In a City That Loves New, Michael's Genuine Just Keeps Going
Nineteen years in, the Miami Design District's longest-standing restaurant is still completely, reliably itself
For a stretch of years, going to Michael’s Genuine was a near weekly constant in my life.. I worked in the Design District, which meant happy hour at Michael’s at least once a week with my go-to order: a Manhattan (which was really like two drinks in one), onion dip with extra chips, and maybe the hominy if I opted for another Manhattan.
I went back recently for the first time in too long, bracing for the thing to have finally slipped. It hadn’t.
Is it still worth the hype? Yes. The dining room is still perpetually full with young families, date nights, regulars at the bar, people on the patio who weren’t in any rush.
The Space: The courtyard is still a draw, lush with greenery, and, of course, ceiling fans running. The indoor dining room has grown over the years, and the patio with it. The bar is the right move if you’re coming solo or for happy hour.
What to Eat & Drink: he small bites are obviously the move to kick things off. Naturally, I opted for the onion dip. There’s no wrong time to order it. Michael’s has added some new small plates recently, including a tin of sardines (which isn’t my thing), but I know plenty of people that would be excited to hear of that addition.
The pork chop came with a light citrus brine, and a fennel salad alongside that cut through the richness and kept the whole plate from going heavy. I hadn’t ordered the roast chicken in maybe fifteen years. It takes a full hour to cook, which means you tell the server the moment you sit down and forget about it until it arrives. The warm bread salad underneath soaks up all the roasting juices. You’ll understand when you get there. We had it with roasted purple cauliflower on the side (more places should use purple cauliflower), cooked through, still with some resistance.
For dessert: baked Alaska with carrot cake ice cream at the center. I’d never had that combination before and now I want it to exist everywhere. To drink, order the tomato cocktail. You’ll notice that almost every table has one. Michael’s is currently pouring a clarified tomato cocktail built from peak-season Florida tomatoes, and when the local season ends, the cocktail goes with it. Le sigh.
Perfect For: Anyone who needs a reliable answer when visitors come to town. Date nights that don’t require a lot of planning. Happy hour. Young families who want real food. Anyone with a visiting parent. A business dinner.
Pro Tip: Happy hour runs daily from 4–7 pm (except Saturday), featuring $10 cocktails and $6 snacks. It’s a hard deal to beat.
Expect to Pay: Plan for around $80 to $120 per person with drinks at dinner. Happy hour is a good move if you want to spend less.
How’s the parking? The Palm Court garage nearby is your most reliable option. Valet is also available at the restaurant and is only a few bucks.
@michaelsgenuine // 130 NE 40th St., Miami Design District