Let's Eat - Burgerlicious 9

NOV./DEC.ISSUE2019
Destination
toDine:
Shopsat
Merrick
Park
FOOD4
Thought
COYO
TACO
It’sChow time!
BURGERLISCIOUS2019
TakesabiteoutofCoralGables!
Sparkling
Wine
forEvery
Celebration

THIS YEAR, LET
SEASONS 52 HELP
YOU SPREAD
THE JOY.
November and December are booking quickly.
Why not make holiday planning easy this year
with our seasonal menu and incredible wines
paired with each course? You simply provide the
guest list and let the joy begin.
CORAL GABLES
321 Miracle Mile • Coral Gables, Florida 33134
305-442-8552 • Seasons52.com

NEVER BASIC
ALWAYS CLUTCH
Ranked #1 in Florida and #6 in the
USA by Yelp for the BEST Burgers
146 GIRALDA AVE. CORAL GABLES, FL 33134
305.400.8242 | CLUTCHBURGER.COM
#CLUTCHBURGER @CLUTCHBURGERS #WAGYUBEEF

TODAY’S MENU
NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2019
BURGERLISCIOUS SPECIAL EDITION
MORSELS
From the Editor-in-Chief
FOOD 4 THOUGHT: COYO TACO
A SPARKLING WINE FOR EVERY CELEBRATION
By Jacqueline Coleman, Sommelier
DESTINATION TO DINE: SHOPS AT MERRICK PARK
By Georgeana Pacheco
IT’S CHOW TIME @ BURGERLISCIOUS 9
Thursday, November 7 th | 6 - 10 PM | Coral Gables, FL
Get your tickets and all the juicy deets at
burgerliscious.com
@LETSEATMAGAZINE
CORALGABLESCHAMBER.ORG

Courtesy of Smash Pixel Studio
MORSELS
FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
It is fair to say that I wake up most days thinking about food. Same as when I drop into bed the night before. These thoughts
are not just about what I plan to have for breakfast, but what lunch plans I might have during the day ahead or where I am going
to eat dinner later that night.
Working in the Gables assures not only incredible variety, but amazing meals that are the main course of our foodie community.
They are what makes us special in the culinary world.
I don’t cook, as you might have surmised by now, so my beautiful stainless steel gas range is more of a large paperweight or
where I store the dog’s treats or check the time each morning on my way out.
Sure, my refrigerator has a collection of what we call “the staples,” but there is little to nothing in stock to put together an entire
meal with. You see, I spend most of my evenings at Chamber events or community activities or networking receptions or grand
openings. So, my dinner diet consists of mostly finger foods, cheeses, crackers and the like, but all are a far cry from what is on
the menu at each of our local restaurants.
As the busy season arrives, most are gearing up for a great fall/winter/spring run, and have shelved their Miami Spice menus
and begun to focus on what the locals, visitors and business folks might like.
There is no real fall-inspired menu in the 80 degree heat (other than maybe Seasons 52); so instead, there is a need for creativity
and culinary consciousness. Think bisques and squashes and anything with pumpkin in it or on it!
Or maybe even tacos. Tacos? Yes – and with the arrival of Coyo Taco on Giralda Plaza this past September, I can assure you
there is a line out the door right now as customers – and foodies alike – search for the latest and greatest ingredients to fill a
tortilla. With even more restaurants due to arrive before year-end in The City Beautiful, Coyo opens their folded taco wide in our
Food 4 Thought feature.
And, what goes better with lunch (or dinner) than a little shopping. With the holiday season upon us in just a few shorts weeks
– and our own Small Business Saturday efforts on November 30 – there is no better time to combine your two favorite pastimes.
Eating and retailing!
The Shops at Merrick Park, under the management of Andrew Peach and the team at Brookfield Properties, have both invested
and invigorated the food scene at the outdoor mall with new eateries like Perry’s Steakhouse and the soon-to-arrive Eclectico,
envisioned by the same family that brought us SAWA.
Our feature this month walks you through the many new restaurants and watering holes at the Shops, as well as the tasty vibe
that is making our own Merrick Park both hip and accessible. Throw in a few amazingly cool stores like Mizzen + Main, Bo
Concept, Edward Beiner and Pandora, and well, it is a date night extraordinaire!
Finally, it is hard to believe that not only is holiday season upon us, but so is Burgerliscious. We are very proud to brand the
biggest and best burger fest in South Florida as “Burgerliscious #9 – It’s Chow Time”. There will be more than 20 burger purveyors
tossing their meat into the ring to compete for “Best in Bun” honors!
These include the tried and true that join us every year like JohnMartin’s, Clutch Burger, Pincho Factory and Bulla, as well as
some new sliders on the block. No matter your fancy or your fave, there will be something for everyone!
So, take your time, ease into the holiday season, and get your Game On! There is no time like the present to set your sights on
next year’s dietary goals by going big before year-end.
Now, Let’s Eat!
MARK A. TROWBRIDGE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
PRESIDENT & CEO, CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
JESSICA WILCOX, OWNER
J. WILCOX CONSULTING & PUBLISHER, LET’S EAT MAGAZINE
SALES@LETSEATMAGAZINE.COM | (305) 962.9313

