My lord, those heirloom tomatoes! I'm still thinking about them. There's a wall of them about two feet high surrounding the kitchen prep area like a moat. It looks hot. When compared with the majority of restaurants that I walked by or researched while in Miami, Michael's seems wonderfully out of place. Don't take this the wrong way, Miami, but I almost forgot where I was while inside Michael's walls. Also, it says a lot that all three of our dinner groups independently clamoured to get a reservation at Michael's even with all the other restaurant options available to us. The menu is daunting. You'll want to order absolutely everything on it, and I pray you have some sort of budget in mind or it'll quickly spiral out of control. With a group of adventurous eaters in tow I was fortunate enough to be able to order, like, everything on the menu. Started with the wood roasted double yolk farm egg ($8), which came highly recommended by other yelpers and even though I'd read the description I was still surprised by the presentation. I was expecting a hard boiled egg but it was baked in a ramekin and gooey thanks to aged Gruyere cheese). My tablemates ordered the crispy pig ear salad, duck confit with whipped cauliflower, wilted greens and papaya chutney, steamed mussels and steak. There wasn't a meat you could think of that wasn't on this menu. I also tried the beet & heirloom tomato salad ($16) with string beans, golden beets, walnut vinaigrette and blue cheese. Most excellent and appreciated, especially after my introduction to roasted beets a mere three weeks ago. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the cheese of the week ($9), which was La Tur from Piedmont, Italy. Triple milk cheese? HELL YES. It was served with walnut raisin bread and a honeycomb. It would have been perfect if not for the burnt toast. As an aside, raisins should never figure into toast. Or, well, anything. They should be banned from life. Oh yeah - I also ordered a main: wood oven roasted local black grouper with Brussels sprouts, fingerling potatoes and lemon aioli. The grouper was very nicely done and seasoned perfectly with some sort of cajun spice, like a blackened, southern style preparation. We also got a side of fries that I would highly, highly recommend. Our server was a tad on the upsell side and we were unanimously annoyed by his efforts to get us to spend more money. That, coupled with the price of some of the items, is the only reason I wouldn't make dining at Michael's a weekly thing if I lived in Miami. The food was fucking fantastic.
(4)
Sam J.
Great: Crispy pig ears, lemon tart, bone marrow Good: Pork belly, short ribs, pork chops Decent: Shrimp rice cake The meal was very tasty but a bit on the heavy side. It is in a bumping location and not really for a romantic/intimate dinner. Service was fine.
(4)
Carlos G.
Food was good. With the exception that our main meal took forever to come out, by the time the food was out we where ready to just pay the bill and go. It's a shame, it was 6 of us and it was all of our first time there. I was very disappointed.
(3)
Mitch S.
Michael's was referred to us by a close friend. We were a little hesitant to go at first. They do not publish a menu online, and both of us have some dietary requirements. We were really glad we went! Although it was a little pricey, the food was insanely good. The grouper was cooked to perfection. The hi light of the meal was the fresh peach salad-- Holy S*#T!! Nice people, excellent food. We will be back.
(4)
Sandra S.
I was very desapointed with this restaurant. I have been there a couple of times and this time I got food poison. I left the restaurant very sick, I never felt so bad. I almost ended up in the hospital. I called them next day and spent a long time on the phone with a manager telling her I would hate someone else to get what I got at her restaurant and I hope the Chef finds out what was bad there. She said she would talke to the general manager and the Chef and get back to me. It was Friday so far noone called me. I was expecting a call worried about how I was felling. It shows probably this happens a lot there. For sure I will never come back! Sandra
(1)
Not Eileen R.
If only all casual dining served this caliber food. Dining al fresco is a bonus. Service was fantastic - very knowledgable, prompt and friendly. (5/5) The food! We started with the deviled egg - good not great...more accurately they were very good, but I've had deviled eggs that start a party in your mouth...not these. (4/5) Porkbelly kimchi - my first kimchi experience. Very good. Amazing porkbelly! Bed of kimchi (cabbage etc) yum. (5/5) Red snapper mutton - it was served with a side of aioli that I used only a very small amount of bc the fish was perfect. Flakey, nice amount of citrus. The side of Brussels sprouts were great too. They appear burnt...that would be carmalization and the very crispy pancetta tossed in made this side a winner. (5/5) My fiance ordered the wood oven pizza - tasty...very thin and crispy plus quality meats and cheese...all he kept saying was "you should make this at home!" After reading reviews about the dreamcicle creme pot with warm donuts and berry jam!!!! We had to get it. Everything you read is true! It's amazing!!
(5)
Shawn P.
I saw the Brunch event and it reminded me that I have eaten here before. What I remember most is how after hearing all the hype, I was prepared to be let down when I saw how cramped the inside seating was going to be that night. I did not quite have to turn sideways to get in my chair but nearly. That feeling soon went away when the bread came out - I do not know what they make it out of but it may as well be mana from heaven !!! Sweet, salty melt in your mouth - no butter needed assortment of breads. i was ready to just fill up on bread and call it a night. Our meals of steak and fish dishes wee both really good and the server was so agreeable and attentive that a cramped seating became cozy ...lol We asked him what the people next to us where eating since we were breathing it in anyway and they did the same of us. The highlight was some mix of chocolate cake, raspberries, ice cream and snow cone maybe - soooooooo goood !!!! I will be back again for sure for the breakfast brunch because if it is good as dinner you and your date may just want to some to go - for a long lazy Sunday .... in bed.
(4)
Rachel S.
One of the best restaurants in Miami. My favorites are the burratta, pork belly, chips and onion dip, deviled eggs, breakfast pizza (available at brunch), the rice cake, the list goes on and on (pretty much the whole menu). Definitely get a table outside. The only reason I am giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because the last time I was here, a few weeks ago, was for my anniversary. My boyfriend and I wanted to take our time, order dishes slowly, and enjoy our night. The server kept coming over and we felt very rushed. Like very uncomfortably rushed.
(4)
Neely J.
Best ceviche I've ever had. Of course dessert was killer too. Moderately priced for refined, scrumptious food. We sat at the bar, met some locals, and enjoyed the bartender. Great atmosphere too.
(5)
Andie D.
This review is based on their Brunch. I had very high expectations and was pleased to see the restaurant met them. I can totally appreciate how you can taste experience and technique in every dish. I could give them 5 stars but there were a couple of things that were not quite "perfect" and I feel they need to be mentioned: 1.The burrata with the heirloom tomatoes was delicious but one thing that kills a Burrata is to cut in several pieces. This beautiful cheese is meant to be served whole, so when you cut thru it, you experience the creamy center in all its splendor. I was given a sample, not a dish, sorry. 2. The double egg yolk was very dry, which threw me off, based on the perfectly cooked, moist, creamy eggs I got in several other dishes. 3. I had to ask for bread 5 times before it was brought to us. I don't understand why. If they charge you separately for it, shouldn't they be trying to sell it? By the way, every bread served there it's amazing. My favorites were the poached egg, grits and pork shoulder dish: just superb! , croque madame (better than in Paris!) and the chicken liver crostini with the caramelized onions (never had a better one in my life) - The strawberries with goat cheese were delightful and finally, the waffle was probably one of the stars of the morning: wow! Thumbs up to Chef Michael and surely hope to go back soon.
(4)
Gisela C.
This place has never disappointed me. I think the menu is great with lots of seasonal options - I have never been for dinner.. only brunch and lunch, the innovative plate selection offers a fun dining experience. Nice atmosphere - service is great too :)
(5)
Ian C.
Food was good, we had many major problems with service. As a celebratory dinner my date and I started off with two glasses of champagne. Once finished it was a while before the server came back over, forgivable and we were really in no rush. We start enjoying our meal and another drink order is placed, I really did not like my cocktail but it took very long to have my server come over. I understand that this place is high volume, but the server wasn't anywhere in sight for me to flag down. When I asked for a different cocktail he was right in offering me another one but what really turned me off was he told us that a plate that we had already finished minutes ago would be out shortly, that told me that he wasn't paying attention to his tables. Not once did he do a quick quality check with us about our dishes. Drink menu took a while to reach me, and I'm not exaggerating it took over 15 minutes for him to come and ask which replacement I wanted. It really sucked because I had every intention of having many drinks that night and it was very frustrating to not be able to find the server. I had just two drinks that night, when I wanted four or five, just one at the beginning and one I waited an entire course for, shame on this server. The worst part is that our water was also empty for the majority of the meal, no one came to refill it and the server didn't pay us attention. A shift manager came over and asked us how it was going and I told her it was subpar but the most she did was give us the only refill of water with our dessert menus! Boo!
(3)
Vicki G.
Had a great time sitting at the bar tonight with my friend. Had two great beers - a Bell's amber ale and a Victory Summer Love ale - deeelicious! The beet and heirloom tomato salad was scrumptious and the crispy rice cake was fabulous! Our bartender was a breath of fresh air for MGFD.
(4)
Carla O.
I've been here twice and mmm mmm I love :) My bf and I stumbled upon this restaurant because "we wanted to try something new". So yeah the snotty hostess is all "do you have a reservation" but Ill be the bigger person and say in her defense the place is always packed. The first time we sat in the at the chef's bar which is supposedly the punishment fro not having a reservation, but it was fun looking at all the food that was being served to others. Ambience: It's really tiny an dim, typical of a "high end" restaurant. Everything (from what I remember) is a nuetral color and then broken by the large red spiral stairs. The wait staff is very educated and treat you like you'll tip them $100. They act like the ppl they're serving on a daily basis. Food: I have yet to be disappointed. "Wood oven roasted stuffed onion" -If you dont like lamb this will change you mind. This onion hallowed and stuffed with a ground lamb and tiny bits of apricot, so delicious. Im not even a fan of lamb, and its mouth watering. "Grilled fudge farm pork chop" - So much flavor its incredible! This is a juicy bone in pork chop. Its served on a bed of potatoe hash that was so good I didnt give any body a taste (yeah I got greedy!). The chop was topped with an apple slaw that I possibly couldve done without. But this was a winner. "The skirt steak"- Served somwhat like the pork chop but the hash is diffrent and its just as yummy. (this wasnt shared with me, it was my bf's dish, he got greedy) "Wood oven roasted local....whatever fish they're serving" - You cant go wrong with the fish, its so nice a tender you'll finish the dish and still want more, but you cant cause youre so full. I unfortunately didnt get the brussel sprouts and replaced them with the mashed potatoe..not my fave, but good. "Thick cut potatoe chips"- These are good, and the onion dip that comes with them is better! OVERALL: Just go, I work in the design district and when ppl ask me to recommend them a place I say Micheal's. I've had ppl come back to thank me cause they had such a great meal. Dont get too full on the food, I know its hard but the dessert is just as good, I didnt mention it cause the one we ordered was a special and not on the regular menu. Eat fun!
(5)
Kimberly R.
Really nice service from the least "Miami" person we encountered while there. (I mean that is a compliment.) Neat neighborhood. Food was good, not great. But we really enjoyed our dinner there - great contrast from the places on the beach.
(3)
Ashley R.
Michael's GFD is one of the best dining experiences I've ever had in Miami - and I have eaten at a LOT of restaurants over the past twenty years I've lived here! Reasonably priced, sustainably sourced and thoughtfully prepared food in a beautiful setting. You can't ask for more. Except then the people here go the extra step and somehow magically DO put in a little more. I came here for lunch with my family earlier this month. Noticed right away the beautiful display of heirloom tomatoes haphazardly perched on the counter in front of the open kitchen and was instantly interested in seeing how they'd put those beauties to use in the day's offerings. A few minutes later I see one of the guys stroll into the service entrance toting a HUGE fresh fish - and I knew anything we ordered was going to be great. I had the pizza topped with slow roasted berkshire pork, mission figs and caramelized onions and arugula. An amazingly light and crispy white pizza with the perfect balance of smokey, salty,sweet and buttery. I finished it all and had a happy belly to prove it. My brother's beet and heirloom tomato salad did not disappoint either. It was colorful, fresh, and bursting with ripe tomatoes and the distinctive tang of palm hearts and blue cheese. A super summery dish. My sister got the highly touted Short Rib and Fontina Panini, over which she agonized attempting to savor and still salvage half for leftovers. She reluctantly offered me one bite, and I knew it was worth its weight in hype. My father ordered the Hand Cut Chips & Onion Dip as well as the Crispy Pork Belly to share with the table, and they too were completely delicious. The chips were simple and the dip dense with caramelized flavor - none of that canned Frito-Lay muck. As for the pork belly, it may be really trendy right now, but that doesn't excuse it from poor execution. I've had some fatty, lacklustre run-ins that have invariably left me disappointed. But here it was crispy, well-marbled, and perfectly seasoned so that the rich pork flavor was the star. Now, I have a confession to make: I never order dessert. And this is because while sweets can be fantastic, I never find myself craving them. If I can save a couple thousand calories, I do it there. But Michael wasn't going to let that happen on that day. We all agreed we HAD to try the Orange Dreamsicle Pot de Creme with fresh donuts, and it made me rethink my whole no dessert strategy. Because, hot damn. Was it astoundingly good. I found myself relishing the blackberry tarragon jam that accompanied the donuts long after my companions inhaled the rest of the platter. Then, just when I thought we'd had enough - nay, MORE than enough - my dad decides he can't go without trying the Popcorn and Peanuts. I was skeptical, thinking it sounded no better than a handful of Poppycock. And as adventurous as I am, the idea of buttered popcorn ice cream sounded, well...kind of gross. But again! WRONG. Utterly delicious. Perfectly salty, chocolatey, sweet, and buttery. I knew this was going to be one of my favorite places from the moment I laid eyes on the menu, and I can see myself going out of my way to come back again and again. There are plenty of good restaurants in this city, but this is one of the few truly great establishments. If nothing else, you got me to eat not one, but TWO desserts. At lunchtime. On a weekday. Well played, Michael Schwartz. Well played.
(5)
Lana N.
The crispy pork belly is everything it's touted to be. Crispy on the outside, the meat is cooked to perfection and the fat melts in your mouth. Best I've ever had. The octopus salad was fantastic. I spent the summer living in Italy where octopus is a mainstay, so I'm always hesitant to order octopus in the US, but this was perfectly cooked--not chewy or mushy. The front of house staff isn't very accommodating, especially if you don't have a reservation. (We got the message--you need a reservation, even for lunch!) Thankfully we were able to find seats at the bar.
(4)
Maxine V.
This place is pretty cool. It's small, and I can't always say the staff is friendly, but the food is kick@$$ and the atmosphere is perfect!
(4)
John L.
I am really still trying to figure out how this place got such excellent ratings. First I will say the atmosphere was great and the service was excellent. The food was unique choices but only average taste. We tried to order as many different things as we could to give a wide variety of foods. Some of the items were very good but items such as pig ears and deviled eggs were just average. The pork belly was good but not excellent. The only item I would rate as excellent was the ceviche. We don't normally order deserts but decided to order the peanut butter bread pudding and chocolate truffle, both were okay. For the price of this place I would say we would not make it back even though we were glad we tried it.
(3)
Dan B.
People around town have been telling me to try this place for so long now. I finally did a few hours ago. It hit on the mark as far as my expectations went. It was great, great food just shy of the "home run" mark. Innovative. I have never seen food presented to you in terms of size (small, medium, large, extra large) as opposed to the chronological social customs we're used to. The menu items are described in a verbose and tantalizing manner. My favorite example is: "wood roasted double yolk farm egg." Their angle is that they want to serve you completely fresh, pure, and organic meals so that you can come here with comfort knowing where your food came from and the quality standards. Somehow, knowing this did indeed improve the quality of my meal. As I tasted the garlic mashed potatoes, the word "pure" get wafting in and out of my head and I have to say, they were some of the best garlic mashed I'd ever tried. We started with the cheese of the day. Today it was the Italian monte veronese vecchio. Sharp and strong. It was a pleasant experience. My steak au poivre was beautifully laden with a peppercorn/brandy gravy that tasted fantastic. The meat was cooked exactly to order and was juicy. The only thing I would've wanted are less peppercorns on the steak. As far as the service goes, they were fast on the refills on both beverages AND bread, which I have to publicly commend. I really thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere. I didn't find it overly pretentious and it just felt like a classy and relaxing atmosphere. It's a little bit on the pricey side, but I'd say it's worth it to try at least once. I'm definitely a fan of Michael's thus far and am interested in returning to try the grilled Indian spiced fudge farms pork chop. - A great example of the verbosity in their menu descriptions.
(4)
Tough C.
Very good food and service. I think some of these stellar reviews by other yelpers are a tad exaggerated. Having said that, it is a good restaurant, but I wouldn't call it the best restaurant in Miami.
(3)
Neil R.
Michael's has a recipe for success. Comfort food with local, seasonal and organic products. Great drinks, great vibe and no pretense. We'll be back.
(4)
Christine P.
I'd heard about this place for years, but just hadn't made the trip. After news of Michael winning the James Beard Award for the South (it's like the Oscars people!), I decided to finally cave in - for my 100th review! Lunch on a weekday was a lovely way to meet Michael's. The moment you walk into this place, you can just *feel* the goodness. You can *smell* it's amazing-ness. We made reservations, but ended up waiting about 15 minutes at the bar with some mojitos. (thank you bartender for carding us- even tho the rest of the bar patrons weren't as amused as we were! haha). I wanted to order everything that I saw walk by us on its way to other tables. I told the waiter this, and he helped me narrow down my selection. Finally decided on the shrimp & chorizo pizza with manchego cheese. So many amazing flavors all in one. Just so different and delicious. Also at my table was the short rib & fontina cheese panini... took a bite, and definitely rocked! The only reason my experience wasn't 5 stars, is because there were a few flies (gasp) roaming around the dining room. (don't know why - it was a stifling hot day and the front door should've been closed) Michael, we'll be back. :)
(4)
Ray C.
I was very impressed with this restaurant, really good vibe; the food and service was spot on. I would defiantly go back!
(4)
Robin L.
I've been waiting a awhile to go here ( since I live in NJ) let me tell you it was worth the wait. Dinner was wonderful . The pork belly, OMG! Go experience it yourself.
(5)
Michele C.
a tried + true classic and staple of miami dining. michael's never disappoints! all fresh + local ingredients. Cant go wrong with whole red snapper, crispy rice cake, burrata, deviled eggs (yes, deviled eggs!)...everything is delicious. never had a bad meal here. wine list is expansive and desserts are unbelievable, especially the doughnuts! recommend making reservations, it's always busy...
(5)
Felecia W.
Im going to have to agree with Theo on this one. Every single course was mind blowing. Light puffy clouds of triple creme La Tur cheese with honey comb, and Burrata with Heirloom tomatoes, pork belly, fois with duck terrine, and the lemon curd.... (I have to swear here, I cant help it) Fucking melt in your mouth, blow all of your senses delicious. Chef Schwartz came out to the bar and I got all jittery. I felt a little like Aerosmith was at the end of the bar and I wanted to run over and scream and get a picture with him. Unbelievable. I couldn't even get through the menu with out a panic attack. SO much amazingness to choose from. I trust that the bartender (who is also the bar manager) could order for me what ever he choosed and I would be content. Im counting down the minutes until I can return...
(5)
E G.
Well this is more a review on their Sunday Brunch. I getting use to go to Michaels for Brunch once at month, Love the atmosphere! The food is very interesting and it is always a surprise, meaning It never what you expect. They have the most unusual brunch menu in Miami, and their sweets are amazing. Prices are right for this type of unique Comfort fooD. Well, My final thought is Even if the estrange dishes sometimes are not some of my tastebud's Faves, THey are interesting enough to keep me coming back many sunday to come. IT IS A MOST TRY
(5)
Andy L.
Michael's is an American Bistro set in the heart of the Miami Design District. We found the the food to be earthy, creative and generally well- executed. Much has already been said about Michael's use of fresh, local ingredients, so I'll just go straight to the dishes themselves. The dinner menu is divided into four groups of dishes: Small, Medium, Large & Extra Large and are priced accordingly. There is also and assortment of sides, snacks and a cheese of the week. The dishes below come from the first three categories and the sides. We ordered the Duck Rillette with Crostini ($14), essentially a spreadable confit, which was topped with a layer of duck fat. Cholesterol be damned, this was a rich, flavorful, slightly gamey treat that melted in the mouth. The Housemade country Pate ($13) was less inspired, being a chunky, grainy slab of cold meats that was not spreadable, nor as flavorful as the Rillette. Local Wreckfish (a deep water fish found near the ocean's bottom) Ceviche ($11) was steeped in mango, lychee, cilantro, orange and avocado. This was a complex and refreshing ceviche that was both citrusy and sweet. Chargrilled Octopus ($17), served with gigande beans, peppers, olives and herbs, was a bit meager for a medium-sized dish and was overcooked and dry. The meat still had some flavor and well dressed, but should have been removed from the grill a few minutes sooner. Crispy Pig Ear ($6) was sliced, seasoned and tasty. We expected it to be hard and crunchy like most roasted pig skin, but were pleasantly surprised at it's almost cheese-doodle-like texture. Homemade Linguine with a lamb ragu and house made ricotta cheese ($19) was perfectly cooked and seasoned. We ordered a second one without the ricotta, just to try the delicious ragu without the intrusion of other flavors. A heavily spiced Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder ($19) fell off the bone, a la osso bucco. Pickled red onion and a parsley sauce complemented the meat, which was also accompanied by cheese grits. Grilled Leg of Lamb came out boneless, sliced and cooked medium rare as requested. The meat was tender and properly seasoned and was a great accompaniment for our aged pinot noir. For dessert we tried the Banana Toffee Panini (mini chocolate caramel ice cream sundae) ($10) and immediately wanted to order more. The bread, ice cream, syrup combination was unbeatable...until we tried the soft, warm donuts with the Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme ($10), which conjured up memories of fresh beignets in the French Quarter. Coffees (@$3) and espressos (@$3.50) were a good way to end the evening. Michael's has an extensive wine list with lots of medium priced ($40-$50) wines, along with some higher-priced treats for that special occasion. Corkage is $20.00.
(4)
Angela L.
My food was amazing however I found my husbands salad to be very boring and basic. We were greeted with a snotty attitude by the host that informed us he would find us we left and returned later to sit at the bar. The bartender a a forced happiness about her. So sorry to inconvenience to order a drink. Food - the curry corn soup was fabulous. My short rib sandwich was amazing as well. Had dinner with my girlfriends two night before. We had reservations and arrived on time. We were informed of details "they are paying their check now so it shouldn't be long". After 20 minutes or so we found a seats at the bar. When we informed the host of our decision remain at the bar so threw her arms up and huffed! LOL seriously?? They are luck the food is great because with that attitude I would have no interest in returning if it were not. The flatbread pizza was wonderful. I didn't care for the deviled eggs. It was as though they filled them with hollandaise. If you are into hollandaise on a plain egg white this is your dish.
(4)
Henry S.
Went for lunch and enjoyed it. The food is good, but somewhat expensive for what it is.
(3)
Brian L.
15 words or less. Good food that is creative and tasty. But expectations set way too high. 15 words or more. Michael's comes with all sorts of expectations. The chef is acclaimed, the restaurant gets tons of celebrities, and the food is constantly raved about. I did try the place several years ago and did not like it. I chalked up the experience to having trusted the waiter, which was my mistake. A waiter will pick what they like, and you may not like their food preferences or taste buds. I went back for lunch another time and had a great pulled pork sandwich, so I had to try dinner again. I have a far better experience this time. First off, the seating. You have to have a reservation and make sure you demand where you want to sit when you book the reservation. If the weather is cool, you have to demand an outside table. Otherwise, they automatically sit you inside. If the weather is warm, they will automatically sit you outside. Our first visit was how we learned about this the hard way and had to sit outside in 90 degree summer weather. The fans are nice for guys, but you still sweat given you are eating hot food. Others however (read my wife) may not want the fan blowing on them. On this last visit, I started off with the Artisan--a gin cocktail with cucumber and hint of jalapeno. It was very good, but was less than filling considering the glass was brimming over with ice. I can't imagine I had more than 1.5 ounces of liquid in the glass. Not the way I want to start my night. The Hendrick's gin martini, however, that came next more than made up for the Artisan's short pour. In terms of the food, we tried basically half the menu. I really enjoy the small plate concept as you enjoy a variety of food at a good price. How bad can you feel if you spend $5 for a dish, good or bad? Kind of like buying an app for $.99. That night, we had the chicken liver, potato chips, devilled eggs, hominy, falafel, pork belly, octopus, pork chop, cobia, rib eye, cremosa, and peanuts and popcorn. Yes, a lot of food. The potato chips were okay, but the dip made it great. The devilled eggs were some of the best I ever had. The falafel did come a little dry to my liking. The hominy was nice, but more of a snack to have while drinking (in essence, the high-end foodie equivalent of peanuts in a bowl at the bar). The pork belly was great as most people have reviewed. A wonderful combination of sweet and spicy (and I am not a sweet food other than dessert kind of person). I am a huge fan of mixing crispy with spicy so the crunch of the pork's outside with the kimchi was a great. I continued my pork feast with the pork chop. It was great. I have to say this is one of the first times I had a pork chop that was not dried out. I did enjoy the spiciness brought to the dish, but I found the chick peas the chop was swimming in to not be cooked right so they remained in the pool of the plate. The desserts were very good. I did enjoy the peanuts and popcorn. The ice cream did taste like buttery popcorn and I did enjoy the dark chocolate covered popcorn. In the end, would I go back? Yes. Is this place the last-meal-on-earth-kind-of-place that I sense others suggest in their reviews or the type of place that I would go back to if I ate there last week, no. I think other restaurants have opened and stepped up to the challenge and offer comparable if not better food. And those other places offer better service (our service was spotty and we did have a long lag between courses). Further, other places do not bring with them some of the aloofness I seemed to pick up here from the hostess (who made us and everyone else wait for the table with the same line - your table is ready but the people are just paying the bill), the bartender (who did not even give us a courtesy acknowledgement), and the servers (who when present were very attentive, but would disappear for long stretches). I may be suffering from the fact that I have read simply too much about the restaurant and had expectations that this should be the best restaurant in South Florida. It is a very good restaurant. But it just did not live up to the very high expectations, which are based on the never-ending accolades and reviews of others.
(3)
jen r.
it hurts me to give the great michaels only 3 stars, but i have to follow my heart on this one... even though every single freakin person i know raves and looooves this place! i have only been once about 6 months ago on a friday night without reservations and only had to wait about 10 mins. the host/hostess were ok but the waiter was super nice and knowledgable. we were a party of 3 and chose to get 5 plates to all try. the cheese of the day was excellent as were the french fries. but the ribs which were my pick, were not good at all. they were all fat and hardly any meat. i was grossed out after trying to shave off the fat.. and couldnt even touch the rest. the peanut butter chocolate brownie was great though as was the wine!! i know my 3 stars is not fair and trust me i really am looking fwd to going back and giving it another shot. i really want to give 5 stars!!
(3)
Valentina A.
Sorry but MGFD disappointed me. Brought the parents here for lunch during the week. I was not impressed with the service, we felt rushed and ignored. Sandwiches came out with cold with overly-greasy fries. The restaurant was humid and lacked ventilation.
(2)
Kew R.
Overpriced lousy food while surrounded by Miami locals. I have had my fair share of crap food, and but this place by far takes the cake.. Save your money, save your time, so overrated so overpriced, f#@% chef Micheal and his stupid array of designer bad dishes.
(1)
Stephen S.
Not worth the arrogance by the staff.
(1)
Andres S.
I had lunch here about a year ago with some clients and everything was yummy, so I added it to my list of "places to re-visit". My wife and I have never been the kind of people that would go and pay 40 bucks each to have toast, pancakes and mimosas, so the concept of a Brunch was not very appealing for us. Fortunately we picked the right place to put this concept to the test. Let me first say that this is not your ordinary brunch, so be prepared to expect the unexpected. Our waitress was super nice and extremely helpful, she walked us through the different options and recommended that we ordered a few dishes to share as the portions are small. Our choices were: Duck Confit Hash with parsley sauce and duck poached egg. Kimchi Benedict with poached egg, crispy pork belly and kimchi hollandaise. Wood Oven Roasted Local Goose Egg with chick peas and saffron. Crispy Palmetto Creek Farms Pig Head with sauce gribiche. We loved all our dishes, especially the Kimchi Benedict and the Pig Head, do not let the names of the dishes discourage you, these dishes defy every pre-conceived notion you may have. The desserts were OK, we had the pop tarts and the cinnamon roll. The only reason why I give it four stars and not 5 is because the service could have been a little faster and they forgot to bring one of the drinks we ordered. I will be coming back soon to try some more dishes, stay tuned.
(4)
Rebecca B.
Just finished up at Michaels and it was delicious. We really came for the dessert but got the shrimp sandwich and that was really yummy! Little fried shrimps, a delicious sauce and great bread. Then is was time for dessert! We told the waitress Tara that we saw it on the food channel and really wanted to try the popcorn chocolate dessert but there was this huge plate that we really wanted to try too. The big dessert plate was $19 so we decided to get the popcorn thing and the pie in a jar. And then, Tara was so sweet and brought out a small taster of treats on top of it! We got to try their homemade Oreos, brownie cookie, nutter butter, peanut butter and choc stick, and all of it was so amazing. Plus the main dessert that we ordered was delicious; decadent and good sized portions. We were in a serious sugar coma after that, but it was worth it. Tara really made our trip special!! Thanks so much and we'll definitely be back next time we come to Florida!!
(5)
Claudine C.
Yes, Michael's has tasty food; it's located in the hip up-and-coming design district (read - formerly depressed and not-so-safe). The place is packed for a weeknight (Thursday); the lights low, noise levels high. Yuppies, couples and old money dine side by side. Our server exudes a sense of self-importance, expounds on the menu in tones that make one think that Michael's has invented "local," "seasonal," "natural." He speaks of their wood-fired oven as if they were the only place on earth to bring such a contraption to the hoi polloi... Whatever. Dishes: -Wood Roasted double yolk Fam Egg: rich. eggy. cheesy. Yum. -Yellowfin Tuna Conserva with preserved meyer lemon, shaved radish, capers & coriander aioli: fishy -Pork Belly - with kimchi (which waiter felt the need to explain), crushed peanuts and pea shoots: delicious - could have had a little more kimchi -Sauteed Sweetbreads with heirloom tomato & cippoline onion chutney, brown butter pansauce: disappointing (I'm a sweetbreads fan). Chewy, not memorable. -Chargrilled octopus - tender in some places; overcharred in others. -Roasted Berkshire Pork Shoulder: over-cooked; meat dry; the cheesy, over-rich and one-dimensional grits that accompanied the meat didn't really do much to help the dish. -Homemade fettuccine with ramps, cherry toms, anchovy & breadcrumbs: decent. -Shortrib - delicious and meltingly tender; the romesco sauce fantastic. I'd give Michael's another try... but if I had a choice of just one resto I'd head over to Michy's 1st.
(3)
M J.
A chic, foodie friend of mine recommended this - as soon as she said "clean food" and "design district" I was sold. Been dying to check out that design district. The menu is still in a winter mode and I'm more a spring/summer type diner. Despite that I found the choices excellent and soooo conducive to trying a lot - the menu is broken down into small, medium, large, extra large and snack sections - simple, but brilliant. How can you not order the cheese of the week, and a "snack" or two, in addition to other plates. We had butter lettuce salad, skirt steak, fish, brussell sprouts with monster chunks of pancetta - all delicious. Other notable items, in no specific order - ahem, roasted onion dip and fresh chips - food of the gods. Brillat Savarin cheese - just what I need, another expensive cheese addiction. A rocking rose - Wispering Angel. Dessert? Of course, there was still wine on the table - we got Candies, Cookies, Confections - my favorite thing to order, cookies. It could have been called, gourmet cookie swap. This is the best cookie plate I've ever seen and what fun to share, dissect, discuss all the pieces - chocolates, gelee's, etc, etc. Oh yeah, the rest - I guess unpretentious and cool cover it. Not an easy thing to pull off. The indoor space was warm, the outdoor space looked lovely, the staff plentiful and professional. I dig that they pour free sparkling and still filtered water. It's the little things.... That friend also said she wishes there were one of these in Boston, and I could not agree more.
(5)
Brandy V.
Came here a couple of times and the food is always great. Also, Great wine selection!
(4)
craig F.
OMFG!!! Yes, I was going to write that even before I clicked on Michael's Yelp page and saw Elizabeth R.'s review. Well said, Elizabeth, my feelings exactly. Speaking of reviews, Barney C, you just don't get it. Stick to Applebee's and Olive Garden, dude. Far away from the "fancy" places in South Beach is this unassuming bistro serving up fare that rivals or exceeds all fo the SoBe hot spots. The wood roasted egg? For real? Who comes up with something like that? And, despite all the reviews about how they are now too popular, when we were being seated and told them we were from SF but had heard great things from a local in our party, the host said something like, "Well, you have places everywhere in SF like this". Yeah, SF is a food mecca, but Michael's is in the rarified air. Anyway, it was nice that given all of their successes that they are still humble, or at least act like they are. Kind of the opposite from pretty much every other hot spot in So. Florida, where they act like you should bow before them for the opportunity to spend our money there. Bravo, Michael's
(5)
Mike B.
The roast chicken was one of the best I've ever had in my life. It is really not to be missed. I have been thinking about it for 2 days and can't wait to try it again!!! (The only other chicken that came close was at Guy Savoy and that was like a $300 pp dinner so that's saying a lot.) Perfectly cooked. Perfectly seasoned. Great wine and beer list. Extremely fresh ingredients. You really can taste it The only reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars is the wait staff is often indifferent and can disappear for long periods of time, the sides are pretty but lackluster and the desserts are $2-3 overpriced and their quality doesn't live up to the rest of the stuff. Also, even if you have a reservation, you will wait. Another thing that's odd is I have trouble getting my Miami friends to come here with me. I think that's good in an odd way meaning it really is on a hardcore mission and isn't so worried about 'image' as everything and everyone else in Miami. Or maybe because the 'design district' still seems like an exotic destination. But this last time sat next to a table of six ladies from New York...and kinda always seems to be this way here.
(4)
I P F.
So, I generally *like* Michael's. I've been there a number of times. I feel for the staff; it gets hectic in there, and a LOT of people show up without reservations and act entitled and hang out in front of the hostess' desk. The food is usually pretty good! The guys in the kitchen work hard. The other night I finally brought in a food-loving friend from out of town. I was like "Michael's is pretty much one of the best restaurants in town, we need to finally go there." So we go, they seat us within 20 minutes of the reservation, which is pretty good. The harried waiter gets to us eventually, and is like "Have you been here before?" And I was like "two of us have, one hasn't!" And so he was like "Well the 'small' plates are small, the 'medium' plates are medium--WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" My friend was making eye contact with him while digging in her purse on her lap for something. She was like "Uh, getting something? Out of my purse?" And then he rolled his eyes at her and we sat there in awkward silence for a while and then he sort of carried on explaining that SMALL PLATES ARE SMALL (which, really?) and then huffed off. And was largely cold the rest of the night. Which: WHY? Why did this happen? We're pretty nice people! This was really really weird and hostile and I'm scared of the waiters there now. We didn't even know what to say or how to act, and basically we just acted subservient to the waiter the rest of the night so he wouldn't hurt us. We left him an on-the-nose 15% tip because we were too scared to tip less, but certainly, after that, couldn't leave our customary 20 to 25%. I think it'll take me a while to go back. Something dark is going on there.
(3)
Danielle C.
Great food, atmosphere, vibe, quality, service... the list goes on. I just had dinner at Michael's again a few nights ago and I am ready to review it! I thought this was going to be another trendy Miami restaurant that wouldn't be able to live up to its hype. I'm glad to report that my suspicions were false! Delicious dishes, all creative yet simple and satisfying. I have eaten here twice, when I've been in town, and have been impressed both times (my family members/friends have all reported the same positive sentiments after their own visits). Each time I visited with large parties (6+). The service has been efficient and friendly despite the demands a large group often might place on the wait staff. Eating with a large group also means that I've gotten an opportunity to sample a nice assortment of dishes. Standouts include the sweetbreads (!!), pork belly, short ribs & short rib pizza (mmm mmm mmm!), duck confit, crispy beef cheek... Oh, and their bread! And that butter! The night I wanted dessert, they had run out of the warm apple tart, which I really had been looking forward to, but I tried the maple flan and the assorted pastry plate, and I have to say, I was pretty pleased with everything. I'm definitely looking forward to going back and trying the apple dessert, though. And trust me, I'll definitely be going back when I'm in town again. DO go to Michael's! I highly recommend it.
(5)
Arlene L.
Double eggs were delicious. Short ribs very tender. Dessert special, goat cheese cheesecake very good, doughnuts a little over sugared but good overall. Make a reservation on the weekend unless you want to sit at the cluttered chef table/bar.
(4)
Dan F.
This was an amazing meal. I did not have one bit of food that even came close to disappointing. The service was exceptionally high. I cannot overstate how far this goes in my book. Krug on the wine list for $120...that's effing unbelievable. I want to go back. Now.
(5)
French S.
Awesome food but they RECYCLE THEIR SALT. AT THE END OF THE NIGHT, IT IS COLLECTED AND REDISTRIBUTED THE NEXT DAY AND IF THE SERVERS FIND WEIRD STUFF IN IT, THEY PICK IT OUT. my friend used to work there. So gross.
(4)
Ryan M.
Its hit or miss sometimes, but never bad. I feel like the price is a bit too high for what you get when you combine the service with the quality of the food. Its a great change of pace to most everything else you get in Miami. They have a great bar, with plenty of drink choices (a little light on the beer maybe). It was a place to be seen, now it is not only that, but a place to eat. For the price, I'd still probably go elsewhere, but if that isn't your concern Michael's is a great choice.
(4)
Tom S.
Spent the weekend in Miami and made it to Michael's Genuine for brunch and I am glad I did. Very inventive menu and each dish was better then the next. The house cured pastrami and rice cake were excellent. This is a true gem in Miami and should not be missed.
(5)
Ivan J.
Great place but it can get pretty busy even on weeknights. I'd have liked to been seated outside bit their was no room neither their nor in the main restaurant. They sat us in the spillover room near the door which allowed fir a great view of the room, which was bland but somehow the chandelier and picture frames made everything okay. Service was fine as was the beer selection however the menu drinks were a bit too complex. The short ribs were awesome and the octopus well done. I sort of felt like I was in NYC for a moment (which is a good thing). I look forward to returning and a better table. All in all, a nice place to take visiting friends, family and / or clients. Recommended!
(4)
Elizabeth S.
I'm demoting you to two stars. And honestly, that's being VERY generous. The second time here, I really expected something better than the first. We arrived and for some odd reason, a table inside was immediately available. Although we wanted to sit at the bar, there was no room. There were a lot of people waiting, however it was a beautiful day, so I'm supposing they were waiting for outside seating. I was too hungry to bother and just wanted to sit down to a good meal with a bloody mary. Queue waiter: RUDE. The entire time, he acted as if we were an inconvenience. We were explained that the plates were small and meant for sharing. I really didn't feel like eating that way, since my friend is a meat eater and Michael's has a lot of really cool looking dishes, we decided just to order our own stuff. I went with the Roasted Eggplant and fingerling potato hash (since it was so good last time) and she ordered the Country Pate and the Tomato & Avocado salad. Waiter says: Is that it? That's all you're going to order? The plates are really small. You should at least order some bread.' and looks at his watch for the second time since he was taking our order. I ordered a rosemary crumpet and said we would keep the menus and order something else after the food arrived. He promptly snatched away the menus and walked off. Food arrived delivered by a food runner and Waiter did not come to check on anything: - Roasted Eggplant with chickpeas: this was really great and I would have it again. This dish and the bloody marys are the only reason I'm giving this place 2 stars. - Potatoes: COLD - Tomato & Avocado salad: Avocado was so hard and bitter that it was inedible. Dressing was tasteless, as were the tomatoes. - Pate - according to my friend it was decent. The waiter never stopped at our table the entire time we were eating (and we were there for a while). I flagged down a food runner to get a menu so we could order desert and finally got the attention of our waiter, who came over and stared at his watch as we were asking him what to order. We ended up with the Banana Chocolate bread pudding, which was good, but not really very 'Chocolate'. I really don't know if I'd be willing to give this place another try. The food was mediocre and the service was horrible. Maybe I'll go back for drinks at the bar but have food somewhere else next time.
(2)
Mark D.
Meh. Scary waiter. Service, spotty. Had the lamb. Delicious. Hated the tabbouleh situation it was on top of. Too chunky. Burratta starter delish. Heirloom tomatoes, local. Cheese, flown in. Simple. I will never return
(2)
Jeremy T.
Godly prime rib and death by an amazing dinner. Words are worthless here - JUST EAT THERE and you'll see heaven too!
(5)
Andy L.
I stopped by for lunch with my girlfriend and our experience wasn't something that would pull us back in for another visit. The hot wings were tasty but very small and the portion was small as well. The avocado soup was very lack luster. My girlfriend looooves avocado anything and she didn't get half way through before she pushed it aside. The two good things out of our visit were the fries and the penne pasta. Both were pretty flavorful and they helped salvage our visit. We had a table that pushed us into our neighbors and our conversation ended up being theirs and vice versa. Not a very pleasant setting. I would maybe go back to try their dinner as this place is highly recommended, but our lunch introduction was not anything spectacular.
(2)
Tare P.
This place is mmm-mmm good. Pork belly watermelon salad, double yolk farm egg, pot de creme, and panna cotta are all winners every time. Michael's is fantastic, but make a reservation.
(5)
A S.
We happened to sit at the bar so I did not have any service issues, as others seem to have had. I will admit though, the hostess was very arrogant. Food is delicious here. I would still say some of the items are overpriced for the quantity, but at least you get quality. So considering the options in Miami, it's well worth it. Bread is very very good. And I mean, very very good..... We tried the burrata, tuna tartar, the wood roasted farm egg, the shortrib, fingerling potatos... everything was outstanding. I don't know if I will make a reservation for a table next time. I might just sit at the bar again, since my experience was so positive. I don't want to ruin it. Keep it up, Michael. Good job.
(4)
Esperanza L.
Food is a hash-posh of favors an textures that fight with each other instead of harmonizing. This is the third time we went for a third and final try. That's the last.
(2)
Ricardo B.
LOVE this place. The service is consistently good and friendly and the burger is out of this world!! It helps that they have a good wine selection: do try the wines from Washington: you will be hooked. Can get pricey and valet parking sucks but other than that, well worth it.
(4)
John O.
Question: does everyone in Miami dress like they're going to a cocktail party for strippers? Since my 41 yo wife was not sporting 4inch stiletto heels, a sequined dress just long enough to cover her derrier and DD implants, she felt a bit underdressed. Nevertheless she was able to enjoy her meal of salad and grouper which was light but a touch bland. After I unbuttoned my third shirt button to unveil my luscious mane of chest hair, our waiter brought a stiff vodka soda along with the wood oven baked double yolk appetizer thing. Delicious. Like a baked super cheesy mini omelet in a flan dish. Chianti and short ribs for the main course, also very good. We eventually noticed lots of regular people eating there too. Good service, good food, quarters were a bit tight even outside.
(4)
Karin V.
To sum it up, the waiters were friendly and knowledgeable, good wine selection with reasonable prices, and outstanding appetizers (which were much better than the entrees). So I would recommend coming here for drinks and ordering a bunch of appetizers - especially the kimchi pork belly! Hits: - Crispy sweet & spicy pork belly, kimchi, crushed peanuts, swank farms pea shoots - an absolute MUST!! I'm not big on kimchi, but this was incredible with the mouthwatering pork belly. - Italian Cheese with Honeycomb - can't remember the name of the cheese, but it was wonderful with the sweet and brittle honeycomb - Slow Roasted Fudge Farms Pork Shoulder with anson mills cheese grits, pickled red onion, parsley sauce - really tender pork packed with lots of beautiful flavors - Wood Roasted Double Yolk Farm Egg with cave aged gruyere, roasted tomato, chives, sourdough crostini - Chargrilled Octopus Salad of gigande beans, roasted peppers, green olives & torn herbs - Organic Maple Flan with gingersnap ice cream sandwich and roasted forelle pear Ho-hum: - Grilled Fudge Farms Pork Chop with house smoked bacon cauliflower gratin, ginger pear chutney - the pork chop was juicy and nicewith the chutney, but didn't love it - Roasted & Grilled Harris Ranch Shortrib with roasted cippolini onion, romesco sauce, toasted almonds & hazelnuts - really tender, but surprisingly bland and boring - Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme with cara cara orange confit & hot doughnuts
(4)
Irene C.
Came back for a birthday brunch this morning with my bestie. Amazing. I love the concept of tapas-style breakfast! The waitress suggested each of us order 2 dishes to share, but of course being the shameless gluttons that we are, we ordered 8. Our favorites of the savory items were the kimchi benedict and the wood oven roasted double yolk egg. I've never seen a more perfectly poached egg. There wasn't actual kimchi in the benedict, but the hollandaise was infused with kimchi seasoning. I was surprised that the flavors blended so well together. The oven roasted yolk had a mix of sauteed sundried tomato and fresh eggs baked within a gruyere cheese cap. yum! The best sweet item was the cinnamon roll with pecans and 'smoked bacon crunch'. Whatever that means. Cinnamon rolls are always tasty, but it must've been that ingredient that made this one heavenly! We really wanted to order the duck confit but they ran out of ingredients. I thought the homemade pastrami was ok, a bit fatty and bland, but my best friend loved it. I was going crazy over the sweets section of the menu. We both liked the homemade poptarts (nutella and some kind of wildberry). Almond french toast was amazing as well. It was stuffed with apples and raisins and came with housemade syrup. The 9 grain pancakes were super grainy and not that great... maybe because i'm not used to oven-baked pancakes. I think I'll stick with the more traditional lemon ricotta pancakes instead. Donuts were ok. The item that caught our eye but didn't end up ordering cuz we wanted to try everything else was Hedy's assorted childhood sweets. Get this-- they make their own twists on our favorite snacks like oreos, fig newtons, and snickers. How insanely creative is that?? I'm all over that next time for sure! I was so mesmerized by the sweets section that I didn't even see the fresh squeezed juice section on the back of the menu!! Only as we were leaving did we see someone drinking a melon blend with a colorful melon ball skewer as garnish. I'm definitely also getting that and a strawberry basil soda next time!
(5)
Andrew Z.
When I spend a lot on a meal I like to feel like I just had food that was not only great, but also took time and care to make. I like to have food that I'm not likely to make at home because of hard to come by ingredients or difficult or time-consuming cooking techniques. Michael's menu is full of complex, intricate and delicious dishes that fit the bill. While there are some items which are simply prepared using great ingredients, I tend to lean towards the more complicated menu items. I'd reason that given a great piece of imported burrata I too could make a nice little salad with it. This was my second time visiting Michael's; first time was several years ago and we didn't totally enjoy it. That visit there were two of us, this time we were four. Having four adventurous and sharing eaters was great because we ordered a bunch of small and medium plates and all got to try the goods. Go with family, go with friends, go with people who like to share. Service: Eh. Unfortunately it seemed like we had the one crappy waiter in the place. I think most of his tables were inside and we were outside, but come on man. It took 5 minutes for him to first come over and then about 15 for drinks (I know some of this is on the bar) and would just disappear for long periods of time. He also brought the wrong beer (which he swapped out) but then charged us for both. Food: Luckily the service wasn't so terrible that the food couldn't bail it out. That said, I think the food could carry a meal at Michael's past service from someone who was drunk and stoned. We had: Potato Chips with Onion Dip A nice start to the meal. The chips were thick and crunchy; fried just right. The dip was creamy and flavorful with lots of caramelized onions throughout. Crispy Pig Ear Don't be afraid, just do it. Great flavors in the seasoning, perfect crunch and just a big of fattiness. Try it with a drop of lime squeezed over it. Ceviche Nicely balanced with mango, peppers (serrano, I think), cilantro and red onion. Fresh and clean flavors. Crispy Rice Cake A bit hard to describe this other than to say "wow." Great flavor combination and wonderful texture. The egg really put this over the top. Duck Confit Quite possibly the best duck I've ever had. Cooked to perfection and nicely flavored. The frisee is nicely paired with the duck; take a bite of both together. Solid. Chargrilled Octopus A light and refreshing dish, the octopus was treated delicately and perfectly grilled leading to a great texture (not rubbery or chewy at all). The salad of beans, tomatoes, olives et al was a nice accompaniment. Desserts: While both a bit small (and pricey at $10) they were unique and amazing. Chocolate Cremoso The chocolate had a great texture and was salted just right. Went superbly with the toffee-ish side. Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme There's a reason this has been talked about all over. The pot de creme itself had a nice balance of flavor, although it was a bit soft. I thought pot de creme usually sits up a bit more (this was almost runny) but it was great nonetheless. The donuts and jam were off the hook and the candied orange peel in the jam was a nice touch. In all, we had a great eating experience (service not so much) and I'd love to go back and try the rest of the menu. Michael's is not cheap, in fact I think the prices are a bit high for the portions. In defense of the prices there is a lot that goes into each dish which makes it "worth it."
(4)
Shaina B.
Went here with about 8 people and shared a bunch of different things. Some that stood out were the pig ears, pork belly, beet salad and some sort of cap'n crunch dessert that was to die for!! Maybe not with the high ticket, but overall had an enjoyable meal with the service being a little slow.
(3)
Kevin N.
You have to give it to that Michael: he's for real about his Genuine Food and Drink, to the point of slapping that slogan in plain view, and for that alone I'd be bringing the love. Alas, it's much more than that in the offing here, as the gorgeous and sleek-meets-approachable ambiance takes hold. Menu items are sorted by the hunger commitment you need bring in order to completely savor them, and staff was both affable and great with a number of suggestions. As our time was limited (we were essentially on a layover which we took as a great excuse to dine with Yelp Miami's own Maria A), we honed in on a potpourri of appetizers, entrees and a couple of desserts to balance out the wine (after being out of the country for several days, a glass of Ridge was just what the doctor ordered for some) and I for one balanced out pork bellies, brussel sprouts (yes, I'm aware I'm one of four people who craves those) and mussels with a couple of Duvels. Dessert brought a baked apple cavalcade and a banana panini provided an ample exclamation point. Can't wait to go back when I can linger!
(4)
Lowell J.
I went here for lunch as I was in the area on business. Now I love this place for dinner and expected to love their lunch but...I had a chicken sandwich on ciabatta bread and it was just okay... :-(
(3)
Kristin K.
great, just amazing. Enjoyed the Miami Spice menu, started with the fig & burrata, mint & olive oil. the best thing I've had in a while. Entree was the swordfish, grapefruit & arugula - so fresh. Finished with a hazelnut plum tart & black licorice ice cream. Delish. Great portions sizes, not too much. our server was brilliant.
(5)
Steve S.
i was a little disappointed in my meal here recently. i had high expectations, and left feeling that it could have been better. i went with a group of 6 and we shared various small plates to start, ordered separate large plates as a main course, and then split some desserts. the roasted double farm egg w/ gruyere and crostini was very good, but the country pate was very mediocre and fell flat in my opinion. the crispy potato chips with french onion dip was good, but didn't blow me away. i felt like i could have gotten them at a sports bar. my entree of pork shoulder was tasty and moist, but pretty fatty. the chimichurri sauce was not really necessary, and didn't add anything to the dish. the grits were great though. my friend's pork chop with spicy chickpea stew was decent, but had a strong cumin flavor throughout the dish that i would call over-spiced. and the desserts were really nothing special. although the donuts were fantastic, i enjoyed the accompanying blackberry marmalade much better than the orange pot de creme. and the now infamous 'popcorn & peanuts' dish was just sad. the popcorn was hard and seemed like it had been sitting in a freezer, not made fresh. the butter popcorn flavored ice cream was a cool idea and tasty though. overall, we had nothing that was truly terrible, but not much that was really out of this world. i can't say i will be back.
(3)
Tony D.
If you want Amazing look no further than Michael's Genuine in the Design District. Everything here is incredibly fresh and more importantly, local! This food is made with love and every single thing I had was amazing. Its hard to pick my favorites, because everything and I mean everything was amazing. The service is impeccable, the prices are reasonable, and the food is delicious. If your looking for the best restaurant in Miami, head over to Michael's Genuine.
(5)
DeDe D.
So if Frank Bruni says I should go somewhere outside of New York, I go. Frank was right. Ok, I wouldn't go to a restaurant for free water ... but I was charmed by it. Really, I don't have to pay you $10 for sparkling water? What a great way to start a meal. But I actually go for the food, right? A few highlights - the wood roasted double yolk farm egg is out of this world - run don't walk to enjoy this dish. While it's warm and rich enough that I wished I was enjoying it in the 30 degree weather of NYC rather than Miami, it's great in any weather. The pork belly in a kim chi sauce was the perfect combination of sweet and spice - I order pork belly whenever it's offered and this is a superlative preparation. The crispy beef cheek was good but not great - I'd try something else on this very interesting menu. The grouper entree was very good - fish was perfectly prepared, but my favorite part was the brussels sprouts (our excellent waiter had said we should definitely try the brussels sprouts and he was right.) Desserts were fantastic. The creamsicle pot de creme with warm donuts is the best dessert I've had in a long time. Get it, period. The maple flan was also delicious - try to get a companion to order it - but the pot de creme is at the top of the list. In short, Michael's is impressive - don't miss it on your next Miami trip.
(5)
Allison P.
Hello? Ridge Zinfandel by the glass for less than $10. That's all I needed to hear. After spending the week in a country not known for its wine, this was music to my hears. Yelp's own Maria A. showed us around while on a layover headed back to Texas. On top of an amazing glass of wine; mussels, pork belly and crazy unique desserts had me sold. A banana toffee panini? Holy smokes. Coming straight from Latin America, I can't say the ceviche was as good as what I had experienced the week before, but tasty nonetheless. Since we were short on time, we stuck with just a few appetizers and dessert. But when I make it make to Miami (which I plan on), we'll be headed right back for a full meal.
(4)
Eric W.
Michael's Genuine, where to start. Well, this being Valentine's Day, I decided to make reservations for myself and a friend who was in town on business. I live in West Palm Beach and had never been there before, and because of this, got lost. Since my reservations were at 2:30, I called to say we were running late, and we arrived at 3 sharp, right when the kitchen closes, unfortunately. However, the Maitre 'd sat us anyhow, and we were able to order our lunch, despite feeling a little rushed. The service was ok, although our waitress only checked on us once throughout our nearly 45 minute meal. She was prompt to take our order, for obvious reasons. Our food arrived pretty quickly, and was delicious. A real treat. My companion had the turkey and gruyerre, and I had the Banh Mi. Both sandwiches were outstanding. Fresh ingredients, well prepared. My only compaint would be that we ordered two diet cokes, and I was immediately disappointed when I saw our server come around the corner with the small 6 oz. glass bottles, especially at 3.50 a piece with no refills. Hardly a value. I will definitely make the trek back to explore the rest of the menu, however, and look forward to doing so.
(4)
Margot R.
CHIMAY beer AMAZING!!! Pulled Pork Sandwich - dry! ( i added ketchup and it still sucked) Burger ( dry -- c'mon) Chicken ( dry -------c'mon dude,....chicken?????) Desserts-- DELECTABLE! Staff--Stuck-up Food-- Overpriced **Summary; In N.Y.C. this shit wouldn't pass for pidgeon food.
(2)
Deb H.
Finally checked out Michael's last night & I give the wine 5 stars and the food 3 stars. I had a hard time finding something that appealed to me on the food side. Pigs ears, pork belly, various egg dishes and a plethora of trendy menu items left me a bit cold. I had the beet & tomato salad which was great and some nifty olives. The wine was sublime--I had the Bell Meritage and the Ruta Malbec. The selection by the glass is perfect. The patio is dog-friendly and my Jack enjoyed the night.
(3)
Kolja P.
Nice location. Food was generally good. Kimchi with peanuts and pasta was excellent but the pizza was burnt. Service could have been better and more attentive. All in all a nice but not outstanding experience, especially for $230 for lunch for 4 people.
(3)
Moshe D.
The restaurant was packed with people. We especially liked the pork belly and the slow roasted pork shoulder. Overall not the "best of the best" as stated in one of the reviews, but very tasty. Chef/Owner Michael Schwartz emphasizes organic products and an interesting menu which is divided into small, medium, large, and extra large plates. It is reasonably priced for a famous restaurant frequented at times by celebrities. Hipster ambiance. There is parking on the street.
(4)
Craig T.
I'd seen the pigs ears on The Layover and felt sure this would be a great bet. It is. The place is far more relaxed than I was expecting, and the lunch crowd make for great people watching. I shared 4 appetizers, which were all simple and thoughtfully put together with quality ingredients. The pork belly white bean soup special was as perfect a soup as I've eaten, the only one that possibly beat this was the roast chicken consomme at Icon in the W Midtown, NYC. I opted for the rock shrimp salad in part to see how respectfully they handled non-pork / fried menu items, and I still have moments where the experience pops back into mind. Desserts are decadent, and just the right side of sane, given the current trend for whimsy at the ends of meals. Treat yourself.
(4)
Roberto B.
While I have only been here once I really don't know where to begin - this place is magical - the bill was so much less than I would have thought (caveat: the main course for my taste was indeed still the size of an appetizer - wah! but I'm a um... big boned boy - ok fat healthy eater!), the wine list immpecable and the food - TO DIE FOR. I will probably have to update my review because I plan on going their repeatedly before I die and eating everything off the menu.... twice...that good. BTW not important per se but the staff are all eye candy - men and women. BUT important: THEY ARE NICE and make you feel WANTED! Reservations highly recommended (we didn't have one, it was pretty packed on a windy Wednesday night but we were accommodated rather rapidly) - don't pass up this gastronomical delight that has to be one of Miami's top ten restaurants. . . Place's like this put US on the culinary map.
(5)
Any M.
Great hidden little Gem. outdoor dining has a great ambiance. I love the menu divided into small , medium, large portions. Everything was great and cooked to perfection. We ordered several plates and shared between four of us. Dessert was delicious and interesting: an olive oil cake with basil ice cream and fig compote..mmm soo good.
(5)
Doctor R.
Michael's has been an obsession of mine, lo these many mooncycles. I tripped over this lovely, smoke-infused, comfort food haven during a Miami Design District Art Walk a couple years back. My side-kick and I were low on fuel, weary of hipsters, and in need of Vitamin G (a good gin martini). M's was packed, but we found a welcome nook at the bar where we had the best Martini I have had (outside of my own, which is semi-legendary and whirled changing, but I digress...). We ordered an heirloom tomato and beet salad that transported us to another plain. The pacNW oysters made me pine for my old Left Coast haunts (SF, Eugene, Vancouver). The wood-fired oven-roasted brussel sprouts with pancetta reminded me again that home is where the hearth is. I have returned every couple months ever since. I regret that the Mayflower Martini is off the menu (except by request and even then it is missing the orange bitters...), but have found suitable subs. I was last there for lunch on July 29 with a table of first-timer foodies. Each were over the moon (we shared plates). I always drop a fair dinkum amount of gettus, but I have no regrets and many happy memories. The service is friendly and prompt without being pushy. My favorite Miami restaurant for good reason. Simple and superb. Dr Rico
(5)
Seth H.
went here for sunday brunch...incredible meals, tapas style. be sure to make a reservation for outdoor seating as the outdoor garden (would have been) awesome to sit in.
(5)
low p.
Along with The Dutch in Miami and Gjelina in Venice, CA, this place is one of my holy trinity. As in "holy f@#$, this is delicious!). Mind you, our first dinner there was not super awesome. But, we just didn't order right. We've had several amazing meals since, including a sublime lunch of the fish sandwich, the pulled pork sandwich, and lots and lots of donuts. I love that this place is between the airport and South Beach, so you have no excuse not to hit it coming (and going) whenever you are in Miami
(5)
Jenny D.
Food good. Service terrible. Ruined our experience. We visited yesterday night for dinner expecting the best since everyone talks about this place. With no exaggeration, our server only talked to us when we were first ordering to try and upsell us on everything! As if 4 appetizers, 2 entrees, and 2 drinks wasn't enough!! We are foodies so we love to try new and exciting dishes, which they were very good. The egg rice cake was our favorite. We also had the fried pig ears, butter lettuce, egg crostini, short rib, and pizza. Our server NOT ONCE came to our table to see how we were doing....my husband wanted another beer, I wanted to try a different homemade soda since the one I had was too sweet (ginger lemongrass I don't recommend it) after finding a runner to take our empty plates away" our server looked over at us many times but never coming over. We had to ask the hostess for the check!!!! Manager even saw us looking around but kept doing his own thing. That's hospitality 101 people. You see a customer looking around a bit annoyed, you go to them. Not to mention we had to send our pizza back because it was so burnt it was not edible. You think a manager would come over to make sure everything was ok? Once again nothing from anyone! We even saw how well another server behind us was doing and we almost asked him for the dessert list but then we became so turned off, we just wanted to go somewhere else! Would We go back? Sorry, but we love good food and there is too much competition out there to have horrible service and ruin the dining experience. That was definitely a turn OFF.
(2)
Chrissy G.
I went in with high expectations but was disappointed. We dined at 5:30 (the only time we could get a reservation and since we had nothing else to do, we took it). The restaurant was pretty empty at the time but it quickly picked up. We were sat in the adjoining Gallery room and though it is separate from the main dining room we didn't mind. My husband had a beer (some German beer, last on the list) and I had a glass of Riesling. Both were reasonably priced. From the "small" menu we had the Grouper ceviche and the Roasted Octopus. I loved the ceviche and its citrus kick where as the hubby wasn't as much of a fan. The fish was super fresh but he thought there was just too much citrus. I am not a fan of octopus in general but found it to be edible. The hubby LOVED it. We had the homemade potato chips with onion dip. If you love store bought onion dip you will love this. It was full of caramelized onions and was a creamy delicious "snack". For our main dishes my husband had the grouper with the brussel sprouts. Surprisingly, his eyes lit up when eating the sprouts, he loved them where as the grouper was just ok. Nothing bad but nothing to write home about either. I had the pork shoulder with cheesy grits. It sounded good and I had read great reviews about it. Unfortunately, I couldn't even eat it. The pork was dry, flavored with cinnamon and anise? and was pretty awful. I have never ha to leave a dish because I was so unhappy but couldn't stomach this one. My husband is a garbage disposal and didn't like it either. Our waitress was gracious and picked it up right away and thankfully took it off our check. Overall, the small dishes were yummy but the main dishes fell flat. Probably wouldn't go back, there are too many other places to try and enjoy! Oh, i forgot about dessert. I had the chocolate dessert which was wonderful!
(2)
Veronica S.
My brother and sister-in-law invited us to dinner here. We decided to go last minute but got there just in time as someone cancelled theirs so we got a table right away. Our server was attentive and made great suggestions. The ambience was relaxing and sitting outside on a 'winter' night in Miami was perfect. They had a signature cocktail with a rosemary spring that smelled as good as it tasted. As far as the menu, we ordered a variety of things and what stands out most is the duck confit and the short ribs. I can't wait to go back!
(4)
Erika C.
Great food. This was one of the most memorable restaurants I ate at in Miami. This included D Rodriguez Cuba, which didn't blow my mind. This place had unique dishes, a nice layout, and is situated in the design district. Very cool night shots were had and very good dishes were chowed down.
(4)
Penny G.
Michael's is consistently delicious. Everytime I have gone for dinner, I think to myself: I should come here more often! The house salad, crispy rice cake, pizza, ribeye steak, fries, burrata, and grouper are all my favs. The cookie and confection plate is perfection and I can literally take the whole thing down by myself!!!! Last sunday I came for brunch, and now I really LOVE this place. Hands down the best brunch in miami. My favorites were the chocolate chip cookies, banana bread french toast, breakfast pizza, multigrain toast was fresh and amazing, BACON STICKY BUN=RIDIC, house cured bacon(dip it in the grade A syrup please), house made sausage, brown butter madelines, bacon egg cheese arepa, pp&j cupcake, and the homemade poptarts. Do yourself a MAJOR favor, pick up the phone, make a resy, and enjoy the best brunch EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Jason C.
ya this is the real deal, great looking inside , friendly staff, in a cool area of miami and top it off the foood was great. Looking foward to going back again, thank you
(5)
Ed A.
Interesting foods, however, the staff takes away from the dining experience. DO NOT sit at the kitchen bar, the heat and staff can ruin your appetite. The wine list needs works; however, the creativity on the food menu is worth the visit. The cheese sampler, country eggs and mussels are stunning.
(3)
Charlie B.
What can I say...As a self proclaimed foodie and blogger it was about time I went to Michaels...last night I went and it didn't disappoint. The place is understated but elegant, simple and clean...just like his food. For an app I had the Wood roasted double yolk farm egg with aged Gruyere, roasted tomato, chives and a sourdough crostini...have to say it was spectacular For dinner I had the roasted & grilled Harris ranch short rib with roasted cippolini onion, with romesco sauce...the short ribs were fork tender, and packed with so much flavor!! Dessert was also amazing...the chocolate peanut butter "candy bar" with buttered popcorn flavored ice cream with chocolate chipotle sauce was just sublime So, as you can see I highly recommend MGFD...amazing food, in an equally amazing place!
(5)
Rafael R.
As both a non Miami and Design District native, it is my understanding that Michael's Genuine was the first Miami DD resto to offer complimentary sparkling water to guests - very novel in a city well known for trying to up-sell its diners on pricey bottled water. Now that the area has welcomed numerous new restaurants, they all seems to be offering it. What locals don't know is that this practice actually started on the other coast, at a restaurant in San Francisco by the name of Incanto Restaurant & Wine Bar almost a decade ago. Of course, unless I'm distorting the facts, like former VP Al Gore, who claimed to have invented the internet or President Obama, who recently said that the US invented the car ... it was actually Germany, this practice is a nice respite from having to purchase a bottle of fizzy water that will no doubt end up in a landfill, as the city of Miami does not recycle. Ok, carbonated water lecture and non green efforts aside, Michael's Genuine is a wonderfully tasty establishment in the heart of the district. The wood roasted double yolk egg farm gets two thumbs up for flavor, as it was one of the more memorable starters, but overall, it was a wonderful dinner.
(5)
Johnny T.
I suppose there are simple truths one must accept when deciding to dine at an extremely popular establishment: it will be crowded, service mileage will vary, the prices will hurt a bit, it.will.be .crowded. But, if you breathe deeply, exhale and acknowledge that all these truths are self-evident, then possibly -- maybe -- you can have a good experience. I had a good experience. I did my research. I planned on coming to Michael's with an out-of-town guest for Sunday brunch. This was full steam ahead, you-know-what-you're-getting-into. Despite having a reservation and arriving before said reservation, the hostess greeted us with a lovely mix of confusion, annoyance and flippancy. Oh boy. This is going to be fun. Assuming that Florida is a three strikes state, I reserved my impulse to 'bless' her and, simply, turned to my friend, smiled and waited. After, about, six minutes we were seated. We requested an inside table because it looked like rain. We sat and... wow. That's tight. As much as I joke about being chunky but funky, I'm actually a trim fellow. I barely fit in the seat. Our table was child sized and I wondered how we would fit more than three plates on it. After a short while, our waitress came by. She had a perfunctory smile and that was good enough for me (even though we received other tables' orders and did not receive ours for time on end). I ordered a Cabarete, received it, sipped the St. Germain, watermelon and sparkling wine concoction, leaned back, and exhaled. This'll do. All things equal to the savory side of the kitchen, I knew that my main objective was to eat everything the Hedy Goldsmith thought about that morning. Hmm, I may have been lying about the 'trim' thing. So, in an effort to get to the sweet portion of the brunch meal, we ordered a breakfast pizza, pate and the double yolk egg. The bacon, egg, jack cheese, and onion pizza was tasty but didn't rock my socks. That duty was left to the egg -- whose gruyere, tomato and chive mix couldn't be sopped up quickly enough by the bread. This is a winner, folks. My friend and I nearly fought over it. Luckily for me, she doesn't like tomatoes. The pate, again, was nice but nothing I hadn't had before. Truthfully, I bunted on the savory because I was bringing my 1972 Miami Dolphins game to the sweet portion of brunch. #believe Pop Tart: I was, like, $%*&%#^. Sorry. I meant to write ^**)(^%&*I. Uff da. I can't put into words what this pop tart is/was. It called me, maybe. It was the wind beneath my wings. It hit me, baby, one more time and a time after it. I simply couldn't believe what was happening. It's as though I stepped outside myself to witness me eating this treasured piece of Heaven... but then I ran back inside myself so that I didn't miss a single morsel of perfection. If you have even thought about eating something sweet, you have to have this. It doesn't matter the flavor. Eat it. And, don't share unless you have to; Lemon Ricotta Pancakes: With berry compote, the combo of sweet and tart in pancake form never goes out of style. My friend and I were big fans of shared lemon ricotta pancakes back in Chicago and these fit the bill nicely; Donut: Peaches.And.Cream. Tears. Crying. Joy. Confession. Twirls. Skips. Jumps; Snickers bar: We ended the meal with a homemade Snickers bar made from the brilliant mind of Hedy Goldsmith. This was the sweets version of dropping the mutha-f'in' mike and walking off the stage. For the above reasons, true believers, this is why you will put up with crowds, flaky service, tight fits, and other first-world problems. You will put up with it again and again and again. I know I will.
(4)
Mimi B.
This place is just okay. I heard so much about it and was excited to try it. The food was good, over priced and our service wasn't so great. I am not dying to go back.
(3)
Julia S.
The food is insane here. Great atmosphere. The staff is very nice. My only complaint is the prices. If I pay full price for an entree, it should come with accompaniments. Other than that, top notch!
(4)
Nanette B.
Love this place for many occasions! Love the music and the vibe! Love the seating area outside as you really feel that you are somewhere at a European cafe far away from here! People are friendly and service is great! Also the food is very good! Defiantly a place I go back to ... Not to mention the affordable valet or parking.
(4)
Fortune Cookie W.
This was one of the restaurants my culinary school took me to do a sample writing for a food writing course. I would say that it cannot get any better. The genius behind the food here is astonishing. From their savory bite size appetizers to the sweet complexity of their bread pudding dessert it is one of my favorite places to go out to eat with friends. It is a bit pricey if you are around the college student budget, but for good food you will find a way to treat yourself. It is a place where you can go in business casual to fancy dress up to go feel like what it is like to have lunch as a socialite. Its in a small corner area that is private for your minimal exposure for your one on one time or just a group of friends.
(5)
Nancy A.
This is probably one of most happy places in miami. THE FOOD IS AMAZING, specially the brunch menu. The desserts change constantly but the pop-t's (name for the poptarts so they dont sue) are incredible. the service is great but it gets packed so make a reservation and order about two plates per person to make sure you get full!
(5)
Ting W.
Came here based upon an Anthony Bourdain recommendation. I had the Banh Mi pork sandwich with a bloody mary and a tomato caprese appy. All were delicious. Service was great. I'd love to come back.
(5)
Megan L.
I was excited to try Michael's Genuine on a recent vacation, but the experience didn't come close to the rave reviews. The atmosphere was great, the food decent, but the service completely ruined the experience. Our server clearly didn't have it together- it started going downhill when 20-plus minutes went by between receiving our salads and entrees. Once the entrees did arrive, my lamb was chewy and had seemingly sat in the window for a while, but it didn't seem worth it to complain (and it would have meant trying to flag down the waiter again, ugh). We stuck it out and stayed through a slow dessert.The kicker was when the bill arrived- he'd charged us $30 for my sister's 2 vodka sodas. Well welcome to Miami --except that's more than anything on the cocktail list. Way to screw the customer, and yourself out of a good tip.
(2)
Hope P.
In the Design distict behind the Palm trees covered in hanging orchids, and the garden had festive poinsettas for added color and to remind you of the season, lies Michael's Genuine. The hostess sat my man and I to a nice table for two outside. Inside I noticed some great art pieces on the wall and a nice trendy bar too. We just came from a Heat game (Heat won!) and were ready to eat. Waters were brought out in red glasses, and ordered a couple nice glasses or red wine. Navigating through the menue of small plates, medium, large and extra large plates, sides, cheese of the week and snacks. We ordered the duck leg and the chicken liver as "snacks". The duck rillette was cooked in its fat and was melt in your mouth, it came with dijon and a tiny savory pickle(cornichon) and crostini. The chicken liver had caramelized onions, and crostini. Both were great choices since we wanted to try something different and new. There are little tea lights with white paper wrapped around giving a mood lighting chinese-lantern effect. I found it romantic. The whole wooden roasted chicken is a 60 minute wait and didn't know so it would've taken too long since we ordered snacks and waited to order the dinner... soo Plan B the Half a pan roasted chicken! It was delicious!! At the end of our date I wanted a photo and the valet gladly took my camera and took a couple shots. A couple of Tall big guys ( players) drove up in a Black SUV and asked the valet if they were still open.. he said "No". The guy looked disapointed and drove off with his buddies in the car. The Valet then told us the Heat players often come to eat there... Its that good. ** Featured on Best Thing I Ever Ate: Popcorn & Peanuts - Tangerine Creamsicle - Homemade Poptarts ** **Featured on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmerman Michael's Genuine Serves local, sustainable food made with improvisational cooking techniques. ** ** Featured on Drinking Made Easy -Grab a fresh cocktail during their infamous Sunday Brunch **
(4)
Mike D.
I really wanted to give this place a 5 star review but because I felt the wait staff was in "robot mode" and not paying attention to details or questions and request I was asking i had to subtract 1 star. I love this location and the little courtyard for out door seating is great to people watch. The food was very good and I was able to experienced things like pig ears in which I really enjoyed. Some of the food that we ordered lacked refinement but overall really fresh and flavorful. When we are back in Miami we will most likely be back. If you are in this neighborhood stop by for some apps and a drink, you'll have a good time!
(4)
Arelys G.
Love their dessert and ambiance! The place is usually pretty packed for dinner so make sure to make reservations in advance.
(3)
Samantha H.
small, intimate, great service, great food. One of the best!
(5)
Patricia E.
I love Michael's Genuine! Another of my favorite restaurants to visit. All of their ingredriants are fresh and they provide awesome table service. Drinks are hip, and their menu has some delightful tastes. I definitely recommend Sunday Brunch at Michael's, it won't disappoint you.
(5)
Joseph S.
This restaurant is wonderful. A little pricy and the selection is unique to say the least but the food is wonderful. The service was second to none. I would take a sip of my water and before I knew it a barista would fill me up again. Not only did they bring a dog bowl but they also offer complimentary dog bones which was an absolute treat for my boy. I definitely recommend this restaurant for a unique dining experience.
(4)
Marqus R.
I've stopped by Michael's several times and with so many refreshingly exciting places for this out of town Fort Lauderdalian to stop by in Miami, that alone is a testament to how much I've enjoyed it. The best part about it is that not only is the food good, it's unique in creation and preparation; it doesn't bore me. Because of my weird street roaming hours, I've usually hit Michael's at times in between its rather strict serving hours but have been contented to sit at the bar munching their bowl of house radishes, dipping them in salt and enjoying a few good albeit rather expensive drinks. Michael's claims to hold to a philosophy of using the best and freshest of local ingredients and, from my experiences they live up to that claim. Best, however, is the uniqueness of their dishes and the manner in which they are prepared. Indeed I've had items here that are imaginative and from a culinary point difficult to pull off, but they seem to be able to do exactly that, not just once or twice, but repeatedly. The slow roasted boneless short ribs and the jumbo lump crab cake are both worthy of particular note and of my recommendation.
(4)
Adam R.
Of all the places that I went to in Miami this year, Michael's is going to be the one that I give a five star designation to. It was tough, seeing as I managed to pick out some quality places (pats himself on back) but Michael's was a cut above. Pre-meal - I needed to change my reservation twice. Neither time was a problem. And despite showing up late, they were cool about it, and were professional despite it being the last table of lunch. Appetizer - My cousin had never had pork ear. He was curious. My brother and I like crispy pork, and we went with it. The decision was fantastic. Crispy, with a little bit of softness inside, it was indulgent and delicious. My grandfather did not eat it, but he should have. Drinks - I was impressed by not only the cocktail and wine list, but the beer list too. Their Manhattan was one of the best I've ever had. Maybe it was the Rosemary infused cherries... They also have an ice wine in their dessert drink selection. Not often found, but I really love a good ice wine. Mains - My penne was really tasty. And normally I tend not to get pasta when I'm out, but used it almost as a test of Michael's... If you can impress me with my pasta for lunch, I'm a fan. And impressed I was! Getting braised meat late in a service is always a smart move, as it's a lot more "fall aparty". Which was delicious. The ricotta was rich and decadent. Maybe a little more than necessary, but it was great. When on vacation, I tend not to re-visit places. Though I know I'll be back in Miami again, and it'll be hard to keep me away from this place.
(5)
Maria Fernanda C.
I can't wait to go back! This is a great place for date night. The food is awesome, the mood is romantic, the waiters are knowledgeable and super polite. I thought it would be awkward sitting pretty close to another couple, but they ended up buying us a round - heeeeey!
(5)
Maggie V.
An amazing meal, with a satisfying and perfectly balanced menu. The menu changes often, so describing the tender lamb, awesome Straciatella (actually a heirloom buratta salad) and incredible country pate may or may not be available... but something equally amazing will be. Their homemade sodas made for a great non-alcoholic drink menu. Definitely would love to become a regular here!
(5)
Gwen W.
I was in Miami for a business trip and thought I'd venture out of the hotel after my meetings for a meal at Michaels. I had heard it was great and I wanted to browse around the Design District after brunch. The tone was set for me by the hostess who, as a solo diner, offered me few options for seating and was generally not welcoming. This is common in restaurants when I dine alone, so I tried not to take offense. I was seated at the bar. I ordered a latte, the lemon ricotta pancakes, and a side of bacon. My server forgot about my latte so it sat on the counter for a while before making its way to me after he passed me by a few times and then had that look of recognition like he was forgetting something. My pancakes arrived and I was shocked to find out they are the size of the old silver dollar pancakes we used to get as kids. Three of them with a small bit of flavored syrup. Had I known they were an appetizer size (for 9 bucks, no less), I probably would have opted for something else that was entree sized. They tasted fine, but I've had better, adult sized ones. I then moved on to the bacon which was crispy, but just a few seconds from being burned. The latte was good, so it wasn't a total loss, but definitely not worth the $30 cab ride.
(2)
Sharon W.
The Emperor has no clothes! Last night, we were across the street at the Macallan tasting event, so the BF suggested we give MGFD a try. He had heard that Michael's was a great neighborhood place focused on wood-oven preparation of dishes with less-traditional ingredients and no pretentiousness. I hadn't heard too much about it, so I was willing to give it a try. We walked in shortly before 8pm and the hostess area was very crowded and confused. There were 3 people behind the desk but it took a while to get the hostess's attention. Since we were only 2, we were able to sit right away and we had the option to sit inside or out. We opted for inside as it was raining off and on and we had heard the hostess explain to the party ahead of us that not all outside tables were protected. Here is where we ran into the first issue. The inside room has terrible acoustics and is quite noisy. The tables are far too close together. We were seated so close to the two-top next to us that we may as well have been at the same table. To make matters worse, one of the women seated next to us was speaking very loudly in an extremely grating voice. We were only hearing one side of the conversation as her dining companion either wasn't permitted to get a word in, or was speaking quietly. It was just as annoying as being trapped next to someone having a cell phone conversation. It was so distracting, I couldn't focus on the menu. And speaking of the menu, it was so dark in the restaurant, it was difficult to read. I was using the small votive candle to illuminate the menu, which apparently is a big no-no. When the waiter came by, he freaked out and yelled at me for using the candle before handing over a small flashlight. He was clearly not happy to be working that night and started off with a bored, "have you dined with us before", at which point, the BF asked if we could change tables. The waiter then yanked the flashlight out of my hand and stalked off without a word. A moment later, someone from the hostess station appeared and told us she could seat us outside. Since the tables were so close together, exiting the restaurant was very awkward. We were made to wait outside for a while before the hostess appeared to seat us. We were about 2 minutes away from just leaving, but were finally seated and Mark appeared. Mark was fantastic! He explained the menu and made some good recommendations. We opted for the octopus and the barrelfish. When the food arrived, we were immediately disappointed by the size! Mark had explained how the food was portioned, but this was laughable! The octopus (one tentacle) was excellent - cooked perfectly over a bed of tomato and fresh gigante beans. The fish was so-so. It was just a plain wedge of fish, somewhat dry, with a very very small dollop of olive tapanade. It could have used a glaze of something to liven it up. Notably missing from both dishes was any wood-smoked flavor. The entire reason we were interested in dining here was because of the wood-burning oven, and if it was used for the preparation of what we ordered, it did not impart any flavor to the food. We were really glad we had eaten some h'orderves at the Macallan event earlier, or else we would have been really hungry and really pissed off. The pricing here is offensive. I understand that humanely raised, organic meats will be pricey and they should be. But what is unacceptable is to serve small, expensive dishes with no sides, and then to price the sides at such a huge markup. Asking $8 for cauliflower or squash is way out of line. It is manipulative. Between the wildly overcrowded interior space and the ridiculously priced menu, I feel that Michael Schwartz is trying to squeeze as much cash out of this place as possible. Further, Yelp needs to consider changing the restaurant information from 3 $ to 4 to accurately reflect the true cost of a full meal here. That said, the food (or at least the octopus) was excellent, so if you are not particularly hungry, or if you are down for some serious spending, it's worth a trip.
(2)
Betsy D.
This place is AMAZING. The food and service can't be beat. One thing to note, though, is you really have to love all food to appreciate Michael's Genuine. The menu changes often, so if you're a picky eater this probably isn't the place for you...you have to be a little adventurous. If you are, trust me, you will be rewarded with flavors to die for, and exotic combinations. You'll want to come back.
(5)
Sean H.
Wow, Michael's really hit the spot. I honestly can't remember all the dishes we ordered, but I certainly remember the crispy rice cake and the pork belly. Those two were the kind of rare dishes that require your full attention while eating them. I'm talking eyes closed, completely silent, interrupt-this-moment-at-your-own-peril culinary ecstasy. Those are must-trys. The drinks were also really good. I had a couple of the Manhattans with the rosemary cherries. Fantastic flavor.
(5)
Ethan Y.
Food: 3 stars. We had a few appetizers, including the devil's eggs and the pig ears. They were okay. The mushroom pizza was pretty good, a little too salty and burnt on the bottom. It was good otherwise. Service: 3 stars. Water wasn't refilled until the very end when we asked. But the waiter was cordial and humorous. Dessert: 4 stars. The blackberry ice cream was a nice touch. But it tastes just like the blueberry ice cream from Publix Premium. Haha.
(3)
Jim J.
As a restaurant general manager, I came to eat at Michael's for two reasons - I was starving and I wanted to do some homework. Michael's does most everything as well as anyone could imagine. We started at the bar and watched as the bartender made our Caballero ( a Mexican Bloody Mary with 2 ounces of Patron Silver, a squeeze of roasted Poblano puree and red chili coulis, with fresh lime juice and a sprig of cilantro for garnish) and a Caipirinha with fresh Passion Fruit. For starters we had the Puget Sound Oysters with mignonette sauce and Thai eggplant with yogurt. Both were amazing. For dinner, I had the Tilefish special with garbanzos and fennel. My wife had the Duck Confit. As accompaniments we ordered the Anson Mill Cheese Grits and the cauliflower with parsley sauce. A memorable experience. Anything less, and it wouldn't be Michael's.
(5)
Scott L.
Wandering around the design district during Art Basel was exciting, colorful and fun, so maybe that's why Micheals "genuine" impression could be signaled with the sound of a slowly decrescendoing trumpet. Wa waa waaa WAAAaaaaaaaaaaaa Micheals is an expensive pub in the courtyard of a new outdoor type shopping center in the design district. Cozy yes. But the small plates menu just seemed overpriced. $9 - $56. The staff was prompt, friendly and professional. One bartender apologized when a woman snagged the bowl of radishes that was sitting in front of me. "I've never seen someone take the whole bowl." he explained. "people usually wonder why we have radishes for bar snacks, to emphasize our stance as a purveyor of local food.". Uh ok. I ate two, they were spicy, but just okay. I could've ordered the short rib pizza - but that kinda seemed like " just having a cheeseburger". So I ordered the charbroiled octopus, which the nicely dressed gay guy sitting next to me at the bar, who did order the pizza, cheerleaded me on like a debutants mother with a sugary "that looks nice" $17 for two small pieces of octopus, nicely prepared on top of a salad of greens olives, roasted tomatoes, and fava beans, made me feel good actually but the plate was so small I felt kinda boonswaggled. I shoulda known because when I ordered, the barback endearingly smiled and asked "do you want bread with that?" $35 after tip wasn't too bad for two glasses of wine and, basically, an appetizer, but it wasn't so marvelous. With the pretty 30 something blondes and their significantly older nicely dressed male companions, I thought even some of my financially comfortable Doctor friends might be aside with the pricepoint. Decent place though. That said - it's not on my list of places to revisit. I wondered if it would be tacky if I had one more radish after I was done eating and about to leave. The waiters eyes were like hawks waiting to swoop on my spot and reset it. I delightfully popped a radish in my mouth and crunched it as I walked away and a woman RUSHED to sit in my chair. I'm genuinely outta here, and a little stressed out. Thank god they have a bar.
(3)
Ashley K.
Very, very disappointed with this restaurant. After reading so many great things on yelp.. I had this restaurant bookmarked FOREVER and was excited to finally try it. The minute we walked through the door, we received attitude from the host - even though we were 5 mins early for our reservation. The waiter was friendly, but it didn't seem...genuine... ba dum psh. I could've easily dealt with the mediocre service if the food was worth it. But the food came in microscopic proportions and it didn't even taste all that great. good: -duck confit hash: the only thing I liked actually.. if I was forced to eat at MGFD again, I'd probably just order this lol -crispy rice cake: also good, would recommend -wood oven roasted double yolk egg: comes with two tiny pieces of sourdough crostini.. thought it would be more spreadable, but it's actually like scrambled paste.... hm, doesn't sound very appetizing now that I think about it... bad: -kimchi benedict: comes as one flavorless egg topped over dry kimchee and a stale crumpet..disappointed =( -pop-t's: had a nutella like filling.. the whole thing was cold and the filling was on the solid side :-/ -french toast: came as one small french toast stick... would it kill them to put more than one?? jeez... had a side of cream and cherry compote, which was the only good thing on the plate lol The person who ordered the french toast also ordered lemon ricotta pancakes, which never arrived. We reminded the server, who said he'd check on it. Twenty minutes later, we re-reminded the server, who said he'd check on it again. Never came. So my poor friend's meal consisted of only 2 bites of a french toast stick and a spoon of cherry cream, so disappointing. How many times have I used that word in this review? Skip this place and go somewhere less pretentious with better food!
(2)
Cassandra M.
Fresh. Simple. Pure. That pretty much defines the food you'll find at MGFD. Our dinner at MGFD was our first meal in Miami and pretty much defined the trip. Simple but enjoyable. We ordered a handful of dishes but the highlights were: Crispy Pig Ears- i say honey bbq, my friend said taco seasoning. Whatever it was seasoned in.. Quite tasty and highly addictive especially when accompanied with a cocktail. Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly with Kimchi- holy crap. this is the best dish we had. It wasn't too sweet, the spice added just the right kick and the kimchi didnt overpower the flavors at all. everything was well balanced and we definitely wanted more. tangerine creamsicle pot de cream: perfect way to end the meal. warm, lightly sugared doughnuts served with some tarragon blackberry jam and some tangerine creamy goodness. not too sweet but sweet enough to end the meal with. The only thing I regret: not going with more people. There were so many other dishes we couldn't try because there were only two of us... so... who wants to go to miami?
(4)
Bill T.
2nd time eater, 1st time reviewer. Went here for brunch a few months ago and everything I had was great...breakfast pizza, wood over roasted double yolk egg, burrata. Everything was awesome, great service, good beer as well. That was a definite five star. Went back for dinner....now I have to admit that the person I wanted to be eating with wasn't there so that probably accounts for the down mood I was in, but just seemed something was missing this time. Sat at the bar and the bartender wasn't as personable as my previous server. Had a beer and then ordered wings and the pork belly. The pork belly was pretty delicious but I couldn't eat the whole thing myself...it was way too rich, so it would have been better to split with someone. The chile wings, were sort of spicy and sweet but the flavors just didn't work for me, so I just thought it was okay. Would give that meal three stars, so it averages out to four stars.
(4)
Victor H.
Michael's Genuine is simply one of the best restaurants in Miami! top choices? Pulled Pork, Rice Cake, Greek Salad, Grilled Snapper... Everything! Service A++!!! Miami needed a restaurant as delicious as Michael's Genuine!
(5)
Marianela R.
Michael's Genuine definitely have one of the best brunches of Miami. The double yolk egg with gruyere and the breakfast pizza are the best plates. Service sometimes is bad though (depends on the server). Also, you must reserve a couple of days before if you want to make it to the Sunday brunch.
(4)
Ingrid R.
Went for brunch, had the kimchi benedict, pop-t's, deviled eggs, and some other plates I can't remember. Can't remember the names, can't remember the taste, can't remember the last time I spent that much money on such a disappointing brunch. The seating arrangements inside and out make you feel like you're sharing your dining experience with the other 50+ patrons, way too cramped. I have no desire to return.
(2)
Angelina T.
OMG. I can say so many great things about this restaurant. Food was absolutely amazing. Service was great. The atmosphere and decor very soothing. We had margaritas and they were strong and flavorful. Our order was: - chicken liver crostini were full of flavor. It was so good we had to repeat the order. - crispy pig ears were good with the lime. Very crunchy and fatty but not oily. Drizzle them with extra lime. - duck confit was unbelievable. Best duck I have ever tried. Tender meat with a little crunch. - crispy sweet and spicy pork belly was very flavorful. The kimchi that it came with was out of this world. I have never tried kimchi like that before. My friend, however, did not enjoy this dish. To each its own, I guess. - butter lettuce salad was very refreshing and delicious. I shared one with my girlfriend and ordered another one for myself. I don't remember what we had for dessert. It probably wasn't too memorable but then again, I am not big on desserts. By the time we finished all the food, we needed a stretcher to roll us out. This is hands down one of the best restaurants I have been to. I was bummed that we waited until our last night in town to have dinner here. In the future it will be one of the reasons to visit Miami.
With 1000+ reviews there isn't much to add about how amazing this place is, however if you are not a local, as we were not, and you only had one meal in Miami I would have no doubt in picking Michael's Genuine! We went to multiple other restaurants while on our trip to Miami but Michael's was by far my favorite. Don't miss... - Wood oven roasted double yolk farm egg - Crispy sweet & spicy pork belly - and if you are adventurous...the crispy pig ears
(5)
Amy P.
Finally the long awaited.... booked-marked this restaurant for over a year now, and browsing their pictures is always torture when you are hungry. Why I never made it out, no idea. So was pretty excited to finally come in. Located in the Design District along the same streets of PUCCI, MIU MIU, Dior, and Christian Loubiton lays Michael's Genuine. For brunch yesterday here is a quick breakdown of the plates me and my best friend shared; Since they ran out of the salmon we choose the.. Pumpkin cured swordfish: Tasty. Definitely a lot smaller than I expected. It was more of a sashimi dish, with 6-7 tiny slivers in the lovely pumpkin reduction. It tasted fresh, but maybe not something to "share." Smoked Ham: Since it was a new edition this week, I decided to try this, since I can always come back for the regular tapa dishes. The Ham itself was very delicious and fatty of course, and the crispiness on the top skin was perfect. I loved the small hash pearls underneath as well. Cottage cheese and peaches: Ehh. It was good, just not anything special. Doesn't stand out in comparison to the other options on the menu in my opinion. The only thing that made this dish worth it was the caramelized peaches, but other than that I don't think it was worth the price it was. Biscuits: were hot and fresh. Coming in only at $2, this is a definitely a nice add on to your small dishes. The banana jam tasted like over ripened bananas that were kind of overwhelming at first, but then with a little fresh butter it all came together and was quite good. Overall, I get why this was on many Miami must-try lists on foodie blogs. Only thing I would warn anyone is if you come super hungry during brunch expect to order around 3 dishes per person. Been to many gastro spots where at $13-16 you got a much larger portion (meal size), and with the same style of American gourmet type dishes. Either way I enjoyed my meals here and will be back in the future. I loved the interior and how spacious it was inside. The hostess and servers were fantastic.
(4)
Ute L.
I have been avoiding M.G.'s like the plague, thinking it's another Miami overhyped spot with overpriced food and bad service. Finally, Natasha A. dragged me here for brunch, and it was pretty awesome. Dishes are appetizer sized, so plan on ordering at least 2-3 per person. We didn't have drinks, so each of us paid $27 before tax and tips, not bad at all. Our standouts were: - Buttermilk pancakes with peach jam: Perfectly moist and fluffy - Cream cheese stuffed French Toast with whipped cream and cherries: Mindblowing, I wanted more, more, more. - Eggplant Frittata: soft eggplant, eggs, tomato, topped with crumbled cheese - Yucca fries: crispy with just the right amount of salt. I don't even like yucca. - Stracciatella cheese with fresh sliced peaches: the only thing better than peaches'n cream Wouldn't order these again: - Breakfast pizza: plain, unmemorable, uninspired, with hard egg yolk - Double egg yolks baked with gruyere cheese: Yolks were hard and the cheese was heavy and greasy - Vanilla sponge cake with peaches: The cake was dry and flavorless Service was great, especially considering they were as packed as ever, except for when they brought our pizza AFTER we received our sweet dishes. Bad timing. Our French toast was getting cold while we ate part of our not so great and very late pizza.
(4)
Charity Z.
Michael genuine a is indeed a genuine place. A must try in midtown. After searching on yelp for a place for date night, I found Michaels. There were no reservations available but decided to come anyway. Plenty of parking is available on the street in the design district. When we arrived we were told we could sit by the bar and wait for a table. So we did. 20 minutes later and 2 drinks in, we were seated at a table. I'll start with the ambiance. Trendy and jazzy but at the same time relaxed. The place was packed. Didn't feel stuffy at all. The service was excellent. There was constant attention to us. Our water glasses where never left empty and as soon as my wine glass was running low I was offered another one. The food was really really good. Everything we ordered was fantastic. For starters we had the Hummus, Beef Tongue and Chicken liver crostini. All were delicious. For the main course my husband had the Spiced leg of lamb and I had the beef short ribs. Both were amazing. The short ribs were succulent and full of flavor. For sides we had the corn and the polenta. The polenta was creamy, I would've liked a thicker consistency but it was delicious anyways. We chose the funnel cake for dessert. Here I am thinking I'm getting a funnel cake like the ones at the fair. Not at all. It was a miniature one with a yummy scoop of Bourbon butterscotch ice cream. Left me wanting so much more. So glad I tried Michaels. We really enjoyed the experience and I hope to come back soon.
(4)
Amy D.
On the Miami Eater 38 List (as of 6/29/15) 2.5 stars but rounding up since this was a cute spot. I had high expectations for Michael's Genuine after seeing all the awesome reviews, but thought the dishes I tried were just ok. We went for brunch on a Saturday, and it was PACKED around 1pm. Luckily, my friend made reservations, so we were seated right away. Our table was quite small, and you're in close quarters with your neighbors, which wasn't the most comfortable. We ended up ordering: -Wood Oven Roasted Double Egg Yolk (Cave Aged Gruyere, Roasted Tomato, Chives, Sourdough Crostini, $9, yelp.com/biz_photos/mich… ): This sounded delicious was just ok- the saltiness of the gruyere overpowered all the other flavors, and this dish was very watery because of the roasted tomato. Skip! -Kimchi Benedict (Toasted Crumpet, Poached PNS Farm Egg, Crispy Pork Belly, Kimchi Hollandaise, $10, yelp.com/biz_photos/mich… ): Good but not mind-blowing, which was my expectation based on the description of the dish. I wouldn't order this again. I don't think we ordered the right dishes, so I hope to come back for brunch again or check out their dinner menu. Service was solid, but nothing spectacular. The most difficult part about eating here is really the small tables and tight dining quarters. And the parking, as street parking spots are quite limited. However, I believe valet is available.
(3)
Heidi P.
Oh. My. God. Oh. My. God. I ordered the Lychee Daiquiri and the duck confit with fingerling potatoes. Oh. My. God. My friend ordered the Grouper and Corn along with the Lychee Fizz. Good. God. This has been by far the best food I have had on the East Coast.
(5)
Lester M.
I really wanted to like this place. More than like, I wanted to love this place. I'm a huge fan of chef Michael Schwartz. I have seen him out in public a few times and my girlfriend had stop me from going all crazy food groupie on him. I have read many great reviews of fellow yelpers I know to have good taste. So many reason why I wanted to love this place. It was my birthday and as usual, I didn't want to do anything but my girlfriend and friends convinced me otherwise. I said if its gonna be special let there be Michael. My first time. So excited. We were greeted with a place is full, two hour wait line. I understand, this is a busy place, and I was ok with the wait, after all I really wanted to eat here. But what I was not ok with was with the attitude of the hostess. Not only she informed us of the wait time but on top of that she suggested that waiting would be useless and that we should go somewhere else, and proceeded to hand us a card for Harry's Pizzeria. If I wanted to go to Harry's I would have gone there from the beginning. We decided to wait and what do you know, minutes later there was a "cancellation, so we were seated. Lucky? Maybe. Everything in the menu looked so good and I have heard so many good things, I wanted to get the entire thing. It was four of us so we decide to share that way we could try a bit of everything. We started with the ceviche, the pate and the chicken wings. The pate was delicious, so fatty and creamy. Definitely what I was looking for. But then the ceviche didn't say much. The fish lacked flavor. And the chicken wings, well, let's just say I've had better. At this point I was looking forward to the big plates. We order the pork belly, the rice cake, the octopus, the pork shoulder and the leg of lamb. The pork belly and the pork shoulder were good but nothing to rave about. The octopus lacked the chewy consistence that I like so much, it tasted as if the octopus was not fresh. The lamb was ok but The Federal makes a mean lamb shank. The rice cake was good but at that point my taste buds were a bit disappointed and had decided to shut down for the night. I guess one of my friends had mentioned that it was my birthday because when it was time for dessert the waiter came to the table and asked "So, whose birthday is it?" to later appear with what we asked for dessert with a candle in it. Way to ruin the surprise, if that was meant to be one. At the end of the night, my friends made a comment that they have been there before and this was the first time it was not good. So take this with a grain of salt, so many people can't be wrong. As for me? Im still debating going back. If I do, I will update my review. HOPEFULLY!!!
(3)
Seth S.
Versatile, consistently excellent, creative, and locally sourced, in my view Michael's Genuine is still one of our very best restaurants in Miami, an always-intelligent and delicious meal that never disappoints. I go to Michael's for everything from family birthdays to business dinners to late night post concert stop-ins. The food is always excellent and locally sourced. And the menu is thoughtfully structured, so you can choose small plates, larger plates to share, or entrees for yourself. Highlights?: Tremendous whole snapper, any local Florida fish, roasted brussel sprouts, heirloom tomato salad, burrata, steak, great roasted chicken, fantastic desserts. Michael himself is an always "on," suitably edgy, very ambitious guy, and the food, service, and overall excellent consistency of this great Miami restaurant more then deserve five stars. He's a real presence, whether he's in the place or not. And I've seen more than a few other local chefs at the restaurant, no doubt sneaking insights from the master. Michael's main room is the best one to sit in, if you can get a table, and take care if you are on the patio during a rainy summer night. But overall, this is a great one, perhaps the very best in Miami.
(5)
Dannie M.
3.5 stars, I really enjoyed Mitchael's- very creative food. I felt that everything I ordered was very good. For starters we had the crispy pork ears- very good. Also the peach salad was the BEST! Would definitely recommend it to everyone. The Double yolk salad was just ok, and the olives were a bit too heavy. For main dishes I had the pork shoulder which had neon green garnish and hot pink pickled onions on top- which I loved. Also tried the short ribs with pumpkin- which was good but wished we had more pumpkin. By the end, we were so full we couldn't handle the desert- although it sounded amazing. I would recommend Micheal's especially for those who love the whole farm-to-table idea. As our waiter explained- most ingredients are bought from local farms.
(3)
Nate K.
All around it was a great experience with excellent food and outstanding service. I ate here with a group of 10+ people and had a 4 course menu with pre-defined options. Food: Ingredients were fresh and great quality. 1) Finger food: Freshly made chips and onion based dip. Yum. 2) Appetizers: Ceviche was fresh and tasty. Pork belly was amazing. 3) Main: Swordfish tender and juicy. It was served with a small side of corn and veggies that were cooked perfectly. 4) Dessert: I don't remember what the name was, but it was awesome. But I can describe it a cup containing something that was lighter than yogurt with a layer of strawberry and basil syrup. The texture was so light and airy, like having a cloud in a cup! Service: Efficient and fast. Various wait staff attended to our table and we were attentively cared for. The downside with having many wait staff serve is that things can get a little mixed up, as the staff wasn't sure who ordered what when the main dishes were out. This is a very small detail and again this was a very positive experience. I'm not a fan of having overly polite/too friendly service, so this place was perfect for me. Experience: The area we were sitting was tight, but manageable. We could talk to each other without issue. There was plenty of seating outside which had outdoors heaters for this cool January night. The one thing that I didn't like, was that the two bathrooms were ONLY ONE stall each. I think this is really a stretch it for a restaurant of it's size.
(4)
Jennifer C.
Consistently good and perfectly casual for Miami. This is my favorite of Michael's restaurant having eaten at them all. His finer dining for me is quite over priced for the quality. But here at MGFD it's exactly what I expect of the chef. Good food with his no B.S style, this is what he should stick to. And I must say my favorite brunch spot in Miami. Please distribute your pop tarts in a grocery store MGFD, I need them!
(4)
Charlie D.
Four of us sat in one of the outdoor tables opposite the Trend store, and ordered the duck rellettes and pork shoulder (delicious), BLP salad (not so good with a weird cut of bacon) long neck clams (only 3 clams-liked by 2 of us and disliked by one and not even tasted by the 4th, a duck confit pizza and ravioli (small but tasty. Service was not attentive--our pretentious server generally ignored us, and we had to order our drinks from the bus boys. Portions were small for the price, and only half of the food we ordered was worthy of the reputation of the renowned chef who owns the place.
(3)
Andrew K.
Every single bite our party devoured was perfectly delicious. Another 5 star discovered in Miami!!
(5)
Michael F.
Came with a couple of friends for a Saturday lunch. Excellent, excellent service. The food was great. Had brussel sprouts as an appetizer, they were grilled with pancetta and came with a tasty lemon sauce. For an entree I got the fig/manchego/pork pizza which was amazing. My friends had the crispy shrimp sandwich and a special they had that day, a pulled pork sandwich. I tried both and was jealous I hadn't ordered all three for myself. For dessert we were all so full but ordered a chocolate "cremoso". We almost got into a physical fight trying to eat this amazing deliciousness. I have come back several times, and the food/service are always 5 star worthy. The OOONNNEEE thing I do have to say is that I wish they had a better beer selection. But either way this is still my FAVORITE restaurant in Miami (and not just because we share names).
(5)
Joelle T.
Was so happy to have been recommended this restaurant during my short stay in Miami. It's a popular spot so be sure to make reservations in advance especially if you want to go on a Friday or Saturday night. It's in the Design district so I enjoyed browsing the block filled with designer shops before dinner. Our waiter was on pointe with food recommendations as well as a full explanation of how their menu is laid out. To start we had the double yolk farm egg (super savory and super good...I recommend being selfish and having it all to yourself), the sweet and spicy pork belly (good but not something I'm dying to order again), and the crispy hominy (mildly spicy deep fried corn kernels that would go perfectly with beer). For our main we split the 12 oz steak au poivre with a side a side of the wood roasted okra. Mm mm mm!! To indulge ourselves a lil more we split the passion fruit pot de creme for dessert. Perfectly sweet and not too heavy which was nice after having a lot to eat prior. Overall this place has a great atmosphere, great food, and great service. All the prices were reasonable EXCEPT for their wine. Really disappointing how high they hiked up the prices for their not so exceptional wine list. Other than that I look forward to coming back and trying more dishes. :)
(5)
Mathias H.
Had dinner at Michael's during a recent visit to Miami. The restaurant is in the Design district in Miami. It was well-worth the short drive from Miami Beach to come here. We had made reservations and it appeared to be wise since the place was almost full. The service was still attentive, we were shown to our places and had our drinks within minutes of being seated. We got a quick explanation of the menu (being split in to small,medium, large and x-large dishes). We went for a few mixed dishes where the highlights were the pork belly and the double yolk farm eggs. We skipped on desserts but the couple at the table beside us really recommended the donuts and next time I may need to save some room in the stomach for dessert as well. Overall I also liked the interior and the feel of the restaurant. They have really thought through most things here and they do take the food seriously while at the same time keeping a welcoming atmosphere. I will be back next time I am in Miami.
(5)
Allison Y.
When I planned my trip to Miami, Michael's was the restaurant i was MOST excited to try! sadly I noticed that a bulk of the rave reviews were for brunch, and we were definitely too exhausted to wake up in time for that. lunch was splendid - i got the short rib sandwich with fries and split the kimchi pork belly appetizer. the pork belly was probably one of the best i've had. perfectly crisp, yet moist with a light and natural flavor. so good!! the sandwich was delicious but not too memorable. i REALLY want to come back for brunch next time-the brunch dishes sound so unique! i'm reallly really sad i missed out on it this time around :'( oh, and great service!
(4)
Debbie C.
My special someone took me here for my birthday this year. For the most part, he chose this place because it is one of the TOP recommended restaurants that allow pets to dine with you! (We have two puppy terriers.) When we arrived, we were super surprised at how busy it was! People were waiting for tables even though it was pretty late! We found street parking behind the building. Their front door was a little confusing...I wish their host stand was outside instead of inside because it felt like we were walking into someone's dinner (awkward....). The hostess was prompt in acknowledging us and getting us seated right away (we had reservations). Our server took note of our pups and quickly came with a bowl of water and fresh made doggy treats. I hear they are made from scratch by their pastry chef! The pups LOVED them. Service 4/5 Since we usually choose dinner places based on that evening's cravings, this dinner was very different. We honestly didn't know what to order! So to be adventurous, we ordered whatever that caught our eyes first. We started with the chicken liver on toast. Compared to how I prepare chicken liver...theirs was on the stronger side of the taste of innards, but I enjoyed it nonetheless (the boy...not so much). He had a steak for his main course and I the duck confeti. Both were prepared beautifully. I like how controlled the seasoning was...not too much, but not bland either. My duck sat on a puree along with veggies and nuts. Eaten together, it was a textural party in the mouth! Loved it! Dessert was SUPER cute. We ordered the Pie in a Jar (...the only item whose name I remember...lol). THey ran out of chocolate chunk, so we hard butter scotch. It was really special and super yummy. It's on the sweeter side. I kind of which it was lighter, but since the entrees were not as heavy, this completed the meal beautifully. Food 4/5 Atmosphere-wise...it's wedged between two buildings, which gives it a feeling of privacy; however, the outdoor seating was a little cramped. I felt like we were eavesdropping on our neighbors! I'm not a fan of busy places like this...but it was very relaxing once I got into the mood. I felt relatively safe, minus the walk back to our car...lol. Atmosphere 3/5 Overall it was a 4/5 experience. I would love to go back and the puppies likewise. Gotta try that chocolate chunk pie!!! :D
(4)
theresa n.
Deviled Eggs-Silky, creamy, tasty, but not filling. Makes a good appetizer for 2. Delicious start to our meal Pork belly & Kim chi : crispy Pork skin and melt-in-your mouth meat, complemented by the briny crunch of kim chi. Braised Short Ribs: succulent and hearty with comforting juices. Served with a basket of crispy home cut fries. I can't wait to come back and try Michael's other offerings the next time we come to Miami.
(4)
Blak B.
Right in the heart of design district! Yes its Cool for lunch or dinner. The waiters are on their game if you opt to be seated. however Im a bar fly and prefer to chat with the bartenders and give them company! lol. they have some of the most down to earth bartenders EVER. The menu can make you Scratch your head with some of the additions but hey if that your thing I DONT JUDGE! lol. I'm a fan of the whole fish myself and the devil eggs are a great starter.
(4)
Amanda Jean B.
I have been waiting to dine at Michael's for quite some time now, so we stopped in for a drink at the bar, the dinner menu would have proved tough for two vegans. After propping ourselves up on the chairs, we ordered the Cabarete and Ginger-Lemongrass Homemade Soda, and the bartender went straight to work. Both were deliciously well-crafted, and we started feeling a bit of envy that we were unable to stay for dinner, or, all night for that matter. Sigh. The over-all experience seemed much more expensive than the bill actually was, and the atmosphere, was indescribably un-Miami, Miami. For a few minutes we feel transported else where, then, the parking meter ran out.
(4)
Jacky M.
I've been to this place a few times. It is always super busy. I do like the food, the fact that the organic products are tied back to farms in homestead and darn those fudgey wudgey cookies are great, however I do think they need to hire more staff just because of the sheer volume of customers who are always there. The times I have visited the staff has been extremely knowledgable about the menu. I'm only providing 3 stars due to the long waits between ordering and serving.
(3)
Becky G.
Went here after reading about it. The food was good, but portions were incredibly small and very overpriced. The waiter was snobby and clearly thought very highly of the place. It's swanky, in a cool area but if you're looking for a good, filling, meal with good service, at a reasonable price, this is not the place.
(2)
Aska B.
We " dropped in" without a reservation at 9:00 on a Weds.night & the place was jammed...BUT they could not have been nicer about finding us a table outside for 4. I had been trying to book for a week..no luck..so this was a real treat for us! Now I KNOW WHY the reviews are all so great! Each dish was better than the last. We tried the crispy ( shrimp) rice cakes,the deviled eggs ( they were out of the chili chicken wings ) ,the 1/2 chicken,grilled pork porterhouse ( fantastic!) & beef short ribs ( GREAT!!) & Brussels Sprouts. Everything was perfect including our lovely & great waiter ROBERTO! Can't wait to go back. Only thing I didn't like was the HOME BREW Sundae ( not a fan of ice cream made with BEER!)
(5)
Lidia N.
Michael's can do no wrong in my book. Everything is perfection every time. I had the pork belly which was the perfect amount of fat and meat, amazing flavor and texture. Next I had the rainbow chard panade. Oh my goodness, it was amazing. These people really understand food. Lastly, I had the duck confit. I think the only other place I've had better duck confit is in mother effing Paris. It was falling off the bone. For dessert, I don't remember the name of it but it was like a blackberry tart. It was tangy and sweet, perfectly assembled into this one dessert. The staff is friendly and helpful, the atmosphere is cozy and the decor is honest and clean. This is my favorite restaurant and if I had the bank account to eat here everyday, I definitely would. It's pricey, but it's worth it.
(5)
Christine C.
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink was the best meal we had in Miami. We stayed in South Beach during our entire visit because of the lack of transportation. But I knew I had to ventured out to this side of Miami after receiving multiple recommendations, even if it means taking a cab to and from. A vibrant shaded courtyard seating is right outside of the restaurant. yelp.com/biz_photos/9lv6… Homemade Banana and Nutella Pop-Tarts Featured on Food Network's "Best Thing I Ever Ate." Frank Bruni, former New York Times food critic, recommended this. Best buttery, flaky pop tarts I have ever had. You will never look at a pop tart the same ever again after having this. yelp.com/biz_photos/9lv6… Duck Confit Hash A beautifully golden crisped duck confit hash topped with a perfectly poached Lake Meadows Farm duck egg with a runny yolk. Smeared on this dish is a pistachio green colored parsley aioli that added another layer of flavor. yelp.com/biz_photos/9lv6… Kimchi Benedict How do you resist a benedict constructed of a toasted crumpet topped with crispy pork belly, tart and spicy kimchi, runny poached egg, and finally a kimchi hollandaise? You don't. You just order it. yelp.com/biz_photos/9lv6… Crispy Pig Ear Salad Such a simple but amazing dish. Crispy pig ear with lightly dressed arugula, red onion, pickled local radish, the dish was light and refreshing yet bursting with fatty, bold flavors from the pig ears. yelp.com/biz_photos/9lv6… We love the locally sourced fresh ingredients and innovative execution at Michael's. It was well worth the cab ride from South Beach. I could not help to think how well it would do in the competitive San Francisco food circle.
(4)
P S.
Food is incredible. But you won't be impressed by anything else. Service it's snobby. You will be treated like 2nd class by the door staff. But the servers are ok. We had to sit so close to another couple I had to ask their permission to use the restroom. And we all had to stand up. Good food is everywhere in Miami. I haven't gone back and probably won't. I warned you.
(3)
Sonia S.
Heard so much about this place and finally got the chance to check it out today. Loved the ambiance. Although, I found seating for 2 indoors was a bit unorthodox for a place with such a great reputation and wasn't too thrilled we were seated so closely next to another couple that when it came time to leave we had to ask the pregnant lady sharing the booth seat with my friend to get up so my friend could get out. Let me add that my friend is very thin. Otherwise, our waiter was well versed about the menu selections and providing suggestions. Staff was very friendly. I wasn't too crazy about the peach and mozzarella appetizer as it lacked some umph. And although the pork belly was good, it was nothing in comparison to that of Swine or Yardbird. Watermelon salad was ok but was uniquely coupled with watercress. Strange combo. I tried a bit of my friends burger which was said to be their best and didn't find it to really be noteworthy. Lastly, we shared two desserts a chocolate sea salt combo which had a coffee flavor and was quite rich, and a mango tart which was suggested as the chefs specialty and was much lighter in flavor but I found the consistency to be a little runny. Overall, I give them 3 1/2 stars. Could have just been an off day for the kitchen and I'd give them a second chance and at least try their raved about brunch; but definitely wouldn't repeat lunch.
(3)
Art V.
Just had brunch with 1 guest. So expensive vs the portion size and contents. menu description was entirely misleading. Pork shoulder with grits and an egg??? More like an egg, grits, and a chicken nugget sized piece of pork. Add some insult to injury @ $9 Spanish tortilla? Such a tiny, dry piece, served at room temp for $8 The only highlight was their home fries. A decent portion served hot and crisp. Way too much oil. 1/4" pool of oil at the bottom of the bowl. $5 Still no standard English breakfast tea on the menu. Had to ask for coffee refill.
(2)
Jonathan M.
I visited this place a while back and noticed I never wrote a review. So I'm not sure if the menu items I'm mentioning will still be available. If not, I shall be a sad sad person when I go back. I'm sure that they would have replaced them with something else amazing. I love the food and drinks at this place. My simple (but always surprising how many bar tenders get it wrong) gin martini with a lemon twist was perfect. We had drinks at the bar since we arrived a bit earlier than our reservation. Waiter's attitude was strange but fine once you got used to his character. He ended up being a really nice guy. Duck rilette - Amazing. orgasm in your mouth Crispy pork belly - al;sjk;alkjls;dj Wow. This was so damn good. Beef short rib - This was fantastic. Best short rib I have ever had. We had these with fries on the side and they were great too. Overall, this is one of my favorite restaurants. It's really one of Miami's MUST goto restaurants. Do your mouth a favor and come here right now. Side note: Michael's Genuine was actually onboard the Oasis of the Seas on a cruise that we took a while ago. The multi course meal was fantastic and had one of the best desserts I have ever had. It was a Baklava with Panna cotta. Oh my gosh.
(5)
Rob B.
We had high expectations going to our visit at Mike's Genuine and we were not disappointed. The food was absolutely amazing. Oysters, octopus, crispy rice cakes & more were all amazing. I cannot recommend this place enough. The staff was all incredibly warm and welcoming. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Michael E.
been going for 7 years and alway exciting food is great
(5)
Steph D.
As good as reviewed. Not cheap, but very fairly priced. Reasonable drink prices. We enjoyed everything we had- tilefish, pizza, octopus, mozzarella & tomatoes, potato chips, pork belly, pasta. Get a reservation!
(5)
Ally P.
I would give my experience here 3.5 stars. On a recent trip to Miami, my friends made some reservations for Michael's. The place was absolutely packed on the Sunday afternoon that we went for brunch. We had to wait about 15 minutes past our reservation time, but given how busy it was, I suppose that was to be expected. We ordered a lot of the small plates including: wood oven roasted double yolk egg, duck confit hash, kimchi benedict, breakfast pizza, shrimp & grits, the crispy hominy, the chicken liver crostini, and the crispy pig ears. Each dish was quite good and well prepared. I would have liked a little more kimchi in the kimchi benedict. We all also ordered cocktails. I was a bit disappointed in the size and flavor of the kimchi Bloody Mary. Finally, as I said before, the restaurant was packed. However, I felt that the service could have been better. We waited for a fairly long time between each visit from our server. Also, on brunch days, you can't order the food in a certain sequence, it all comes out as it is ready. This made for a very confusing distribution of plates, with some people sitting with nothing in front of them, and some people with numerous plates they could pick off of. I think a restaurant in this price range could do better than that.
(3)
Kristina D.
This was by far our favorite dining experience in Miami. The entire experience was exceptional from our waiter to each dish. I can't even say what my favorite was - save room and design your own tasting menu. You can't go wrong.
(5)
Phil M.
Great food! We had the octopus, ceviche, pig ears, and pork belly. All were well prepared. The decor was well done and tasteful. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable.
(5)
Luke A.
Mehhhh.... The highlight was easily the seasonal specialty peach cocktail. I had 3. Delicious. We were a party of 7 so we were relegated to the farthest back corner, wedged behind the bar by the server door. Our server, while a nice enough guy & knowledgable about the menu, seemed to only 'remember' to check on us ever so often. Service - not horrible, far from excellent. Middle-ish of the road. Having a $100+ tip (20%) automatically added to the bill for mediocre service just doesn't sit well with me. With the food, what is unforgivable is the price of the food for what you get. It was so completely unmemorable.
(2)
Helen D.
Ok, not great. Would try another brunch place next time. Food: - kimchi Benedict - completely missing the kimchi spice / hotness - two egg yolk - ok. Not amazing. - hearts if Palm - good. Fresh. Nice crunch with the macadamia nuts. Too much dressing. - deviled eggs - pretty typical. No better or worse than what you're expecting. - coffee - served with heavy cream when we asked for milk. I know that's nitpicking - but that's the difference between loving and hating your coffee.. Overall - not bad, just didn't live up to the hype / or the other reviews.
(3)
Felipe Z.
Local sustainable food prepared just right!! I've been holding off on this review because I wanted to do it justice. After my discovery in early '10 I quickly realized our city was blessed with a master chef who truly represents us well. Expect delicious food inspired by fresh local ingredients. With this being the Chef's flagship restaurant I knew after my first experience he would expand throughout the city. Shortly after Chef Schwartz did exactly that without compromising the quality of either of his different ventures. From the service to the concept and restaurant decor you instantly know you're in for a treat. The menu offers small, medium, large and extra large fare with all choices sure to stimulate any palate. Depending on your appetite or the nature of your visit whether you're there for the oyster bar, a few cocktails at the bar before having a meal surely you'll find an item that will catch your eye. On some of my recent visits while conversing with our waiter we learned the decor originates from Antigua Guatemala an area rich in beautiful art and culture. Showcasing beautiful pieces of art the restaurant is a gallery of it's own. (A sight to see) I've done drinks and snacks but quite honestly after a while you'll find yourself staying for a full meal. You're drawn to their signature cocktails or their home brew and small fare such as; Crispy pig ears or grilled octopus.(fotos included) Before you know it you've just had the most amazing Duck Confit you've ever had or Pork Shoulder to name a few. You've fallen in love and have been taken into culinary heaven!!! While in pure bliss you're enjoying your meal with a handcrafted Cherry Rosemary soda and it's as good as it sounds. You're not done yet !! Award winning Pastry Chef Hedy Goldsmith will satisfy your sweet tooth with her amazing deserts. (Fotos included)
(5)
Tatiana M.
Their Crudo and Octopus are amazing! With a chilled Ca del Bosco. Yum :) definitely recommend this place if you're in the mood to share a bunch of tapas and some great drinks with friends!
(4)
Jessica S.
Delicious food in the Design District. Very enjoyable to eat outside, great service and outstanding dishes. Everything is a must-try and don't hesitate to share dishes.
(5)
Apple S.
Very busy and hard to be seated. Nice environment and location. Good vibe. Food was horrible. Brussels sprouts should always be cooked before deep frying them, if not you get hard, raw on the inside and tasteless balls. This is a common made mistake in many decent restaurants (same at Soyka). The squid had a taste of burn. We didn't order anything else as the service was slow (too busy) and the appetizers horrible already. Too bad for such a popular place.
(2)
Joseph G.
A friend brought me here for their Sunday brunch and it was an absolute culinary delight! They serve brunch tapas style and, besides a few mainstays, their menu is ever evolving. They had a nice selection of mouth watering sweet plates, creative savory choices, and a full raw bar. Michael's Genuine also has an interesting drink menu. There were a couple different bloody Marys to choose from. My friend enjoyed his Bacon Bloody Mary while I went with the ceviche one. The location is right in the middle of the design district so once you are done you can walk it off a little while doing some window shopping. Valet parking was $5 when I was last there but there was plenty of roadside parking available. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.
(5)
M D.
Tasty dishes and I like their concept of fresh ingredients. My only issue with this place is that the hostesses can be less then friendly, in fact I've had them be downright rude to me at times! They don't do a good job of greeting you and seating you in the order that you've arrived either. Once you get to your seat the service is great. I like this place for lunch vs dinner. The menu changes which means you can always expect something new.
(3)
Ana Cristina T.
Incredible dining experience. Everything was so incredibly tasty. We had their hummus, short ribs, pizza and their amazing torrejas w ice cream. We had superb service and amazing wine, the place is beautiful and very romantic, the decour is really cool. I would definetly go back.
(5)
Michael U.
Items Selected: Cinnamon Sugar Sourdough Toast - pumpkin butter, caramel apples Duck Rillette - crostini, cornichon, mustard Breakfast Pizza - house smoked bacon, farm egg, Monterey jack, scallions Wood Oven Baked 9 Grain Pancake - organic maple syrup Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Egg - cave aged gruyere, roasted tomato, chives, sourdough crostini Warm Banana Bread Pudding - brown butter streusel Warm Pecan and Sweet Potato Caramel Bun Coconut and Medjool Date Icky Sticky Pudding Cake - wood roasted pears Never one to shy away from sequential morning meals, particularly in a brunch scene as dynamic as the one of Miami and South Beach, it was just as the doors unlocked at Michael's Genuine Food and Drink that our trio found a seat on the quiet side of the bar and with exquisitely knowledgeable service happy to offer advice an eight part order was crafted, each item coming out as it was readied by the kitchen with only an overcooked egg and undersized pancake holding the experience back from perfection in all ways. Located in the Design District, with parking at a premium and reservations a must for anyone who does not desire a long wait, MGFD is considered by many to be Miami's 'signature' restaurant and with a Beard Award winning Chef at its helm alongside a repeat semi-finalist for pastry the options range far and wide, the concepts of daily change, local sourcing and sustainability forming a longtime core while several 'signatures' also decorate the menu - the later a worthwhile focus of a first-time visitor, though the raw bar, salads, and produce all seemed plenty enticing as well. Opting to balance sweet with savory it was a simple matter of timing that saw the meal begin with what would turn out to be the best item of the set and as much as the crunchy cinnamon toast found textural balance in the sweet, creamy flavors of autumn a follow-up of finely shredded duck beneath a seal of fat saw the full-on flavors of fowl meet sharp contrast in crispy toast and house-pickled vegetables, the transition to a lackluster pancake only slightly larger than the diameter of a hockey puck proving a disappointing waste of $8, though the pure maple syrup was admittedly quite good. Rejecting a first attempt at pizza due to an egg that was cooked-through only to be treated to a replacement less than sixty seconds later suffice it to say that Michael's does not skimp when it comes to cheese, eggs, or herbs and with a lightly blistered crust bolstering the flavor profile of already smoky bacon the only thing that prevented the pizza from shining best of the savories was its tablemate 'signature' of two egg yolks baked in a small ramekin beneath a veil of gooey gruyere, each rich bite a new adventure in taste and texture as local tomatoes added a splash of acid serving to accentuate an herbal blend prominent with chives. Finishing strong with a trio of sweets a humorous glitch in the computer system saw no less than three Caramel Buns arrive at our table at separate times and as much as I'd have been glad to indulge in each as the golden roll was sweet, crispy, and moist the better part of valor was saving room for the rest - a banana bread pudding a tad undersized for sharing despite the intensity of its flavors while the novel take on traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding was enthralling in its subtlety, the shredded coconut and its milk serving to tame an otherwise sugary dish while the roasted pears were smoky and tender beneath a quenelle of light cream.
(4)
Lance W.
This place is certainly one of my top favorites in Miami. Oh how I love the ever changing, ecclectic menu and those well prelared cocktails. Brunch is awesome and I'm still hoping to try that memorable corn soup once more.
(5)
Irina M.
One of my favorite restaurants in Miami.
(5)
Cathy W.
My boyfriend and I checked out MGFD after a tip from a friend who comes to Miami often. I don't know if it was an off day- but the food was hardly the quality I would expect for the price. Living in Chicago we have the opportunity to go to delicious restaurants and don't mind paying for quality food. This was too expensive for the food, I will say the drinks were fantastic. Perfectly balanced and delicious. We ordered the marinated goat cheese, double yolk farm egg, sweet and spicy pork belly, and the half poulet. The goat cheese was delicious. The double yolk farm egg was s decent omelette I could have made myself. The pork belly was good but nothing amazing. My boyfriend really likes kimchi and he said the accompanying kimchi was the best he's ever had though. The chicken was bad. It had a nice crust and was very moist. However it was so overly salted I couldn't even enjoy it. I probably had 6 glasses of water in the minutes after I had some chicken. Even with the nice ambiance, and the delicious drinks the food was hardly worth raving about. I would not recommend going there for dinner.
(2)
Paul M.
Good service and food. Bread pudding to die for. Only disappointment was unwelcoming hostess during lunch.
(4)
jackie a.
Loved the location as you can go shopping but have to go early as the shopped close at 7 on weekdays. Everything on the menu comes from local farms which is great and they also grow some of their ingredients. Food was amazing and we also were informed that they have a sister restaurant called Cypress room which is more upscale but freaking amazing cocktails and food. I would DEFINITELY RECOMMEND BOTH PLACES to eat great quality food.
(5)
Ray S.
I absolutely love this place. The staff is young, yet very familiar with the menu and how the dishes are prepared. Very friendly people working together makes this place a gem. :)
(5)
Miguel P.
Great service. Very attentive servers. The food is fresh. The pig ears are way too salty. The short ribs were well cooked and soft, though the saw was an acquired taste. In the end too pricy and the food was not up to part. Cannot recommend it.
(2)
Cris A.
I've been dying to come here since I saw MG's on the food network years ago. WOW! So happy I came! A and I came for Brunch and loved every single thing we ordered. *Greek faro salad was super light and perfectly seasoned. *Double Egg Yolk...yum! The Gruyere cheese on top was soooo good. Ask for two pieces of toast instead of the one they bring out. *Fried chicken and polenta waffle was perfect. Super crunchy and well seasoned. *Kimchi Benedict-pork was cooked to perfection, crumpet very light and airy. MUST GET A POP TART to finish off your meal! They are the best homemade pop tarts I have tried yet!
(5)
Will G.
I've been dying to try Michael's for the longest time. I'm happy to report that I finally got the Michael's experience on a few occasions. I've only had brunch here so I'm excited to have a lunch or dinner here. I suggest making a reservation so that you won't have to wait for a table. My reservation was honored on time which was appreciated. After being seated for a couple of a minutes a friendly server greeted us. He explained the menu and concept pretty well. I had the carnitas, smores, kimchi benedict and the pig ears. The pig ears were crunchy and flavorful, however they were too chewy for me personally. I just had to try them!!!!! The kimchi benedict was awesome as expected. The sauce had the right consistency which is often hard to come by. The side of kimchi was really good. The carnitas were Griffin awesome. They were slow simmered and smoked for 12 hours according to the server. They were served over a bed of black beans with onions and cilantro. The dish was spicy which I loved. The carnitas melted in my mouth. They were so good. The smores were awesome. The homemade graham cracker was nice and crunchy. The marshmallow was roasted nicely. The chocolate was slightly melted. Bottom line, Michael's is my go to spot now for a memorable and enjoyable brunch. I can't wait for my next visit and I can't wait to try it for lunch and dinner.
(5)
Carlos E.
The best Service I have experienced in Miami. Erik is the personification of what excellent service is. The food is really good but the service surpasses anything you will find in Miami. If you're looking for great food and unparallel service this is the place. Really good experience. 100% recommend.
(5)
Stephen F.
It lives up to the hype! Michael's Genuine is Schwartz's flagship restaurant located in the Design District. It's a tad crowded but relaxing and not uppity. Our server Erik was very personal but not intrusive, witty, and very quick with the refills and plates, he was great in walking us through the menu and making recommendations that we really enjoyed. We started with the Deviled Eggs, a favorite of mine since childhood, and they were honestly the first restaurant version I have ever truly enjoyed. We then had the Quadrello di Bufala which is paired perfectly with the mango chutney. The Crispy Pig Ears are seasoned with a slight tangy powder that had us fighting each other to get more. The Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Farm Egg was thick and sumptuous with the gruyere cheese. The Crispy Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly was perfectly prepared and very filling. Duck Confit was savory and paired nicely with the plum chutney. The Crispy Rice Cake with chorizo, rock shrimp, & farm egg was very hearty and filling. Finally, we ended with the desert course of Chocolate Cremoso, which was a perfect combo of salty and sweet. Overall, we ordered way too much food, we could have easily skipped two dishes, but we thoroughly enjoyed every bite and left completely stuffed!
(5)
Jason A.
All I can say about this restaurant is wow. Probably my favorite burger right now. This place really lives up to it's reputation. I suggest you make a reservation because it tends to have a long wait to be seated. I recommend the onion dip as an appetizer and the lemonade is delicious. Everything I sampled was perfectly cooked and seasoned. They also have a nice beer selection. The staff is friendly and the service is reasonably fast. The only thing I found unpleasant is that the seating is very crowded. I definetly plan to be back soon and often.
(5)
Maritza S.
Oh my!!! I finally made it out to Michaels, after reading and hearing amazing things about them. Now I'm one of the people raving about them. What great service!!! The shrimp sandwich will kick any other shrimp or even lobster sandwiches butt . Best I ever had. Every single thing was delicious. The setting is very pretty and you can taste the quality and freshness of the ingredients they use. I went for lunch and already wanted to go back for dinner. Not many places like this one.
(5)
Edward H.
Chose this restaurant because they offered a Brunch menu, what we got was tapas. Brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch and what Michael does is create tapas portions in his translation. Although the plates were creatively presented the portions were hors d' oeuvre sized. For brunch that is unacceptable. After ordering 5 of these bite size plates we were still starving and because it was busy we had to wait even longer before the additional bites were delivered. Turned out we payed as much as the top rated brunch at The Edge in The Four Seasons On Brickell with alcohol. Don't advertise a brunch menu when you really offer tapas. Although the inventive drink combination at the bar got their second star it isn't worth the trip for that alone.
(2)
Pedro M.
Really good. Nice area. Will return.
(4)
Josh C.
This place is incredible. Consistent. Delicious. Must try every single thing on the menu, nothing isn't perfect. Nice work chef!
(5)
Tom H.
This was my third visit to MGFD. My friend lives in Ft. Lauderdale and every time I come down to visit him he insists we go there, which is perfect with me. The food is superb and the service is casual but refined. Each of our courses brought delicious complexity, with each bite revealing more complex and diverse flavors. When in the Design District of Miami, I highly recommend dining at Michael's Genuine Food and Drink. They get it.
(5)
Andrew K.
This place has a great reputation and deserves it. Nice trendy atmosphere. We tried many dishes and all ranged from solid to delicious. The menu had great variety and reminded me of California. The best dish was the pork belly and the duck confit. The bulletproof Manhattan was terrible however - tasted like cloyingly sweet cherry juice. Also acorn squash was unremarkable/under-salted.
(4)
Paty D.
It took me, a proverbial foodie, forever to make it here, but alas, I made the pilgrimage to see Mr. Schwartz! We decided to go for dinner our first time. Our server asked us if it was our first time- which I always appreciate- and ran us through the concept and highlights of the menu. He took our drink orders and gave us a few minutes to drool over the menu. There were so many things to choose from I wanted it all- eating with your eyes- not a figure of speech here! To start, we ordered the well known favorite rock shrimp cake & wood roasted double yolk egg. These were probably my two favorite dishes of the night with the shrimp cake being my favorite!!! The cake is perfectly crispy with a smooth, paste like filling. The flavors are so harmonious and the chorizo gives it that little kick of flavor. The yolk dish isn't served runny, the yolk is cooked more medium. It is a rich dish since you have the melted gruyere cheese which just takes it over the top. We also ordered the sweet & spicy pork belly and that was phenomenal as well. It had a more asian flair to it since it's made with their homemade kimchi but it was not overpowering in any way. As to the entrees, they were good but for the price I can see how people may feel like they want more. I had the short rib and it was very good but I have had some better. My husband and I both felt that we were more impressed with the small and medium dishes rather than the larger ones. We enjoyed it so much we went back for brunch- highlights and lowlights below! Again we loved our server- service was friendly and attentive. We had a larger group this time so we practically ordered half the menu. The breakfast pizza, the rock shrimp- yes, you must order it- and the double yolk egg were the tables favorites. As regards the blueberry pancakes they were way too small for the price and they didn't really impress us flavor wise either. The other thing we were disappointed with were the doughnuts. They look like little munchkins but there was no filling. There was a tiny bit of filling on the top but nothing inside. So I took a bite to share, leaving my friend the other half, and left her with just dough. So skip the doughnuts. The homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches were okay- again way too small. Think oreo sized ice cream Sammies! But overall we enjoyed the savory part of our brunch. Both times the overall experience was one I thoroughly enjoyed and since the menu is ever changing in an effort to source local ingredients, I'm sure I'll be back to see the magic of Mr. Schwartz!
(4)
Helena R.
I went there during lunch time, so they menu was different. I had reservations, so had no problem waiting, the only problem was the table I was given, not so good, but it was okay. The waiter helped me in what I should choose, and I'm glad i went with his choice. My sandwich was delicious, very good indeed. My friend order same thing and was quite pleased. We just wish we had saved room for dessert. I will definitely come back just for them.
(4)
Lisa C.
There's a lot of rave about Michaels and the food is unique. I've been for both brunch and dinner and the food was okay. However, the plates are very small. Definitely worth a try at least once.
(4)
Lauren M.
Growing up, my mom's office was located in the Design District before it became all the "rage" and Michael's Genuine served as our go to spot for our one on one lunches. As Miami's Design District has continued to develop over the years and restaurants have come and gone, Michael's continues to remain the best restaurant in the area, if not the country . There, I said it. Quite a bold statement I know, but in my opinion, it doesn't get any better. You always hear restaurants praising over their "quality ingredients", but here they mean business. Michael's Genuine utilizes local, seasonal ingredients from local farmers around the South Florida area that are apparent in each dish this Miami establishment has to offer (think fresh grouper, heirloom tomatoes, and more ...oh my!) From their fire oven pizzas, fabulous entrees to their insane desserts by my favorite pastry chef, Hedy Goldsmith, everything on the menu is truly delectable. Although the menu often changes, some of my highlight staple dishes include the fig and Berkshire pork pizza, the chopped salad, deviled eggs, crispy Brussels sprouts with pancetta, and the char grilled octopus. If you are not absolutely full by the end of your meal, I suggest trying the peanut butter sundae with pretzels and marshmallows, or Hedy's famous peanut butter cookies. Although the dessert menu is consistently changing, you cannot I repeat CANNOT go wrong with any of Hedy's concoctions. Her desserts feature unique ingredients that you would not normally think pair well in a dessert, but truly will tickle your taste buds and blow your mind!! If you go for brunch on Sunday, I have two words for you: POP TARTS. Michael's pop tarts are legendary and filled with a zesty fruit filling that taste better than the ones you microwaved and devoured during your childhood. My personal recommendation is to go there for lunch and sit outside to enjoy the beautiful Miami weather. Unlike some other popular Miami establishments located on the beach, Michael's is a restaurant you can leisurely enjoy your meal without being shoveled by a bunch of tourists or obnoxious people attempting to grab a table. FYI: Make a reservation or else your probably going to have to wait.
(5)
Eddie G.
MGCFD very consistent; food is great as well as service. Why not 5stars? Simple place is pretty tight. If you are looking for a romantic dinner this is a NO NO. We had a house salad, pork belly, leg of lamb and the palmetto pork chops. The best of all the pork belly for sure to start followed by the leg of lamb.
(4)
Justin B.
This is a great find. We took a cab from SOBE and it was worth the drive. Everything is made fresh everyday. It is in the fashion district and everything was closed around it. Service was great and knew the menu. I love both fine dining and hole in the walls, but this will be on our list next time in Miami. Patries of two, the tables are very close.
(5)
Elena G.
If i die, i'd like to die in this man's arms. Michael Schwartz..he should be called more like Michael my angel Schwartz... I went for dinner and the only reason why he gets 4 instead of 5 is because of the sitting arrangement and the wait (we had to sit with 2 strangers and could barely walk through the restaurant..bc its packed, but then again i think if his restaurant was the size of a warehouse, it would still be packed) I had the oh so delicious rice cake (which is a misleading name to begin with) i was thinking more rice crispies and its more like crab cake without the crab..its filled with chorizo, serrano ham, MAGIC among other things, oh and its deep fried OF COURSE .. my entree was the braised short ribs and shall i say they were cooked to perfection, every mouthful felt like a rainbow in my mouth ...and even the tiny onions were like the leprechauns and the whipped potatoes the pot of gold. Soft, not too saucy, with a thin optional spread, and flaaaavorful. For dessert (it was my bday ) so i had the sandwich chocolatey caramely creamy goodness (not even sure what it was called but u get the gist ..again perfectly executed with a little chocolate mousse and ice cream. No complaints in any way food wise..or service, so you must go to this place, its more like a business casual ..good for bdays if u have reservations 2 years in advance lol. All in all, you must try this ..seriously...do it...are you still reading this? GO!
