Midtown’s Chic New Med Spot Has A Catwalk In The Dining Room
Don’t let the DJ booth and fool you, the food’s fantastic
“Mediterranean,” is right up there with “New American” as restaurant speak for “We’re not sure what to call this, but you’ve gotta try the octopus.” Mediterranean could mean a lot of things. Is the food from France? Turkey? Akrotiri and Dhekelia? Does Akrotiri and Dhekelia even make a good hummus? These were my burning questions as I made my way to Amavi- a new Midtown restaurant described as a Mediterranean hotspot from New York. Which, in Miami, is a very long way of saying “We serve food.”
But I’m pleased to report that not only does Amavi make an excellent hummus, it’s the odd restaurant with a DJ and a fashion runway that focuses on its food ahead of its “scene.” And while it seems like the kind of place The Infatuation will inevitably trash, well, I absolutely loved it.
So what, exactly, kind of Mediterranean food is Amavi serving? Honestly, I’m still not sure. I’ll just say “the delicious kind,” because unlike a lot of other places who define their cuisine by a body of water, this stuff is solid from top to bottom. It leans a little more towards the Eastern part of the Med, with Lebanese, Greek, and Turkish influences throughout the menu. But it’s also got rigatoni, beef tartare, and, yes, grilled octopus, so you’ve got some Italy, France, and Spain in there too.
The space: Amavi maintains an elegant atmosphere without being obnoxious about it. The décor is done up in beiges and soft lights, with big, cushy booth seats that feel like eating dinner at Pottery Barn. The DJ spins the brand of chill-out music that people who are into crystals and sound baths play at their cubicle. There’s a runway in the middle of the dining room, in case Tom Ford stops by and wants to show the new spring line. One might think this all just screams “Insufferable clubstaurant.” But Amavi’s management understands nobody wants to shout over their dinner table. So they keep the music low and the atmosphere calm, with nary a sparkler in sight.
What to eat and drink: The most eye-catching item on the appetizer menu is the Carrot Tarator, a tzatziki-like dip with shredded carrots and chilis that’s a sweeter, spicier take on the cucumber original. The beef tartare comes served on a bone, which in addition to being bone-marrow-tasty also provides a souvenir for your labradoodle. Grilled meat skewers come three to an order, and the kofta doesn’t explode with grease.
House-made pastas have some nice twists – the rigatoni with smoked pomodoro is unique, and enough for three people. The grilled lamb chops taste like they were actually grilled over a fire, the kind of lamb chops even people who don’t like lamb (aka me) will enjoy. And the Dubai chocolate cheesecake drizzled in Nutella might be my favorite dessert of summer.
Perfect for: It gives “trying too hard” for a first date, but fits the bill nicely for a foodie couple date night. Also ideal for a group of out-of-towners who want something that’s distinctly Miami - cool and chic, with food that lives up to our culinary reputation.
Pro tips: The portions at Amavi are pretty big, so sharing is the move even if you’re just two people. Don’t stick to your regular orders here, either. While it’s hard to find a bad thing on the menu, Amavi excels when it does things a little differently.
Expect to pay: About $100-$150 a person, depending on how much you drink.
How’s the parking: Don’t even try and find street parking and go straight to the Shops at Midtown (aka Target) garage. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before your reservation, allowing time to walk from the garage. 30 minutes if you’re from Miami.
@amavirestaurants // 3252 NE 1st Ave Suite 109, Midtown