Had dinner here for my friend's 30th birthday and loved it! The outside dining area of the Raleigh is perfect, from an ambiance perspective -- gorgeous trees, beautiful lighting, serene pool. What's better, my friend and I both agreed that we haven't had such a perfectly executed meal in a long time. Everything we ordered was delicious. We started with the pate, steak tartar, oysters (which were TINY, the only complaint I had) and ceviche. The pate came with pickled vegetables and roasted garlic which brought the dish to another level. The steak tartar was a cut above, which is difficult to accomplish for such a classic dish. The ceviche was chunky, fresh and perfectly seasoned. Even the bread and butter they served on the table was amazing. I had the black and white linguine with seafood, which was also cooked perfectly, and my friend had the octopus which she said was great. We skipped a large plate (but that's what's great about this place -- you can order several small and medium plates and try everything). The dessert was also delicious and unique - lemon cake with a bruleed top layer. After dinner, I highly recommend stopping in the bar just off of the Raleigh lobby -- it's 1950s/60s ambiance has been perfectly preserved and you really feel transported back in time. Loved Michael Schwartz and will be back!
(5)
Craig P.
We recently dined at this restaurant and found the experience did not match the price. I have no problem with an expensive meal when I am "wowed" but here, aside from the great setting, everything else was "meh." A few items like their specialty cocktails, grilled octopus and prime rib were great but most other items just fell flat. Worth a try, but don't be too adventurous, they seem to do the basics best.
(3)
Bella S.
Great ! even when we did not feel at one of Michael 's Restaurant we still had a great night !
(4)
Ali K.
We--our family and friends--are obsessed with great dining experiences. We will routinely plan entire visits around restaurants and chefs. Rarely will our friends and fam want to dine in the same place twice...let alone three times or more...But that's how good this place is!! Ambiance: shifts from sunny posh chic during day to caressing glow at night (very romantic)! Service: professional, friendly and charming. Gentile and gracious. Wish every place I went employed such talent. You'll feel pampered without pretension or suffocation. Food (here's where we kick into high gear): Chef Michael has done it again! Somehow he takes comfort food to soaring heights--twisting classic beer food staples like buffalo wings or plain toast and reinventing them into a fusion of sweet, spicy, crispy, tender magic! Salivating and wishing I was at RMS right now...
(5)
Milena P.
Where to begin? It was a disastrous experience, both in terms of service and quality of the food. We went for two of my best friend's bdays, so we were a big table that represented lots of food and drinks for them. Even so, it was a mess and we were not treated as royalty, celebrities and all the other nice things said by previous reviewers. We ordered our drinks and had to keep reminding our waiter for refills, which by the way we didnt get. Most food was ordered at 9:30. By 11:30 many of our main plates had not even gotten there at all and they were already giving us desert spoons. . By that time we had the manager, Ana, involved. They finally brought out my miami spice fish... it was cold and I had to use my knife to cut it. Talk about lack of fresh food. My fiances steak tartare lacked flavor and looked like plain ground beef. When we told Ana that my friend's crab cake never got there her response was: "well I have that we brought it out so someone else must have eaten it, sorry". Really? Our checks took another hour to be brought out. They were charging us for the bday girls' champagne which was supposed to be on the house. We thought Ana was gonna take care of some sort of discounts but no, bill came out at 100%. We actually had to ask her to do something regarding our bill and she took off some drinks. You would think that after such terrible service she would be proactive and offer to take care of the discount, but no, we had to ask. I will never go back to this place. And I do not recommend it to anyone else. Spend your dollars elsewhere, there are plenty of great restaurants in Miami to have to put of with this kind of joke.
(1)
Lauren L.
Went for a 1pm sunday brunch as another yelper had such rave reviews, and I am a huge fan of Michael's Genuine. Upon arriving we are told they cancelled brunch and only had a limited lunch menu available. Disappointed, but the lunch menu looked nice and the patio (though completely deserted) was very pretty. We asked to be seated in the shade and were seated at an unshaded table despite the place being empty (how did everyone get the memo brunch was cancelled?). The Bloody Mary was good. The grilled cheese was good too but for a $20 grilled cheese I expected more. Not in portion but in creativity or sides. I has asparagus on the side and after it was sliced into 6 even pieces and stacked for presentation it could not have been more than 2 asparagus in total. Overall underwhelmed.
(2)
Damian A.
Hidden oasis in Miami beach. Great food, even better ambience... By ambience I mean the endless beautiful creatures that were attending some kind of modeling show (not complaining). Combine that with the common beauty that you come to expect when in Miami Beach and you have yourself all the stimuli necessary for an eventful night.
(5)
Nicole G.
Dinner was fantastic. Each dish is extremely fresh and full of creatively matched flavors, such as the grilled octopus with crushed hazelnuts, green olives and kumquats. Everything we tried was absolutely delicious: shrimp toast, marinated olives, homemade spaghetti, duck confit, exotic mushrooms, and the braised local greens. Apart from the food, the service was impeccable (a rarity in South Beach these days) and the ambiance is serene and chic. The Raleigh is truly an oasis amongst the craziness of Collins Ave.
(5)
Michelle H.
Michael Schwartz menu lists the food as small,medium,large and extra large, This restaurant falls into the last category an extra large disappointment. We ordered some of the dishes recommended by yelp reviews, the shrimp toast was greasy, the octopus was virtually tasteless and was like chewing a piece of jerky. The service was totally unprofessional the most professional was our busboy Joey and it was downhill from there on. The waiter kept apologizing for the poor service and brought us little dishes that were supposedly on him, one was some sort of fish doused in heavy mayonnaise served with saltine crackers individually wrapped packages. How does a restaurant deserve more than one star when they serve saltine crackers in their wrapper? When the servers came out with the courses they asked who got what as if you were in a Greek diner, in addition as three of us ordered the same main but some ordered medium and another rare, the server could not determine which was which. One of the mains had to be sent back because it was totally cold upon its arrival. Well thank g-d for the desert course when everyone was happy with that but we were never asked it we wanted coffee tea or any after dinner drinks etc. When the bill came one of our party mentioned that the price was similar to their dinner the previous night at the Setai. I love Michael's Genuine but hate this Michael Schwartz restaurant, Shame on you Michael for not even resembling any of your other restaurants.
(1)
John T.
The shrimp toast are super delicious. Eat outside and enjoy the wonderful weather. And since it's connected to the Raleigh hotel, it's a good opportunity for people watching.
(4)
Tiffany P.
Highlight is the ambience, which we narrowly missed when we arrived for our 9pm reservation and the hostess attempted to seat us inside (trust me, if you're going to shell out the cash to eat here, you want to be outside). We waited for an outside table at the bar and had 2 weak overpriced drinks (don't even get me started on Miami's ridiculous auto 18% gratuity on top of $16 drinks with barely a drop of alcohol). When we were finally seated it was at the corner table as far away from the pretty blue pool as possible but we were hungry so we took it. The food was good, but not as good as it should've been for those prices which is why I'm deducting a star. The rib eye was good but the mushroom fettuccini was a letdown (sauce was too bland and mushroom-y). Mussels were great but portion was tiny! This seems like the kind of place that relies too much on being cool and not enough attention to the food, so it's probably perfect for a first date or if you're a model who doesn't eat anyway.
(3)
Chris D.
Really enjoyed our seared steak and grilled pizza with octopus. They were great with our 2 year old and out waitress (who also had a 2 year old) spoke to him all the time. The setting was beautiful overlooking the hotel pool.
(5)
Miguel R.
Came for Valentines Day and the experience was below average. I chose the special and my other half chose a la carte. Food was very average and service was mediocre. I had to chase the server for water and paying the bill. No bread or crackers were given even though we waited long time for appetizer and food.
(2)
Andrea B.
OMG was this place just awful! Service was so terrible that after waiting 20 MINUTES for after dinner coffee, the group of us just said forget about it and left! (we did pay the check, of course.) Waiters obviously had no idea what they were doing. Before dinner cocktails/wine took forever to arrive, hors d'ouevres plates were never picked up, silverware never changed or removed and the food arrived cold and not that great. Clearly not a well run operation. Stay away. Though the setting is quite wonderful, it is just not worth the hassle. Get your act together, Michael!
(1)
Barbara B.
Went for lunch, disappointed, expected better for price and a Michael Schwartz restaurant. Would not go back. Smoked fish dip - served with packaged saltines and too creamy French Fries were soggy, Muscles were good but small portion for price, wine over priced, friend did not like Nicoise Salad
(2)
John E.
Was in town for work and had some free time to hit the bar late afternoon before dinner. Not only are the hotel, restaurant and pool hidden gems for the area, but the highlight was Ivan at the bar. I'm admittedly high maintenance on Manhattans, and this guy made one of the best I've ever experienced. Not only that, he's a genuinely nice guy that loves his job and it shows. Will go out of my way to get back there when in town.
(5)
Andrew M.
The ambiance is great but service is slow, the food underwhelming in terms of taste and the prices only proportionate to its hotel setting - not reflective of the quality of food. My advice: there are better brunch options on the beach.
(2)
Judy M.
we have been fans of Michael's Genuine for years. Our meal at the Raleigh was spoiled by the fact that we were in total shock when we saw that our bill had 4 bottles of water at 11 dollars a bottle REALLY!!
(3)
C S.
Kiara, our server, was awesome. Gorgeous atmosphere and excellent food. Especially the shrimp toast, the hominy, and tomato salad. Get a table under the trees.
(4)
Vic S.
Great vibe, had a pulled pork slider, and a couple of oysters. Check out the outside bar, Ivan will take care of you, really nice guy.
(5)
Jason Z.
It's so often, and unfortunate for that matter, that a restaurant with so much acclaim and hype fails to live up to its own lofty expectations. RMS doesn't have this problem. I made a reservation two months ago to celebrate my fiance and my engagement, and could not have been more blown away by our experience. We actually planned on eating at the restaurant on Friday evening but the friendly and attentive staff had no issues changing our reservation with only 24 hours notice to Saturday night and guaranteeing our table. Sure enough, 9:45 on Saturday rolled around and we were seated without any problems, even with a packed restaurant! From the beautiful ambiance to the EXCEPTIONAL service and world-class food and drink, we cannot wait to come back. We love Michael's Genuine and have also tried Harry's Pizzeria, but this is clearly the best yet. A few of our favorite dishes included the Homemade chips and pan-fried onion dip (crack), fresh oysters, grilled pizza, orecchiette pasta with short rib and roasted pork lion. With that said, you probably can't go wrong with anything as long as you leave room for the amazing desserts!
Excellent service, eggs Benedict was spectacular, lemon pancakes with blueberries delicious, a little tart and a little sweet. Good coffee and the wife liked her mimosa, highly recommended and about the same price as the Ocean drive tourist traps.
(4)
hattie j.
Hands down..by the best!! Exquisite ,SUPER delicious. I have eaten at all of the Micheal Schwartz establishment and I must say is the MOST BEST!!!(lol) My best friends parents called at the last for dinner plans on a Sunday and was I really wanted to watch football(my cowboys got spanked by the saints), glad I went to dinner instead! So my reservation for 4,his parents and my girlfriend. From the movement we all walked in we were talking about the atmosphere was so casually romantic, with soft lighting and great music. We were greater by a lovely staff member and acknowledging the reservation by name. Totally not expected by a south beach eating establishment. We sat at our table and the waiter greeted us with warmth, he was very expressive and knew the menu very well along with all the ingredients in the foods. We explain all of our allergies and he suggested several great items that we ordered! SUPER impressed,the SHRIMP TOAST.. I want that on my breakfast table." BROCOOOOLLLIINNNNIII..now come on. Now to get the older generations to eat food s that they ca pronounce.CEVECHIE.. My buddy's Dad tried it after we tricked him and said it was the freshest and most wonderful thing he had ever eaten."WOW"That was just georgous. We had the TUNA cooked to perfection and the lamb shank was Devine too. Being a local on south for years, I will most definitely add this to my routine of Restuarant to frequent and proudly recommend this to family friends and strangers, CONGRATS to the establishment!! BOOM!
(5)
Aaron D.
My boyfriend and I ate at Restaurant Michael Schwartz for lunch on our first trip to Miami. Overall I thought it was pretty nice. The outdoor space was really beautiful, and we ate right next to the pool, which gave my boyfriend the ability to be pretty while we waited on our food. The service was good as well, but not exceptional. Our waitress was very attentive, but seemed somewhat disinterested in her job. At one point another server attempted to seat another couple at the opposite end of our table, fortunately our server caught on to this, stopped him, and apologized. The food was good, very delicious, but nothing exceptional about it. I've heard from friends that their dinner menu is much much better than their lunch menu, but sadly this was the only time we had available. We ordered the crab cocktail, which was delicious, but came out plain without anything to serve it with (chips, toast, etc.). I had the cuban sandwich and my boyfriend had the fish tacos. Both were very tasty, but with the price tag, we were just expecting a bit more. Overall it was a good restaurant, the location and the ambiance and the pool-side seating were real selling points for us, but they would've gotten 5 stars if the food had more to offer, or was in lower price rane.
(4)
Joey K.
Maybe I was expecting too much from the restaurant but with the success that Michael's Genuine has had, I was hoping this would be a hit. It was a raining and a Wednesday night so I won't be too critical of the ambience. However, I was hoping for more. The food was decent but nothing that stood out. If I was only rating them on service I would give them 5 stars. They were extremely attentive the entire night. In fact, if we decide to give them a second chance, it would be due to the service we received.
(3)
Kevin R.
Best mojito in SoBe! Come see Ivan at the outdoor bar! He's the best! Setting is one of the best in South Beach. The Raleigh Hotel is a classic...also check out the martini bar inside...great classic photos!..the pool is right out of the 40's...beautiful.
(5)
Jessica C.
I can't make one complaint. Arrived Friday night close to 7pm and sat inside since it was kind of hot and muggy still outside. We had the whole place to ourselves, good music, good lighting, amazing service! All of the wait staff was so attentive and friendly. We ordered off the Miami spice menu.... Appetizer was peach salad which was amazing and grilled calamari. Dinner was lamb and porchetta which both meals were good as well and for dessert it was mango upside down cake and some kind of chocolate peanut bar which was super yummy. Moved to the bar after dinner and that was like stepping back in time. The dim lights and old eclectic feel was so relaxing. Never expected this place to be so amazing. Great job from the wait staff and bartender!! You guys made it extra special!
This is what every Miami restaurant should strive to be. Located behind the Raleigh Hotel, with outdoor seating by the pool, music that doesn't drown out your conversation and hanging lights on the trees, it's the perfect ambience for dinner, or even just drinks. We ordered the steamed mussels as an appetizer. They were cooked in coconut milk, lemongrass and jalapeño (and some other stuff, I'm sure). This was my favorite part of the meal and I drank the broth up with a spoon as if it were a mussel soup. As an entree, I had the pan-fried snapper. Nothing particularly noteworthy but it tasted great, the skin was crispy and the inside was cooked just right. I had a chocolate bourbon tart for dessert that was ridiculous. It wasn't so much that the tart itself was so fantastic, but that the combination of the tart with the whipped cream, chocolate sauce (?) and peanut butter ice cream was out of control. We'd also had the roasted pumpkin and hominy (w/ lime and chili), which were both great snacks. I tried two of their cocktails. The oaxacan, which had gin, mescal (sp?), pineapple and jalapeño was too good. I didn't order a second because I drank it too fast and couldn't afford to drink another one so quickly. I also tried the mint Julip which was a little too strong. I'm all for strong drinks, and, in fact, ordered a scotch neat as well, but the mint Julip should be a little more refreshing. Finally, I had a homemade pineapple and basil soda which was interesting in a good way and worth the 6 bucks. The service was great. My glass was never empty, the food arrived when it should, and I never felt like the waiter was gone too long or around too often. Our waiter's name was Ryan, and he deserves a raise or other bonus. The people seemed like mostly locals, despite the hotel location. Two girls at the table next to us had this exchange, which kind of made my night. "You know Jeb?" "Jeb from Duck Dynasty?" "No. Jeb, like Jeb Bush." So yea, come for the food, drinks and service; stay for the ridiculous conversations. I'll definitely be going back.
