Michael Psilakis and Donatella Arpaia own one of just two Greek restaurants in the world with a Michelin star. It’s New York City’s Anthos, which features Chef Psilakis’ most modern take on Greek cuisine. Together, they also own the home-style Italian Mia Dona and the more rustic Greek restaurant Kefi. Arpaia is all about creating a service culture that equal parts attentive and friendly, but never stuffy. Last month, the pair opened Eos at Miami’s Viceroy condotel (485 Brickell Ave., 305-503-4400). And from where I sit, more than a week after dinner at Eos, they’ve got a hit on their hands. Eos is servng some of the most sophisticated Mediterranean-inspired food in South Florida.
I kept looking for Greece in the dishes. And it’s there. But more often, the chef tweaks Greek tradition to create something surprisingly modern. He has a way with raw fish that moves its from Asia to the Mediterranean. Dishes like tuna sashimi with watermelon and feta ($10) or yellowtail with fennel and cantaloupe ($12).
The Eos menu is all about small shareable dishes. I’d be quite happy if every restaurant served this way. I loved the Eos fonduta ($12) made with pecorino and hazelnuts and a splash of thyme honey. You spread it on crostini. I couldn’t help but compare this elegant dish to all of the brandy-soaked saganaki I’ve eaten over the years. I loved his earthy tasting lobster and sea urchin risotto ($16) flavored with caviar, fresh herbs and egg yolk. I loved his pungent smoked octupus ($13) served with pineapple, sopressata and skordalia. But my favorite dish was the calves tongue sliders ($12), braised until tender and served with sauce gribiche and spring onion. Growing up, my parents occasionally served (rubbery) beef tongue. Psilakis’s calves tongue was an entirely new experience. Sorry dad. Eos is set in a Kelly Wearstler-designed uber theatrical dining room. Guests sit on orange lacquer chairs, purple wing backs and yellow and black arm chairs. Like all Wearstler, it falls together in a kind of rococo homage to late 20th century popular design. Psilakis (pronounced see-LAH-kees) says he isn’t sure the room suits his menu, which he scaled down to better suit the economy. I told him that Miamians like lots of style in their restaurants. Check out the view from the terrace, where you can see what the Viceroy calls the longest swimming pool in the state. Psilakis comes to Miami after being awarded best chef awards from both Food & Wine and Bon Appetit magazines. I think South Florida is about to understand why. Stay tuned. And make a reservation at Eos. PHOTO: Lobster and sea urchin risotto with caviar, fried herbs and egg yolks and a selection of raw meze (Coutesy Eos)
Archive for June, 2009
Coral Gables’ second annual Restaurant Week gets a proper kick-off on Friday at the first-ever Taste of the Gables. It’s free and includes tastings from more than 20 restaurants pluse live music 6-9 p.m. in the Via between Tarpon Bend and Fritz & Franz at 65 Miracle Mile. Restaurant Week starts Monday and continues through June 14. Participating restaurants will offer three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus. Prices vary depending on the restaurant. Restaurants include Cacao Restaurant, Caffe Abbracci, Da Vittorio, Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Hoja Nueva, JohnMartin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, Le Provencal, Les Halles, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Ortanique on the Mile, Pardo’s Chicken, Por Fin Restaurant & Lounge, Randazzo’s Little Italy, Red Koi Thai & Sushi Lounge, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Spris Coral Gables, Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill, The Sports Exchange and Two Sisters Restaurant. For a complete list of restaurants and their menus, click here.
Open Book Cafe by Mambo opened at the plaza in front of Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Branch at Grand Army Plaza.
Brooklyn Paper: Spencer Rothschild, the man behind much-loved Park Slope restaurants Barrio, Playa and Cabana Bar, is now serving his Latino-influenced beach cuisine on the plaza in front of the central branch of America’s fifth-largest [...]
The big sign saying “We’re Giving Away Free Housing” certainly caught our eye, and the eye of others passing by 100 Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights. The sign is in the window of the Educational Housing Service dormitories in the St. George. EHS, which operates seven different buildings throughout New York, has been giving away dorm rooms this summer (including free telephone, Internet, cable and gym) as a promotion.
They’ll be giving away the last one tomorrow,May 29, so enter today if this is your kind of thing. Winners must be college students or interns. (Knew there was a catch.)
Photo by MK Metz
Outstanding 29 year reputation under the current ownership, offering Teleflora and FTD services, located near the beaches, and is the only florist in this zip code. Very well known and has a reputation for high quality arrangements and superb customer service. Delivery van, helium tank & Teleflora equipment is leased. Owner is retiring but key employees will stay on.
It’s been raining cats and dogs — and alligators down here these past few weeks. And this being Florida, it’s never halfway. All or nothing.
So my food friends in Jacksonville are taking the water taxi to dinner these days.
There’s a unique restaurant up there in a burg named Mandarin on the Julington Creek called Clark’s Fish [...]
On June 12 from 9 to 11 a.m., a 15 week-long arts education project at P.S. 15 in Red Hook will come to a close with celebratory performances and the public unveiling of the school’s new student-designed and painted by second and fifth-grade students titled Red Hook Birds Alive! This mural project is one of six arts education programs made possible by a $178,000 grant from Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez.
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High quality products with fabulous name recognition that have set the standard for cosmetics & beauty for 77 years. These skin care & color products appeal to a wide range of complexions & skin types using only the finest ingredients. Local business established 53 years & in same location 22 years. Large repeat Client base, 60% advertising co-op, no royalties & franchisor training make this the complete package. Be a part of this fabulous industry by becoming a Franchised Beauty Consultant.
I am crazy about salsa, and I’m a fiend for anything quick and easy in the kitchen! Last night I cooked up two pounds of red beans, so tonight’s dinner was a simple Red Beans and Rice with Fresh Tomato Salsa. This is the kind of meal I like to eat without utensils and just [...]
Joel Peterson has been making wine in California’s Sonoma Valley since before tourists saw it as a vacation destination. The Ravenswood Winery founder’s parents introduced him to the crushed grape early on, after bottle of 1945 Châteauneuf-du-Pape was tasted at their 1951 Thanksgiving dinner, along with an early 1950’s Château d’Yquem that cost $3.45 a bottle. [...]