(4)
Chrystell S.
When a restaurant is featured three times in one episode of Best Thing I Ever Ate and two of those items are desserts, I'm SOLD!!! We limited our shared plates so that we could save room for dessert. Of the shared plates, the item that stood out for me was the crispy sweet and spicy pork belly. When I first saw the thick square piece of pork belly, I was unsure as to how it would taste. You could quickly see the tasty crispy portion which I immediately knew I would love and devour with sheer pleasure. Admittedly crispy pork is a weakness of mine. So I cut into the pork belly and there it was.....juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked goodness. As soon as my knife split that pork belly, I knew it was going to taste like heaven. I slowly carved out a small piece that included meat, a little bit of the fatty part for flavor and of course, the crispy skin. Everything just melted into my mouth and the flavor explosion was unimaginable. It is a beautiful dish. The other dishes we ate were quite good as well but the pork belly stole my heart. Okay, let's get on to why I really came to Michael's Genuine. I came for the two desserts: Peanuts and Popcorn AND the Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme. Peanuts and popcorn is like three desserts in one. There is a chocolate peanut butter bar, chocolate covered peanuts, and buttered popcorn ice cream. The chocolate bar is amazing. Rich, high quality chocolate with a strong peanut butter flavor. I'm not typically a fan of peanut butter but although it's presence couldn't be denied, it didn't overpower the beautiful, luscious taste of that chocolate. This was really high-end chocolate. Not the sweet stuff but the real deal where you can taste the cocoa. In addition to that, they streaked melted chocolate on the side of the plate and sprinkled it with a dash of chili powder. Yes, chili powder! The heat was actually quite enjoyable for me and gave the dessert a nice kick. The popcorn peanuts were playful but I didn't really care too much for them. The buttered popcorn ice cream, on the otherhand, was a different story. Oh my, oh my, oh my.... This ice cream just divine. I'd love to buy a gallon of this stuff and just eat away. The flavor was just extraordinary but then again, I love buttered popcorn but just never imagined I'd ever have it in ice cream form. There are just so many different flavor combinations happening in this dessert that your taste buds just go into complete overload. The tangerine creamsicle pot de creme is my personal favorite, however. OMG!!! Seriously, it doesn't look like much. You get two tiny little donuts sprinkled with sugar on top of a napkin. To the side is a small pot of tangerine infused whipped cream....the pot de creme. And then you have a small little serving of tangerine marmalade. So you're supposed to combine all three items and eat them. I ate the donut with the pot de creme and fell in love. This pot de creme is unbelievably good. It's not overly sweet. You can taste the hint of citrus as your palate screams for more. Then I had a little piece of donut with the marmalade. That was good but I went back to the pot de creme more often than not. I even tried all three items together. Wow! Loved it. My only complaint about this dessert is that I really needed more. It's just so wrong that this place is all the way in Miami and I can't have the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme whenever I want. But it surely gives me a reason to come back to the Sunshine State even with all of its evil mosquitos lurking around during dusk.
(4)
Laure M.
We had dinner there last night. First time and I don't know between 3 or 4 stars... The food is very flavorful, very tasty and you get a selection of dishes you don't get anywhere else. My husband ordered the sweet & spicy pork belly and the sweet chili wings and I got the 1/2 poulet rouge. The pork belly was very good, perfectly paired with delicious kimchi. The wings (5) were very good too, served with a cream & cucumber sauce. The 1/2 poulet rouge was very juicy, perfectly cooked with spices and a very crispy skin. Everything was very good, but maybe I should have ordered a side with it. The service was slow-ish. That was a bit disappointing. I will definitely go back. Even it the prices are a bit high for the quantity, the tastes, flavors and offerings are unique and very different from other restaurants. I really like that everything is locally grown.
(4)
Carly S.
Although the food was passable, the night was destroyed by awful service, dishes that were never brought to the table and never acknowledged or apologized for, and rude management/hosts. As a table of 6, on a Saturday night for a 9:30pm reservation, celebrating 2 birthdays, we were met with the somewhat attentive waiter Brandon who then proceeded to take our order and disappear for the better part of the meal. Immediately after we ordered, he was stand-offish, judgey, never once asked us how our meal was, and later, when we politely reminded him that he forgot one of our dishes, he shrugged and acted like we were insane for mentioning anything. Terrible terrible experience tonight, when we were all expecting a nice celebratory evening at a highly-touted restaurant. Will not be coming again and will be letting my friends know that they shouldn't waste their time here. Judging by some of the other reviews, Michael's needs to get off their high horse and pay a bit more attention to service. Their food was good, but everyone left hungry after a sizable bill, and this type of behavior won't allow them to continue to be successful. Unfortunate.
(1)
Rachel L.
Miami is hot, haute, "yacht" (I ran out of homonyms...). And, there is nothing better than a Miami restaurant for some killer people-watching. Depending on what scene you're into, you can spend the day elbowing with the big wigs, judging the fashionistas, ignoring UM students, or chill-axing. Michael's is one of the places to eat and be seen by an eclectic group. I feel the latter reigns supreme over the former. Swarms of wealthy shoppers, fashionistas, downtown-ers, and students alike dine on better-than-average fare. For me, the big draw is the the ambiance, which is relaxed, yet fairly chic & modern with print on the walls, neat-o furniture, and hints of red. I'm a fan. But, the food doesn't quite do it for me like it used to. Watching the "Design District" evolve over time from a hipster hangout/ghetto, I will say that Michael's is one of the vanguards of the culinary renaissance of Miami. When I ate there in 2006, it "wow"ed me. I hoped that creativity would abound, and the kitchen would never dare rest on its laurels. Sadly, that does not seem to be the case. Coming back there for lunch with my sister and boyfriend, I was less impressed. As appetizers, we ordered their soup du jour (tomato and shortrib), wings (which had a stellar albeit unoriginal marinade), and the chicken liver. The chicken liver was by far the best appetizer, as it was decadent and had a rich flavor profile. For entrees, I ordered the fish sandwich, which lacked seasoning and had too much mayonaisse. It tasted like mush - although the sandwich bread was great. But, should a sandwich be known for its crust? My sister ordered the short rib and fontina sandwich, which was also bland. And my boyfriend mussels - while prepared in a classic style - did not wow me. They tasted thin despite the bacon. Where was the umami component? Service was good though, and my coffee was excellent. Wine list needs a little work. Regardless, going to Michael's is always a genuinely fun experience.
(3)
Natalie M.
Was really excited to finally have brunch here, arrived at 2:34pm and the rude hostess wouldn't seat us because they stop seating at 2:30pm. She told us to go to Harry's, no thanks. Really disappointing.
(1)
Larry S.
Food 5 stars, service 2 to 3 stars, ambience 3 stars (outside much better than inside), attitude at the door, value 2 stars. If you like Epicure and don't care about money, you'll probably like Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. If you want any kind of value for your dollar, go elsewhere, perhaps Red Light.
(2)
Adam L.
Lets be honest here. There is a lot of hype surrounding this restaurant and with good reason. This is the freshest, best food in Miami, bar none. The menu is done brilliantly, with small, medium, large, and extra large dishes, all priced accordingly. It is a great idea and i ended up ordering way more than i needed. The drinks we had (mojitos) were excellent as well. For starters, we had the chips and onion dip. They were homemade and were excellent. I also had the rice cake, which i think is the best item on the menu. It comes with an egg on top, and when the yolk seeps into the rice cake the texture is amazing. After that, i had the Beef tongue pizza. They have a wood-fire oven that cooks the pizza to perfection. The crust was thin and flaky while the toppings were insanely fresh. As a side we had the cheese grits which were just awesome. For the grand finale, we had the lamb leg with farro salad. The lamb was good, but not the best id ever had. However, the greek farro salad was a perfect combination with the farro. So the food was 5 stars, but the service? Even better. If its your first time there, you will get a long explanation of the menu, along with any questions you have answered on the spot. They are very friendly, attentive, and caring. The manager stopped by our table 2 times to check on everything. The server had some great recommendations that turned out great. Really a 5 star dining experience all the way around. Will definitely be returning.
(5)
Joann C.
Every time I go to Michael's I have a wonderful dining experience, be it lunch or dinner. Wonderful drinks there, I am particularly fond of anything they make with Elderflower. The definite must haves are the small appetizer - Kimchi Pork Belly and the Banana Toffee Panini for dessert. Everything else will be good and yummy, but those two dishes are my go to for almost every dinner or lunch experience.
(5)
Andrea J.
finger lickin good
(5)
Megan M.
I came here about a year ago with family. I don't even remember what we ordered. It was such a smorgasbord of flavorful food, and every single thing we ordered was absolutely amazing. We didn't have any complaints whatsoever. If there could be a perfect meal, we had it here. Our table outside was a little warm. I don't remember if there were fans, but if there weren't there should have been. Our waiter was great. He was attentive and friendly. He even saw that my brother wore some funky leather bracelets and complimented them. He gave my brother a bracelet he was wearing that he got in South America. My brother still wears it. I didn't pay the bill, but I remember it being expensive for dinner. The prices for the brunch menu look reasonable though. I'm dying to try the brunch. Great spot, and clearly a favorite for Miami foodies.
(5)
Maria S.
Had a super fun lunch out last Saturday at this prime location in the design district. I had a citrus shrimp salad. It was light and fresh and the avocado was perfect. My boyfriend had pasta with shrimp and it was very good. The best part was the homemade potato chips and dip they serve instead of bread. Delectable! The only thing kind of annoying was the hostess was all over the place and kept sitting at the table near us talking loudly about upcoming events. It was too much of a show and throwing off the atmosphere. Otherwise she was also very nice. We got a great table that we had reserved on open-table. Reservations are a must. This place is a see and be seen so dress to impress in your best Saturday afternoon resort wear!
(4)
Marc R.
I went only to the bar here, so this review is limited, but I can say a few things. The house cocktails are amazing. We had a few, and everyone at the bar was super helpful and friendly. The folks in my group ate, and the steaks looked freaking amazing, and the rest of the food was first class. We even saw a few movie stars and directors here the night we came in to sauce up before having dinner elsewhere in the design district.
(4)
Jordan N.
Excellent organic and local restaurant that gets a lot of the ingredients locally. My friends and I came here during the Art + Design Night in the District, and we had to wait 30 minutes. We left our phone number in the front so they would call us when our table is ready. And we used that time to hang out at the Enea Garden and to check out the art galleries that were open throughout the night. When they called us, we hurried back (we were starving!), and we were promptly seated. We were served three different types of bread with homemade butter (as in unwrapped). We ordered chicken wings, skirt steak, 1/2 poulet (chicken), and pork belly. And we shared around. The 5 pieces of chicken wings were addictive! It was delicious, especially with the accompanying cucumber sauce. The least impressive meal, I would have to say, was the skirt steak. But it was still good and they provided a roasted half of an orange to squeeze on the steak. The chicken was a step up - with the chicken having so much flavor! I could eat the whole thing in a flash, and that's saying a lot since I'm not much of a chicken person. The pork belly though... I thought tasted really good even though it was such a small piece in a bowl (it was labeled under "medium" in the menu). But I wouldn't want a bigger piece of that pork belly because of all the fat that came with it (it's supposed to have fat, it's a pork belly)! And the fat was succulent and cut through like butter, it really enhanced the flavor with the crispy skin and the tender meat underneath. It was cooked just right, and I thought the flavor was interesting and was good. If you're not very hungry, go for the medium. If you just want very small bites, go for the small. If you're hungry, go for the large. If you're wanting to share a meal, or you're really really hungry and could go to a buffet, go for the extra large. Of what was ordered, only the skirt steak and the chicken were a "large" while the chicken wings (an appetizer) was a "small." And to finish off, the dessert, Key Lime Cheesecake Flan was okay and a little disappointing. The flan was a little too sweet for me and I think I would be better off trying another dessert. It was well executed though, and maybe it is supposed to taste like that - but that's all I can say about it. I think the food would get maybe 4 stars, but it would also depend on what you order. I would give it a 4 1/2, especially since it's organic and local - you just get a good feeling when you know the food is just good for you and the environment. I sound so green! But anyways, overall, this is definitely a worthy place to return to! REVISITED: The prawns (under SMALL) were not good - they were rubbery and pretty tasteless. The beef cheek (under MEDIUM) was a mere okay, I wouldn't order it again. The heirloom tomato salad was yummy. The mussels (under MEDIUM) were good, especially with the tomato, but the black rice could use some work. The chocolate cremosa was just okay. But the apple and goat cheese panini for dessert was awesome!
(5)
Issel G.
I am a regular at this restaurant. I love coming here because of their fresh food, attentive service and consistency with quality.
(5)
Mark D.
While in Wynwood on business and checking out the Wynwood Walls, I was looking forward to going to Michael's Genuine Food & Drink (MGFD). MGFD has been vaunted in the Miami Herald Food section, and mentioned in the celeb columns as a place where prominent people dine. When I arrived at 4:20PM, I was informed by our congenial hostess that MGFD was between lunch and dinner and that there was a limited "siesta" menu of apps and snacks. We decided to hang out as we were far from home and didn't want to deal with rush hour. We were served by an excellent young waiter named Juan. He explained everything on the siesta menu, and made good food and drink suggestions. He pointed out the oncoming evening crew outside on the patio having a meeting with the manager and head chef. I had just read an article alluding to this meeting in the Herald. The article went on to say that MGFD was very aware of reviews of the restaurant in social media (i.e. Yelp) and wanted to ensure great customer service. I must say I was looking forward to more great service when we were handed off to the evening waiter at 5:30. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Our waiter, who had a young female trainee in tow, was somewhat aloof and very scarce in-between orders. There was a very long wait where no one checked on us between apps and dinner. When dinner came, the waiter was not there to ensure all food was delivered at the same time. It is a real pet peeve of mine when others in my party are served first and I'm sitting for several minutes with nothing!!! After dinner we shared one dessert, but the waiter was a bit pushy with the upsell in an almost condescending manner. It was this attitude that made me detract a star. For the amount of money paid, I expected better. At least the busboys kept us well hydrated with constant water refills. I understand, however, why MGFD gets good reviews. It is in a nice area that's being revitalized. It has a nice patio in the breezeway, although 96 degrees on a July afternoon kept us away. Inside, the ambience is nice. Natural light through the skylights and uptempo jazz music lend to this ambience. The food is the real star at MGFD however. Here's what we had: apps of deviled eggs (just OK) and pig ears (delicious play on pork rinds with great seasoning), cobia tartare ( too expensive and underwhelming in quality and quantity), and stracciatella (tomatoes that seemed fresh from the fields of South Dade, drenched in olive oil and sea salt...delicious). Also very fresh were the side order of green beans. Garlic mashed potatoes were very good, but the bok choy, although seasoned well with hazelnut gremolata, was chewy and hard to cut into. It is the entrees that REALLY impressed me and would be worthy of five stars. They were slow roasted/grilled Harris ranch beef short ribs, show roasted pork shoulder, and grilled spiced leg of lamb. Each entree was cooked to absolute perfection, and the seasonings of each were exquisitely done. The dessert of warm funnel cakes in butterscotch bourbon ice cream and brown butter oat streusel was sinfully good. I can say I checked MGFD off my list of restaurants in Miami-Dade that I really wanted to go to, and the entrees definitely didn't disappoint, but I wouldn't go out of my way to return. Should my travels take me to the Design District again, I may spin the Yelp wheel for other restaurants that deserve a try that may give better customer service.
(3)
Jessica F.
I love this place! The food is amazing and the service from front of house to table is unparalleled in Miami. Whole snapper, pork belly, short rib and peach galette are worth every bite. Make a reservation! This place is very popular -better to be safe than sorry.
(5)
Grace C.
I've been here several times now bringing out of town guests whenever we decide we want to head to Miami. I love this place for its unique drink menu and ever-changing dessert menu. The savory items are great too. My brother was rather fond of the pork belly. My fiance actually had one of the best drinks of his life here - it was a coffee smoked whiskey cocktail where he ended up ordering several before we asked for the check. The dessert menu always looks fantastic so I always save room for desserts when I go. My favorite dessert here was one I had in the fall - the pumpkin pie ice cream parfait. I loved it! My sister really enjoyed her creme brulee with a side of small doughnuts with pomegranates. The venue is intimate and perfect for a romantic evening or a small group gathering. What normally is a 4-5 star experience had to lose a star after this last trip. Our waiter when he realized we were just in for drinks, snacks and dessert pretty much lost interest in us. He was really abrupt and rude at certain parts of service. Other times, he was nowhere to be found. If the restaurant was packed, I would understand his annoyance but the fact was there were several empty tables around us on a Friday evening so I did not feel like I was overstaying my welcome at all. We were also seated outside and outside tables were allowed to smoke and that definitely soured our overall experience. Definitely something to be done at least once if you are in town. The menu alone is worth a visit! I just wish service was better. There is street parking and valet parking.
(3)
Jennifer O.
Best place to go for brunch!!! Amazing foood Excellent service But the menu varies everyday so when you invite friends to try what you had last time ... Maybe it won't be on the menu!
(5)
Sasha B.
shared the lamb burger and pastrami sandwich with a friend... neither blew me away. Maybe I'm spoiled by the Breslin's lamb burger in NYC, but Michael's was over cooked and pretty dry (they didn't ask for a temperature). the house cured pastrami also didn't compare to the likes of Katz's in NYC. Overall, it was still a tasty meal, and the atmosphere was welcoming and lively. I'd go back, but it didn't meet the expectations of "Miami's best restaurant," to say the least.
(3)
Misun K.
I was so sad when the meal ended. This restaurant is phenomenal! We started with the freshly-made burrata which was not on the menu, but a special. It came with tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and basil. It was so good that we ordered a second one. I had the roast pork, fig, and fontina pizza. That was also very good and the pizza dough was perfect--the perfect thickness and the right amount of chew. To drink I had the strawberry-basil soda which was super refreshing and not too sweet. For dessert the 3 of us shared the strawberry shortcake in a jar which was actually olive oil cake with creme and strawberries. YUM. We also had the warm pistachio-rosemary buttermilk doughnuts with ricotta and those were devoured within two minutes. I can't wait to come back here again! And our server was super nice. Plus during the day they have $5 valet parking, which is very convenient.
(5)
Janet H.
I didn't find the food spectacular or anything... considering that this IS a Top Chef winner's restaurant, maybe I had really high expectations. I just found the food average and not exactly memorable. It could be I ordered the wrong items, but the salad was meh and sandwich also. My guy friends pointed out their burgers were dry.... so disappointed in the meal. On the otherhand, coffee was surprisingly good.
(2)
Adrienne L.
This was my first visit at Micheal's Genuine. I read the reviews a year ago , so I have been salivating over this place. We had the whole Snapper it was good the dessert was better. It was a brownie pie and it was moist and melt in you good!!! The ambiance was nice . They played easy listening jazz which I liked. We also had the fried pork ears and oysters both good.
(4)
Michael P.
Just like the other "local" places you basically do not taste or feel a difference, you can only assume that it is "better" because you paid more for it but i really don,t know. Pretty pricey for small dishes, the desserts are the reason we came and they did not upset. We had the roasted chicken, fries, kale, hummus, home brew sundae, and funnel cake. The chicken was plain, fries were the usual, hummus lacked that hummus zest, and they were all quite small. The funnel cake was very very good and the home brew sundae was also very unique and delicious. The server was clingy and kind of had this rush us out fast vibe but maybe i just got that felling. meh.
(3)
German M.
I'm so disappointed... I'm trying to put it into words and I feel like Michael's lost its love in making the food... I was here on February 2013 last and I felt they cared then but on my recent visit I was a bit speechless... Actually, I have a few things to say... I came to Michael's for dinner. I ordered the mahi and the fingerling potatoes: the fish was very dry and the sauce on the potatoes was very thick allowing me to only have a few bites... At the table, a friend order the mahi dish and she complained at its dryness as well. Someone else ordered spaghetti bolognese and he said it was delicious but cold. The people at the table next to us also had issues: this guy sent his chicken back twice because it wasn't fully cooked, lastly, he ordered the spagutti bolognese and he also said it was great but it was cold... So maybe.... The spaghetti is supposed to be cold and the mahi is supposed to be dry... Regardless, I must mention how our server was badmouthing the people next to us -- that was completely out of place. By dessert time, I wanted to leave... And if you know a thing or two about me is that I love dessert.
(2)
Yessenia A.
I've been several times here and the last time was horrific, to put it lightly. The food, as always, was outstanding, but unfortunately the service wasn't. I've never been treated so rude as if we were not good enough to eat at MGFD. The server started off as a nice person and when my party started ordering just a few items, the server got mad because we didn't take him/her advice on ordering several items to share. Of course since it was a large party, the gratuity was included but they didn't deserve any of it. I would have much rather tipped the hostess for being helpful seating us (even though they took 30 minutes after our reservation time to seat us due to weather issues). Aside from that, they didn't want to split the bill for us and gave us the excuse that they could only split the bill evenly between all the credit cards, which makes no sense. If it's due to a system issue, then I'm sure they have enough money to get a better one that allows this to happen. We will not be returning here again after this terrible experience and will definitely let everyone we know not to spend a dime here.
(1)
Pamela B.
Classy experience for lunch. I didn't want a whole bottle of wine, but Corie offered the Corvin wine tool that enabled me to have one glass of a high end wine that paired well with my lamb. Finished off with pineapple rum sorbet and aperol. Awesome!
(5)
Toni C.
Third time, NOT a charm. My first dining experience at MGFD was excellent. This was in the early days, before everyone knew about the restaurant. Excellent food and service. This was a time when your business was much appreciated. My second visit, we were a party of 2. We were seated at a table behind the hostess stand, with ample room and privacy suitable for 2 to enjoy a pleasant dining experience. Again, everything was 5 stars. My third visit, July 2015, again, a party of 2, we had 5:45pm reservations on a very hot & humid Thursday evening. When we arrived, the restaurant was sparsely populated. We were seated once again at a table behind the hostess stand, but, this time, it appeared as though the table had been reduced to half the size. When we were seated, the tables were so close together, it felt like we were dining with the couple next to us. Unhappy with this arrangement, we asked the hostess to seat us at a different table. Despite the fact the restaurant was practically empty, she told us our only option was 'outside'. It was 87 degrees, the sun was bright and it was very uncomfortable. We sat at the outdoor table for less than 10 minutes, and politely told her the heat was unbearable, and we left and walked to another nearby restaurant where we were immediately accommodated at a table located inside the restaurant. My lesson learned: when dining at MGFD, to get the best table, make sure your party is at least 4, unless you don't mind sitting in the hot sun, in the middle of summer, feeling as though you are melting. Thankfully, there are many other restaurants just as good as MGFD in the Design District and you can find wait staff willing to make your dining experience a pleasant one. Disappointed....
(1)
Lauren F.
I NEVER leave reviews, usually just because of forgetfulness, but I couldn't pass it up with this place. My mother, boyfriend, and I went here as per a recommendation of a friend and all of us were beyond impressed. Our waiter, Gabriel I believe his name was (should have confirmed), was very knowledgeable and super attentive but he was not pushy or in your face. He suggested a particular wine that was delicious, and knew what would pair well with it. We had the stracciatella, short ribs, lamb, and the pork tender loin. Sides were roasted cauliflower (amazing), and garlic mashed potatoes. Dessert was the chocolate chess pie which was just straight heaven on a plate. Bottom line, we had great service, great food, and all in a great atmosphere. I will definitely be going back.
(5)
Chi L.
Taste: 4 star Price they charge you: 5 star Portion they give you: 2 star The breakfast pizza is not as good as before. The rice cake dish is still good. I saw the table next to me having the tiniest pancake of all time!
(3)
G L.
We thoroughly enjoyed our experience here. Our server, Amanda, was so good! She had great recommendations which we were so happy to have gotten. The food and drinks were exceptional! The hostess was eager to help me retrieve my lost cell phone ( I lose everything). We felt so comfortable in the beautiful outdoor seating. The staff tended to our every need and made this a night to remember! Cheers!
(5)
Maria A.
I normally don't do reviews but this time I'm not happy at all. We came to michaels because it had great reviews and wanted to try somewhere new. We ordered a brisket sandwich, which I don't recommend at all. Half of the meat was fat, which didn't let me nor my husband enjoy our meal. Both ordered the same thing so we have no reviews on other dishes, and Danny our server wasn't friendly at all, he came once to us and we would call him but he would go first to the other tables with big parties I guess for the tip.
(1)
Ryan K.
There's a reason this place is so popular. It's a foodie destination. The service and quality were top notch. The pork belly is a must have signature dish.
(5)
Juliana K.
Wow the food was amazing. I will never forget the pistachio and rosemary dusted doughnuts with ricotta and strawberry jam. They were fluffy and amazing. The Kim Chee short rib was phenomenal. Crispy chunk of shirt rib paired with a Kim chee and topped with peanuts. Wow. The octopus pesto pizza was also very good. Perfectly seasoned. Deviled eggs were good, but unmemorable compared to everything else. Caberete mixed drink was refreshing. The rye, basil, grapefruit mixed drink was sort of strange. Service was friendly and attentive. Lovely outside seating.
(4)
Bella S.
This place gets busy, so make a reservation!!! We arrived at 1140am on a Sunday and there was a 45minute wait! So we ate dinner at the bar! Only half of the tables were full though. Nor was there a line. This place will hold tables if you request a seating in advance so it's a no-brainer!! Also, ample street (with meter parking) is available for Sunday brunch. Some of the dishes we chose were: Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Egg is a must have! I don't eat meat but the Shrimp & Polenta (with chorizo too) was excellent. The chorizo was easily served on the side. I preferred the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes over the Cruffin, which my bf thought was better. Both are excellent. The triggerfish & shrimp ceviche had a tropical flavor that was much tastier than any ceviche I've ever had!! The citrus/lemon flavor wasn't overpowering like most ceviches! My bf is now obsessed with the Crispy Rice Cake which is way more than it sounds... Rice cake with Shrimp and Chorizo pan fried with a farm fresh egg over easy!! So good! Look at the photos and see! We will be back soon and will re-order almost everything!! (minus the yodels which were purchased for my sweet tooth loving bf)!
(5)
Marcia W.
It is an OK place. The location is very good and the ambiance also. Charming inside and outside. Foodwise, it did not impress us. We have asked 3 different dishes and from the 3 only one was very good. The Lychee salad was really good (I would have excluded the chili, but that is ok). The black grouper crudo was a miss - it lacked acidity and the flax seed felt like a second thought. The double egg yolk was not impressive either. It has all the potential to be a good place, but they should work on the details of the dishes.
(3)
Sagor H.
One of the better meals that we have while we were in Miami. We stopped by Right after getting off the plane. I have to say initially we were displeased with the hostesses as they missed that we had a reservation, but the wait staff more then made up for it. Our waitress was phenomenal (purple hair) and made sure our dining experience was top notch. She also offered a free appetizer to make up for the previous service. The octopus and mozzarella appetizer were fresh and a great start. We opted for the fresh catch of the day which happened to be a red snapper, and it was fantastic. One of the best whole fish I've ever had. Desserts were awesome as well. I would definitely stop in when you get into town.
(4)
Joa T.
The pork shoulder is to die for! It will melt in your mouth, plus it has a parsley sauce and pickled onions which give it a fresh taste. Everything here is, as our waitress said, A-MAZING! Try the butter lettuce with oranges and hazelnut vinaigrette and to drink the ginger-lemongrass soft drink. For dessert the homebrew ice cream sunday with caramel, roasted marshmellows, and pretzels. The east coast oysters were nothing out of this world, was expecting more flavor in them. But the rest of the food was a delight! Coming back for suuuuuuuure.
(5)
Nicole S.
SO, I was pleasantly surprised with my lunch visit today. Ever since I had a bad dinner experience at Michael's (which was definitely a fluke) I was a little afraid to return but everyone deserves a second chance and I definitely made the right decision to go back. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding! Adrian, was our waiter and he made our experience top notch with his outgoing/friendly personality. He was passionate and knowledgeable about the menu and you could tell he genuinely (pun not intended!) enjoys what he does and he made sure everything was to our liking. His cocktail and food recommendations were on point! It's not often that you find exceptional waiters/waitresses in Miami and I'm thrilled to have found the best! My husband had the Bloody Mary (extra spicy) and I had the Cabarete (semi sweet watermelon cocktail)...both were delicious. We started out with the Roasted Tomato Soup with crispy pork belly. All I can say is, this is NOT your momma's tomato soup...which is a good thing. For the main dish, I had the Grilled Chicken BLT which was savory and packed full of flavor. My husband had the grilled skirt steak which he wouldn't share so I'm going to assume it was great! Looking forward to going back again soon!
(5)
John P.
3.5 stars for my experience tonight. Wednesday at 9PM and this place was filled with people. My wife and I were quickly seated outside. The restaurant had fans running outside and there was a nice breeze so we didn't mind. Inside was super loud, mainly because of some drunk obnoxious people at the bar. The only complaint about sitting outside is that we're furthest away from the restaurant (harder to get ahold of the waitress) and that some guest were smoking at the dinner table which we got a few wiffs of during our meal. Service was good, however our waitress seemed like she needed a lot more help. She was really nice, however waiting for her got pretty annoying. There are others constantly refilling water which was nice. Food. We ordered quite a few things for two people. The pork belly and bucatini was good but the lamb and short ribs weren't too impressive. The lamb was a bit cold and dry by the time it came out and didn't have much flavor. Dessert - We were excited to try the dessert after seeing all the pictures on yelp, however the dessert menu was lacking all the things we came to try! We wanted to try the sticky buns but I guess that's not offered for dinner (my guess). We ordered the funnel cake which came with a tiny scoop of ice cream. Not worth $12. Bottom line, the food is expected to be a little pricier for the area, however I don't think it's overly expensive. It's a very relaxed ambience here, lots of people having drinks and loud conversations. Not a place for a romantic date or to take the family in my opinion. Maybe worth a try, not a must try.
(3)
John t.
Very nice staff, clean beautiful environment, but expected more from the food. It's just average, I could go to chipotle and get more savory and tasty meat!!! I wanted to like this place, heard great things, but just not impressed with the food, ; (
(1)
Yasmeen C.
Thank you for supporting sustainability and organic growers. We need more, much more of high end restaurants following your ideology!!!!! AMAZING FOOD.
(5)
Tatyana R.
The best food around! Period! Unpretentious simple American Cuisine with a twist. I have been going there for the past 8 years and food has always been outstanding. Service hasn't been as consistent as good, but the food and atmosphere more than makes up for the service. Had another dinner there last night and everyone at the table was happy with their choices. I always get strachatella, the best in town, and cremoso with parfait. Keep in mind that it's always best to have a reservation, as they are always packed, especially on the weekends.
(5)
Stephanie B.
Dined at Michael's for Mother's Day. Yes, I know, that's the worst day to go out, yada yada. But to be completely honest, even though it was a day that is infamously associated with bad food and service I can honestly say that Michael's was absolutely none of these. We had made a reservation for 6:30 pm and it wasn't packed the way it usually is. I figured it wasn't slammed because 6:30pm is sort of an awkward time; too late for lunch and too early for dinner. But I digress. We started off with the chili chicken wings that came with a little side of cucumber. The side was like a yogurt with cucumber. The consistency was thick and the way the cucumbers crunched in your mouth was delicious. I also tried it on the wings. Sooo good. We also ordered the sweet and spicy pork belly that came with kimchi. This had to be the absolute favorite part of the meal because the pork was crispy on the outside but when you put your fork in it it just shreds off. We ordered another one. Clearly, we couldn't get enough. Then came the short rib with a side of home made fries. That short rib, wow. Excellent! The grand finale was eating the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme. Oh my. Not your average fried donut, I can assure you that. They came sprinkled in sugar with a little side of cream which on it's own was amazing. It you're unsure of what to order for desert I recommend this because the flavors are obviously delicious but it's sweetness is not overbearing. It's just perfect! My evening was perfection! You can never go wrong here! Not to mention, my server (I forgot his name ugh!!!) was very polite, attentive and informative on the menu. My only turn off was the grumpy old man at the hostess spot that made me wait on him by just standing there awkwardly to finish his causal telephone conversation before he acknowledged my presence in front of him. :-)
(5)
Jennifer A.
Generally, the food was great. Straccietella was magnificent - salty and sweet. Oyster selection provided a lot of variety. The duck confit was also delicious, as was the risotto. However, the gnocchi Sardi was deceptively named. They were more like regular pasta shells than gnocchi. Also had red velvet ice cream, which was very tasty but very small. Definitely, you should opt for the 2 or 3 scoops. Finally, I must warn about the outdoor seating. Smoking is allowed. We had to move our table. They boast a menu that is 95% organic, but then try to kill you with second hand smoke.
(4)
John D.
Overrated. Over-priced. I know a few servers have even left the restaurant because the food has gone so downhill. They opened strong but let it all go. Too bad. It was a great spot in the beginning.
(2)
L. S.
Sadly, Michael's Genuine did not even come close to matching our expectations. SERVICE: The service was EXTREMELY slow. Granted, it was a busy weekend night, but still you would think a restaurant of this caliber would be equipped (and prepared) to handle a weekend night rush. Apps took forever to come out. Larger plates took even longer. Management recognized the delay but, unfortunately, the way management/staff handled the slow service was not adequate. I think they comped a dessert or two. One of the members of our dining party had restaurant management experience, and he was surprised (in a bad way) at how Michael's Genuine handled and responded to the service delays. FOOD: Disappointing. It was as if the restaurant was trying too hard to turn this into an episode of Iron Chef America. Some of the cooking techniques and ingredient pairings just did not work, resulting in bad tasting food. There is a time and place for everything, and it just seemed as if the kitchen did not know or understand how the flavors worked; just throw a bunch of random ingredients together in hopes to create "interesting food". (1) Way too much cinnamon/nutmeg? on a pizza that was already very sweet due to the caramelized onions. Pretty bad flavor combination. (2) Smoked vanilla ice cream that tasted like bacon was off-putting and extremely difficult to digest. (3) Chocolate Cremoso was decent, but a hint of sea salt would have been sufficient, not a huge tablespoon. Same thing with the olive oil, a subtle hint of it would have been sufficient for this DESSERT. Ironically, the only decent dishes of the night were the ones that were simply prepared: grilled whole snapper, and chargrilled octopus. We really wanted to like this place; we really did. However, overall, it was a very disappointing evening, especially given that this was to be a special dinner for our group. Obviously, Michael's Genuine has a great following and receives generally solid reviews, so perhaps we just hit this place on the wrong night. But I won't return, especially given the multitude of great dining options in the Design District.
I am giving Michael's Genuine a 3 only because it is Miami and the food scene in Miami has been bad for so long, It has been changing in the past year and Michael's Genuine is a part of it. I have been here twice since April. The first time I went I loved the food and could not believe i was in Miami. I went with friend's I was visiting, the service for the 2 of them was bad, our waiter pretty much dismissed and ignored them and focused on me. All in all the experience was odd and uncomfortable, I can not believe I did not say anything. When I was back in Miami this past weekend I could not wait to take him there for the food. We had great service, phew!. We ordered a few dishes and a couple sides. We had 6 dishes in total. The octopus again was fantastic, and the mussels were great. Everything else was bland and boring, even the fries were a bit soggy. When you look closely at the design of the place you realize if it was not for the large lanterns the place is not good looking at all. These Brooklynites will not be going back! It was not worth the cab fare from South Beach.
(3)
Marta H.
First time at MGFD. Went for brunch on a Sunday. The scene was vibrant, hip, casual but still elegant for a lazy Sunday. I first must give a disclaimer. If it sounds like we had a lot of food, we did! However, the brunch here is served tapas style so portions are small. We started off by ordering 2 menu items each, for sharing of course. Spanish tortilla, double yolk egg, duck confit hash and the French toast with bananas foster. It was all delicious but we wanted more so we ordered the Crispy Rice Cake. Love at first bite, truly! It was so heavenly, I practically heard angels' harps. For me, that was the clear winner although some great contenders here... The servers were attentive and friendly. My only complaint is that the tables are too close for comfort. Next time, we will choose to dine in the outdoor patio which is cozy but roomier.
(5)
Micah K.
This is my favorite place in Miami! Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING I have tried on the menu has been absolutely amazing! They have decent draft beer options and outdoor seating to boot!
(5)
Stephanie N.
This was my second time there. First time was for dinner which was good, but I wasn't blown away. I went back for brunch on a Sunday and I was so pleased! First of all, make a reservation! This place gets packed! The energy in the restaurant is loud yet sophisticated and resembles a New York Eatery. Our server was very friendly and helpful. The menu is separated into different categories. Savory, sweets, eggs & things, breads and snacks. Everything is served tapas style. So our waiter recommended each of us order a sweet and a savory and then share all of them. Must haves: From the snacks: deviled eggs (best I've ever had) and crispy pig ear (OMG) Savory: sausage, kimchi benedict, wood oven baked double yolk egg sweets: pop tarts, coffee cake, sticky buns Everything here is incredibly fresh and more importantly, local! This food is made with love and every single thing I had was amazing.
(5)
Bryan H.
Bar menu: A Appetizers: A Main course: A (red snapper) Dessert: A (pie in a jar) Service : A+ From NY and I highly recommend.
(5)
Cliff F.
After a few visits to Michael's, it becomes easier to see the forest for the trees. The restaurant offers accessible, tasty food for lunch and dinner. Some tend to deify Michael Schwartz, but in reality he is not God, nor anything remotely close. His food, however, is heavenly...and his restaurants deserve to be patronized by those with the desire to experience well-conceived dishes, executed perfectly. I've tried a variety of dishes at Michael's (include a sampling of those offered during the fantastic Miami Spice months), and they never fail to satisfy. On my last visit, I tried the Shrimp and Chorizo pizza (a standout...absolutely delicious), hominy, and for dessert, a tangerine pot-de-creme with two petite sugar doughnuts. Skipping dessert is not a good idea, as it can often be the best part of the entire meal (and skipping it can lead to remorse for days to come). Advice for ordering: just get what makes your mouth water most. Ordering anything because of diets or prices or potentially fatal side effects can also lead to crippling remorse. Just go for it. Seriously. This includes their specialty sodas (ex. Blueberry Tarragon), which accent any dish just right. If the double yolk egg is on the menu, please, for the love of everything that is holy, order it. You will not regret (unless you are dieting, in which case...read above, then order it). Also, the mozzarella makes a fantastic starter. Valet parking is $3, and parking on surrounding streets is $1.50 an hour...so valet the car. If you can sit outside (for lunch), do it...the people watching is unparalleled outside of Miami Beach.
(5)
Angela M.
Great neighborhood, delicious deserts, fun atmosphere. A bit crowded, but everything else is superb.
(4)
Brent M.
Woot! Michael's Genuine made my tummy happy. It was a little crowded when I went, which is always a turn-off, but I won't lie: the food more than made up for it. The chili chicken wings with creamy cucumbers are amazeballs, as is the short rib & fontina panini. The 'Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme' (which is a posh name for donuts and blackberry jam) is pretty awesome as well. The food is 5-star quality every day and twice on Sundays, but the crowd/noise level, and the fact that it's a little pricey given the portion sizes are what drops my overall review down. Still, I definitely recommend it.
(4)
Michael C.
Iffy service and inconsistent execution bring it down to three stars for me. MGFD has a great menu, but seems to be another victim of "Miami Hype".
(3)
James H.
Came here last week on my spring break trip to Miami. Food here is pretty mediocre... maybe it was because i was too hungover from the party to fully enjoy the breadth of it. I had the shrimp salad which had huge chunks of shrimp paired with macadamian nuts and all sorts of goodies. Service was great! But i would probably go to another restaurant in Miami. South beach seems more lively and probably has better restaurants
(3)
Morgan K.
Seems like it caters to Sobe crowd only, or if you wear stilletto heels and have nothing better to do than sit here all day. Service was sooo slow! And hour and a half for a salad! Bad timing. I would give it more stars for good food but the service was so bad they don't deserve it.The food portions were small. The Greek salad had no lettuce. Skirt steak salad was more of a garnish than a salad. I hate to rant but: -We sat for at least 10 min before waiter came over, after waiting 20 min for a table -Waited another 10 min for him to take our order -Got the news 10 min later that kitchen ran out of app we ordered -Took another 20 min to bring out replacement app -We told waiter to bring all food as it was ready, so one meal came with app for same person who ordered app -My meal (salad) took another 10 min to get to table, ridiculous -My soda glass was full of water from ice melt because it had been sitting so long -I never got the lemon I asked for twice -Waiter ignored us after we questioned our food taking so long -All tables around us were served They removed one meal from the bill but this is unacceptable service and I would never return.
"Dude, I love pork. Love the pork. But I don't eat it anymore, not after I was told that a pig has the same mentality as a three-year-old, and my niece was three at the time, and it kind of cut into me." - Cameron Diaz Great news; more pork bellies for me! Pair that up with some cheese grits and a beer and Ms. Diaz can live vicariously through me! There's still plenty of items on the menu she can chose from. Typically I feel that this can be detrimental, but here, it's the appeal for me. The fare lends itself to all tastes. Some may want to stay on the bourgeois boulevard, opting for the cheese plate and a pork chop mated with garlic mashed potatoes. Others may veer to the north on the slightly more adventurous avenue and take on the head cheese, pork jowls and pig ears. For dessert (which I shied away from) I'm told the doughnuts are a winner. I lied, I did take a bite of the brownie with the smoke infused ice cream. Not my favorite, but I like the theory. I can't wait to go back and try something new. And like last time I'll take my daughter, who's nearly 2, with a mentality far beyond. And as far as I know Cameron, she's no cannibal.
(4)
chris k.
What a fabulous evening. Mark took excellent care of us. We started with a couple bottles of wine and some excellent small plates. Pork belly (outrageously good), ceviche, duck confit and a few others. Then on to a lovely plate of lamb. Everything was sublime and the flavors all blended together seamlessly. Michael Schwartz has a hit here. We asked Michael Symon where to eat in Miami and this was his suggestion. Couldn't have been better. Michael's has it going on in spades. If you have the chance have a meal here. You won't regret it. Chris
(5)
Ellie E.
Absolutely loved it! The ambiance was impeccable. And although we only went for a dessert it was amazing! We tried the chocolate cremoso and wow! The pastry chef there definitely gets my hats off. The olive oil and sea salt added texture and changed the whole dessert. I'll definitely be going there again!
(5)
Jason G.
Walking into Michael's Genuine made me nervous. It was almost like I was about to hook-up with a supermodel...I knew it was going to be good, but I was unsure of just how enjoyable it would be. I'll start by talking about the service because, by now, everyone knows the food is great. Robin was our server. He was fantastic. Right after the last sip of beer, wine, or coffee, he was there to ask you about a new one. The complimentary flat and sparkling waters were refilled in the same fashion. Because of the small, medium, large, x-large plate styles, ordering was spontaneous. But each flight we ordered came out within 10 minutes. I'm a beer person, and I was floored by their selections. I enjoyed a Tucher Hefeweizen and an Argentinian Otro Mundo. My dad is a wine guy, and he seemed very pleased with those listings as well. I remember each item and practically all of their intricacies. But I'll spare you the minutia, and give you the highlights. Burrata with heirloom tomatoes: the best Tomato-Mozz combo I've ever had. Beet, tomato, string bean, and bleu cheese salad: In a perfect vinaigrette, I was licking the bowl. Duck confit: perefectly roasted such that I was cutting up and eating the skin with knife&fork BBQ beef rib: decadent, a fatty piece of meat but broiled perfectly, it tasted like the cow had a diet of BBQ sauce and smoky spices. Whole Roast Snapper: A great fish dish, even for a true carnivore. And lastly, one of the finest crafted desserts I've taken my tongue to: Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread Pudding topped with Sweet Cream, complemented by Cornbread Ice Cream and Corn Nut Brittle. I'll spare you any comments, as just typing the words makes me salivate. Simply, the food is well-thought-out and expertly prepared. The service is impeccable. In times like these, value is important. For this level of food, the prices are more than justified. This review and the posted pictures have taken me about an hour to complete, and I will continue to linger over this meal. Enjoy!
(5)
Zack B.
Phenomenal. Unpretentious yet upscale. We're from PA and love this place. Mark the Server (true professional) never steers us wrong. "We butchered a whole pig this week, so maybe you want to try some pork..." Country Pate? Pork Belly? Pig tail? WOW. This place is the real deal, you get what you pay for and the staff doesn't lead you astray. Total experience...seated according to your reservation + interested server + incredible food = best of the best. You get what you pay for, in the best sense of the phrase. SUPPORT THIS RESTAURANT
(5)
Andrej M.
Came here on a Sunday to enjoy brunch. The food options are in small portions and yet are delicious in a major way. Make sure to order multiple orders if you are hungry. The service was slow, but they were packed so we did not expect anything else. It is a bit pricier than other brunch options. I will eat here every now and then, but it is not my must eat meal place.
(4)
Anastacia B.
Last year was the first time I visited this establishment. In Miami this year for a week and have already been here twice in 4 days. The reason- it's just really inventive delicious food and there's to many freaking fantastic sounding things on the menu to order in one sitting. Try and get a table outside. Cocktails are dangerously drinkable. When we were checking in for our reservation the Hostess basically told another worker who was trying to get apparently ANOTHER group of his friends seated- to buzz off (that is my re-enactment). Haa haaaa!!!
(5)
Jonathan M.
After hearing lots about MGFD, my wife and I had to try it on a recent trip to Miami. This is a restaurant not to be missed! The menu is inspiring and the wood oven helps splash a little more special in already phenomenal dishes. I suggest multiple trips to this restaurant, as you will want to try just about everything on the menu, inclusive of the sides. Start with the small plates! The wood roasted double yolk farm egg is incredible. It oozes with yolky goodness and the gruyere and roasted tomatoes are fantastic touches. The barrelfish and shrimp ceviche is refreshing and perfect for a warm night in Miami. Whatever you do, DO NOT skip the crispy sweet and spicy pork belly. The large dishes are great, too if you still have room. High quality seasonal ingredients, fresh seafood and great quality meats make this an amazing meal. And if you have a choice, sit up at the chef's bar...the only thing as exciting as eating the food is watching them cook it! And whatever you do, make sure you save room for dessert. The staff is welcoming and accommodating. The atmosphere is great for a romantic date night or a night out with friends!
(5)
Heather M.
Oh wow. The cinnamon bun. We were all stuffed after brunch, but we made just enough room to devour a delicious bacon-infused (!!!!) cinammon bun. I love the way the menu is set up. For instance, we were able to order a side of skirt steak, a delicious little treat, for only $6. The pork shoulder with cheese grits and a poached egg made a wonderful combination. And the simple tomato and avocado salad with basil was perfect. They expedited the whole meal perfectly, so that we constantly had something to work on, and the order in which they brought the food made the meal flow nicely. I would be remiss if I did not mention how amazing the wheat toast is. No, seriously. It must be homemade. Thick slices of multi-grain bread with chewy bits of grain, served with butter and fleur de sel. Yes, please. I was so surprised at how great of a deal this place was for brunch. We had a bunch of dishes and some drinks (Sunday special: shot of Bloody and a PBR), and got out under $30/person. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation, it gets quite busy and you don't want to get stuck in the back room. The courtyard and the main room are MUCH nicer.
(4)
Abigail S.
What a wonderful find in the Design District. In Michael's, we've finally discovered a Miami restaurant that's as good as anything one can get in New York. This is creative, soulful cuisine that manages to surprise without being too precocious. My partner in crime and I have dined there twice now and both times have been memorable despite the very strong drinks we enjoyed throughout the meals. It's hard to list a favorite dish because the menu changes constantly, as foods come in and out of season and the chefs gain access to different ingredients. But I'll try. There was a pizza topped with goat cheese, unbelievably fresh raw endive, and barbecued lamb rib that was just...amazing. Especially when we sprinkled it with the house-made hot sauce recommended to us by the bartender. Weird? Maybe, but also awesome. The stuffed deep-fried calabasa flower was light and savory and the perfect starter. The fried pigs' ears were crisp and flavorfully seasoned, though way too rich for us to eat more than one or two. The cheese of the week, some bleu cheese from California, was beautiful when matched with a walnut raisin toast and fig compote. The deviled eggs, usually a brunch buffet staple, were comforting and mustardy and somehow worked as a small plate for dinner. The linguine dish with bacon, mushrooms, and greens was hearty and addictive. But the standout, for me, was the chocolate cremoso dessert. I don't have much of a sweet tooth except when it comes to chocolate. Chocolate is my weakness; I'll try it in just about any variation, the darker the better. The cremoso at Michael's is a sort of dark chocolate ganache that's lightly dusted with sea salt and comes served on a razor-thin layer of olive oil, with a side of espresso parfait that's topped with crumbled candied hazelnuts (I think). There's also a little piece of toasted sourdough and a tidy smudge of powdered sugar on the plate, just in case you need more calories. Each of the elements would be good on their own but together, they are seriously unforgettable. There's more I could talk about here, like the excellent, almost choreographed service, and the comfortably stylish decor, and the fact that this verse is emblazoned in huge letters on the wall and most especially visible to those lucky enough to sit at the bar: Ode to the Mother Tongue Praise the tongue that shapes and savors words and flavors, that sings and stumbles, drunkenly, upon the wine of poetry. But for now let's just say that dinner at Michael's Genuine is not to be missed. This is honest, earnest cooking in a pleasantly old-timey atmosphere with excellent service and stellar cocktails. What more do you need?
(5)
A A.
Amazing brunch! Small, tapas style plates so it can get a little pricey but it was well worth it. Every single item was high quality, and just delicious.
(5)
Lissete D.
This review is long past due. I had drafted it shortly after our visit but apparently did not submit. Brain fart! I debated long and hard about how to rate MGF&D. The best that I could do was a tad above just good and a notch below fantabulous. Solid 3 1/2 but since we don't have that option, I upped it to 4. Fortunately, we were not subjected to snobby attitudes. Because, quite frankly, that is one thing that I will not tolerate. The hostess was friendly and our server was even friendlier. So we were off to a good start. We were seated on top of another couple. Seriously. It was a four top that had been split into a two top. With about a 2" gap between the tables. The problem is that on one side, the seat is a booth type. So when that one couple finished, I had to get up and let the lady slide out. Same thing happened when they had to seat another couple there. It was like sharing a booth with strangers. We went in for lunch. Our server told us about available dishes that were not on the menu. Including the stracciatella. Which he simply described as burrata served with heirloom tomatoes. No prices were given for the specials btw. We ordered the stracciatella, the steak frites and the pulled pork sandwich. I admit, I was not familiar with stracciatella cheese, but I do love burrata and have loved it since we visited Puglia many years ago. The portion served was small, like a schmear. It was delish, just not amazing. My opinion of it was knocked down several notches after learning that the charge for the stracciatella is $20. For a schmear. We usually pay between $15-20 for burrata and we usually get nice sized mozzarella pouch filled with deliciousness. However, the heirloom tomatoes were da bomb! My husband's pulled pork sandwich was delicious and very flavorful. No complaints at all. My steak, however, was bland. I mean, absolutely tasteless. Plus let's not get into the portion size. It was more than enough for me since I get full pretty fast. But $24 for a 6" piece of skirt steak is a bit much. And a tasteless steak at that. We skipped dessert this time. I know, sacrilege! But nothing really caught my eye. Oh, I enjoyed their cherry-rosemary soda, so that's a plus. All in all, it was not bad at all. Just not something that I will be craving any time soon. But I will likely return at some point to try some other menu items.
(4)
Sofia T.
Michael's is very good. I would say it is a bit snobbish though. You can either dine indoors or out. If you've never been, it is worth visiting. Everything is a la carte, and semi-pricey. They used to have a rice cake topped with rock shrimp, an over medium egg, and chorizo. That was delicious. Though I don't think they have it any more. All of their pairings are simply delicious and you really cant go wrong.
(4)
Andreina R.
There is nothing else to say about the food than it is absolutely amazing, however, when service is not at least standard, coming back can be questioned. We arrived and were told we had to wait 30 minutes. We sat at the bar and our table was never ready. Since we are flexible we stayed at the bar and ordered there. It took at least between 20 or 30 minutes for each meal to come. Mine arrived first but before the appetizer. I ate and 20 minutes later my husband got his. If you don't mind to be treated poorly give it a try just because the food. Ambiance is also good, a lot of locals but there is a lot to be improved in terms of customer service.
(3)
Isa S.
First of all, Giovanni is the sh*t. We sat at the bar, even though we had a table reservation. He hooked us up with Kentucky Mules, and every appetizer under the sun. Ran the extra mile to make sure that my husband received a b-day desert from the kitchen, on top of making sure everyone at the bar had full drinks. Thank you Giovanni!
(5)
Tatyana V.
Delicious meal, excellent service . Wood oven snapper with lemon and fennel was my favorite, with a side of roasted cauliflower in parsley sauce.
Can't really comment on the food because the two times I went there, each time around 4pm, once on the weekend, once on Tuesday, I was told first that the kitchen was closed, and the second time that we couldn't order dessert because of the time of day. Although each time the hostesses were friendly, this was really disappointing because we paid for the valet parking. The reason we did that is because the website clearly states that they are open. Don't think we'll try again even though we really like what the place stands for. That's unfortunate.
(1)
Jose S.
Michael Genuien Rest. Is a place to show off your money with great tasting plates. Dinner is delicious, Lunch is even better on it's patio, and Brunch, Bamtastic! My review here is based on my Brunch experience. These are the following plates I ordered in order from Greatest to least favorite: Kimchi benedict Fried chicken and biscuits Buttermilk pancakes Wood oven baked frittata Breakfast pizza Mango toast Stracciatella Devil eggs All where delicious. Even the devil eggs on the bottom of the list. These where divided among 4 hungry bears. Service; Friendly. I would have expected more detailed explanations of the food, but we could tell by the brunch rush. But the dinner experience waiter that one time was Very Friendly/cool. They have Valet Parking, I recommend you look for a parking though. Save $5. Then take those $5 and DON'T get an OJ. This really disappointed me. The $5 OJ is small, as in 2 sips you finish the glass. Did not taste natural either. You've been warned. The place is beautiful, high end and perfect for big groups and mingle all brunch. Do come in early for brunch, especially big groups. We arrived at 11:00am and by 12pm there were people waiting to be seated.
(4)
Ilan S.
Amazing food, I really recommend the short rib and the pork belly. Amazing server "Pamela" Just a bad experience with a drunk employee
(3)
Lyza L.
Oh, yeah... Yum. I actually found this by accident. Wandered up the wrong street and there it was. Luckily, we arrived right at the start of food service, so we were seated immediately, and it filled up FAST. I had heard it was great, and was not disappointed. We ordered a bunch of little plates and they were all AMAZING. Seriously, I don't feel the need to go into details. Nothing on this menu is short of awesome. The Genuine Food Group adheres to the "farm-to-table" approach to sourcing their food. They feature all kinds of specialty artisan purveyors on their menu, and it shows. The staff is well-versed, too, so you can find out a lot about your food, which for me is part of the fun.
(5)
Javid F.
This is by far our favorite restaurant in SB. It's very casual and approachable. The food is incredible and service stands up. If you're ever there when they have the peach and burrata salad DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT ORDERING IT.
(5)
Shibei R.
I have been coming to Michaeal's with friends and family for the past couple of years. We always have a good time at Michaels. The food never dissapoint and the desserts are the best. Brunch on Sundays are extra special, I really enjoy coming here with a group of people, order a bunch of dishes and share.
(5)
Sergey S.
On a scale from 1 to Uchi I would give it a strong 8.
(4)
Matt F.
We vacation here every year and Michael's Genuine has turned into a yearly routine after phenomenal past experiences. This time, however, they were a little off the mark... For drinks I ordered my go to a Long Island Iced Tea and my wife ordered a Cabarete off the house cocktail menu. Her drink was pretty good, mine was awful. It didn't even taste like a Long Island iced tea. I mentioned this to my waiter and asked if the bartender can maybe add more sour mix (I don't think there was any sour mix added), he took it back and had him make another. The new Long Island was very strong and sort of tasted right but not really. I didn't complain about it anymore maybe they had a rookie bartender who only learned the house cocktails. Anyways, I felt I got my money's worth of alcohol as I was buzzing pretty good when our first round of plates came out. We ordered the Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Farm Egg, the Kingfish Ceviche, and the Chicken Liver Crostini to start. We always get the Farm Egg and like usual it was very good. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the other two. We've never had chicken liver before, first taste was excellent but then this strange after taste followed and stayed on the palate. I'm not sure if this was what chicken liver was supposed to taste like? If they could somehow get rid of that after taste then it would be perfect. The ceviche was lacking of texture and honestly the fish was a little translucent...maybe not marinated long enough?? I'm writing this 3 days later and no one got sick but we've had much better. After those plates we received the Slow roasted & grilled beef short rib and an artichoke side that was a special for the night. The short rib was excellent, would definitely get it again. The artichoke was good too once we figured out how to eat it. For dessert we got the milk chocolate peanut butter candy bar. This was the hit of the night because there was some heat maybe cayenne pepper added to the caramel that worked nicely with the cold ice cream. We've been here 4 times now and will come back but probably just for dessert.
(3)
Robert T.
One if Miami's finest restaurants. Fresh local produce and seafood. Excellent oysters. Evolving menu and high end service. Fine wine list. Superb.
(5)
Natalie Q.
Always a favorite. You'll find a constantly changing menu chock full of creative cocktails and dishes plus a few favorites. This restaurant is always busy so be ready to wait for a table and sit really close to your neighbors.
(5)
Janina K.
Michaels...how I do begin? It's been a long love affair. Me, and my dear go here every year (is this a rhyme?) for our anti-valentine's day. By that I mean it's the day after the big day, and everyone is out of our way (why do I keep rhyming??)... OK. Thanks for sticking through whatever the first paragraph was. Michael's is great, ALWAYS awesome service and kick-ass drinks and of course....THE FOOD. First off, start with a great cocktail. Forget the wine list book. Flip the menu over and they have a list of the drinks of the day and typically they have a delicious bourbon drink. I always love the Michael's Manhattan. The top dish you should share on the small menu is the pork belly with kimchi. This is the best thing I've ever eaten in Miami. The crispness of the pork belly mixed with the sour high notes of the Kimchi is AMAZING. Order it, it's a signature dish for a reason! The larger dishes are great. I had the short ribs with a hazelnut sauce and it was great. My date had the pork shoulder with a pesto sauce (I think)...again another great dish. Michael's is always consistently amazing and don't fret about the parking. Usually on a Sunday night around 7 pm there is plenty of cheap street options. PS- I must mention that the BEST dessert I've ever eaten was at Michael's. It was a Macadamia nut brownie with passion fruit ice cream and mint sprigs. Every time I go now, they don't have it....ask for it, that's how we'll bring it back!
(5)
Alec J.
Our waiter didn't come for 20 mins. We complained to the nearest man and he became our waiter and gave us free food. Genuinely good cover, Michael. Everyone at our table agreed that the Mahi Mahi I ordered was the best dish. I don't like to brag, but I really know how to order when it comes to places like this. I didn't order the ceviche starter but in spite of that it was good. The atmosphere of the outside seating area is outdoor-strip-mall-under-construction-with-Âairplanes-above-chic. The dessert is a fancy candy bar.
(4)
Yarinet R.
Had both brunch and dinner here. We love a everything and anything that comes out that kitchen. Atmosphere is great ! ...For brunch you have to get the crispy rice cake and sticky bun.... Gotta get those crispy pigs ears for snacks no matter what time of the day . Cheese plate has always been well crafted and harmonious in pairing .....
(5)
Miriana M.
Hate to do this but .. went back to Michael's to meet up with some friends from out of town for Lunch on a Sunday. We had reservations and surprisingly, the place wasn't too busy. We were a group of 6 people, nothing too crazy. The service sucked even MORE than my last dinner experience here. We all ordered burgers and sandwiches which shouldn't take THAT long, right? WRONG! It took at least 45 minutes to get our food on the table. The waiter wasn't even around much to at least order a few drinks from him to make the wait less painful. The food we ordered wasn't even close to being worth the wait. Of course the check was pricey, which is expected, but come on, at least make an effort.
(2)
Alex M.
AMAZING brunch. The crispy rice cake, the breakfast pizza are both great but the caramel/corn bread pudding is just about the best thing I've ever had.....ever. Covered outside dining makes for a nice Sunday brunch experience too. Staff very attentive and spot on.
(5)
Brian M.
Start to finish the best meal we had in Miami or the Keys (we ate a lot) over our 5 day trip. Came here because we understand Michael to be Miami's version of Philly's Marc Vetri or Jose Garces so wanted to give it a try. So what made it so great? 1) The food was all simple, yet complex. Allowed the proper flavors of the food to shine through. This comes from the right mix of quality ingredients and skilled preparation. 2) Service. The best. I believe our server's name was Robin, but he chatted with us a bit about our trip, the food, our thoughts, etc. Was truly nice. 3) Specific dishes I loved were the fish of the day (a grouper) that was cooked absolutely perfectly. Quarter inch or so of crisp caramelization with a light interior. Awesome. Also the double yolk farm egg and duck rillette were re-donk. Get these. 4) Interior. Laid back, comfortable, unpretentious. A nice break from Miami. It was also my girlfriend's birthday and I contacted them ahead to do something special, which they responded promptly to and put a big sparkler in our dessert. Again, just an overall nice meal.
(5)
H. Deborah S.
Having eaten here 50 times since I last wrote a review...I thought it was time! Every restaurant has it's ups and downs...MGF is no stranger to this...however, last night was one of the most stellar meals I've had at MGF. Suffice to say, I am not going to say what we had because it's my meal and you just have to have your own experience; the lamb, the chicken, the stracciatella, the butter lettuce, the onion dip with chips, and the funnel cake (OMG, like no country fair could have better). Everything was right on the money! Not over salted. Not overcooked. Perfect. And, for those of you who are not familiar to Michael Schwartz's ethos - locally sourced food with emphasis on taste, sustainability, ethical, and humane care. If he can't source it locally, he will get it from the best available ranch or farm! And kudos to the new pastry chef...Hedy had pretty big shoes to fill...you are doing a great job of carrying on the tradition and adding your own twist. Thanks guys! You always deserve my business.
(5)
Patrick L.
If there's one thing "MGFD" doesn't need, it's another 5-star review. I don't really need to write this. Everyone in the world already knows that this is one of the best overall restaurants in Miami, and my review isn't going to sway anyone in any direction. While the food here is always going to be exquisitely prepared, no matter the time of day, I feel that brunch is truly where Michael's shines the brightest. Why? Well, brunch offers the diner more opportunity to sample the sweet creations of pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith. Unless you've been living under a rock, you already know that Hedy is kind of a big deal. Her traces of sugary genius are all over the brunch menu, whereas if you go for lunch or dinner, you only have the choice of a few of her items at dessert. The multigrain pancake is always a must-do for me - so dense and grainy, I can almost fool myself into thinking I'm eating something healthy. There's typically also some variant on French toast that I end up getting. For savories, the kimchi Benedict is what everyone talks about, and while it is possibly the tastiest Ben in town, it seems to get more chintzy in portion size all the time, that would be my only criticism. Some people find the service at Michael's to be a bit snotty. Years ago, before I went here for the first time, that's how I was guessing it would be. I have to say, though, I've found the service to be very professional and typically pleasant. Once, I was sitting at the bar at lunch, and my rooster sandwich was taking a bit too long - without any prompting from me, the bartender took it upon herself to head on back to the kitchen and see what was going on. For the most part, the servers seem to like working here. Of course, I'm not going to forget cocktails. The bar program here is robust, with mostly innovative gin and whiskey cocktails leading the way. Drinking here may not be the cheapest in the city, but whenever I've ordered a libation, I've not been disappointed. Lastly, Michael's is still extremely popular, even after years and years of operation. It may be possible at times to get a seat without a reservation, but for best results I'd strongly suggest planning ahead and making one.
(5)
Elizabeth P.
It was a nice place to have a quite lunch. The food was to simple for my taste. Definitely very fresh.It's a cute and charming place.
(3)
Chiyon Y.
Went in for lunch and decided to sit outside. Service was fine, nothing extraordinary. grouper & shrimp ceviche - Light with a taste of sweet mango, that overpowers much of the dish. crispy sweet & spicy pork belly - Delicious. Cooked perfectly (which wasn't crispy, and I actually prefer). crispy pork belly pizza - Wasn't really able to distinguish the pork belly taste, as it was very crispy. The apricots gave it a nice refreshing taste.
(3)
Anhara M.
My first tine having brunch and I was a bit disappointed. I didn't know the plates were ver ver very small and that in order for two people to get full you need to order between 4-5 plates. What we order was okay but no excellent either. I honestly will not be returning for brunch. It wasn't for me.
(3)
Stacey C.
Good, not great. Not sure what I was expecting. NYC does this with their eyes closed. We dined at the bar and tried a few things.....brussels sprouts were a big bore, and the octopus was way to big and not cooked enough for me. Farro salad w/ French feta was too salty, no farro in sight, just lots of olives and feta cheese, not what I was expecting. The pork belly w/ kimchi and peanuts was EXCELLENT as was delicious bread they served. Bar service was a bit lame, and that is why I am not giving 4 stars. Total dingbat girl working at the bar who couldn't get anything right, though nice enough. We dined at Michael's other restaurant The Cypress Room, which was fantastic! GO THERE INSTEAD!
(3)
Alexandre H.
I will be short, since most reviews here reflect my opinion: the food is very good, ambiance is very pleasant, crowds are nice. Dishes have an interesting combination of flavors, spices and textures... there is always a surprise (try to order different plates every time you come, you won't be disappointed). Recommended!
(4)
Allison D.
Absolutely outstanding! I can't begin to describe how delicious every single plate I ordered was a culinary experience... My husband and I went to have Sunday brunch and ordered the Blueberry pancakes, Oven Double Yolk egg, Pain Perdu, French toast , Rice cake, the Benedict and the homemade Cherry soda...every single item was out of this world, everything was cooked to perfection, savory and mesmerizing !! I'm in love...this is my new favorite restaurant I can't wait to go back to eat from the regular menu! (the only reason why I am not ratting it with five stars its because its a little bit pricey for the size of the plates which are tapa style and because it gets really crowded)
(4)
Luisa C.
Great service, great food, small portions imo. Try the Michaels Genuine Brew, if you are into beers and Ales. We had the following: Butter Lettuce with Hazelnuts, avocado and mandarin - A winner for me, but I didn't want to share this one. Duck Confit - served with a compote. Very good. Octopus Pizza - i would have never thought to put that on a pizza, but it worked. Also because the mayer lemon pieces complemented it perfectly - Must order. Ceviche - was fresh and tasty. I feel, I could have made this myself as well. Donuts with Passionfruit Mousse - I am not into Passionfruit, but I could not stop eating this mousse. Must order Coffee Drinks are overpriced imo. Plate prices are around 11$ and up.. PS: If you sit outside during the summer, make sure you put bugspray on. The mosquitos ate our legs up. Ouch!
(4)
Richard K.
So I loved this place so much, I had to try it twice. This time returning on a Sunday to try their famous pop tarts featured on the show, "The Best Thing I Ever Ate". Word to the wise, come early they run out of the popular items such as their homemade Pop Tarts and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. My friend and I sat down and ordered a rosemary crumpet with a raspberry sauce (keep in mind neither of us could recognize a crumpet in a line up of breads). She got Fingerlings Hash and the Almond French Toast with Apricot Compote Topping, while I got the Kimchee Benedict and a Skirt Steak. Now this is when our alternate universe and reality started to split into two. ALTERNATE UNIVERSE The server brings out our appetizer, Rosemary Crumpet, but with the wrong sauce. We had options of raspberry and pineapple; I sample what looks to be pineapple and my initial instinct is to conclude its not pineapple, but I convince my mind it is a super sour pineapple sauce. We call over the waitress, "excuse me miss, we ordered raspberry not pineapple sauce" She responds, "that's apricot". Apricot! We are both baffled because that was not even an option. Further, we notice the crumpet has an odd shape and nowhere near the picture wikipedia showed us. Wikipedia is a good to use to look for other sources, but unreliable on its own. We dig in and our crumpet was an amazing, unworldly experience. At the same time, I am enjoying my Kimchee Benedict and Skirt Steak at an insanely slow pace, so my friend can get her French Toast and eat at the same time as me. We wait.....and wait.... and wait some more......till I say (in my head)....enough is enough and ask the waitress where is this French toast and Watermelon Juice. She apologizes and quickly brings out the juice and another....CRUMPET. "Excuse me miss, but we already had a Crumpet; we are looking for French Toast" She responds, "that's French Toast, and don't worry you can keep that French Toast". REALITY In reality, the whole time we were eating an amazing French Toast with Apricot Compote. Yes, yes the apricot being there makes sense to my friend and I. Wow, we felt dumb. The Crumpet never came and we decided to cancel the crumpet experience and save it for next time we decide to make a fool of ourselves at Michael's. As for the rest of the food, the Kimchee Benedict was savory and a fun mixture of flavor. The Skirt Steak, although small, was well cooked and juicy, while the watermelon drink was the perfect, fresh, refreshing refreshment to end the meal.
(4)
judi b.
We were very disappointed in Michael's Genuine. We had heard so many good things about the restaurant and chose to go there to celebrate our anniversary. My husband is still moaning about the dinner! Although the restaurant is lovely and the server accomodating, it was not a memorable evening! We both started with a butter lettuce salad, which were pretty good. My chicken dish was OK, though I don't usually order chicken in a world class restaurant. My garlic mashed potatoes were cold and had to be sent back. My husband ordered the sirloin which was tough and also had to be sent back. Although the manager and server were quick to order him another steak; by the time they returned with it, he had already finished feasting on the french fries (which initially had also been late in arriving and wasn't too hungry. And again, inspite of the second steak being a little better, my husband didn't find it very tasty and most of it was packed up to take home. We had such a poor experience and no one even offered us a glass of wine (mine was whisked away before I had even finished it), a special complimentary dessert or cup of coffee for our anniversary. The waitress, when asked, told us that the restaurant wasn't participating in Miami Spice, which we knew to the contrary was not true! We have eaten in many fine restaurants and Michael's was underwhelming at best!
(2)
Andy L.
Expensive small plates. The duck confit and beef short ribs were excellent - as good as I've had anywhere. The rest was just OK. Crispy pig ears were chewy and gelatinous. Country pate was good. Straciatella is a delicious, but very small burrata and tomato salad, but one of the heirloom tomatoes was hard and flavorless - like McDonald's. How does that happen when they're charging $20 for the salad? I would skip the Crispy rice cake. Desserts are OK, but also tiny.
(3)
Vadim K.
Wednesday afternoon right before the lunch serving is over the place is packed and only getting busier. I passed by several times only to be turned down with no reservation so this time I came prepared. The food and service is very good. The quality and combination of ingredients is truly "genuine". From the great selection of beers and drinks to the perfect flavors that come out from the masterful chefs recipe book, you will be very pleased with any selection you make. My short rib sandwich was great. I ordered the pork belly app and radish apple salad to help create a great lunch I will not soon forget.
(4)
Stephanie E.
I was really excited to join some friends for dinner at Michael's last night. It's one of our favorite spots and surely last night didn't disappoint. It was the perfect spot to bring some out of town friends. We were five of us and decided to order a bunch of dishes for all of to share. Here's the list: Small Dishes: -2 Oysters - They're $3 a piece but they're served with a nice spicy vinegar mixture. -Georgia Peaches- Surprisingly really good. They're served with feta cheese, basil, almonds and radish. Must try. -Ceviche - The fish was fresh and well seasoned. Medium Dishes: -Pork Belly - Served with peanuts and kimchi. -Duck Confit - The duck meat was so soft. Very good. -Char-grilled Octopus - This was the only dish the table was torn on. Some liked it, and a few could've done without it. I was on the latter group. -3 Crispy Rice Cake - Now, I know what you must be thinking. A rice cake? but this is what it is: a rice ball with chorizo, shrimp, manchego cheese, spicy tomato aioli, and a fried egg on top. By far, the best dish of the night because we ordered 2 more after the first one was devoured. -Steamed Mussles - Once you've had mussles in Brussels, you'll know that nothing can ever really beat them, but these were so flavorful they reminded me of the ones we had at In't Spinnekopke in Belgium. Large Dishes: -Short Rib - This was the guys' favorite. -Leg of Lamb - (Served Medium Rare) The portion was big I thought and the lamb was cut and seasoned perfectly. -Side of Garlic Mashed Potatoes - creamly & just like home. And just when you thought the meal couldn't get any better, we ordered dessert... Dessert: -Banana Toffee Panini - This probably just became my favorite dessert at any restaurant because my life changed last night after I had it. -Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme - featured on the Food Channel's the Best Thing I Ever Ate Show, these amazing donuts are served with a blackberry tarragon jam The guys had beers such as the Duvel Golden Ale, and the Belzebuth Blond Ale (13%) and the girls enjoyed the Caipirinha and the Sonny Rollins. Both of the cocktails were very strong. Enough with just one. Another night at Michael's that exceeded our expectations. If you haven't had the chance of dining at Michael's, you are definitely missing out because it is Miami's best. I'd give it 10 stars on Yelp if I could.
(5)
Amelia G.
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink is like that one true love that you compare all other guys to and always seems to be your #1. I'm gaga for Michael Schwartz, for all he stands for in the our little world here in Miami, for being a culinary tease, for having great taste in music and for always making me happy! I have had the pleasure of enjoying brunch, lunch and dinner here and all of them are awesome. I'll share highlights of each: - brunch: do the scotch egg (if they have it), the double yolk egg and the donuts. - lunch: knife and fork Greek salad with a side order of crispy hominy. Yum!! -dinner: the duck and the pork belly are both awesome. Wash it all down with a Sony Rollins cocktail and you're set!
(5)
Robbie B.
I went this past to Michael's this past Thursday to celebrate the New Year with a few friends. Just had to tell you about Heidi's (the pastry chefs) Strawberry Passion Fruit Shortcake PIE in a Jar - oh my gosh - it was fabulous. Passion fruit curd, macerated strawberries with an olive oil cake crust topped with crema, served in a jar - yes, like a real jelly jar that put preserves in. That girl thinks so out of the box! One of my favorite lunch items is the Spicy Grilled Beef Salad - marinated sirloin, grilled medium rare to perfection, served with KIMCHI (don't you just love the spice???), crused peanuts and baby lettuce - all just the right hint of spice - very filling dish.
(4)
Tom G.
Sell your car before going here. This is not a cheap place, however you do get what you pay for, as the saying goes. Wonderful brunch on weekends; like gringo tapas with a big flair. Wines are very good. Helpful tips for weekends; get a reservation or plan on waiting a bit before being seated and plan on setting very close to others as there is not a lot of space nor privacy.
(4)
Serena S.
Quality of food is great, but portions can use a little help. They separate the menu into small, medium and large portions, but even the large portions weren't all that much. Seems like they like to keep things locally sourced at Michael's, which I'm a huge fan of. They have two entrances and a pretty massive outdoor seating area, which makes it confusing as to where you even find the hostess to get a table. I highly recommend the burrata, mussels, short rib, and snapper. For dessert, I've had the panacotta, which is UHMAZING. Great texture. Service was subpar when I went. The waitress was missing half the time and wasn't really helpful in explaining things on the menu. This place is in a great location if you want to get out of the clusterf*ck that is South Beach. Street parking is available as well as valet from neighboring joints. Great restaurant for a date or with a group of friends - especially if you want to try different items on the menu. Great for sharing in a tapas kind of way.
(4)
Adam R.
95 reviews and counting? I hate reviewing a place that's already established itself as one of the best restaurants in Miami.... writing this almost feels a little pointless.... What can I say, it's amazing! you will be in awe of the dishes, they're beautiful, crazy, interesting, unique, way too many adjectives to list and I'm just talking about the way they look! some of the tastes are just indescribable. Hopefully these yelp reviews don't over hype it for you, because depending on when you go and how much you like to enjoy yourself, it could cost you $$$$ to find out :-P
(5)
Rachel P.
Very cool vibe-enjoyed dinner last night. They have plates divided up by S-M-L, all sides are sold separately, so yes, it is pricey. I saw it was someone's bday and they brought out the cake with a big sparkler in it-pretty snazzy!
(4)
Ms. M.
4.5 stars. This was one of the best brunches I have ever had -- great variety, fantastic execution, energetic vibe. Definitely the best hard-broiled egg I have ever had in my entire life -- you could tell it was farm fresh, and it was cooked to a perfect hard-yet-soft. The kimchi benedict was an explosion of flavors in my mouth. I disagree with Food Network that the homemade pop tarts are anything close to the best thing I ever ate, but the maple pumpkin pie in a jar with toasted cinnamon marshmallows blew me away. Service is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, even though the restaurant was super busy during Sunday brunch hours. Parking on the street wasn't too difficult to find, although it was a bit pricey ($1.75/hour); still a better deal than valet, which is also offered.
(4)
Karina G.
I cant believe it has taken me this long to try this restaurant out! Came here for lunch after a doctor's appointment. All I can say was yum! I had their short rib and fontana cheese panini. The sandwich was too good! The short rib was juicy, the fontana cheese was gooey, the grilled onions were a perfect addition. But what did it for me was the tomatoe chutney! WHAT!! It comes as a side, and at first glance it looks like a hearty version of ketchup, but when you first try it its something completely different. Its a mix of a sweet and spicy and it went perfectly as a spread for the sandwich and a dunking friend for the fries. The icing on the cake was the customer service. Everyone, from the host to the busboys, were on point. I couldnt even get half of my water glass empty because there was someone always walking around to see if anyone needed refills. And to me, the key of a great restaurant, besides the food, is the way the staff takes care of you.
(5)
Emmy B.
one of my favorite restaurants. The food is interesting and delicious, always a fun experience. We love it but make a reservation in advance or be prepared to eat after 10 pm.
(5)
Exp Travel Food T.
Love it, always crowded so be prepared to have an experience with other diners very close by. Food is the star (as it should be). Always fresh, always good. Portions are a bit on the small side but the food quality and prep makes up for it. Go back over and over and you will continue to be amazed. As others have said The Deviled Eggs are a great starter. Love the WHOLE CHICKEN (takes extra time so be prepared to wait)- well worth the wait.
(5)
Samantha D.
I visited Miami during a relatively slow season. Michael's was the only restaurant I visited that was packed... and I went to all the "must eat" Miami places. I went for dinner and ate outside which was fun. Overall, the service was pretty good and the food is yummy. It's comfort food done up a notch. On to the specifics... Apps: Crispy pig ear- YES. If you like chicharrones or pork rinds, order this bad boy! It comes with a lime wedge which cuts through the fattyness a bit. They are so delicious, fatty, and salty. Chips and Onion Dip- decent, but nothing exceptional. Burrata and Heirloom Tomatoes- If you love burrata like I do, this is a must! Burrata is made from fresh mozzarella and cream. So yummy. The portion is very large. This one is pricey. Entrees: BLT Salad- the thick cut bacon on this salad was great. They give you a GIANT hunk of blue cheese with it, which I found unappetizing. But if blue cheese is your thing, order this salad. It is basically blue cheese with a side of bacon and an even smaller side of frisee lettuce. Short Ribs- Tender and tasty. No knife needed at this party. Onions were a nice addition. Garlic Mashed Potatoes (side dish)- Phenomenal mashed potatoes. As an avid mashed potato eater, these do not disappoint. They are buttery and garlicky and creamy. I enjoyed these more than my BLT salad. The portion is generous. I'm still thinking about these mashed potatoes and longing for them! Dessert: Tangerine pot de creme with doughnuts- My main issue with this dish was that the doughnuts were NOT HOT. They were barely even warm... definitely a bummer. The tangerine pot de creme was tasty enough. Service was okay... nothing memorable. Bottom line: Crispy pig ear, Burrata, Mashed potatoes, Fun ambience, Classic "Miami" dining experience
I read the reviews really excited to try stuff, but unfortunately they have a different menu for brunch, lunch and dinner. We went there for lunch, right when it started, which benefited us because when we left there was a long line to eat at MGFD. My overall opinion is nice ambiance, friendly and helpful service, very good food... but its not omgthissogrrreat, but maybe thats because of the lunch menu. YUMMY: The food was pretty good. We got the Pork Belly which was good. It was like lechon kawali sitting on sweet kimchee & peanuts. We also got the Potato Chips & Onion Dip and a soup, and I'll talk about that later. The Fish of the Day Sandwich, was good, but near the last bite it tasted like fish and coleslaw. Jack got the Pastrami Sandwich, which was amazingly savory! The thing that I did love was the Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme. SOOO GOOOD. YUCKY: It's so pricey for medium portioned food that makes it meh. The Potato Chips and Onion Dip wasn't very good - i felt like I would have been equally happy with Ruffles chips and canned onion drip from the store. Jack also got soup, which kinda tasted like kimchee in pho, which isn't that great. I'd like to come back and try brunch and dinner here. Maybe it will bump this 4-star into a 5-star :)
(4)
Hal P.
This is absolutely my favorite restaurant in Miami. The food is rich and clearly the chef has a knack for melding unexpected ingredients and flavors to create an experience to savor for days. It is a bit pricey so your best bet is to go for their Sunday Brunch. The portions are smaller but the flavors are just as big, and you get to sample what MGFD has to offer at a bargain price. Nice ambiance, good service, terrific tastes.
(5)
Becca S.
Michael's was on my hit list, my bucket list, my to-do list. Or better yet, my to-eat list! I had been wanting to go to Michael's for awhile, not only after hearing my mother rave about it but also after watching Tony Bourdain feast his way through the menu on his hurried new show, The Layover. Since I frequent Miami often to visit my parents who flock there for the winter, I was more than ready to give this joint a whirl. A highly rated Miami restaurant that was focused on local, sustainable, & organic food? Sign me up! So finally, I was granted the opportunity to go! It was Thursday night and we had an 8pm reservation. Although we were running a little late after a long, sunny day at the beach, were not too dismayed when we called and found out that they could not push our reservation back, but would still hold the reservation for us when we finally did come in. Since we weren't in any rush, this seemed like a better option than trying to race there and get seated right away. So we took the leisurely route, and it was a good decision. Upon finally arriving, they seated us within 10 minutes. No problem at all. The hostesses were extremely friendly and welcoming, unlike other hostesses I've experienced at the chic hot-spots in Miami (Ahem..Quattro..Ahem..) Continuing on, we were seated in a nice little booth by the spiral staircase in the main room. I got a great view of the open kitchen, beautiful display of multi-colored heirloom tomatoes, and fellow patrons of the evening. I was somewhat surprised by how low-key and seemingly relaxed Michael's was in comparison to what I had expected - and the surprise was indeed a pleasant one! Another quirky observation that I took note of and enjoyed was the attire for the bussers - t-shirts emblazoned with "MGFD" - a simple, yet clever, & fun twist on your standard bus-boy apparel. Not to mention, very Miami! Now, onto the real deal: the food! Due to the unique layout of the menu, we decided to get several smaller dishes & sides for the table to share. Tapas-style, in a different way. We started with the Burratta & Heirloom Tomatoes, Crispy Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly, and Crispy Pig Ears. All were FANTASTIC! The Burratta dish was better than I had expected. The creamy mozzarella cheese melted in my mouth with the fresh heirloom tomatoes that were lightly sprinkled with the perfect amount of pepper and basil. I have had my fair share of burratta and caprese salads, and this was by far the best. Simplicity at its finest, and then some. The Pork Belly was delicious as well. Served with a spicy kimchi, the flavor combinations went extremely well together. Although it was not the most tender pork belly I've *ever* eaten - I am a self-professed pork belly snob, if that is even such thing (..?) - it was still delicious. Don't get me wrong, it was good - but I can't say I haven't made better ;). Regardless, the dish was a whole was a success - the pea shoots also added a nice freshness and crunch to the soft belly, and the kimchi wasn't too spicy - it complemented the dish wonderfully. Finally, the pig ears. YUM! This might have been my favorite part of the first half of our meal. Actually, it definitely was my favorite part of our entire meal! I was very excited to try them, as it was a first for me, and they far exceeded my expectations. The ears were crispy on the outside with a nice BBQ-dry-rub-esque dusting, and extremely moist and tender on the inside. My favorite combo - crispy & tender! It almost reminded me a very thin slice of the best, fatty part of pork belly on the inside, then a yummy crispy crunch on the outside. What's not to like? After this first round of indulgent decadence, we were more than satisfied. We ordered a few other things off the menu, which were good, but simply do not deserve the detailed description of the aforementioned dishes. However, no harm no foul on the latter portion of the meal - we were so overly satisfied and impressed with what had come before, that anything after didn't phase me. And really didn't stand a chance in comparison anyway! So, in sum, I definitely plan to return to Michael's and I would recommend it to anyone. It was a perfect, delicious, and overly satisfying meal. Two orders of Pig Ears please!
(4)
Jennisa P.
As I get older and more traveled, I have started to lose my tolerance for crowds and noise. Don't get me wrong, this place was impressive. Definitely Miami in the sense that people were there to be seen, which isn't the restaurants fault. But it was soooooo crowded and loud!!! There is very little space to move around. We shared a small booth with another couple and it was awkward. So they should work on expanding or adjusting the floor plan for a better overall dining experience. They just seem to have as many people shoved in there as possible. Drinks: I can not remember the drinks names, but my friend and I ordered a cocktail each and were pleased. Food: We shared a salad that we didn't finish because it was too bitter/peppery. But that could be my dislike for spring mix unless the dressing makes up for it. The Pork Belly was SICK! I mean I have dreams about that pork. And I don't even care for pork that much! But I would go back for that baby anytime! Overall, I see the hype and it's backed up by that pork belly! : )
(4)
Jessica E.
Great service and pretty good food. I liked everything except the steak. Dessert was amazing!
(4)
Tony C.
It's hard to understand what the fuss is all about. Bland food and surly servers (during lunch on a slow Monday, mind you). Mediocre at best. Do yourself a favor and take your tastebuds, money and business elsewhere.
(1)
Joe O.
My opinion: best restaurant in Miami. You wont have a better quality meal at a reasonable price and relaxing atmosphere.
(5)
Candy C.
I am in love with the bread pudding!! I have never heard of bread pudding until my visit to Michael's Genuine. Had my birthday dinner here and loved every bit of it- ambiance, service, food and dessert !!! I hear wonderful things about Michael Genuine's for brunch. Did I mention the bread pudding is OUTSTANDINGLY delicious? This is one of my favorite restaurant based on simply the delicious bread pudding.
(4)
Emma Y.
just got back from dinner here. Was the worst service ever due to the lack of attention to detail (um yes I need a fork and a napkin would be nice too). Our food arrived 45 minutes after the previous course and our wine arrived AFTER we finished the tardy main course. The bread service was odd: a busboy (?) walked by the table and dropped the bread plate on our table. He didn't stop. Didn't say a word and just kept walking. It was bizarre! Our server started out well but then when he realized our food was taking forever, he started ignoring our table. We didn't even ask about the food as we were having a great time on a double date. But after a while we started getting hungry and we didn't have any wine! A good or experienced server comes over to the table and says "I'm sorry your food is late, but it's being made fresh for you and will be here shortly" or something along those lines just to acknowledge the issue. Server training 101. Read the other recent reviews. One Yelper says "Service is a mess." True dat. Shockingly poor service ruins the whole meal which is sad because the food was good. And the food is the only reason why it got 2 stars. The 1) bucatini, 2) pork and kimchi 3) calamari were nicely done but the terrible service leaves a bad taste. There are so many fantastic restaurants in Miami. Don't waste your precious time and sanity here!
(2)
Glen L.
Hands down one of the best Brunch spots between NYC and Miami. It's hard to find something on the menu that doesn't get you drooling. Drinks are solid and prices are fair. If you can make it here for brunch and be seated, it's not to be missed.
(5)
M. S.
Not busy, but told we needed a reservation?!? Literally went to the street and called them, making a reservation, and walked back in. Sure way to KILL a great restaurant is with these type of games. Food was very good and service was excellent. Stop the reservation game. You don't need to pretend you are "so busy" to attract customers. The food and service will do it!
(3)
Austin S.
Michael's never disappoints! The service is always excellent and the food is quite good. I enjoy that the menu changes frequently since I frequent Michael's! I brought my dog last time and they brought her homemade treats!
(5)
AshleyMarie O.
Wow... what a difference a year makes ... or two or three...... I've been killing time waiting to go back to MGFD and was sorely disappointed. Service at the bar was friendly and inviting, but table service was on the side of lackadaisical and the food... oh the food... yuck. What happened?? The pork belly was KILLER but everything else was not even 'meh' it was 'yuck'. I will go again and I will revise this review with hopes that something has been attended too.
(3)
Fitfatkid S.
Wouldn't say it's the best but not the worst either all depends what your looking for. Michael's serves out their dishes quickly but only down side is that the portions are extremely small. If you have a big appetite this place isn't for you. As far as service they are quick and friendly. Over all place is nice and food is decent. #fitfatkid
(3)
Lauren P.
I've been to Michael's a total of 3 times already. Its one of my favorite spots to eat in the design district. Everything about this restaurant is absolutely perfect, these are people who truly have a passion for food, as do i. Although the food could be a little pricey, I have never had an unpleasant experience because you really do get what you pay for here... And then some. I cannot say enough good things about this place. Michael's is really one of Miami's best restaurants and they have one hell of a pastry chef!!
(5)
Cesar O.
Great location and atmosphere , the food is awesome and very tasty , small portions but good enough to not overwhelm your taste buds , I recommend it for brunch . Waiter lacked a bit more attention to our table but other than that it was good!
(3)
Pedro G.
This is local sustainable food prepared just right! I cannot compare this restaurant to any other in this city. That's for sure! Nice indoor and outdoor seating areas. Servers have always been knowledgeable about the menu and anything new or special. Everything I have tried at this restaurant over the years has been to die for, especially the desserts!
(5)
Christine L.
I ate here solo, which really allowed me to appreciate the tastes, smells, sounds and vibes. I ordered half a dozen oysters, wood oven double yolk, the Jack Rudy cocktail and the coconut rum cake. My only regret is not trying the grilled octopus salad that my server, Adrian (?), highly recommended; however the portions of what I did order were just right for me (especially since I didn't need to share with anyone). The oysters (not sure what kind) were sweet and fresh and came with a red onion, cracked pepper mignonette that enhanced the oysters without overpowering. The wood oven double yolk came piping hot with a perfectly pungent and browned gruyere top and a flavorful and crisp piece of crostini perfect for dipping into the yolk. I loved the subtle tastes of cardamom and lemon in the Jack Rudy, which had nice body to it. Last, but not least, the rum cake was divine, the cake was soft and moist- a bit on the blander side compared to other rum cakes I've tried, but that really helped bring out the coconut and the frosting, and the saltiness of the cashew brittle added some great contrast and texture. All in all, friendly/professional service and amazing food. The area is also great for window- shopping or shopping if you want to splurge.
(5)
B H.
such a bummer to give only 3 stars because the food and cocktails were amazing as we expected - BUT, sadly the overpacked restaurant on a Saturday afternoon made for an overwhelmed staff and patrons clamoring for chairs and attention. we sat forever with 2 beautifully crafted cocktails waiting for simple "snacks" of chips and onion dip and crostini w chicken liver. meanwhile, guests hijacked chairs from our table, dogs in strollers yelped and large parties noisily brooded and bumped around us waiting to be seated. when our beautiful meal finally arrived it was placed atop our appetizer dishes and empty glasses and we couldn't find someone just to pass us a few plates to share. refreshed water? coffee? dessert? getting to the bathroom through a line filled with screaming children attached to iPads? HA! we gave it all up and begged for mercy and our check...
Went here for Valentine's Day. Made a reservation a few weeks in advance with no problems. When we arrived we were told the table wasn't ready yet but some groups were getting ready to leave and it would be a short wait. But a quick look around made clear that nobody was close to leaving. 20 minutes later a different hostess asked who we were and wanted to know if we wanted a table. 10 minutes after that a hostess showed us to our table, which was the same booth that had been continuously empty since we first arrived 30 minutes earlier. Service was bad and our waitress mostly ignored us. The food was OK but not as good as previous times I have dined at MGFD. Seems the restaurant is going slightly downhill. I ordered gnocchi which turned out to not actually be gnocchi but was just small, curled pasta. The sauce was only OK. We also ordered the goat's milk Gouda, which didn't arrive with everything described on the menu and was just a slab of cheese on a board. She had the short ribs, which were pretty good. Overall I don't think MGFD is the same restaurant it has been, maybe he's focusing more on his new restaurant.
(3)
Karina R.
This was my second time at Michael's Genuine. The first time I went for my birthday lunch. I wasnt blown away but I decided to give it a second chance when everyone wanted to go for brunch this past Sunday. Our server told us it was more of a sharing menu so we ordered a couple things to get started. The portions were outrageously small. wayyy to small to share. I have never seen smaller pancakes. After the first round, he told us people typically order 3 dishes per person. We followed his advice and were left with so much food. He didnt bother telling us that the dishes we ordered double of (bacon, potatoes, falafel) were the only regular sized items on the menu. Long story short, I will definitely not be coming back.
(2)
Jessica S.
What is not to love! Food delish! Ambiance Awesome! Every single dish I've tried has been great .Wanting to sit at the bar tricky. I would suggest to always have a reservation.
(5)
Brandon B.
I've been traveling every week to Miami for over 9 months now and I've come to find MGFD is by far the best restaurant in the city. Its food, atmosphere and drinks are perfectly crafted and it makes me forget I'm in a city dominated by sushi and latin cuisine. Michael's is in the design district in one of the most expensive parts of this and any city I've ever been to. I'm pretty sure the cheapest shopping within a mile of Michael's starts at $100 for the chance to walk into the stores. Hell, you can get a brand new Bentley across the street. Driving up, you'd expect parking to be a nightmare, but valet will only run you $5. The food here is simple, but different enough to warrant the price that some may complain about. I haven't had a dish here that didn't exceed my expectations. I recommend the octopus, pork belly and any of their other small or medium plates. To be honest, I've never had one of their Large or Extra large plates because I've never ventured that far down the menu in my 3 visits. The drinks are what you stay for. Their menu changes with the season and what's in stock, so I've had everything from their home brew beer to craft cocktails with ingredients most can't pronounce. In fact, my favorite drink is the off-the-menu Old Fashioned with Bulleit Rye. Their whiskey menu is extensive, but specific, so there is something for everyone that you wouldn't normally find in this part of the country. The atmosphere is one that I can't quite put my finger on. Open kitchen with a U-shaped bar that seems too small at first, but can accommodate quite the crowd when pushed to its limits. They have an open patio right in the middle of shopping which makes this a great place to stop in if you're in the area spending too much money on overpriced goods. Now, I want to talk about my experience tonight that prompted my need for a review. I arrived after a long day at work to enjoy a few drinks and some appetizers before retiring to the hotel. I arrived around 5:30 to the usual crowd for a Wednesday night, however it quickly filled up. I learned why when the bartender put the special (free) happy hour menu in front of me in celebration of the owner's new restaurant across town. They had 6 snacks, one cocktail, one beer and 2 wines completely free of charge on that menu and I knew I was in for a rush. The snacks I had were supurb, but I honestly just came here to commend the bartender and waiting staff who will probably get more than a few reviews from some nasty, pretentious patrons who arrived in the last 30 minutes of the event and expected to eat and drink for free. This staff did a phenomenal job delivering free food and drink to hundreds of people who could've afforded double the cost they usually charge, yet the patrons around me felt it necessary to yell and complain that they ran out of the complementary food and drink before the event procluded. I saw 2 of roughly 20 patrons around me actually tip these bartenders which disgusted me to no end and prompted my passion to write a review for this place. Regardless of what you read about this place, just go. The staff pours their heart out for a chef and owner who, I hope, recognizes their effort. Due to the familiar faces I see, I'm hopeful they receive just compensation for their efforts and I'm very excited for their new sister restaurant on the bay.
(5)
Mary-Ella G.
We have been coming to Miami twice a year for awhile now and always LOVE eating at Michael's. However my husband and I went there on Friday night. Two things: 1. Shelly G was the most inattentive waitress. The worst. 2. The food was lackluster. The tilefish collar was beyond bland, the short rib was meh and the pork shoulder was not great. The farm yolk egg was good though. And the bartender makes an excellent old fashion also. Back to Shelly G., she didn't get us bread after she said she would. She basically ran by us and dropped the dessert menus on our table and didn't say one word. She would be gone for forever. Didn't ask us how we liked our food. We were so put off we passed on dessert. She just was bad across the board. I hope that I just got a bad server and we were there on an off night. We probably won't try it again any time soon which is SUCH a bummer.
(2)
Jim G.
If you like fresh, farm to table food that is genuine then this is the place to try! Their menu even gives you the definition of genuine which is their credo. A quaint bistro located in the heart of Miami's art and shopping district, offers selections of small, medium, large and extra large plates of an array of magnificent foods that are made to be shared. Our waiter Robin was a gracious host recommending up several medium and large plates for my party to share. We started with a dozen oysters - half east coast and half west coast. We then worked our way to sharing the crispy falafel balls (nice touch of cumin w/ nice dipping sauce), the charred octopus with fave beans (extremely tender and lightly chargrilled), and the sweet and spicy pork belly and kimchi (best appetizer on the menu)...pork belly melted in your mouth and the combination of the tangy kimchi brought out the sweetness of the pork. Entrees we split the extra large plates of oven roasted whole snapper with lemon and grilled fennel bulbs and the grilled bone-in Ribeye. The fish was locally caught that morning and was fresh and flavorful. The Ribeye was everyone's favorite - grilled medium rare to perfection and seasoned with salt and pepper and herb butter. The chef even had the Ribeye butter-cut for us so we could all share. Best Ribeye I have had anywhere! As sides we selected the acorn squash which was tasty but nothing special. On the other hand we also got an order of fried pigs ears and we all loved them. Sliced thin and fried with a great BBQ dry rub, they had the taste of bacon and pork rinds. Nice an crispy! Cocktails are creative but genuine too! Try the Tito's vodka, muddled cherries and mint or the Bulletproof Manhattan - wild Turkey, Rosemary infused cherries.
(4)
Jamie S.
Came here on a Friday night and I have to say it was scrumptious from beginning to end. The wait was long but well worth it! We had the pulled pork and peaches pizza which was AMAZING. Who knew these two were so good together! We also had the shrimp and fish ceviche and an amazing dessert. Drinks were flowing and I was a happy camper. They change up the menu weekly which is awesome because you know you'll always have something new to look forward to. I can't wait to come back and try something new!
(4)
Brandon W.
The pizza is a must get every time. They switch every few weeks. Great for lunch and desserts are a must as well. Chess pie is the best. Salads and sandwiches are all great. Go for the snack menu as well.
(5)
Thien H.
I had the pig ears again at the end of another weekday lunch and they were totally different this time. They were fried for an extra long time and were super crispy. I enjoyed the almost too hard, crispy texture but my hubby likes them less fried. The short rib sandwich was delish, but it wasn't stuffed to the brim with meat like other sandwiches I've seen photos of. I ended up leaving behind half of the bread so there was more meat in each bite. Tangy and comforting tomato jam was a necessary accompaniment to liven up the otherwise super rich panino. We loved the pot de creme and two little tart jello jigglers pieces. We sat at the little bar by the prep kitchen and the chef was nice enough to make some small talk with us as he worked his ass off prepping tons of plastic tubs of veggies and sauces for the upcoming dinner rush.
(4)
Steve H.
I'll tell you what... The food and ambiance of this place is very cool. We had a 5 top, dinner was great, even the service seemed good. That being said, we split the bill $161 x 2 and $80x1 after a 20% tip. I got home, checked my receipt against my credit card statement because I had to do expenses and I had been charged 200. I confirmed with the other couple and they were also charged 200. The single was charged 90. So basically someone stole $90 additional bucks from us. I am sure that this is a one off and not consistent with the restaurant, but I would like someone to reach out to discuss this. Check your receipts people...
(1)
Xasperniak B.
Yes, in this 'space', MG is only ok. Yes the food is very good, but when 'dining', as other Yelper's have pointed out, with food on this level, we want to be able to spread out A LITTLE.. MG has you elbow to elbow, you are eating other peoples words as an unwanted additive to the cuisine. Why is this an a-ok spot to eat then? Well, if you want to grab food real quick! The big bone-in is great. Bought it a few times already, but not sure I'll be back as there may be other places with phenomenal steak and a little more space to hang out, talk, and drink more champagne. Or maybe I'll just do carside to-go... ;)
(3)
Mrs. D M.
We checked out this place (the 3rd visit for me), just a few days after the re-opening and on a Saturday before Wynwood artwalk. Decided to sit at the bar (which is much bigger, and the bartenders are very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. Ordered a few apps and drinks. Honestly, my favorite thing I had was my cocktail. They make the BEST Manhattan with these delicious cherries. Love! I'd go there to sit at the bar just for that! Food: we were just doing heavy appetizers that night and ordered...margherita pizza (delicious, just like Harry's, so no problem there!), the baked Mushroom Polenta (well made, but was missing something, maybe salt?), the mussels with black rice (very good!) and the Brussel sprouts (definitely missing some flavor). After 3 visits, I still don't understand all the hype. The food is fresh and well prepared, most definitely. Love the ambience and good service. But nothing spectacular...go for appetizers and a great cocktail....and then pig out at Harry's!
(4)
Maya L.
Lucked out with a last minute late night walk in dinner on a Saturday during Art Basel! I love and seek out farm to table and rotating menus. Stand outs were the double roast farm egg, stracciatella, short ribs (my fav), steak, Brussel sprouts, fries, fresh doughnuts (yum). Misses were the pork shoulder (wasn't a fan of the parsley sauce), the kale (very wimpy portion and extremely bitter), and coffee (watery) . Service was excellent. Very accommodating when one dish was cold, regarding small kale dish, and making a new pot of coffee. Outdoor and indoor spaces had excellent design concepts.
(4)
Angie-Jo W.
Our dining experience at Michael's was beyond fabulous. We had a fantastic waiter, Danny, who was an excellent resource and patiently answered all our questions (or just laughed as we moaned over our food). Gotta start at the top so other folks can enjoy the same stellar dishes we had. We shared the Stracciatella, a dish pairing locally-grown heirloom tomatoes, drizzled with fragrant olive oil and special salt with the most amazing skinless burrata, a soft cheese made fresh mozzarella and cream. Truly heavenly and not to be missed. We sopped-up every bite of remaining flavor with the sliced bread. From the Small menu, we got the shrimp ceviche with avocado, mango and cilantro. Perfect! From the Medium menu we got the duck confit which just might have been the best ever, paired with an orange marmalade and accompanied by crunchy pumpkin seeds. From the Large menu, we got the pork chop, also juicy and delicious. Michael's has a substantial wine list with great wines to choose from. We got a hard to find bottle for dinner and glasses of sweet wines to pair with our dessert of Tangerine Pot de Creme and two mini sugared donuts. Also divine. Not going to be able to eat for the rest of the week! The staff at Michael's worked as a team, and paced our meal nicely. It was an incredible, totally worth it dining experience.
(5)
Hartee H.
Dined at the Miami Michael's and the Cayman Islands outpost. Creative menu and excellent service. If you want a really good dining experience and are prepared to spend some $$$ this is a nice place to eat. The menus between the Miami and Cayman Islands restaurants are different, as was my experience. This is likely due to the use of local produce. The menu items are structured small, medium, large and extra large. So if you like several items off the small menu you could put together a dinner somewhat like tapas. My dining experience at both locations was pleasant. The staff was very attentive throughout the dining experience. Desert was teriffic at both locations, courtesy of pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith.
(4)
Zachary K.
Could be my favorite restaurant in Miami. Although I've only been one time and it was for lunch I got to taste what this place is all about. The house made pastrami sandwich was absolutely out of this world. Our second sandwich was the short rib, again very delicious but not as good as the pastrami. Can't wait to go back for dinner and try some more of this great food.
(5)
Karla V.
This is my go to spot when looking for a great meal and friends are in town. The food is consistently good and everytime I go I try something new and am never disappointed. The pig ears are tasty, the octopus, my favorite, and whatever pasta dish they have, it's a must try.
(5)
Natasha A.
God I am obsessed with breakfast/brunch, and they serve it up quite beautifully here at Michael's Genuine. Their brunch is the kind that I want to spend all day at slowly ordering every.single.item.on.the… and savoring in a massive food orgy. It is tapas style, so plan to go with 'sharers' and order up several dishes for the table. Make sure you get sweets from the pastry menu, cause these are absolutely to die for. Since the menu changes every week, I can't pick a favorite but I do love the homemade poptart crust they use so when the filling catches my eye, I always make sure to order some. Their cocktails and fresh juices are quite yummy too, although I try to save as much precious stomach space for the onslaught of food I come here for. Yea, total food porn hot spot indeed.
(5)
M. Alejandra S.
Food its amazing!!! Ambiance and crowd nice!!
(5)
Geoff And Jenni G.
We've been to MGFD several times and always enjoy the menu, although it is a little limited for vegetarian/pescatarians. This visit was great as usual, but the service was a little too quick... both our main courses arrived before we had finished our appetizers... no-one thought to take them away, but just pushed our appetizers to the side to make way for the mains. Would come back, but really hope this "pushy" and "too fast" service isn't a sign of things to come...
(4)
Ricky J.
I love this place! My last trip to Miami I literally dropped my bags at the hotel South Beach, rented a car and when straight to Michaels. I enjoy sitting at the food bar and watching the chefs. The Duck confit, duck rillette, chicken wings are amazing. The pork belly was cooked perfectly. My last visit I ate so much that I did not save room for dessert which I should be slapped for. The staff is also done right! You ask them about something on the menu they have clear explanations and they also come in clutch with recommendations! If they had one in NYC I'd be here every week. Can't wait to return! Highly recommend!
(4)
Lauren B.
Absolutely fabulous restaurant whether you're sitting inside the hip-and-sexy space or outside in the courtyard...from drinks to food, ambience and service, it's first class all the way. Spend some time in the neighbourhood strolling the Design District: store after store of stunning furniture and art. Here's a tip: whether for lunch or dinner, make a reservation! You'll be given priority seating over the walk-ins.
(5)
Lissett K.
This place is fantastic, the food and the service is five stars now one thing that really caught my attention is that the place was full and small but for some reason I didn't feel any noise the music was so nice ... Its comfortable ...The sommelier was very helpful ....
(5)
Danielle E.
I haven't been in some time, but this place served me the best steak I have ever eaten. My mouth waters just thinking about it. They change their menu daily based on fresh local ingredients and the service is phenomenal. It is a bit pricey so if you're trying to impress a girl, this is a good first date spot.
(4)
Chalice J.
Fabulous! I went to Michael's Genuine for my birthday with my family. We had a wonderful experience! I had the Beet and Heirloom salad that was amazing. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it! I also had the Steak au Poive. So tender and Flavorful!!! We also shared an order of the wood roasted sprouts. They were very different and yummy! Everyone's meal was incredible, from the swordfish to the short ribs. To top it all off, we had an amazing desert (sorry, don't remember what it was called). Our waiter was also really cool. He has a very long American Indian name that I don't recall. He made my birthday special! All the staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. I would highly recommend you try Michael's Genuine if you want an great dining experience!
(5)
Janet A.
Michael's never disappoints. Be sure to get a reservation, and don't miss the crispy pig ears! Service, ambiance and food are all very special.
(5)
Noriko Y.
This will be always one of places I will pick for my friends when they ask me where to go for any purpose. This place can be just for drink, snack, or a nice dinner, a party, or you name it. Can be casual, can be formal, food is international/original with a mind of local ingredients/latin twists. Probably I don't need to explain too much about their food, it's been well popular and famous, better to reserve for a peak time. I always love this place while I have just one problem; probably I am a bit too picky, but their ceviche is slightly off for my taste everytime I tasted (three times in a two years) - just a tiny bit so most of people don't notice/don't have digestion problems. Don't take me wrong, this place really pays attention to freshness/flavor of food, and I enjoy everything else here. This is when I drat (and appreciate at the same time) my sensitive Japanese palate living in a foreign country; now sushi is everywhere in the US becoming American food like pizza, but I can eat raw seafood only with the same quality as in Japan (and probably this is why I have almost never had food poisoning in the US; my natural sensor functions) Would be same to Italians for a slice ;) I am just noting my honest opinion - to help a very small number of people who just happen to be very sensitive to raw seafood like me.
(5)
Nick M.
This is quickly becoming one of my top 5 Miami restaurants!! I had some great experiences at the bar and dining outside. The ambiance is similar to Lincoln road with a more upscale twist. The food is mouthwatering and perfect every time. I think I found my new favorite cocktail, the Scotsman! They have a menu that changes so make sure to try something new, it will be good!
(5)
Allison D.
Amazing food made from high quality ingredients! Service was on point and our Sommelier Brian was terrific, very knowledgeable about the wine list and prompt in service. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Elizabeth D.
This review is strictly based on their brunch. Now this is a $40 brunch I don't feel regretful about! - Kimchi Eggs Benedict: Really enjoyed this, but could have used more kimchi taste. - Guava and Cheese / Strawberry Pop Tarts: SO MUCH WIN!!! CAN I HAVE 20 MORE?! - Spanish Tortilla: The fact that it was cold kind of threw me off. Tasted good regardless. The bruschetta on top was delish. - Double Yolk Eggs: Stinky. Not sure what cheese they use in this (smells like gruyere), but it stunk quite a bit. Despite this, it was fantastic tasting- Definitely a must-have. - Raspberry/Chocolate Donuts: Never had a fancy donut before... I think this dish has effectively ruined all of those other lower class donuts for me. My one HUGE pet peeve is the seating situation. Unless you reserve ahead of time to get a single table for your party, you get to sit 2 millimeters apart from the other diners next to you. Talk about a mood-killer...
(4)
Colleen L.
THAT'S how you throw down at muthaf***kin Spice. Impeccably made, delicious and fun menu options. Seated immediately (with reservations). Attentive service. The mushroom soup was a tasty brothy asian style soup. The pork belly hotpot with cabbage, roasted pork, poached egg, chili broth and cilantro was so good, we knew if one had ordered it and not the other, the latter would be disappointed in comparison. Two hot pots please! The warm dark chocolate bread pudding with buttermilk anglaise and sweet cream was fluffy and melty at the same time. Overall, we had a great experience and loved the way the menu is built. There are small snacks like chicken liver crostini and deviled eggs for $5-10 and a very nice wine and cocktail list. We'll definitely think of Michael's when we're looking for a little fance in our day-to-day lives.
(5)
Jennifer N.
This place was AMAZING definitely coming back very soon! I came for lunch and order their soup of the day which was tomato bread soup with basilI recommend the chicken liver crostini! The service was great the environment was comfortable you can see the open kitchen , outside sitting and great shopping around the area.
great simple and honest food at reasonable prices-fun place and happening.... best to be enjoyed at lunch time.. very noisy and cramped inside.. the place to be while in design district.
(4)
Lynn C.
Food and atmosphere were awesome!!! We had dinner here last Thursday night (table of four) and were able to try several items from the menu. Everything was delicious!!! From the menu we chose a very eclectic mix of dishes - (snacks) thick cut potato chips - Who doesn't like potato chips? The French onion dip was awesome. (small) Local Cobia Ceviche, Wood Roasted Double Yolk Farm Egg. P.S. - the egg was pleasantly unexpected! It is served in a little ramekin...gruyere on top and perfectly poached egg inside. (medium) Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly - THIS WAS THE BEST PORK BELLY I'VE EVER HAD. Crispy deliciousness. We also had a seasonal pasta dish with chorizo, mussels, shrimp and fish. (large) Grilled Niman Leg of Lamb (tasted just like a gyro but better), Slow Roasted Fudge Farm Pork Shoulder - mainly we got it for the grits (AND we ordered an additional side of cheese grits) (dessert) Banana Toffee Panini (perfect for banana lovers), Popcorn and Peanuts...I wasn't a fan of the buttered popcorn icecream but everyone else at the table loved it. Literally tasted like buttered popcorn. Great meal and cannot wait to go back! This neighborhood is really cute and trendy. Great outdoor seating area and beautiful dining room.
(5)
Derek F.
So amazing get the prok belly the duck confit and the steak
(5)
Juan S.
Still very good. Love all of the creative menu options. BUT, not a fan of the tapas style portions. You have to order at least 3 of each to have your stomach somewhat satisfied.
(4)
Shannon M.
Sometimes a passionate server is all the difference and this was the case. We went the day after Thanksgiving for brunch with our pup. The outdoor seating is plentiful and very dog friendly. Our server provided water and dog biscuits for our furball right when we sat down. We also went with the seasonal suggestions which was a Bacon Potato Soup ( very hearty!), mozzerlla & tomatoes, and Roasted Turkey Sandwich. Defnitely a perfect wine hangover cure! Will be coming back soon.
(4)
Ken D.
I'm writing this review reluctantly, with a small, nagging desire to keep Michael's to myself. However, I can't. That would be selfish. What's that they say about giving? So, here I give to you my favorite restaurant bar-none: Michael's Geniune. Without fail, Michael's Genuine has proven to be consistently perfect in every way. Now, 'perfection' is a subjective term, so for some people it may not fit their bill. For example, there's no 'scenic view' unless you count the diverse crowd, perfect lighting, and painterly landscape that shows up on each plate. I wouldn't consider it to be 'kid-friendly', (but that might be my own desire to not see brightly-colored strollers in the place. With those two (insignificant criteria (to me)) aside, Michael's Genuine is perfect. Simply perfect. I've dined there approximately 10 times, for lunch and dinner, at tables inside, outside, and at the bar. Each time, the food was notable. Consistently delicious down to the last detail. How do they make cauliflower memorable? (By roasting it with parsley pesto, of course.) Short ribs on pizza? Who knew? Deviled eggs? Like mom would have made if she were only more domestic. How do they continue to surprise and delight me with each menu item? It must be witchcraft...and I am bewitched.
I went here for food and drinks after the Wynwood walk last Saturday. This place is AMAZING. The hubby and I went with our "couple" friends, Jackie S and her boyfriend. We made reservations in advance and although the restaurant was busy they sat us down right away. They even gave us a nice corner booth. We tried a little bit of everything... the egg yolk, the pizza, the falafel, the pork. I have never left a restaurant sooo full and soo happy. I didn't even mind that I had just stuffed my face with thousands of calories.
(5)
Jeremy K.
OMG!!! We tried a variety of small/medium meals at this place. Our waiter was uber nice and helpful. We had reservation and got seated ASAP....wasen't too busy at the time but by the time we left, it was packed!!! We tried the crispy pig ears....was pretty tasty for pig ears. The duck confit was delicious and ok, nothing bad about it. The best part of the dinner was the Crispy sweet and spicy pork belly....omg!!! it was nicely crispy on one side, tender on the other side and so fatty in the middle...u would never guess that the kim chi would go perfectly with this meal...the acid from the kim chi just cut the pork belly so well and minimized the heaviness of the meal. it was so good we got another order of it!!! The bad dish we didn't like was the charred octopus. It really tasked charred and burnt...which we didn't like as much but the waiter was so cool about it, he took it off our menu. I had to bottles of Keys Ale too, which was pretty good beer that went well with our dishes. I would totally come back here for dinner again!
(5)
Ashley S.
This is the brunch version. WOW. No, really: WOW!! Not a single item that touched my lips was anything less than good, and most was outstanding. My friends each ordered a mimosa a bellini, respectively; I couldn't resist ordering the Sunday Morning Special (I think that was the name). It was an ice cold PBR tall boy with a shot of their bloody mary with a cornichon on top. Um, awesome! We got the duck confit hash, wood oven roasted double yolk egg (I'm a fan of this dish at brunch or dinner), the burrata with mango, cinnamon raisin walnut french toast (as mouth watering as it sounds), the lamb omelet, pork shoulder with cheesy grits, pesto, and pickled onions, and a side of bacon (it was brunch after all). Everything was really, really good except for the mango burrata. The burrata served with fresh mango, chili peppers, and red onions was OUT OF THIS EFFING WORLD. I am seriously going to be dreaming about this dish. To start, I love burrata: the creamy, delicious flavor is divine. And I'm much more of a salty/savory person so at first I wasn't keen on it being served with mangos, which in my mind screamed SWEET. But one of my friends ordered and thank the food gods she did. It is the perfect combination of a little sweet, a little salty, and a little spicy. Out of control delicious.
(5)
Pamela H.
This restaurant is nothing short of fantastic. The service is impeccable, the prices are reasonable, and the food is delicious. I have never had anything here that I didn't like, and it is my go-to restaurant to bring out-of-town friends for brunch or dinner. The drinks are great, too, including the homemade sodas - the cherry and rosemary is my personal favorite. And they serve radishes for those sitting at the bar! I don't have the space or time to write a play by play of all the delectable things I've eaten at MGFD, so here are some must-trys: Kimchi pork belly Greek farro salad Tangerine pot de creme (with warm donuts!) Pig ears Duck rillete Cauliflower Plantation cocktail Cherry and rosemary soda GO TO MICHAEL'S IF YOU ARE IN MIAMI. You will be so glad you did!
(5)
Veronica C.
4.5 stars. It was a great dining experience, as usual. I live in Midtown and have visited this restaurant many times in the past. The staff is always so professional, very accommodating and honest about their recommendations. The stand out dishes we had were the octopus with gigante beans and the mussels with black sticky rice...they are always consistently delicious! The only dish that I was not too sure about was the roasted cauliflower with parsley sauce. The flavors seemed to be very overpowering and not a favorite of mine. Overall great place and we will be back!
(4)
Laura Y.
We went to Michael's on a recent trip to Miami and left very pleased. Everyone has a beet salad, but I have to tell you that the one I had here was, hands down, some of the best beets I've ever had. My wreckfish was well cooked, thoughtful preparation. We found the short ribs to be much too salty. The meat was great, but needed to refill the water glass while eating it. The pork belly was a good mix of fat and meat, well prepared. It's funny, in Miami, the cuisine (localvore, thoughtful prep, changing menu) is certainly a newer phenomenon. While dining there, the food reminded me of some great restaurants on the lower east side/east village of NYC -- very similar vibe. Worth checking out.
(4)
Erleen G.
"Hello, I love you, won't you tell me your name?"... NO, really, no need. This place can put anything in front of me without me glancing the menu, or specifying my preferences and I would eat it, love it and ask for more. I have yet to try one thing here that I would not go to the restroom and force myself to make more room for... seriously people. It's Freaking Fantastic! I could go on and on about the amazing things that I have had but considering each time I've been the menu has been different I would hate to tantalize you with dishes you may never get to try. With that said I can however tell you that ANYTHING they make with cheese or a crostini is probably to die for. I have only been here once for brunch. We spent $130 for 3 people. Yes, I know $43.33 per person for brunch... But I would sacrifice breakfast for a month for one Sunday morning at Michael's. If a great atmosphere, nice outdoor seating, incredibly savory dishes and a hell of a pastry chef concocting new deserts for you constantly is not enough, try your odds at bumping into some familiar faces. I had the pleasure, honor, and some wet pants to go with that of sitting back to back with Michelle Bernstein who was visited by Hedy Goldsmith (Michael's pastry chef) at her table. ::SQUEAL:: Michael's is by far my favorite restaurant at the moment. The one place I would take anyone visiting from out of town, the one place I would recommend no matter what is currently on their menu, and the one place I will keep digging deep into the pockets to keep going back to.
(5)
Aiko E.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the world period. (right now :)) I was looking over my reviews and couldn't believe I had not listed this wonderful restaurant yet. So this review is late and I don't have all the details that I usually do. Last Fall was our first visit on vacation in Miami. We were in a hurry so we sat at the bar. We had a great time. Food was fresh, inventive and scrumptious. and service was attentive, helpful and friendly. We never forgot it soooo...about a month ago we were heading home from Barbados, had a stopover in MIA, found out our connecting flight was delayed a couple hours and faster than you can say "slow roasted fudge farms pork shoulder" we were catching a cab to the design district! Our second visit did NOT disappoint! It was just as good if not better than the first time. Our server was really personable and mirrored our needs to a tee. He knew we were on a time crunch but we did not feel rushed. And had really great suggestions for wine pairing with our dishes that did not feel like an "upsell" (if you're in the rest. industry you know what i mean) Basically you cannot go wrong with any of the fantastic dishes on the menu. I LOVE that the food is sourced and the flavors are so pure! Having said that I especially like their roasted veggie sides and all of their meat dishes (so tender and moist). His desserts are delish too. My dream for my next visit is brunch with absolutely no time limit!
(5)
Sherman H.
Michaels is one of those places that, in my opinion, is overrated. The food is good, and DIFFERENT. Don't get me wrong. But I also think there is a lot of hype out there, and personally, there are places I would much prefer to go with a happier environment, and cheaper - better food. This was my second visit to Michael's, I had gone a few months back with my wife and we both really liked the food. The service was solid, and just a few inches under pretentious, but pretty good. The menu is really interesting, but depending on your tastes and interests, not for everyone. The food is 'homey' style, and I would say fits the image Michael's is aiming for quite well. On this last visit, some friends had the lamb. It was pretty bad. Overcooked, and to tell you the truth, I'm dubious whether it was actually lamb. The flavors were good, but badly cooked without a doubt. I shared the pork shoulder. It was good, but honestly, I can make better with my secret home marinade. Nothing to write home about. Yes, the pork ears are a great accompaniment to beer. And the craft beer selection is good, prices are between $6-8 on average, with a few bottle under and over that. I had the "wood oven roasted double farm egg" and it was really, really tasty with their great bread. By the way, the sourdough bread they serve is delish, just perfect, and they will gladly offer more if you run out. The combination of flavors, with the gruyere and tomato was excellent. I also had a risotto style ricecake with spanish chorizo, and it was pretty delish, with an egg on top. Good, homey. All in all, the food is good, you can't really go wrong. But I guess, a little overhyped. It depends how much you can comfortably spend on dinner. If I spend $150 on dinner, I like to be impressed. And Michaels is solid good, but, I'm still to be impressed. I will come back to try again.
(3)
Augusto M.
This has been my favorite restaurant in miami for years, but tonight's service has left me utterly unsatisfied and I didn't even get to seat and eat. The "host" was terrible, inexperienced, impolite, and without a clue. His name is sean.
(1)
Lyle C.
Reviews speak for them-self. If i could give it 6 stars I would. Micheal's sets the bar for every other restaurant. This is a must do if in Miami! See and be seen in this place. Celebrates and power hitters dinning with locals and area visitors. Great mix of people.
(5)
Eric M.
I was not impressed after hearing good things..the rice cake wasnt that special...if prices were lower id give it more stars...I had a nicer meal with a tablecloth at Ruth Chris...costs about the same. the best items was the cheese of the day and desserts. Would definitely return for the cheese and desserts.
(2)
Ashely R.
Make sure you eat in the main dining room. Outside is really pretty but construction next door was so loud that we asked to be moved inside. Great service and really good sandwiches. I've had better cocktails, but love the PBR tall boys.
(4)
Laurel B.
On a warm evening, sitting outside here is a great experience, especially if you are hearing music later at the Stage. All the food was nicely cooked and presented, from pizza to salads to stuff from the grill/roastery/whatever it was. Not the edgy experience of our other culinary outings in Miami, but tres pleasant.
(4)
Jessica R.
Make no mistake... you will never have bad food here. The food is quite good even with a menu that changes pretty often. That being said, I have no real desire to go here anymore. The problem is the restaurant itself. The restaurant is too small. It gets really loud really quickly and if you're there as a couple, there's a significant chance you're going to have to essentially share a table if not a booth with another couple. No seriously. Like you might have to stand up if the person at the table next to you needs to leave, take a call or use the restroom. Last time I was there I was seriously turned off from going back. They're having problems with condensation leaking from their AC vents over the dining room so their solution is to send out a guy with a telescoping stick and a towel to clean the vents over the heads of he patrons while they're eating. And I don't mean at low traffic times. I was there at 8:30- dinner rush time. This cannot be health code kosher. I took photos, will figure out how to post.
(2)
Ravi B.
Anything less than 5 stars is a crime. But, before I place Mr. Schwartz (and Ms. Goldsmith) under arrest, let me pass judgment: Mixed drink: the Sonny Rollins was too bland and/or too watered down (sorry, Sonny) Oddest, happiest discovery: Best Falafels Ever! but, who is going to come here for falafels? Duck: perfectly cooked without a hint of oil and, unfortunately, flavor Fish: ditto Chili Chicken Wings: meh Wood Roasted Cauliflower: ditto Crispy Rice Cake: stellar! A wide mix of textures and flavors all wrapped up in a spicy, crispy package (thank the chorizo for the spiciness). Desserts: very disappointing. The Chocolate Cremoso was certainly unique, but I could not withstand the mix of sweet and savory after a few bites. And, after trying Ms. Goldsmith's infamous Tangerine Creamsicle Pot De Creme, I can reasonably conclude that a donut is still a donut. Service was friendly and efficient. Strip away the massive hype and Michael's is a modest restaurant serving expertly-prepared, modestly-tasting food at relatively modest prices. That's not too bad, but I was expecting so much more...
(3)
Pierre L.
In a neighborhood many years ago that was described as Miami Vice (by my customers) is Michael's Genuine. From the name and the website you may think it is the kind of place that is for tourists but it's not. The area or street hasn't been too developed but there are a few high end boutique shops there such as Maison Martin Margiela and Y-3. The restaurant is designed like you're sitting in Soho in New York, artistic decor and bustling. I had the mahi mahi at the recommendation from my customer who said it was very good. It was good and so were the greens that came with it. I saw some desserts that I wanted to try but since they opted not to have any I skipped as well. If I'm back in Miami and am in the neighborhood, I'll definitely come again.
(4)
Abigail B.
I have been to Michael's several times for their Sunday brunch. The food is absolutely delicious! The duck confit hash is my favorite! I enjoy eating outside in the courtyard on a Sunday morning as there is more of an opportunity to people-watch :) With such amazing food and welcoming atmosphere, it's disappointing that some of the servers are rude. We had an experience with a waitress the last time we were there who clearly did not want to be there. We're the type of couple who likes to be friendly, briefly chat with our server, and have a couple laughs together. This girl was in a bad mood from the beginning, and was a downer for our experience. The food will bring us back, but I'll avoid this girl next time.. if she's still there.
(4)
Alex M.
So I've lived in Wynwood for two years and heard a lot about this place. The location had a really cool vibe in the heart of the design district and the food was absolutely delicious. However, service was really slow, the water was in a tacky wine glass with no ice and you have to order the meal and the sides differently. We got one beer, the short rib, fish and a side of potatoes. Although it was really good, the portions were way too small for a bill of $80. Fine dining price without the fine dining experience.
(3)
Aman S.
Interesting and eclectic menu. As far as eclectic places, their menu is limited and I have dined at better places of this cuisine.
(3)
Lindsey H.
Delish! Service was superb. The food was clean straight forward fresh and quick. Really enjoyed the duck confit hash and cocktails. Paulo is a server with lots of knowledge and enthusiasm.
(4)
Kimberly K.
A memorable Brunch indeed. Everything from start to finish was excellent. We made reservations early on, so once we arrived we were seated immediately. The decor is nice and everything at the restaurant is neat and clean. The service is organized, on point, and professional. The employees work as a team. As we finished each plate, they were constantly taken away. You are given the choice of sparking or regular water. This is the first restaurant I've been to that offers sparking water for FREE. Thanks for that nice touch. They also place a large bottle of the water at your table. I love it when restaurants do that, I drink a lot of water and this is a great concept. We decided to order the Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Egg, Crispy Rice Cake, Breakfast Pizza, Kimchi Benedict, and Duck Quesadilla. The Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Egg was completely comforting. Soft eggs, smooth yolk, roasted tomatoes, chives. Served with a sourdough crostini. We wanted some more of the crostini and one of the employees was kind enough to bring us out some. Perfect for dipping into the yolk. The Crispy Rice Cake was such a hit we had to order another one during the meal. Slightly crisp on the outside. The inside is smooth, creamy, filled with pieces of chorizo, rice, and rock shrimp. The Rice Cake lies on top of a Spicy Tomato Aioli. Absolute treat. The Breakfast Pizza had a crispy crust. The tomato sauce was sweet. It's topped off with bacon, green onions, monterey jack cheese and an egg. This was a good choice but we would have liked to see more pieces of bacon on the pizza. The Kimchi Benedict was also a big hit. Can't go wrong with crispy pork belly, kimchi, poached egg and kimchi hollandaise. Highly recommended. The Duck Quesadilla was OK. The duck was slightly overcooked. Dessert was excellent. So many choices. I love how they take familiar favorites (ie. Samoas, S'mores and Pop Tarts) and put their own spin on it. Everything tasted homemade. Quality ingredients are used at Michael's and they do their best to make your dinning experience a memorable one.
(4)
Catalina S.
We had great expectations since everybody had recommended the place. The waiter took forever to ask if we wanted any appetizers, when they finally got there they where inedible (extremely salty) we got them replaced and they were OK. All the food was salty and just OK. When we ordered dessert, another waiter brought "our" dessert but it wasn't what we had ordered. We waited for someone to come by and tell them they had mistaken the dessert but they took forever. Honestly I never write bad reviews but this one deserved it. I am a foodie and this place was a bit crappy.
(2)
Mark F.
Michaels is popular, his process isn't. Locally sourced pain staking detail from aesthetics to carefully detailed salads, Make no mistake, Michaels is NOT artisinal food. It's WHOLE food. Good, good for you and well thought out. Not your typical Miami flash in the pan, Michael cooks in a cast iron skillet proving faux food wrong. The Drinks I had there were curated, completely different than anywhere else and a wonderful precursor to the amazing food that would come. If you can get in... Do it. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Robert F.
Let me start by saying that Cory is an excellent server and he made our experience worth while. After explaining that we were simply going to split a few appetizers and couple of drinks and be on our way, he was still very informative as it relates to the menu and his service was prompt and very friendly. Great job explaining each dish. We ordered the pork belly and the rice cakes. The pork belly was cooked perfectly and now I realize why it's their most ordered item. The chorizo rice cakes were also very good. If its creative comfort food you're looking for this place is it. We will have to visit again and try some different things.
(4)
Daniel P.
All excellent. Service is personable and they are happy to schmooze even though they keep track of time. All great. Bartenders friendly and engaging!!!!
(5)
Maria S.
Very nice location and restaurant. Food was very tasty, we had tomatoes which are their signature dish, country eggs and ribs. The signature tomatoes were delicious but overpriced for typical caprese. Country egg appetizer was great and the ribs totally amazing. Italian cauliflower as a side was great as well. I would give it 5 stars if this whole meal was at least 30 bucks cheaper and I'm not thrifty.
(4)
Joel C.
Best grilled fish I ever had. Also pan cooked chicken exceeded all expectations.
(4)
Maria F.
Finally had the opportunity to eat at Michael's Genuine. We tried the pig ears, mussels, deviled eggs and sweet and sour pork belly. All of the items were delicious and expertly executed. The portions for the small and medium plates, are gourmet (not big at all), but gave us an opportunity to try more than one.Not sure of the "large" entrees, as described on the menu because we didn't order one. Also, the service is excellent. Our server was knowledgeable and seemed to anticipate all of our requests. The dining room was busy, but we never had to look for him. There's tables outside in a courtyard, if you want to dine outside and the noise level inside, for a Saturday night, was very tolerable. Can't wait to return and try other goodies....
(4)
Ryan M.
I've been going to Michael's for the past couple of years now and I'm still never disappointed by how creatively complex all the dishes here taste. I've had a lot of things here, but there are certain meals that stick out for me. Last night I went for my dad's birthday and I'll breakdown exactly what I got. Snacks: -Crispy Pig Ears: must-have snack at Michael's. Same texture as chicharonnes, except the cartilage is very light. Comes with a lime on top (perfect), and it has some type of chili powder as seasoning. Very few places offer this pig delicacy, so take advantage. -Falafel: excellent, crispy falafel bites. Nice and green on the inside from the parsley. The inside is almost creamy... very damn good. Chicken Liver Crostini: my Dad absolutely loved these. Nice and fatty chicken liver spread. Reminded me of some flavors my Mom uses for stewed chicken. Large Meals: Leg of Lamb: amazing leg topped with peaches... very different, but man it made sense. Shortrib: Highlight of the night, honestly. Slow-cooked short rib, with a charred outer-layer probably done with the wood oven. If you have anything at this place, it has to be this. The shortrib deteriorates in your mouth. Pork Shoulder: I've had this a couple of times, for a reason... it's almost perfect. Nice mound of pork shoulder with a parsley sauce, and nuts. Forgot what kind of nuts they were... but the nuts really rounded the meal off. There's a certain feeling you get when you eat something that feels complete in flavors... the pork shoulder is that. Dessert: Thai Banana Cream Pie: honestly, there's nothing better than this. The crust, the caramelized banana, and the cream. It's just amazing. I've had so many things from Michael's, but this is just a rundown of my last meal from there... this place is an institution here in Miami. And it'll be here for a long time.
(5)
Tobi G.
Yes--It is Pricy Yes it is an in place. We were there for lunch & the place was packed and I do mean packed. They must be doing something right. The food and the service was very good but the level of the noise was not for me. I am not sorry that we tried it but I do not know when I will be down there again and that street is now gorgeous..
(4)
Andy K.
A huge dining letdown. After reading all the press and top rating was hoping for much better. Every item had too much salt and we couldn't eat it. nothing was good here and the service was the worst . thought about stopping the tall manager roaming the restaurant but opted not to.
(2)
Yvonne N.
I used to frequent this place when it first opened and it was fantastic then- the food AND the service. My recent experience there was not great since the service there is just not what it used to be. I went with a group for an early dinner on a Friday night, when they weren't packed yet so I there was no excuse for the sloppy service. When the food was delivered to our table, the dishes were not dropped in front of the people who ordered them. Yes, the dishes can be shared but not everyone dines like that. So we had to sort the dishes out and pass the food around (wait staff's responsibility). I asked our waiter for water and he only left the carafe on our table and didn't bother to pour it into my glass. We also had a waitress who just didn't have a pleasant attitude and seemed short tempered when taking our order. The food was consistently good, as usual, but the service was subpar and made for a disappointing dining experience. Groups are usually hit with an automatic 20% gratuity but it's not an excuse for poor service.
(3)
Joe L.
Great food. The waiter was great at explaining how the menu works - starters, small/med/large plates - and offered suggestions. We started out with a few small dishes and then had one large plate. The sommelier gave great wine suggestions and we enjoyed a nice red with dinner. Then we were tempted with dessert.. all together it was a great meal! Have suggested to many of my friends and clients.
(5)
Vincent F.
Some of the most unique food in Miami. Seating is a bit tight. Service is good.
(4)
Carlos J.
Never disappoints. Brunch is out of this world and the ambiance is perfect. Full disclosure: Chef Daniel Ramirez is my cousin, but i go there for the food
(5)
Ian T.
Michael's Genuine is the real deal. I've eaten my way across the world, and this guy deserves all the kudos he can get. It's pricey -- but I've paid more for way less quality in Miami (and elsewhere). The food is not fussy, but his emphasis on fresh ingredients, local sourcing and staying true to the flavors of the product he's working on is magic. Pork Belly was a layup -- I mean, it's almost cheating as it takes a really bad chef to make bad pork belly. However, among the pork belly dishes I've had, this stands out. Moroccan french toast, duck confit hash, Banh Mi (not authentic but fusiony-delicious)... I could go on and on. Since I returned to South Florida, I've noticed that Miami has really picked-up its food culture game, and Michael's Genuine is exhibit A.
(5)
Joelle M.
Two girlfriends took me to my favorite restaurant, Michael's Genuine, yesterday for my birthday. Lunch was fabulous! We ordered hominy and falafel to snack on, yum. One is vegan and enjoyed the falafel wrap. Me and the other shared the butter lettuce salad with grilled steak and a bottle of Sauvignon blanc. For dessert we devoured the pot de cream, and Rosemary doughnuts. WOW, ROSEMARY DOUGHNUTS!!!!! Incredible. Can't wait to go go back :)
(5)
Benjamin B.
So few of the reviews of Michael's Genuine capture why this place is go great. Its not the location (which is fine). Its not the service (which is fine). Its not the wine or beer (which is fine). Its not the relaxed, welcoming ambiance (which is fine). Its the quality of the ingredients: pure and simple. That is what makes this place ..not good.. not excellent, but one of my new favorite restaurants in the United States. I must admit that I am a San Francisco food snob. Previously, my view of Miami cuisine was that most of the best local product was heading straight to NYC and that the locals were stuck producing tasty but forgetful fare. I was wrong. The tomatoes in the Stracciatella reminded me of late August in Healdsburg farmers market. The server knew the name of the farmer. The locally-made cheese melted in your mouth like you were in Florence. We ordered it three times. The homemade Tagliatelle had that perfect consistency that one would expect to find in Rome. We reordered it twice. Fork wars were waged to see who would get the last bite. The Chicken Wings were as big as the ones I remember growing up in the home of chicken wings, Western New York. The sauce had much more depth. This is a place that doesn't just use Sea Salt; they use Fleur Del Sol, which is an artisan sea salt that is one of the most labor intensive and thus most expensive. So go to Michael's but PLEASE stop for a moment and think of the work that went into the fantastic product that is on your plate and all the suppliers who dedicate their craft to giving to you.
(5)
Annette S.
Lets just say my mouth waters thinking about Michaels. So yummy, such a great atmosphere, and innovative sustainable menu. Sit at the counter next to the kitchen and watch the action at the wood fired oven.
(5)
Tim S.
This place is on the short list of places that I consider "special". The food is unique and incredibly flavorful. The seating outside is great...its comfortable and relaxing while not feeling pretentious. Its expensive, but soooo worth it. I cannot imagine going to miami (no pun intended) and not going to Michael's Genuine.
(5)
Jules J.
