Where to Eat in November: Mr. Mandolin, Tinta y Café, and More

The iconic Mayfair House Hotel & Garden has now re-opened, and as part of its reimagining, brings new restaurant concepts joining Coconut Grove’s already-buzzing resurgence. The new Mayfair Grill offers a style of cuisine inspired by the Sonoran Desert region of the American Southwest. It serves wood-fueled cuisine from its open-hearth kitchen, with dishes such as fire-roasted squash, wood oven-baked cheese, blistered leeks, and artichokes cooked in ember. And as a nod to the Sonoran region’s Mexican influence, the bar menu focuses on mezcals and Tequila.

This open-air rooftop oasis at the brand new Loews Coral Gables hotel offers Latin flavors through small plates and cocktails, punctuated by views of the pool and the tree-lined streets of the City Beautiful. Located off Ponce de Leon Boulevard at the long-awaited The Plaza development in downtown Coral Gables, Phineas pays homage to one of the City of Coral Gables’ founding architects, Phineas Paist, who helped legendary urban planner George E. Merrick bring his Mediterranean-inspired vision to life here in South Florida. Their menu of tropical treats includes charred plantain empanadas, guava cheesecake, and frozen cocktails.

Call 786-772-7600 for more info.

What if one of Miami’s best restaurants offered a simpler “street food” version of its most popular plates? Mr. Mandolin is the sister restaurant (or should we say brother?) of the widely acclaimed Mandolin Aegean Bistro, and serves as its quicker, more casual sibling. You’ll find Mr. Mandolin in MiMo’s Vagabond Hotel, with another location at Oasis Wynwood. The quality is the same, but the menu largely features Greek and Turkish street foods such as gyros and kebabs.

This unassuming restaurant in the Gables is best described as a gourmet grab-and-go market and café. Their made-from-scratch offerings range from pasta to sandwiches — and it’s even a great place to buy stone crabs now that they’re back in season. Owner Brian Skogen opened MKT in the heart of Coral Gables during the pandemic with the aim of offering flexibility as part of a friendly environment where locals can purchase gourmet foods in whatever style they prefer: dine-in, delivery, or take-out. Now, an intriguing pop-up by QP Tapas brings a new restaurant-in-residence to MKT Kitchen on Friday and Saturday evenings with its izakaya-style Spanish tapas. QP Tapas offers a unique fusion of Japanese and Spanish cuisines with large paellas and small plates like stuffed piquillo peppers with confit tuna belly or gambas with fermented garlic.

Walk-ins only. Call 305-882-2600 for more info.

Consistency and staying power are hard to come by in the restaurant business. Barceloneta originally hit the local scene in 2011 as one of the first spots to kick-start Sunset Harbor’s dining scene. All these years later, chef Juliana Gonzalez’s take on elevated tapas and family-style platos is still connecting with those in pursuit of classic Spanish cuisine. Barceloneta’s beverage menu is equally notable, with a roster of Spanish wines, distinctive gins, and more than a dozen different gin & tonic variations.

With this monthly Hit List, we usually like to highlight what’s new and trending in our local dining scene. With this entry, however, we had to make an exception to highlight a long-running establishment that is soon leaving our community. Located in the SLS South Beach hotel, Bazaar is the concept by legendary Spanish chef-turned-humanitarian José Andrés. The Bazaar recently announced that its 10-year agreement with the SLS hotel will be coming to an end, and the restaurant will be closing in March 2023. Be sure to stop by one last time for an eccentric and “bizarre” dining experience featuring the kind of avant-garde Spanish tapas you can only get from José Andrés.

Call 305-455-2999 for reservations.

This new 17-course, 12-seat omakase speakeasy on Española Way comes to South Florida as a follow-up act to original locations in Montecito, California, and Austin, Texas. Located in the Esmé Hotel, guests are treated to a unique dining experience from executive chef Ambrely Ouimette, one of the country’s only female omakase chefs. The menu changes daily, and the setting is designed to feel like a traditional 1930s Japanese sushi bar. Arrive 30 minutes early for your welcome cocktail before diving into an evening of the freshest nigiri and seafood delicacies.

Call 305-423-5888 for reservations.

In the mood for pasta and gelato in a stylish setting? With nine locations in New York, Sant Ambroeus’ lone Florida location brings a piece of Manhattan and The Hamptons to Palm Beach. This successful New York restaurant offers the swanky vibes of Milan, alongside a menu loaded with authentic Italian dishes, right in the heart of Palm Beach’s Royal Poinciana Plaza. You can also drop in for their signature gelato, Italian espresso drinks, and specialty pastries from a counter that feels like a true European coffee shop.

Serving just about the best little Latin baguette sandwiches you’ll find, this under-the-radar coffee shop is styled like a cozy local book shop with a bonus ventanita. The calm little oasis of croquetas and cafecitos is located just a few blocks from the hectic daily rhythms of downtown Coral Gables, with a second location recently opened in Miami Shores. The whole “under the radar” thing may be out the window now, though, as Tinta y Café picked up a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition earlier this year as one of the best Cuban restaurants in Miami.

Walk-ins only. Call 305-285-0101 for more info.

Whether it’s brunch or dinner at Tacocraft, it feels like Cinco de Mayo year-round. This downtown Fort Lauderdale taqueria offers a menu of more than a dozen tacos on homemade corn tortillas and other Mexican favorites like fajitas, guacamole (get the guac flight!), street corn, ceviche, and nachos. There are also hundreds (yes, hundreds) of Tequilas to choose from, from blanco to aged añejo. Don’t leave without trying the churro ice cream sandwich — or fried chicken and churro waffles if you’re there for brunch.