BURGERFI - Numerous Locations

BURGERFI – 6 Locations

We had heard about a new chance called BURGERFI that was a ‘knock-off’ of Shake Shack so we went to the one on Biscayne Blvd and 181^st on Saturday.

http://burgerfi.com/

There are 26 locations including Aventura and Hallendale. They advertise natural beef and have hot dogs, frozen custard, concrete, beer, wine and cupcakes.

When you walk in the décor is just like Shake Shack as is the service where you order, receive a beeper and wait for your beeper to buzz. They have multiple TVs that Shake Shack doesn’t have and a larger menu.

Since we were on diets we didn’t order the fries (which looked amazing) or the concrete on cupcakes.

The burgers were good but not as good as Shake Shack. The Shake Shack bun was much better.

The New York hot dog was also OK.

I’ll definitely go back because of the location. $31 for 2.

8/10 for burgers.

Macchialina Pubbelly in South Beach

Went to the new 'italian' Pubbelly addition last night at 820 Alton Road.

http://miami.eater.com/archives/2012/06/26/pubbelly-trio-team-up-with-michael-pirolo-for-macchialina.php

It was unreal! I loved everything we had. Tapas style with 3 full main courses if you want them.

We had their lasagna, meatballs, rib steak and salad and all were outstanding. The pizza was just OK and the dessert was unreal!

$100 per couple incl tip and drinks

I will definitely be back.

9.5/10

BIG ISSUE: DO NOT PARK in the big parking lot next door. IT IS A PRIVATE LOT and I got towed. Cost me $400 including taxis and tow fees. Ruined a great night!

The Bazaar by Jose Andres at SLS Hotel, South Beach

Went to The Bazaar at the new SLS Hotel on Wednesday with great anticipation.

http://www.slshotels.com/southbeach/dining/

It was entirely tapas with no main courses at all. While there was nothing we had that we didn’t like we left feeling hungry despite having 15 dishes. Each dish literally had 1 mouthful per person i.e. 4 pieces.

And to boot it was $20 for parking.

Bill was $300 for 4 people with very few drinks.

I will not be back.

6.5/10

Cafe Le Buca, Pompano Beach

Last night we went to a new restaurant in Pompano Beach called Café Le Buca. Yes we drove that far because we were told it was worth it.

They do not have a website to refer to. In fact, they only have 5 tables with 16 seats and the customer bathroom is inside the kitchen. For Montrealer’s it makes Schwartz’s look classy. For others, it looks like a dump, but don’t be fooled by looks.

There is no menu. There is no wine, beer or liquor, but there is a liquor store across the road. It is owned by a typically Italian mother and her son.

When you sit down they almost immediately bring you 3 different and amazing appetizers even though you didn’t order anything. Each one was great.

After the appetizers, they offer you a fish, meat or several pasta dishes. We had two pasta dishes, one meat dish and a pizza for the table. All were amazing. Not a noodle left over.

For dessert it was once again over the top Italian and lots of calories.

All this and we still had no idea how much. The bill finally came and it was $105/couple incl tip.

An amazing  value!

Definitely going back.

9/10

Big City Tavern, Las Olas in Ft. Lauderdale

Last night I had my sedar at the Big City Tavern in Ft. Lauderdale across from Cheesecake Factory on Las Olas. Yes, I asked the 4 questions.

http://www.bigtimerestaurants.com/

It was a beautiful old style tavern with outdoor seating on Las Olas, tile ceilings, brick walls and wood floors and it was totally packed and buzzing. Noise level was actually a little too high.

Scene was a young business crowd with a few families.

The food was great as was the value and it was backed up with great service.

My wife thought her salad appetizer and tuna entrée was as good as she’s had anywhere and my meatballs appetizer was as good as I’ve had.

The menu was great and the dishes we saw going by all looked great.

The bill was $98.00 incl tip with no drinks. Great value!

Parking just behind the restaurant was $7.00.

They also have what looks like an amazing Saturday and Sunday brunch which I will definitely try.

On the way out we noticed a gelato store next door that had the best looking gelato I’ve ever seen. I wish I hadn’t had a dessert at Big City.

8/10

Sea Grill in 163rd St. shopping mall next to Duffy's

Last night we went to Sea Grill in the 163^rd St. shopping mall next to Duffy’s.

I expected it to be empty as they are not on open table, have no website and are not to be found on Yelp, Urbanspoon or UrbanDaddy.

I was dead wrong!

The Greek restaurant is owned by two of the owners of Carpaccio’s who always wanted to do a Greek restaurant. The chef, Pitor, is straight from Milo’s New York. The maitre’d, who was also from Carpaccio’s, told me they are Milo’s but at half the price.

The restaurant was very large and beautiful with a large outdoor terrace on the water. It was a much older crowd with no scene at all. If you want a scene this is not the place to go.

The food and presentation was just great and I do not like Greek food or fish. My veal chop was as good as anything I’ve had and my wife’s branzino was amazing. Two friends we saw there also raved about their fish dishes also.

Bill was $115 for 2 incl tip with 1 large drink and complimentary valet parking.

I already made a second reservation for next week.

8.5/10

Da Vinci Caffe, Bay Harbour next to Palm and Asia Bay

Last night we tried Da Vinci Caffé around the corner from The Palm and next to Asia Bay  in Bay Harbour.

http://www.caffedavinci.com/

The restaurant was empty but the service, food and presentation were really good.

Emelio’s, across the street, was 60% full and I guess is hurting Da Vinci’s.

The 2 salads were really good and as was the chicken and salmon entrees.

Prices were average at $115 for two with tip incl and 2 drinks.

7.5/10

I liked it better than Emelio’s and Regazzi but hated being there by ourselves.