(5)
Jim M.
Food and service was second to none. Have fine dined in many restaurants in Miami. Grouper and Skirt Steak were prepared to perfection.
(5)
Nicole F.
Went here for my 40th birthday dinner. We started at the bar, i asked the bartender for a glass of champagne. I did not expect the glass of champagne to cost us $25, wish he would have served me something more reasonable. But, when we sat down to eat, the food was amazing. I had the pork loin, my husband had the fettucine, and we both were very pleased with our meals. This entire restaurant is outside, and we were there in January on a breezy night. Although they have heaters, be prepared for outdoor weather. We had great service and they even brought me a wonderful custard-like dessert on the house for my special day. Overall, we were very pleased with this restaurant!
(4)
Kelly G.
Had dinner Saturday night and the setting is as always delightful and romantic. We reserved for a 9pm table for two and arrived a little early to have a drink at the bar. The service at the bar and mojitos were fantastic. I have dined several times at Mr. Schwartz restaurant in the Design District and can definitely say he has his work cut out for him at The Raleigh. The food we ordered was not horrible but at the same time it lacked the exceptional aspect that Michael's Genuine Food and Drink often has. Lets just say it was a little lackluster. Pricing: Fair for location. We ordered the following: Chips and fried onion dip which was ok. Raw oysters...Great! Crabcake...ok. The carrot/butter puree is good but seemed to have a disconnect to the crabcake. The crabcake is certainly full of jumbo lump as described on the menu. Also full of celery salt or celery seeds and salt. Its good for about two/three bites and then it is just...well...crab. Some might argue "that's the point" but I think in todays market we are all looking for layers of flavors and textures etc. Yellow Fin Tuna...Good. A sort of spin on a caprese salad with nice medallions of tuna perfectly cooked. Service- Very impersonal...Also be attentive to your check at the end. We were charged 20 dollars more than the menu price on a bottle of wine. The server claimed it had not been changed in the book (by the way we never saw "the book") and so ordered from the list on the back of the menu. MMM... When we asked for the menu after seeing the mistake the server came back and said she knew why we wanted to review the menu...very strange. She then explained "the book" theory and said she would have to get a manager over to look into this. Did she really think we were going to pay the difference when we never even saw the book price, only the menu price? So the bill was corrected and we paid and went on our merry way...we never saw the server again. Final: Mediocre food with subpar service and personal address.
(2)
Steph D.
Wow! I have always been a fan of Micheal's Genuine in Design District, but Restaurant Micheal Schwartz surpassed my expectations! Unlike, his Design District location, which can be cramped with loads of tables squeezed into the small courtyard, this new place is so spacious. I loved the jazz music being played poolside at the classy Art Deco Raleigh Hotel; it truly felt that you were transported in time to a simpler era. The tables were nicely spaced, so you couldn't overhear your neighbors too much. It's just a trendy as Michael's Genuine, but it's a little classier. Essentially, it is perfect for out of town foodie friends that still want the "Miami" experience of the Beach. I felt that the cocktail list was limited...there were 6 mixed drinks available. Come on! We are on South Beach- I need a least two options per booze. My husband had the Sassafras Manhattan, which he loved. I had the Gin drink...it was okay. The wines by the glass were all around $15. Food: Shrimp Toast: Divine. Two pieces of bread covered in a some-what spicy shrimp spread then cooked until brown and crispy. GET THIS!!! Maybe two or three orders if you are with a large group. Peach Salad: I am not a huge fan of peaches, but this was awesome. Ripe peaches, crumbly cheese, Thai basil and some vinaigrette. (Seasonal offering) Triggerfish Ceviche: Very generous portion. We enjoyed without the jalapeno, the dish was still very flavorful. As the waiter told us, triggerfish makes great ceviche because it is a muscular, lean fish, so the pieces stay firm. Octopus: The let down of the night. One octopus tentacle for $18. The dish was listed as "medium" but it was definitely a small plate. The price wasn't as much the issue as the listing as medium. The sauce the octopus was served was delicious, I was just expecting more. Pappardelle with Mushrooms: Yummy! Watch out, this dish is very, very rich with lots of butter, succulent mushrooms and homemade ricotta. We ended the night with this dish and left happy and full. Service: The staff worked really well together. The hostess would pour water as needed and bus boy stepped in with menu suggestions as asked. It was a nice to always been attended, without having to hunt down your waiter. 18% tip is included in the bill, but it was well earned and well highlighted on the bill. Several notes and tips: 1. Not as dressy as South Beach tends to be...lots of tourists in sneakers. 2. The majority of the seating is outside, so plan for the weather. 3. Make a reservation and ask for a table near the pool! 4. The menu changes daily.
(4)
Mindy G.
Came here for brunch two weeks in a row! We have been waiting for Michael Schwartz to release his brunch menu. We love the chill ambiance, orchid lined foliage by the pool and outside decor. You should definitely try the grilled cheese, shishito peppers, and the breakfast burrito is also noteworthy.
(4)
Javier S.
Decent but uninspiring food. The ambiance is great but not worth paying the premium for the food. Head to Michael's genuine instead.
(3)
Blond B.
We stayed at this hotel four days and our company reserved the restaurant for breakfast as well as lunch everyday. The food was really good ... breakfast we would have fresh pastries, muffins, bagels and fresh fruit which was all very good and fresh every morning. Lunch varied, however couple things did stand out ... the Cuban sandwich on the baguette is delicious! Kale Cesar salad was amazing, thick cut potato chips and french fries are awesome ( I don't even like french friends and I enjoyed them!). The staff is very attentive and very friendly. The ambience of the place is so cool! If you sit outside poolside you have a great view of the pool but also there is these beautiful trees surrounding the restaurant.
(5)
Bettyna J.
It's more than a 3 but less than a 4. I came here during miami spice. The portions were perfect, not to small not to big. The pork shoulder was ridiculously tender and very good. The calamari was good but not great. Drinks were good too. The ambiance is what makes this place. Dine during the evening and it's quite romantic. Service was great. Overall I had a very good experience here.
(3)
Ken C.
The visual appeal of the restaurant was beautiful with outdoor lighting that lit up the trees above. Very romantic and perfect for dinner at dusk or later. Mixed reviews on the food and drinks. The drinks left a lot to be desired. They were bad. We had the thick chips and the chips were not fresh. They were cold and seemed as if the chips were pulled out of the fridge. Would like to see those cooked and served warm. The simple green salad was great!! My wife had the crab cake and called them average. Nothing special nothing great. I had the pan roasted chicken and eh, nothing special. The over $125 bill seemed excessive for what we got but ok. We are usually more interested in quality over price and didn't get that from our visit. Again, good not great. If you are looking for a romantic place to go, this is a good option.
(3)
Intrepid S.
We came for lunch, pleasantly surprised they were participating in Miami Spice. We had a wonderful meal, and loved the cool breeze. A tropical oasis in the middle of south beach! Only complaint, our waiter was terrible, the hostess made up for the service, but he was terrible!
Pricey but great. Atmosphere is terrific, but better to go at dusk or after since the pool is a little too close. Very charming trees and the oldish music was relaxing. Completely outdoor seating so might not be great on too hot days. Drinks were a bit pricey at $14 each. Medium plates were a decent price. Every 1st and 3rd Thursdays they have a bonfire in the way back which is an really comfortable and nicely spread out lounging area. Also a great date spot with their own drinks, food, and smores (at a much better price than the restaurant). The music back there should be turned down in volume 10-20% but the acoustic style music was a refreshing break from the typical boring and blaring top 40s at most places. Great place for groups. The grouper ceviche which was a little small and heavy on the mango. Wouldn't get again but was decent. The grilled hearts of palm and tuna salad was excellent. Would get again. Lemon meringue dessert was okay but would not get again. Hibiscus soda wasn't good. Too bland.
(5)
Mike B.
The skirt steak was delicious, the butter providing the difference between good and great. The candy bar with pickled cherries was impressive. The complex flavors of the latter were frankly amazing. The setting was very pleasant. The pool is subtly lit with blue light and tropical trees loom over the tables. The service was a bit indifferent. The restaurant is also loud, with the couples' tables crowded together and your fellow patron's conversations intruding on your own.
(4)
Carlos R.
We were cordially greeted then offered bread and butter; someone sprinkled MEGA coarse salt on the butter and we couldn't dissolve it. The butter is too salty on the bread. We chose snapper tartar as appetizer; Mr. Schwartz snapper is pretty much insipid when raw and you missed the acidity element in your plate; totally bland. Absolutely no flavor, we tried sprinkling some salt but it's MEGA coarse and it can not be sprinkled. The entree its skirt steak; overcooked few strips of skirt steak over goodness of something; were never asked how did we wanted my meat cooked (was deeply intrigued by the MEGA coarse salt). Dessert was acceptable and common.
(2)
A P.
Great pool patio ambience and food! Best stracciatella and shishito peppers in Miami! Tequilla Mockingbird is a killer as long as bar person doesn't skimp on the tequila!
(5)
Gavin M.
Very nice breakfast by the pool. The eggs Benedict with salmon was delicious and the breads basket a little gluttonous. Kind of a rip off for coffee. They charge you by the cup despite having a carafe at the table. Coffee was good but not worth $12.
(4)
Rocio P.
The place is very nice and romantic (we went for dinner). Except for the fact that their candlelight is not enough to see the menu in front of you, everything else screamed relaxed and romantic evening (outdoor sitting under the trees and by the waters of a tranquil pool). The service was great. We got seated right away and our server was beyond excellent. The food, however, did not deliver the same impact. The thick-cut fries were ok, crispy but too close to being burned. My mussels had a funny after taste so couldn't really eat them all (and they weren't many). At least the sauce that came with it was really good. I ate it with some bread, but it takes more than bread and sauce to win a girl's heart (unless you're at Zak the Baker's)...Either knowing this or probably out of plain compassion my boyfriend offered me his meal, and we ended up sharing his steak and brussel sprouts. The steak was alright, but definitely not great or even big enough to be worth $30. The sprouts were yummy, but I love brussel sprouts in all of its forms and presentations so in my case judging an overall dinner based on the sprouts alone wouldn't be fair. The cocktails sounded and looked better than they tasted, and definitely not impacting enough to prevent us from wanting a good ol' beer to get some true alcohol flowing...The desserts looked promising, but we were running late for our show and had to skip... I would have to go back again to make sure it wasn't just my curse-of-all-women monthly hormone imbalance talking that night, but definitely not in a hurry...
(3)
AshleyMarie O.
Again, Michael Schwartz disappoints. I have to shout out to Johnny A. here because his review is showing up in the sidebar and I just want to reiterate his entire first 2 paragraphs of his review. I was beyond excited to go and try the joint out, me and my group of 4 left disappointed at best. The service was great but the food was a miss. We decided to go tapas style so we could all try everything and nothing stood out. Nothing was even memorable or "delicious". I would be tempted to say it was bad.... but I wouldn't do that... Trying to get a reservation a week in advance and they claimed they were "fully booked". So I inquired whether they thought I might get a table if I came in early around 6:00 PM. The hostess gave a hesitant yes and I said that I would be more than happy to sit at the bar if need be and she sounded more secure with that. Upon arrival the joint was empty.. what? OK OK its early that's why. I was there from a little after 6:00 PM till after 9:30 PM and nada. There was maybe 2 tables outside and 1 other table inside... ummm.... that was a lot of cancellations I guess. I understand wanting to keep the hype up here in Miami but I was not going to even go in since I was almost sure I wouldn't get a table. That's quite a hefty check to take from your staffs hands to upkeep your image. Who knows what happened there, you have to trust the 2 stars has very little to do with that and is mostly a reflection of the food alone. I wish I could say otherwise.
(2)
Johnny A.
Ever looked forward to going to a restaurant and were so disappointed right off the bat that the entire evening was ruined? I am a Michael Schwartz fan. I have been to every restaurant he owns in Miami, more than once. I have been to and like Restaurant Michael Schwartz. I was excited when we made reservations for Jazz night last thursday. When i arrived, the musicians set up inside and they sat me outside as far as possible from the music. I went back to the hostess, told her we made reservations for jazz night specifically, and whether we should be seated inside. She just told me that the music would be piped outside and i could listen to it. Definitely not the sort of service i expected. Frankly, if i just wanted to listen to music i could have played the radio. I came to see the band and have a nice dinner. I could not find anyone else to discuss this with. No one came to check on us. SO i got there excited, quickly was disappointed, and left dissatisfied. So, although we made reservations well in advance, and paid the same as everyone else, and were early for our reservation --- we got stuck in a corner, off in exile. I was so upset, I cannot even comment on the food. But, I do know that I wasted the $225 it cost for the two of us. This should have been taken care of when the reservation was made. Just let me know that Jazz night does not mean i can actually see any part of the jazz band -- not even a microphone or a cable. I feel like what i got was a bait and switch. I have had good experiences before, but this was the last experience. i hope it does not signal a decline in standards.
(2)
Cessie C.
Headed out for a girls night dinner to MS this past Friday to check out their Miami Spice menu. We were seated right away, even though we were a little late for our reservation. The food was good, but not phenomenal- and they tax on automatic 18% gratuity, despite the fact that the service was just OK. Here's what I ordered: Appetizer: MARINATED SUMMER SQUASH SALAD house-made ricotta, pickled sweet peppers, curry vinaigrette- This was surprisingly good & refreshing. Main Course: GRILLED SKIRT STEAK local long bean salad, cucumber, tomato, pickled fresnos, ginger-tahini vinaigrette- This had to be the most disappointing. I've had better skirt steak at any Cuban restaurant on 8th street. It was JUST OK (and pretty small). My friends ordered the PAN-ROASTED HALF CHICKEN smoked calabaza, farro risotto, kale, spiced pumpkin seeds- which was SO much better, I wish I had ordered that instead. For dessert: MANGO UPSIDE DOWN CAKE sweet basil ice cream, tart cherry sauce, crème fraiche- this as awful. The sponge cake was super dry, and not moist at all. It was pretty tasteless, so we swapped it out for the MILK CHOCOLATE CREMEAUX tangerine parfait, toasted sourdough crisp. The cocktails were really good though. NOT par of the Miami Spice menu, and quite pricy (typical for the beach)- I ordered the TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD for $14 bucks. It was Corzo Blanco, red bell pepper, serrano, cucumber. This was a great cocktail. The seating outside by the pool is really pretty, the service was OK, the food was just OK. Not sure that I'd o back.
We came here for dinner with some girlfriends on a recommendation from our concierge. It's a very romantic atmosphere, the decor is quite lovely at night with all the lights hanging from the trees. We shared a pizza which had a very interesting taste as it had potatoes as one of the toppings, not sure if I would recommend it. For main course I had the red snapper and it was delicious, very fresh and almost melted in my mouth. My favorite part about this restaurant was the service! Our server Taras was very attentive and made great recommendations, definitely a five star service!
(4)
Dave G.
