Alison S.
Yelp
This is the first time I've been inspired to write a review of a restaurant. But Miamians and those visiting Miami need to know about this unassuming little treasure of a restaurant.
Food & Drink: My husband and I were pleasantly surprised by the variety of options and extremely reasonable prices: Breakfast all day, including a dish with latkes and another with smoked salmon, and we cannot wait to try the pancakes, fresh squeezed orange juice, and coffee drinks from the shiny gorgeous espresso machine. Redondo's has also just acquired their liquor license, so we look forward to walking over to Redondo's for a beer in the near future.
We ordered (1) a lunch special with Mahi Mahi, quinoa, salad, and lemon, and (2) a brie deluxe smash (burger).
Lunch Special: This was our healthy dish, and we were thoroughly impressed! The fish was perfectly cooked and had a lovely marinade-- slightly tangy with a touch of garlic and a buttery finish. It was served with a half lemon that had been rolled and warmed (releasing the juices) and topped with caramelized sugar (yes, like a little creme brulee!). Amazing. The quinoa was mildly spiced with cinnamon (and perhaps other spices) which, especially when mixed with the sweet lemon juice, made this healthy side dish an unexpected treat. The side salad was made with fresh spring greens, tomatoes, and red onion, and served with a lovely vinaigrette. And the fries were so flavorful, crispy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside, I didn't have to reach for the ketchup. (I usually *always* need some lubrication-- ketchup, mayo, or some kind of sauce-- for my fries).
Brie Deluxe Smash: Incredible. Everything-- the flavors, textures, and even the visual appearance of this dish-- was perfect. The bun was not only delightfully soft but also most pleasant to behold, as it's dark and shiny (a pretzel-brioche sort of bun), which was just the perfect look for what was in it: delicious, perfectly cooked beef, a generous portion of high-quality brie, a scrumptious blackberry jam, and fairly thin slices of roasted peppers (so no slug-blob textures for those of you who are sometimes put off by roasted red peppers). This combination of flavors is nothing short of genius. My husband and I savored every bite. (The burger comes with chips, but I didn't eat them, as I was very satisfied with the fries).
The portions of both were perfect for my husband and me to share. We were completely satisfied but not over-full.
Finally, Redondo's passed my "black pepper test": they serve cracked pepper, not those terrible, mostly flavorless bits of pepper that look like graphite that so many places-- even otherwise nice places-- debase themselves by serving.
Ambiance: Set aside any worries you might have about the location (right on Bird Road) impacting ambiance. Not only have they managed to conceal out the noise of traffic completely (presumably a combination of good insulation and music-- very well chosen music, I might add), but they've managed to create an almost magical atmosphere inside the restaurant. It's clear that careful thought went into every detail of the interior design: the paint colors and (high quality faux) olive trees and other tasteful decor, the white and Greek blue terrazzo floor; the seating and table arrangement that makes the small space feel spacious and-- together with the large windows, floor, and selection of colors-- airy and full of light; that absolutely delightful bar area... The list goes on. One gets the sense that one has been transported to a little indoor/outdoor restaurant on a Greek island mixed with the sort of diners one only sees in films from the 1950s. The style is classic yet modern, comfortable and unpretentious, yet elevated.
Please check this place out. You won't regret it.
