The Best Things We Ate This Month: Crab Claws, a Maduro Burrito, and a Lemony Salad
We ate a lot the month of October, these were our favorite dishes.
Escovitch Crab Claws at Las’ Lap
I said these were a must in last week’s review, and I am still thinking about this dish. The escovitch crab claws at Las’ Lap are everything I want in a plate of food. Sweet snow crab, still tender and juicy, gets hit with pickled white onion, carrot, and just enough scotch bonnet to bring the heat without blowing you out. It’s bold, bright, and kind of addictive. They’re meant to share, but my husband’s shellfish allergy meant I had the whole thing to myself. No complaints. -OF
@laslapmiami // The Daydrift Hotel, 2216 Park Ave., Miami Beach
South Beach Burrito at Taco Time and More
You see captions on Instagram all the time saying stuff like, “Still thinking about that caviar-crusted scrapple from last week!” But I’ve seriously been thinking of reasons to drive to Sweetwater ever since we went out there to film our Hidden Gem of the Week and tried Taco Time’s South Beach burrito.
The burrito is like a culinary tour of the Caribbean folded into a tortilla, with pulled pork, maduros, black beans, and French fries, served with a jerk curry sauce for a taste of the West Indies. It’s spicy and salty, using real flavors rather than depending on animal fats to do all the work. And it showcases how Chris Flores can take his family’s traditional recipes and give them some pizazz. - MM
@tacotimeandmore // 10314 W. Flagler St., Sweetwater
Cucumber Salad at a’Riva
Have you ever had a dish at a restaurant when one wasn’t enough? Well, that was precisely what happened this past week when I ventured to Sunset Harbour’s a’Riva. And - just like its name, I felt as if I had arrived. Two orders later, I really was inclined to bribe the chef for the dressing recipe as all I want until the day I die is this lemony, zesty paradise on a plate. It’s erupting with sweet corn, chopped green beans, basil, sweet tomatoes and a lemon vinaigrette from the heavens above. The playlist was also insane, as was the lighting, the art and the service. You are welcome. –EMN
@arivarestaurant // 1766 Bay Road, Miami Beach