Michael Schwartz is one of Miami's most well known chefs, however I'm not that familiar with his style. Perhaps it was just the items that we ordered, but what made it unique to me is he isn't afraid to present bold flavors. Some downright punched me in the face and made quite a statement. Restaurant Michael Schwartz is located poolside at the trendy Art Deco Hotel - The Raleigh. Since it's the hotel's only restaurant, it seems the menu doesn't push the boundaries too far. The focus is on local fresh ingredients that most guests and diners will be familiar with, however they are put together very thoughtfully to get the most flavor out of each dish. The dinner menu changes nightly and is designed to be shared plates of various sizes listed as small, medium, large, and extra-large. We started off with Thick Cut Potato Chips with Pan-Fried Onion Dip. This was comfort food at it's finest, your standard chips and dip, but 100 times richer. The onions were nicely caramelized and the dip was on the sweet side. The fresh made potato chips were still hot and perfectly cooked to just the right doneness. 5 Stars. yelp.com/biz_photos/rest… Next up was a Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Carrot Butter Sauce. I thought this should have been a little larger for it to be considered Jumbo. While not very wide, the crab cake is about 2 and half inches thick. It is mostly crab with little filler, but it is coated on the outside and deep fried rather than pan seared. The problem with deep frying something so thick it is that the center wasn't heated up and actually cold. Although I did enjoy it with the carrot butter sauce, the cold center was a failure and it was a little on the dry side. 3 stars. yelp.com/biz_photos/rest… For the main dish we had the Pan Seared Grouper, which was presented with mini heirloom tomatoes, chorizo, gigante beans, swiss chard, and cilantro. This was a nice piece of fish and cooked perfectly. There's some strong savory flavors in this dish with the chorizo and cilantro, but it didn't overpower the grouper. This dish was a winner. 4.5 stars yelp.com/biz_photos/rest… I noticed Potatoes Waxman listed as a side order and thought, hmm are those named for Chef Jonathan Waxman? After a little googling at the table, it turns out that Michael Schwartz did "borrow" the recipe from him and these things are awesome. The roasted potatoes covered in pecorino and rosemary will punch you in the face. Don't leave here without ordering a side of these. 5 stars. yelp.com/biz_photos/rest… Also I'm not sure if the Martini Bar at the Raleigh Hotel is officially part of the restaurant or not, but we had a very nice mixologist really come up with a few wild creations. I loved the Cucumber Ginger Gin Martini he made me, all freshly muddled on the spot. It was his own creation and not on the menu. It's worth a stop in for sure either before or after dinner. Now while I don't mind spending $12-$14 on a martini that takes so much time and thought to make, I do mind spending $5 on an 8oz mini bottle of coke with dinner. It's just a little thing, but it's flat out price gouging and not cool.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
BUTTERED POPCORN GELATO BROWNIE SUNDAE salted caramel cracker jack. Maybe I should stop the review right here. I don't know about you, but I would swim across Biscayne Bay, wrestle an alligator in the Everglades, and lick the pole at Cheetah Club just to get one of those Sundaes. Fortunately, none of these feats of derring-do is necessary; you can get this masterpiece designed by Hedy Goldberg at Restaurant Michael Schwartz as part of the Miami Spice menu right now. Your buttered popcorn gelato brownie sundae is available to you in the restaurant at the Raleigh. As. We. Speak. And yes, it is as delicious as it sounds, and yes, it is a fitting capstone to a meal that will make you love our bio-region, our city, and life in general just a little bit more than you already do. Why? Here's just a few reasons-- THE ATMOSPHERE--The Raleigh is a lovingly restored, not rebuilt, Art Deco gem. They did not gut the interior, they restored it, so as you walk in, look to the right, and you will see what looks like an old-fashioned ice cream counter, now used as a coffee bar. To the left is the front desk, and straight ahead is the door to the restaurant. Outside, you have a view of the famous Raleigh pool. I cannot guarantee that this will be your experience, but when I was there for lunch, 2 of the 4 tables on the patio were occupied by groups of models. Leggy, doe-eyed, shiny-haired models--not that that's what I'm into, but it certainly makes you feel a little glam to be in their airspace. THE FOOD--Michael Schwartz is an ICON. If you don't know why, please Google "locally sourced restaurants Miami." How does this translate on the menu and more importantly, on the plate? You can blindfold yourself and throw a toothpick at the menu, and whatever you hit will be creative, delicious, and unbelievably fresh. Dishes are made with love in them--love for our local farms, love for his customers, and love for our Mama, The EARTH. I had a peach salad and a plump, moist veggie burger that tasted like morning sunshine and afternoon rainbows! THE SERVICE--I am not a celebrity, but I was treated like one. The hostess was patient in letting us pick our table and our dashing young waiter made sure our every wish was fulfilled. If you would like the very best cuisine of today in a space that evokes the glamour of a previous era, please visit Restaurant Michael Schwartz.
(5)
Matthew G.
A truly beautiful location. Very decent food. But NOT comparable food-wise to the real Michael's Genuine in the Design District. So wonderful for taking family and friends visiting Miami or a romantic date but only if they are not super-foodies.
(3)
Joseph S.
Ate at Prime One Twelve 2 nights ago, Nobu last night and this joint tonight. This place put the other two to shame. Service: best (Libardo was a champ) Food: freshest and best prepped in SoBe Decor: unreal oasis Price: correct Eat here before any other 5 star in Miami.
(5)
Brenda P.
An amazing culinary night! Arrived and sat immediately. ($15 valet parking with validation). Our table was outside close to the pool area under a lush tree lined with lights. It was not quite dark yet but the darker it got, the more alive the place looked. They have created a gorgeous outdoor oasis. It's a gutsy move given the amount of rainy nights we get down here. The inside area is quite desolated and does not seem to sit many. The ONLY downside to the entire night was the party of 4 next to us were ALL smoking. It might be a good idea to designate a "smoking" section so that diners like me can enjoy the experience without being forced to inhale the second hand smoke of those who are happy to willingly kill themselves....but I digress. Our waiter was Pedro and we LOVED him. He was on top of everything, was knowledgeable and just made the experience that much better. We all know how rare good service is in South Florida so that makes him even more special. This was our journey: - LOCAL WRECKFICH CEVICHE- A little spicy, a lot of good! - STEAK TARTATE- my least favorite but everyone else seemed to love it - DRUNKEN GOAT CHEESE- this was wonderful and was served with walnuts, a raisin-walnut toast and an amazing fig jam. - GRILLED OCTOPUS- delicious - DEVILED EGGS- I had to add to salt to them and then they were perfect. JUMBO LUMP CRABCAKE- I thought portion was way too small (just one?)but it was pretty good. - HOUSEMADE GNUDI- my absolute favorite of the night. Just incredible! - POTATOES WAXMAN- obnoxiously good. - POTATO CHIPS WITH PAN-FRIED ONION DIP- Just like at sister restaurant Michael's Genuine, it is served with "not enough chips" but they were happy to keep bringing out batches for us without us even asking until we finished the dip. - GRILLED RIB-EYE CAP STEAK- this was great and I hated sharing. The next day I decided to go back to living a vegetarian lifestyle so I am happy this was my last piece of steak. - CUBAN COFFEE POTS DE CREME- VERY good. They succeeded where Bazaar failed: a play on ingredients to play homage to a South Florida staple...Cuban Coffee. Bazaar used foie gras and that did not work. RMS did it perfectly with their pots de creme. - LEMON MERINGUE BREAD PUDDING- good - CRUNCHY MILK CHOCOLATE GOOEY SALTED CARAMEL BAR- so good that we ordered a second! You know, since we had not eaten enough. - CHUNKY MONKEY ICE CREAM- This was my favorite. We also requested a second order of this one. We ate a lot. It was just four of us. No wonder I have to work out so much! We brought our own wine and their corkage fee is $ 35.00. It was a wonderful night (especially after the smokers left). I will probably not return until the fall (when the weather cools off a bit) but I WILL BE BACK!
(4)
Alex A.
Went for brunch with my girlfriend. We shared the lemon ricotta pancakes and the prime rib sandwich. The sandwich was meh but the pancakes were INCREDIBLE. Loved the atmosphere, felt secluded even if you are right in the thick of sobe.
(4)
Eve C.
The Raleigh is my favorite South Beach hotel, and Michael's Genuine is one of my favorites restaurants, so when Restaurant Michael Schwartz opened its doors recently in the lobby and outdoor terrace area of the famed hotel, I couldn't wait to check it out. We arrived a little late for our 9:00 p.m. dinner reservation on a rainy Saturday night, and in typical Miami fashion, we ushered over to the bar to enjoy a cocktail (or 2) while our table was made ready. The rain had made a few of the outdoor tables no-go's that evening, but the staff seemed to be prepared for the hit-and-miss rainstorms that epitomize summer in South Florida. Once comfortably seated in a corner banquette in the lobby, we were eager to check out RMS's offerings, some of which we recognized from Michael's Genuine. We started with the shrimp toast, the pan-fried onion dip and chips, and the smoked fish dip. All were quite yummy, but the shrimp toast was my favorite of the 3 - toast covered in a thin layer of a shrimp puree, topped with sesame seeds - I probably could've eaten several orders of this by myself! For our "main" courses, we shared classic steak tartare, topped with a quail egg, the heirloom tomato bread soup, the pan-roasted swordfish with red lentil tabbouleh, the pappardelle with peas, fava beans and pecorino, and a side of the grilled zucchini with anchovy butter. Everything was beyond amazing. The steak tartare was probably the best I've ever had. The pappardelle was creamy yet light, and the English peas and fava beans provided the perfect "spring is here" effect on the dish. While we were too full to sample dessert this go-round, we did indulge in a couple of rounds of cocktails made with care by the awesome bar staff at The Raleigh's Martini Bar, located just outside the hotel's back patio. I started with a mint julep, their "featured cocktail," and followed it up with a Belle Meade, a delicious concoction made with Belvedere vodka, blackberries, and basil. Overall Restaurant Michael Schwartz is a winner! Delicious food, awesome cocktails, a pleasant staff, and reasonable prices ($70-80/person with drinks), all set within the gorgeous Raleigh Hotel. What's not to love?
(4)
Wes M.
This place is amazing! The deviled eggs were perfect, the scallops and crab cake were absolutely perfect. Our server was knowledgeable and management was very kind to come speak with us. Everyone should try this place out. I wish they had one in Atlanta.
(5)
Lana N.
Fully expected the same level of food and service to be found at Michael's Genuine, but this was extremely disappointing. From start to finish, it was a poor experience. The first table we were offered was practically in the pool. The minute we sat down at the second table, we were attacked by mosquitos and had to ask for bug spray. One of the chairs was so off kilter that we were scared to sit it in and had to change it out. While the deviled eggs tasted like they do at Michael's, that's where the similarities ended. The thick cut potato chips were just ok. The grilled octopus was too salty to eat and tasted fishy. The butter was so salty that we were crunching on granules. The flatbread was too salty to eat. With the physical discomfort, the lack of service, and the quality of the food combined, we could't wait to leave. It is clear that there's very little oversight of this restaurant.
(2)
Lawrence P.
So, when I heard Chef Michael Schwartz opened a third restaurant (Michael Genuine's and Cypress Room the other two) we ran to try it. We were a party of 4 and they sat us right away. I am not sure if there is indoor seating. We saw a small area of tables by the entrance but they were all empty, they didn't ask if we wanted to sit there, and I am not not sure if that's for the hotel or for the restaurant. The restaurant is basically poolside at the The Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach. It was a nice night and we sat in a little table for 4 under a well lit tree next to the pool. The wifey liked the ambiance a lot more than I did. There was a kid playing with the water by the pool next to us and a party of 4 smoking cigarettes all night long. I didn't love it although it is a nice outdoor space. Our waiter was awesome. Personable an attentive all night long! We had the Ceviche which was spicy and good, the Steak Tartare which was perfect, the Goat Cheese with walnuts and raisins, the perfectly cooked Grilled Octopus and the Deviled Eggs which I didn't taste since I am not a fan. That was just to start!!!!!! We followed all of that with the Crab Cakes which was solid but a small serving, the Potatoes which were great, the Pan Fried Onion Dip which was solid, the Ribeye Steak which was perfectly cooked and very flavorful. Finally, the best in show we all agreed was the Housemade Gnudi. For dessert... yes after all that, we still had dessert... was the Coffee Pots de Crème and Salted Caramel Bar. Both great! We ordered a second bar because... why not!!! We also ordered the Meringue but I did not have any because I do not like meringue. As for wine, we brought a couple of bottles for a $35 corkage fee per. Admittedly, because of the setting, this one is my least favorite of the three Michael Schwartz restaurants. Still, will likely repeat for sure.
(4)
Johnny T.
4.5 If you've spent any amount of time in Miami, you know that Chef Michael Schwartz is the real deal Holyfield (now you... mhm, you know the rest). Whether it's brunch, pizza or anything in between, he's got your taste buds covered in goodness. His concept at The Raleigh is no departure from that. I've eaten at Martini Culture, Restaurant and by the pool. No matter where you go, on property, to enjoy his food, you are certain to enjoy it. At the MC, you're there to nosh, catch up on gossip or maybe talk business. Keep it small and light with the potato chips and onion dip (fresh-made and as good as on Superbowl Sunday), deviled eggs, fish dip (I have a thing for dip; this is salty, creamy and wonderfully thick), shrimp toast, and pulled pork slider (the pickled onions and parsley sauce made the dish). Dinner mandates food suitable for a table and people watching. Start off with the always-appropriate-for-Miami jumbo lump crab salad (jumbo lump crab, grapefruit, pink peppercorn dressing... do you need to know any more?), leg of lamb and Belle Meade cocktail (vodka, blackberry, basil). If you're at the pool, you're there to lounge like Donatella, yell at pool boys and harass hotel patrons. This calls for a lobster roll on Texas Toast with fries and plenty of Oaxacans (gin, mezcal, agave, jalapeno, and pineapple... 86 the salt). There's a reason why Michael Schwartz runs things on boss level in Miami. He knows how to please foodies, the masses and everyone else. There's also a good chance you might even see him in action while you're at RMS. If so, enjoy the opportunity. You're eating food that you won't soon forget.
(4)
Jo W.
If you are looking for the complete Miami Beach dining experience, Restaurant Michael Schwartz is definitely worth checking out. Dining pool side at the Raleigh Hotel while eating locally inspired dishes is what it is all about. No pool side meal is right without first getting your lips on the straw of a cocktail. I opted for a Belle Meade (Belvedere Vodka, blackberry, basil), but it left my tongue confused. Was there any alcohol in this? Obviously it did, but it was a weak drink and not worth the high price tag they attached it. The guy who know nothing besides how to order a burger, ordered the Hamburger with cheddar. It was a tasty burger with delicious fries and a good size. It was an A burger. I don't typical do steak but the Steak Frites was calling my name. It was a fabulous choice. A great cut of meat, fresh made chimichurri, again delicious fries and yummy salad. It was an amazing meal, I could eat again and again. The atmosphere is chill, the food overall is delish and though the service need some improvement, it was pleasant. There are only a few places on South Beach that are worth it (though it has been improving) and I will most definitely add Restaurant Michael Schwartz to that list.
(4)
Kimi B.
I went here with a group of 4 to celebrate my birthday. We were seated quickly (we made a reservation) but quickly moved because the table was quite small. However, our next table was perfect and they were happy to accommodate us. The kale Caesar salad was unique and the portion was large. The grilled pizza was delicious. The chocolate bar dessert was delightful and the basil rocky road ice cream was delicious! Our waiter also put a candle in my icecream and sang happy birthday. Only 4 stars because the service was very slow - 3 hours for dinner. I had to wave to the waiter 3 or 4 times to refill water or bring bread. Overall, the food is delicious but don't come in a hurry.
(4)
Amanda A.
I had the Miami Spice lunch-the shrimp po'boy, beef salad and bread pudding. All were good. The salad was amazing-better than I imagined when I ordered. Our table had the grilled cheese, potato chips n dip, Cuban, and grilled cheese sandwich. All was yummy but the chips were the hit of the day. The ambiance is very relaxing overlooking pool area. I would highly recommend.
(4)
Alina T.
Two words! Hidden Gem! Romantic setting under a beautiful tree with market lights and candles! Food was just the right size and of course delicious. Staff was very polity and friendly. There is also a photographer walking around taking photos and printing one on the spot if you wanted.
(4)
Melissa N.
Great fish tacos, the chips with onion dip are cool and yummy too. Had as well the Kale Caesar salad with chicken and have to say that it was way too spicy, probably the mix between the sauce and the grilled chicken was too much, will try to add shrimp next time. Great service and nice terrace by the hotels pool.
(4)
Benji P.
