I recently headed to Miami for a few days of rest and relaxation. One of the highlights of my trip was lunch at Mandarin Oriental’s La Mar Restaurant. Located in Key Biscayne, its patio offers an epic view of the glossy Brickell skyline against the turquoise waters of the city. One of my favorite Dining Traveler’s tips is to experience a fine dining restaurant for lunch because a. it’s easier to reserve and b. you can experience a prix fixe menu for much lower of a price. This lunch experience is the picture-perfect (no pun intended) example.
The Scene: As I walked by the gorgeous vertical planters (a design aspect I’m fascinated with), I was immediately taken by the modern simplicity of the restaurant with its open kitchen, dark woods, and ample dining area. November weather in Miami is just right for outdoor dining, so we had lunch outdoors at their ample patio. The outdoor dining area was filled with Brickell and Key Biscayne movers and shakers having their power lunch. Despite the execs running around, scent of the sea, sunny skies, and colorful dishes give the restaurant a very relaxed vibe, ideal for a friendly catch-up session with a good friend.
The Food: My friend chose the prix fixe menu which started with a dish of three miniature samplings of classics such as causa and ceviche, followed by a lomo saltado (a traditional Peruvian dish with beef and potatoes), and ended with mascarpone ice cream. All the dishes arrived promptly and were beautifully presented.
Given that there’s no Gaston Acurio restaurant in DC, I decided to order the regular menu and indulge in some of my favorites: causa and ceviche. My causa (a Peruvian dish of stuffed mashed potato) was plated on an adorable small wooden boat with its colorful toppings of beets, octopus, and tuna tartare. Almost too pretty to eat! Not to miss: the ceviche. Ceviche has become a trendy dish of late, however, many miss the mark when it comes to the balance of the citrus with the fish. I must say that the ceviche at La Mar struck that balance exquisitely.
The Service: One of the things I love about Miami is the Latin warmth I encounter in many of the establishments of the city. You can see this with the staff at La Mar Restaurant as well with their smiles and attentiveness. Our server knew the menu by heart and took the time to explain to my friend some of the dishes she wasn’t familiar with. I not only saw this attention to detail with our table but with those around us, especially a table of indecisive businessmen.
The verdict: Lunch at La Mar Restaurant is a must add to your Miami itinerary. I have been a fan of Gaston Acurio, the man behind La Mar, since I dined at Astrid y Gaston in Santiago, Chile four years ago. That memorable dinner ingrained in me a love affair with Peruvian food and this experience continues to reaffirm it. Hopefully the next time I get to dine at his restaurant in Lima!
