Brunch in Miami: 4 Exciting New Contenders

Elcielo

Elcielo is the brainchild of Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos, one of Colombia’s best new chefs known for innovative dishes using cutting edge techniques in the kitchen. Barrientos has Elcielo locations in Bogota and Medellin, both of which are lauded and broke ground for gastronomy in those parts. Dinners at Elcielo are long, gastronomic affairs that are either 10 or 15 courses depending. Some Miami’s are a little to anxious to be sitting in one place that long, no matter how beautiful the surroundings and good the food.

The compromise is to go for brunch, which offers up a 5-course tasting menu with unlimited mimosas. While the dishes are precious, made with high-quality ingredients and care, they are also pretty hearty, which is uncommon for multi-course tasting menus. Courses are unique and different. The first was alcohol and coconut-infused fruit, while later there were duck-fat truffle fries with duck eggs and herbal reduction, and another with french toast with olive oil and house-made vanilla ice cream. With the tasting menu, you can enjoy a beautiful 5-course brunch in under 2 hours, but if you really want a quick in-and-out, go for food from their Comfort menu that includes pizza and high-quality sushi.

StripSteak

Michael Mina’s StripSteak in the Fontainebleau has started a lavish destination brunch worthy of the hotel’s name. The brunch goes for $68 per person and includes a two-course menu of plated dishes as well as unlimited shellfish, charcuterie and cheese, a Greek yogurt parfait bar, freshly baked breads, breakfast pastries, and a live-action station that changes every week. The plated dishes include options like Scottish Salmon and two different versions of Eggs Benedict like Butter Poached Maine Lobster over sourdough or Short Rib Benedict. The meal also comes with a signature cocktail, and for those who prefer their drinks to keep coming, bottomless Fizzy Bellboys, Mimosas and Bellinis for a $25 supplement. Save room for dessert as there is a specacular dessert station featuring the best macarons, truffles and marshmallows, brownies, freshly made cakes by Fontainebleau’s in-house pastry chefs. Best of all, valet is free for brunch-goers.

Arroz con Amigos at KLIMA Restaurant and Bar

This new brunch is the very first Paella Brunch in Miami Beach, a concept created by Executive Chef David “Rusti” Rustarazo. At the heart of the brunch is a live band playing Spanish music, and three different paellas, vegetarian, fish and meat-based served up on the spot out of extra large Paelleras, those oversize paella pans from Spain. A salad buffet with hard meats, soft cheeses, salads (including their famous shaved fennel salad) and fresh breads accompanies the star dish along with endless, house-made sangria, all for $50.

Bagatelle

Bagatelle is famous for their Champagne-soaked brunches in New York, and Miami Beach’s location is no different. Inside the restaurant, with curtains drawn, time of day has little meaning, making the brunch fete feel a little like a late-night bacchanal. Get started a little later here, say around 3pm, and expect some superhero fun. Between bottles or jeroboams of Champagne, get some food, which is quite good. From tortilla with goat chess and chorizo to a BBB&B Burger which is a giant burger complete with ham, cheese and a fried egg, you won’t go home hungry—or sober.