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Presents:
It’s Chow
Time @
Presented By:
Developing Business Building Community
Thurs.
NOV. 7
Ponce Circle Park
2019 CORAL
GABLES
Tickets at
BURGER
LISCIOUS
.COM

Celebrating 10 Years
Come enjoy Downtown Coral Gables’
most highly anticipated live music series!
Every First Friday of the Month Through April 2020
Starting at 7:00 p.m.
November 1 • December 6 • January 3
February 7 • March 6 • April 3
Giralda Plaza
Between Ponce de Leon Boulevard
and Galiano Street
Al Fresco Dining, Live Music and More!
77 Sport Bar • Bangkok Bangkok II • Clutch Burger • Coyo Taco
Divino Ceviche • Espresso Cubano • GreenLife Organic Bistro
KAE by Chef Landa • La Dorada • Lorenzo Pizza • MARA Basque Restaurant
Miss Saigon Bistro • Pasion del Cielo • PokeBao • Rice Mediterranean Kitchen
Talavera • The Bar • The Local Craft Food & Drink • Threefold Cafe
To learn more, visit ShopCoralGables.com
PRESENTED BY:

Destination to Dine :
By: Georgeana Pacheco
SHOPS AT MERRICK PARK
The Shops at Merrick Park in Coral Gables are most notably
known for their upscale shopping, lush outdoor garden and
fabulous dining options.
The Reign of Ramzi (Zahr)
Since 2002, restaurateur Ramzi Zahr has delighted our taste
buds. First, there was C’est Bon, a French Café serving
delicious juices, fresh breads, crêpes, paninis, pastries and
more. Throughout the years, it has ooh-la-lad its way into the
hearts of many regulars.
In 2010, he introduced SAWA Restaurant & Lounge. Complete
with an eccentric tapas menu featuring Mediterranean &
Japanese dishes. Sawa, which means “togetherness” in Arabic
and “harmony” in Japanese, engages its guests with creative
cuisine, the best Happy Hour in town (7 days a week from 4
pm - 8 pm), and live belly dancing shows every weekend with
the occasional Hookah being passed around.
Ecléctico Restaurant & Bar, coming soon to the Shops at
Merrick Park, is Zahr’s third restaurant concept and the most
highly anticipated. The Mexican/Pan-Latin fusion menu, led by
Award Winning Food Network Chef Jouvens Jean, will feature
homemade tortillas, an array of tacos with a twist, ceviches,
causas y mas. Expect hand-painted interiors, great Latin
music, live shows and local artists’ works on display, all while
sipping on a variety of Tequilas and Mezcals.
Butcher Shop Beginnings
One of the Top 100 Best Steakhouses in America opened its
doors to The City Beautiful in late September. What once
started as a humble butcher shop, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
is originally from Houston and now has multiple locations
across the United States.
Bar 79, which is located within Perry’s and appropriately
named for the year the family business began, boasts a
towering wine wall with varietals from every region of the
world. In addition, Perry’s presents their very own fresh
handcrafted cocktail selection. We suggest you try the Mini
Martini Trio, a flight of three martinis chosen from their 15
unique creations.
Unwind to the soothing sounds of live jazz as you prepare to
enjoy a meal like no other. Perry’s serves hand-selected,
USDA-aged prime beef, an ode to their rich history.
But it’s not just the beef. Another Perry’s staple is their famous
wood roasted pork chop measuring seven fingers high. Glazed
then caramelized, and topped with Perry’s signature herb
garlic-butter, it’s carved table-side for your viewing pleasure.
A Grecian Getaway - OPA!
As you step into Sea Grill, you can’t help but feel like you’re
walking through the streets of Mykonos. As you pass through
the seahorse emblemed large glass door and enter into the
all-white, spacious dining room, you are transformed from lush
