Peking ducks, pastrami egg rolls and models. Sold! That trifecta of guilty pleasures can be found at
Komodo which opened recently on Brickell Avenue in Miami. It's
David Grutman's first foray into the restaurant world. If you don't know who David is you're probably over the age of 50 and/or are in bed by 10pm on most nights. David is a founding partner of
MMG Nightlife and responsible for the wildly successful and popular club,
LIV located at the
Fontainebleau Hotel and
Sun Life Stadium too (for Dolphin home games). No, LIV doesn't serve food but don't lower your expectations too much because David's partner at Komodo is restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow who is no stranger to Asian themed restaurants or the Miami scene (China Grill/Asia de Cuba). Plus the kitchen is in the good hands of
Rocco DiSpirito his China Grill team.
Bottom line, you know David's going to nail the service and hospitality side of the equation. If he can get the South Beach crowd to the mainland which is easier said than done, he will have a huge hit. There is no doubt in my mind that Komodo would be a home run if located on the beach. And in the old China Grill Space... But I would never question the judgment or vision of successful people like David and Jeffrey. And I certainly wouldn't bet against them. p.s. Brickell City Centre is coming...
Go check Komodo out. I think you'll leave happy.
They did not hammer the Peking Duck. They nailed it. The skin was a crispy treat while the meat remained moist and flavorful. It was paired with celery, scallion, pancakes and hoisin. But they just got in the way. That skin and meat is all I wanted and needed.
The Lobster Dynamite with quinoa and scallion was a legit bite.
Grutman Pastrami Egg Rolls paired with Chinese mustard sauce. Yes please!
Of course, the cocktail program wasn't an afterthought. Pictured is the Akira Cocktail, Bacardi 8 yr rum, campari, mastiha liquer, lillet blanc.
Crispy Dino Kale - togarashi, truffle salt.
Tonic Old Fashioned - Facundo eximo rum, tonic syrup, angostura orange.
Save room for the Banana in a Box. Great dessert.
Address
801 Brickell Ave Miami FL 33131
Tel: +
1.305.534.2211
Email:
info@komodomiami.com
Hours of Operation
Sunday - Wednesday
6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Thursday - Saturday
6:00 pm - 12:00 am
MYUNG GA TOFU & BBQ (Weston)
Stop two isn't a new spot and has been on my to do list for a few years now. But it's located in
the everglades Weston and I am rarely out there.
Myung Ga is a must do for Korean food and BBQ fans. They don't have table top gas or charcoal grills but I suspect that they bbq their meat better than you would. Not as much fun of course, but you can always search for a
Melting Pot if cross contamination of raw meat is your thing. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed my visit and this is a place that I would go frequently if I lived in the area. If you are a Korean food fan, it is definitely worth schlepping to the swamps to get your fix.
Dolsot Bibimbap - sizzling stone pot with crispy rice, cooked vegetables, beef & red chili paste. Outstanding.
Galbee (grilled bbq short rib) Dynamite.
Banchan
1944 Weston Rd
Weston, Florida 33326
Phone (954) 349-7337
Mon - Fri: 11:00 am - 10:30 pm
Sat - Sun: 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
GOLD MARQUESS FINE CHINESE CUISINE
Stop three is another spot located in the western suburbs of Broward County.
Gold Marquess is a Chinese restaurant that opened over the summer in Pembroke Pines Their regular menu is extensive but it was their dim sum that lured me in. Unfortunately, I was solo on my initial visit and it was during the work week so I only popped in for a quick bite. But everything I ate was great and everything I saw in the carts looked even better. It should be noted that it's a big dining room and it was crowded for a mid week lunch. And I was the only American in the place if that means anything to you. It reminded me of Philip Ho and may be even better. I intend on going back soon and often and will report back.
As of now, this is another spot my Miami followers
Trump too should cross the border for.
First off the cart - sticky rice with lotus leaves & chiu chow dumplings. Both were great.
Hello Dim Sum Cart!
Chiu Chow Dumplings. Great skin, fresh.
Not very photogenic but very good - eggplant stuffed with shrimp.
Dim Sum Menu.
8525 Pines Blvd
Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
Phone number(954) 367-7730