Rise and shine 305 !
It should no longer be a surprise to anyone, one of the perks of traveling often, in my opinion, is the incredible culinary diversity you get to experience and enjoy on a weekly basis. This statement, in fact, brings Miami to my top 5 favourites destinations within the Americas, largely because of, well, the FOOD. There I said it, but I haven't been the only one preaching for the amazingness of Miami Beach eatery scene… I managed to hunt down a handful of those notorious rappers that happen to go as hard at the dinner table as they do in the dealership. You'll find, down below, six awesome Miami dinning addresses mentioned in, well, let's say it… Some of your favourite rap lyrics ;)
At the end of the day, you all know Hip Hop is also about that fine dining life !
Money Ain't a Problem, Puff Daddy & the Family
"Mr. Chow’s when we chow down/Bumping Big on the G5 Soundcloud!"
If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat, you might have caught me in full on piggy mode about two nights ago, when my family and I visited the Mr. Chow location in Miami Beach, nested in the gorgeous W Hotel on Collins Ave. Mr. Chow is, to me, the epitome of traditional Beijing flavours and culinary genre, and although quite pricey for the actual amount of food they serve per dish, the quality is there my friends ! That's usually the thing with Chinese food; you can find plenty of cheap/bad quality spots & expensive/bad quality spots. The real challenge is to find at least, the expensive/high quality alternative or, at the very best, the cheap/high quality paradise ;) At Mr. Chow, we're almost there, so, if you don't mind spending a little extra for a nice, helpful service, relaxed, lounge ambiance and AMAZING Chinese food, please do give it a try ! My personal recommendations include the infamous Mr. Chow Noodles (I like to choose pork as the meat), Prawns Cakes and Rolls, the fabulous Crispy Beef and the low-key (but very delish') Chicken Joanna.
2201 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL, 33139
USA
For reservations please call 305.695.1695
Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diner’s Club
For reservations please call 305.695.1695
Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diner’s Club
Open nightly from 5:45 p.m.
See Me Now, Kanye West
"I might walk in Nobu with no shoes/He just walked in Nobu like it was Whole Foods!"
Nobu Matsuhisa is such an icon in today's popular culture ! In 2015, the franchise has come to symbolize what's best about Japanese culture, but the real upside of wining and dining at Nobu is that, depending on your location, you'll get to experience your favourite far-East dishes with a clever touch of local culture ;) Miami's outpost of the world-renown eatery features a Latin updates on traditional Japanese dishes that has kept me on edge for the billion times that I have eaten there. My best picks include the Crispy Rice & Spicy Tuna, Wagyu Tartare & Spicy Sea Urchin Grilled King Crab, and if you want to go for a sure shot, ask for the Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef; it's a dream ! If you are rather adventurous about raw fish and tropical seafood, the multi-course Chef's choice menu is the most popular way to dine.
4525 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL, 33140
USA
For reservations please call 305.695.3232
Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diner’s Club
For reservations please call 305.695.3232
Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diner’s Club
Open nightly from 6:00 p.m.
Song Cry, Jay Z
"We was together on the block since free lunch/We should've been together having Four Seasons brunch."
EDGE Steak & Bar at the Four Season's Miami hotel is an all-American's favourite, offering an approachable menu of the highest quality and a fresh, contemporary take on American classics. Most of their specialities are highlighted by seasonal ingredients sourced by top local producers, complemented by harvest products, spices & herbs that are grown directly from the restaurant's garden, located on the two-acre pool terrace. Favourites of mine includes the Saw-Cut Bone-In Ribeye, Coast Mahi Mahi and the Aussie Lamb signature dish. Perfect spot for a family gathering or to take someone out on a first date !
1435 Brickell Avenue, 7th floor
Miami, FL, 33131
USA
For reservations please call 305.358.3535
Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diner’s Club
For reservations please call 305.358.3535
Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diner’s Club
Open everyday from 7:00 a.m.
Comfortable (Freestyle), Rick Ross
"Big belly mon still eatin' this shit don't stop/That prime 112 it's a delicacy, you feel me?"