Coral Gables courtyard to the colorful isles of Greece.
It is obvious that owner Alexandre Kalas, also of the infamous
Italian restaurant Villagio, pays homage to his homeland by
producing quality dishes, providing top-notch service and
creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the one he calls home.
Sea Grill’s first location in North Miami has had huge success
over the last eight years and they promise to keep their menu
items both classic and authentic. Offering an array of fresh
seafood dishes, we recommend starting off your meal with the
Ouzo Mussels or grilled octopus, in addition to the crispy fried
zucchini and eggplant which is served thinly sliced served with
tzatziki. For an entree, we enjoyed the Branzino, a flaky white
fish imported straight from the Greek islands.
No matter the fare you fancy, the Shops at Merrick Park have
you covered. All of these newer eateries offer outdoor seating
to enjoy the brilliant Coral Gables weather or dinner under the
stars. Let the Shops at Merrick Park show you how they’re
transforming the mall into a world-class dining destination!

130 TAPS OF AMERICAN
CRAFT & IMPORT BEERS
100+ MENU ITEMS MADE FROM SCRATCH DAILY
OPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH, DINNER,
HAPPY HOUR & LATE NIGHT DINING
SHOPS AT MERRICK PARK
320 SAN LORENZO AVE
305.447.9273

FOOD 4 THOUGHT
What FOUR Coyo tacos are your top sellers
right now? What do you think raises them
to the top of the list for diners and taco
lovers?
Carne Asada • Al Pastor • Pollo Al Carbon
Grouper Frito
Our pollo al carbon and carne asada are classic
choices and our al pastor meat comes from a
trompo, making it especially tender and
juicy, topped with sweet pineapple. The
grouper frito taco speaks for itself – who
doesn’t love beer battered grouper with the
tang of our cabbage slaw?
• • • • •
What FOUR ingredients are you using at
Coyo Taco that are reinventing the way
we enjoy and love tacos? Why did you
zero in on these FOUR as you designed
your menu?
• Hass Avocados from Michoacan
• Hand pressed made to order corn tortillas
• Achiote - annatto seed paste from the
yucatan peninsula (used in our marinades)
• Dry Chiles from Oaxaca (used in our
marinades and salsas)
• • • • •
What FOUR items on your menu are the
clear complement to a plate full of Coyo
tacos? What might we have to look
forward to in the next few months, as well?
• Our fresh corn, locally sourced in Central Florida
comes on on the cob (Elote de Calle) or off
the cob (Equite) and is topped with chipotle
aioli and cotija cheese
• Coyo Guacamole is made fresh with Hass
avocados from Michoacan, fresh onions,
cilantro, tomatoes, fresh squeezed lime juice
and serrano peppers topped with pico de
gallo and served with our fresh tortilla chips
• Our Arroz Verde is made with spinach,
cilantro, jalapeño and herbs and goes great
with any taco and will serve as your daily vegetable
intake
• Our Queso Funido is the newest addition
to our menu exclusively at our Coral Gables
location - you'll be able to enjoy broiled
Mexican cheese blend, roasted peppers,
charred onions and corn melted in herbs and
creamed potatoes served with fresh flour
tortillas
• • • • •
What FOUR drinks or cocktails do you
feature (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) on
the bar menu that are the perfect pairing
for your top FOUR selling tacos?
• Coyo Margarita
Goes amazing with any item on our menu
• Red Bull Margarita
Pairs well with our Pollo al Carbon or
Carne Asada any time of the day
• Agua Frescas
Made daily and vary in flavors depending
on the season
• Paletaritas
A fun twist on the classic margarita, hand
crafted with homemade paletas from
Michoacana