My boyfriend and I arrived at 2pm on a Sunday, and were excited to make it just in time to catch the tail end of brunch. We were seated promptly and informed that the kitchen would close at 2:30. I'd been dying to check out Michael's brunch for about a year, and studied the menu eagerly. I was quickly attracted by the many choices on the menu, all of which sounded wonderful, and had a hard time narrowing it down. I should have known that the experience was going to be underwhelming when the waitress was unable to muster an ounce of excitement for a single menu item. When we asked for recommendations or about specific items on the menu, her response was always the same, "everything's good" or "yeah, that's good". If the wait staff doesn't get excited about the food, how do you expect your patrons to? With basically no guidance from our waitress, we proceeded to start off with 4 items plus dessert for the two of us. The waitress warned us that the portions were small, but we figured we'd start off with that, and then add to our order depending on how we felt. As our first item, the "croque madame" was placed in front of us, my boyfriend and I kept looking at each other and at the dish in front of us in confusion. Finally, one of us spoke. To borrow the words of Ben Stiller in Zoolander, "What is this?!? A dish for ants?" Now, we completely understand the concept of small portions and plates that are meant to be shared, but this was extreme. Each of us got about 2 bites out of each item that we ordered. That's not really what I'm expecting when I'm paying $10-$16 per item. We had the same exact reaction about each brunch item that we ordered: - Croque Madame -- really, really small and bland - Wooden oven roasted double yolk farm egg (with gruyere, roasted tomato, chives and crostini) -- again, small. I thought this was pretty good; especially the roasted tomato. My boyfriend thought it was bland. - Crispy Rice Cake (with chorizo, rock shrimp, chili aioli, and an egg) -- the one dish that had some flavor, mostly due to the chili aioli - Lemon ricotta pancakes with raspberry compote -- smallest pancakes I've ever been served, and the taste left much to be desired. Additionally, we ordered the Pop T's with peanut butter and grape jelly. Those were really good and the serving portion was appropriate. Overall, Michael's was a huge disappointment, with dishes that were small both in size and in flavor. We walked out of the restaurant feeling hungry and unsatisfied -- and $76 poorer.
(2)
Gigi M.
Everything of the menu is good! Everything! ... and the service is just as good! Great place, amazing food!
(5)
Eric Douglas S.
This place is great, really awesome. The food is top notch, the drinks are strong and tasty. Be rsvp'd during peak, the wait can be long, this place stays busy. I usually have dinner at the bar, the bartenders are great. I really enjoy the patio too. The food is always seasonal and fresh, the service is good. It's a popular place, be prepared for a crowd. Eric Statzer Eric Douglas Statzer
(4)
Steve W.
You will love this restaurant, if you can get table. Make a reservation and you will truly enjoy yourself. Short ribs - super tender and amazing flavor. The winner of the night. Kimchi - very fresh, didn't spend 6 months in Oma's fridge. Oyster mushrooms - Rich and creamy. Great by themselves but would be a perfect sauce. Beet and heirloom tomatoes - Perfect. Linguine carbonara - Al dente pasta done right. Pork shoulder - Fork tender, definitely needs the sauce and onions they serve it with. Asparagus - Fresh from California, I hope they still have it when you go but I doubt they will. Sonny Rollins - If you want a glass of just bourbon you won't care for this, very smooth and creative take on an old fashioned, Southern cross - Fantastic rum based cocktail
(5)
Katie D.
Snapper whole fish is always out ( this was my second attempt to get it) In addition, our waiter with the tattoos was super cranky :( If i go again anytime soon i wont go during busy hours as the wait is too long and i will be sure to get the nice waiter. The blonde guy with the black glasses is super good :) Manager is very good.
(3)
Lisa S.
A Maz Ing! It's not just the food and it's not just the location or the atmosphere. It's all of those things combined. Sourced from local growers the ingredients are farm fresh - especially the eggs during brunch. The Sea Bass; awesome. Roasted Chicken: awesome. The tour de force, what blows all other dishes away . . . Chocolate Cremoso. It is, by far, a masterpiece. So glad this place is within driving distance. I'd hop a plane if I had to just to sit in the courtyard at this place. Oh, and if you're budget-conscious the prices really aren't that bad. Much of the food is served family style so you can munch around on everyone's plates and leave full but not light in the wallet. OK. Enjoy! - L
(5)
Steve N.
Top-flight. Right up there with t'afia, Au Pied Du Cochon, Pubbelly, Bolsa, East Side Showroom, La Boca, etc. My dining partner, a Quebecois, said it was the best meal she had in the States. We ate the short rib pizza (you can get this at Harry's Pizzeria, too). We only spent, like, $100. Awesome. The service and setting are top notch. Bookings are flawless.
(5)
Mafe M.
Finally had the chance to try out this place after a while went last night on Monday at 8 pm was very busy the hostess and the manager greeted us they were friendly they asked us if we can wait for about 25 minutes for our table they offered us to sit at the bar while we waited my husband had a cocktail and ceviche he couldn't wait !lol the ceviche tasted nice but it seem to be warm temperature not cold ! The place have 2 $ sign but is not for small ceviche and cocktail 26$ with out tips ! Then we had our table service was ok not friendly but ok ! Had the duck confite which seemed to be cooked while ago and my husband had the beef cheeks With polenta the meat cut was mostly fat my husband couldn't eat it and he return it they took it out of the check and the waiter told us that the chef said this is the way is this dish ! So after all very noisy place with normal food and over price for small portions 2 stars was for the wine selection and side dishes ! Mashed potatoes and the dessert were the good ones
(2)
K C.
Had a late dinner here on 1/11/13. They have outdoor seating and the seating inside wa a bit tight, but manageable. The feel of the place was relaxed and stylish, the service was friendly. Cool menu choices, I recommend this place for people looking for good atmosphere and don't mind tongue and ears. We snacked on crispy pig ears, fried pig ears with a little cajun-like seasoning with lime. I liked them and the portion was enough for 4 to share. Next was a roasted double yolk farm egg...has gruyere cheese and sourdough bread, don't ask, just get this, yes it's good...order it, eat it and thank me later. Beef tongue, if you've had beef tongue before then you know how good it can be, if not, don't think about it, it tastes like beef and is tasty. The pieces were cut a little thicker than what I'm used to, but was still ok. ...I had a few drinks, we ordered some other things, I don't remember what. Octopus and or chicken may have been served, I can only say that the rest was decent. This was the first meal after landing just an hour or so prior. Cool place, interesting menu and food was good.
(4)
Jadine R.
I'd describe this place as fresh, unique, eclectic and absolutely delicious. The design district has reawakened Miami's taste buds with Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. Serving fresh food from local farmers, it's menu combines different flavor combinations which is why I described it as "eclectic". My husband and I went for dinner and had the famous thick cut potato chips with onion dip(I couldn't stop eating it!), fresh made to order ceviche(fresh and delicious!), pan roasted 1/2 chicken(great flavor!), short ribs(succulent!) and buttermilk strawberry ice cream. The dinner was exquisite! Please make sure to make reservations because this place is "the talk of the town" and it gets packed by 6:30pm!!!!
(4)
cathy c.
I could go on and on but after many trips to Miami I have to say that nothing comes close to MGFD for me at least. This is a place that lovingly sources and prepares each dish. Very appreciative of the friend who recommended it to me after hearing me whine about the food options in South Beach. And it's a very friendly, welcoming place. Book a table, you won't be sorry!
(5)
Ericstevenc T.
After looking at art all day at artwalk second saturdays this is the place to go
(5)
Kevin S.
My favorite restaurant. Do NOT skip dessert!
(5)
Domenic T.
Service sucks! Wait staff are obnoxious, never go there again
(1)
Anne L.
Chef Michael, I wish you had continued to focus on great food rather than spreading yourself thin and opening tons of restaurants that are all mediocre. I went to Michael's Genuine on Saturday night for my husband's bday. The service, the food and the overall experience was awful. The Service: The service was totally weak. Our first two dishes took forever to come out due to "a hiccup in the kitchen." After our appetizers our waiter came by to offer dessert. Woops, he totally forgot about the other two main dishes we were waiting for so we waited another 30 minutes for the rest of the meal. The most offensive issue is that we went for a birthday. I spoke to the hostess about a surprise dessert and birthday candle. I was told it would be no problem. When we finished dinner and said we were done the check was dropped off at the table and there was never any birthday candle. We left and went over to another restaurant for dessert where they couldn't have been nicer and did NOT forget anything. The Food: Everything was so salty we couldn't eat it. The deviled eggs were awful they had so much salt in them (and I don't mind a good heaping dash of salt in my food). The octopus and ceviche left our mouths on fire from the salt (and begging for more to drink but of course there was not a waiter or anyone in sight to help us). The BLP salad came with 1 single sprig of frisee lettuce. We actually had the convo at the table "do you want the lettuce or can I eat it?" The seafood pasta with mussels, clams and lobster had no mussels and we actually sent it back because it was missing one of the main items and was so salty. They comp'd it for us but we still choose not to eat it because it was truly inedible from the salt. It'll be awhile until I venture back to one of Michael's restaurants. This used to be my go to place to recommend to out of towner foodies but I'll be crossing it off my list for sure.
(1)
Leilani D.
At this point I feel I've eaten here enough times to very confidently say that this has to be the most overrated restaurant in Miami, if not the world. I know that sounds like an exagerration, but if I had a dollar for every time someone told me they'd been dying to check out Michael's Geniune, I'd be a f****** millionaire. Don't do it. Seriously, don't bother. If I could describe everything at this restaurant with one word it would be this: pedestrian. I know that makes me sound like a douchebag, but that's what you should expect if you want to dine here. Although usually the wait staff is attentive and friendly, I've had a rude, condescending hostess almost every time I've come here. Apparently they think working at Michael's makes them better than you. What a bad start to any dining experience. Although as a general rule I won't tolerate being treated like shit just to have a nice meal, I wouldn't feel so bad about it if the food was better. And it just isn't. The first time I came here I had a whole pompano that was mostly swimming in its own grease, surrounded by overly charred (read: black and burned) veggies. The 2nd time I came here for a pretty good but somewhat forgettable brunch. This last time was just this past weekend where I ordered a bahn-mi sandwich that was tasty but outrageously spicy (and not advertised as such) which I had to send back, and then replaced it with a fresh shrimp salad, which was pretty good but also not worth the $18 price tag. In fact, I don't know that I could ever have a salad good enough to be worth $18 to me - especially for lunch. Unfortunately, I didn't feel that I had a lot of options because nothing on the menu really looked that appealing. I don't know why I keep doing this to myself. Maybe its because people keep asking me to come here. But from now on I'm putting my foot down. I'm not throwing away any more of my time or money on this terrible place.
(2)
Rochelle H.
Where do I start??? First of all, when I visit a city that I have never been to before, I like to do research ahead of time for good restaurants. I read various reviews, check out menus, etc... However, nothing prepared me for the supreme food and service that I received at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. Our waiter was in short, superlative and couldn't have been more knowledgeable about the food and menu. So much so, that a friend who went along said that they NEVER knew that waiters could be so knowledgeable about a menu. Now, on to the food! I love most any kind of dumpling, however, the stuffed rice cake with pork...Muy bueno! I could eaten an entire plate! And the duck rilletes, oooh baby, baby! Sign me up for a tub's worth to take home! I love roast chicken and vegetables! However, most restaurants completely screw up roast chicken...Either they overcook the chicken in order to achieve a crsipy skin or they undercook the chicken so that it remains moiist. The roast chicken that I had here was crispy wonderful AND moist! TO DIE FOR! Such a simple, yet tres elegant dish! And the roast cauliflower with parsley sauce? A revelation! Who knew how wonderful this vegetable could be? All in all, I could meet my maker and be satisfied if this were my last meal!
(5)
Shienny S.
Great place for brunch! Must order the Crispy pork ears, breakfast egg pizza, and the ginger lemongrass drink! We were seated at the bar overlooking the chef doing his thing All the wait staffs were attentive and the chef was very friendly. Too bad the Miami Design district shops were mostly closed on Sunday.....
(4)
Kevin S.
Nice ambience although the booths are uncomfortable. Just wood. Portions aren't really generous so order a lot. The deviled eggs are amazing.
This is my new favorite restaurant in Miami. Casual, cool, elegant and friendly atmosphere and fresh local food. Creative and interesting menu but simple at the same time. Go!
(5)
Christopher R.
This place is spot on for any one who enjoys an eclectic menu focused around fresh local ingredients. Drinks are a little pricey but in Miami who isn't? Service was excellent and as we were sitting outside it began to sprinkle and the waitress immediately moved us to dry land where we enjoyed a wonderful pair of desserts.
(4)
Shamik T.
This is a really great place, with a perfect outdoor setting. Dishes are on the smaller side, and somewhat pricey, but I think overall, it's worth it. Drinks are quite good and the menu is expansive. We had a little bit of everything. Pizza was well made with a crisp crust. Garlic mashed potatoes were rich and delicious. Beet salad was also great, and the shredded hearts of palm were a nice touch that you don't often see. The roasted okra was a bit of a disappointment. I was expecting something else, but these were bland. Fire-roasted, sure, but overall, not something I would get again. And I want fried hominy in every single restaurant in America.
(4)
Winston C.
Could not get in for dinner. So settled for lunch. Great experience. The place is in a little bit of an odd location sandwiched between some retail space. We sat outside and did feel as if we were in the way of shoppers with dogs and strollers. But food was outstanding - inventive but not over the top. The service was excellent - knew the menu and guided us through several selections. And the cost was reasonable for a hot restaurant in a tawny part of town. Ceviche then pizza with pulled pork, pears and goat cheese. Wow. Yes, put this on your list.
(4)
Jared E.
It was alright all portions are very small. Pork belly and chicken liver were really good, also had ceviche, wood fire egg and potato chips which were all average..
(3)
Lauren U.
For our first wedding anniversary, my husband and I had been (literally) counting down the days til we could experience Michael's Genuine! Finally, the day arrived, and our experience was perfect. Please keep in mind that we were using a gift certificate for our meal, (thanks Robert C.!) so prices were of no concern: This grad student + middle school teacher duo were able to dine in comfort! We spoke in British accents, because this is how we pretend to be rich, of course. Parking in the Design District was simple -- it was a Sunday night, and there were plenty of street spots right in front of the restaurant. We opted for inside seating. I was in love with the red square lanterns floating above our heads. The place inside is cozy and intimate. The servers will explain this to you if you've never been here before, but the menu is broken down into small & medium (appetizers), and large (entree for 1) & extra large (entree for 2 to share). The bread and butter that Michael's serves is good, but not great. Still, we ate all of it (Did I mention we are usually borderline poor?) We also decided to spring for two appetizers. We got the chili chicken wings, which were soo delicious, it was as if the incredible flavor hit me on the head as I took a bite. They weren't spicy like "ooh, hot!", but instead were spicy-flavorful with an Indian vibe going on. We didn't love the cucumber sauce, so we had the wings au naturel. We also got the "cheese of the week" plate, which fully met my high expectations! I was a bit disappointed when I asked the server to remind me what kind of cheese it was, and she said she forgot. When she walked away, I assumed she was going to review the menu, but no... she never told me! Luckily, the menu online is current and I was able to see that it was champlain valley triple cream from Vermont. I hope I can find it in a regular store, because it became my favorite cheese last Sunday. It was served with a raisin bread that was fine (it was meant to be a background for the cheese anyway), and a local honey that was so good I would have eaten it with a spoon if we hadn't finished it by drizzling it over the bread + cheese combo. Let me just insert that I was already full by this point. Everything beyond this point was just gluttony. I ordered the short ribs, my new thing, and he ordered the slow-roasted pork shoulder. I tried his, and I'm sure it was good, but I have memory only for my AMAZING short ribs. Amazing... sigh. The only complaint I WOULD have had, if I had come here out of my own pocket, was that there were 4 tiny short ribs in this supposedly "large" plate. I would have been disappointed if I hadn't already shared 2 appetizers and a loaf of bread... hee hee. As we walked in, I warned my husband that we WERE getting dessert. This meant, do not get full, do not get tired, do not do anything that will get in the way of dessert. You know, sometimes there are days like this. The dessert menu was not the most descriptive. I'm relatively picky (Raisins in dessert? NO. Fruit AS dessert? NO. Come on.), and I like to know what I am getting myself into with food in general, but of course with desserts. He chose the clementine almond cake with buttermilk ice cream, and he loved it, but again I got the shining star of desserts. The home brew sundae is BEER-FLAVORED ICE CREAM. WHAT?!?! Yes, it's true. It's so crazy that it's good. It's the cutest thing in a small mason jar with smooshed pretzels and homemade marshmallows! I was in heaven. It's somehow the best combination ever invented. We cleaned our plates/jars, and needed a moment to breathe. The server kindly took a photo of us (I have to document these things). We enjoyed the jazz in the background. We were happy! And ready to return. Lucky for us... We have another gift card! I can't wait.
(5)
Gabriela A.
Oh Michaels! I've been here twice. Once for lunch and once for brunch. Lunch was ok, it's not a one hour, in and out kinda thing so be prepared to wait. Not all of their tables are covered by shade, but luckily we snagged one. We ordered a little bit of everything (nothing really sticks out except the Brussels sprouts. Order them.) They had a great selection of beer, and really good dessert. Brunch. Brunch was absolutely fantastic (when we finally got a table, after already making reservations). I recommend the banana fosters French toast, the grilled asparagus and eggs, and the zucchini hash. Their homemade jams are great as well. Overall this place is great for a leisurely meal, but like most places in town, expect a wait.
(4)
No O.
This is my favorite restaurant in Miami. First off you have to try the oysters. The cheese changes every week but I've never had one I didn't love. The pig ears are amazing but they never have them!! I'm kind of meh on the deviled eggs but that doesn't mean they aren't good, just not as good as everything else. For main dishes I also go with the short rib. It's succulent and easily falls apart in your mouth. The drinks are all great. Milk stout is delicious and of course all the desserts and coffee are amazing. You have to try the big dessert platter at least once.
(5)
Jewel Y.
Fantabulously delicious burrata!!!!! Here's yet more overdue review..... Writing about L'Artusi's burrata triggered my memory of this ridiculously good burrata I had a few months ago in Miami which is so Yelp-worthy. If you think L'Artusi's burrrata was good, Michael's version will blow you away! It is one of those simple dishes that tastes amazing effortlessly. However, it's probably wise to share it with someone because it's rich and will fill you up (Except me - I can finish it and I'm NOT sharing, period). This freshly prepared creamy burrata mixed wiith the accompanying tomatoes and basil was the most memorable dish of the night despite its uncomplicated flavor......I'm a big fan! YUM!!! I came here without doing any research and just trusted my foodie friend's recommendation. Since it was a weekday night, I thought I can just swing by and get a table easily without making any reservations but I was wrong. It was packed and everyone had a reservation except me. Since I was alone, luckily I got a table only after 15 min. wait, which is not bad at all. The waiter was really cool, he gave great recommendations and was attentive without being pushy. The restaurant is hip and trendy, but not pretentious and still casual. Ceviche didn't impress me too much, I prefer a more purist style version without fruits. However, the dessert made up for the so-so ceviche, the chocolate cremoso was beautifully executed with a nice touch of seasalt. Highly recommended!! This is definitely one of the best restaurants I've tried in Miami so far, I'll definitely come back!!
(4)
Kirsten L.
We requested to have a special order of pop tarts made 4 days in advanced. The pick up day came and they had none made. I sent all my information in to the reservations coordinator and still no pastries. My husband was comped 2 beers and an appetizer and 1 hour of his time waiting. Still there shouldn't be an excuse of why it wasn't ready. On a positive note, the pop tarts were good. And all my guests loved it.
(3)
V D.
Food is awesome! A little over priced, but still really good. Recommend the french fries and the apps. Svc has also always been good
(5)
Kyle H.
A favorite in Miami. The design district can be a little less wild than other parts of Miami, so this is one of my go-to date spots. The grilled octopus app is fantastic. Fresh and flavorful. Burrata salad is also a win. And the lamb dish was great. Wine list is impressive. GF loves the cocktails. We recently ordered a pizza that was supposed to have shortribs on it, but they switched it last minute to pork and it was barely visible. We asked the waiter if there was a mistake, but he insisted it was the right one (and the meat was in the sauce). A little disappointing, but still tasty. At the end of the meal, we were too full to order dessert, but the waiter brought us something small to nibble on as an apology for the lack-luster pizza.
(4)
Brutally H.
Whether its lunch or dinner, Michael's is among Miami's best restaurants. Award-Winning Chef/Owner Michael Schwartz has been one of my favorites in Miami since his early days at Nemo. This restaurant perpetually strikes it hot on all cylinders, ambiance, quality, cleanliness, and service. The impeccable service is excellent and only superseded by the food which is predictably original and delicious. Hedy Goldsmith's world-class desserts top off a perfect meal . . .
(5)
Gina C.
Pork belly was amazing. Crunchy and melt in your mouth heaven. The duck confit was flavorful. We didnt wait long for our food which was awesome. Definetly a go to place after a night out on the town.
(4)
J. G.
One of my top restaurants in the Miami Design District. They made bar bigger with a raw bar...gotta dig it. Order the bullet proof Manhattan so good. As always can't make it to SOBE without stoping here for dinner before the new year 2014 ends.
(4)
Teresa P.
Pig ears. All I gotta say. -TPK
(5)
Melanie A.
I can honestly say that I have never had a dining experience quite in the same caliber that I had last night at Michael's (ok minus this one time that I had the pleasure of having a 14-course meal above the chef (chefs table) in Las Vegas, but trust me that dinner came with a price tag probably 20x the check that we encountered last night). In this week alone we have dined at Prime 112, Zuma, & Michael's and honestly I can say that I rather enjoyed my dining experience at Michael's as being far superior than either Prime or Zuma. I called earlier in the day and asked if we could make a reservation. The options were 5:30 or 11:00pm. We decided to take the 5:30 as we had a light lunch so that was pretty acceptable. The only complaint that I have is that we saw walk-ins come at 7:00pm, look at the menu, and walk away (meaning that they could have easily taken our reservation at 7:00pm). That was a little disappointing as it is kind of misleading especially since I asked if we could even do 6:00 which would have been better for us and they said absolutely not. Still, the dining experience that I had (past the hostesses who weren't quite all there) was SUPERB beyond belief and at exactly opening time (5:30pm) there were 5 tables already waiting to be seated. We waited at the bar as we were early and they weren't even open yet. I knew that by the radishes on the bar that I would love this restaurant. ** I HIGHLY RECOMMEND making a reservation days/weeks in advance and REQUESTING TIM ** If you want a true 5 star dining experience, it MUST be with Tim as your server. I have friends who have dined here and had a so-so experience but they did not have Tim. He greeted us within 2 minutes of sitting down at the table and thoroughly explained in detail absolutely everything on the entire drink menu. I have a cold so I was planning on just having green tea but he made these drinks sound so appealing and fresh that I decided to order a pomegranate martini (not on the menu but they have a full bar and can make anything, really), which then turned into two. The cocktail was extremely light, not too sweet, and very delicious. My dining companions were taken aback by the wine menu as they have very unique wines. They both had wine (red and white) and really enjoyed them. Tim then went on to fully disclose everything on the dinner menu. It was sort of a long spiel but very needed as he explained where every dish came from (all local food literally within like 40 miles of the restaurant) and how each was prepared. He spoke with such passion that actually got us excited about the food. Tim has visited the various local farms (such as the chicken farm where he hand selects the double yolk eggs for the restaurant's very popular dish). The uniqueness of the menu combined with the freshest local ingredients really satisfied my picky taste buds. We ordered * kimchi (marinated pickled cabbage) which was very light and flavorful * linguini with heirloom tomatoes & shrimp (I am somewhat hesitant to order shrimp at restaurants because honestly it's so easy to overcook them but I was sooo surprised at the freshness that could be easily tasted from the shrimp and they were cooked to absolute perfection) * octopus * flounder * swordfish All amazing * fingerling potatoes (which were seasoned with a perfect blend of salt and pepper) *chocolate dessert which was a daily special and was absolutely heavenly (this dish was prepared by the pastry chef who is in the running (top 5) as the pastry chef of the year which will be decided in NYC in May. Additions: - Outdoor seating - $3 valet or street parking -Availability for seating until MIDNIGHT (yes last seating is at midnight and the server told us that sometimes he gets out at 4:00am, yikes) -full bar We ended up telling the server at the end that he was the best waiter we have ever encountered in Miami and he was really appreciative of that. We will definitely be back over and over and over again.
(5)
Savanna M.
Finally made it here for my 28th birthday!! Definitely a great experience and we will be back. Drinks - definitely good! I had a special guava daiquiri which was great! The bf had some scotch drink that I've forgotten, but then moved on to their passionfruit soda with gin! AMAZING! I'm not a big gin drinker, but this was a good drink! Food - got to try a good amount. The pig ears, which I found a bit bland yet addicting! The chicken liver crostini - loved! The veal tongue salad - really good! The charred octopus, the pork belly and the duck confit.... all good as well! Desserts - Had a the donuts, with a passionfruit creme de pot.... I loved it! and a coconut sundae which was also great!
(4)
Samuel J.
Was in Miami working today and decided to try a new place to take clients for lunch What a pleasant surprise the food was inventive and delicious Great neighborhood all the great shopping is next door and the staff was fantastic
(5)
John G.
I love this place but bad service is unacceptable. Tall, blond bartender girl should be fired. She is useless and arrogant and unfriendly and doesn't belong here. This used to be a good place to come to the bar and grab a drink and something to eat but overpriced pork belly, Merlot and some creative appetizer you can find somewhere else. Get rid of her.
(2)
Julie M.
It's not often that a restaurant meets or exceeds my expectations but when it does, I am completely overjoyed. Michael's was awesome. We sat outside which was lovely. Our waiter was very nice and helpful and assisted us in choosing his favorite items. Everything was delicious. My favorite items were: the thick cut potato chips with an unbelievable onion dip that I dipped the bread in once the chips were finish because it was that good, also loved the pork belly, chicken wings, crispy rice cake, and the wood roasted farm egg. Do not forget to get vegetables here! They're excellent. I loved the string beans. On to dessert: I don't care how full you are, dessert is an absolute MUST. Everything is AWESOME. I had the home brew sundae which was amazing. I wouldn't let any of my friends touch it because I wanted to devour it all myself. It was spectacular. Michael's is a great restaurant and is definitely a must if you are visiting Miami.
(5)
Samyu G.
I love this restaurant. It was recommended to me by a local while visiting Miami. I enjoyed my meal so much that I returned the next time I was in town. The food is out of this world. They use farm fresh, local, and organic ingredients. Their burrata appetizer is phenomenal. The waiter told us that they get a fresh batch of burrata every morning - you can taste the freshness. I also had a delicious caramelized onion and Gruyere pizza. For dessert I tried the fresh doughnuts with the lemon pot de creme. Everything was amazing. This restaurant is definitely a must try!
(5)
Susan T.
Went here for brunch, valeted the car for 3 dollars and arrived around 11, already getting busy. Great service and delicious food, some of my favourites I wish I could eat often were: falafel, duck hash, tomato and avocado salad, the little gem oysters (sweat and meaty). quality ingredients, food prepared/seasoned deliciously, friendly staff that also love the food.
(5)
Joe A.
Yes, it's pricy. But, it's money. See what I did there? Get the pigs ears to start (you might want more than one order to keep going back to throughout the meal). Also worth the cash, the beef short ribs. If I knew French, I'd use it here. Finish your night off with the Corn Pot de Creme. Then slip into a food-induced coma.
(5)
Food S.
Not sure what all the hype is about. This is definitely NOT Miami's best as Anthony Bourdain claims. Getting past the unfriendly hostess who almost didn't seat us at a booth in a completely empty restaurant because it was for 4 people not 2, the decor is very diner-ish and the menu while creative isn't all that. Short rib was presented unremarkably, although it was very tender. Brussel sprouts were average. Chocolate desert was way too sweet. Not going back.
(1)
Marian S.
Amazing. Crispy rice cake and pork belly were great. My server offered me the craft drink of the night - mulberries and tarragon. Delicious! The butter lettuce was ok. Not as great as the other choices. The pistachio Rosemary buttermilk donuts were to die for. I would come back here.
(4)
Jeremy M.
My wife and I moved to Miami from Los Angeles recently, and we have been greatly missing the Los Angeles restaurant scene. Then we discovered MGFD. If this is the direction that Miami food is going, then locals and visitors alike are in for a very bright future of eating in this beautiful city. We liked it so much that we came back in less than a week after our first visit, and have had dinner here many times since. It's our go-to spot when our LA friends come to visit, and everyone leaves satisfied and impressed. The restaurant is tucked away inside a little shopping alcove in the middle of the (very swanky) 40th St shopping block in the Design District (seriously, the BLOCK has security guards posted at night). Parking on the street has always been hassle-free, and if you're in a hurry to make your reservation, they have valet parking right in front for a small fee (like $3, very cheap by our LA standards). They have indoor seating, a small bar, and a great patio area. The servers are friendly and knowledgeable and seem like they actually enjoy working at MGFD. The hostess runs reservations/seating like it's a real job to be done well (this is somewhat rare in Miami). Reservations are highly recommended as it is usually full for dinner. Most importantly, the food is fantastic. Our favorites include the pork belly, the stracciatella, the crispy rice cake with egg on top (we've had to order 2 on some visits because it's so good), the chicken wings, and the short rib entree. I've been eyeing the 24 oz ribeye but we always eat our fill of the smaller plates so I haven't experienced it. Yet. Make sure you save room for dessert. The apple fritter is delicious, and I can't leave the restaurant without indulging in their pumpkin pie sundae. It might be my favorite dessert ever.
(5)
Michelle L.
Well for starters, we were late for our reservation by 15 min due to traffic and they gave up our table. I understand it's a busy spot. The hosts said it would probably be an extra hour to we were seated. Annoyed, we sat at the bar and had our first round of cocktails with some raw oysters. Within 30 min, we were seated at a table inside. Felt cramped but comfortable. Our oysters arrived at the table and I will tell you these were my favorite. The mignet sauce complimented the oysters fabulously! Then off to our order, shrimp ceviche was kind of meh nothing spectacular and pork crusted loin, and ranch short ribs that were kind of fatty, Lamb, hierlom tomatoes, and candied carrots that were amazing. I felt that the food was a bit overpriced and certainly trendy. Service was kind of slow. Maybe we went with wrong choices but I'll pass on a $28 plate of fatty short ribs with no accompanying side dish. The decor was chic and nice. I liked the bar setting and the oysters are a must try. .
(2)
Daniel D.
The food was very good. My pulled pork sandwich was very flavorful. My wife's steak frite was not bad, but not good either. First of all, it was tiny. It was also pretty tough. Considering the price point for the steak, we were expecting a more flavorful and tender piece of meat. Our server was great and extremely friendly. We will be back again soon.
(4)
MICHELLE C.
One of those reviews where you really have to debate on star rating. I had only been here for lunch one time before and was not very impressed so hubs wanted to check it out for dinner. We went last night and it was packed, like wow on a Monday evening, must be great was my thoughts. I figured we would have a long wait but to my surprise we got seated inside asap. I really find the location tucked away in a small strip center very odd, with tables outside of other business's. I seriously watched a hairdresser cut two clients hair across from the window I was sitting at. Just odd to me. We were seated in a far corner near the kitchen when all of a sudden another couple was sat next to us. I get that this place is small. Way way to close for comfort for me, so as far as atmosphere I give them a two star rating. When you are dining inches away from another couple and hearing their entire conversation does not make a very good dining experience for me. Our waiter was excellent, explaining every dish to us and the portion sizes. Yeah here we go small, medium, large, and extra large, again very odd. Our waiter told us small and medium were basically appetizer portions. OK no problem but some medium apps were $18, I thought steep in price. Our waiter suggested the chicken wings with cucumbers. The wine list was pretty good, prices were very inflated IMO. Our wine came out, it was very good along with our wing's. The wings were grilled to perfection with great flavor and a cup of delish sliced cucumbers in a dill thick sauce. Although the wings were great, they came with four, two drumettes and two wings. Then we ordered the chicken to share and a side of garlic mashed potatoes. $32 dollars I believe for the chicken and an extra $6 for potatoes. The chicken came out, decent size we split it and started to eat along with the potatoes. The chicken was excellent, very crispy yet moist on the inside, great flavor and the potatoes were creamy but they could have used more garlic. I really did not taste the garlic. The food was very very good, no complaints on taste. Again our server was very good, so why the three stars. OK, between the atmosphere and being so close to other patrons, way way to tight. Although the food is creative and well executed I thought the prices were high. IMO to high, this is far from a five star restaurant. Then my other observation was the patrons that flock here. Just so not my scene. Yuppie, Prada, Fendi, all ages with most being a much older crowd with some heavy duty cougars at the bar. It is obviously the place to be seen! Kinda reminded me of Prime 112 on the beach. To each their own just totally not my scene at all.
(3)
Stephane C.
Supposed to be a roasted chicken and it was a flash fried chicken with a few veggies on it. 21 dollars for that crap, no thank you.
(1)
Bill T.
Well, another crazy good meal here at Michael's! Cocktails were awesome, I went with the classic caipirinha and my sweetie had what tasted essentially like a lime creamsicle, super cold and refreshing. Again, the rice cakes with shrimp, chorizo, an over easy egg and sriracha aioli were amazing. The duck confit was incredible, crispy, slightly salty and delicious. We had some wonderfully fresh and flavorful snapper and shrimp ceviche and braised short ribs as well. The service was excellent and the sommelier helped is pick out a really nice pinot noir to go with the meal. For desert we had their sundae with marshmallows, pretzels and caramel, yummy! It is always so nice to go to a place that has world class food without the attitude. The service is always so welcoming and, well, genuine.
(5)
Rich S.
Overall I would give MGFD 3 stars. The restaurant had highlights but also factors that made the overall score low. Leaving hungry after spending over $150 doesn't make me thrilled. And just to add my wife and I are not large people with massive appetites... Lol First the highlights: Great service from the waiter and staff. Broad menu to suit everyone's palate. Different sized plates ( more on this later) Cheap valet $3 Mussels were tasty and perfect. Lamb cooked well. Cons: 19$ for octopus (medium plate) - the piece was barely large enough for my wife and I to have a few bites each. However it was seasoned well and had good flavor. $26 Leg of lamb ( Large plate) - cooked well but came pre-sliced and was absolutely tiny! Considered a large plate I was expecting more meat then the few tiny thin slices we received. Seating is extremely tight and if you are looking for any romance this is not the place! In addition even with reservations had to wait 25min to get seated with about 3-4 groups ahead of us. ( Saturday night reservation)
(3)
Eva W.
I know these are small plates, but it was almost comical seeing the crestfallen faces at some of the portion sizes. Good: shrimp and grits was delish, pecan sticky bun was good but pretty darn sticky, crispy pig ear had a nice crunch Not bad: crispy rice cake was decent, kimchi benedict was kind of a mish mash, breakfast pizza was sizeable, lemon ricotta pancakes were dry, bacon was dry Avoid: soft scrambled duck egg, french toast Service was very brusque, and they were consistently negligent in refilling waters. Service was also pretty slow, but it was pretty busy. I think I've been spoiled by NY dining..
Loved the ambiance but I wouldn't recommend the spot for non-meat eaters. My meat eating friends love the food so I have to give it 3 stars!!
(3)
Amy W.
a special place ALWAYS delicious - order whatever the special is as always fresh and great - really great If I lived closer would go all the time for now has to be a special treat
(5)
Hernani A.
This is one of my fav. restaurants in Miami! everything on the Menu is delicious!!!! and their drinks are a must!!!!! I recommend it, but don't go for drinks and appetizers on an afternoon... they won't let you sit down even if 20 tables are empty.... they want big spenders only... so if you're not going to spend at least U$70..... forget it...
(5)
Julie T.
Wow, what a spectacular little place, hidden away in it's own little corner with it's own little courtyard. I went to enjoy their half price happy hour at 4:30 and got a gin and st. germain martini which was impeccably made and perfectly balanced. Once it was 5:30 our reserved table was ready. I have to say our waiter was a bit strange, direct, and short. So my questions didn't seem answered with a lot of enthusiasm or detail. The "bus boys" or "assistants" were a little distracting to me. They stood in the middle of the aisles staring at you to make sure there was nothing to clean or nothing to give you. I know that's their job, but why can't they be a little more inconspicuous. Anyway, on to the food. We ordered a nice snack of the duck rilette with crostini and boy was it tasty. It was so tender and melt in your mouth. I wish they did give you a couple more crostini to spread it on, but after we ran out we just used the bread that they gave us for the table. Next we ordered the medium plate of Crispy Pork belly. This was heaven on a plate. Again, the meat just melted in my mouth. After I finished my cocktail I decided to try out one of their many options of beers. So I went with the Red Brick Laughing Skull Amber Ale and it was very refreshing. So for dinner I ordered the Lamb and my boyfriend ordered the Beef Short Rib. I wish I ordered something else. My meal left me a little disappointed. It was tough and didn't have as much flavor as I hoped. I almost feel like it was over cooked (this was my first lamb dish I've ever ordered though). Now Jonathan on the other hand, got the incredible dish, it was so tender and juicy and flavorful. We also ordered the fries on the side and they were HUGE, and scrumptious. So I'd love to come here again to give some other dishes a try and maybe sample their fish and try out those decadent desserts.
(4)
Tajira M.
Though you may sense a slight air from the hosts, the restaurant has clearly earned its confidence. Yes, we walked in without a reservation (OpenTable wouldn't let us make one), and yes, they were quickly reaching capacity. We didn't care, and they made room for us... outside. However, the weather was on our side and, thanks to high winds and sudden rain, we were moved indoors. The wait staff was a friendly bunch, and they weren't surprised when we (two ladies) ordered something like 9 plates. But it's tapas style, so we weren't really deterred. Trust me, it's not like we were a couple of fatties that stood out in this restaurant for having five plates on a tiny table at once. You come here to try EVERYTHING. So we tried. The food (and drink) really is genuine. It's fresh, organic, and well presented. Though the plates are meant to be small, they're still filling. Passion fruit caipiranha - lots of fruit flavor and STRONG. Beware, and forget the straw, just sip. Mimosa - more juice than Champagne, but a refreshing start for brunch. Double Roasted Egg Yolk - even if you aren't a big yolk person, you need to try this. Savory, with that melted gruyere cheese over the top of the ramekin, tomatoes and chives inside, and the crunchy bread for dipping. You end up wanting more bread (and to pull all of the crispy cheese edges off of the ramekin), but the point is that you WILL finish this. Amazing. Kimchi Benedict - totally a pleasant surprise. I love kimchi, but I've never had it in this way. The kimchi was actually slightly sweet, and crispy pork belly was under it. The homemade English muffin was soft (and easy to cut), and it really was delicious. I was skeptical, but I'm glad I tried it (thanks, Evan). Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Strawberry Compote - tasty, but sort of meh. I could have easily made these at home. I feel like they were missing blueberries, and maybe a little powdered sugar. Short Rib Hash - SO GOOD. The short rib has completely fallen apart, it's so tender. It's mixed in with these great roasted potatoes, a little herb and onions, topped with a perfect fried egg, and ours served with a creamy sauce that had the mildest bit of horseradish and lots of herbs. Good salt. I want this again... Like now. Kumamoto Oysters - petite oysters that tasted better on their own than with the mignonette. It was just slightly too acidic. The oysters were super fresh, and they really didn't need anything beyond a quick squeeze of lemon. Roasted Pork Shoulder with Grits - this was the only dish I really didn't care for. Well, the grits were good and creamy. The pork was super tender, but it was sweet and had a strange after taste. Additionally, there was a pesto-ish puree that really just added acidity. I wouldn't recommend this one. Fresh Chorizo with Flatbread - served in a skillet with red onions, LOTS of cilantro, fresh avocado, and soft flatbread. Really tasty all together, the chorizo had good spice (though I thought it could be spicier), and there was actually a great crust from the heat of the skillet. The cilantro really made it all come together. Yummy. Strawberry and Banana Pop Tarts - they serve one of each with lots of powdered sugar. Raw sugar is baked into the crust, which is really light and flaky. The strawberry one tastes like jam with shortbread. The banana was my favorite -- the bananas had taken on almost a roasted consistency, smooth and rich. Almost buttery. Homemade Oreos and Snickers - now I love Oreos, but these were special. Perfect with the coffee, the "cookie" part of the Oreo was deep in chocolate flavor, while the creme filling had a slight saltiness. I would totally order those if they'd ship them to me. The Snickers were dense with caramel, gooey, crunchy with chocolate ready to melt if you touched it. At first glance, you might think you can't bite into them without losing a tooth, but they're perfect. A little too sweet for me, but they're worth a try. I'd get the Oreos again in a heartbeat. Lobster Butter Love Coffee - strong and perfect for the Oreos. Not over-roasted or with some crazy flavor, just good coffee. Most of the plates were around $10, but the food and the experience were worth every penny. Everyone was craning their necks trying to see the food as the servers came out, everything was fresh and hot, and to love 8 of 9 dishes is rare. I'd really like to come back for the lunch and dinner menus... STAT. Book me on a plane back to Miami. See pics.
(5)
Ryan K.
Fantastic experience here. They seated us immediately on a Saturday night although we accidentally booked a reservation for the wrong day. The food was some of the best in Miami. Cocktails were fantastic. Extremely hospitable and they had a nice way of being attentive without being overbearing. I recommend the duck confit, the short rib, and the leg of lamb.
(5)
Lia P.
I know I'm probably crazy for saying this but I just didn't love Michael's Genuine! Overall the experience was fine but little pieces here and there just didn't make me too happy. First of all it's a very busy place, which is normally fine, but it's also a very cramped place. TOO cramped. I felt like we were on a blind double date with the couple next to us. The service was ok. The hostesses while very pretty had no personality and weren't the nicest. Our server was polite, but she was very rushed with us. I think part of it was the fact that they're so busy but it made us feel like we weren't important and when you're having an expensive meal, you want to feel important. My drink was good- it was some sort of vodka drink with starfruit and strawberries? Yummy and refreshing. The other drinks on the menu sounded good you probably can't go wrong with any of them. We had the onion dip, BLT salad, and lamb. All of them were delicious but the portions were SO SMALL. I get that the onion dip and BLT salad were supposed to be smaller but for the prices they seemed microscopic. I will say though the bacon in the BLT salad was delicious. Thick and charred just right, sooo good. The BLT also came with a huge slab of blue cheese. Good thing we shared that or else that would be just too much blue cheese for one person. Unless you really love blue cheese. The lamb was one of the larger plates but it was still a very small portion. And not because we shared it, it was just a small portion. It was good although a little bit chewy. I haven't had lamb in a while though so maybe that's just how lamb is? Either way the flavor was pretty good. The desserts were the best. The lady who does them should really open a dessert shop if she hasn't already. I think I would frequent that. We had the sundae with homemade marshmallows and the lemon dessert . They were both soooo good. Although again, not sure they worth $10 each. I probably won't come back here. It just felt like it was one of those hyped places that can charge what they do because they know all the cool people go there and will pay. MAYBE if one of my friends said they really wanted to do brunch I would go, because that seems more worth it. Until then, it was cool trying it once.
(3)
Karissa O.
I was disappointed because I have been wanting to try this place for awhile. Service was bad( but I can forgive bc we sat at the bar). 3 times we had a waitress or hostess asking us if the food was ours or if we were waiting for a table. Service aside, we went for brunch and ordered the chicken and biscuits and falafel. The chicken and biscuits looked so unappetizing we stopped there and waited on the falafel to arrive and closed out. The chicken was dry, and the biscuit was nothing special, the watermelon was scattered and out of place. The falafel was ok, but not spectacular. Is this place just bad for brunch and worth trying for dinner? Shocked by the 4 star rating..
(2)
Sajuliet G.
I was sooooo excited to come here for the rave reviews and amazing chef! Unfortunately he apparently doesn't work on Saturdays... The food as mediocre to say the least, very dry chicken and not flavorful at all... Hopefully brunch will be better.. The brunch menu looks amazing whereas the reg menu was just ehhhh...
(2)
Ali K.
Come hungry. . . Actually, come starving. Every single time I've been here (at least a dozen), I've left wishing I could somehow eat just one more bite. Yes, it's that good. In fact, tbt, I love the food so much that on one occasion, I ate so excessively that I ripped my outfit. I had a hole the size of my fist in the rear (not seam) of my black fitted dress. Of course, the restaurant was buzzing with trendy patrons (a norm for MG) and our table was situated as far from the entrance as comically possible. I was mortified and swore I could never return to this foodie haven. . .Thankfully, my pride pales in comparison to my food lust. I went back that same week. With any luck, I'll be there later today...
(5)
K M.
We went once and will never return... Michael's gets great ratings, but we found this one of the most mediocre restaurants in Miami...way overpriced for the food one gets. What's more, the service was slow and the place extremely noisy. Miami is filled with excellent restaurants, but this one doesn't measure up, hype or no hype. There's a much better restaurant around the corner at Egg and Dart (also noisy, but frankly better food, except for the orzo floating in tomato sauce), but if you're doing Greek, you do even better at Kouzina, a few blocks south in Wynnwood.
(2)
Paul M.
We were finally able to check out the elusive brunch menu which is only available on Sundays. Having been here for dinner before the menu SEEMED pretty reasonably priced with savory items ranging from $7 - $13. However if it looks too good to be true then it definitely is. The savory items are small bites and it will take 2 or 3 per person to get a full meal. My favorite was the kimchi benedict, I could have eaten 4 of these. The pork belly and the kimchi hollandaise on a perfectly poached egg were absolutely delicious. My only complaint would be that this is a pretty small serving. The crispy hominy was also another surprise. It was like eating some well seasoned corn peanuts and was very addicting. The house made pop tarts also stood out and were pretty damn delicious. Been here for lunch and I can say that the Angus burger is delicious! Had it cooked Medium rare with vermont white cheese & house smoked bacon. It was cooked correctly, and the burger was very tasty. I would say the bacon was a little tough and you probably don't need it. Actually a pretty good deal for $11 (basic burger). Overall I would say that brunch was pretty good but I think Lunch and Dinner are much better. Definitely make a reservation for brunch as it tends to get very packed.
(4)
Jess W.
4.5 stars. If there was one restaurant I was really looking forward to trying in Miami, it was definitely Michael's Genuine Food & Drink...and I wasn't disappointed! What went in my belly: Crispy Pig Ears ($6) - a must order! I've eaten a lot of pig ears and these were easily the best I've had. Extra crispy and heavily seasoned with a cajun seasoning which made them so incredibly addictive. Loved 'em! Crispy Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly - with kimchi, crushed peanuts and paradise farms pea shoots ($13). It was crisp on top and melt-in-your-mouth tender on the bottom. I enjoyed the sweet and spicy sauce but felt it could've used a little bit more of a kick. It was a tasty and well-balanced dish with the accompanying kimchi slaw which helped balance out the fattiness and richness of the pork. Short Rib & Fontina Cheese Panini - grilled onions, arugula, heirloom tomato chutney ($16). ). I liked that they were very generous with the amount of cheese on the sandwich and the short ribs were wonderfully tender and packed full of flavour. A grilled cheese for grown ups! Banh Mi - country pate, crispy pork belly, pickled vegetables, sambal aioli and herbs ($14). Wow. Just wow. It was the best banh mi I've ever had! Who would've thought it'd come from Miami? While the short rib panini was delicious, this sandwich definitely stole the show. Florida Rock Shrimp Salad - with greens, avocado, papaya, pickled pearl onion, toasted macadamia, jade dressing ($18). The ingredients were incredibly fresh and the combination of all the components worked together perfectly. It's no banh mi, but as far as salads go, this was pretty darn good. Home Brew Sundae - malted caramel, housemade pretzels and marshmallows ($11). Today's ice cream was beer. You heard right...beer ice cream! I loved the layers of charred marshmallows in the sundae and the pretzels gave it a nice crunch and saltiness. The combination of the pretzels and malted caramel made it taste like salted caramel - one of my favourite things! Lemon Creamsicle Pot de Crème - buttermilk doughnuts, basil syrup and housemade ricotta ($10). Yet another dish that blew me away! The pot de crème was light, smooth and creamy and certainly did taste like a lemon creamsicle. The fresh doughnuts were perfect little fluffy bites which tasted ridiculous dipped in the pot de crème. Make sure you save room for the phenomenal desserts!
(4)
pracheta t.
We only had drinks here but it made me really want to come back for food. The outdoor seating area was lovely and the menu looked great. The rest of our party did stay for dinner and said that it was awesome.
(4)
Michele S.
I've eaten at MG three times. The first time it was OK., the second not great and the third terrible. Three strikes you're out. Waste of money and calories. Steak totally fatty, chicken barely cooked. Service was good and hostess very sweet.
(1)
Ben C.
WOWIE, WOWIE , WOW, WOW, WOW!!! What a unique culinary experience in such a beautiful setting and a great neighborhood. The idea of super fresh items your used to seeing on a menu, but prepared in a whole new way! Some items you must be a little adventurous for though, like the chili lime pig ears, yeah you heard me right! The food is fantastically simple, and yet surprisingly unique. Even the fresh cut and fried chips with onion dip is definitely something to desire, but be sure sure to save room for dessert. You wouldn't want to miss out on dessert!
(5)
Ashley K.
Bad reviews disappear because Michael's is just one of the yummy restaurants to be eaten at in this city! Cerviche (they use orange too, yum!) Double yolk egg (good but not different Crispy pork belly (wow and I don't even like pork belly) Short ribs (yum!) Pork shoulder (falls apart, so tender) Creamsicle pot de creme (it's a jelly donut deconstruction) Chocolate cinnamon pudding (the special)
(5)
Jacky L.
Came here for lunch on a Monday. The good and service were both very good. Must try the crispy pork ears!
(5)
Brad A.
We ate at the bar and their house beer wasn't very good (but I don't like citrus heavy beers). The bulletproof manhattan on the other hand was fantastic. We didn't get an entree but chose to opt for several small plates. We started with the chili wings which were cooked perfectly and the shrimp ceviche with avocado and papaya which was very fresh. The warm heirloom tomatoes roasted with pesto side then came out followed by the pork belly and rice cake made with chorizo and shrimp and topped with a fried egg. Everything was great and the bartenders were friendly. Service was a little slow and you had to get their attention but it also got really busy and they had a lot to handle so no real knocks there. Not in the top 3 places we ate in Miami, but very solid and great if you're in the design district.
(4)
Anette B.
Happy to come
(5)
Chef Leo P.
I only come here for happy hour and bites!, but is very casual and hip, i like the bar and the cool decor, the beer and wine selection is pretty clever! You get to drink a nice glass of wine for 1/2 off from 5pm till 6:30pm. I always order the Pinot Noir from Oregon is "sound" and well balance. If you looking for a nice happy hour. This is the place to go! Then you can go to "Harrys Pizza" around the corner, own by them too.
(4)
Kara T.
So I wrote about my drinks in my checkin. The food was nice. It wasn't the heavy, dragging food that yardbird and swine serve. Beet salad, double yolk flavored with roasted tomato, rock shrimp, and my favorite, the duck rillette. Definitely get this. I was skeptical when it came to the table but it was my favorite, although I loved the roasted tomatoes in the egg. The rock shrimp comes on a biscuit and the plate was a bit bready. The beets didn't disappoint. I'll come back for dinner... And drinks at the bar with the eager, genuine bartenders.
Michael's Genuine was at the top of my list on this visit to Miami over Christmas. We raced from Key West to make it there in time for Sunday Brunch. The restaurant was super crowded. We had made a reservation on Opentable and were seated quickly al fresco. The outdoors seating was nice. I liked the fresh air and people-watching. The waiter asked if it was our first time there and went on to explain about the restaurant and its concept. He said Chef Michael wanted it to be California-Mediterranean inspired and scaled down the Sunday Brunch portions to tasting size to make it more affordable. Was it just me or was I made to feel like we were these poor people privileged enough to dine at this fine restaurant? Since we were "warned" about the portion, we ended up ordering a multitude of dishes. Here are the hits and misses: HITS: Beet and heirloom (cherry) tomato salad. Nice contrast in flavors and textures. The hearts of palm made the salad extra special. Breakfast pizza. Who doesn't like eggs and cheese on bread? Ginger-lemongrass soda. Nice subtle flavors. Not too sweet. I can probably make this at home though. NEUTRAL: Pop-t's. This was the item that we gave up the afternoon in Key West and raced back to Miami for. It was good but not as spectacular as I had imagined. MISSES: Wood oven roasted double yolk egg. The egg was overpowered by the saltiness of the gruyere. Breakfast sausage patties. Chunks of chewy fat. Thick-cut potato chips with pan-fried onion dip. Greasy chips with so-so dip. Nothing special. This was not a good start for our dining experience in Miami. I was "genuinely" disappointed. Miami, however, did redeem itself with our next brunch at La Gloutonnerie in SoBe. Bon appetit!
(3)
Kamal H.
Place is a solid go to power lunch place. My only downside there is so many pork dishes. Service is great. The farm to table concept at it finest in miami
(4)
Alina N.
Food was good, but too expensive for what it was!
(2)
Alfred G.
Went on a Tuesday night expecting to find the place empty. Was rather surprised to see that the place was full with good energy. Simply put, all the dishes are great. The appetizers are by far the best items on the menu. The pork belly and fish-shrimp ceviche will make your head spin. Absolutely outstanding!!
(4)
Michael M.
Ordered pig ears, pork bellies, short ribs, lamb, and cheese grits. All were divine. I also loved the home brew beer that accompanied the meal. We haven't ordered dessert yet, but I have a feeling this will end up being one of my favorite meals ever.
(5)
Barry G.
We stopped in for an earlier lunch and were seated immediately. Very welcomed ice water was served in wonderful glasses. We ordered the battered anapper sandwich and a falafel wrap. The snapper was moist and flavorful. Their french fries were a great touch. The staff was very friendly and attentive. Their oysters looked delicious and I will try them the next time.
(4)
Mario P.
Was here for my birthday. The dinner was good. The entrees were not great, but good. The desserts were good. I like the menu for brunch, but I haven't tried it yet.
(3)
Trang V.
This place had friendly customer service and a good variety of dishes on their menu. They had small, medium, large and x-large dishes which gives you a broader choice of food portions. We ordered a lot of different items and shared. The crispy spicy and sweet pork belly was delish with the side of kimchi. The country pate and stracciatella were tasty appetizers. The slow roasted pork shoulder was dry and lacked flavor but everything else was great.
(4)
Beth W.
The brunch is served family style, so they are smaller portions. Not a fan of the family style. However, the brown butter waffles with peaches and cream were delicious, as was the bacon which was thicker cut.
(3)
May N.
My friend took me to the Design District for my first meal. This was a place I'd read about and she'd been trying to go for months. We showed up early on a Thursday early evening. All reservations were taken, but we were able to sit at the bar. Just missed happy hour, too. It ends at 6:30 here, which is ridiculously early, but I guess they don't need the business. I got the crispy sweet and spicy pork belly. It was served with a sprinkling of crushed peanuts on top and a slaw on the side with cabbage and onion. The menu called it kimchi, but I thought it was more Viet in nature. The pork belly was delicious with the crispy skin and fatty texture. I'm not sure where the "spicy" was because I like my spice level at least hot and didn't notice much heat. Also, I ordered the brussel sprouts side. Coming off the holidays, I'm used to sweet brussel sprouts, but these seemed oven roasted with a light sprinkle of lemon juice and had some pancetta bits. My friend got the the butter lettuce salad with the roasted cauliflower side. The cauliflower was doused in a parsley sauce so at first I thought they'd given us broccoli. I was struck by how clean and simple the tastes were. Guess that fits with the "genuine food" in their name. Service was good. Our bartender/waiter took care of us noobs to their restaurant. They were very busy so you should definitely make reservations if you want a table. Their happy hour is from 4:30-6:30. They do accept credit cards.
(4)
Damian A.
Michael, Michael, Michael. This guy works miracles. He has several places in Miami and they are all top-notch. This may be his best. The ever changing menu is perfect for his skills. Every visit procures some risk taking. But in Michael I trust. I can't single out a particular dish because, well, it may no longer be available on your visit. Just go and trust his selection. You can taste the freshness in the ingredients. The combination of flavors are flawless. The ambiance and staff are more than welcoming. Our server (Daniel) was the perfect mix of attentive, quick and short when he would appear. He really allowed the experience to take control of the night. Which when it comes down to MGFD is the best way to experience it.
(5)
Mike K.
Pros: Food. Octopus appetizer was meaty ( maybe a tad overpriced, but not outlandish). I had the pork shoulder and the serving portion was huge. Took half of it home. Parsley sauce was good. Wife had the cobia which she said was excellent. Also had sides of Brussels and fingerlings and split the peanut butter bar dessert (awesome). Overall great eating. Service. Waiter was super friendly and knowledgable. He disappeared a couple times but I think it was because they also had him on some tables outside. Cons- it is very noisy and cramped. Unfortunately we wound up next to some stuck up girl who spent half the time complaining that her parents weren't going up pay her rent anymore when she graduated college and 'how am I going to live on a starting salary of $50k.' Oh Miami... Also had to wait 25 minutes despite making a reservation. And I wish they had more beers on tap. But that's just being nitpicky Wound up with a $115 bill for 2 people. But we expected that. Food was worth it though.
(4)
Eric S.
great food, great ambiance, service is outstanding as usual
(4)
Tricia K.
I've been dying to go to Michael's Genuine because everyone has told me how good it is. It took us 5 days to get a reservation but we finally got a table. For starters we had the deviled eggs, the potato chips, the chicken pate, the crispy pig ears, the pork belly and the mussels. I wasn't impressed with the deviled eggs, the pate, the potato chips or the pig ears (which were too salty). I would order the mussels and the pork belly again but I've had better elsewhere. Now to the entrees... We had the short ribs, the duck confit and the 1/2 chicken with the brussel sprouts and the cauliflower as sides. The short ribs were tender and my sister-in-law said that the duck confit was the best she has ever had. However, the 1/2 chicken was my favorite! I never order chicken at a restaurant (except maybe a Chinese/Thai restaurant) but it was recommended by the host and I am so glad that I ordered it. It was moist yet crispy at the same time. Delicious! For dessert, we ordered the tangerine pot de creme and the chocolate consume. Don't let the salt in the description keep you from ordering the chocolate consume - it's good. Overall, the restaurant is a bit pricey but good.
(3)
D M.
This place was really neat . We came here for brunch it was recommended by a friend and I'm glad we did . The area is nice looks like we are in a more expensive side of town very clean and hip place . We got the lemon ricotta pancakes they were really good yet pretty tiny as well . We also got the kimchi Benedict no pork this was different never had kimchi before it was worth s try I liked it and I usually don't like new things . We also got the breakfast pizza which was a palate of personal pizza with egg in middle it was pretty good . The last thing we had was stracciatella which was pretty much tomatoes and cheese the tomatoes tasted like they were from the garden it was very good. I got the home made soda cherry Rosemary tasted like cherry cough syrup. Don't get it . The service here was great. Parking is convenient as there is valet . I give it three stars because portions are so small you could possibly by all that pay a lot and still be hungry leaving . Overall one of the better places to eat in Miami . I'm starting to think these people don't care about food much as I haven't lovedddd anything yet. Ps turns out its allies miami designer district .
(3)
Brenda P.
Really, really, really, really, GOOD! Arrived for an 8pm reservation and got seated right away. Looking around, I was surprised considering every single table seemed to be taken. We sat in the side room which is not as nice as outside or the main room but certainly quieter. It was really loud in the main one and a little too hot outside and it's not even April yet! At first we were overwhelmed by the choices and their descriptions. Not sure why, but we were. We opted to choose a bunch of stuff to share and that was the best decision of all. We had: Appetizer: Ceviche and the Crispy pig ear salad. The ceviche was outstanding. We could have easily drank what was left out of the bowl like soup. The crispy pig ear salad was also very good until we started talking about what we were having. So wrong but yet so good. At this rate, I will never go back to being a vegetarian! (was one for about 4 years) The ears were heavy on cumin and paprika but I loved it. We also had the "cheese of the week" which was Italian Trugole. Perhaps the best cheese I have ever had and I LOVE cheese. Main: Wood oven pizza which had lamb, tomatoes, fennel, mozarella and onions. The shortrib which was perfect, just perfect. The creek farms pork which I can't even find words to describe because it was THAT good. Last but not least in any way, shape or form is the crispy rice cake. Holy goodness! Chorizo, rock shrimp, manchego aioli toppped with a fried egg. I can have that every day of my life! Try me! As if all of that was not enough, we saved room for dessert. We really did! We ordered the popcorn and peanuts which is a chocolate peanut butter candy bar and buttered popcorn ice cream. Second, the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme. Just roll me over now why don't cha? s.e.r.i.o.u.s.l.y.a.m.a.z.i.n.g. it comes with these doughnuts and a jam. Last was the candies, cookies and confections platter. R.I.D.I.C.U.L.O.U.S. (in a good way ) I would like to remind everyone at this point that we were sharing all of this between four people. We are not glutons...ok, we are, maybe a little bit but we DID share I swear! If you have not been yet, RUN! I am already craving it and it has not even been 24 hours since I was there! UPDATE: Have been back again for dinner and also their fabulous brunch. Complete updated review coming soon.
(5)
Jennifer W.
I love being able to eat outdoors in a casual setting and eat great food. This is a place to do both. The service is attentive, but not hovering nor pressuring to order/eat rapidly. We had the cheese of the week platter, mussels and octopus, all of which were delicious. The octopus was so tender!
(4)
Max J.
I love MGFD, I'm there almost every week.
(5)
Jackie S.
One of my favorite repeat offenders! My last visit to Michael's proved that sometimes you just have to pay a little extra for stellar food and service. It's a ll gravy @ Michael's! I love the staff here! Everyone does there job quickly and with a smile. My glass is never empty, my table is never dirty, clean silverware always arrives before the next course begins and I never have to struggle to find my waiter. HUGE points in my book! PLUS the food is incredible! This time I not only indulged in the usual suspects, i also opted for desert. Popcorn and peanuts....Wowwwyyyy! I was expecting...I don't even know what i was expecting... but this little Trio of heaven was divine. If I could describe it I would but I fear that I would not do Ms. Goldsmith justice. All I can say is that I highly recommend that you leave just a little room for dessert.
(5)
Monica B.
Was invited to a birthday dinner with my best friend. I heard soo many things about this place & the famous Chef himself that I was giddy with excitement. Especially since I'm such a foodie. CockTails were really fabulous (that alone is 3 stars) service was good, but the restaurant inside is a bit small & you feel like your table is way too close to the next group. Thank God my friend made reservations, the place was packed. You have to valet park so bring cash. I didn't see a garage to walk to the place. The appetizers were good, my salad was beyond tiny & lacking. My friends seafood plate was ok, but for the cost if the meal & all the hoopla, would I go back? Probably not. As a vegetarian/almost vegan they really didn't have anything to offer either so just not veggie friendly in case you have anyone with that lifestyle. I think a name alone doesn't deserve to carry a whole restaurant to stardom. They better get their stuff straight because that area has a lot of awesome places that are doing bigger & better things. Plus the pretentious vibe & clientele is not my cup of tea. Just sayin'
(3)
Debbie H.
I went to Michael's Genuine in early June.... And I haven't stopped talking about it since. I can assure you that my feelings are authentic and have not been influenced by the hype that surrounds this cult like following for everything that Michael Schwartz touches along with pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith. We scheduled lunch reservations same day mid-week and were immediately seated upon arrival. I'm not big on this latest trend to have people sitting almost cafeteria style next to guests you don't even know. Are they trying to maximize space? Or is there some sort of idea that we all want to be more of a community while paying top dollar to dine with sophisticated food done simply well. That said, luckily we had some fun people next to us that we made friends with :-) I ordered a special appetizer of sashimi style tuna with red chili peppers. It was a nice introduction into the style of the food. Fresh, farm to table simple ingredients done to perfection. I say this because since then I have tried variations of this dish at other restaurants with far less satisfaction in return. My friend ordered the homemade chili with fresh heirloom tomatoes. She used bread to scrape the bowl to finish any remnants of that magical dish. After all, who would want to leave a single drop of this to waste?! I had the Spicy Grilled Beef Salad. Yay, kimchee in my salad with the most tender and tasty beef. There hasn't been a day that has gone by since that perfect visit that I haven't plotted my return. Sunday brunch is next on the list. I don't need to tell you to go since you probably already have this on your list if you haven't already gone yet. I confirm the hype; it really is all that!
(5)
David C.
Are perfect place for business and a well earned break. MG is a gem for fresh seasonal food and outdoor seating. The kitschy mid century architecture and abundant outdoor greenery combine into a Miami cuisine must! We don't eat meat but we hear the spicy pork belly is CRAZY good!
(4)
M S.
This was our first visit to this restaurant and unfortunately we were not pleased. For starters our table was very small for a party of six, but we managed. Our food came out at different intervals so some of us were done with our meal before the rest of our party was served. Two of the entrees were served cold and had to be returned for reheating. Although the staff tried to make things better, you can't really change the fact that we all had our dinner at different times. To make matters worse, you would think that they would not automatically add a 20% gratuity ... Really??? On the plus side; the food was tasty but not Wow; the management gave us a small discount for our troubles and threw in a group dessert. Would I return? Probably not.
(2)
Angel L.
I had high expectation for this place. The food was just ok, nothing special.
(3)
Carla D.
This has got to be my favorite restaurant in Miami by far. I have been to Michael's countless times before and every time I've had amazing meals. Wether it's brunch, lunch or dinner, food here is so flavorful, and the ingredients are so fresh. This restaurant embodies the true meaning of 'farm to table.' The service is great; the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and always on top of their game. Their wine list is fantastic, with great 'by the glass' selections. Last but not least, their desserts are absolutely delicious and the options are always changing; a perfect way to end a great meal. There isn't a dish that I've ever been disappointed with, ever. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Miami.
(5)
Thomas P.
quality has been consistent. great place. my favorite cheeseburger in miami.
(5)
Camille K.
My family and I were looking for a nice restaurant to spend a Sunday night. The restaurant has valet service, which made parking easy although at a cost. We arrived a few minutes after the restaurant just opened, and there were already several tables taken. Over the course of the evening, the restaurant became busier and busier; so busy that it seemed necessary to make a reservation. The service was friendly, personable, quick, and attentive. A definite five stars for the service. The ambiance was fantastic, another five stars as well. They have a great outside area, although lacking a view, a trend-setting main dining area, a well-kept bar, and a relaxing back dining room. The food was amazing. The menu is very interesting, there is a wide range of food from comfort, to seafood, italian, middle eastern, and french! They organized the menu as small, medium, large, and extra-large servings. I got the beet and tomato salad with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. The salad was amazing, however the mashed potatoes could have had more garlic. For dessert, I got the pecan pie. It was delicious. The only reason I gave it four starts was the price. Very expensive. I would pay attention to the prices of each item you order. I definitely reccomend trying out this resturant. It is in a great area and is a must try.
(4)
sue a.
food good to so-so. had new york strip with a peppercorn sauce ,excellent, cooked perfectly nice sauce. the plate was so small i could barely cut my steak, and when i did the sauce splashed on the table and myself, annoying and cramped. my husband had the pork shoulder or butt whatever you prefer to call it. it was served on a medium sized plate, larger than mine with about the same portion but no sauce to splash about. the pork was shredded and formed into a dry meat square of dull. oven roasted veggies , excellent. potatoes , excellent. appetizer ok, tasted like trail mix, not impressed. desert bread pudding good and fresh, but not great, for 10.50 i want great. service , excellent. hostess , excellent. atmosphere , ok , a bit dark like to see what im eating at night. at the price point i was disappointed food felt more chain like then interesting and gourmet. .
(2)
Lianna S.
My boyfriend had this reservation booked for 2 months before we arrived in Miami based on Anthony Bourdaine's layover episode. Yes, we plan food along with our vacations. Bottom line, it was his favorite restaurant we ate at in Miami. It was my second, but only because we have places like this in San Diego, although maybe not as good. If I could only eat at one place in Miami, for me it would be Jimmy'z sheerly for the culture experience. However, I must give Michael's 5 stars because it was that good. I love their seasonal and local philosophy. We had so much food and it was all so good. The char grilled octopus appetizer was unique and delicious, the crispy rice cake with rock shrimp and manchego was great, and the burrata with heirloom tomatoes was the best I've had. We also shared a wood fire pizza and pork shoulder, a bottle of pinot noir handpicked by the house sommelier and the special pie in a jar for desert. I know we're pigs. But it was worth it.
(5)
M M.
Really good food/Well made cocktails as well. Location is on the up and up. I usually get a few different smaller plates and my wife and I share deserts. Chicken wings were pretty good.
(4)
A P.
Hadn't been back for a while, but was disappointed at lunch. Waiter service was substandard. Never checked our water bottle even though it was empty for a long time. Burrata special was oversalted and overpriced ($20). My favorite short rib pannini shrunk in size!! Asked for salad, but it arrived with fries. Returned fries but never got the salad. After the staff had cleaned the table, our waiter finally showed up and offered to bring the salad. too late! He tried to make up with a two small cookies. They were'nt even that busy. Micheal, sounds like you need to check on things (know you're busy with new places) or get a better manager!
(2)
Florida G.
One word: yuppity. I guess that's what you'll get in a design/fashion district. This place has topped my MIA-area food must try list with stars next to it for a few years now. On a recent trip down from Boca, I dined for lunch with some friends. Upon arrival at 11:45 a.m. with a reservation, the restaurant was maybe a 1/4 full at best. It was early. We had a reservation. And the total douche of a host didn't bother to ask whether we'd like to sit inside or outside, but instead just walked us out. We wanted outside, but ask first! We passed several ideal tables with umbrellas, but were instead seated at an outlying table, away from all the others. It was like a last-minute, throw this table out there in the courtyard kinda deal. Upon requesting to sit at one of the several other tables, the guy looks around for 10 seconds and says "Uhhh, those are held for other reservations". Give me a $@**@(^% break buddy!!!!! What about our reservation? We are here; they are not. It's early, and you're not nearly at capacity. The umbrella that was set up at our table didn't fully cover the table and was bothersome to some of our eyes. So, we once again requested to be moved due to the sunlight and without hesitation, Mr. Yuppity reseated us at one of the much better tables. Why not just sit us there the first time?! If he refused, we would have walked out. Waiter was professional, but assumed we were "visiting" with an education on stone crab season. How about asking if we're familiar first? We live up the road and dine at Joe's - the ultimate stone crab experience - quite frequently. The burger which was ordered medium was overcooked to a medium well/well, but at least it was somewhat juicy. It tasted good, but not the best by any stretch of the word. The angus beef is a cheap move, and surprising that a place like this wouldn't use kobe or short rib, at least partially. The fries were good. For the price point, you'd expect a bit better. I've only heard RAVE reviews about Michael's Genuine, so I am pretty disappointed to have walked a way with a mediocre experience. I wold be interested in possibly returning for dinner and sampling some of the other menu items. Note to owner/manager: you have a nice restaurant, but your staff needs some basic people/hospitality training, and your burger can use a kick with a better quality meat and cooked to how it is ordered.
(3)
Carolina M.
I won't give it 5 stars due to the service. The food was amazing indeed. We had a bottle wine and they do have a good selection of wines and cocktails The food was very well prepared, amazing combination of flavors and ingredients in an unexpected manner that makes it just work. It was pure food-gasm! We had the pork belly (which i did not try but i was told it was a 10), the eggplant with almonds, the burrata (out of control), the short ribs, the ceviche, the cauliflower with basil sauce and a dessert that was like a donuts with a delicious creme and black currant compote (i forget the name.) All was amazing. It was really packed for a Monday night and that to me is a good sign. Everything was almost perfect except for our waiter, Ryan, he seemed like he'd rather be anywhere else than there, he was not friendly or attentive and a couple of items we ordered he forgot to bring out, but when the bill came they were still on there. I pointed it out to him and he just said he forgot to take it off, maybe he did, but after the bad service we did not believe him. I will give it another try and maybe next time i will have better service with another waiter, if he food was not that good i would never go back. I will post a second review the next time around. Do try it.
(4)
Lewis K.
The restaurant is great if you can get in and are treated respectfully. A man named Maurice that is generally the host one of the worst people ever to be running a restaurant universally known he's horrible.
(3)
Vanja B.
This place has excellent food and service! Pork was phenomenal! Coconut ceviche is very different and interesting. Desserts are amazing! If you're foodie like me, I highly recommend!
(5)
Troy C.
Always good but menu hasn't changed in a year
(4)
Ms. C.
I have been frequenting Michael's Genuine since the second week it was open and have never been disappointed. There was a time when I stopped going due to the long waits for a table but the flood soon settled and things are back to normal. I am a happy patron of everything Genuine Group. Everything that Michael touches turns to gold. Congrats!
(5)
Mauikai D.
Even after dinning at some of the best restaurants all over France, Michael's remains my all-time favourite place to have an incredible lunch or dinner with the most passionate servers and hosts on the planet! Dishes are always perfectly balanced, extremely tasty and unforgettable! Michael Shcwartz and Hedy Goldsmith are a KILLER team! Come early for dinner and try THE best Wood Oven Roasted Snapper to share with someone you love! The Rock Shrimp salad for lunch is a perfect way to spend your midday pause in hot & humid Miami. I can't say enough good things about this place :-)
(5)
Tram D.
A bit on the pricey side but not too bad. We tried crunchy pig ears and grilled octopus for appetizer, and shared entrees snapper and duck confit (so funny we pronounced it wrong and the waitress corrected us). The pig ears were yummy but I wouldn't try it again, trying to stay away from fat and grease. The chicken liver comes in even smaller portion for appetizer so I would try that next time for appetizer. Duck confit was taken on a different approach but similar to that in New Orleans, excellent dish.
(5)
eglys h.
No matter how many times we go here, we always find ourselves enjoying a delicious meal. Do have to say, it can quickly get expensive and the motto when eating here should be, its not about the quantity is about the quality. Servings can be small. But each and every morsel is filled of powerful flavor wihch will linger in the memory of your tastebuds for days to come. Fills you with that urge of wanting just a bit more!!! Porkbelly - this darn dish is so delicioius. Portion sure it can be split between two but why do this to yourself!! The crispy piece of pork cooked to perfection on top of a delicious slaw... From the first bite your mind starts to wonder, should I order a second? We have had pork belly at many different restaurants and none have compared to this one... It still rings King for us!!! Cheese Plate of day - it is usually $10 and it is very small - but if you happen to have been a rat in a previous life, this is sure to please. We have had sharp, creamy, raw a different experience each time and all amazing. Short Ribs, Lamp Chop, Heirloom Tomatoes, Desserts - You can be assured that each and every dish is made with the freshest local ingredients, full care of the chef and full of flavor... One of the down things of this place is DECISIONS, DECISIONS.... You may end up wanting to try everything.......Narrowing down may be tuff, but any choice I am sure will be generously enjoyed....
(5)
Rosario P.
My fiance and I went to Michael's to celebrate our 3 year anniversary and it was perfect. The dimmed lighting makes it a perfect spot for a romantic date. We had reservations and were seated right away. We sat in a table for four (4) and had to share it with another couple. This was not a problem, the couple sitting next to us was very polite. We ordered the a bottle of wine and it was delicious - they have a really good wine selection. We then ordered devil eggs, porkbelly and ceviche. At first I was a bit skeptical about the porkbelly, I'm not a huge fan of fat. But my fiance had heard wonderul things about it and I decided to try it. Im SO glad I did! It was cooked perfectly! The ceviche was AMAZING. It had chunks of mango, which gave it a very unique and tropical taste. Probably one of the best ceviches i've had in Miami. For dessert we ordered a tangerine creamsicle. It was very very good. We did not order entrees because we were so stuffed from the appetizers and wine, and we did not want to miss dessert. We will going back soon to try out some of the entrees.
(5)
Dan S.
Tiny plates, big price tag. This is what I've learned from eating around Midtown. Anytime anyone says "this is tapas style" what they mean is we sell tiny plates and if you share it you will only have one bite. And what you should do when they say it is tapas style is get up and walk away. These places don't know anything about tapas. First of all tapas are meant to be free or less than $3; a tapa is the stupid bread and butter they give you at cheesecake factory when you sit down! The plates that are meant for sharing are called raciones and they tend to be BIG and delicious. I went for brunch. The food was alright. I wasn't expecting to be blown away but I was not even impressed. The thing that impressed me the most was the bitchy face of my waiter and the passion fruit soda (it was actually made from fresh passion fruit). The falafel were all parsley and no chickpeas, meh. The bread what came with the country pate was burned but I didn't notice until I was eating it because they put the burnt side facing down, haha they are so clever. What else?? $2 for two slices of bread! TWO SLICES OF BREAD! They only have two bathrooms, one stall each. This must be some sort of code violation because they sit way too many people for such little bathroom space. But at least it was clean??
(2)
Lee G.
Pretty damn good. Been under impressed with miami cooking so far but this was much better. Maybe cos it was more like the NY cooking I'm used to. Group of eight. They lets us chat and drink and didn't rush us. Menu was good different size plates for different appetites you can even share ( but my would you? ). Convinced us to get the bites. Don't bother. Pigs ears where over cooked ash tasting non events. Cerviche was excellent and was the octopus. Entrees were excellent short rib was delicious cauliflower went perfectly with it. Pork with a spiced apple compote was excellent . Deserts were ordinary. Wine was great but pricey. Atmosphere was great. V buzzy, lots of different people. Got more dressy as evening progressed. .you can eat at the bar which looked great. Two small rooms o atmosphere was cozy. I found the service a bit strange lots of words but not much content.
(4)
Jessy T.
Delicious spot with awesome service. Our waiter was attentive and on point. The service is quick. Food is delicious. The pork belly is amazing! Short ribs melts in your mouth. And the doughnuts are heaven. This place is a must try.
(5)
Tony A.
This is my favorite restaurant in the city and perhaps my favorite restaurant anywhere. I can't even begin to tell you about all the great dishes I love here. The food is well crafted, creative, and not hoytie toytie. I love that it's relevant and substantial and just good. The service is always excellent, and this place is a special place to me as I proposed to my wife there. Desserts are great here. As great as Michael is, Hedy Goldsmith, pastry chef extraordinaire, might technically be the best chef in the building. Her desserts are masterful. I'm not even a big dessert guy, but a trip to MIchael's is not complete without the desserts. I think the greatest thing about Michael's is the value. While it's not inexpensive, considering the tremendous quality of the food, you can easily spend a lot more at other places which are not nearly as good. I would give this place six stars if I could.
(5)
Seb W.
There is a lot of hype to this place. I do enjoy Michael's, I think the food is GOOD. I don't think its anything out of this world. I think what really puts this place on a high level, is perhaps its consistency. That is most likely what gives this place such staying power. I am a fan of that. I usually have the burger, I know, hard to screw up, but it is a good burger and its the same everytime. The cocktails are also very tasty. I usually go here before I go shooting down at Lock and Load Miami.
I really like this place. We decided to sit outside and enjoy the weather. Immediately we were offered water and drinks. They don't do daily specials because, as explained by our server, their menu changes every day. They divide their menu in Small, Medium, Large, and XLarge servings. They also have a snacks portion on the menu and sides. Since we were sharing we decided to order some smaller plates. Started with the potato and leak soup, then the sweet and spicy pork belly, and the pears. Everything was delicious, and enough for both of us but still room for dessert, which is the main reason I came here. I had seen (my favorite) Iron Chef Symom talk about the Peanut and Popcorn dessert with chocolate and popcorn ice-cream. I loved the sweet and salty mix it has. I would order it again without thinking it twice. We also had the Apple dessert - brioche bread filled with Dulce de Leche, nuts, apples and some cheese with a side of caramel and whip cream. Also delicious. The server was helpful when recommending and explaining the menu, and food came out fast. Would love to go again and try something else from their daily menu, based on today's experience it should be another good meal.
(5)
SR M.
I had high hopes for this place but it just wasn't that great. We went for lunch on a Saturday so I can't speak for their brunch. We all got paninis and the crispy pig ears. The ears were nice and crunchy but it lacked flavor. Not sure what I was expecting I guess. My rib meat panting was just to crunchy. The sandwich itself lacked flavor. My friends all felt the same. Maybe it was an off day for them but none of us finished our sandwiches and we were all starving before we got there. I'd try them again but will only to try their brunch menu.
(2)
Chris Y.
Good food, menu is full of fresh local ingredients that come together to form great plates. Service was good and restaurant is simply decorated but creates a nice vibe. Pork belly dish is awesome!
(4)
Marci L.
Always delicious
(5)
Rachael H.
Finally came here after seeing that Michael's Genuine was featured I believe twice on The Best Thing I Ever Ate dessert edition. I started of with the Pig's head with homemade mustard. Wow....oh wow. I could've had 4 more orders of that & called it a night. The mustard was so rustic, but so amazing. After that came the Crispy Rice Cake. I can't say it was life changing. It was alright. The fried egg was a nice touch. Not a fan of green peppers and you definitely tasted the green peppers. For dessert, I had this peanu butter, banana, & bacon panini. I have to admit, I almost cried when it came to the table. I'm food day dreaming just thinking about it. If you have children, you may love this more than them. If you are about to graduate, graduation day will come as a close second in the day that ar most memorable to you after the day you try this. It really is the best dessert I have ever had in my life. As far as seating & service, go with your bubble of personal space already popped. You will practically be sitting in the lap of the people next to you. Service could also be quicker, but the bacon panini is worth it.
(4)
JoAnna L.
My girlfriend and I went on a Thursday afternoon around 1. The hostess was really nice as were all of the waitstaff. The place was packed, however we didn't have to wait for a table. I was expecting it to be crowded, noisy, and small. However, they sat my friend and I right next to two other women. When they were leaving we had to get up to let them out because they were basically cornered in. After they left I figured they wouldn't sit anybody else at that table because how do you ask somebody who is eating to get up so someone else can sit next to you in a booth. Well, I was wrong. about half way through our meal, as my friend was chewing her food, the hostess politely asked her to get up so someone else could sit in the corner booth. This, in my book is unacceptable, especially for the prices they charge. Onto the food: The homemade potato chips tasted burnt to me. We didn't enjoy them, the dip however was amazing. The shrimp sandwich tasted a little fishy to me and my friend thought it was too salty. I liked the saltiness of it though. The felafal sandwich was really good! and served with a delicious sauce. The fries were really good as well. The highlight of the meal were the cocktails (something with watermelon?) and the dessert (passion fruit pot de creme). The cocktails were amazing and the dessert was delicious. Would I go back? Yes. I'm pissed about the table situation but some of the food was really good. I want to go back and try their brunch with my husband. $3 valet is very reasonable.
(3)
Jason C.
So I was pretty excited about hitting this for lunch today. Great vibe lots of people. Went with a party of four. Had pig ears and chips to start. Pig ears were average. Chips with dip okay. Had the short rib panini which was dried out. Nick server was great.
(3)
Nancy L.
In post dinner bliss after another great meal at Michael's. If you are a food lover and in Miami you need to experience a great meal here. It's even better if you can go with friends or colleagues that are willing to share a number of dishes since everything is so good you'll be jealous of what others have on their plates. The service team was attentive, helpful with suggestions and anticipated our needs before we knew we had them. We really dove into the menu starting with a couple 'Snacks' - the Crispy Hominy was good but probably the only item I wouldn't order again- the texture was nice but the flavor wasn't as delightful as the other dishes. Even the olives we ordered were wonderful. I shocked myself tonight as I have now forsaken my life's love, Barrata, for their Stracciatella. They paired this divine creamy soft strands of mozzarella cheese with flavorful heirloom tomatoes. Well it's probably unfair to say I've totally forsaken Barrata as Stracciatella is what is inside the heart of a ball of Barrata. The house made linguine was a great twist on carbonara. The fresh pasta was cooked al dente and tossed with piave vecchio cheese, yummy house smoked bacon and a bit richness with the poached duck egg yolk. Totally cravable. The greek farro salad is a nice small starter. Flavorful and chewy farro is seasoned and paired with salty french feta. The leg of lamb with a lovely cucumber and peach salad and greek yogurt on top of it. The meat was tender and didn't taste gamey like some lamb dishes can be. The Poulet Rough chicken with orange and olives was tender and flavorful - if you like chicken try this - it's roasted with great flavor and juiciness. The wood oven roasted long beans had a suprising texture - they weren't crisp like some green beens are - it had an unexpected flavor and texture.. The best way to describe it was similar to what I'd expect roasted green onions to taste like. Desert - ah yes dessert!!! The passion fruit Pot Du Creme was the table favorite and we fought over the two little coconut donuts that were clearly just made. Who needs crispy cream? One of the all time best donuts I've ever eaten! Yummy!!!!! The menu at Michael's changes often and they use fresh local food. But even if the items I mentioned on the menu aren't there don't fret - you are in good hands and anything you order will be great.
(5)
Jonah K.
This place is awesome, I have been for lunch twice (in one week) and I can't wait to go back. There is no doubt why this establishment is on the top of most lists in Miami. Just about everything here is amazing. The burrata was superb, as were some of the sandwiches. Service is great, and the space is nice, but not too done up. Overall A+ and I will come back again.
(5)
Cindy K.
Make a reservation! Busy place. Super awesome service. Food was great. Not the BEST..but nothing to complain about. Had lunch. Pulled pork sandwich, short rib Sand, and cheeseburger. Appitizers were civeche, chicken wings, pork belly. Everything was good- nothing spectacular. Area is nice. Validation rules!! 3 bucks!!
(4)
Ricardo D.
One of my favorite spots in Miami, the menu is always spectacular and the service top quality,
(5)
Javier Z.
Decent food. Unique menu. Nice atmosphere. Not out of this world but worth checking out.
(3)
Ryna D.
Foodgasmic experiences await for you here! I heard of Michael's from the travel mag I subscribe to called AFAR. And add to that a stellar review from a fellow Yelper in NY and I knew I had to come here. So on my first night in Miami when my friend and I were deciding where to have dinner I suggested Michael's since she's yet to try it as well. It's located in the fashionable design district so it's a great location for brunch as well. We sat outside since the weather was great and met Thorp, our waiter for the night. He was excellent and just for him the service gets 5 stars. I love it when the staff is equally passionate about the food they're serving. He answered our questions well and did some great sales pitch but it didn't feel like he was telling us what to order or not order. The menu format comes in small shareable plates to large and extra large dishes. Since it was just the two of us we stayed within the small & medium category. We had the Cobia ceviche - delicious, fresh, 4 stars; the oven roasted double egg yolk - simple comfort food, yummy but would be better for brunch, 3.5 stars; the burrata - OMG divine! It's so fresh and creamy and paired with a simple salad of tomatoes and basil. 5 stars! We also had the crispy rice cake - unique, simple but tasty, 4.5 stars; and the crispy pig ears - think chicharron with less fat, 4 stars. For dessert we shared the confections, candies, and cookies platter. OH MY GOSH! Pastry chef Hedy is a genius! What better compliment to Chef Michael's simple but refined dishes than house made versions of confections that we're all familiar with? I swear, my friend and I kept gasping the surrounding tables probably thought we were weird. It's a rotating selection of Chef Michael and Hedy's favorite things according to Thorp. Refer to the picture I posted but we got house made Oreo, Snickers, girls scout Samoa cookie, cookies and cream, cappuccino shortbread, gelees, peanut brittle and so on and so forth! Every single one of them were so good that figuring out which one was our favorite was pointless. Personally I don't even think I can eat a regular Oreo cookie anymore after Chef Hedy's version! That dessert platter was beyond 5 stars! For drinks they have some really good cocktails - my friend's passion fruit caipirinha was made with fresh passion fruit! And they have an excellent wine list. Our total bill came to $90 each with tax and tip. Yeah, it's not cheap but that's with wine on the $18 range and the food is absolutely of top notch quality. They are serious with sourcing their food here. It's a philosophy. So go check out Michael's when you're in Miami!
(5)
Nicole L.
After hearing about how amazing Michael's was for years, I finally had to try it out for myself. I went in for Sunday brunch with my boyfriend, and his grandmother. The servers were great from the beginning as we sat outside and they made sure to move the umbrellas to provide us with shade. A nice touch was when I went to the bathroom, my party had switched to a table that provided more shade, and as I was leaving the bathroom the hostess pointed out where they had moved. The service is great, the servers are very knowledgeable and professional. We started out with some house squeezed juices and tried the lemonade and watermelon juice, they were both very refreshing. To eat we had the double yolk egg which was delicious, the duck confit hash which I would definitely recommend, the house made chips and onion dip which was a great snack, and the blueberry pancakes which were very good. My favorite was the duck confit hash, every bite was amazing. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for brunch, and I am anxious to try out their dinner menu. It was a great experience.
(5)
Eddie V.
This restaurant has been on my to-do list for a ridiculously long time, every time we go out we always end up somewhere else. After a gawking at all of their instagram pictures I finally ended up making the drive to Atlas Plaza and boy did this place live up to the hype! The staff was super friendly and atmosphere was very laid back. After managing to not drool all over the menu we ordered: Duck Confit - Amazing. Chargrilled Octopus - The most tender and flavorful octopus I've ever eaten. Crispy Pig Ears - Seasoned with cumin, like chicharron but less fatty, I wish I could buy a bag of these and eat them while watching football. Short ribs - The most tender and flavor iteration of short ribs I've ever eaten, the romenesco sauce goes perfectly and the roasted onions are bursting with flavor. For desert we had a smorgasbord of various deserts they were hit and miss but the ones that hit...HIT i.e. the marshmallow brownee I definitely will be recommending Michael's Genuine to everyone and cannot wait to come back for lunch and brunch!
(5)
Brittany R.
I am really really disappointed to give this 3 stars. I had such high expectations for this place. The service was absolutely awful, our waiter was worthless. His favorite answer to every question was 'I don't know'--thanks for nothing. All the food we had tasted great, but as far as portions go and the lack of any sort of recommendation from our waiter really brought this place down. We ordered the asparagus as a side, I'm really glad everyone got one piece of asparagus on their plate....no seriously, everyone at the table got one piece, except one person, she got two. How can you say that is okay for a table of 5?! The pizza was ok--same as Harrys, the octopus was ok, the chips and onion dip were good, the short ribs were great, the pork belly was really good, the poached egg over the carpaccio was really good too. The other things we ordered were just ok, not even worth mentioning. Nothing was fantastic about this place. Unfortunately, we didn't order enough food and everyone was hungry when we left. It was kind of sad for a birthday dinner...whoomp whoomp.
(3)
Melody K.
You get what you pay for. I recommend getting small and medium plates. The portions border on pretentious but don't be discouraged! These were like conversational pieces of gastronomical art, and the best way to explore the menu's exciting flavor profiles, textures, and creativity. I came here for Valentine's day with my boyfriend, who knows that there's no better present than numerous plates of deliciously prepared meat. The crispy pork belly steals the show. The plate presents a small brick of pork belly, that is crisped and layered outside of its own meaty and fatty bits, so each forkful drops a textural/flavor bomb in your mouth. Kimchi all over the menu- fresh and less potent than usual, but on this date night I was thankful for that. Fried rice cake with chorizo is a must-have, like a smoky arancini, topped with the promise of a creamy egg yolk. Yeah. Duck confit was tasty- the pureed citrus is lush and bitter. Cheese board was meh- not enough cheese for the money- please spend that $ on another small or medium plate instead. Dessert: please get the cookies! Homemade oreos, nutterbutters, macarons, and biscotti, need I say more. It was sort of the perfect ending to a meal which was was a surprising mix of comfort and edgy.
(5)
Emily P.
My husband and I popped in on a a random Thursday night, and they were busy! We sat at the bar instead of taking the 30 minute wait for a table- no regrets there. Bar staff was super friendly and helpful. We tried the arancini roasted squash, honey crisp salad, olives, and octopus pizza. Everything was phenomenal, and the tastes were unlike that I had ever had before! The olives were marinated in some magical melody of herbs and spices, the squash made me wish I had ordered five plates of it, the apples on the salad... Paired with the goat cheese and greens... I could live off it. The octopus pizza was the perfect amount of delicacy and comfort food, a hint of the sea at home. Drinks were awesome! I had wine, although next time I will try their cocktails. My husband enjoyed their home brew beer, and another- all great. Definitely will be making reservations to take friends here, soon! Great classy environment, but casual enough to walk in randomly.
(5)
Rebecca A.
I adore my friend Brenda P. who gave this place such a great review, but I respectfully disagree. I went with my parents, brother (who came in from out of town), and husband for a nice dinner. My parents and brother are the foodies in my family, but I have picked up quite a bit from them over the years and I believe that Michael's is just trying too hard. We arrived in time for our reservation and were seated outside right away. Thank goodness we were seated outside because inside seemed loud and chaotic and there was no way we would have been able to hear each other over our meals. The menu was nothing short of pretentious. It reminds me of a George Carlin or a Monty Python routine, something along the lines of , "loin of panda served with a bat piss reduction over Florida panther nail clippings. and mixed greens" The ingredient choices are weird - what is this, Iron Chef with a secret ingredient? And then, for all that it's pretentious, the food is not plated in a particularly attractive way and the service was substandard. Case in point, when it started to rain, NOTHING was done to help shelter the diners or their food. We were only half under umbrellas and my chocolate dessert (which was actually pretty good) was rained upon. The next day, my brother got sick and was pretty sure it was the foie gras to blame. My advice? Skip this one. There are lots and lots of interesting and unique places to try for an inspired dinner in this area of Miami. Find somewhere else to go.
(2)
Michael W.
I've had Lay's, Fritos, Doritos and Cheetos... Ruffles, Pringles, and even Tostitos. But when you dip those thick cut, well fried, well seasoned potato chips into the even more heavenly carmelized onion-creamcheese/sourcream/awesome dip, you will NEVER want to eat another type of potato/corn chip ever again in your life. Except for the Crispy Hominy with Chili & Lime, of course. Along with the crispy pork belly and indian style curried carrot soup (which were both divine), we started the end of our time in Miami with a wonderful potpourri of culinary delights, with influence from East and South Asia, the Southwest, and good ol' 1950's American home cooking. Now that's what I call New American food! We had stumbled in half asleep, half hungover, and half ready to go back to our apartments in NYC (I know, I know, technically not a half each...) with our suitcases and backpacks, and after a little fuss our bags were quickly dealt with and we were promptly seated as the first guests of the day. Following a relatively quick ordering process from our cheerful server, we were quickly underway on our culinary adventure. [Side note: one of the servers noticed someone in our party was wearing a Stanford jacket and started chatting us up about how well they did in the Orange Bowl and how Andrew Luck is awesome. Four thumbs up for that. Yes I'm having trouble counting today]. The appetizers came and went so fast that I was sad to see them go into our bellies, but when the main's came all was forgotten. I tried a bit of the Grilled Fish sandwich, Pork Pizza, Skirt Steak, and the Angus Burger. I have to say, while many places make delicious steaks and pizza's and sandwiches, it's incredible that all of the food I tried stood out amongst those others as noticeably fresh, well thought out, and well executed. I can't say that I'll never have a fish sandwich as good as this one ever again, but Michael's does a great job of making something so seemingly simple so much better though attention to detail and execution. The fresh, locally sourced (when possible) ingredients, friendly service, and chef Michael Schwartz's menu combined for one of the truly best dining experiences I've ever had. Bravo. 5 stars for wonderful food and wonderful experience Revisit? Most definitely!
(5)
Sandra E.
Ahh, it feels good to be back....to Yelping....and Michael's Genuine This being my first review in a looong time, I'm glad I get to start with a really diverse, flavorful place like Michael's Genuine for brunch! I came here earlier in the year with the lovely Yelpers Brunch club, and returned once again in November- I was in the neighborhood and always remembered their duck confit....oh but I was in for something else! Being the Food Network lover that I am, I had to try the Pop Tarts they raved about on "My Favorite Thing to Eat" show.....and they were right on target. These delicious pastries were fruity, definitely more flavorful than what you remembered popping out of the toaster oven as kids- My favorite: the raspberry. Apple was pretty tasty too- I definitely wanted more to stuff in my pockets for later (Napolean Dynamite style), but I resisted the urge and continued ordering The Brioche was amazing- especially with the Persimmon jam (whoa!) and the chorizo was super flavorful... rich, spicy (not too spicy) but it was just what I wanted my taste buds to be experiencing- As I perused the brunch menu (mind you, I did share- although the plates were small, by this time my tummy was filling up...but it was a happy tummy nonetheless) I came across a 2-egg scramble plate. It was served with heirloom tomatoes and this one took the #1 spot in my book The only things I didn't really care for was the fact that there were open seats outside (which were saved for guests) but I never saw seated, so our experience was a 2 top, veeeery close to our neighbor 2- top. Now, I'm all for meeting new people, but we literally were distracted by the other couple's conversation the whole time... and I'm sure they weren't thrilled to hear ours either. Servers were great- friendly and definitely a plus :) Overall, I'll be back for brunch again if i get an outside table and some personal elbowroom for dining :)
(4)
Barry S.
Best restaurant experience in years ... Crazy good food,creative dishes and great service ... Not in a great part of Miami but ill vacation here just to eat at michaels again
(5)
Lena S.
Came here for our "big dinner out" on a vacation to Miami and I'm SOOO GLAD we chose this place. Its amazing! Everything we had here was just spot on. Since there was 4 of us, we decided to order a bunch of different things on the menu and just share. Highly recommend this if you go with a group because you're going to want to try everything :) Here's the damage: -deviled eggs - creamy and delicious -Wood oven roasted double yolk farm egg with cave aged gruyere, roasted tomato, chives, sourdough crostini - This was AMAZING. I would love it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. -peaches basil with french feta, almonds, radish- well balanced and very flavorful -burrata wiht heirloom tomato, paradise farms basil, fleur de sel - this was decadent. The burrata melted in your mouth and worked perfectly with the tomatoes which came in beautiful red, orange, and yellow colors -chargrilled octopus salad of gigande beans, roasted peppers- this was the only thing i wasnt a fan of, just because i don't like the texture of octopus. But the rest of the party enjoyed it -wood oven pizza with mushroom, fennel, grilled onions, fontina, teena's pride arugula- good thin crust pizza -wood roasted heirloom tomatoes with pesto - GIANT tomatoes flavored with delicous pesto -crispy hominy - this was a surprise favorite. Its like gourmet corn nuts. You're going to want this... trust me we also had two desserts -butterscotch banana pudding- this was unbelievable. Its like delicious crack :) -blackberry bread pudding- a bit too tart for me but then again, i have a massive sweet tooth
(5)
Philip B.
Been here several times for lunch and dinner, but was going to the Arsht Center nearby the other night so made a nice evening of it by heading to Michael's before the show. It did not disappoint, as is usually the case. I'm not a huge fan of the way they have their menu with the smaller items, medium, etc. as I'd rather have a full plate rather than ordering fish and having it come out on a plate that is barely larger than the fish I ordered. You have to order sides with each main dish so I ordered the Anson Mills Cheese Grits which were spectacular to go with my local Wreckfish which was cooked very well. Anyways, to start we ordered the hand made potato hips with the onion dip which was amazing. We also ordered the Crispy Rice cake which comes with chorizo and rock shrimp and that was delicious as well. My girlfriend ordered the wood oven pizza with the pork belly on it and that was very tasty as well. Finally, for dessert we ordered the Tangerine Pot de Creme which is now my favorite dessert of all time. Every dessert I've ever had here has been amazing and is definitely the best part about Michael's in my opinion. I will definitely be back soon! Another note: The homemade fresh lemonade is great as well if you're looking for something refreshing and tasty!
(4)
John E.
Ive been here quite a few times and i still remember the first time I went, i recognized the host and he knew me from a prior place he worked. The staff has amazing attention to detail, well educated in the menu and delivery. This reminds me of a great place you would find in SOHO in NYC. Now on to my food review... Brunch is just great here, The Duck Rillette is fantastic, Maybe not PC but I enjoyed it. I also recommend the short rib hash, roasted double yolk egg as well as the smoked bacon and breakfast sausage. I guess i dont have to mention the pop tarts, but theirs Oreos are heavenly. You really cant go wrong here with anything. Bring friends and spend a day. Bring a designated driver and try the Strawberry -Basil Caipirinha.
(4)
Kate S.
Sooo good. If I lived in Miami, Michael's and I would have a weekly rendezvous. The experience was a favorite of mine in Miami. It's location is trendy, hence the coined neighborhood label "Miami Design District". Valet is available but I easily found parking on 39th St. just behind the restaurant. The food - impeccable. Shared the Country pate w. beau, stuffed myself pleased w. the shortrib and a side of chessy grits. He had the poulet rouge chicken, which was said to be "like no other chicken". The shortrib, sigh, ohh sooo good. Paired w the grits, the two were sensational. For dessert, heavenly tangerine creamsicle pot de creme. I've made pot de creme several times, it's a favorite at my house. I will sooo hearteningly try to remake Michael's version. : )
(5)
Lacey M.
Now, I have by no means eaten at every restaurant in Miami, however I believe Michael's Genuine to be the best! The very best!! We had no trouble getting a table for two for lunch on a Wednesday. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. They answered all of our questions about the menu without hesitation. After much discussion, we decided to start with the pan fried onion dip and homemade potato chips. I'm a sucker for french onion dip; however this was beyond any other I've ever had. The dip was very creamy and the chips were perfectly crisp!! For entrees, we both ordered the Black Angus Burger and added bacon and cheese. I ordered my burger medium with vermont white cheddar and my friend ordered her's medium rare with blue cheese. This burger is sent straight from heaven. It was simply marvelous. The flavors of the cheddar and bacon and the amazing brioche bun cannot be described as anything other than absolutely perfect. This is probably one of the freshest burgers I've ever had. This brioche bun tasted like a croissant directly from France. I know...I've been! It was buttery and toasted to perfection. I cannot say enough about this burger; however dessert is also a thing of beauty at this fantastic establishment. My friend ordered what they call Pie in a Jar. It was a small mason jar layered with peanut butter moose, Oreo crumbles, marshmallow fluff, and chocolate covered crispies. All topped off with the freshest whipped cream I have ever tasted! It was heaven in a jar!! I ordered the Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Crème. It consisted of doughnuts coated in brown sugar and a little pot of tangerine cream that was so velvety you could eat it with a spoon! The doughnuts were divine! Warm and fantastically soft! There was also a side of blackberry jam that gave the dish a great tang! And last but definitely not least, we ordered the Candies, Cookies, and Confections to go. These cookies were unbelievable! So fresh and amazingly sweet! All in all, this was absolutely one of the best meals I have ever had in my life! I cannot wait to go back!!
(5)
Albert M.
Simply put one of the best meals in Miami. Fresh, locally-procured ingredients, and excellent recipes take the food here to new levels. This is my first 5-star review of a restaurant on Yelp. It truly deserves it, I love how when you read the drink menu, everything is already picked out for you, you can't find a bad beer or drink on the menu. I remember looking all-over Miami for Brooklyn Brewery's elusive and rare Black Ops with no success and then I arrive to Michael's and there it is on the menu. One of the things I like about this place is that you can come on a regular basis and still get something different every time because of the rotating menu. This can also open you up for a failed dish (aka 'a miss') because the chef needs to constantly teach his cooks how to prepare new dishes, but you know what.. they usually nail it and its totally worth the risk. My servers have been incredible. Literally perfect, not there so often that your annoyed but just often enough to take care of your every whim. They are also incredibly knowledgable about food, both on their menu and in general. I trust their reccomendations. This place is expensive, but INCREDIBLE. Again, my first 5-star for a restaurant on Yelp ever!
(5)
Joseph C.
Michael's Genuine is one of those restaurants that you hope most "gourmet" restaurants in Miami are aspiring to be. Michael's is a place with an ever changing menu, a focus on fresh locally grown ingredients, and consistently delivering a quality product. Chef Michael Schwartz seems to be doing everything right in his restaurant. The ambiance here is great. It is located in the design district amongst a few upscale boutique and designer stores. There are also quite a few other great restaurants sprouting up in the area which adds to the wide variety of things to see, do, and eat in this up and coming neighborhood. As far as the actual restaurant goes, you have the option to sit inside or outside. I prefer to sit outside because there are trees that provide shade and the hallway often has a nice breeze, even in the summer months. The inside dining room is nice but is on the small side and the tables are somewhat close together. Overall though, it's a really nice set up. The food here is amazing. It's fresh, innovative, delicious, and most importantly it's consistently great. I've gone for brunch, lunch, and dinner. I'd venture to say that brunch may very well be my favorite because good gourmet brunches in this city are few and far between. Some of the highlights from bunch were the duck confit hash, wood oven roasted double yolk egg, and the fried egg sandwich. I also ordered some sourdough bread and watermelon juice which were both fantastic. For lunch and dinner i really liked the duck confit and the pork shoulder. You also can't go wrong with ordering any of the assortment of cheeses. In addition to fresh juices they have an impressive selection of beers that you don't normally come across. If you enjoy drinking really great craft beers from around the country, this is the place to do it. For dessert I hate the smores and boy were they delicious. The combination of the crunchy graham cracker, melted chocolate, and gooey marshmallow was just perfect. The service here is great. Every time I've gone the wait staff has been very attentive and go into great detail whenever you have a question about a menu item. They have all been great with making suggestions as well. For brunch this especially came in handy because there were so many thing that I wanted to try. The only thing I'd warn you about it to definitely make a reservation. It's not that easy to just walk up on any given night and get a table. It's always pretty full when I come. They also close for a couple of hours between brunch, lunch, and dinner so make sure to check the website for the hours of operation. Overall, I feel that Michael's is one of the top restaurants in Miami and will have the staying power to be in business for many years to come.
(5)
A K.
Miami has a lot of choice for gourmet dining but the food at Micheal's was so good that I gave up some other choices on my restaurant list and went there twice during my week long stay at Miami. The food was simple and fresh, unpretentious and the ingredients complimented each other perfectly. The service was great particularly the hostess and the servers, although the bussers were a little abrupt at times. Highly recommend for both lunch and dinner. Must try: Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly with Kimchi and crushed peanuts. Roasted and Grilled Shortrib. Peaches salad.
(4)
Toma R.
First class service and food at common-folk prices! Attentive, disarming staff who know the EXACT balance between assisting, serving & privacy. Food equally as impressive. Had the ahi special and it was TO. DIE. FOR. Sit in Ryan's section.......... You're welcome!
(5)
Rachael L.
I went here for New Year's Eve and had an amazing time. The food was nothing short of spectacular and our waiter was so friendly we couldn't get enough of him. I love that they recycle their wine bottles to use them to serve water and they also filter their own water, both flat and sparkling. The food is all fresh off local farms so the menu can change from day to day. I loved the beer selection since I got to try a few things you won't find most other places, like the Belzebuth Blond Ale and the Great Divide Claymore Scotch Ale. They have a cheese of the week which I recommend trying no matter what it is. Wood oven roasted eggplant and crispy sweet and spicy pork belly are also a must have. And the desserts are to die for. I'm pretty sure anything you get will be delicious. If it wasn't so pricey I'd eat here constantly but trust me, whenever you can make it over there, it's worth every penny.
(5)
Laura G.
Let me start off by saying my GF HATED this place, it could have something to do with my moving to DC 2 days later, or maybe with the fact that this food is what she eats at home every day, (lucky girl), but she was not pleased at all, until she had... the orange creamsicle dessert, she licked that plate clean! I was skeptical about this place from the beginning. I figured with all the media coverage it would be one of those places that stops producing good food after they get famous, but nope, it was amazing. We ordered the buratta, it was served with tricolored tomatoes, green, red and yellow and a light bit of olive oil. The juices from the tomatoes mixed with the oil and the soft burrata to create a symphony of flavors in my pallet. Next came the churrasco salad, they got my order mixed up so I ended up getting a churrasco + a salad, for which i'm not going to complain because I got some fries too! That salad was delicious, with their grilled orange half to squirt on top of my food, I was in food euphoria. I also stole some of my friend's brussle sprouts and pancetta, which made my salad all the more heavenly. Like I mentioned before, the dessert with the warm donuts was sooo good. It was black berry jam to balance the orange and lemon cream. I could not have been more pleased. I loved it. I can't wait to go back and try their brunch! Yumm..
(5)
George K.
Awesome food, great service! Jenny, the hostess, always makes sure you get the table you want. And do try the dessert!
(5)
Yvette O.
First time I came to this restaurant for some reason I was not thrilled about it but last night I decided to give it another shot and I loved it. I prefer to sit at the bar and for some reason everybody else too. If you don't have reservations you might be sitting outside for a while, so if you really want to eat here I suggest you make a reservation. On to the food. We stopped here last night before a concert so we weren't planning on eating a big meal. We pretty much ordered appetizers and small sides like the brussels sprouts with pancetta which was great. We also ordered the rice cake with manchego, chorizo and white rock shrimp and the crispy hominy with fresh lime. Both appetizers were delish. Their wood oven pizzas are really good too. Most importantly, the atmosphere and vibe to this place is just great. I would definitely come back!!!!
(4)
Noel P.
Ive been here for brunch 2 or 3 times. Hands down the BEST brunch in Miami ever!!! everything was to die for.
(5)
Teresa K.
We went for lunch right when it opened which was good because it filled up as soon as they opened the doors. The service was great and attentive without being pushy. I also appreciated the fact that they can adjust the temperature for each individual table because we were a bit cold with the AC blasting. I had the short rib panini which was amazing. I would definitely love to go here again as there were several menu items that sounded fantastic. Their fries are delicious too.
(4)
Jessica R.
Just as amazing as advertised! I came after seeing their pop tarts on Food Networks "Best Thing I Ever Ate," and they definitely lived up to the hype. On the day I was there, it was a boysenberry flavor (sad that I missed mango and lychee, which is the current flavor!), and the crust was flaky perfection, and the filling clearly freshly made. We also had scrambled egg whites on a rosemary crumpet (like an english muffin), which had the potential to be basic and boring, but was really flavorful. I love english muffins, so the crumpet was a real treat! We also brioche french toast and a "spicy" octopus omelet (not spicy at all, much to my delight!), and both were good. The highlight for me was definitely the burrata, which is a special kind of mozzarella and comes with basil and mango, sprinkled with olive oil. The substitution of mango for tomato was really creative, and the combination was amazing! I'm usually a bit hesitant about fruit and savory pairings, but this one was out of this world. The current menu lists heirloom tomatoes instead of mangoes so I think the mango substitution is only offered sometimes, but if you have the chance to order it, definitely go for it! The service was above and beyond - the waiter let us know that there were only two orders of poptarts left, for which I'm so grateful! The location is also great - the Design District is such a gem, and a great place to walk around. Since we went on a Sunday, all the stores were closed, but it was still nice and there were lots of interesting window displays. It looks like there are cool restaurants sprinkled in every block or so, and (not surprisingly) they're all very aesthetically pleasing - we'll definitely be back!
(5)
Erika T.
If you want fresh & local eats in Miami, you have to hit Michael's Genuine in the Design District. There's always a crowd, but if you make a reservation you can easily have a table fit 6+. Aside from that, its a lot of small tables, bar seating, and an outside courtyard. Back to the food--I went there fresh back from South America and was anxious to see how they put a spin on Latin classics like ceviche and pork belly. Everything tastes so fresh--which is how food should be! I also love their cheese of the week...I'm a big cheese fan! Try Michaels at least once, I'm sure you'll love it!! Additional notes: dim lighting, trendy, loungey, place to see & be seen
(5)
David N.
Sit at the chef's table, awesome view of your order being made. Order the bone in rib eye, it was even tasty the 2nd day. They came out with a sparkler for the cake, which I really appreciated for my gf! This place is pretty small, so make reservations! Overall, this is the only meal i really remember in Miami.
(4)
Theo H.
Food was heaven, but the host was a punk. I made reservations two days in advance, which somehow meant I had requested to sit outside in the rain?!?! I understand it is frustrating trying to deal with more reservations than you have seats, but communication is key. Rather than stand behind the podium and fumble about with the computer, the host should have just said, "Look, I'm really sorry, but we have too many reservations tonight and yours was the last one made for this time. You can either join us at the bar or sit outside under an umbrella. I wish there was more I could do, but I can't." Instead, he gave an unnecessary run around about what he would/wouldn't do that lasted 30 minutes. I was so frustrated and embarrassed in front of my future mother-in-law, it nearly ruined the meal.
(2)
Jonathan W.
Definitely a restaurant worth trying if you are ever in Miami. A beautiful caprese and the most delicious honeycomb cheese plate I've ever had. The menu consists of a combination of small/med/large plates which you can choose depending on your hunger. It is located in a pretty quiet Miami design district but the atmosphere is bustling with good-looking people and some eye-catching pieces in the small dining area. Indoor and outdoor areas to choose from. Very interesting collection of dishes which seem to change every few months but always something worth exploring. Make reservations in advance
(5)
Alex C.
What can be said that hasn't been said already? For dessert ask for the Grapefruit Sorbet with a chilled Grey Goose floater. Maybe even better, have one mid meal to freshen your palette!
(5)
Dinorah a.
Yum!!! Gastronomic experience ! IT'S very difficult to get reservations so we sat at the bar...had the Local strawberry-basil caipirinha..WOOOHOO Appetizer ..TWO WINNERS Pork Belly OMG!!! Crazy good!!! Two wood roasted farm eggs with gruyere melted on top amazing! Main course the lamb on top of farro salad , scrumptious and finally for dessert ... Home made guava and cheese cake ice cream withdaily home made cookies and the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme WOW Heaven!!! I can see why they have a waiting list of regulars....They can add me to that list..
(5)
A L.
Our friends were in town from Naples and insisted on having lunch at Michael's. I ordered the chopped salad with tahini dressing which was delicious. My husband was underwhelmed by one of the daily specials (a tuna sandwich) which, when it was explained, sounded like a piece of tuna but instead was an over-mayo-ed tuna salad sandwich. He was disappointed considering the price and the fact that he thought he was getting something different. Overall, staff was very nice, and would visit again. Important to note that there are VERY limited menu options for non-meat-eaters (as we are).
(4)
Gina P.
Best meal in Miami hands down. A suprise at every visit. Pork Belly is out of hand and everything else is just as good. Never had so much cheek in my life! I do recommend one thing to make the most of your experience, order small plates and a lot of them rather than 1-2 medium or large plates. Trust me, it's just better that way. Wine list is nice as is dessert. I can go back again and again!
(5)
M D.
I can't even remember how I liked the food, but what I'll always remember about this place is the terrible experience following the meal. The waiter lost my credit card, and lied about it, telling me after a 20 minute wait that the computer was down. When we offered to pay cash, he was happy to take the cash without returning the credit card first. After the manager became involved, the truth came out (over 30 minutes from the time the credit card had been surrendered). After reporting the card lost (by the restaurant), I went through weeks of dealing with a number of vendors who were left without a valid credit card to charge. It was an unnecessary headache that this disorganized restaurant caused.
(1)
Eve C.
After everything that I've read about Michael's Genuine, I wasn't surprised to find that the place was packed for dinner on a random weeknight. Luckily, I'd had the forethought to make a reservation, and even though we were early, our table was ready as soon as we arrived. I was actually impressed with the service here. A server came over right away to ask about about water, and then ask about other drinks. And our waitress arrived shortly thereafter to take our food order. We tried the potato chips & onion dip and meatball appetizers, and both were outstanding. I loved that the chips were thick and had a good crunch to them, and that the onion dip had big pieces of onion in it, so I knew it was homemade. The meatballs (3 to an order) were also very good, but I'm not a huge meatball fan, so I probably wouldn't get them again. We decided to split some "small" and "medium" dishes for our entrees. We opted to try the sweet & spicy pork belly, the chicken wings, and the figs stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in bacon, along with a side of mashed potatoes. The pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth succulent, and the accompanying kimchee was addictive and deliciously spicy. The chicken wings themselves were good, but I really loved the creamy cucumber dip that came along side them. The figs were very good - tangy and sweet and smoky all at once. The mashed potatoes weren't all that special, and I definitely wouldn't order them again. For dessert we tried the chocolate cremoso, and it was unbelievably decadent! Overall, I was really impressed with the service and the Michael's Genuine dining experience overall. But what really wowed me was that our entire meal, including drinks (we had mojitos - they were fab!) was less than $100 (not including tip)!! Oh yeah, and parking wasn't a problem - there are plenty of spots on the street in the Design District - but you might have to walk a block or 2 to the restaurant (but beware - the parking machines only take coins or cards!).
(4)
Megan G.
I came here for brunch a while back with my bf and two close friends. Our reservation was at 2:15, close to the end of brunch. We sat outside which was beautiful and the weather was lovely. Our table ordered about 12 different small plates to share, ALL of which were outstanding. The trouble came when ordering cocktails. Because we were at the end of brunch and Michael's is known for their fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, they were out of some of the ingredients needed to make two of the drinks we ordered. No problem, completely understandable. We changed our orders and moved on. My bf had the kimchi bloody Mary which was to die for. Best Bloody Mary either one of us had ever had and the one for all to live up to. It comes with shrimp! I had a Cabarete, which is a mix of champagne, watermelon juice and a few other things. It was refreshing, but definitely not as good as the bloody mary! Our bill came, around $200 for 4 people. I thought it was totally worth it. The problem arose when I got home and looked over the itemized receipt again. They charged us for the 2 drinks that they were out of and we therefore, never received. That was in addition to the replacement drinks. I called and spoke to the manager, everything was verified, I gave him the credit card information and he promised to credit the two drinks. Needless to say, they never did. I let it go but I didn't forget! I would still go back, but definitely look over the bill a bit more closely next time!
(4)
Leslie S.
This is definitely one of my all time favorite restaurants and I visit every time I'm in Miami. On Monday I was there celebrating my Birthday and it was my best experience here yet to date. I had a 8:30 reservation for 4 and we showed up right on time. I had mentioned it was for 2 special Birthdays but they still gave us no love with an outside table. I think I will say the only blip in this whole night was the Hostess, she had a bit of an attitude. She was very fake nice. We went shopping across the way as our table wasn't ready and as we walked back into the place we snagged stools at the bar. At around 9:15 she came over to tell us our table was ready and I very nicely asked "is it OK if we just sit here?" Big sigh, I think she might have even "ugggghhhed". There was a couple standing at the Hostess stand that over heard this and asked if they could then take our table and she replied "it's not that easy!" uhhmmm, it kinda is. On to the most important part the food and wine. We ordered an amazing Tannat, a very underrated grape in my opinion. To start we had the burrata with heirloom tomatoes which could have been the best I've ever had, perfectly creamy and the tomatoes which heavenly. Next we had the char-grilled octopus which was probably my least favorite dish maybe because it was a bit chewy and had a very strong olive taste and I don't like olives in my food. The crispy rice cake, chorizo, rock shrimp with spicy tomato aioli was heaven on a plate. I could have had 3 of these!!! For a large plate we ordered the wood oven pizza which had sausage and broccoli rabe on it and it was out of this world!! The crust was thin and crispy, the broccoli rabe sauteed perfectly and the sausage was fantastic. All around fabulous eating and drinking experience!!
(5)
Annabelle B.
My first 5 stars!! Well deserved too. Aside from all the awards and recognition Michael Schwartz has gathered over the years, I think it's important to stay relevant, fresh, creative, interested, enthusiastic and above all passionate. Those go for any successful relationship but when it's with food, there's so much to play with! And Mr. Schwatrz sure knows how to play. Michael and his team manage to keep the dining experience interesting yet consistently and comfortingly rewarding. For that alone, Michael's Genuine deserves five stars. Now on to the specifics: the service was charming and playful but not annoying, very knowledgeable and full of his own favorites and suggestions - it was great to soothe the potential intimidation one might feel while first reading the menu and the friends from out of town. The wine list included a nice variety from France, California, Chile, Argentina, Australia and more - without any particular trends or pattern besides for a focus on good solid wines. Prices went across the spectrum. I ordered 2 appetizers (titled "MEDIUM" on the menu): the burrata which was absolutely delightful, fresh and flavorful. Accompanied by sliced red tomatoes and quartered green tomatoes, the dish looked beautiful, with depth (visually and flavorfully) and was seasoned with a dash of balsamic vinegar, sel de fleur and fresh ground pepper, that's all it needed to perfectly complement the cheese and tomatoes. It was heavenly. And I will use the exact same adjective to describe my second app: the duck confit. Served with an orange marmalade (which I can only assume was homemade though I didn't ask), just sweet and tart enough to bring out the duck's unique and delicate flavors. It was cooked to perfection, crispy crispy skin and tender juicy meat. I savored every inch and scrapped every piece of meat off that bony duck! The others had the crispy rice cake with chorizo and shrimp, the wood oven roasted cobia, a mild white meat fish (drizzled with citrus vinaigrette) with fingerling potatoes and the roasted pork shoulder. None of which I tried for lack of room in my stomach (including the space I was saving for dessert). However, the consensus seemed to be that everything tasted great. The only left over to be fond was on the pork shoulder dish, supposedly it had a chunk of fat. Personally I am not a fan of ingesting the fat though I do agree it gives the meat flavor while cooking. SO, some like it fat and some don't, to each his or her own. At last but not least, the James Beard Foundation semi-finalist pastry chef's creations! The hubby had the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme served with homemade doughnuts and berry preserve. There was not one crumb left. The guests from out of town had the chocolate cremoso, which I didn't understand very well what it was but had to try a tiny bite: it was a creamy chocolate and a creamy expresso ball. The touch of sel de fleur with other unexpected but extremely compatible flavors brought the need to pause and think about the different expressions forming in my mouth. I can't remember the details but I was engulfed in a whirlwind of tastes and new sensations, much the same as my own dessert: the coconut brownie sunday. I wasn't sure I wanted it because I couldn't imagine the final result from the ingredients described... The passion fruit sorbet, the coconut shavings, the brownie, the peanuts and caramel - all too wild to imagine. There was silence as we all tried our desserts and then while we identified each flavor with what we had read on the menu and as we finally just enjoyed those crazy combinations. At least that's what was going on in my mouth and brain! Michael's Genuine is a destination. Locals and visitors alike should try it. It's a unique experience worth every dime (not cheap but it certainly earns its price without being pretentiously expensive). And there is my five stars review.
(5)
Chris F.
What hasn't been said about this place? It's good clean food. In a city filled with chefs trying to do the next big thing, schwartz just does his food and you have to respect that. What I ate: Pig Ear, Pork Belly, Mussels, Ceviche, Duck, and Pot de Creme All were amazing!
(4)
Angel P.
My hubs and I ate here recently for lunch while on a trip to Miami. We sat outside and loved the relaxed, friendly vibe of the place. The service is attentive (you won't go thirsty here!) and helpful. The menu is varied and modern, with plenty of familiar options for the less courageous of your dining partners. The food was mostly fabulous, although the deviled egg was a bit of a miss for us. I loved the creaminess of the yolk, but there was some off-taste we didn't care for. (The waiter claimed that Tabasco was the secret ingredient we were tasting. I would swear in court that the funky flavor was fish sauce.) Since it was lunch, we just had a fish sandwich and burger, which were delicious. My only suggestion would be for them to figure out how to keep the bottom slice of bread on the fish sandwich from being soggy. Two bites in, and I had to switch to a fork to eat the thing. Despite the weird texture, I ate it all, so that's something. The fries were good, but lukewarm and not the best we've had. I know I'm nit-picking in this review, but I really wanted to give 5 stars to the place, and they fell just a wee bit short. Despite the minor glitches, I'm dying to go back and try the place for dinner the next time we're in town. They've somehow mastered the combination of urban coolness with genuine warmth, and the food is, quite simply, really, really good.
(4)
Winnie C.
I have to sadly remove 1 star from Michael's to a 4 stars only restaurant. It used to be on my "Best Miami restaurants" list, but my recent visit has made me want to change my review. The food quality was not as good as before anymore. Well...I mean it's still very good, just not excellence as it used to be. We ordered the same BLT salad which we love, and gosh...that suppose to be a very delicious piece of bacon turned out to be a piece of charcoal. We were very disappointed, even though the waiter did offer to replace the bacon, but since it will be a wait and it will only go well if eaten together with the other items on that plate, we decided to forget about that. The baked double eggyolk was always one of my favorite. And the oven roasted chicken was very very delicious, especially the crispy skin that was roasted perfectly. The pork shoulder however was a big disappointment, not only because of the taste but the meat wasn't even fresh. Here come the desert, which is always the highlight of this restaurant as the pastry chef is one of the best in town. Since we have tried almost everything on their desert menu before, we decided to go with their special of the day "peach cobbler", which was a big mistake. Not only it's nothing special at all, you can probably get something better than that from a supermarket bakery.
(4)
Gina T.
Our last night in Miami would provide the best meal we had. G had called the restaurant before we left and knew we couldn't get a reservation, but we figured we'd give it a shot, and at worst we'd eat at the bar. As it turns out, they did not, in fact, have any tables available so we stalked a group of people sitting at the bar waiting. We each ordered a glass of wine - a Zinfandel Blend, Ridge, Lytton Springs, 2007 for G and a Chateauneuf du Pape Grenache blend for me. Honestly, my wine was so good I could have bathed in it. G ended up getting a glass of that for his second. As I'm sure you've probably guessed, we did not order entrees, but a ton of appetizers instead. They brought them out one and two at a time and we ate ourselves silly. Kumamoto Oysters The oysters came out, and as I picked one up, G said to me: "Have you ever had a Koumamoto oyster?" "No" I said, I hadn't. "Okay, eat one and tell me what you taste." It had a familiar taste, but I couldn't quite identify what it was. "Cucumbers" he said, "They taste like cucumbers". Holy shit. Yes. They tasted like cucumbers. Burrata Salad A twist on a Caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes, basil and fresh burrata cheese. If you've never had buratta, you need to get some in your mouth ASAP. It's like a creamier mozzarella. We weren't originally going to order it, but I lobbied for it we I'm glad I did. I was so damn good. Florida Rock Shrimp Ceviche This bright ceviche was so good. I don't always like ceviche, sometimes I find the textures to be problematic (most of the foods I don't care for are based solely on texture, not flavor). Not in this case. There were big pieces of shrimp, fish, mango, avocado, orange and cilantro. I felt like we were having sword fights with our forks over the pieces of seafood. Duck Confit The duck was served with creamed corn, cherry compote and frisee. I happen to be allergic to cherries so, ever the gentleman, G dissected the duck so that I could eat a piece without cherries on it (there was no way I wasn't going to taste this). Once this plate was brought out, I didn't hear from G for a few minutes. He all but licked the plate. Chargrilled Octopus Green olives, herbs, beans, roasted peppers and a perfectly grilled piece of octopus. Seriously, the octopus could not have been better. Charred on the outside, tender on the inside. I don't even know if there is anything more to say about it. It was so flippin good. Oh yeah. We got an order of French fries too. We didn't take a picture of them, but we sure did eat them. They were practically perfect. Because we didn't have enough food, we needed fries too! Then - because this meals wasn't gluttonous enough - we got dessert too. Popcorn and Peanuts I literally do not know where to start. There was a buttered popcorn ice cream. What?! Buttered. Popcorn. Ice Cream. Then, caramel corn covered in dark chocolate. I would have been happy with just that. But of course that wasn't enough. They had to push it over the top and damn near make me scream with ecstasy at the bar... it was a play on a chocolate peanut butter candy bar. I have spent the past week thinking, dreaming, lusting over this dessert. Moans came from G. Angels might have sung. And how could I forget? We also had two glasses of a sparking rose.
(5)
Ting W.
There's a definitely long wait if you didn't reserve a table. Really great place to have an upscale brunch with good tasting food with outdoor seating. I ordered the passion fruit drink, greek yogurt with orange blossom honey, and kimichi eggs benedict. Great place to try for tapa style dinning! Get 3-4 and it'll fill you up!. Kimichi eggs benedit is the bomb with a spicy hollandaise sauce over the poached eggs served over an warmed baked English muffin.
(5)
Mike A.
Amazing food and fun ambiance. The food is one of the best in Miami, but the prices are high. It's worth a visit on special occasions,
(5)
Nydia M.
I was surprised to see how full this place was on a random Wednesday afternoon for lunch. We showed up without reservations, but only had to wait a few minutes to be seated. The potato chips (thick cut potato chips...Mmm...) and onion dip are great. The sweet & spicy grilled free range chicken sandwich was a bit messy, but tasty as heck. Had I been alone, I would have probably licked my hands clean instead of wasting the yumminess on my napkin. The boyfriend had the Angus burger, which he seemed pretty pleased with. And the homemade french fries were also great. I would have given this place 5 stars had the service not been nonexistant for 10 minutes after we were seated. After I stopped another waiter and told him what was going on, everything was fine.
(4)
Vanessa G.
I am currently in love with Michael's Genuine. I always have great service, really yummy and thoughtfully prepared apps & meals, and of course brunch... every bite is always a tasty and creative experience. Oh, and I cannot say enough about their desserts. Basically their pastry chef, Hedy, is a goddess of delicious desserts... YUM! Her take on classic sweet treats is out-of-control good. So, even if you have dinner at another place in the Design District, save some room for dessert by Hedy at Michael's Genuine.
(5)
Marina V.
Been here several times before, but finally OFFICIALLY going to write the review !! This place is tucked into a little nook in a 'strip mall' (for lack of a better term) in the design district. A good place to wander around in its own right, but Michaels anchors this area for sure. They have seating outside, and while it would be great on a nice night, the area is not 100% covered, and threatening rain this night, we opted for an inside table. We had a good sized group, and there is not a WHOLE bunch of room inside, but it was 'cozy'; not too cramped. There was quite a bit of chatter, but we were creating own own buzz to add to the level, so it was all good. This is that ol' problem where if they made it bigger, it would change the atmosphere; so don't fix what ain't broke... On to the menu....to simplify, I just recommend getting one of EVERYTHING !!! Let's see, what DIDN'T we have... No, seriously, the best thing to do in a group is just order groups of things and pass them around. We had [big breath in...] the mussels, the cheese plate, the caprese salad, the pork belly, the ceviche, [breath....] the double yolk farm egg, the chargrilled octopus, the pork chops, the short ribs, the fingerling potatoes, the hominy, the brussel sprouts with pancetta [BIG breath out....] .... Oh, and of course just a few bottles of wine (OK...well, maybe MORE than a few) The eclectic mix of flavors on each one of the dishes has you thinking ''this can't possibly work'' and it works PERFECTLY. We all had to unbutton our pants after we were done, and then came the DESSERT !! [cue homer simpson drooling] MMMMmmmmm... FOOOOOOOD.... Our waitress Annalise was outstanding, and was understanding when we weren't sure how we were going to order; she made some suggestions, and left us to chat among ourselves while we finally figured it out and waited for the eats !! For being busy, she was on top of everything at the table. One word of warning with the menu; be prepared to get carried away ordering ($$$) ; it very easy to do. Having been there before I knew what we were in for. You have to just go for it and enjoy yourselves !! I love the wine list, and actually I had a wine there that I'm STILL trying to get 2 years later...They have some great 'boutique' selections. Highly recommend this restaurant. GO, and be prepared for the culinary artistry!!
(5)
Linda P.
We had a group of 26 medical professionals at Michael's for business dinner and presentation on 10/3 in their banquet room with a 4-course prix fixe menu (Poulet Rouge Chicken, Fudge Farms Pork Shoulder, and Harris Ranch Skirt steak as entrees). Their banquet room was very nice and didn't feel crowded, even with a 6' screen and projector. The wait-staff was terrific - not hovering over you, but very attentive, and happy to explain the dishes. The entree portions were generously sized, and nicely plated. The folks at Michael's understand the meal pricing restrictions in the medical industry, and provided a wonderful meal within guidelines. The cheese grits and Key Lime pie are terrific!
(4)
Jose L.
I'm being a little harsh on this review. I love the food here, I think the menu is great, lots of seasonal options, overall it's a very solid place when it comes to the food. The service on the other hand ranges from bad to terrible, I can tolerate mediocre service if the food is good enough, but an hour wait for a table when you have a reservation seems like too much. Appetizers or bread showing up when it's almost time for dessert, also bad; and for the most part the staff is very unapologetic. It has also been a downward spiral since Chef Michael started focusing on the expansion of his empire, nothing wrong with that, but I wish he would pay more attention to his original place. Save room for dessert if often as good or better than the savory part of the meal
(3)
Wayne H.
I've read some of the reviews about having to wait despite having a reservation and getting poor service and I can say that neither of these happened to us the two times we went to Michael's, once for dinner and once for happy hour at the bar. It is true what reviewers have said about the two-tops--you are literally sitting elbow to elbow with another table. What we liked: - Wood roasted double yolk farm egg (!!! had this twice; it's amazing) - Crispy sweet and spicy pork belly - Wood roasted cobia entree - Roasted pork shoulder entree - Chips & dip - Duck rillette - Dessert: Popcorn & peanuts (amazing!) - Reasonably priced wine selections by the glass and bottle - Happy hour: 1/2 off glasses of wine and cocktails - Friendly, attentive servers and bartenders Not a fan: - Ceviche--way too sour for our taste - Chargrilled octopus--also way too sour and had an odd texture, possibly previously frozen - Very limited, very-Pinot centric offering of wines by the glass This is a great spot and a really great value for happy hour--you can order off the main menu starting at 5:30pm and get half off drinks from 4:30-6:30pm.
(4)
Mike S.
The food is well prepared except for the seasoning. I would describe his food as whimsical and awkward. Lasagna with bits of liver? I love lasagna and I love liver but not together. Deep fried Korean pork belly with imitation kimchi? Sour ceviche. Unsatisfying/savory duck confit. Burnt pork sandwich from the brick oven. Although I visit once in a while expecting something new and exciting on the menu, it has not changed much over the years. The food is boring and I never really crave Michael's. It's not a restaurant you would want to visit more than once a month. If you are not ticked off by slow understaffed waiters, have 2 hours to spare for dinner, not from NYC or LA, and if there are no picky eaters in your party, I would recommend Michael's. Top Chef DC winner Kevin was eating there last night which says a lot... We all know Angelo deserved the win.
(2)
Stephen T.
Fantastic food! My second time there any both were outstanding!
(4)
Stefanie S.
This is my new FAVORITE restaurant. I don't know where to begin...the food was..superb!! Here is what I tried and every last bit was heavenly: homemade chips with french onion dip fried hominy fried pork belly served on a bed of kimchee ( OMG!! You haven't lived unitl you try it.) That was just appetizers...I had the burger( definitely on my top list). My friends had the shredded pork sandwich with some kind of creamy sauce...WOW Also, the pizza with pork and figs was fantastic. Then comes dessert... I am not going to ruin the surprise! You MUST try this place. It is insane to me that this restaurant averages at 4 stars. This is a 5 +++++
(5)
Douglas C.
This review may be white noise since so many others have reviewed it. Therefore, I will keep it short. Made a reservation for 7 people last Thursday night and was seated in the side room. Our waiter, Remyl, was awesome the entire night. Very friendly and accommodating and excellent at keeping track of all the requests of our rather large table. He was also able to answer a lot of questions the group had. When two more friends showed up after the Heat/Lakers game, he welcomed them without hesitation. The food was very good and fun to try. We split a bunch of appetizers, ceviche, potato chips with onion dip, double egg yolk, pizza, ceviche, burratta and chicken wings. My favorites were the double egg yolk (a really good omelet) and the chicken wings. For my main I went with the pork shoulder. This was cooked well, very tender but I was not a fan of the seasoning. It was too sweet and spicy for me and overpowered the flavor of the pork in my opinion. The side of grits were good, but not outstanding. The table favorite was the pork chop, which I must admit, was damn good. For dessert we had the pot de creme with donuts. They were awesome. Would I come back to Michael's? No doubt. It was a really cool restaurant with good food, good service and an overall good vibe.
(4)
Emann B.
Really great food. The BLT salad was almost a meal with the rich wedge of blue cheese and the lightly chopped frisee. I opted for a red meat treat and had the 12 oz sirloin. It was a tad too rare, but a quality chunk of moo nevertheless, tender and flavorful, complemented by a rich, buttery green peppercorn sauce. Brussel sprouts with pancetta were a great side, and desserts were fine all around. The service was good, with our server throwing a touch of snarkiness that was more entertaining than annoying. It's a great location smack in the middle of the design district, which makes for relaxed window shopping and people gazing as you stroll around and digest.
(4)
Jen D.
Small portions but good food and service. I really appreciate when they don't overload my plate. Duck was juicy and crispy outside, orange sauce on the bottom not on top was a good idea so you can actually taste the duck. Passion fruit ice cream over brownie very yummy! If you are very hungry ordering different dishes will be a good idea. Great for sharing.
(3)
Phillip B.
Was very excited to finally try Michael's after speaking to a friend and reading the reviews. We went a few nights ago.... I was disappointed... The hostess was friendly, but overall the service was not good, the food was very average and not AT ALL what I was expecting for those prices. The duck confit was badly overcooked and dry, the steak au poivre was fatty and over-done and our waiter was inattentive- a couple of times i had to remind him to bring our drinks. I don't see myself going back!
(1)
Jor-El G.
Came here to eat during lunch with my boss since we had heard good things about it butttttttt.... yea, who lied? this place is pricey and not worth it. The sandwich was plain, the salad was in dire need of more dressing, and the same went for everyone else at my table. Why spend a lot of money on mediocre food when u can spend less on awesome food? 2 stars for the cute waiter though.
(2)
Dustyn S.
Real Miami-like place. Impressed with the quality and the presentation of the plates, but definitely fell short of my expectations when I saw the portions. Be ready to spent $$$ here if you want to leave on a full stomach. I went for brunch one day, but have heard that the portions are much better for different meals during the day/night. I would return to try some other dishes as this place has over 400 reviews and is still standing strong at 4 stars.. that has to mean something...
(4)
Ryan V.
I enjoy going go Michael's on the weekends for a little something different to eat. The food is very good, but not the best ever. It's always busy so I suggest either going early or making a rsvp if you can. They put a twist on almost everything they serve and I enjoy that. It's not going to be your classic dishes. Their dessert menu is their best. They have one of the best pastry chefs around. I really enjoy Micheal's but I don't love it. If you are looking for something a little different and you are in the Design District or Midtown area it's worth a stop.
(3)
Ed C.
Went here a few months back while in Miami. Won't go into too much detail - but this was one of the best meals I have had. Ever. We ate everything. I mean: EVERYTHING. I will detail our desserts - that Tangerine Creamsicle Pot De Creme - with the warm salty doughnuts and the tarragon blackberry reduction. Holy. Ish. I actually had that moment when you close your eyes and just sit back and enjoy all those tastes in your mouth. Heavenly.
(5)
Lauren H.