I am a local Miamian and I have eaten at Michael Schwartz's Restaurant before, and I am also a big fan of Michael's Genuine. Tonight I had one of the worst restaurant experiences of my whole life at Michael Schwartz's restaurant, during their much advertised jazz night, dining with the Guilt package. The service was abysmal. Our food arrived about two hours late, with many of the plates arriving out of order, and many arriving cold. I voiced my concern with a respectful complaint and nothing was done or offered to us as a sign of apology or to remedy the situation. We even struggled to figure out who the manager was. Once we figured out who the manager was, we realized why we struggled to figure out who he was, as he was just as lost and un-organized as the horrible waiter that served us. My wife and I are foodies, and our main draw to Michael Schwartz's restaurants is the uniquely awesome food that is served. We ate at MS once before, and the good was very good. Tonight, we could tell the good food cooking was still there, but nothing came out fresh, on-time, warm or with the proper plates or utensils so we weren't able to enjoy it. A management catastrophe clearly happened tonight. All around us, every almost every single table experienced the same thing. Our whole ordeal cost us $110, not cheap. And the suffering lasted from our 8:30 seating to our 11 pm check closing. It was sad. We can forgive, but we will never forget.
(2)
Yanessa E.
Sat outside by the pool. Started with the belle meade cocktail which was amazing, it's belvedere vodka, blackberry and basil. Then we chose the calamari as an appetizer. It was so fresh! Breading was just right. Perfect appetizer for lunch with a nice beach breeze. I chose the hamburger with cheddar cheese and bacon. It was very good, although I asked for the meat to be cooked medium well and they over cooked it, burger was still juicy so I let it slide, and I am a bacon lover so the fact that it had a lot of bacon made me happy. My husband ordered the chicken blt and he enjoyed it with a nice beer. The service was outstanding, from the hostess to our waiter. I will definitely come back here again to try dinner as I can only imagine it's even better than lunch. Valet is discounted to $15 when you dine at the restaurant and it has no time limit so you get to enjoy the beach or whatever else you please after enjoying yummy eats.
(5)
Juan S.
Not really impressed here. I was hoping to have a Michael's Genuine experience here but was not the case. The food was just OK. The Raleigh salad which was highly recommended was rather blah and boring...filled with iceberg lettuce too...not a fan at all of that. Burger was OK but nothing special. Nice atmosphere overlooking the pool at the Raleigh hotel. Service was good too, but the food was the dealbreaker. Probably wouldn't be back.
(2)
Matt L.
Went here on my birthday, July 16, for dinner, and again, on Saturday July 18 for lunch. Had an amazing, memorable experience both times. The Raleigh is a gem on South Beach, with a beautiful indoor/outdoor space. Service was 5-star, from the hostesses to the waiter, servers, manager, and chefs that cooked Michael S.'s brilliant food. My friends and I had the chicken wings, octopus, mussels and rock shrimp, crab cakes, ricotta crostini, and Michael's famous pan-fried onion dip and homemade chips. All the food was 5/5 though I would suggest that Chef Schwartz makes sure the food and prep here is maintained as it is not as popular as his other restaurants and quality may start to slip. For lunch on Saturday, the prime rib sandwich was perfection, as were the Deviled Eggs, Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, and the Cuban Sandwich, as well as the desserts for both meals. They were kind enough to offer the breakfast and lunch menu (breakfast is now served until 1pm on Saturdays) so it was a very tough choice from items on both menus. Overall, a 5/5, 5-star intimate dining experience to enjoy classic Michael's Genuine Hospitality food, in a pristine Art-Deco SoBe environment. My compliments to the chef!!!
(5)
Hira S.
Adorable, boutique venue. Good service. Overrated food. I had higher expectations since I love Michael's Genuine and Harry's Pizzeria. But dessert was fire! Maybe it's Hedy Goldsmith that I love and not Michael Schwartz. I hear she does half the brunch menu, that I love, at Michael's Genuine.
(3)
Rags M.
Michael always gets it right. This, of course, is primarily an outdoor dining site and one has to allow for that when dining in mid-summer, mid-rainy season, mid-nature. Moreover, it is a beach hotel restaurant, meaning he serves three meals a day, plus all of the party-hearty wherewithal of its poolside setting. We enjoyed a late September Saturday night dinner on the covered veranda and were well protected when a short rain squall passed through, while some others ran for cover. In season, when the weather is predictably better, no one might have been uncomfortable. As for our food, Michael always takes Americana up a notch. Our meal was not inexpensive, but rest assured it was predictably as wonderful as at MGFD. Service was fun and friendly. We'd enjoy returning, mindful of the weather.
(4)
RJ W.
Great vibe, great service and very good food. Beautiful setting (maybe add a couple of fans though to move the air around a bit on humid nights?) But great time, would go back!
Three of us arrived at 8:00 for dinner reservations. There wasn't much of a crowd at this time. It was the perfect weather, a cool comfortable night sitting under a fig tree on a half round outdoor banquette. It was a while until we were acknowledged until a inexperienced young male waiter without a personality asked us if we would like a drink. Seeing that all three of us already had our cocktails in hand previously at the bar we ordered plain water for the table and some bread. Shortly after another server brought three glasses of hardly cold water without ice lemons or a straw. Where is the bread? We sat for some time until i had to ask another waiter to bring us bread. A not so enthused young female waitress plopped down on the edge of the table a small flat wood cutting board of four slices of cold bread and butter. It was the first impression of what was to follow. Unfortunately our waiter didn't engage in suggesting or embellishing some items that may have been a good choice. We gandered at the menu and decided to order a pizza, stuffed calamari and the kale ceasar salad. How could we go wrong for a small bite before ordering dinner. The flat bread style pizza arrived cold and not very enticing. After one attempt at the calamari I immediately withdrew the piece from mouth back onto my plate. It was like chewing an oversized rubber band. It wasn't stuffed it was a mush of ingredients presented on a small dish. Out of all three the kale salad was decent tasting except for the oversized hard croutons. What were they thinking. We called the waiter over and told him to take back the two dishes. Following the hostess arrived at our table to apologize and see if there was something else we would like. We were so disappointed with the service and quality of the food that we asked for the check. She actually came back with a check for one drink and the kale salad. When she came to pick it up my friend told her that she obviously has no restaurant experience and why would they charge us for the balance considering we were all disappointed. I still paid for the bill and decided to head back to North Miami to have a decent dinner at a local restaurant that was always consistently good. Too bad we couldn't experience a "Michael Schwartz" dining extravaganza, but the outdoor dining atmosphere and comfy bench was the only positive that i could rate it. What a let down in such a wonderful place like South Beach. I hope that Michael visits his restaurant as a patron and experiences all of the issues that need improvement otherwise this too shall be another venture in the past.
(2)
David D.
Great atmosphere around a quiet, garden with the nearby pool. Both food and service were excellent. Humboldt Fog goat cheese was excellent. Ceviche and octopus very good. Even our teenagers were happy. Reasonably priced for the level of atmosphere, service and food quality.
(5)
Chris M.
Definitely one of my favorite places on the beach. Great food, clean, super friendly staff and breathtaking view! Winner!
(5)
Aime O.
Loooove the ambiance! We went for the Miami Spice Menu and were expecting getting small portions, but the opposite was true. So delish! The chicken with risotto was huge, got the full thigh... The risotto... Man!! Good!! The fish was not that big but it was definitely good. The services was great. Really nice people helped is. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Kelly D.
Offensively pricey food that you could easily recreate in a toaster oven. Meh. I know Mr. Schwartz is celebrated as a top chef in Miami, but $20 for a 4" thin-crust pizza that might feed one person is simply outrageous. Part of my issue is that we came here as a group of 10 - this place is bad for group dining. Everything is priced at about 4 times its actual value, so when a $20 salad has about 5 leaves of lettuce, you have to assume people will want a second entree. Well played, Mr. Schwartz, well played.
(2)
Anita G.
For me everything was perfect. Food, price, service Ambiance a perfect 10 in south beach! The apple and celery root soup I had and the bread and butter and the bread pudding...yummy!
(5)
Bryan T.
The ambiance of this restaurant is breathtaking, but the menu is what makes it even more special. The Raleigh is known for being an iconic hotel in South Beach, and Restaurant Michael Schwartz is the cherry on top. Definitely sit outside so you can overlook the pool. the menu changes nightly and Chef carefully crafts each dish with the freshest ingredients. We went during Art Basel, and even on one of the busiest nights, the service was incredible. Cant wait to return.
(5)
Ming P.
For all the hype, the food need some improvement, especially if it's over price. Setting : 4 stars service: 3 ... Drinks: 4 stars Food: merely 2.5 Desert: 4
(3)
Lara d.
My husband did some research and brought me here for our anniversary dinner. It seemed like a natural choice as we had never tried any of the Michael Schwartz locations before. The atmosphere deserves 5 stars, especially now that the weather is cool at night, the outdoor seating, under dim lights, the orchids blooming in the trees, it really feels like an oasis away from the hustle of Miami. Food wise it was not up to the expectations I would of had for a chef of his caliber. We spent exactly the same amount as we did at Michy's previously and my husband and I both agreed that Michy's was much better. We found that there wasn't a lot of balance in the dishes, the majority of them were highly acidic and by the time we left my tongue felt a bit raw. The best two things we tried were the clams casino - the sweet smokey flavor were a great compliment to the clams - however the clams were still attached to the shell which was a pain and we almost lost one as we struggled to separate it and it came close to becoming airborne. The lemon meringue bread pudding was divine! Which is ironic since after such an acidic meal, the lemon meringue bread budding was light and the citrus notes were smooth and I am inspired to try and recreate this dish as home. The shrimp toast is tasty, but missing something, we both though a drizzle of a cilantro cream sauce or miso glaze would of allowed the dish to pop, it was a bit one note for us. The crispy hominy with chili lime was ok, not something I would order again. My husband tried the buffalo rabbit, which he said was tender but the meat had an almost boiled meat flavor which was not desirable. The vegetable panzanella was tasty but the acid level was so high it killed my taste buds. We finished off with the whole chicken which is served with grilled peaches and onion. The chicken was tasty, super crispy skin that quickly turned soggy so you had to grab it fast. I don't understand why the peaches or onion which were listed on the menu were on the dish. The peaches despite showing grill marks were rock hard and when eaten with a bite of the chicken did nothing for the dish. The onions were straight up raw so I don't know what their role were for the dish. The food was edible, but just not inspired, we have eaten a lot of places that have piqued our taste buds, made us wish the dish was bigger to allow us to savor the flavors longer, but nothing that we had at RMS did that and so I found that disappointing after waiting so long to finally try his food. I do want to give one prop - for offering fresh local food where possible.
(3)
Cat P.
Totally blown away here by the food, drinks, pool area, and service. Friends of ours had their rehearsal dinner here with dishes served family-style. Anyone who has dietary restrictions knows that this is a nightmare for someone with food allergies. Fear not, though! I approached a waitress who took my issues seriously and she grabbed the chef. He went over the ingredients with me in each dish and said he would tailor some of the recipes so that they were safe to eat. The table was given a beautiful looking caprese salad with yellow tomatoes, so he gave me one with golden beets, green beans, and no mozzarella. Heaven! The balsamic with it was fantastic. Next up was a spatchcock chicken for the table with a size of lentil tabouleh, which was perfect for me. They also hooked me up with some killer sea bass. I could not partake in dessert, but I was happily full anyway. And I was too busy knocking back their delicious "Belle Mead" vodka drink to miss dessert anyway. Cheers!
(5)
Anthony C.
I honestly don't even know where to begin about this place. A little bold but this is quite possibly the best restaurant I have ever been to in Miami Beach. It was a bit later in the evening and my guy and I were debating as to whether to go to Katsuya or RMS. I pretty much threw a fit about how Katsuya would probably be really crowded and loud and that's not what we really need after having such a long relaxing day. Thank god I talked some sense into him. We walked towards the entrance of the restaurant and he looked at me like "Oh wow YOU WERE RIGHT." The atmosphere is the epitome of casual luxury. From the lighting, the music, beautiful lush foliage and palm trees everywhere, an amazing view of the iconic pool, fabulous decor, I knew I was in for something special. Great ambiance. So romantic! Just so happened to be Miami Spice the night we went so that's where made our selections for food. I started off with the Beet Salad and he got the same as well. I have never been too keen on beets but was very surprised at how tasty the dish turned out to be. Delish. For the second course, we chose the Pan Seared Chicken and Pan Seared Fish. Ooooh my god the chicken was amazing! Absolute. Perfection. But what really knocked my socks off was the Bittersweet Chocolate with Homemade Oreos for dessert. I am so melodramatic but goddamnit that was probably one of the best desserts I have ever had in my life. Loved the velvety texture of the chocolate with the tang you taste as it goes down. Like, uncontrollably rolling your eyes back good. I was in heaven. I think it should go without saying that the service was above and beyond what South Beach is notoriously known for. My guy was being a bit of an asshole (yes, you were) about a drink he wanted but couldn't remember that name of and sent back once cause it wasn't exactly right. *sigh* Nevertheless the server was gracious throughout the whole experience. I also have to give props to the waiter because he never once flinched, changed his tone of voice, or made a funny face at the sight of two men holding hands giving each other googly eyes. I understand that's possiblly TMI but I have to put that out there cause I have definitely dealt with some BS. He was tipped handsomely. Please, if you're even entertaining the thought, run, don't walk to RMS. I honestly cannot WAIT to go back!
(5)
Arlynes H.
Amazing Service, the whole staff is committed to make you feel especial and will go the extra mile to make it happen. We sat at a table very close to the pool and the sound of the water plus a Jazz music on the background made it even more amazing. I asked the waiter for a cocktail that was not in the menu, just gave him some suggestions of what I felt like drinking and he came back with a very refreshing delicious cocktail (Victoria is the name). I ordered the Miami Spice and my food was delicious, the mussels tasted like heaven and the sauce. My fish was perfect, the portions adequate. They ended our wonderful experience with a surprise dessert with a candle to celebrate my birthday and another dessert beautifully decorated for my mother (also celebrating her birthday), hers was offered as a courtesy of the house because she did not order dessert. They made us feel like queens. I can not compliment this place enough, even the valet parking staff was amazingly courteous and accommodating. I really love this restaurant (also Michael Genuine and The Cypress Room). I will definitely return, probably on a Sunday to taste their brunch.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Haley C.
Had dinner here for my friend's 30th birthday and loved it! The outside dining area of the Raleigh is perfect, from an ambiance perspective -- gorgeous trees, beautiful lighting, serene pool. What's better, my friend and I both agreed that we haven't had such a perfectly executed meal in a long time. Everything we ordered was delicious. We started with the pate, steak tartar, oysters (which were TINY, the only complaint I had) and ceviche. The pate came with pickled vegetables and roasted garlic which brought the dish to another level. The steak tartar was a cut above, which is difficult to accomplish for such a classic dish. The ceviche was chunky, fresh and perfectly seasoned. Even the bread and butter they served on the table was amazing. I had the black and white linguine with seafood, which was also cooked perfectly, and my friend had the octopus which she said was great. We skipped a large plate (but that's what's great about this place -- you can order several small and medium plates and try everything). The dessert was also delicious and unique - lemon cake with a bruleed top layer. After dinner, I highly recommend stopping in the bar just off of the Raleigh lobby -- it's 1950s/60s ambiance has been perfectly preserved and you really feel transported back in time. Loved Michael Schwartz and will be back!
(5)Craig P.
We recently dined at this restaurant and found the experience did not match the price. I have no problem with an expensive meal when I am "wowed" but here, aside from the great setting, everything else was "meh." A few items like their specialty cocktails, grilled octopus and prime rib were great but most other items just fell flat. Worth a try, but don't be too adventurous, they seem to do the basics best.
(3)Bella S.
Great ! even when we did not feel at one of Michael 's Restaurant we still had a great night !
(4)Ali K.
We--our family and friends--are obsessed with great dining experiences. We will routinely plan entire visits around restaurants and chefs. Rarely will our friends and fam want to dine in the same place twice...let alone three times or more...But that's how good this place is!! Ambiance: shifts from sunny posh chic during day to caressing glow at night (very romantic)! Service: professional, friendly and charming. Gentile and gracious. Wish every place I went employed such talent. You'll feel pampered without pretension or suffocation. Food (here's where we kick into high gear): Chef Michael has done it again! Somehow he takes comfort food to soaring heights--twisting classic beer food staples like buffalo wings or plain toast and reinventing them into a fusion of sweet, spicy, crispy, tender magic! Salivating and wishing I was at RMS right now...
