Miami Beach Eats: The Good, The Bad & The Delicious

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

There’s something about Miami Beach that always resets me. Maybe it’s the sunshine. Maybe it’s the waves. Maybe it’s the way good food just hits different when you’re on vacation celebrating someone you love. Whatever it is, Miami remains one of my foodie happy places, and this month’s trip reminded me exactly why.

Between a little rest, a little reflection, and a whole lot of eating, I discovered three spots worth talking about—two longtime favorites and one brand-new love that officially has me in a chokehold. Let’s get into it.

A New Favorite: Sazon Cubano

How did I come to Miami all these years and not know about Sazon Cubano? This was my first time stepping into this colorful, authentic Cuban spot for lunch, and let me tell you—I was instantly mad at myself for not coming sooner.

The vibe is classic Miami meets abuela’s kitchen: warm, lively, and filled with the aroma of garlic, citrus, and love. I ordered the seafood paella, the churrasco (marinated skirt steak grilled to perfection), and a classic mojito. I loved every single thing. The paella was loaded, flavorful, and comforting. The churrasco was tender, juicy, and seasoned just right. And that mojito? Exactly what a mojito should be: crisp, bright, and absolutely refreshing.

Sazon Cubano is officially on my “must return for dinner + live music” list. 10/10 would recommend.

The Letdown: Front Porch Café

Whew… this one hurt a little.

Front Porch Café used to be one of my Miami staples…the kind of place with a benedict you dream about long after vacation ends. So imagine my disappointment when I walked in and realized the magic was gone.

They’ve moved several blocks down Ocean Drive into a smaller location, and unfortunately, the quality went with the square footage. I ordered the crab cake benedict I once loved, only to receive lightly seasoned poached eggs perched on tiny crab cakes that were overcooked and underseasoned… with no English muffin. Where do they do that? My partner’s chicken and waffles were better – at least the bacon was cooked perfectly – but the chicken was not crispy. The audacity.

The service was slow, the energy was off, and even the bathrooms looked run-down. It just wasn’t the Front Porch I remembered, and that’s never fun to say about a place that once brought you joy.

Ending Strong: Call Me Gaby

Thankfully, Miami never lets me leave on a sad culinary note, and Call Me Gaby came through like a champ for my partner’s birthday dinner.

I love the eccentric decor
And the soft lighting was a vibe

This restaurant remains one of the most charming, romantic spots in South Beach. Perfect for date nights, girls’ nights, or anytime you want to treat yourself to something delicious and beautifully done.

We ordered the Rita pizza, and let me just say: this might be one of the freshest, most flavorful pizzas I’ve ever had in my life. Truffle burrata, bosco mushrooms, sautéed bell peppers, prosciutto di Parma, shaved parmesan… it was luxurious, indulgent, and worth every bite.

Love how they provide the check in a Campbell’s soup can

We also tried the clam linguine (not as amazing as last time but still solid), the pappardelle bolognese (which we switched to bucatini), and a side of perfectly cooked asparagus. Chef’s kisses were in full effect.

Final Bite

Miami Beach never disappoints, even when one meal does. This trip reminded me of the joy of discovering new favorites, revisiting old ones, and savoring every moment in between. From mojitos to mushrooms to memories with my favorite people, it was exactly the reset I needed.

Until next time, Foodie Heaven.

For more golden life ventures, visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.

A Taste of Heaven on a Plate: Ossobuco Restaurant Review

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

There’s something sacred about a meal that makes you pause mid-bite… not because you’re full, but because you’re floored. That’s exactly what happened during a recent dinner at Ossobuco Steakhouse in Miami, where indulgence meets intention, and every dish feels like a love letter to your senses.

A little miscommunication had them thinking it was my bday
That’s ok because I celebrate my milestone bdays all year 🙂

Before I get fully into the food, let me first mention that this delightful restaurant is nestled in my favorite neighborhood of the Miami region (outside of the beach, of course), Wynwood. It is charming, artsy, and full of dope restaurants. During a recent last-minute and fully necessary getaway to Miami Beach, I ventured away from my trusty faves in the area for a night, and needless to say…I now have a new addition to the rotation.

From the very first bite, this meal had a message…and y’all know I love when life speaks through the little things.

Let’s start at the beginning: wild mushrooms sautéed to perfection, with a perfectly poached egg atop practically winked at me and welcomed me to the palate-pleasing party. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any more luxurious, the brioche croutons sprinkled throughout offered a buttery contrast that was absolutely divine.

Before mixing
After mixing

Then came the main event: a juicy, 16 oz prime New York strip steak, grilled just right, served with a delightful chimichurri sauce that had the nerve to be both bold and balanced. Every bite was seasoned just right, tender, and full of “this is what I came for” energy. Because after all, we were at a steakhouse. 