So I mentioned in another review that it, and another restaurant (that I didn't mention names) were tied for the best food I have ever ate, anywhere, ever. This is the other restaurant. Beautiful place, excellent service, and everything I had was absolutely fantastic and by "everything" I don't just mean an appetizer and entree. I went with this guy and his loaded parents and his dad had a habit of saying "One of everything!" to the server whenever we went out to dinner. And by "loaded" I don't mean drunk, I mean rich. So I really did have everything.
(5)
Jeffrey D.
Outstanding food and unreal service! I had the pig ear strips, which were awesome, and I shared a delicious fish plate with my wife. All the food is fresh, sustainable, local, and in season only. The restaurant serves what was described as a french-american fusion menu. It's pricey, but you get what you pay for.
(5)
Kristen C.
Went for lunch to celebrate administrative professional's day with the office. It was a gorg day out so sitting outside was nice. I had the Curried Mahi Wrap, which was so interesting and delicious! It had couscous, raisins and onions -- which really went together well. The fries were whatevery - nothing out of this world, though. The burgers and pizzas are huge, and also looked very good. Pedro P. and I have to go back and try brunch, which I hear is fabulous! FYI- If you notice a woman walking around all zombie-like with a purse and some jewelry on, she's a model for the jewelry store next door. A little creepy, but an interesting marketing effort.
(4)
Robert W.
After a couple of days in Miami, I was ready to go home...other than Little Havan, I thought pretty much everything was lacking authenticity. Our dinner at Michael's changed that. My wife actually ate a couple of bits of the fried pig's ears...a deleicious snack...everything we had (how could you not try a cocktail named for the great Sonny rollins?!) was interesting and beautifully prepared and presented. The prices were extrememly reasonable...and the service and advice on choices we received from our waiter, Tasos, was top notch. Michael's may be the only reason I'd consider returning to Miami. Thanks, Tasos, for a great experience.
(5)
cristina f.
Honestly, one of the best meals I've had in Miami. The price of the food is completely worth it. I've been here twice and have had delicious meals both times. The food was great and the staff friendly and helpful. The vibe is really great- none of the regular pretentious attitudes you get from usual Miami hang-out spots. I definitely want to go back and try a different dish. So far, I've had the falafel sandwich and the breakfast pizza--- both great! I'm dying to try their BBQ brisket. Definitely leave room for dessert- their homemade doughnuts are to DIE for. YUM!
(5)
Adam B.
Ok...so I am back in Miami and of course the first place that I had to eat at was Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. This place really has become one of the true culinary gems in South Florida serving up consistently excellent food at (considering where you're eating) pretty reasonable prices. This visit to Michael's was all about dinner and eating through some of the menu items that I have yet to try. Here is what we ate: - Burrata with local heirloom tomatoes....beyond awesome (see Kat F.'s review if you don't believe me.) - Tuna tartare...the raw quail egg was a bit scary but ultimately delicious. - Margarita wood oven pizza...perfect appetizer - Pan roasted 1/2 "poulet rouge" chicken....golden delicious - Pan roasted wild striped bass - Steak au Poivre.... surprisingly excellent for a non-steak house and for dessert.... - Popcorn and Peanuts.....all I can say is "holy shit" good - Candies, Cookies & Confections....a must try. There is a reason why I keep coming back to Michael's. It because it's just that good.
(5)
Linet P.
Michaels is that restaurant where you go to feel good about your human condition, where you reflect about how great civilization is for allowing the evolution of need into pleasure. It is the place to look around and hope for a better Miami, with more courtyards like theirs. it is also the place where you go to remember that Jazz and Blues are meant for romance, and that cooking is really a form of art.
(5)
Mimi S.
Pros: Great dessert Cons: Snobby games & one bad apple (service) We'd heard a lot about the desserts and decided to give it a try. We didn't make a reservation but I kid you not, it was a Sunday night and there were several tables open outside. We go to the reception inside and a pleasant gentleman tells us that he was sorry but they were fully booked for the rest of the night. He could put us on the waiting list if we like and wait at the bar. We tell him no problem and decide to leave instead. As we're walking away, he approaches us again and says something just opened up. What really happened here was we were supposed to gratefully ask to be put on the waiting list and start a tab at the bar thereby spending money at the bar and then for a sit-down meal. When we're seated, our server is courteous but unhelpful. My husband loves to ask for recommendations and wants to try the best thing for desserts. The guy tells him that everything is equally good and dismisses us. What's wrong with telling us what he really likes or doesn't? Not sure if it was because we were there for desserts only and he knew our bill wouldn't garner a huge tip. While my sister-in-law and I decide on one dessert, my husband is rattled by the snobbishness of the waiter and just picks the first item. We loved the coconut brownie with passion fruit ice cream and macadamia nuts. Had to be one of the best desserts I've had in a while. The gay waiter who brought it, told us immediately that it was his favorite. His enthusiasm and genuine attitude won us over in the half-minute he was there and we all wished he was our waiter instead. The dessert my husband ordered, the Boston cream pie-in-a-jar, was not as wonderful but I guess it didn't help that it was ordered with a waiter who didn't want to give us any of his time. If we could have a more genuine waiter, and less pretentiousness, we would consider going back for a full meal.
(3)
Henry S.
With this place always being featured one way or another on the Food Network, we made it a point to eat here during our short visit in Miami. The food was good but it was not the best I've ever had. Yes some dishes were outstanding but overall was not a 5 star place for me. We actually came for Sunday Brunch and they were very busy. I would highly suggest making reservations here so you wont have to wait. Some of the dishes that stood out for me was: The rice cake with egg. Delicious Home made donuts and pop tars. Nuff said. Reuben omelet. Breakfast pizza. I do have to say that service was superior and our waitress was very thorough in explaining the dishes to us. Michael's had great ambiance and outstanding service.
(4)
Myra W.
Always a GREAT experience for me @Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. The place to SEE and be SEEN. Chef Michael Schwartz' selection of locally sustainable resources always is a winner, in my opinion. Reservations are a must unless you want to take your chances and just pony up to the BAR. Award winning cocktails. Award WINNING Pastry Chef Hedy's desserts with a cup of Panther coffee's not a bad way to check this place out, either. Wanting to post a photo, but not sure how to do that! LOL.
(5)
Natalia E.
Oh brunch at Michaels, how do I LOVE thee; Let me count the ways... I love your homemade juices and creative cocktails, just a sip of the Melon Ball and I've set sail; Thy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and thy Crispy Rice Cake I love them both so much, just the thought of them, makes my heart ache. I love your Cheese Grits, your Homemade Sausage, and your Crispy Hominy if only they'd leave the four of us alone we'd make such sweet harmony. And when I need something sweet, I reach for the requisite treat - Your Homemade Doughnuts do really make me go nuts! Oh, but wait, I save the best for last - To live is to eat your Duck Confit Hash, And on that note, I must make a dash to make my reservation in time or risk standing in a never-ending line.
(5)
F. P.
So I visited Miami last month and this was the one place (along with Joe's Stone Crab) that I was most eager to try, given all the hype I've read. And it absolutely delivered. First of all, as soon as I stepped inside, I noticed the huge red lamps above. Felt like I was in the lobby of the Wynn in Vegas - loved it! The place was absolutely packed ... thank goodness I made reservations a month earlier. Who would have guessed this restaurant out in the warehouse-like Design District would be so popular ... my high expectations increased twofold. The menu was broken into several categories, based on size. We were more interested in trying lots of different things so we stuck to the smaller items. Here's a recap of what we had: Snacks - Chicken Liver Crostini w Caramelized Onions - very good! excellent start to the meal. Small - Wood roasted double yolk farm egg w cave aged gruyere, roasted tomato, chives, sourdough crostini - I don't know what it is these days but every chef seems to be doing their unique spin on eggs but this dish was simply AMAZING! The richness of the yolky egg and the cheese on top of the crunch crostini was in a word, mindblowing. - Tuna tartare w quail egg, kalamata olives, shallot, basil, tomato and crostini - well-prepared but seemed a little bland. Perhaps needed a little salt to blend all the complex flavors together. Medium - Crispy sweet & spicy pork belly w kimchi, crushed peanuts, swank farms pea shoots - FANTASTIC!! Who would think that a kimchi dish in a non-Korean restaurant (in Miami, no less) would even be remotely good. But this will remain as one of the more memorable dishes I've ever had in recent times. The pairing of kimchi w carrots and red bell pepper was so unique. The kimchi was slightly on the unripe side, which was a good thing here because the slight tartness balanced well with the sweetness of the carrots. And the ridiculously good pork was equally juicy, crispy and spicy. Yum. - Crispy rice cake w Florida rock shrimp, chorizo, manchego and fried organic egg - very good but after the pork and kimchi, it suffered from the inevitable comparison. Again, no Large dishes ordered. Sides - Wood roasted brussel sprouts w pancetta & lemon aioli - good side dish but nothing spectacular. Desserts - Tangerine creamsicle pot de creme w cara cara orange confit & hot doughnuts - this was one of the best desserts I've had in ages!! Also, the cara cara has such a rich, jam taste. I can't remember the last time I had a meal where the starter (double egg yolk), the main (pork belly & kimchi) and the dessert (creamsicle pot de creme) were all so amazingly good. It was the elusive perfect meal from start to finish. It makes me sad because I don't know when I'll be back in Miami again. But if I go, I plan on just ordering those three things (two of each). And going by myself. So I don't have to share. And then going back a few hours with everyone else and doing it all over. Seriously, it was that good (and being from SF where there are so many foodie options here ... all I can think of still is Michael's. Well, that and the beach).
(5)
Sean C.
What's not to love? Unique cocktails, delicious food, nice ambiance, and great service. I dined here with a coworker tonight and we thoroughly enjoyed everything. I had the double yoke farm egg appetizer to start and found it to be a great start to our dinner. The cave-aged Gruyere cheese complimented the egg perfectly. For dinner, I had the grilled pork chop and had to remind myself repeatedly that it was not appropriate for me to pick up the bone and gnaw on it to get every last morsel off. For dessert, I heeded the many yelpers advice and went for the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme with the donuts and blackberry jam. Holy smokes, that was absolutely amazing. I don't think we can make it back here again on this trip, but this place is definitely going on my list of favorites and I will be back!
(4)
Michael L.
What can I say...Fresh food/ingredients. Waiter's there well educated on the specifics on every menu item. Good small selection of beer. Will deffinatly come back again!!
(5)
danielle b.
I love michaels genuine food and drink, I REALLY do. The food I had here was the best steak Ive eaten; The farm eggs delish, our ice cream trio AMAZING (please try the sweet corn ice cream. one of those things that sounds weird but will blow your mind its so good) Unfortunately I have to give it three stars. Our server was pretty nice but what set the whole tone was what we arrived to. Every single table was reserved, even two tops outside. The hostess told us the inside was booked for the rest of the night and we could sit outside if we were up in exactly an hour cause they needed our table. We felt rushed the rest of the meal... Usually when we go out we spend 100 bucks and always tip 20-25 percent. For a two top, that's a pretty nice amount to pay Again, love this place but I think only large parties should be able to do reservations or they should manage themselves a little better so as not to rush people that are willing to spend money and willing to tip.
(3)
William B.
I went back for the famous brunch, and had pop tarts, donuts, kim chi benedict, and many more dishes that i can't remember. Which more or less conveys to you the problem. If I pay this much money at a restaurant hyped this much, I would like to remember it. There is not a single item I had at brunch that I wouldn't have happily traded for more brussels sprouts.
(3)
Cesar A.
This place was exactly what I expected. Great food and amazing cocktails. Our bartender Doug was a masterful artist!
(5)
Andrea F.
So much has already been said so I'll keep it short. This place is awesome. Every dish that came across out table was excellent. We tried the deviled eggs, tuna tartare, short ribs, broccoli rabe and loved every bite. Friends ordered other dishes and everything I tasted was fantastic! I wasn't crazy about the specialty cocktails I tried. Next time I go I'll probably stick to beer or wine. Our server was fantastic, smiley and upbeat. We were one of the last tables in the place and didn't feel rushed at all. The doughnuts for dessert were off the chain!
(4)
Tim P.
I think everyone already agrees the food here is great. I enjoyed it for people watching. Very funny as I'd say the patrons really fancy themselves a bit. Maitre'd a bit of a creep. There were plenty of outside tables so when we requested one he came back with a bitchy 'They're for regular customers.' Instead we were squashed somewhere in the back. Ha! Ha!
(4)
Gianna O.
Unique. Delicious. Make sure to get the duck confit and save room for dessert. Everything was delicious. My favorite things were the double yolk farm egg, the duck confit, and the crispy rice cake. The cocktails are also spectacular and unique, including the Caballero, the passion fruit caipirinha, and the manhattan. The octopus was my least favorite, because the flavor was a little overpowered by the olives and red onion. Overall, do not pass up this place.
(5)
Kimberly E.
The food at Michael's is INCREDIBLE, though the service leaves something to be desired. We came for brunch on the weekend and had made a reservation. When we showed up 15 minutes early we were told we would have to wait until our reservation time. Fair enough. Except that the table we ended up being sat at was empty the. entire. time. (Along with several other 2 and 4-top tables that remained empty the whole time we were there -- which was frustrating considering we had been told earlier that we couldn't up our reso from 2 to 4 without a long wait.) Once we were seated service was okay, but could definitely have been more attentive. It feels like they're heavy on bussers/runners but light on actual waiters. Service aside, the food was AMAZING (yes, all caps again) and we loved that everything came in small portions. It was perfect for trying a lot of dishes, and getting that nice mix of sweet/savory and light/rich dishes. Lemon ricotta pancakes, Spanish tortilla, and kimchi benedict were all really delicious, but the duck confit hash was definitely the #1 stand-out dish to remember. It was ridiculously good. I definitely recommend checking out Michael's, and we will certainly be back next time we're in Miami!
(4)
J M.
I came here after work to meet up with a friend and hang out at the bar. Loved the place. I wish there was one like this in South Beach. I didn't know they do brunch until just started reading the other reviews. Going to check it out!
(4)
Christina C.
After waiting at the bar for about half an hour on a busy Sunday, I was finally able to try out the well-reputed Michael's Sunday Brunch. That's OK, in the meantime as I waited I appreciated the nice location, We had some mimosa's while at the bar followed by some bloody mary's at our table which were AMAZING. In regards to the menu, we each ordered a dish and split it all amongst the 4 of us. Among our favorite dishes were the oysters, the harris ranch short rib hash, the kimichi bendict, homemade poptarts, and maybe the parfait. Everything was exceptional and I wish I could have tried even more options on the menu. But I will definitely be back for either lunch or dinner because I heard Michael's is the place to be.
(5)
Leticia P.
It sure is as good as it gets! I just love everything about Michael's, great smart friendly service, drinks are fantastic (please try the Bulleit Proof Manhattan) and the food is impeccable! And now the best part: ALWAYS! It's just very consistently great. I've been there many times now ( Confession: Seams like every time I leave the house to go have dinner I want to go to Michael's... Gosh I better start making more money LOL) Ok, my suggestion for your next meal there: I'll insist that you order a Bulleit Proof Manhattan For food start with the Rice Cake - OH MY.... sooo good - and that egg that comes on top of if.... genius. If you are with someone else have them ordering the delicious chicken wings... so you can steal one :) Than I'd order the duck confit... crispy in the outside, moist and perfectly seasoned in the inside... If you wanna share something with that person with you, get the pizza... delish with goat cheese and lamb meat balls To top it off... Get the best lemon pie you ever had for desert. Comes with marshmallow and fresh berries :) Enjoy
(5)
Kevin L.
Definitely the finest meal I've ever had in Miami. Full stop. Not a single item we ordered was off-base. Service was absolutely stellar -- frequent brief check-ins without being down-your-throat. And the space itself is just plain lush with dark woods, low lighting, and a pleasant rumble of conversation under an airy high ceiling. Highlights of the evening, in no particular order: - Cute, professional server (totally giggle/point-worthy) - The shortrib with toasted almonds & hazelnuts that was meltingly forkable apart - Side of crispy pig ear (Who knew that pig ear could be served any way but sliced ultra-thin in a chili oil sauce?! Clearly I need to go somewhere other than A&J once in awhile...) - Pretty tall fauxhawked chef - Crispy sweet and spicy pork belly with kimchi and crushed peanuts (far superior to traditional Korean offerings, and I don't say that lightly. Please reference Yechon experiences: bit.ly/1Kffsp ) - Bottled Chimay Blue - Cute, professional server (um... call me?) Of course, how could this joint -not- be pretty darn awesome in all respects? It's nestled into the Design District and surrounded by nifty shops that are eye-catching and alluring even when it's mid-evening and they're all closed. I dig.
(5)
Tracy W.
My husband and I would agree with many of the other reviewers - the dishes here are hit or miss. The good ones are really fantastic, the not-so-good ones are very disappointing. I like how they group items by size - instead of having an entree (large or extra large) we decided to each have 2 smaller dishes. My husband had a mango/avocado/feta salad (small) that was to die for, and the pastrami (medium) which was so meh he didn't even think it was worth finishing (and it's not like we're talking about a huge plate here). I had the butter lettuce salad (medium) which was good and the shrimp/rice cake (medium) which was also good but could have used a little more shrimp to offset the rice. Desserts (we had the Food Network duo of Popcorn & Peanuts and Tangerine Creamsicle) were a little disappointing. They were good, but not so good that you wanted to have another one once you finished. From the raves on "Best Thing I Ever Ate" I think we were expecting to be dazzled, and that definitely didn't happen.
(3)
Luke S.
So we went shopping in the Design District and decided to lunch at Michael's. Service was prompt and the wines by the glass were good. The waterboy was over-committed to keep the water glasses filled. Sip here, pour there. The food was good, too, but not screaming 'eeat me I am soooo yummy'. I would agree the quality is there. It is not fancy food, either, rather on the home-y side. I had steak and fries and the SO had the catch of the day. The 'espresso' was not an espresso. It was a very small coffee with a tiny little bit of crema on top. A shrunken Americano, if you will. Prices were reasonable. So if you want to eat good quality food this is a place to consider; just don't expect any culinary miracles. But you will have eaten solid food and not feel robbed or extorted.
(3)
G N.
Comfort food for foodies. First rate experience from cocktails, wines by the glass, appetizers, main course, to dessert. Our favorites inlcude burrata with local heirloom tomatoes, pork belly with just right kim chi, duck confit, chocolate and peanut butter pie in a jar, and tangerine creamsicle pot de creme. Forgettable though optional side dishes (french fries, roasted tomatoes), so don't bother. Price quickly adds up because of the temptation to order everything from the deliciously worded menu. Service was warm, wonderful, and attentive. Our favorite so far in Miami.
(5)
Derek A.
Started off with the Doria Ceviche and Beet, vine ripe tomatoes and gorgonzola salad. Both dishes were very light and refreshing. A great choice for a hot South Florida night. The menu is comprised of a lot of pork dishes which we steered away from but are obviously part of the comfort food type menu. They come highly recommended if your a pork fan. Bathroom was dirty and messy as my girlfriend just reported back to me (but when is the women's room not dirty). We had the Short Rib and arugula pizza for the main entree. The pizza was cooked in a brick oven and came out super crispy but a bit on the oily side. All in all it was am 8.5 out of 10 as far as brick oven pizzas go. We had a Pot de Creme (homemade donuts, jelly compote and custard) and Cremoso (rich chocolate and decadent desert). Both excellent deserts. I highly recommend them. Overall a great experience. Will be back again soon.
(4)
Kate J.
I finally did brunch at Michaels and I am happy to say that I wil be doing it again! The only negative, that I will get out of the way, is don't go here if you are counting your calaries, you'll leave disappointed in that you cannot enjoy the goodies or that you ate too much and blew your diet. Drinks...Genuine Bloody Mary, very good but keep it stirred. Horseradish was to die for! Cabrete, watermelon juice drink very good and strong. The next drink on my list to try will be the Salty Dog, tequila + grapefruit juice. Food...Egg Sandwich + Rosemary crompet - Good by comparison to other restaurants but just okay on the Michaels menu standards; Pork Shoulder w. grits + poached egg - To Die For! I had my doubts bec. the grits did not look right to me (I'm from the south so I know what grits should be like.) but these tasted great! The whole thing comes together really nicely, the pork actually becomes more of a side then the main part of the dish. Pancakes - light lemon flavor+blackberry topping really made this dish. French Toast - To Die For! Almond + Banana toppings + a warm to die for sauce. Donuts-1 with banana coconut creme and 1with a lemon filling, these are like Thai donuts w. the best creme filling. I'm not a creme filling person but these were done right and was awesome. Just makes you realize how many cheap no good junk is put out there under the guise of being a creme filled donut. Anyway, based on this I imagine the pop tarts are as good as the other reviews have mentioned. Everything for us was great including the service. It did feel a touched rushed, i.e no food then you must be ready to go. Waiter recommended 3 items per person, for me that was too much but I think it really depends on what you end up ordering. 2-3 items seems right but I was so stuffed! And I still wanted to order more, looking forward to going again to try something new.
(5)
Ramona C.
I wasn't impressed at all!! Went there once for lunch, once for dinner. The ambiance is not bad, the service is so-so, the food is awful! And it's not cheap. Would rather recommend Sugar Cane anytime.
(2)
michael d.
Dinner on a Saturday night at 7:30. Excellent bar and staff. For dinner we sat outside (party of 6) ordered2 4 pound yellowtail snappers. Entre was excellent, however, a really big however, the service was poor at best. The cooked fish were presented to the table and returned to the kitchen to be fileted. 15 MINUTES later after 2 inquiries they were returned lukewarm at best.Sides were described as large enough to share, ordered mashed potatoes, grilled cauliflower and 2 others. The potatoes arrived first, barely large enough for 2 and same with the cauliflower. The brussels sprouts arrived after asking after them twice (near the end of the meal) and the final side arrived as the dessert menu was being presented. Poor service, mix up in the kitchen, don't know which but it ruined the experience. Felt like we were participating in a Gordon Ramsey show
(1)
Ariel G.
Decent restaurant, nothing amazingly special.......but for some reason taken over by pretentious people who have made it an "in spot" for now. Once the crowds leave and the golddiggers disperse it has really good food. Try to go at 7 PM to miss all the morons who dress themselves up and try to look special while they eat a hamburger and scream/lie at the top of their lungs about private financial matters......
(3)
p k.
After four visits, I am confident recommending Michael's. The specials are unique, ample and delicious. The menu is healthy, with a few opportunities to cheat a bit (the desserts are fantastic). Make a reservation; unless it's cool enough to sit outside, the inside seating is tight and get s crowded. Try the ceviche; done with mango and avocado ~ perfect! The brownie done with toffee crunch and smores ice cream was a perfect end to a very good meal!
(5)
Erica B.
My friends and I waited 40 minutes after our reservation to be seated and I'm STILL giving this place five stars. Literally everything we ate was gold. I personally had the chicken and I can still taste it. Sometimes you just need a good ol' slab of chicken, you know? Amazing, perfectly whipped mashed potatoes on the side. Crisp, sauteed escarole underneath. Slightly crunchy skin on top. Other things we ate: heirloom tomato and avocado salad, beet and heirloom salad (they don't mention on the menu that these are GOLDEN beets! yum!), wood oven roasted pears, short rib (you could literally cut this with a straw), ribeye (so tender and paired with an interesting feta/tomato salad underneath that made it refreshing), and the swordfish. The flavors of the food here were so well integrated - you know how usually you eat something and it's just sort of smushed together? This was like everything on the plate was making sweet, sweet love to each other (and my mouth). Everyone raved about their food for days and agreed that the minute they put a bite of food in their mouths they totally forgot about the annoyance of the wait. GREAT service too - very friendly and accommodating. Lovely jazz playing in the joint. We sat outside and despite the restaurant being in the middle of a shopping center, it felt cozy and intimate. Oh silly ol' me I almost forgot about the dessert! How could I? Dessert, I'm sorry. Man it was effin good. I hoovered down so much chocolate I could barely dance later that night. But I tried. The dessert special of the day was this amazing deconstructed mounds bar pie. My. God. Also great - the banana toffee panini, the popcorn and peanuts. It was all so well made and delicious. My friend told me later she judged me for polishing everything off. Yep, that's right. I personally finished every dessert that was leftover on the plates. Next time I'm in Miami I will definitely be back to this place. I'd also recommend anyone go here. My mom, my dad, my friends, my 20 year old sister, that hobo who sleeps on the corner. Everyone.
(5)
Ingrid D.
I think it is a great atmosphere and the food is good. Not many different choices, especially if you are a vegetarian, nevertheless, this is not the place to sit and have a big meal. This is perfect to eat a little something while you enjoy great wine and awesome ambience. Price is fair.
(4)
Odious L.
Love going here, micheals is as consistent as it gets in Miami. Everything is delicious but A must try is the pork belly - it's perfectly cooked every time I go. The side of Kim-chi that comes with the belly is also heavenly. Really there's no bad dishes - my boyfriend loves the eggplant app, the whole fish, and chocolate cremoso desert.....you may not expect to hear this but I think the best thing micheals offers is their signature cocktails. Try their hurricane, you'll be glad you did.....Also the service is always on point. If their is one knock it's that they don't change the menu enough and I eat here too often. Bad combination. But it still wouldn't stop me from going here over and over again. Food and drinks are always top notch.
(5)
Jeff M.
Michael's in unbeatable. The food is inventive, delicious and consistent and reasonably priced for what it is. You cannot go wrong each and every time. The chocolate cremoso with sea salt, olive oil, sourdough crostini & espresso parfait is to die for.
This review is based on my most recent Sunday brunch. Most of the food was, as expected, sophisticated and delicious! Loved that they had Whispering Angel Rose. We loved the egg dishes (pork shoulder & chorizo), the rice cake, the salads, the French toast, the pancake and the bacon flecked cinnamon bun. Also the heirloom tomato and avacado salad was perfection. But, ordering sides doesn't work out that well since they arrive whenever they are ready which in our case was way later than the dishes we wanted to enjoy them with and was still too soon since the sausage arrived underdone and was sent back after a few risky bites. To add insult to injury they were out of their famous pop tarts so be sure to get those early on in your meal. Service was also spotty since they were slammed so just slightly less than what I have come to expect from Michael's.
(3)
Brian S.
I know I'm not the 100th or even the 200th person to review this place, but I like it so much, I had to opine. Michael's is a really great place to meet friends and share a good meal. Price point is a bit high tho. My fav dish is the wood oven whole chicken or wood oven whole yellow tail snapper. both are mega-delish and I recommend them highly. as an appetizer, the mussels are AMAZING. wine list is good too. it is def my #1 place in the design district. outdoor seating is also a big plus. good for groups and sat night dates.
(4)
Maria L.
I've been here for brunch twice now, and once for dinner. To start off... I love the Design District's $3 valet. This is an amazing value and gets your time here started right. The first time I came with one other person without reservations since we didn't know how packed it would be. They didn't have any tables, but were able to give us seats on the counter overlooking the kitchen. The eating room was super small, but it was kind of cool to watch the kitchen staff work. The second time I had a problem with my reservation (my fault, not theirs), but the hostess was really helpful and eventually got us a table for four. The third time was we came in with a reservation and had zero problems. Decor is nice and clean -- nothing to distract you from your food. BRUNCH: During my two visits combined I've tasted: the kimchi Benedict (twice), the breakfast pizza (twice), skirt steak and scrambled eggs, the rice cake, pop tarts, the cinnamon roll, salmon dip, Reuben omelet, the spanish tortilla. the lemon ricotta pancakes, and the jar of greek yogurt. Everything was exceptionally delicious and you could tell these dishes were well thought out... I would go as far as saying that the kimchi Benedict is a work of genius. I could seriously eat it everyday. The only thing I would probably not have again is the spanish tortilla, which was tasty, but served cold which I wasn't a fan of -- but I imagine there are people who would not be bothered by this. Everything is small, and both times I have been here the server has been sure to mention this. DINNER: My family of four had (for an excellent price): -The olives -- they were olives. Good if you like olives, bad if you don't. -The cheese of the week -- I won't actually comment on the cheese because they didn't make it and whether you like it or not depends on you, but I will say they served it with VERY burnt bread which ruined the cheese. - Carbonara - really really freaking good! - Leg of lamb with a farro/feta salad - This was good (not amazing) in my book, but my mom swore that it was the best thing ever and boasted that she made the best ordering decision. - Pizza (ingredients change) - this was average. Good, but not fantastic. I keep ordering pizza in nice restaurants hoping it will blow me away, but I've realized pizza is best left for folks who only do pizza and therefore make it perfectly. - Chips with pan fried onion dip: Also good. - For DESSERT: maple flan (so FREAKING awesome!), the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme (also really awesome, and then whatever their special way (my mom had this and thought it was good, but was still jealous of everyone else -- she likes being the one with the best dish) I've also had two of their cocktails -- the Sonny Rollins and the Dominican. Both amazing brunch perfect cocktails. They have a really nice (small, but nice) beer choice. I also tried the cherry rosemary soda which I really enjoy (I really love herb infused drinks in general). The service was friendly, but really slow. The first time I came I didn't notice, because the serve was still trying to be as attentive as possible given the sizable brunch crowd. The second time I came I felt that the waiter was actually ignoring us instead of just being really busy although he was nice enough when he actually came around. The third time, the service was good -- toward the end someone dropped an empty dessert plate on my sister and we had three people come and apologize and offer to pay for dry cleaning though it wasn't necessary, it was just some powdered sugar on a cheap machine-washable shirt, but the gesture is nice. I would most definitely recommend this place and I'll be back many times over.
(5)
Felipe C.
Terrible service with too much attitude. Not worth the trip!!! The host was big punk that makes up excuses for making a mess out of the reservations book. There are too many good restaurants in Miami to have to put up with a small crowed place that does know how to manage the good times while they last.
(1)
Dante B.
Michael's seems to be constantly busy and reservations are a must, regardless of the day of the week. This place has blown up in popularity. Expect to pay at least $50 per person, without drinks, if the party is at least moderately hungry. The dishes, while very tasty, are quite small. I certainly suggest reviewing the online menus in their entirety before you go since the restaurant is very busy and waiter service is definitely quick. Due to the insane crowds, poor desserts, small dining room, small bar and OK service, I am giving Michael's a four star review, but I should probably give them a 3.5. The OK service is mostly around the so-so bartenders and wait-staff, I would actually say that the two ladies who attend the front desk are better and they deserve fives. Once we were seated, here's how the dinner went down for me: - special call-out to the Pinot Noir selection on the wine list, it's very nice and there are some great Oregon pinots. We started off with a Lange, which I highly recommend every red wine drinker to try. (well, we actually had some drinks at the packed bar before the dinner, but I am skipping that part.) - ceviche (excellent, very well-prepared.) - burrata - (pretty over-priced if you ask me at $21 for a small tomato salad, I would NOT do this one again.) - octopus (one of my favorites) - pizza (this, also, was one of my favorites but drew some criticism from the table overall. We really debated about the quality of the figs on the pizza, which I thought were a nice touch, but others did not.) Then we moved on to the heavier dishes: - pork belly (outstanding, very nice dish) - duck confit (also extremely good, very tasty and not greasy like ducks usually are) - mussels (over-rated. I would not repeat this dish again, either.) and finished with a panini and a pot de creme. Desserts were also a let-down overall. In short, to Michael's: MICHAELS: - becoming famous has made you sloppy and inattentive with your service. The insane crowds and throngs packed along the sidewalk outside have made you rush. SLOW DOWN and focus on your seated clients. - Give your pastry chef a slap and get something better on the dessert menu. You have a good selection of coffees, ports and after-dinner drinks, but nothing appealing on the dessert menu to make a diner want to go there.
(4)
Chuck M.
I have been here many times and in the 4 years its been in the Design District it has remained my favorite spot, food is always excellent, staff is typically great, and the open aire patio is wonderful. He has a great beer and Scotch selection to boot.
(5)
Ronald R.
This is truly a great place, great food, excellent service and a laid back but sophisticated environment. I would recommend this place to anyone. The brunch on Sunday, is a must!. Needless to say it again. I will go back to this place over and over again. One thing you must do, MAKE A RESERVATION!!! this is an awesome place so I can guarantee you anytime you go there you will have people waiting to see if a table opens. We did that, although the wait was well worth it, we'll make reservations next time.
(5)
Michelle o.
I loooooooove this place!!! The food is always amazing and consistent. The cocktails fabulous. The service great.
(5)
Jonathan S.
i've been here over and over and always forget to write something down..... this place is all around awesome!! If you're looking for something wrong you probably don't enjoy anything anyways. Great Food and Service what more do you need?!?!
(5)
Kyrene G.
This place was really great! It had great ambiance and the food was delicious. Very good service and drinks. We had the sweet and spice pork belly, which was fantastic and very creative with the flavor combination. The tangerine parfait dessert was soooooo good. Overall the experience was great. I will go back soon!!!
(5)
H K.
AMAZING! A++++ I saw this one "The best thing I ever ate" and knew I had to visit at least once on my trip! We made sure to try one of the dessert recommended by the show---the peanut popcorn candy bar one...mmmmm! It was amazing! My bf ordered leg of lamb and said it was the best he has ever had! Also, we ordered an array of appetizers. BBQ wings, ceviche, mussels & the eggplant. The eggplant had a yogurt dipping sauce and was really delicious. Also, the ceviche was very refreshing...pretty much everything was great!!! If you order a few small plates, your bill won't be too pricey. For what you get, this place is a deal! The lamb portions were HUGE! I recommend going here on a Saturday when they have the launch market full of food trucks (including the BBQ master, Mark). If you can, try to go for the art walk too which is also on a Saturday.
(5)
Andrea J.
Great vibe, cool music, amazing food! Pig skin salad, duck confit, tuna tartar, rice cake, sweet and sticky pork belly, pot de creme. Yummy. Best place I've been in long time. Just got James beard award. Nice!
(5)
R Y.
A fun place to dine especially on Fr/Sat night! Our party ordered a bunch of different plates to share and everyone was impressed with the food.
(4)
Rafael S.
Wow this place was packed on a Thursday night, and in an out of the way location off a street in the District. Don't let the overly gourmet appetizers fool you the food here is hearty - cheese grits, collard greens, and wild influences from double yolks baked soft with gruyere to ceviche make a splash on the menu. The entrees are pretty standard: a fish, a chicken, two pork dishes, a filet. But they manage to mix homestyle favorites like grits with avant garde style and great micro brew selections. Ask for Hinmatooya to serve you. It's pricey though.
(4)
Adrian A.
Wow. Where do I begin. My wife has been talking about this place for months. I finally went and it was horrible. Our server was nothing but rude. She recommended the strawberry grouper and it was flavorless so I sent it back. I ordered the steak and it tasted like meatloaf. I also sent I back. I will never go back. Nor do I recommend this place to anyone.
(1)
Stephanie S.
This place is simply amazing. The wait staff is incredibly polite and attentive. The food is out of this world and can only inspire you to become a chef yourself!
(5)
Daniel R.
Eh...it was ok. Menu was unique & interesting but I've had better short ribs elsewhere & the chicken was just ok. Dessert was good and they had a great beer menu. It was also pretty pricey. Atmosphere was great though, just don't know if I'll be going back.
(3)
Laily B.
Food is truly the best part. Service could be improved. Ambiance is so so, since the dining room is super crowded, which is different from "cozy". First time visit with a friend. Had a reservation and was seated right away (but it could be that it was 6:30pm on a sat night). The tables for two are indeed very close to one another, where it feels like it's just one long communal table, but at least no elbows were bumped. Server was friendly and offered suggestions. -Butter lettuce salad with shallot-hazelnut vinaigrette, orange and avocado. Light and refreshing, nice way to start without filling you up too much. -Friend had Double-yolk oven-roasted egg. Pretty good, if you appreciate the silky richness of a soft egg yolk. -Linguini with mushrooms, crispy bacon, and poached egg. This was pure comfort food. Delicious, creamy, rich, and savory. My mouth waters just thinking about it. -Friend had porkbelly. Melt in your mouth, crispy edges, fall-apart meat. Yum. Friend did not care for the kimchi (she is Asian and picky at that). -Pizza with caramelized onions, aurugula, some other green leaf, and a cheese whose name I can't remember. We shared this at the end, but we were quite full by now. We took most of it home, but it was very good. -Orange creamsicle pot de creme with doughnuts. This was delicious, not too sweet and light enough not to make your pants button pop. But I felt like the pot de creme portion was tiny. I don't think there was more than a tablespoon in there. A little more wouldve been nice, especially for the $10 price tag. -Friend had the special, which was like a chocolate candy bar interpretation. Chocolate ganache with hazelnuts, caramel, chocolate mousse. Buttered popcorn ice cream and popcorn and peanut chocolate crunch. This was good, friend loved it. I was quite happy with the pot de creme choice however, since the chocolate dessert is very rich and I had just consumed a bowl of linguini richness. Service: Ok. Server was friendly. But food took a little long to arrive. The couple next to us had arrived like 20 mins after us and they got their food first. The lady ordered the same salad as I had. I asked the server if he knew what was going on with our food. He didnt seem to realize the table next to us (which was his as well) was already eating. He went to the kitchen, came back like 5 mins later and said the double yolk had been delayed as the kitchen was a little backed up. He apologized and when the food finally came, he said they would give us complimentary dessert. This was a nice gesture, which you rarely see these days, but.. When he brought the dessert menu, he mentioned again about the complimentary dessert. So we ordered one dessert each. Right? This isn't the type of place where dessert is such a large portion that you need to share it with the table next to you. When the bill came, only one dessert had been taken off. *Sigh* Good ambiance, although a bit crowded. Michael Schwartz was going around some of the tables. Cool that he wears black converse with his chef whites. Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten was at a nearby booth eating. I gather it was because it was the weekend of the SBFWF. There is an issue with the ladies' bathroom. When you lock the door, make sure it is locked. Try to open the door after you lock it to make sure. I locked the door, or so I thought, only to see a woman coming in as I was about to do my business. She promptly apologized and left. When I checked the door, I noticed the lock kind of sticks when you turn it, so make sure it locks! Another downside is there is only one bathroom for men and one for women. Lines get long. Try not to drink too much.
(4)
alex m.
THis is my favorite restaurant in Miami. Seasonal food, freshest ingredients, and a great ever-changing" menu. In a comfortable indoor/outdoor setting provided by its home in Atlas Plaza, lunch and dinner both are great!! Even wIth the success of Chef Schwartz, his prices have remained consistent, and reasonable, and his abundance of followers proves the point that he hasn't lost focus on the formula that has solidified him as one of the best in the city. Not over pretentious, but still a hot spot, and you get to keep at least an arm at the end. Just simply delicious food from gourmet pizzas, to the best cuts of meat and poultry. This is simple food done perfectly and he managed to single handedly changed my perception of the artichoke (which is a must try i might add). When in doubt, head out to the Design District. Be patient because chances are you will wait for a seat.
(5)
Mimi M.
Ceviche is great! Root Beer desert a must.
(4)
Miguel P.
First Review....and decided this was an appropriate restaurant to get my first. WOW! If I was a chef and they asked me to go on "best thing I ever ate", my choice would go to the pork belly with kimchi at Michael's Genuine. I came here for a work trip and had heard so much about the dessert at this place. After having a disappointing dinner at five guys the night before(sorry, in n out is WAY better), I decided to give Michael's a try and it did not disappoint. I got the ceviche which was decent(I have had better) and then I followed it up with the pork belly which made up for any stars the ceviche lost in my review. The dessert was AMAZING as well. I got the donuts with the tangerine cream. Awesome drink selection as well. I would fly back just to eat the pork belly again.....
(5)
Summer L.
This was one of my favorite restaurants in Miami for the past several years, since right after they opened. It's a pretty relaxed environment and more casual than most Miami restaurants with comparable reputations, but the food is usually very good (not as good or consistent as it used to be though). The desserts are the best part, and Sunday brunch is amazing. Unfortunately now that everyone on earth has discovered the place, it is usually full of pretentious types these days and isn't much fun to go anymore unless you go really early and get out before the masses show up. The service has also gone downhill pretty significantly depending on who you get, as there is a lot of turnover these days. Watch out for new waiters and bartenders; request old-timers if possible.
(4)
Juan Jose D.
This place is great, very different ambiance you have in the Design District compared to SoBe or other placer, I would say more relaxed. I recommend the short ribs, martinis and if you love desserts try the one that comes with chocolate and bananda; cant remember the name but its amazing.
(4)
Elizabeth E.
I joined yelp just to write this review. It was that good. I went to Miami for vacation and ate at Michael's for my birthday dinner. The food was delicious and there were so many scrumptious looking options. We got ceviche, pork belly, the cheese course and two desserts. We wish we lived in Florida so we could try everything on the menu. We sat at the little bar overlooking the kitchen. The chefs were so friendly yet not intrusive. We asked them for recommendations on their favorite dishes. It was very telling that each chef had a different favorite - everything we tasted was top notch. Food - amazing, service - awesome, atmosphere - "10"...but the best part was the bill. $89 for two glasses of wine and five gourmet dishes. So reasonable. Go there. Now.
(5)
Elisa P.
Can't rate the food because we never got that far. Host was too rude when seating us, it totally started things off on a BAD note and we left. Have heard good things about food but wouldn't go back and try to battle with the hectic, chaotic, pretentious atmosphere. Some things aren't worth the aggravation and disrespect.
(1)
Xenia R.
What an awsome restaurant!! My favorite was the dessert selection. The lemon pots de creme with fresh doughnuts was sublime!
(5)
Rachel P.
Best meal I may have ever had, outside of Paris. Friend and I shared a number of things... 1. Crostini with homemade ricotta and peach preserves, served with, I think, thyme. Sweet, salty, simple and deeeeeelish. I could have eaten a plate of them and stopped there. 2. Pasta carbonara, which may be a rotational item....with a poached duck egg, pancetta (I think).... It was rich, creamy and wonderful to share. Wayyy too rich to eat alone. 3. Speaking of rich, pork belly. OMG. Seriously. This is the dish that I told someone of when I got home, and he had eaten it too and still remembered it. Something about the roasted belly with the salty/sour kimchee and the peanuts and the tender, mild pea shoots.... Why can't Michael open in NY??? 4. Octopus salad....not my thing, but my friend got it. She loved it. I didnt. 5. Dessert. While I know it's not the "signature" we had a chevre cheesecake with balsamic strawberries and a little wafer thing. It's not on the latest menu I saw, which is a shame, because it was THAT good. It had been reco'd by the table next to us, so we know we're not the only ones who want it. Seriously. Open here!
(5)
James A.
Food is very very good here, quite flavorfull and unique.... However the indoor seating is borderline ridiculous the tables are literally on top of each other, so much so that you feel like you're actually dining with the strangers next to you. EPIC FAIL on seating but food is worth sitting outside for...
(3)
Andrew P.
Go here for brunch on Sunday. Try the lemon curd pancakes. Superb but expensive.
(4)
JOHN C.
Riding on their own coattails, Michael's Genuine is loaded with arrogance and has mediocre food and sub-par service. First, one thing to warn you about -- there's a side dining room which probably has room for about 15 - 20 diners. It's a miserable room that's silent and has the ambiance of a hotel restaurant. Again, another act of arrogance for a place that's clearly trying to get as many covers in as possible...Nothing wrong with that in concept, but screwing over the diner (which I think this is), is unethical and wrong. Starting with the service, the front of the house staff seems better suited for a chain restaurant, herding people around while shouting out table numbers, being condescending to walk-ins, and having a generally rude demeanor to customer. Ah, the power trip of working as a hostess in a popular restaurant -- it must be fun to mock the little people who pay your bills! It wasn't much better at the bar or at the table. Both of the bartenders were rude and tried to rush us out, delivering our drinks and slapping down the check soon thereafter, despite the fact that we were looking at the menu for an appetizer. Surprising, given that no one was hovering for a seat. Our waiter was just okay, having a rushed attitude and failing to ever check on us once our entrees were dropped at the table. Got more attention from the bus boys unfortunately. As for the food, some of it was okay, but some of it was awful -- and nothing was exceptional. We had a variety of things, including the fried hominy (best thing we had), the cheese of the week, cocktails, a beet and heirloom salad, pork shoulder, sides of vegetables, and a lemon pots de creme with doughnuts. The appetizers were okay, but uninspired, with decent concepts ruined by a sloppy staff. This also rang true in their side vegetables, which were horribly prepared. Out of season items are on the menu, which was annoying, but having both undercooked and overcooked pieces in the same dish is just embarrassing to whomever is running the kitchen. Pork shoulder was tender, but horribly seasoned (aka flavorless) and served with a side of grits that would be more aptly called "baby food" based on its liquid like consistency. Dessert was the only redeeming point, with a pastry chef who, unlike the rest of the staff, seems to care about what she sends out to the customer. Kudos for that, but not enough to save the meal. Overall, this place needs to get its act together...Michael's has only been around for 3 years and needs to lose the attitude and get their food together if they're going to have longevity. Next time I'm in town, I'm going to Michy's....
(2)
Catherine N.
I was in town for a work conference and had the opportunity to have dinner at this place with a couple of coworkers and my husband. It was overall a very enjoyable meal in a great neighborhood. All of us shared the chili lime pig ears while we perused the menu. They were good, but I'm asian so eating pig ears is not as adventurous as it might seem to some. My husband started off with the country pate which he said he enjoyed. It was a very generous serving of pate. I had the crispy rice cake which reminded me of a fancier version of kimchi fried rice, which for those not familiar, is a Korean comfort food consisting of fried rice mixed with kimchi with a fried egg on top. For an entree, I ordered the leg of lamb which was good and excellently prepared but not particularly memorable. For the entrees, you order the sides separately. I ended up not ordering any additional sides, and I'm glad because the entree portions are really very large and I was positively stuffed. That didn't stop me from ordering dessert of course. I had the home brew sundae which was a nice mix of salty and sweet. Although the food didn't absolutely knock my socks off, the food and experience were still very enjoyable. I would still recommend this restaurant and would come back myself to try other items the next time I'm in town.
(4)
E. L.
Michael's was recommended by a local friend of mine as one of the 2 or 3 MUST places to eat on a quick weekend trip to Miami. As usual, he was dead on as far as the food goes. Everything was delicious: pork belly and ceviche appetizers, short rib and pork shoulder entrees, even the brussels sprouts side dish -- superb. Michael's loses a star (or 2) for the lack of staff professionalism. Our waitress, in attempting to pour a pretty good Cab out of a decanter into my girlfriend's glass, ended up spilling what I'd roughly estimate as 3/4 of a glass. Most of it onto the table, only a little on the girlfriend. Accidents happen, but when something like that does happen, the right thing to do is to make some sort of a gesture to make up for a dark spot on an otherwise great meal. Offer to bring another glass to replace what was lost, offer a dessert on the house -- something. What I suspect was that the waitress was embarrassed and just relieved that neither the host/manager nor the sommelier actually noticed the spill. If we were the kind of people who made a scene and complained, I've no doubt that we would have gotten something deducted from the check. But that's the point. With a professional staff, you shouldn't have to be that kind of a customer. The waitress should have informed the manager about the incident, rather than just covering her own a$$. Customers who take such mishaps in stride and don't make a big deal should be treated as well as, if not better than, the "squeaky wheels."
(3)
Michael E.
This place is great! Sunday brunch is hectic but its worth it, many different small menu options. I like the meyer lemon pancakes as well as french toast, fingerling potatos etc... The pastry chef really knows what she is doing here, great assortment of desserts.
(4)
Carl K.
When the kitchen is on at Michael's do I dare say it's Miami's best restaurant? The place is deserving of tremendous applause for its creativity, even if the execution doesn't always pan out (though most times it does) and for having some of the best service in town -- professional yet unassuming, helpful and courteous without being cloying. The bar verges on true artistry, willing to experiment on the fly with high-caliber concoctions based on your likes. As if this weren't enough, the work of the best pastry chef in Miami, Hedy Goldsmith, alone is worth the trip here. My only complaint of Michael's is that not all of the dishes work. While the pork belly with kimchi is ethereal and even chicken wings are something of haute cuisine, the onion stuffed with lamb is ho-hum and the crispy beef cheek though constantly talked about by the waiters is equally undistinguished. Some of the seafood dishes have been misses. Of course, when the kitchen continuously hangs on a creative limb taking chances left and right it's bound to miss on occasion (like with all great endeavors). And if you go to Michael's only once or twice and have the misfortune of ordering a miss, you might be tempted to think the place is not all that. But truth be told, most of the menu -- and I could say I've tried everything on the menu if it did not change constantly -- most of the menu shines. Wine connoisseurs will probably be disappointed with the wine list though I've always been happy with everything I've paired here with my food, from a Robert Foley Claret to Mission Hill Riesling Ice Wine. The pork belly with kimchi is famous and deservedly so. The chicken wings transform the very meaning of what it is to be a chicken wing. The triple cream La Tur with a piece of honeycomb is as good as food gets. Even the lowly hominy and homemade potato chips are winners, which in the words of New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni, "you'd be lunatic not to order." The grilled Harris Ranch skirt steak as well as the steak au poivre are awesome and if you happen to go for lunch treat yourself to the fig, pork, arugula pizza -- one of the most intriguing pizzas concocted by any kitchen. Even the simple half-chicken with mashed potatoes is surprisingly different and solidly, well, genuine. Whereas I'm hesitant of ordering ANYTHING on the menu, I have no such compunction with ANY of the desserts. They're all orgasmic. The banana caramel toffee panini is heavenly, and is one of my favorite all time desserts; the tangerine pot de creme is kickass. Hedy we love you. It all takes place in a relaxing, casually elegant environment which I am always eager to revist time and time again. Isn't that the definition of a classic and perhaps of greatness itself?
(5)
Martin O.
This new restaurant in the Miami Design District opened up for lunch and dinner in March 2007. It's one of trendiest new nice places in the Miami East side. They have a menu filled with a variety of tapas like appetizers like chicken wings; potato chips with an creamy onion dip; large barbecued shrimp. Some of their entrees: a pizza with quail and blue cheese; a porter house steak and an onion stuffed with lamb. Their desserts: a smore and peanut butter and ice cream pie and a banana upside down pie. We're not big drinkers but they had an interesting selection of beers which include a French 13% alcohol bond ale; Anchor Steam; a Chinese and Thai beer. There is both inside and outside seating and you need to let them know which one you prefer when you make your reservation. There is valet parking and City of Miami parking meters (I need to get a City of Miami parking card). The service was the very prompt and our food came hot and out of the kitchen at a non-Miami pace. I assume that is because they cater to the workers in the Miami Design District. The place was packed on a Friday night, so make sure and make your reservation.
(4)
Miguel G.
I heard about this place on the Food Network and had to run here. I was not disappointed. I came for the desserts and was blown away by dinner. Went on a Wednesday night and the inside was full. The weather was ok and it was kinda noisy inside so no problem. You might want to make reservations. The wait staff was very attentive. Anyone who passed by our table either refilled our glasses or picked up a plate. After reading a few reviews I wanted to try the bone marrow but the first thing our waiter told us was that they were out, so i tried the wood roasted double yolk farm egg. Kind of a chunky tomato soup with Gruyère and a runny egg in it. Very tasty. I also followed the advise of the reviewers when I decided on the sweet and spicy pork belly. Good call fellow yelpers! Crispy skin, fork tender inside. It tasted like a gourmet pork rind all on top of some kimchi. My friend had the butter lettuce which she enjoyed very much. Finally, for the whole reason I came here, Dessert! My friend and I split two: theTangerine creamsicle pot de creme with donuts and berry conserve and the popcorn and peanuts. They were both very good, though eating the creamsicle has to be done a certain way. You have to spoon alot of the cream and the conserve on the doughnut and then pop it in your mouth to get all the flavors to meld into perfection and do it fast before they cream melts and the conserve gets cold. The whole thing is greater than the sum of its parts. That being said, I'm a chocoholic, so tonights winner was the popcorn and peanuts. Think of what a snickers bar would taste like if it was made by the greatest chef. The popcorn may sound out of place but it absolutely works. And the presentation is gorgeous. It's a work of art. If you're in the design district run don't walk here.
(5)
Lena C.
Since moving to Miami In June '09, this is the place where I find myself going to more than anywhere else! Every mouthful, of every menu item, is so packed full of flavor! The local heirloom tomatoes enhance each dish they find their way into. I have eaten here for lunch and dinner and it is always an incredible experience. You might say, "Turkey sandwich for lunch again - no way!" But, The turkey at Michael's is so moist and tasty, along with the gruyere cheese and heirloom tomatoes making an appearance. Don't miss out on the brussels sprouts or the cheese of the weeks specials. If you are in the mood for dessert, Michael's should alway be top on your list - their pastry chef is amazing. Sometimes I eat just a salad in order to save room for dessert there. The menu changes,but if it available, try the dessert panini - you will walk away with a smile! All in all, if you think something looks like it's for you on the menu - try it! You can't go wrong with anything here.
(5)
Alex G.
Went last night with a group of eaters to Michael's - and had a truly delicious meal. The food was top notch, carefully prepared, and (for Miami) not obscenely priced. Biggest hits were the short ribs - tender, with a slow roasted flavor and wood roasted onions; the wood roasted octopus (wow!); the perfectly done pork belly (although the kimchi with it was a detractor); and the cheese grits side was creamy and warm! For foodies, this is a hip dining destination. Service was professional, but somewhat too much attitude, as others have said.
(5)
Philip J.
I had a fantastic dinner here a couple weekends ago. our service was excellent. he was very knowledgeable about the menu and made us feel at complete ease. the roasted pepper / cambazola crostini appetizer was nice. a tad much cheese I thought, but still good. the homemade fettuccine was everything I hoped it would be. soft and creamy textures swirling in my mouth combined with salty bits of chorizo... amazing! the tangerine pot de creme with blackberry basil marmalade & doughnuts for dessert was also brilliant. i will certainly be back soon.
(5)
Elizabeth F.
Food is great the staff is helpful however steer clear if you're a vegetarian there are surprisingly few dishes for you. Deserts are a standout.
(4)
Alice F.
Michael's is a perfect restaurant, and consistently perfect. The service is perfect, the quality of the food is perfect, the setting is perfect. We go very often, sitting at a able (outdoor, indoor) or at the kitchen bar, and it is always a wonderful experience. Any time we have friends visiting, we go there. I have yet to find a single person that did not like Michael's. I don't know what to recommend as all the dishes we have tried were always perfect (and I don't know a single restaurant in Miami that has achieved such a consistency).
(5)
Liz E.
YUM. Went here for lunch. It was a beautiful day. We sat outside and it was quite pleasant. They have umbrellas for outside if it gets too sunny. The food: great. Nothing revolutionary, just solidly good food. I had the falafel wrap which was SO good. The wrap that it was in was delicious- it was like a thick, soft tortilla. mmm. The greens that came with it were good, too; very fresh and lightly dressed. Someone at my table got the salmon BLT which looked delicious. Next time I'll save room for dessert, which looked amazing. So... the weird stuff... 1) the toothpick gathering. Whenever we pulled a toothpick out of our sandwiches (two per person, one per sandwich half) and put it on the bread plate, there was a waiter that came by and picked it up. It was like he had a personal toothpick vendetta. It didn't bother me, I just thought it was strange. He came around for toothpick collection at least 4 times. Maybe more. I stopped keeping track. 2) the model. There was a woman doing slow, leisurely walking laps around the patio, then laps around the inside of the restaurant. Out, in, out, in, out, in... we couldn't figure out what she was doing. Security? Nah, I could snap her over my knee. Management? Nope... too repetitive. We figured it out when she changed her accessories: she was modeling. It was very pretty jewelry, and she was definitely modeling. Outside. At a restaurant. On a Monday. Ok, I'm from Boston, so a lot of things about Miami seem weird to me, but... is this normal? Overall it was a great meal and a good time. I would absolutely go again. Good tip: they have $3 valet parking!
(4)
Lauren W.
Food was good, but more expensive then it was worth. There are way better places at better prices.
(2)
Slim B.
Okay - this was pretty meh. We got there a little early for a 9 p.m. reservation on a Wednesday night. The place was packed out so we grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered two glasses of plain water which seemed to annoy the bartender, no biggie. We ordered a cocktail after a little while, which my date enjoyed and some devilled eggs as well. Then I had a hilarious exchange with the hostess at about 915p.m. I asked her if she could give me a rough estimate of how long it would be for our table to which she replied "I can't tell you exactly how long it will take." I then said "No, I know, can you tell me a rough estimate." She repeated herself at which point I said thank you very much and went back to the bar, thinking, this is why she is a hostess in Miami and not a maître d' in NYC. No big deal, but feeling like the service is pretty mid-grade to poor for a restaurant where I am about to drop 75-100 per person, not counting alcohol. We were seated about 10 minutes later, closed our bar tab and moved to the table. We had been looking over the menu and literally almost every item looked like something I would eat or would at least want a bite of. We had a few questions for our server which she answered graciously. We ordered the peaches wrapped in bacon and chicken wings to start. My date got the duck confit and I got the butter lettuce salad for a second. I ordered the porterhouse steak and she ordered the pork shoulder for our mains. The food all arrived at a good pace. The first four dishes were extremely blah. I mean really whatever, not exciting at all. Really mediocre, not bad, just not great. I felt like these dishes could have been from Flanigan's or any mid range restaurant. No big flavors, not a lot of subtlety, very meh. The main courses were excellent. This was the only part of the meal where I can say that Michael's stood out. The steak was great and the pork shoulder was excellent, with a neat little avocado topping. Otherwise I would have been pissed off walking out of here. The waitress was fairly okay up to this point although she did spill a glass of water, partially on me and mostly on her, in the first little bit. The busboy walked right past her and looked at the spill and kept going. Very odd. After the duck and the salad were served we did not see our waitress again until our plates were cleared. She didn't check once to see if we needed anything, how the food was, if the steak was cooked right - zero. I get better service at Jimmy's Eastside and frankly when I am paying $49 for a steak, I want at least some service. We were sitting there staring at our plates for about ten minutes until a busboy came by and asked us if we wanted any of it to go. No lie - we hadn't seen our waitress for 45 minutes from when the entrees were first served. Eventually she brought us dessert menus and then disappeared again. We got our check, paid and left. Overall the food was decent, not great, and the service was really really weak. The bill was $144 total plus another 20 or so at the bar. If they had tacked a fixed percent on for gratuity, I would have called the manager over, but I would have had to interrupt her personal phone call that she was on at the front stand.
(2)
Kimberlee D.
I was visiting Miami for a few days and, being sick of the usual South Beach scene, ventured on down to try out this place. On a crazy, busy, dark, crowded Thursday night, they were able to accommodate my group of 4 at 10 pm. The small wait was SO worth it. The food was AMAZING!! Our waiter was great and the service was prompt. The pizza..Mmmmmmmmmmmm....
(5)
angel g.
The service here was pretty bad, considering it's a "nice" restaurant. I think I had three different waiters, half a glass of lukewarm water, and a terribly eager stomach for 30 minutes. The only reason I'm not giving this place two stars is because I got the last "cheese of the week" in the restaurant for that night, and that put me in an alright mood, because I'm totally down with pricey cheese from España and France. I got the Sweet Bread which came with an orange and fennel salad-- good if you like peppery food. Which I do. But not enough for four stars. And not good enough for ~20.
(3)
Alejandro S.
Very Good food. At times excellent. And, above all consistent. Day, at night, and brunch, this dinning establishment is never bellow very good. Great grown up new york style crowd. Great space. And yes, the pork belly is special.
(5)
Arelys C.
Great service, ambiance, and the food was tasty. Definite recommend!
(5)
Tom B.
Went here years ago for lunch and then drinks before dinner nearby. Very good food and service esp for overpriced and pretentious Miami. I'd go there alot if I lived there.
(5)
Michelle G.
The party is very easily pushed in this direction after art walks every month. Which is why it may be impossible to get a seat. Lunch is much quicker if you don't order multiple courses. Stick to two and you'll make it back in time. The service is lacking in personality sometimes but if you speak up and ask for anything they will bend over backwards to make sure you're happy. As far as the food is concerned I was unexpectedly delighted by their carrot soup (which I had never even heard of before). Any good carnivore can't miss with the short ribs and skirt steak entrees. For lunch the short rib panini, respectfully. If you are feeling a bit more rabbity I'd recommend the beet tomato salad or butter lettuce (with yummy hazel nut something or another). Unless you're aiming to be diabetic close your eyes and pick any dessert except the banana panini and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
T C.
You can choose an excellent restaurant and you can choose an affordable restaurant, but one does not preclude the other in this case. Our group of six came down to Miami for several days on business and went from one overrated restaurant to the next, in hopes to come home with nothing but rave reviews to share with friends and co-workers. Although those I traveled with were excited about all 4 fancy schmancy places we went, I feel as if they confused pricey with tasty. Michael's has great tapas (of various sizes) for a reasonable price. Try the duck confit or the pork belly!
(5)
Arlene M.
Went here for brunch with a group of 8. We loved everything. The favorites were definitely the double egg and the pop tarts, but everything was delicious. Would definitely recommend. Only downside was we went on a Sunday morning and everything in the area was closed so afterwards we had to head back to our hotel.
So for a while I have been hearing people raving about how amazing Michael's is and now I truly understand what all the hype was about! This place is a food lovers dream. Not only are the choices so unique but the fact that all the ingredients are local makes it even better. Since this was my first time here, my friend and I decided to go all out and order a little bit of everything. The dishes run from small to extra large and although we blew a good amount of money that night on our food binge, it was worth every penny. I loved the ambiance and how the waiter knew so much about the dishes and did not hesitate to give his opinion on various combinations. Some people may find that a bit intrusive but I enjoyed it. We started off with the double yolk farm egg and the local wreckfish ceviche. I am not a huge fan of egg yolks but I thought this dish was cooked to perfection and the gruyere cheese was a perfect combination. The ceviche was incredible! I love how all of the ingredients were so fresh and worked so well together. I've never seen lychee served in ceviche but chef Michael really pulled it off. We also had the cheese of the week that was served with raisin bread and heirloom tomato jam. I know some may wonder how good can heirloom jam be but let me tell you this stuff was so tasty. It had the perfect amount of sweetness to it and was a great addition to the cheese. My friend had the crispy pork belly and since I don't eat pork I didn't try it but from my understanding he did say it was delicious. For my medium course I had the linguine carbonara with lobster sans the carbonara. I know many advise not to substitute or change any of the dishes but it was still awesome without the carbonara. I cannot stress enough how fresh everything tasted. Our main dish was the lamb served over chickpeas.. I don't remember the exact name but the lamb was cooked to perfection. I myself am not too crazy about lamb but I had my share of this dish and loved every bite. The chickpeas were a bit undercooked, I don't know if that was on purpose but who cares the lamb made up for it! Now finally I can talk about the AMAZING desserts we engulfed. I heard a lot about Heidi Goldsmith on food network and the show best thing I ever ate and yes the popcorn and peanuts and the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme lived up to my expectations! The chocolate peanut bar had the right amount of salty and sweet and I could have definitely had a another scoop of that buttered popcorn ice cream. The tangerine creamsicle pot de creme melted in my mouth, those donuts were like nothing I have ever tasted. I really wish the dessert portions were a bit larger because there was nothing to complain about! We ended up spending close to $250 that night including drinks but this was only because it was our first time here and we decided to go on a food spree. However, going out for a normal dinner here isn't that costly and is totally worth it. I loved every bit of my meal and had no complaints. The only thing I thought was weird was how close the tables were to eachother. I wasn't too excited about that. I recommend sitting outside. Like so many other people have said Michael's is food heaven.
(5)
Jim C.
Really solid place - one of the few places in Miami really taking advantage of what great fresh produce is available year round. I was a little disappointed in a few aspects of the otherwise solid service - bread came after the appetizer was finished, wine languished in a bucket, etc. But the food, location, and service overall was standout. Great wine selection and good prices.
(4)
Luly F.
So the hubby and I just tried Michael's for the first time this morning for brunch. Apparently we have been living under a rock in the burbs because I had honestly never heard of it. I was floored. My expectations were high because once I mentioned the place on Friday I heard people start raving about it. Now I know that a. They were in no way exaggerating and b. I found my new favorite brunch spot. We had their duck confit hash (wow), French toast (best I've had), the Spanish tortilla (shockingly good) and, leaving the best for last, the most outrageous breakfast pastry I've ever had the joy of consuming: hedy's pop tarts. They are nothing at all like the store bought kind. They are as someone in our party mentioned, pop tarts from heaven. These are pastries you would consider when choosing your last meal on earth. Amazing. The service was quick, friendly and knowledgeable. My husband smiled as we walked out and said, "So is it safe to say we'll be back next week?". Oh yes - yes it is honey. :)
(5)
Joel S.
Can't really add too much to other's reviews about the food itself except to reiterate that the burrata was insanely good and I would probably commit a nonviolent felony if I could get a small piece of that app right now. Being from a great local and innovative food city, Chicago, I have a pretty high standard to meet, and this met it and more. In the food category, Michael's is very similar to the top places I've been. Variety and good value on the wine list too. I have to say this was the best place I ate on my recent Miami trip, I'll be back next time I'm in town.
(5)
j g.
Cool+creative entrees= 5 stars This dynamic eatery located in miami is one of my new favorite spots! The appetizer was yummy with chips and homemade dip!! Yum! I never thought it would be so simple but great.The rib eye I split with bf. That was a surprise- delicious and perfectly cooked medium! Well seasoned and enough for 2. (Just a tad sinewy) The other couple had great entrees as well-one had the chicken the other had a salad. I fell in love with the figs in the salad and the light dressing!! Delicious!! Never thought to put those 2 together! I even had an extra side of figs with dinner!! The great food and vibe was reminiscent of NYC eatery. Crowded, bustling, and fun! Young couples everywhere, good bar scene. The dessert was out of this world:I had a brioche layered with something sweet a little banana-and a little creamy ice cream and a small shot of chocolate! Very creative and awesome! Look forward to coming here again in the future!!
(5)
Joel S.
Living about 7 blocks away definitely helps, but I love this place. The beer selection is wonderful (no budweiser or miller lite here) and their cocktails or wonderful. I love their margarita. Finally when it is time to start eating, the food is wonderful. The menu is set up so you can share very easily and they have something for all appetites. Recent favorites are the burrata and I love the scallops. The wine list is very nice as well. Save room for deserts because they are amazing. My favorites are the banana panini and the apple panini, usually you get one or the other. Lunch is great there too with a nice selection of sandwiches,
(5)
Y P.
I can't find a reason to not give this place five stars. I thought it might be overhyped and was actually scared to go just so I could maintain its wonderful image in my head. After so many accolades, showings on the food network, and stuff I'd read about, the experience could not possibly be that good. I would have rathered be that person that admits that he never went to Michael's than to be that guy that didn't think it was as good as everyone said it was. But my curiosity got the best of me, and this was an instance where the cat was not killed. I stopped by for lunch and thought parking would be horrible but alas, three dollar valet was there to save the day. Thanks for saving me from a hassle of hunting down a spot. I knew the place would be busy due to its status but I had no idea what I was in for. I have never been to such a busy restaurant during lunch hours in my life. But somehow, management was able to make my wait bearable and I only had to wait around 20 minutes. Reservations are highly recommended though. We were sat in the outside area on a beautiful day where only fans are at work to keep you cool. But somehow, I was not uncomfortable at all and was not bothered by the weather or heat. It was very homey and you can tell that there was a lot of thought put into how everything was set up. In the inside, it is pretty upscale yet comfortable, where a person does not have to be dressed up to eat here but if they were, it wouldn't look bad. There is also a bar area. The menu is shrunken down to mainly sandwiches and a few entrees for lunch. I felt like everything was reasonably priced, especially for the quality of the ingredients. I love knowing where what I'm eating comes from and there is a sort of satisfaction you get from knowing that what you're eating is organic for the most part. Besides, everything is delicious. I got to try the burger and short rib sandwich; both came with fries. Although I would never pick greens over fries in any instance, I regret not doing it here. The fries were not bad by any means, but they were a bit salty for my taste. Not inedible, but with knowing the quality of the greens here, I should have rethought my choice. The actual sandwiches were incredible though. The burger came at a perfect medium rare with a croissant like bun that surprisingly held together despite how juicy the patty was. The cheese was a perfect balance and did not overpower the meat, which by the way was the tastiest piece of beef I've ever had between two buns. It actually tasted like beef and was the predominant flavor of the burger, how it should always be. The fresh vegetables only pushed the burger to the next level. Simplicity at its best. The short rib was great as well, with a tomato like chutney that brought everything together. The panini press made the bread perfectly hard but just like the burger, the meat was the star player. And God was it good. For dessert, I got the Tangerine Pot de Creme with homemade doughnuts and Blackberry jam. The donuts were perfectly fried and chewy but the best part was the Pot de Creme. I felt like I was eating a Creamsicle on ecstacy. It brought me back to my childhood in an alternate universe where I was rich, because these flavors were extremely sophisticated. That's the only way I can describe them. The service here was pretty great. The waitress was attentive but not overbearing, funny, and made suggestions. She knew the menu inside and out and was able to lead my group in the right directions. They also serve complimentary sparkling water here. Overall, my experience here lived up to the hype. I know that at dinnertime, the experience can be completely different and I am definitely looking forward to trying it out. Hopefully, it will wow me just like lunch did.
(5)
Joe W.
Such a beautiful place. We had a bottle of reisling which was priced good. Their plates are labeled small, medium, large, and extra large when ordering. I was curious how big they were at first so i ordered the medium char grilled octopus which had two 8 inch tentacles over a bean salad. For my entree i had the char grilled wreckfish which is either grouper or bass, it was about a 6-8 oz portion, which was amazing. I had fingerling potatoes which were oven roasted and they served us about 8 of them in a side proportion. My girlfriend had the 12 oz steah which was cooked to perfection and the green pepper corns on it which made it spicey and great. I had to try the ox tail after dinner so i ordered that which was served with a creamy sauce which was great. For dessert i had to try the butter popcorn ice cream and let me say that was the BEST ice cream i ever had...its a must try. Service was amazing andvery fair priced.
(5)
K G.
I've been twice and all I can say is Outstanding. Food, Service, Sommelier, Cocktails and Decor. A wonderful culinary experience.
(5)
Matt L.
I totally agree with the people who just emphatically love this place. I kinda have to admit that this place deserves 4 stars, but I decided to cheat my standard and give it a 5 star. Why not? That's how much I loved it! Well, as you might have figured from the other reviews, this place is all about comfort food. Great ingredients, great atmosphere, great staff, and great food. And, great price. $20 per person on groups of 3-4. If you plan to go on Miami design district, this is about the only place to dine and if you go there during the peak lunch hours during the weekend, good luck. You'll be getting in well after 2:30 if you want to wait around for a table. Weekdays, its much better, but I suggest you to wisely use Opentable. It will be your savior. Anyway, let's talk about food. Have you ever had a club sandwich and it was so good that you looked at your sandwich and asked, "holy s&%t, WTF is this?" Whether you had this moment or not, you will know what I mean when you have a sandwich here. The turkey sandwich is amazing as well as the short ribs panini. The local fish of the day sandwich is great too. If you are in groups, order a pizza and start that off as an appetizer. The mushroom or shrimp pizza is the most hot-selling item here and I think I know why. Because they are the best. The thing I like about Michael's is that they make a good selection of cheese. Whether it be pizza or sandwich, they just are right on. Remember, this place is not about fancy, fine dining. It's about good comfort food for lunch.
(5)
D. G.
Great for lunch. The pulled pork sandwich is tasty. The staff seems to know what they are doing; unusual for Miami...
(4)
Alexis Y.
I enjoyed every bite at Michael's Genuine. Our waiter said many of entrees were for sharing and suggested we order some small plates and snacks then share the main dish. We started with the potato chips with onion dip. Mind you I have never ordered potato chips for dinner but they were incredible! There was not even a drop of dip left. We then ordered the chili chicken wings just because they were on the menu and its hard to pass up chicken wings. WOW yum yum. Then we ordered a house salad and the steak au poivre. Lets just say it was a very special steak and its been a few months since this visit but I still think about it. We washed it down with some beer and called it a night!
(4)
Bill B.
One of my favorite restaurants in Miami. Best food around and their organic tomatoes are delicious. Service is friendly and prompt. Even seen a celebrity or two the several times I've been.
(5)
Erin E.
I have been here twice and last night the service was much better. We were hungry but not starving so we started with two oysters each, split the risotto with rock shrimp and the side of brussel sprouts with pancetta, it was a perfect combo. The menu is divided into small, medium, large and extra large plates. Risotto is under the medium category, perfect for sharing. The side is plenty for two people. Michael's location is attractive, the interior space can seem to be a little tight. We were a party of 2 without a reservation. We could have sat inside but I believe the mission was to fill the inside so we were placed directly next to another party of two. Close quarters, not bad but a little annoying when the conversation from this other table was very audible. We easily could have asked to move so it's no ones fault but our own. Attentive servers and attractive decor, red, black, brown, shimmer. Prices are good considering the quality of food offered. I will go back in a heartbeat. The menu is extremely varied. Apparently their pork bellies come from a farm up north that specializes is excellently tasting pork bellies. YEAH!
(4)
judy n.
we came here for a friend's birthday dinner. Bonus! - birthday dessert was free, with sparklers as candles!!! Super fun. and it made for awesome bday photos. - Yummy dishes: - Tuna Tartare. classic :) - Steamed Mussels - Sweetbreads. This was the first time I've tried them AND Liked the sweetbreads. :) Yum! - chile chicken wings - BLT Salad - Not-So-Good Dishes. - Homemade grilled sausage. i found it salty. The place had a fun ambiance. worth it if you are going in a group to try a bunch of different dishes... the menu changes often... and some dishes are great, so be adventurous. but things are pricey here. so Not worth it if it's just a date.
(3)
Sonia S.
I've been here for Sunday brunch and dinner. The food is good, but not great. Most items are underseasoned or overcooked, but you can tell that the quality of the starting product was good. The ambiance is very nice, but they are a bit too formal about reservations, even when half the place is obviously vacant, and remains so during your entire visit. Street parking is easy to find on a weeknight. The service is consistently middle-of-the-road.
(3)
sharry g.
Everyone is gonna think I'm a five-star freak, but I'm starting out on yelp with mostly my favorites. MGF&D is one of the few "genuine" places in Miami (had lunch here today.) For starters, Michael genuinely spends time here, working the kitchen and roaming the front of the house. He could spend all his time doing TV or opening 15 other restaurants across the nation, but instead he works his store, and it shows. Secondly, the servers genuinely show they are proud of the kitchen staff's skills and their own ability to take good care of their customers. And finally, the food always, always remains center stage, no small feat among celebrity chefs and talented, entertaining wait staff. While the menu always features little twists and turns, it's compact yet complete, and always fresh. Here's a hint for all budding restauranteurs... you don't have to have, nor should you probably have a Cheesecake Factory-sized menu. Today we did golden tile fish, grouper/chick-pea soup, deviled eggs, and the short-rib sandwhich. All good, all fresh, all noteworthy. Golden tile is caught locally, deep, hundreds of feet down, and famous for its mild flavor, was well prepared and served on a bed of tasty escarole. The soup was awesome, and the short-rib sandwich, essentially a grilled cheese with style and flair, put Govind Armstrong's "Oprah's best sandwhich in America" to shame. Soon, Michael's pastry chef will be awarded co-star status, and today we enjoyed the tangerine/blackberry bread pudding with vanilla creme fraiche. MGF&D is the best in town at what they do. It's a social restaurant, set up for conversation with everyone from the servers to the people at the next table, to Michael himself. Outdoors, passersby can contribute to your table talk. But the food itself can always be the subject of the best of conversations.
(5)
Craig J.
In short, why all the fuss for this? Having been forewarned that the adjacent gallery seating is less than ideal, we made a weekday reservation several days in advance, specifically noting that we would like to be seated in the main area. Alas, upon arriving at 6 PM, we were seated in the gallery despite both the outside dining area and the main seating area being completely vacant. The gallery seating area would be lovely for a private party, which is likely its intended purpose. However, when its only occupants are your party and, perhaps, another table, it can be uncomfortable at best. Our service experience was quite unfortunate, but this may have been an isolated incident. To summarize, our server was smug, struggled to offer insight into the menu, and most always absent. The food was well-intentioned but disappointing, especially given the amount of press and attention the establishment has received. As a general rule at Michael's, the quality of a dish is inversely proportional to its size. As you move from the small to large plate offerings, it appears that one must proceed with caution. For example, our small plates (ceviche and tuna tartare) were enjoyable. Also, kudos for their potato chips and onion dip, which we both enjoyed. However, my large plate pork shoulder was, as a recent reviewer noted, dry to the point of being inedible. To add insult to injury, it arrived stone cold. Perhaps the dish left the kitchen as a heavenly serving of tender pork, but I will never know (see service above). Deserts were also disappointing: my wife's crostata was over-baked with a rock hard crust and chewy interior. My apple-centric desert, the name of which I cannot recall, was equally disappointing with an interesting mixture of both soft, over-cooked and hard, under-cooked apples. However, I will cede that they were spiced well. It seems that many people overlook the quality of the larger dishes, which I found to be found mediocre (or worse), and instead focus on their other offerings. On one hand, I see how Michael's appeals to what Miami wants in a restaurant. The main seating area is hip, intimate, and generally packed with a young crowd. One can nibble on a variety of appetizing small plates and snacks while carrying on with your dinner party. It is also nice to see an emphasis on local ingredients, which is quite popular at the moment. Annoyingly, I have every confidence that Michael's will enjoy continued success in Miami going into the future. However, in my experience, Michael's falls flat when one reaches beyond those offerings to their larger plate offerings and deserts.
(2)
Rebecca S.
Somewhat expensive, but I'd recommend giving this place a try. The food is tapas-sized and family-style, so you're supposed to order 2-3 items per person and share. The deviled eggs were creamy. The chai french toast was interesting! The homemade pop-tarts weren't mind-blowingly delicious (as I was expecting based on Yelp reviews) but it was crispy and fun. The donuts looked yummy (2 small-medium sugar coated, jam filled donuts) and I wish I'd gotten them.Oh and the watermelon juice was disgusting. It was so bad that I think that batch must have been turning.. so maybe it'll be ok when you visit.
(4)
Chris G.
Worth the try if you want tasty and trendy.
(4)
Itzela C.
Checked out Michael's Genuine today and I was really looking forward to going. I heard such great reviews about this place so I was excited. A group of us showed up for brunch, and 4 of my friends were African american women. I mention this because it's integral to why I gave the place a 2 star. The host, tall, white, bald guy, named John is a racist!!. I say racist, because John seated my friends and I in the back room. When the front room was perfectly empty and we had suggested for him to seat us in the front. But John, was addiment about seating us in the back, no matter how we kept insisting he said he could not seat us. And not until our waittress aproached us we were able to mentinon the situation again and change our seating to the front room, with no problem she seated us to the front. Now why couldn't John accomidate us? Well, we all know why don't we.......racist are alive and well in America! And John reminded me of that. Micheal's Genuine! I will not be bringing my business, nor my white friends, black friends, Asian friends,Indian friends....you name it! Not even my dog (if I could lol) to your establishedment!! You should keep guard of who you hire on your staff. Too bad, has good as the food may have been.....your host John, left a bitter taste in our mouths.
(2)
Katia R.
I've been here a few times and a few times we've been turn away for not having reservations. You wouldn't think you needed it by the casual looking table set up outside. However the times I've eaten there, the food was excellent. The wine selection is broad, and the staff is just okay. Except for the bartenders, they were attentive in just the right way. The turnips with salt on the side at the bar were great! It beats going next door to that pretty lounge with horrible food.
(3)
martin g.
my favorite restaurant in miami. the dinner is great and the sunday brunch is the best. they take reservations online and have complimentary filtered water (tap is not even offered). the only complaint i've ever heard from a co-eater is that the bloody mary's are not wonderful. it may not be possible to find a more original restaurant in miami.
(5)
judy b.
After reading so many excellent reviews of this restaurant, it's almost embarrassing to say this.....i did not like the food. 4 of us ordered almost everything on the menu. we just kept ordering all the exciting appetizers, they all sounded wonderful. the mussels were wonderful. the onion dip was kind of stupid. the linguine was so boring, i was surprised. the duck confit was good, i will admit that but not the best i've ever had. the chicken was good, but again, it's roast chicken. the pig ear was actually gross. i don't mean the idea of eating a pig's ear. i was all for that. i mean, it just didn't taste good at all. no flavor except for some spices that were powdered on them and there was nothing to discuss. the felafel were completely run of the mill falafel that you can get anywhere. my husband ordered the pizza, again, it was ok, he didn't like it, i did but nothing to rave about. our companions ordered dessert. he loved it, i don't do dessert and found it ridiculous to have to take a knife and chop through the popcorn and peanuts and then find out it's just tastes ok. the creamsicle dessert was good but again not great. nothing was great. the only thing great about the restaurant is the location. i love the design district and it's such a cool area to walk around. all in all, very disappointing. expensively disappointing.
(2)
Michael S.
My wife and I ate at Michael's several times before the New York Times article naming them one of the best restaurants in the U.S. By coincedence I made reservations for dinner the Thursday that the article came out. The scene was pretty crazy but we were seated fairly quickly, inside as we had reserved. The waiter was harried even though we had been served by him several times in the past. I asked several questions about the wine but he didnt have time for stuff like that and disappeared for a while. After trying to flag him down several times (10-15 min.) and ask about a few more wines we were finally able to get a nice bottle and order. My wife had an appetizer with egg. The egg was not cooked. We pointed it out to the waiter, who offered to replace it but my wife was not interested since she was turned off by the (almost) raw egg. Her main course was the chicken. Again it wasnt cooked correctly, very rubbery.. When we pointed it out to the waiter he said that maybe it was because the chef "really doesnt like to cook chicken". Well why do you have it on the menu???? My dishes were very good. I had the pork belly which was great and a whole fish which was fine. (There are so few restaurants in Miami that can cook fish correctly.) Because of her treatment, my wife has refused to return. Their loss, there are plenty (well, a few) good restaurants around, Michy's, Red Light, Por Fin, Cofridia, Sardinia, Pascals, Captins Tavern, Oceanaire (two places that can actally cook fish).
(3)
Adam R.
YUM!!! Expensive but worth it.
(5)
Maria T.
So I'm relishing the last bite of my peanut butter-infused brownie sundae at Michael's Genuine when guess who pops in? Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer! Yeah, I know I'm supposed to be reviewing the food here, but HELLO? OK, fine. I'll shut up about my 5-second brush with fame now. The food is delish. A bit pricey, but yummy nonetheless. I got the falafel flatbread and my gal pal got the Serano ham sandwich...both were divine. And be sure to order the french fries....they are the BEST Miami has to offer. Cut fresh and fried to perfection. Top off lunch or dinner with the brownie sundae...it's topped with dulce de leche, peanut brittle, peanut butter and a banana -- heaven sent!!!!!
(4)
Andrew K.
Incompetent service ruined a celebratory evening. Everyone was to blame for things falling apart, and not recovering. It all centered around a fish. Always blame the fish. Service from the outset was weak, but not tragic. The waiter kind of had his head in the clouds. Maybe too many tables to take care of, but he constantly disappeared. Apps arrived slowly. The mains never did. After a good hour with zero attention we flagged down our waiter, who said they forgot about the fish, were really sorry and that they'd send some complimentary food. Free food wasn't what we wanted; timely service was. We never should have been left nearly an hour in the dark. My guess is the waiter never checked with the kitchen, so the kitchen didn't know they had screwed up. A pox on both of them. The manager then appeared with hollow apologies, and the free salads arrived which were pretty lame. At our request we said bring the rest of the mains now, and the fish when it's ready. Like a miracle, all the mains came immediately, meaning they were just sitting there. 20 minutes later and still no fish. It's always the fish's fault. More lame excuses from the manager, nearly 2.5 hours sitting there, the manager and the waiter entirely disappeared (told that the manager was out) and we'd had enough. A controversial decision to walk out but one that I think was right. We were sitting at the table like a bunch of plants waiting for something to happen to enable us to leave. Why should we? We're not tethered, and if the restaurant can't produce a person to talk about their failings and work it out then why are we at fault? Finally, after we left, the manager came running after us. Had she been around, or her staff able to find her, then we would have spoken in the restaurant not at valet parking. Serious service issues. When it went wrong, it got worse. A pro restaurant would have figured out how to right the ship. Instead, it sank.
(1)
Ted X.
I dont like to get too in depth in my reviews, I only write reviews of good places I have been, and this one was def one of those. Everything but the rib eye was amazing. The reason I say the rib eye is that it was grass fed so it was a little more tough than my liking. The duck was SUPER AMAZING, the pork was amazing and almost everything else we had was great. Service was outstanding and Michael's now goes into the must visit when in Miami next to prime 112!
(5)
J H.
I had heard about Michael's for years and decided to finally try it for a Sunday brunch. The menu looked good and the prices seemed pretty decent for this type of establishment. However, when we got our food we realized that the servings were tiny! It would have been much more useful with a menu with higher prices and normal servings. By the time we got our food half an hour or so later we didn't feel like waiting for another order. The food tasted pretty good but it was nothing out of this world. There are several better places nearby. A plus for the ambiance.
(2)
Christopher P.
Arrived on schedule and was seated outside immediately for our 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening reservation. The Grey Goose martini side car pleased my out of town visitors. Small plates of Corvina Ceviche, Pig Ear salad and another Corvina/sashimi type dish all were well received. Grilled Corvia, Pizza and Trigger Fish were our medium entrees and satisfied all around. Very fast and friendly service. Pleasant night out and an enjoyable experience. I'm glad we were on the courtyard, as the dining room seemed loud and crowded. I'll definitely be back. I wish Michael's Genuine had a location near home in Coral Gables. What a great neighborhood restaurant.
(4)
M J.
Recommended
(4)
Bobby F.
So anyone who has lived in Miami for a while knows that the only thing that comes to mind during the summer, food and drink wise, is Miami Spice. My girlfriend and I love this time of year to go to all the restaurants we normally wouldn't go to. For a Monday night, the place was pretty full. We got seated right away though. The hostess led us to our table in a walk way no more than 2-3 feet between each table. Our table was in the right corner if you are looking at the kitchen. About 6 inches away from our table was another table which was thankfully empty. I didn't feel like having 2 other people join us for dinner that we didn't even know. The Miami Spice menu has a nice selection. Items varied from homemade Head Cheese, Quail, swordfish, "Homemade" Pasta ect. The appetizer that caught my eye was the BBQ ribs which they were sadly out of so quail it was. The quail was cooked perfectly just wasn't a fan of the seasoning they used for it. All-spice has never been a liking of mine, but the cold salad was a great compliment to the quail. My girlfriend had the Head cheese which was also awesome. The portions were accurate for appetizers but when it came to the main course, they were the same size if not smaller. I had the Pasta which was stated homemade on the menu which is questionable. It was cooked properly but homemade pasta doesn't have a texture like this one did. My girlfriend had the 3 oz piece of swordfish. Being a former sous chef in multiple restaurants that have participated in Miami Spice, our portions have never been changed for Miami Spice due to the price. I didn't leave hungry, but it was just simply a change of pace for my girlfriend and I to get a entree as big as an appetizer. Thank god everything was spot on or we would have left kind of upset. I don't want to leave out that the best part of our meal was dessert. The peach crisp was on point!!! I recommend this place to anyone wanting an upbeat, great service restaurant to dine at. Other than the things I mentioned above, Which i didn't feel was anything that terrible just needed to be noted, my girlfriend and I will def be back. keep it up
(4)
Rob C.
one of my faves in mia, even got the nod from frank bruni totally under-reviewed...well not anymore :) this place has the exact kind of menu I'm looking for...but unfortunately some items can be hit or miss. technically very good, but sometimes misses that something extra they have small, medium, large plates (which is a great way to sample more), also sides and snacks. i shared 5 mediums and a side, sat outside. had the sea scallops, char-grilled octopus, pork belly, pork rillette, and heirloom tomato salad, cauliflower side menu does rotate my main issue was with the pork belly--it was cooked right, but i didn't like the clashing flavors of the sweet tangy sauce, peanut flavor, and pickled cabbage. the design district neighborhood is quite chic. ate here again, and liked my dishes. had the warm squash salad (heavy) beef cheek with chocolate reduction, kind of a light mole-esque sauce parpadelle (beef) -- flavorful, though noodle hardened kinda fast fried sweetbread--well, foodies know what that is still awesome -- I keep coming back. fried pork belly and watermelon salad -- perfect crispy skate wing -- very good wood oven pizza (steak) -- excellent pan roasted "poulet rouge" chicken -- perfect skin, flavor did not penetrate meat all the way through (compared to an SF Zuni chicken) try the panna cotta -- yummy orange peel slivers the pulled pork sandwich was interesting with its cucumbers and parsley, can't say i loved it through, strong anise flavor. loved the burger with the perfectly cooked harris ranch meat, nice thick bacon. the pork panini was heavy on the cheese, the ciabatta bread a little dry separate pastry chef, so can't go wrong here chocolate cremoso -- a little bit too much sea salt for my taste, very nice espresso parfait, should ask for the salt on the side, the crostini makes for a nice texture contrast. Banana caramel panini with warm malted chocolate sauce -- a large dessert, actually panini bread with bananas, slight salt and cinnamon sugar french toast flavor Apple Crostada -- very nice crust and flavors Tangerine creamsicle pot de creme with donuts and berry conserve -- also a good dessert
(5)
Judith M.
Yes, it's good. But... I've been here twice, and both times were utterly forgettable except for the general impression that, yes, it was good. You have had this food before. It is basically the same -- although a little less creative -- as any other high-end New American style restaurant in any other city in the US. I've eaten at this restaurant in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, DC, etc. It's only because Miami's restaurant scene is so poor that Michael's stands out as extraordinary. Well f- that. Michael's is good but it would be nothing special in any other city. Three stars, and no more.
(3)
Ron H.
I have been a fan of this chef since he was at Nemo's. Heddy's desserts deserve 5 stars. She is one of the best in U.S. I just don't think this is a 5 star restaurant. I love that he sources local . There just have been too many just OK meals there. It may been a top 10 restaurant for the design district or south Florida. It just does not compare with NYC or LA.
(3)
A.c. D.
great place...interesting menu, really good service..i had a party of 12 there on a saturday night and it went well...i also like that the table for 12 was a large square (3 people per side) so everyone could talk and hear each other.
(4)
TONY S.
Have been there numerous times. Lunch, happy hour, dinner it's always great. Try all of the different dishes they are an adventure. My favorites are the langostinos and the chicken is outrageous. Always looking for new items on the menu to try and have not been disappointed yet. Busy on most nights so get there early if you have no reservations.
(5)
Liz T.
i live extremely close, so michael's is a very common choice for us. the food is usually pretty excellent, though there's been one or two occasions where it didn't live up to expectations (off-night?). make sure you make a reservation for fri & sat nights... can get pretty busy during peek hours. i highly suggest the chicken wings and the panzanella (my fav). up there as well are the mussels. michael's can be on the pricey side... especially when drinks are involved. oh and the facts it's all organic is great! i go very frequently here and for the first time had a negative experience with the staff. point blank the hostess had more attitude than a south beach hostess. not fun. but also, not typical. UPDATE: went again last night with a bunch of friends... tuna tartar is soso. deviled eggs were pretty tasty and the duck confit was delicious (and i'm not a big fan of duck). and for dessert i usually get the chocolate cremosa, cause it's the only thing on the menu chocolaty... problem is, i don't like it that much (it's good, don't get me wrong, but i don't go crazy for it). last night we tried the apple panini thingy.... super tasty. sooo good. $190 for three girls... ouch! 2nd UPDATE: just had my second bad experience here and again it was at the hostess desk. there were a ton of open tables outside, which is where we wanted to sit, but she insisted there were reservations for all of them. we got into a polite argument with the manager (i think) who said that she really couldn't seat us outside as they'd all be filled up any minute. we even heard two reservations walk in, who wanted to sit inside instead, so we explained the situation to our waitier and he went up and asked the hostess & the manager... they said no, again! i think he realized how stupid the situation was and in the end gave us a free dessert. even when we finished, two hours later, a huge bill, and our bellies full of a very tasty dinner later we go to leave... and there's still about 8 empty tables outside!!! I love you Michael's... you started with a 5 star rating... we go at least two or three times a month... but a few select people on your staff are turning off some very loyal, very well-paying customers. downgraded.
(4)
Riley S.
We try to go every Wednesday night, which pretty much says how we feel about the place. The service is top notch and the food is incredible. Some of our favorites are home made ricotta with blueberry jam, falafal, chicken wings, the home made pastas, pizzas, ceviches, and particularly the pot de creme with dougnuts (we order extra dougnuts).
(5)
Thad K.
Just went on my fourth visit. I love this place, the atmosphere on the patio is delightful. The service has always been top notch, very unobtrusive. On to the food... have had many of the items in the "small" section of the menu. Never been disappointed with any of them. The tuna tartare with quail egg was especially delicious. For dinner my friend and I shared Short Ribs, and of course the PORK BELLY (with kimchee). Probably one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten. Every time I've been here I've ordered this dish. I personally usually skip dessert and go on to the cheese course which changes apparently every week. I LOVE this place. If you want to go have a nice night out go to Michaels Genunie.
(5)
I L.
I'm somewhat of a foodie and have only found a few places in Miami that serve great food (without ripping you off). In my opinion, Michael's tops my list of great restaurants in Miami. Their pork sandwich was OVER THE TOP. They also serve this crispy hominy appetizer that is spectacular- especially with a cold beer. I highly recommend sitting outside in their patio or in the main dining room where the kitchen is-- the other dining room is random and you might feel like the ugly stepchild.
(5)
Mr. J.
perfect [adj., n. pur-fikt; v. per-fekt] 1. exactly fitting the need in a certain situation or for a certain purpose great date place, fun, good food, low key, been three times and always enjoy it.
(5)
Michelle F.
Very seriously hit or miss.
(3)
Claudia K.
The food was a 5 (excellent!) but the experience in total was disappointing. There were 2 of us and we were seated on top of another couple. The tables for 2 are set up next to another table for 2 with about 4" between tables. It's practically a table for 4. When I asked the maitre'd for another table (about a third were empty) he was rude and obnoxious and said nothing else was available. The service was ok, but not great. So unless you want to have dinner with 2 strangers, don't sit inside.
(2)
Michelle G.
i've been there for lunch and dinner - portions for dinner were on the small side but lunch portions were average. fantastic food - i had the steamed mussels with black sticky rice - YUM. the desserts are also great. my friend had the panini with ice cream and it was to die for. the weather that day was chilly and they even offered me a pashmina to borrow so we could sit outside.
(5)
C B.
Best brunch in town. BEST. But you have to have a reservation, or youll get stuck waiting a long time. Lemon Ricotta pancakes are amazing. So is the Burrata w/ Heirloom tomatoes. Double yolk eggs and the egg sandwich are also killer. Definitely make sure to try this place out. Lunch is just as good too! But no brunch items available.
(5)
Ryan C.
Awful service. More than 3 hrs start to finish. Food was really good, although a bit overpriced. However, the service was so bad that the meal wasn't enjoyable at all.
(2)
Nicole M.
i really really really loved it here. really, you have to try it. it was about $30 for each of us and totally worth it. we went around 10:30 on friday night with no reservation and got a table right away. the atmosphere was friendly and warm at our table outside and the bar looked very cozy and chic. we had the black grouper and subbed the brussel sprout side for crispy hominy which was the best decision i made all week. those things are addictive! we also had the fettucine carbonara with shrimp, bacon and broccoli rabe which was not nearly as heavy (aka fattening) and thick as in most places. try the naked riesling if you like your wine a little sweet and the barbera barola if you like it smoky. i definitely hope to go back soon. i might even try the sprouts.
(5)
David H.
How can anyone only give this place 4 stars? Clearly the best restaurant in Miami. Mmmmmmmm
(5)
Michele G.
I am writing this review because upon further reflection I was way to easy on this place the last time. Apparently I am not the only one who experienced the "rude, strange waiter" who continues to work there. Our bad experience began with the water service. The waiter had asked me if I wanted still or sparkling, to which I replied still. My boyfriend said sparkling, so when he began to pour the water I said no thank you. The waiter then replied with attitude, a lot of attitude, " its still." Thank god I ordered the deviled eggs then because our waiter didn't return for 20 minutes to take our order, at one point even stopping to have a conversation with a table that wasn't even his. He then finally came back to us, but by that time one of our dishes was no longer available. Maybe if he had cared to take our order beforehand that would have not been the case. I then asked my boyfriend if we should get the mash potatoes instead when the waiter rudely said "Why are you asking him?" I guess because he was getting the pasta? Excuse me, but why was that any of his business??? No check back, the dessert menus were just thrown on the table while the other tables received dessert specials, check dropped, no thank you?? The worst part? The restaurant doesn't care, I know this because we contacted them. I guess because of all the 5 stars they receive they could care less about their rude waiter. It was my birthday, it was ruined. We will not be back.
(1)
Lisa C.
My husband, who is from Miami, and I went here one night while we were in town. Nothing memorable. The atmosphere is cool and fun, but the food was mediocre. What particularly comes to mind is the steak, which was mealy, overcooked and flavorless. I would suggest coming here for drinks and eating elsewhere.
(3)
A. S.
I don't feel like I had enough of the menu items to review fully. Lots of interesting sounding items. Shared the potato chips w/onion dip. Both the chips and the dip were very average. Tuna tartare was very nice, quite tasty but not incredible. Honestly don't remember what I had for my main course and that was two weeks ago. Another member of my party had a piece of fish that he said was absolutely delicious. Desserts were very good, but again not incredible. I guess the hype had me prepared for something a bit more special. I'd go again to try more menu items, but it's not a priority.
(4)
lori w.
It so disheartening to dine in an"it" place and feel out of place. The welcome the pretty people experienced was extremely different thatn the welcome my husband and in-laws received. We were denied a table indoors although there were 4 available. Instead we were shown to table on the patio in the rain with the umbrellas dripping. We were told "sorry" about the accomodations. I reiterated I had confirmed with the hostess that afternoon and had had the res for 1 week. "Sorry". My father-in-law's birthday was ruined but nobody there cared. The young glams were all fawned over and we were practically laughed out of there. What a shame- so unprofessional. Restaurants don't survive without good karma, good management, good vibes and the good food. I guess Michael Schwartz wants to make his name and make his money and get out....
(1)
Jay F.
It took awhile to get a reservation. We finally made the list. So here's the good and bad. Made a rez a week in advance and when we got there we were told we would have to wait a few minutes for a table outside. About 30 minutes later (this is a Monday night) we were told we'd have a table. When we went to sit down, the hostess came over and told us she was setting the table for six people. Perplexed, we explained that we were told the table was for us. With a disgruntled look, she acquiesced. Needless, to say we were famished. Once we got the menus, we faced more disappointment. The server was friendly and accommodating. However, we were told they were out of the salmon and the swordfish...the only two fish on the menu. Are you kidding! After explaining that two members of our party only eat fish, the server had the kitchen suggest Cobia as a replacement. Now for the good part. The appetizers were very good. The faro salad was the best. For the large portions (entrees) the pan roasted chicken and the wood oven roasted Cobia were great. They also prepared the Cobia with pine nuts and raisins. Pass on the cheese grits. Order the fries (yummy) and the escarole. All in all, a very good meal spoiled by the wait and the "86" on the fish. They change the menu daily but, you have to be there early if you want today's catch. BTW, the service was attentive and top notch. You're water glass was never empty. The prices are reasonable.
(3)
Alex F.
Overall a great time. Well made american food. Went here for Dinner. Food: 4.5 We had the: Burrata: 5 Chicken Liver: 5+ Duck Rillette: 5+ Steak au Poivre: 5+ (probably the best steak I've ever had) Asparagus: 5 Pizza: 3.5. Not bad but really pales in comparison to the other food on the menu. Too much caramelized onion creates an overwhelming, sweet flavor. Drinks: 5. fabulous. Caipirinha Dessert: 4.5-5 Service: 4.5-5. Server explains specials & are pretty attentive but don't hover over you. One thing, however, the waiter didn't listen to or not know how to make was the espresso with sambuca. He served a huge amount of sambuca on the side. Much more than the espresso itself. Atmosphere: rather loud but not too loud. Good interior design. Awesome bathroom. Tables could be longer especially if you order sides and the "smalls and mediums" along with your entree. So 1 star off for the above issues and for a rather pricey menu particularly if you add 1 side to the main entree: ie mid $30s.
(4)
Katherine P.
I LOVE THEIR PORK BELLY!!!! If I was forced to only choose one thing off the menu for every time I went there that is what I would choose. It is just so mouth watering!! Also, when you order martinis, I always order mine dirty. They serve you the martini and then whatever remained into a little glass with ice on the side so that you could fill up again when you finished your drink. This is the only place in Miami that I found did that! It's not a cheap place, so don't expect that but do expect amazing food! I recommend making a reservation because there are some days that they get super packed. The first time I tried to eat there without a reservation there was a wait time of 45 minutes and I couldn't even sit at the bar. That day I ended up leaving to return with a reservation another day but seeing it packed made me even more motivated to try their food and it was great. This is not why they didn't get 5 stars because this was my mistake. You could just tell that they put a lot of details and effort into everything they make. Even by the look of their french fries. The only problem we had was my boyfriend's fish was overcooked but the manager came over to our table and apologized. That's what you expect when you go to a great restaurant. There are times that there might be a mistake but you just want them to apologize and recognize the mistake. I love the feeling of the restaurant, it's unique in its own way. The reason why they didn't get 5 stars is that the servers could be a little bit more trained. Not to say that our servers were bad, they were nice and got our order right. We just have experience at high-end restaurants and know what to expect. This restaurant could easily fix that and become a 5 star in my book. It would also help if the hostess was a little bit more friendlier. It's the first person you meet when you go into the restaurant, they should act more welcoming and less like club bouncers. ***edit*** The areas that I found needed improvement were fixed every time I've returned. This is the only place I dare to eat a medium rare lamb! Their owner, Michael is very nice and spoke to us for a while last we visited. We spoke about how he is now joining in with Royal Caribbean Cruises. Last time we ate here we were, we were celebrating a birthday with a group of 6 people and everyone was very happy with the service and their meals. Three people order the lamb, with Greek yogurt and quinoa and it was awesome! We also LOVED the peaches with pepper and salt, its just really good quality. The specialty drinks are always great! Get daring and try one!
(5)
Linda B.
Anthony Bourdain said this was his favorite restaurant in Miami - enough said. I went and loved every course. Must go.
(5)
Dee D.
Meh - my friends and I went for brunch the other day on a Sunday and it was pretty good. Our coffee cups were dirty, our milk was dirty (EW) and the food was hit or miss. The rosemary crumpet was very good and so was the sausage pattie. Everything was really small portioned (i get it, tapa style) but it would be better if they beefed it up a little for those that want to actually eat. the ambiance was cool. ill have to try it out for dinner see if its a little different..?
(3)
Paul S.
A great setting with nice outdoor seating amid the tony shops in the Design District. The place was hopping on a Saturday night and could feel a bit crowded and noisy inside, especially near the bar. The outside tables may be quieter. The food is excellent. Food on the menu is divided by sizes. We shared dishes from the "Extra Large" section of the menu; we had all three. The whole roast chicken was superb, perfectly grilled and seasoned. While the menu doesn't say it, I would swear there was a bit of lemon on the chicken, brightening the flavors just so. The skin was crispy and the meat succulent and flavorful. The whole roasted Snapper was a real treat, beautifully prepared and with just the right touch of fennel flavor to accent the tender, sweet fish. The bone-in Ribeye was nice but couldn't compare with the other two dishes. It was served medium rare and was tender, but just didn't match the chicken or the fish, which were among the best of those two dishes I've tasted. For sides, we had excellent, lemony green beans, very nice cheese grits and French fries. The rice cake was a surprise and a standout among the apps. The flavors of chorizo and shrimp were present and distinct, but brought together by the rice and the perfectly cooked egg atop the cake. The Wood Roasted Double Yolk Egg app got rave reviews from companions. The house salad was tasty and not an afterthought as so often happens. The potato chips and onion dip were perhaps the weakest item on the table. They were not crisp enough for our taste, but dip was very pleasant. They offer an interesting choice of house cocktails, including their own spin on one of my favorites, the Manhattan. I found it interesting, but a bit light for my taste. I like mine with a strong Rye and a good splash of red Vermouth. The Rosemary skewered Marasco cherry is a very nice touch. We did not have dessert, focused as we were on a favorite gelato spot for afters. But the choices sounded excellent and, if the rest of the menu is an indication, should not disappoint.
(4)
vanessa l.
Couldn't agree more with the previous reviewer. Having recently moved from LA to Miami, my husband and I were impressed and surprised to find this place. It's on par with some of the best farm to table restaurants out west. MGFD even serves romanesco! Delicious, by the way - order it. Ambience and mood were great, very lively, and service was good, too. Servers were knowledgeable about the menu and really guided us on how best to order for our large party. Of the drinks and dishes we've tried so far (read: we will be back to work through the whole menu), I recommend the Scotsman cocktail, fried corn appetizer, rice cakes, grilled octopus, duck confit, pork shoulder and short rib entree. I would have liked to try the whole snapper, but they were sold out. Next time!
Birthday Dinner #1 in Miami. Best Duck ever in my life....I had the Duck Confit which basically means they cook it in it's own fat....yummy! My friend got the ceviche and that was also delicious. The portions are small just like with every high end spot to eat, but it's worth it. Skip dessert, my friends got the red velvet ice cream and coldstone is definitely better. Definitely a small area to sit and dine so I wouldn't come in a big group.
(4)
Jules S.
I love the fact the valet cost for Michael's Genuine is only $3 at night on weekdays, but it's really not necessary since there are numerous parking spots available on the streets. We chose to sit outside but later regretted it because the mosquitoes were out in force against us. They just seem to love that drunk-off-your-ass not-from-Miami blood. Next time I'll choose to sit inside or try not to exude so much body heat when I'm drunk. Another option is to just come during lunch when mosquitoes aren't so feisty. I had a great dinner though despite the stealth pest in the air and on my legs sucking my blood away. I'm a fruffi drink guy when out with family and friends so I ordered the Southern Bell to start. It was OK. I wish the blueberries were crushed into it to make it sweeter, but that wasn't the case. The blueberries were just garnish. Pretty good-looking drink though. We dug into some Pig Ears, Liver Crostini, Cheese Grits, Octopus, and Pork Belly. It wasn't a lot of food. Trust me on that. Just enough to leave room for dessert which this place is known for. The dishes that stood out though were the Octopus, Pork Belly, and Liver Crostini. You got to try it to believe me. If those dishes don't make you come back to Michael's Genuine, I don't know what will. The desserts we tried were the Chocolate Cremoso, Peanuts and Popcorn, and Pot de Creme. Two of these desserts were featured on "Best Thing I Ever Ate". They're all good in their own way, but if I were you I'd just order the Pot de Creme which has the most incredible donut you'll ever have in your life. Ten dollars for a donut dessert seems excessive but it's worth it. If heaven made donuts that donut would be it! The service here is not the friendliest bunch but they get the job done fast. Our waters are repeatedly refilled without even asking and our napkins folded when leaving the table. Not bad...it makes up for the service without a smile. It might be a Miami thing...I don't know.
(4)
Layla L.
Delicious. By far, this is the best restaurant I've found in Miami..and it's affordable. The beef short ribs were so tender you didn't even need a knife to cut them. The beet and tomato salad was fresh and delicious but the desserts were the best part. My bf LOVED the donuts with creamsicle cream and blackberry compote and I LOVED the passionfruit cheesecake flan (with the 3 best things put together, how could anyone not love it?!), it was creamy and mouthwatering and the bf only got 1 bite before I devoured it :) You'll need reservations for a Sat. night.
(5)
Maria A.
On my last visit to Michaels someone suggested I update my review but focus solely on one of the desserts. Inspired by that passion for the banana panini I figured it was time to focus on their sweet reputation. Pastry Chef Hedy Goldsmith is a genius in her own right. This artist dreams up childhood favorites irresistible to adults. Her brunch pop tarts are the stuff perfect Sundays are made of. Her double stuffed oreos are also equally loved but on the whole most people will experience the daily dessert menu. Although seasonal, the sweet ending usually has a few familiar faces. The pot de creme donut combination is always a winner, as is the popcorn and ice cream. But on the most recent indulgence it was the candy bar and the banana panini that left me wanting to order seconds. I'd already sampled a few bites from all four of the desserts on the table but I really just wanted my own dish and this time I did not want to share with anyone. Alas, I showed restraint (solely based on not wanting to frighten business associates with my sinful and selfish sweet tooth). But the next time I need some alone hours I might forgo the shopping, and instead head to Michael's and order a dessert or two. I often wish they had a coffee and dessert seating section or take out bakery... one can dream... visions of sugar
(5)
Paul W.
I renturned here on a recent Saturday night with a group of 3, and once again had a great experience. We'd gone to see a performance at the Arscht Center, we left there at about 11:40 p.m. and were hungry. I knew Michael's supposedly served until Midnight, so we headed over for a bite. We arrived at about 5 minutes before midnight, and though the hostess explained that we'd need to order right away, as did our server, both were very friendly, neither seemed rushed, nothing from the menu was off limits, even at this late hour (we were even offered dessert once we'd finished our meals), and the ingredients were just as fresh and everything was as perfect as always. I ordered the BLT salad and a side of their thick cut potato chips with pan fried onion dip. For dessert I had the chocolate cremoso. As always, everything was superb. Another great experience at Michaels, I couldn't recommend this place more!
(4)
Sonja S.
Loved this place. Went for the first time on Sunday for brunch and was very happy with the food and service. The plates are tapa sized but everything is super delicious. I would definitely recommend the crispy rice cake and the breakfast pizza. The pizza came out a little bit later than they had anticipated (we didn't even notice) so our waiter brought out a free plate of falafel, which was amazing! My only issue was that it seemed a bit pretentious. It was definitely a fashion show (which I was not dressed for) and there was legit a photographer snapping pictures as you ate. But all in all food was great, service was excellent, and we will be coming back!
(5)
Michelle Z.
Michael's Genuine. This is food, this is heaven, this is nirvana. Once you've tried it, you'll begin to wonder how you're going to live the rest of your days eating your normal ho-hum diet, how are you going to settle for anything?- now that you've discovered this snug, tucked away emporium of epicurean divinity. Something for everyone to die a million happy foodgasm deaths over and over . First Base: fresh from the farm vegetable plates : roasted eggplant with yogurt,tomatoes, perfectly roasted and caramelized. The Cheese of the week, lovingly spread on warm raisin bread. Second Base: Crispy Pig Ears- trust me, you won't hear any objections from anyone once they have these crispy, salted Porky Pigs in their mouths. If someone even makes a derogatory remark about eating pork, just throw a pig ear in their mouth mid- sentence. trust me. They won't choke on it cause they're going to want to eat it. Third Base: Pork Belly - succulent, crispy on the outside- sitting in a warm salad of local greens, it'll be over before you realized it even began. Climax: the desserts : the Tangerine Creamsicle- oh so decadent on your tongue, with soft, melt in your mouth donuts, and a berry compote that beats any jam out there in the world. ( Except for the epic Michael Jackson song " Jam!") The Popcorn and Peanuts - Chocolate peanut butter tower of terrificness with a little chaotic ball of popcorn and chocolate. The Snickers Bar- you won't find this at 7-11. caramel peanut perfection. All of this, with a perfect concoction : STRAWBERRY-BASIL CAIPIRINHA - it's summer in a glass. Taste the sunshine and call it a day. I wish you all the best in the days following your Michael's Genuine Experience. The incomparable beatdown of tastes your mouth is going to endure will haunt you till your next visit.
(5)
Debbie d.
Spent my 30th birthday dinner here. Flew all the way in from NY and so incredibly disappointed. HATE IT. We had a chubby asian server who acted all Americanized towards my group (were asians as well). Why is it that Asians despise their own?? Anyway, he acted all condescending on us, tried his best to intimidate for sure. We went on a weekday, and was really upset we didn't get to try their weekend brunch desserts. If you're not coming in for weekend brunch, don't bother coming at all. Their food is overpriced and tiny.
(1)
Nenette Y.
The husband and I really enjoyed it! They're located in the Design District, an area of super high end designer boutiques and shops... it's a 10-15 min cab ride from Collins Ave and BRING CASH!! ATM's are non-existant in the area and cabs only take cash (the credit card machines I think are for show?) Anywho, our waiter and bussers were *awesome* and ensured our experience was fantastic from the moment we sat down til the very end. Food was all very good and we shared 7 small/medium dishes with the stand outs being the crispy pig ears, crispy pork belly and butter lettuce salad. Drinks were also delicious and a great way to begin our meal. Recommended especially if you're looking for a reprieve from the constant intz intz intz of Collins Ave. :)
(4)
Eric B.
My wife and I heard good things about this restaurant from friends and Yelp So, we decided to try it for lunch. We were not dissapointed. The entire menu looked so delicious that we had a hard time not ordering one of everything! Our waiter, Tim was very knowledgeable and attentive. He made some great suggestions. Everything we ordered from the Crispy Pig Ears and Sweet and Sour Pork Belly appetizers to the Cookies and Confections Dessert was delicious. The prices are not cheap, but reasonable, and the food is delicious. The only drawback was this place got really loud as it filled up. We were the first customers of the day, but before we had our main course the place was full. You should definitely make a reservation.
(4)
Stephanie L.
A cozy setting for a fantastic meal. Plates come in several sizes, giving the diner the option to pick and choose based on hunger. The cost can add up, but it's worth it to try as much as your stomach allows. Also, the menu changes frequently, so each visit can offer a completely new dining experience. Lunch is often kind of boring, pastas and pizzas that don't really stand out. Dinner and brunch are the best times to come, but if you plan to go to brunch later on a Sunday, make reservations. The pan seared onion dip with the homemade potato chips is a wonderful beginning. The sausage and pork belly dishes are succulent and blend phenomenally with their sauces. The fish dishes are always fresh and served with a savory accoutrements that delight the taste buds. During brunch the kimchee benedict is tiny, but intensely flavorful and tasty. Not to mention, the desserts are inventive and sumptuous. Creative options like the basil panna cotta make you reconsider your notions of a traditional ending to your meal. Even for brunch, Hedy's creations are a fantastic touch of sweet. Among some of the rotating options, lemon ricotta pancakes, poptarts, monkey bread, french toast (these flavors are changing constantly), doughnuts (from which there have been everything from coconut cream filling to yuzu to popcorn cream) and reinvented versions of nutterbutters and fig newtons...all are usually stellar. Michael's also offers some great wines, and inventive cocktails. Unique flavor combinations and fresh ingredients make many dishes exceptional. However, I've also had several dishes that are just mediocre. While I've had more hits than misses, if you weren't impressed, come back and give Michael's another chance. It really can be worth the hype.
(4)
Luis G.
I'm late to the game. Like, super late. However, I'd like to say in my defense, that I've been screaming my face off from the bench for a very very long time. My wife and decided to check this place out last week, after all the yelp reviews, after Bourdain was here in his layover and scarfed down some pig's ears right in front of my face. I had to come here. We got there on a Friday night. It was packed. We had no reservation. I just said "two please", and a table was available. I guess we were blessed like that. Granted, we had to make a lady stand up from her booth to get to our window table (a bit uncomfortable) but hey, we were here and sitting outside, uhhh no. Not in the soupy broth of warm South Florida summer nights. The menu came, and we started. Swordfish Conserva, Ceviche, Butter Lettuce salad, Crispy Rice cake...bang. All came fast, and ready to go, beautiful yet simple presentations involving wood, mason jars and simple earthy tones. The Conserva was out of hand. It gave me the impression of a dish that a chef would cook for himself. Chefs eat this stuff right? :) Crispy Rice Cake, with a nice egg on top, Machego, Chorizo. All the right notes. Then we ordered some deviled eggs, some falafel, and I said, please...tell me you have the pig's ears. Oh man. So good. My wife couldn't do it, but that's ok...more for me. Smokey, crispy, a squeeze of lime...delicious. Then dessert. The Chocolate Semifreddo. We loved it. Outside after the meal, the warm night upon us, sitting in the valet guys plastic chairs waiting for our car to get brought up, we were talking about the meal. Full and happy. Then I thought about the Rice cake, and my mouth watered. Any place that can do that, deserves 5 stars. Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Kathy G.
Cool, hip little place to dine al fresco on a cool Miami night in the heart of the design district. Love how you the menu is arranged in sizes-great for sharing and getting to try several things! Started off with some of the signature cocktails which were refreshing and delicious-Can't remember the names.... We started with the crispy pig ear snack...it was just ok. It reminded me of a cross between a bbq corn nut/and fried pork rind, but chewier. I could go without that next time, but I felt like we just HAD to try it. Next we had the wood oven roasted double yolk farm egg. it came in a small ramekin with the toast and cheese all melted on top with the gooey egg on the bottom. This was so good, but very breakfast-like. I wish there was more bread to sop up the precious yolk-we didn't want to look un-lady like and try to get all the leftovers. :( Then came the mussels...mmmmm these were heavenly! The broth was delectable. Very fresh mussels, and the forbidden rice surprise underneath soaking up all the broth was fabulous! The main entree was just as scrumptious. We ordered the grilled niman ranch leg of lamb. It comes perfectly cooked and pre sliced so it is also great for sharing. It is seasoned to perfection. Savory, juicy, and tender, it almost doesn't even taste like lamb. I also loved the farro salad, feta, and salsa verde that the meat rests atop of. The feta gives it a little punch of flavor and makes the dish unique. For dessert we ordered the passion fruit cheesecake flan. I was a little disappointed that the dish was so overtly sweet. The sorbet and passion fruit 'salsa' on the other hand I could have eaten alone as a dessert they were so good! We will be back next time! We had a great experience with the food and service.
(4)
Alex P.
I've been here several times and my experiences vary a little. All I can say is that they have some of the tastiest food I've ever tried and that I get a slight snobbish feeling from the servers and hostesses sometimes as if there is some superiority complex going on here. If you go you MUST try the pork belly, and chicken wings. Oh, and the bread is phenomenal.
(4)
Hallie M.
I wish that I could express how much I love this place through a review but I probably can't, and I'm sure that the other 500+ reviews say basically the same thing but, Michael's is truly the BEST. I HATE IT when I eat at a restaurant and say it was good but I don't have to go back, and with Michael's that is SO not the case at all. As soon as I'm done I like to think about the next time I'll be back!!! My most recent trip to Michael's was on my birthday (too perfect) for dinner, but I've also been here for brunch as well. I could go through a list of everything I have ordered but that would basically be the entire menu. So it's safe to say EVERYTHING is fantastic. LOVE LOVE LOVE
(5)
Kelsey T.
Michael's Genuine strives for "fresh, simple and pure" and they sure deliver on this promise. I was completely blown away by how exquisite the food was here. It's not cheap food for sure, but everything tastes wonderful and it's worth splurging to dine here. I got the special of the day, burrata and heirloom tomatoes. This dish was perfection, with the components complementing each other so perfectly, I loved it so much I didn't share with my friends! We shared the crispy pork belly, shiitake mushroom pizza, short rib and fontina cheese sandwich, porchetta sandwich, wood roasted fish of the day, steamed mussels and the peanuts and popcorn for dessert (seems to no longer be on the menu). Every single dish was packed full of freshness and flavor and ridiculously good. I'm so glad we got to eat family style so that I got to try so many things since I was sharing with four other people. Fave dishes were the peanuts and popcorn (salty, sweet and chocolate is always a winner), the burrata and heirloom tomatoes (cheese and tomaotes, you can't miss with that), and the shiitake mushroom pizza (so earthy!). If I lived in Miami, I'd probably go broke eating here all the time. It's definitely on my list for whenever I return to Miami.
(5)
Karen F.
Went back to the Caymans and HAD to celebrate my birthday at Michael's. Took husband and 6 year old - and it was AWESOME. Yes, expensive - but so fresh and worth it. Chef Michael was there that night after a book signing in Camana Bay and he expedited many of the plates. We enjoyed the house-made liguine with rock shrimp & bacon. Also a hit - the duck confit with blood orange slices over a luscious beet puree. My little one grabbed the duck leg and did not let go. She ate nearly the whole plate herself. (Not the mustard greens though - too bitter for her.) The best? My standby the fresh tomato, beet and haricot vert salad. I LOVE IT HERE! So great. Michael - please come to Philly!
(5)
Janelle B.
My tia and I went for a weekday stroll around the design district and stopped at Michael's for lunch. Knowing that the restaurant is participating in the Miami Spice event, we had our heart set on trying it out. Once we got there, the place was packed. The MS lunch menu didn't look like it was worth the price, so we opted for other options on the regular menu. Once our server came to our table, I expressed that we hadn't been there before, expecting for a few explanations of the dishes that were written in Italian (or quite possibly just chef jargon, but I'll never know b/c they weren't explained to us), but he didn't budge on expanding his thoughts passed "Sparkling or flat water?" My tia asked for the chorizo, shrimp, and manchego cheese pizza was just very good. I ordered the fish of the day sandwich, which was barrel fish. It was OK. The food was good, and I would probably go again in hopes of being served by someone a bit more willing to explain the items on the menu.
(3)
Robert L.
This is some of the best food that I have ever had. Fresh and local ingredients to stay a "sustaining" restaurant using produce and meats that are within 50 miles of the restaurant. I tell people to leave their comfort zone and order those things they wouldn't normally order and don't snub your nose at some of the ingredients you will see on steaks, pork, and fish. This chef KNOWS what he is doing and there is no chance in he** you will be disappointed. It's settled in a up and coming area of Miami that is worth a stop in and of itself with eccentric furniture, art, decor, and clothing. This place is worth the visit, a little out of the way nut again WELL worth it.
(5)
Priti K.
When I'm traveling, here's one thing I don't like to do: hold back on eating my heart out. That's what my girls and I did at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink and I did not regret it. My cousin had been dropping the name all week and one night we finally had the time to get all dressed up and go before a show at the Adrian Arscht center. I came to find out that Michael's is a favorite of many long time Miami residents. It's quite an experience. The structure of the menu is unique in that there are three sections divided based on the size of the dish. The smalls are your appetizers. The medium section has light options that include pastas, salads, and some seafood. The large is mostly your meats and it also has a pizza. The extra large has whole chicken, fish, and 24 oz. ribeye. What I liked so much about the menu here is that when you think about it, all the dishes are so so simple..They use simple and fresh ingredients, but that you'd never think would create such extraordinary and unique dishes. My girlfriends and I had the 'wood oven roasted double yolk farm egg'. It has gruyere cheese, tomatoes, and chives. You dip your crostini in it or spoon some right on the crispy bread. The yolk was perfectly runny. We also had cheese. I can't remember exactly what it was, as it changes from week to week, but it was creamy and delicious and is served on a wooden cutting board with fresh figs drizzled in a little bit of honey. Speaking of which, the presentation at this restaurant is just as impressing as the flavors. We skipped ordering anything from the Medium menu, but got the wood oven pizza, which was vegetarian that week. The pan roasted "poulet rouge" chicken, and two of the snacks: duck rilette and falafel. Rilette is a pate style dish, I liked it because I love salty, but I don't think my girlfriends enjoyed it as much. The falafel was comparable to some of the best I've had which is at Taim in NYC. It was moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. We couldn't skip out on dessert. We chose the 'banana toffee panini' Although, I don't know where I fit it in my belly, but we three girls inhaled it despite having finished a huge, delicious meal. You cannot leave Miami without eating here. Seriously. Pricy and fancy, but well worth the dining experience.
(4)
Kathryn I.
I can honestly say this is a restaurant that I am 100% please with 100% of the time. Last minute decision to go to this restaurant means at least a 30 minute wait. However, if I can plan my trip ahead of time I can normally score a reservation! MUST HAVES???? Fried onion dip and hand cut potato chips, ceviche, and of course the passion fruit caipirinha (this drink needs to be served with a "big straw" to suck up all the tangy seeds). These are all items that I dream of :0) Most recently I indulged in crispy pork belly....UHmazing! Perfectly crispy paired with a tangy and slightly spicy kimchi, wow! I also had the rice cake, too much of a smokey bacon flavor for me. I cant remember the pork product in this dish, it wasnt bacon maybe a sausage of some sort. But really the best item of the night was the pie in the jar. The flavor that I tried was chocolate creme pie with bing cherry! WOWOWOWOIE! I could order this over and over again! Sad to say I have left Miami, yet again, and will have to attempt the recreation of these dishes! Please note that Michael's is listed on my profile as place I would choose to have my last meal :)
(5)
Whitney K.
This haven for fine dining is tucked away between chic galleries and charming boutiques in the Design District, making it the perfect destination for an evening on the town. Grab a table outside, let your server put a bottle of prosecco on ice, and settle in for an incredible meal. Although you'll probably be having an internal argument about which plates you'd like to try within two seconds of looking at the menu, I can assure you that everything is a safe bet. The creative flavors and pure, sensuous ingredients won't disappoint -- no matter what you order. I mean seriously; with dishes like imported burrata with ripe figs and fresh basil -- how could you possibly go wrong?
(5)
Anabel R.
I've been there for brunch several times and it's always amazing! Great place, great food and great service!
(4)
Kelly F.
Without a doubt, one of the best meals and overall dining experiences I have had in my entire life. A testimony like this might seem difficult to believe, however, I ate here over a year and a half ago - last time I checked, I'm still daydreaming about Michael's menu. I mean, look at the photo (attached) of me enjoying crispy pig ears! Heaven on earth. That is all.
(5)
Robert S.
Great service. Great food. Small portions. Tables are too close together. Little bit pricey for the small portions.
(4)
Barbara L.
Looking for a likely place for a bite before attending a performance at the Arsht last night, my friend and I decided on Michael's. He had had a pleasant Miami Spice experience there a few years back, and I had heard raves from others, hailing it as a culinary oasis in the area. We arrived early - about 5:30 - without a reservation, and were seated quite quickly in the quieter section as per our request . The setting is casual yet upscale; the service was superb. My one complaint is the food itself. We each ordered a Greek salad that was not your usual run-of-the-mill Greek, but unusual and delicious. The menu is divided into "small," "medium," "large" and "extra-large" categories. My entree, the wood grilled cobia with olive tapenade was smaller than I expected for the price of a "large" portion, and the overuse of salt detracted from the flavor. My companion, who ordered the poulet rouge, had much the same complaint. Wine by the glass was "genuine" but not "generous" for the overinflated price ($16 for a California cab). All in all, a nice place to meet and greet, but perhaps not to eat.
(3)
Andrea S.
The best place for brunch in Miami.. Kimchee eggs benedict, helloo?! amazing. Great place to come for lunch and dinner as well. I don't think I've ever eaten anything that wasn't amazing in this place.
(5)
Marco S.
This continues to be one of my targets every time I think about good food. Extremely well prepared and always d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s. The pork shoulder was amazingly cooked, melting in my mouth and as an appetizer(or not - sometimes I cannot stop ordering!!) the roasted double yolk is always an awesome choice along with the Pate. Service is wonderful. It has a good wine list available - affordable and fulfilled with quality items - one of my common choices are the Rieslings. It is a m-u-s-t.
(5)
Billy V.
The Best restaurant for food in Miami. I have been there several times and always outstanding. MGFD can compete with some of the 3 stars N Y Times restaurants in NYC. The flavors are balanced and they serve fresh local product. This is biggie with me when marketing a restaurant brand like MGFD. I like the concept of plate size to navigate the menu. I highly recommend MGFD when in Miami...........
(5)
Brian B.
Very pricey but a creative touch to old favorites. The chicken was surprisingly good. Very few places have moist chicken breast but this place nailed it. It only had oil and salt; really brought out the natural flavor of the chicken.
(5)
Alex H.
I was visiting The Stage (two blocks away) and after some fun there my friend and I decided that we needed some dinner! It was 9:30 and we didn't have a reservation and we were HUNGRY! When we walked up, we asked for a first available table. Seating options are at the bar, inside, and outside. We got very fortunate and got a great seat outside. They have wonderful fans to help circulate cool air around and it was very nice. We sat down rather quickly; I guess some reservations didn't show. The overall restaurant was packed! I honestly didn't expect a restaurant located in what I would like to define as nowhere to have so many people. The lighting was nice and dim and allowed for a romantic environment. Soon after we sat down, we received some table bread. I did not particularly like it, but that is because I prefer softer breads. The toasted bread was just a tad harder than my likings, but it was good. We had mussels, which was listed as an medium sized entree, as an appetizer. I do not think that this would have been a good choice as an individual entree. They were very good. I had the Duck Confit, which I haven't had in quite some time. The duck was juicy and very tender. I've had bad duck in the past, this was amazingly good! They have an amazingly large wine list and probably an equally large liquor selection, but we didn't have any since we had some drinks earlier in the night. I will certainly come back to check out the wines. We also did not have and deserts. I will certainly be back to try something; nothing stood out to my mood. Bottom Line: Stop reading this review and start driving over!
(5)
MiMi V.
Went Friday nite with 8:30 reservations, sat w/in 5 minutes. Valeted at $3, though the neighborhood has certainly improved over the last few years so street parking was an option. Certainly not as sketchy of an area as it use to be and plenty of folks milling about the streets. Waiters were quick with the menu, friendly and chatty. Though as dinner progressed service was not as attentive as I would've expected. Had to motion twice for refills. Very tight spaces. 2 attached dining rooms. Main dining room was painfully loud, the 2nd was quieter. Outdoor dining as well. Rather dark inside. Dress was a mix of night clubbers and people in jeans and shorts. Started off with an excellent strong caipirinha. No skimping on the alcohol there. Had several snacks: crispy pig ears (spicy, very good), homemade pate (meh) and ceviche (fresh but just ok). Entree ordered was the homemade linguine and lamb (tasty) and 24 oz rib-eye cooked black and blue. The steak had a good flavor and cooked perfectly, though there was a bit more gristle on the meat than I would've expected for this quality of a restaurant. Our dining counterparts also ordered the lamb pasta dish. For dessert we had the bourbon cherry chocolate tart, really good and very chocolaty though a bit heavy for my personal taste, and the banana toffee panini which was overly sweet though the folks I split it with loved it. Also, had a very nice mint tea but was given only one small pot only 1/2 full of water to steep it in. Overall, a decent meal. Lotsa' other stuff I would like to try next time. Meal was ~$200 for us 4 + tip.
(3)
Eileen T.
My boss is not an adventurous eater so we tend to end up at the same restaurants over and over. In this case, I didn't mind a bit. Since we're here for art week, the place was PACKED. Despite having reservations, still had to wait a bit for our table. The first time, I had the beet and heirloom tomato salad. Fresh and tasty, the dressing was delicious. My boss really enjoyed his pork and our dining companion was impressed with the pizza (meat removed since he's vegetarian). The second time, I started with the Greek faro salad, which was a nice change from the typical Greek salad. That was followed by the ceviche. Super fresh, not fishy at all and not overpowered by excess liquid. It was all washed down with a cabarete. No idea whats in it but it was fruity and refreshing. On the pricey side, but you get what you pay for. And since the company is paying, I'm not complaining!
(5)
Melissa K.
Divine! Great outdoor patio, nice ambiance inside. Fairly priced. I'd recommend for those who value quality over quantity. Perfectly cooked octopus, everything else was well-prepared, tasty ice cream and good coffee.
(4)
Alex B.
This place was great. I'm defiantly putting it on the high rotation of dinner spots. Food was great. Smaller portions than what "americans" are used to if you know what i mean. However, they were perfect. I left with my belly full of greatness. Service was AWESOME. Miami is known for bad customer service. This place is great. Service is great without being over done. Comfortable relaxing culinary experience. Thanks!! A+
(5)
Noah Van H.
Great restaurant.. Not really a pizza fan but tried there's which had beef tips. In all honesty it was one of the best pizzas i have ever had. This place is on my favorite list
(5)
Cassie G.
Michael's has been on my to-eat list for as long as I can remember. I had tried their pork belly sandwich at their cart at Fall for the Arts, sampled some of their buffalo frog legs at a special event and read all about their latest undertakings. But now it was time for a real meal. For a Friday night, I was pleasantly surprised it was not too crowded. Our group was seated incompletely without a care. The complimentary sparkling water was a plus in my book and the servers were notably attentive to making sure our glasses were always full. We started out with the potato chips with onion dip alongside the crispy pig ears. I've never had pig ears before and these were packed with flavor. Some of my friends were a little deterred by the chewiness of the dish and could simply not get over the fact they were eating an ear. Their loss. Now on to the rest of the pig, I settled on the pork belly for my main dish which was deliciously complimented by the pickled cabbage salad. I also tried some of the rice cake and a slice of the wood oven pizza. The pizza's crust was a tad burnt but I loved the rice cake. The thick bacon on the BLT salad impressed my friend (apparently used to Oscar Meyer's precooked stuff) while the double yolk egg was gone within minutes. For dessert, we went with the popcorn and peanuts and passion fruit cheesecake flan with tropical salsa. The popcorn and peanuts had a bit of a spicy kick to it but was unique and flavorful. The cheesecake flan though was the perfect blend of the two desserts and the coconut lime ice cream on the side was great. I was a little put off by our waitress who did not seem too concerned about how we were enjoying our meal. I almost felt like since we were a younger group she felt like she did not need to go out of her way to make us happy. Despite this, with great food and company, I'll be back.
(4)
Maria C.
One of my favorite restaurants!! ceviche is amazingg!!! awesome cocktails as well! desserts are delicious as well and pizza is always different and tasty!
(5)
Antuan D.
I've been here in many occasions, and I have to say, place is pretty darn good. You can't go wrong with the brunch, I am excited to try dinner one of these nights.
(4)
Ann R.
I visited last year in November. It was a great place close to the fashion/design district. I sat inside as the patio was filled with people. Our waiter was nice and friendly and took the time to explain the menu and what to try. I got the hanger steak. It was nicely grilled, not overdone. The seasoning on the meat was not overly done, which was great. Everything was fresh and perfectly done. I quite enjoyed my lunch while there. The waiter was attentive. I would go back, actually I'm thinking about that steak as I write. Great way to spend a afternoon in Miami. And the people watching made it even more enjoyable!
(4)
Jeff M.
I need one of those MGFD T-shirts. If only all restaurants had patios like this: large, nice, open, shaded, and excellent for people-watching. But the inside is well-decorated, trendy. A great lunch spot. Nothing but quality food here: ingredients are incredibly fresh, dedicated to what's local and what's in season. The burger is very good, juicy, tasty, well seasoned, on fresh brioche. Simple but delicious greens. Delicious fries. The pot de creme with warm doughnuts absolutely hit the spot. And prices are definitely reasonable. Service is pretty attentive and accommodating. In fact, I had requested a salad with the burger, they brought fries, my waiter caught on to the mistake, fetched the greens, apologized, and said I could keep the fries (no charge) as a result. It was no big deal for me, but those small details of acknowledging mistakes goes a huge way. Genuine really is the right word to describe this place. Every aspect of it.
(4)
Alisha C.
I had a great dinner here- it was definitely a pleasant surprise as we went to this spot not quite knowing what to expect. We were promptly seated upon arrival (we did have a reservation). The waiter who took care of us was extremely knowledgable and pleasant- he walked us through the menu in detail, highlighting the favorites and giving recommendations. The food was fresh and organic. We ended up having the following: 1. Creamy Onion Dip - 6/10 2. Housemade organic ricotta- 7/10 3. Crispy rice cakes - 8/10 4. Grilled Neman ranch leg of lamb 6/10 5. Slow roasted grilled Harris ranch beef short ribs- 7/10 Overall, the best part of this experience was the service and of course wine. We had a perfect bottle of red wine - Cabernet - called "a treat". Our waiter told us the history of the wine and as it is no longer made it was truly a treat- definitely worth what we paid for it. 1. Service - 10/10 ( can't remember the servers name but he is Korean) 2. Ambience- 6/10 3. Food- 7/10 4. Price - $10 - $40 per dish.
(4)
Grant P.
After hearing such rave reviews and suggestions from others I took my girlfriend here for dinner. We were excited at first, but the experience wasn't what we were hoping for. We were seated near the kitchen at a small table squeezed between two other tables. It was loud and the proximity to the table next to us wasn't helping with the loud talking gentleman who was clearly on a first date--he didn't stop talking about himself. The food was well prepared, but nothing really wow'd us. Even looking through the menu we were disappointed. We're not picky and I'd like to think I'm a little adventurous, but nothing really sounded appetizing. While this did take place a couple of weeks ago, I can't even remember what we had. At least the service was good.
(3)
Carla L.
Before tomatoes fly at my head because I gave it 3 stars, please note that 3 stars does mean A-OK on Yelp, a term that I am sure would offend most of the patrons there last night. Actual conversation between two tables: "Oh honey I just love your dress! Is it Gucci??" "Yes it is!" //giggle// I stare confused at the lady wearing the dress which I had originally pegged as a last season Forever 21. This has nothing to do with the rating though, I just thought the exchange pretentious yet funny. It just really describes the vibe of the patrons there. So the service was good but came across as insincere. Incredibly insincere. I just didn't feel the love. It was more "You aren't a Gucci wearing patron therefore I really don't think you should be here yet I will pretend like I do" We ordered the 'snack' sized Falafel, 'snack' sized marinated olives and a pizza with arugula, onions and eggplant. Our server told us that he would leave a menu because it wouldn't be enough food. I was a bit taken aback at the though because it is a $17 "medium" sized pizza. I figured that two 'snacks' and one pizza would be enough for two adults who were hungry yet not starving. Either way it didn't matter because he didn't leave the menu anyway. OK so the snacks arrive. The Falafels were absolutely delicious, truly the best I have ever had. The marinated olives didn't taste right. I was weaned on all types of olives so I am pretty open yet these were "meh". And the pizza..... OK so shoot us for ordering pizza here. Figures for us not ordering something like the Pig Ears. I just wasn't in my Pig Ear mood last night. Y'kno? Yet I figured based on the reputation that this pizza would blow my mind. It was good, not mind blowing. The "medium" was really an individual size 10 inch. So overall various things took an original 4 star review down to three. I am looking forward to having Michael's impress me, I am sure I probably will change my mind if I brunch here, yet I can't agree with most Yelpers as my experience last night merited no more than three stars. Note: If you sit outside the smokers come out to rudely smoke next to the tables. We sat outside because of the weather yet at any given point had 7 people around us smoking. So if you prefer your meal with oxygen, sit inside. Side note to the smokers who come outside to smoke: You are rude and dirty. SOME of us sit outside to enjoy the weather not your smoke.
