So you just got a promotion, huh? Congratulations are in order—as is a nice dinner. Use your new paycheck and treat yourself to one of these Miami favorites.
Casa Isola
That raise will go a long way here at Casa Isola, Sunset Harbor’s premier Italian eatery. The neighborhood hotspot focuses on mostly on pastas, so prepare for an epic feast.
On the pasta side of things, you’ll encounter the best-selling rigatoni alla vodka and the pappardelle alla bolognese. Not in the mood for pasta? Other Italian specialties abound, including chicken marsala and eggplant parm.
Cubata
A promotion is a reason to celebrate, so get yourself a table at Little Havana hotspot Cubata. The lively neighborhood joint features nightly entertainment and a wide menu of wines and tapas that are delicious and affordable.
Our recommendation: selecting a little bit from each section. Our favorites include the burrata salad, beef tenderloin with red wine sauce, vichyssoise and corvina ceviche. Make sure to save room for the arroz con leche – it’s a must.
Marygold’s By Brad Kilgore
Enter a world of flavor at Marygold’s By Brad Kilgore, a Wynwood eatery led by Brad Kilgore of Alter fame. The acclaimed chef pulls out all the stops here with playful dishes infused with influences from all over.
Expect to find items like deviled eggs, beignets, crudos, ricotta pillows, wagyu ravioli, prime Manhattan steak and more; you’ll love the variety. Just as tasty is the drink menu, which was created by local favorites Bar Lab (of Broken Shaker fame). Reservations are recommended.
Marygold’s By Brad Kilgore is located at 2217 NW Miami Ct, Miami, FL 33127. For more information, visit their official website.
RED South Beach
A fancy steak dinner is always a good time, so splurge on a trip to RED South Beach. The South of Fifth staple is known for its wide range of prime cuts. They don’t come cheap, but you absolutely get what you pay for.
The Certified Angus Beef prime ribeye always delivers, as does the C.A.B. prime porterhouse, which is great for two people. If you’re with a larger party, the ultimate meat board will easily feed a small village. Not everything is meat here, though: The raw bar, seafood, pastas, and salads are all just as impressive.
Sexy Fish
There’s only one word to describe Sexy Fish: decadent. This Asian eatery in Brickell is flashy and the menu is just as gaudy. But here’s the thing: The food is actually good. Substance and style intersect here for a memorable post-promotion experience.
Smoked salmon bao buns, tiger prawn tempura, branzino, Chilean sea bass … the menu leans heavily on seafood but there’s something for everyone. Same goes for the drink menu – it’s an experience just flipping through it; don’t leave without trying at least one cocktail.
Sexy Fish is located at 1001 S Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida 33130. For more information, visit their official website.
Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill
Before Miami became the culinary capital that it is today, there was Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill. The Midtown restaurant was ahead of its time and continues to deliver a quality dining experience. Shareable plates are the name of the game here, and we suggest getting two to three dishes per person for maximum satiety.
Goat cheese croquettes, bacon-wrapped dates, beef short ribs, and Hokkaido scallops are a few standouts on a menu full of spectacular globally inspired delights. Our recommendation is to stop in before dinner for happy hour to make the most of your pay increase. Two words: mojito pitchers.
Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill is located at 3252 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137. For more information, visit their official website.
Tanuki River Landing
Sushi lovers who recently got a raise will find quite the spread at Tanuki River Landing. The waterfront eatery features a wide of menu of Asian specialties including rolls, nigiri, wok specialties and so much more.
Make your money go far with one of the restaurant’s signature omakase experiences – you deserve it. If you do decide on a la carte, some dishes to consider include the tuna crispy rice, Singapore noodle, baked crab roll and, and 10-ounce strip loin.
Toscana Divino
We’ve written extensively about the wine collection at Toscana Divino: Guests can find dozens upon dozens of bottles to enjoy during their meal. Getting a promotion is the perfect excuse to get some bottles for yourself.
While you’re at it, make sure to order menu highlights like vitello tonnato, beef tartare, rabbit ragu gnocchi and wild mushroom risotto. You can spend a whole afternoon here if you’re not careful—not a bad thing.