Perfection on a plate
The torch to melt the garlic butter at the table was a nice touch…

As I took my first bite of the wagyu fat potatoes, I promptly patted myself on the back for choosing the perfect accompaniment to that gorgeous piece of meat. Crispy on the outside, buttery-soft on the inside, these potatoes definitely deserved their own praise report.

Here’s what struck me: this meal wasn’t just good. It was a moment. A reminder that even in the whirlwind of daily responsibilities, there is joy to be found in slowing down and savoring. Not just food…but conversations, atmosphere, laughter, and the art of being fully present in the midst of greatness.

So if you ever find yourself in Miami, treat yourself. Book the table. Order the mushrooms. Don’t skip the steak. And let the wagyu potatoes minister to your soul. You deserve heaven right here on earth.

If you’ll be in the Miami region for awhile, check out my other reviews on area eats at Foodie Heaven Pt 2 and Review: KYU Miami.

For more golden life ventures visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.

Foodie Heaven Part 2

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

If you’re new here chances are you haven’t met my inner fat girl. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Leslie and I’m a foodie.

I find this crazy to say, but eight years ago I wrote a blog post entitled “Foodie Heaven” about my experiences with the South Beach restaurant scene. Needless to say, I have been way beyond overdue for a Part 2. For one, more than half the restaurants I reviewed no longer exist. More importantly, many other dope restaurants are worthy of a Golden Life Musing.

On my most recent trip to Miami Beach, I ventured off the beaten path of my go-to restaurants in the heart of SoBe and boy am I glad I did! Here are six new restaurants to check out the next time you’re in town that are sure to delight your foodie senses too.

Before I hop into those, it’s worth noting that I did return to my all-time favorite KYU, which recently reopened after a nearly 18-month closure due to a remodel. This hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Wynwood neighborhood in Miami, is a must-visit! My Golden Life Musing review from 2019 says it all. You’re welcome.

Oceanside Hotel Tavern: This quaint, American fare restaurant across the street from my home for the week in the mid-beach area of Miami Beach quickly became my Cheers. I stumbled upon it on my way to Starbucks one morning and the rest was history. My first meal was a simple shrimp scampi with a side of roasted vegetables, but the taste was anything but simple. I devoured every single bite. The brunch menu caught my eye the following day and the salmon benedict did not disappoint. I kept going back and inviting others, which allowed me to try more delectable items on the menu including the mussels in garlic wine sauce and the healthy but appetizing power bowl. It’s also worth noting that the excellent service (despite bad reviews) and adorable patio perfect for people-watching also contributed to my adoration of this little restaurant.

Silverlake Bistro: This unassuming American fare bistro located in the Miami Beach neighborhood of Normandy Isles has a little something for any foodie. But if you’re a cheeseburger lover, you’ve found your home. My mom, who’s a bit of a cheeseburger connoisseur, got me hooked and I haven’t looked back. Everything about this traditional smash burger cooked to order is delightful, including the special sauce. Paired with the truffle fries, it’s nothing short of perfection. The Brussels sprouts simply prepared with a bit of sriracha, aioli, and chives were absolutely delicious. This restaurant is tiny, but the food packs a powerful punch!

Limoncello: This delightful authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of South Beach had me at lemon. I love just about everything lemon-inspired or flavored so this restaurant quickly became a favorite. Considering seabass is my absolute favorite fish, when I heard the catch of the day was branzino, my choice was clear. The preparation of the catch of the day was top-notch. As the branzino is cooked in a large crust of sea salt, they bring the whole fish out to the table for a big reveal presentation involving fire, alcohol, spoons, and knives. It was all very fancy and I was here for all of it! In addition to the delicious fare, the energy and vibe of this place was very lively and welcoming. Tip: Sit outside. The inside is nowhere near as charming as the outdoor eating area.

Salt Cafe: This delightful, vibrant restaurant also in the heart of South Beach does not just have good food, it is also perfect for people-watching. The charming outdoor patio has abundant seating and fans that make it comfortable to sit outside. Admittedly, I was not happy about brunch ending at noon, but the mushroom truffle pizza made up for it all. In a word, it was delectible. Considering that I had my mouth set on the crabcake benedict with spinach, a return visit is necessary!

Tanuki South Beach: Admittedly, this modern Asian restaurant was my least favorite of all the new restaurants, but there were some bright spots here! As they specialized in sushi, of course we had to try two of the sushi dishes – the dynamite crab roll (which surprisingly was served warm) and the truffled yellowtail. I enjoyed them both, but there were mixed reviews at the table. The rock shrimp and the Brussels sprouts were the best on the menu, with the butterfly chicken wings coming in second, prepared with an Asian glaze. The grilled corn with shisito butter looked and sounded promising but fell flat unfortunately, as it lacked flavor. The chocolate molten cake made up for it, as it was arguably the best tasting dish we tried.

