Restaurants

The Magic City Welcomes Michael Mina

World class, star Chef Michael Mina has finally found his way to Miami, and frankly, his arrival sets the culinary bar, one notch higher. Born in Cairo, Egypt and raised in Ellensburg, Washington, Mina has boldly gone where no other chef has dared.

Unexpected flavors, sophisticated textures infused with Mediterranean traditions are just an inkling of what guests will savor at his newest endeavor, Bourbon Steak in Aventura. With successful eateries in Las Vegas, California, Atlantic City and Detroit, it was just a matter of time before the James Beard award-winning acclaimed chef found his way down South. “Over a decade in the kitchen has taught me so much about myself, my style and how to share this excitement with my guests. Each new project shows me that there is absolutely nothing I would rather do.”

Mina’s contemporary American steakhouse gives discerning clients the chance to taste his singular culinary style in a chic and professional environment.

Walk up to the reception area (located right off the main resort lobby at The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club) and one of several hostesses will escort you to your table. The interior décor, created by Tony Chi, is lined with neutral hues and toasty browns. Several stately columns casually delineate areas. Each wall is different. One wall is a floor to ceiling wine cellar, filled with a vast assortment of spirits. Another is composed of exotic woods. Still another is created with modular-angled mirrored squares that tilt in all directions and fill the 250-seat space with soft lighting.

The wait staff is impressive and if pampering is any indication of the eatery’s attention to details, you are in for a sublime treat. Surprisingly, the Bourbon Steak menu selection fits on one page. Chef Mina has perfected a short list of great dishes. No clutter here, just the essence.

For starters, diners may begin with a bottle of Llanllyr Source Water and then choose from the menu’s amazing ice cold shellfish dishes which include Maine Lobster cocktail, spice-poached prawns or the colossal Florida Stone Crab claws. On the half shell, guests can enjoy East and West Coast oysters as well as Littleneck clams. Appetizers, offer an opportunity to sample the layered flavors and textures of Foie Gras with black Truffle compote, a trio of tuna tartare poppers served with ponzu sauce or an American Kobe beef carpaccio with a Thai tomato salad. The Crab specialties are savory and spicy and include a Peekytoe crab cake topped with tomato preserve and splashed with a hint of Tabasco Vinaigrette. The tuna sashimi and tuna Ahi with a Nicoise garnish are also memorable.

Ask one of the sommeliers, to stop by your table and suggest several wines which will pair nicely with your menu choices, and no doubt, bring those adventurous little taste buds to attention. While you sip and relish you’ll also notice (or not) that background music is non-intrusive and neighboring conversations are muffled, which easily allows for romantic verbal exchanges at your table. Michael’s Classics are monuments to dining pleasures.

The Maine Lobster pot pie, filled with garden veggies and brandy cream filler is one of the chef’s signature plates. Delicately prepared, one of the captains will wheel out the oven-hot pie and carefully cut out the crusty top, remove and reassemble the lobster parts and surround the crustacean with juicy vegetables. Another favorite is the Japanese “A5″ Kobe prime meats.

Natural certified Angus steaks are cooked over seasoned wood fueled flames. Prior to grilling, all meats are first poached to ensure tenderness.

There are of course the accompaniments and the side dishes, such as tomato-dusted red onion rings, steamed asparagus in Dijon butter, spinach soufflé, Jalapeno creamed corn and the pureed potato trio with lobster, sour cream, onion and horseradish.

Also unforgettable are the decadent desserts filled with warm chocolate or creamy fillings. Our captain reminded us that Bourbon Steak is only open for dinner but they do have a very extensive bar where expert mixologists will prepare some outrageous drinks, which should keep you enchanted while you wait for a table.

Bourbon Steak is located at 19999 West Country Club Drive in Aventura. For more information, please call the restaurant at 786-279-6600.

Tagged with: Aventura, Bourbon Steak, Miami, Michael Mina