serrano pesto sauce. Order the Al Elotito corn, roasted with garlic aioli and cotija cheese as well, . Addictive. Trying hard not drone on and on, but as mentioned, I want to go back yesterday. I want to work my way through the menu a few times!

JeffHarms

Overview:

I become skeptical when someone adds to the already overly populated river north area with a celeb chef attached, but I was really happy with Siena! Great space, very comfortable. I had to make these reservations 3 months ago, and it was definitely packed, especially the bar. Our server was awesome, very professional, yet fun and engaging.

The food was great! Started with a pepperoni pizza that was awesome, then the proscuitto pear pizza, short rib ravioli and squid ink linguini with lobster. The linguini was by far my favorite. Leave room for dessert, they were amazing too!

Can't wait to go back, hopefully it won't take 3 months this time!

Special Dishes:

see review

Stacy Johnson

Overview:

We had a chef recommend this place to us and I knew it would be great when the first thing the waiter said was "how did you hear about us?" The restaurant is in a small boutique hotel and the service and the food are truly amazing.

Warning - do not eat too much of the bread. It is like a drug and you will get addicted.

The cohitio is one of the most amazing drinks I have had. With a sugar rim and toasted coconut floating on top. The hamachi nikkei, lobster empanada, rock shrimp, deconstructed key lime pie, and chocolate bomb dessert, all excellent. The service was incredible.

Definitely a must if you are in South Beach.

Special Dishes:

hamachi nikkei, lobster empanada, rock shrimp, deconstructed key lime pie, and chocolate bomb dessert, all excellent. The service was incredible.

This Review has been recommended by 1 person

simon lamb

Overview:

beautiful room, dark, sexy, candlelit it was the perfect spot for a belated birthday dinner date. The staff was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable, everyone from the host to the server assistant.

we opted to have chef manion cook for us and could not have made a better choice. don't let the simple, rustic presentations fool you, every dish was amazing. Each and every sauce was fresh,vibrant and perfectly seasoned. heat, garlic and herb levels were spot on. the grill gets a lot of use and whoever is working it deserves a raise, prawns and lobster tails were a stand out, perfectly cooked. hanger steak was perfectly cooked, beefy, delicious and the chimichurri i would like to buy by the gallon. I'm not usually impressed by lentils but here they are rich, smoky and scrumptious.

wine list was unique and well thought out. cocktails were imaginative and perfectly constructed. Papi Chulo is a must have

final note, if you haven't had their empanadas, get in your car and go immediately. light, flakey, hauntingly good...i woke up thinking of them the next morning.

Special Dishes:

empanadas, kale salad, grilled octopus salad, prawns, lobster tails, garlic frites, bacon braised lentils, hanger steak

caitgreenwood

Overview:

We loved La Sirena SO much, we went twice in a row! We were looking for a new spot for dinner and had heard so much praise for La Sirena, that we had to give it a try.

We started out the first night sitting at the bar (best spot in any restaurant!) with some tequila cocktails (perfect, not too sweet, right amount of tequila and bitter), as well as :

-the empanada special of the night (rabbit and mushrooms)- delicious, rich, but lighter because they're baked, not fried
-shaved brussels sprout salad-light and a great palate cleanser
-and our FAVORITE, the grilled sweetbreads. This was the most exciting dish I've had at a restaurant in a LONG time. It had the lovely crispier, grilled outside with a creamy and delicious inside, and the sauce had a great kick to counteract some of the creamy richness of the HUGE sweetbread. We literally went back the next night just to reorder this.

We also had :

-hanger streak with chimichurri sauce; perfectly cooked with a bright sauce and amazing olive oil
-dry rubbed pork ribs- which had a crunchy quality because of the dry rub, but still fell off the bone
-side of feijoada (rice and beans)

We finished with cookies with dulce de leche filling and an chinato on the rocks. Perfection.

There were so many things on the menu we still wanted to try that we decided to have dinner again the next night as well!

We had:
-the rabbit empanadas again
-chicken hearts- tiny little explosions of flavor, with a spicy kick
-head-on prawns- amazing flavor, and delish brains!
-octopus escabeche; perfectly tender octo with peppers and olives
-the sweetbreads AGAIN, because it was non-negotiable.
-the cod croquettes
-the pork milanese- crispy outside, tender inside, great mushroom sauce
-lentils with bacon-a hearty and tasty side
-kale salad- one of my favorite salads with a mustard vinaigrette, raisins, and pine nuts.

After two great meals in a row, I am thoroughly impressed with La Sirena Clandestina. The service was great; we loved the bartenders, the drinks amazing, the food spectacular, and it's a cozy place to spend a pleasant night out. I can't wait to go back, AGAIN!

