Flight West Brings Gatsby Glamour to South Miami
When did Sunset Drive become chic?
Remember having to read The Great Gatsby for high school English class? Me neither. If you’re anything like me, the Great Gatsby looks like Leonardo DiCaprio, and that’s all you know. But if you placed Flight West - South Miami’s newest dining hotspot - into the film, you wouldn’t question a thing.
Its signature Art Deco glamour, amber-lit whiskey display and roaring-twenties elegance make it the type of place F. Scott Fitzgerald might have gone for a pre-dinner cocktail. The New York transplant is bringing its live-fire cooking concept to South Miami, putting out New World cuisine, a standout bar experience. It’s also one of Miami’s most ambitious whiskey programs, with over 350 bottles on hand and incorporation of whiskey as both an ingredient and flavor enhancement.
The Scene: The dining room blends Miami’s signature Art Deco design with modern sophistication. The dramatic bar catches your eye with its low-lit rounded shelves and red-marbled backdrop. Deep burgundy marble sconces cast a warm glow across the dining room and reflect nicely off the bar and tabletops. The mirrored-ceilings make the space feel larger than it really is, while the rich olive and maroon tones of the seats reflect the luxurious palette of the Jazz Age.
What to eat and drink: Start with the Tuna Tartare as it’s light and refreshing. Mixed with avocado and served with three crispy plantain chips, it’s the perfect appetizer to kick the night off. The Calamari was a great bite too, served on a bed of roasted jalapeno aioli. The Pan-Seared Branzino was tender yet flaky and presented beautifully with a sunchoke puree.
I don’t play about my ribs, but the Smoked Baby Back Ribs were excellent. As soon as my fork encountered the bone, the meat slid off seamlessly. The sweet and savory pairing of the habanero-mango BBQ sauce just spoke to my tastebuds. The truffle fries came towered with parmesan cheese and the broccolini was well charred with a little lemon for acidity.
As for the cocktails, our server described the Luxe Twilight as “a blue raspberry Sour Patch Kid” and they were spot on. I don’t even drink gin, but it’s barely noticeable between the blue curacao and raspberry syrup. The Juniper is a fan-favorite and didn’t disappoint. At the base, The Botanist Gin and St. Germain, served over a large block of ice topped with their sweet blackberry foam.
Pro tip: Wait for the Juniper to melt a little and see it change colors.
Perfect for: An Intimate dinner, celebratory gathering or an evening spent lingering over cocktails.
Expect to pay: $100 per person.
How’s the parking: Street parking is available. South Miami Municipal Garage and Sunset Place Garage are great options as well. You can also take the Metrorail to South Miami and it’s right across the street.
@flightwestmiami// 5894 Sunset Dr, South Miami