(5)Milena P.
Where to begin? It was a disastrous experience, both in terms of service and quality of the food. We went for two of my best friend's bdays, so we were a big table that represented lots of food and drinks for them. Even so, it was a mess and we were not treated as royalty, celebrities and all the other nice things said by previous reviewers. We ordered our drinks and had to keep reminding our waiter for refills, which by the way we didnt get. Most food was ordered at 9:30. By 11:30 many of our main plates had not even gotten there at all and they were already giving us desert spoons. . By that time we had the manager, Ana, involved. They finally brought out my miami spice fish... it was cold and I had to use my knife to cut it. Talk about lack of fresh food. My fiances steak tartare lacked flavor and looked like plain ground beef. When we told Ana that my friend's crab cake never got there her response was: "well I have that we brought it out so someone else must have eaten it, sorry". Really? Our checks took another hour to be brought out. They were charging us for the bday girls' champagne which was supposed to be on the house. We thought Ana was gonna take care of some sort of discounts but no, bill came out at 100%. We actually had to ask her to do something regarding our bill and she took off some drinks. You would think that after such terrible service she would be proactive and offer to take care of the discount, but no, we had to ask. I will never go back to this place. And I do not recommend it to anyone else. Spend your dollars elsewhere, there are plenty of great restaurants in Miami to have to put of with this kind of joke.
(1)Lauren L.
Went for a 1pm sunday brunch as another yelper had such rave reviews, and I am a huge fan of Michael's Genuine. Upon arriving we are told they cancelled brunch and only had a limited lunch menu available. Disappointed, but the lunch menu looked nice and the patio (though completely deserted) was very pretty. We asked to be seated in the shade and were seated at an unshaded table despite the place being empty (how did everyone get the memo brunch was cancelled?). The Bloody Mary was good. The grilled cheese was good too but for a $20 grilled cheese I expected more. Not in portion but in creativity or sides. I has asparagus on the side and after it was sliced into 6 even pieces and stacked for presentation it could not have been more than 2 asparagus in total. Overall underwhelmed.
(2)Damian A.
Hidden oasis in Miami beach. Great food, even better ambience... By ambience I mean the endless beautiful creatures that were attending some kind of modeling show (not complaining). Combine that with the common beauty that you come to expect when in Miami Beach and you have yourself all the stimuli necessary for an eventful night.
(5)Nicole G.
Dinner was fantastic. Each dish is extremely fresh and full of creatively matched flavors, such as the grilled octopus with crushed hazelnuts, green olives and kumquats. Everything we tried was absolutely delicious: shrimp toast, marinated olives, homemade spaghetti, duck confit, exotic mushrooms, and the braised local greens. Apart from the food, the service was impeccable (a rarity in South Beach these days) and the ambiance is serene and chic. The Raleigh is truly an oasis amongst the craziness of Collins Ave.
(5)Michelle H.
Michael Schwartz menu lists the food as small,medium,large and extra large, This restaurant falls into the last category an extra large disappointment. We ordered some of the dishes recommended by yelp reviews, the shrimp toast was greasy, the octopus was virtually tasteless and was like chewing a piece of jerky. The service was totally unprofessional the most professional was our busboy Joey and it was downhill from there on. The waiter kept apologizing for the poor service and brought us little dishes that were supposedly on him, one was some sort of fish doused in heavy mayonnaise served with saltine crackers individually wrapped packages. How does a restaurant deserve more than one star when they serve saltine crackers in their wrapper? When the servers came out with the courses they asked who got what as if you were in a Greek diner, in addition as three of us ordered the same main but some ordered medium and another rare, the server could not determine which was which. One of the mains had to be sent back because it was totally cold upon its arrival. Well thank g-d for the desert course when everyone was happy with that but we were never asked it we wanted coffee tea or any after dinner drinks etc. When the bill came one of our party mentioned that the price was similar to their dinner the previous night at the Setai. I love Michael's Genuine but hate this Michael Schwartz restaurant, Shame on you Michael for not even resembling any of your other restaurants.
(1)John T.
The shrimp toast are super delicious. Eat outside and enjoy the wonderful weather. And since it's connected to the Raleigh hotel, it's a good opportunity for people watching.
(4)Tiffany P.
Highlight is the ambience, which we narrowly missed when we arrived for our 9pm reservation and the hostess attempted to seat us inside (trust me, if you're going to shell out the cash to eat here, you want to be outside). We waited for an outside table at the bar and had 2 weak overpriced drinks (don't even get me started on Miami's ridiculous auto 18% gratuity on top of $16 drinks with barely a drop of alcohol). When we were finally seated it was at the corner table as far away from the pretty blue pool as possible but we were hungry so we took it. The food was good, but not as good as it should've been for those prices which is why I'm deducting a star. The rib eye was good but the mushroom fettuccini was a letdown (sauce was too bland and mushroom-y). Mussels were great but portion was tiny! This seems like the kind of place that relies too much on being cool and not enough attention to the food, so it's probably perfect for a first date or if you're a model who doesn't eat anyway.
(3)Chris D.
Really enjoyed our seared steak and grilled pizza with octopus. They were great with our 2 year old and out waitress (who also had a 2 year old) spoke to him all the time. The setting was beautiful overlooking the hotel pool.
(5)Miguel R.
Came for Valentines Day and the experience was below average. I chose the special and my other half chose a la carte. Food was very average and service was mediocre. I had to chase the server for water and paying the bill. No bread or crackers were given even though we waited long time for appetizer and food.
(2)Andrea B.
OMG was this place just awful! Service was so terrible that after waiting 20 MINUTES for after dinner coffee, the group of us just said forget about it and left! (we did pay the check, of course.) Waiters obviously had no idea what they were doing. Before dinner cocktails/wine took forever to arrive, hors d'ouevres plates were never picked up, silverware never changed or removed and the food arrived cold and not that great. Clearly not a well run operation. Stay away. Though the setting is quite wonderful, it is just not worth the hassle. Get your act together, Michael!
(1)Barbara B.
Went for lunch, disappointed, expected better for price and a Michael Schwartz restaurant. Would not go back. Smoked fish dip - served with packaged saltines and too creamy French Fries were soggy, Muscles were good but small portion for price, wine over priced, friend did not like Nicoise Salad
(2)John E.
Was in town for work and had some free time to hit the bar late afternoon before dinner. Not only are the hotel, restaurant and pool hidden gems for the area, but the highlight was Ivan at the bar. I'm admittedly high maintenance on Manhattans, and this guy made one of the best I've ever experienced. Not only that, he's a genuinely nice guy that loves his job and it shows. Will go out of my way to get back there when in town.
(5)Andrew M.
The ambiance is great but service is slow, the food underwhelming in terms of taste and the prices only proportionate to its hotel setting - not reflective of the quality of food. My advice: there are better brunch options on the beach.
(2)Judy M.
we have been fans of Michael's Genuine for years. Our meal at the Raleigh was spoiled by the fact that we were in total shock when we saw that our bill had 4 bottles of water at 11 dollars a bottle REALLY!!
(3)C S.
Kiara, our server, was awesome. Gorgeous atmosphere and excellent food. Especially the shrimp toast, the hominy, and tomato salad. Get a table under the trees.
(4)Vic S.
Great vibe, had a pulled pork slider, and a couple of oysters. Check out the outside bar, Ivan will take care of you, really nice guy.
(5)Jason Z.
It's so often, and unfortunate for that matter, that a restaurant with so much acclaim and hype fails to live up to its own lofty expectations. RMS doesn't have this problem. I made a reservation two months ago to celebrate my fiance and my engagement, and could not have been more blown away by our experience. We actually planned on eating at the restaurant on Friday evening but the friendly and attentive staff had no issues changing our reservation with only 24 hours notice to Saturday night and guaranteeing our table. Sure enough, 9:45 on Saturday rolled around and we were seated without any problems, even with a packed restaurant! From the beautiful ambiance to the EXCEPTIONAL service and world-class food and drink, we cannot wait to come back. We love Michael's Genuine and have also tried Harry's Pizzeria, but this is clearly the best yet. A few of our favorite dishes included the Homemade chips and pan-fried onion dip (crack), fresh oysters, grilled pizza, orecchiette pasta with short rib and roasted pork lion. With that said, you probably can't go wrong with anything as long as you leave room for the amazing desserts!
(5)Sergio L.
Shrimp toast = Crazy. Ivan...noel....petre...ana...amazing staff
(5)Grant D.
Excellent service, eggs Benedict was spectacular, lemon pancakes with blueberries delicious, a little tart and a little sweet. Good coffee and the wife liked her mimosa, highly recommended and about the same price as the Ocean drive tourist traps.
(4)hattie j.
Hands down..by the best!! Exquisite ,SUPER delicious. I have eaten at all of the Micheal Schwartz establishment and I must say is the MOST BEST!!!(lol) My best friends parents called at the last for dinner plans on a Sunday and was I really wanted to watch football(my cowboys got spanked by the saints), glad I went to dinner instead! So my reservation for 4,his parents and my girlfriend. From the movement we all walked in we were talking about the atmosphere was so casually romantic, with soft lighting and great music. We were greater by a lovely staff member and acknowledging the reservation by name. Totally not expected by a south beach eating establishment. We sat at our table and the waiter greeted us with warmth, he was very expressive and knew the menu very well along with all the ingredients in the foods. We explain all of our allergies and he suggested several great items that we ordered! SUPER impressed,the SHRIMP TOAST.. I want that on my breakfast table." BROCOOOOLLLIINNNNIII..now come on. Now to get the older generations to eat food s that they ca pronounce.CEVECHIE.. My buddy's Dad tried it after we tricked him and said it was the freshest and most wonderful thing he had ever eaten."WOW"That was just georgous. We had the TUNA cooked to perfection and the lamb shank was Devine too. Being a local on south for years, I will most definitely add this to my routine of Restuarant to frequent and proudly recommend this to family friends and strangers, CONGRATS to the establishment!! BOOM!
(5)Aaron D.
My boyfriend and I ate at Restaurant Michael Schwartz for lunch on our first trip to Miami. Overall I thought it was pretty nice. The outdoor space was really beautiful, and we ate right next to the pool, which gave my boyfriend the ability to be pretty while we waited on our food. The service was good as well, but not exceptional. Our waitress was very attentive, but seemed somewhat disinterested in her job. At one point another server attempted to seat another couple at the opposite end of our table, fortunately our server caught on to this, stopped him, and apologized. The food was good, very delicious, but nothing exceptional about it. I've heard from friends that their dinner menu is much much better than their lunch menu, but sadly this was the only time we had available. We ordered the crab cocktail, which was delicious, but came out plain without anything to serve it with (chips, toast, etc.). I had the cuban sandwich and my boyfriend had the fish tacos. Both were very tasty, but with the price tag, we were just expecting a bit more. Overall it was a good restaurant, the location and the ambiance and the pool-side seating were real selling points for us, but they would've gotten 5 stars if the food had more to offer, or was in lower price rane.
(4)Joey K.
Maybe I was expecting too much from the restaurant but with the success that Michael's Genuine has had, I was hoping this would be a hit. It was a raining and a Wednesday night so I won't be too critical of the ambience. However, I was hoping for more. The food was decent but nothing that stood out. If I was only rating them on service I would give them 5 stars. They were extremely attentive the entire night. In fact, if we decide to give them a second chance, it would be due to the service we received.
(3)Kevin R.
Best mojito in SoBe! Come see Ivan at the outdoor bar! He's the best! Setting is one of the best in South Beach. The Raleigh Hotel is a classic...also check out the martini bar inside...great classic photos!..the pool is right out of the 40's...beautiful.
(5)Jessica C.
I can't make one complaint. Arrived Friday night close to 7pm and sat inside since it was kind of hot and muggy still outside. We had the whole place to ourselves, good music, good lighting, amazing service! All of the wait staff was so attentive and friendly. We ordered off the Miami spice menu.... Appetizer was peach salad which was amazing and grilled calamari. Dinner was lamb and porchetta which both meals were good as well and for dessert it was mango upside down cake and some kind of chocolate peanut bar which was super yummy. Moved to the bar after dinner and that was like stepping back in time. The dim lights and old eclectic feel was so relaxing. Never expected this place to be so amazing. Great job from the wait staff and bartender!! You guys made it extra special!
(5)Jadyn M.
Seriously. This was hands down one of the worst meals I've had, EVER! The one star is for the waiter who tried very hard and obviously cared about our experience and the desserts (possibly a different chef from the one that created the savory menu) First course: Dozen Oysters: Would have been great if they had been shucked properly. They were still attached at the muscle and full of shell fragments. I had to spit mine out to avoid chipping a tooth. Second Course: Shrimp Toast - The ONLY savory item we ordered that was good. We also ordered the smoked fish dip which was a creamy blob served with PACKAGED SALTINES (yes, the ones they serve at a diner with your beef barley) a few sprigs of frisee and about 4 slivers of raw onion. Very average. Third and most ridiculous course: We ordered the "Raleigh Chopped Salad: Seasonal Vegetables, chick peas, feta,creamy sherry vinaigrette" This salad was sad. It was a pile of romaine lettuce and (not kidding) about 10 corn kernels, 10 chickpeas, a teaspoons worth of feta, 4 under-ripe avocado cubes, maybe 4 olives, 6 pieces of diced tasteless tomato, 4 thin slices of radish, and definitely NO SHERRY that anyone could taste. I'm including a photo so there's no mistaking it. The ratio of lettuce to other ingredients was actually laughable. $17!! The other salad we ordered was the "Kale Caesar". There a many amazing Kale salads out there today. This isn't one of them. The kale was served chopped WITH THE STALKS STILL ATTACHED! Who serves raw kale stalks in big chunks? it was like they took it right out of the pre chopped bag you get at Trader Joe's and onto the plate. It wasn't even broken down with any citrus before serving. I ordered it with a $7 chicken addition and the chicken was obviously pre cooked and thrown on the plate tough and room temp. This one rang in at well over $20 You can honestly get a salad 10 times better than either of these at Chili's. That is an honest fact. Fourth Course: Bread Pudding and the Chocolate bar. Truthfully, these were both very good, especially the thin sliced brûlée bread pudding. Overall the food cost us nearly $200 after tax and tip and made for the most disappointing Birthday Lunch I've ever had. I was eating with an award winning chef and the whole experience was an embarrassing let down. I was truly surprised.
(1)Ramiro A.
This is what every Miami restaurant should strive to be. Located behind the Raleigh Hotel, with outdoor seating by the pool, music that doesn't drown out your conversation and hanging lights on the trees, it's the perfect ambience for dinner, or even just drinks. We ordered the steamed mussels as an appetizer. They were cooked in coconut milk, lemongrass and jalapeño (and some other stuff, I'm sure). This was my favorite part of the meal and I drank the broth up with a spoon as if it were a mussel soup. As an entree, I had the pan-fried snapper. Nothing particularly noteworthy but it tasted great, the skin was crispy and the inside was cooked just right. I had a chocolate bourbon tart for dessert that was ridiculous. It wasn't so much that the tart itself was so fantastic, but that the combination of the tart with the whipped cream, chocolate sauce (?) and peanut butter ice cream was out of control. We'd also had the roasted pumpkin and hominy (w/ lime and chili), which were both great snacks. I tried two of their cocktails. The oaxacan, which had gin, mescal (sp?), pineapple and jalapeño was too good. I didn't order a second because I drank it too fast and couldn't afford to drink another one so quickly. I also tried the mint Julip which was a little too strong. I'm all for strong drinks, and, in fact, ordered a scotch neat as well, but the mint Julip should be a little more refreshing. Finally, I had a homemade pineapple and basil soda which was interesting in a good way and worth the 6 bucks. The service was great. My glass was never empty, the food arrived when it should, and I never felt like the waiter was gone too long or around too often. Our waiter's name was Ryan, and he deserves a raise or other bonus. The people seemed like mostly locals, despite the hotel location. Two girls at the table next to us had this exchange, which kind of made my night. "You know Jeb?" "Jeb from Duck Dynasty?" "No. Jeb, like Jeb Bush." So yea, come for the food, drinks and service; stay for the ridiculous conversations. I'll definitely be going back.