Special Dishes:

Sweetbreads!

RichMilz

Overview:

I love this place! This place is from the makers of Sushi Wabi and they have not skipped a beat! Fresh delicious rolls in a cool casual laid back environment. The Robata grill items were also tasty especially the bacon wrapped asparagus and shrimp. This is BYOB so grab a bottle before you head over.

Special Dishes:

All the rolss, fish is relaly fresh and the grilled shrimp and bacon wrapped asparagus.

caitgreenwood

Overview:

While there are good Italian restaurants out there, not many really recall a night out in Italy; complete with charming Italian hosts, real deal limoncello, and a cozy, romantic atmosphere. Nando Milano, however, is one of those rare finds that transports you to Italia.

We were lucky enough to meet brothers Dario (owner) and Alessio (exec chef) before our trip to Italy, and they gave us the best recommendations for our time in Bologna; we have since thanked them for directing us to one of our best meals in Italy! I always long for truly delicious Italian after living there for a time, and it's hard to find the complete package; well let me tell you, Nando IS the complete package. Dario is truly sweet, generous, and makes you feel welcome right away, and Alessio holds it down in the kitchen, producing handmade pastas, and amazing Italian dishes. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic (there's also a great patio area in the summer), and it's a wonderful place have a romantic night out!

We popped into Nando after returning from Italy, to thank the brothers profusely for their recommendations, and had such an amazing meal that we had to thank them all over again! We started with a seafood stew that was flavorful and delicious, and a just-made burrata with asparagus that was out of this world. We then moved on to a veal ravioli in a mushroom sauce, a seafood risotto, and ravioli with scallops and crab in a lobster sauce. The pastas were all homemade, and there was no going wrong with the different accompaniments. We finished up with panna cotta and crepes with nutella and bananas- both decadent! We also had REAL limoncello, I've had it elsewhere in town and it just doesn't taste the same as Italy, but this certainly did, and I was happier for it.

If you're looking for a lovely evening out with great atmosphere and wonderful food, Nando Milano Trattoria is the perfect choice!

Special Dishes:

caitgreenwood

Overview:

I keep trying to find a great lunch spot with stellar sandwiches that stands up to Publican Quality, but I'm positive now that such a place does not exist. There's not a better place to linger over some great food on an afternoon off.

I've tried a few of the sandwiches here and can't decide on a favorite. The muffalettas are always amazing, the roast beef is great, we always get the charcuterie and cheese plates (the pork and rabbit rillette is the best thing EVER), the ribollita is delish and comforting, and the mac daddy of them all, the cocido (a stew of smoked chorizo, braised beef, blood sausage, chickpeas, potatoes, cabbage, carrots and mojo picon), is unbelievable on a cold, dreary day, or any day for that matter.

I love coming here in the summer and sitting outside on the cheerful little patio as well (if you're lucky, you may see Andrew Zimmern stroll by!). The food here is perfect, the drink list is great, and the service is always friendly (shout out to Erin!).

Another great perk is loading up on goodies from the market before you leave! We always bring a few things home, and we never pass up a container of that rabbit and pork rillette!

Next time you need some lunch, head to PQM!

Special Dishes:

Cocido, charcuterie, cheeses, any sandwich

Laura K.

Overview:

I used a daily deal coupon which consisted of a 3-course chef's menu. It was fine but there were more interesting items on the regular menu. We supplemented with a cheese plate which was tasty though not out of the ordinary. Our server was terrific, very friendly and helpful with our wine pairings.

Special Dishes:

Food Euphoria

Overview:

Casual Italian at it's best. If you can't get a reservation at Mario Batali's rustic communal style Roman trattoria, put your name on the bar list and pray for a seat. Dinner/lunch is the same menu but most of the menu choices are delicious and lunch is less hectic than dinner so I prefer eating at the bar.

Started with simple clams and fregola, interesting but slightly under seasoned. The second time I went I had the Veal Sweetbreads with Shishito Peppers, nice. Next have the Mozzarella di Buffalo, DOP with grilled leeks on crusty bread, lovely and creamy like Burrata. A favorite. Refreshed with the Escarole, Walnut, Red Onion & Pecorino, simply dressed but I loved it.

It is hard to find great Spaghetti alla Carbonara but Lupa does a nice job. I loved the Ricotta Gnocchi with Fennel & Sausage. Next try the Heritage Pork Belly with Scorzonera & Pears, heaven. Finish off with Amaro Coppetta with Cardomom Gelato & Espresso Croccante (crunchy, espresso almond brittle), good.

Prices are moderate and it is great for larger parties because of the long tables and kid friendly.

Special Dishes:

Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Ricotta Gnocchi, Heritage Pork Belly, Amaro Copetta with Cardomom Gelato