Haute Dining Review: Delicious Valentine’s Day Dinner at Cantina Beach at the Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne

What better way to spend your Valentine’s Day than with a buffet of chocolate? I had the opportunity to indulge in a feast of chocolate nibbles with my sweetie at Cantina Beach at the Ritz Carlton, Key Biscayne, but not until I finished my dinner, which was a smorgasbord all itself.

The night started out with an abundance of homemade guacamole whipped up right before our eyes made to our liking: hot and spicy. The tall Ultimate Margarita complimented the homemade salsa trios, tortilla chips and guacamole perfectly, making it hard not to fill up on these items.

We were then given the option of choosing between Chili Rubbed Tuna or Flautitas as an appetizer which we intelligently ordered one of each to share, while we both passed on the steak and stuck with the half grilled lobster stuffed with vegetables. How do you say no to lobster?

The tuna was rare, almost purple and exactly the way I like it. With the mix of a tangy Mexican orange sauce and avocado, it gave a whole new taste to my normal Ahi tuna with soy sauce. The organic oven roasted chicken Flautitas were doused in a delicious mole sauce that only made the crispy rolls melt right in your mouth. And one must not forget the lobster. It was cooked to perfection, with the claws being my favorite part. It was so juicy and pairing it with a braised tomato sauce was a great alternative to butter. The entire entree had such an immaculate taste that made it hard to leave any crumbs behind.

For dessert (my favorite meal), we were treated to the 20-foot spread of various chocolate desserts. This chocolate buffet had everything from chocolate covered strawberries to chocolate cake and fudgy brownies. Even the heart shaped caramel candies were scrumptious. My favorite had to be the fondue table where I was able to dunk my pineapple and strawberries into the warm chocolate myself, leaving very little fruit to be seen.

The night was truly magical, sitting outside on a cool 60-degrees winter night overlooking the water and sitting on plush chair cushions, perfect for relaxing in after devouring an tremendous amount of food. The staff was courteous and helpful, explaining what each dish was and how it was made, right up to the Black and Blue Mojito I had to try with real blueberries and blackberries. A Valentine’s Day we will always remember, not just in our hearts but for sure in our stomachs.

To book your next reservation at Cantina Beach please visit www.ritzcarlton.com.

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