Great Gables Events News
updates in the City Beautiful
Caja Caliente On Ponce
Home of the Cuban Taco, Caja Caliente on Ponce offers a delightful assortment of casual Latin specialties, including a traditional roast pork. The homemade tamales are a reader favorite and the daily specials are always a treat.
Caja Caliente bills itself as the Home of the Cuban Taco
The variety of tacos is notable, as is the size of the portions. Choose the old favorites like pulled pork and skirt steak, or get creative with yellowfin tuna poke, local gator, grilled octopus, snapper or shrimp. Likewise, the quinoa bowls and burritos are just as interesting. If you’re hunting for a Tamale Cubano, featuring masa loaded with crispy pork, cheese and avocado, you found it.
Readers love the Croquetas de Cabra — little fried balls of caramelized onion with goat cheese — as well as the codfish croquetas and Spinach croquetas. Savory and sweet empanadas — Guava and cheese, Chicken Curry or Picadillo are standout choices.
For traditional Cuban fare, consider the Arroz con pollo or the crispy discos with filling compressed between two pieces of cuban bread.
The desserts do not disappoint. Try flan de leche or coco, arroz con leche, or dulce de leche and cheese empanada. Finish with a fine cafecito.
Caja Caliente is located at 808 Ponce. Call 786-431-1947. https://www.caja-caliente.com
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The Local Craft Food and Drink On Restaurant Row
The iconic local gathering space with a first class bar, great cocktails, a fine craft beer selection and well-crafted bites, Local Craft Food and Drink on Restaurant Row is a Great Gables Guide reader favorite. The Happy Hour specials include cheeseburger fries, and tasty chicken bites in three variations: Al Pastor, Buffalo and classic fried.
fried chicken is a favorite at The Local Craft Food And Drink
Brunch on the weekends, from noon to 4pm, features chicken and waffles, french toast, omelets, and triple-stack lemon curd pancakes. A kids menu is also available.
Starters of note include the cornbread and honey butter, mac and cheese, kimchi fries, smoked fish dip and the charcuterie board. Burgers are the strong suit, but the spicy chicken sandwich and the fish and chips are favorites.
The craft cocktails and beer selection deserve special attention. There’s always a craft cocktail on draft, ready to serve, which varies by the day. Try a Rum Old Fashioned, the Half Baked, the Smoking Section or the Voodoo Child. Craft beers are selected by the season, with special attention to local producers.
The Local Craft Food and Drink is located at 150 Giralda Ave. https://www.thelocal150.com
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Fiola Miami by Fabio Trabocchi
A Food & Wine Magazine Best New Chef and recipient of the esteemed James Beard Award, Michelin-starred Fabio Trabocchi sets a high standard for presentation, authenticity and hospitality at Fiola Miami, as well as his restaurants in Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Venice, Italy.
outstanding seafood offerings at Fiola
The prix fixe lunch is billed as “wellness, balance and a little indulgence,” featuring stracciatella toast, heirloom tomato gazpacho, Sardinian Cavatelli and Roman Shell Pasta Cacio E Pepe.
Brunch at Fiola Miami is popular on Sundays from noon to 2:30pm with a set price of $45. Among our readers’ favorites are smoked salmon toast, bison tartare, Cobia Ceviche, roasted brussel sprouts, Roman Shell Carbonara, a luscious Crab Benedict and the classic steak and egg.
The raw bar selection is delightful, with oysters, wild hamachi, ceviche, hiramasa yellowtail and Siberian Caviar.
Among the most popular offerings are the Fiola Meatballs, porchini mushroom soup, Iberian ham with melon, the seared Hudson Valley foie gras, Tagliatelle Pomodoro, charred octopus, lobster ravioli, and tagliatelle ribbon pasta with black truffles.
Of course, what would fine Italian dining be without a splendid tiramisu to finish?
Fiola Miami offers a special menu for Easter brunch and dinner.
Fiola Miami — located at 1500 San Ignacio Ave — is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 10pm. On Saturday, 5:30 to 10pm. Sunday, noon to 8pm. Call 305-912-2639. https://www.fiolamiami.com
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