Ever heard of boutique steakhouse ? The folks at Prime One Twelve have baptized their joint this way, bringing a pretty cool concept to the table (pun intended!), offering an innovative menu, female-friendaly environment and and the finest quality of dry-age beef on the market; a clear departure from the conventional chain steakhouse. One thing you have to know about Prime tough, is that portions tend to be on the larger-than-life side. Really ! Make sure to order wisely if you don't want to end up wasting any of the good stuff. Other than that, the restaurant has a very interesting menu for lunch, featuring delicacies such as Truffle Mash with Pinot Noir Sauce, the Prime Steak Tartare and the Lobster Bisque, as well as a nice selection of entrées for dinner, including my favourite Bone-In Ribeye Prime Steak with Carbernet Goat Cheese Butter !
112 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, FL, 33139
USA
For reservations please call 305.532.8112
Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diner’s Club
For reservations please call 305.532.8112
Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diner’s Club
Open everyday at noon
Trap Boomin', Gucci Mane
"When I hit a lick it I bought a wingstop (Twenty of em)/I sprinkle lemon pepper in that re-rock."
Happy to fall under one of the biggest stereotypes; I'm a black girl (at least I'm half way there!) and yes, I love my chicken wings ! There I said it ;) Now Wingstop franchises, all-across the United States, aren't that typical fancy sit-down lunch, but Oh Jesus! do they cater to a wide variety of tastes and likes. With 3 ways to order, 12 flavours available and some kick-a** soul-sides like chili-cheese fries, baked beans and rolls, veggie sticks and coleslaw, really everyone can enjoy a trip down Wingstop lane ;) True story, contrary to polar belief, Rick Ross doesn't own the Wingstop label itself but still, he’s the proud owner of nine franchises around the country, mostly in the southeast, closer to his hometown of Miami. That doesn’t stop Brooklynites from assuming this location is his, too !
651 NW 62nd St,
Miami Beach, FL, 33150
USA
Tel.: 305.754.5455
Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Cash
Tel.: 305.754.5455
Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Cash
Open everyday at 11:00 a.m.
Gone, Kanye West
" Says she want diamonds, I took her to Ruby Tuesdays/If we up in Fridays, I still have it my way. "
Last but not least, Ruby Tuesday. No, for real ! Ruby's like the all-time Fam' jam joint, bringing you quality, passion and pride and their mantra states. The food is good, the ambiance, always great and the price, very right. It's a nice place for a casual friends gather-together as they serve great drinks and shareable dishes such as the BBQ Chicken Flatbread and the classic Spinach Artichoke Dip. Being myself a big fan of slow-cooked ribs, I'm always quite satisfied with half a rack of their signature Texas Dusted's, served with a choice of two (giant!) sides. On a healthier side, Ruby also hosts a very user-friendly 'Create Your Own Garden Bar' salad bar, making it easier for anyone to pick and choose their favourite green combo. And, if you're not into cold dishes, you MUST try the Grilled Brussel Sprouts, Steamed Broccoli and Roasted Spaghetti Squash.
Last but not least, Ruby Tuesday. No, for real ! Ruby's like the all-time Fam' jam joint, bringing you quality, passion and pride and their mantra states. The food is good, the ambiance, always great and the price, very right. It's a nice place for a casual friends gather-together as they serve great drinks and shareable dishes such as the BBQ Chicken Flatbread and the classic Spinach Artichoke Dip. Being myself a big fan of slow-cooked ribs, I'm always quite satisfied with half a rack of their signature Texas Dusted's, served with a choice of two (giant!) sides. On a healthier side, Ruby also hosts a very user-friendly 'Create Your Own Garden Bar' salad bar, making it easier for anyone to pick and choose their favourite green combo. And, if you're not into cold dishes, you MUST try the Grilled Brussel Sprouts, Steamed Broccoli and Roasted Spaghetti Squash.
4525 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL, 33140
USA
For reservations please call 305.695.3232
Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diner’s Club
For reservations please call 305.695.3232
Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diner’s Club
Open nightly from 6:00 p.m.
