The Best Meals of 2013 #14, 15 & ties

The Miami food scene continues to grow and I was fortunate to enjoy several outstanding meals in our own backyard this year.  From the delicious and fun Pop Up Series hosted by chef Michael Schwartz at Harry's Pizzeria, to some great collaborations along the way and to the "underground and experimental" dinners we throw with talented chefs over at Cobaya Miami.

I must admit that doing this was not easy as each were great in their own way. As with my normal "tiers" these rankings take all facets of the meal into consideration. Food is the primary component but phenomenal wine or simply a great time can bolster the ranking.

Big thanks to all of the chefs, kitchen crews, managers, sommeliers, bartenders, servers and support staff for making 2013 another happy year for my belly!!

15. Chef Dale Talde Upstairs at Khong River House.  I never wrote about the meal but was able to locate some pictures.  Dale packed a lot of flavor into each dish and Allegra Angelo poured some great rieslings with each course.  This was a fun evening.

1st - Croquetas de Bacalao - summer asparagus, Lake Meadows farm egg, local calabazza, tuscan olive oil.



2nd - lamb carpaccio. Dales take on a gyro.



3rd - Long Island Peking duck - Burmese noodle wrap, summer squash, heirloom tomato confit, foie gras, duck "beicon."



4th - Creamy Tom-Yam, local spiny lobster, egg noodles + sweet, crispy vermicelli noodles, grilled prawn, lump crab, fish roe.



5th - local Florida snapper, tomato jam tacos.

Pre dessert- local seasonal fruit sorbet.
Dessert - Coconut creme brûlée, sticky rice, Citrus Madelines, Milk Jam.


15. A delicious 17 course tasting menu courtesy of Micah at neMesis Urban Bistro.  You can read the original post here.


15. A Cobaya Brunch with the pastry man Antonio Bachour. Click on the link but be careful if you're hungry.


14. The White Collar/Blue Collar Odd Couple dinner featuring Danny Serfer and Brad Kilgore going head to head with each course.  Fun time and I'm still full.  My recap is here.

Chef Serfer and Chef Kilgore