Coral Gables' Sparkling New Steakhouse Might Be Miami's Best
As Florida as it gets without a face tattoo
Photo courtesy of Daniel’s Miami
Anyone who’s ever had to commute between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale knows there are great horrors one would endure to never do it again. Including opening a restaurant. After a year of driving to Daniel’s Florida Steakhouse in Ft. Lauderdale, Kendallite Danny Ganem said enough is enough, took the old Fiola space, gave it a nice makeover, and turned it into Daniel’s Miami. The eagerly-anticipated new meat palace opened Wednesday, and we got a first look.
Photo by Carlos Miller
Why is everyone so danged excited about a steakhouse? Because it’s a Florida steakhouse, dammit, which means each steak comes with a nice side of identity theft and flakka. No, it’s because Chef Danny Ganem sources most of the menu from Sunshine State purveyors, and dishes are inspired by various locations around Florida.
The Space: This is white tablecloth fine dining at its best, and just because this is a Florida steakhouse don’t think it means you can roll in wearing your Spring Break 2012 frat tank. Florida can be classy, too. And while no jacket is required at Daniel’s, the refined space where wine bottles pass for walls and classic cowboy art looks down on the dining room is unquestionably elegant. The crowd inside knows how to dine, and the servers do too, so please try not to chew gum at the table.
Photo by Carlos Miller
What to Eat and Drink: I like to joke about ordering seafood at a steakhouse, but at Daniel’s it might be the move. The Florida oysters Rockefeller come topped with spinach from Malabar. The Florida Keys red snapper sits atop a bed of couscous and Sun Gold tomatoes, with a little fresh Florida fennel on top. And the Florida Blue Crab cake makes a tasty treat out of Old Cutler Road kill (no, not literally) filling it with rock shrimp and topping it with caviar. The steaks are pretty solid too, I’d recommend the herb-crusted, dry-aged, 35-day Omaha ribeye. What’s that you say? Omaha isn’t in Florida? Do you also ask cartographers to sear you a porterhouse? Ok then.
Perfect for: Fine dining at its finest. Daniel’s might not be stuffy or pretentious – the chef’s affable personality shows through in the restaurant’s vibe - but the food is rich and decadent and so are the prices. And, sorry boys, you do need to wear pants.
Pro tips: If you’re not feeling super formal but still want to experience the flavors of Florida, grab a seat at the bar. You can dress down a little more on that side and order stuff like smashburgers and wagyu empanadas. And while we wouldn’t call the bar menu “affordable,” you don’t need to be on a first name basis with the Soffers to afford dinner there either.
Expect to pay: $200-$250 a person with drinks and tip. It can easily go north of that. But unlike a lot of restaurants in Miami, Daniel’s isn’t trying to sell you an “experience” that includes mediocre food and D-list celebrities. They’re offering top-tier food from all over Florida in beautiful surroundings. And if you’re looking for a place to spend your hard-earned Medicare fraud, Daniel’s is definitely worth the splurge.
How’s the parking? There’s limited street parking on the surrounding streets, and valet for $12.
@danielsmiami // 1500 San Ignacio, Coral Gables