The Joyce

The Joyce is sexy, expensive, and feels like a secret - Review - Miami - The Infatuation

"A shiny South Beach steakhouse that exudes wealth and exclusivity. You’ve heard this one before. But even though The Joyce is expensive, has a doorman, and a Picasso on the wall, it follows through once you’ve taken a seat. The food is detailed, the service is skilled, and it all complements a room where you can’t help but feel a little famous. photo credit: Michael Pissari photo credit: Michael Pissari The Joyce doesn’t feel like a restaurant. It feels like the private dining room of a restaurant that publicists call ahead to reserve for clients too big to eat with civilians. Everyone can make eye contact with each other from any seat in the house. You will not get lost on the way to the bathroom. Although, if you’re heading into the men’s, you will be frozen for a moment by a gallery wall our lawyers won’t let us describe in vivid detail. The Joyce’s tiny size makes you feel lucky to have gotten a reservation, even though they’re not too hard to come by. It also keeps the noise level reasonable and the service intimate. Servers check in like you’re the only thing on their mind. You won’t get more than 60% of the way through a martini without a refreshed, chilled glass delivered by a bartender in a suit. photo credit: Michael Pissari The menu feels like a modern American steakhouse that always secretly longed to be a Chinese takeout restaurant. There are fussy versions of the usual suspects: chopped salad, creamed kale subbing in for spinach, and the most beautiful ribeye in Miami Beach. But there’s also Shanghai firecracker chicken and an off-menu fried rice. The two disparate sides of the menu are both very good, but go together like oil and water, so keep that in mind when ordering. Everything is irrationally expensive, which is why the space is typically populated by tourists or locals capable of living every day like they’re on vacation. The restaurant has the usual dress code—no shorts, hats, or flip-flops—and it justifies an outfit that makes you feel mysterious and important. If you’re looking for a more reasonable meal, go to The Joyce’s casual burger window outside, where they embrace families in beach clothes who want to eat cheeseburgers and suck down milkshakes on the sidewalk. Food Rundown Crispy Latkes For $75, this either needs to come with a lot more latkes or a lot more caviar. Skip this senseless social media fodder. PlayMute video credit: Ryan Pfeffer Sauteed Shrimp Scampi The point of this dish is to soak up the hot, buttery sauce with the wedges of garlic toast. We’d order it even if the kitchen informed us they’ve run out of shrimp. PlayMute video credit: Ryan Pfeffer Chopped Iceberg The flavors in this salad are lovely. It just needs more of everything. You’ll finish the thick squares of bacon and cherry tomatoes less than halfway through the salad. Then you’re just left chomping away on ranch-soaked lettuce like a rabbit. PlayMute video credit: Ryan Pfeffer Chicago-Cut Ribeye It’s got a shiny sear, a medium-rare interior that could make a grill dad faint, and a meltingly tender bite. A pretty perfect steak—as it should be for $110. PlayMute video credit: Ryan Pfeffer Shanghai Firecracker Chicken We really like this pile of sticky, sweet chicken. It has a kick from the chilies that burns your mouth for the ideal amount of milliseconds. But pairing it with a juicy steak will confuse your tastebuds. So get this if you’d rather not revolve your order around one of the pricier steaks. PlayMute video credit: Ryan Pfeffer Sour Orange Pie They have some fun, huge sundae options here. But if you’re in the mood for something a little more subdued, this tart pie is an excellent finisher after a meal of rich red meat. PlayMute video credit: Ryan Pfeffer" - Ryan Pfeffer