LOCAL BITES

SIP&SAVOR

IN SEASON FALL Flavors

AS AUTUMN CALLS, THESE FAVORITE MIAMI SPOTS ARE EMBRACING THE SEASONAL EXCITEMENT (HEAVY ON THE PUMPKIN SPICE, OF COURSE)

BY PAUL RUBIO

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE AND SEASONAL PIES

From layered, moist carrot cake to dense cookies and cream cheesecake to rich Nutella cookie pie, Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop is Miami’s reigning king of showstopping desserts. So, it’s only natural for the shop to blow us away with its fall flavors. Consider getting a slice (or the entirety) of the fluffy pumpkin cheesecake, rooted in a buttery graham cracker crust and crowned with house-made pralines and caramel sauce. The pumpkin pie is pretty epic, too, with its creamy, custardy, pumpkin-spiced puree filling and blankets of fresh whipped cream, crunchy streusel, and caramel drizzle. The bake shop also offers seasonal apple, pecan, and chocolate pecan pies, all available throughout October and November. (firemandereks.com)

MAXIMUM FLAVOR HOSPITALITY

SPICE MALTED MILKSHAKE

At Cracked by Chef Adrianne in South Miami, an ingredientsdriven concept by the noted chef and TV personality, Adrianne Calvo puts her indulgent spin on the PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte). The result: a thick and creamy, pumpkin-forward milkshake served in a classic sundae glass, topped with whipped cream, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon galore. (igotcracked.com)

CINDERELLA BEEF PUFF

At modern Asian eatery Tanuki in South Beach, this seasonal dim sum is stuffed with Wagyu beef, pumpkin, and scallions. The surrounding dough is molded into an adorable little pumpkin, resulting in a Halloween-perfect Instagrammable dish that tastes amazing too. (tanukimiami.com)

APPLE CIDER MARGARITA

While there will be no leaves changing or apple harvesting anywhere near Miami, locals can enjoy a sip of fall and its most delectable fruit at toes-in-thesand restaurant and lounge Joia Beach near downtown. Order this seasonallyinspired margarita, a sweet but potent mix of apple cider, Anejo Tequila, Cointreau, and honey, garnished with brown sugar, cinnamon, and fresh apple slices. (joiabeachmiami.com)

FALL FOOD FESTIVALS The BEST of the Fests

TWO MIAMI FOOD FESTIVALS TO CHECK OUT THIS MONTH

« Seed Food & Wine Week Sample vegan

America’s original and largest bites at Seed. plant-based food, wine, and wellness event, Seed Food & Wine Week takes place November 2-6, complete with celebrity-chef-led dinners, Top Chef–style competitions, workshops, and the flagship Seed Festival Day. Purchase tickets or passes in advance to enjoy a multicourse dinner with Chad and Derek Sarno (of Wicked Kitchen fame), the annual Plant-Based Burger Battle, and the daylong Festival Village on November 5 at Regatta Park in Coconut Grove, featuring seven hours of all-you-can-eat-and-drink from more than 100 vendors, alongside wellness expos and sustainable living demos. (seedfoodandwine.com)

A five-course dinner at Joe’s Stone Crab

SOUTH BEACH SEAFOOD FESTIVAL «

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the annual South Beach Seafood Festival returns October 19-22 with an exciting lineup focused on South Florida’s top ocean-to-table assets. One highlight is the official kickoff to stone crab season: Enjoy a five-course, wine-paired tasting menu at Joe’s Stone Crab, held in the restaurant’s exclusive Jessie’s Room, a former haunt of Frank Sinatra and Al Capone. Another is Saturday’s main festival at Lummus Park in South Beach, featuring four blocks of all-you-can-drink bars, pop-ups by Miami’s best seafood-centric restaurants, live music, and more. (sobeseafoodfest.com) —P.R.

Asian Delights, Exotic Japanese & Tasty Thai Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner beginning at 12pm 2775 NE 187th Street #1 - Aventura, Florida - 305.932.8080 11768 N Kendall Drive - Kendall, Florida - 305.275.9003

SIP&SAVOR

HALLOWED HALLS LUCKY STAR

MIAMI’S COOLEST FOOD HALL EXUDES ASIAN STREET MARKET VIBES—WITH PRIVATE KARAOKE ROOMS TO BOOT

At 1-800-Lucky in the heart of Wynwood, DJs spin hiphop, Miami’s ‘in’ crowd chills, and Asia’s best flavors unite under one roof. Flaunting a setup and feel that skew more street market than traditional food hall, the joint nurtures full nights out of noshing on casual but amazing Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Filipino cuisine. Wash it all down with Asian-inspired artisan cocktails and fab sake selections, all the while hanging on the convivial patio that welcomes dancing, chatting, or just chilling with your besties (and their dogs). If coming with a group, spice things up by renting out Lucky’s hidden karaoke room for an hour or two of blackmail-worthy debauchery.

If all this sounds too sceney or millennial-minded for your taste, it’s still worth dropping in solely for the cuisine. Can’t-miss items include the karaage sando (fried chicken sandwich) from Usagi Tokyo, walnut shrimp from Gold Marquess, har gao (handmade shrimp dumplings) from YIP, and tuna tiradito plus the signature rolls from B-Side by Itamae. Any cocktail will do, as each is a tasty, picture-perfect libation served in the likes of Chinese take-out containers and ceramic pandas. (1800lucky.com) —P.R.

Feast on panAsian delights and enjoy Instaworthy cocktails at 1-800-Lucky.

DRINK UP EXPRESS YOURSELF

Looking for an ultrapremium spirit you won’t find elsewhere in the U.S.? Try Latin Gin and its four distinct expressions—Latin Spice, Latin Lover, Latin Secco, and Latin Beach—found exclusively at South Florida retailers (plus online). Each varietal comes in its own Art Deco–inspired bottle and possesses a distinct flavor profile that complements a charmed Latin lifestyle.

To start, pink-tinged Latin Lover, infused with strawberries and roses, is typically used in fruit-forward cocktails that ooze romance. True to its name, Latin Spice excites with notes of Calabrian chili pepper and conveys a sense of passion and seduction. Find hints of ripe fruit in Latin Beach, making it ideal for sunny days by the water and perfect in alternative tropical and piña colada recipes. Finally, the juniper-infused Latin Secco keeps things old school with a classic taste and is best applied in more traditional gin-based cocktails like the Negroni or Vesper Martini. (latingin.com) —P.R.