Doing too much is just enough at Amelia’s 1931 - Review - Miami - The Infatuation

"A dinner at Amelia’s means embracing the chaos of eating Cuban pork katsu at a West Kendall restaurant inspired by Prohibition. It’s all over the place. Don’t try to make sense of it. Just appreciate the great time you’re having, because a celebratory restaurant this far west is a precious resource. Two back-to-back visits at Amelia’s can feel like eating at two different restaurants. That has a lot to do with the range of live music. Wednesdays are flamenco nights, and you can wave your napkin while eating paella. On Thursdays and Saturdays, it’s jazz and old-timey French songs. It’s a fun, albeit random experience that pairs well with the fun, albeit random menu. There’s a Latin/Asian thing going on here that, for the most part, works. Dishes include Korean arroz con mariscos, fritas, and lomo saltado. photo credit: Amelia's 1931 video credit: Mariana Trabanino photo credit: Amelia's 1931 video credit: Mariana Trabanino Pause Unmute Amelia’s started out as a little Cuban diner before it expanded and took over the dry cleaner next door. They honor their former neighbor’s spirit by greeting guests at the entrance with a non-functional washing machine and a garment conveyor. We appreciate the attempt at a speakeasy, even though you can clearly see into the dining room. With its tasseled lampshades and regal wallpaper, Amelia’s can feel a little clichéd, like if Epcot tackled the Prohibition era. But the cocktails are great, the ambitious fusion mostly sticks the landing, and the restaurant is giving locals deep in Miami’s suburbs an excuse to have a night on the Coral West Plaza in their crispiest guayaberas. RESERVE A TABLE WITH RESERVE A TABLE Food Rundown Machu Pikachu We love the name of this drink almost as much as the drink itself. The aji amarillo and cucumber simultaneously kick and massage your throat. It’s what we imagine Pikachu would taste like in drink form. photo credit: Amelia's 1931 Cuban Pork Katsu The sazón completa panko crust is reminiscent of pollo empanizado. It's a delicious moment where the ambiguous umbrella of Latin-Asian fusion really clicks. photo credit: Amelia's 1931 Pork Belly If, like us, you forget this dish comes with queso frito, the surprise bite of crackly cheese doused in a sweet glaze will be like receiving a Nintendo Switch from a stranger—a glorious surprise. photo credit: Amelia's 1931 Braised Oxtail The sweetness from the corn tamal overpowers the chili oil, so you miss the advertised spice. Still, the tender chunks of oxtail taste great and combined with the tamal, it's hearty enough to split between two people. photo credit: Amelia's 1931 Amelia’s Frita If you’re excitedly expecting a frita, Amelia’s version might disappoint you. It’s less like a frita and more like a burger loaded up with maduros and huacatay mayo on a brioche bun. But if you just want a good bite between two buns, it does the job. photo credit: Amelia's 1931 Aji Amarillo Hummus We like the subtle burn from the aji amarillo, but it’s one of the menu’s few misses that makes the fusion feel forced. The pita tastes stale and the hummus has a lumpy finish. photo credit: Amelia's 1931 Croquetas The chef here is part of the family behind Islas Canarias. So obviously, Amelia’s makes great croquetas, and these short rib versions give the traditional jamón a run for its money. Timba A dessert that preaches less is more. The whipped cream cheese has coconut shavings and is piped with guava. There are Maria Cookies on top. And altogether, it tastes like Miami childhood. photo credit: Amelia's 1931" - Mariana Trabanino