(3)
Scott H.
WOW! What an amazing place! Friends of my wife took us here and I am so glad they did. When I heard we were going, naturally I looked up the Yelp reviews and started drooling immediately. I was not let down. From what I understand, the menu changes daily and everything is made from scratch with mostly local ingredients. We decided to share several plates among the five of us so we got a salad, octopus, crispy rice cake, mussels, crispy pig ears (mmm) and possibly the most delicious thing I've ever eaten, crispy pork belly. incredible! We sat outside and people watched while we chatted. One word of caution, this is a good place to feel ugly because there are so many beautiful people around here. No worries, because while they are eating celery you get to stuff your face with all the good stuff.
(5)
Pia C.
I went here on two dates. First time i was so sick and congested I didn't taste anything, which was absolute torment. Needless to say I was eating food and asking my date to describe the taste cause I was so insanely jealous of how amazing it looked. (He wasn't very helpful and not all that descriptive.) Everything LOOKED so delicious, I promised myself I'd come back as soon as I could. The second time around, the way I'd imagined it in my head was honestly waaaaaay better than how it really was. The price was pretty high for food that was not all that drop-dead amazing. It could have been what i picked (short rib) or it could have just been everything there, but the second time around when I brought it up, my date finally admitted it wasn't as good as other places we'd been but figured if he'd said it to begin with I would have guessed it was cause he felt bad for me. (Truth.) The pig ears were pretty good... that's honestly all I can remember really loving... yeeeeeeah. If you're going to go, go for drinks. There's no way they can fuck that up.
(3)
Maite H.
We had the octopus, the rice cakes, and the pork belly for appetizers. Our favorite was definitely the rice cakes. For entrees we enjoyed the mahi and the pork shoulder. The pork shoulder had tons of parsley and I thought was just ok. For dessert we enjoyed the pie in a jar which was chocolate, hazelnut, and banana. It was the perfect mix of sweet and salty and was pure heaven. Contrary to other reviews I felt the service was great!
(5)
Amy W.
Nice ambiance (especially outdoor), nice selection that I hear changes daily(?). Food presentation is nice. Service not bad at all. But I think things are way over-priced. I would choose 4 starts if the prices are better. It's worth to go once though, enjoy.
(3)
Mindy G.
Love the brunch here, especially the pop tarts. Sadly came here on a Saturday expecting brunch and they only serve brunch on Sundays. Ended up leaving with a sad face after having 2 salads and a $50 check. Would give them 5 stars for their Sunday brunch menu.
(4)
Gustavo A. L.
Clearly, based on the star distribution in the reviews of this place, I may be going a bit against the grain here. I will, however, make my humble contribution here. There is little doubt that the person responsible for these wonderful culinary creations is a gifted chef and it shows in the great blend of flavors, preparation and presentation. The food is like a work of art, and it somehow ends up all working together superbly. So we certainly appreciate talent and totally believe that it deserves to be handsomely rewarded, by the same token, there is a reasonable limit where the food stops being a worthwhile experience and becomes ...dare I say it ...a bit overpriced. Now, before you all decide to hang me from the nearest overpass, please stick with me, I promise you, I am going somewhere with this... Not being extremely hungry for a party of two, on our various stops here, we have usually opted for a couple of appetizers and one entree and we have returned a couple of times, because I am trying to reconcile the reviews from my "real perceived experience. But it doesn't compute, the experiences continue to be good, but 3 stars good. Some of it is the value to price relationship, some has been a bit because of the patrons who have totally ruined our outdoor dining experience when they choose an inside table but walk outside to smoke on top of us. To be fair, this should not be held against the establishment, especially if smoking is allowed in the outside tables but it becomes truly uncomfortable when, not only I have to smoke the others' tables cigarettes, but also those from the people that walk outside the restaurant and stand by my table to smoke. In the end, the Miami restaurant scene is far better off because we have Michael's, and I am really trying to become a fan.... I can see it happen, it just has to find the right place in my heart. Onwards ...
(3)
Natalie N.
I was so worried this restaurant was going to be overrated. One of the best dining experiences in recent memory. Worried for nothing! Great food, great staff and cozy restaurant. Our waiter was Hinmahtooyah (he gave me his card and a hug before we left) and he is easily one of the best waiters I have EVER had. So friendly, funny and helpful with his recommendations. We shared several items on the menu. Crispy Pig Ears. Do it. They are the biggest surprise I've had in a long time. Very good, crispy and aggressively seasoned. Roasted Double Yolk Egg - I'm an egg slut. I love eggs especially in this dish. Runny yolk, pork belly and cheese? Yes please. Pork Belly - Fantastic. Linguine - So so good. Chorizo, fresh pasta, great sauce. Awesome combination. Maybe my favorite dish of the night. Steak au poivre - My least favorite dish. It wasn't bad but it wasn't on par with everything else. I wish I would have gotten the peaches or the pizza. Pot de Creme - People that have come here and not ordered dessert. WTF are you thinking??? Still thinking about this dish. Loved it. Next time I'm in the area, this will definitely be on my list of "musts".
(5)
Aline D.
This is, without a doubt, one of the very best restaurants in Miami. My husband and I have eaten here at least 10 times in the last couple of years, have celebrated special occasions, brought out of town guests or just had a quiet meal at the bar. It never disappoints. The food is unpretentious, local, fresh and delicious. Best pork belly and kimchee ever. Double yolk baked egg is a must have. Try the deviled eggs with a side of freshly made fries for dipping. Pot de creme with homemade donuts is one of the best desserts I have ever had anywhere. From the casual yet elegant decor to the service to the food, it's a complete package. If you haven't tried it, you are missing out on one of the best culinary gems in Miami.
(5)
Tobias S.
Food was good, presentation was HORRIBLE man I was bummed!!!!! Matt was our server & I'm so sorry buddy you were just not good. He payed little attention to us and just seemed like he was ready to go, the food runner was more attentive towards us. The host was really energetic & super cute, she wore a red dress that was very appropriate for the restaurant and made us feel as though we had made the right choice. This restaurants concept and aesthetic was also confusing I don't no southern/Italian/sharing/American?????. The big problem of the night, my friend had a nut allergy & explained that to the server. The server Matt wrote it down on his pad. So this was a kitchen mistake. But the broccoli came out extra charred with pistachios inside. It basically ruined her entire dinner. It really frightened her & made our dinning experience awkward. The desserts awww man I have never seen such lack luster desserts in my life. Their taste were mediocre at best. What a disappointment. I was really embarrassed because I kept telling my friends their desserts are great because they have a really amazing pastry chef. We decide to look over the dessert menu again, NOTHING I mean nothing caught our eye. What a let down. Hard cookies that tasted stale, gritty pot de creme, basic fried doughnut, the list goes on & on. Oh and this place is OVERPRICED!!!!
(1)
Alyvia M.
When employees love their jobs, the customers feel it! I knew Michael's served an amazing brunch menu, but the experience was so much more than my review can express. I will attempt to do it justice. Their connection to the local agricultural supply is evident in their fresh ingredients. They support local business production, creating not only a healthy work environment, a prosperous one as well. I haven't enjoyed a meal like this in a very long time. We were greeted with a smile and seated at a wonderful booth. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and helped us make the best selections. I digress. We began with the most delicious Kim chi bloody Mary (ridiculous!), followed by the house salad, Kim chi Benedict, double yolk egg, slow-roasted pork shoulder, homemade pop tarts, homemade doughnuts, cinnamon roll with candied bacon, walnut raisin bread and homemade jams, and fried cheese ball. Our favorites were the slow roasted pork shoulder on the bed of cheese grits. The pickled onion and parsley sauce paired with the perfectly poached egg created a flavor that lasted on our palettes throughout the entire meal. If you're able to catch the cinnamon roll with bacon, get 2. We regretted not getting one to go as we left! I'm only here for a week, but I will be back for dinner before I leave. From the amazing menu, to the service, to the ambiance, decor and experience in general, Michael's was my first multiple foodgasm. I hear you never forget your first.
(5)
Alex R.
It's not like this place needs another GREAT review. I've been to Michael's three times for brunch and I absolutely loved everything I ate. Brunch is a little different than dinner... They serve small portions so you have to order 3-4 things off the menu in order to get a full meal. The idea behind it is to give you a taste of several things on the menu like a buffet would. WITHOUT having the food sit over heaters whole guest hover over it. Great idea by chef Michael. This guy comes up with flavors and combinations that the average human normally doesn't think of and hits every taste bud while doing so. He brings you back to your childhood from the moment you take that first bite. I recommend having the Pop-tarts and the donuts, the filling is always up to the pastry chef so you're always in for a surprise. Ask the staff for recommendations, they have yet to fail me. This is as good as it gets! PS. Valet is $3 everywhere in the Design District.
(5)
Heather H.
Food was quite good - we split the deviled eggs, lamb rillets, and bibb salad. The deviled eggs were creamy and delicious; the lamb rillets was crispy and earthy; the salad was refreshing and crisp. We ordered the chicken and pork loin entrees and while they were good, they weren't outstanding. My pork loin became boring after a few pieces with nothing else but the mango salsa, and my companion's chicken came with one (1) caper. A big disappointment. They brought out a little bowl with more for her, while trying to explain that the one sad caper was correct. Fail. Our waiter seemed like he had too many other tables to really pay attention to us, and the place was so loud he could barely hear our questions. The crowd was what you'd expect it to be between young model-looking types and older artists (or more likely their commissioners), so there was great people watching. Worth a second shot, if I return to Miami, but not at the top of my list.
(3)
ObjectiveReviews Q.
I don't understand how people think this place is so great. Besides the location, which is chic, the food has not been good. I've been here more than once because people invite me but I would not spend a dollar here. The fish was way dry, like near inedible dry. I did not send it back as I was with an important business lunch and didn't want to cause an interruption. The accompanying Brussel sprouts (roasted with bacon) were equally as bad. It had a dry, burnt flavor. Bummer. My lunch partner knew the manager and so we did get a free appetizer which was supposed to be the best appetizer but it was so blah, I don't even remember what it was. I've really tried to like this place but the food is just...well, there are much better places to eat. Yes, if you sit inside, you will be essentially dining with the table next to you as the tables are nearly touching. Not the biggest deal since all busy Miami restaurants squeeze people in like sardines in a can. Outside is beautiful. Also, desserts and my champagne was the best part. Don't remember what dessert I had the last time though. Also went another time for lunch. My sandwich was again..yup...dry and lacking salt or any type of seasoning that would warrant charging me $16 for it. Stick with the pizza or a salad if you go. At least then you will get your moneys worth. Don't do fish (twice, they screwed that up). Never been for brunch so I can't comment on that. Only lunch and dinners. Oh, and all the waiters are men. Thought it was strange not to see at least one female server. I had heard years ago that they only like to hire male servers but of course, that is just hearsay. I just enjoy seeing beautiful women working on the floor as well. Anyway, this is a place to say, oh, I went to Michael's for lunch. Go for the see and be seen, not for an impressive meal.
(2)
Moises W.
Wow! We went last night and that was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. The. Short rib, pork belly, eggplant, and burrata where something out of this world. Quite busy for a monday but we had a lovely dinner, ambiance is very relaxed and just quiet enough to enjoy a larger party. Only knock was that our waiter was terrible, he missed 2 dishes one app and 1 larger one, he had no interest in being at work. His attention was almost done as a favor. Even after all of it and we pointed it out, he still presented the check; he still forgot to take of the item which we had pointed out 6 minutes prior. I would definitely recommend this place over and over, it was truly amazing. I live here so bad service is the Miami Attitude and it won't change my opinion. However, i will remember the server so if i get to go back I will just go to server 2.0. I can't give 5 stars to a service that was so poor but the food was a 6!
(4)
Rachel S.
I had been wanting to try Michael's for quite some time now. Finally some friends going for dinner persuaded me to leave the beach and join them. I am glad I did. The setting is beautiful and the food was unique and delicious. I tried the blt salad and pork belly. Both were tasty and freshly prepared. The service was lacking and the servers kept serving the wrong dishes to the wrong people. I want to go back to try more of their dishes and give the service another chance. However, the prices were a bit high for what we had, so it may not be that soon.
(3)
Vicky P.
I love coming here for brunch, I'd come here every Sunday if I could. My brother and I came recently (he's a newbie) and he LOVED IT!!!!!! We had: - Breakfast pizza, which had house smoked bacon, egg, onions and Monterey Jack cheese..... - Wood oven roasted double yolk egg that was oh-so GOOD...it comes in a little ramekin topped with gruyere cheese, wood oven baked, just enough to get the cheese crusted at the top but still gooey on the inside, so you can dip your sourdough crostini. - Fried egg sandwich on a homemade thyme crumpet w/ cheddar and sausage...OMG, forget Mc Donald's sausage Mcmuffin....this is THE Mc Michael!!!! - Homemade pop tarts w/ strawberry and apple pie filling....its so light and flaky..just perfect in my world. - Homemade doughnuts (Boston creme) I was SO happy to see this on the menu because I LOVE boston creme donuts (the menu changes often) - Cinnamon roll with the bacon pecan praline crunch..YES bacon...with frosting on the side ( I swear I dream about this every night) I know this sounds like a lot but everything on the menu for brunch is served tapas style...so order as much as you can and share with your friends!!!!!!! :)
(4)
Faby P.
We had the pleasure of having an early V-Day celebration @ MGD. I had been wanting to come here for many moons, I am so glad I was able to get a reservation on Open Table. We sat outside, the weather was perfect. We were not aware their food is served tapas style, which is awesome since they have such an extensive selection. We decided to live dangerously and just order... and order.... and order. Since we ordered so much I will list what we ordered and just highlight the major winners, although everything was fantastic. We ordered: Kimchi Benedict, Fried Egg Sandwich, Breakfast Pizza, Steak and Eggs, Tortilla, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Homemade Doughnuts and Guava/Cream Cheese French Toast. And coffee, which was so good. The absolute winners were the Kimchi Benedict (pork belly!!!), Homemade Doughnuts and Guava/Cream Cheese French Toast. I could eat that french toast everyday, the guava sauce was amazeballs. I was impressed by the customer service, our waiter was SO nice and so on point. I was also pleased w/ the fact they had agave syrup, which I use to sweeten my coffee. Most places dont carry it. My only complaint was the fact they ran out of poptarts by the time we got there, I had been dying to try them since I saw them on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate." We plan to go back soon to try the poptarts along with other goodies on their menu.
(5)
Mark T.
MICHAEL'S GENUINE FOOD & DRINK, It is apparent, this restaurant does not require another review and/or my humble opinion. The management and staff "bring it on." There is always a nice crowd of patrons. We have driven around the neighboring streets finding most other restaurants seating few or no patrons at exactly the same time. So, need I say more! The only reason for four stars vs. five stars is because of seating comfort, privacy, & location. But, I'd still go to this restaurant if it were in the Everglades!!! Food: Every item (and in a few visits I've gotten many) is delivered to your table with care and precision. The portion sizes (small medium or large) are never bulk, but more artisan in value. So expect quality not quantity. All items are delicious, healthy, and apparently carefully fine-tuned before qualifying for the menu. Libation: great, creative, and abundant. Expect a variety of prices. Service: Very good. Venue: Hipster, art deco, in the rough. Seats are public school level and intimacy is non-existent. But, that is the owner's decision. Once inside, the experience is good. Parking is valet or metered street parking. The front of the restaurant does not face the street and a little difficult to find(even when looking for it). However, there is a small sign positioned over the terrace that leads to the restaurant entrance. Also, the valet has a booth on the sidewalk to help you locate the terrace entrance. I apologize, but metered parking comes with a little risk of confronting vagrants in the area. And there are an abundance of vagrants. So please be attentive. Desserts: Creative, delicious, and like the main menu, frequently changing. Summary: Great happy place to go for drinks, appetizers, light fair, full meal, and/or just desserts. Expect to pay slightly high prices for creativity and excellent food. They have inside, outside, & bar seating. Smokers and pet lovers can enjoy the terrace area without feeling like outcasts. I would highly recommend this restaurant as a destination spot and/or regular frequency if you've got the bucks! You will certainly enjoy !!! Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this restaurant's owner/management and/or staff in any way. I am not affiliated with any restaurant in any way.
(4)
Alissa W.
Went for Sunday brunch, I have been a few times for dinner but really wanted to try their brunch menu. Everything is great quality but way to much egg for everything. They need a few more dishes unless you want to order 4 different types of eggs. The pastries are really good ordered a bread basket was very yummy. Had the feta salad was good. Portions are super small you almost needed 3-4 to be full per person. The red velvet cake cupcake was good but a little to much like a piece of cake, then an actual cupcake. Homemade recies peanut butter was really good. Worth checking out !
(4)
Lissa V.
4.5 stars. I don't usually review outside NYC but Michael's was too good not to share the experience. FFF (Fav Foodie Friend) who is also my IRB (Inspirational Running Buddy) and I were down in Miami for the ING Marathon (She ran the full, I ran the half... that's how we roll). We needed a place to celebrate our running achievements with our "head cheerleader" (my momma) and Michael's fit the bill. When we walked in the host told us there was no way he'd have a table for 3 the entire night, yea note to self.... this place must be GOOD and we WILL eat here! Luckily, being the swift and cunning New Yorkers that we are, we snagged 3 clutch seats at the bar. The bartender was excellent and gave us some choice suggestions and entertained us all evening. We ordered the following - keep in mine we had just finished 26.2 and 13.1 respectively, so ease up on your judgment on the amount of food we ate: - Kumomoto Oysters - excellent - Burrata with fresh heirloom tomatoes - excellent - Crispy sweet and spicy pork belly - very good - Wood over roasted double yolk farm egg - very good - Tilefish with rock shrimp - excellent - Roasted tomatoes with pesto side - very good - Short ribs - very good The favorites were the Burrata and the Tilefish. Wow - just two really fantastic dishes, but the whole meal was excellent. We kicked the night off with a glass of bubbles (FFF and I love any excuse to celebrate an occasion with bubbles) and Mom picked out a lovely Sauv Blanc that we ended up getting a bottle of. We enjoyed it that much and it was very reasonable... and we were celebrating of course! Actually, the meal as a whole was pretty reasonable for the size and quality. A great pick for our celebration. Many other runners came and went at the bar and we congratulated eachother and shared our "war stories" from the course. My mom who is new to the world of foodies declared that she would "never be able to go to a TGI Fridays again!"
(4)
Irene L.
Dear Michael's Genuine - How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love this place. The dishes are creative but oh so delicious. I've been before but only for dinner (and always enjoyed it). A few weeks ago, my girlfriends surprised me with a birthday brunch. I'm a sucker for brunch and for some reason or the other, I hadn't made it out to Michael's yet for brunch. But I will say - it was most definitely worth the wait. We ordered a bunch of dishes, including the kimchi benedict, quiche, breakfast pizza, roasted housemade chorizo, and homemade doughnuts (and much more!) -- and we chowed them all down like there was no tomorrow. Delish. The experience was AH-mazing. The waiter was very friendly, the weather was perfect for outdoor seating, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate my bday. :)
(5)
Aldo F.
Amazing!! While i was in miami For vacation i made sure to put this place down in my list as one of the "must stop by" specially after watching "The layover" Miami episode with my man culinary master Anthony Bourdain. The food and service here was excellent to the fullest extent of the word. I really have no complaints about this place I can't wait to go back and try a different menu. Food; -Hominy We stared off the night with some crispy hominy with a chipotle lime seosoning. It certainly was just like it sounds, delicious!!! perfect way to open up the palate. -Duck rillette with crostini This dish was Very rich in flavor, the duck with crostini, cornichon and mustard played in complete harmony for an explosion of different flavors and textures in your mouth. Very pleasing and consistent. -Wood oven roasted double yolk farm egg This dish was paired with cave aged gruyere melted on top of the eggs along with roasted tomatoes and of course sourdough crostini as the "wheels" and foundation of the meal.. All ingridients really complemented each other perfectly for a perfect bite! (egg lover here) -Crispy rice cake I really didn't know what to expect from this plate which was one of the reason why we ordered it, I mean didn't understand what a crispy rice cake would look like my first though was Onigiri with burnt rice? Lol. Well, the ingredients inside the cake was enough incentive for me to pull the trigger. It consisted of Florida rock shrimp, Manchego, chorizo, chili aioli and a free range/cage free sunny side up egg on top!! What kind of sick, twisted bastard wouldn't want to try that right?? We paired it with a side of wood roasted squash with anchovy butter, and Yet again another homerun from Michaels. It was exceptional, never thought a rice cake could taste that good. Best rice cake I'd had in my life. -Crispy sweet & spicy pork belly This was the star of the night for me, well, maybe I have the weakest soft spot for pork belly and basically whenever I see pork belly in a menu I'm sold almost immediately and i don't even bother looking at the rest of the menu lol. The pork belly was out of this galaxy!! It was crispy and tender, it melt in your mouth. It laid on a bed of kimchi, crushed peanuts and pea shoots I know it is difficult to mess up on a cut such as the pork belly but I had a solid share of pork belly in quite a few restaurants and this one has really accomplished to stand out from the rest. As i reminisce of this dish my mouth waters lol. I think it was the peanuts and the spicy kimchi that really made the dish memorable for me, it set it off flawlessly. So if you're in the Fence about MGFD just go go go go! Excellent restaurant, I would give it 10 starts if I could!
(5)
Cathleen P.
I was at Michael's Genuine this weekend and had a wonderful experience. We had the scrambled duck egg, potato chips, goat cheese crostini, pork belly pizza, and an amazing apple dessert which was the evening's special. Everything was perfect! I also tried two of their homemade sodas, the strawberry basil was fantastic. Looking forward to visiting Michael's again soon!
(5)
Fera Z.
Amazing food, atmosphere, service! We went for dessert and tea but definitely will be back for more!
(5)
May T.
Fantastic food & service at a very reasonable price! Went there 2x during our 4 day stay in Miami. Also located in the design district so window shopping before and after was great. Dinner: duck rillette - very flavorful but too rich to eat very much of chicken pate - very yummy and not too salty pork belly w/kim chi - amazing well cooked and delicious, one of my favs crispy rice cake - also well executed but a bit salty for my taste. My friend loved this dish though, it was her fav dessert was the tangerine creamsicle donut - soooo yummy I also had a glass of wine and the total bill for 2 was $80. Lunch: Fried pig ears - LOVED this! I dream about this. Like chicharones! short rib panini - not too much flavor but meat was tender and juicy mushroom pizza - a bit salty for my taste and I would have prefered more mushroom on it but overall it was pretty good dessert was the chocolate something with olive oil and sea salt - very interesting and rich, like something you'd get at a super fancy restaurant and I'd definately order again when I'm not so full. I like how they have small dishes so even 2 petite girls are able to order several dishes and try more stuff :) I would definately go back if I'm ever in Miami again.
(4)
Alex A.
This place hits a home run every time. Crispy pig ears are just ridiculously good! Upscale casual with an extensive fine spirits and wine selection you can't go wrong. Just bring the CC that gives you the most points because you'll get plenty here.
(4)
Mit P.
I've been to Michael's twice in the past week, and 6 times in total, so I thought I'd add to the reviews because I now fully understand the place. This is one of my favorite restaurants. It is great in 2 contexts: 1) Brunch. They have a great Sunday brunch. It's not a buffet brunch but rather a menu brunch. However menu brunches are better because everything is made to order and served fresh of the grill as opposed to sitting out for a while. Michael's brunch is great for the same reason the dinners are great - they use very high quality fresh local ingredients and combine it with a flair for creating original dishes. The crispy rice cakes are good example - A fried egg served atop a chorizo and shrimp rice cake with a spicy chipotle dressing. It tastes amazing. Also if you go for the simple breakfast the eggs are cooked perfect and the bacon is just amazing. Crispy, flavorful, just right. Finally they have a lot of really nice baked goods - the donuts are really good, and so are the croissants. 2) Dinner. Michael's dinner menu is broken into small, medium and large dishes. It all combines the fresh local ingredients and the flair for original dishes that I described above. However the flair is not so strong with the large dishes - those were not distinctive, just good ingredients. The small and medium dishes are what make Michael's special. My favorite is the home-made linguine. A carbonara with flair - it has linguine with octopus, mussels, bacon, and lamb meatballs, combined with a spicy creamy sauce which is to die for. I could eat that all day. However the other killer dishes are the spicy crispy pork belly, the rice cakes (same as for brunch), country pate, giant prawn, tuna tartare with quail egg, and the burrata. I'm told the duck confit and pigs ear salad are great too but I don't eat that sort of thing. The deserts are also good. Not killer dishes, but very unusual and therefore worth trying. Like the banana toffee panini with icecream sundae. Don't share though the deserts are big and you will want to finish the whole thing!
(5)
Dawn S.
Service can be slow but food is spot on always.
(4)
Michal A.
Another "to see and be seen" spot. This place is a local favorite and is as notorious for being the stomping ground of the trendy and chic creatives of the Design District as it is for its artist of a chef. I prefer to go in the evenings, and to enjoy the outdoor seating.
(3)
Doris L.
I was taken here to be wined and dined the day before Mother's Day and had a mother of a meal. It's taken a while to recover and reflect. The place was bustling- as always. (Make reservations or expect a wait.) My date and I ended up sitting at the little bar overlooking the kitchen. It's the best kind of dinner theater. We watched sous chefs wicked-chopping and trash talking and occasionally pausing to take a swig from wine bottles filled with ice water (or vodka, who knows.) Big hunks of meat and poultry and whole fish the size of a small waiter slid in and out of the open wood roasting oven, all night long. And the dessert chef... he was right out of an Italian flick. Picture a man -the size of one who makes desserts for a living- dressed in chef garb, hat and all. He moved slowly with Zen like precision and the most delicate wrist action. We watched intently as he assembled one delectable work of art after another. Later, we saw him make the very dessert we ended up devouring. It was like- foreplay. But I'm jumping ahead... I hear the menu changes daily to serve the freshest ingredients. You can tell. Chef Michael (Schwartz) definitely deserves that James Beard Award (the Oscar for chefs.) The menu is simple, comfortable food with a creative and sophisticated twist. The dishes are listed by size - small, medium, large and extra large, making it easy to order the perfect meal to share or inhale alone. We did both. A giant egg poached in a compote with hot bubbly cheese, a little tomato and served with crusty bread makes for a surprisingly satisfying starter. The prawns where so big, I swear one of them yelled, "ouch." The pork belly - a specialty -- was almost too rich and crispy. I couldn't finish it. And the dessert - a tangerine creamsicle concoction with freshly made mini donuts , a berry jam kind of thing and a creme de la creme creamy cream served with candied tangerine zest or something or other. After finishing it, I literally leaned back in my chair, tilted my head back, closed my eyes and squeezed my date's hand. The couple dining beside us asked for our number. The hype is justified. The food is genuine. Oh- and the drink is great too - good wine list. Just eat here - outside table or ask for a seat at the bar. I'm a mother - I know best.
(5)
Michelle G.
Went to the restaurant yesterday for brunch as a group of four. We ordered several dishes to try a little bit of everything, and a little bit it was. While the taste was good with most plates, it was not exceptional, and the meals are not of sharing quality. Each dish is the size of a small appetizer plate and not even enough to fill you up as an appetizer for one person. Prices are extremely high considering the size of each plate. Drinks are kiddie-sized with adult-sized prices. Try something else if you're in the area.
(2)
Karla S.
I will start off by saying that the service was excellent. Gabe took care of us and he was fantastic! We were innitially seated indoors which for me, was just way too uncomfortable. I like my space and intimacy when at a restaurant. My meals are special and I do not care to be rubbing elbows with anyone that I am not dining with by choice. I was practically sitting on top of the woman next to me. After 10 minutes of listening to her go on about her son in Paris and her dentist and her love affairs-- her ranting was driving me insane. I couldn't decide on my wine which was irritating me at an alarming rate. I asked to be seated outdoors. They gladly accommodated this request :) Wine in hand and some peace of mind later, we ordered the ceviche, tuna tartare, chips with pan fried onion dip, pork belly, duck confit, and roasted asparagus. Ceviche - I liked that the fish was fresh, however it was quite bland. There was no bite, not enough citrus, and I had to add a little salt. Too much cilantro, and not enough red onions. Yawn. Tuna tartare -- *sigh, fresh fish, might as well have read 'plain tuna'. Painfully boring. Chips and panfried onion dip --- this is good but it's not what everyone raves about. Pork belly -- juicy and tender, crispy and savory. The kimchee was a bit much, and in my opinion, did the pork belly no additional favors. Duck confit -- the black sticky rice was a mushy, sloppy, overly sweet mess. However, nothing hurts me more than when duck is not cooked properly. Duck is supposed to be fatty juicy goodness that makes you thank God you have taste buds. At Michaels, what I got was a dried up, charred piece of ruined duck. Enough said. Roasted asparagus --- kudos, very good! .. but you still ruined my duck so I will not forgive you because you can cook asparagus. Banana toffee panini with a mini sundae --- ordering this dessert was the best choice we made. This was the only redeeming quality of the food throughout the night.The chewy bread, nice and warm with the bananas and mmmmm the ice cream was perfect! Unfortunately, I prefer savory. If anything, I can forgive a bad dessert but I hold grudges when you ruin my main course, especially my duck. I definitely won't be coming back. I've been to amazing restaurants, and I know what it's like to be 'wowed'. I know that feeling, where you worry your palate will never recover -- and that you might as well die because you have found heaven on a plate. I've found this in cheap and expensive restaurants, so there should be no exception to great food. I wanted to find that wow factor in Michael's, I really did..but it just doesn't cut it. Terribly disappointed.
(2)
Jody T.
The food & service here is always good. They have a bar along one wall (good for solo dining) and both inside & outside seating. This place is tucked in the Design District in the courtyard between pricey clothing stores. I went for a late lunch on a Monday and the place was packed. Parking isn't always easy to find but there may be spots on the street.
(5)
Lulu P.
So the word on the street is that this place is really good. My husband and I went. We encountered a lot of pretentious Miami-types as we were walking in. The hostess looked at us up and down as if trying to decide if we were good enough to eat there. She indicated that it would be a 3 hour wait. I looked around, saw lots of available tables and asked if we could sit at the bar. "well, if you can find a spot" was her answer. So we left. I never encountered this sort of behavior in any other major city, even in the most trendiest of places. So thanks, Michael's Genuine for perpetuating the crap that simmers in this town.
(1)
Monika K.
Brunch here for the besties 30th was amazing! kimchi benedict(outta this world), double yolk egg, french toast, and one more dish escapes my mind but it had short ribs in it. housemade snickers for a dessert, 2 cocktails --sonny rollins and michaels bloody mary with real heirloom tomato puree and honey. def not your reg bloody but delicious. I could seriously eat here all day and try everything and I'd die a happy(fatty) girl!
(5)
Paras M.
Perhaps this place was better at one point - but it's pretty dull now. The Appetizers were great, had the mussels and rice cake with shrimp. The main courses, however, were boring and not very creative. Do NOT get the Wreckfish - it is overcooked and is typically a very cheap fish - but they charged a fortune for it. I am not sure why they have it on the menu to begin with. My aunt had the 1/2 chicken, which was cooked very well - but it was still a little boring. Did not try the dessert, but nothing seemed particularly interesting.
(2)
Alex g.
OREO Cookies and Cream Pie in a Jar?! Are you kidding me?! Went there for lunch during the week. The place is packed and it looks like a celebrity hang-out, though if there were any, I didn't notice them. I had the chicken sandwich on a ciabatta with chorizo and manchego cheese. PRFCT! Followed by the Pie in a Jar and a macchiatto. TIP: If you go during lunch, get there early or plan to sit at the bar. However, DO NOT sit at the kitchen bar - the smoke blows onto you. Not good. My friend and I got there around 1:30 and it was a 45 min wait.
(5)
Laura J.
Sunday brunch was a five star occasion! We sat outside on a perfect sunny day and enjoyed the weather and the surroundings of the design district. Our reservations were for 11am, which is right when they open so there was no wait. The brunch menu is all small plates, so it was easy and enjoyable for us to share plates with 4 of us. Majority of the brunch was savory with some sweets and side dishes. We also ordered bloody Mary's which were fabulous! The food was interesting for adventurous eaters but still approachable. The only small negative, was that almost every dish has egg. Or waiter, Mark, was amazing. He noticed every detail, providing us everything we asked for and even some extras without us having to ask. We really felt like we were being taken care of, and his recommendations were great.
(5)
Jaime L.
The worst lamb I have ever had in my whole life. Charred, dry, and bitter. A complete disaster. Lively ambiance and excellent service saved the night. The rest of the food was bland uninspired. Fail.
(1)
G. Benjamin E.
Anthony Bourdain: "Michael's Genuine is probably the best restaurant in Miami right now." My wife: "If Michael's Genuine is the best restaurant in Miami, Miami's doing it wrong." Note: I've been sitting on this review for several months now. It can't be avoided any longer, however, so here goes. The short version: the great thing was great, the good things were ok, and the rest was barely passable. We were expecting to be bowled over, and when we weren't, we were probably more disappointed than we would have been if we'd come across this place on our own. The worst part of the evening were the continual trips made by waiters taking rolling bins over the cobbled stones that lined the outdoor eating area, weaving between the tables, to the dumpster behind the building...but more on that later. The long version: Contrary to popular reports, the hostess was not a three-headed beast, belching sulfurous clouds from her hateful mouths, but a friendly, pleasant woman who seated us quickly. We chose to sit outside, a decision we would regret (again, more on that later). Our waiter didn't give us metaphorical hugs, and seemed distracted, but was also less socially mal than we'd been warned, at least at first. We ordered drinks (wine for my wife, and a tequila/pineapple/PASSION FRUIT cocktail for me called a Bandito), and a collection of starters: -Kumomoto Oysters - very good, nigh-microscopic in size, paired with a "classic mignonette" (meh) and lemon wedges. -Crispy Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly - You know that taste of shitty cheap sweet & sour pork under a heat lamp at the Chinese Super Buffet? This dish takes that and elevates it almost to the level of art. It's a playful nod to the garbage food we've all enjoyed,. The key ingredient to the plate, surprisingly, are the peanuts. While it's not a reason to go to the restaurant (our pork belly was not evenly cooked, and hard as a rock on the bottom on one side), it's definitely something to order if you're already there. -Crispy Rice Cake - Savory, warming, and well executed. I would have liked to have had a chance to try more of the chili aioli, but the the plate was cleared before I could say anything. -Deviled Eggs - Utterly forgettable and overwhelmed by the boldness of the flavors of the other dishes. This was one of the few plates that required salt. If I'd picked them up at a family get-together, I would have regretted taking more than one. Here at this restaurant, they were terrible. For my meal I had the slow roasted pork shoulder. If I'd gotten more meat, it might have been good. Instead, the slab of jiggly pork was approximately 90% fat. I took that thing apart looking for edible meat, and was rewarded with only the scant sliver. When I managed to flag down our very put-upon waiter (always projecting bored annoyance with us), he argued with me that it's very hard for the chef to know what he was putting on the plate, and that this was a regular occurrence. Rather than point out that all the chef needed to do was to, you know, touch the damn thing to know it was a slab of fat, I watched the man walk away, never having offered to see if there was anything to do to remedy the situation. Then there was the noise. We ate outside (a roped off space of the cobblestoned walkway in a little collection of shops), as we wanted a romantic evening, and when we arrived the interior was packed. We quickly realized our mistake: waiters and men from the kitchen kept wheeling trash bins through the diner-filled tables, utterly deafening on the cobbles, to the dumpster at the back of an attached parking lot. After emptying them, they would then roll the now-empty plastic cans back through the dining area, ending all conversation for 15 to 30 seconds at a time. (They also carried large tubs of filthy water through the tables, to dump into the gutter at the end of the walkway, before returning to whence they came.) This happened every 5 to 20 minutes over the course of our 2 1/2 hour meal. It was distracting, offensive, and couldn't possibly have been sanitary. We were so irritated, that by the time our waiter resurfaced we just wanted our check. Instead, he brought a very good dessert, on the house (forgive me, I can't remember what it was). While it was a delicious way to end the meal, we still had to wait to find him again in order to ask for our bloody check. In summation: some of the food was really wonderful, while some, due either to inexperience or inattention, was terrible. But the real problem was their choice to constantly move garbage through a main dining area in the loudest way possible, and the "Yeah, whatever," attitude of our waiter (though, in all fairness, I had more of a problem with the latter than my wife did). I cannot see us returning to this restaurant. Michael's Genuine made me feel embarrassed for everyone involved. --Benjamin's Disclaimer: This review is based on a single dining experience. Your mileage will vary.
(2)
David G.
I can't tell you what's wrong with Michael's. Really, I can't. I can't think of a single thing. BRUNCH!! This is the real reason for my update. I've been going for brunch on Sundays. There are so many great things to try on the brunch menu. 'Some seriously delicious things. I feel like going back right now. My opinion on Michael's is this. Going to Michael's is a culinary adventure. There are some misses but that's what makes it great. If you go once and get disappointed by something and never go back, you're missing the point and you're missing some really great food. If you want to stay safe, stay home, make yourself some eggs and bacon. If you want to have some really, really interesting food done very well, go to Michael's. Kimchee benedict? Really? (it was good by the way) I had the Rice Cake (with shrimp and egg) today. Just amazing. Duck Rilettes. Yum. I'm an adventurous eater. I go out to eat things I can't make at home. I did see that they had a plain 2 egg breakfast on the menu, so maybe there's something for everyone. Well, if you're expecting a huge omelette with home fries, bacon and two pancakes, maybe this isn't for you. The brunch items seem, for the most part to be tapas sized and I tend to order two or three. I could stop at one and be a normal eater but, well... enough about me. Ask your server about the size of what you're about to order, or order one thing and expect to go back for more.
(5)
Peter Z.
This place keeps impressing me more and more ever time I go pig ears are great! Had a whole fish the other day amazing it's all fresh fast and good can't say enough about this place!
(5)
Matt M.
Wow just wow. This place is seriously unbelievable. From the food to the service, everything totally deserves five stars. I am currently crowning this far and away my favourite restaurant in Miami (Much thanks to my friend tony bourdain telling me to go give this place a shot). I can now say after two dining experiences here that the food is amazing. Whether it be brunch or dinner, this place is a really a stunner. My brunch standouts: double egg yolk (UNREAL), duck confit hash, french toast (UNREAL), and bloody mary made with heirloom tomatoes. For dinner: The pork belly, double egg yolk, burrata, short rib (So decadent), and caballero cocktail are my go to. Just go now. Reserve a table ahead of time and sit outside or on the counter in front of the kitchen!
(5)
Andres N.
Great food, great ambient but a bad service can kill even the best restaurant in town. Unexpected bad service. The waiter was in a very bad mood, and waited more than 30 minutes until he finally brought the food.
(2)
Lara S.
I revisited Michael's after a long hiatus for Christmas Eve dinner with my SO and family. We had been there a few years ago from Christmas Eve dinner and had a great experience, so we thought we'd go there again. Good thing we thought about it a few weeks early because they were almost booked. We were able to get a reservation and when we arrived we were seated within a couple of minutes. The server was upbeat and friendly. He took the time to talk about the menu and the seasonal dishes. We were a party of 5 and ended up with a whole bunch of items from the menu - most of which everyone enjoyed. Some highlights were the honeycrisp apple salad, the farro salad, the rice cake, the grits, and the chocolate cremoso. Some people in our party also tried the sodas which are made in-house. They commented that they were flavorful, but not too sweet. I had a glass of wine. The server recommended a particular one based on what I was ordering. I appreciated that, and the wine was fantastic. Rather than describing the dishes in detail, since they often change, I'll just say that the flavor combinations are unique and it makes it a real treat to eat there. Plus, they source a lot of their produce locally and you can taste the difference - herbs and veggies are more flavorful and have a nice texture to them. Overall, this is definitely one of the best restaurants in Miami. It's definitely a great place for a special occasion as the servers are great and the food and drink are thoughtfully prepared and taste good!
(5)
Andrew S.
Still a 5 for interesting factor. Had an impromptu early dinner there yesterday with Francheska. I had my 2 upper wisdom teeth pulled last week, so we ordered everything on the menu that was 'soft' enough for us to manage. Of course, it was all very good, as per the usual: - Local Wreckfish Ceviche: Delicious, tangy with mango and avocado - Wood Roasted Double Yolk Farm Egg: Good as last time, slides right down. - Kumomoto Oyesters: Delicious, with a pomegranate vinagrette - Crispy Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly: On a bed of Kim Chi, the chef does an excellent job with the the tetural contrasts - Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder: The meat was tender and juicy, with a side of creamy cheesy grits. The parsley and anchovy sauce on the side was underwhelming and, to us, unnecessary.
(5)
Claudia J.
Michael's Genuine is a place to see and to be seen in the Design District Area. Food is OK, I think too much hype has been on this place. I have been procrastinating about this review... one of those moments that I did not feel the inspiration of writing...... Ordered several items, the heriloom tomato with avocado salad - the dressing was sweet and yummi. As main dishes we ordered a Chicken Sandwich and a Steak Salad. The Sweet Chicken Sandwich was a bit dry for my taste, it's one of those big chunks of chicken that are dry and I felt the sandwich missed something else. The sweetness came from onions which were yummi. Ordered the sandwich with fries, which are NOT that great. Also ordered the Steak Salad, the taste was a bit confusing, there were a lot of ingredients mixed in that were not my fave. BUT, the best part of the meal was the dessert. We ordered the Banana Toffee Panini, it was crispy! Dessert was the highlight of Michael's.
(2)
Claire S.
Came here Saturday for brunch with my darling husband and animal of a son. We sat outside because of the baby but even in the shade it was wayy hot. I had their iced coffee which had some kind of condensed milk (bad for you but makes it taste better)...anyway, this coffee was delicious!! Tried my husband's espresso and that was good too. We had the pork belly appetizer which was yummy--the little toddler loved this the most I think. I had the rock shrimp salad and it was really light and perfect, the only think I didn't like were the lychees but I knew they were in there beforehand and I just picked them out and fed them to my baby. Why are lychees so popular right now? They taste the way windex smells. The service was good and didn't seem to mind our baby one bit, even though we were the only couple with a kid there, they smiled and cooed over him and didn't rush us out of there bc of our monster which I always appreciate. The place is definitely on the expensive and trendy side--but the food was above average, the coffee gets 5 stars, and its a nice place to go for brunch.
(4)
Lizza M.
The food is delicious!! The brunch menu has good dishes to choose from and very unique. The restaurant is nice, in and out door sitting. The waiters are very friendly and always paying attention to your needs. Very well looking waiters. I recommend this restaurant! I enjoy the food so much that I'm going back this weekend. I have to try many other dishes that called my attention. Enjoy!
(5)
Mike L.
Another win at MGFD. Last time was dinner and it was pretty eclectic. The pork dishes had a bit of classical influences with Michael's own twist on them. This time was lunch before our flight back home. Special app of the day was a housemade burrata, heirloom tomato, and basil salad... basically a caprese but to another level with that creamy burrata. Short rib panini with fontina cheese and caramelized onions was very good. The meat was as tender as you'd expect and the fontina paired perfectly with it. Served with tomato chutney on the side to cut the richness, it was a great sandwich. Star of the day was the lamb burger... bursting with flavor. The patty was filled with seasoning like cumin and coriander, some lemon. Perfect combination and perfectly cooked. It was juicier than any burger I've ever had. MGFD does it again. Will always be back when we visit Miami
(5)
Ana Cristina P.
This is one of those places that everyone talked up so much that I was a little sad when I realized it was just OK in my head. It was great to go there for brunch with my fellow yelpers, this much is true. But when it comes to the food, well... I think I'm just a stickler for eating traditional breakfast foods at a brunch. Our table ordered the salmon hash, the breakfast pizza, the double fried egg with gruyere, the spanish tortilla, and homemade pop tarts (when I list it all, it sounds like way too much food, but realize that their portions are tapas-sized). My favorites were the egg/gruyere combo and the breakfast pizza (which actually had a little too much salt for my taste anyway). By far the best thing we ordered was the homemade pop tarts...Especially the ones with nutella inside. Soooo delicious. But like I said, I don't really want to eat nutella pop tarts for brunch. I like eggs, omelets, home fries, pancakes, etc... and I think it's because breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I have to hand it to them for service, though... It was packed but the servers were always attentive, and our glasses were always waterful (not a word, i know, but i just made it one). I'm glad to see a place in the Design District that's as bustling with activity as this one.
(3)
David L.
As long as you LOVE to eat you will LOVE this place, and WHY woulden't you if your going to Michael's Genuine. Be prepared to make a reservation as this place gets JAMMED. Also be prepared to EAT, the plates are meant for sharing so order up!!! Everything is FRESH and DELICIOUS. Parking is cheap $3 (valet).. SAVE room for desert and also try a soda (all sodas are made in house, I recommend the lychee soda if your feeling ballsy have them make you a cocktail using the lychee soda. CHEERS!
(4)
Jenina S.
My friend recommended Michael's for my trip to Miami, and I'm so glad she did! Everything was so delightful minus the fact the server completely fell off the map at the end of our meal... Great selection of wine and beer. The bf and I decided to do wine, but then switched over to Chimay Blue because it's delish. For food, we went with with one small, one medium, and two large plates. Small: Chicken Chili Wings - awesome. Comes with 5 wings. Medium: Crispy Rice Cake - delicious -- chorizo and shrimp, can you go wrong? Large: the bf got the pork shoulder which was so tender.. yumm I can taste it now. I ordered the barrelfish. The fish was definitely fresh, just not that exciting as the pork. We also ordered a side of garlic mashed potatoes and escarole, which are great complements to any of their dishes I'm sure. Everything was very well made and tasted so flavorful. I was just a little upset at the end because our waitress never came back after we finished our meals, and I wanted to order dessert. The restaurant was really busy at that time and she didn't come back over to our section until 20 minutes later, so by that point I just wanted to leave. But I don't want to knock it down too much just because she ruined my dessert. Still highly recommend! Valet parking is $3!
Many visits- yet this is the first time I review! Never to be disappointed this place always ROCKS! Had the short rib sandwich for lunch AMAZEBALLS. Love the vibe, love the location, love love love!
(5)
J s.
Service was on point, Had the Shortrib Panini from the lunch menu, Awesome sandwich! Pork Belly was good. Rigatoni was tasty as well. Great Restaurant!
(4)
Daniel M.
peach/radish/basil/almond/feta salad. one of the best cooked pieces of fish ever. staff pleasant though slammed. super crazy good.
(5)
Downtown C.
FOOD: Soooooo Good! Outrageous. SERVICE: Hosts were the rudest I've ever had anywhere, more then once, Waiters & Bartenders were great. LOCATION: Awesome outside, Compact inside, ate dinner at the bar once and had the most fun and romantic time.
(4)
Kelly O.
I love Michael's. I have been for dinner three times but yesterday was my first time for brunch. It was delicious. Somehow the four of us sampled almost the entire menu. The highlights were the red velvet cupcake which doesn't taste like red velvet but is nonetheless absolutely fantstic cake and frosting, the yuzu pop tarts, and jelly donut, the duck hash, breakfast pizza, the chorizo with salsa negra, and pork shoulder with grits. Some of the other dishes we had weren't all that great like the egg sandwich and the spanish tortilla. I always find it difficult to find a great breakfast in this city and welcome this new brunch with open arms.
(4)
Jay E.
Reservations/Hostess I hate to do this considering how many people like this restaurant but I wasn't too impressed. This isn't one of those bitter reviews because of our service, our overall experience was disappointing. Twenty minutes into waiting for our table I asked the rude hostess the status of our table. She was very arrogant, you could tell she could care less about our business. We made a reservation a week prior for outdoor seating. Apparently people make reservations months ahead and they are more important than me, we'll at least to the hostess. They only had only about 6 two person tables outside, and the early crowd wasn't leaving. I asked to sit in a 4 person table that was unoccupied for the first 25 minutes I was there, but they declined. Finally after 35 minutes we were seated. Service It was a busy Saturday night so I didn't expect perfect service. However I had to ask for bread 2x's and it took 15 to get a few pieces of cold bread. I really didn't have any complaints about the service except the front of the house. Food I wasn't really impressed. pork belly, the kimchi was simple and uninspiring. The pork was nothing special and wasn't as good as people say it is. I've had better. Mussles- Plump, served with small perfectly sliced crispy potatoes, and bacon I believe. The broth was plain and bland. Short Rib Pizza- Greasy overload of cheese, such a soggy mess. I actually showed it to guy that picked up the 1/2 eaten pizza, flipped up the bottom to reveal an oil bath. Gruyere was overloaded causing the oily mess. At least they took this off our bill. However we did see the waiter and hostess talking about us after we complained and returned our soggy dish. Sides- we ordered both the cauliflower and pesto and tomato dish, both weren't anything to write home about. In a nutshell we didn't enjoy our meal or experience at Michaels. It's really too bad because our good friend really enjoys the food there when he is in town. I wouldn't recommend tourists making the trip to the design district, the food isn't worth it. There's really nothing to do in that area so don't bother. Call me bitter but if the food didn't meet our expectations.
(2)
Elisabeth L.
Michael's GFD is our favorite restaurant in the entire USA! Should I say more? The food is extraordinary delivered in very little time by a very competent and pleasant staff and the drinks are excellent. Every time we are in Miami we go there for dinner, lunch and their oh so good brunch on Sunday that I highly recommend. We live in New Mexico and unfortunately can only visit when we travel to Miami which we tend to choose because of our visits to Michael's. The service is excellent and very accommodating. You don't have to dress up, it's casual and we enjoy seating outside. We haven't had a less than excellent dish yet. Everything on the menu is worth trying and enjoying. We love the pig ears so much we order them as an appetizer at each of our visits there. The duck confit is fantastic and I originally come from the region of France where it is a local specialty! The fish is superb as well. The desserts are not to be missed either. We haven't had wine only cocktails and they are quite good. Overall not to be missed if you are in Miami.
(5)
Kevin W.
I continue to return but the menu is somewhat disappointing these days. Pick from small, medium or large portions. Pizza of the day is always good. Whole snapper is great just ask them to de-bone it for your. Good wine list and the bar scene is pretty crazy. Place is loud but there is outside seating so when the weather gets nice, it is a good place to relax and enjoy Michael's cooking.
(4)
Sebastian E.
Michaels Genuine... the name pretty much sais it all. Chef Michael creates genuine food...genuine good food that is. On top of interesting creations, the food also focuses on local available options, especially in the vegetable and herb selection. The decor is modern and warm. The entry reception located a little off. The outside tables are always well kept und usually full, especially at night. In my most recent visit I learned that the temporary gallery space next door was now also absorbed by the restaurant. They added some color and bit more comfortable seating. The acoustics here are still not up to par...so try for a seat in the main room (still loud, but at least you see the kitchen) or outside. The menu is broken down by size of meal...you can easily have 2 or 3 items from the menu on the smaller selection and enjoy the amazing taste variations from the chef. Also ask for the daily specials. My last sampled creation was a double bacon cheeseburger. Sounds simple but Michaels managed to make this quite the gourmet experience.
(4)
Krissy L.
I always love to take people here from out of town. The menu is super diverse (from pizza to duck). The ambiance is romantic, I prefer to sit outside because the inside gets a bit crowded feeling and noisy. But, if you love NYC atmosphere, sit inside. It is also right next to some high end boutiques in the newly redone shopping area of design district, cute for a stroll after on coble-stoned streets. It does get crowded on the weekends so, make sure to make a reservation!
(4)
Paula E.
This joint is definitely an unexpected surprise! We had been art-walking, and we needed to find a place to have a decent birthday dinner. Needless to say we didn't have reservations and when we got there the place was packed. The hostess told us that they had a full night, but had begun setting up some tables outside so we could wait and see. We didn't even have the chance to turn around and discuss our options before one of the girls told us they had set a table outside for us and we were ready t be seated. WOAH TOTAL BROWNIE POINTS FOR THAT ONE! The table was perfect, candle light and everything. We started off with a bottle of their house Pinot Grigio (wish I could remember the name bc the fruity pallet was impeccable and I'm not usually a white fan), and some complementary sparkling water. The waiter was the sassiest thing ever and he quickly explained the menu (which is divided into small, medium, large and extra large categories...totally amazing concept!) and proceeded to recommend his favorites. We decided to follow his lead and ordered their cheese of the month, a really striking Saint agur (mouthwatering!), their pork samosas (small) and three medium dishes. For only three people the meal was absolutely perfect. We finished off with some of their Banana panini dessert (must try!!), and the guy had overheard it was my friends birthday so he added a sparkler and sang to her...DETAILS!!!! The place is really modern, with low candlelight setting and beautiful paper red lamps. The soundtrack included the best of Miles Davis which made me super giddy. Both the outside and inside seemed like perfect places to dine (good for dates and small groups) and they also had a full bar where I saw the bartenders mix up some really exotic-looking drinks (the Acai berry liquor type). And even though this might seem like it's one of those places where people go to be seen (my ultimate nightmare), the vibe it ended up giving was completely the opposite. We had the pleasure of conversing with the table next to us and they were really awesome young professionals with no prejudices (love that networking!). My friend couldn't have asked for a better birthday dinner.
(4)
Niko P.
I went here two fridays back with my family (6 of us) and had a great time. I am from DC and was only down in South Florida for a few days, I was told Michael's was a place I shouldn't miss and I was told correctly! Since there were 6 of us and we're all foodies, we were able to sample much of the menu since much of the menu is smaller portions. I love to share food, we all do so this worked great for us. Some of the standouts that I remember over two weeks later were the short rib pizza, the duck rillette, the octopus, the pate and the wine list! I managed to find two different, great bottles of wine for us to drink and the ambiance was fun! Good job, keep it up!
(4)
Carlos A S.
Packed on a Monday night. A restaurant owner's dream. However, on this Monday, the success of Michael's Genuine Food & Drink cost them a star. The food was delicious. Here is how it went down. Snack: chicken liver crostini with caramelized onions (*****) Small: wood roasted double yolk egg (of course) X 2 (*****) Medium: chargrilled octopus (****) crispy sweet & spicy pork belly (*****) Large: slow roasted pork shoulder (*****) roasted & grilled shortrib (*****) Dessert: banana toffee panini (*****) toasted almond panna cotta (***) (the biscotti is extremely hard) The octopus was the only plate the table didn't enjoy as much, which meant more food for me, so I was fine with that. The disappointment came before we entered food heaven. Unfortunately, they were out of the whole fish options. Now, here is where waiters can turn things around quickly by making a smart suggestion. Ours suggested pizza. I also recommend you make a reservation. And when you make this reservation, be very specific of where you would like to sit. We sat right next to the kitchen where the commotion overtook the great jazz music we heard at the bar. Including wine and tip, our meal cost around $65 pp, making the dining experience at Michael's one of my best expenditures of 2009.
(4)
Andrea B.
Brunch at Michael's is definitely a must for foodie types! The plates are very small at brunch so you will want to order multiple items. I wasn't blown away by the duck confit hash, but the double egg yolk is not to be missed and you cannot go without getting pop tarts!! The most scrumptious crust and fillings!
(4)
Andrea P.
Wow...the food is amazing...the staff helpful and attentive. Been there four times in the past 3 months and did not have one bad item! Worth the $$. With reservations, never had to wait and if empty, the bar is a great place to eat. Love this place!!
(5)
Patricia B.
Too Pretentious! Service was really bad. Hated the attitude.
(2)
Jeff B.
This was nearly a 3 star review. After a long day of work, we came at the last seating on a Sunday night. Now I REALIZE that this is not an ideal time to come to a restaurant. Still, I know this is a nationally recognized place and I figured they would put out a good meal no matter what. The food was well presented and the place was noisy but manageable. Most of my colleagues did not enjoy their meals. Beef was overcooked, salads were overdressed, food was over salted...it just was not a quality meal. It had nothing to do with the semi-casual atmosphere and everything to do with the food the kitchen put out. For what we were charged this should be a 3 or 4 star restaurant at least, but it was a real disappointment.
(2)
Elizabeth R.
To sum this place up in two words: HOLY *#@^! After many expensive disappointments at other establishments, my husband and I stumbled across Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. Despite being a bit confused at first - this restaurant has no actual front door - we managed to find our way in to a cozy corner at the bar. The bartenders were attentive and generous with their pour - the mojitos rocked! After complimenting the bartender and their talented mixology, they mentioned that they come in early each day to hand squeeze all the lime juice used for the drinks! What a difference FRESH lime makes. OK - now for the food. Michael's menu changes regularly. It seems as the menu we investigated online did not match the version we were given at the bar. But, to me, the ever-changing menu keeps the chefs on their toes. We ordered the Short Rib Pizza with Escarole, The Burrata with Heirloom Tomatoes drizzled with olive oil, Beet Salad with Goat Cheese, Tuna Tartare garnished with pink grapefruit, and Homemade Chips with Pan-fried Onion Dip. The moment the Burrata (a type of creamy mozzarella cheese flown in from Italy) touched my lips, I had a true outer body experience. I've never tasted anything so delicious in my life. Everything else we had was just a carnival of flavor and made us smile from ear to ear. My husband and I talk about this place nonstop and we never hesitate to recommend this restaurant to co-workers, family and friends. Try Michael's Genuine in the heart of Miami's Design District. They will NOT disappoint!
(5)
Colleen Z.
Great! Loved the butter lettuce salad with grilled chicken. Clients had roasted chicken and the rock shrimp salad. Everyone was raving about the food. Roasted asparagus was yummy; deviled eggs were different in a wonderful way; the salad dress on the butter lettuce salad was amazingly light and delicious. Michael's always serves a wonderful meal.
(4)
Miriam W.
I am rather late in experiencing MGFD's a la carte Sunday brunch, but it's better late than never experiencing what I consider the best brunch I've had in Miami to date. I was on my way to an area restaurant's brunch when I remembered that Michael's has a brunch menu. Thank goodness I remembered because it was my friend's last day in Miami (she was visiting me from DC, and I took her to some of my favorite restaurants in Miami and it would've been a shame to not have eaten at MGFD). She was beyond impressed and loved everything we ordered. It's funny because we got there so late that we were constantly told that they were out of our first choice. We were just psyched to have them still serve us from the brunch menu well after the 2:30pm cut off. So we ordered our second or third choice from their exquisite menu...I'm sure nothing on the menu would've been a disappointment. That would be atypical of the MGFD band in general. So of what I can remember we had the duck confit hash topped w/ a poached egg, served with an avocado aoili (so good!!!), lemon ricotta pancakes (a dream!!!), guava & cream cheese pop tarts (party in my mouth!), 9 grain pancake (delicious), among other small plates. Michael's has the kind of brunch I dream about. Needless to say, I fantasize about when I'll return w/ a friend or with my brunch club. Either way, I'll be back and will try to arrive earlier so I can try some of my first choices.
(5)
Irene P.
Food here is some of the best ever. All fresh ingredients and innovative dishes. Nice fine dining.
(5)
FRANCO P.
Fantabulous atmosphere, food, beer menu and can you say potato chips! First thing i do, even before the drink order, is get an order of homemade potato chips for me and one for the table. I have spent many a night closing this place down after an amazing meal then just having fun talking with friends and not realizing the time pass by.
(5)
Alex L.
Decided to try the brunch at Michael's. Before I review the food, just a few comments about the restaurant. I made reservations using Open Table. After arriving on time and giving our name to the hostess, we waited about 10 minutes for a table. Not bad for Miami standards but what pissed me off was that in those 10 minutes, several people who arrived after us were sat before we were. If you make a reservation, I believe you should get preference before walk-ups and definitely other people who arrive after you, even if they also had a reservation. The other was that the music was way too loud for being "brunch." Putting the music louder only makes people talk louder and inevitably, you can't hear the person sitting next to you. Aside from the fact that the place is small, they should really consider lowering the music. Now on to the food. We ordered the - wood oven roasted double yolk egg, fried egg sandwich, homemade doughnuts, lemon ricotta pancakes, almond french toast, bacon wrapped peaches and side portion of the skirt steak. I know it sounds like a lot but the portions are small and are great for sharing. Everything but the bacon wrapped peaches and the skirt steak were fabulous. Both my wife and I didn't care for the bacon and peach combo. The toughness of the bacon with the soft and acidic texture of the peach did not go well together. The skirt steak was burnt and did not have any flavor. Thanks to Roberto for the good service and we would definitely return for lunch/dinner.
(4)
Leo D.
Good food but the place needs an attitude check. I have eaten here three times, once for lunch which was great and twice for dinner which was annoying. The restaurant was half full yet the Hostess made us wait at the bar for a table we had made reservations for. Like Seinfeld says, "what's the point of a reservation if the table is not reserved." The kitchen was not slammed and the entire place was at HALF capacity. I assume they wanted us to think there was some great demand for the restaurant or the bartender was in need of some tips - either way it was very unprofessional and annoyed me enough that I refuse to eat there again. The quality of the food tends to be inconsistent - it can be great and can be ok - depending on when you go. I think good food is important but so is the way the establishment treats its clientele. In this current economy its very dangerous having a South Beach attitude in the design district especially when the locals are the ones that support your business. I would have given the place 3-4 stars had the hostessing staff not been so arrogant about the reservation. Problem is when restaurants get in high demand their ego follows and the service usually goes downhill. When wait staff and Hostesses continue this attitude of arrogance and indignation, the dinning experience becomes unpleasant. What a shame because the food was good and well prepared. I like the fact they use local organic ingredients when they can and use fresh daily ingredients. I just cant justify spending $250 + for a meal only to be treated poorly by the Hostesses. Had we not been with another couple I would have walked straight out.
(2)
Diane L.
The fish cooked in the oven, the pizza with organic eggs and french cheese, the cheese cake ... Everything is incredible !!!! It's little pricey but worth it ! A place to go for sure !!!!
(5)
J B.
This place is always packed so we decided to try it on a Monday. Luckily, we didn't have to wait for a table. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable. The only downside was the lull in service between courses. It felt like We were there forever. We ordered... Hominy, which was yummy. Beet and heirloom tomato salad which was awesome and one of our favorite dishes of the night. House salad and short rib were both goods. The octopus which was highly recommend to us. I thought it was over charred and over priced. It really wasn't great. Not sure whet all the hype is about. We finished with the pie in a jar which was fabulous!!! The best dish of the night. I also went for lunch a few days ago and had the burrata, the deviled eggs, and the pork belly. All amazing!!!!!!
(4)
Victoria L.
The most creative food I tasted in Miami. How do you like beef cheek with chocolate sauce? What about a dessert with basil taste? The restaraunt plays exciting games with your well establsihed taste palette. Shakes it up a bit. I like that. I like the whole concept of Michael's Genuine, using simple and fresh ingridients. I have tried a few things on the menu, the highlight of which for me is the most unusual combination of beef and chocolate sauce (i know their menu changes, so I am not sure if they still have this dish). I came back once just for their basil panna cotta dessert, which became one of my favorive desserts ever. I gave the restaraunt three stars because of the negative attitude I felt both times I visited. The food is good, the attitude needs to get better.
(3)
Veronica D.
If I could give them a negative 5 star I would.... Here goes: My hubby called ahead to reserve a table for two for our 1 year wedding anniversary. He spoke to a young woman who told him that 1230 was not available but 1245 was. We drove to the armpit of Miami, in the pouring rain to celebrate with a nice brunch. Upon arrival my hubby gave his name to the young, tall, short haired, blond and her sidekick. He was told that his name could not be found. The hostess asked my husband twice if he had gotten the name of the person he had spoken too. Forgive me if I'm wrong: but I thought it was the other way around... you make a reservation they get your name and wallah ! You eat! We were treated very poorly. Instead of being apologetic and accommodating the hostess was a major snob and treated us as if we were lying about having a reservation. I was looking forward to dining here based on yelp recommendations, however, if the hostesses attitude is any indication of the overall experience I rather eat at McDonald's.
(1)
Stacy S.
I have dined at Michael's several times, although this is my first time reviewing it. Apart from last Sunday brunch, when the service was atrocious, I have always enjoyed my experiences there. Some important, unique points about Michael's are as follows: They have there own in house pasty chef who bakes superb desserts, and breads. I am impressed that they have their own chef just for pastries as it is unique. Even in the "best" restaurants in South Florida they outsource there breads and desserts. (I know most of them do this for a fact). They change their menu frequently. This is great but it can be a bit disappointing as you love a dish only to come back and it is gone. They don't put anything on the menu they are not proud of. They try to use organic, fresh,local products which quite frankly, all restaurants should be doing. It is healthier and better for our environment. The wait staff actually know both food and wine. The waiters taste all the food and is schooled on the ingredients. I dislike going to places where the staff is efficient but doesn't know what is in dishes or a Sauternes from a Red Zinfandel. You don't have to be a Master Sommelier but please have a clue! They have a sommelier in house. Good to have as I like learning about new wines. Everything is good there. The rice cake with chorizo and rock shrimp is amazing. For brunch the french toast with guava and cheese needs no syrup as it is decadent and yummy. The breakfast pizza is excellent as is the kimchi eggs benedict. I have tried almost the entire menu for brunch and it is great. For dinner I have had the fish, pasta, and chicken, all delicious. The duck confit spread is amazing. I would tell anyone who is into fine food to go there. If you have anyone in town to impress definitely take them there. Even if they live in Manhattan or Paris they will love the food, I promise.
(5)
Tracy B.
This place was amazing. I was in Miami on vacation and was giving this the name of this place as a 'must try' by a foodie friend. My husband and I enjoyed it greatly. The was wonderful. Our favorite had the charred octopus (a little salty, but we enjoyed it that way), crispy sweet and spicy pork belly (best I have ever had), and the tangerine creamsicle pot d'cream was a dream!! The wine selection was lovely and the service excellent. I can't wait for a chance to go back!
(5)
Adam C.
I don't understand how this place gets less than a 5 star review from anyone. Went last night, and enjoyed every bite. Our group of 3 ordered several of the "small" and "medium" plates. They included the grilled octopus, the rice cake with rock shrimp, the pork belly, the egg yolk with gruyere, and some others that escape me right now. The highlights were definitely the pork belly and the egg yolk. The pork belly was crispy on the outside, and so tender, it could be cut with a fork. The rice cake was not my favorite, but having a runny yolk duck egg on top of it was definitely a plus. I saw the bone marrow dish come out of the kitchen, and will definitely get that next time. Hopefully, next time will be Monday, for my birthday. It is best to come here when you aren't paying.
(5)
Jessica S.
Love, love, love Michael's brunch. I have been many times to Michael's sometimes for dinner and sometimes for brunch. Personally the best meals that I have had have always been on Sunday for brunch. Michael's is always a unique experience and they always pair so many different tastes together, it always turns out delicious. For brunch it is also always a crowd. I would make sure that you make reservations ahead of time especially now when the weather is becoming nice and fresh, because the outside seating area is so pleasant. The day I went they were booked solid and it was suppose to rain that day. So, I was a little apprehensive that we might get rained on. I called ahead of time and the hostess told me they would try and accommodate the best way they could. So, be a little cautious when making reservations that you know the weather outcome because it could make a difference in your seating. But luckily it didn't rain, so my family and I sat outside to have a nice meal. We first ordered drinks which are always pleasant for brunch to have a little relaxing mixed (alcoholic or non) drink. I always go with the Cabarete cocktail, it is a mix of aperol, st. germain, champagne, soda water, fresh watermelon juice. Always refreshing. My family went with the Passionfruit Caipirinha, a mix of leblon cachaca, local, passionfruit, simple syrup fresh lime and the regular caipirinha (without the passionfruit mix). Both also very nice. My dad, the designated driver, went with a freshly made watermelon juice. Also a good choice especially since he couldn't partake in the fun array of mixed drinks they offer. For brunch, we choose among a variety of choices. The menu changes a lot so it is hard to suggest something that might not be there next time. They do bring things back, but here is a list of the ones that our table tried: Savory: Breakfast Pizza (best choice!), house smoked bacon, pns farm egg, monterey jack, dean's lila onions; Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Egg cave aged gruyere, roasted tomato, chives, sourdough crostini; Slow Roasted Fudge Farms Pork Shoulder anson mills cheese grits, pickled red onion, parsley sauce. For Sweet: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with fig compote; Almond French Toast with pears and we also ordered some sourdough bread on the side to help with the savory left overs. Also, side note ask for the jelly with any of the bread selections since they make it homemade and it is really good! The only down part about Michaels is that the brunch dishes seem to be getting smaller through the years. The last time I was there it seemed like they dishes were only for one, not like they advertise to share amongst a group. So, definitely get plenty of dishes to try, just know it isn't cheap! All-in-all, I would go back often because I love this place it has the cute atmosphere, the really good food pairings, and I always have a good time. Michael's just please don't get too big and commercial....that is what the appeal is the quaintness of this tucked away design district eatery.
(5)
Andrew J.
There is nothing more inviting than the smell of a wood burning oven, even in Miami. This place has that, a nice wooden bar, slick design and jazz music always playing--very urbane. The food here is consistently good, the menu changes frequently, and parking is never a hassle. Michael himself has a history of setting up shop in frontier neighborhoods (e.g. Nemo in the 90's), and being ahead of the trends. At this Design District gem, he has done it again.
(5)
Valerio V.
The service here is excellent. Ask for Brian for wine recommendations, as he knows his stuff. Besides the service, I would give this place a 3.5 for the food. The octopus is their best dish, with the eggplant coming in a close second. Is the place one of the best in Miami? I beg to differ. I would go again but just for the wine and octopus. Also in retrospect, I would eat at the bar.
(4)
Paul Y.
In a word "AWESOME". Had the whole works and everything was incredible especially the desserts. Thank you Charles, Kristy and staff for an unforgettable experience. Service was top notch.Make sure you check out Michael's in Grand Cayman at Camana Bay, Chef Thomas will knock your socks off. Be sure to try the Lion fish.
(5)
kim n.
One of my favorite restaurants in Miami. This was the best brunch I have ever had! Very inventive menu, all tapas style. We had the pork shoulder omelette, which was bursting with delicious pork. I was full off of this alone! But we had ordered two other "savory" items so I was happily forced to find room in my stomach for more. Our next dish was the duck confit hash with a poached duck egg on top. So good. Our third and final "savory" was the kimchi benedict which was by far the best out of the three we tried. On a toasted crumpet, sat a piece of pork belly with kimchi and a poached egg. I could only take a few bites, in order to save room for the sweets, but every bite was like a foodie's heaven. As for our sweet picks, we had the donuts (today's flavors: peanut butter and black currant). They were fried bite sized goodness. We also had the pistachio ginger scone with peach jam. I actually ate more of the jam than the scone, but it was all around good. We even saw Michael Schwartz walking around signing a few books. I should also take a moment to talk about dinner at Michael's. Dinner here is also amazing. The pork belly and pork shoulder are excellent! The only thing I was not impressed with was the poulet rouge chicken. Besides this dish, you can pretty much pick anything on the menu and be satisfied... Dying to go back and try everything on the menu...
(5)
Amy S.
MIchael's is one of my top five favorite restaurants in Miami. I go here at least once a month and often times more since I go here for business lunches, birthday parties and I always take out of town guests here. I love the atmosphere, you can have a drink at the bar , sit inside for dinner which feels like somewhere in nyc or sit outside and have a more laid back feeling. I always get the hominy and deviled eggs as a starter. I love the hominy and most people arent familar of it so its fun for them to try something new. I also try to always get the Burrata if they have it, they serve it with heirloom tomatoes and its delicious. One time ihad it and the tomatoes were a little overripe, but other than that, its the best burrata in town, even better than Quattro. When I'm with more than just the two of us, i get the whole fish that is oven roasted. I cant remember what kind of fish it is, but they serve it with fennel and its very fresh and yummy. I'm not a dessert person but I've probably had a taste of everything on the menu and most of their specials. Everything is very good and unique, i love that they use sea salts on some of their desserts. All of my friends love their desserts. The service is consistently good here, they also have a sommelier. I dont think they have the best wine list in the world so i think its funny they have a sommelier, but still a nice service. This restaurant is great because he uses local, fresh produce which is rare in Miami. I love that we have this restaurant and wish there were more with its philosophy. He's also not just one of those celebrity chefs that puts his name on it and walks away, I almost ALWAYS see him in the kitchen or greeting guests.
(5)
Gary S.
Was taken here for a business dinner while in Miami for some meetings. Did not even know until afterword's that Michael grew up in Philly! Food is fantastic, as expected. Fresh ingredients, simply and expertly prepared. Had an heirloom tomato and beet salad to start - yum! and for the main course a grilled fish in a delicious sauce served with roasted Brussels sprouts. The veggies were described as being prepared with pancetta, but since I don't eat meat they prepared without the meat, no problem. The homemade chips and onion dip to start- great! The group shared an array of desserts and they were all amazing. Will definitely be back on my next trip to Miami!
(4)
El T.
Very good food but service was soooo slooooow. Went on a Tuesday night at 9 pm and sat outside and proceeded to wait over an hour to get the food. The waiter was pleasant enough but would disappear for long stretches of time. The food was very delicious and everyone liked it but it was hard to keep that in mind when your waiting so long for the dishes. We wanted dessert but we couldn't stand the wait anymore. We left. For a Tuesday night, the wait and the waiter's dissapearing act was ridiculous and almost totally overshadowed the great meal.
(4)
Neil S.
Good resto great wine. All I can say about this joint is that the foodies are ruining Yelp with their picayune critiques that mean nothing. The food was fantastic, although I did find out that i don't like pig's ears. My dog likes 'em though.
(4)
Carlos P.
Came here for lunch. Ordered a Chimay from the bar while waiting for our table. The tables (especially the tables for two) are inches away from each other so it is tight. Ordered the home made potato chips and dip as well as the burrata for appetizers. Both very good. Didn't get to adventuress with the main course so I just ordered a burger at the recommended temperature of medium (per our server). To be honest the burger itself was a little salty for my liking. Didn't have room (and to be honest I don't have the biggest sweet tooth) for dessert though I here this is the place to have dessert. Though I didn't leave overall super impressed with my lunch, I would definitely return.
(3)
Justin P.
Oh, Michael's Genuine, you have become my favorite restaurant in all of Florida. My new goal is to try everything on your menu...even the salads. I was eating lunch there the other day, and I saw a salad with a giant grilled octopus tentacle on top of it, and for the first time in my life, I drooled about a salad. Of course, since your menu changes periodically, I will just have to keep going back over and over forever, but that sounds good to me.
(5)
Robert A.
I went for lunch. I had the tomato bread salad and the Cuban Sandwich. The salad tasted good and even though the bread and tomatoes were drowning in balsamic the bread was crunchy. My wife had the Grouper fish special. Both were not bad but not as great as has been suggested. The fish was a touch over cooked and Cuban sandwich has great bread but I got a bit tired of it before I finished it. The service was great and very nice to us. I would go back... for lunch.
(3)
Stefani B.
I took my boyfriend here for dinner last night for his birthday. The atmosphere was fantastic and more than I could've asked for. This was my first trip to the design district. Tucked away in a pedestrian shopping area, Michael's had its Friday night bustle on. We had a 7:45p reservation for an outside table, were seated right away, and it was just lovely. Our waiter was super helpful and the service was good. Our table had great ambiance for a romantic dinner but also the sights of the people around us. For food, we had the following: - pig's ear: definitely a different treat for us. Crispy and a little over-seasoned but still tasty. I could only have a piece or too just knowing what it was and left the rest for my man to gobble up. - brussel sprouts with pancetta: yes, my boyfriend and I are food snobs, and I must say that BS are one of my fave dishes. That being said, the sprouts themselves were cooked very well, but the chef clearly had a heavy hand with the salt shaker with the pancetta. It was WAY too salty. I couldn't eat it after a couple bites. - crispy rice cake: the rice cake was fantastic. A wonderful mix of flavors that was a delight for the taste buds. However, the accompanying salad with parsley and capers was again WAY too salty. The cooks at this place need to taste WAY more when they are preparing meals because it was almost inedible it was so salty. - octopus: delicious and well prepared. Loved the beans, olives and sauce. Well done. - pork belly: personally, my boyfriend and I had never had a dish before that was just pork belly served as the feature item (usually it's in a soup or part of another larger dish) so this was an interesting experience for us to try. The verdict...very well cooked and prepared, it's just VERY rich. We certainly enjoyed it, but I could only have a bite or too since it was so filling and indulgent. The kimchi was pretty weak though. It didn't have the tangy flavor that you get a Korean joint, and certainly didn't compliment the dish as I hoped it would. - bone marrow: a true indulgence. Served with garlic toast. We certainly enjoyed this one. - dessert: tangerine creamsicle pot with donuts. We are big chocolate people so we really should've listened to our gut when we ordered dessert to get something with chocolate. But this is their signature dish so we went for it. It was definitely tasty and delish, no doubt about it. And we can see why it's famous. We just didn't get the satisfaction that only something chocolate could have brought us. Lesson learned though, oh well. But this is definitely a dish for someone like my dad who absolutely loves anything creamsicle, and especially coupled with donuts. Regardless, the waiter was very sweet about the dessert for my boyfriend's birthday and added a sparkler to make it festive. All in all, a great experience at Michael's. It was a very fun and memorable night. The food is good, not outstanding, and simply doesn't have the refinement you find in many NY restaurants. But then again, this is Miami, not NYC....AND my boyfriend and I are self proclaimed food snobs. What can you do?!
(3)
chris h.
I was in the design district furniture shopping with a friend. Lunch break at Michael's was perfect. Sitting outside, tried a few different small dishes and dessert. Enjoyed everything. Went back with hubby for dinner one night. Didn't feel it was worthwhile the drive. Maybe because there are plenty good choices on the beach. Or, because all the stores in that area already closed - thus lost ambience? Anyways - Above average food. Average service. Creative fun food.
(4)
Josh R.
My wife and I dined here last weekend and we came away extremely satisfied. Michael's is one of the new 'hip' restaurants in Miami, and the unique menu should be enough to get you in the door, regardless of the occasional celeb sighting. As some reviewers have mentioned, the seating here could best be described as "intimate". In fact, I think we had the most "intimate" table in the place - our table for 2 directly abutted another table for 2, so it was more like were dining in a party of 4. It instantly reminded me of dining in NYC's SoHo. Most interior tables were square 4-person tables, though, and they did have some booths along the wall. Don't expect a lot of privacy at Michael's, though. Dining is a social event here. On to the menu.... we started with a "Small" item - the Yellowfin Tuna Tartare. It was indeed small - yielding only a couple bites for each of us, but it was absolutely delicious. The addition of two crispy potato chips and avocado on top of the cylindrical tuna was a genius touch. For our entrees, I had the Steak Au Poivre, a 12 oz NY Strip with lots of peppercorns. This was a little bit of a miss for me. I asked for "medium" and it came "well done". Also, the peppercorns are not crushed, as at most restaurants that serve this dish, but whole peppercorns acting as a garnish over the entire steak. Get a mouthful of those little suckers and you'll quickly know it! The flavor was good, but this was not an outstanding dish. My wife ordered the Pan Roasted Local Mutton Snapper dish. An A-plus! Charred corn, asparagus, and smoked bacon make this dish an absolute delight in your mouth. If we go back, I am definitely ordering this dish. For dessert, I had the Chocolate Cremosa -- a delicious mound of fudge-like chocolate heaven, topped with sea salt, olive oil, and a thin sourdough crostini. It is also served with a small side of chilled espresso parfait which was also delicious. A very unique dessert, but for a self-proclaimed chocoholic, I loved it! My wife ordered the Basil Panna Cotta which was served with "berry gazpacho" - blueberries, kumquats, and some other fruit in a parfait dish. Served with almond biscotti and a small jelly candy. This dish was also really good and very unique. Overall, this was a fantastic dining experience. If my steak had turned out better and if our waitress didn't seem so rushed, it would have been the perfect meal. Also - BEWARE THE $12 VALET PARKING CHARGE!
(5)
Shelley M.
been to michael's twice now & loved it both times. i will agree with a lot of other yelpers.... those chips with the onion dip are amazing!!!! what they do to those potatoes and that onion dip is magical. i'll be getting those every time i go to michael's. in my two visits to michael's i've tried about 18 items from all the menus (snacks to large plates) & everything has been amazing... the two things i was not crazy about were the pig ear salad, & the candies, cookies & confections desert, which is a platter of maybe 10 deserts, and sadly none of them were very good (both times I went). the service is among the best i've ever experienced (both times) and the atmosphere was less pretentious than i assumed it would be. the first time i went we sat at the food bar which was a nice change & we got to watch all the food being made in their beautiful brick oven. i'd opt for that seat again because it added another element to our dining experience.
(5)
Amy A.
Love coming in for a drink and the Fried Corn Nuggets!!! The area was in desperate need of a place like this. When you're there, you have no idea that the rest of the District is almost entirely empty.
(3)
Phil K.
EXCELLENT!!! Burgers are amazing on brioche bun....and you have to have the chocolate banana dessert.
(5)
Linette P.
Once upon a time when I had a job, I would eat in all sorts of fancy places and not have to depend on left-overs and live on grilled cheese sandwiches like I do now. Well Michael's was one of those places. (Michael if you are reading this, I will be more than happy to come eat at your establishment, maybe you can send over a gift certificate my way, wink-wink.) Black sticky rice with mussels, made my friend Leah fall in love with me. Seriously I kept telling her it was not me, it was the mussels but now I can't keep her off me. I think there is not a single item that I did not try that was not delicious. Everything was obviously made by people who know what they are doing. This place is very versatile, in terms of, atmosphere. It is great for romantic dinners, but also good for lunch with friends. The food is very forward and progressive, which I think Miami lacks sometimes. Not saying that everything has to be exotic. But Michael's takes risks and still manages to pull it off with amazing flavor. The staff is also very proffesional and attentive. Hmmm, maybe I will have to return once Obama sends me my Stimulus Package.
(5)
Alexia R.
I've only been here for brunch and I love it. It's brunch classics with a gourmet twist which I find not only fun but absolutely delicious!
(4)
Myra M.
Whenever my friends from NYC recommend a place, I have very little doubt that it would be nothing less than phenominal... once again i was not disappointed. The name of the place is very misleading; it sounds very cafe-like or dive bar / pub type of restaurant. I liked the fact that it lacked the tourist crowd, definitely more locals here since it was not on the beach, but in the design district. I immediately liked the cozy bar, the red modern light fixtures and overall vibe that reminded me of SF or NYC. The expresso martini was deliciously strong... perfect for the lazy-Sunday-Funday that started late. i like sharing... so my friends and I ordered like it was tapa style... shared everything. The deviled eggs, burrata, roasted pepper & cambazola cheese crostini, kumomoto oyster, and tuna tartar (to start) was amazing. The wood roasted porterhouse with homemade fettuccini was also really good, but by this time, honestly I was pretty full. We shared everything... so it was perfect portions, not too much, although i know it sounds a lot. The desserts were different... very good, but by that time I was very full; I probably would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't so full. Overall... excellent. I would have given it 5 stars if we were seated in the main room. It would be better if they opened the wall that separated the rooms.... to make it one big room. The service was excellent, which is really not that common in Miami.
(4)
Dianna R.
Michaels closes at 2:30 on Sundays - what a disappointment! We showed up and asked for a menu since we knew it was different on Sundays. The host hands me a menu & greets me. After a quick review, I ask for a table. He then says that they are closed!! I asked, why didn't he tell me & his response was "you didn't talk to me!" I said, "you just gave me a menu!" wow....horrible service!
(1)
emely j.
I can't lie, there has been some serious eating going on and I have fallen a little behind on writing up. This one could not escape me however. This dessert was imaginative and inspiring. It made me want to step out of my comfort zone with baking. Michael's Genuine in Miami's design district was such a treat. Hedy Goldsmith @hedygoldmith is a pastry chef known across the country and she shows you why. I had the "Chocolate Cremoso" which is described as sea salt, olive oil, sourdough crostini, and espresso parfait. This dessert is far from the same old same old. Sitting on top of the tablespoon of olive oil was a slick, rich cream, which was beautifully accented by the sea salt on top. You have to trust the dessertspoon here at Michael's. Next to this was the espresso parfait with little crunchies on top reminding me of a roasted nut or toffee. The flavors all complimented each other to my delight. The presentation was also snazzy with the crostini standing at attention. Great stuff here. Hedy Goldsmith may be part pastry chef and part magician. PS-the Passionfruit cocktail made by Ryan was amazing! Loved the seeds. weaknessforsweetness.tum…
(5)
John L.
Crispy Hominy Chips and Pan Fried Onion Dip Triggerfish Carpaccio w/ Kumquats Braised Pork Shoulder (ever...so...slightly...dry; but so close) And dessert When I was there (late feb early march) dessert did not stand out; but the rest of the meal grazed perfection.
(4)
Sarah M.
Went on a Sunday for Brunch and had one of the best meals of my life. On a good weather day, sitting outside is ideal. The wait staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about their menu. It's a tapas style kind of experience, with small plates that you share. The absolute best thing I had was the almond crusted French Toast. The s'mores, fried egg sandwich and fingerling hash were also to die for! There was so much we wanted to try, but our stomachs sadly gave up before we could. Would definitely go back and would love to try their lunch and dinner menus.
(5)
Rick J.
Been here too many times. Food is always great although my favorites are usually 86'd by the time I get there. Staff is friendly and does a good job (its Miami). One of my favorite spots when I travel to Florida - time to bring this one back west :)
(4)
John L.
Considering the prices and incredible press Michael's have received, 3 stars is all they deserve. The food is good/solid, but not great. I've been there several times now and have had just about everything, from a large group gathering, to dinner for 2. They are consistent (so rare in SFla) but never inspired. Good service, the location is OK, high prices, great bar, but the food falls more and more flat after the bar snacks and small plates, hitting bottom with the large plate, until it slightly rises again with the dessert. If you have the cash and haven't been there yet, you definitely should. It's one of the better restaurants in Miami. But it is no where near a well-chosen meal at Michy's, Talula, OLA, or Duo (sadly now closed).
(3)
Ollie G.
I used to LOVE, and I mean LOVE Michaels. My girlfriend and I would dine at the restaurant twice a month and always bring friends/clients from out of town to check it out. As a matter of fact, this is the first time I review a restaurant on Yelp yet I have used yelp constantly for years . The incredible contradiction between the Michaels quality of food ( which is top notch) and their lack of common sense in service is what inspired me to write this review. If you read other reviews you will notice that people giving the restaurant 5 stars are reviewing the food ( which i agree), and people who ranked it low are ALL taking issue with either the attitude or the service overall. I hope the restaurant management considers these reviews seriously as their incompetent staff is the reason behind them. I have completely stopped coming to the restaurant due to their attitude at the door ( namely the hostess by the name Karina), and one incident that happen a year prior .. Here is just couple of examples of how restaurant looses clients thanks to their idiotic staff ( trademarked to Miami ) 1) One night some time ago 4 of us are seated at the chefs table. We ordered their delicious whole fish among other items from the menu. As we ran out of wine and I still had some fish I went to the bar to sample few splashes of wine and choose a bottle. As I returned to the table with a 100 dollar bottle of wine I realized that my plate was gone. The busboy took it. OK, it happens, but I had an entire tail left with plenty of fish. Solution, speak to the Manager. Her answer: ''sorry we can offer you a desert''. LOL ....A dessert to go with this bottle of wine that i have just purchased specifically because I had some fish left over ... She said well there is nothing else we can do. The check was about 500 dollars, similar to the other times we were there .. result: We haven't been back since ( common sense solution, ask the chef to make another fish, invest 20 dollars instead of loosing thousands over a a course of what I think has been a year and a half) 2) Finally after over a year of avoiding Michaels we were walking by the design district last Sunday afternoon and felt like having some coffee/drinks and desert. The restaurant was COMPLETELY EMPTY but the lovely hostess Karina said '' You have to have dinner, no drinks or deserts if you want to sit at the table, and you HAVE TO leave by 7:30 as that's when we have reservations''. In other words, we don't have any reservations until 7:30 pm, we are completely empty, but we still won't let you sit outside for 30 min to have some drinks or dessert. Congratulations you have now solidified my position!!! We are not tourists, so the ongoing revenue that the restaurant has lost is considerable. If this has happen to us, how many other people are experiencing the same but haven't taken the time to write the review. Its to bad that Miami restaurants cannot employ an ounce of service mentality of San Francisco or New York. This idiotic attitude that restaurant staff have starting from the hostess and going forward is ridiculous, and sad since I really liked the food but wont go through that torture again.
(1)
She Wolf B.
went back for dinner this time around...what can be said other than ......great food once again!!!!
(5)
Joseluis A.
with so many reviews.. ill keep it simple. the food is good. i had a burger. it wasnt miniature as i was expecting based on their brunch. burger was nice and juicy. i feel like this place is overpriced. you dont have to agree with me so go try it out. chances are that you will think the food is good but you will spend some money...
(3)
Esteban Z.
Best dinner so far in Miami. Everything was perfect from the kick ass Manhattan and Cabarete cocktails straight through to the Banana Toffee Panini. I'm not going to go into everything we ordered but the flavors, presentation and creativity were all top notch. We had high expectations for Michael's based on countless mentions and reviews and it lived up to them. God how I wish I could afford to eat here more often.
(5)
Angel S.
Never had a meal short of very good. Reliably yummy. Did have a steak au poivre that was billed as new york strip but had the consistency of a rump steak. Surprising. But the green peppercorn and brandy reduction was outstanding. Overall one of my very favorite restaurants in South Florida.
(4)
Jordan S.
Genuine? Pure? Natural? Heavy Liquid smoke and crappy service is not Genuine...it's GENERIC! Go across the street and down a block to Pacific Times instead - WAY WAY QUALITY and a better value! They ruined 90% of the dishes with heavy salt and the broccoli rabe was killed with liquid smoke reminding me of TGI Fridays. $300 for 6 people w/1 desert and They couldn't bring anything out on time and then bombarded us with 14 plates at once so our food all got cold. I live in SF and this place would not last a single month in NY or SF - here are the honest breakdowns- 3.5 star location, 3.5 star atmosphere, 2 star service and 2 stars on quality of food for the $. Majestic outdoor scene and the bar on monday was packed but the split bathroom was backed up constantly and the place felt super crowded. Snooty bartenders and forgetful servers- I will say that The oven baked pizza w/ pulled short ribs and fontina was def 4 star taste but for a flatbread pizza that wasn't that filling at $21 and $11 butter lettuce side salads that were fair and bland at best... I left still hungry and out $60 for one personal pizza, salad and glass of wine. Not going back.
(2)
Juv R.
Meh Meh. It wasn't bad, it sure wasn't great. Perhaps I had high expectations because I've heard people rave about this place, but I felt the food was under seasoned. Creativity was abundant but the flavor was no where to be seen. I'm willing to give it a second shot, and pray it doesn't disappoint.
(3)
Linda L.
Very disappointing experience at MGFD this afternoon. We are vacationing in Miami and had heard great things about this place and were very much looking forward to lunch there. We breezed into the restaurant in a terrific mood with plenty of time before our 12:30 reservation and politely requested to sit at one of the many outdoor tables that were open. The surly Maitre D', Maurice, looked down his nose at us and said "I cant do that because you did not request an outdoor table in your reservation notes", I said "well we are requesting one now", and we explained that we could not possibly have known to request an outdoor table in advance as it was our first time there. After several minutes of arguing he sighed, rolled his eyes and relented, but when we were seated at a table outside near the storage/smoking area where all the extra chairs and umbrellas are stacked and next to a door through which the waiters were constantly running food, we went back and requested a table inside instead. Maurice smirked and now told us snottily that since we chose to sit outside that he had given our table away inside (dining room was still half empty at this point), and that if we wanted we could sit on stools at the bar. After much back and forth and completely unacceptable attitude from someone in the customer service business (and as a New Yorker believe me i've seen it all), we finally were seated inside where we realized that in reality every single table in the place was incredibly cramped and uncomfortable, I had to eat with my elbows tucked in to keep from hitting the person at the next table and the poor waiters had to constantly squeeze themselves between the tables to deliver the food-- not at all the relaxing Miami experience we were after. Ordinarily we would have just left but we were thinking, well, the food must be extraordinary if people are willing to put up with this totally ridiculous set up. Our waiter Rich was indeed excellent and very pleasant, however the food was also a complete let down. The menu was very simple with standard pizzas, sandwiches and burgers-- nothing exciting or creative. We got the grilled chicken sandwich which came drenched in a bright orange chipotle mayonnaise which completely overwhelmed the sandwich and messily dripped all over the place, and a veggie panini that came so over toasted that it was very difficult to chew; the only good part of the meal was the simple fresh green salad on the side. The whole experience left a bad taste in our mouth and dampened not only our visit to the design district but our whole vacation. This restaurant does not even come close to living up to the hype and I would strongly recommend staying away. We wandered down the street to Oak Tavern to recover from our experience and enjoyed a lovely bottle of wine in a beautiful courtyard and were wonderfully attended to by Gary the GM and Benjamin our waiter. I would strongly recommend skipping the scene at Michael's and checking out this place instead.
(1)
Jessica J.
So our friend, The Chef, told us about this place. He called and said as a chef, this place was cheffing cheftastic. That all the chefs cheffled over to this cheffery on a chefly basis, and that the food was so good, they cheffed all over their chef-pants. So we were like, okay, okay, let's check it out. My hopes were buoyed when I read the menu online. Any place with an unpasteurized cheese of the week can't be bad. The appointed lunch hour came, and The Chef piled four of us into his tiny BMW convertible with the top up. So visions of sardines in a tin can was how this culinary experience began. I rolled my eyes a bit when we pulled up to the valet stand. Sometimes I forget how the Design District is the Isle of Hoity-Toity in the Bay of Cracktown. Anyway, it was only three bucks. And it was hotter than chicken grease dancing on a cast iron skillet, so I was glad we didn't have to walk. The outdoor patio was neat, and the interior decor was simple, timeless and inviting. The kitchen is open, affording a full view of the chef's operation. An endlessly long, one foot high stack of Heirloom tomatoes lined the kitchen counter, framing the view into the kitchen. I was beginning to see why chefs get so cheffing cheffity about this chefly cheffery. We were seated promptly, and the food arrived quickly as well. I had an avacodo and tomato salad, my husband had a roast beef sandwich with au jus. Our dining companions had the Butter Lettuce Salad and the Pork Belly. We shared thinly sliced fries with onion dip as an app. The vegetables were farm fresh and tasted like it. I also enjoyed the random bowl of radishes we chomped on while waiting on the food. When's the last time you had a plain radish with salt? For me, I think it was early June in the late 1860s, at Aunt Edna's Pennsylvania farmhouse. But I digress. The dressings and sauces are designed more to complement the fresh, natural flavors of the vegetables, rather than upstage them. The meat was well-prepared and seasoned to perfection. Over all, I found the food to be delightfully, simply sophisticated. Portions were on the small side, but are probably what a human being should be eating as opposed to the orgiastic calorie fest you get in chain restaurants. We shared the little mini doughnuts for dessert, and they were superb as well. Prices were reasonable for the quality of food you're getting. And the price points on the lunch menu were spread wider than over-the-hill South Beach party girl's knobby knee caps after a night of 2 for 1 mojotinis at Nikki Beach. I am, however, disappointed to report there is only one women's restroom, which is probably a bit of a drawback when the restaurant and bar are full. Overall, I think Michael's is an excellent, uncluttered concept and a welcome addition to the Miami culinary scene. Something about the honest simplicity of farm food is really...well...GENUINE. I whole heartedly recommend this place to the chef inside of each one of us. Cheffle over to the cheffingly chefferiffc chefiteria ASAP. Or you'll cheffing regret it.
(4)
K N.
Overrated, Pretentious and Rude with good food. This is the nicest way that I can explain this restaurant. Anytime the hostess treats you like she doesn't want you there...LEAVE!, the people suck! The hostess, Margo, absolutely fake, phony and full of it. We arrived and she told us that there were no seats for the evening and we could sit at the bar, but there was a family of 5 waiting for seating. When 3 men in a party are seated and the mother and daughter stand around the bar chairs...LEAVE, the people suck. So I called American Express Concierge, they immediately found a reservation available within 30 minutes. They called the restaurant and confirmed our reservation. Margo finally seated the rude family and we had wine and shrimp ceviche at the bar. Shoulda stayed at the bar because the bartender was the only person who acted like he was at work making money for a service. Why? Because the people sucked. At the time for our reservation, I went to the front and informed Margo that we were there for our reservation. She smiled and blew me off, politely. 15 minutes later, my friend informed her that she needed to get a seat immediately and she recounted her instructions about the bar. He informed her that our reservation was confirmed so find a seat. In less than 60 seconds flat, we were seated at a rickety table, oh distressed, this is the Design District, so raggedy is hip. We sat less than arm's length from a nosey couple that obviously liked our conversation more than theirs. Our waiter was a mess,but the food was good. The cobia fish was light and the short ribs were tender. Time for dessert, our waiter returns, slams down the dessert menu in front of us both without introduction or presentation. Is it obvious that he too sucked? We immediately asked for the check, but wait, he had to bring the menu to the nosey couple and explain the dessert offering to them. So his service was intentionally bad to us because he clearly knew the best way to present a menu where people would want to stay. So while this is the new hot spot with great food, the servers and hostess feel entitled to size up their customers where they are bad for biz. I won't be back good food and all because the people simply...well you already know.
(2)
Eli S.
I really like this place -- my parents and family, not so much. Their opinions run that Michael's Genuine serves somewhat basic and boring food and while nice, and well portioned, it's not exactly worth the hype. I agree with that but also say that basic and boring food can be done and served WELL, and that Michael's Genuine hits that on the head. At my time of dining here I was vegan and found the menu catered to me without even trying. I had their butter lettuce salad, their homemade sweet potato fried (i think), their falafel with tahini, and their fried hominy, and found all of them to be abso-bally-lutely fantastic. The hominy was a bit lackluster until I topped it with lime-juice, after which it was crispy and kind of a fun dish to eat. Like high class pop-corn or something. I enjoyed eating in this location and I like their method of having multiple portion sizes so that one can, as I prefer, order small meals, pass them around, etc. and I really liked the wait-staff. Our waiter was very happy to take the time to have casual conversation with us (we talked about Chicago, where it turns out he's from! oh lovely) while still managing to attend to everyone in a timely, graceful, and seemless manner, which is the mark of a good waiter and a good people person. I would happily eat here again and think it's a mightily fun place to eat. Sit outside if you can!
(4)
Vicki Z.
Went last night for dinner. Simply good food. Got seated immediately with our reservation. Ordered their snack fries potato chips with onion dipping, crispy sweet sour pork belly, wood oven pizza, pork shoulders. A peanut butter popcorn dessert. Hurricane cocktail. All very tasty. A Brazilian cocktail too sweet and very very strong. Got a bit lousy inside and in the dark side. Small tables. Waiters very busy but friendly Overall, very pleasant dinning experience. Would go again.
(5)
Larry G.
The Design District is emerging as one of the "in" places in Miami. It seems that new restaurants are opening monthly. Michael's has gotten rave reviews locally, and some national attention as well. Gourmet Magazine cited it as an urban restaurant that uses local ingredients; Esquire Magazine called it one of the best new restaurants of 2007 (out of a list of 20). **The Menu The menu is a little different that most. It consists of four main categories - "small", "medium", "large", and "extra large" - plus two other categories - "sides" and "snacks". The main categories describe the size of the dishes; you're encouraged to order any combination of dishes you like. Two medium's make a nice meal for one person; one extra large is the equivalent of an entree for two people. The food is sometimes described as simple, but it has some fancy touches as well. Thus, there's pizza - but with Berkshire pork and figs. Whole snapper is roasted with fennel, lemon, smoked fleur de sel (French for "really expensive salt") and fennel pollen. **The Atmosphere Michael's describes itself as "90 seats indoors and out, and another 14 seats at a welcoming bar...A laid-back bistro..." That's an accurate description. Floors are cement, with fake patches. Music, frequently jazz, plays at a moderate volume. The full menu is available at the bar. I arrived at opening time (5:30pm) on a Wednesday night, and there were already a few people there; it filled up pretty quickly. **The Meal I chose two mediums: crispy sweetbread salad and chargrilled octopus. Crispy sweetbread salad consisted of frise (which as near as I can tell is a fancy name for frizzy leaved endive), preserved lemon, tomato, bacon, and of course sweetbreads, all tossed in a vinaigrette dressing. It was delicious! The sweetbreads came in small chunks, were very firm and slightly crisp. The contrasts in flavors (sour lemon, bitter greens, rich sweetbreads) and textures was excellent. IF this is on the menu when you're there, give it a try. The chargrilled octopus had a real charcoal taste and smell. It was served with gigande beans, roasted peppers and green olives. It was a good combination of ingredients, but the seasoning was off. By itself, the octopus was moderately salty; with the olives, the dish was too salty. There was a very sour vinaigrette dressing that somewhat overpowered the flavors of the dish. Overall, it was still good, but couldn't compare with the sweetbreads. Was there room for dessert? Of course! The special of the day was raspberry ice cream. A very good basic ice cream was given a mild raspberry flavor. Two interesting hemispherical cookies accompanied the dish. They tasted of chocolate and cocoa, were dry and semi-hard - a good foil for the ice cream. Not a great dessert, but a very good one. **Summary Michael's is unpretentious, reasonably priced - and most importantly, has very good food. For tourists visiting South Beach, it's well worth the trip.
(4)
Jack B.
The food was better than average and the desserts were killer, but even the large portions are pretty small. Bring the cash or go home hungry.
(3)
Stan K.
Can't believe I haven't written a review on micheals till now. I've eaten here dozens of times. It's awesome. Might be the best restaurant in south Florida. You'll never have a single bad thing here. Forget that - you'll always have amazing food here. From the drinks to dessert it's all excellent. Highly recommend the pork belly and double yolk egg. As far as the cocktails - they're creative and delicious without being fooffy and pretentious. Prices are right on as well. If there's one knock I have it's that I wish the menu would change or grow a bit. Otherwise, micheal's is a must, and is certainly becoming an institution of great food in Miami.
(5)
Allison F.
Hands down best food I have ever had in my life! Service was great, atmosphere was fun, food was even better..I am always ready to try new foods and the minute I saw pigs ear salad I knew I was in the right place. Great wine and cocktails also! 100% worth the price, wish I could eat there all day everyday
(5)
Al M.
Trendy? Yes. Pricey? Yes. Tasty? Yes. So we show up for lunch at 1:30 on a Thursday thinking the place would be empty. Wrong. Packed full. Thankfully we'd booked on opentable so we got seated right away and had a nice table outside. (They have fans to cool you off) Menu is short, very inviting, protein-driven. We were going on the light side so we opted for a rock shrimp salad, a cauliflower soup, and the roasted half chicken (a good barometer to measure any restaurant). There were much porkier things to choose from so our sampling was hardly a reflection on what they do overall. Everything was good. A few missteps on the plating (the greens next to the chicken lacked the intended dressing) but the veggies were fresh, the chicken was juicy, and the scene was very very hip. Since it was lunch we skipped wine/booze, but they had a very cool cherry rosemary soda that was great and a totally new flavor. The bar looked inviting and it seemed that they knew what they were doing there. I'd definitely go back, preferably at night when I could try a cocktail or two and linger over coffee and dessert.
(4)
Andrew W.
This place may as well be called Michael's Genuine DIET Food and Drink. I'm not a cheap person I'm also not one to gorge myself with food. I understand it's a tapas style restaurant but this place is ridiculous. The portions versus the price is outrageous. I will not be returning to this restaurant.
(1)
Tina K.
I first found this in Elle Decor then in a myriad of other fashion magazines so I was interested in trying but was reserved about how good the food would actually be. We made reservations because you prob can't get a seat if you don't and started off with a lemongrass cocktail and a watermelon cocktail, very creative. I loved the lemongrass but everyone hated it so guess its a hit or miss. I tried the Pig ears, pork belly, beef cheek, bone marrow and a bunch of other things that were more forgettable. The bone marrow had no taste - not as good as the other places I've tried. I did liked the pig ear, crunchy and fried, sounds gross I know ;-) . Overall a nice atmosphere, posh, right in the middle of the design district and the artsy crowd so I'll give it a 4 for fresh ingredients and creativity!
(4)
Ricci I.
Been here two times and every visit was AMAZING... Their menus are divided into 4 sections. small plates, medium plates, large plates and extra large plates. I think this idea is brilliant. everybody can taste a little bit of everything without feeling too full before the main course. The following are the items that we had from the two visits : APPETIZER -Crispy hominy : it looks almost like popcorn and tastes like one too, but tastier. .-Wood roasted brussels sprouts : this was one of my most favourite! didn't like brussels sprouts before. but this one surprised me so much. i never knew that brussels sprouts could taste thaaat good..... -Double yolk farm eggs: it was creamy and yet it was so light . served with one piece crostini. wondering if we can order more than one piece.. i liked the gruyere that they added to it. it gave just perfect saltiness. -Burrata : heirloom tomato, mozzarela, basil, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt. I'm not a big fan of tomato, any kind of tomato..but i have to admit that it's a very nice dish. and I never had this kind of mozzarela before. it's solid on the outside but when you cut it in two pieces, there's softer kind of mozzarela inside almost like cream. -Housemade country pate : one of the best pate i ever had. -Duck confit : delicious delicious delicious.... 'nuf said. -Crispy pork belly with kimchi : it's pork belly....and it comes with kimchi...who can say no..?? MAINCOURSE - Niman ranch leg of lamb on the bed of greek faro salad. I was not a big fan of lamb before but this one changed my mind. (so, imagine how good it was...!) i had it medium. ( i usually have my steak medium rare, but i think for lamb, medium is the perfect temperature). -pork shoulder. it comes with cheese grits, and very nice parsley sauce. he said it was amazing.. -roasted shortrib. i tasted it a little and it was sooo sooo...good. definitely the best shortrib I've ever had. -Wood oven roasted yellowtail snapper covered with salt. very nice presentation, very light, clean taste. wonderful. Now...time for my favourite course... DESSERT....!! -we had tangerine creamsicle pot de creme that comes with two little homemade doughnuts and blackberry compote. Well..once again I have to say that this was one of the best dessert I ever had. -chocolate and peanut candy bar with butter popcorn ice cream and chocolate covered peanut....sounds delicious..? tastes even better..! I actually wanted to sit outside, i thought it would have been so nice..but it was too cold that night so we decided to sit inside. The bar is on the left side when you enter the restaurant and on the other side, there is open kitchen. you can see the wood oven and the cooks who are preparing the food and also exhibition of those beautiful heirloom tomatoes that they use for the burrata. Service was attentive, not superfluous. Generally speaking.. 5 stars for Michael's Genuine..!
(5)
Darcy S.
I was really looking forward to coming here, i have heard so many great things about the food. The food may actually be fantastic, but after the horrible evening I had there, it wouldn't even matter. After waiting 1 hour for our entrees, we finally had to ask the manager what was going on because our waiter disappeared. She promised our food would be out in "6 minutes". Another 20 passed with no explanation, we canceled the order, she promised dessert but that never came. After 2 1/2 hours we had enough and got up to leave at which point the manager screamed at us. I can honestly say that this is one of the worst restaurant experience I have ever had and I have eaten at many of the finest restaurants all over the world. TERRIBLE experience, RUDE management, and INCOMPETENT service. NEVER AGAIN!
(1)
Priscilla H.
I'm not from Miami so I don't know the scene here, but my sis wanted to take me to Michael's and I read that it was going to be reviewed by the New York Times (yes, I'm snobby like that), so I was all excited. For the two of us, we had 1 small plate, 1 medium, 1 large, and 1 dessert, plus a bottle of wine. I was pretty stuffed by the end, but I didn't think it was an inordinate amount of food. Apparently we ordered more than 2 girls typically do because the wait staff kept trying to take our plates and we had to keep insisting that we were still eating, and at some point he asked 'Do you still have more food coming?" Got the wood roasted double yolk egg, which was so yummy (I love eggs.). Got the musssels, which were a good size portion and came with black rice, but I thought the broth was a little salty and it wasn't spectacular - on par with other places. Would try the octopus next time. Got the pork shoulder with grits. The pork was really tender and soft but overpowered by the parsley pesto, which was also salty. Dessert was the granny smith apple panini with caramel sauce. I think I liked it better than I would've any other dessert, and it was a large portion for 2, but the bread was dry, almost stale (maybe it's supposed to be like that?). Spent $50 on dinner and another $50 on the wine. Our server was nice, maybe a little overly attentive, and too complimenting so it felt fake ("Faaabulous choice, ladies! Excellent!"). Arrived at 7:30pm on a busy Sunday without reservations so we sat at the bar facing the kitchen. Still nice there and we got to see the dishes being made, though it would've been nice to snag a table outside without the too cold air conditioning. Also, because we were seated right by the kitchen, the staff were constantly moving around us and one of the servers accidentally dropped a mussel on my white dress. :( Despite my critiques (I just enjoy complaining), I recommend it. Who doesn't want yummy, organic comfort food?
(4)
rachel u.
This is local, rustic, perfection. Everything we had was just as it aught to be. The sauces were simple and unpretentious. The ingredients were fresh. I really liked the way the menu was set up, not forcing an app then entree. Everything was listed as size (small=appetizer to extra large=family style). We walked in at about ten till midnight after 2nd Saturday Artwalk and were sooo happy to get a table so late. After ordering everything, we let the server bring it out as he thought best. This apparently meant all at once for a closing kitchen. perfect :) The wine list had a nice variety of price points for each varietal. We selected a $42 bottle of Zin from David Noyes. I did not feel like I needed to spend too much on a bottle. This was really all about the food. The double yolk egg with gruyere was a nice simple way to start. My bf and I loved the salt cellar with sea salt crystals. It welcomed you to take a pinch and salt to taste. Chargrilled octopus was cooked perfect and we loved the parsley and tomato salad along side. If there was a dressing on the salad, I'm not sure, but it didn't need one. All of the flavors came through beautifully. Again, a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon brought out the simple flavors. Leonora was their featured cheese and I really loved the accompaniments. The Spanish goat's cheese went nicely with the chamomile spiced pears, pea shoot microgreens and toasted raisin bread. The cheese itself was super creamy and rich, and also complimented the wine well. Our favorite course of the night was the golden beet and heirloom tomato salad with walnut vinaigrette. The beets had a nice earthy flavor and the tomatoes were perfectly ripe. Just the right amount of blue cheese balanced the sweetness of the beets and tomato. I would eat this every day and never get tired of it. The wreckfish civiche was our last course. Michael's Genuine puts on the menu what ever their fishing boat happens to bring it. I absolutely love this idea. The civiche was nice and light with papaya avocado and cilantro. Desert was an experience on it's own. Chocolate Cremosa is a mix of dark chocolate with sea salt and sweet milk chocolate mouse. The sweet and savory blended perfectly together on the crispy ciabatta. This was absolutely perfect. Simple, elegant, balance of rich and light and a thought to savor as you head out.
(5)
Jess G.
I've only ever been to Michael's Genuine for lunch. But, my god, its so ridiculously delicious that my mouth is watering just thinking about it. A lot of the lunch menu prices are really reasonable. Believe me if you're in the area for lunch and its between standard fast food crap and Micheal's, its worth the bit extra (at least every once in a while) to have a lunch that can be thoroughly enjoyed. My favorite lunch meal is the Curried Mahi wrap. It consists of the ever yummy mahi on homemade flat bread with caramelized onions, raisins, couscous, curried mayo, and a bit of fresh mint. Mmm. I love the daytime bartender. I fail to remember her name at this time, but she makes the absolute best dirty martini in the city. I have no idea what she does differently but no other martini compares. While the price is a on the up side, its fitting for the amount of drink that you receive. I really like the decor and ambiance. Its a clashing of casual and posh in my opinion. The open kitchen is nice because it gives you action to look at. I kick myself everyday that passes in which I don't head over to Micheal's to try out their dinner menu! I would love for them to open another location further west!
(5)
Mike C.
The pig ears, deviled eggs were delicious. The pork entrees were excellent and believe me we ordered them all!
(5)
Corina B.
Finally tried this spot. Great restaurant in the Design District. The ambiance in quiet and romantic. The service was great. We went on Elections Day so our waiter was super friendly. We did not have a reservation but was seated immediately. However, I would not recommend going without a reservation. Only thing I regret is that I ordered the pizza when I should have ordered an entree. When my friends' food came to the table, I was salivating! I was so disappointed that I only ordered pizza.. But, got to sample a bit from their plates and from what I tasted (skirt steak, mussels, chili chicken wings) everything was awesome! Bottom line: Service is great, food is delish, great ambiance, and the prices are average. I will be returning.
(4)
Danielle F.
Really good, especially compared to Michelle Bernstein's Restaurants like Michy's and Sra Martinez. Coming from Philly, which has the best restaurants in the country as far as I'm concerned, I've been underwhelmed with Miami dining, but this place finally met my expectations. Great food. Only problems were that the waiter forgot two of the items my bf and I ordered (they came out quickly after he realized) and that we went too long without having our drinks refreshed.
(4)
DAVID F.
I went here a while back and thought it very average and happened to have extremely bad service (e.g. items that didn't come that needed to be reordered, had to get up and find my waiter since he'd seemed to forget we were his table, etc.) Now that I keep hearing how wonderful this place is I felt the need to write a review to say that I consider the food very average and nothing that you couldn't get at a decent chain restaraunt. Needless to say we have not gone back and I would encourage anyone to go to any number of restaurants in midtown that actually offer something exceptional.
(2)
Julia f.
Michael's has been a go-to restaurant for us whenever we are craving a really nice dinner. Usually the food is well prepared and the pairings of flavors are very creative yet delicious. We had a reservation for 2 on a Tuesday night. We had to wait for our table for about 25 minutes. After we have been seated, it took about 10 minutes for our waiter to arrive. He clearly didnt seem interested in recommending anything, cocktails & food equally. A little disappointed we decided to order the usuals (pork belly & kimchi, poached egg, rice cake, octopus....). The food was very good once it came out......all 5 dishes came out at once about 5 minutes after placing the order! We felt a little overwhelmed and asked for 2 dishes to brought out at a later point. The waiter was very arrogant throughout the entire dining service. He was brief and looked away rather than looking at you when he was speaking to us. All in all the food was good, the dining experience itself is clearly taking a back seat. I hope that the success hasnt transformed Michaels into one of theses typical Miami Beach places where food is overpriced and the service sucks.
(3)
joey c.
love the food, service was ok, they seemed to have a bit of attitude....
(4)
Anne P.
My favorite Miami restaurant! I've been five times and each time the food was exquisite!!! Love the octopus salad & baked onion. Only problem is the staff...or rather one waiter...tatoo head with bizarre hair...extremely rude. So last time i just asked for a different server. The setting is perfect!
(5)
Ana Karina F.
A friend took me there and ever since has become my favorite place, the food is excellent. The deserts are to die for, my favorite is the chocolate with olive oil and sea salt, a must try!! It gets pretty busy on the weekends and if you don't have a reservation well, better come back some other time. The menu is fitted for all tastes and diets, is classified from small to extra large plates and everything I have tried is great, plus you can try much more plates on small sizes and share with your friends.
(5)
Joel M.
Very great place to eat. Hominy for lunch, followed by a wonderful green salad! No need to write an essay, this is a gem in Miami.
(5)
RD E.
if you're willing to experiment and step out of your comfort zone, then try Michael's...without a doubt...the most creative menu in Miami
(4)
Mark T.
In 3-way tie for worst service ever. It rained, so we waited hour and a half after starter before main course. Manager justified wait as result their sound customer service practices. What attitude. Server only ok. Food very good.
(2)
dickson j.
We were trying to replicate Frank Bruni's food odyssey through Miami. Michael's lived up to all the praises and hype that it has earned in the Miami food scene. I had the octopus salad and enjoyed every bite. The beet and heirloom tomato salad was a really nice burst of summer (but that's why we were in Florida) Slightly sweet golden beets and juicy tomatoes with the ingredients requiring only a little dressing to blend the fresh flavors together; accents from the walnuts and blue cheese. I ordered the pork chop, which was a little on the charred side but good. The joy of the meal though was the roasted cauliflower with parsley sauce. The tips came out just a little toasted and there was just a hint of parsley so as not to overwhelm the subtle flavors of the cauliflower. Comprehensive wine list and I had the Domaine Faiveley Pinot Noir which was a great example of a well rounded and complex NW pinot noir.
(4)
Viviana M. R.
Tried this spot after reading about their renovation via Flipboard. Ordered the Roasted Mushroom Soup, the Butter Lettuce Salad, Char grilled Octopus and the Sweet Potato Pie in a Jar . Here's the skinny on them (although I'm not getting any skinnier indulging in this menu for sure): Roasted Mushroom Soup: I'm always amazed that there are so few soups on American menus and God Bless this spot for this divine soup. You must must try. Butter Lettuce Salad: Good but almost lands in my "passable" category as it wasn't amazing enough to order again and it felt as not a great value at $13 I expect a bit more for my salad. I'll try another salad next time. Char grilled Octopus: Very nicely done, subtle flavors that easily complement each other and as simple as it is you realize it leaves you not wanting to wait for the next bite. Value....errrr, it's okay. Small piece of octopus in my book for the price. Sweet Potato Pie in a Jar Sundae: Wow, my goodness, holy cow. I don't even like dessert for the most part but my goodness this makes me re-think dessert. Definitely on the rich side, don't start looking for subtle flavors here. The flavors will whack you solidly over the head with a "YUM!" If you like sweets, try this baby. Only thing I was left craving more was roasted marshmallow but that's just me. I'm hoping to make this a local's spot and date night option. Crowd was good for people watching. We ate at the bar as usual and the bartender was attentive and engaging. Only thing that drove me nuts (pet peeve of mine) was the food delivery. Don't bloody well throw my food at me. Be civilized and deliver the food like a professional. We all know how hectic the back of the restaurant can be - don't bring it to the front of the restaurant. I'm paying good dollar to not have my food shoved at me. Stepping off my milk carton now. That's the saying right?
(4)
Peter W.
Exceptional! Every time! Flavors flavors flavors! Service never disappoints. Every dish an event.
(5)
Robin T.
What a fun experience! It felt like we were out of town for the night. We sort of were, one county to the next. The restaurant was bustling on a week night. People everywhere. We had a bottle of wine while waiting for our table at the bar. Lots of friendly conversation with everyone. We had a reservation and we were soon seated at our table. The menu was fun. Lots of different choices. We chose to share everything amongst the three of us. We started off with their Seafood Tower which had oysters,you picked three kinds, shrimp, clams, and a stone crab for each of us. Yum!
(4)
Todd O.
I think this is a case of a restaurant believing it's own press too much. Maybe it was Great at one time but the food is sorely disappointing. Walked in to an empty restaurant on Sunday night and was told only outdoor seating was available. I played along since they want to look busy and seat everyone outside. ordered the octopus, ceviche, oysters, and chips to sample the menu. Octopus was good but a little too charred, oysters were great, and the ceviche was terrible. Soaked in a pungent lime bath, couldn't eat it. They took it off the bill which is a thumbs up to the service. Nothing memorable here and overpriced so why go back.
(2)
Jensen E.
I was a bit shocked to see Yelp suggested I pen a review since I came here for my birthday last year and never wrote one. Oops! With that said MGFD is as great as everyone says. The outdoor seating is romantic and delightful. I couldn't have asked for anything prettier for my birthday. The staff is the cream of the crop in Miami - you don't screw up orders and drag your feet then end up working at a restaurant like this so it's kind of expected. Regardless it's always nice to get good service. We ordered the Cigar City Cucumber Saison. They have a nice list of beers, wines, and cocktails, but duh- that's also to be expected. The menu is very vegetarian/pescetarian friendly and I never once felt like I missed out. Vegans, on the other hand, will have to sit out on most of Hedy's incredible desserts which is a damn shame since they're the best part of the meal. Ok ok, enough of this "duh" review. Michael's Genuine is everything you'd hope for so just go already.
(5)
Marb U.
Great place, impeccable service but you really have to know what to order b/c lots of their dishes are not worth bothering with. The octopus is excellent and so is their cauliflower and pumpkin marshmallow dessert (a must try!!!). I didn't care for their ceviche or seared tuna dish. I would return just for the three mentioned above, their bread, some wine and the ambiance. This is based on the Fall menu. It might be better during the Winter time.
(4)
N. B.
Great simple food at its finest. great wines. Last time I went they didn't have a vegetarian entree. They have enough small plates and starters to make a meal out of it. Fair warning, staff can be miami style snooty but since they have such a hot spot i guess they can be. I've been going over the past few years and they have had vegetarian style entrees in the past (a flatbread that now has lamb). I would upgrade to five stars if they expanded their vegetarian friendly options.
(4)
Benjamin J.
The meal we had here was very good, though we had heard from friends in the area that it's hit or miss depending on the day and what you order. While some of the reviews seem to have had a bad time, I would definitely recommend it to a friend based on my experience.
(5)
Carmen S.
Made my reservations through open table while I was driving over there (I know its a major problem and knew it would be a long wait if I didn't have reservations). Was seated immediately and although my food came before our drinks (ice tea - yeah, I know), it was totally worth the wait. The food was just fab. Yes, Pricey, but you'll want to pay cause you know that everything is fresh and delicious. The only reason I give it 4 stars is because the service is a bit of a mess (I went there on saturday at 2:30PM) and the donut for desert was raw - oppps! sorry had to say it!). Remember, don't expect large plates, but all food is DELICIOUS. remember, RESERVATION is not just recommended, but a definitely MUST Go and enjoy. Valet is the best -$5 - totally worth it. I'll return for sure.
(4)
Mercedes J.
This is a typical 'we were so good, that we don't have to be anymore' restaurant. The cockiness of the waiter was over-the -top and the over-all experience wasn't worth the $90 tab. First, the hostess doesn't mention a minor detail: Happy hour is only available at the bar and not in the main dining room which is, yes, right next to the bar. Strike ONE. We express our disappointment to the waiter, he says "ok, are you ready to order drinks, or do you need more time". Zero acknowledgement. We then ask if they have a Miami Spice menu, he says "No, we don't participate, we are that good". I'm not sure if maybe I was already annoyed with the place, but it seems that he's suggesting that the restaurants that do participate are not good, which if that is the case, he's wrong and completely ignorant. Strike two. The appetizers may as well have been tasters, the $19 Octopus tentacle (you only get one) was charred to a crisp. Now, I can count on one hand the number of times I have sent food back, so this one may have been the 5th. They return with another "charred" and overpriced tentacle. No thanks. Strike three. At the end of the day, my friend and i shared the Shrimp flatbread, which wasn't bad, but didn't Wow us. In conclusion, I will never return there again... I'm giving it two stars because the valet was fast and conveniently located outside the entrance of the restaurant. Oh! Almost forgot to mention... when I arrived at home, I had to change out of my clothes and throw it in the washer, then jump in the shower to wash my hair. I smelled like I had been slaving over a pot of boiling oil, frying french fries all day. :/
(2)
Krystal S.
Michaels, you did not impress me. I had high expectations from reviews I has read before coming here, but, you left me expecting that 'something' that I didn't come across. =/ First off, the restaurant in itself is very 'cute'. The location is very nice and I could imagine how much nicer the experience would've been outside to maybe people watch a bit? Although, the whole "sitting so close to other strangers to the point that I feel as though I came to the restaurant WITH them" thing is a bit odd to me. Maybe I don't play well with others? Or maybe I just want to have a conversation with the person I came with that I wouldn't want a complete stranger to overhear? Who knows... I tried to get used to it after a while and ignore how close the people next to us were. I'm all for new experiences, so lets call that a "new experience". Now, the food. The server let us know that portions are small so its best to order several small plates. Okay...? This kind of sucks because I like to eat... a lot. I had an order of two eggs scrambled which were nothing special, just eggs. I did like the brioche toast with their butter though. I also ordered potatoes, which had peppers and onions cooked with them and they weren't that great also. I asked my server for some ketchup, she never brought it. I asked some other random server for ketchup and took a while to bring it... I figured that they didn't have ketchup? But, he ended up bringing me some. Good 'ol ketchup is what made these potatoes taste a bit better. I also ordered the lemon ricotta pancakes- they were good, but wouldve been better with some syrup or something. I just ate dry pancakes by itself, with the dollop of ricotta it had onto- how sad. :-( I decided to try out their famous homemade "pop tarts". They were supposedly of white chocolate and banana, I believe. But, they tasted like they had apple filling? I wonder if this happened to anyone else. It was a bit odd, I thought they had made a mistake but the flavor I order was the only flavor they had so it was weird that it tasted like apple filling. Overall, would I go back? Probably not. There are so many other brunch/breakfast spots that seem so much yummier that I would rather go check out.
(2)
Talisha M.
Great brunch! The service was amazingly attentive & the food came out so quick. It's a great place to sample a lot of different plates for breakfast so you ready committed to just one dish. The plates are small. The 3" sweet potato pancakes, kimchi eggs Benedict, & breakfast pizza were great. Genuinely one of the best brunches in Miami!
It's ok. Nice place, very comfortable. Food it's good, could be better. Average service. Portions are a little bit small, and high prices.
(3)
Ros S.
1041 reviews before this posting and still averaging 4 stars. It's that good. From the simple (we were with the kids so we ordered a roast chicken that was well made with the crispy skin and juicy tender meat) to the clever (burrata with peaches, crudo with crunchy bits of garlic), this place is the real thing. What makes it even better is that the staff and service is spot on with water glasses always filled and help from other staff not assigned to your table less than a minute from you looking up to ask for something.
(5)
Andrea P.
Great service, nice drinks and of course delicious food. I recommend the oysters or the steamed mussels. Deviled eggs and double yolk farm egg for snacks. BLP salad & duck confit are great. For large plates, the grilled spiced leg of lamb and the beef short rib are delectable. Pair with fingerling potatoes and sauteed rapini as sides. If you want to go for dinner on the weekend, I suggest making a reservation.
(4)
Rima R.
In love with this kitchen and very good and fast service :) Just if you wish to sit outside - you need to reserve a table or wait for an hour :/
(5)
Amanda M.
I will go as far to say that this is one of the best restaurants in Miami. However, if you go there and you want to enjoy a good meal, be prepared to spend money. $$$ is the truth. To fully experience Michael's you want to order a few plates from each section of their menu, and your waiter or waitress is happy to help you to design your dinner and pair drinks/wines. When we got there, it was crowded but only a 20 minute wait. We decided to wait at the bar. I started with a Cabarete, one of their house cocktails made with sparkling wine, fresh watermelon, orange bitters, Aperol, and St. Germain. It was delicious. From the small plates we ordered country pate and the greek farro salad. Medium plates, we ordered duck confit, chargrilled octopus, and steamed mussels. From the large plates we ordered the beef short rib, and leg of lamb. And finally we ordered french fries (delicious) potatoes, and green beans. Everything tasted incredible. As I said our waiter took the time to organize the plates into courses and suggested delicious wine pairings for each course. Great food, great service, and great atmosphere. It was a fantastic time, one that I would highly recommend to those looking for an all around great meal.
(5)
Ana M.
I hate this place. I've had a few experiences here and they've all been mediocre. The first time I went here, we tried to go for brunch and after being totally ignored for a few minutes the hostess rudely told us that if we didn't have a reservation, we would just have to wait for space at the bar or ask someone to move. Don't get me wrong. I get that sometimes places are too busy to accommodate walk-ins. But this place thinks it's way better than it actually is and asking one of these bitchy girls for a table without a reservation is akin to spitting in their face. The second time I went here, we went during lunch on a weekday so we were sat without a problem. There was still a holier-than-thou air about the way the server explained everything when really... this place doesn't warrant that kind of fanfare. It comes off as condescending and if what you're selling is overpriced sandwiches, I don't need that attitude. The most recent time we went, we thought we were going for brunch, only to sit and find out they don't do brunch on Saturdays. We were already there so we stayed and had lunch. Once again, I had the burger. This time, I split it with a friend that got the short rib sandwich. For the table, we got crispy pig ears. They were really good, crispy but not hard. Seasoned and perfect with the lime wedge squeezed in. Our main courses came out. I had forgotten how measely the burger was. There was excess bread surrounding the entire tiny meat patty and despite the fact that I had asked for it medium well, there wasn't a hint of pink inside, though it was juicy. I think it's pretty egregious that it costs $2 extra to add some white cheddar cheese. And if you don't add cheese or bacon, it's like the plainest burger you've ever seen. The short rib looked really promising, even though the grilled red onion was a really unappetizing blackish blue color. The short rib tasted like nothing. I think the only thing that had any taste in that sandwich was the cheese. It also comes with a tomato chutney so spread that bad boy on there liberally to add some flavor. Really kinda disappointing. The fries were good. For dessert, we ordered a special chocolate bar they had that was three layers of hazlenut, dark and milk chocolate. The bottom layer with the hazlenuts in it was rock hard. It was good, but if I have to work that hard for my dessert, I rather pass. The service was great this time around. They've been open for a while, so maybe these people have gotten over themselves. That helps, but it didn't save the experience. I rather go have basic ass sandwiches anywhere else in the city.
(2)
O E.
Spent $200 for 2 people for mediocre food. We sampled about 7 dishes from the menu none was amazing... Maybe I am used to restaurants in California and NY, but this restaurant is def not gourmet.
(2)
Cristin R.
In my opinion, this has been the most consistent and most delicious restaurant in Miami for about 8 years or so. Michael Schwartz changed the game for food in Miami and Michael's genuine is the nucleus. It appears to me that those that are less impressed are those searching for over the top dishes with foie and shaved black truffles. You won't really find that here, but you don't need to. What you will find are the most fresh ingredients that Miami has to offer; perfectly paired simplicity. Other restaurants still have capresse or burrata on the menu, when Michael is bringing out stracciatela. (not the gelato flavor). I love this restaurant so much that I also believe they take the cake for best brunch in Miami. I dream (and salivate) about the duck confit hash. And don't get me started on the Michael's genuine lunch bell. The biggest indecision I have in life, is which meal to choose... But it will always be at Michaels genuine. You must make a reservation. They are on open table and if you want to sit inside, you should request that as well. The reservations are reasonable, as are the prices. The servers are nice people that don't urge you to order the most expensive items. Overall, it's a relaxing and wonderful atmosphere. If you haven't been, you really should.
(5)
Smitha G.
Amazing place! I loved the environment! I got the clams as an appetizer, which were so moist and full of flavor! For lunch we shared the pork belly sandwich, and it was incredible! I was worried it would be a greasy sandwich, but it was so fresh and light that I wished I got the sandwich by myself! For dessert we got one of the beer flavored ice cream sundaes that were special for that day. My mother, who is so calorie conscious just said screw it and I've never seen her eat a dessert like that, it was THAT good! Definitely check it out if you are in the area. Worth every penny and get a sparkling rose for a drink. Such a crisp perfect brunch drink to accompany your meal!
(5)
Katerina S.
I was in between 3 and 4 stars but then I realized that 3 stars on Yelp means A-OK, and that's what Michael's Genuine is. The service was good but especially for the price, was food was good/alright. I had pretty high expectations considering all of the rave reviews, but it didn't really meet up to those expectations other than a few items on the menu. Be forewarned that the portions are on the small side. The stracciatella mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes was pretty amazing as was the gnocchi with pulled pork ($20 each appetizer). I had the fish special, which was the tilefish and it was cooked well but on the salty side. It was my first time having the fish so I'm not sure if that's how the fish tastes or whether it was simply overly salted. My husband's lamb came out quite cold, so by the time he took the first bite, it was a bit stale. The kale and turnip side dishes were alright, but a little flavorless. The desserts were great - both the strawberry shortcake and the peanut butter ice cream (O-M-G- AMAZE) were great! Surprisingly it was Valentine's Day and they weren't that packed? Anyways, for a $170 bill (pre-tip), we likely won't be back. Just wasn't worth it.
(3)
Adam S.
This place is definitely one of the most popular places in Miami. I have always been a little hesitant to try it because I am generally not a huge fan of the Design District "vibe," but today was the day. We went right at 11:30 on a Saturday morning and it was pretty quiet. Anyway, this is one in the increasingly long line of "farm to table" restaurants dotting the map of this country of ours. I had their pork belly and kimchi as an appetizer. It was more of an asian style belly than a southern style belly. It was tasty though. Definitely not the best I've ever tried, but solid nonetheless. For my entree I had the homemade pastrami sandwich and fries. I would describe both as good, but not amazing. The pastrami sandwich had a nice flavor, but was a tad on the greasy side. The fries were fries. Service was friendly and attentive. Prices are high. I'm talking $65 for 2 coffees, an appetizer, a salad entree, and a sandwich entree expensive (pre-tip).
(3)
LISA N.
I did some research on places to eat so this was my top choice for dinner for a night. I came with a group of 5 and was late to my reservation but they were super cool and said it wasn't a big deal. I wanted outdoor seating but they only had room for us inside and I'm not going to complain since we were late anyways. The servers, are super informative and chill here. My family and friends who came from Holland said that the servers and busboys look like they just got out of jail here. I wanted to die because it was hilarious and somewhat true. The service was speedy but not overwhelming, just enough time to eat some things and not wait until your next meal came out. The pigs ears weren't on the menu, but when I asked about it the waiter told us that they do have it as an off menu item...Sweet. Loved the smokey flavor, a bit on the salty side, but it cut right through the fatty parts of the ears. We didn't know how much to order, so we just decided to throw out some things that sounded good, but I pretty much ordered half the menu. For medium we ordered the duck confit, mussels, the pork belly, linguine and the crispy rice cake. Most memorable for me was the pork belly, I made sure that one was placed right in front of me. They were all amazing, but the pigs ears and pork belly. I swear I'm such a fatty. For the large we had the leg of lamb. It was super tender and didn't stink like a dirty lamb would. Definitely a nice portion to share. Cooked to perfection with their open kitchen which I love! We also had the half chicken, which wasn't dry at all but damn I was focused on something else and saving my appetite. The extra large, I somehow convinced everyone at the table that we should get the dry aged, bone in ribeye. They were like, "Lee, I think we ordered too much, blah blah blah, blah blah." And I said, "well blah blah delicious, blah dry aged, blah bet it tastes blahing amazing." And so we ordered it, and I swear to god it was wonderful. My favorite thing on the menu. Perfectly medium rare, well seasoned, so pretty. We still talk about this steak. Really just get it. And mashed potatoes, 2 orders weren't enough, really delicious! The bill hiked up to be over $500, but it was totally well worth it!!! Get the ribeye. The end.
(5)
Enrique R.
We had great dinner last night the service was great and new drink menu had some really strong drinks. Our server was very attentive.
(4)
Kat D.
Great patio, beautiful decor, nice service and staff. We went for brunch and the food was good, but because the dishes are more unique, it would have been nice if the descriptions on the menu were a little more detailed. I would have given 5 stars, but several of the things we ordered were different than we expected....although still delicious!
(4)
Viktorius A.
Always been my favorite every time I go to miami. Been here three times and the food has always been fantastic. Tried all the sodas. My favorites are rootbeer and cherry rosemary. Pork belly was super good, pork pizza was one of the best i ever had.
(5)
Matthew O.
Great food and deserts all around. Selection of the best ingredients and the menu selection varies to season. Great for brunch or dinner anytime
(5)
George Z.
I love this restaurant. It is my favorite restaurant when I visit Miami. The menu is so wide ranging and the portions really are perfect for those looking to try multiple dishes but still have a significant portion to be considered a "mini-meal". The Burrata and heirloom tomatoes is the best I've ever tried. The braised short ribs is out of this world. Their homemade pasta is tremendous and their coffee and homemade donuts for dessert are great. All this and I didn't even make mention of the environment. Great trendy spot. I love it here.
(5)
Mitzy R.
As soon as you walk in the place's decor looks cool & casual but chic. They have plenty of tables outside and there's enough shade to be comfortable. We arrived really early for lunch and it was not busy. It was absolutely packed mostly with many females having lunch with friends. The waiter was pleasant but not friendly. It was out first time dining there and he didn't help much with suggestions. We ordered the mushroom gruyere flat pizza and it was great, also their homemade soda was very good. My partner ordered the half chicken it didn't looked roasted enough nut he claimed it was delicious. I mistakenly ordered a salad w chicken and it was blah, hence the 3 stars. But the doughnuts w panacotta for desert were great!!!! I'll try it again but will choose better my dish.
(3)
Krishna P.
My first yelp review and unfortunately it is a negative one. My first time here & had a WORM in my arugula veggie pizza! They made adjustments on the bill but being a non pesticide eater, this was not acceptable at all!! I would have missed the green little dude if it wasn't for him crawling up/being alive. Manager said we use all "organic produce" but it is questionable if they check or wash their fresh "organic" greens. I will never go here again!!!
(1)
Jennifer U.
I had really been looking forward to going here, so I was ecstatic when I finally went with some friends. We went for brunch, and the place was pretty full. Thankfully we had a reservation. The breakfast items are small, so you may have to order a few, and they will start adding up quickly. Everything was delicious. I'm a little limited on what i can eat because of food allergies, but the server was very helpful and didn't mind finding out for me if any of the dishes i was interested in contained an ingredient i can't have. I settled for 2 eggs and the hangar steak... yeah, they were good!! I had to have an order of bacon added to that, and that was delicious too. I shared with my friends to be a glutton, but you don't have to do that, just eat your whole serving! HAHA. I also ordered the blueberry pancakes, but i don't think these are worth the trouble because they aren't cheap for the serving size (3 tiny rounds) and the flavor wasn't anything to write home about. My friends ordered the rice cake, the pizza, the roasted double egg yolk. I couldn't eat huge amounts of all of these, but i did taste them all, and they were all really good. Yeah, i was there wishing i wouldn't feel like dying if i ate dairy... oh well! My friend i i decided to have a couple of cocktails for breakfast.. yep! So you must definitely have the Rosemary infused... man, i can't remember the whole name of the cocktail, but ask your server, he'll know what i'm talking about. The Bulletproof Manhattan is pretty awesome too. So, check this place out, order several dishes and share with special people. Have a cocktail or two. You will not regret it. Oh, but make a reservation!
(4)
Laurie B.