(5)Jim M.
Food and service was second to none. Have fine dined in many restaurants in Miami. Grouper and Skirt Steak were prepared to perfection.
(5)Nicole F.
Went here for my 40th birthday dinner. We started at the bar, i asked the bartender for a glass of champagne. I did not expect the glass of champagne to cost us $25, wish he would have served me something more reasonable. But, when we sat down to eat, the food was amazing. I had the pork loin, my husband had the fettucine, and we both were very pleased with our meals. This entire restaurant is outside, and we were there in January on a breezy night. Although they have heaters, be prepared for outdoor weather. We had great service and they even brought me a wonderful custard-like dessert on the house for my special day. Overall, we were very pleased with this restaurant!
(4)Kelly G.
Had dinner Saturday night and the setting is as always delightful and romantic. We reserved for a 9pm table for two and arrived a little early to have a drink at the bar. The service at the bar and mojitos were fantastic. I have dined several times at Mr. Schwartz restaurant in the Design District and can definitely say he has his work cut out for him at The Raleigh. The food we ordered was not horrible but at the same time it lacked the exceptional aspect that Michael's Genuine Food and Drink often has. Lets just say it was a little lackluster. Pricing: Fair for location. We ordered the following: Chips and fried onion dip which was ok. Raw oysters...Great! Crabcake...ok. The carrot/butter puree is good but seemed to have a disconnect to the crabcake. The crabcake is certainly full of jumbo lump as described on the menu. Also full of celery salt or celery seeds and salt. Its good for about two/three bites and then it is just...well...crab. Some might argue "that's the point" but I think in todays market we are all looking for layers of flavors and textures etc. Yellow Fin Tuna...Good. A sort of spin on a caprese salad with nice medallions of tuna perfectly cooked. Service- Very impersonal...Also be attentive to your check at the end. We were charged 20 dollars more than the menu price on a bottle of wine. The server claimed it had not been changed in the book (by the way we never saw "the book") and so ordered from the list on the back of the menu. MMM... When we asked for the menu after seeing the mistake the server came back and said she knew why we wanted to review the menu...very strange. She then explained "the book" theory and said she would have to get a manager over to look into this. Did she really think we were going to pay the difference when we never even saw the book price, only the menu price? So the bill was corrected and we paid and went on our merry way...we never saw the server again. Final: Mediocre food with subpar service and personal address.
(2)Steph D.
Wow! I have always been a fan of Micheal's Genuine in Design District, but Restaurant Micheal Schwartz surpassed my expectations! Unlike, his Design District location, which can be cramped with loads of tables squeezed into the small courtyard, this new place is so spacious. I loved the jazz music being played poolside at the classy Art Deco Raleigh Hotel; it truly felt that you were transported in time to a simpler era. The tables were nicely spaced, so you couldn't overhear your neighbors too much. It's just a trendy as Michael's Genuine, but it's a little classier. Essentially, it is perfect for out of town foodie friends that still want the "Miami" experience of the Beach. I felt that the cocktail list was limited...there were 6 mixed drinks available. Come on! We are on South Beach- I need a least two options per booze. My husband had the Sassafras Manhattan, which he loved. I had the Gin drink...it was okay. The wines by the glass were all around $15. Food: Shrimp Toast: Divine. Two pieces of bread covered in a some-what spicy shrimp spread then cooked until brown and crispy. GET THIS!!! Maybe two or three orders if you are with a large group. Peach Salad: I am not a huge fan of peaches, but this was awesome. Ripe peaches, crumbly cheese, Thai basil and some vinaigrette. (Seasonal offering) Triggerfish Ceviche: Very generous portion. We enjoyed without the jalapeno, the dish was still very flavorful. As the waiter told us, triggerfish makes great ceviche because it is a muscular, lean fish, so the pieces stay firm. Octopus: The let down of the night. One octopus tentacle for $18. The dish was listed as "medium" but it was definitely a small plate. The price wasn't as much the issue as the listing as medium. The sauce the octopus was served was delicious, I was just expecting more. Pappardelle with Mushrooms: Yummy! Watch out, this dish is very, very rich with lots of butter, succulent mushrooms and homemade ricotta. We ended the night with this dish and left happy and full. Service: The staff worked really well together. The hostess would pour water as needed and bus boy stepped in with menu suggestions as asked. It was a nice to always been attended, without having to hunt down your waiter. 18% tip is included in the bill, but it was well earned and well highlighted on the bill. Several notes and tips: 1. Not as dressy as South Beach tends to be...lots of tourists in sneakers. 2. The majority of the seating is outside, so plan for the weather. 3. Make a reservation and ask for a table near the pool! 4. The menu changes daily.
(4)Mindy G.
Came here for brunch two weeks in a row! We have been waiting for Michael Schwartz to release his brunch menu. We love the chill ambiance, orchid lined foliage by the pool and outside decor. You should definitely try the grilled cheese, shishito peppers, and the breakfast burrito is also noteworthy.
(4)Javier S.
Decent but uninspiring food. The ambiance is great but not worth paying the premium for the food. Head to Michael's genuine instead.
(3)Blond B.
We stayed at this hotel four days and our company reserved the restaurant for breakfast as well as lunch everyday. The food was really good ... breakfast we would have fresh pastries, muffins, bagels and fresh fruit which was all very good and fresh every morning. Lunch varied, however couple things did stand out ... the Cuban sandwich on the baguette is delicious! Kale Cesar salad was amazing, thick cut potato chips and french fries are awesome ( I don't even like french friends and I enjoyed them!). The staff is very attentive and very friendly. The ambience of the place is so cool! If you sit outside poolside you have a great view of the pool but also there is these beautiful trees surrounding the restaurant.
(5)Bettyna J.
It's more than a 3 but less than a 4. I came here during miami spice. The portions were perfect, not to small not to big. The pork shoulder was ridiculously tender and very good. The calamari was good but not great. Drinks were good too. The ambiance is what makes this place. Dine during the evening and it's quite romantic. Service was great. Overall I had a very good experience here.
(3)Ken C.
The visual appeal of the restaurant was beautiful with outdoor lighting that lit up the trees above. Very romantic and perfect for dinner at dusk or later. Mixed reviews on the food and drinks. The drinks left a lot to be desired. They were bad. We had the thick chips and the chips were not fresh. They were cold and seemed as if the chips were pulled out of the fridge. Would like to see those cooked and served warm. The simple green salad was great!! My wife had the crab cake and called them average. Nothing special nothing great. I had the pan roasted chicken and eh, nothing special. The over $125 bill seemed excessive for what we got but ok. We are usually more interested in quality over price and didn't get that from our visit. Again, good not great. If you are looking for a romantic place to go, this is a good option.
(3)Intrepid S.
We came for lunch, pleasantly surprised they were participating in Miami Spice. We had a wonderful meal, and loved the cool breeze. A tropical oasis in the middle of south beach! Only complaint, our waiter was terrible, the hostess made up for the service, but he was terrible!
(4)Maggie R.
First of all, the vibe of this hotel is like no other hotel in Miami. The Raleigh has really managed to maintain its charm, while so many other S. Beach gems have failed. We were seated outside under a beautiful sea grape tree overlooking the iconic Raleigh pool. We had the pâté, the barrel fish and the hangar steak all of which was well portioned (even for my husband) and delicious. But wait, I must talk about dessert! The sticky toffee pudding was unreal. I have a bit of a sweets problem and, even though I was stuffed, I had to order. It's got toffee popcorn mounted on top with créme frîche ice cream. I'm obsessed. The service was exquisite, right from the beginning. The host, Wes, greeted us and joked around before taking us to our table (not common on the Beach). Our waiter was equally friendly, honest, and attentive. Really an overall wonderful experience.
(5)V P.
Pricey but great. Atmosphere is terrific, but better to go at dusk or after since the pool is a little too close. Very charming trees and the oldish music was relaxing. Completely outdoor seating so might not be great on too hot days. Drinks were a bit pricey at $14 each. Medium plates were a decent price. Every 1st and 3rd Thursdays they have a bonfire in the way back which is an really comfortable and nicely spread out lounging area. Also a great date spot with their own drinks, food, and smores (at a much better price than the restaurant). The music back there should be turned down in volume 10-20% but the acoustic style music was a refreshing break from the typical boring and blaring top 40s at most places. Great place for groups. The grouper ceviche which was a little small and heavy on the mango. Wouldn't get again but was decent. The grilled hearts of palm and tuna salad was excellent. Would get again. Lemon meringue dessert was okay but would not get again. Hibiscus soda wasn't good. Too bland.
(5)Mike B.
The skirt steak was delicious, the butter providing the difference between good and great. The candy bar with pickled cherries was impressive. The complex flavors of the latter were frankly amazing. The setting was very pleasant. The pool is subtly lit with blue light and tropical trees loom over the tables. The service was a bit indifferent. The restaurant is also loud, with the couples' tables crowded together and your fellow patron's conversations intruding on your own.
(4)Carlos R.
We were cordially greeted then offered bread and butter; someone sprinkled MEGA coarse salt on the butter and we couldn't dissolve it. The butter is too salty on the bread. We chose snapper tartar as appetizer; Mr. Schwartz snapper is pretty much insipid when raw and you missed the acidity element in your plate; totally bland. Absolutely no flavor, we tried sprinkling some salt but it's MEGA coarse and it can not be sprinkled. The entree its skirt steak; overcooked few strips of skirt steak over goodness of something; were never asked how did we wanted my meat cooked (was deeply intrigued by the MEGA coarse salt). Dessert was acceptable and common.
(2)A P.
Great pool patio ambience and food! Best stracciatella and shishito peppers in Miami! Tequilla Mockingbird is a killer as long as bar person doesn't skimp on the tequila!
(5)Gavin M.
Very nice breakfast by the pool. The eggs Benedict with salmon was delicious and the breads basket a little gluttonous. Kind of a rip off for coffee. They charge you by the cup despite having a carafe at the table. Coffee was good but not worth $12.
(4)Rocio P.
The place is very nice and romantic (we went for dinner). Except for the fact that their candlelight is not enough to see the menu in front of you, everything else screamed relaxed and romantic evening (outdoor sitting under the trees and by the waters of a tranquil pool). The service was great. We got seated right away and our server was beyond excellent. The food, however, did not deliver the same impact. The thick-cut fries were ok, crispy but too close to being burned. My mussels had a funny after taste so couldn't really eat them all (and they weren't many). At least the sauce that came with it was really good. I ate it with some bread, but it takes more than bread and sauce to win a girl's heart (unless you're at Zak the Baker's)...Either knowing this or probably out of plain compassion my boyfriend offered me his meal, and we ended up sharing his steak and brussel sprouts. The steak was alright, but definitely not great or even big enough to be worth $30. The sprouts were yummy, but I love brussel sprouts in all of its forms and presentations so in my case judging an overall dinner based on the sprouts alone wouldn't be fair. The cocktails sounded and looked better than they tasted, and definitely not impacting enough to prevent us from wanting a good ol' beer to get some true alcohol flowing...The desserts looked promising, but we were running late for our show and had to skip... I would have to go back again to make sure it wasn't just my curse-of-all-women monthly hormone imbalance talking that night, but definitely not in a hurry...
(3)AshleyMarie O.
Again, Michael Schwartz disappoints. I have to shout out to Johnny A. here because his review is showing up in the sidebar and I just want to reiterate his entire first 2 paragraphs of his review. I was beyond excited to go and try the joint out, me and my group of 4 left disappointed at best. The service was great but the food was a miss. We decided to go tapas style so we could all try everything and nothing stood out. Nothing was even memorable or "delicious". I would be tempted to say it was bad.... but I wouldn't do that... Trying to get a reservation a week in advance and they claimed they were "fully booked". So I inquired whether they thought I might get a table if I came in early around 6:00 PM. The hostess gave a hesitant yes and I said that I would be more than happy to sit at the bar if need be and she sounded more secure with that. Upon arrival the joint was empty.. what? OK OK its early that's why. I was there from a little after 6:00 PM till after 9:30 PM and nada. There was maybe 2 tables outside and 1 other table inside... ummm.... that was a lot of cancellations I guess. I understand wanting to keep the hype up here in Miami but I was not going to even go in since I was almost sure I wouldn't get a table. That's quite a hefty check to take from your staffs hands to upkeep your image. Who knows what happened there, you have to trust the 2 stars has very little to do with that and is mostly a reflection of the food alone. I wish I could say otherwise.
(2)Johnny A.
Ever looked forward to going to a restaurant and were so disappointed right off the bat that the entire evening was ruined? I am a Michael Schwartz fan. I have been to every restaurant he owns in Miami, more than once. I have been to and like Restaurant Michael Schwartz. I was excited when we made reservations for Jazz night last thursday. When i arrived, the musicians set up inside and they sat me outside as far as possible from the music. I went back to the hostess, told her we made reservations for jazz night specifically, and whether we should be seated inside. She just told me that the music would be piped outside and i could listen to it. Definitely not the sort of service i expected. Frankly, if i just wanted to listen to music i could have played the radio. I came to see the band and have a nice dinner. I could not find anyone else to discuss this with. No one came to check on us. SO i got there excited, quickly was disappointed, and left dissatisfied. So, although we made reservations well in advance, and paid the same as everyone else, and were early for our reservation --- we got stuck in a corner, off in exile. I was so upset, I cannot even comment on the food. But, I do know that I wasted the $225 it cost for the two of us. This should have been taken care of when the reservation was made. Just let me know that Jazz night does not mean i can actually see any part of the jazz band -- not even a microphone or a cable. I feel like what i got was a bait and switch. I have had good experiences before, but this was the last experience. i hope it does not signal a decline in standards.
(2)Cessie C.
Headed out for a girls night dinner to MS this past Friday to check out their Miami Spice menu. We were seated right away, even though we were a little late for our reservation. The food was good, but not phenomenal- and they tax on automatic 18% gratuity, despite the fact that the service was just OK. Here's what I ordered: Appetizer: MARINATED SUMMER SQUASH SALAD house-made ricotta, pickled sweet peppers, curry vinaigrette- This was surprisingly good & refreshing. Main Course: GRILLED SKIRT STEAK local long bean salad, cucumber, tomato, pickled fresnos, ginger-tahini vinaigrette- This had to be the most disappointing. I've had better skirt steak at any Cuban restaurant on 8th street. It was JUST OK (and pretty small). My friends ordered the PAN-ROASTED HALF CHICKEN smoked calabaza, farro risotto, kale, spiced pumpkin seeds- which was SO much better, I wish I had ordered that instead. For dessert: MANGO UPSIDE DOWN CAKE sweet basil ice cream, tart cherry sauce, crème fraiche- this as awful. The sponge cake was super dry, and not moist at all. It was pretty tasteless, so we swapped it out for the MILK CHOCOLATE CREMEAUX tangerine parfait, toasted sourdough crisp. The cocktails were really good though. NOT par of the Miami Spice menu, and quite pricy (typical for the beach)- I ordered the TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD for $14 bucks. It was Corzo Blanco, red bell pepper, serrano, cucumber. This was a great cocktail. The seating outside by the pool is really pretty, the service was OK, the food was just OK. Not sure that I'd o back.
(2)Alain B.
This was possibly the worst service I've ever received at a restaurant. I was quite surprised to find that Michael Schwartz would give his name to a place that is so poorly run. The food was mediocre and the portion sizes were outrageously small. The whole restaurant was pandemonium when I want. I saw arguments break out between 4 different parties who were just as unhappy about their experience. Our server approached us no less than 5 times to ask us what we had ordered because he would continuously forgot. At one point, my partner and I stood up to go to the restroom between the appetizer and entrée, and in no less than 2 minutes the busboy cleared off our table and the hostess was already prepping it for another party. We couldn't help but laugh! We have no plans to return. It's in no way close to Michael's Genuine.