Lunch
With Us
Make lunch at Fleming’s your perfect getaway
Join us every Friday from 11:30AM - 2:30PM
FILET MIGNON WEDGE
2525 PONCE DE LEON BLVD SUITE 100, CORAL GABLES, FL
305-569-7995 | FLEMINGSSTEAKHOUSE.COM
@flemings @flemingssteakhouse

A Sparkling Wine for Every Celebration
By: Jacqueline Coleman |
@historyandwine
Nothing says “let’s celebrate” more than opening a bottle of
bubbly. From Champagne to Prosecco, Cava, and more, there
are many ways you can enjoy sparkling wine this holiday
season. Here are a few suggestions for bottles to choose from
that cover the spectrum of celebrations from casual to fancy.
Save Money with a Spanish Cava or Italian Prosecco
Cava and Prosecco may be more economical than your average
Champagne, but that does not mean that these wines are less
enjoyable. Cava is made in the same traditional method as
Champagne using a second fermentation in the bottle, though
it is produced mostly in the Penedès region of Spain.
Prosecco is made in a different way through what is called the
Charmat or “tank” Method of making sparkling wine in the
Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of Italy.
Segura Viudas Brut Cava, $10
Elegant and economical, Segura Viudas is both! This Cava is
crisp and inviting, with fresh citrus fruit a long, smooth finish.
Brut means that this wine will be dry as a fully balanced bubbly
at a great “party wine” price.
means there will be some residual sugar, but just enough to
make this bottle perfect as a celebration aperitif.
Splurge for Champagne
Champagne is sparkling wine made in the traditional method
that is only from Champagne, France. Usually, prices are a little
higher, but when you want to impress your guests, Champagne
is the perfect sparkling to serve.
Champagne Barons de Rothschild Brut, $80
Few family names are more synonymous with the highest quality
French wine than the Rothschild family of Château Mouton
Rothschild and Château Lafite Rothschild in Bordeaux, France.
If you’re looking to turn the celebration up a notch, consider
Champagne Barons de Rothschild, a cuvée made from 60%
Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir from the Verzenay, Ay, Mareuil-sur-Ay,
and Bouzy villages of Champagne. This bottle has
pear, citrus, and nutty flavors, fine bubbles, and a strong,
persistent finish. Serve chilled and celebrate another fantastic
year in the books!
Casa Dei Farive Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra
Dry, $15
Casa Dei Farive produces the highest level of Prosecco, the
Prosecco Superiore DOCG, which can only be made in the
Treviso province of Veneto near the towns of Conegliano and
Valdobbiadene. This sparkling wine is made from 100% Glera
grapes and is refreshing and smooth with aromas of white
flowers along with flavors of green apple and citrus. Extra Dry

CORAL GABLES
45 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables
CORAL GABLES CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE DIAMOND
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Palme d’Or | Fontana | Cascade | 19th Hole Bar & Grille | The Culinary Academy
Whether you are seeking the warmth of a traditional restaurant interior, the bliss of dining al fresco,
either formal or casual, or an educational challenge, The Biltmore Hotel takes you on an exceptional
culinary journey in a stunning historic setting offering a myriad of award-winning options.
RESERVATIONS: (855) 998-6387
1200 Anastasia Avenue
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
www.biltmorehotel.com