Madeline P.
Yelp
We had Sunday brunch here yesterday after an eco-tour bike ride in Crandon Park. First, I have to say, phenomenal food! The ambiance is relaxed but upscale.
We started with drinks ($14), a lychee bellini for me and a guava one for my wife. They were both excellent, with just a touch of the fruit and a crisp prosecco, which struck a perfect balance between dry and sweet. I love lychee but I have to say the guava one was the star.
I ordered the Crab Cakes Benedict ($26), with anticucho hollandaise (creative and a delightful change from the traditional with a light kick), watercress, paprika oil, and chives atop a crispy quinoa cake. The breading on the crab cake is made with a croissant loaf, which was surprisingly light and in no way intereferred with the delicate crab, itself bursting with flavor. Incredible dish. I also had a side of the avocado and it was flavorful, served with a touch of oil and fresno chile.
My wife ordered the Mexican Avocado Toast ($17). It's served with charred jalapeno cream, cotija, charred corn, pickled fresnos, mexican cream, and cilantro. I would've liked more charred corn, but it was fabulous. None of the flavors overshadowed the other and all ingredients were fresh and flavorsome.
We were still hungry after our bike ride so we finished it off with an order of the Pastelito Pancakes ($21). I struggle for words to do them justice. They're served with a cream cheese mousse, guava preserve, brown butter maple syrup, and a vanilla crumble. True, a diabetic coma waiting to happen but divine nonetheless. We took 1/2 home and my mouth waters of the thought of having them later today!
Now for the negative. As I say all too often lately, the service was vanishing. She wasn't the friendliest server but seemed proficent enough when she took our order. However, then she disappeared. We had to flag down the manager for salt and pepper and another server for additional water and yet another when we wanted a second round of drinks. The last happend despite her being 6 feet from us and my wife waving at her as she chatted up another server about her Saturday night, a conversation we could hear plainly. All the other staff were attentive and immediately helpful. All I can say is she's lucky my wife happened to pay the bill and still tipped her 25%. I would've given her 10% and still considered it a gift.
But nontheless, the food and ambiance are certainly worth it. If we eliminate every place that has poor service in Miami, we'd be eating at home (and I have been known to give cranky service on occassion myself!).