(1)Mia K.
We came here for dinner with some girlfriends on a recommendation from our concierge. It's a very romantic atmosphere, the decor is quite lovely at night with all the lights hanging from the trees. We shared a pizza which had a very interesting taste as it had potatoes as one of the toppings, not sure if I would recommend it. For main course I had the red snapper and it was delicious, very fresh and almost melted in my mouth. My favorite part about this restaurant was the service! Our server Taras was very attentive and made great recommendations, definitely a five star service!
(4)Dave G.
Michael Schwartz is one of Miami's most well known chefs, however I'm not that familiar with his style. Perhaps it was just the items that we ordered, but what made it unique to me is he isn't afraid to present bold flavors. Some downright punched me in the face and made quite a statement. Restaurant Michael Schwartz is located poolside at the trendy Art Deco Hotel - The Raleigh. Since it's the hotel's only restaurant, it seems the menu doesn't push the boundaries too far. The focus is on local fresh ingredients that most guests and diners will be familiar with, however they are put together very thoughtfully to get the most flavor out of each dish. The dinner menu changes nightly and is designed to be shared plates of various sizes listed as small, medium, large, and extra-large. We started off with Thick Cut Potato Chips with Pan-Fried Onion Dip. This was comfort food at it's finest, your standard chips and dip, but 100 times richer. The onions were nicely caramelized and the dip was on the sweet side. The fresh made potato chips were still hot and perfectly cooked to just the right doneness. 5 Stars. yelp.com/biz_photos/rest… Next up was a Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Carrot Butter Sauce. I thought this should have been a little larger for it to be considered Jumbo. While not very wide, the crab cake is about 2 and half inches thick. It is mostly crab with little filler, but it is coated on the outside and deep fried rather than pan seared. The problem with deep frying something so thick it is that the center wasn't heated up and actually cold. Although I did enjoy it with the carrot butter sauce, the cold center was a failure and it was a little on the dry side. 3 stars. yelp.com/biz_photos/rest… For the main dish we had the Pan Seared Grouper, which was presented with mini heirloom tomatoes, chorizo, gigante beans, swiss chard, and cilantro. This was a nice piece of fish and cooked perfectly. There's some strong savory flavors in this dish with the chorizo and cilantro, but it didn't overpower the grouper. This dish was a winner. 4.5 stars yelp.com/biz_photos/rest… I noticed Potatoes Waxman listed as a side order and thought, hmm are those named for Chef Jonathan Waxman? After a little googling at the table, it turns out that Michael Schwartz did "borrow" the recipe from him and these things are awesome. The roasted potatoes covered in pecorino and rosemary will punch you in the face. Don't leave here without ordering a side of these. 5 stars. yelp.com/biz_photos/rest… Also I'm not sure if the Martini Bar at the Raleigh Hotel is officially part of the restaurant or not, but we had a very nice mixologist really come up with a few wild creations. I loved the Cucumber Ginger Gin Martini he made me, all freshly muddled on the spot. It was his own creation and not on the menu. It's worth a stop in for sure either before or after dinner. Now while I don't mind spending $12-$14 on a martini that takes so much time and thought to make, I do mind spending $5 on an 8oz mini bottle of coke with dinner. It's just a little thing, but it's flat out price gouging and not cool.
(4)Elizabeth R.
BUTTERED POPCORN GELATO BROWNIE SUNDAE salted caramel cracker jack. Maybe I should stop the review right here. I don't know about you, but I would swim across Biscayne Bay, wrestle an alligator in the Everglades, and lick the pole at Cheetah Club just to get one of those Sundaes. Fortunately, none of these feats of derring-do is necessary; you can get this masterpiece designed by Hedy Goldberg at Restaurant Michael Schwartz as part of the Miami Spice menu right now. Your buttered popcorn gelato brownie sundae is available to you in the restaurant at the Raleigh. As. We. Speak. And yes, it is as delicious as it sounds, and yes, it is a fitting capstone to a meal that will make you love our bio-region, our city, and life in general just a little bit more than you already do. Why? Here's just a few reasons-- THE ATMOSPHERE--The Raleigh is a lovingly restored, not rebuilt, Art Deco gem. They did not gut the interior, they restored it, so as you walk in, look to the right, and you will see what looks like an old-fashioned ice cream counter, now used as a coffee bar. To the left is the front desk, and straight ahead is the door to the restaurant. Outside, you have a view of the famous Raleigh pool. I cannot guarantee that this will be your experience, but when I was there for lunch, 2 of the 4 tables on the patio were occupied by groups of models. Leggy, doe-eyed, shiny-haired models--not that that's what I'm into, but it certainly makes you feel a little glam to be in their airspace. THE FOOD--Michael Schwartz is an ICON. If you don't know why, please Google "locally sourced restaurants Miami." How does this translate on the menu and more importantly, on the plate? You can blindfold yourself and throw a toothpick at the menu, and whatever you hit will be creative, delicious, and unbelievably fresh. Dishes are made with love in them--love for our local farms, love for his customers, and love for our Mama, The EARTH. I had a peach salad and a plump, moist veggie burger that tasted like morning sunshine and afternoon rainbows! THE SERVICE--I am not a celebrity, but I was treated like one. The hostess was patient in letting us pick our table and our dashing young waiter made sure our every wish was fulfilled. If you would like the very best cuisine of today in a space that evokes the glamour of a previous era, please visit Restaurant Michael Schwartz.
(5)Matthew G.
A truly beautiful location. Very decent food. But NOT comparable food-wise to the real Michael's Genuine in the Design District. So wonderful for taking family and friends visiting Miami or a romantic date but only if they are not super-foodies.
(3)Joseph S.
Ate at Prime One Twelve 2 nights ago, Nobu last night and this joint tonight. This place put the other two to shame. Service: best (Libardo was a champ) Food: freshest and best prepped in SoBe Decor: unreal oasis Price: correct Eat here before any other 5 star in Miami.
(5)Brenda P.
An amazing culinary night! Arrived and sat immediately. ($15 valet parking with validation). Our table was outside close to the pool area under a lush tree lined with lights. It was not quite dark yet but the darker it got, the more alive the place looked. They have created a gorgeous outdoor oasis. It's a gutsy move given the amount of rainy nights we get down here. The inside area is quite desolated and does not seem to sit many. The ONLY downside to the entire night was the party of 4 next to us were ALL smoking. It might be a good idea to designate a "smoking" section so that diners like me can enjoy the experience without being forced to inhale the second hand smoke of those who are happy to willingly kill themselves....but I digress. Our waiter was Pedro and we LOVED him. He was on top of everything, was knowledgeable and just made the experience that much better. We all know how rare good service is in South Florida so that makes him even more special. This was our journey: - LOCAL WRECKFICH CEVICHE- A little spicy, a lot of good! - STEAK TARTATE- my least favorite but everyone else seemed to love it - DRUNKEN GOAT CHEESE- this was wonderful and was served with walnuts, a raisin-walnut toast and an amazing fig jam. - GRILLED OCTOPUS- delicious - DEVILED EGGS- I had to add to salt to them and then they were perfect. JUMBO LUMP CRABCAKE- I thought portion was way too small (just one?)but it was pretty good. - HOUSEMADE GNUDI- my absolute favorite of the night. Just incredible! - POTATOES WAXMAN- obnoxiously good. - POTATO CHIPS WITH PAN-FRIED ONION DIP- Just like at sister restaurant Michael's Genuine, it is served with "not enough chips" but they were happy to keep bringing out batches for us without us even asking until we finished the dip. - GRILLED RIB-EYE CAP STEAK- this was great and I hated sharing. The next day I decided to go back to living a vegetarian lifestyle so I am happy this was my last piece of steak. - CUBAN COFFEE POTS DE CREME- VERY good. They succeeded where Bazaar failed: a play on ingredients to play homage to a South Florida staple...Cuban Coffee. Bazaar used foie gras and that did not work. RMS did it perfectly with their pots de creme. - LEMON MERINGUE BREAD PUDDING- good - CRUNCHY MILK CHOCOLATE GOOEY SALTED CARAMEL BAR- so good that we ordered a second! You know, since we had not eaten enough. - CHUNKY MONKEY ICE CREAM- This was my favorite. We also requested a second order of this one. We ate a lot. It was just four of us. No wonder I have to work out so much! We brought our own wine and their corkage fee is $ 35.00. It was a wonderful night (especially after the smokers left). I will probably not return until the fall (when the weather cools off a bit) but I WILL BE BACK!
(4)Alex A.
Went for brunch with my girlfriend. We shared the lemon ricotta pancakes and the prime rib sandwich. The sandwich was meh but the pancakes were INCREDIBLE. Loved the atmosphere, felt secluded even if you are right in the thick of sobe.
(4)Eve C.
The Raleigh is my favorite South Beach hotel, and Michael's Genuine is one of my favorites restaurants, so when Restaurant Michael Schwartz opened its doors recently in the lobby and outdoor terrace area of the famed hotel, I couldn't wait to check it out. We arrived a little late for our 9:00 p.m. dinner reservation on a rainy Saturday night, and in typical Miami fashion, we ushered over to the bar to enjoy a cocktail (or 2) while our table was made ready. The rain had made a few of the outdoor tables no-go's that evening, but the staff seemed to be prepared for the hit-and-miss rainstorms that epitomize summer in South Florida. Once comfortably seated in a corner banquette in the lobby, we were eager to check out RMS's offerings, some of which we recognized from Michael's Genuine. We started with the shrimp toast, the pan-fried onion dip and chips, and the smoked fish dip. All were quite yummy, but the shrimp toast was my favorite of the 3 - toast covered in a thin layer of a shrimp puree, topped with sesame seeds - I probably could've eaten several orders of this by myself! For our "main" courses, we shared classic steak tartare, topped with a quail egg, the heirloom tomato bread soup, the pan-roasted swordfish with red lentil tabbouleh, the pappardelle with peas, fava beans and pecorino, and a side of the grilled zucchini with anchovy butter. Everything was beyond amazing. The steak tartare was probably the best I've ever had. The pappardelle was creamy yet light, and the English peas and fava beans provided the perfect "spring is here" effect on the dish. While we were too full to sample dessert this go-round, we did indulge in a couple of rounds of cocktails made with care by the awesome bar staff at The Raleigh's Martini Bar, located just outside the hotel's back patio. I started with a mint julep, their "featured cocktail," and followed it up with a Belle Meade, a delicious concoction made with Belvedere vodka, blackberries, and basil. Overall Restaurant Michael Schwartz is a winner! Delicious food, awesome cocktails, a pleasant staff, and reasonable prices ($70-80/person with drinks), all set within the gorgeous Raleigh Hotel. What's not to love?
(4)Wes M.
This place is amazing! The deviled eggs were perfect, the scallops and crab cake were absolutely perfect. Our server was knowledgeable and management was very kind to come speak with us. Everyone should try this place out. I wish they had one in Atlanta.
(5)Lana N.
Fully expected the same level of food and service to be found at Michael's Genuine, but this was extremely disappointing. From start to finish, it was a poor experience. The first table we were offered was practically in the pool. The minute we sat down at the second table, we were attacked by mosquitos and had to ask for bug spray. One of the chairs was so off kilter that we were scared to sit it in and had to change it out. While the deviled eggs tasted like they do at Michael's, that's where the similarities ended. The thick cut potato chips were just ok. The grilled octopus was too salty to eat and tasted fishy. The butter was so salty that we were crunching on granules. The flatbread was too salty to eat. With the physical discomfort, the lack of service, and the quality of the food combined, we could't wait to leave. It is clear that there's very little oversight of this restaurant.
(2)Lawrence P.
So, when I heard Chef Michael Schwartz opened a third restaurant (Michael Genuine's and Cypress Room the other two) we ran to try it. We were a party of 4 and they sat us right away. I am not sure if there is indoor seating. We saw a small area of tables by the entrance but they were all empty, they didn't ask if we wanted to sit there, and I am not not sure if that's for the hotel or for the restaurant. The restaurant is basically poolside at the The Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach. It was a nice night and we sat in a little table for 4 under a well lit tree next to the pool. The wifey liked the ambiance a lot more than I did. There was a kid playing with the water by the pool next to us and a party of 4 smoking cigarettes all night long. I didn't love it although it is a nice outdoor space. Our waiter was awesome. Personable an attentive all night long! We had the Ceviche which was spicy and good, the Steak Tartare which was perfect, the Goat Cheese with walnuts and raisins, the perfectly cooked Grilled Octopus and the Deviled Eggs which I didn't taste since I am not a fan. That was just to start!!!!!! We followed all of that with the Crab Cakes which was solid but a small serving, the Potatoes which were great, the Pan Fried Onion Dip which was solid, the Ribeye Steak which was perfectly cooked and very flavorful. Finally, the best in show we all agreed was the Housemade Gnudi. For dessert... yes after all that, we still had dessert... was the Coffee Pots de Crème and Salted Caramel Bar. Both great! We ordered a second bar because... why not!!! We also ordered the Meringue but I did not have any because I do not like meringue. As for wine, we brought a couple of bottles for a $35 corkage fee per. Admittedly, because of the setting, this one is my least favorite of the three Michael Schwartz restaurants. Still, will likely repeat for sure.
(4)Johnny T.
4.5 If you've spent any amount of time in Miami, you know that Chef Michael Schwartz is the real deal Holyfield (now you... mhm, you know the rest). Whether it's brunch, pizza or anything in between, he's got your taste buds covered in goodness. His concept at The Raleigh is no departure from that. I've eaten at Martini Culture, Restaurant and by the pool. No matter where you go, on property, to enjoy his food, you are certain to enjoy it. At the MC, you're there to nosh, catch up on gossip or maybe talk business. Keep it small and light with the potato chips and onion dip (fresh-made and as good as on Superbowl Sunday), deviled eggs, fish dip (I have a thing for dip; this is salty, creamy and wonderfully thick), shrimp toast, and pulled pork slider (the pickled onions and parsley sauce made the dish). Dinner mandates food suitable for a table and people watching. Start off with the always-appropriate-for-Miami jumbo lump crab salad (jumbo lump crab, grapefruit, pink peppercorn dressing... do you need to know any more?), leg of lamb and Belle Meade cocktail (vodka, blackberry, basil). If you're at the pool, you're there to lounge like Donatella, yell at pool boys and harass hotel patrons. This calls for a lobster roll on Texas Toast with fries and plenty of Oaxacans (gin, mezcal, agave, jalapeno, and pineapple... 86 the salt). There's a reason why Michael Schwartz runs things on boss level in Miami. He knows how to please foodies, the masses and everyone else. There's also a good chance you might even see him in action while you're at RMS. If so, enjoy the opportunity. You're eating food that you won't soon forget.
(4)Jo W.
If you are looking for the complete Miami Beach dining experience, Restaurant Michael Schwartz is definitely worth checking out. Dining pool side at the Raleigh Hotel while eating locally inspired dishes is what it is all about. No pool side meal is right without first getting your lips on the straw of a cocktail. I opted for a Belle Meade (Belvedere Vodka, blackberry, basil), but it left my tongue confused. Was there any alcohol in this? Obviously it did, but it was a weak drink and not worth the high price tag they attached it. The guy who know nothing besides how to order a burger, ordered the Hamburger with cheddar. It was a tasty burger with delicious fries and a good size. It was an A burger. I don't typical do steak but the Steak Frites was calling my name. It was a fabulous choice. A great cut of meat, fresh made chimichurri, again delicious fries and yummy salad. It was an amazing meal, I could eat again and again. The atmosphere is chill, the food overall is delish and though the service need some improvement, it was pleasant. There are only a few places on South Beach that are worth it (though it has been improving) and I will most definitely add Restaurant Michael Schwartz to that list.
(4)Kimi B.