I've been here probably a dozen times, and every meal was delicious and worth the price. I don't get to eat here that often since I don't live in Miami anymore, but I always looked forward to a meal here whenever I visit my family. Well, I'm sad to say that brunch last sunday was a big disappointment. I think Michael and Hedy have spread themselves too thin -- four restaurants in Miami, a restaurant in Grand Cayman, and restaurants on the Royal Caribbean cruises. I get that they can't be there all the time, but the staff on hand just isn't up to the standard I would expect from them. First of all, I get that the brunch menu is supposed to be small plates, but they're supposed to be small plates for sharing, right? That's how it was explained to me the first time I went for brunch here years ago. If you order something like the sausage and biscuit or chicken salad sandwich, you get one small sandwich that you have to cut in half. Now, the sausage and biscuit with pepper jelly was delicious, as was the reese's peanut butter bars, but everything else was a big disappointment. The strawberry salad was bitter and literally had ONE strawberry chopped up into tiny pieces and maybe one pecan chopped into even smaller pieces, so it wasn't enough to offset the bitter greens and the goat's milk yogurt dressing was kind of bland. The pop tart was nothing special, and I've been blown away by Hedy's pop tarts every time I visited. It used to be made with a beautiful choux pastry and the filling was always perfect, but the salted caramel in last Sunday's offering was nothing special and the pastry shell was a little too close to an out of the box pop tart. Also, the pop tart wasn't even warm! The potatoes Waxman -- well, Jonathan Waxman would be disappointed to know that some of the potatoes were not cooked all the way through. Also, the apple butter sticky bun was dry and tasteless, even with a big dollop of frosting on top. My cocktail, the Sonny Rollins which I order every time -- was watered down. It was filled with shaved ice. I didn't even get a tiny buzz! Oh, by the way, there was only one offering of Hedy's childhood treats -- usually there are four -- which was kind of a bummer. I'm willing to come back and try again because I've had so many good meals there. Maybe this was an off day? But it was kind of a lot of money to spend on something that was average at best.
(3)
Phuong M.
Almost everything that I ordered on the menu was delicious. Definitely lived up to expectations. To begin with, the wood oven roasted double egg yolk was savory and rich with flavors, definitely worth getting. The pork belly had an Asian take on it, that was sweet accompanied with kimchi. The pork belly was tender and the skin was crispy. The flavors definitely complimented each other well. For the entree, the slow roasted short rib was super tender! And as a side I got the lemon roasted okra. The flavors on the okra was awesome! Huge okra fan. Lastly I got the chocolate cremoso, kinda like a mousse but richer in texture and flavor which was accompanied by an espresso flavor ice cream. Yum! Overall a great dining experience. It's a casual place but also a great date spot!
(5)
Riad N.
The bottom line is this is the best overall restaurant in miami. It has the best food, great atmosphere, reasonable price for the quality you are getting. I have had almost everything on the menu. Some of my favorites are pastrami sandwich, onion dip, the mushroom pizza that is longer there, it needs to come back.
(5)
Angela B.
I have never Yelped a restaurant before, but tonight that changed. I.Have.No.Words. for how awesome the food is here. The bartender Jamie was adorable and served me my shot of Jack with panache. Our server Paulo hooked me up with my totally "Sally" salad and it was fantastic. The hummus was insane. My friend got this ridiculous pork rib thing that FELL OFF THE BONE it was so tender. However: I have two words to sum up my entire experience: THE. GRITS. !!! If you are in Miami, seek out this place. You will NOT be disappointed. Hip, cool, trendy, and FAAAABULOUS.
(5)
Bariatric Runner X.
Interesting location in a new and upcoming area of Miami. The food quality was very good. There were three of us and we were pretty hungry. But we still couldn't finish all our dishes. I started with Pork Belly. It was good, but the cut had more fat than meat. The accompanying Kimchi was excellent. My guest started with the beet & arugula salad. More beet would have been appreciated. We also ordered the Crispy Hominy and Pigs Ears. Both were very good. For main courses, I had slow roasted pork shoulder. Very well cooked and truly a larger portion. My wife had the house made Gemelli Rustica and they made it without the meat. Thanks. My guest enjoyed the beef short rib which was cooked to perfection. The service was very good and the wine list was extensive but expensive. We will try them again, but in the future.
(4)
Trisha G.
Everything I tried food wise was spectacular! Ambiance was nice, a very busy place. Indoor and outdoor seating. Nice area to walk around and look at some shops after. The wait staff was all very attentive. My favorite was the calabaza, very rare for me to like a vegetable dish the most but it was to die for. Small or tapas sized portions. Can get a little pricey if you like to drink a lot too. Will certainly be coming back.
(5)
David D.
Best location in Miami in the avante-garde design district. Excellent shopping, cool cars, cool restaurants, namely, Michael's! This place is always hopping, so make sure to get a reservation. Sitting outside is divine, but the inside has a cool vibe too as you can watch the chefs work their magic. The emphasis is on more organic, non-GMO ingredients and there is a varied menu from the unhealthy choices (french fries) to the healthy (copious salads). The drink selection is solid, and they always have fresh fish of the day. The wait staff can be a little slow, and they don't quite follow any particular instructions, probably because they're overwhelmed, so make sure you are expressive should you want no butter, gluten-free, etc.
(4)
Mike S.
It's been awhile since I have been to Michael's Genuine. I always describe the food to visitors as "predictably great." I love his approach to food: letting great ingredients taste great and not getting in the way. I hold this restaurant to a high standard because of their ethos, and because of their pricing to portion size. We started dinner tonight with an excellent Octopus Pizza and Stracciatella with Figs. The pizza was perfectly cooked, the octopus al dente and the pizza had this overall brininess that went perfectly with my glass of Merlot. The Stracciatella was the perfect texture to go with the sweet tender figs. A great start to the meal. I have to say, throughout the meal, our waiter Josue was excellent and attentive without being intrusive. Our entrees were amazing too, but unfortunately I took too long to finish this review. Go and eat, you won't regret it!
(4)
Lawrence P.
We have dined at Michael's Genuine many many times. We've done lunch. We've done dinner. We've done Sunday brunch. We've done a pre-game (Miami Heat) meal or a post theater meal. We've done it all... and Michael ALWAYS delivers. There isn't a bad seat in the house. You can sit inside, outside or at the bar. No matter where you are at, you will enjoy a great meal. The bar also has good beers and decent wine list, although I usually take my own and pay the $30 corkage fee. As for the food, we've had it all. Pretty much their entire menu. The ceviche, crispy pig ear salad, pizza, short rib, farm pork (amazing). And the best in show goes to... ALWAYS the crispy rice cake!!! It has chorizo, rock shrimp, manchego aioli all topped with a fried egg. AMAZING! As for dessert, the chocolate peanut butter candy bar is pretty much all you need to know!!! WOW!!! It comes with buttered popcorn ice cream. The tangerine creamsicle pot de crème is also amazing. Just think doughnuts and jam. Everything is always fresh as well. It's not uncommon to see Michael walk in through the front door with the fresh catch of the day in hand. PS: This place has an amazing Sunday brunch as well.
(5)
Alaina L.
As you probably can surmise, I am a self proclaimed food enthusiast/ evangelist/ guru (insert your favorite foodie noun here). And, I've been longing to try MGFD since I first moved to Miami a year ago. In conversation, I would randomly hear tasty tales and culinary compliments given to this little gem in the heart of our design district. Well.... I finally made my way there last week with one of my chef friends. To say we were impressed, does not even cover it. To say the food was delicious doesn't even do it justice. Funny thing is that we actually met while working for Tom Colicchio's craft. Michael Schwartz's concepts, techniques and execution actually reminded us a lot of Chef Colicchio. Which is to be taken as a compliment since we love everything about craft and now MGFD! Ok, lets start with the ambiance, shall we? As you approach MGFD coming from NE 40th street, it is slightly tucked away, behind the slue of high end shops which frame the area. You walk up to the patio, Nice. Quaint. Dimly lit. Inviting. As you step inside & turn to your right, you are greeted by a very friendly host. And, if you peer over her right shoulder, there in the background you can see it; the wood fired oven that MGFD proudly boasts of, the 'hot spot' where their delectable dishes come to life! The interior lighting in the main dining room is dim and romantic, accented with red drinking glasses and red lamp shades on the ceiling. Something about the color red, makes the vibe more cozy and relaxed, makes you want to stay forever and eat and spend. Coincidence? ;-) We started with signature cocktails. We politely requested that the bartender use their homemade Ginger-Sage soda as a base for our Moscow Mules....very refreshing, a hint of ginger flavor with a candied ginger garnish. For our 2nd round, we asked him to spike our homemade Cherry-Rosemary sodas with vodka...it was like drinking a melted freezie pop with a hint of rosemary...yes! We shared the Crispy Pig Ears, cumin-ey & crispy with a gelatinous texture as you bite in. Flavorful and interesting. Their homemade thick cut chips & pan fried onion dip, also very nice, like a fancy, tastier version of your Super Bowl party snack. Next, we shared the Pan Fried Gnocchi with charred scallions & Swiss chard in a brown butter sage sauce, garnished with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano...I have to say I LOVE GNOCCHI, and THIS was my fave of the night, the textures, the flavors, everything was perfect! It was hard to choose, but we decided on the Beef Short Ribs for our main course....perfectly tender, drizzled with romesco & toasted hazelnuts. We paired this with the wood fired Brussels sprouts cooked to perfection in pancetta and garnished with a lovely lemon aioli. We ended the evening with one of the best desserts I've had in a while! The Pumpkin Pie Sundae was a modern version of everyone's favorite holiday pie! Pumpkin spice ice-cream, gingersnap crumbles, homemade marshmallow fluff charred on top in an old school mason jar.....Yummmmmmmmm!!!!!!! I plan to recreate this tasty little treat for my family this Christmas! And as a pastry professional, I have to say that after this night, I have a little bit of a girl crush on Executive Pastry Chef, Hedy Goldsmith. She is brilliant! The only down side to our evening was that our service was a little slow. Totally our bad though, since we decided to sit at the bar, having to compete with multiple drink orders. We did, however, appreciate the attentive servers who sporadically stopped by to ensure we were enjoying everything. Another memorable foodie experience for the books! Thanks Chef Michael & Staff!!!! You rock!
(5)
Shandi B.
I've waited a long time to go to Michael's for brunch, and I think the expectation set me up for disappointment. Everything was OK, but there was nothing that really blew me away. Between 5 people we ordered around 15 plates, and I still left hungry. It was already pretty pricey, so I couldn't imagine dropping even more money there. I'm in no rush to visit Michael's again.
(3)
Dan S.
Pretty overrated. The level of poor service is mind blowing, the food is okay, a bit salty. Wouldn't return.
(2)
Yanessa E.
Enjoyed a delicious brunch here with friends. We ordered quite a bit of different menu items, the ones that I most enjoyed were the crispy rice cake, the breakfast pizza and the wood oven roasted double yolk egg. The portion size of the menu items are not very big (only thing shareable would probably be the breakfast pizza.) The crispy rice cake is insanely delicious, outside is perfectly crispy and inside you bite into creamy cheesy rice (risottoish) with rock shrimp and chorizo, it's topped with a fried egg (runny yolk) and under the cake it has a chili aioli which complements it all perfectly. The breakfast pizza has a thin crispy crust and is topped with tomato sauce, cheese, thick chunks of smoked bacon and a fried egg (also runny yolk) it cuts to about 4 slices. The wood oven roasted double yolk egg was also great, it has gruyere cheese baked over the eggs and comes with a crostini. The sweets options didn't wow me, the jelly filled donuts almost left the jelly part to the imagination, hardly any jelly inside. The ice cream sandwich bites are truly bite sized, almost like the mini chocolate chip cookies that you get at the grocery in those 100 calorie bags, they spoon ice cream in the middle of two that is salted caramel flavor but tasted like vanilla to me. I did enjoy the chocolate cookie pie in a jar although it wasn't what I had in mind based on the name, I expected a chocolate cookie all mashed up and warm like a pie with a pretzel crumb topping, instead it was a chocolate mousse with large pretzel bites, large marshmallows and I think brownie bites mixed in. Overall the food referred to was good and I'd stop by for brunch again, particularly for the crispy rice cake!
(4)
Joe C.
Look, I know it's just Yelp, but I really do think carefully about which of those little star buttons to click when I type one of these things. So it's always nice when I can try a place and go straight to five without hesitation, and Michael's delivered that for us on our visit. The decor is perfect -- fun but very inviting -- the service was generally competent, and the food was truly memorable. I love the menu concept, where you can move from what are essentially tapas to an entire damn chicken depending on how hungry you are and how much you want to spend, and there wasn't a thing we tried that wasn't tasty and remarkable. We tried the pig ears based on previous reviewers, and they had a great rub to provide some earthy flavor. I was very impressed that the lime juice I squirted onto the ears completely transformed the flavor and somehow made a fried pig ear seem vibrant. It only went wrong on those small bits where you got the full-on texture (think that surprising bit of haggis texture). Oysters were fresh and had a nice little mignonette that added just a touch of depth without even coming close to ruining the joy that is a raw, fresh oyster. A crispy rice cake was uniquely* able to combine crunch, balanced saltiness and sweetness, and some fantastic shrimp. A lovely dessert and panther coffee to finish made this a truly great meal. It's not enough to make me move here and tolerate that level of traffic, but next time I'm back in town, I know where I'll wind up. * I suppose it's worth mentioning that when I use words like memorable, unique, etc., I make no claims to be up to date on the latest in culinary trends and therefore am probably gushing over things that were innovative in 2005.
(5)
Brett N.
Why 4 stars? Because it was a really great experience. --- --- --- We came across Michael's after a recommendation for Tampa Bay's original Yelper, Carlos H. From reading other reviews, it looks like it gets pretty crowded here... but we were lucky to be the first customers for a Sunday dinner. I will say that I think my favorite thing about Michael's were their home made sodas. MG may take that as an insult toward their food, which it definitely is not. The food is great, but I think I could have easily drank 10 of those sodas. They were all phenomenal. I tried the pomegranate, cherry-rosemary, and ginger-lemon grass. All tasted like liquidated heaven. This was my first experience with pork belly, and it was a good one. I had no idea what to expect with something called "pork belly" at the time, but now I usually like to try it as these New American, small-plates type of places. Dessert was an agonizing choice because everything looked so amazing. I went with the Pot de Creme, which was very solid. I would probably go with something else next time, only because I would want to try every item on the dessert menu... while of course gaining 40 lbs. I think my favorite part of the experience was the area that Michael's is located in... I guess it's called the Design District? Whatever it is, it's really cool... especially if you are over the SoBe vibe. I highly recommend this to anyone visiting Miami. I think a second visit could lead to an upgrade to 5-stars.
(4)
Olivia N.
Love this place, been going there for many years and every time is a new experience !
(5)
Kristina K.
It is definitely new american at its finest. Food is simply-prepared and made fresh from local ingredients. And most importantly, tastes incredible. In addition to great and cozy interior, good services and great selection of unique cocktails makes it great place to be and have a good time.
(5)
R R.
fantastic food (though a little on the pricey side for lunch), interesting menu, good service and great ambiance indoors and outside. i'm a fan!
(4)
Korsan K.
I am actually feeling weird giving a low rating after reading all these reviews. I wish I had the same feeling and experience as others. We went there and ordered ceviche and clams with some cocktails last week. The service and cocktails were good. However clams were just ok, the waiter told us they searched for the clams 2 years but in my opinion nothing spectacular. I am not Latino but I like ceviche in ceviche 105, suveiche but this was nothing like it. Couldn't finish and left after done with cocktails. Maybe will give another try later on just for the sake of other reviews.
(2)
Acelyn B.
Mark A. and I stumbled upon this gem on accident, when we refused to wait 45minutes to an hour for a nearby restaurant. Luckily for us, we were able to get a seat right away for a late dinner on a Thursday night. Let's get straight to the point. Wonderfully tasting food and amazingly friendly service. We picked the homemade chips & onion dip as our starter. I'm always a fan of homemade chips. My short ribs were SO tender, probably the most tender I've ever had in my life. Delicious. Mark A. graciously shared some of his lamb with me, and that was just spot on too. It was probably the best lamb I've had (not that I eat a lot of lamb though). For dessert, we chose the chocolate option (sorry I don't remember the exact name), which has apparently been the oldest item on the menu... aka it's that good! Service was outstanding! We had one main server, but plenty of others came to refill our waters, switch out our silverware, and deliver our food. All were very friendly, but professional. Paolo (our server) made it a point to stop by and greet us "bon appetit" for our appetizer, entree, and dessert each time. The staff wears jeans and a tee with "MGFD" on it. So although the ambiance and food is on the fancy side, they tone it down to casual comfort with their dress code and hospitality. Just be warned that everything here IS a la carte, so if you want sides with your entrees, that's extra. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny.
(4)
Mike S.
Good, not great...
(3)
Ismiray G.
What a place !!!!!!!!! I can't say enough good things about this place , the food and customer service . The waiter became our menu, we went with what he told us and it was a wonderful experience . Different than the normal. Give it a try. Promise it will exceed your expectations.
(5)
Sabrina F.
Micheal's is expensive but boy is it delicious. Try their buratta, and their jams, the jams whoa. Awesome.
(4)
Seth R.
In a phrase: Genuinely Overrated. Service was good. Ordered a bunch of "snacks" including the duck, olives, and the pig ears. The duck was decent, pig ears were bland, and olives could've been purchased for 1/5 the price at Whole Foods. Also, the hummus was amazing but they charged us for the accompanying pita. What kind of cheap animals would do such a thing?! The hominy reeked of Old Bay. In a bad way. SKIP IT.
(3)
Eric J.
the classic
(5)
melissa b.
Hands down the best restaurant in Miami. Coming from New York City I have high expectations and Michaels Genuine never disappoints. They use the freshest of ingredients and the menu changes daily. In addition, they have a great selection of wine and the service is great. Pro tip: Be sure to make a reservation well in advance.
(5)
Christine K.
This place is loved by many, and I really wanted to be one of them. Sadly, I was not impressed. The food is a lot like many other "New American" dining spots around town. Just because you mash up a lot of delicious ingredients into one dish, doesn't mean it's going to be spectacular. The lamb pizza was delicious, the sauce was the best part. The pate was inedible for me, and overall the whole experience was mediocre at best.
(2)
Evelyn D.
Food was great but there was a cockroach in the dinning room that the waiters tried to subtly kill.
(3)
Enbar C.
Small portions, but each one is absolutely delicious. We had a few different dishes. Minneola & beet salad- beets with shaved hearts of palm- the beets were tasty, larger chunks with hazelnuts, good as a side dish. Wood oven roasted double yolk egg- my favorite dish, great texture and flavor, the cheese is delicious. Suitable for one person. Loved this. Duck rillette- my date favored this dish, served in a small ramikan with horseradish mustard on the side and a few small pieces of toast. BBQ rock shrimp- good flavors, but this is one I would pass on- probably because it took 45 minutes to get the dish. We figured the waiter forgot about this one, but apparently it was the kitchen. The manager came to our table to apologize for the mishap, and comped it. The shrimp was tender, smothered in sauce, the jalapeño cheddar biscuit was moist, which is always important bc then it gets too grainy and dry. Cabarete cocktail- on the lighter side, a more refreshing drink. Belzebuth blonde ale- try this beer- delicious. Trust me. A little on the sweeter side of a blonde ale.
(4)
Paul A.
Cool decor. Visited for lunch, the place was buzzing - started with the raw bar and octopus appetizer both acceptable, cerviche has excellent balance and flavor profiles although the shrimp was over cooked. Pork Belly Pizza base was perfect, pork was overdone but it worked. Leg of Lamb was cooked perfectly and seasoned well but was a little chewy. Service could have been a little more attentive and the busboys kept bumping our chairs. Waiters seem to be running too many tables. Kitchen is crowded. A little way to go but worth a visit.
(3)
Anthony P.
We made a reservation and even though we got very late they still gave us a nice table. The food was fantastic, short rib it was all good, drinks I must say tasted good and good wine list, but the waiter said bar was closed for another glass but that we could still order desserts. Man go behind the nar and pour yourself.... Be professional. I didn't like the waiter attitude in a couple of moments, if you feel bad because you are a waiter and don't like or want to serve people take another job. I used to be a waiter and I did my best every time just like any other job. Will not punish Michaels this time, but service is 3 stars. Food 5 stars Drinks 4 stars Service 3 stars
(4)
Mark K.
Delicious place. Love it here. The menu constantly changes. Love the drinks, good food and awesome service. You can't go wrong here!
(5)
Gavin H.
Phenomenal food from start to finish, delicious cocktails and impeccable service. All the recommendations we got for dining in Miami included MGFD and rightfully so.
(5)
Emma F.
I think I have to pay you guys another visit . Went here a while back and the desserts .... amazing !!!!!
(4)
Serge B.
We had a reservation for 10 pm, got there earlier and the place was worth the wait. We started at the bar with pizza and bottle of wine we brought and in about an hour were seated at the table. The service was impeccable, the food was delicious, innovative, modern, tasty, the Chef is not afraid to take chances. Octopus - grilled to perfection, may be split with the fork Mussels - big plump and juicy Duck confit our friends had - it looked just like the one we had in France Pork Ears - deep fried and another delicacy not to miss. We'd be back in a heart beat and even the noise doesn't scare us. Outside seating is available even though in a summer time this kinda moot point.
(5)
Amelie B.
Great! Everything was delicious, the staff welcoming, the restaurant beautiful. Will go again!
(4)
Daniella S.
New Pastry Chef Amy is OUT OF CONTROL AMAZING!!!!!! more reason for us to keep returning to Michaels. Well done on the new team member!
(5)
Jared S.
This place has been on my list of restaurants to try for a while. I was finally down in South Beach for the weekend with some family and was able to get in for dinner. After we were sat, the server came over and went of the menu and the concept of the place, which was nice. It took a while to figure out what we wanted to order, but finally came to a decision. For our apps, we ordered the wood oven roasted double yolk farm egg, crispy sweet & spicy pork belly and the chargrilled octopus. After waiting a little while, the apps came out and they looked great. The double yolk farm egg was interesting being that you would wonder what can someone do to an egg to bring it to another level...well this was quite delicious to say the least. The crispy sweet and spicy pork belly stood up to its name as it was sweet and succulent with a nice crisp that melted in you mouth as you ate it. The chargrilled octopus was great as well as you have to cook octopus right and try not to over cook it or else it would be like chewing on rubber. The octopus was cooked perfectly and had a nice char on the outside that complimented it well. Entrees were next. Two of us ordered the slow roasted & grilled harris ranch beef short rib and the other a 24 oz. wood oven roasted dry aged bone-in ribeye. Short rib was great. It was rich in flavor, fell apart with a touch of the fork and went great with the the pan roasted cipollini onions that came along side it. The ribeye, was delicious as well and for a paying that much ($79), it was definitely worth it. Cooked to perfection and a really nice portion as well. Finally for dessert we ordered the genuine home brew sundae, chocolate cremoso and the lemon creamsicle pot de creme. all I can say about dessert is they were all equally delicious. Great ending to a fantastic meal. I definitely recommend this place. They are in the top 100 restaurants in the country and it is pretty evident why. If you are looking for a great meal and are down in the mid town or Miami Beach area, this is a place you should try.
(5)
Michael C.
Ordered way to much but only because i couldn't deiced what i wanted to try. Everything was good but a few of the ones that stand out were the pork belly, buratta and peaches, deviled eggs, crispy pig ears and the country pate. i sat outside and loved it but had about 20 mosqito bites to show for it.
(5)
Jane S.
We were excited to try this packed restaurant in the up&coming Design District. While the hamburger and the fries were delicious, the Short Rib & Fontina Cheese panini left a lot to be desired; all you could taste was the fontina cheese. When we tried the short rib separately, it had absolutely NO flavor. The Chilled Corn Soup (similar to a gazpacho), however, was perfectly seasoned and a delightful surprise. They did not have the doughnut with peaches for dessert, so we had none. Service, while pleasant, was extremely slow, with the food taking forever to come out even though we had arrived at the tail end of lunch and it wasn't that busy. Don't think we'd make the effort to return.
(2)
Krystal O.
Finally got around to trying Michael's Genuine this weekend and it was as good as everyone hyped it up to be. Had two of the drinks from their cocktail list and they were both amazing. The Bulletproof Manhattan was a nice twist on the bourbon classlc with rosemary infused cherries and a splash of lemon, it was a stiff drink with a feminine touch. The Cabarete was a perfect fresh watermelon drink for a warm night in Miami. As for food, we only wanted a light bite so we shared the wood oven pizza, which every night is different, Saturday's pizza was topped with fried pork belly and it was amazing... everything about this pizza made me wish it was a regular on the menu so I could tell others to go try it. My experience at Michael's was definitely a good one and I'll be back soon for more.
(5)
Bahia S.
One of the best places to eat in the Design District. I've been there for dinner, lunch, and breakfast/brunch. All meals are good. They have a great menu and wonderful cocktails. Their brunch is fantastic. It does it get pretty busy so make a reservation if possible. One time I went we had really slow service, but every other time the service was excellent.
(4)
Kim W.
What a great spot to start a fun weekend in Miami - cocktails were lovingly, artfully made and the tasty little egg dish appetizer absolutely worth the trip (from DC). Sat at the bar & loved it! What's the deal with the radishes?
(5)
Alice L.
This place was the best meal that we had during our time in Miami! The food was casual and unfussy but so very very good. We started with the crispy pig ears under "Snacks". It seemed "adventurous" at the time, but wowza! they present you with a little tin full of these deep fried crunchy pig ears that are sprinkled with a BBQ seasoning. It tastes alternately like you're just crunching away at bacon, but man almighty they make for the perfect bar snack. This may have been the highlight of my meal. I wish we had pig ears in NYC. For appetizers we tried the Stracciatella and the Crispy Rice Cake. The Stracciatella epitomizes the "simple, local, fresh" mantra of the restaurant: it's thin shreds of mozzarella, creamier and doesn't retain its shape like a burrata, with basil and the sweetest, juiciest heirloom tomatoes ever. We practically licked this plate clean. The Crispy Rice Cake we could have skipped, it was kind of like a seafood croquette and pretty heavy. For the main we split the Pork chop, but we were practically stuffed by this point. That pork chop was huge and mighty juicy though, and sufficient to split among two people. Somehow the waiter talked us into dessert too, and we split the Tangerine Pot De Creme and Doughnuts, another highly-recommend. The citrusy lightness of the pot de creme balances out the fried doughnuts perfectly. Very inventive and delicious dessert. I wouldn't hesitate to return to Michael's on a return trip to Miami. Until then I will have to devise a way to make fried pig ears in my kitchen at home.
(5)
Cooker B.
I went here because of all the great yelp reviews but I was unpleased. The food was moderately expensive and the portions were tiny. Its a place you can go and easily spend $100 on food for 2 and walk out hungry. Not impressed.
(2)
Daniel C.
Try the octupus starter. Nice and tender. Good food and great atmosphere. Highly recommended restaurant.
(5)
Monica L.
Nice atmosphere, always very packed. Although when i went they had great service and food I got a stomach overnight and threw up. That makes it get four stars and not a five, and also that i won't be returning. My rue of thumb is if i get sick am not going back.
(4)
Jorge D.
Food is just AMAZING. It might be difficult to get a table on Fridays or Saturdays so call in advance to make a reservation. They have really good specials so make sure to ask the server for the specials. Drinks are not expensive, I had single malt scotch 12 year and it was $14 a drink; not bad at all. Please try the pork belly and the octopus they are just amazing. I love sitting outside.
(5)
Monica B.
It's not terrible, but it's overrated and overpriced. Outlived its reputation, for sure.
(3)
Natalie I.
This is a very popular place and we have been a few times this is based on the last time we went. They have street and valet parking the area is improving still not the safest. I like that it is all organic and that the chief isn't afraid to try unique flavor combinations. There homemade sodas are yummy. We loved the potato chips and onion dip. However I thought the prices were outrageous for what you actually get. The entree's are à la carte no sides, and are quite small servings, yet come with a 30$+ price tag one you would pay for a full dish. Like Really? My Date got the swordfish it was OK. I could tell he did not cared for it, It was the size of my closed fist. I got a braised short rib very small portion it was dry and not juicy. I would say the food quality has gone down and the prices up. We most likely will not be back the design district is full of amazing restaurants that are fairly priced. in total we got 1 soda potato chips & onion dip braised short rib sword fish it was 120$ we both left slightly hungry and dissatisfied because we felt we got ripped off.
(3)
Kristin B.
Very nice dining room with perfect lighting and clever decor. I enjoyed a 'barrel fish' local fish of the day sandwich with an herbed green salad on the side. Delicious. Also, the jazzy music and prompt service while lunching with a production crew of 12 was very good
(4)
Urban G.
We went for a quick lunch after custom ordering a new Bentley GT! We sat at the bar- waitstaff very attentive and efficient. Friendly fellow at the raw bar. I ordered a dozen oysters and a few other appetizers. Save for the oysters the rest of the food was a greasy mess. I have yet to walk out of this restaurant not feeling yucky. Sadly, I had to make a quick pharmacy run for some alka-seltzer. I won't give this place another chance. ack!
(1)
Kris B.
love the bartender jovani it is worth the trip just to see him. the food is pretty great too.
(5)
Annie G.
Recommended to me by a colleague. went here for dinner food was fresh and fantastic. Service was great, had a great waitress! I wasn't a fan of the chicken medium dish but everything else was stellar, shrimp appetizer, deviled eggs. My sister and her husband enjoyed the fish and steak. The mashed potatoes and corn are amazing! Desserts were fabulous!!!!!
(4)
David A.
Went here for lunch with my daughter. After reading the reviews and getting caught up in the hype my expectations were sky high. While it was a cool scene, my food choice did not blow me away. Had the Bahn Mi. The bread was great but the thick slab of pate reminded me of Spam. Not the right balance of meat. The topping and condiment had great flavor. Probably should have looked closer at the ingredients since the pate was a turn off. The four stars is primarily based on the Five star dessert. We had a coconut bread pudding that was off the charts. Will return to try some other entrees. Service was excellent and prices were reasonable.
(4)
Mike C.
Amazing food in a trendy spot with a huge selection of delicious choices. Since my wife and I were on vacation, we decided it was OK to feast and order way too much food. We also felt it would be a good reward after the sketchy trip up from the bus depot and the vacant walk on the long journey from South Beach. So we got 10 dishes, all of them delicious: Savory: - Duck Rillette ($7) - Wood Roasted Chicken Salad Sandwich ($7) - Merguez Sausage ($10) - Kimchi Benedict ($11) Sweet: - Sweet Corn Custard French Toast ($7) - Peanut Butter Brownie Sundae ($5) - Homemade Doughnuts ($5) - Chocolate Caramel Peanut Bars ($4) - Peach & Bourbon Pie in a Jar ($3) - Bacon Hazelnut Sticky Bun ($5) Now the Savory dishes were all delicious, but a couple were slightly underwhelming (for example, the Merguez Sausage could have been a lot better if it were served a bit hotter). However, the Sweet menu is where this place really shines. The sundae was of course delicious, with the malted milk ice cream a perfect complement to the warm peanut butter brownie. The doughnuts (chocolate and grape concord) were also awesome, and the Pie in a Jar was very different and delicious . As for the rest, the Sweet Corn Custard French Toast, the Peanut Bars and the Bacon Hazelnut Sticky Bun were some of the best things I've ever eaten, and I eat many many sweets. I can't even begin to describe how delicious these sweets were. Just know that if you go, you MUST order all of these or you will regret it. The service here is really excellent too. They constantly refilled our water and were very polite. Also, at one point the waiter noticed my wife shivering (it was actually a comfortable temperature in there, but she is just always cold), so he offered her a spare pashmina to make her more comfortable). The neighborhood itself is pretty dead, but the restaurant atmosphere is very nice. It's a good thing there is so much good stuff for dessert here, because there aren't many things to do or options for dessert in the immediate area near the restaurant. But I would still make the trip out here any time for this awesome food. Even after ordering so many dishes, there is still enough left on the menu that looks great that I could easily go back and have another huge meal with all new dishes.
(5)
MICHELLE W.
Food is always good! Ambience is very nice. I frequent here a lot but tonite service was no good, tighten up!! You guys can do so much better!! Hats off to chef, steak is always deeeelicous!!!
(4)
Nate B.
Awesome food. Awesome location. The staff explains the menu clearly and made us very comfortable. I highly recommend a reservation even if you plan to go for brunch during the week.
(5)
Adam L.
Always on point. When we come to Miami, MGFD is always at the top of our list. The food is consistently divine and the staff are warm, friendly and accomadating. Although Michael's keeps it classy, it's never snobbish. We have been for dinner, lunch and brunch and every visit is a treat. Keep up the good work MGFD.
(5)
Joannitte R.
My favorite place to eat in all of Miami! Everything on the menu is guaranteed delicious and mouthwatering. You should order something from every part of the menu as the different options are incredible. I've been here at least 5-6 times as I live New York City and they have never disappointed. One thing you will always find on the menu no matter the season is the pot de Creme for dessert. I've had it in orange/creamsicle flavor and most recently - passion fruit. WOW. Heaven on earth! A must in miami!
(5)
Roy P.
What a great place. The staff here is A+++. Very knowledgeable about their menus and wines. The desserts were to die for and a must try. Everything here is prepared with love, which is always nice to see and taste. It was a great experience. Reservations recommended as this place gets packed quick!
(5)
Maggie S.
Probably my favorite place in Design District. The barratina cheese is a must!! There is a valet parking. I highly recommend making a reservation, especially on the weekends. Had to try this place out because Anthony Bourdain came thru.
(4)
Maria O.
If you are going as a couple and don't like cruise-ship style dining, meaning sharing a table with strangers, this is not your place. My husband and I went to celebrate my birthday and we basically had to share a table with another couple, if they don't want to lose business accepting two people, they should only take parties of four inside but not to make your dinner experience so uncomfortable... Food is good, not extraordinary, service is average, our waitress was missing in action several times. Overall, an OK restaurant, better options around the area.
(3)
Amber L.
I've been reading so much about the place, I was happy to have the chance to visit. Stopped in on a random Wednesday evening for a drink at the bar. All tables were filled and people were even sitting outside in the cold. Seems like they're doing something right at Michael's. The interior is very dark and it worked. Usually, I don't care for darkness in a restaurant but there was just enough lighting to set a really nice mood. Once we parked it at the bar, we really didn't move around, so I can't say anything about rest of the space. The bartender, Ryan, was a sight for sore eyes with a personality to match. I ordered a cocktail called Cabarete. It was sooo refreshing, not too sweet and definitely didn't drink like a regular cocktail. It was special. The cheese plate for the day was "La Tur", and featured a sizable block of creamy cheese with a piece of honeycomb oozing honey and cinnamon raisin toast. It was truly the perfect combination and even went well with the cocktail. Even though my selection was limited, the night at MGFD was a good one. I've read great things on Yelp about the brunch menu and can't wait to go back and try it out.
(4)
Claudia C.
Let me start by saying that Michael Shwartz is God. He is my culinary crush for sure and if I were a lamb, I'd want nobody else but him roasting my chops :) I've been to Michael's many times for lunch and dinner, but this was my first time going for brunch - and as expected, it was AMAZING. Just be sure to make a reservation. For drinks we started off ordering Caberets - think mimosas, but with fresh watermelon juice.. yumm! One caveat about ordering brunch is that all the plates are very small, so if you're going with a group try to order about three dishes per person and share, share, share. The plates come out when ready, so your table is never empty... it's a constant flow of delicious grub to nosh on. This is what we ordered, and I enthusiastically recommend ALL of it: Duck Confit Hash Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Egg - an egg dip made with gruyere cheese Kimichi Benedict - poached egg with pork belly!! Breakfast Pizza - it is exactly what it sounds like. All the delicious staples of Breakfast (eggs, bacon, cheese) baked on pizza crust Green Tea French Toast - this was heaven! a must! Little Cinnamon Roll Bites with Lemon Cream Cheese dip Caramel Salted Pudding (better than sex) The worst part of brunch was when it was all gone! I can definitely say that our bellies left quite content and longing for more. Thus, we are coming back for round two next sunday!
(5)
Brent B.
Michael's Genuine, I love you be my mistress. This is one of my favorite places in the Design District and I can't get enough. I have been their for brunch, lunch, and dinner and I love all of it. Michael Schwartz likes to use organic ingredients and local produce. For Brunch: Kim chi eggs benedict Burrata with heirloom tomatoes double yolk eggs and the BBQ brisket is succulent and smokey Drink: bloody Mary with local heirloom tomatoes Lunch: The turkey sandwich with fresh sliced turkey and aged Gruyere is delicious. The brioche bread mmmmm so good. The house smoked pastrami Reuben can you say house smoked. The burger is great. The bahn mi special if they got it try it! Drink: micro brewed beer Dinner: The Niman Ranch beef can you say Rib-eye The pork chops also organic short ribs The fish is always cooked perfectly. For sides: wood roasted brussel sprouts fingerling potatoes. Drink: Caparinha Dessert: Anything Heidi makes. I love her snickers donuts creamsicle cream something? popcorn and bacon ice cream close your eye's and you will become a believer. Drink: Cappuccino or Irish coffee. Make Reservations/three dollar valet See ya on the boat for brunch during the Sobe food and wine festival.
(5)
Lisa M.
Saw that this restaurant was on the top 100 in America list and the only one in Miami so hubby and I decided to make this our anniversary dinner. So glad we did. We made an early reservation and ended up getting lost on the way. I called and told the hostess we were on our way and she was pleasant and told us not to worry they would hold our reservation. Don't know if this is standard because our reservation was for 6:45 and they were not busy yet. We arrived ay 6:55 and hubby went to park. Valet is available but hubby wanted to park. Hostess asked if we wanted to sit indoors or out. I explained that hubby was parking and he may want to sit indoors. She said it was OK and just to let her know when he arrived. Again, could be because that it was not busy yet. We were seated and then we met Jonathan. Great server. Asked if this was our first visit and took time to explain the concept, where the food came from, and the menu. We had to wait for water, but the still water is brought out in wine bottles which I liked. Very extensive wine list. Hubby was happy to see hefe weissen on the menu. I went for the Genuine American Lager. We tried a variety of choices and they were all good. Started with wings, falafel, and potato chips. Entrees were grouper with long beans and I had pork belly and fries. Fish was cooked perfectly and the vinaigrette was light and tasty. Pork belly with kimchi was amazing. It was a great meal. This will be our go to place for a nice meal out and for company. I like that it was not pretentious and overcomplicated. Simple menu, good service, and good food. We plan to visit other restaurants on the top 100 list and I hope they live up to this standard.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Tue, Wed, Fri Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Kat F.
My lord, those heirloom tomatoes! I'm still thinking about them. There's a wall of them about two feet high surrounding the kitchen prep area like a moat. It looks hot. When compared with the majority of restaurants that I walked by or researched while in Miami, Michael's seems wonderfully out of place. Don't take this the wrong way, Miami, but I almost forgot where I was while inside Michael's walls. Also, it says a lot that all three of our dinner groups independently clamoured to get a reservation at Michael's even with all the other restaurant options available to us. The menu is daunting. You'll want to order absolutely everything on it, and I pray you have some sort of budget in mind or it'll quickly spiral out of control. With a group of adventurous eaters in tow I was fortunate enough to be able to order, like, everything on the menu. Started with the wood roasted double yolk farm egg ($8), which came highly recommended by other yelpers and even though I'd read the description I was still surprised by the presentation. I was expecting a hard boiled egg but it was baked in a ramekin and gooey thanks to aged Gruyere cheese). My tablemates ordered the crispy pig ear salad, duck confit with whipped cauliflower, wilted greens and papaya chutney, steamed mussels and steak. There wasn't a meat you could think of that wasn't on this menu. I also tried the beet & heirloom tomato salad ($16) with string beans, golden beets, walnut vinaigrette and blue cheese. Most excellent and appreciated, especially after my introduction to roasted beets a mere three weeks ago. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the cheese of the week ($9), which was La Tur from Piedmont, Italy. Triple milk cheese? HELL YES. It was served with walnut raisin bread and a honeycomb. It would have been perfect if not for the burnt toast. As an aside, raisins should never figure into toast. Or, well, anything. They should be banned from life. Oh yeah - I also ordered a main: wood oven roasted local black grouper with Brussels sprouts, fingerling potatoes and lemon aioli. The grouper was very nicely done and seasoned perfectly with some sort of cajun spice, like a blackened, southern style preparation. We also got a side of fries that I would highly, highly recommend. Our server was a tad on the upsell side and we were unanimously annoyed by his efforts to get us to spend more money. That, coupled with the price of some of the items, is the only reason I wouldn't make dining at Michael's a weekly thing if I lived in Miami. The food was fucking fantastic.
(4)Sam J.
Great: Crispy pig ears, lemon tart, bone marrow Good: Pork belly, short ribs, pork chops Decent: Shrimp rice cake The meal was very tasty but a bit on the heavy side. It is in a bumping location and not really for a romantic/intimate dinner. Service was fine.
(4)Carlos G.
Food was good. With the exception that our main meal took forever to come out, by the time the food was out we where ready to just pay the bill and go. It's a shame, it was 6 of us and it was all of our first time there. I was very disappointed.
(3)Mitch S.
Michael's was referred to us by a close friend. We were a little hesitant to go at first. They do not publish a menu online, and both of us have some dietary requirements. We were really glad we went! Although it was a little pricey, the food was insanely good. The grouper was cooked to perfection. The hi light of the meal was the fresh peach salad-- Holy S*#T!! Nice people, excellent food. We will be back.
(4)Sandra S.
I was very desapointed with this restaurant. I have been there a couple of times and this time I got food poison. I left the restaurant very sick, I never felt so bad. I almost ended up in the hospital. I called them next day and spent a long time on the phone with a manager telling her I would hate someone else to get what I got at her restaurant and I hope the Chef finds out what was bad there. She said she would talke to the general manager and the Chef and get back to me. It was Friday so far noone called me. I was expecting a call worried about how I was felling. It shows probably this happens a lot there. For sure I will never come back! Sandra
(1)Not Eileen R.
If only all casual dining served this caliber food. Dining al fresco is a bonus. Service was fantastic - very knowledgable, prompt and friendly. (5/5) The food! We started with the deviled egg - good not great...more accurately they were very good, but I've had deviled eggs that start a party in your mouth...not these. (4/5) Porkbelly kimchi - my first kimchi experience. Very good. Amazing porkbelly! Bed of kimchi (cabbage etc) yum. (5/5) Red snapper mutton - it was served with a side of aioli that I used only a very small amount of bc the fish was perfect. Flakey, nice amount of citrus. The side of Brussels sprouts were great too. They appear burnt...that would be carmalization and the very crispy pancetta tossed in made this side a winner. (5/5) My fiance ordered the wood oven pizza - tasty...very thin and crispy plus quality meats and cheese...all he kept saying was "you should make this at home!" After reading reviews about the dreamcicle creme pot with warm donuts and berry jam!!!! We had to get it. Everything you read is true! It's amazing!!
(5)Shawn P.
I saw the Brunch event and it reminded me that I have eaten here before. What I remember most is how after hearing all the hype, I was prepared to be let down when I saw how cramped the inside seating was going to be that night. I did not quite have to turn sideways to get in my chair but nearly. That feeling soon went away when the bread came out - I do not know what they make it out of but it may as well be mana from heaven !!! Sweet, salty melt in your mouth - no butter needed assortment of breads. i was ready to just fill up on bread and call it a night. Our meals of steak and fish dishes wee both really good and the server was so agreeable and attentive that a cramped seating became cozy ...lol We asked him what the people next to us where eating since we were breathing it in anyway and they did the same of us. The highlight was some mix of chocolate cake, raspberries, ice cream and snow cone maybe - soooooooo goood !!!! I will be back again for sure for the breakfast brunch because if it is good as dinner you and your date may just want to some to go - for a long lazy Sunday .... in bed.
(4)Rachel S.
One of the best restaurants in Miami. My favorites are the burratta, pork belly, chips and onion dip, deviled eggs, breakfast pizza (available at brunch), the rice cake, the list goes on and on (pretty much the whole menu). Definitely get a table outside. The only reason I am giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because the last time I was here, a few weeks ago, was for my anniversary. My boyfriend and I wanted to take our time, order dishes slowly, and enjoy our night. The server kept coming over and we felt very rushed. Like very uncomfortably rushed.
(4)Neely J.
Best ceviche I've ever had. Of course dessert was killer too. Moderately priced for refined, scrumptious food. We sat at the bar, met some locals, and enjoyed the bartender. Great atmosphere too.
(5)Andie D.
This review is based on their Brunch. I had very high expectations and was pleased to see the restaurant met them. I can totally appreciate how you can taste experience and technique in every dish. I could give them 5 stars but there were a couple of things that were not quite "perfect" and I feel they need to be mentioned: 1.The burrata with the heirloom tomatoes was delicious but one thing that kills a Burrata is to cut in several pieces. This beautiful cheese is meant to be served whole, so when you cut thru it, you experience the creamy center in all its splendor. I was given a sample, not a dish, sorry. 2. The double egg yolk was very dry, which threw me off, based on the perfectly cooked, moist, creamy eggs I got in several other dishes. 3. I had to ask for bread 5 times before it was brought to us. I don't understand why. If they charge you separately for it, shouldn't they be trying to sell it? By the way, every bread served there it's amazing. My favorites were the poached egg, grits and pork shoulder dish: just superb! , croque madame (better than in Paris!) and the chicken liver crostini with the caramelized onions (never had a better one in my life) - The strawberries with goat cheese were delightful and finally, the waffle was probably one of the stars of the morning: wow! Thumbs up to Chef Michael and surely hope to go back soon.
(4)Gisela C.
This place has never disappointed me. I think the menu is great with lots of seasonal options - I have never been for dinner.. only brunch and lunch, the innovative plate selection offers a fun dining experience. Nice atmosphere - service is great too :)
(5)Ian C.
Food was good, we had many major problems with service. As a celebratory dinner my date and I started off with two glasses of champagne. Once finished it was a while before the server came back over, forgivable and we were really in no rush. We start enjoying our meal and another drink order is placed, I really did not like my cocktail but it took very long to have my server come over. I understand that this place is high volume, but the server wasn't anywhere in sight for me to flag down. When I asked for a different cocktail he was right in offering me another one but what really turned me off was he told us that a plate that we had already finished minutes ago would be out shortly, that told me that he wasn't paying attention to his tables. Not once did he do a quick quality check with us about our dishes. Drink menu took a while to reach me, and I'm not exaggerating it took over 15 minutes for him to come and ask which replacement I wanted. It really sucked because I had every intention of having many drinks that night and it was very frustrating to not be able to find the server. I had just two drinks that night, when I wanted four or five, just one at the beginning and one I waited an entire course for, shame on this server. The worst part is that our water was also empty for the majority of the meal, no one came to refill it and the server didn't pay us attention. A shift manager came over and asked us how it was going and I told her it was subpar but the most she did was give us the only refill of water with our dessert menus! Boo!
(3)Vicki G.
Had a great time sitting at the bar tonight with my friend. Had two great beers - a Bell's amber ale and a Victory Summer Love ale - deeelicious! The beet and heirloom tomato salad was scrumptious and the crispy rice cake was fabulous! Our bartender was a breath of fresh air for MGFD.
(4)Carla O.
I've been here twice and mmm mmm I love :) My bf and I stumbled upon this restaurant because "we wanted to try something new". So yeah the snotty hostess is all "do you have a reservation" but Ill be the bigger person and say in her defense the place is always packed. The first time we sat in the at the chef's bar which is supposedly the punishment fro not having a reservation, but it was fun looking at all the food that was being served to others. Ambience: It's really tiny an dim, typical of a "high end" restaurant. Everything (from what I remember) is a nuetral color and then broken by the large red spiral stairs. The wait staff is very educated and treat you like you'll tip them $100. They act like the ppl they're serving on a daily basis. Food: I have yet to be disappointed. "Wood oven roasted stuffed onion" -If you dont like lamb this will change you mind. This onion hallowed and stuffed with a ground lamb and tiny bits of apricot, so delicious. Im not even a fan of lamb, and its mouth watering. "Grilled fudge farm pork chop" - So much flavor its incredible! This is a juicy bone in pork chop. Its served on a bed of potatoe hash that was so good I didnt give any body a taste (yeah I got greedy!). The chop was topped with an apple slaw that I possibly couldve done without. But this was a winner. "The skirt steak"- Served somwhat like the pork chop but the hash is diffrent and its just as yummy. (this wasnt shared with me, it was my bf's dish, he got greedy) "Wood oven roasted local....whatever fish they're serving" - You cant go wrong with the fish, its so nice a tender you'll finish the dish and still want more, but you cant cause youre so full. I unfortunately didnt get the brussel sprouts and replaced them with the mashed potatoe..not my fave, but good. "Thick cut potatoe chips"- These are good, and the onion dip that comes with them is better! OVERALL: Just go, I work in the design district and when ppl ask me to recommend them a place I say Micheal's. I've had ppl come back to thank me cause they had such a great meal. Dont get too full on the food, I know its hard but the dessert is just as good, I didnt mention it cause the one we ordered was a special and not on the regular menu. Eat fun!
(5)Kimberly R.
Really nice service from the least "Miami" person we encountered while there. (I mean that is a compliment.) Neat neighborhood. Food was good, not great. But we really enjoyed our dinner there - great contrast from the places on the beach.
(3)Ashley R.
Michael's GFD is one of the best dining experiences I've ever had in Miami - and I have eaten at a LOT of restaurants over the past twenty years I've lived here! Reasonably priced, sustainably sourced and thoughtfully prepared food in a beautiful setting. You can't ask for more. Except then the people here go the extra step and somehow magically DO put in a little more. I came here for lunch with my family earlier this month. Noticed right away the beautiful display of heirloom tomatoes haphazardly perched on the counter in front of the open kitchen and was instantly interested in seeing how they'd put those beauties to use in the day's offerings. A few minutes later I see one of the guys stroll into the service entrance toting a HUGE fresh fish - and I knew anything we ordered was going to be great. I had the pizza topped with slow roasted berkshire pork, mission figs and caramelized onions and arugula. An amazingly light and crispy white pizza with the perfect balance of smokey, salty,sweet and buttery. I finished it all and had a happy belly to prove it. My brother's beet and heirloom tomato salad did not disappoint either. It was colorful, fresh, and bursting with ripe tomatoes and the distinctive tang of palm hearts and blue cheese. A super summery dish. My sister got the highly touted Short Rib and Fontina Panini, over which she agonized attempting to savor and still salvage half for leftovers. She reluctantly offered me one bite, and I knew it was worth its weight in hype. My father ordered the Hand Cut Chips & Onion Dip as well as the Crispy Pork Belly to share with the table, and they too were completely delicious. The chips were simple and the dip dense with caramelized flavor - none of that canned Frito-Lay muck. As for the pork belly, it may be really trendy right now, but that doesn't excuse it from poor execution. I've had some fatty, lacklustre run-ins that have invariably left me disappointed. But here it was crispy, well-marbled, and perfectly seasoned so that the rich pork flavor was the star. Now, I have a confession to make: I never order dessert. And this is because while sweets can be fantastic, I never find myself craving them. If I can save a couple thousand calories, I do it there. But Michael wasn't going to let that happen on that day. We all agreed we HAD to try the Orange Dreamsicle Pot de Creme with fresh donuts, and it made me rethink my whole no dessert strategy. Because, hot damn. Was it astoundingly good. I found myself relishing the blackberry tarragon jam that accompanied the donuts long after my companions inhaled the rest of the platter. Then, just when I thought we'd had enough - nay, MORE than enough - my dad decides he can't go without trying the Popcorn and Peanuts. I was skeptical, thinking it sounded no better than a handful of Poppycock. And as adventurous as I am, the idea of buttered popcorn ice cream sounded, well...kind of gross. But again! WRONG. Utterly delicious. Perfectly salty, chocolatey, sweet, and buttery. I knew this was going to be one of my favorite places from the moment I laid eyes on the menu, and I can see myself going out of my way to come back again and again. There are plenty of good restaurants in this city, but this is one of the few truly great establishments. If nothing else, you got me to eat not one, but TWO desserts. At lunchtime. On a weekday. Well played, Michael Schwartz. Well played.
(5)Lana N.
The crispy pork belly is everything it's touted to be. Crispy on the outside, the meat is cooked to perfection and the fat melts in your mouth. Best I've ever had. The octopus salad was fantastic. I spent the summer living in Italy where octopus is a mainstay, so I'm always hesitant to order octopus in the US, but this was perfectly cooked--not chewy or mushy. The front of house staff isn't very accommodating, especially if you don't have a reservation. (We got the message--you need a reservation, even for lunch!) Thankfully we were able to find seats at the bar.
(4)Maxine V.
This place is pretty cool. It's small, and I can't always say the staff is friendly, but the food is kick@$$ and the atmosphere is perfect!
(4)John L.
I am really still trying to figure out how this place got such excellent ratings. First I will say the atmosphere was great and the service was excellent. The food was unique choices but only average taste. We tried to order as many different things as we could to give a wide variety of foods. Some of the items were very good but items such as pig ears and deviled eggs were just average. The pork belly was good but not excellent. The only item I would rate as excellent was the ceviche. We don't normally order deserts but decided to order the peanut butter bread pudding and chocolate truffle, both were okay. For the price of this place I would say we would not make it back even though we were glad we tried it.
(3)Dan B.
People around town have been telling me to try this place for so long now. I finally did a few hours ago. It hit on the mark as far as my expectations went. It was great, great food just shy of the "home run" mark. Innovative. I have never seen food presented to you in terms of size (small, medium, large, extra large) as opposed to the chronological social customs we're used to. The menu items are described in a verbose and tantalizing manner. My favorite example is: "wood roasted double yolk farm egg." Their angle is that they want to serve you completely fresh, pure, and organic meals so that you can come here with comfort knowing where your food came from and the quality standards. Somehow, knowing this did indeed improve the quality of my meal. As I tasted the garlic mashed potatoes, the word "pure" get wafting in and out of my head and I have to say, they were some of the best garlic mashed I'd ever tried. We started with the cheese of the day. Today it was the Italian monte veronese vecchio. Sharp and strong. It was a pleasant experience. My steak au poivre was beautifully laden with a peppercorn/brandy gravy that tasted fantastic. The meat was cooked exactly to order and was juicy. The only thing I would've wanted are less peppercorns on the steak. As far as the service goes, they were fast on the refills on both beverages AND bread, which I have to publicly commend. I really thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere. I didn't find it overly pretentious and it just felt like a classy and relaxing atmosphere. It's a little bit on the pricey side, but I'd say it's worth it to try at least once. I'm definitely a fan of Michael's thus far and am interested in returning to try the grilled Indian spiced fudge farms pork chop. - A great example of the verbosity in their menu descriptions.
(4)Tough C.
Very good food and service. I think some of these stellar reviews by other yelpers are a tad exaggerated. Having said that, it is a good restaurant, but I wouldn't call it the best restaurant in Miami.
(3)Neil R.
Michael's has a recipe for success. Comfort food with local, seasonal and organic products. Great drinks, great vibe and no pretense. We'll be back.
(4)Christine P.
I'd heard about this place for years, but just hadn't made the trip. After news of Michael winning the James Beard Award for the South (it's like the Oscars people!), I decided to finally cave in - for my 100th review! Lunch on a weekday was a lovely way to meet Michael's. The moment you walk into this place, you can just *feel* the goodness. You can *smell* it's amazing-ness. We made reservations, but ended up waiting about 15 minutes at the bar with some mojitos. (thank you bartender for carding us- even tho the rest of the bar patrons weren't as amused as we were! haha). I wanted to order everything that I saw walk by us on its way to other tables. I told the waiter this, and he helped me narrow down my selection. Finally decided on the shrimp & chorizo pizza with manchego cheese. So many amazing flavors all in one. Just so different and delicious. Also at my table was the short rib & fontina cheese panini... took a bite, and definitely rocked! The only reason my experience wasn't 5 stars, is because there were a few flies (gasp) roaming around the dining room. (don't know why - it was a stifling hot day and the front door should've been closed) Michael, we'll be back. :)
(4)Ray C.
I was very impressed with this restaurant, really good vibe; the food and service was spot on. I would defiantly go back!
(4)Robin L.
I've been waiting a awhile to go here ( since I live in NJ) let me tell you it was worth the wait. Dinner was wonderful . The pork belly, OMG! Go experience it yourself.
(5)Michele C.
a tried + true classic and staple of miami dining. michael's never disappoints! all fresh + local ingredients. Cant go wrong with whole red snapper, crispy rice cake, burrata, deviled eggs (yes, deviled eggs!)...everything is delicious. never had a bad meal here. wine list is expansive and desserts are unbelievable, especially the doughnuts! recommend making reservations, it's always busy...
(5)Felecia W.
Im going to have to agree with Theo on this one. Every single course was mind blowing. Light puffy clouds of triple creme La Tur cheese with honey comb, and Burrata with Heirloom tomatoes, pork belly, fois with duck terrine, and the lemon curd.... (I have to swear here, I cant help it) Fucking melt in your mouth, blow all of your senses delicious. Chef Schwartz came out to the bar and I got all jittery. I felt a little like Aerosmith was at the end of the bar and I wanted to run over and scream and get a picture with him. Unbelievable. I couldn't even get through the menu with out a panic attack. SO much amazingness to choose from. I trust that the bartender (who is also the bar manager) could order for me what ever he choosed and I would be content. Im counting down the minutes until I can return...
(5)E G.
Well this is more a review on their Sunday Brunch. I getting use to go to Michaels for Brunch once at month, Love the atmosphere! The food is very interesting and it is always a surprise, meaning It never what you expect. They have the most unusual brunch menu in Miami, and their sweets are amazing. Prices are right for this type of unique Comfort fooD. Well, My final thought is Even if the estrange dishes sometimes are not some of my tastebud's Faves, THey are interesting enough to keep me coming back many sunday to come. IT IS A MOST TRY
(5)Andy L.
Michael's is an American Bistro set in the heart of the Miami Design District. We found the the food to be earthy, creative and generally well- executed. Much has already been said about Michael's use of fresh, local ingredients, so I'll just go straight to the dishes themselves. The dinner menu is divided into four groups of dishes: Small, Medium, Large & Extra Large and are priced accordingly. There is also and assortment of sides, snacks and a cheese of the week. The dishes below come from the first three categories and the sides. We ordered the Duck Rillette with Crostini ($14), essentially a spreadable confit, which was topped with a layer of duck fat. Cholesterol be damned, this was a rich, flavorful, slightly gamey treat that melted in the mouth. The Housemade country Pate ($13) was less inspired, being a chunky, grainy slab of cold meats that was not spreadable, nor as flavorful as the Rillette. Local Wreckfish (a deep water fish found near the ocean's bottom) Ceviche ($11) was steeped in mango, lychee, cilantro, orange and avocado. This was a complex and refreshing ceviche that was both citrusy and sweet. Chargrilled Octopus ($17), served with gigande beans, peppers, olives and herbs, was a bit meager for a medium-sized dish and was overcooked and dry. The meat still had some flavor and well dressed, but should have been removed from the grill a few minutes sooner. Crispy Pig Ear ($6) was sliced, seasoned and tasty. We expected it to be hard and crunchy like most roasted pig skin, but were pleasantly surprised at it's almost cheese-doodle-like texture. Homemade Linguine with a lamb ragu and house made ricotta cheese ($19) was perfectly cooked and seasoned. We ordered a second one without the ricotta, just to try the delicious ragu without the intrusion of other flavors. A heavily spiced Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder ($19) fell off the bone, a la osso bucco. Pickled red onion and a parsley sauce complemented the meat, which was also accompanied by cheese grits. Grilled Leg of Lamb came out boneless, sliced and cooked medium rare as requested. The meat was tender and properly seasoned and was a great accompaniment for our aged pinot noir. For dessert we tried the Banana Toffee Panini (mini chocolate caramel ice cream sundae) ($10) and immediately wanted to order more. The bread, ice cream, syrup combination was unbeatable...until we tried the soft, warm donuts with the Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme ($10), which conjured up memories of fresh beignets in the French Quarter. Coffees (@$3) and espressos (@$3.50) were a good way to end the evening. Michael's has an extensive wine list with lots of medium priced ($40-$50) wines, along with some higher-priced treats for that special occasion. Corkage is $20.00.
(4)Angela L.
My food was amazing however I found my husbands salad to be very boring and basic. We were greeted with a snotty attitude by the host that informed us he would find us we left and returned later to sit at the bar. The bartender a a forced happiness about her. So sorry to inconvenience to order a drink. Food - the curry corn soup was fabulous. My short rib sandwich was amazing as well. Had dinner with my girlfriends two night before. We had reservations and arrived on time. We were informed of details "they are paying their check now so it shouldn't be long". After 20 minutes or so we found a seats at the bar. When we informed the host of our decision remain at the bar so threw her arms up and huffed! LOL seriously?? They are luck the food is great because with that attitude I would have no interest in returning if it were not. The flatbread pizza was wonderful. I didn't care for the deviled eggs. It was as though they filled them with hollandaise. If you are into hollandaise on a plain egg white this is your dish.
(4)Henry S.
Went for lunch and enjoyed it. The food is good, but somewhat expensive for what it is.
(3)Brian L.
15 words or less. Good food that is creative and tasty. But expectations set way too high. 15 words or more. Michael's comes with all sorts of expectations. The chef is acclaimed, the restaurant gets tons of celebrities, and the food is constantly raved about. I did try the place several years ago and did not like it. I chalked up the experience to having trusted the waiter, which was my mistake. A waiter will pick what they like, and you may not like their food preferences or taste buds. I went back for lunch another time and had a great pulled pork sandwich, so I had to try dinner again. I have a far better experience this time. First off, the seating. You have to have a reservation and make sure you demand where you want to sit when you book the reservation. If the weather is cool, you have to demand an outside table. Otherwise, they automatically sit you inside. If the weather is warm, they will automatically sit you outside. Our first visit was how we learned about this the hard way and had to sit outside in 90 degree summer weather. The fans are nice for guys, but you still sweat given you are eating hot food. Others however (read my wife) may not want the fan blowing on them. On this last visit, I started off with the Artisan--a gin cocktail with cucumber and hint of jalapeno. It was very good, but was less than filling considering the glass was brimming over with ice. I can't imagine I had more than 1.5 ounces of liquid in the glass. Not the way I want to start my night. The Hendrick's gin martini, however, that came next more than made up for the Artisan's short pour. In terms of the food, we tried basically half the menu. I really enjoy the small plate concept as you enjoy a variety of food at a good price. How bad can you feel if you spend $5 for a dish, good or bad? Kind of like buying an app for $.99. That night, we had the chicken liver, potato chips, devilled eggs, hominy, falafel, pork belly, octopus, pork chop, cobia, rib eye, cremosa, and peanuts and popcorn. Yes, a lot of food. The potato chips were okay, but the dip made it great. The devilled eggs were some of the best I ever had. The falafel did come a little dry to my liking. The hominy was nice, but more of a snack to have while drinking (in essence, the high-end foodie equivalent of peanuts in a bowl at the bar). The pork belly was great as most people have reviewed. A wonderful combination of sweet and spicy (and I am not a sweet food other than dessert kind of person). I am a huge fan of mixing crispy with spicy so the crunch of the pork's outside with the kimchi was a great. I continued my pork feast with the pork chop. It was great. I have to say this is one of the first times I had a pork chop that was not dried out. I did enjoy the spiciness brought to the dish, but I found the chick peas the chop was swimming in to not be cooked right so they remained in the pool of the plate. The desserts were very good. I did enjoy the peanuts and popcorn. The ice cream did taste like buttery popcorn and I did enjoy the dark chocolate covered popcorn. In the end, would I go back? Yes. Is this place the last-meal-on-earth-kind-of-place that I sense others suggest in their reviews or the type of place that I would go back to if I ate there last week, no. I think other restaurants have opened and stepped up to the challenge and offer comparable if not better food. And those other places offer better service (our service was spotty and we did have a long lag between courses). Further, other places do not bring with them some of the aloofness I seemed to pick up here from the hostess (who made us and everyone else wait for the table with the same line - your table is ready but the people are just paying the bill), the bartender (who did not even give us a courtesy acknowledgement), and the servers (who when present were very attentive, but would disappear for long stretches). I may be suffering from the fact that I have read simply too much about the restaurant and had expectations that this should be the best restaurant in South Florida. It is a very good restaurant. But it just did not live up to the very high expectations, which are based on the never-ending accolades and reviews of others.
(3)jen r.
it hurts me to give the great michaels only 3 stars, but i have to follow my heart on this one... even though every single freakin person i know raves and looooves this place! i have only been once about 6 months ago on a friday night without reservations and only had to wait about 10 mins. the host/hostess were ok but the waiter was super nice and knowledgable. we were a party of 3 and chose to get 5 plates to all try. the cheese of the day was excellent as were the french fries. but the ribs which were my pick, were not good at all. they were all fat and hardly any meat. i was grossed out after trying to shave off the fat.. and couldnt even touch the rest. the peanut butter chocolate brownie was great though as was the wine!! i know my 3 stars is not fair and trust me i really am looking fwd to going back and giving it another shot. i really want to give 5 stars!!
(3)Valentina A.
Sorry but MGFD disappointed me. Brought the parents here for lunch during the week. I was not impressed with the service, we felt rushed and ignored. Sandwiches came out with cold with overly-greasy fries. The restaurant was humid and lacked ventilation.
(2)Kew R.
Overpriced lousy food while surrounded by Miami locals. I have had my fair share of crap food, and but this place by far takes the cake.. Save your money, save your time, so overrated so overpriced, f#@% chef Micheal and his stupid array of designer bad dishes.
(1)Stephen S.
Not worth the arrogance by the staff.
(1)Andres S.
I had lunch here about a year ago with some clients and everything was yummy, so I added it to my list of "places to re-visit". My wife and I have never been the kind of people that would go and pay 40 bucks each to have toast, pancakes and mimosas, so the concept of a Brunch was not very appealing for us. Fortunately we picked the right place to put this concept to the test. Let me first say that this is not your ordinary brunch, so be prepared to expect the unexpected. Our waitress was super nice and extremely helpful, she walked us through the different options and recommended that we ordered a few dishes to share as the portions are small. Our choices were: Duck Confit Hash with parsley sauce and duck poached egg. Kimchi Benedict with poached egg, crispy pork belly and kimchi hollandaise. Wood Oven Roasted Local Goose Egg with chick peas and saffron. Crispy Palmetto Creek Farms Pig Head with sauce gribiche. We loved all our dishes, especially the Kimchi Benedict and the Pig Head, do not let the names of the dishes discourage you, these dishes defy every pre-conceived notion you may have. The desserts were OK, we had the pop tarts and the cinnamon roll. The only reason why I give it four stars and not 5 is because the service could have been a little faster and they forgot to bring one of the drinks we ordered. I will be coming back soon to try some more dishes, stay tuned.
(4)Rebecca B.
Just finished up at Michaels and it was delicious. We really came for the dessert but got the shrimp sandwich and that was really yummy! Little fried shrimps, a delicious sauce and great bread. Then is was time for dessert! We told the waitress Tara that we saw it on the food channel and really wanted to try the popcorn chocolate dessert but there was this huge plate that we really wanted to try too. The big dessert plate was $19 so we decided to get the popcorn thing and the pie in a jar. And then, Tara was so sweet and brought out a small taster of treats on top of it! We got to try their homemade Oreos, brownie cookie, nutter butter, peanut butter and choc stick, and all of it was so amazing. Plus the main dessert that we ordered was delicious; decadent and good sized portions. We were in a serious sugar coma after that, but it was worth it. Tara really made our trip special!! Thanks so much and we'll definitely be back next time we come to Florida!!
(5)Claudine C.
Yes, Michael's has tasty food; it's located in the hip up-and-coming design district (read - formerly depressed and not-so-safe). The place is packed for a weeknight (Thursday); the lights low, noise levels high. Yuppies, couples and old money dine side by side. Our server exudes a sense of self-importance, expounds on the menu in tones that make one think that Michael's has invented "local," "seasonal," "natural." He speaks of their wood-fired oven as if they were the only place on earth to bring such a contraption to the hoi polloi... Whatever. Dishes: -Wood Roasted double yolk Fam Egg: rich. eggy. cheesy. Yum. -Yellowfin Tuna Conserva with preserved meyer lemon, shaved radish, capers & coriander aioli: fishy -Pork Belly - with kimchi (which waiter felt the need to explain), crushed peanuts and pea shoots: delicious - could have had a little more kimchi -Sauteed Sweetbreads with heirloom tomato & cippoline onion chutney, brown butter pansauce: disappointing (I'm a sweetbreads fan). Chewy, not memorable. -Chargrilled octopus - tender in some places; overcharred in others. -Roasted Berkshire Pork Shoulder: over-cooked; meat dry; the cheesy, over-rich and one-dimensional grits that accompanied the meat didn't really do much to help the dish. -Homemade fettuccine with ramps, cherry toms, anchovy & breadcrumbs: decent. -Shortrib - delicious and meltingly tender; the romesco sauce fantastic. I'd give Michael's another try... but if I had a choice of just one resto I'd head over to Michy's 1st.
(3)M J.
A chic, foodie friend of mine recommended this - as soon as she said "clean food" and "design district" I was sold. Been dying to check out that design district. The menu is still in a winter mode and I'm more a spring/summer type diner. Despite that I found the choices excellent and soooo conducive to trying a lot - the menu is broken down into small, medium, large, extra large and snack sections - simple, but brilliant. How can you not order the cheese of the week, and a "snack" or two, in addition to other plates. We had butter lettuce salad, skirt steak, fish, brussell sprouts with monster chunks of pancetta - all delicious. Other notable items, in no specific order - ahem, roasted onion dip and fresh chips - food of the gods. Brillat Savarin cheese - just what I need, another expensive cheese addiction. A rocking rose - Wispering Angel. Dessert? Of course, there was still wine on the table - we got Candies, Cookies, Confections - my favorite thing to order, cookies. It could have been called, gourmet cookie swap. This is the best cookie plate I've ever seen and what fun to share, dissect, discuss all the pieces - chocolates, gelee's, etc, etc. Oh yeah, the rest - I guess unpretentious and cool cover it. Not an easy thing to pull off. The indoor space was warm, the outdoor space looked lovely, the staff plentiful and professional. I dig that they pour free sparkling and still filtered water. It's the little things.... That friend also said she wishes there were one of these in Boston, and I could not agree more.
(5)Brandy V.
Came here a couple of times and the food is always great. Also, Great wine selection!
(4)craig F.
OMFG!!! Yes, I was going to write that even before I clicked on Michael's Yelp page and saw Elizabeth R.'s review. Well said, Elizabeth, my feelings exactly. Speaking of reviews, Barney C, you just don't get it. Stick to Applebee's and Olive Garden, dude. Far away from the "fancy" places in South Beach is this unassuming bistro serving up fare that rivals or exceeds all fo the SoBe hot spots. The wood roasted egg? For real? Who comes up with something like that? And, despite all the reviews about how they are now too popular, when we were being seated and told them we were from SF but had heard great things from a local in our party, the host said something like, "Well, you have places everywhere in SF like this". Yeah, SF is a food mecca, but Michael's is in the rarified air. Anyway, it was nice that given all of their successes that they are still humble, or at least act like they are. Kind of the opposite from pretty much every other hot spot in So. Florida, where they act like you should bow before them for the opportunity to spend our money there. Bravo, Michael's
(5)Mike B.
The roast chicken was one of the best I've ever had in my life. It is really not to be missed. I have been thinking about it for 2 days and can't wait to try it again!!! (The only other chicken that came close was at Guy Savoy and that was like a $300 pp dinner so that's saying a lot.) Perfectly cooked. Perfectly seasoned. Great wine and beer list. Extremely fresh ingredients. You really can taste it The only reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars is the wait staff is often indifferent and can disappear for long periods of time, the sides are pretty but lackluster and the desserts are $2-3 overpriced and their quality doesn't live up to the rest of the stuff. Also, even if you have a reservation, you will wait. Another thing that's odd is I have trouble getting my Miami friends to come here with me. I think that's good in an odd way meaning it really is on a hardcore mission and isn't so worried about 'image' as everything and everyone else in Miami. Or maybe because the 'design district' still seems like an exotic destination. But this last time sat next to a table of six ladies from New York...and kinda always seems to be this way here.
(4)I P F.
So, I generally *like* Michael's. I've been there a number of times. I feel for the staff; it gets hectic in there, and a LOT of people show up without reservations and act entitled and hang out in front of the hostess' desk. The food is usually pretty good! The guys in the kitchen work hard. The other night I finally brought in a food-loving friend from out of town. I was like "Michael's is pretty much one of the best restaurants in town, we need to finally go there." So we go, they seat us within 20 minutes of the reservation, which is pretty good. The harried waiter gets to us eventually, and is like "Have you been here before?" And I was like "two of us have, one hasn't!" And so he was like "Well the 'small' plates are small, the 'medium' plates are medium--WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" My friend was making eye contact with him while digging in her purse on her lap for something. She was like "Uh, getting something? Out of my purse?" And then he rolled his eyes at her and we sat there in awkward silence for a while and then he sort of carried on explaining that SMALL PLATES ARE SMALL (which, really?) and then huffed off. And was largely cold the rest of the night. Which: WHY? Why did this happen? We're pretty nice people! This was really really weird and hostile and I'm scared of the waiters there now. We didn't even know what to say or how to act, and basically we just acted subservient to the waiter the rest of the night so he wouldn't hurt us. We left him an on-the-nose 15% tip because we were too scared to tip less, but certainly, after that, couldn't leave our customary 20 to 25%. I think it'll take me a while to go back. Something dark is going on there.
(3)Danielle C.
Great food, atmosphere, vibe, quality, service... the list goes on. I just had dinner at Michael's again a few nights ago and I am ready to review it! I thought this was going to be another trendy Miami restaurant that wouldn't be able to live up to its hype. I'm glad to report that my suspicions were false! Delicious dishes, all creative yet simple and satisfying. I have eaten here twice, when I've been in town, and have been impressed both times (my family members/friends have all reported the same positive sentiments after their own visits). Each time I visited with large parties (6+). The service has been efficient and friendly despite the demands a large group often might place on the wait staff. Eating with a large group also means that I've gotten an opportunity to sample a nice assortment of dishes. Standouts include the sweetbreads (!!), pork belly, short ribs & short rib pizza (mmm mmm mmm!), duck confit, crispy beef cheek... Oh, and their bread! And that butter! The night I wanted dessert, they had run out of the warm apple tart, which I really had been looking forward to, but I tried the maple flan and the assorted pastry plate, and I have to say, I was pretty pleased with everything. I'm definitely looking forward to going back and trying the apple dessert, though. And trust me, I'll definitely be going back when I'm in town again. DO go to Michael's! I highly recommend it.
(5)Arlene L.
Double eggs were delicious. Short ribs very tender. Dessert special, goat cheese cheesecake very good, doughnuts a little over sugared but good overall. Make a reservation on the weekend unless you want to sit at the cluttered chef table/bar.
(4)Dan F.
This was an amazing meal. I did not have one bit of food that even came close to disappointing. The service was exceptionally high. I cannot overstate how far this goes in my book. Krug on the wine list for $120...that's effing unbelievable. I want to go back. Now.
(5)French S.
Awesome food but they RECYCLE THEIR SALT. AT THE END OF THE NIGHT, IT IS COLLECTED AND REDISTRIBUTED THE NEXT DAY AND IF THE SERVERS FIND WEIRD STUFF IN IT, THEY PICK IT OUT. my friend used to work there. So gross.
(4)Ryan M.
Its hit or miss sometimes, but never bad. I feel like the price is a bit too high for what you get when you combine the service with the quality of the food. Its a great change of pace to most everything else you get in Miami. They have a great bar, with plenty of drink choices (a little light on the beer maybe). It was a place to be seen, now it is not only that, but a place to eat. For the price, I'd still probably go elsewhere, but if that isn't your concern Michael's is a great choice.
(4)Tom S.
Spent the weekend in Miami and made it to Michael's Genuine for brunch and I am glad I did. Very inventive menu and each dish was better then the next. The house cured pastrami and rice cake were excellent. This is a true gem in Miami and should not be missed.
(5)Ivan J.
Great place but it can get pretty busy even on weeknights. I'd have liked to been seated outside bit their was no room neither their nor in the main restaurant. They sat us in the spillover room near the door which allowed fir a great view of the room, which was bland but somehow the chandelier and picture frames made everything okay. Service was fine as was the beer selection however the menu drinks were a bit too complex. The short ribs were awesome and the octopus well done. I sort of felt like I was in NYC for a moment (which is a good thing). I look forward to returning and a better table. All in all, a nice place to take visiting friends, family and / or clients. Recommended!
(4)Elizabeth S.
I'm demoting you to two stars. And honestly, that's being VERY generous. The second time here, I really expected something better than the first. We arrived and for some odd reason, a table inside was immediately available. Although we wanted to sit at the bar, there was no room. There were a lot of people waiting, however it was a beautiful day, so I'm supposing they were waiting for outside seating. I was too hungry to bother and just wanted to sit down to a good meal with a bloody mary. Queue waiter: RUDE. The entire time, he acted as if we were an inconvenience. We were explained that the plates were small and meant for sharing. I really didn't feel like eating that way, since my friend is a meat eater and Michael's has a lot of really cool looking dishes, we decided just to order our own stuff. I went with the Roasted Eggplant and fingerling potato hash (since it was so good last time) and she ordered the Country Pate and the Tomato & Avocado salad. Waiter says: Is that it? That's all you're going to order? The plates are really small. You should at least order some bread.' and looks at his watch for the second time since he was taking our order. I ordered a rosemary crumpet and said we would keep the menus and order something else after the food arrived. He promptly snatched away the menus and walked off. Food arrived delivered by a food runner and Waiter did not come to check on anything: - Roasted Eggplant with chickpeas: this was really great and I would have it again. This dish and the bloody marys are the only reason I'm giving this place 2 stars. - Potatoes: COLD - Tomato & Avocado salad: Avocado was so hard and bitter that it was inedible. Dressing was tasteless, as were the tomatoes. - Pate - according to my friend it was decent. The waiter never stopped at our table the entire time we were eating (and we were there for a while). I flagged down a food runner to get a menu so we could order desert and finally got the attention of our waiter, who came over and stared at his watch as we were asking him what to order. We ended up with the Banana Chocolate bread pudding, which was good, but not really very 'Chocolate'. I really don't know if I'd be willing to give this place another try. The food was mediocre and the service was horrible. Maybe I'll go back for drinks at the bar but have food somewhere else next time.
(2)Mark D.
Meh. Scary waiter. Service, spotty. Had the lamb. Delicious. Hated the tabbouleh situation it was on top of. Too chunky. Burratta starter delish. Heirloom tomatoes, local. Cheese, flown in. Simple. I will never return
(2)Jeremy T.
Godly prime rib and death by an amazing dinner. Words are worthless here - JUST EAT THERE and you'll see heaven too!
(5)Andy L.
I stopped by for lunch with my girlfriend and our experience wasn't something that would pull us back in for another visit. The hot wings were tasty but very small and the portion was small as well. The avocado soup was very lack luster. My girlfriend looooves avocado anything and she didn't get half way through before she pushed it aside. The two good things out of our visit were the fries and the penne pasta. Both were pretty flavorful and they helped salvage our visit. We had a table that pushed us into our neighbors and our conversation ended up being theirs and vice versa. Not a very pleasant setting. I would maybe go back to try their dinner as this place is highly recommended, but our lunch introduction was not anything spectacular.
(2)Tare P.
This place is mmm-mmm good. Pork belly watermelon salad, double yolk farm egg, pot de creme, and panna cotta are all winners every time. Michael's is fantastic, but make a reservation.
(5)A S.
We happened to sit at the bar so I did not have any service issues, as others seem to have had. I will admit though, the hostess was very arrogant. Food is delicious here. I would still say some of the items are overpriced for the quantity, but at least you get quality. So considering the options in Miami, it's well worth it. Bread is very very good. And I mean, very very good..... We tried the burrata, tuna tartar, the wood roasted farm egg, the shortrib, fingerling potatos... everything was outstanding. I don't know if I will make a reservation for a table next time. I might just sit at the bar again, since my experience was so positive. I don't want to ruin it. Keep it up, Michael. Good job.
(4)Esperanza L.
Food is a hash-posh of favors an textures that fight with each other instead of harmonizing. This is the third time we went for a third and final try. That's the last.
(2)Ricardo B.
LOVE this place. The service is consistently good and friendly and the burger is out of this world!! It helps that they have a good wine selection: do try the wines from Washington: you will be hooked. Can get pricey and valet parking sucks but other than that, well worth it.
(4)John O.
Question: does everyone in Miami dress like they're going to a cocktail party for strippers? Since my 41 yo wife was not sporting 4inch stiletto heels, a sequined dress just long enough to cover her derrier and DD implants, she felt a bit underdressed. Nevertheless she was able to enjoy her meal of salad and grouper which was light but a touch bland. After I unbuttoned my third shirt button to unveil my luscious mane of chest hair, our waiter brought a stiff vodka soda along with the wood oven baked double yolk appetizer thing. Delicious. Like a baked super cheesy mini omelet in a flan dish. Chianti and short ribs for the main course, also very good. We eventually noticed lots of regular people eating there too. Good service, good food, quarters were a bit tight even outside.
(4)Karin V.
To sum it up, the waiters were friendly and knowledgeable, good wine selection with reasonable prices, and outstanding appetizers (which were much better than the entrees). So I would recommend coming here for drinks and ordering a bunch of appetizers - especially the kimchi pork belly! Hits: - Crispy sweet & spicy pork belly, kimchi, crushed peanuts, swank farms pea shoots - an absolute MUST!! I'm not big on kimchi, but this was incredible with the mouthwatering pork belly. - Italian Cheese with Honeycomb - can't remember the name of the cheese, but it was wonderful with the sweet and brittle honeycomb - Slow Roasted Fudge Farms Pork Shoulder with anson mills cheese grits, pickled red onion, parsley sauce - really tender pork packed with lots of beautiful flavors - Wood Roasted Double Yolk Farm Egg with cave aged gruyere, roasted tomato, chives, sourdough crostini - Chargrilled Octopus Salad of gigande beans, roasted peppers, green olives & torn herbs - Organic Maple Flan with gingersnap ice cream sandwich and roasted forelle pear Ho-hum: - Grilled Fudge Farms Pork Chop with house smoked bacon cauliflower gratin, ginger pear chutney - the pork chop was juicy and nicewith the chutney, but didn't love it - Roasted & Grilled Harris Ranch Shortrib with roasted cippolini onion, romesco sauce, toasted almonds & hazelnuts - really tender, but surprisingly bland and boring - Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme with cara cara orange confit & hot doughnuts
(4)Irene C.
Came back for a birthday brunch this morning with my bestie. Amazing. I love the concept of tapas-style breakfast! The waitress suggested each of us order 2 dishes to share, but of course being the shameless gluttons that we are, we ordered 8. Our favorites of the savory items were the kimchi benedict and the wood oven roasted double yolk egg. I've never seen a more perfectly poached egg. There wasn't actual kimchi in the benedict, but the hollandaise was infused with kimchi seasoning. I was surprised that the flavors blended so well together. The oven roasted yolk had a mix of sauteed sundried tomato and fresh eggs baked within a gruyere cheese cap. yum! The best sweet item was the cinnamon roll with pecans and 'smoked bacon crunch'. Whatever that means. Cinnamon rolls are always tasty, but it must've been that ingredient that made this one heavenly! We really wanted to order the duck confit but they ran out of ingredients. I thought the homemade pastrami was ok, a bit fatty and bland, but my best friend loved it. I was going crazy over the sweets section of the menu. We both liked the homemade poptarts (nutella and some kind of wildberry). Almond french toast was amazing as well. It was stuffed with apples and raisins and came with housemade syrup. The 9 grain pancakes were super grainy and not that great... maybe because i'm not used to oven-baked pancakes. I think I'll stick with the more traditional lemon ricotta pancakes instead. Donuts were ok. The item that caught our eye but didn't end up ordering cuz we wanted to try everything else was Hedy's assorted childhood sweets. Get this-- they make their own twists on our favorite snacks like oreos, fig newtons, and snickers. How insanely creative is that?? I'm all over that next time for sure! I was so mesmerized by the sweets section that I didn't even see the fresh squeezed juice section on the back of the menu!! Only as we were leaving did we see someone drinking a melon blend with a colorful melon ball skewer as garnish. I'm definitely also getting that and a strawberry basil soda next time!
(5)Andrew Z.
When I spend a lot on a meal I like to feel like I just had food that was not only great, but also took time and care to make. I like to have food that I'm not likely to make at home because of hard to come by ingredients or difficult or time-consuming cooking techniques. Michael's menu is full of complex, intricate and delicious dishes that fit the bill. While there are some items which are simply prepared using great ingredients, I tend to lean towards the more complicated menu items. I'd reason that given a great piece of imported burrata I too could make a nice little salad with it. This was my second time visiting Michael's; first time was several years ago and we didn't totally enjoy it. That visit there were two of us, this time we were four. Having four adventurous and sharing eaters was great because we ordered a bunch of small and medium plates and all got to try the goods. Go with family, go with friends, go with people who like to share. Service: Eh. Unfortunately it seemed like we had the one crappy waiter in the place. I think most of his tables were inside and we were outside, but come on man. It took 5 minutes for him to first come over and then about 15 for drinks (I know some of this is on the bar) and would just disappear for long periods of time. He also brought the wrong beer (which he swapped out) but then charged us for both. Food: Luckily the service wasn't so terrible that the food couldn't bail it out. That said, I think the food could carry a meal at Michael's past service from someone who was drunk and stoned. We had: Potato Chips with Onion Dip A nice start to the meal. The chips were thick and crunchy; fried just right. The dip was creamy and flavorful with lots of caramelized onions throughout. Crispy Pig Ear Don't be afraid, just do it. Great flavors in the seasoning, perfect crunch and just a big of fattiness. Try it with a drop of lime squeezed over it. Ceviche Nicely balanced with mango, peppers (serrano, I think), cilantro and red onion. Fresh and clean flavors. Crispy Rice Cake A bit hard to describe this other than to say "wow." Great flavor combination and wonderful texture. The egg really put this over the top. Duck Confit Quite possibly the best duck I've ever had. Cooked to perfection and nicely flavored. The frisee is nicely paired with the duck; take a bite of both together. Solid. Chargrilled Octopus A light and refreshing dish, the octopus was treated delicately and perfectly grilled leading to a great texture (not rubbery or chewy at all). The salad of beans, tomatoes, olives et al was a nice accompaniment. Desserts: While both a bit small (and pricey at $10) they were unique and amazing. Chocolate Cremoso The chocolate had a great texture and was salted just right. Went superbly with the toffee-ish side. Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme There's a reason this has been talked about all over. The pot de creme itself had a nice balance of flavor, although it was a bit soft. I thought pot de creme usually sits up a bit more (this was almost runny) but it was great nonetheless. The donuts and jam were off the hook and the candied orange peel in the jam was a nice touch. In all, we had a great eating experience (service not so much) and I'd love to go back and try the rest of the menu. Michael's is not cheap, in fact I think the prices are a bit high for the portions. In defense of the prices there is a lot that goes into each dish which makes it "worth it."
(4)Shaina B.
Went here with about 8 people and shared a bunch of different things. Some that stood out were the pig ears, pork belly, beet salad and some sort of cap'n crunch dessert that was to die for!! Maybe not with the high ticket, but overall had an enjoyable meal with the service being a little slow.
(3)Kevin N.
You have to give it to that Michael: he's for real about his Genuine Food and Drink, to the point of slapping that slogan in plain view, and for that alone I'd be bringing the love. Alas, it's much more than that in the offing here, as the gorgeous and sleek-meets-approachable ambiance takes hold. Menu items are sorted by the hunger commitment you need bring in order to completely savor them, and staff was both affable and great with a number of suggestions. As our time was limited (we were essentially on a layover which we took as a great excuse to dine with Yelp Miami's own Maria A), we honed in on a potpourri of appetizers, entrees and a couple of desserts to balance out the wine (after being out of the country for several days, a glass of Ridge was just what the doctor ordered for some) and I for one balanced out pork bellies, brussel sprouts (yes, I'm aware I'm one of four people who craves those) and mussels with a couple of Duvels. Dessert brought a baked apple cavalcade and a banana panini provided an ample exclamation point. Can't wait to go back when I can linger!
(4)Lowell J.
I went here for lunch as I was in the area on business. Now I love this place for dinner and expected to love their lunch but...I had a chicken sandwich on ciabatta bread and it was just okay... :-(
(3)Kristin K.
great, just amazing. Enjoyed the Miami Spice menu, started with the fig & burrata, mint & olive oil. the best thing I've had in a while. Entree was the swordfish, grapefruit & arugula - so fresh. Finished with a hazelnut plum tart & black licorice ice cream. Delish. Great portions sizes, not too much. our server was brilliant.
(5)Steve S.
i was a little disappointed in my meal here recently. i had high expectations, and left feeling that it could have been better. i went with a group of 6 and we shared various small plates to start, ordered separate large plates as a main course, and then split some desserts. the roasted double farm egg w/ gruyere and crostini was very good, but the country pate was very mediocre and fell flat in my opinion. the crispy potato chips with french onion dip was good, but didn't blow me away. i felt like i could have gotten them at a sports bar. my entree of pork shoulder was tasty and moist, but pretty fatty. the chimichurri sauce was not really necessary, and didn't add anything to the dish. the grits were great though. my friend's pork chop with spicy chickpea stew was decent, but had a strong cumin flavor throughout the dish that i would call over-spiced. and the desserts were really nothing special. although the donuts were fantastic, i enjoyed the accompanying blackberry marmalade much better than the orange pot de creme. and the now infamous 'popcorn & peanuts' dish was just sad. the popcorn was hard and seemed like it had been sitting in a freezer, not made fresh. the butter popcorn flavored ice cream was a cool idea and tasty though. overall, we had nothing that was truly terrible, but not much that was really out of this world. i can't say i will be back.
(3)Tony D.
If you want Amazing look no further than Michael's Genuine in the Design District. Everything here is incredibly fresh and more importantly, local! This food is made with love and every single thing I had was amazing. Its hard to pick my favorites, because everything and I mean everything was amazing. The service is impeccable, the prices are reasonable, and the food is delicious. If your looking for the best restaurant in Miami, head over to Michael's Genuine.
(5)DeDe D.
So if Frank Bruni says I should go somewhere outside of New York, I go. Frank was right. Ok, I wouldn't go to a restaurant for free water ... but I was charmed by it. Really, I don't have to pay you $10 for sparkling water? What a great way to start a meal. But I actually go for the food, right? A few highlights - the wood roasted double yolk farm egg is out of this world - run don't walk to enjoy this dish. While it's warm and rich enough that I wished I was enjoying it in the 30 degree weather of NYC rather than Miami, it's great in any weather. The pork belly in a kim chi sauce was the perfect combination of sweet and spice - I order pork belly whenever it's offered and this is a superlative preparation. The crispy beef cheek was good but not great - I'd try something else on this very interesting menu. The grouper entree was very good - fish was perfectly prepared, but my favorite part was the brussels sprouts (our excellent waiter had said we should definitely try the brussels sprouts and he was right.) Desserts were fantastic. The creamsicle pot de creme with warm donuts is the best dessert I've had in a long time. Get it, period. The maple flan was also delicious - try to get a companion to order it - but the pot de creme is at the top of the list. In short, Michael's is impressive - don't miss it on your next Miami trip.
(5)Allison P.
Hello? Ridge Zinfandel by the glass for less than $10. That's all I needed to hear. After spending the week in a country not known for its wine, this was music to my hears. Yelp's own Maria A. showed us around while on a layover headed back to Texas. On top of an amazing glass of wine; mussels, pork belly and crazy unique desserts had me sold. A banana toffee panini? Holy smokes. Coming straight from Latin America, I can't say the ceviche was as good as what I had experienced the week before, but tasty nonetheless. Since we were short on time, we stuck with just a few appetizers and dessert. But when I make it make to Miami (which I plan on), we'll be headed right back for a full meal.
(4)Eric W.
Michael's Genuine, where to start. Well, this being Valentine's Day, I decided to make reservations for myself and a friend who was in town on business. I live in West Palm Beach and had never been there before, and because of this, got lost. Since my reservations were at 2:30, I called to say we were running late, and we arrived at 3 sharp, right when the kitchen closes, unfortunately. However, the Maitre 'd sat us anyhow, and we were able to order our lunch, despite feeling a little rushed. The service was ok, although our waitress only checked on us once throughout our nearly 45 minute meal. She was prompt to take our order, for obvious reasons. Our food arrived pretty quickly, and was delicious. A real treat. My companion had the turkey and gruyerre, and I had the Banh Mi. Both sandwiches were outstanding. Fresh ingredients, well prepared. My only compaint would be that we ordered two diet cokes, and I was immediately disappointed when I saw our server come around the corner with the small 6 oz. glass bottles, especially at 3.50 a piece with no refills. Hardly a value. I will definitely make the trek back to explore the rest of the menu, however, and look forward to doing so.
(4)Margot R.
CHIMAY beer AMAZING!!! Pulled Pork Sandwich - dry! ( i added ketchup and it still sucked) Burger ( dry -- c'mon) Chicken ( dry -------c'mon dude,....chicken?????) Desserts-- DELECTABLE! Staff--Stuck-up Food-- Overpriced **Summary; In N.Y.C. this shit wouldn't pass for pidgeon food.
(2)Deb H.
Finally checked out Michael's last night & I give the wine 5 stars and the food 3 stars. I had a hard time finding something that appealed to me on the food side. Pigs ears, pork belly, various egg dishes and a plethora of trendy menu items left me a bit cold. I had the beet & tomato salad which was great and some nifty olives. The wine was sublime--I had the Bell Meritage and the Ruta Malbec. The selection by the glass is perfect. The patio is dog-friendly and my Jack enjoyed the night.
(3)Kolja P.
Nice location. Food was generally good. Kimchi with peanuts and pasta was excellent but the pizza was burnt. Service could have been better and more attentive. All in all a nice but not outstanding experience, especially for $230 for lunch for 4 people.
(3)Moshe D.
The restaurant was packed with people. We especially liked the pork belly and the slow roasted pork shoulder. Overall not the "best of the best" as stated in one of the reviews, but very tasty. Chef/Owner Michael Schwartz emphasizes organic products and an interesting menu which is divided into small, medium, large, and extra large plates. It is reasonably priced for a famous restaurant frequented at times by celebrities. Hipster ambiance. There is parking on the street.
(4)Craig T.
I'd seen the pigs ears on The Layover and felt sure this would be a great bet. It is. The place is far more relaxed than I was expecting, and the lunch crowd make for great people watching. I shared 4 appetizers, which were all simple and thoughtfully put together with quality ingredients. The pork belly white bean soup special was as perfect a soup as I've eaten, the only one that possibly beat this was the roast chicken consomme at Icon in the W Midtown, NYC. I opted for the rock shrimp salad in part to see how respectfully they handled non-pork / fried menu items, and I still have moments where the experience pops back into mind. Desserts are decadent, and just the right side of sane, given the current trend for whimsy at the ends of meals. Treat yourself.
(4)Roberto B.
While I have only been here once I really don't know where to begin - this place is magical - the bill was so much less than I would have thought (caveat: the main course for my taste was indeed still the size of an appetizer - wah! but I'm a um... big boned boy - ok fat healthy eater!), the wine list immpecable and the food - TO DIE FOR. I will probably have to update my review because I plan on going their repeatedly before I die and eating everything off the menu.... twice...that good. BTW not important per se but the staff are all eye candy - men and women. BUT important: THEY ARE NICE and make you feel WANTED! Reservations highly recommended (we didn't have one, it was pretty packed on a windy Wednesday night but we were accommodated rather rapidly) - don't pass up this gastronomical delight that has to be one of Miami's top ten restaurants. . . Place's like this put US on the culinary map.
(5)Any M.
Great hidden little Gem. outdoor dining has a great ambiance. I love the menu divided into small , medium, large portions. Everything was great and cooked to perfection. We ordered several plates and shared between four of us. Dessert was delicious and interesting: an olive oil cake with basil ice cream and fig compote..mmm soo good.
(5)Doctor R.
Michael's has been an obsession of mine, lo these many mooncycles. I tripped over this lovely, smoke-infused, comfort food haven during a Miami Design District Art Walk a couple years back. My side-kick and I were low on fuel, weary of hipsters, and in need of Vitamin G (a good gin martini). M's was packed, but we found a welcome nook at the bar where we had the best Martini I have had (outside of my own, which is semi-legendary and whirled changing, but I digress...). We ordered an heirloom tomato and beet salad that transported us to another plain. The pacNW oysters made me pine for my old Left Coast haunts (SF, Eugene, Vancouver). The wood-fired oven-roasted brussel sprouts with pancetta reminded me again that home is where the hearth is. I have returned every couple months ever since. I regret that the Mayflower Martini is off the menu (except by request and even then it is missing the orange bitters...), but have found suitable subs. I was last there for lunch on July 29 with a table of first-timer foodies. Each were over the moon (we shared plates). I always drop a fair dinkum amount of gettus, but I have no regrets and many happy memories. The service is friendly and prompt without being pushy. My favorite Miami restaurant for good reason. Simple and superb. Dr Rico
(5)Seth H.
went here for sunday brunch...incredible meals, tapas style. be sure to make a reservation for outdoor seating as the outdoor garden (would have been) awesome to sit in.
(5)low p.
Along with The Dutch in Miami and Gjelina in Venice, CA, this place is one of my holy trinity. As in "holy f@#$, this is delicious!). Mind you, our first dinner there was not super awesome. But, we just didn't order right. We've had several amazing meals since, including a sublime lunch of the fish sandwich, the pulled pork sandwich, and lots and lots of donuts. I love that this place is between the airport and South Beach, so you have no excuse not to hit it coming (and going) whenever you are in Miami
(5)Jenny D.
Food good. Service terrible. Ruined our experience. We visited yesterday night for dinner expecting the best since everyone talks about this place. With no exaggeration, our server only talked to us when we were first ordering to try and upsell us on everything! As if 4 appetizers, 2 entrees, and 2 drinks wasn't enough!! We are foodies so we love to try new and exciting dishes, which they were very good. The egg rice cake was our favorite. We also had the fried pig ears, butter lettuce, egg crostini, short rib, and pizza. Our server NOT ONCE came to our table to see how we were doing....my husband wanted another beer, I wanted to try a different homemade soda since the one I had was too sweet (ginger lemongrass I don't recommend it) after finding a runner to take our empty plates away" our server looked over at us many times but never coming over. We had to ask the hostess for the check!!!! Manager even saw us looking around but kept doing his own thing. That's hospitality 101 people. You see a customer looking around a bit annoyed, you go to them. Not to mention we had to send our pizza back because it was so burnt it was not edible. You think a manager would come over to make sure everything was ok? Once again nothing from anyone! We even saw how well another server behind us was doing and we almost asked him for the dessert list but then we became so turned off, we just wanted to go somewhere else! Would We go back? Sorry, but we love good food and there is too much competition out there to have horrible service and ruin the dining experience. That was definitely a turn OFF.
(2)Chrissy G.
I went in with high expectations but was disappointed. We dined at 5:30 (the only time we could get a reservation and since we had nothing else to do, we took it). The restaurant was pretty empty at the time but it quickly picked up. We were sat in the adjoining Gallery room and though it is separate from the main dining room we didn't mind. My husband had a beer (some German beer, last on the list) and I had a glass of Riesling. Both were reasonably priced. From the "small" menu we had the Grouper ceviche and the Roasted Octopus. I loved the ceviche and its citrus kick where as the hubby wasn't as much of a fan. The fish was super fresh but he thought there was just too much citrus. I am not a fan of octopus in general but found it to be edible. The hubby LOVED it. We had the homemade potato chips with onion dip. If you love store bought onion dip you will love this. It was full of caramelized onions and was a creamy delicious "snack". For our main dishes my husband had the grouper with the brussel sprouts. Surprisingly, his eyes lit up when eating the sprouts, he loved them where as the grouper was just ok. Nothing bad but nothing to write home about either. I had the pork shoulder with cheesy grits. It sounded good and I had read great reviews about it. Unfortunately, I couldn't even eat it. The pork was dry, flavored with cinnamon and anise? and was pretty awful. I have never ha to leave a dish because I was so unhappy but couldn't stomach this one. My husband is a garbage disposal and didn't like it either. Our waitress was gracious and picked it up right away and thankfully took it off our check. Overall, the small dishes were yummy but the main dishes fell flat. Probably wouldn't go back, there are too many other places to try and enjoy! Oh, i forgot about dessert. I had the chocolate dessert which was wonderful!
(2)Veronica S.
My brother and sister-in-law invited us to dinner here. We decided to go last minute but got there just in time as someone cancelled theirs so we got a table right away. Our server was attentive and made great suggestions. The ambience was relaxing and sitting outside on a 'winter' night in Miami was perfect. They had a signature cocktail with a rosemary spring that smelled as good as it tasted. As far as the menu, we ordered a variety of things and what stands out most is the duck confit and the short ribs. I can't wait to go back!
(4)Erika C.
Great food. This was one of the most memorable restaurants I ate at in Miami. This included D Rodriguez Cuba, which didn't blow my mind. This place had unique dishes, a nice layout, and is situated in the design district. Very cool night shots were had and very good dishes were chowed down.
(4)Penny G.
Michael's is consistently delicious. Everytime I have gone for dinner, I think to myself: I should come here more often! The house salad, crispy rice cake, pizza, ribeye steak, fries, burrata, and grouper are all my favs. The cookie and confection plate is perfection and I can literally take the whole thing down by myself!!!! Last sunday I came for brunch, and now I really LOVE this place. Hands down the best brunch in miami. My favorites were the chocolate chip cookies, banana bread french toast, breakfast pizza, multigrain toast was fresh and amazing, BACON STICKY BUN=RIDIC, house cured bacon(dip it in the grade A syrup please), house made sausage, brown butter madelines, bacon egg cheese arepa, pp&j cupcake, and the homemade poptarts. Do yourself a MAJOR favor, pick up the phone, make a resy, and enjoy the best brunch EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)Jason C.
ya this is the real deal, great looking inside , friendly staff, in a cool area of miami and top it off the foood was great. Looking foward to going back again, thank you
(5)Ed A.
Interesting foods, however, the staff takes away from the dining experience. DO NOT sit at the kitchen bar, the heat and staff can ruin your appetite. The wine list needs works; however, the creativity on the food menu is worth the visit. The cheese sampler, country eggs and mussels are stunning.
(3)Charlie B.
What can I say...As a self proclaimed foodie and blogger it was about time I went to Michaels...last night I went and it didn't disappoint. The place is understated but elegant, simple and clean...just like his food. For an app I had the Wood roasted double yolk farm egg with aged Gruyere, roasted tomato, chives and a sourdough crostini...have to say it was spectacular For dinner I had the roasted & grilled Harris ranch short rib with roasted cippolini onion, with romesco sauce...the short ribs were fork tender, and packed with so much flavor!! Dessert was also amazing...the chocolate peanut butter "candy bar" with buttered popcorn flavored ice cream with chocolate chipotle sauce was just sublime So, as you can see I highly recommend MGFD...amazing food, in an equally amazing place!
(5)Rafael R.
As both a non Miami and Design District native, it is my understanding that Michael's Genuine was the first Miami DD resto to offer complimentary sparkling water to guests - very novel in a city well known for trying to up-sell its diners on pricey bottled water. Now that the area has welcomed numerous new restaurants, they all seems to be offering it. What locals don't know is that this practice actually started on the other coast, at a restaurant in San Francisco by the name of Incanto Restaurant & Wine Bar almost a decade ago. Of course, unless I'm distorting the facts, like former VP Al Gore, who claimed to have invented the internet or President Obama, who recently said that the US invented the car ... it was actually Germany, this practice is a nice respite from having to purchase a bottle of fizzy water that will no doubt end up in a landfill, as the city of Miami does not recycle. Ok, carbonated water lecture and non green efforts aside, Michael's Genuine is a wonderfully tasty establishment in the heart of the district. The wood roasted double yolk egg farm gets two thumbs up for flavor, as it was one of the more memorable starters, but overall, it was a wonderful dinner.
(5)Johnny T.
I suppose there are simple truths one must accept when deciding to dine at an extremely popular establishment: it will be crowded, service mileage will vary, the prices will hurt a bit, it.will.be .crowded. But, if you breathe deeply, exhale and acknowledge that all these truths are self-evident, then possibly -- maybe -- you can have a good experience. I had a good experience. I did my research. I planned on coming to Michael's with an out-of-town guest for Sunday brunch. This was full steam ahead, you-know-what-you're-getting-into. Despite having a reservation and arriving before said reservation, the hostess greeted us with a lovely mix of confusion, annoyance and flippancy. Oh boy. This is going to be fun. Assuming that Florida is a three strikes state, I reserved my impulse to 'bless' her and, simply, turned to my friend, smiled and waited. After, about, six minutes we were seated. We requested an inside table because it looked like rain. We sat and... wow. That's tight. As much as I joke about being chunky but funky, I'm actually a trim fellow. I barely fit in the seat. Our table was child sized and I wondered how we would fit more than three plates on it. After a short while, our waitress came by. She had a perfunctory smile and that was good enough for me (even though we received other tables' orders and did not receive ours for time on end). I ordered a Cabarete, received it, sipped the St. Germain, watermelon and sparkling wine concoction, leaned back, and exhaled. This'll do. All things equal to the savory side of the kitchen, I knew that my main objective was to eat everything the Hedy Goldsmith thought about that morning. Hmm, I may have been lying about the 'trim' thing. So, in an effort to get to the sweet portion of the brunch meal, we ordered a breakfast pizza, pate and the double yolk egg. The bacon, egg, jack cheese, and onion pizza was tasty but didn't rock my socks. That duty was left to the egg -- whose gruyere, tomato and chive mix couldn't be sopped up quickly enough by the bread. This is a winner, folks. My friend and I nearly fought over it. Luckily for me, she doesn't like tomatoes. The pate, again, was nice but nothing I hadn't had before. Truthfully, I bunted on the savory because I was bringing my 1972 Miami Dolphins game to the sweet portion of brunch. #believe Pop Tart: I was, like, $%*&%#^. Sorry. I meant to write ^**)(^%&*I. Uff da. I can't put into words what this pop tart is/was. It called me, maybe. It was the wind beneath my wings. It hit me, baby, one more time and a time after it. I simply couldn't believe what was happening. It's as though I stepped outside myself to witness me eating this treasured piece of Heaven... but then I ran back inside myself so that I didn't miss a single morsel of perfection. If you have even thought about eating something sweet, you have to have this. It doesn't matter the flavor. Eat it. And, don't share unless you have to; Lemon Ricotta Pancakes: With berry compote, the combo of sweet and tart in pancake form never goes out of style. My friend and I were big fans of shared lemon ricotta pancakes back in Chicago and these fit the bill nicely; Donut: Peaches.And.Cream. Tears. Crying. Joy. Confession. Twirls. Skips. Jumps; Snickers bar: We ended the meal with a homemade Snickers bar made from the brilliant mind of Hedy Goldsmith. This was the sweets version of dropping the mutha-f'in' mike and walking off the stage. For the above reasons, true believers, this is why you will put up with crowds, flaky service, tight fits, and other first-world problems. You will put up with it again and again and again. I know I will.
(4)Mimi B.
This place is just okay. I heard so much about it and was excited to try it. The food was good, over priced and our service wasn't so great. I am not dying to go back.
(3)Julia S.
The food is insane here. Great atmosphere. The staff is very nice. My only complaint is the prices. If I pay full price for an entree, it should come with accompaniments. Other than that, top notch!
(4)Nanette B.
Love this place for many occasions! Love the music and the vibe! Love the seating area outside as you really feel that you are somewhere at a European cafe far away from here! People are friendly and service is great! Also the food is very good! Defiantly a place I go back to ... Not to mention the affordable valet or parking.
(4)Fortune Cookie W.
This was one of the restaurants my culinary school took me to do a sample writing for a food writing course. I would say that it cannot get any better. The genius behind the food here is astonishing. From their savory bite size appetizers to the sweet complexity of their bread pudding dessert it is one of my favorite places to go out to eat with friends. It is a bit pricey if you are around the college student budget, but for good food you will find a way to treat yourself. It is a place where you can go in business casual to fancy dress up to go feel like what it is like to have lunch as a socialite. Its in a small corner area that is private for your minimal exposure for your one on one time or just a group of friends.
(5)Nancy A.
This is probably one of most happy places in miami. THE FOOD IS AMAZING, specially the brunch menu. The desserts change constantly but the pop-t's (name for the poptarts so they dont sue) are incredible. the service is great but it gets packed so make a reservation and order about two plates per person to make sure you get full!
(5)Ting W.
Came here based upon an Anthony Bourdain recommendation. I had the Banh Mi pork sandwich with a bloody mary and a tomato caprese appy. All were delicious. Service was great. I'd love to come back.
(5)Megan L.
I was excited to try Michael's Genuine on a recent vacation, but the experience didn't come close to the rave reviews. The atmosphere was great, the food decent, but the service completely ruined the experience. Our server clearly didn't have it together- it started going downhill when 20-plus minutes went by between receiving our salads and entrees. Once the entrees did arrive, my lamb was chewy and had seemingly sat in the window for a while, but it didn't seem worth it to complain (and it would have meant trying to flag down the waiter again, ugh). We stuck it out and stayed through a slow dessert.The kicker was when the bill arrived- he'd charged us $30 for my sister's 2 vodka sodas. Well welcome to Miami --except that's more than anything on the cocktail list. Way to screw the customer, and yourself out of a good tip.
(2)Hope P.
In the Design distict behind the Palm trees covered in hanging orchids, and the garden had festive poinsettas for added color and to remind you of the season, lies Michael's Genuine. The hostess sat my man and I to a nice table for two outside. Inside I noticed some great art pieces on the wall and a nice trendy bar too. We just came from a Heat game (Heat won!) and were ready to eat. Waters were brought out in red glasses, and ordered a couple nice glasses or red wine. Navigating through the menue of small plates, medium, large and extra large plates, sides, cheese of the week and snacks. We ordered the duck leg and the chicken liver as "snacks". The duck rillette was cooked in its fat and was melt in your mouth, it came with dijon and a tiny savory pickle(cornichon) and crostini. The chicken liver had caramelized onions, and crostini. Both were great choices since we wanted to try something different and new. There are little tea lights with white paper wrapped around giving a mood lighting chinese-lantern effect. I found it romantic. The whole wooden roasted chicken is a 60 minute wait and didn't know so it would've taken too long since we ordered snacks and waited to order the dinner... soo Plan B the Half a pan roasted chicken! It was delicious!! At the end of our date I wanted a photo and the valet gladly took my camera and took a couple shots. A couple of Tall big guys ( players) drove up in a Black SUV and asked the valet if they were still open.. he said "No". The guy looked disapointed and drove off with his buddies in the car. The Valet then told us the Heat players often come to eat there... Its that good. ** Featured on Best Thing I Ever Ate: Popcorn & Peanuts - Tangerine Creamsicle - Homemade Poptarts ** **Featured on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmerman Michael's Genuine Serves local, sustainable food made with improvisational cooking techniques. ** ** Featured on Drinking Made Easy -Grab a fresh cocktail during their infamous Sunday Brunch **
(4)Mike D.
I really wanted to give this place a 5 star review but because I felt the wait staff was in "robot mode" and not paying attention to details or questions and request I was asking i had to subtract 1 star. I love this location and the little courtyard for out door seating is great to people watch. The food was very good and I was able to experienced things like pig ears in which I really enjoyed. Some of the food that we ordered lacked refinement but overall really fresh and flavorful. When we are back in Miami we will most likely be back. If you are in this neighborhood stop by for some apps and a drink, you'll have a good time!
(4)Arelys G.
Love their dessert and ambiance! The place is usually pretty packed for dinner so make sure to make reservations in advance.
(3)Samantha H.
small, intimate, great service, great food. One of the best!
(5)Patricia E.
I love Michael's Genuine! Another of my favorite restaurants to visit. All of their ingredriants are fresh and they provide awesome table service. Drinks are hip, and their menu has some delightful tastes. I definitely recommend Sunday Brunch at Michael's, it won't disappoint you.
(5)Joseph S.
This restaurant is wonderful. A little pricy and the selection is unique to say the least but the food is wonderful. The service was second to none. I would take a sip of my water and before I knew it a barista would fill me up again. Not only did they bring a dog bowl but they also offer complimentary dog bones which was an absolute treat for my boy. I definitely recommend this restaurant for a unique dining experience.
(4)Marqus R.
I've stopped by Michael's several times and with so many refreshingly exciting places for this out of town Fort Lauderdalian to stop by in Miami, that alone is a testament to how much I've enjoyed it. The best part about it is that not only is the food good, it's unique in creation and preparation; it doesn't bore me. Because of my weird street roaming hours, I've usually hit Michael's at times in between its rather strict serving hours but have been contented to sit at the bar munching their bowl of house radishes, dipping them in salt and enjoying a few good albeit rather expensive drinks. Michael's claims to hold to a philosophy of using the best and freshest of local ingredients and, from my experiences they live up to that claim. Best, however, is the uniqueness of their dishes and the manner in which they are prepared. Indeed I've had items here that are imaginative and from a culinary point difficult to pull off, but they seem to be able to do exactly that, not just once or twice, but repeatedly. The slow roasted boneless short ribs and the jumbo lump crab cake are both worthy of particular note and of my recommendation.
(4)Adam R.
Of all the places that I went to in Miami this year, Michael's is going to be the one that I give a five star designation to. It was tough, seeing as I managed to pick out some quality places (pats himself on back) but Michael's was a cut above. Pre-meal - I needed to change my reservation twice. Neither time was a problem. And despite showing up late, they were cool about it, and were professional despite it being the last table of lunch. Appetizer - My cousin had never had pork ear. He was curious. My brother and I like crispy pork, and we went with it. The decision was fantastic. Crispy, with a little bit of softness inside, it was indulgent and delicious. My grandfather did not eat it, but he should have. Drinks - I was impressed by not only the cocktail and wine list, but the beer list too. Their Manhattan was one of the best I've ever had. Maybe it was the Rosemary infused cherries... They also have an ice wine in their dessert drink selection. Not often found, but I really love a good ice wine. Mains - My penne was really tasty. And normally I tend not to get pasta when I'm out, but used it almost as a test of Michael's... If you can impress me with my pasta for lunch, I'm a fan. And impressed I was! Getting braised meat late in a service is always a smart move, as it's a lot more "fall aparty". Which was delicious. The ricotta was rich and decadent. Maybe a little more than necessary, but it was great. When on vacation, I tend not to re-visit places. Though I know I'll be back in Miami again, and it'll be hard to keep me away from this place.
(5)Maria Fernanda C.
I can't wait to go back! This is a great place for date night. The food is awesome, the mood is romantic, the waiters are knowledgeable and super polite. I thought it would be awkward sitting pretty close to another couple, but they ended up buying us a round - heeeeey!
(5)Maggie V.
An amazing meal, with a satisfying and perfectly balanced menu. The menu changes often, so describing the tender lamb, awesome Straciatella (actually a heirloom buratta salad) and incredible country pate may or may not be available... but something equally amazing will be. Their homemade sodas made for a great non-alcoholic drink menu. Definitely would love to become a regular here!
(5)Gwen W.
I was in Miami for a business trip and thought I'd venture out of the hotel after my meetings for a meal at Michaels. I had heard it was great and I wanted to browse around the Design District after brunch. The tone was set for me by the hostess who, as a solo diner, offered me few options for seating and was generally not welcoming. This is common in restaurants when I dine alone, so I tried not to take offense. I was seated at the bar. I ordered a latte, the lemon ricotta pancakes, and a side of bacon. My server forgot about my latte so it sat on the counter for a while before making its way to me after he passed me by a few times and then had that look of recognition like he was forgetting something. My pancakes arrived and I was shocked to find out they are the size of the old silver dollar pancakes we used to get as kids. Three of them with a small bit of flavored syrup. Had I known they were an appetizer size (for 9 bucks, no less), I probably would have opted for something else that was entree sized. They tasted fine, but I've had better, adult sized ones. I then moved on to the bacon which was crispy, but just a few seconds from being burned. The latte was good, so it wasn't a total loss, but definitely not worth the $30 cab ride.
(2)Sharon W.
The Emperor has no clothes! Last night, we were across the street at the Macallan tasting event, so the BF suggested we give MGFD a try. He had heard that Michael's was a great neighborhood place focused on wood-oven preparation of dishes with less-traditional ingredients and no pretentiousness. I hadn't heard too much about it, so I was willing to give it a try. We walked in shortly before 8pm and the hostess area was very crowded and confused. There were 3 people behind the desk but it took a while to get the hostess's attention. Since we were only 2, we were able to sit right away and we had the option to sit inside or out. We opted for inside as it was raining off and on and we had heard the hostess explain to the party ahead of us that not all outside tables were protected. Here is where we ran into the first issue. The inside room has terrible acoustics and is quite noisy. The tables are far too close together. We were seated so close to the two-top next to us that we may as well have been at the same table. To make matters worse, one of the women seated next to us was speaking very loudly in an extremely grating voice. We were only hearing one side of the conversation as her dining companion either wasn't permitted to get a word in, or was speaking quietly. It was just as annoying as being trapped next to someone having a cell phone conversation. It was so distracting, I couldn't focus on the menu. And speaking of the menu, it was so dark in the restaurant, it was difficult to read. I was using the small votive candle to illuminate the menu, which apparently is a big no-no. When the waiter came by, he freaked out and yelled at me for using the candle before handing over a small flashlight. He was clearly not happy to be working that night and started off with a bored, "have you dined with us before", at which point, the BF asked if we could change tables. The waiter then yanked the flashlight out of my hand and stalked off without a word. A moment later, someone from the hostess station appeared and told us she could seat us outside. Since the tables were so close together, exiting the restaurant was very awkward. We were made to wait outside for a while before the hostess appeared to seat us. We were about 2 minutes away from just leaving, but were finally seated and Mark appeared. Mark was fantastic! He explained the menu and made some good recommendations. We opted for the octopus and the barrelfish. When the food arrived, we were immediately disappointed by the size! Mark had explained how the food was portioned, but this was laughable! The octopus (one tentacle) was excellent - cooked perfectly over a bed of tomato and fresh gigante beans. The fish was so-so. It was just a plain wedge of fish, somewhat dry, with a very very small dollop of olive tapanade. It could have used a glaze of something to liven it up. Notably missing from both dishes was any wood-smoked flavor. The entire reason we were interested in dining here was because of the wood-burning oven, and if it was used for the preparation of what we ordered, it did not impart any flavor to the food. We were really glad we had eaten some h'orderves at the Macallan event earlier, or else we would have been really hungry and really pissed off. The pricing here is offensive. I understand that humanely raised, organic meats will be pricey and they should be. But what is unacceptable is to serve small, expensive dishes with no sides, and then to price the sides at such a huge markup. Asking $8 for cauliflower or squash is way out of line. It is manipulative. Between the wildly overcrowded interior space and the ridiculously priced menu, I feel that Michael Schwartz is trying to squeeze as much cash out of this place as possible. Further, Yelp needs to consider changing the restaurant information from 3 $ to 4 to accurately reflect the true cost of a full meal here. That said, the food (or at least the octopus) was excellent, so if you are not particularly hungry, or if you are down for some serious spending, it's worth a trip.
(2)Betsy D.
This place is AMAZING. The food and service can't be beat. One thing to note, though, is you really have to love all food to appreciate Michael's Genuine. The menu changes often, so if you're a picky eater this probably isn't the place for you...you have to be a little adventurous. If you are, trust me, you will be rewarded with flavors to die for, and exotic combinations. You'll want to come back.
(5)Sean H.
Wow, Michael's really hit the spot. I honestly can't remember all the dishes we ordered, but I certainly remember the crispy rice cake and the pork belly. Those two were the kind of rare dishes that require your full attention while eating them. I'm talking eyes closed, completely silent, interrupt-this-moment-at-your-own-peril culinary ecstasy. Those are must-trys. The drinks were also really good. I had a couple of the Manhattans with the rosemary cherries. Fantastic flavor.
(5)Ethan Y.
Food: 3 stars. We had a few appetizers, including the devil's eggs and the pig ears. They were okay. The mushroom pizza was pretty good, a little too salty and burnt on the bottom. It was good otherwise. Service: 3 stars. Water wasn't refilled until the very end when we asked. But the waiter was cordial and humorous. Dessert: 4 stars. The blackberry ice cream was a nice touch. But it tastes just like the blueberry ice cream from Publix Premium. Haha.
(3)Jim J.
As a restaurant general manager, I came to eat at Michael's for two reasons - I was starving and I wanted to do some homework. Michael's does most everything as well as anyone could imagine. We started at the bar and watched as the bartender made our Caballero ( a Mexican Bloody Mary with 2 ounces of Patron Silver, a squeeze of roasted Poblano puree and red chili coulis, with fresh lime juice and a sprig of cilantro for garnish) and a Caipirinha with fresh Passion Fruit. For starters we had the Puget Sound Oysters with mignonette sauce and Thai eggplant with yogurt. Both were amazing. For dinner, I had the Tilefish special with garbanzos and fennel. My wife had the Duck Confit. As accompaniments we ordered the Anson Mill Cheese Grits and the cauliflower with parsley sauce. A memorable experience. Anything less, and it wouldn't be Michael's.
(5)Scott L.
Wandering around the design district during Art Basel was exciting, colorful and fun, so maybe that's why Micheals "genuine" impression could be signaled with the sound of a slowly decrescendoing trumpet. Wa waa waaa WAAAaaaaaaaaaaaa Micheals is an expensive pub in the courtyard of a new outdoor type shopping center in the design district. Cozy yes. But the small plates menu just seemed overpriced. $9 - $56. The staff was prompt, friendly and professional. One bartender apologized when a woman snagged the bowl of radishes that was sitting in front of me. "I've never seen someone take the whole bowl." he explained. "people usually wonder why we have radishes for bar snacks, to emphasize our stance as a purveyor of local food.". Uh ok. I ate two, they were spicy, but just okay. I could've ordered the short rib pizza - but that kinda seemed like " just having a cheeseburger". So I ordered the charbroiled octopus, which the nicely dressed gay guy sitting next to me at the bar, who did order the pizza, cheerleaded me on like a debutants mother with a sugary "that looks nice" $17 for two small pieces of octopus, nicely prepared on top of a salad of greens olives, roasted tomatoes, and fava beans, made me feel good actually but the plate was so small I felt kinda boonswaggled. I shoulda known because when I ordered, the barback endearingly smiled and asked "do you want bread with that?" $35 after tip wasn't too bad for two glasses of wine and, basically, an appetizer, but it wasn't so marvelous. With the pretty 30 something blondes and their significantly older nicely dressed male companions, I thought even some of my financially comfortable Doctor friends might be aside with the pricepoint. Decent place though. That said - it's not on my list of places to revisit. I wondered if it would be tacky if I had one more radish after I was done eating and about to leave. The waiters eyes were like hawks waiting to swoop on my spot and reset it. I delightfully popped a radish in my mouth and crunched it as I walked away and a woman RUSHED to sit in my chair. I'm genuinely outta here, and a little stressed out. Thank god they have a bar.
(3)Ashley K.
Very, very disappointed with this restaurant. After reading so many great things on yelp.. I had this restaurant bookmarked FOREVER and was excited to finally try it. The minute we walked through the door, we received attitude from the host - even though we were 5 mins early for our reservation. The waiter was friendly, but it didn't seem...genuine... ba dum psh. I could've easily dealt with the mediocre service if the food was worth it. But the food came in microscopic proportions and it didn't even taste all that great. good: -duck confit hash: the only thing I liked actually.. if I was forced to eat at MGFD again, I'd probably just order this lol -crispy rice cake: also good, would recommend -wood oven roasted double yolk egg: comes with two tiny pieces of sourdough crostini.. thought it would be more spreadable, but it's actually like scrambled paste.... hm, doesn't sound very appetizing now that I think about it... bad: -kimchi benedict: comes as one flavorless egg topped over dry kimchee and a stale crumpet..disappointed =( -pop-t's: had a nutella like filling.. the whole thing was cold and the filling was on the solid side :-/ -french toast: came as one small french toast stick... would it kill them to put more than one?? jeez... had a side of cream and cherry compote, which was the only good thing on the plate lol The person who ordered the french toast also ordered lemon ricotta pancakes, which never arrived. We reminded the server, who said he'd check on it. Twenty minutes later, we re-reminded the server, who said he'd check on it again. Never came. So my poor friend's meal consisted of only 2 bites of a french toast stick and a spoon of cherry cream, so disappointing. How many times have I used that word in this review? Skip this place and go somewhere less pretentious with better food!
(2)Cassandra M.
Fresh. Simple. Pure. That pretty much defines the food you'll find at MGFD. Our dinner at MGFD was our first meal in Miami and pretty much defined the trip. Simple but enjoyable. We ordered a handful of dishes but the highlights were: Crispy Pig Ears- i say honey bbq, my friend said taco seasoning. Whatever it was seasoned in.. Quite tasty and highly addictive especially when accompanied with a cocktail. Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly with Kimchi- holy crap. this is the best dish we had. It wasn't too sweet, the spice added just the right kick and the kimchi didnt overpower the flavors at all. everything was well balanced and we definitely wanted more. tangerine creamsicle pot de cream: perfect way to end the meal. warm, lightly sugared doughnuts served with some tarragon blackberry jam and some tangerine creamy goodness. not too sweet but sweet enough to end the meal with. The only thing I regret: not going with more people. There were so many other dishes we couldn't try because there were only two of us... so... who wants to go to miami?
(4)Bill T.
2nd time eater, 1st time reviewer. Went here for brunch a few months ago and everything I had was great...breakfast pizza, wood over roasted double yolk egg, burrata. Everything was awesome, great service, good beer as well. That was a definite five star. Went back for dinner....now I have to admit that the person I wanted to be eating with wasn't there so that probably accounts for the down mood I was in, but just seemed something was missing this time. Sat at the bar and the bartender wasn't as personable as my previous server. Had a beer and then ordered wings and the pork belly. The pork belly was pretty delicious but I couldn't eat the whole thing myself...it was way too rich, so it would have been better to split with someone. The chile wings, were sort of spicy and sweet but the flavors just didn't work for me, so I just thought it was okay. Would give that meal three stars, so it averages out to four stars.
(4)Victor H.
Michael's Genuine is simply one of the best restaurants in Miami! top choices? Pulled Pork, Rice Cake, Greek Salad, Grilled Snapper... Everything! Service A++!!! Miami needed a restaurant as delicious as Michael's Genuine!
(5)Marianela R.
Michael's Genuine definitely have one of the best brunches of Miami. The double yolk egg with gruyere and the breakfast pizza are the best plates. Service sometimes is bad though (depends on the server). Also, you must reserve a couple of days before if you want to make it to the Sunday brunch.
(4)Ingrid R.
Went for brunch, had the kimchi benedict, pop-t's, deviled eggs, and some other plates I can't remember. Can't remember the names, can't remember the taste, can't remember the last time I spent that much money on such a disappointing brunch. The seating arrangements inside and out make you feel like you're sharing your dining experience with the other 50+ patrons, way too cramped. I have no desire to return.
(2)Angelina T.
OMG. I can say so many great things about this restaurant. Food was absolutely amazing. Service was great. The atmosphere and decor very soothing. We had margaritas and they were strong and flavorful. Our order was: - chicken liver crostini were full of flavor. It was so good we had to repeat the order. - crispy pig ears were good with the lime. Very crunchy and fatty but not oily. Drizzle them with extra lime. - duck confit was unbelievable. Best duck I have ever tried. Tender meat with a little crunch. - crispy sweet and spicy pork belly was very flavorful. The kimchi that it came with was out of this world. I have never tried kimchi like that before. My friend, however, did not enjoy this dish. To each its own, I guess. - butter lettuce salad was very refreshing and delicious. I shared one with my girlfriend and ordered another one for myself. I don't remember what we had for dessert. It probably wasn't too memorable but then again, I am not big on desserts. By the time we finished all the food, we needed a stretcher to roll us out. This is hands down one of the best restaurants I have been to. I was bummed that we waited until our last night in town to have dinner here. In the future it will be one of the reasons to visit Miami.
(5)Michelle G.
For someone who frequents the Cypress Room, I obviously had to try this place. It's a Saturday night; design district. I'm almost twenty minutes late due to a terrible Uber Select. I'm seated; my husband and I begin ordering a flood of appetizers and Rosé. Fast forward; the flood of appetizers begin to arrive. The crispy rice cakes, duck leg, salmon tartare... Pizza and more. It was a decent time. Our service was a bit slower than expected. If you are going to keep my wine on ice at practically a whole different table, I have an issue. The bathroom sign is HIGHLY confusing clearly because when exiting their restrooms I actually experienced USED TOILET PAPER being stuck on my shoe for the first (and hopefully the last time). After thinking I removed the issue completely before leaving the stall, while waiting for my Uber home, a complete stranger politely came up and told me that I STILL HAD TOILET PAPER ON MY SHOE!!!! I was absolutely horrified by this and do hope that they take down the sign in the bathroom that misleads individuals to "throw their toilet paper in the trash can" Besides that, I do see this as a good lunch spot especially when you plan on doing some shopping.
(4)Jim G.
With 1000+ reviews there isn't much to add about how amazing this place is, however if you are not a local, as we were not, and you only had one meal in Miami I would have no doubt in picking Michael's Genuine! We went to multiple other restaurants while on our trip to Miami but Michael's was by far my favorite. Don't miss... - Wood oven roasted double yolk farm egg - Crispy sweet & spicy pork belly - and if you are adventurous...the crispy pig ears
(5)Amy P.
Finally the long awaited.... booked-marked this restaurant for over a year now, and browsing their pictures is always torture when you are hungry. Why I never made it out, no idea. So was pretty excited to finally come in. Located in the Design District along the same streets of PUCCI, MIU MIU, Dior, and Christian Loubiton lays Michael's Genuine. For brunch yesterday here is a quick breakdown of the plates me and my best friend shared; Since they ran out of the salmon we choose the.. Pumpkin cured swordfish: Tasty. Definitely a lot smaller than I expected. It was more of a sashimi dish, with 6-7 tiny slivers in the lovely pumpkin reduction. It tasted fresh, but maybe not something to "share." Smoked Ham: Since it was a new edition this week, I decided to try this, since I can always come back for the regular tapa dishes. The Ham itself was very delicious and fatty of course, and the crispiness on the top skin was perfect. I loved the small hash pearls underneath as well. Cottage cheese and peaches: Ehh. It was good, just not anything special. Doesn't stand out in comparison to the other options on the menu in my opinion. The only thing that made this dish worth it was the caramelized peaches, but other than that I don't think it was worth the price it was. Biscuits: were hot and fresh. Coming in only at $2, this is a definitely a nice add on to your small dishes. The banana jam tasted like over ripened bananas that were kind of overwhelming at first, but then with a little fresh butter it all came together and was quite good. Overall, I get why this was on many Miami must-try lists on foodie blogs. Only thing I would warn anyone is if you come super hungry during brunch expect to order around 3 dishes per person. Been to many gastro spots where at $13-16 you got a much larger portion (meal size), and with the same style of American gourmet type dishes. Either way I enjoyed my meals here and will be back in the future. I loved the interior and how spacious it was inside. The hostess and servers were fantastic.
(4)Ute L.
I have been avoiding M.G.'s like the plague, thinking it's another Miami overhyped spot with overpriced food and bad service. Finally, Natasha A. dragged me here for brunch, and it was pretty awesome. Dishes are appetizer sized, so plan on ordering at least 2-3 per person. We didn't have drinks, so each of us paid $27 before tax and tips, not bad at all. Our standouts were: - Buttermilk pancakes with peach jam: Perfectly moist and fluffy - Cream cheese stuffed French Toast with whipped cream and cherries: Mindblowing, I wanted more, more, more. - Eggplant Frittata: soft eggplant, eggs, tomato, topped with crumbled cheese - Yucca fries: crispy with just the right amount of salt. I don't even like yucca. - Stracciatella cheese with fresh sliced peaches: the only thing better than peaches'n cream Wouldn't order these again: - Breakfast pizza: plain, unmemorable, uninspired, with hard egg yolk - Double egg yolks baked with gruyere cheese: Yolks were hard and the cheese was heavy and greasy - Vanilla sponge cake with peaches: The cake was dry and flavorless Service was great, especially considering they were as packed as ever, except for when they brought our pizza AFTER we received our sweet dishes. Bad timing. Our French toast was getting cold while we ate part of our not so great and very late pizza.
(4)Charity Z.
Michael genuine a is indeed a genuine place. A must try in midtown. After searching on yelp for a place for date night, I found Michaels. There were no reservations available but decided to come anyway. Plenty of parking is available on the street in the design district. When we arrived we were told we could sit by the bar and wait for a table. So we did. 20 minutes later and 2 drinks in, we were seated at a table. I'll start with the ambiance. Trendy and jazzy but at the same time relaxed. The place was packed. Didn't feel stuffy at all. The service was excellent. There was constant attention to us. Our water glasses where never left empty and as soon as my wine glass was running low I was offered another one. The food was really really good. Everything we ordered was fantastic. For starters we had the Hummus, Beef Tongue and Chicken liver crostini. All were delicious. For the main course my husband had the Spiced leg of lamb and I had the beef short ribs. Both were amazing. The short ribs were succulent and full of flavor. For sides we had the corn and the polenta. The polenta was creamy, I would've liked a thicker consistency but it was delicious anyways. We chose the funnel cake for dessert. Here I am thinking I'm getting a funnel cake like the ones at the fair. Not at all. It was a miniature one with a yummy scoop of Bourbon butterscotch ice cream. Left me wanting so much more. So glad I tried Michaels. We really enjoyed the experience and I hope to come back soon.
(4)Amy D.
On the Miami Eater 38 List (as of 6/29/15) 2.5 stars but rounding up since this was a cute spot. I had high expectations for Michael's Genuine after seeing all the awesome reviews, but thought the dishes I tried were just ok. We went for brunch on a Saturday, and it was PACKED around 1pm. Luckily, my friend made reservations, so we were seated right away. Our table was quite small, and you're in close quarters with your neighbors, which wasn't the most comfortable. We ended up ordering: -Wood Oven Roasted Double Egg Yolk (Cave Aged Gruyere, Roasted Tomato, Chives, Sourdough Crostini, $9, yelp.com/biz_photos/mich… ): This sounded delicious was just ok- the saltiness of the gruyere overpowered all the other flavors, and this dish was very watery because of the roasted tomato. Skip! -Kimchi Benedict (Toasted Crumpet, Poached PNS Farm Egg, Crispy Pork Belly, Kimchi Hollandaise, $10, yelp.com/biz_photos/mich… ): Good but not mind-blowing, which was my expectation based on the description of the dish. I wouldn't order this again. I don't think we ordered the right dishes, so I hope to come back for brunch again or check out their dinner menu. Service was solid, but nothing spectacular. The most difficult part about eating here is really the small tables and tight dining quarters. And the parking, as street parking spots are quite limited. However, I believe valet is available.
(3)Heidi P.
Oh. My. God. Oh. My. God. I ordered the Lychee Daiquiri and the duck confit with fingerling potatoes. Oh. My. God. My friend ordered the Grouper and Corn along with the Lychee Fizz. Good. God. This has been by far the best food I have had on the East Coast.
(5)Lester M.
I really wanted to like this place. More than like, I wanted to love this place. I'm a huge fan of chef Michael Schwartz. I have seen him out in public a few times and my girlfriend had stop me from going all crazy food groupie on him. I have read many great reviews of fellow yelpers I know to have good taste. So many reason why I wanted to love this place. It was my birthday and as usual, I didn't want to do anything but my girlfriend and friends convinced me otherwise. I said if its gonna be special let there be Michael. My first time. So excited. We were greeted with a place is full, two hour wait line. I understand, this is a busy place, and I was ok with the wait, after all I really wanted to eat here. But what I was not ok with was with the attitude of the hostess. Not only she informed us of the wait time but on top of that she suggested that waiting would be useless and that we should go somewhere else, and proceeded to hand us a card for Harry's Pizzeria. If I wanted to go to Harry's I would have gone there from the beginning. We decided to wait and what do you know, minutes later there was a "cancellation, so we were seated. Lucky? Maybe. Everything in the menu looked so good and I have heard so many good things, I wanted to get the entire thing. It was four of us so we decide to share that way we could try a bit of everything. We started with the ceviche, the pate and the chicken wings. The pate was delicious, so fatty and creamy. Definitely what I was looking for. But then the ceviche didn't say much. The fish lacked flavor. And the chicken wings, well, let's just say I've had better. At this point I was looking forward to the big plates. We order the pork belly, the rice cake, the octopus, the pork shoulder and the leg of lamb. The pork belly and the pork shoulder were good but nothing to rave about. The octopus lacked the chewy consistence that I like so much, it tasted as if the octopus was not fresh. The lamb was ok but The Federal makes a mean lamb shank. The rice cake was good but at that point my taste buds were a bit disappointed and had decided to shut down for the night. I guess one of my friends had mentioned that it was my birthday because when it was time for dessert the waiter came to the table and asked "So, whose birthday is it?" to later appear with what we asked for dessert with a candle in it. Way to ruin the surprise, if that was meant to be one. At the end of the night, my friends made a comment that they have been there before and this was the first time it was not good. So take this with a grain of salt, so many people can't be wrong. As for me? Im still debating going back. If I do, I will update my review. HOPEFULLY!!!
(3)Seth S.
Versatile, consistently excellent, creative, and locally sourced, in my view Michael's Genuine is still one of our very best restaurants in Miami, an always-intelligent and delicious meal that never disappoints. I go to Michael's for everything from family birthdays to business dinners to late night post concert stop-ins. The food is always excellent and locally sourced. And the menu is thoughtfully structured, so you can choose small plates, larger plates to share, or entrees for yourself. Highlights?: Tremendous whole snapper, any local Florida fish, roasted brussel sprouts, heirloom tomato salad, burrata, steak, great roasted chicken, fantastic desserts. Michael himself is an always "on," suitably edgy, very ambitious guy, and the food, service, and overall excellent consistency of this great Miami restaurant more then deserve five stars. He's a real presence, whether he's in the place or not. And I've seen more than a few other local chefs at the restaurant, no doubt sneaking insights from the master. Michael's main room is the best one to sit in, if you can get a table, and take care if you are on the patio during a rainy summer night. But overall, this is a great one, perhaps the very best in Miami.