Michael’s Genuine:  I saved the best for last, but a warning. Do not visit this restaurant if you are pinching pennies. Let me just say I’m grateful for rich friends! Every single bite I had at this restaurant located in the delightful Design District of Miami was absolutely delicious. Their website says that they provide fresh seasonal ingredients and warm hospitality, which could not be more accurate. I recommend if you are going with friends do family style so you can taste as many items as possible. I didn’t think I could have a truffle mushroom pizza that was any better than Salt Cafe, but I was pleasantly proven wrong. Other dishes to try include the tuna carpaccio, spiced lamb & charred eggplant (served as a hummus consistency), and the roasted cauliflower shawarma. Even the craft cocktails and desserts were top notch…Chef’s kiss!

Review: KYU Miami

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

Leslie at KYU Miami

A few years ago, I blogged about the restaurant scene in the Miami Beach area and I entitled the post “Foodie Heaven.” No doubt, the Miami area is one of the best places to visit if you want to have your taste buds tantalized, and as is the case for many large cities, there are always new restaurants popping up to keep you on your toes. Ironically, it was around the time that I wrote Foodie Heaven that KYU emerged onto the Miami restaurant scene but I failed to discover it until last year. And boy what a discovery it was!

KYU (pronounced /kyo͞o/) is an Asian-inspired restaurant located in the artsy and hip Wynwood district in Miami. I want to point out that while the food definitely uses a lot of Asian spices and techniques, I promise you it is in a class all its own. Each dish is artfully crafted, mirroring the artistic, eclectic feel of the neighborhood in which the restaurant resides. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed with a modern, chic type of vibe and the staff is pleasant, friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes.

I most recently visited for the third time, allowing me to sample a good portion of the diverse menu, which has a little something for everybody no matter what type of eater you are. I’m not really sure how this is possible, but each time I’ve visited I’ve fallen more in love with the food. That’s why, hands down, this has become my favorite restaurant to visit in the Miami area.

Let’s start with the roasted cauliflower. I know what you’re thinking. Cauliflower, really? Yes, really. It’s just that good! The sauce, made with goat cheese and shishito-herb vinaigrette, is really what makes this dish, and if you’re not convinced you just have to take my word for it. My mom, who historically has not been a fan of cauliflower or broccoli, devours it every time we visit.

roasted cauliflower

KYU is known especially for its wood fire items, which in my opinion have the most dynamic flavors out of all of the other menu items. And they want you to know that for every tree they burn, they replant five.

At the top of my wood-fire item list: the Thai fried rice stone pot. This is not like any other fried rice you’ve had before. The rice is actually not fried at all, rather it simmers in a stone pot that is filled with all the yummy goodness that you can imagine including a bunch of Thai herbs and spices like lemongrass and Thai basil. Don’t be alarmed by the partially cooked egg that comes on top as it is delivered to the table. The waiter carefully mixes everything together for you at the table as the rice and all its ingredients continue to cook. It’s actually an experience!

 

For you fried chicken lovers, you’ve got to try the Korean fried chicken. It’s not smothered in grease like the others in my top five best fried chicken recipes, but I assure you it made it to the list. I especially love the red chili butter (think hot sauce) accompanying it that makes it good for sopping, if you can stand the heat.

korean fried chicken

Also on the wood fire list is the Florida red snapper, which most recently became my favorite dish on the menu. It literally melted in my mouth and I wanted to cry. I’m really not exaggerating. I felt a tear well up in the corner of my eye and I had to laugh at myself. The brown butter-white miso that was delicately drizzled on top just made the dish for me. It was so good I ate little bites just so I could savor it for a little while longer. I did not want it to end! Don’t judge me.

red snapper

Some additional menu items that I would recommend are the baby back ribs, the beef short ribs, and the soft-shell crab (served in traditional steamed Chinese buns). They are all delightful in their own right. Admittedly, I have not tried everything on the menu but based on everything I’ve had so far, you can’t go wrong.

 

Baby back ribs
Beef short ribs
Soft shell crab bun
Grilled broccoli

Some other things to note if you plan to visit KYU. Perhaps try family style on your first visit, which many of the menu items can accommodate. Because there are so many good dishes to try, you may want to order several of them so each person in your party can partake in the deliciousness. Also, this restaurant is moderately priced compared to many of the restaurants in the Miami area, with happy hour offering half off many of the popular dishes.

Last word of caution. If you’re planning to go, be sure to make a reservation. I’m not the only one who thinks KYU is pretty amazing. You’re welcome!