I went here with a group of 4 to celebrate my birthday. We were seated quickly (we made a reservation) but quickly moved because the table was quite small. However, our next table was perfect and they were happy to accommodate us. The kale Caesar salad was unique and the portion was large. The grilled pizza was delicious. The chocolate bar dessert was delightful and the basil rocky road ice cream was delicious! Our waiter also put a candle in my icecream and sang happy birthday. Only 4 stars because the service was very slow - 3 hours for dinner. I had to wave to the waiter 3 or 4 times to refill water or bring bread. Overall, the food is delicious but don't come in a hurry.
(4)Amanda A.
I had the Miami Spice lunch-the shrimp po'boy, beef salad and bread pudding. All were good. The salad was amazing-better than I imagined when I ordered. Our table had the grilled cheese, potato chips n dip, Cuban, and grilled cheese sandwich. All was yummy but the chips were the hit of the day. The ambiance is very relaxing overlooking pool area. I would highly recommend.
(4)Alina T.
Two words! Hidden Gem! Romantic setting under a beautiful tree with market lights and candles! Food was just the right size and of course delicious. Staff was very polity and friendly. There is also a photographer walking around taking photos and printing one on the spot if you wanted.
(4)Melissa N.
Great fish tacos, the chips with onion dip are cool and yummy too. Had as well the Kale Caesar salad with chicken and have to say that it was way too spicy, probably the mix between the sauce and the grilled chicken was too much, will try to add shrimp next time. Great service and nice terrace by the hotels pool.
(4)Benji P.
I am a local Miamian and I have eaten at Michael Schwartz's Restaurant before, and I am also a big fan of Michael's Genuine. Tonight I had one of the worst restaurant experiences of my whole life at Michael Schwartz's restaurant, during their much advertised jazz night, dining with the Guilt package. The service was abysmal. Our food arrived about two hours late, with many of the plates arriving out of order, and many arriving cold. I voiced my concern with a respectful complaint and nothing was done or offered to us as a sign of apology or to remedy the situation. We even struggled to figure out who the manager was. Once we figured out who the manager was, we realized why we struggled to figure out who he was, as he was just as lost and un-organized as the horrible waiter that served us. My wife and I are foodies, and our main draw to Michael Schwartz's restaurants is the uniquely awesome food that is served. We ate at MS once before, and the good was very good. Tonight, we could tell the good food cooking was still there, but nothing came out fresh, on-time, warm or with the proper plates or utensils so we weren't able to enjoy it. A management catastrophe clearly happened tonight. All around us, every almost every single table experienced the same thing. Our whole ordeal cost us $110, not cheap. And the suffering lasted from our 8:30 seating to our 11 pm check closing. It was sad. We can forgive, but we will never forget.
(2)Yanessa E.
Sat outside by the pool. Started with the belle meade cocktail which was amazing, it's belvedere vodka, blackberry and basil. Then we chose the calamari as an appetizer. It was so fresh! Breading was just right. Perfect appetizer for lunch with a nice beach breeze. I chose the hamburger with cheddar cheese and bacon. It was very good, although I asked for the meat to be cooked medium well and they over cooked it, burger was still juicy so I let it slide, and I am a bacon lover so the fact that it had a lot of bacon made me happy. My husband ordered the chicken blt and he enjoyed it with a nice beer. The service was outstanding, from the hostess to our waiter. I will definitely come back here again to try dinner as I can only imagine it's even better than lunch. Valet is discounted to $15 when you dine at the restaurant and it has no time limit so you get to enjoy the beach or whatever else you please after enjoying yummy eats.
(5)Juan S.
Not really impressed here. I was hoping to have a Michael's Genuine experience here but was not the case. The food was just OK. The Raleigh salad which was highly recommended was rather blah and boring...filled with iceberg lettuce too...not a fan at all of that. Burger was OK but nothing special. Nice atmosphere overlooking the pool at the Raleigh hotel. Service was good too, but the food was the dealbreaker. Probably wouldn't be back.
(2)Matt L.
Went here on my birthday, July 16, for dinner, and again, on Saturday July 18 for lunch. Had an amazing, memorable experience both times. The Raleigh is a gem on South Beach, with a beautiful indoor/outdoor space. Service was 5-star, from the hostesses to the waiter, servers, manager, and chefs that cooked Michael S.'s brilliant food. My friends and I had the chicken wings, octopus, mussels and rock shrimp, crab cakes, ricotta crostini, and Michael's famous pan-fried onion dip and homemade chips. All the food was 5/5 though I would suggest that Chef Schwartz makes sure the food and prep here is maintained as it is not as popular as his other restaurants and quality may start to slip. For lunch on Saturday, the prime rib sandwich was perfection, as were the Deviled Eggs, Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, and the Cuban Sandwich, as well as the desserts for both meals. They were kind enough to offer the breakfast and lunch menu (breakfast is now served until 1pm on Saturdays) so it was a very tough choice from items on both menus. Overall, a 5/5, 5-star intimate dining experience to enjoy classic Michael's Genuine Hospitality food, in a pristine Art-Deco SoBe environment. My compliments to the chef!!!
(5)Hira S.
Adorable, boutique venue. Good service. Overrated food. I had higher expectations since I love Michael's Genuine and Harry's Pizzeria. But dessert was fire! Maybe it's Hedy Goldsmith that I love and not Michael Schwartz. I hear she does half the brunch menu, that I love, at Michael's Genuine.
(3)Rags M.
Michael always gets it right. This, of course, is primarily an outdoor dining site and one has to allow for that when dining in mid-summer, mid-rainy season, mid-nature. Moreover, it is a beach hotel restaurant, meaning he serves three meals a day, plus all of the party-hearty wherewithal of its poolside setting. We enjoyed a late September Saturday night dinner on the covered veranda and were well protected when a short rain squall passed through, while some others ran for cover. In season, when the weather is predictably better, no one might have been uncomfortable. As for our food, Michael always takes Americana up a notch. Our meal was not inexpensive, but rest assured it was predictably as wonderful as at MGFD. Service was fun and friendly. We'd enjoy returning, mindful of the weather.
(4)RJ W.
Great vibe, great service and very good food. Beautiful setting (maybe add a couple of fans though to move the air around a bit on humid nights?) But great time, would go back!
(5)Paul S.
Thoroughly good seafood and excited to go back! The Art-Deco at Raleigh Hotel is minimal and tasteful. We stopped there to inquire about a city bus tour, and you can imagine the surprise when we hung for a couple hours to look upon their pool and enjoy a brunch. We ordered three Crab hashes, their most popular item, and one came back too salty. It offered generous amounts of crab-chunks, fried potatoes (diced) and various sautéed veggies (onion, pepper, etc).
(5)Lee H.
Three of us arrived at 8:00 for dinner reservations. There wasn't much of a crowd at this time. It was the perfect weather, a cool comfortable night sitting under a fig tree on a half round outdoor banquette. It was a while until we were acknowledged until a inexperienced young male waiter without a personality asked us if we would like a drink. Seeing that all three of us already had our cocktails in hand previously at the bar we ordered plain water for the table and some bread. Shortly after another server brought three glasses of hardly cold water without ice lemons or a straw. Where is the bread? We sat for some time until i had to ask another waiter to bring us bread. A not so enthused young female waitress plopped down on the edge of the table a small flat wood cutting board of four slices of cold bread and butter. It was the first impression of what was to follow. Unfortunately our waiter didn't engage in suggesting or embellishing some items that may have been a good choice. We gandered at the menu and decided to order a pizza, stuffed calamari and the kale ceasar salad. How could we go wrong for a small bite before ordering dinner. The flat bread style pizza arrived cold and not very enticing. After one attempt at the calamari I immediately withdrew the piece from mouth back onto my plate. It was like chewing an oversized rubber band. It wasn't stuffed it was a mush of ingredients presented on a small dish. Out of all three the kale salad was decent tasting except for the oversized hard croutons. What were they thinking. We called the waiter over and told him to take back the two dishes. Following the hostess arrived at our table to apologize and see if there was something else we would like. We were so disappointed with the service and quality of the food that we asked for the check. She actually came back with a check for one drink and the kale salad. When she came to pick it up my friend told her that she obviously has no restaurant experience and why would they charge us for the balance considering we were all disappointed. I still paid for the bill and decided to head back to North Miami to have a decent dinner at a local restaurant that was always consistently good. Too bad we couldn't experience a "Michael Schwartz" dining extravaganza, but the outdoor dining atmosphere and comfy bench was the only positive that i could rate it. What a let down in such a wonderful place like South Beach. I hope that Michael visits his restaurant as a patron and experiences all of the issues that need improvement otherwise this too shall be another venture in the past.
(2)David D.
Great atmosphere around a quiet, garden with the nearby pool. Both food and service were excellent. Humboldt Fog goat cheese was excellent. Ceviche and octopus very good. Even our teenagers were happy. Reasonably priced for the level of atmosphere, service and food quality.
(5)Chris M.
Definitely one of my favorite places on the beach. Great food, clean, super friendly staff and breathtaking view! Winner!
(5)Aime O.
Loooove the ambiance! We went for the Miami Spice Menu and were expecting getting small portions, but the opposite was true. So delish! The chicken with risotto was huge, got the full thigh... The risotto... Man!! Good!! The fish was not that big but it was definitely good. The services was great. Really nice people helped is. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Kelly D.
Offensively pricey food that you could easily recreate in a toaster oven. Meh. I know Mr. Schwartz is celebrated as a top chef in Miami, but $20 for a 4" thin-crust pizza that might feed one person is simply outrageous. Part of my issue is that we came here as a group of 10 - this place is bad for group dining. Everything is priced at about 4 times its actual value, so when a $20 salad has about 5 leaves of lettuce, you have to assume people will want a second entree. Well played, Mr. Schwartz, well played.
(2)Anita G.
For me everything was perfect. Food, price, service Ambiance a perfect 10 in south beach! The apple and celery root soup I had and the bread and butter and the bread pudding...yummy!
(5)Bryan T.
The ambiance of this restaurant is breathtaking, but the menu is what makes it even more special. The Raleigh is known for being an iconic hotel in South Beach, and Restaurant Michael Schwartz is the cherry on top. Definitely sit outside so you can overlook the pool. the menu changes nightly and Chef carefully crafts each dish with the freshest ingredients. We went during Art Basel, and even on one of the busiest nights, the service was incredible. Cant wait to return.
(5)Ming P.
For all the hype, the food need some improvement, especially if it's over price. Setting : 4 stars service: 3 ... Drinks: 4 stars Food: merely 2.5 Desert: 4
(3)Lara d.
My husband did some research and brought me here for our anniversary dinner. It seemed like a natural choice as we had never tried any of the Michael Schwartz locations before. The atmosphere deserves 5 stars, especially now that the weather is cool at night, the outdoor seating, under dim lights, the orchids blooming in the trees, it really feels like an oasis away from the hustle of Miami. Food wise it was not up to the expectations I would of had for a chef of his caliber. We spent exactly the same amount as we did at Michy's previously and my husband and I both agreed that Michy's was much better. We found that there wasn't a lot of balance in the dishes, the majority of them were highly acidic and by the time we left my tongue felt a bit raw. The best two things we tried were the clams casino - the sweet smokey flavor were a great compliment to the clams - however the clams were still attached to the shell which was a pain and we almost lost one as we struggled to separate it and it came close to becoming airborne. The lemon meringue bread pudding was divine! Which is ironic since after such an acidic meal, the lemon meringue bread budding was light and the citrus notes were smooth and I am inspired to try and recreate this dish as home. The shrimp toast is tasty, but missing something, we both though a drizzle of a cilantro cream sauce or miso glaze would of allowed the dish to pop, it was a bit one note for us. The crispy hominy with chili lime was ok, not something I would order again. My husband tried the buffalo rabbit, which he said was tender but the meat had an almost boiled meat flavor which was not desirable. The vegetable panzanella was tasty but the acid level was so high it killed my taste buds. We finished off with the whole chicken which is served with grilled peaches and onion. The chicken was tasty, super crispy skin that quickly turned soggy so you had to grab it fast. I don't understand why the peaches or onion which were listed on the menu were on the dish. The peaches despite showing grill marks were rock hard and when eaten with a bite of the chicken did nothing for the dish. The onions were straight up raw so I don't know what their role were for the dish. The food was edible, but just not inspired, we have eaten a lot of places that have piqued our taste buds, made us wish the dish was bigger to allow us to savor the flavors longer, but nothing that we had at RMS did that and so I found that disappointing after waiting so long to finally try his food. I do want to give one prop - for offering fresh local food where possible.
(3)Cat P.
Totally blown away here by the food, drinks, pool area, and service. Friends of ours had their rehearsal dinner here with dishes served family-style. Anyone who has dietary restrictions knows that this is a nightmare for someone with food allergies. Fear not, though! I approached a waitress who took my issues seriously and she grabbed the chef. He went over the ingredients with me in each dish and said he would tailor some of the recipes so that they were safe to eat. The table was given a beautiful looking caprese salad with yellow tomatoes, so he gave me one with golden beets, green beans, and no mozzarella. Heaven! The balsamic with it was fantastic. Next up was a spatchcock chicken for the table with a size of lentil tabouleh, which was perfect for me. They also hooked me up with some killer sea bass. I could not partake in dessert, but I was happily full anyway. And I was too busy knocking back their delicious "Belle Mead" vodka drink to miss dessert anyway. Cheers!
(5)Anthony C.
I honestly don't even know where to begin about this place. A little bold but this is quite possibly the best restaurant I have ever been to in Miami Beach. It was a bit later in the evening and my guy and I were debating as to whether to go to Katsuya or RMS. I pretty much threw a fit about how Katsuya would probably be really crowded and loud and that's not what we really need after having such a long relaxing day. Thank god I talked some sense into him. We walked towards the entrance of the restaurant and he looked at me like "Oh wow YOU WERE RIGHT." The atmosphere is the epitome of casual luxury. From the lighting, the music, beautiful lush foliage and palm trees everywhere, an amazing view of the iconic pool, fabulous decor, I knew I was in for something special. Great ambiance. So romantic! Just so happened to be Miami Spice the night we went so that's where made our selections for food. I started off with the Beet Salad and he got the same as well. I have never been too keen on beets but was very surprised at how tasty the dish turned out to be. Delish. For the second course, we chose the Pan Seared Chicken and Pan Seared Fish. Ooooh my god the chicken was amazing! Absolute. Perfection. But what really knocked my socks off was the Bittersweet Chocolate with Homemade Oreos for dessert. I am so melodramatic but goddamnit that was probably one of the best desserts I have ever had in my life. Loved the velvety texture of the chocolate with the tang you taste as it goes down. Like, uncontrollably rolling your eyes back good. I was in heaven. I think it should go without saying that the service was above and beyond what South Beach is notoriously known for. My guy was being a bit of an asshole (yes, you were) about a drink he wanted but couldn't remember that name of and sent back once cause it wasn't exactly right. *sigh* Nevertheless the server was gracious throughout the whole experience. I also have to give props to the waiter because he never once flinched, changed his tone of voice, or made a funny face at the sight of two men holding hands giving each other googly eyes. I understand that's possiblly TMI but I have to put that out there cause I have definitely dealt with some BS. He was tipped handsomely. Please, if you're even entertaining the thought, run, don't walk to RMS. I honestly cannot WAIT to go back!
(5)Arlynes H.
Amazing Service, the whole staff is committed to make you feel especial and will go the extra mile to make it happen. We sat at a table very close to the pool and the sound of the water plus a Jazz music on the background made it even more amazing. I asked the waiter for a cocktail that was not in the menu, just gave him some suggestions of what I felt like drinking and he came back with a very refreshing delicious cocktail (Victoria is the name). I ordered the Miami Spice and my food was delicious, the mussels tasted like heaven and the sauce. My fish was perfect, the portions adequate. They ended our wonderful experience with a surprise dessert with a candle to celebrate my birthday and another dessert beautifully decorated for my mother (also celebrating her birthday), hers was offered as a courtesy of the house because she did not order dessert. They made us feel like queens. I can not compliment this place enough, even the valet parking staff was amazingly courteous and accommodating. I really love this restaurant (also Michael Genuine and The Cypress Room). I will definitely return, probably on a Sunday to taste their brunch.
(5)