(5)Dannie M.
3.5 stars, I really enjoyed Mitchael's- very creative food. I felt that everything I ordered was very good. For starters we had the crispy pork ears- very good. Also the peach salad was the BEST! Would definitely recommend it to everyone. The Double yolk salad was just ok, and the olives were a bit too heavy. For main dishes I had the pork shoulder which had neon green garnish and hot pink pickled onions on top- which I loved. Also tried the short ribs with pumpkin- which was good but wished we had more pumpkin. By the end, we were so full we couldn't handle the desert- although it sounded amazing. I would recommend Micheal's especially for those who love the whole farm-to-table idea. As our waiter explained- most ingredients are bought from local farms.
(3)Nate K.
All around it was a great experience with excellent food and outstanding service. I ate here with a group of 10+ people and had a 4 course menu with pre-defined options. Food: Ingredients were fresh and great quality. 1) Finger food: Freshly made chips and onion based dip. Yum. 2) Appetizers: Ceviche was fresh and tasty. Pork belly was amazing. 3) Main: Swordfish tender and juicy. It was served with a small side of corn and veggies that were cooked perfectly. 4) Dessert: I don't remember what the name was, but it was awesome. But I can describe it a cup containing something that was lighter than yogurt with a layer of strawberry and basil syrup. The texture was so light and airy, like having a cloud in a cup! Service: Efficient and fast. Various wait staff attended to our table and we were attentively cared for. The downside with having many wait staff serve is that things can get a little mixed up, as the staff wasn't sure who ordered what when the main dishes were out. This is a very small detail and again this was a very positive experience. I'm not a fan of having overly polite/too friendly service, so this place was perfect for me. Experience: The area we were sitting was tight, but manageable. We could talk to each other without issue. There was plenty of seating outside which had outdoors heaters for this cool January night. The one thing that I didn't like, was that the two bathrooms were ONLY ONE stall each. I think this is really a stretch it for a restaurant of it's size.
(4)Jennifer C.
Consistently good and perfectly casual for Miami. This is my favorite of Michael's restaurant having eaten at them all. His finer dining for me is quite over priced for the quality. But here at MGFD it's exactly what I expect of the chef. Good food with his no B.S style, this is what he should stick to. And I must say my favorite brunch spot in Miami. Please distribute your pop tarts in a grocery store MGFD, I need them!
(4)Charlie D.
Four of us sat in one of the outdoor tables opposite the Trend store, and ordered the duck rellettes and pork shoulder (delicious), BLP salad (not so good with a weird cut of bacon) long neck clams (only 3 clams-liked by 2 of us and disliked by one and not even tasted by the 4th, a duck confit pizza and ravioli (small but tasty. Service was not attentive--our pretentious server generally ignored us, and we had to order our drinks from the bus boys. Portions were small for the price, and only half of the food we ordered was worthy of the reputation of the renowned chef who owns the place.
(3)Andrew K.
Every single bite our party devoured was perfectly delicious. Another 5 star discovered in Miami!!
(5)Michael F.
Came with a couple of friends for a Saturday lunch. Excellent, excellent service. The food was great. Had brussel sprouts as an appetizer, they were grilled with pancetta and came with a tasty lemon sauce. For an entree I got the fig/manchego/pork pizza which was amazing. My friends had the crispy shrimp sandwich and a special they had that day, a pulled pork sandwich. I tried both and was jealous I hadn't ordered all three for myself. For dessert we were all so full but ordered a chocolate "cremoso". We almost got into a physical fight trying to eat this amazing deliciousness. I have come back several times, and the food/service are always 5 star worthy. The OOONNNEEE thing I do have to say is that I wish they had a better beer selection. But either way this is still my FAVORITE restaurant in Miami (and not just because we share names).
(5)Joelle T.
Was so happy to have been recommended this restaurant during my short stay in Miami. It's a popular spot so be sure to make reservations in advance especially if you want to go on a Friday or Saturday night. It's in the Design district so I enjoyed browsing the block filled with designer shops before dinner. Our waiter was on pointe with food recommendations as well as a full explanation of how their menu is laid out. To start we had the double yolk farm egg (super savory and super good...I recommend being selfish and having it all to yourself), the sweet and spicy pork belly (good but not something I'm dying to order again), and the crispy hominy (mildly spicy deep fried corn kernels that would go perfectly with beer). For our main we split the 12 oz steak au poivre with a side a side of the wood roasted okra. Mm mm mm!! To indulge ourselves a lil more we split the passion fruit pot de creme for dessert. Perfectly sweet and not too heavy which was nice after having a lot to eat prior. Overall this place has a great atmosphere, great food, and great service. All the prices were reasonable EXCEPT for their wine. Really disappointing how high they hiked up the prices for their not so exceptional wine list. Other than that I look forward to coming back and trying more dishes. :)
(5)Mathias H.
Had dinner at Michael's during a recent visit to Miami. The restaurant is in the Design district in Miami. It was well-worth the short drive from Miami Beach to come here. We had made reservations and it appeared to be wise since the place was almost full. The service was still attentive, we were shown to our places and had our drinks within minutes of being seated. We got a quick explanation of the menu (being split in to small,medium, large and x-large dishes). We went for a few mixed dishes where the highlights were the pork belly and the double yolk farm eggs. We skipped on desserts but the couple at the table beside us really recommended the donuts and next time I may need to save some room in the stomach for dessert as well. Overall I also liked the interior and the feel of the restaurant. They have really thought through most things here and they do take the food seriously while at the same time keeping a welcoming atmosphere. I will be back next time I am in Miami.
(5)Allison Y.
When I planned my trip to Miami, Michael's was the restaurant i was MOST excited to try! sadly I noticed that a bulk of the rave reviews were for brunch, and we were definitely too exhausted to wake up in time for that. lunch was splendid - i got the short rib sandwich with fries and split the kimchi pork belly appetizer. the pork belly was probably one of the best i've had. perfectly crisp, yet moist with a light and natural flavor. so good!! the sandwich was delicious but not too memorable. i REALLY want to come back for brunch next time-the brunch dishes sound so unique! i'm reallly really sad i missed out on it this time around :'( oh, and great service!
(4)Debbie C.
My special someone took me here for my birthday this year. For the most part, he chose this place because it is one of the TOP recommended restaurants that allow pets to dine with you! (We have two puppy terriers.) When we arrived, we were super surprised at how busy it was! People were waiting for tables even though it was pretty late! We found street parking behind the building. Their front door was a little confusing...I wish their host stand was outside instead of inside because it felt like we were walking into someone's dinner (awkward....). The hostess was prompt in acknowledging us and getting us seated right away (we had reservations). Our server took note of our pups and quickly came with a bowl of water and fresh made doggy treats. I hear they are made from scratch by their pastry chef! The pups LOVED them. Service 4/5 Since we usually choose dinner places based on that evening's cravings, this dinner was very different. We honestly didn't know what to order! So to be adventurous, we ordered whatever that caught our eyes first. We started with the chicken liver on toast. Compared to how I prepare chicken liver...theirs was on the stronger side of the taste of innards, but I enjoyed it nonetheless (the boy...not so much). He had a steak for his main course and I the duck confeti. Both were prepared beautifully. I like how controlled the seasoning was...not too much, but not bland either. My duck sat on a puree along with veggies and nuts. Eaten together, it was a textural party in the mouth! Loved it! Dessert was SUPER cute. We ordered the Pie in a Jar (...the only item whose name I remember...lol). THey ran out of chocolate chunk, so we hard butter scotch. It was really special and super yummy. It's on the sweeter side. I kind of which it was lighter, but since the entrees were not as heavy, this completed the meal beautifully. Food 4/5 Atmosphere-wise...it's wedged between two buildings, which gives it a feeling of privacy; however, the outdoor seating was a little cramped. I felt like we were eavesdropping on our neighbors! I'm not a fan of busy places like this...but it was very relaxing once I got into the mood. I felt relatively safe, minus the walk back to our car...lol. Atmosphere 3/5 Overall it was a 4/5 experience. I would love to go back and the puppies likewise. Gotta try that chocolate chunk pie!!! :D
(4)theresa n.
Deviled Eggs-Silky, creamy, tasty, but not filling. Makes a good appetizer for 2. Delicious start to our meal Pork belly & Kim chi : crispy Pork skin and melt-in-your mouth meat, complemented by the briny crunch of kim chi. Braised Short Ribs: succulent and hearty with comforting juices. Served with a basket of crispy home cut fries. I can't wait to come back and try Michael's other offerings the next time we come to Miami.
(4)Blak B.
Right in the heart of design district! Yes its Cool for lunch or dinner. The waiters are on their game if you opt to be seated. however Im a bar fly and prefer to chat with the bartenders and give them company! lol. they have some of the most down to earth bartenders EVER. The menu can make you Scratch your head with some of the additions but hey if that your thing I DONT JUDGE! lol. I'm a fan of the whole fish myself and the devil eggs are a great starter.
(4)Amanda Jean B.
I have been waiting to dine at Michael's for quite some time now, so we stopped in for a drink at the bar, the dinner menu would have proved tough for two vegans. After propping ourselves up on the chairs, we ordered the Cabarete and Ginger-Lemongrass Homemade Soda, and the bartender went straight to work. Both were deliciously well-crafted, and we started feeling a bit of envy that we were unable to stay for dinner, or, all night for that matter. Sigh. The over-all experience seemed much more expensive than the bill actually was, and the atmosphere, was indescribably un-Miami, Miami. For a few minutes we feel transported else where, then, the parking meter ran out.
(4)Jacky M.
I've been to this place a few times. It is always super busy. I do like the food, the fact that the organic products are tied back to farms in homestead and darn those fudgey wudgey cookies are great, however I do think they need to hire more staff just because of the sheer volume of customers who are always there. The times I have visited the staff has been extremely knowledgable about the menu. I'm only providing 3 stars due to the long waits between ordering and serving.
(3)Becky G.
Went here after reading about it. The food was good, but portions were incredibly small and very overpriced. The waiter was snobby and clearly thought very highly of the place. It's swanky, in a cool area but if you're looking for a good, filling, meal with good service, at a reasonable price, this is not the place.
(2)Aska B.
We " dropped in" without a reservation at 9:00 on a Weds.night & the place was jammed...BUT they could not have been nicer about finding us a table outside for 4. I had been trying to book for a week..no luck..so this was a real treat for us! Now I KNOW WHY the reviews are all so great! Each dish was better than the last. We tried the crispy ( shrimp) rice cakes,the deviled eggs ( they were out of the chili chicken wings ) ,the 1/2 chicken,grilled pork porterhouse ( fantastic!) & beef short ribs ( GREAT!!) & Brussels Sprouts. Everything was perfect including our lovely & great waiter ROBERTO! Can't wait to go back. Only thing I didn't like was the HOME BREW Sundae ( not a fan of ice cream made with BEER!)
(5)Lidia N.
Michael's can do no wrong in my book. Everything is perfection every time. I had the pork belly which was the perfect amount of fat and meat, amazing flavor and texture. Next I had the rainbow chard panade. Oh my goodness, it was amazing. These people really understand food. Lastly, I had the duck confit. I think the only other place I've had better duck confit is in mother effing Paris. It was falling off the bone. For dessert, I don't remember the name of it but it was like a blackberry tart. It was tangy and sweet, perfectly assembled into this one dessert. The staff is friendly and helpful, the atmosphere is cozy and the decor is honest and clean. This is my favorite restaurant and if I had the bank account to eat here everyday, I definitely would. It's pricey, but it's worth it.
(5)Christine C.
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink was the best meal we had in Miami. We stayed in South Beach during our entire visit because of the lack of transportation. But I knew I had to ventured out to this side of Miami after receiving multiple recommendations, even if it means taking a cab to and from. A vibrant shaded courtyard seating is right outside of the restaurant. yelp.com/biz_photos/9lv6… Homemade Banana and Nutella Pop-Tarts Featured on Food Network's "Best Thing I Ever Ate." Frank Bruni, former New York Times food critic, recommended this. Best buttery, flaky pop tarts I have ever had. You will never look at a pop tart the same ever again after having this. yelp.com/biz_photos/9lv6… Duck Confit Hash A beautifully golden crisped duck confit hash topped with a perfectly poached Lake Meadows Farm duck egg with a runny yolk. Smeared on this dish is a pistachio green colored parsley aioli that added another layer of flavor. yelp.com/biz_photos/9lv6… Kimchi Benedict How do you resist a benedict constructed of a toasted crumpet topped with crispy pork belly, tart and spicy kimchi, runny poached egg, and finally a kimchi hollandaise? You don't. You just order it. yelp.com/biz_photos/9lv6… Crispy Pig Ear Salad Such a simple but amazing dish. Crispy pig ear with lightly dressed arugula, red onion, pickled local radish, the dish was light and refreshing yet bursting with fatty, bold flavors from the pig ears. yelp.com/biz_photos/9lv6… We love the locally sourced fresh ingredients and innovative execution at Michael's. It was well worth the cab ride from South Beach. I could not help to think how well it would do in the competitive San Francisco food circle.
(4)P S.
Food is incredible. But you won't be impressed by anything else. Service it's snobby. You will be treated like 2nd class by the door staff. But the servers are ok. We had to sit so close to another couple I had to ask their permission to use the restroom. And we all had to stand up. Good food is everywhere in Miami. I haven't gone back and probably won't. I warned you.
(3)Sonia S.
Heard so much about this place and finally got the chance to check it out today. Loved the ambiance. Although, I found seating for 2 indoors was a bit unorthodox for a place with such a great reputation and wasn't too thrilled we were seated so closely next to another couple that when it came time to leave we had to ask the pregnant lady sharing the booth seat with my friend to get up so my friend could get out. Let me add that my friend is very thin. Otherwise, our waiter was well versed about the menu selections and providing suggestions. Staff was very friendly. I wasn't too crazy about the peach and mozzarella appetizer as it lacked some umph. And although the pork belly was good, it was nothing in comparison to that of Swine or Yardbird. Watermelon salad was ok but was uniquely coupled with watercress. Strange combo. I tried a bit of my friends burger which was said to be their best and didn't find it to really be noteworthy. Lastly, we shared two desserts a chocolate sea salt combo which had a coffee flavor and was quite rich, and a mango tart which was suggested as the chefs specialty and was much lighter in flavor but I found the consistency to be a little runny. Overall, I give them 3 1/2 stars. Could have just been an off day for the kitchen and I'd give them a second chance and at least try their raved about brunch; but definitely wouldn't repeat lunch.
(3)Art V.
Just had brunch with 1 guest. So expensive vs the portion size and contents. menu description was entirely misleading. Pork shoulder with grits and an egg??? More like an egg, grits, and a chicken nugget sized piece of pork. Add some insult to injury @ $9 Spanish tortilla? Such a tiny, dry piece, served at room temp for $8 The only highlight was their home fries. A decent portion served hot and crisp. Way too much oil. 1/4" pool of oil at the bottom of the bowl. $5 Still no standard English breakfast tea on the menu. Had to ask for coffee refill.
(2)Jonathan M.
I visited this place a while back and noticed I never wrote a review. So I'm not sure if the menu items I'm mentioning will still be available. If not, I shall be a sad sad person when I go back. I'm sure that they would have replaced them with something else amazing. I love the food and drinks at this place. My simple (but always surprising how many bar tenders get it wrong) gin martini with a lemon twist was perfect. We had drinks at the bar since we arrived a bit earlier than our reservation. Waiter's attitude was strange but fine once you got used to his character. He ended up being a really nice guy. Duck rilette - Amazing. orgasm in your mouth Crispy pork belly - al;sjk;alkjls;dj Wow. This was so damn good. Beef short rib - This was fantastic. Best short rib I have ever had. We had these with fries on the side and they were great too. Overall, this is one of my favorite restaurants. It's really one of Miami's MUST goto restaurants. Do your mouth a favor and come here right now. Side note: Michael's Genuine was actually onboard the Oasis of the Seas on a cruise that we took a while ago. The multi course meal was fantastic and had one of the best desserts I have ever had. It was a Baklava with Panna cotta. Oh my gosh.
(5)Rob B.
We had high expectations going to our visit at Mike's Genuine and we were not disappointed. The food was absolutely amazing. Oysters, octopus, crispy rice cakes & more were all amazing. I cannot recommend this place enough. The staff was all incredibly warm and welcoming. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Michael E.
been going for 7 years and alway exciting food is great
(5)Steph D.
As good as reviewed. Not cheap, but very fairly priced. Reasonable drink prices. We enjoyed everything we had- tilefish, pizza, octopus, mozzarella & tomatoes, potato chips, pork belly, pasta. Get a reservation!
(5)Ally P.
I would give my experience here 3.5 stars. On a recent trip to Miami, my friends made some reservations for Michael's. The place was absolutely packed on the Sunday afternoon that we went for brunch. We had to wait about 15 minutes past our reservation time, but given how busy it was, I suppose that was to be expected. We ordered a lot of the small plates including: wood oven roasted double yolk egg, duck confit hash, kimchi benedict, breakfast pizza, shrimp & grits, the crispy hominy, the chicken liver crostini, and the crispy pig ears. Each dish was quite good and well prepared. I would have liked a little more kimchi in the kimchi benedict. We all also ordered cocktails. I was a bit disappointed in the size and flavor of the kimchi Bloody Mary. Finally, as I said before, the restaurant was packed. However, I felt that the service could have been better. We waited for a fairly long time between each visit from our server. Also, on brunch days, you can't order the food in a certain sequence, it all comes out as it is ready. This made for a very confusing distribution of plates, with some people sitting with nothing in front of them, and some people with numerous plates they could pick off of. I think a restaurant in this price range could do better than that.
(3)Kristina D.
This was by far our favorite dining experience in Miami. The entire experience was exceptional from our waiter to each dish. I can't even say what my favorite was - save room and design your own tasting menu. You can't go wrong.
(5)Phil M.
Great food! We had the octopus, ceviche, pig ears, and pork belly. All were well prepared. The decor was well done and tasteful. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable.
(5)Luke A.
Mehhhh.... The highlight was easily the seasonal specialty peach cocktail. I had 3. Delicious. We were a party of 7 so we were relegated to the farthest back corner, wedged behind the bar by the server door. Our server, while a nice enough guy & knowledgable about the menu, seemed to only 'remember' to check on us ever so often. Service - not horrible, far from excellent. Middle-ish of the road. Having a $100+ tip (20%) automatically added to the bill for mediocre service just doesn't sit well with me. With the food, what is unforgivable is the price of the food for what you get. It was so completely unmemorable.
(2)Helen D.
Ok, not great. Would try another brunch place next time. Food: - kimchi Benedict - completely missing the kimchi spice / hotness - two egg yolk - ok. Not amazing. - hearts if Palm - good. Fresh. Nice crunch with the macadamia nuts. Too much dressing. - deviled eggs - pretty typical. No better or worse than what you're expecting. - coffee - served with heavy cream when we asked for milk. I know that's nitpicking - but that's the difference between loving and hating your coffee.. Overall - not bad, just didn't live up to the hype / or the other reviews.
(3)Felipe Z.
Local sustainable food prepared just right!! I've been holding off on this review because I wanted to do it justice. After my discovery in early '10 I quickly realized our city was blessed with a master chef who truly represents us well. Expect delicious food inspired by fresh local ingredients. With this being the Chef's flagship restaurant I knew after my first experience he would expand throughout the city. Shortly after Chef Schwartz did exactly that without compromising the quality of either of his different ventures. From the service to the concept and restaurant decor you instantly know you're in for a treat. The menu offers small, medium, large and extra large fare with all choices sure to stimulate any palate. Depending on your appetite or the nature of your visit whether you're there for the oyster bar, a few cocktails at the bar before having a meal surely you'll find an item that will catch your eye. On some of my recent visits while conversing with our waiter we learned the decor originates from Antigua Guatemala an area rich in beautiful art and culture. Showcasing beautiful pieces of art the restaurant is a gallery of it's own. (A sight to see) I've done drinks and snacks but quite honestly after a while you'll find yourself staying for a full meal. You're drawn to their signature cocktails or their home brew and small fare such as; Crispy pig ears or grilled octopus.(fotos included) Before you know it you've just had the most amazing Duck Confit you've ever had or Pork Shoulder to name a few. You've fallen in love and have been taken into culinary heaven!!! While in pure bliss you're enjoying your meal with a handcrafted Cherry Rosemary soda and it's as good as it sounds. You're not done yet !! Award winning Pastry Chef Hedy Goldsmith will satisfy your sweet tooth with her amazing deserts. (Fotos included)
(5)Tatiana M.
Their Crudo and Octopus are amazing! With a chilled Ca del Bosco. Yum :) definitely recommend this place if you're in the mood to share a bunch of tapas and some great drinks with friends!
(4)Jessica S.
Delicious food in the Design District. Very enjoyable to eat outside, great service and outstanding dishes. Everything is a must-try and don't hesitate to share dishes.
(5)Apple S.
Very busy and hard to be seated. Nice environment and location. Good vibe. Food was horrible. Brussels sprouts should always be cooked before deep frying them, if not you get hard, raw on the inside and tasteless balls. This is a common made mistake in many decent restaurants (same at Soyka). The squid had a taste of burn. We didn't order anything else as the service was slow (too busy) and the appetizers horrible already. Too bad for such a popular place.
(2)Joseph G.
A friend brought me here for their Sunday brunch and it was an absolute culinary delight! They serve brunch tapas style and, besides a few mainstays, their menu is ever evolving. They had a nice selection of mouth watering sweet plates, creative savory choices, and a full raw bar. Michael's Genuine also has an interesting drink menu. There were a couple different bloody Marys to choose from. My friend enjoyed his Bacon Bloody Mary while I went with the ceviche one. The location is right in the middle of the design district so once you are done you can walk it off a little while doing some window shopping. Valet parking was $5 when I was last there but there was plenty of roadside parking available. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.
(5)M D.
Tasty dishes and I like their concept of fresh ingredients. My only issue with this place is that the hostesses can be less then friendly, in fact I've had them be downright rude to me at times! They don't do a good job of greeting you and seating you in the order that you've arrived either. Once you get to your seat the service is great. I like this place for lunch vs dinner. The menu changes which means you can always expect something new.
(3)Ana Cristina T.
Incredible dining experience. Everything was so incredibly tasty. We had their hummus, short ribs, pizza and their amazing torrejas w ice cream. We had superb service and amazing wine, the place is beautiful and very romantic, the decour is really cool. I would definetly go back.
(5)Michael U.
Items Selected: Cinnamon Sugar Sourdough Toast - pumpkin butter, caramel apples Duck Rillette - crostini, cornichon, mustard Breakfast Pizza - house smoked bacon, farm egg, Monterey jack, scallions Wood Oven Baked 9 Grain Pancake - organic maple syrup Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Egg - cave aged gruyere, roasted tomato, chives, sourdough crostini Warm Banana Bread Pudding - brown butter streusel Warm Pecan and Sweet Potato Caramel Bun Coconut and Medjool Date Icky Sticky Pudding Cake - wood roasted pears Never one to shy away from sequential morning meals, particularly in a brunch scene as dynamic as the one of Miami and South Beach, it was just as the doors unlocked at Michael's Genuine Food and Drink that our trio found a seat on the quiet side of the bar and with exquisitely knowledgeable service happy to offer advice an eight part order was crafted, each item coming out as it was readied by the kitchen with only an overcooked egg and undersized pancake holding the experience back from perfection in all ways. Located in the Design District, with parking at a premium and reservations a must for anyone who does not desire a long wait, MGFD is considered by many to be Miami's 'signature' restaurant and with a Beard Award winning Chef at its helm alongside a repeat semi-finalist for pastry the options range far and wide, the concepts of daily change, local sourcing and sustainability forming a longtime core while several 'signatures' also decorate the menu - the later a worthwhile focus of a first-time visitor, though the raw bar, salads, and produce all seemed plenty enticing as well. Opting to balance sweet with savory it was a simple matter of timing that saw the meal begin with what would turn out to be the best item of the set and as much as the crunchy cinnamon toast found textural balance in the sweet, creamy flavors of autumn a follow-up of finely shredded duck beneath a seal of fat saw the full-on flavors of fowl meet sharp contrast in crispy toast and house-pickled vegetables, the transition to a lackluster pancake only slightly larger than the diameter of a hockey puck proving a disappointing waste of $8, though the pure maple syrup was admittedly quite good. Rejecting a first attempt at pizza due to an egg that was cooked-through only to be treated to a replacement less than sixty seconds later suffice it to say that Michael's does not skimp when it comes to cheese, eggs, or herbs and with a lightly blistered crust bolstering the flavor profile of already smoky bacon the only thing that prevented the pizza from shining best of the savories was its tablemate 'signature' of two egg yolks baked in a small ramekin beneath a veil of gooey gruyere, each rich bite a new adventure in taste and texture as local tomatoes added a splash of acid serving to accentuate an herbal blend prominent with chives. Finishing strong with a trio of sweets a humorous glitch in the computer system saw no less than three Caramel Buns arrive at our table at separate times and as much as I'd have been glad to indulge in each as the golden roll was sweet, crispy, and moist the better part of valor was saving room for the rest - a banana bread pudding a tad undersized for sharing despite the intensity of its flavors while the novel take on traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding was enthralling in its subtlety, the shredded coconut and its milk serving to tame an otherwise sugary dish while the roasted pears were smoky and tender beneath a quenelle of light cream.
(4)Lance W.
This place is certainly one of my top favorites in Miami. Oh how I love the ever changing, ecclectic menu and those well prelared cocktails. Brunch is awesome and I'm still hoping to try that memorable corn soup once more.
(5)Irina M.
One of my favorite restaurants in Miami.
(5)Cathy W.
My boyfriend and I checked out MGFD after a tip from a friend who comes to Miami often. I don't know if it was an off day- but the food was hardly the quality I would expect for the price. Living in Chicago we have the opportunity to go to delicious restaurants and don't mind paying for quality food. This was too expensive for the food, I will say the drinks were fantastic. Perfectly balanced and delicious. We ordered the marinated goat cheese, double yolk farm egg, sweet and spicy pork belly, and the half poulet. The goat cheese was delicious. The double yolk farm egg was s decent omelette I could have made myself. The pork belly was good but nothing amazing. My boyfriend really likes kimchi and he said the accompanying kimchi was the best he's ever had though. The chicken was bad. It had a nice crust and was very moist. However it was so overly salted I couldn't even enjoy it. I probably had 6 glasses of water in the minutes after I had some chicken. Even with the nice ambiance, and the delicious drinks the food was hardly worth raving about. I would not recommend going there for dinner.
(2)Paul M.
Good service and food. Bread pudding to die for. Only disappointment was unwelcoming hostess during lunch.
(4)jackie a.
Loved the location as you can go shopping but have to go early as the shopped close at 7 on weekdays. Everything on the menu comes from local farms which is great and they also grow some of their ingredients. Food was amazing and we also were informed that they have a sister restaurant called Cypress room which is more upscale but freaking amazing cocktails and food. I would DEFINITELY RECOMMEND BOTH PLACES to eat great quality food.
(5)Ray S.
I absolutely love this place. The staff is young, yet very familiar with the menu and how the dishes are prepared. Very friendly people working together makes this place a gem. :)
(5)Miguel P.
Great service. Very attentive servers. The food is fresh. The pig ears are way too salty. The short ribs were well cooked and soft, though the saw was an acquired taste. In the end too pricy and the food was not up to part. Cannot recommend it.
(2)Cris A.
I've been dying to come here since I saw MG's on the food network years ago. WOW! So happy I came! A and I came for Brunch and loved every single thing we ordered. *Greek faro salad was super light and perfectly seasoned. *Double Egg Yolk...yum! The Gruyere cheese on top was soooo good. Ask for two pieces of toast instead of the one they bring out. *Fried chicken and polenta waffle was perfect. Super crunchy and well seasoned. *Kimchi Benedict-pork was cooked to perfection, crumpet very light and airy. MUST GET A POP TART to finish off your meal! They are the best homemade pop tarts I have tried yet!
(5)Will G.
I've been dying to try Michael's for the longest time. I'm happy to report that I finally got the Michael's experience on a few occasions. I've only had brunch here so I'm excited to have a lunch or dinner here. I suggest making a reservation so that you won't have to wait for a table. My reservation was honored on time which was appreciated. After being seated for a couple of a minutes a friendly server greeted us. He explained the menu and concept pretty well. I had the carnitas, smores, kimchi benedict and the pig ears. The pig ears were crunchy and flavorful, however they were too chewy for me personally. I just had to try them!!!!! The kimchi benedict was awesome as expected. The sauce had the right consistency which is often hard to come by. The side of kimchi was really good. The carnitas were Griffin awesome. They were slow simmered and smoked for 12 hours according to the server. They were served over a bed of black beans with onions and cilantro. The dish was spicy which I loved. The carnitas melted in my mouth. They were so good. The smores were awesome. The homemade graham cracker was nice and crunchy. The marshmallow was roasted nicely. The chocolate was slightly melted. Bottom line, Michael's is my go to spot now for a memorable and enjoyable brunch. I can't wait for my next visit and I can't wait to try it for lunch and dinner.
(5)Carlos E.
The best Service I have experienced in Miami. Erik is the personification of what excellent service is. The food is really good but the service surpasses anything you will find in Miami. If you're looking for great food and unparallel service this is the place. Really good experience. 100% recommend.
(5)Stephen F.
It lives up to the hype! Michael's Genuine is Schwartz's flagship restaurant located in the Design District. It's a tad crowded but relaxing and not uppity. Our server Erik was very personal but not intrusive, witty, and very quick with the refills and plates, he was great in walking us through the menu and making recommendations that we really enjoyed. We started with the Deviled Eggs, a favorite of mine since childhood, and they were honestly the first restaurant version I have ever truly enjoyed. We then had the Quadrello di Bufala which is paired perfectly with the mango chutney. The Crispy Pig Ears are seasoned with a slight tangy powder that had us fighting each other to get more. The Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Farm Egg was thick and sumptuous with the gruyere cheese. The Crispy Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly was perfectly prepared and very filling. Duck Confit was savory and paired nicely with the plum chutney. The Crispy Rice Cake with chorizo, rock shrimp, & farm egg was very hearty and filling. Finally, we ended with the desert course of Chocolate Cremoso, which was a perfect combo of salty and sweet. Overall, we ordered way too much food, we could have easily skipped two dishes, but we thoroughly enjoyed every bite and left completely stuffed!
(5)Jason A.
All I can say about this restaurant is wow. Probably my favorite burger right now. This place really lives up to it's reputation. I suggest you make a reservation because it tends to have a long wait to be seated. I recommend the onion dip as an appetizer and the lemonade is delicious. Everything I sampled was perfectly cooked and seasoned. They also have a nice beer selection. The staff is friendly and the service is reasonably fast. The only thing I found unpleasant is that the seating is very crowded. I definetly plan to be back soon and often.
(5)Maritza S.
Oh my!!! I finally made it out to Michaels, after reading and hearing amazing things about them. Now I'm one of the people raving about them. What great service!!! The shrimp sandwich will kick any other shrimp or even lobster sandwiches butt . Best I ever had. Every single thing was delicious. The setting is very pretty and you can taste the quality and freshness of the ingredients they use. I went for lunch and already wanted to go back for dinner. Not many places like this one.
(5)Edward H.
Chose this restaurant because they offered a Brunch menu, what we got was tapas. Brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch and what Michael does is create tapas portions in his translation. Although the plates were creatively presented the portions were hors d' oeuvre sized. For brunch that is unacceptable. After ordering 5 of these bite size plates we were still starving and because it was busy we had to wait even longer before the additional bites were delivered. Turned out we payed as much as the top rated brunch at The Edge in The Four Seasons On Brickell with alcohol. Don't advertise a brunch menu when you really offer tapas. Although the inventive drink combination at the bar got their second star it isn't worth the trip for that alone.
(2)Pedro M.
Really good. Nice area. Will return.
(4)Josh C.
This place is incredible. Consistent. Delicious. Must try every single thing on the menu, nothing isn't perfect. Nice work chef!
(5)Tom H.
This was my third visit to MGFD. My friend lives in Ft. Lauderdale and every time I come down to visit him he insists we go there, which is perfect with me. The food is superb and the service is casual but refined. Each of our courses brought delicious complexity, with each bite revealing more complex and diverse flavors. When in the Design District of Miami, I highly recommend dining at Michael's Genuine Food and Drink. They get it.
(5)Andrew K.
This place has a great reputation and deserves it. Nice trendy atmosphere. We tried many dishes and all ranged from solid to delicious. The menu had great variety and reminded me of California. The best dish was the pork belly and the duck confit. The bulletproof Manhattan was terrible however - tasted like cloyingly sweet cherry juice. Also acorn squash was unremarkable/under-salted.
(4)Paty D.
It took me, a proverbial foodie, forever to make it here, but alas, I made the pilgrimage to see Mr. Schwartz! We decided to go for dinner our first time. Our server asked us if it was our first time- which I always appreciate- and ran us through the concept and highlights of the menu. He took our drink orders and gave us a few minutes to drool over the menu. There were so many things to choose from I wanted it all- eating with your eyes- not a figure of speech here! To start, we ordered the well known favorite rock shrimp cake & wood roasted double yolk egg. These were probably my two favorite dishes of the night with the shrimp cake being my favorite!!! The cake is perfectly crispy with a smooth, paste like filling. The flavors are so harmonious and the chorizo gives it that little kick of flavor. The yolk dish isn't served runny, the yolk is cooked more medium. It is a rich dish since you have the melted gruyere cheese which just takes it over the top. We also ordered the sweet & spicy pork belly and that was phenomenal as well. It had a more asian flair to it since it's made with their homemade kimchi but it was not overpowering in any way. As to the entrees, they were good but for the price I can see how people may feel like they want more. I had the short rib and it was very good but I have had some better. My husband and I both felt that we were more impressed with the small and medium dishes rather than the larger ones. We enjoyed it so much we went back for brunch- highlights and lowlights below! Again we loved our server- service was friendly and attentive. We had a larger group this time so we practically ordered half the menu. The breakfast pizza, the rock shrimp- yes, you must order it- and the double yolk egg were the tables favorites. As regards the blueberry pancakes they were way too small for the price and they didn't really impress us flavor wise either. The other thing we were disappointed with were the doughnuts. They look like little munchkins but there was no filling. There was a tiny bit of filling on the top but nothing inside. So I took a bite to share, leaving my friend the other half, and left her with just dough. So skip the doughnuts. The homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches were okay- again way too small. Think oreo sized ice cream Sammies! But overall we enjoyed the savory part of our brunch. Both times the overall experience was one I thoroughly enjoyed and since the menu is ever changing in an effort to source local ingredients, I'm sure I'll be back to see the magic of Mr. Schwartz!
(4)Helena R.
I went there during lunch time, so they menu was different. I had reservations, so had no problem waiting, the only problem was the table I was given, not so good, but it was okay. The waiter helped me in what I should choose, and I'm glad i went with his choice. My sandwich was delicious, very good indeed. My friend order same thing and was quite pleased. We just wish we had saved room for dessert. I will definitely come back just for them.
(4)Lisa C.
There's a lot of rave about Michaels and the food is unique. I've been for both brunch and dinner and the food was okay. However, the plates are very small. Definitely worth a try at least once.
(4)Lauren M.
Growing up, my mom's office was located in the Design District before it became all the "rage" and Michael's Genuine served as our go to spot for our one on one lunches. As Miami's Design District has continued to develop over the years and restaurants have come and gone, Michael's continues to remain the best restaurant in the area, if not the country . There, I said it. Quite a bold statement I know, but in my opinion, it doesn't get any better. You always hear restaurants praising over their "quality ingredients", but here they mean business. Michael's Genuine utilizes local, seasonal ingredients from local farmers around the South Florida area that are apparent in each dish this Miami establishment has to offer (think fresh grouper, heirloom tomatoes, and more ...oh my!) From their fire oven pizzas, fabulous entrees to their insane desserts by my favorite pastry chef, Hedy Goldsmith, everything on the menu is truly delectable. Although the menu often changes, some of my highlight staple dishes include the fig and Berkshire pork pizza, the chopped salad, deviled eggs, crispy Brussels sprouts with pancetta, and the char grilled octopus. If you are not absolutely full by the end of your meal, I suggest trying the peanut butter sundae with pretzels and marshmallows, or Hedy's famous peanut butter cookies. Although the dessert menu is consistently changing, you cannot I repeat CANNOT go wrong with any of Hedy's concoctions. Her desserts feature unique ingredients that you would not normally think pair well in a dessert, but truly will tickle your taste buds and blow your mind!! If you go for brunch on Sunday, I have two words for you: POP TARTS. Michael's pop tarts are legendary and filled with a zesty fruit filling that taste better than the ones you microwaved and devoured during your childhood. My personal recommendation is to go there for lunch and sit outside to enjoy the beautiful Miami weather. Unlike some other popular Miami establishments located on the beach, Michael's is a restaurant you can leisurely enjoy your meal without being shoveled by a bunch of tourists or obnoxious people attempting to grab a table. FYI: Make a reservation or else your probably going to have to wait.
(5)Eddie G.
MGCFD very consistent; food is great as well as service. Why not 5stars? Simple place is pretty tight. If you are looking for a romantic dinner this is a NO NO. We had a house salad, pork belly, leg of lamb and the palmetto pork chops. The best of all the pork belly for sure to start followed by the leg of lamb.
(4)Justin B.
This is a great find. We took a cab from SOBE and it was worth the drive. Everything is made fresh everyday. It is in the fashion district and everything was closed around it. Service was great and knew the menu. I love both fine dining and hole in the walls, but this will be on our list next time in Miami. Patries of two, the tables are very close.
(5)Elena G.
If i die, i'd like to die in this man's arms. Michael Schwartz..he should be called more like Michael my angel Schwartz... I went for dinner and the only reason why he gets 4 instead of 5 is because of the sitting arrangement and the wait (we had to sit with 2 strangers and could barely walk through the restaurant..bc its packed, but then again i think if his restaurant was the size of a warehouse, it would still be packed) I had the oh so delicious rice cake (which is a misleading name to begin with) i was thinking more rice crispies and its more like crab cake without the crab..its filled with chorizo, serrano ham, MAGIC among other things, oh and its deep fried OF COURSE .. my entree was the braised short ribs and shall i say they were cooked to perfection, every mouthful felt like a rainbow in my mouth ...and even the tiny onions were like the leprechauns and the whipped potatoes the pot of gold. Soft, not too saucy, with a thin optional spread, and flaaaavorful. For dessert (it was my bday ) so i had the sandwich chocolatey caramely creamy goodness (not even sure what it was called but u get the gist ..again perfectly executed with a little chocolate mousse and ice cream. No complaints in any way food wise..or service, so you must go to this place, its more like a business casual ..good for bdays if u have reservations 2 years in advance lol. All in all, you must try this ..seriously...do it...are you still reading this? GO!
(4)Chrystell S.
When a restaurant is featured three times in one episode of Best Thing I Ever Ate and two of those items are desserts, I'm SOLD!!! We limited our shared plates so that we could save room for dessert. Of the shared plates, the item that stood out for me was the crispy sweet and spicy pork belly. When I first saw the thick square piece of pork belly, I was unsure as to how it would taste. You could quickly see the tasty crispy portion which I immediately knew I would love and devour with sheer pleasure. Admittedly crispy pork is a weakness of mine. So I cut into the pork belly and there it was.....juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked goodness. As soon as my knife split that pork belly, I knew it was going to taste like heaven. I slowly carved out a small piece that included meat, a little bit of the fatty part for flavor and of course, the crispy skin. Everything just melted into my mouth and the flavor explosion was unimaginable. It is a beautiful dish. The other dishes we ate were quite good as well but the pork belly stole my heart. Okay, let's get on to why I really came to Michael's Genuine. I came for the two desserts: Peanuts and Popcorn AND the Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme. Peanuts and popcorn is like three desserts in one. There is a chocolate peanut butter bar, chocolate covered peanuts, and buttered popcorn ice cream. The chocolate bar is amazing. Rich, high quality chocolate with a strong peanut butter flavor. I'm not typically a fan of peanut butter but although it's presence couldn't be denied, it didn't overpower the beautiful, luscious taste of that chocolate. This was really high-end chocolate. Not the sweet stuff but the real deal where you can taste the cocoa. In addition to that, they streaked melted chocolate on the side of the plate and sprinkled it with a dash of chili powder. Yes, chili powder! The heat was actually quite enjoyable for me and gave the dessert a nice kick. The popcorn peanuts were playful but I didn't really care too much for them. The buttered popcorn ice cream, on the otherhand, was a different story. Oh my, oh my, oh my.... This ice cream just divine. I'd love to buy a gallon of this stuff and just eat away. The flavor was just extraordinary but then again, I love buttered popcorn but just never imagined I'd ever have it in ice cream form. There are just so many different flavor combinations happening in this dessert that your taste buds just go into complete overload. The tangerine creamsicle pot de creme is my personal favorite, however. OMG!!! Seriously, it doesn't look like much. You get two tiny little donuts sprinkled with sugar on top of a napkin. To the side is a small pot of tangerine infused whipped cream....the pot de creme. And then you have a small little serving of tangerine marmalade. So you're supposed to combine all three items and eat them. I ate the donut with the pot de creme and fell in love. This pot de creme is unbelievably good. It's not overly sweet. You can taste the hint of citrus as your palate screams for more. Then I had a little piece of donut with the marmalade. That was good but I went back to the pot de creme more often than not. I even tried all three items together. Wow! Loved it. My only complaint about this dessert is that I really needed more. It's just so wrong that this place is all the way in Miami and I can't have the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme whenever I want. But it surely gives me a reason to come back to the Sunshine State even with all of its evil mosquitos lurking around during dusk.
(4)Laure M.
We had dinner there last night. First time and I don't know between 3 or 4 stars... The food is very flavorful, very tasty and you get a selection of dishes you don't get anywhere else. My husband ordered the sweet & spicy pork belly and the sweet chili wings and I got the 1/2 poulet rouge. The pork belly was very good, perfectly paired with delicious kimchi. The wings (5) were very good too, served with a cream & cucumber sauce. The 1/2 poulet rouge was very juicy, perfectly cooked with spices and a very crispy skin. Everything was very good, but maybe I should have ordered a side with it. The service was slow-ish. That was a bit disappointing. I will definitely go back. Even it the prices are a bit high for the quantity, the tastes, flavors and offerings are unique and very different from other restaurants. I really like that everything is locally grown.
(4)Carly S.
Although the food was passable, the night was destroyed by awful service, dishes that were never brought to the table and never acknowledged or apologized for, and rude management/hosts. As a table of 6, on a Saturday night for a 9:30pm reservation, celebrating 2 birthdays, we were met with the somewhat attentive waiter Brandon who then proceeded to take our order and disappear for the better part of the meal. Immediately after we ordered, he was stand-offish, judgey, never once asked us how our meal was, and later, when we politely reminded him that he forgot one of our dishes, he shrugged and acted like we were insane for mentioning anything. Terrible terrible experience tonight, when we were all expecting a nice celebratory evening at a highly-touted restaurant. Will not be coming again and will be letting my friends know that they shouldn't waste their time here. Judging by some of the other reviews, Michael's needs to get off their high horse and pay a bit more attention to service. Their food was good, but everyone left hungry after a sizable bill, and this type of behavior won't allow them to continue to be successful. Unfortunate.
(1)Rachel L.
Miami is hot, haute, "yacht" (I ran out of homonyms...). And, there is nothing better than a Miami restaurant for some killer people-watching. Depending on what scene you're into, you can spend the day elbowing with the big wigs, judging the fashionistas, ignoring UM students, or chill-axing. Michael's is one of the places to eat and be seen by an eclectic group. I feel the latter reigns supreme over the former. Swarms of wealthy shoppers, fashionistas, downtown-ers, and students alike dine on better-than-average fare. For me, the big draw is the the ambiance, which is relaxed, yet fairly chic & modern with print on the walls, neat-o furniture, and hints of red. I'm a fan. But, the food doesn't quite do it for me like it used to. Watching the "Design District" evolve over time from a hipster hangout/ghetto, I will say that Michael's is one of the vanguards of the culinary renaissance of Miami. When I ate there in 2006, it "wow"ed me. I hoped that creativity would abound, and the kitchen would never dare rest on its laurels. Sadly, that does not seem to be the case. Coming back there for lunch with my sister and boyfriend, I was less impressed. As appetizers, we ordered their soup du jour (tomato and shortrib), wings (which had a stellar albeit unoriginal marinade), and the chicken liver. The chicken liver was by far the best appetizer, as it was decadent and had a rich flavor profile. For entrees, I ordered the fish sandwich, which lacked seasoning and had too much mayonaisse. It tasted like mush - although the sandwich bread was great. But, should a sandwich be known for its crust? My sister ordered the short rib and fontina sandwich, which was also bland. And my boyfriend mussels - while prepared in a classic style - did not wow me. They tasted thin despite the bacon. Where was the umami component? Service was good though, and my coffee was excellent. Wine list needs a little work. Regardless, going to Michael's is always a genuinely fun experience.
(3)Natalie M.
Was really excited to finally have brunch here, arrived at 2:34pm and the rude hostess wouldn't seat us because they stop seating at 2:30pm. She told us to go to Harry's, no thanks. Really disappointing.
(1)Larry S.
Food 5 stars, service 2 to 3 stars, ambience 3 stars (outside much better than inside), attitude at the door, value 2 stars. If you like Epicure and don't care about money, you'll probably like Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. If you want any kind of value for your dollar, go elsewhere, perhaps Red Light.
(2)Adam L.
Lets be honest here. There is a lot of hype surrounding this restaurant and with good reason. This is the freshest, best food in Miami, bar none. The menu is done brilliantly, with small, medium, large, and extra large dishes, all priced accordingly. It is a great idea and i ended up ordering way more than i needed. The drinks we had (mojitos) were excellent as well. For starters, we had the chips and onion dip. They were homemade and were excellent. I also had the rice cake, which i think is the best item on the menu. It comes with an egg on top, and when the yolk seeps into the rice cake the texture is amazing. After that, i had the Beef tongue pizza. They have a wood-fire oven that cooks the pizza to perfection. The crust was thin and flaky while the toppings were insanely fresh. As a side we had the cheese grits which were just awesome. For the grand finale, we had the lamb leg with farro salad. The lamb was good, but not the best id ever had. However, the greek farro salad was a perfect combination with the farro. So the food was 5 stars, but the service? Even better. If its your first time there, you will get a long explanation of the menu, along with any questions you have answered on the spot. They are very friendly, attentive, and caring. The manager stopped by our table 2 times to check on everything. The server had some great recommendations that turned out great. Really a 5 star dining experience all the way around. Will definitely be returning.
(5)Joann C.
Every time I go to Michael's I have a wonderful dining experience, be it lunch or dinner. Wonderful drinks there, I am particularly fond of anything they make with Elderflower. The definite must haves are the small appetizer - Kimchi Pork Belly and the Banana Toffee Panini for dessert. Everything else will be good and yummy, but those two dishes are my go to for almost every dinner or lunch experience.
(5)Andrea J.
finger lickin good
(5)Megan M.
I came here about a year ago with family. I don't even remember what we ordered. It was such a smorgasbord of flavorful food, and every single thing we ordered was absolutely amazing. We didn't have any complaints whatsoever. If there could be a perfect meal, we had it here. Our table outside was a little warm. I don't remember if there were fans, but if there weren't there should have been. Our waiter was great. He was attentive and friendly. He even saw that my brother wore some funky leather bracelets and complimented them. He gave my brother a bracelet he was wearing that he got in South America. My brother still wears it. I didn't pay the bill, but I remember it being expensive for dinner. The prices for the brunch menu look reasonable though. I'm dying to try the brunch. Great spot, and clearly a favorite for Miami foodies.
(5)Maria S.
Had a super fun lunch out last Saturday at this prime location in the design district. I had a citrus shrimp salad. It was light and fresh and the avocado was perfect. My boyfriend had pasta with shrimp and it was very good. The best part was the homemade potato chips and dip they serve instead of bread. Delectable! The only thing kind of annoying was the hostess was all over the place and kept sitting at the table near us talking loudly about upcoming events. It was too much of a show and throwing off the atmosphere. Otherwise she was also very nice. We got a great table that we had reserved on open-table. Reservations are a must. This place is a see and be seen so dress to impress in your best Saturday afternoon resort wear!
(4)Marc R.
I went only to the bar here, so this review is limited, but I can say a few things. The house cocktails are amazing. We had a few, and everyone at the bar was super helpful and friendly. The folks in my group ate, and the steaks looked freaking amazing, and the rest of the food was first class. We even saw a few movie stars and directors here the night we came in to sauce up before having dinner elsewhere in the design district.
(4)Jordan N.
Excellent organic and local restaurant that gets a lot of the ingredients locally. My friends and I came here during the Art + Design Night in the District, and we had to wait 30 minutes. We left our phone number in the front so they would call us when our table is ready. And we used that time to hang out at the Enea Garden and to check out the art galleries that were open throughout the night. When they called us, we hurried back (we were starving!), and we were promptly seated. We were served three different types of bread with homemade butter (as in unwrapped). We ordered chicken wings, skirt steak, 1/2 poulet (chicken), and pork belly. And we shared around. The 5 pieces of chicken wings were addictive! It was delicious, especially with the accompanying cucumber sauce. The least impressive meal, I would have to say, was the skirt steak. But it was still good and they provided a roasted half of an orange to squeeze on the steak. The chicken was a step up - with the chicken having so much flavor! I could eat the whole thing in a flash, and that's saying a lot since I'm not much of a chicken person. The pork belly though... I thought tasted really good even though it was such a small piece in a bowl (it was labeled under "medium" in the menu). But I wouldn't want a bigger piece of that pork belly because of all the fat that came with it (it's supposed to have fat, it's a pork belly)! And the fat was succulent and cut through like butter, it really enhanced the flavor with the crispy skin and the tender meat underneath. It was cooked just right, and I thought the flavor was interesting and was good. If you're not very hungry, go for the medium. If you just want very small bites, go for the small. If you're hungry, go for the large. If you're wanting to share a meal, or you're really really hungry and could go to a buffet, go for the extra large. Of what was ordered, only the skirt steak and the chicken were a "large" while the chicken wings (an appetizer) was a "small." And to finish off, the dessert, Key Lime Cheesecake Flan was okay and a little disappointing. The flan was a little too sweet for me and I think I would be better off trying another dessert. It was well executed though, and maybe it is supposed to taste like that - but that's all I can say about it. I think the food would get maybe 4 stars, but it would also depend on what you order. I would give it a 4 1/2, especially since it's organic and local - you just get a good feeling when you know the food is just good for you and the environment. I sound so green! But anyways, overall, this is definitely a worthy place to return to! REVISITED: The prawns (under SMALL) were not good - they were rubbery and pretty tasteless. The beef cheek (under MEDIUM) was a mere okay, I wouldn't order it again. The heirloom tomato salad was yummy. The mussels (under MEDIUM) were good, especially with the tomato, but the black rice could use some work. The chocolate cremosa was just okay. But the apple and goat cheese panini for dessert was awesome!
(5)Issel G.
I am a regular at this restaurant. I love coming here because of their fresh food, attentive service and consistency with quality.
(5)Mark D.
While in Wynwood on business and checking out the Wynwood Walls, I was looking forward to going to Michael's Genuine Food & Drink (MGFD). MGFD has been vaunted in the Miami Herald Food section, and mentioned in the celeb columns as a place where prominent people dine. When I arrived at 4:20PM, I was informed by our congenial hostess that MGFD was between lunch and dinner and that there was a limited "siesta" menu of apps and snacks. We decided to hang out as we were far from home and didn't want to deal with rush hour. We were served by an excellent young waiter named Juan. He explained everything on the siesta menu, and made good food and drink suggestions. He pointed out the oncoming evening crew outside on the patio having a meeting with the manager and head chef. I had just read an article alluding to this meeting in the Herald. The article went on to say that MGFD was very aware of reviews of the restaurant in social media (i.e. Yelp) and wanted to ensure great customer service. I must say I was looking forward to more great service when we were handed off to the evening waiter at 5:30. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Our waiter, who had a young female trainee in tow, was somewhat aloof and very scarce in-between orders. There was a very long wait where no one checked on us between apps and dinner. When dinner came, the waiter was not there to ensure all food was delivered at the same time. It is a real pet peeve of mine when others in my party are served first and I'm sitting for several minutes with nothing!!! After dinner we shared one dessert, but the waiter was a bit pushy with the upsell in an almost condescending manner. It was this attitude that made me detract a star. For the amount of money paid, I expected better. At least the busboys kept us well hydrated with constant water refills. I understand, however, why MGFD gets good reviews. It is in a nice area that's being revitalized. It has a nice patio in the breezeway, although 96 degrees on a July afternoon kept us away. Inside, the ambience is nice. Natural light through the skylights and uptempo jazz music lend to this ambience. The food is the real star at MGFD however. Here's what we had: apps of deviled eggs (just OK) and pig ears (delicious play on pork rinds with great seasoning), cobia tartare ( too expensive and underwhelming in quality and quantity), and stracciatella (tomatoes that seemed fresh from the fields of South Dade, drenched in olive oil and sea salt...delicious). Also very fresh were the side order of green beans. Garlic mashed potatoes were very good, but the bok choy, although seasoned well with hazelnut gremolata, was chewy and hard to cut into. It is the entrees that REALLY impressed me and would be worthy of five stars. They were slow roasted/grilled Harris ranch beef short ribs, show roasted pork shoulder, and grilled spiced leg of lamb. Each entree was cooked to absolute perfection, and the seasonings of each were exquisitely done. The dessert of warm funnel cakes in butterscotch bourbon ice cream and brown butter oat streusel was sinfully good. I can say I checked MGFD off my list of restaurants in Miami-Dade that I really wanted to go to, and the entrees definitely didn't disappoint, but I wouldn't go out of my way to return. Should my travels take me to the Design District again, I may spin the Yelp wheel for other restaurants that deserve a try that may give better customer service.
(3)Jessica F.
I love this place! The food is amazing and the service from front of house to table is unparalleled in Miami. Whole snapper, pork belly, short rib and peach galette are worth every bite. Make a reservation! This place is very popular -better to be safe than sorry.
(5)Grace C.
I've been here several times now bringing out of town guests whenever we decide we want to head to Miami. I love this place for its unique drink menu and ever-changing dessert menu. The savory items are great too. My brother was rather fond of the pork belly. My fiance actually had one of the best drinks of his life here - it was a coffee smoked whiskey cocktail where he ended up ordering several before we asked for the check. The dessert menu always looks fantastic so I always save room for desserts when I go. My favorite dessert here was one I had in the fall - the pumpkin pie ice cream parfait. I loved it! My sister really enjoyed her creme brulee with a side of small doughnuts with pomegranates. The venue is intimate and perfect for a romantic evening or a small group gathering. What normally is a 4-5 star experience had to lose a star after this last trip. Our waiter when he realized we were just in for drinks, snacks and dessert pretty much lost interest in us. He was really abrupt and rude at certain parts of service. Other times, he was nowhere to be found. If the restaurant was packed, I would understand his annoyance but the fact was there were several empty tables around us on a Friday evening so I did not feel like I was overstaying my welcome at all. We were also seated outside and outside tables were allowed to smoke and that definitely soured our overall experience. Definitely something to be done at least once if you are in town. The menu alone is worth a visit! I just wish service was better. There is street parking and valet parking.
(3)Jennifer O.
Best place to go for brunch!!! Amazing foood Excellent service But the menu varies everyday so when you invite friends to try what you had last time ... Maybe it won't be on the menu!
(5)Sasha B.
shared the lamb burger and pastrami sandwich with a friend... neither blew me away. Maybe I'm spoiled by the Breslin's lamb burger in NYC, but Michael's was over cooked and pretty dry (they didn't ask for a temperature). the house cured pastrami also didn't compare to the likes of Katz's in NYC. Overall, it was still a tasty meal, and the atmosphere was welcoming and lively. I'd go back, but it didn't meet the expectations of "Miami's best restaurant," to say the least.
(3)Misun K.
I was so sad when the meal ended. This restaurant is phenomenal! We started with the freshly-made burrata which was not on the menu, but a special. It came with tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and basil. It was so good that we ordered a second one. I had the roast pork, fig, and fontina pizza. That was also very good and the pizza dough was perfect--the perfect thickness and the right amount of chew. To drink I had the strawberry-basil soda which was super refreshing and not too sweet. For dessert the 3 of us shared the strawberry shortcake in a jar which was actually olive oil cake with creme and strawberries. YUM. We also had the warm pistachio-rosemary buttermilk doughnuts with ricotta and those were devoured within two minutes. I can't wait to come back here again! And our server was super nice. Plus during the day they have $5 valet parking, which is very convenient.
(5)Janet H.
I didn't find the food spectacular or anything... considering that this IS a Top Chef winner's restaurant, maybe I had really high expectations. I just found the food average and not exactly memorable. It could be I ordered the wrong items, but the salad was meh and sandwich also. My guy friends pointed out their burgers were dry.... so disappointed in the meal. On the otherhand, coffee was surprisingly good.
(2)Adrienne L.
This was my first visit at Micheal's Genuine. I read the reviews a year ago , so I have been salivating over this place. We had the whole Snapper it was good the dessert was better. It was a brownie pie and it was moist and melt in you good!!! The ambiance was nice . They played easy listening jazz which I liked. We also had the fried pork ears and oysters both good.
(4)Michael P.
Just like the other "local" places you basically do not taste or feel a difference, you can only assume that it is "better" because you paid more for it but i really don,t know. Pretty pricey for small dishes, the desserts are the reason we came and they did not upset. We had the roasted chicken, fries, kale, hummus, home brew sundae, and funnel cake. The chicken was plain, fries were the usual, hummus lacked that hummus zest, and they were all quite small. The funnel cake was very very good and the home brew sundae was also very unique and delicious. The server was clingy and kind of had this rush us out fast vibe but maybe i just got that felling. meh.
(3)German M.
I'm so disappointed... I'm trying to put it into words and I feel like Michael's lost its love in making the food... I was here on February 2013 last and I felt they cared then but on my recent visit I was a bit speechless... Actually, I have a few things to say... I came to Michael's for dinner. I ordered the mahi and the fingerling potatoes: the fish was very dry and the sauce on the potatoes was very thick allowing me to only have a few bites... At the table, a friend order the mahi dish and she complained at its dryness as well. Someone else ordered spaghetti bolognese and he said it was delicious but cold. The people at the table next to us also had issues: this guy sent his chicken back twice because it wasn't fully cooked, lastly, he ordered the spagutti bolognese and he also said it was great but it was cold... So maybe.... The spaghetti is supposed to be cold and the mahi is supposed to be dry... Regardless, I must mention how our server was badmouthing the people next to us -- that was completely out of place. By dessert time, I wanted to leave... And if you know a thing or two about me is that I love dessert.
(2)Yessenia A.
I've been several times here and the last time was horrific, to put it lightly. The food, as always, was outstanding, but unfortunately the service wasn't. I've never been treated so rude as if we were not good enough to eat at MGFD. The server started off as a nice person and when my party started ordering just a few items, the server got mad because we didn't take him/her advice on ordering several items to share. Of course since it was a large party, the gratuity was included but they didn't deserve any of it. I would have much rather tipped the hostess for being helpful seating us (even though they took 30 minutes after our reservation time to seat us due to weather issues). Aside from that, they didn't want to split the bill for us and gave us the excuse that they could only split the bill evenly between all the credit cards, which makes no sense. If it's due to a system issue, then I'm sure they have enough money to get a better one that allows this to happen. We will not be returning here again after this terrible experience and will definitely let everyone we know not to spend a dime here.
(1)Pamela B.
Classy experience for lunch. I didn't want a whole bottle of wine, but Corie offered the Corvin wine tool that enabled me to have one glass of a high end wine that paired well with my lamb. Finished off with pineapple rum sorbet and aperol. Awesome!
(5)Toni C.
Third time, NOT a charm. My first dining experience at MGFD was excellent. This was in the early days, before everyone knew about the restaurant. Excellent food and service. This was a time when your business was much appreciated. My second visit, we were a party of 2. We were seated at a table behind the hostess stand, with ample room and privacy suitable for 2 to enjoy a pleasant dining experience. Again, everything was 5 stars. My third visit, July 2015, again, a party of 2, we had 5:45pm reservations on a very hot & humid Thursday evening. When we arrived, the restaurant was sparsely populated. We were seated once again at a table behind the hostess stand, but, this time, it appeared as though the table had been reduced to half the size. When we were seated, the tables were so close together, it felt like we were dining with the couple next to us. Unhappy with this arrangement, we asked the hostess to seat us at a different table. Despite the fact the restaurant was practically empty, she told us our only option was 'outside'. It was 87 degrees, the sun was bright and it was very uncomfortable. We sat at the outdoor table for less than 10 minutes, and politely told her the heat was unbearable, and we left and walked to another nearby restaurant where we were immediately accommodated at a table located inside the restaurant. My lesson learned: when dining at MGFD, to get the best table, make sure your party is at least 4, unless you don't mind sitting in the hot sun, in the middle of summer, feeling as though you are melting. Thankfully, there are many other restaurants just as good as MGFD in the Design District and you can find wait staff willing to make your dining experience a pleasant one. Disappointed....
(1)Lauren F.
I NEVER leave reviews, usually just because of forgetfulness, but I couldn't pass it up with this place. My mother, boyfriend, and I went here as per a recommendation of a friend and all of us were beyond impressed. Our waiter, Gabriel I believe his name was (should have confirmed), was very knowledgeable and super attentive but he was not pushy or in your face. He suggested a particular wine that was delicious, and knew what would pair well with it. We had the stracciatella, short ribs, lamb, and the pork tender loin. Sides were roasted cauliflower (amazing), and garlic mashed potatoes. Dessert was the chocolate chess pie which was just straight heaven on a plate. Bottom line, we had great service, great food, and all in a great atmosphere. I will definitely be going back.
(5)Chi L.
Taste: 4 star Price they charge you: 5 star Portion they give you: 2 star The breakfast pizza is not as good as before. The rice cake dish is still good. I saw the table next to me having the tiniest pancake of all time!
(3)G L.
We thoroughly enjoyed our experience here. Our server, Amanda, was so good! She had great recommendations which we were so happy to have gotten. The food and drinks were exceptional! The hostess was eager to help me retrieve my lost cell phone ( I lose everything). We felt so comfortable in the beautiful outdoor seating. The staff tended to our every need and made this a night to remember! Cheers!
(5)Maria A.
I normally don't do reviews but this time I'm not happy at all. We came to michaels because it had great reviews and wanted to try somewhere new. We ordered a brisket sandwich, which I don't recommend at all. Half of the meat was fat, which didn't let me nor my husband enjoy our meal. Both ordered the same thing so we have no reviews on other dishes, and Danny our server wasn't friendly at all, he came once to us and we would call him but he would go first to the other tables with big parties I guess for the tip.
(1)Ryan K.
There's a reason this place is so popular. It's a foodie destination. The service and quality were top notch. The pork belly is a must have signature dish.
(5)Juliana K.
Wow the food was amazing. I will never forget the pistachio and rosemary dusted doughnuts with ricotta and strawberry jam. They were fluffy and amazing. The Kim Chee short rib was phenomenal. Crispy chunk of shirt rib paired with a Kim chee and topped with peanuts. Wow. The octopus pesto pizza was also very good. Perfectly seasoned. Deviled eggs were good, but unmemorable compared to everything else. Caberete mixed drink was refreshing. The rye, basil, grapefruit mixed drink was sort of strange. Service was friendly and attentive. Lovely outside seating.
(4)Bella S.
This place gets busy, so make a reservation!!! We arrived at 1140am on a Sunday and there was a 45minute wait! So we ate dinner at the bar! Only half of the tables were full though. Nor was there a line. This place will hold tables if you request a seating in advance so it's a no-brainer!! Also, ample street (with meter parking) is available for Sunday brunch. Some of the dishes we chose were: Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Egg is a must have! I don't eat meat but the Shrimp & Polenta (with chorizo too) was excellent. The chorizo was easily served on the side. I preferred the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes over the Cruffin, which my bf thought was better. Both are excellent. The triggerfish & shrimp ceviche had a tropical flavor that was much tastier than any ceviche I've ever had!! The citrus/lemon flavor wasn't overpowering like most ceviches! My bf is now obsessed with the Crispy Rice Cake which is way more than it sounds... Rice cake with Shrimp and Chorizo pan fried with a farm fresh egg over easy!! So good! Look at the photos and see! We will be back soon and will re-order almost everything!! (minus the yodels which were purchased for my sweet tooth loving bf)!
(5)Marcia W.
It is an OK place. The location is very good and the ambiance also. Charming inside and outside. Foodwise, it did not impress us. We have asked 3 different dishes and from the 3 only one was very good. The Lychee salad was really good (I would have excluded the chili, but that is ok). The black grouper crudo was a miss - it lacked acidity and the flax seed felt like a second thought. The double egg yolk was not impressive either. It has all the potential to be a good place, but they should work on the details of the dishes.
(3)Sagor H.
One of the better meals that we have while we were in Miami. We stopped by Right after getting off the plane. I have to say initially we were displeased with the hostesses as they missed that we had a reservation, but the wait staff more then made up for it. Our waitress was phenomenal (purple hair) and made sure our dining experience was top notch. She also offered a free appetizer to make up for the previous service. The octopus and mozzarella appetizer were fresh and a great start. We opted for the fresh catch of the day which happened to be a red snapper, and it was fantastic. One of the best whole fish I've ever had. Desserts were awesome as well. I would definitely stop in when you get into town.
(4)Joa T.
The pork shoulder is to die for! It will melt in your mouth, plus it has a parsley sauce and pickled onions which give it a fresh taste. Everything here is, as our waitress said, A-MAZING! Try the butter lettuce with oranges and hazelnut vinaigrette and to drink the ginger-lemongrass soft drink. For dessert the homebrew ice cream sunday with caramel, roasted marshmellows, and pretzels. The east coast oysters were nothing out of this world, was expecting more flavor in them. But the rest of the food was a delight! Coming back for suuuuuuuure.
(5)Nicole S.
SO, I was pleasantly surprised with my lunch visit today. Ever since I had a bad dinner experience at Michael's (which was definitely a fluke) I was a little afraid to return but everyone deserves a second chance and I definitely made the right decision to go back. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding! Adrian, was our waiter and he made our experience top notch with his outgoing/friendly personality. He was passionate and knowledgeable about the menu and you could tell he genuinely (pun not intended!) enjoys what he does and he made sure everything was to our liking. His cocktail and food recommendations were on point! It's not often that you find exceptional waiters/waitresses in Miami and I'm thrilled to have found the best! My husband had the Bloody Mary (extra spicy) and I had the Cabarete (semi sweet watermelon cocktail)...both were delicious. We started out with the Roasted Tomato Soup with crispy pork belly. All I can say is, this is NOT your momma's tomato soup...which is a good thing. For the main dish, I had the Grilled Chicken BLT which was savory and packed full of flavor. My husband had the grilled skirt steak which he wouldn't share so I'm going to assume it was great! Looking forward to going back again soon!
(5)John P.
3.5 stars for my experience tonight. Wednesday at 9PM and this place was filled with people. My wife and I were quickly seated outside. The restaurant had fans running outside and there was a nice breeze so we didn't mind. Inside was super loud, mainly because of some drunk obnoxious people at the bar. The only complaint about sitting outside is that we're furthest away from the restaurant (harder to get ahold of the waitress) and that some guest were smoking at the dinner table which we got a few wiffs of during our meal. Service was good, however our waitress seemed like she needed a lot more help. She was really nice, however waiting for her got pretty annoying. There are others constantly refilling water which was nice. Food. We ordered quite a few things for two people. The pork belly and bucatini was good but the lamb and short ribs weren't too impressive. The lamb was a bit cold and dry by the time it came out and didn't have much flavor. Dessert - We were excited to try the dessert after seeing all the pictures on yelp, however the dessert menu was lacking all the things we came to try! We wanted to try the sticky buns but I guess that's not offered for dinner (my guess). We ordered the funnel cake which came with a tiny scoop of ice cream. Not worth $12. Bottom line, the food is expected to be a little pricier for the area, however I don't think it's overly expensive. It's a very relaxed ambience here, lots of people having drinks and loud conversations. Not a place for a romantic date or to take the family in my opinion. Maybe worth a try, not a must try.
(3)John t.
Very nice staff, clean beautiful environment, but expected more from the food. It's just average, I could go to chipotle and get more savory and tasty meat!!! I wanted to like this place, heard great things, but just not impressed with the food, ; (
(1)Yasmeen C.
Thank you for supporting sustainability and organic growers. We need more, much more of high end restaurants following your ideology!!!!! AMAZING FOOD.
(5)Tatyana R.
The best food around! Period! Unpretentious simple American Cuisine with a twist. I have been going there for the past 8 years and food has always been outstanding. Service hasn't been as consistent as good, but the food and atmosphere more than makes up for the service. Had another dinner there last night and everyone at the table was happy with their choices. I always get strachatella, the best in town, and cremoso with parfait. Keep in mind that it's always best to have a reservation, as they are always packed, especially on the weekends.
(5)Stephanie B.
Dined at Michael's for Mother's Day. Yes, I know, that's the worst day to go out, yada yada. But to be completely honest, even though it was a day that is infamously associated with bad food and service I can honestly say that Michael's was absolutely none of these. We had made a reservation for 6:30 pm and it wasn't packed the way it usually is. I figured it wasn't slammed because 6:30pm is sort of an awkward time; too late for lunch and too early for dinner. But I digress. We started off with the chili chicken wings that came with a little side of cucumber. The side was like a yogurt with cucumber. The consistency was thick and the way the cucumbers crunched in your mouth was delicious. I also tried it on the wings. Sooo good. We also ordered the sweet and spicy pork belly that came with kimchi. This had to be the absolute favorite part of the meal because the pork was crispy on the outside but when you put your fork in it it just shreds off. We ordered another one. Clearly, we couldn't get enough. Then came the short rib with a side of home made fries. That short rib, wow. Excellent! The grand finale was eating the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme. Oh my. Not your average fried donut, I can assure you that. They came sprinkled in sugar with a little side of cream which on it's own was amazing. It you're unsure of what to order for desert I recommend this because the flavors are obviously delicious but it's sweetness is not overbearing. It's just perfect! My evening was perfection! You can never go wrong here! Not to mention, my server (I forgot his name ugh!!!) was very polite, attentive and informative on the menu. My only turn off was the grumpy old man at the hostess spot that made me wait on him by just standing there awkwardly to finish his causal telephone conversation before he acknowledged my presence in front of him. :-)
(5)Jennifer A.
Generally, the food was great. Straccietella was magnificent - salty and sweet. Oyster selection provided a lot of variety. The duck confit was also delicious, as was the risotto. However, the gnocchi Sardi was deceptively named. They were more like regular pasta shells than gnocchi. Also had red velvet ice cream, which was very tasty but very small. Definitely, you should opt for the 2 or 3 scoops. Finally, I must warn about the outdoor seating. Smoking is allowed. We had to move our table. They boast a menu that is 95% organic, but then try to kill you with second hand smoke.
(4)John D.
Overrated. Over-priced. I know a few servers have even left the restaurant because the food has gone so downhill. They opened strong but let it all go. Too bad. It was a great spot in the beginning.
(2)L. S.
Sadly, Michael's Genuine did not even come close to matching our expectations. SERVICE: The service was EXTREMELY slow. Granted, it was a busy weekend night, but still you would think a restaurant of this caliber would be equipped (and prepared) to handle a weekend night rush. Apps took forever to come out. Larger plates took even longer. Management recognized the delay but, unfortunately, the way management/staff handled the slow service was not adequate. I think they comped a dessert or two. One of the members of our dining party had restaurant management experience, and he was surprised (in a bad way) at how Michael's Genuine handled and responded to the service delays. FOOD: Disappointing. It was as if the restaurant was trying too hard to turn this into an episode of Iron Chef America. Some of the cooking techniques and ingredient pairings just did not work, resulting in bad tasting food. There is a time and place for everything, and it just seemed as if the kitchen did not know or understand how the flavors worked; just throw a bunch of random ingredients together in hopes to create "interesting food". (1) Way too much cinnamon/nutmeg? on a pizza that was already very sweet due to the caramelized onions. Pretty bad flavor combination. (2) Smoked vanilla ice cream that tasted like bacon was off-putting and extremely difficult to digest. (3) Chocolate Cremoso was decent, but a hint of sea salt would have been sufficient, not a huge tablespoon. Same thing with the olive oil, a subtle hint of it would have been sufficient for this DESSERT. Ironically, the only decent dishes of the night were the ones that were simply prepared: grilled whole snapper, and chargrilled octopus. We really wanted to like this place; we really did. However, overall, it was a very disappointing evening, especially given that this was to be a special dinner for our group. Obviously, Michael's Genuine has a great following and receives generally solid reviews, so perhaps we just hit this place on the wrong night. But I won't return, especially given the multitude of great dining options in the Design District.
(2)Eschel H.
Liana and I ended up here on Halloween as a reward after going with her brother's family trick-or-treating... Given that it was Halloween, the whole Design District was pretty quiet, and Michael's was dead by their Saturday night standards (i.e., there was plenty of seating at the bar and walk-ins could get tables outside immediately). We decided to sit at the bar, and got great service from the bartenders, starting out with a beer for me and a glass of wine for Liana. We opened with the tuna tartar, which was great and the butter salad, which was a little disappointing, but mainly because it just wasn't to our taste. Then the entrée arrived, which was an enormous pork chop, that was cooked to perfection and incredibly juicy. This was served with pureed sweet potato and a wonderful eggplant ratatouille. But the pork chop was the star! It was during dinner that the show started, as a couple guys dressed as Lady Gaga and Susan Boyle proceeded to entertain everyone, simply by sidling up to the bar and ordering drinks and appetizers. We finished things up with an amazing dessert of a Lemon Pot de Creme served with blackberry marmalade and a couple sugared donuts. Yum! Additionally, since Liana had asked about the evening's cheese offering, the bartender insisted on bringing a small slice for free, which prompted Liana, upon tasting it, to quote Jack Donaghy of "30 Rock", stating "when did you have time to go to the beach and eat a dirty diaper?" Interestingly enough, she still ate the rest of it... :)
(5)Jayme S.
I am giving Michael's Genuine a 3 only because it is Miami and the food scene in Miami has been bad for so long, It has been changing in the past year and Michael's Genuine is a part of it. I have been here twice since April. The first time I went I loved the food and could not believe i was in Miami. I went with friend's I was visiting, the service for the 2 of them was bad, our waiter pretty much dismissed and ignored them and focused on me. All in all the experience was odd and uncomfortable, I can not believe I did not say anything. When I was back in Miami this past weekend I could not wait to take him there for the food. We had great service, phew!. We ordered a few dishes and a couple sides. We had 6 dishes in total. The octopus again was fantastic, and the mussels were great. Everything else was bland and boring, even the fries were a bit soggy. When you look closely at the design of the place you realize if it was not for the large lanterns the place is not good looking at all. These Brooklynites will not be going back! It was not worth the cab fare from South Beach.
(3)Marta H.
First time at MGFD. Went for brunch on a Sunday. The scene was vibrant, hip, casual but still elegant for a lazy Sunday. I first must give a disclaimer. If it sounds like we had a lot of food, we did! However, the brunch here is served tapas style so portions are small. We started off by ordering 2 menu items each, for sharing of course. Spanish tortilla, double yolk egg, duck confit hash and the French toast with bananas foster. It was all delicious but we wanted more so we ordered the Crispy Rice Cake. Love at first bite, truly! It was so heavenly, I practically heard angels' harps. For me, that was the clear winner although some great contenders here... The servers were attentive and friendly. My only complaint is that the tables are too close for comfort. Next time, we will choose to dine in the outdoor patio which is cozy but roomier.
(5)Micah K.
This is my favorite place in Miami! Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING I have tried on the menu has been absolutely amazing! They have decent draft beer options and outdoor seating to boot!
(5)Stephanie N.
This was my second time there. First time was for dinner which was good, but I wasn't blown away. I went back for brunch on a Sunday and I was so pleased! First of all, make a reservation! This place gets packed! The energy in the restaurant is loud yet sophisticated and resembles a New York Eatery. Our server was very friendly and helpful. The menu is separated into different categories. Savory, sweets, eggs & things, breads and snacks. Everything is served tapas style. So our waiter recommended each of us order a sweet and a savory and then share all of them. Must haves: From the snacks: deviled eggs (best I've ever had) and crispy pig ear (OMG) Savory: sausage, kimchi benedict, wood oven baked double yolk egg sweets: pop tarts, coffee cake, sticky buns Everything here is incredibly fresh and more importantly, local! This food is made with love and every single thing I had was amazing.
(5)Bryan H.
Bar menu: A Appetizers: A Main course: A (red snapper) Dessert: A (pie in a jar) Service : A+ From NY and I highly recommend.
(5)Cliff F.
After a few visits to Michael's, it becomes easier to see the forest for the trees. The restaurant offers accessible, tasty food for lunch and dinner. Some tend to deify Michael Schwartz, but in reality he is not God, nor anything remotely close. His food, however, is heavenly...and his restaurants deserve to be patronized by those with the desire to experience well-conceived dishes, executed perfectly. I've tried a variety of dishes at Michael's (include a sampling of those offered during the fantastic Miami Spice months), and they never fail to satisfy. On my last visit, I tried the Shrimp and Chorizo pizza (a standout...absolutely delicious), hominy, and for dessert, a tangerine pot-de-creme with two petite sugar doughnuts. Skipping dessert is not a good idea, as it can often be the best part of the entire meal (and skipping it can lead to remorse for days to come). Advice for ordering: just get what makes your mouth water most. Ordering anything because of diets or prices or potentially fatal side effects can also lead to crippling remorse. Just go for it. Seriously. This includes their specialty sodas (ex. Blueberry Tarragon), which accent any dish just right. If the double yolk egg is on the menu, please, for the love of everything that is holy, order it. You will not regret (unless you are dieting, in which case...read above, then order it). Also, the mozzarella makes a fantastic starter. Valet parking is $3, and parking on surrounding streets is $1.50 an hour...so valet the car. If you can sit outside (for lunch), do it...the people watching is unparalleled outside of Miami Beach.
(5)Angela M.
Great neighborhood, delicious deserts, fun atmosphere. A bit crowded, but everything else is superb.
(4)Brent M.
Woot! Michael's Genuine made my tummy happy. It was a little crowded when I went, which is always a turn-off, but I won't lie: the food more than made up for it. The chili chicken wings with creamy cucumbers are amazeballs, as is the short rib & fontina panini. The 'Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme' (which is a posh name for donuts and blackberry jam) is pretty awesome as well. The food is 5-star quality every day and twice on Sundays, but the crowd/noise level, and the fact that it's a little pricey given the portion sizes are what drops my overall review down. Still, I definitely recommend it.
(4)Michael C.
Iffy service and inconsistent execution bring it down to three stars for me. MGFD has a great menu, but seems to be another victim of "Miami Hype".
(3)James H.
Came here last week on my spring break trip to Miami. Food here is pretty mediocre... maybe it was because i was too hungover from the party to fully enjoy the breadth of it. I had the shrimp salad which had huge chunks of shrimp paired with macadamian nuts and all sorts of goodies. Service was great! But i would probably go to another restaurant in Miami. South beach seems more lively and probably has better restaurants
(3)Morgan K.
Seems like it caters to Sobe crowd only, or if you wear stilletto heels and have nothing better to do than sit here all day. Service was sooo slow! And hour and a half for a salad! Bad timing. I would give it more stars for good food but the service was so bad they don't deserve it.The food portions were small. The Greek salad had no lettuce. Skirt steak salad was more of a garnish than a salad. I hate to rant but: -We sat for at least 10 min before waiter came over, after waiting 20 min for a table -Waited another 10 min for him to take our order -Got the news 10 min later that kitchen ran out of app we ordered -Took another 20 min to bring out replacement app -We told waiter to bring all food as it was ready, so one meal came with app for same person who ordered app -My meal (salad) took another 10 min to get to table, ridiculous -My soda glass was full of water from ice melt because it had been sitting so long -I never got the lemon I asked for twice -Waiter ignored us after we questioned our food taking so long -All tables around us were served They removed one meal from the bill but this is unacceptable service and I would never return.
(2)Princess Abigail C. Bacani S.
Michael's is an indoor-outdoor bistro is in Miami's up and coming Design District (ala Soho) which is turning into a really nice dining area. Michael's is a hip but unpretentious spot with a great neighborhood vibe that lure diners. The menu are divided into small, medium, large and extra-large plates. Basically the Small dishes are single serving appetizers, Snacks and Medium dishes are appetizers and salads that can serve 2 -4 people, Large dishes are a traditional entrée and the Extra Large dishes are entrees to be shared by two people. Rather than ordering entrees, we decided to go with Small, Medium and Large dishes. The bulk of our dinner consisted of the Small and Medium dishes. We shared the following: Kumamoto oysters, Wood Oven Roasted Eggplant with chickpeas, raisins, pinenuts, and greek yogurt Burrata heirloom tomato, paradise farms basil, extra virgin olive oil, fleur de sel Grilled Pork Loin apple chutney, jus and a Pan Roasted 1/2 "Poulet Rouge" Chicken parsley, capers. For dessert I ordered their Housemade "Pie in a Jar" Every dish was excellent!! ... and I'm a picky eater! The restaurant's ambiance was great and the service quick, informed and very friendly. It is definitely worth repeating. An outstanding dining experience that would be a great addition to Manhattan restaurants. I do wish we had a Michael's in New York.
(5)Mark M.
"Dude, I love pork. Love the pork. But I don't eat it anymore, not after I was told that a pig has the same mentality as a three-year-old, and my niece was three at the time, and it kind of cut into me." - Cameron Diaz Great news; more pork bellies for me! Pair that up with some cheese grits and a beer and Ms. Diaz can live vicariously through me! There's still plenty of items on the menu she can chose from. Typically I feel that this can be detrimental, but here, it's the appeal for me. The fare lends itself to all tastes. Some may want to stay on the bourgeois boulevard, opting for the cheese plate and a pork chop mated with garlic mashed potatoes. Others may veer to the north on the slightly more adventurous avenue and take on the head cheese, pork jowls and pig ears. For dessert (which I shied away from) I'm told the doughnuts are a winner. I lied, I did take a bite of the brownie with the smoke infused ice cream. Not my favorite, but I like the theory. I can't wait to go back and try something new. And like last time I'll take my daughter, who's nearly 2, with a mentality far beyond. And as far as I know Cameron, she's no cannibal.
(4)chris k.
What a fabulous evening. Mark took excellent care of us. We started with a couple bottles of wine and some excellent small plates. Pork belly (outrageously good), ceviche, duck confit and a few others. Then on to a lovely plate of lamb. Everything was sublime and the flavors all blended together seamlessly. Michael Schwartz has a hit here. We asked Michael Symon where to eat in Miami and this was his suggestion. Couldn't have been better. Michael's has it going on in spades. If you have the chance have a meal here. You won't regret it. Chris
(5)Ellie E.
Absolutely loved it! The ambiance was impeccable. And although we only went for a dessert it was amazing! We tried the chocolate cremoso and wow! The pastry chef there definitely gets my hats off. The olive oil and sea salt added texture and changed the whole dessert. I'll definitely be going there again!
(5)Jason G.
Walking into Michael's Genuine made me nervous. It was almost like I was about to hook-up with a supermodel...I knew it was going to be good, but I was unsure of just how enjoyable it would be. I'll start by talking about the service because, by now, everyone knows the food is great. Robin was our server. He was fantastic. Right after the last sip of beer, wine, or coffee, he was there to ask you about a new one. The complimentary flat and sparkling waters were refilled in the same fashion. Because of the small, medium, large, x-large plate styles, ordering was spontaneous. But each flight we ordered came out within 10 minutes. I'm a beer person, and I was floored by their selections. I enjoyed a Tucher Hefeweizen and an Argentinian Otro Mundo. My dad is a wine guy, and he seemed very pleased with those listings as well. I remember each item and practically all of their intricacies. But I'll spare you the minutia, and give you the highlights. Burrata with heirloom tomatoes: the best Tomato-Mozz combo I've ever had. Beet, tomato, string bean, and bleu cheese salad: In a perfect vinaigrette, I was licking the bowl. Duck confit: perefectly roasted such that I was cutting up and eating the skin with knife&fork BBQ beef rib: decadent, a fatty piece of meat but broiled perfectly, it tasted like the cow had a diet of BBQ sauce and smoky spices. Whole Roast Snapper: A great fish dish, even for a true carnivore. And lastly, one of the finest crafted desserts I've taken my tongue to: Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread Pudding topped with Sweet Cream, complemented by Cornbread Ice Cream and Corn Nut Brittle. I'll spare you any comments, as just typing the words makes me salivate. Simply, the food is well-thought-out and expertly prepared. The service is impeccable. In times like these, value is important. For this level of food, the prices are more than justified. This review and the posted pictures have taken me about an hour to complete, and I will continue to linger over this meal. Enjoy!
(5)Zack B.
Phenomenal. Unpretentious yet upscale. We're from PA and love this place. Mark the Server (true professional) never steers us wrong. "We butchered a whole pig this week, so maybe you want to try some pork..." Country Pate? Pork Belly? Pig tail? WOW. This place is the real deal, you get what you pay for and the staff doesn't lead you astray. Total experience...seated according to your reservation + interested server + incredible food = best of the best. You get what you pay for, in the best sense of the phrase. SUPPORT THIS RESTAURANT
(5)Andrej M.
Came here on a Sunday to enjoy brunch. The food options are in small portions and yet are delicious in a major way. Make sure to order multiple orders if you are hungry. The service was slow, but they were packed so we did not expect anything else. It is a bit pricier than other brunch options. I will eat here every now and then, but it is not my must eat meal place.
(4)Anastacia B.
Last year was the first time I visited this establishment. In Miami this year for a week and have already been here twice in 4 days. The reason- it's just really inventive delicious food and there's to many freaking fantastic sounding things on the menu to order in one sitting. Try and get a table outside. Cocktails are dangerously drinkable. When we were checking in for our reservation the Hostess basically told another worker who was trying to get apparently ANOTHER group of his friends seated- to buzz off (that is my re-enactment). Haa haaaa!!!
(5)Jonathan M.
After hearing lots about MGFD, my wife and I had to try it on a recent trip to Miami. This is a restaurant not to be missed! The menu is inspiring and the wood oven helps splash a little more special in already phenomenal dishes. I suggest multiple trips to this restaurant, as you will want to try just about everything on the menu, inclusive of the sides. Start with the small plates! The wood roasted double yolk farm egg is incredible. It oozes with yolky goodness and the gruyere and roasted tomatoes are fantastic touches. The barrelfish and shrimp ceviche is refreshing and perfect for a warm night in Miami. Whatever you do, DO NOT skip the crispy sweet and spicy pork belly. The large dishes are great, too if you still have room. High quality seasonal ingredients, fresh seafood and great quality meats make this an amazing meal. And if you have a choice, sit up at the chef's bar...the only thing as exciting as eating the food is watching them cook it! And whatever you do, make sure you save room for dessert. The staff is welcoming and accommodating. The atmosphere is great for a romantic date night or a night out with friends!
(5)Heather M.
Oh wow. The cinnamon bun. We were all stuffed after brunch, but we made just enough room to devour a delicious bacon-infused (!!!!) cinammon bun. I love the way the menu is set up. For instance, we were able to order a side of skirt steak, a delicious little treat, for only $6. The pork shoulder with cheese grits and a poached egg made a wonderful combination. And the simple tomato and avocado salad with basil was perfect. They expedited the whole meal perfectly, so that we constantly had something to work on, and the order in which they brought the food made the meal flow nicely. I would be remiss if I did not mention how amazing the wheat toast is. No, seriously. It must be homemade. Thick slices of multi-grain bread with chewy bits of grain, served with butter and fleur de sel. Yes, please. I was so surprised at how great of a deal this place was for brunch. We had a bunch of dishes and some drinks (Sunday special: shot of Bloody and a PBR), and got out under $30/person. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation, it gets quite busy and you don't want to get stuck in the back room. The courtyard and the main room are MUCH nicer.
(4)Abigail S.
What a wonderful find in the Design District. In Michael's, we've finally discovered a Miami restaurant that's as good as anything one can get in New York. This is creative, soulful cuisine that manages to surprise without being too precocious. My partner in crime and I have dined there twice now and both times have been memorable despite the very strong drinks we enjoyed throughout the meals. It's hard to list a favorite dish because the menu changes constantly, as foods come in and out of season and the chefs gain access to different ingredients. But I'll try. There was a pizza topped with goat cheese, unbelievably fresh raw endive, and barbecued lamb rib that was just...amazing. Especially when we sprinkled it with the house-made hot sauce recommended to us by the bartender. Weird? Maybe, but also awesome. The stuffed deep-fried calabasa flower was light and savory and the perfect starter. The fried pigs' ears were crisp and flavorfully seasoned, though way too rich for us to eat more than one or two. The cheese of the week, some bleu cheese from California, was beautiful when matched with a walnut raisin toast and fig compote. The deviled eggs, usually a brunch buffet staple, were comforting and mustardy and somehow worked as a small plate for dinner. The linguine dish with bacon, mushrooms, and greens was hearty and addictive. But the standout, for me, was the chocolate cremoso dessert. I don't have much of a sweet tooth except when it comes to chocolate. Chocolate is my weakness; I'll try it in just about any variation, the darker the better. The cremoso at Michael's is a sort of dark chocolate ganache that's lightly dusted with sea salt and comes served on a razor-thin layer of olive oil, with a side of espresso parfait that's topped with crumbled candied hazelnuts (I think). There's also a little piece of toasted sourdough and a tidy smudge of powdered sugar on the plate, just in case you need more calories. Each of the elements would be good on their own but together, they are seriously unforgettable. There's more I could talk about here, like the excellent, almost choreographed service, and the comfortably stylish decor, and the fact that this verse is emblazoned in huge letters on the wall and most especially visible to those lucky enough to sit at the bar: Ode to the Mother Tongue Praise the tongue that shapes and savors words and flavors, that sings and stumbles, drunkenly, upon the wine of poetry. But for now let's just say that dinner at Michael's Genuine is not to be missed. This is honest, earnest cooking in a pleasantly old-timey atmosphere with excellent service and stellar cocktails. What more do you need?
(5)A A.
Amazing brunch! Small, tapas style plates so it can get a little pricey but it was well worth it. Every single item was high quality, and just delicious.
(5)Lissete D.
This review is long past due. I had drafted it shortly after our visit but apparently did not submit. Brain fart! I debated long and hard about how to rate MGF&D. The best that I could do was a tad above just good and a notch below fantabulous. Solid 3 1/2 but since we don't have that option, I upped it to 4. Fortunately, we were not subjected to snobby attitudes. Because, quite frankly, that is one thing that I will not tolerate. The hostess was friendly and our server was even friendlier. So we were off to a good start. We were seated on top of another couple. Seriously. It was a four top that had been split into a two top. With about a 2" gap between the tables. The problem is that on one side, the seat is a booth type. So when that one couple finished, I had to get up and let the lady slide out. Same thing happened when they had to seat another couple there. It was like sharing a booth with strangers. We went in for lunch. Our server told us about available dishes that were not on the menu. Including the stracciatella. Which he simply described as burrata served with heirloom tomatoes. No prices were given for the specials btw. We ordered the stracciatella, the steak frites and the pulled pork sandwich. I admit, I was not familiar with stracciatella cheese, but I do love burrata and have loved it since we visited Puglia many years ago. The portion served was small, like a schmear. It was delish, just not amazing. My opinion of it was knocked down several notches after learning that the charge for the stracciatella is $20. For a schmear. We usually pay between $15-20 for burrata and we usually get nice sized mozzarella pouch filled with deliciousness. However, the heirloom tomatoes were da bomb! My husband's pulled pork sandwich was delicious and very flavorful. No complaints at all. My steak, however, was bland. I mean, absolutely tasteless. Plus let's not get into the portion size. It was more than enough for me since I get full pretty fast. But $24 for a 6" piece of skirt steak is a bit much. And a tasteless steak at that. We skipped dessert this time. I know, sacrilege! But nothing really caught my eye. Oh, I enjoyed their cherry-rosemary soda, so that's a plus. All in all, it was not bad at all. Just not something that I will be craving any time soon. But I will likely return at some point to try some other menu items.
(4)Sofia T.
Michael's is very good. I would say it is a bit snobbish though. You can either dine indoors or out. If you've never been, it is worth visiting. Everything is a la carte, and semi-pricey. They used to have a rice cake topped with rock shrimp, an over medium egg, and chorizo. That was delicious. Though I don't think they have it any more. All of their pairings are simply delicious and you really cant go wrong.
(4)Andreina R.
There is nothing else to say about the food than it is absolutely amazing, however, when service is not at least standard, coming back can be questioned. We arrived and were told we had to wait 30 minutes. We sat at the bar and our table was never ready. Since we are flexible we stayed at the bar and ordered there. It took at least between 20 or 30 minutes for each meal to come. Mine arrived first but before the appetizer. I ate and 20 minutes later my husband got his. If you don't mind to be treated poorly give it a try just because the food. Ambiance is also good, a lot of locals but there is a lot to be improved in terms of customer service.
(3)Isa S.
First of all, Giovanni is the sh*t. We sat at the bar, even though we had a table reservation. He hooked us up with Kentucky Mules, and every appetizer under the sun. Ran the extra mile to make sure that my husband received a b-day desert from the kitchen, on top of making sure everyone at the bar had full drinks. Thank you Giovanni!
(5)Tatyana V.
Delicious meal, excellent service . Wood oven snapper with lemon and fennel was my favorite, with a side of roasted cauliflower in parsley sauce.
(5)Monica O.
My fiancé went for lunch and end up staying through dinner. We each had a dozen and a half of Kumunato oysters which seemed to taste like no other oyster I've ever had; their red onion mignonette is amazing on the oysters. We also had the roasted mushroom soup which was full of flavor and delicious. We had stone crabs which were very fresh and paired very well with their dill dipping sauce. The cobia lunch portion was perfect, it came with some pickled vegetables and was cooked to perfection with a crispy crust. The complimentary onion dip with homemade chips is a must try- I couldn't stop eating the dip. Our drinks were the Cabarete, Bulletproof Manhattan, and a mixed gin tonic cucumber cocktail; Irene and Jovany at the bar are excellent with cocktails and knowledge. Out of all the times we've been to have dinner- this has been the best experience. The food, service, hospitality provided by Ian, and ambience truly made this experience unforgettable.
(5)Rocki C.
Can't really comment on the food because the two times I went there, each time around 4pm, once on the weekend, once on Tuesday, I was told first that the kitchen was closed, and the second time that we couldn't order dessert because of the time of day. Although each time the hostesses were friendly, this was really disappointing because we paid for the valet parking. The reason we did that is because the website clearly states that they are open. Don't think we'll try again even though we really like what the place stands for. That's unfortunate.
(1)Jose S.
Michael Genuien Rest. Is a place to show off your money with great tasting plates. Dinner is delicious, Lunch is even better on it's patio, and Brunch, Bamtastic! My review here is based on my Brunch experience. These are the following plates I ordered in order from Greatest to least favorite: Kimchi benedict Fried chicken and biscuits Buttermilk pancakes Wood oven baked frittata Breakfast pizza Mango toast Stracciatella Devil eggs All where delicious. Even the devil eggs on the bottom of the list. These where divided among 4 hungry bears. Service; Friendly. I would have expected more detailed explanations of the food, but we could tell by the brunch rush. But the dinner experience waiter that one time was Very Friendly/cool. They have Valet Parking, I recommend you look for a parking though. Save $5. Then take those $5 and DON'T get an OJ. This really disappointed me. The $5 OJ is small, as in 2 sips you finish the glass. Did not taste natural either. You've been warned. The place is beautiful, high end and perfect for big groups and mingle all brunch. Do come in early for brunch, especially big groups. We arrived at 11:00am and by 12pm there were people waiting to be seated.
(4)Ilan S.
Amazing food, I really recommend the short rib and the pork belly. Amazing server "Pamela" Just a bad experience with a drunk employee
(3)Lyza L.
Oh, yeah... Yum. I actually found this by accident. Wandered up the wrong street and there it was. Luckily, we arrived right at the start of food service, so we were seated immediately, and it filled up FAST. I had heard it was great, and was not disappointed. We ordered a bunch of little plates and they were all AMAZING. Seriously, I don't feel the need to go into details. Nothing on this menu is short of awesome. The Genuine Food Group adheres to the "farm-to-table" approach to sourcing their food. They feature all kinds of specialty artisan purveyors on their menu, and it shows. The staff is well-versed, too, so you can find out a lot about your food, which for me is part of the fun.
(5)Javid F.
This is by far our favorite restaurant in SB. It's very casual and approachable. The food is incredible and service stands up. If you're ever there when they have the peach and burrata salad DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT ORDERING IT.
(5)Shibei R.
I have been coming to Michaeal's with friends and family for the past couple of years. We always have a good time at Michaels. The food never dissapoint and the desserts are the best. Brunch on Sundays are extra special, I really enjoy coming here with a group of people, order a bunch of dishes and share.
(5)Sergey S.
On a scale from 1 to Uchi I would give it a strong 8.
(4)Matt F.
We vacation here every year and Michael's Genuine has turned into a yearly routine after phenomenal past experiences. This time, however, they were a little off the mark... For drinks I ordered my go to a Long Island Iced Tea and my wife ordered a Cabarete off the house cocktail menu. Her drink was pretty good, mine was awful. It didn't even taste like a Long Island iced tea. I mentioned this to my waiter and asked if the bartender can maybe add more sour mix (I don't think there was any sour mix added), he took it back and had him make another. The new Long Island was very strong and sort of tasted right but not really. I didn't complain about it anymore maybe they had a rookie bartender who only learned the house cocktails. Anyways, I felt I got my money's worth of alcohol as I was buzzing pretty good when our first round of plates came out. We ordered the Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Farm Egg, the Kingfish Ceviche, and the Chicken Liver Crostini to start. We always get the Farm Egg and like usual it was very good. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the other two. We've never had chicken liver before, first taste was excellent but then this strange after taste followed and stayed on the palate. I'm not sure if this was what chicken liver was supposed to taste like? If they could somehow get rid of that after taste then it would be perfect. The ceviche was lacking of texture and honestly the fish was a little translucent...maybe not marinated long enough?? I'm writing this 3 days later and no one got sick but we've had much better. After those plates we received the Slow roasted & grilled beef short rib and an artichoke side that was a special for the night. The short rib was excellent, would definitely get it again. The artichoke was good too once we figured out how to eat it. For dessert we got the milk chocolate peanut butter candy bar. This was the hit of the night because there was some heat maybe cayenne pepper added to the caramel that worked nicely with the cold ice cream. We've been here 4 times now and will come back but probably just for dessert.
(3)Robert T.
One if Miami's finest restaurants. Fresh local produce and seafood. Excellent oysters. Evolving menu and high end service. Fine wine list. Superb.
(5)Natalie Q.
Always a favorite. You'll find a constantly changing menu chock full of creative cocktails and dishes plus a few favorites. This restaurant is always busy so be ready to wait for a table and sit really close to your neighbors.
(5)Janina K.
Michaels...how I do begin? It's been a long love affair. Me, and my dear go here every year (is this a rhyme?) for our anti-valentine's day. By that I mean it's the day after the big day, and everyone is out of our way (why do I keep rhyming??)... OK. Thanks for sticking through whatever the first paragraph was. Michael's is great, ALWAYS awesome service and kick-ass drinks and of course....THE FOOD. First off, start with a great cocktail. Forget the wine list book. Flip the menu over and they have a list of the drinks of the day and typically they have a delicious bourbon drink. I always love the Michael's Manhattan. The top dish you should share on the small menu is the pork belly with kimchi. This is the best thing I've ever eaten in Miami. The crispness of the pork belly mixed with the sour high notes of the Kimchi is AMAZING. Order it, it's a signature dish for a reason! The larger dishes are great. I had the short ribs with a hazelnut sauce and it was great. My date had the pork shoulder with a pesto sauce (I think)...again another great dish. Michael's is always consistently amazing and don't fret about the parking. Usually on a Sunday night around 7 pm there is plenty of cheap street options. PS- I must mention that the BEST dessert I've ever eaten was at Michael's. It was a Macadamia nut brownie with passion fruit ice cream and mint sprigs. Every time I go now, they don't have it....ask for it, that's how we'll bring it back!
(5)Alec J.
Our waiter didn't come for 20 mins. We complained to the nearest man and he became our waiter and gave us free food. Genuinely good cover, Michael. Everyone at our table agreed that the Mahi Mahi I ordered was the best dish. I don't like to brag, but I really know how to order when it comes to places like this. I didn't order the ceviche starter but in spite of that it was good. The atmosphere of the outside seating area is outdoor-strip-mall-under-construction-with-Âairplanes-above-chic. The dessert is a fancy candy bar.
(4)Yarinet R.
Had both brunch and dinner here. We love a everything and anything that comes out that kitchen. Atmosphere is great ! ...For brunch you have to get the crispy rice cake and sticky bun.... Gotta get those crispy pigs ears for snacks no matter what time of the day . Cheese plate has always been well crafted and harmonious in pairing .....
(5)Miriana M.
Hate to do this but .. went back to Michael's to meet up with some friends from out of town for Lunch on a Sunday. We had reservations and surprisingly, the place wasn't too busy. We were a group of 6 people, nothing too crazy. The service sucked even MORE than my last dinner experience here. We all ordered burgers and sandwiches which shouldn't take THAT long, right? WRONG! It took at least 45 minutes to get our food on the table. The waiter wasn't even around much to at least order a few drinks from him to make the wait less painful. The food we ordered wasn't even close to being worth the wait. Of course the check was pricey, which is expected, but come on, at least make an effort.
(2)Alex M.
AMAZING brunch. The crispy rice cake, the breakfast pizza are both great but the caramel/corn bread pudding is just about the best thing I've ever had.....ever. Covered outside dining makes for a nice Sunday brunch experience too. Staff very attentive and spot on.
(5)Brian M.
Start to finish the best meal we had in Miami or the Keys (we ate a lot) over our 5 day trip. Came here because we understand Michael to be Miami's version of Philly's Marc Vetri or Jose Garces so wanted to give it a try. So what made it so great? 1) The food was all simple, yet complex. Allowed the proper flavors of the food to shine through. This comes from the right mix of quality ingredients and skilled preparation. 2) Service. The best. I believe our server's name was Robin, but he chatted with us a bit about our trip, the food, our thoughts, etc. Was truly nice. 3) Specific dishes I loved were the fish of the day (a grouper) that was cooked absolutely perfectly. Quarter inch or so of crisp caramelization with a light interior. Awesome. Also the double yolk farm egg and duck rillette were re-donk. Get these. 4) Interior. Laid back, comfortable, unpretentious. A nice break from Miami. It was also my girlfriend's birthday and I contacted them ahead to do something special, which they responded promptly to and put a big sparkler in our dessert. Again, just an overall nice meal.
(5)H. Deborah S.
Having eaten here 50 times since I last wrote a review...I thought it was time! Every restaurant has it's ups and downs...MGF is no stranger to this...however, last night was one of the most stellar meals I've had at MGF. Suffice to say, I am not going to say what we had because it's my meal and you just have to have your own experience; the lamb, the chicken, the stracciatella, the butter lettuce, the onion dip with chips, and the funnel cake (OMG, like no country fair could have better). Everything was right on the money! Not over salted. Not overcooked. Perfect. And, for those of you who are not familiar to Michael Schwartz's ethos - locally sourced food with emphasis on taste, sustainability, ethical, and humane care. If he can't source it locally, he will get it from the best available ranch or farm! And kudos to the new pastry chef...Hedy had pretty big shoes to fill...you are doing a great job of carrying on the tradition and adding your own twist. Thanks guys! You always deserve my business.
(5)Patrick L.
If there's one thing "MGFD" doesn't need, it's another 5-star review. I don't really need to write this. Everyone in the world already knows that this is one of the best overall restaurants in Miami, and my review isn't going to sway anyone in any direction. While the food here is always going to be exquisitely prepared, no matter the time of day, I feel that brunch is truly where Michael's shines the brightest. Why? Well, brunch offers the diner more opportunity to sample the sweet creations of pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith. Unless you've been living under a rock, you already know that Hedy is kind of a big deal. Her traces of sugary genius are all over the brunch menu, whereas if you go for lunch or dinner, you only have the choice of a few of her items at dessert. The multigrain pancake is always a must-do for me - so dense and grainy, I can almost fool myself into thinking I'm eating something healthy. There's typically also some variant on French toast that I end up getting. For savories, the kimchi Benedict is what everyone talks about, and while it is possibly the tastiest Ben in town, it seems to get more chintzy in portion size all the time, that would be my only criticism. Some people find the service at Michael's to be a bit snotty. Years ago, before I went here for the first time, that's how I was guessing it would be. I have to say, though, I've found the service to be very professional and typically pleasant. Once, I was sitting at the bar at lunch, and my rooster sandwich was taking a bit too long - without any prompting from me, the bartender took it upon herself to head on back to the kitchen and see what was going on. For the most part, the servers seem to like working here. Of course, I'm not going to forget cocktails. The bar program here is robust, with mostly innovative gin and whiskey cocktails leading the way. Drinking here may not be the cheapest in the city, but whenever I've ordered a libation, I've not been disappointed. Lastly, Michael's is still extremely popular, even after years and years of operation. It may be possible at times to get a seat without a reservation, but for best results I'd strongly suggest planning ahead and making one.
(5)Elizabeth P.
It was a nice place to have a quite lunch. The food was to simple for my taste. Definitely very fresh.It's a cute and charming place.
(3)Chiyon Y.
Went in for lunch and decided to sit outside. Service was fine, nothing extraordinary. grouper & shrimp ceviche - Light with a taste of sweet mango, that overpowers much of the dish. crispy sweet & spicy pork belly - Delicious. Cooked perfectly (which wasn't crispy, and I actually prefer). crispy pork belly pizza - Wasn't really able to distinguish the pork belly taste, as it was very crispy. The apricots gave it a nice refreshing taste.
(3)Anhara M.
My first tine having brunch and I was a bit disappointed. I didn't know the plates were ver ver very small and that in order for two people to get full you need to order between 4-5 plates. What we order was okay but no excellent either. I honestly will not be returning for brunch. It wasn't for me.
(3)Stacey C.
Good, not great. Not sure what I was expecting. NYC does this with their eyes closed. We dined at the bar and tried a few things.....brussels sprouts were a big bore, and the octopus was way to big and not cooked enough for me. Farro salad w/ French feta was too salty, no farro in sight, just lots of olives and feta cheese, not what I was expecting. The pork belly w/ kimchi and peanuts was EXCELLENT as was delicious bread they served. Bar service was a bit lame, and that is why I am not giving 4 stars. Total dingbat girl working at the bar who couldn't get anything right, though nice enough. We dined at Michael's other restaurant The Cypress Room, which was fantastic! GO THERE INSTEAD!
(3)Alexandre H.
I will be short, since most reviews here reflect my opinion: the food is very good, ambiance is very pleasant, crowds are nice. Dishes have an interesting combination of flavors, spices and textures... there is always a surprise (try to order different plates every time you come, you won't be disappointed). Recommended!
(4)Allison D.
Absolutely outstanding! I can't begin to describe how delicious every single plate I ordered was a culinary experience... My husband and I went to have Sunday brunch and ordered the Blueberry pancakes, Oven Double Yolk egg, Pain Perdu, French toast , Rice cake, the Benedict and the homemade Cherry soda...every single item was out of this world, everything was cooked to perfection, savory and mesmerizing !! I'm in love...this is my new favorite restaurant I can't wait to go back to eat from the regular menu! (the only reason why I am not ratting it with five stars its because its a little bit pricey for the size of the plates which are tapa style and because it gets really crowded)
(4)Luisa C.
Great service, great food, small portions imo. Try the Michaels Genuine Brew, if you are into beers and Ales. We had the following: Butter Lettuce with Hazelnuts, avocado and mandarin - A winner for me, but I didn't want to share this one. Duck Confit - served with a compote. Very good. Octopus Pizza - i would have never thought to put that on a pizza, but it worked. Also because the mayer lemon pieces complemented it perfectly - Must order. Ceviche - was fresh and tasty. I feel, I could have made this myself as well. Donuts with Passionfruit Mousse - I am not into Passionfruit, but I could not stop eating this mousse. Must order Coffee Drinks are overpriced imo. Plate prices are around 11$ and up.. PS: If you sit outside during the summer, make sure you put bugspray on. The mosquitos ate our legs up. Ouch!
(4)Richard K.
So I loved this place so much, I had to try it twice. This time returning on a Sunday to try their famous pop tarts featured on the show, "The Best Thing I Ever Ate". Word to the wise, come early they run out of the popular items such as their homemade Pop Tarts and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. My friend and I sat down and ordered a rosemary crumpet with a raspberry sauce (keep in mind neither of us could recognize a crumpet in a line up of breads). She got Fingerlings Hash and the Almond French Toast with Apricot Compote Topping, while I got the Kimchee Benedict and a Skirt Steak. Now this is when our alternate universe and reality started to split into two. ALTERNATE UNIVERSE The server brings out our appetizer, Rosemary Crumpet, but with the wrong sauce. We had options of raspberry and pineapple; I sample what looks to be pineapple and my initial instinct is to conclude its not pineapple, but I convince my mind it is a super sour pineapple sauce. We call over the waitress, "excuse me miss, we ordered raspberry not pineapple sauce" She responds, "that's apricot". Apricot! We are both baffled because that was not even an option. Further, we notice the crumpet has an odd shape and nowhere near the picture wikipedia showed us. Wikipedia is a good to use to look for other sources, but unreliable on its own. We dig in and our crumpet was an amazing, unworldly experience. At the same time, I am enjoying my Kimchee Benedict and Skirt Steak at an insanely slow pace, so my friend can get her French Toast and eat at the same time as me. We wait.....and wait.... and wait some more......till I say (in my head)....enough is enough and ask the waitress where is this French toast and Watermelon Juice. She apologizes and quickly brings out the juice and another....CRUMPET. "Excuse me miss, but we already had a Crumpet; we are looking for French Toast" She responds, "that's French Toast, and don't worry you can keep that French Toast". REALITY In reality, the whole time we were eating an amazing French Toast with Apricot Compote. Yes, yes the apricot being there makes sense to my friend and I. Wow, we felt dumb. The Crumpet never came and we decided to cancel the crumpet experience and save it for next time we decide to make a fool of ourselves at Michael's. As for the rest of the food, the Kimchee Benedict was savory and a fun mixture of flavor. The Skirt Steak, although small, was well cooked and juicy, while the watermelon drink was the perfect, fresh, refreshing refreshment to end the meal.
(4)judi b.
We were very disappointed in Michael's Genuine. We had heard so many good things about the restaurant and chose to go there to celebrate our anniversary. My husband is still moaning about the dinner! Although the restaurant is lovely and the server accomodating, it was not a memorable evening! We both started with a butter lettuce salad, which were pretty good. My chicken dish was OK, though I don't usually order chicken in a world class restaurant. My garlic mashed potatoes were cold and had to be sent back. My husband ordered the sirloin which was tough and also had to be sent back. Although the manager and server were quick to order him another steak; by the time they returned with it, he had already finished feasting on the french fries (which initially had also been late in arriving and wasn't too hungry. And again, inspite of the second steak being a little better, my husband didn't find it very tasty and most of it was packed up to take home. We had such a poor experience and no one even offered us a glass of wine (mine was whisked away before I had even finished it), a special complimentary dessert or cup of coffee for our anniversary. The waitress, when asked, told us that the restaurant wasn't participating in Miami Spice, which we knew to the contrary was not true! We have eaten in many fine restaurants and Michael's was underwhelming at best!
(2)Andy L.
Expensive small plates. The duck confit and beef short ribs were excellent - as good as I've had anywhere. The rest was just OK. Crispy pig ears were chewy and gelatinous. Country pate was good. Straciatella is a delicious, but very small burrata and tomato salad, but one of the heirloom tomatoes was hard and flavorless - like McDonald's. How does that happen when they're charging $20 for the salad? I would skip the Crispy rice cake. Desserts are OK, but also tiny.
(3)Vadim K.
Wednesday afternoon right before the lunch serving is over the place is packed and only getting busier. I passed by several times only to be turned down with no reservation so this time I came prepared. The food and service is very good. The quality and combination of ingredients is truly "genuine". From the great selection of beers and drinks to the perfect flavors that come out from the masterful chefs recipe book, you will be very pleased with any selection you make. My short rib sandwich was great. I ordered the pork belly app and radish apple salad to help create a great lunch I will not soon forget.
(4)Stephanie E.
I was really excited to join some friends for dinner at Michael's last night. It's one of our favorite spots and surely last night didn't disappoint. It was the perfect spot to bring some out of town friends. We were five of us and decided to order a bunch of dishes for all of to share. Here's the list: Small Dishes: -2 Oysters - They're $3 a piece but they're served with a nice spicy vinegar mixture. -Georgia Peaches- Surprisingly really good. They're served with feta cheese, basil, almonds and radish. Must try. -Ceviche - The fish was fresh and well seasoned. Medium Dishes: -Pork Belly - Served with peanuts and kimchi. -Duck Confit - The duck meat was so soft. Very good. -Char-grilled Octopus - This was the only dish the table was torn on. Some liked it, and a few could've done without it. I was on the latter group. -3 Crispy Rice Cake - Now, I know what you must be thinking. A rice cake? but this is what it is: a rice ball with chorizo, shrimp, manchego cheese, spicy tomato aioli, and a fried egg on top. By far, the best dish of the night because we ordered 2 more after the first one was devoured. -Steamed Mussles - Once you've had mussles in Brussels, you'll know that nothing can ever really beat them, but these were so flavorful they reminded me of the ones we had at In't Spinnekopke in Belgium. Large Dishes: -Short Rib - This was the guys' favorite. -Leg of Lamb - (Served Medium Rare) The portion was big I thought and the lamb was cut and seasoned perfectly. -Side of Garlic Mashed Potatoes - creamly & just like home. And just when you thought the meal couldn't get any better, we ordered dessert... Dessert: -Banana Toffee Panini - This probably just became my favorite dessert at any restaurant because my life changed last night after I had it. -Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme - featured on the Food Channel's the Best Thing I Ever Ate Show, these amazing donuts are served with a blackberry tarragon jam The guys had beers such as the Duvel Golden Ale, and the Belzebuth Blond Ale (13%) and the girls enjoyed the Caipirinha and the Sonny Rollins. Both of the cocktails were very strong. Enough with just one. Another night at Michael's that exceeded our expectations. If you haven't had the chance of dining at Michael's, you are definitely missing out because it is Miami's best. I'd give it 10 stars on Yelp if I could.
(5)Amelia G.
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink is like that one true love that you compare all other guys to and always seems to be your #1. I'm gaga for Michael Schwartz, for all he stands for in the our little world here in Miami, for being a culinary tease, for having great taste in music and for always making me happy! I have had the pleasure of enjoying brunch, lunch and dinner here and all of them are awesome. I'll share highlights of each: - brunch: do the scotch egg (if they have it), the double yolk egg and the donuts. - lunch: knife and fork Greek salad with a side order of crispy hominy. Yum!! -dinner: the duck and the pork belly are both awesome. Wash it all down with a Sony Rollins cocktail and you're set!
(5)Robbie B.
I went this past to Michael's this past Thursday to celebrate the New Year with a few friends. Just had to tell you about Heidi's (the pastry chefs) Strawberry Passion Fruit Shortcake PIE in a Jar - oh my gosh - it was fabulous. Passion fruit curd, macerated strawberries with an olive oil cake crust topped with crema, served in a jar - yes, like a real jelly jar that put preserves in. That girl thinks so out of the box! One of my favorite lunch items is the Spicy Grilled Beef Salad - marinated sirloin, grilled medium rare to perfection, served with KIMCHI (don't you just love the spice???), crused peanuts and baby lettuce - all just the right hint of spice - very filling dish.
(4)Tom G.
Sell your car before going here. This is not a cheap place, however you do get what you pay for, as the saying goes. Wonderful brunch on weekends; like gringo tapas with a big flair. Wines are very good. Helpful tips for weekends; get a reservation or plan on waiting a bit before being seated and plan on setting very close to others as there is not a lot of space nor privacy.
(4)Serena S.
Quality of food is great, but portions can use a little help. They separate the menu into small, medium and large portions, but even the large portions weren't all that much. Seems like they like to keep things locally sourced at Michael's, which I'm a huge fan of. They have two entrances and a pretty massive outdoor seating area, which makes it confusing as to where you even find the hostess to get a table. I highly recommend the burrata, mussels, short rib, and snapper. For dessert, I've had the panacotta, which is UHMAZING. Great texture. Service was subpar when I went. The waitress was missing half the time and wasn't really helpful in explaining things on the menu. This place is in a great location if you want to get out of the clusterf*ck that is South Beach. Street parking is available as well as valet from neighboring joints. Great restaurant for a date or with a group of friends - especially if you want to try different items on the menu. Great for sharing in a tapas kind of way.
(4)Adam R.
95 reviews and counting? I hate reviewing a place that's already established itself as one of the best restaurants in Miami.... writing this almost feels a little pointless.... What can I say, it's amazing! you will be in awe of the dishes, they're beautiful, crazy, interesting, unique, way too many adjectives to list and I'm just talking about the way they look! some of the tastes are just indescribable. Hopefully these yelp reviews don't over hype it for you, because depending on when you go and how much you like to enjoy yourself, it could cost you $$$$ to find out :-P
(5)Rachel P.
Very cool vibe-enjoyed dinner last night. They have plates divided up by S-M-L, all sides are sold separately, so yes, it is pricey. I saw it was someone's bday and they brought out the cake with a big sparkler in it-pretty snazzy!
(4)Ms. M.
4.5 stars. This was one of the best brunches I have ever had -- great variety, fantastic execution, energetic vibe. Definitely the best hard-broiled egg I have ever had in my entire life -- you could tell it was farm fresh, and it was cooked to a perfect hard-yet-soft. The kimchi benedict was an explosion of flavors in my mouth. I disagree with Food Network that the homemade pop tarts are anything close to the best thing I ever ate, but the maple pumpkin pie in a jar with toasted cinnamon marshmallows blew me away. Service is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, even though the restaurant was super busy during Sunday brunch hours. Parking on the street wasn't too difficult to find, although it was a bit pricey ($1.75/hour); still a better deal than valet, which is also offered.
(4)Karina G.
I cant believe it has taken me this long to try this restaurant out! Came here for lunch after a doctor's appointment. All I can say was yum! I had their short rib and fontana cheese panini. The sandwich was too good! The short rib was juicy, the fontana cheese was gooey, the grilled onions were a perfect addition. But what did it for me was the tomatoe chutney! WHAT!! It comes as a side, and at first glance it looks like a hearty version of ketchup, but when you first try it its something completely different. Its a mix of a sweet and spicy and it went perfectly as a spread for the sandwich and a dunking friend for the fries. The icing on the cake was the customer service. Everyone, from the host to the busboys, were on point. I couldnt even get half of my water glass empty because there was someone always walking around to see if anyone needed refills. And to me, the key of a great restaurant, besides the food, is the way the staff takes care of you.
(5)Emmy B.
one of my favorite restaurants. The food is interesting and delicious, always a fun experience. We love it but make a reservation in advance or be prepared to eat after 10 pm.
(5)Exp Travel Food T.
Love it, always crowded so be prepared to have an experience with other diners very close by. Food is the star (as it should be). Always fresh, always good. Portions are a bit on the small side but the food quality and prep makes up for it. Go back over and over and you will continue to be amazed. As others have said The Deviled Eggs are a great starter. Love the WHOLE CHICKEN (takes extra time so be prepared to wait)- well worth the wait.
(5)Samantha D.
I visited Miami during a relatively slow season. Michael's was the only restaurant I visited that was packed... and I went to all the "must eat" Miami places. I went for dinner and ate outside which was fun. Overall, the service was pretty good and the food is yummy. It's comfort food done up a notch. On to the specifics... Apps: Crispy pig ear- YES. If you like chicharrones or pork rinds, order this bad boy! It comes with a lime wedge which cuts through the fattyness a bit. They are so delicious, fatty, and salty. Chips and Onion Dip- decent, but nothing exceptional. Burrata and Heirloom Tomatoes- If you love burrata like I do, this is a must! Burrata is made from fresh mozzarella and cream. So yummy. The portion is very large. This one is pricey. Entrees: BLT Salad- the thick cut bacon on this salad was great. They give you a GIANT hunk of blue cheese with it, which I found unappetizing. But if blue cheese is your thing, order this salad. It is basically blue cheese with a side of bacon and an even smaller side of frisee lettuce. Short Ribs- Tender and tasty. No knife needed at this party. Onions were a nice addition. Garlic Mashed Potatoes (side dish)- Phenomenal mashed potatoes. As an avid mashed potato eater, these do not disappoint. They are buttery and garlicky and creamy. I enjoyed these more than my BLT salad. The portion is generous. I'm still thinking about these mashed potatoes and longing for them! Dessert: Tangerine pot de creme with doughnuts- My main issue with this dish was that the doughnuts were NOT HOT. They were barely even warm... definitely a bummer. The tangerine pot de creme was tasty enough. Service was okay... nothing memorable. Bottom line: Crispy pig ear, Burrata, Mashed potatoes, Fun ambience, Classic "Miami" dining experience
(4)Katrina L.
My favorite restaurant in Miami :) I don't exactly know what took me so long to write this... I guess it's due to all the "research" I have done here, trying so desperately to find a flaw... but there are none. I have dined here plenty of times for brunch, lunch and dinner and Michael's never ceases to amaze me. Their menu is always evolving and although I might miss a certain item, I will always find a new favorite. Actually, you can order anything, ANYTHING, off this menu and be super happy. They are located in the snazzy Design District and have indoor and outdoor seating. Service is always wonderful. The first time I came here a had the Butter Lettuce salad and for the entrée I had the Chicken and potatoes. Side Note: I've discovered that they name their dishes so plainly, and then their food is like WHOAAAAA bursting with flavor. Cute. Just saying... I told the waiter everything was amazing, but he was kind of upset he didn't realize that the chicken was a little charred. It was actually only the skin, and it was perfectly fine. BUT THEN, Chef Michael Schwartz himself came out and was deeply appalled and apologetic saying "if i saw that chicken, it wouldn't have left my kitchen." So sweet, but I assured him that his food was like a "fantastical party in my mouth". Yes, i really did say that. He laughed and I think he fell in love with me. Which is a smart move on my part because the man is a culinary genius. Yea. It's a foodie crush, get over it. Either way, he took my meal off the bill and comp'd the table all the desserts we ordered :) I also lunched with a fellow yelper, Christine P, you can read her review of our fabulous lunch. (she was totally eye-balling my panini the entire time) You MUST get the Mojitos here. Soooooo good! And Brunch. Magical. Came in for Mothers Day and i think we ordered everything on the Menu. I'm not kidding. Bacon pecan cinnamon roll bites. Chicken liver crostini. Deviled eggs. Homemade pastrami. Kimchi Benedict (amazingggg). AND the Lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry compote (my favoriteeeee). And lots of mimosas. I was in a deliriously happy food coma. Omg yum in my tum. Bottom Line: Michael, I love you. Marry Me???
(5)Janna A.
I read the reviews really excited to try stuff, but unfortunately they have a different menu for brunch, lunch and dinner. We went there for lunch, right when it started, which benefited us because when we left there was a long line to eat at MGFD. My overall opinion is nice ambiance, friendly and helpful service, very good food... but its not omgthissogrrreat, but maybe thats because of the lunch menu. YUMMY: The food was pretty good. We got the Pork Belly which was good. It was like lechon kawali sitting on sweet kimchee & peanuts. We also got the Potato Chips & Onion Dip and a soup, and I'll talk about that later. The Fish of the Day Sandwich, was good, but near the last bite it tasted like fish and coleslaw. Jack got the Pastrami Sandwich, which was amazingly savory! The thing that I did love was the Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Creme. SOOO GOOOD. YUCKY: It's so pricey for medium portioned food that makes it meh. The Potato Chips and Onion Dip wasn't very good - i felt like I would have been equally happy with Ruffles chips and canned onion drip from the store. Jack also got soup, which kinda tasted like kimchee in pho, which isn't that great. I'd like to come back and try brunch and dinner here. Maybe it will bump this 4-star into a 5-star :)
(4)Hal P.
This is absolutely my favorite restaurant in Miami. The food is rich and clearly the chef has a knack for melding unexpected ingredients and flavors to create an experience to savor for days. It is a bit pricey so your best bet is to go for their Sunday Brunch. The portions are smaller but the flavors are just as big, and you get to sample what MGFD has to offer at a bargain price. Nice ambiance, good service, terrific tastes.
(5)Becca S.
Michael's was on my hit list, my bucket list, my to-do list. Or better yet, my to-eat list! I had been wanting to go to Michael's for awhile, not only after hearing my mother rave about it but also after watching Tony Bourdain feast his way through the menu on his hurried new show, The Layover. Since I frequent Miami often to visit my parents who flock there for the winter, I was more than ready to give this joint a whirl. A highly rated Miami restaurant that was focused on local, sustainable, & organic food? Sign me up! So finally, I was granted the opportunity to go! It was Thursday night and we had an 8pm reservation. Although we were running a little late after a long, sunny day at the beach, were not too dismayed when we called and found out that they could not push our reservation back, but would still hold the reservation for us when we finally did come in. Since we weren't in any rush, this seemed like a better option than trying to race there and get seated right away. So we took the leisurely route, and it was a good decision. Upon finally arriving, they seated us within 10 minutes. No problem at all. The hostesses were extremely friendly and welcoming, unlike other hostesses I've experienced at the chic hot-spots in Miami (Ahem..Quattro..Ahem..) Continuing on, we were seated in a nice little booth by the spiral staircase in the main room. I got a great view of the open kitchen, beautiful display of multi-colored heirloom tomatoes, and fellow patrons of the evening. I was somewhat surprised by how low-key and seemingly relaxed Michael's was in comparison to what I had expected - and the surprise was indeed a pleasant one! Another quirky observation that I took note of and enjoyed was the attire for the bussers - t-shirts emblazoned with "MGFD" - a simple, yet clever, & fun twist on your standard bus-boy apparel. Not to mention, very Miami! Now, onto the real deal: the food! Due to the unique layout of the menu, we decided to get several smaller dishes & sides for the table to share. Tapas-style, in a different way. We started with the Burratta & Heirloom Tomatoes, Crispy Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly, and Crispy Pig Ears. All were FANTASTIC! The Burratta dish was better than I had expected. The creamy mozzarella cheese melted in my mouth with the fresh heirloom tomatoes that were lightly sprinkled with the perfect amount of pepper and basil. I have had my fair share of burratta and caprese salads, and this was by far the best. Simplicity at its finest, and then some. The Pork Belly was delicious as well. Served with a spicy kimchi, the flavor combinations went extremely well together. Although it was not the most tender pork belly I've *ever* eaten - I am a self-professed pork belly snob, if that is even such thing (..?) - it was still delicious. Don't get me wrong, it was good - but I can't say I haven't made better ;). Regardless, the dish was a whole was a success - the pea shoots also added a nice freshness and crunch to the soft belly, and the kimchi wasn't too spicy - it complemented the dish wonderfully. Finally, the pig ears. YUM! This might have been my favorite part of the first half of our meal. Actually, it definitely was my favorite part of our entire meal! I was very excited to try them, as it was a first for me, and they far exceeded my expectations. The ears were crispy on the outside with a nice BBQ-dry-rub-esque dusting, and extremely moist and tender on the inside. My favorite combo - crispy & tender! It almost reminded me a very thin slice of the best, fatty part of pork belly on the inside, then a yummy crispy crunch on the outside. What's not to like? After this first round of indulgent decadence, we were more than satisfied. We ordered a few other things off the menu, which were good, but simply do not deserve the detailed description of the aforementioned dishes. However, no harm no foul on the latter portion of the meal - we were so overly satisfied and impressed with what had come before, that anything after didn't phase me. And really didn't stand a chance in comparison anyway! So, in sum, I definitely plan to return to Michael's and I would recommend it to anyone. It was a perfect, delicious, and overly satisfying meal. Two orders of Pig Ears please!
(4)Jennisa P.
As I get older and more traveled, I have started to lose my tolerance for crowds and noise. Don't get me wrong, this place was impressive. Definitely Miami in the sense that people were there to be seen, which isn't the restaurants fault. But it was soooooo crowded and loud!!! There is very little space to move around. We shared a small booth with another couple and it was awkward. So they should work on expanding or adjusting the floor plan for a better overall dining experience. They just seem to have as many people shoved in there as possible. Drinks: I can not remember the drinks names, but my friend and I ordered a cocktail each and were pleased. Food: We shared a salad that we didn't finish because it was too bitter/peppery. But that could be my dislike for spring mix unless the dressing makes up for it. The Pork Belly was SICK! I mean I have dreams about that pork. And I don't even care for pork that much! But I would go back for that baby anytime! Overall, I see the hype and it's backed up by that pork belly! : )
(4)Jessica E.
Great service and pretty good food. I liked everything except the steak. Dessert was amazing!
(4)Tony C.
It's hard to understand what the fuss is all about. Bland food and surly servers (during lunch on a slow Monday, mind you). Mediocre at best. Do yourself a favor and take your tastebuds, money and business elsewhere.
(1)Joe O.
My opinion: best restaurant in Miami. You wont have a better quality meal at a reasonable price and relaxing atmosphere.
(5)Candy C.
I am in love with the bread pudding!! I have never heard of bread pudding until my visit to Michael's Genuine. Had my birthday dinner here and loved every bit of it- ambiance, service, food and dessert !!! I hear wonderful things about Michael Genuine's for brunch. Did I mention the bread pudding is OUTSTANDINGLY delicious? This is one of my favorite restaurant based on simply the delicious bread pudding.
(4)Emma Y.
just got back from dinner here. Was the worst service ever due to the lack of attention to detail (um yes I need a fork and a napkin would be nice too). Our food arrived 45 minutes after the previous course and our wine arrived AFTER we finished the tardy main course. The bread service was odd: a busboy (?) walked by the table and dropped the bread plate on our table. He didn't stop. Didn't say a word and just kept walking. It was bizarre! Our server started out well but then when he realized our food was taking forever, he started ignoring our table. We didn't even ask about the food as we were having a great time on a double date. But after a while we started getting hungry and we didn't have any wine! A good or experienced server comes over to the table and says "I'm sorry your food is late, but it's being made fresh for you and will be here shortly" or something along those lines just to acknowledge the issue. Server training 101. Read the other recent reviews. One Yelper says "Service is a mess." True dat. Shockingly poor service ruins the whole meal which is sad because the food was good. And the food is the only reason why it got 2 stars. The 1) bucatini, 2) pork and kimchi 3) calamari were nicely done but the terrible service leaves a bad taste. There are so many fantastic restaurants in Miami. Don't waste your precious time and sanity here!
(2)Glen L.
Hands down one of the best Brunch spots between NYC and Miami. It's hard to find something on the menu that doesn't get you drooling. Drinks are solid and prices are fair. If you can make it here for brunch and be seated, it's not to be missed.
(5)M. S.
Not busy, but told we needed a reservation?!? Literally went to the street and called them, making a reservation, and walked back in. Sure way to KILL a great restaurant is with these type of games. Food was very good and service was excellent. Stop the reservation game. You don't need to pretend you are "so busy" to attract customers. The food and service will do it!
(3)Austin S.
Michael's never disappoints! The service is always excellent and the food is quite good. I enjoy that the menu changes frequently since I frequent Michael's! I brought my dog last time and they brought her homemade treats!
(5)AshleyMarie O.
Wow... what a difference a year makes ... or two or three...... I've been killing time waiting to go back to MGFD and was sorely disappointed. Service at the bar was friendly and inviting, but table service was on the side of lackadaisical and the food... oh the food... yuck. What happened?? The pork belly was KILLER but everything else was not even 'meh' it was 'yuck'. I will go again and I will revise this review with hopes that something has been attended too.
(3)Fitfatkid S.
Wouldn't say it's the best but not the worst either all depends what your looking for. Michael's serves out their dishes quickly but only down side is that the portions are extremely small. If you have a big appetite this place isn't for you. As far as service they are quick and friendly. Over all place is nice and food is decent. #fitfatkid
(3)Lauren P.
I've been to Michael's a total of 3 times already. Its one of my favorite spots to eat in the design district. Everything about this restaurant is absolutely perfect, these are people who truly have a passion for food, as do i. Although the food could be a little pricey, I have never had an unpleasant experience because you really do get what you pay for here... And then some. I cannot say enough good things about this place. Michael's is really one of Miami's best restaurants and they have one hell of a pastry chef!!
(5)Cesar O.
Great location and atmosphere , the food is awesome and very tasty , small portions but good enough to not overwhelm your taste buds , I recommend it for brunch . Waiter lacked a bit more attention to our table but other than that it was good!
(3)Pedro G.
This is local sustainable food prepared just right! I cannot compare this restaurant to any other in this city. That's for sure! Nice indoor and outdoor seating areas. Servers have always been knowledgeable about the menu and anything new or special. Everything I have tried at this restaurant over the years has been to die for, especially the desserts!
(5)Christine L.
I ate here solo, which really allowed me to appreciate the tastes, smells, sounds and vibes. I ordered half a dozen oysters, wood oven double yolk, the Jack Rudy cocktail and the coconut rum cake. My only regret is not trying the grilled octopus salad that my server, Adrian (?), highly recommended; however the portions of what I did order were just right for me (especially since I didn't need to share with anyone). The oysters (not sure what kind) were sweet and fresh and came with a red onion, cracked pepper mignonette that enhanced the oysters without overpowering. The wood oven double yolk came piping hot with a perfectly pungent and browned gruyere top and a flavorful and crisp piece of crostini perfect for dipping into the yolk. I loved the subtle tastes of cardamom and lemon in the Jack Rudy, which had nice body to it. Last, but not least, the rum cake was divine, the cake was soft and moist- a bit on the blander side compared to other rum cakes I've tried, but that really helped bring out the coconut and the frosting, and the saltiness of the cashew brittle added some great contrast and texture. All in all, friendly/professional service and amazing food. The area is also great for window- shopping or shopping if you want to splurge.
(5)B H.
such a bummer to give only 3 stars because the food and cocktails were amazing as we expected - BUT, sadly the overpacked restaurant on a Saturday afternoon made for an overwhelmed staff and patrons clamoring for chairs and attention. we sat forever with 2 beautifully crafted cocktails waiting for simple "snacks" of chips and onion dip and crostini w chicken liver. meanwhile, guests hijacked chairs from our table, dogs in strollers yelped and large parties noisily brooded and bumped around us waiting to be seated. when our beautiful meal finally arrived it was placed atop our appetizer dishes and empty glasses and we couldn't find someone just to pass us a few plates to share. refreshed water? coffee? dessert? getting to the bathroom through a line filled with screaming children attached to iPads? HA! we gave it all up and begged for mercy and our check...
(3)Andy N.
Absolutely one of my favorite places to nom on, especially for my collective crave for a taste of everything versus a one hit wonder, can you say c-c-c-combo breaker? Had no reservation for a Saturday night, a big no. Make sure you make an early reservation because this place gets PACKED when it hits prime feasting time .Luckily my honey and I were fortunate enough to snatch a seat at the high top in the back with our noses facing the kitchen within 15 minutes; dinner and a show, how great is that? But wait there's more.. I suggest you ordering an assorted small plates and get your feet wetter than you would intend to. Keep in mind that plates come out in no particular order, as they are just made to order. Oh, and I must foreshadow that everything I'm about to mention were amazing and I highly suggest them all! Chicken Liver Crostini - delicate and sweet, as far as liver intends to be sweet, ha! Crispy Pig Ears - very addicting, squeeze some lime for citrus and salty sensation Chargrilled Octopus - super tender, not rubbery, doesn't fight back Crispy Rice Cake - this is a MUST, cut the egg right down the middle if they didn't tell you to already and abuse the aioli! Crispy Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly - okay, I do have a tender spot for pork belly and I've got to say that they've really hit their mark here; it practically melts in your mouth (yes, fat) Last but most certainly not least... Basil Panna Cotta - extremely delicate and the consommé fell into every spoonful, one of the best Panna Cotta's I've had! Like I said earlier, one of my favorite places and will continue to keep coming back for more. Also, don't skip out on their brunch menu as well!
(5)Daniel B.
Went here for Valentine's Day. Made a reservation a few weeks in advance with no problems. When we arrived we were told the table wasn't ready yet but some groups were getting ready to leave and it would be a short wait. But a quick look around made clear that nobody was close to leaving. 20 minutes later a different hostess asked who we were and wanted to know if we wanted a table. 10 minutes after that a hostess showed us to our table, which was the same booth that had been continuously empty since we first arrived 30 minutes earlier. Service was bad and our waitress mostly ignored us. The food was OK but not as good as previous times I have dined at MGFD. Seems the restaurant is going slightly downhill. I ordered gnocchi which turned out to not actually be gnocchi but was just small, curled pasta. The sauce was only OK. We also ordered the goat's milk Gouda, which didn't arrive with everything described on the menu and was just a slab of cheese on a board. She had the short ribs, which were pretty good. Overall I don't think MGFD is the same restaurant it has been, maybe he's focusing more on his new restaurant.
(3)Karina R.
This was my second time at Michael's Genuine. The first time I went for my birthday lunch. I wasnt blown away but I decided to give it a second chance when everyone wanted to go for brunch this past Sunday. Our server told us it was more of a sharing menu so we ordered a couple things to get started. The portions were outrageously small. wayyy to small to share. I have never seen smaller pancakes. After the first round, he told us people typically order 3 dishes per person. We followed his advice and were left with so much food. He didnt bother telling us that the dishes we ordered double of (bacon, potatoes, falafel) were the only regular sized items on the menu. Long story short, I will definitely not be coming back.
(2)Jessica S.
What is not to love! Food delish! Ambiance Awesome! Every single dish I've tried has been great .Wanting to sit at the bar tricky. I would suggest to always have a reservation.
(5)Brandon B.
I've been traveling every week to Miami for over 9 months now and I've come to find MGFD is by far the best restaurant in the city. Its food, atmosphere and drinks are perfectly crafted and it makes me forget I'm in a city dominated by sushi and latin cuisine. Michael's is in the design district in one of the most expensive parts of this and any city I've ever been to. I'm pretty sure the cheapest shopping within a mile of Michael's starts at $100 for the chance to walk into the stores. Hell, you can get a brand new Bentley across the street. Driving up, you'd expect parking to be a nightmare, but valet will only run you $5. The food here is simple, but different enough to warrant the price that some may complain about. I haven't had a dish here that didn't exceed my expectations. I recommend the octopus, pork belly and any of their other small or medium plates. To be honest, I've never had one of their Large or Extra large plates because I've never ventured that far down the menu in my 3 visits. The drinks are what you stay for. Their menu changes with the season and what's in stock, so I've had everything from their home brew beer to craft cocktails with ingredients most can't pronounce. In fact, my favorite drink is the off-the-menu Old Fashioned with Bulleit Rye. Their whiskey menu is extensive, but specific, so there is something for everyone that you wouldn't normally find in this part of the country. The atmosphere is one that I can't quite put my finger on. Open kitchen with a U-shaped bar that seems too small at first, but can accommodate quite the crowd when pushed to its limits. They have an open patio right in the middle of shopping which makes this a great place to stop in if you're in the area spending too much money on overpriced goods. Now, I want to talk about my experience tonight that prompted my need for a review. I arrived after a long day at work to enjoy a few drinks and some appetizers before retiring to the hotel. I arrived around 5:30 to the usual crowd for a Wednesday night, however it quickly filled up. I learned why when the bartender put the special (free) happy hour menu in front of me in celebration of the owner's new restaurant across town. They had 6 snacks, one cocktail, one beer and 2 wines completely free of charge on that menu and I knew I was in for a rush. The snacks I had were supurb, but I honestly just came here to commend the bartender and waiting staff who will probably get more than a few reviews from some nasty, pretentious patrons who arrived in the last 30 minutes of the event and expected to eat and drink for free. This staff did a phenomenal job delivering free food and drink to hundreds of people who could've afforded double the cost they usually charge, yet the patrons around me felt it necessary to yell and complain that they ran out of the complementary food and drink before the event procluded. I saw 2 of roughly 20 patrons around me actually tip these bartenders which disgusted me to no end and prompted my passion to write a review for this place. Regardless of what you read about this place, just go. The staff pours their heart out for a chef and owner who, I hope, recognizes their effort. Due to the familiar faces I see, I'm hopeful they receive just compensation for their efforts and I'm very excited for their new sister restaurant on the bay.
(5)Mary-Ella G.
We have been coming to Miami twice a year for awhile now and always LOVE eating at Michael's. However my husband and I went there on Friday night. Two things: 1. Shelly G was the most inattentive waitress. The worst. 2. The food was lackluster. The tilefish collar was beyond bland, the short rib was meh and the pork shoulder was not great. The farm yolk egg was good though. And the bartender makes an excellent old fashion also. Back to Shelly G., she didn't get us bread after she said she would. She basically ran by us and dropped the dessert menus on our table and didn't say one word. She would be gone for forever. Didn't ask us how we liked our food. We were so put off we passed on dessert. She just was bad across the board. I hope that I just got a bad server and we were there on an off night. We probably won't try it again any time soon which is SUCH a bummer.
(2)Jim G.
If you like fresh, farm to table food that is genuine then this is the place to try! Their menu even gives you the definition of genuine which is their credo. A quaint bistro located in the heart of Miami's art and shopping district, offers selections of small, medium, large and extra large plates of an array of magnificent foods that are made to be shared. Our waiter Robin was a gracious host recommending up several medium and large plates for my party to share. We started with a dozen oysters - half east coast and half west coast. We then worked our way to sharing the crispy falafel balls (nice touch of cumin w/ nice dipping sauce), the charred octopus with fave beans (extremely tender and lightly chargrilled), and the sweet and spicy pork belly and kimchi (best appetizer on the menu)...pork belly melted in your mouth and the combination of the tangy kimchi brought out the sweetness of the pork. Entrees we split the extra large plates of oven roasted whole snapper with lemon and grilled fennel bulbs and the grilled bone-in Ribeye. The fish was locally caught that morning and was fresh and flavorful. The Ribeye was everyone's favorite - grilled medium rare to perfection and seasoned with salt and pepper and herb butter. The chef even had the Ribeye butter-cut for us so we could all share. Best Ribeye I have had anywhere! As sides we selected the acorn squash which was tasty but nothing special. On the other hand we also got an order of fried pigs ears and we all loved them. Sliced thin and fried with a great BBQ dry rub, they had the taste of bacon and pork rinds. Nice an crispy! Cocktails are creative but genuine too! Try the Tito's vodka, muddled cherries and mint or the Bulletproof Manhattan - wild Turkey, Rosemary infused cherries.
(4)Jamie S.
Came here on a Friday night and I have to say it was scrumptious from beginning to end. The wait was long but well worth it! We had the pulled pork and peaches pizza which was AMAZING. Who knew these two were so good together! We also had the shrimp and fish ceviche and an amazing dessert. Drinks were flowing and I was a happy camper. They change up the menu weekly which is awesome because you know you'll always have something new to look forward to. I can't wait to come back and try something new!
(4)Brandon W.
The pizza is a must get every time. They switch every few weeks. Great for lunch and desserts are a must as well. Chess pie is the best. Salads and sandwiches are all great. Go for the snack menu as well.
(5)Thien H.
I had the pig ears again at the end of another weekday lunch and they were totally different this time. They were fried for an extra long time and were super crispy. I enjoyed the almost too hard, crispy texture but my hubby likes them less fried. The short rib sandwich was delish, but it wasn't stuffed to the brim with meat like other sandwiches I've seen photos of. I ended up leaving behind half of the bread so there was more meat in each bite. Tangy and comforting tomato jam was a necessary accompaniment to liven up the otherwise super rich panino. We loved the pot de creme and two little tart jello jigglers pieces. We sat at the little bar by the prep kitchen and the chef was nice enough to make some small talk with us as he worked his ass off prepping tons of plastic tubs of veggies and sauces for the upcoming dinner rush.
(4)Steve H.
I'll tell you what... The food and ambiance of this place is very cool. We had a 5 top, dinner was great, even the service seemed good. That being said, we split the bill $161 x 2 and $80x1 after a 20% tip. I got home, checked my receipt against my credit card statement because I had to do expenses and I had been charged 200. I confirmed with the other couple and they were also charged 200. The single was charged 90. So basically someone stole $90 additional bucks from us. I am sure that this is a one off and not consistent with the restaurant, but I would like someone to reach out to discuss this. Check your receipts people...
(1)Xasperniak B.
Yes, in this 'space', MG is only ok. Yes the food is very good, but when 'dining', as other Yelper's have pointed out, with food on this level, we want to be able to spread out A LITTLE.. MG has you elbow to elbow, you are eating other peoples words as an unwanted additive to the cuisine. Why is this an a-ok spot to eat then? Well, if you want to grab food real quick! The big bone-in is great. Bought it a few times already, but not sure I'll be back as there may be other places with phenomenal steak and a little more space to hang out, talk, and drink more champagne. Or maybe I'll just do carside to-go... ;)
(3)Mrs. D M.
We checked out this place (the 3rd visit for me), just a few days after the re-opening and on a Saturday before Wynwood artwalk. Decided to sit at the bar (which is much bigger, and the bartenders are very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. Ordered a few apps and drinks. Honestly, my favorite thing I had was my cocktail. They make the BEST Manhattan with these delicious cherries. Love! I'd go there to sit at the bar just for that! Food: we were just doing heavy appetizers that night and ordered...margherita pizza (delicious, just like Harry's, so no problem there!), the baked Mushroom Polenta (well made, but was missing something, maybe salt?), the mussels with black rice (very good!) and the Brussel sprouts (definitely missing some flavor). After 3 visits, I still don't understand all the hype. The food is fresh and well prepared, most definitely. Love the ambience and good service. But nothing spectacular...go for appetizers and a great cocktail....and then pig out at Harry's!
(4)Maya L.
Lucked out with a last minute late night walk in dinner on a Saturday during Art Basel! I love and seek out farm to table and rotating menus. Stand outs were the double roast farm egg, stracciatella, short ribs (my fav), steak, Brussel sprouts, fries, fresh doughnuts (yum). Misses were the pork shoulder (wasn't a fan of the parsley sauce), the kale (very wimpy portion and extremely bitter), and coffee (watery) . Service was excellent. Very accommodating when one dish was cold, regarding small kale dish, and making a new pot of coffee. Outdoor and indoor spaces had excellent design concepts.
(4)Angie-Jo W.
Our dining experience at Michael's was beyond fabulous. We had a fantastic waiter, Danny, who was an excellent resource and patiently answered all our questions (or just laughed as we moaned over our food). Gotta start at the top so other folks can enjoy the same stellar dishes we had. We shared the Stracciatella, a dish pairing locally-grown heirloom tomatoes, drizzled with fragrant olive oil and special salt with the most amazing skinless burrata, a soft cheese made fresh mozzarella and cream. Truly heavenly and not to be missed. We sopped-up every bite of remaining flavor with the sliced bread. From the Small menu, we got the shrimp ceviche with avocado, mango and cilantro. Perfect! From the Medium menu we got the duck confit which just might have been the best ever, paired with an orange marmalade and accompanied by crunchy pumpkin seeds. From the Large menu, we got the pork chop, also juicy and delicious. Michael's has a substantial wine list with great wines to choose from. We got a hard to find bottle for dinner and glasses of sweet wines to pair with our dessert of Tangerine Pot de Creme and two mini sugared donuts. Also divine. Not going to be able to eat for the rest of the week! The staff at Michael's worked as a team, and paced our meal nicely. It was an incredible, totally worth it dining experience.
(5)Hartee H.
Dined at the Miami Michael's and the Cayman Islands outpost. Creative menu and excellent service. If you want a really good dining experience and are prepared to spend some $$$ this is a nice place to eat. The menus between the Miami and Cayman Islands restaurants are different, as was my experience. This is likely due to the use of local produce. The menu items are structured small, medium, large and extra large. So if you like several items off the small menu you could put together a dinner somewhat like tapas. My dining experience at both locations was pleasant. The staff was very attentive throughout the dining experience. Desert was teriffic at both locations, courtesy of pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith.
(4)Zachary K.
Could be my favorite restaurant in Miami. Although I've only been one time and it was for lunch I got to taste what this place is all about. The house made pastrami sandwich was absolutely out of this world. Our second sandwich was the short rib, again very delicious but not as good as the pastrami. Can't wait to go back for dinner and try some more of this great food.
(5)Karla V.
This is my go to spot when looking for a great meal and friends are in town. The food is consistently good and everytime I go I try something new and am never disappointed. The pig ears are tasty, the octopus, my favorite, and whatever pasta dish they have, it's a must try.
(5)Natasha A.
God I am obsessed with breakfast/brunch, and they serve it up quite beautifully here at Michael's Genuine. Their brunch is the kind that I want to spend all day at slowly ordering every.single.item.on.the… and savoring in a massive food orgy. It is tapas style, so plan to go with 'sharers' and order up several dishes for the table. Make sure you get sweets from the pastry menu, cause these are absolutely to die for. Since the menu changes every week, I can't pick a favorite but I do love the homemade poptart crust they use so when the filling catches my eye, I always make sure to order some. Their cocktails and fresh juices are quite yummy too, although I try to save as much precious stomach space for the onslaught of food I come here for. Yea, total food porn hot spot indeed.
(5)M. Alejandra S.
Food its amazing!!! Ambiance and crowd nice!!
(5)Geoff And Jenni G.
We've been to MGFD several times and always enjoy the menu, although it is a little limited for vegetarian/pescatarians. This visit was great as usual, but the service was a little too quick... both our main courses arrived before we had finished our appetizers... no-one thought to take them away, but just pushed our appetizers to the side to make way for the mains. Would come back, but really hope this "pushy" and "too fast" service isn't a sign of things to come...
(4)Ricky J.
I love this place! My last trip to Miami I literally dropped my bags at the hotel South Beach, rented a car and when straight to Michaels. I enjoy sitting at the food bar and watching the chefs. The Duck confit, duck rillette, chicken wings are amazing. The pork belly was cooked perfectly. My last visit I ate so much that I did not save room for dessert which I should be slapped for. The staff is also done right! You ask them about something on the menu they have clear explanations and they also come in clutch with recommendations! If they had one in NYC I'd be here every week. Can't wait to return! Highly recommend!
(4)Lauren B.
Absolutely fabulous restaurant whether you're sitting inside the hip-and-sexy space or outside in the courtyard...from drinks to food, ambience and service, it's first class all the way. Spend some time in the neighbourhood strolling the Design District: store after store of stunning furniture and art. Here's a tip: whether for lunch or dinner, make a reservation! You'll be given priority seating over the walk-ins.
(5)Lissett K.
This place is fantastic, the food and the service is five stars now one thing that really caught my attention is that the place was full and small but for some reason I didn't feel any noise the music was so nice ... Its comfortable ...The sommelier was very helpful ....
(5)Danielle E.
I haven't been in some time, but this place served me the best steak I have ever eaten. My mouth waters just thinking about it. They change their menu daily based on fresh local ingredients and the service is phenomenal. It is a bit pricey so if you're trying to impress a girl, this is a good first date spot.
(4)Chalice J.
Fabulous! I went to Michael's Genuine for my birthday with my family. We had a wonderful experience! I had the Beet and Heirloom salad that was amazing. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it! I also had the Steak au Poive. So tender and Flavorful!!! We also shared an order of the wood roasted sprouts. They were very different and yummy! Everyone's meal was incredible, from the swordfish to the short ribs. To top it all off, we had an amazing desert (sorry, don't remember what it was called). Our waiter was also really cool. He has a very long American Indian name that I don't recall. He made my birthday special! All the staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. I would highly recommend you try Michael's Genuine if you want an great dining experience!
(5)Janet A.
Michael's never disappoints. Be sure to get a reservation, and don't miss the crispy pig ears! Service, ambiance and food are all very special.
(5)Noriko Y.
This will be always one of places I will pick for my friends when they ask me where to go for any purpose. This place can be just for drink, snack, or a nice dinner, a party, or you name it. Can be casual, can be formal, food is international/original with a mind of local ingredients/latin twists. Probably I don't need to explain too much about their food, it's been well popular and famous, better to reserve for a peak time. I always love this place while I have just one problem; probably I am a bit too picky, but their ceviche is slightly off for my taste everytime I tasted (three times in a two years) - just a tiny bit so most of people don't notice/don't have digestion problems. Don't take me wrong, this place really pays attention to freshness/flavor of food, and I enjoy everything else here. This is when I drat (and appreciate at the same time) my sensitive Japanese palate living in a foreign country; now sushi is everywhere in the US becoming American food like pizza, but I can eat raw seafood only with the same quality as in Japan (and probably this is why I have almost never had food poisoning in the US; my natural sensor functions) Would be same to Italians for a slice ;) I am just noting my honest opinion - to help a very small number of people who just happen to be very sensitive to raw seafood like me.
(5)Nick M.
This is quickly becoming one of my top 5 Miami restaurants!! I had some great experiences at the bar and dining outside. The ambiance is similar to Lincoln road with a more upscale twist. The food is mouthwatering and perfect every time. I think I found my new favorite cocktail, the Scotsman! They have a menu that changes so make sure to try something new, it will be good!
(5)Allison D.
Amazing food made from high quality ingredients! Service was on point and our Sommelier Brian was terrific, very knowledgeable about the wine list and prompt in service. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Elizabeth D.
This review is strictly based on their brunch. Now this is a $40 brunch I don't feel regretful about! - Kimchi Eggs Benedict: Really enjoyed this, but could have used more kimchi taste. - Guava and Cheese / Strawberry Pop Tarts: SO MUCH WIN!!! CAN I HAVE 20 MORE?! - Spanish Tortilla: The fact that it was cold kind of threw me off. Tasted good regardless. The bruschetta on top was delish. - Double Yolk Eggs: Stinky. Not sure what cheese they use in this (smells like gruyere), but it stunk quite a bit. Despite this, it was fantastic tasting- Definitely a must-have. - Raspberry/Chocolate Donuts: Never had a fancy donut before... I think this dish has effectively ruined all of those other lower class donuts for me. My one HUGE pet peeve is the seating situation. Unless you reserve ahead of time to get a single table for your party, you get to sit 2 millimeters apart from the other diners next to you. Talk about a mood-killer...
(4)Colleen L.
THAT'S how you throw down at muthaf***kin Spice. Impeccably made, delicious and fun menu options. Seated immediately (with reservations). Attentive service. The mushroom soup was a tasty brothy asian style soup. The pork belly hotpot with cabbage, roasted pork, poached egg, chili broth and cilantro was so good, we knew if one had ordered it and not the other, the latter would be disappointed in comparison. Two hot pots please! The warm dark chocolate bread pudding with buttermilk anglaise and sweet cream was fluffy and melty at the same time. Overall, we had a great experience and loved the way the menu is built. There are small snacks like chicken liver crostini and deviled eggs for $5-10 and a very nice wine and cocktail list. We'll definitely think of Michael's when we're looking for a little fance in our day-to-day lives.
(5)Jennifer N.
This place was AMAZING definitely coming back very soon! I came for lunch and order their soup of the day which was tomato bread soup with basilI recommend the chicken liver crostini! The service was great the environment was comfortable you can see the open kitchen , outside sitting and great shopping around the area.
(4)Anna V.
Lovely restaurant and trendy surroundings. I enjoyed the country pâté and wood oven roasted lamb sausage as an appetizer. Stracciatella was refreshing and so was the crispy sweet & spicy pork belly. And the best part of all was the unforgettable slow roasted & grilled harris ranch beef short ribs. I love ribs and this place makes the best ones!
(4)Armand A.
great simple and honest food at reasonable prices-fun place and happening.... best to be enjoyed at lunch time.. very noisy and cramped inside.. the place to be while in design district.
(4)Lynn C.
Food and atmosphere were awesome!!! We had dinner here last Thursday night (table of four) and were able to try several items from the menu. Everything was delicious!!! From the menu we chose a very eclectic mix of dishes - (snacks) thick cut potato chips - Who doesn't like potato chips? The French onion dip was awesome. (small) Local Cobia Ceviche, Wood Roasted Double Yolk Farm Egg. P.S. - the egg was pleasantly unexpected! It is served in a little ramekin...gruyere on top and perfectly poached egg inside. (medium) Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly - THIS WAS THE BEST PORK BELLY I'VE EVER HAD. Crispy deliciousness. We also had a seasonal pasta dish with chorizo, mussels, shrimp and fish. (large) Grilled Niman Leg of Lamb (tasted just like a gyro but better), Slow Roasted Fudge Farm Pork Shoulder - mainly we got it for the grits (AND we ordered an additional side of cheese grits) (dessert) Banana Toffee Panini (perfect for banana lovers), Popcorn and Peanuts...I wasn't a fan of the buttered popcorn icecream but everyone else at the table loved it. Literally tasted like buttered popcorn. Great meal and cannot wait to go back! This neighborhood is really cute and trendy. Great outdoor seating area and beautiful dining room.
(5)Derek F.
So amazing get the prok belly the duck confit and the steak
(5)Juan S.
Still very good. Love all of the creative menu options. BUT, not a fan of the tapas style portions. You have to order at least 3 of each to have your stomach somewhat satisfied.
(4)Shannon M.
Sometimes a passionate server is all the difference and this was the case. We went the day after Thanksgiving for brunch with our pup. The outdoor seating is plentiful and very dog friendly. Our server provided water and dog biscuits for our furball right when we sat down. We also went with the seasonal suggestions which was a Bacon Potato Soup ( very hearty!), mozzerlla & tomatoes, and Roasted Turkey Sandwich. Defnitely a perfect wine hangover cure! Will be coming back soon.
(4)Ken D.
I'm writing this review reluctantly, with a small, nagging desire to keep Michael's to myself. However, I can't. That would be selfish. What's that they say about giving? So, here I give to you my favorite restaurant bar-none: Michael's Geniune. Without fail, Michael's Genuine has proven to be consistently perfect in every way. Now, 'perfection' is a subjective term, so for some people it may not fit their bill. For example, there's no 'scenic view' unless you count the diverse crowd, perfect lighting, and painterly landscape that shows up on each plate. I wouldn't consider it to be 'kid-friendly', (but that might be my own desire to not see brightly-colored strollers in the place. With those two (insignificant criteria (to me)) aside, Michael's Genuine is perfect. Simply perfect. I've dined there approximately 10 times, for lunch and dinner, at tables inside, outside, and at the bar. Each time, the food was notable. Consistently delicious down to the last detail. How do they make cauliflower memorable? (By roasting it with parsley pesto, of course.) Short ribs on pizza? Who knew? Deviled eggs? Like mom would have made if she were only more domestic. How do they continue to surprise and delight me with each menu item? It must be witchcraft...and I am bewitched.
(5)stephanie f.
I'm glad to say I can finally knock this one off my list of "must try's". Took me long enough.... The service was good and the staff was friendly - but the food is what sold me. We started off with the burrata, which may be the best "caprese" salad I have ever had. The tomatoes (multi-variety) were perfect, and the seasoning, olive oil, and mozzarella may have been my favorite aspect of the nite. We also had the Ceviche - it was good, but nothing special For our entrées - we had the short rib. this was amazing. Tender, tasty, and wished there was more. We also had the porkbelly which was great as well. We passed on the duck confit this time - but will definitely be getting it next time based on all of the reviews and recommendations We also ordered a side of fingerling potatos - seasoned well but Come to Michael's hungry - because everything on the menu sounds amazing and delivers.
(4)Monica C.
I went here for food and drinks after the Wynwood walk last Saturday. This place is AMAZING. The hubby and I went with our "couple" friends, Jackie S and her boyfriend. We made reservations in advance and although the restaurant was busy they sat us down right away. They even gave us a nice corner booth. We tried a little bit of everything... the egg yolk, the pizza, the falafel, the pork. I have never left a restaurant sooo full and soo happy. I didn't even mind that I had just stuffed my face with thousands of calories.
(5)Jeremy K.
OMG!!! We tried a variety of small/medium meals at this place. Our waiter was uber nice and helpful. We had reservation and got seated ASAP....wasen't too busy at the time but by the time we left, it was packed!!! We tried the crispy pig ears....was pretty tasty for pig ears. The duck confit was delicious and ok, nothing bad about it. The best part of the dinner was the Crispy sweet and spicy pork belly....omg!!! it was nicely crispy on one side, tender on the other side and so fatty in the middle...u would never guess that the kim chi would go perfectly with this meal...the acid from the kim chi just cut the pork belly so well and minimized the heaviness of the meal. it was so good we got another order of it!!! The bad dish we didn't like was the charred octopus. It really tasked charred and burnt...which we didn't like as much but the waiter was so cool about it, he took it off our menu. I had to bottles of Keys Ale too, which was pretty good beer that went well with our dishes. I would totally come back here for dinner again!
(5)Ashley S.
This is the brunch version. WOW. No, really: WOW!! Not a single item that touched my lips was anything less than good, and most was outstanding. My friends each ordered a mimosa a bellini, respectively; I couldn't resist ordering the Sunday Morning Special (I think that was the name). It was an ice cold PBR tall boy with a shot of their bloody mary with a cornichon on top. Um, awesome! We got the duck confit hash, wood oven roasted double yolk egg (I'm a fan of this dish at brunch or dinner), the burrata with mango, cinnamon raisin walnut french toast (as mouth watering as it sounds), the lamb omelet, pork shoulder with cheesy grits, pesto, and pickled onions, and a side of bacon (it was brunch after all). Everything was really, really good except for the mango burrata. The burrata served with fresh mango, chili peppers, and red onions was OUT OF THIS EFFING WORLD. I am seriously going to be dreaming about this dish. To start, I love burrata: the creamy, delicious flavor is divine. And I'm much more of a salty/savory person so at first I wasn't keen on it being served with mangos, which in my mind screamed SWEET. But one of my friends ordered and thank the food gods she did. It is the perfect combination of a little sweet, a little salty, and a little spicy. Out of control delicious.
(5)Pamela H.
This restaurant is nothing short of fantastic. The service is impeccable, the prices are reasonable, and the food is delicious. I have never had anything here that I didn't like, and it is my go-to restaurant to bring out-of-town friends for brunch or dinner. The drinks are great, too, including the homemade sodas - the cherry and rosemary is my personal favorite. And they serve radishes for those sitting at the bar! I don't have the space or time to write a play by play of all the delectable things I've eaten at MGFD, so here are some must-trys: Kimchi pork belly Greek farro salad Tangerine pot de creme (with warm donuts!) Pig ears Duck rillete Cauliflower Plantation cocktail Cherry and rosemary soda GO TO MICHAEL'S IF YOU ARE IN MIAMI. You will be so glad you did!
(5)Veronica C.
4.5 stars. It was a great dining experience, as usual. I live in Midtown and have visited this restaurant many times in the past. The staff is always so professional, very accommodating and honest about their recommendations. The stand out dishes we had were the octopus with gigante beans and the mussels with black sticky rice...they are always consistently delicious! The only dish that I was not too sure about was the roasted cauliflower with parsley sauce. The flavors seemed to be very overpowering and not a favorite of mine. Overall great place and we will be back!
(4)Laura Y.
We went to Michael's on a recent trip to Miami and left very pleased. Everyone has a beet salad, but I have to tell you that the one I had here was, hands down, some of the best beets I've ever had. My wreckfish was well cooked, thoughtful preparation. We found the short ribs to be much too salty. The meat was great, but needed to refill the water glass while eating it. The pork belly was a good mix of fat and meat, well prepared. It's funny, in Miami, the cuisine (localvore, thoughtful prep, changing menu) is certainly a newer phenomenon. While dining there, the food reminded me of some great restaurants on the lower east side/east village of NYC -- very similar vibe. Worth checking out.
(4)Erleen G.
"Hello, I love you, won't you tell me your name?"... NO, really, no need. This place can put anything in front of me without me glancing the menu, or specifying my preferences and I would eat it, love it and ask for more. I have yet to try one thing here that I would not go to the restroom and force myself to make more room for... seriously people. It's Freaking Fantastic! I could go on and on about the amazing things that I have had but considering each time I've been the menu has been different I would hate to tantalize you with dishes you may never get to try. With that said I can however tell you that ANYTHING they make with cheese or a crostini is probably to die for. I have only been here once for brunch. We spent $130 for 3 people. Yes, I know $43.33 per person for brunch... But I would sacrifice breakfast for a month for one Sunday morning at Michael's. If a great atmosphere, nice outdoor seating, incredibly savory dishes and a hell of a pastry chef concocting new deserts for you constantly is not enough, try your odds at bumping into some familiar faces. I had the pleasure, honor, and some wet pants to go with that of sitting back to back with Michelle Bernstein who was visited by Hedy Goldsmith (Michael's pastry chef) at her table. ::SQUEAL:: Michael's is by far my favorite restaurant at the moment. The one place I would take anyone visiting from out of town, the one place I would recommend no matter what is currently on their menu, and the one place I will keep digging deep into the pockets to keep going back to.
(5)Aiko E.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the world period. (right now :)) I was looking over my reviews and couldn't believe I had not listed this wonderful restaurant yet. So this review is late and I don't have all the details that I usually do. Last Fall was our first visit on vacation in Miami. We were in a hurry so we sat at the bar. We had a great time. Food was fresh, inventive and scrumptious. and service was attentive, helpful and friendly. We never forgot it soooo...about a month ago we were heading home from Barbados, had a stopover in MIA, found out our connecting flight was delayed a couple hours and faster than you can say "slow roasted fudge farms pork shoulder" we were catching a cab to the design district! Our second visit did NOT disappoint! It was just as good if not better than the first time. Our server was really personable and mirrored our needs to a tee. He knew we were on a time crunch but we did not feel rushed. And had really great suggestions for wine pairing with our dishes that did not feel like an "upsell" (if you're in the rest. industry you know what i mean) Basically you cannot go wrong with any of the fantastic dishes on the menu. I LOVE that the food is sourced and the flavors are so pure! Having said that I especially like their roasted veggie sides and all of their meat dishes (so tender and moist). His desserts are delish too. My dream for my next visit is brunch with absolutely no time limit!
(5)Sherman H.
Michaels is one of those places that, in my opinion, is overrated. The food is good, and DIFFERENT. Don't get me wrong. But I also think there is a lot of hype out there, and personally, there are places I would much prefer to go with a happier environment, and cheaper - better food. This was my second visit to Michael's, I had gone a few months back with my wife and we both really liked the food. The service was solid, and just a few inches under pretentious, but pretty good. The menu is really interesting, but depending on your tastes and interests, not for everyone. The food is 'homey' style, and I would say fits the image Michael's is aiming for quite well. On this last visit, some friends had the lamb. It was pretty bad. Overcooked, and to tell you the truth, I'm dubious whether it was actually lamb. The flavors were good, but badly cooked without a doubt. I shared the pork shoulder. It was good, but honestly, I can make better with my secret home marinade. Nothing to write home about. Yes, the pork ears are a great accompaniment to beer. And the craft beer selection is good, prices are between $6-8 on average, with a few bottle under and over that. I had the "wood oven roasted double farm egg" and it was really, really tasty with their great bread. By the way, the sourdough bread they serve is delish, just perfect, and they will gladly offer more if you run out. The combination of flavors, with the gruyere and tomato was excellent. I also had a risotto style ricecake with spanish chorizo, and it was pretty delish, with an egg on top. Good, homey. All in all, the food is good, you can't really go wrong. But I guess, a little overhyped. It depends how much you can comfortably spend on dinner. If I spend $150 on dinner, I like to be impressed. And Michaels is solid good, but, I'm still to be impressed. I will come back to try again.
(3)Augusto M.
This has been my favorite restaurant in miami for years, but tonight's service has left me utterly unsatisfied and I didn't even get to seat and eat. The "host" was terrible, inexperienced, impolite, and without a clue. His name is sean.
(1)Lyle C.
Reviews speak for them-self. If i could give it 6 stars I would. Micheal's sets the bar for every other restaurant. This is a must do if in Miami! See and be seen in this place. Celebrates and power hitters dinning with locals and area visitors. Great mix of people.
(5)Eric M.
I was not impressed after hearing good things..the rice cake wasnt that special...if prices were lower id give it more stars...I had a nicer meal with a tablecloth at Ruth Chris...costs about the same. the best items was the cheese of the day and desserts. Would definitely return for the cheese and desserts.
(2)Ashely R.
Make sure you eat in the main dining room. Outside is really pretty but construction next door was so loud that we asked to be moved inside. Great service and really good sandwiches. I've had better cocktails, but love the PBR tall boys.
(4)Laurel B.
On a warm evening, sitting outside here is a great experience, especially if you are hearing music later at the Stage. All the food was nicely cooked and presented, from pizza to salads to stuff from the grill/roastery/whatever it was. Not the edgy experience of our other culinary outings in Miami, but tres pleasant.
(4)Jessica R.
Make no mistake... you will never have bad food here. The food is quite good even with a menu that changes pretty often. That being said, I have no real desire to go here anymore. The problem is the restaurant itself. The restaurant is too small. It gets really loud really quickly and if you're there as a couple, there's a significant chance you're going to have to essentially share a table if not a booth with another couple. No seriously. Like you might have to stand up if the person at the table next to you needs to leave, take a call or use the restroom. Last time I was there I was seriously turned off from going back. They're having problems with condensation leaking from their AC vents over the dining room so their solution is to send out a guy with a telescoping stick and a towel to clean the vents over the heads of he patrons while they're eating. And I don't mean at low traffic times. I was there at 8:30- dinner rush time. This cannot be health code kosher. I took photos, will figure out how to post.
(2)Ravi B.
Anything less than 5 stars is a crime. But, before I place Mr. Schwartz (and Ms. Goldsmith) under arrest, let me pass judgment: Mixed drink: the Sonny Rollins was too bland and/or too watered down (sorry, Sonny) Oddest, happiest discovery: Best Falafels Ever! but, who is going to come here for falafels? Duck: perfectly cooked without a hint of oil and, unfortunately, flavor Fish: ditto Chili Chicken Wings: meh Wood Roasted Cauliflower: ditto Crispy Rice Cake: stellar! A wide mix of textures and flavors all wrapped up in a spicy, crispy package (thank the chorizo for the spiciness). Desserts: very disappointing. The Chocolate Cremoso was certainly unique, but I could not withstand the mix of sweet and savory after a few bites. And, after trying Ms. Goldsmith's infamous Tangerine Creamsicle Pot De Creme, I can reasonably conclude that a donut is still a donut. Service was friendly and efficient. Strip away the massive hype and Michael's is a modest restaurant serving expertly-prepared, modestly-tasting food at relatively modest prices. That's not too bad, but I was expecting so much more...
(3)Pierre L.
In a neighborhood many years ago that was described as Miami Vice (by my customers) is Michael's Genuine. From the name and the website you may think it is the kind of place that is for tourists but it's not. The area or street hasn't been too developed but there are a few high end boutique shops there such as Maison Martin Margiela and Y-3. The restaurant is designed like you're sitting in Soho in New York, artistic decor and bustling. I had the mahi mahi at the recommendation from my customer who said it was very good. It was good and so were the greens that came with it. I saw some desserts that I wanted to try but since they opted not to have any I skipped as well. If I'm back in Miami and am in the neighborhood, I'll definitely come again.
(4)Abigail B.
I have been to Michael's several times for their Sunday brunch. The food is absolutely delicious! The duck confit hash is my favorite! I enjoy eating outside in the courtyard on a Sunday morning as there is more of an opportunity to people-watch :) With such amazing food and welcoming atmosphere, it's disappointing that some of the servers are rude. We had an experience with a waitress the last time we were there who clearly did not want to be there. We're the type of couple who likes to be friendly, briefly chat with our server, and have a couple laughs together. This girl was in a bad mood from the beginning, and was a downer for our experience. The food will bring us back, but I'll avoid this girl next time.. if she's still there.
(4)Alex M.
So I've lived in Wynwood for two years and heard a lot about this place. The location had a really cool vibe in the heart of the design district and the food was absolutely delicious. However, service was really slow, the water was in a tacky wine glass with no ice and you have to order the meal and the sides differently. We got one beer, the short rib, fish and a side of potatoes. Although it was really good, the portions were way too small for a bill of $80. Fine dining price without the fine dining experience.
(3)Aman S.
Interesting and eclectic menu. As far as eclectic places, their menu is limited and I have dined at better places of this cuisine.
(3)Lindsey H.
Delish! Service was superb. The food was clean straight forward fresh and quick. Really enjoyed the duck confit hash and cocktails. Paulo is a server with lots of knowledge and enthusiasm.
(4)Kimberly K.
A memorable Brunch indeed. Everything from start to finish was excellent. We made reservations early on, so once we arrived we were seated immediately. The decor is nice and everything at the restaurant is neat and clean. The service is organized, on point, and professional. The employees work as a team. As we finished each plate, they were constantly taken away. You are given the choice of sparking or regular water. This is the first restaurant I've been to that offers sparking water for FREE. Thanks for that nice touch. They also place a large bottle of the water at your table. I love it when restaurants do that, I drink a lot of water and this is a great concept. We decided to order the Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Egg, Crispy Rice Cake, Breakfast Pizza, Kimchi Benedict, and Duck Quesadilla. The Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Egg was completely comforting. Soft eggs, smooth yolk, roasted tomatoes, chives. Served with a sourdough crostini. We wanted some more of the crostini and one of the employees was kind enough to bring us out some. Perfect for dipping into the yolk. The Crispy Rice Cake was such a hit we had to order another one during the meal. Slightly crisp on the outside. The inside is smooth, creamy, filled with pieces of chorizo, rice, and rock shrimp. The Rice Cake lies on top of a Spicy Tomato Aioli. Absolute treat. The Breakfast Pizza had a crispy crust. The tomato sauce was sweet. It's topped off with bacon, green onions, monterey jack cheese and an egg. This was a good choice but we would have liked to see more pieces of bacon on the pizza. The Kimchi Benedict was also a big hit. Can't go wrong with crispy pork belly, kimchi, poached egg and kimchi hollandaise. Highly recommended. The Duck Quesadilla was OK. The duck was slightly overcooked. Dessert was excellent. So many choices. I love how they take familiar favorites (ie. Samoas, S'mores and Pop Tarts) and put their own spin on it. Everything tasted homemade. Quality ingredients are used at Michael's and they do their best to make your dinning experience a memorable one.
(4)Catalina S.
We had great expectations since everybody had recommended the place. The waiter took forever to ask if we wanted any appetizers, when they finally got there they where inedible (extremely salty) we got them replaced and they were OK. All the food was salty and just OK. When we ordered dessert, another waiter brought "our" dessert but it wasn't what we had ordered. We waited for someone to come by and tell them they had mistaken the dessert but they took forever. Honestly I never write bad reviews but this one deserved it. I am a foodie and this place was a bit crappy.
(2)Mark F.
Michaels is popular, his process isn't. Locally sourced pain staking detail from aesthetics to carefully detailed salads, Make no mistake, Michaels is NOT artisinal food. It's WHOLE food. Good, good for you and well thought out. Not your typical Miami flash in the pan, Michael cooks in a cast iron skillet proving faux food wrong. The Drinks I had there were curated, completely different than anywhere else and a wonderful precursor to the amazing food that would come. If you can get in... Do it. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Robert F.
Let me start by saying that Cory is an excellent server and he made our experience worth while. After explaining that we were simply going to split a few appetizers and couple of drinks and be on our way, he was still very informative as it relates to the menu and his service was prompt and very friendly. Great job explaining each dish. We ordered the pork belly and the rice cakes. The pork belly was cooked perfectly and now I realize why it's their most ordered item. The chorizo rice cakes were also very good. If its creative comfort food you're looking for this place is it. We will have to visit again and try some different things.
(4)Daniel P.
All excellent. Service is personable and they are happy to schmooze even though they keep track of time. All great. Bartenders friendly and engaging!!!!
(5)Maria S.
Very nice location and restaurant. Food was very tasty, we had tomatoes which are their signature dish, country eggs and ribs. The signature tomatoes were delicious but overpriced for typical caprese. Country egg appetizer was great and the ribs totally amazing. Italian cauliflower as a side was great as well. I would give it 5 stars if this whole meal was at least 30 bucks cheaper and I'm not thrifty.
(4)Joel C.
Best grilled fish I ever had. Also pan cooked chicken exceeded all expectations.
(4)Maria F.
Finally had the opportunity to eat at Michael's Genuine. We tried the pig ears, mussels, deviled eggs and sweet and sour pork belly. All of the items were delicious and expertly executed. The portions for the small and medium plates, are gourmet (not big at all), but gave us an opportunity to try more than one.Not sure of the "large" entrees, as described on the menu because we didn't order one. Also, the service is excellent. Our server was knowledgeable and seemed to anticipate all of our requests. The dining room was busy, but we never had to look for him. There's tables outside in a courtyard, if you want to dine outside and the noise level inside, for a Saturday night, was very tolerable. Can't wait to return and try other goodies....
(4)Ryan M.
I've been going to Michael's for the past couple of years now and I'm still never disappointed by how creatively complex all the dishes here taste. I've had a lot of things here, but there are certain meals that stick out for me. Last night I went for my dad's birthday and I'll breakdown exactly what I got. Snacks: -Crispy Pig Ears: must-have snack at Michael's. Same texture as chicharonnes, except the cartilage is very light. Comes with a lime on top (perfect), and it has some type of chili powder as seasoning. Very few places offer this pig delicacy, so take advantage. -Falafel: excellent, crispy falafel bites. Nice and green on the inside from the parsley. The inside is almost creamy... very damn good. Chicken Liver Crostini: my Dad absolutely loved these. Nice and fatty chicken liver spread. Reminded me of some flavors my Mom uses for stewed chicken. Large Meals: Leg of Lamb: amazing leg topped with peaches... very different, but man it made sense. Shortrib: Highlight of the night, honestly. Slow-cooked short rib, with a charred outer-layer probably done with the wood oven. If you have anything at this place, it has to be this. The shortrib deteriorates in your mouth. Pork Shoulder: I've had this a couple of times, for a reason... it's almost perfect. Nice mound of pork shoulder with a parsley sauce, and nuts. Forgot what kind of nuts they were... but the nuts really rounded the meal off. There's a certain feeling you get when you eat something that feels complete in flavors... the pork shoulder is that. Dessert: Thai Banana Cream Pie: honestly, there's nothing better than this. The crust, the caramelized banana, and the cream. It's just amazing. I've had so many things from Michael's, but this is just a rundown of my last meal from there... this place is an institution here in Miami. And it'll be here for a long time.
(5)Tobi G.
Yes--It is Pricy Yes it is an in place. We were there for lunch & the place was packed and I do mean packed. They must be doing something right. The food and the service was very good but the level of the noise was not for me. I am not sorry that we tried it but I do not know when I will be down there again and that street is now gorgeous..
(4)Andy K.
A huge dining letdown. After reading all the press and top rating was hoping for much better. Every item had too much salt and we couldn't eat it. nothing was good here and the service was the worst . thought about stopping the tall manager roaming the restaurant but opted not to.
(2)Yvonne N.
I used to frequent this place when it first opened and it was fantastic then- the food AND the service. My recent experience there was not great since the service there is just not what it used to be. I went with a group for an early dinner on a Friday night, when they weren't packed yet so I there was no excuse for the sloppy service. When the food was delivered to our table, the dishes were not dropped in front of the people who ordered them. Yes, the dishes can be shared but not everyone dines like that. So we had to sort the dishes out and pass the food around (wait staff's responsibility). I asked our waiter for water and he only left the carafe on our table and didn't bother to pour it into my glass. We also had a waitress who just didn't have a pleasant attitude and seemed short tempered when taking our order. The food was consistently good, as usual, but the service was subpar and made for a disappointing dining experience. Groups are usually hit with an automatic 20% gratuity but it's not an excuse for poor service.
(3)Joe L.
Great food. The waiter was great at explaining how the menu works - starters, small/med/large plates - and offered suggestions. We started out with a few small dishes and then had one large plate. The sommelier gave great wine suggestions and we enjoyed a nice red with dinner. Then we were tempted with dessert.. all together it was a great meal! Have suggested to many of my friends and clients.
(5)Vincent F.
Some of the most unique food in Miami. Seating is a bit tight. Service is good.
(4)Carlos J.
Never disappoints. Brunch is out of this world and the ambiance is perfect. Full disclosure: Chef Daniel Ramirez is my cousin, but i go there for the food
(5)Ian T.
Michael's Genuine is the real deal. I've eaten my way across the world, and this guy deserves all the kudos he can get. It's pricey -- but I've paid more for way less quality in Miami (and elsewhere). The food is not fussy, but his emphasis on fresh ingredients, local sourcing and staying true to the flavors of the product he's working on is magic. Pork Belly was a layup -- I mean, it's almost cheating as it takes a really bad chef to make bad pork belly. However, among the pork belly dishes I've had, this stands out. Moroccan french toast, duck confit hash, Banh Mi (not authentic but fusiony-delicious)... I could go on and on. Since I returned to South Florida, I've noticed that Miami has really picked-up its food culture game, and Michael's Genuine is exhibit A.
(5)Joelle M.
Two girlfriends took me to my favorite restaurant, Michael's Genuine, yesterday for my birthday. Lunch was fabulous! We ordered hominy and falafel to snack on, yum. One is vegan and enjoyed the falafel wrap. Me and the other shared the butter lettuce salad with grilled steak and a bottle of Sauvignon blanc. For dessert we devoured the pot de cream, and Rosemary doughnuts. WOW, ROSEMARY DOUGHNUTS!!!!! Incredible. Can't wait to go go back :)
(5)Benjamin B.
So few of the reviews of Michael's Genuine capture why this place is go great. Its not the location (which is fine). Its not the service (which is fine). Its not the wine or beer (which is fine). Its not the relaxed, welcoming ambiance (which is fine). Its the quality of the ingredients: pure and simple. That is what makes this place ..not good.. not excellent, but one of my new favorite restaurants in the United States. I must admit that I am a San Francisco food snob. Previously, my view of Miami cuisine was that most of the best local product was heading straight to NYC and that the locals were stuck producing tasty but forgetful fare. I was wrong. The tomatoes in the Stracciatella reminded me of late August in Healdsburg farmers market. The server knew the name of the farmer. The locally-made cheese melted in your mouth like you were in Florence. We ordered it three times. The homemade Tagliatelle had that perfect consistency that one would expect to find in Rome. We reordered it twice. Fork wars were waged to see who would get the last bite. The Chicken Wings were as big as the ones I remember growing up in the home of chicken wings, Western New York. The sauce had much more depth. This is a place that doesn't just use Sea Salt; they use Fleur Del Sol, which is an artisan sea salt that is one of the most labor intensive and thus most expensive. So go to Michael's but PLEASE stop for a moment and think of the work that went into the fantastic product that is on your plate and all the suppliers who dedicate their craft to giving to you.
(5)Annette S.
Lets just say my mouth waters thinking about Michaels. So yummy, such a great atmosphere, and innovative sustainable menu. Sit at the counter next to the kitchen and watch the action at the wood fired oven.
(5)Tim S.
This place is on the short list of places that I consider "special". The food is unique and incredibly flavorful. The seating outside is great...its comfortable and relaxing while not feeling pretentious. Its expensive, but soooo worth it. I cannot imagine going to miami (no pun intended) and not going to Michael's Genuine.
(5)Jules J.
My boyfriend and I arrived at 2pm on a Sunday, and were excited to make it just in time to catch the tail end of brunch. We were seated promptly and informed that the kitchen would close at 2:30. I'd been dying to check out Michael's brunch for about a year, and studied the menu eagerly. I was quickly attracted by the many choices on the menu, all of which sounded wonderful, and had a hard time narrowing it down. I should have known that the experience was going to be underwhelming when the waitress was unable to muster an ounce of excitement for a single menu item. When we asked for recommendations or about specific items on the menu, her response was always the same, "everything's good" or "yeah, that's good". If the wait staff doesn't get excited about the food, how do you expect your patrons to? With basically no guidance from our waitress, we proceeded to start off with 4 items plus dessert for the two of us. The waitress warned us that the portions were small, but we figured we'd start off with that, and then add to our order depending on how we felt. As our first item, the "croque madame" was placed in front of us, my boyfriend and I kept looking at each other and at the dish in front of us in confusion. Finally, one of us spoke. To borrow the words of Ben Stiller in Zoolander, "What is this?!? A dish for ants?" Now, we completely understand the concept of small portions and plates that are meant to be shared, but this was extreme. Each of us got about 2 bites out of each item that we ordered. That's not really what I'm expecting when I'm paying $10-$16 per item. We had the same exact reaction about each brunch item that we ordered: - Croque Madame -- really, really small and bland - Wooden oven roasted double yolk farm egg (with gruyere, roasted tomato, chives and crostini) -- again, small. I thought this was pretty good; especially the roasted tomato. My boyfriend thought it was bland. - Crispy Rice Cake (with chorizo, rock shrimp, chili aioli, and an egg) -- the one dish that had some flavor, mostly due to the chili aioli - Lemon ricotta pancakes with raspberry compote -- smallest pancakes I've ever been served, and the taste left much to be desired. Additionally, we ordered the Pop T's with peanut butter and grape jelly. Those were really good and the serving portion was appropriate. Overall, Michael's was a huge disappointment, with dishes that were small both in size and in flavor. We walked out of the restaurant feeling hungry and unsatisfied -- and $76 poorer.
(2)Gigi M.
Everything of the menu is good! Everything! ... and the service is just as good! Great place, amazing food!
(5)Eric Douglas S.
This place is great, really awesome. The food is top notch, the drinks are strong and tasty. Be rsvp'd during peak, the wait can be long, this place stays busy. I usually have dinner at the bar, the bartenders are great. I really enjoy the patio too. The food is always seasonal and fresh, the service is good. It's a popular place, be prepared for a crowd. Eric Statzer Eric Douglas Statzer
(4)Steve W.
You will love this restaurant, if you can get table. Make a reservation and you will truly enjoy yourself. Short ribs - super tender and amazing flavor. The winner of the night. Kimchi - very fresh, didn't spend 6 months in Oma's fridge. Oyster mushrooms - Rich and creamy. Great by themselves but would be a perfect sauce. Beet and heirloom tomatoes - Perfect. Linguine carbonara - Al dente pasta done right. Pork shoulder - Fork tender, definitely needs the sauce and onions they serve it with. Asparagus - Fresh from California, I hope they still have it when you go but I doubt they will. Sonny Rollins - If you want a glass of just bourbon you won't care for this, very smooth and creative take on an old fashioned, Southern cross - Fantastic rum based cocktail
(5)Katie D.
Snapper whole fish is always out ( this was my second attempt to get it) In addition, our waiter with the tattoos was super cranky :( If i go again anytime soon i wont go during busy hours as the wait is too long and i will be sure to get the nice waiter. The blonde guy with the black glasses is super good :) Manager is very good.
(3)Lisa S.
A Maz Ing! It's not just the food and it's not just the location or the atmosphere. It's all of those things combined. Sourced from local growers the ingredients are farm fresh - especially the eggs during brunch. The Sea Bass; awesome. Roasted Chicken: awesome. The tour de force, what blows all other dishes away . . . Chocolate Cremoso. It is, by far, a masterpiece. So glad this place is within driving distance. I'd hop a plane if I had to just to sit in the courtyard at this place. Oh, and if you're budget-conscious the prices really aren't that bad. Much of the food is served family style so you can munch around on everyone's plates and leave full but not light in the wallet. OK. Enjoy! - L
(5)Steve N.
Top-flight. Right up there with t'afia, Au Pied Du Cochon, Pubbelly, Bolsa, East Side Showroom, La Boca, etc. My dining partner, a Quebecois, said it was the best meal she had in the States. We ate the short rib pizza (you can get this at Harry's Pizzeria, too). We only spent, like, $100. Awesome. The service and setting are top notch. Bookings are flawless.
(5)Mafe M.
Finally had the chance to try out this place after a while went last night on Monday at 8 pm was very busy the hostess and the manager greeted us they were friendly they asked us if we can wait for about 25 minutes for our table they offered us to sit at the bar while we waited my husband had a cocktail and ceviche he couldn't wait !lol the ceviche tasted nice but it seem to be warm temperature not cold ! The place have 2 $ sign but is not for small ceviche and cocktail 26$ with out tips ! Then we had our table service was ok not friendly but ok ! Had the duck confite which seemed to be cooked while ago and my husband had the beef cheeks With polenta the meat cut was mostly fat my husband couldn't eat it and he return it they took it out of the check and the waiter told us that the chef said this is the way is this dish ! So after all very noisy place with normal food and over price for small portions 2 stars was for the wine selection and side dishes ! Mashed potatoes and the dessert were the good ones
(2)K C.
Had a late dinner here on 1/11/13. They have outdoor seating and the seating inside wa a bit tight, but manageable. The feel of the place was relaxed and stylish, the service was friendly. Cool menu choices, I recommend this place for people looking for good atmosphere and don't mind tongue and ears. We snacked on crispy pig ears, fried pig ears with a little cajun-like seasoning with lime. I liked them and the portion was enough for 4 to share. Next was a roasted double yolk farm egg...has gruyere cheese and sourdough bread, don't ask, just get this, yes it's good...order it, eat it and thank me later. Beef tongue, if you've had beef tongue before then you know how good it can be, if not, don't think about it, it tastes like beef and is tasty. The pieces were cut a little thicker than what I'm used to, but was still ok. ...I had a few drinks, we ordered some other things, I don't remember what. Octopus and or chicken may have been served, I can only say that the rest was decent. This was the first meal after landing just an hour or so prior. Cool place, interesting menu and food was good.
(4)Jadine R.
I'd describe this place as fresh, unique, eclectic and absolutely delicious. The design district has reawakened Miami's taste buds with Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. Serving fresh food from local farmers, it's menu combines different flavor combinations which is why I described it as "eclectic". My husband and I went for dinner and had the famous thick cut potato chips with onion dip(I couldn't stop eating it!), fresh made to order ceviche(fresh and delicious!), pan roasted 1/2 chicken(great flavor!), short ribs(succulent!) and buttermilk strawberry ice cream. The dinner was exquisite! Please make sure to make reservations because this place is "the talk of the town" and it gets packed by 6:30pm!!!!
(4)cathy c.
I could go on and on but after many trips to Miami I have to say that nothing comes close to MGFD for me at least. This is a place that lovingly sources and prepares each dish. Very appreciative of the friend who recommended it to me after hearing me whine about the food options in South Beach. And it's a very friendly, welcoming place. Book a table, you won't be sorry!
(5)Ericstevenc T.
After looking at art all day at artwalk second saturdays this is the place to go
(5)Kevin S.
My favorite restaurant. Do NOT skip dessert!
(5)Domenic T.
Service sucks! Wait staff are obnoxious, never go there again
(1)Anne L.
Chef Michael, I wish you had continued to focus on great food rather than spreading yourself thin and opening tons of restaurants that are all mediocre. I went to Michael's Genuine on Saturday night for my husband's bday. The service, the food and the overall experience was awful. The Service: The service was totally weak. Our first two dishes took forever to come out due to "a hiccup in the kitchen." After our appetizers our waiter came by to offer dessert. Woops, he totally forgot about the other two main dishes we were waiting for so we waited another 30 minutes for the rest of the meal. The most offensive issue is that we went for a birthday. I spoke to the hostess about a surprise dessert and birthday candle. I was told it would be no problem. When we finished dinner and said we were done the check was dropped off at the table and there was never any birthday candle. We left and went over to another restaurant for dessert where they couldn't have been nicer and did NOT forget anything. The Food: Everything was so salty we couldn't eat it. The deviled eggs were awful they had so much salt in them (and I don't mind a good heaping dash of salt in my food). The octopus and ceviche left our mouths on fire from the salt (and begging for more to drink but of course there was not a waiter or anyone in sight to help us). The BLP salad came with 1 single sprig of frisee lettuce. We actually had the convo at the table "do you want the lettuce or can I eat it?" The seafood pasta with mussels, clams and lobster had no mussels and we actually sent it back because it was missing one of the main items and was so salty. They comp'd it for us but we still choose not to eat it because it was truly inedible from the salt. It'll be awhile until I venture back to one of Michael's restaurants. This used to be my go to place to recommend to out of towner foodies but I'll be crossing it off my list for sure.
(1)Leilani D.
At this point I feel I've eaten here enough times to very confidently say that this has to be the most overrated restaurant in Miami, if not the world. I know that sounds like an exagerration, but if I had a dollar for every time someone told me they'd been dying to check out Michael's Geniune, I'd be a f****** millionaire. Don't do it. Seriously, don't bother. If I could describe everything at this restaurant with one word it would be this: pedestrian. I know that makes me sound like a douchebag, but that's what you should expect if you want to dine here. Although usually the wait staff is attentive and friendly, I've had a rude, condescending hostess almost every time I've come here. Apparently they think working at Michael's makes them better than you. What a bad start to any dining experience. Although as a general rule I won't tolerate being treated like shit just to have a nice meal, I wouldn't feel so bad about it if the food was better. And it just isn't. The first time I came here I had a whole pompano that was mostly swimming in its own grease, surrounded by overly charred (read: black and burned) veggies. The 2nd time I came here for a pretty good but somewhat forgettable brunch. This last time was just this past weekend where I ordered a bahn-mi sandwich that was tasty but outrageously spicy (and not advertised as such) which I had to send back, and then replaced it with a fresh shrimp salad, which was pretty good but also not worth the $18 price tag. In fact, I don't know that I could ever have a salad good enough to be worth $18 to me - especially for lunch. Unfortunately, I didn't feel that I had a lot of options because nothing on the menu really looked that appealing. I don't know why I keep doing this to myself. Maybe its because people keep asking me to come here. But from now on I'm putting my foot down. I'm not throwing away any more of my time or money on this terrible place.
(2)Rochelle H.
Where do I start??? First of all, when I visit a city that I have never been to before, I like to do research ahead of time for good restaurants. I read various reviews, check out menus, etc... However, nothing prepared me for the supreme food and service that I received at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. Our waiter was in short, superlative and couldn't have been more knowledgeable about the food and menu. So much so, that a friend who went along said that they NEVER knew that waiters could be so knowledgeable about a menu. Now, on to the food! I love most any kind of dumpling, however, the stuffed rice cake with pork...Muy bueno! I could eaten an entire plate! And the duck rilletes, oooh baby, baby! Sign me up for a tub's worth to take home! I love roast chicken and vegetables! However, most restaurants completely screw up roast chicken...Either they overcook the chicken in order to achieve a crsipy skin or they undercook the chicken so that it remains moiist. The roast chicken that I had here was crispy wonderful AND moist! TO DIE FOR! Such a simple, yet tres elegant dish! And the roast cauliflower with parsley sauce? A revelation! Who knew how wonderful this vegetable could be? All in all, I could meet my maker and be satisfied if this were my last meal!
(5)Shienny S.
Great place for brunch! Must order the Crispy pork ears, breakfast egg pizza, and the ginger lemongrass drink! We were seated at the bar overlooking the chef doing his thing All the wait staffs were attentive and the chef was very friendly. Too bad the Miami Design district shops were mostly closed on Sunday.....
(4)Kevin S.
Nice ambience although the booths are uncomfortable. Just wood. Portions aren't really generous so order a lot. The deviled eggs are amazing.
(3)Yolanda L.
On our way to Harry's Pizzeria, one of our favorites, for lunch and decided to eat here instead. We should have stuck with Harry's. We were disappointed with execution of some dishes. Breaded razor clams were tough and chewy. I had some homemade pâté that was just okay. I've been here before and everything has been delicious from beginning to end. This time, considering Michael Schwartz was there to oversee the kitchen I was surprised it was a little off. On a positive note, the service was excellent. Our waiter was very friendly. I rate restaurants based on the category, (bar food, fast food, fine dining, deli, etc) and my expectations for that category.
(3)Dana S.
This is my new favorite restaurant in Miami. Casual, cool, elegant and friendly atmosphere and fresh local food. Creative and interesting menu but simple at the same time. Go!
(5)Christopher R.
This place is spot on for any one who enjoys an eclectic menu focused around fresh local ingredients. Drinks are a little pricey but in Miami who isn't? Service was excellent and as we were sitting outside it began to sprinkle and the waitress immediately moved us to dry land where we enjoyed a wonderful pair of desserts.
(4)Shamik T.
This is a really great place, with a perfect outdoor setting. Dishes are on the smaller side, and somewhat pricey, but I think overall, it's worth it. Drinks are quite good and the menu is expansive. We had a little bit of everything. Pizza was well made with a crisp crust. Garlic mashed potatoes were rich and delicious. Beet salad was also great, and the shredded hearts of palm were a nice touch that you don't often see. The roasted okra was a bit of a disappointment. I was expecting something else, but these were bland. Fire-roasted, sure, but overall, not something I would get again. And I want fried hominy in every single restaurant in America.
(4)Winston C.
Could not get in for dinner. So settled for lunch. Great experience. The place is in a little bit of an odd location sandwiched between some retail space. We sat outside and did feel as if we were in the way of shoppers with dogs and strollers. But food was outstanding - inventive but not over the top. The service was excellent - knew the menu and guided us through several selections. And the cost was reasonable for a hot restaurant in a tawny part of town. Ceviche then pizza with pulled pork, pears and goat cheese. Wow. Yes, put this on your list.
(4)Jared E.
It was alright all portions are very small. Pork belly and chicken liver were really good, also had ceviche, wood fire egg and potato chips which were all average..
(3)Lauren U.
For our first wedding anniversary, my husband and I had been (literally) counting down the days til we could experience Michael's Genuine! Finally, the day arrived, and our experience was perfect. Please keep in mind that we were using a gift certificate for our meal, (thanks Robert C.!) so prices were of no concern: This grad student + middle school teacher duo were able to dine in comfort! We spoke in British accents, because this is how we pretend to be rich, of course. Parking in the Design District was simple -- it was a Sunday night, and there were plenty of street spots right in front of the restaurant. We opted for inside seating. I was in love with the red square lanterns floating above our heads. The place inside is cozy and intimate. The servers will explain this to you if you've never been here before, but the menu is broken down into small & medium (appetizers), and large (entree for 1) & extra large (entree for 2 to share). The bread and butter that Michael's serves is good, but not great. Still, we ate all of it (Did I mention we are usually borderline poor?) We also decided to spring for two appetizers. We got the chili chicken wings, which were soo delicious, it was as if the incredible flavor hit me on the head as I took a bite. They weren't spicy like "ooh, hot!", but instead were spicy-flavorful with an Indian vibe going on. We didn't love the cucumber sauce, so we had the wings au naturel. We also got the "cheese of the week" plate, which fully met my high expectations! I was a bit disappointed when I asked the server to remind me what kind of cheese it was, and she said she forgot. When she walked away, I assumed she was going to review the menu, but no... she never told me! Luckily, the menu online is current and I was able to see that it was champlain valley triple cream from Vermont. I hope I can find it in a regular store, because it became my favorite cheese last Sunday. It was served with a raisin bread that was fine (it was meant to be a background for the cheese anyway), and a local honey that was so good I would have eaten it with a spoon if we hadn't finished it by drizzling it over the bread + cheese combo. Let me just insert that I was already full by this point. Everything beyond this point was just gluttony. I ordered the short ribs, my new thing, and he ordered the slow-roasted pork shoulder. I tried his, and I'm sure it was good, but I have memory only for my AMAZING short ribs. Amazing... sigh. The only complaint I WOULD have had, if I had come here out of my own pocket, was that there were 4 tiny short ribs in this supposedly "large" plate. I would have been disappointed if I hadn't already shared 2 appetizers and a loaf of bread... hee hee. As we walked in, I warned my husband that we WERE getting dessert. This meant, do not get full, do not get tired, do not do anything that will get in the way of dessert. You know, sometimes there are days like this. The dessert menu was not the most descriptive. I'm relatively picky (Raisins in dessert? NO. Fruit AS dessert? NO. Come on.), and I like to know what I am getting myself into with food in general, but of course with desserts. He chose the clementine almond cake with buttermilk ice cream, and he loved it, but again I got the shining star of desserts. The home brew sundae is BEER-FLAVORED ICE CREAM. WHAT?!?! Yes, it's true. It's so crazy that it's good. It's the cutest thing in a small mason jar with smooshed pretzels and homemade marshmallows! I was in heaven. It's somehow the best combination ever invented. We cleaned our plates/jars, and needed a moment to breathe. The server kindly took a photo of us (I have to document these things). We enjoyed the jazz in the background. We were happy! And ready to return. Lucky for us... We have another gift card! I can't wait.
(5)Gabriela A.
Oh Michaels! I've been here twice. Once for lunch and once for brunch. Lunch was ok, it's not a one hour, in and out kinda thing so be prepared to wait. Not all of their tables are covered by shade, but luckily we snagged one. We ordered a little bit of everything (nothing really sticks out except the Brussels sprouts. Order them.) They had a great selection of beer, and really good dessert. Brunch. Brunch was absolutely fantastic (when we finally got a table, after already making reservations). I recommend the banana fosters French toast, the grilled asparagus and eggs, and the zucchini hash. Their homemade jams are great as well. Overall this place is great for a leisurely meal, but like most places in town, expect a wait.
(4)No O.
This is my favorite restaurant in Miami. First off you have to try the oysters. The cheese changes every week but I've never had one I didn't love. The pig ears are amazing but they never have them!! I'm kind of meh on the deviled eggs but that doesn't mean they aren't good, just not as good as everything else. For main dishes I also go with the short rib. It's succulent and easily falls apart in your mouth. The drinks are all great. Milk stout is delicious and of course all the desserts and coffee are amazing. You have to try the big dessert platter at least once.
(5)Jewel Y.
Fantabulously delicious burrata!!!!! Here's yet more overdue review..... Writing about L'Artusi's burrata triggered my memory of this ridiculously good burrata I had a few months ago in Miami which is so Yelp-worthy. If you think L'Artusi's burrrata was good, Michael's version will blow you away! It is one of those simple dishes that tastes amazing effortlessly. However, it's probably wise to share it with someone because it's rich and will fill you up (Except me - I can finish it and I'm NOT sharing, period). This freshly prepared creamy burrata mixed wiith the accompanying tomatoes and basil was the most memorable dish of the night despite its uncomplicated flavor......I'm a big fan! YUM!!! I came here without doing any research and just trusted my foodie friend's recommendation. Since it was a weekday night, I thought I can just swing by and get a table easily without making any reservations but I was wrong. It was packed and everyone had a reservation except me. Since I was alone, luckily I got a table only after 15 min. wait, which is not bad at all. The waiter was really cool, he gave great recommendations and was attentive without being pushy. The restaurant is hip and trendy, but not pretentious and still casual. Ceviche didn't impress me too much, I prefer a more purist style version without fruits. However, the dessert made up for the so-so ceviche, the chocolate cremoso was beautifully executed with a nice touch of seasalt. Highly recommended!! This is definitely one of the best restaurants I've tried in Miami so far, I'll definitely come back!!
(4)Kirsten L.
We requested to have a special order of pop tarts made 4 days in advanced. The pick up day came and they had none made. I sent all my information in to the reservations coordinator and still no pastries. My husband was comped 2 beers and an appetizer and 1 hour of his time waiting. Still there shouldn't be an excuse of why it wasn't ready. On a positive note, the pop tarts were good. And all my guests loved it.
(3)V D.
Food is awesome! A little over priced, but still really good. Recommend the french fries and the apps. Svc has also always been good
(5)Kyle H.
A favorite in Miami. The design district can be a little less wild than other parts of Miami, so this is one of my go-to date spots. The grilled octopus app is fantastic. Fresh and flavorful. Burrata salad is also a win. And the lamb dish was great. Wine list is impressive. GF loves the cocktails. We recently ordered a pizza that was supposed to have shortribs on it, but they switched it last minute to pork and it was barely visible. We asked the waiter if there was a mistake, but he insisted it was the right one (and the meat was in the sauce). A little disappointing, but still tasty. At the end of the meal, we were too full to order dessert, but the waiter brought us something small to nibble on as an apology for the lack-luster pizza.
(4)Brutally H.
Whether its lunch or dinner, Michael's is among Miami's best restaurants. Award-Winning Chef/Owner Michael Schwartz has been one of my favorites in Miami since his early days at Nemo. This restaurant perpetually strikes it hot on all cylinders, ambiance, quality, cleanliness, and service. The impeccable service is excellent and only superseded by the food which is predictably original and delicious. Hedy Goldsmith's world-class desserts top off a perfect meal . . .
(5)Gina C.
Pork belly was amazing. Crunchy and melt in your mouth heaven. The duck confit was flavorful. We didnt wait long for our food which was awesome. Definetly a go to place after a night out on the town.
(4)J. G.
One of my top restaurants in the Miami Design District. They made bar bigger with a raw bar...gotta dig it. Order the bullet proof Manhattan so good. As always can't make it to SOBE without stoping here for dinner before the new year 2014 ends.
(4)Teresa P.
Pig ears. All I gotta say. -TPK
(5)Melanie A.
I can honestly say that I have never had a dining experience quite in the same caliber that I had last night at Michael's (ok minus this one time that I had the pleasure of having a 14-course meal above the chef (chefs table) in Las Vegas, but trust me that dinner came with a price tag probably 20x the check that we encountered last night). In this week alone we have dined at Prime 112, Zuma, & Michael's and honestly I can say that I rather enjoyed my dining experience at Michael's as being far superior than either Prime or Zuma. I called earlier in the day and asked if we could make a reservation. The options were 5:30 or 11:00pm. We decided to take the 5:30 as we had a light lunch so that was pretty acceptable. The only complaint that I have is that we saw walk-ins come at 7:00pm, look at the menu, and walk away (meaning that they could have easily taken our reservation at 7:00pm). That was a little disappointing as it is kind of misleading especially since I asked if we could even do 6:00 which would have been better for us and they said absolutely not. Still, the dining experience that I had (past the hostesses who weren't quite all there) was SUPERB beyond belief and at exactly opening time (5:30pm) there were 5 tables already waiting to be seated. We waited at the bar as we were early and they weren't even open yet. I knew that by the radishes on the bar that I would love this restaurant. ** I HIGHLY RECOMMEND making a reservation days/weeks in advance and REQUESTING TIM ** If you want a true 5 star dining experience, it MUST be with Tim as your server. I have friends who have dined here and had a so-so experience but they did not have Tim. He greeted us within 2 minutes of sitting down at the table and thoroughly explained in detail absolutely everything on the entire drink menu. I have a cold so I was planning on just having green tea but he made these drinks sound so appealing and fresh that I decided to order a pomegranate martini (not on the menu but they have a full bar and can make anything, really), which then turned into two. The cocktail was extremely light, not too sweet, and very delicious. My dining companions were taken aback by the wine menu as they have very unique wines. They both had wine (red and white) and really enjoyed them. Tim then went on to fully disclose everything on the dinner menu. It was sort of a long spiel but very needed as he explained where every dish came from (all local food literally within like 40 miles of the restaurant) and how each was prepared. He spoke with such passion that actually got us excited about the food. Tim has visited the various local farms (such as the chicken farm where he hand selects the double yolk eggs for the restaurant's very popular dish). The uniqueness of the menu combined with the freshest local ingredients really satisfied my picky taste buds. We ordered * kimchi (marinated pickled cabbage) which was very light and flavorful * linguini with heirloom tomatoes & shrimp (I am somewhat hesitant to order shrimp at restaurants because honestly it's so easy to overcook them but I was sooo surprised at the freshness that could be easily tasted from the shrimp and they were cooked to absolute perfection) * octopus * flounder * swordfish All amazing * fingerling potatoes (which were seasoned with a perfect blend of salt and pepper) *chocolate dessert which was a daily special and was absolutely heavenly (this dish was prepared by the pastry chef who is in the running (top 5) as the pastry chef of the year which will be decided in NYC in May. Additions: - Outdoor seating - $3 valet or street parking -Availability for seating until MIDNIGHT (yes last seating is at midnight and the server told us that sometimes he gets out at 4:00am, yikes) -full bar We ended up telling the server at the end that he was the best waiter we have ever encountered in Miami and he was really appreciative of that. We will definitely be back over and over and over again.
(5)Savanna M.
Finally made it here for my 28th birthday!! Definitely a great experience and we will be back. Drinks - definitely good! I had a special guava daiquiri which was great! The bf had some scotch drink that I've forgotten, but then moved on to their passionfruit soda with gin! AMAZING! I'm not a big gin drinker, but this was a good drink! Food - got to try a good amount. The pig ears, which I found a bit bland yet addicting! The chicken liver crostini - loved! The veal tongue salad - really good! The charred octopus, the pork belly and the duck confit.... all good as well! Desserts - Had a the donuts, with a passionfruit creme de pot.... I loved it! and a coconut sundae which was also great!
(4)Samuel J.
Was in Miami working today and decided to try a new place to take clients for lunch What a pleasant surprise the food was inventive and delicious Great neighborhood all the great shopping is next door and the staff was fantastic
(5)John G.
I love this place but bad service is unacceptable. Tall, blond bartender girl should be fired. She is useless and arrogant and unfriendly and doesn't belong here. This used to be a good place to come to the bar and grab a drink and something to eat but overpriced pork belly, Merlot and some creative appetizer you can find somewhere else. Get rid of her.
(2)Julie M.
It's not often that a restaurant meets or exceeds my expectations but when it does, I am completely overjoyed. Michael's was awesome. We sat outside which was lovely. Our waiter was very nice and helpful and assisted us in choosing his favorite items. Everything was delicious. My favorite items were: the thick cut potato chips with an unbelievable onion dip that I dipped the bread in once the chips were finish because it was that good, also loved the pork belly, chicken wings, crispy rice cake, and the wood roasted farm egg. Do not forget to get vegetables here! They're excellent. I loved the string beans. On to dessert: I don't care how full you are, dessert is an absolute MUST. Everything is AWESOME. I had the home brew sundae which was amazing. I wouldn't let any of my friends touch it because I wanted to devour it all myself. It was spectacular. Michael's is a great restaurant and is definitely a must if you are visiting Miami.
(5)Samyu G.
I love this restaurant. It was recommended to me by a local while visiting Miami. I enjoyed my meal so much that I returned the next time I was in town. The food is out of this world. They use farm fresh, local, and organic ingredients. Their burrata appetizer is phenomenal. The waiter told us that they get a fresh batch of burrata every morning - you can taste the freshness. I also had a delicious caramelized onion and Gruyere pizza. For dessert I tried the fresh doughnuts with the lemon pot de creme. Everything was amazing. This restaurant is definitely a must try!
(5)Susan T.
Went here for brunch, valeted the car for 3 dollars and arrived around 11, already getting busy. Great service and delicious food, some of my favourites I wish I could eat often were: falafel, duck hash, tomato and avocado salad, the little gem oysters (sweat and meaty). quality ingredients, food prepared/seasoned deliciously, friendly staff that also love the food.
(5)Joe A.
Yes, it's pricy. But, it's money. See what I did there? Get the pigs ears to start (you might want more than one order to keep going back to throughout the meal). Also worth the cash, the beef short ribs. If I knew French, I'd use it here. Finish your night off with the Corn Pot de Creme. Then slip into a food-induced coma.
(5)Food S.
Not sure what all the hype is about. This is definitely NOT Miami's best as Anthony Bourdain claims. Getting past the unfriendly hostess who almost didn't seat us at a booth in a completely empty restaurant because it was for 4 people not 2, the decor is very diner-ish and the menu while creative isn't all that. Short rib was presented unremarkably, although it was very tender. Brussel sprouts were average. Chocolate desert was way too sweet. Not going back.
(1)Marian S.
Amazing. Crispy rice cake and pork belly were great. My server offered me the craft drink of the night - mulberries and tarragon. Delicious! The butter lettuce was ok. Not as great as the other choices. The pistachio Rosemary buttermilk donuts were to die for. I would come back here.
(4)Jeremy M.
My wife and I moved to Miami from Los Angeles recently, and we have been greatly missing the Los Angeles restaurant scene. Then we discovered MGFD. If this is the direction that Miami food is going, then locals and visitors alike are in for a very bright future of eating in this beautiful city. We liked it so much that we came back in less than a week after our first visit, and have had dinner here many times since. It's our go-to spot when our LA friends come to visit, and everyone leaves satisfied and impressed. The restaurant is tucked away inside a little shopping alcove in the middle of the (very swanky) 40th St shopping block in the Design District (seriously, the BLOCK has security guards posted at night). Parking on the street has always been hassle-free, and if you're in a hurry to make your reservation, they have valet parking right in front for a small fee (like $3, very cheap by our LA standards). They have indoor seating, a small bar, and a great patio area. The servers are friendly and knowledgeable and seem like they actually enjoy working at MGFD. The hostess runs reservations/seating like it's a real job to be done well (this is somewhat rare in Miami). Reservations are highly recommended as it is usually full for dinner. Most importantly, the food is fantastic. Our favorites include the pork belly, the stracciatella, the crispy rice cake with egg on top (we've had to order 2 on some visits because it's so good), the chicken wings, and the short rib entree. I've been eyeing the 24 oz ribeye but we always eat our fill of the smaller plates so I haven't experienced it. Yet. Make sure you save room for dessert. The apple fritter is delicious, and I can't leave the restaurant without indulging in their pumpkin pie sundae. It might be my favorite dessert ever.
(5)Michelle L.
Well for starters, we were late for our reservation by 15 min due to traffic and they gave up our table. I understand it's a busy spot. The hosts said it would probably be an extra hour to we were seated. Annoyed, we sat at the bar and had our first round of cocktails with some raw oysters. Within 30 min, we were seated at a table inside. Felt cramped but comfortable. Our oysters arrived at the table and I will tell you these were my favorite. The mignet sauce complimented the oysters fabulously! Then off to our order, shrimp ceviche was kind of meh nothing spectacular and pork crusted loin, and ranch short ribs that were kind of fatty, Lamb, hierlom tomatoes, and candied carrots that were amazing. I felt that the food was a bit overpriced and certainly trendy. Service was kind of slow. Maybe we went with wrong choices but I'll pass on a $28 plate of fatty short ribs with no accompanying side dish. The decor was chic and nice. I liked the bar setting and the oysters are a must try. .
(2)Daniel D.
The food was very good. My pulled pork sandwich was very flavorful. My wife's steak frite was not bad, but not good either. First of all, it was tiny. It was also pretty tough. Considering the price point for the steak, we were expecting a more flavorful and tender piece of meat. Our server was great and extremely friendly. We will be back again soon.
(4)MICHELLE C.
One of those reviews where you really have to debate on star rating. I had only been here for lunch one time before and was not very impressed so hubs wanted to check it out for dinner. We went last night and it was packed, like wow on a Monday evening, must be great was my thoughts. I figured we would have a long wait but to my surprise we got seated inside asap. I really find the location tucked away in a small strip center very odd, with tables outside of other business's. I seriously watched a hairdresser cut two clients hair across from the window I was sitting at. Just odd to me. We were seated in a far corner near the kitchen when all of a sudden another couple was sat next to us. I get that this place is small. Way way to close for comfort for me, so as far as atmosphere I give them a two star rating. When you are dining inches away from another couple and hearing their entire conversation does not make a very good dining experience for me. Our waiter was excellent, explaining every dish to us and the portion sizes. Yeah here we go small, medium, large, and extra large, again very odd. Our waiter told us small and medium were basically appetizer portions. OK no problem but some medium apps were $18, I thought steep in price. Our waiter suggested the chicken wings with cucumbers. The wine list was pretty good, prices were very inflated IMO. Our wine came out, it was very good along with our wing's. The wings were grilled to perfection with great flavor and a cup of delish sliced cucumbers in a dill thick sauce. Although the wings were great, they came with four, two drumettes and two wings. Then we ordered the chicken to share and a side of garlic mashed potatoes. $32 dollars I believe for the chicken and an extra $6 for potatoes. The chicken came out, decent size we split it and started to eat along with the potatoes. The chicken was excellent, very crispy yet moist on the inside, great flavor and the potatoes were creamy but they could have used more garlic. I really did not taste the garlic. The food was very very good, no complaints on taste. Again our server was very good, so why the three stars. OK, between the atmosphere and being so close to other patrons, way way to tight. Although the food is creative and well executed I thought the prices were high. IMO to high, this is far from a five star restaurant. Then my other observation was the patrons that flock here. Just so not my scene. Yuppie, Prada, Fendi, all ages with most being a much older crowd with some heavy duty cougars at the bar. It is obviously the place to be seen! Kinda reminded me of Prime 112 on the beach. To each their own just totally not my scene at all.
(3)Stephane C.
Supposed to be a roasted chicken and it was a flash fried chicken with a few veggies on it. 21 dollars for that crap, no thank you.
(1)Bill T.
Well, another crazy good meal here at Michael's! Cocktails were awesome, I went with the classic caipirinha and my sweetie had what tasted essentially like a lime creamsicle, super cold and refreshing. Again, the rice cakes with shrimp, chorizo, an over easy egg and sriracha aioli were amazing. The duck confit was incredible, crispy, slightly salty and delicious. We had some wonderfully fresh and flavorful snapper and shrimp ceviche and braised short ribs as well. The service was excellent and the sommelier helped is pick out a really nice pinot noir to go with the meal. For desert we had their sundae with marshmallows, pretzels and caramel, yummy! It is always so nice to go to a place that has world class food without the attitude. The service is always so welcoming and, well, genuine.
(5)Rich S.
Overall I would give MGFD 3 stars. The restaurant had highlights but also factors that made the overall score low. Leaving hungry after spending over $150 doesn't make me thrilled. And just to add my wife and I are not large people with massive appetites... Lol First the highlights: Great service from the waiter and staff. Broad menu to suit everyone's palate. Different sized plates ( more on this later) Cheap valet $3 Mussels were tasty and perfect. Lamb cooked well. Cons: 19$ for octopus (medium plate) - the piece was barely large enough for my wife and I to have a few bites each. However it was seasoned well and had good flavor. $26 Leg of lamb ( Large plate) - cooked well but came pre-sliced and was absolutely tiny! Considered a large plate I was expecting more meat then the few tiny thin slices we received. Seating is extremely tight and if you are looking for any romance this is not the place! In addition even with reservations had to wait 25min to get seated with about 3-4 groups ahead of us. ( Saturday night reservation)
(3)Eva W.
I know these are small plates, but it was almost comical seeing the crestfallen faces at some of the portion sizes. Good: shrimp and grits was delish, pecan sticky bun was good but pretty darn sticky, crispy pig ear had a nice crunch Not bad: crispy rice cake was decent, kimchi benedict was kind of a mish mash, breakfast pizza was sizeable, lemon ricotta pancakes were dry, bacon was dry Avoid: soft scrambled duck egg, french toast Service was very brusque, and they were consistently negligent in refilling waters. Service was also pretty slow, but it was pretty busy. I think I've been spoiled by NY dining..
(3)Isabelle R.
The food was very good. The place was lively & fun. It certainly is the place to see & be seen. However........there were 8 of us. Six of us got our entrees at the same time, but 2 (who were sharing) did not. After waiting about 10 minutes our waiter gave us a cutsy version of "we forgot"! The meal did not come out for another 15 minutes. By then the rest of us had almost finished. When one of us (she is in hospitality) suggested we should not be charged for that entrée, it was ignored & we were charged!! Otherwise, our waiter was great, but spread too thin. He was serving several tables, all over the place...not good for getting your needs met! Finally, dessert.....delicious but so small and ridiculously expensive!!! And the espresso was not good and also way too expensive! With so many other places from which to choose, I haven't decided if I'll be back or will recommend to others.
(3)Jillian M.
Loved the ambiance but I wouldn't recommend the spot for non-meat eaters. My meat eating friends love the food so I have to give it 3 stars!!
(3)Amy W.
a special place ALWAYS delicious - order whatever the special is as always fresh and great - really great If I lived closer would go all the time for now has to be a special treat
(5)Hernani A.
This is one of my fav. restaurants in Miami! everything on the Menu is delicious!!!! and their drinks are a must!!!!! I recommend it, but don't go for drinks and appetizers on an afternoon... they won't let you sit down even if 20 tables are empty.... they want big spenders only... so if you're not going to spend at least U$70..... forget it...
(5)Julie T.
Wow, what a spectacular little place, hidden away in it's own little corner with it's own little courtyard. I went to enjoy their half price happy hour at 4:30 and got a gin and st. germain martini which was impeccably made and perfectly balanced. Once it was 5:30 our reserved table was ready. I have to say our waiter was a bit strange, direct, and short. So my questions didn't seem answered with a lot of enthusiasm or detail. The "bus boys" or "assistants" were a little distracting to me. They stood in the middle of the aisles staring at you to make sure there was nothing to clean or nothing to give you. I know that's their job, but why can't they be a little more inconspicuous. Anyway, on to the food. We ordered a nice snack of the duck rilette with crostini and boy was it tasty. It was so tender and melt in your mouth. I wish they did give you a couple more crostini to spread it on, but after we ran out we just used the bread that they gave us for the table. Next we ordered the medium plate of Crispy Pork belly. This was heaven on a plate. Again, the meat just melted in my mouth. After I finished my cocktail I decided to try out one of their many options of beers. So I went with the Red Brick Laughing Skull Amber Ale and it was very refreshing. So for dinner I ordered the Lamb and my boyfriend ordered the Beef Short Rib. I wish I ordered something else. My meal left me a little disappointed. It was tough and didn't have as much flavor as I hoped. I almost feel like it was over cooked (this was my first lamb dish I've ever ordered though). Now Jonathan on the other hand, got the incredible dish, it was so tender and juicy and flavorful. We also ordered the fries on the side and they were HUGE, and scrumptious. So I'd love to come here again to give some other dishes a try and maybe sample their fish and try out those decadent desserts.
(4)Tajira M.
Though you may sense a slight air from the hosts, the restaurant has clearly earned its confidence. Yes, we walked in without a reservation (OpenTable wouldn't let us make one), and yes, they were quickly reaching capacity. We didn't care, and they made room for us... outside. However, the weather was on our side and, thanks to high winds and sudden rain, we were moved indoors. The wait staff was a friendly bunch, and they weren't surprised when we (two ladies) ordered something like 9 plates. But it's tapas style, so we weren't really deterred. Trust me, it's not like we were a couple of fatties that stood out in this restaurant for having five plates on a tiny table at once. You come here to try EVERYTHING. So we tried. The food (and drink) really is genuine. It's fresh, organic, and well presented. Though the plates are meant to be small, they're still filling. Passion fruit caipiranha - lots of fruit flavor and STRONG. Beware, and forget the straw, just sip. Mimosa - more juice than Champagne, but a refreshing start for brunch. Double Roasted Egg Yolk - even if you aren't a big yolk person, you need to try this. Savory, with that melted gruyere cheese over the top of the ramekin, tomatoes and chives inside, and the crunchy bread for dipping. You end up wanting more bread (and to pull all of the crispy cheese edges off of the ramekin), but the point is that you WILL finish this. Amazing. Kimchi Benedict - totally a pleasant surprise. I love kimchi, but I've never had it in this way. The kimchi was actually slightly sweet, and crispy pork belly was under it. The homemade English muffin was soft (and easy to cut), and it really was delicious. I was skeptical, but I'm glad I tried it (thanks, Evan). Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Strawberry Compote - tasty, but sort of meh. I could have easily made these at home. I feel like they were missing blueberries, and maybe a little powdered sugar. Short Rib Hash - SO GOOD. The short rib has completely fallen apart, it's so tender. It's mixed in with these great roasted potatoes, a little herb and onions, topped with a perfect fried egg, and ours served with a creamy sauce that had the mildest bit of horseradish and lots of herbs. Good salt. I want this again... Like now. Kumamoto Oysters - petite oysters that tasted better on their own than with the mignonette. It was just slightly too acidic. The oysters were super fresh, and they really didn't need anything beyond a quick squeeze of lemon. Roasted Pork Shoulder with Grits - this was the only dish I really didn't care for. Well, the grits were good and creamy. The pork was super tender, but it was sweet and had a strange after taste. Additionally, there was a pesto-ish puree that really just added acidity. I wouldn't recommend this one. Fresh Chorizo with Flatbread - served in a skillet with red onions, LOTS of cilantro, fresh avocado, and soft flatbread. Really tasty all together, the chorizo had good spice (though I thought it could be spicier), and there was actually a great crust from the heat of the skillet. The cilantro really made it all come together. Yummy. Strawberry and Banana Pop Tarts - they serve one of each with lots of powdered sugar. Raw sugar is baked into the crust, which is really light and flaky. The strawberry one tastes like jam with shortbread. The banana was my favorite -- the bananas had taken on almost a roasted consistency, smooth and rich. Almost buttery. Homemade Oreos and Snickers - now I love Oreos, but these were special. Perfect with the coffee, the "cookie" part of the Oreo was deep in chocolate flavor, while the creme filling had a slight saltiness. I would totally order those if they'd ship them to me. The Snickers were dense with caramel, gooey, crunchy with chocolate ready to melt if you touched it. At first glance, you might think you can't bite into them without losing a tooth, but they're perfect. A little too sweet for me, but they're worth a try. I'd get the Oreos again in a heartbeat. Lobster Butter Love Coffee - strong and perfect for the Oreos. Not over-roasted or with some crazy flavor, just good coffee. Most of the plates were around $10, but the food and the experience were worth every penny. Everyone was craning their necks trying to see the food as the servers came out, everything was fresh and hot, and to love 8 of 9 dishes is rare. I'd really like to come back for the lunch and dinner menus... STAT. Book me on a plane back to Miami. See pics.
(5)Ryan K.
Fantastic experience here. They seated us immediately on a Saturday night although we accidentally booked a reservation for the wrong day. The food was some of the best in Miami. Cocktails were fantastic. Extremely hospitable and they had a nice way of being attentive without being overbearing. I recommend the duck confit, the short rib, and the leg of lamb.
(5)Lia P.
I know I'm probably crazy for saying this but I just didn't love Michael's Genuine! Overall the experience was fine but little pieces here and there just didn't make me too happy. First of all it's a very busy place, which is normally fine, but it's also a very cramped place. TOO cramped. I felt like we were on a blind double date with the couple next to us. The service was ok. The hostesses while very pretty had no personality and weren't the nicest. Our server was polite, but she was very rushed with us. I think part of it was the fact that they're so busy but it made us feel like we weren't important and when you're having an expensive meal, you want to feel important. My drink was good- it was some sort of vodka drink with starfruit and strawberries? Yummy and refreshing. The other drinks on the menu sounded good you probably can't go wrong with any of them. We had the onion dip, BLT salad, and lamb. All of them were delicious but the portions were SO SMALL. I get that the onion dip and BLT salad were supposed to be smaller but for the prices they seemed microscopic. I will say though the bacon in the BLT salad was delicious. Thick and charred just right, sooo good. The BLT also came with a huge slab of blue cheese. Good thing we shared that or else that would be just too much blue cheese for one person. Unless you really love blue cheese. The lamb was one of the larger plates but it was still a very small portion. And not because we shared it, it was just a small portion. It was good although a little bit chewy. I haven't had lamb in a while though so maybe that's just how lamb is? Either way the flavor was pretty good. The desserts were the best. The lady who does them should really open a dessert shop if she hasn't already. I think I would frequent that. We had the sundae with homemade marshmallows and the lemon dessert . They were both soooo good. Although again, not sure they worth $10 each. I probably won't come back here. It just felt like it was one of those hyped places that can charge what they do because they know all the cool people go there and will pay. MAYBE if one of my friends said they really wanted to do brunch I would go, because that seems more worth it. Until then, it was cool trying it once.
(3)Karissa O.
I was disappointed because I have been wanting to try this place for awhile. Service was bad( but I can forgive bc we sat at the bar). 3 times we had a waitress or hostess asking us if the food was ours or if we were waiting for a table. Service aside, we went for brunch and ordered the chicken and biscuits and falafel. The chicken and biscuits looked so unappetizing we stopped there and waited on the falafel to arrive and closed out. The chicken was dry, and the biscuit was nothing special, the watermelon was scattered and out of place. The falafel was ok, but not spectacular. Is this place just bad for brunch and worth trying for dinner? Shocked by the 4 star rating..
(2)Sajuliet G.
I was sooooo excited to come here for the rave reviews and amazing chef! Unfortunately he apparently doesn't work on Saturdays... The food as mediocre to say the least, very dry chicken and not flavorful at all... Hopefully brunch will be better.. The brunch menu looks amazing whereas the reg menu was just ehhhh...
(2)Ali K.
Come hungry. . . Actually, come starving. Every single time I've been here (at least a dozen), I've left wishing I could somehow eat just one more bite. Yes, it's that good. In fact, tbt, I love the food so much that on one occasion, I ate so excessively that I ripped my outfit. I had a hole the size of my fist in the rear (not seam) of my black fitted dress. Of course, the restaurant was buzzing with trendy patrons (a norm for MG) and our table was situated as far from the entrance as comically possible. I was mortified and swore I could never return to this foodie haven. . .Thankfully, my pride pales in comparison to my food lust. I went back that same week. With any luck, I'll be there later today...
(5)K M.
We went once and will never return... Michael's gets great ratings, but we found this one of the most mediocre restaurants in Miami...way overpriced for the food one gets. What's more, the service was slow and the place extremely noisy. Miami is filled with excellent restaurants, but this one doesn't measure up, hype or no hype. There's a much better restaurant around the corner at Egg and Dart (also noisy, but frankly better food, except for the orzo floating in tomato sauce), but if you're doing Greek, you do even better at Kouzina, a few blocks south in Wynnwood.
(2)Paul M.
We were finally able to check out the elusive brunch menu which is only available on Sundays. Having been here for dinner before the menu SEEMED pretty reasonably priced with savory items ranging from $7 - $13. However if it looks too good to be true then it definitely is. The savory items are small bites and it will take 2 or 3 per person to get a full meal. My favorite was the kimchi benedict, I could have eaten 4 of these. The pork belly and the kimchi hollandaise on a perfectly poached egg were absolutely delicious. My only complaint would be that this is a pretty small serving. The crispy hominy was also another surprise. It was like eating some well seasoned corn peanuts and was very addicting. The house made pop tarts also stood out and were pretty damn delicious. Been here for lunch and I can say that the Angus burger is delicious! Had it cooked Medium rare with vermont white cheese & house smoked bacon. It was cooked correctly, and the burger was very tasty. I would say the bacon was a little tough and you probably don't need it. Actually a pretty good deal for $11 (basic burger). Overall I would say that brunch was pretty good but I think Lunch and Dinner are much better. Definitely make a reservation for brunch as it tends to get very packed.
(4)Jess W.
4.5 stars. If there was one restaurant I was really looking forward to trying in Miami, it was definitely Michael's Genuine Food & Drink...and I wasn't disappointed! What went in my belly: Crispy Pig Ears ($6) - a must order! I've eaten a lot of pig ears and these were easily the best I've had. Extra crispy and heavily seasoned with a cajun seasoning which made them so incredibly addictive. Loved 'em! Crispy Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly - with kimchi, crushed peanuts and paradise farms pea shoots ($13). It was crisp on top and melt-in-your-mouth tender on the bottom. I enjoyed the sweet and spicy sauce but felt it could've used a little bit more of a kick. It was a tasty and well-balanced dish with the accompanying kimchi slaw which helped balance out the fattiness and richness of the pork. Short Rib & Fontina Cheese Panini - grilled onions, arugula, heirloom tomato chutney ($16). ). I liked that they were very generous with the amount of cheese on the sandwich and the short ribs were wonderfully tender and packed full of flavour. A grilled cheese for grown ups! Banh Mi - country pate, crispy pork belly, pickled vegetables, sambal aioli and herbs ($14). Wow. Just wow. It was the best banh mi I've ever had! Who would've thought it'd come from Miami? While the short rib panini was delicious, this sandwich definitely stole the show. Florida Rock Shrimp Salad - with greens, avocado, papaya, pickled pearl onion, toasted macadamia, jade dressing ($18). The ingredients were incredibly fresh and the combination of all the components worked together perfectly. It's no banh mi, but as far as salads go, this was pretty darn good. Home Brew Sundae - malted caramel, housemade pretzels and marshmallows ($11). Today's ice cream was beer. You heard right...beer ice cream! I loved the layers of charred marshmallows in the sundae and the pretzels gave it a nice crunch and saltiness. The combination of the pretzels and malted caramel made it taste like salted caramel - one of my favourite things! Lemon Creamsicle Pot de Crème - buttermilk doughnuts, basil syrup and housemade ricotta ($10). Yet another dish that blew me away! The pot de crème was light, smooth and creamy and certainly did taste like a lemon creamsicle. The fresh doughnuts were perfect little fluffy bites which tasted ridiculous dipped in the pot de crème. Make sure you save room for the phenomenal desserts!
(4)pracheta t.
We only had drinks here but it made me really want to come back for food. The outdoor seating area was lovely and the menu looked great. The rest of our party did stay for dinner and said that it was awesome.
(4)Michele S.
I've eaten at MG three times. The first time it was OK., the second not great and the third terrible. Three strikes you're out. Waste of money and calories. Steak totally fatty, chicken barely cooked. Service was good and hostess very sweet.
(1)Ben C.
WOWIE, WOWIE , WOW, WOW, WOW!!! What a unique culinary experience in such a beautiful setting and a great neighborhood. The idea of super fresh items your used to seeing on a menu, but prepared in a whole new way! Some items you must be a little adventurous for though, like the chili lime pig ears, yeah you heard me right! The food is fantastically simple, and yet surprisingly unique. Even the fresh cut and fried chips with onion dip is definitely something to desire, but be sure sure to save room for dessert. You wouldn't want to miss out on dessert!
(5)Ashley K.
Bad reviews disappear because Michael's is just one of the yummy restaurants to be eaten at in this city! Cerviche (they use orange too, yum!) Double yolk egg (good but not different Crispy pork belly (wow and I don't even like pork belly) Short ribs (yum!) Pork shoulder (falls apart, so tender) Creamsicle pot de creme (it's a jelly donut deconstruction) Chocolate cinnamon pudding (the special)
(5)Jacky L.
Came here for lunch on a Monday. The good and service were both very good. Must try the crispy pork ears!
(5)Brad A.
We ate at the bar and their house beer wasn't very good (but I don't like citrus heavy beers). The bulletproof manhattan on the other hand was fantastic. We didn't get an entree but chose to opt for several small plates. We started with the chili wings which were cooked perfectly and the shrimp ceviche with avocado and papaya which was very fresh. The warm heirloom tomatoes roasted with pesto side then came out followed by the pork belly and rice cake made with chorizo and shrimp and topped with a fried egg. Everything was great and the bartenders were friendly. Service was a little slow and you had to get their attention but it also got really busy and they had a lot to handle so no real knocks there. Not in the top 3 places we ate in Miami, but very solid and great if you're in the design district.
(4)Anette B.
Happy to come
(5)Chef Leo P.
I only come here for happy hour and bites!, but is very casual and hip, i like the bar and the cool decor, the beer and wine selection is pretty clever! You get to drink a nice glass of wine for 1/2 off from 5pm till 6:30pm. I always order the Pinot Noir from Oregon is "sound" and well balance. If you looking for a nice happy hour. This is the place to go! Then you can go to "Harrys Pizza" around the corner, own by them too.
(4)Kara T.
So I wrote about my drinks in my checkin. The food was nice. It wasn't the heavy, dragging food that yardbird and swine serve. Beet salad, double yolk flavored with roasted tomato, rock shrimp, and my favorite, the duck rillette. Definitely get this. I was skeptical when it came to the table but it was my favorite, although I loved the roasted tomatoes in the egg. The rock shrimp comes on a biscuit and the plate was a bit bready. The beets didn't disappoint. I'll come back for dinner... And drinks at the bar with the eager, genuine bartenders.
(4)Andrea V.
I love Michael's... love the location, the décor, the deviled eggs and the duck confit! Hoping do drive down there again soon.
(5)Ms K.
Michael's Genuine was at the top of my list on this visit to Miami over Christmas. We raced from Key West to make it there in time for Sunday Brunch. The restaurant was super crowded. We had made a reservation on Opentable and were seated quickly al fresco. The outdoors seating was nice. I liked the fresh air and people-watching. The waiter asked if it was our first time there and went on to explain about the restaurant and its concept. He said Chef Michael wanted it to be California-Mediterranean inspired and scaled down the Sunday Brunch portions to tasting size to make it more affordable. Was it just me or was I made to feel like we were these poor people privileged enough to dine at this fine restaurant? Since we were "warned" about the portion, we ended up ordering a multitude of dishes. Here are the hits and misses: HITS: Beet and heirloom (cherry) tomato salad. Nice contrast in flavors and textures. The hearts of palm made the salad extra special. Breakfast pizza. Who doesn't like eggs and cheese on bread? Ginger-lemongrass soda. Nice subtle flavors. Not too sweet. I can probably make this at home though. NEUTRAL: Pop-t's. This was the item that we gave up the afternoon in Key West and raced back to Miami for. It was good but not as spectacular as I had imagined. MISSES: Wood oven roasted double yolk egg. The egg was overpowered by the saltiness of the gruyere. Breakfast sausage patties. Chunks of chewy fat. Thick-cut potato chips with pan-fried onion dip. Greasy chips with so-so dip. Nothing special. This was not a good start for our dining experience in Miami. I was "genuinely" disappointed. Miami, however, did redeem itself with our next brunch at La Gloutonnerie in SoBe. Bon appetit!
(3)Kamal H.
Place is a solid go to power lunch place. My only downside there is so many pork dishes. Service is great. The farm to table concept at it finest in miami
(4)Alina N.
Food was good, but too expensive for what it was!
(2)Alfred G.
Went on a Tuesday night expecting to find the place empty. Was rather surprised to see that the place was full with good energy. Simply put, all the dishes are great. The appetizers are by far the best items on the menu. The pork belly and fish-shrimp ceviche will make your head spin. Absolutely outstanding!!
(4)Michael M.
Ordered pig ears, pork bellies, short ribs, lamb, and cheese grits. All were divine. I also loved the home brew beer that accompanied the meal. We haven't ordered dessert yet, but I have a feeling this will end up being one of my favorite meals ever.
(5)Barry G.
We stopped in for an earlier lunch and were seated immediately. Very welcomed ice water was served in wonderful glasses. We ordered the battered anapper sandwich and a falafel wrap. The snapper was moist and flavorful. Their french fries were a great touch. The staff was very friendly and attentive. Their oysters looked delicious and I will try them the next time.
(4)Mario P.
Was here for my birthday. The dinner was good. The entrees were not great, but good. The desserts were good. I like the menu for brunch, but I haven't tried it yet.
(3)Trang V.
This place had friendly customer service and a good variety of dishes on their menu. They had small, medium, large and x-large dishes which gives you a broader choice of food portions. We ordered a lot of different items and shared. The crispy spicy and sweet pork belly was delish with the side of kimchi. The country pate and stracciatella were tasty appetizers. The slow roasted pork shoulder was dry and lacked flavor but everything else was great.
(4)Beth W.
The brunch is served family style, so they are smaller portions. Not a fan of the family style. However, the brown butter waffles with peaches and cream were delicious, as was the bacon which was thicker cut.
(3)May N.
My friend took me to the Design District for my first meal. This was a place I'd read about and she'd been trying to go for months. We showed up early on a Thursday early evening. All reservations were taken, but we were able to sit at the bar. Just missed happy hour, too. It ends at 6:30 here, which is ridiculously early, but I guess they don't need the business. I got the crispy sweet and spicy pork belly. It was served with a sprinkling of crushed peanuts on top and a slaw on the side with cabbage and onion. The menu called it kimchi, but I thought it was more Viet in nature. The pork belly was delicious with the crispy skin and fatty texture. I'm not sure where the "spicy" was because I like my spice level at least hot and didn't notice much heat. Also, I ordered the brussel sprouts side. Coming off the holidays, I'm used to sweet brussel sprouts, but these seemed oven roasted with a light sprinkle of lemon juice and had some pancetta bits. My friend got the the butter lettuce salad with the roasted cauliflower side. The cauliflower was doused in a parsley sauce so at first I thought they'd given us broccoli. I was struck by how clean and simple the tastes were. Guess that fits with the "genuine food" in their name. Service was good. Our bartender/waiter took care of us noobs to their restaurant. They were very busy so you should definitely make reservations if you want a table. Their happy hour is from 4:30-6:30. They do accept credit cards.
(4)Damian A.
Michael, Michael, Michael. This guy works miracles. He has several places in Miami and they are all top-notch. This may be his best. The ever changing menu is perfect for his skills. Every visit procures some risk taking. But in Michael I trust. I can't single out a particular dish because, well, it may no longer be available on your visit. Just go and trust his selection. You can taste the freshness in the ingredients. The combination of flavors are flawless. The ambiance and staff are more than welcoming. Our server (Daniel) was the perfect mix of attentive, quick and short when he would appear. He really allowed the experience to take control of the night. Which when it comes down to MGFD is the best way to experience it.
(5)Mike K.
Pros: Food. Octopus appetizer was meaty ( maybe a tad overpriced, but not outlandish). I had the pork shoulder and the serving portion was huge. Took half of it home. Parsley sauce was good. Wife had the cobia which she said was excellent. Also had sides of Brussels and fingerlings and split the peanut butter bar dessert (awesome). Overall great eating. Service. Waiter was super friendly and knowledgable. He disappeared a couple times but I think it was because they also had him on some tables outside. Cons- it is very noisy and cramped. Unfortunately we wound up next to some stuck up girl who spent half the time complaining that her parents weren't going up pay her rent anymore when she graduated college and 'how am I going to live on a starting salary of $50k.' Oh Miami... Also had to wait 25 minutes despite making a reservation. And I wish they had more beers on tap. But that's just being nitpicky Wound up with a $115 bill for 2 people. But we expected that. Food was worth it though.
(4)Eric S.
great food, great ambiance, service is outstanding as usual
(4)Tricia K.
I've been dying to go to Michael's Genuine because everyone has told me how good it is. It took us 5 days to get a reservation but we finally got a table. For starters we had the deviled eggs, the potato chips, the chicken pate, the crispy pig ears, the pork belly and the mussels. I wasn't impressed with the deviled eggs, the pate, the potato chips or the pig ears (which were too salty). I would order the mussels and the pork belly again but I've had better elsewhere. Now to the entrees... We had the short ribs, the duck confit and the 1/2 chicken with the brussel sprouts and the cauliflower as sides. The short ribs were tender and my sister-in-law said that the duck confit was the best she has ever had. However, the 1/2 chicken was my favorite! I never order chicken at a restaurant (except maybe a Chinese/Thai restaurant) but it was recommended by the host and I am so glad that I ordered it. It was moist yet crispy at the same time. Delicious! For dessert, we ordered the tangerine pot de creme and the chocolate consume. Don't let the salt in the description keep you from ordering the chocolate consume - it's good. Overall, the restaurant is a bit pricey but good.
(3)D M.
This place was really neat . We came here for brunch it was recommended by a friend and I'm glad we did . The area is nice looks like we are in a more expensive side of town very clean and hip place . We got the lemon ricotta pancakes they were really good yet pretty tiny as well . We also got the kimchi Benedict no pork this was different never had kimchi before it was worth s try I liked it and I usually don't like new things . We also got the breakfast pizza which was a palate of personal pizza with egg in middle it was pretty good . The last thing we had was stracciatella which was pretty much tomatoes and cheese the tomatoes tasted like they were from the garden it was very good. I got the home made soda cherry Rosemary tasted like cherry cough syrup. Don't get it . The service here was great. Parking is convenient as there is valet . I give it three stars because portions are so small you could possibly by all that pay a lot and still be hungry leaving . Overall one of the better places to eat in Miami . I'm starting to think these people don't care about food much as I haven't lovedddd anything yet. Ps turns out its allies miami designer district .
(3)Brenda P.
Really, really, really, really, GOOD! Arrived for an 8pm reservation and got seated right away. Looking around, I was surprised considering every single table seemed to be taken. We sat in the side room which is not as nice as outside or the main room but certainly quieter. It was really loud in the main one and a little too hot outside and it's not even April yet! At first we were overwhelmed by the choices and their descriptions. Not sure why, but we were. We opted to choose a bunch of stuff to share and that was the best decision of all. We had: Appetizer: Ceviche and the Crispy pig ear salad. The ceviche was outstanding. We could have easily drank what was left out of the bowl like soup. The crispy pig ear salad was also very good until we started talking about what we were having. So wrong but yet so good. At this rate, I will never go back to being a vegetarian! (was one for about 4 years) The ears were heavy on cumin and paprika but I loved it. We also had the "cheese of the week" which was Italian Trugole. Perhaps the best cheese I have ever had and I LOVE cheese. Main: Wood oven pizza which had lamb, tomatoes, fennel, mozarella and onions. The shortrib which was perfect, just perfect. The creek farms pork which I can't even find words to describe because it was THAT good. Last but not least in any way, shape or form is the crispy rice cake. Holy goodness! Chorizo, rock shrimp, manchego aioli toppped with a fried egg. I can have that every day of my life! Try me! As if all of that was not enough, we saved room for dessert. We really did! We ordered the popcorn and peanuts which is a chocolate peanut butter candy bar and buttered popcorn ice cream. Second, the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme. Just roll me over now why don't cha? s.e.r.i.o.u.s.l.y.a.m.a.z.i.n.g. it comes with these doughnuts and a jam. Last was the candies, cookies and confections platter. R.I.D.I.C.U.L.O.U.S. (in a good way ) I would like to remind everyone at this point that we were sharing all of this between four people. We are not glutons...ok, we are, maybe a little bit but we DID share I swear! If you have not been yet, RUN! I am already craving it and it has not even been 24 hours since I was there! UPDATE: Have been back again for dinner and also their fabulous brunch. Complete updated review coming soon.
(5)Jennifer W.
I love being able to eat outdoors in a casual setting and eat great food. This is a place to do both. The service is attentive, but not hovering nor pressuring to order/eat rapidly. We had the cheese of the week platter, mussels and octopus, all of which were delicious. The octopus was so tender!
(4)Max J.
I love MGFD, I'm there almost every week.
(5)Jackie S.
One of my favorite repeat offenders! My last visit to Michael's proved that sometimes you just have to pay a little extra for stellar food and service. It's a ll gravy @ Michael's! I love the staff here! Everyone does there job quickly and with a smile. My glass is never empty, my table is never dirty, clean silverware always arrives before the next course begins and I never have to struggle to find my waiter. HUGE points in my book! PLUS the food is incredible! This time I not only indulged in the usual suspects, i also opted for desert. Popcorn and peanuts....Wowwwyyyy! I was expecting...I don't even know what i was expecting... but this little Trio of heaven was divine. If I could describe it I would but I fear that I would not do Ms. Goldsmith justice. All I can say is that I highly recommend that you leave just a little room for dessert.
(5)Monica B.
Was invited to a birthday dinner with my best friend. I heard soo many things about this place & the famous Chef himself that I was giddy with excitement. Especially since I'm such a foodie. CockTails were really fabulous (that alone is 3 stars) service was good, but the restaurant inside is a bit small & you feel like your table is way too close to the next group. Thank God my friend made reservations, the place was packed. You have to valet park so bring cash. I didn't see a garage to walk to the place. The appetizers were good, my salad was beyond tiny & lacking. My friends seafood plate was ok, but for the cost if the meal & all the hoopla, would I go back? Probably not. As a vegetarian/almost vegan they really didn't have anything to offer either so just not veggie friendly in case you have anyone with that lifestyle. I think a name alone doesn't deserve to carry a whole restaurant to stardom. They better get their stuff straight because that area has a lot of awesome places that are doing bigger & better things. Plus the pretentious vibe & clientele is not my cup of tea. Just sayin'
(3)Debbie H.
I went to Michael's Genuine in early June.... And I haven't stopped talking about it since. I can assure you that my feelings are authentic and have not been influenced by the hype that surrounds this cult like following for everything that Michael Schwartz touches along with pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith. We scheduled lunch reservations same day mid-week and were immediately seated upon arrival. I'm not big on this latest trend to have people sitting almost cafeteria style next to guests you don't even know. Are they trying to maximize space? Or is there some sort of idea that we all want to be more of a community while paying top dollar to dine with sophisticated food done simply well. That said, luckily we had some fun people next to us that we made friends with :-) I ordered a special appetizer of sashimi style tuna with red chili peppers. It was a nice introduction into the style of the food. Fresh, farm to table simple ingredients done to perfection. I say this because since then I have tried variations of this dish at other restaurants with far less satisfaction in return. My friend ordered the homemade chili with fresh heirloom tomatoes. She used bread to scrape the bowl to finish any remnants of that magical dish. After all, who would want to leave a single drop of this to waste?! I had the Spicy Grilled Beef Salad. Yay, kimchee in my salad with the most tender and tasty beef. There hasn't been a day that has gone by since that perfect visit that I haven't plotted my return. Sunday brunch is next on the list. I don't need to tell you to go since you probably already have this on your list if you haven't already gone yet. I confirm the hype; it really is all that!
(5)David C.
Are perfect place for business and a well earned break. MG is a gem for fresh seasonal food and outdoor seating. The kitschy mid century architecture and abundant outdoor greenery combine into a Miami cuisine must! We don't eat meat but we hear the spicy pork belly is CRAZY good!
(4)M S.
This was our first visit to this restaurant and unfortunately we were not pleased. For starters our table was very small for a party of six, but we managed. Our food came out at different intervals so some of us were done with our meal before the rest of our party was served. Two of the entrees were served cold and had to be returned for reheating. Although the staff tried to make things better, you can't really change the fact that we all had our dinner at different times. To make matters worse, you would think that they would not automatically add a 20% gratuity ... Really??? On the plus side; the food was tasty but not Wow; the management gave us a small discount for our troubles and threw in a group dessert. Would I return? Probably not.
(2)Angel L.
I had high expectation for this place. The food was just ok, nothing special.
(3)Carla D.
This has got to be my favorite restaurant in Miami by far. I have been to Michael's countless times before and every time I've had amazing meals. Wether it's brunch, lunch or dinner, food here is so flavorful, and the ingredients are so fresh. This restaurant embodies the true meaning of 'farm to table.' The service is great; the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and always on top of their game. Their wine list is fantastic, with great 'by the glass' selections. Last but not least, their desserts are absolutely delicious and the options are always changing; a perfect way to end a great meal. There isn't a dish that I've ever been disappointed with, ever. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Miami.
(5)Thomas P.
quality has been consistent. great place. my favorite cheeseburger in miami.
(5)Camille K.
My family and I were looking for a nice restaurant to spend a Sunday night. The restaurant has valet service, which made parking easy although at a cost. We arrived a few minutes after the restaurant just opened, and there were already several tables taken. Over the course of the evening, the restaurant became busier and busier; so busy that it seemed necessary to make a reservation. The service was friendly, personable, quick, and attentive. A definite five stars for the service. The ambiance was fantastic, another five stars as well. They have a great outside area, although lacking a view, a trend-setting main dining area, a well-kept bar, and a relaxing back dining room. The food was amazing. The menu is very interesting, there is a wide range of food from comfort, to seafood, italian, middle eastern, and french! They organized the menu as small, medium, large, and extra-large servings. I got the beet and tomato salad with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. The salad was amazing, however the mashed potatoes could have had more garlic. For dessert, I got the pecan pie. It was delicious. The only reason I gave it four starts was the price. Very expensive. I would pay attention to the prices of each item you order. I definitely reccomend trying out this resturant. It is in a great area and is a must try.
(4)sue a.
food good to so-so. had new york strip with a peppercorn sauce ,excellent, cooked perfectly nice sauce. the plate was so small i could barely cut my steak, and when i did the sauce splashed on the table and myself, annoying and cramped. my husband had the pork shoulder or butt whatever you prefer to call it. it was served on a medium sized plate, larger than mine with about the same portion but no sauce to splash about. the pork was shredded and formed into a dry meat square of dull. oven roasted veggies , excellent. potatoes , excellent. appetizer ok, tasted like trail mix, not impressed. desert bread pudding good and fresh, but not great, for 10.50 i want great. service , excellent. hostess , excellent. atmosphere , ok , a bit dark like to see what im eating at night. at the price point i was disappointed food felt more chain like then interesting and gourmet. .
(2)Lianna S.
My boyfriend had this reservation booked for 2 months before we arrived in Miami based on Anthony Bourdaine's layover episode. Yes, we plan food along with our vacations. Bottom line, it was his favorite restaurant we ate at in Miami. It was my second, but only because we have places like this in San Diego, although maybe not as good. If I could only eat at one place in Miami, for me it would be Jimmy'z sheerly for the culture experience. However, I must give Michael's 5 stars because it was that good. I love their seasonal and local philosophy. We had so much food and it was all so good. The char grilled octopus appetizer was unique and delicious, the crispy rice cake with rock shrimp and manchego was great, and the burrata with heirloom tomatoes was the best I've had. We also shared a wood fire pizza and pork shoulder, a bottle of pinot noir handpicked by the house sommelier and the special pie in a jar for desert. I know we're pigs. But it was worth it.
(5)M M.
Really good food/Well made cocktails as well. Location is on the up and up. I usually get a few different smaller plates and my wife and I share deserts. Chicken wings were pretty good.
(4)A P.
Hadn't been back for a while, but was disappointed at lunch. Waiter service was substandard. Never checked our water bottle even though it was empty for a long time. Burrata special was oversalted and overpriced ($20). My favorite short rib pannini shrunk in size!! Asked for salad, but it arrived with fries. Returned fries but never got the salad. After the staff had cleaned the table, our waiter finally showed up and offered to bring the salad. too late! He tried to make up with a two small cookies. They were'nt even that busy. Micheal, sounds like you need to check on things (know you're busy with new places) or get a better manager!
(2)Florida G.
One word: yuppity. I guess that's what you'll get in a design/fashion district. This place has topped my MIA-area food must try list with stars next to it for a few years now. On a recent trip down from Boca, I dined for lunch with some friends. Upon arrival at 11:45 a.m. with a reservation, the restaurant was maybe a 1/4 full at best. It was early. We had a reservation. And the total douche of a host didn't bother to ask whether we'd like to sit inside or outside, but instead just walked us out. We wanted outside, but ask first! We passed several ideal tables with umbrellas, but were instead seated at an outlying table, away from all the others. It was like a last-minute, throw this table out there in the courtyard kinda deal. Upon requesting to sit at one of the several other tables, the guy looks around for 10 seconds and says "Uhhh, those are held for other reservations". Give me a $@**@(^% break buddy!!!!! What about our reservation? We are here; they are not. It's early, and you're not nearly at capacity. The umbrella that was set up at our table didn't fully cover the table and was bothersome to some of our eyes. So, we once again requested to be moved due to the sunlight and without hesitation, Mr. Yuppity reseated us at one of the much better tables. Why not just sit us there the first time?! If he refused, we would have walked out. Waiter was professional, but assumed we were "visiting" with an education on stone crab season. How about asking if we're familiar first? We live up the road and dine at Joe's - the ultimate stone crab experience - quite frequently. The burger which was ordered medium was overcooked to a medium well/well, but at least it was somewhat juicy. It tasted good, but not the best by any stretch of the word. The angus beef is a cheap move, and surprising that a place like this wouldn't use kobe or short rib, at least partially. The fries were good. For the price point, you'd expect a bit better. I've only heard RAVE reviews about Michael's Genuine, so I am pretty disappointed to have walked a way with a mediocre experience. I wold be interested in possibly returning for dinner and sampling some of the other menu items. Note to owner/manager: you have a nice restaurant, but your staff needs some basic people/hospitality training, and your burger can use a kick with a better quality meat and cooked to how it is ordered.
(3)Carolina M.
I won't give it 5 stars due to the service. The food was amazing indeed. We had a bottle wine and they do have a good selection of wines and cocktails The food was very well prepared, amazing combination of flavors and ingredients in an unexpected manner that makes it just work. It was pure food-gasm! We had the pork belly (which i did not try but i was told it was a 10), the eggplant with almonds, the burrata (out of control), the short ribs, the ceviche, the cauliflower with basil sauce and a dessert that was like a donuts with a delicious creme and black currant compote (i forget the name.) All was amazing. It was really packed for a Monday night and that to me is a good sign. Everything was almost perfect except for our waiter, Ryan, he seemed like he'd rather be anywhere else than there, he was not friendly or attentive and a couple of items we ordered he forgot to bring out, but when the bill came they were still on there. I pointed it out to him and he just said he forgot to take it off, maybe he did, but after the bad service we did not believe him. I will give it another try and maybe next time i will have better service with another waiter, if he food was not that good i would never go back. I will post a second review the next time around. Do try it.
(4)Lewis K.
The restaurant is great if you can get in and are treated respectfully. A man named Maurice that is generally the host one of the worst people ever to be running a restaurant universally known he's horrible.
(3)Vanja B.
This place has excellent food and service! Pork was phenomenal! Coconut ceviche is very different and interesting. Desserts are amazing! If you're foodie like me, I highly recommend!
(5)Troy C.
Always good but menu hasn't changed in a year
(4)Ms. C.
I have been frequenting Michael's Genuine since the second week it was open and have never been disappointed. There was a time when I stopped going due to the long waits for a table but the flood soon settled and things are back to normal. I am a happy patron of everything Genuine Group. Everything that Michael touches turns to gold. Congrats!
(5)Mauikai D.
Even after dinning at some of the best restaurants all over France, Michael's remains my all-time favourite place to have an incredible lunch or dinner with the most passionate servers and hosts on the planet! Dishes are always perfectly balanced, extremely tasty and unforgettable! Michael Shcwartz and Hedy Goldsmith are a KILLER team! Come early for dinner and try THE best Wood Oven Roasted Snapper to share with someone you love! The Rock Shrimp salad for lunch is a perfect way to spend your midday pause in hot & humid Miami. I can't say enough good things about this place :-)
(5)Tram D.
A bit on the pricey side but not too bad. We tried crunchy pig ears and grilled octopus for appetizer, and shared entrees snapper and duck confit (so funny we pronounced it wrong and the waitress corrected us). The pig ears were yummy but I wouldn't try it again, trying to stay away from fat and grease. The chicken liver comes in even smaller portion for appetizer so I would try that next time for appetizer. Duck confit was taken on a different approach but similar to that in New Orleans, excellent dish.
(5)eglys h.
No matter how many times we go here, we always find ourselves enjoying a delicious meal. Do have to say, it can quickly get expensive and the motto when eating here should be, its not about the quantity is about the quality. Servings can be small. But each and every morsel is filled of powerful flavor wihch will linger in the memory of your tastebuds for days to come. Fills you with that urge of wanting just a bit more!!! Porkbelly - this darn dish is so delicioius. Portion sure it can be split between two but why do this to yourself!! The crispy piece of pork cooked to perfection on top of a delicious slaw... From the first bite your mind starts to wonder, should I order a second? We have had pork belly at many different restaurants and none have compared to this one... It still rings King for us!!! Cheese Plate of day - it is usually $10 and it is very small - but if you happen to have been a rat in a previous life, this is sure to please. We have had sharp, creamy, raw a different experience each time and all amazing. Short Ribs, Lamp Chop, Heirloom Tomatoes, Desserts - You can be assured that each and every dish is made with the freshest local ingredients, full care of the chef and full of flavor... One of the down things of this place is DECISIONS, DECISIONS.... You may end up wanting to try everything.......Narrowing down may be tuff, but any choice I am sure will be generously enjoyed....
(5)Rosario P.
My fiance and I went to Michael's to celebrate our 3 year anniversary and it was perfect. The dimmed lighting makes it a perfect spot for a romantic date. We had reservations and were seated right away. We sat in a table for four (4) and had to share it with another couple. This was not a problem, the couple sitting next to us was very polite. We ordered the a bottle of wine and it was delicious - they have a really good wine selection. We then ordered devil eggs, porkbelly and ceviche. At first I was a bit skeptical about the porkbelly, I'm not a huge fan of fat. But my fiance had heard wonderul things about it and I decided to try it. Im SO glad I did! It was cooked perfectly! The ceviche was AMAZING. It had chunks of mango, which gave it a very unique and tropical taste. Probably one of the best ceviches i've had in Miami. For dessert we ordered a tangerine creamsicle. It was very very good. We did not order entrees because we were so stuffed from the appetizers and wine, and we did not want to miss dessert. We will going back soon to try out some of the entrees.
(5)Dan S.
Tiny plates, big price tag. This is what I've learned from eating around Midtown. Anytime anyone says "this is tapas style" what they mean is we sell tiny plates and if you share it you will only have one bite. And what you should do when they say it is tapas style is get up and walk away. These places don't know anything about tapas. First of all tapas are meant to be free or less than $3; a tapa is the stupid bread and butter they give you at cheesecake factory when you sit down! The plates that are meant for sharing are called raciones and they tend to be BIG and delicious. I went for brunch. The food was alright. I wasn't expecting to be blown away but I was not even impressed. The thing that impressed me the most was the bitchy face of my waiter and the passion fruit soda (it was actually made from fresh passion fruit). The falafel were all parsley and no chickpeas, meh. The bread what came with the country pate was burned but I didn't notice until I was eating it because they put the burnt side facing down, haha they are so clever. What else?? $2 for two slices of bread! TWO SLICES OF BREAD! They only have two bathrooms, one stall each. This must be some sort of code violation because they sit way too many people for such little bathroom space. But at least it was clean??
(2)Lee G.
Pretty damn good. Been under impressed with miami cooking so far but this was much better. Maybe cos it was more like the NY cooking I'm used to. Group of eight. They lets us chat and drink and didn't rush us. Menu was good different size plates for different appetites you can even share ( but my would you? ). Convinced us to get the bites. Don't bother. Pigs ears where over cooked ash tasting non events. Cerviche was excellent and was the octopus. Entrees were excellent short rib was delicious cauliflower went perfectly with it. Pork with a spiced apple compote was excellent . Deserts were ordinary. Wine was great but pricey. Atmosphere was great. V buzzy, lots of different people. Got more dressy as evening progressed. .you can eat at the bar which looked great. Two small rooms o atmosphere was cozy. I found the service a bit strange lots of words but not much content.
(4)Jessy T.
Delicious spot with awesome service. Our waiter was attentive and on point. The service is quick. Food is delicious. The pork belly is amazing! Short ribs melts in your mouth. And the doughnuts are heaven. This place is a must try.
(5)Tony A.
This is my favorite restaurant in the city and perhaps my favorite restaurant anywhere. I can't even begin to tell you about all the great dishes I love here. The food is well crafted, creative, and not hoytie toytie. I love that it's relevant and substantial and just good. The service is always excellent, and this place is a special place to me as I proposed to my wife there. Desserts are great here. As great as Michael is, Hedy Goldsmith, pastry chef extraordinaire, might technically be the best chef in the building. Her desserts are masterful. I'm not even a big dessert guy, but a trip to MIchael's is not complete without the desserts. I think the greatest thing about Michael's is the value. While it's not inexpensive, considering the tremendous quality of the food, you can easily spend a lot more at other places which are not nearly as good. I would give this place six stars if I could.
(5)Seb W.
There is a lot of hype to this place. I do enjoy Michael's, I think the food is GOOD. I don't think its anything out of this world. I think what really puts this place on a high level, is perhaps its consistency. That is most likely what gives this place such staying power. I am a fan of that. I usually have the burger, I know, hard to screw up, but it is a good burger and its the same everytime. The cocktails are also very tasty. I usually go here before I go shooting down at Lock and Load Miami.
(4)Nicole D.
Upfront disclaimer: I'd love to give 3.5 stars if that was an option. I enjoyed the ambiance (I'm a sucker for outdoor spaces). I finally had a chance to try MGFD last night, which was high on my list of restaurants to try for the past 3 years. Maybe it was the long wait and anticipation, but I wasn't too impressed with the flavor of any dish we ordered. My fiancé and I ordered the crispy rice cake, steak au poivre, pork shoulder, sautéed escarole, fries, crispy pig ears, the blackberry caipirinha, and a watermelon cocktail whose name escapes me (so our disappointment wasn't for lack of trying). Sadly, my favorite part of the meal were the fries (and that's honestly because I'll always love me some heavily salted fries). I don't have too much to say about any dish specifically, there just wasn't anything memorable to make me come back for more (especially not for such a steep price tag). That being said, however, we left no room for the desserts and I've heard such great things about them that we may just have to come back and give them a shot.
(3)Greshka P.
I really like this place. We decided to sit outside and enjoy the weather. Immediately we were offered water and drinks. They don't do daily specials because, as explained by our server, their menu changes every day. They divide their menu in Small, Medium, Large, and XLarge servings. They also have a snacks portion on the menu and sides. Since we were sharing we decided to order some smaller plates. Started with the potato and leak soup, then the sweet and spicy pork belly, and the pears. Everything was delicious, and enough for both of us but still room for dessert, which is the main reason I came here. I had seen (my favorite) Iron Chef Symom talk about the Peanut and Popcorn dessert with chocolate and popcorn ice-cream. I loved the sweet and salty mix it has. I would order it again without thinking it twice. We also had the Apple dessert - brioche bread filled with Dulce de Leche, nuts, apples and some cheese with a side of caramel and whip cream. Also delicious. The server was helpful when recommending and explaining the menu, and food came out fast. Would love to go again and try something else from their daily menu, based on today's experience it should be another good meal.
(5)SR M.
I had high hopes for this place but it just wasn't that great. We went for lunch on a Saturday so I can't speak for their brunch. We all got paninis and the crispy pig ears. The ears were nice and crunchy but it lacked flavor. Not sure what I was expecting I guess. My rib meat panting was just to crunchy. The sandwich itself lacked flavor. My friends all felt the same. Maybe it was an off day for them but none of us finished our sandwiches and we were all starving before we got there. I'd try them again but will only to try their brunch menu.
(2)Chris Y.
Good food, menu is full of fresh local ingredients that come together to form great plates. Service was good and restaurant is simply decorated but creates a nice vibe. Pork belly dish is awesome!
(4)Marci L.
Always delicious
(5)Rachael H.
Finally came here after seeing that Michael's Genuine was featured I believe twice on The Best Thing I Ever Ate dessert edition. I started of with the Pig's head with homemade mustard. Wow....oh wow. I could've had 4 more orders of that & called it a night. The mustard was so rustic, but so amazing. After that came the Crispy Rice Cake. I can't say it was life changing. It was alright. The fried egg was a nice touch. Not a fan of green peppers and you definitely tasted the green peppers. For dessert, I had this peanu butter, banana, & bacon panini. I have to admit, I almost cried when it came to the table. I'm food day dreaming just thinking about it. If you have children, you may love this more than them. If you are about to graduate, graduation day will come as a close second in the day that ar most memorable to you after the day you try this. It really is the best dessert I have ever had in my life. As far as seating & service, go with your bubble of personal space already popped. You will practically be sitting in the lap of the people next to you. Service could also be quicker, but the bacon panini is worth it.
(4)JoAnna L.
My girlfriend and I went on a Thursday afternoon around 1. The hostess was really nice as were all of the waitstaff. The place was packed, however we didn't have to wait for a table. I was expecting it to be crowded, noisy, and small. However, they sat my friend and I right next to two other women. When they were leaving we had to get up to let them out because they were basically cornered in. After they left I figured they wouldn't sit anybody else at that table because how do you ask somebody who is eating to get up so someone else can sit next to you in a booth. Well, I was wrong. about half way through our meal, as my friend was chewing her food, the hostess politely asked her to get up so someone else could sit in the corner booth. This, in my book is unacceptable, especially for the prices they charge. Onto the food: The homemade potato chips tasted burnt to me. We didn't enjoy them, the dip however was amazing. The shrimp sandwich tasted a little fishy to me and my friend thought it was too salty. I liked the saltiness of it though. The felafal sandwich was really good! and served with a delicious sauce. The fries were really good as well. The highlight of the meal were the cocktails (something with watermelon?) and the dessert (passion fruit pot de creme). The cocktails were amazing and the dessert was delicious. Would I go back? Yes. I'm pissed about the table situation but some of the food was really good. I want to go back and try their brunch with my husband. $3 valet is very reasonable.
(3)Jason C.
So I was pretty excited about hitting this for lunch today. Great vibe lots of people. Went with a party of four. Had pig ears and chips to start. Pig ears were average. Chips with dip okay. Had the short rib panini which was dried out. Nick server was great.
(3)Nancy L.
In post dinner bliss after another great meal at Michael's. If you are a food lover and in Miami you need to experience a great meal here. It's even better if you can go with friends or colleagues that are willing to share a number of dishes since everything is so good you'll be jealous of what others have on their plates. The service team was attentive, helpful with suggestions and anticipated our needs before we knew we had them. We really dove into the menu starting with a couple 'Snacks' - the Crispy Hominy was good but probably the only item I wouldn't order again- the texture was nice but the flavor wasn't as delightful as the other dishes. Even the olives we ordered were wonderful. I shocked myself tonight as I have now forsaken my life's love, Barrata, for their Stracciatella. They paired this divine creamy soft strands of mozzarella cheese with flavorful heirloom tomatoes. Well it's probably unfair to say I've totally forsaken Barrata as Stracciatella is what is inside the heart of a ball of Barrata. The house made linguine was a great twist on carbonara. The fresh pasta was cooked al dente and tossed with piave vecchio cheese, yummy house smoked bacon and a bit richness with the poached duck egg yolk. Totally cravable. The greek farro salad is a nice small starter. Flavorful and chewy farro is seasoned and paired with salty french feta. The leg of lamb with a lovely cucumber and peach salad and greek yogurt on top of it. The meat was tender and didn't taste gamey like some lamb dishes can be. The Poulet Rough chicken with orange and olives was tender and flavorful - if you like chicken try this - it's roasted with great flavor and juiciness. The wood oven roasted long beans had a suprising texture - they weren't crisp like some green beens are - it had an unexpected flavor and texture.. The best way to describe it was similar to what I'd expect roasted green onions to taste like. Desert - ah yes dessert!!! The passion fruit Pot Du Creme was the table favorite and we fought over the two little coconut donuts that were clearly just made. Who needs crispy cream? One of the all time best donuts I've ever eaten! Yummy!!!!! The menu at Michael's changes often and they use fresh local food. But even if the items I mentioned on the menu aren't there don't fret - you are in good hands and anything you order will be great.
(5)Jonah K.
This place is awesome, I have been for lunch twice (in one week) and I can't wait to go back. There is no doubt why this establishment is on the top of most lists in Miami. Just about everything here is amazing. The burrata was superb, as were some of the sandwiches. Service is great, and the space is nice, but not too done up. Overall A+ and I will come back again.
(5)Cindy K.
Make a reservation! Busy place. Super awesome service. Food was great. Not the BEST..but nothing to complain about. Had lunch. Pulled pork sandwich, short rib Sand, and cheeseburger. Appitizers were civeche, chicken wings, pork belly. Everything was good- nothing spectacular. Area is nice. Validation rules!! 3 bucks!!
(4)Ricardo D.
One of my favorite spots in Miami, the menu is always spectacular and the service top quality,
(5)Javier Z.
Decent food. Unique menu. Nice atmosphere. Not out of this world but worth checking out.
(3)Ryna D.
Foodgasmic experiences await for you here! I heard of Michael's from the travel mag I subscribe to called AFAR. And add to that a stellar review from a fellow Yelper in NY and I knew I had to come here. So on my first night in Miami when my friend and I were deciding where to have dinner I suggested Michael's since she's yet to try it as well. It's located in the fashionable design district so it's a great location for brunch as well. We sat outside since the weather was great and met Thorp, our waiter for the night. He was excellent and just for him the service gets 5 stars. I love it when the staff is equally passionate about the food they're serving. He answered our questions well and did some great sales pitch but it didn't feel like he was telling us what to order or not order. The menu format comes in small shareable plates to large and extra large dishes. Since it was just the two of us we stayed within the small & medium category. We had the Cobia ceviche - delicious, fresh, 4 stars; the oven roasted double egg yolk - simple comfort food, yummy but would be better for brunch, 3.5 stars; the burrata - OMG divine! It's so fresh and creamy and paired with a simple salad of tomatoes and basil. 5 stars! We also had the crispy rice cake - unique, simple but tasty, 4.5 stars; and the crispy pig ears - think chicharron with less fat, 4 stars. For dessert we shared the confections, candies, and cookies platter. OH MY GOSH! Pastry chef Hedy is a genius! What better compliment to Chef Michael's simple but refined dishes than house made versions of confections that we're all familiar with? I swear, my friend and I kept gasping the surrounding tables probably thought we were weird. It's a rotating selection of Chef Michael and Hedy's favorite things according to Thorp. Refer to the picture I posted but we got house made Oreo, Snickers, girls scout Samoa cookie, cookies and cream, cappuccino shortbread, gelees, peanut brittle and so on and so forth! Every single one of them were so good that figuring out which one was our favorite was pointless. Personally I don't even think I can eat a regular Oreo cookie anymore after Chef Hedy's version! That dessert platter was beyond 5 stars! For drinks they have some really good cocktails - my friend's passion fruit caipirinha was made with fresh passion fruit! And they have an excellent wine list. Our total bill came to $90 each with tax and tip. Yeah, it's not cheap but that's with wine on the $18 range and the food is absolutely of top notch quality. They are serious with sourcing their food here. It's a philosophy. So go check out Michael's when you're in Miami!
(5)Nicole L.
After hearing about how amazing Michael's was for years, I finally had to try it out for myself. I went in for Sunday brunch with my boyfriend, and his grandmother. The servers were great from the beginning as we sat outside and they made sure to move the umbrellas to provide us with shade. A nice touch was when I went to the bathroom, my party had switched to a table that provided more shade, and as I was leaving the bathroom the hostess pointed out where they had moved. The service is great, the servers are very knowledgeable and professional. We started out with some house squeezed juices and tried the lemonade and watermelon juice, they were both very refreshing. To eat we had the double yolk egg which was delicious, the duck confit hash which I would definitely recommend, the house made chips and onion dip which was a great snack, and the blueberry pancakes which were very good. My favorite was the duck confit hash, every bite was amazing. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for brunch, and I am anxious to try out their dinner menu. It was a great experience.
(5)Eddie V.
This restaurant has been on my to-do list for a ridiculously long time, every time we go out we always end up somewhere else. After a gawking at all of their instagram pictures I finally ended up making the drive to Atlas Plaza and boy did this place live up to the hype! The staff was super friendly and atmosphere was very laid back. After managing to not drool all over the menu we ordered: Duck Confit - Amazing. Chargrilled Octopus - The most tender and flavorful octopus I've ever eaten. Crispy Pig Ears - Seasoned with cumin, like chicharron but less fatty, I wish I could buy a bag of these and eat them while watching football. Short ribs - The most tender and flavor iteration of short ribs I've ever eaten, the romenesco sauce goes perfectly and the roasted onions are bursting with flavor. For desert we had a smorgasbord of various deserts they were hit and miss but the ones that hit...HIT i.e. the marshmallow brownee I definitely will be recommending Michael's Genuine to everyone and cannot wait to come back for lunch and brunch!
(5)Brittany R.
I am really really disappointed to give this 3 stars. I had such high expectations for this place. The service was absolutely awful, our waiter was worthless. His favorite answer to every question was 'I don't know'--thanks for nothing. All the food we had tasted great, but as far as portions go and the lack of any sort of recommendation from our waiter really brought this place down. We ordered the asparagus as a side, I'm really glad everyone got one piece of asparagus on their plate....no seriously, everyone at the table got one piece, except one person, she got two. How can you say that is okay for a table of 5?! The pizza was ok--same as Harrys, the octopus was ok, the chips and onion dip were good, the short ribs were great, the pork belly was really good, the poached egg over the carpaccio was really good too. The other things we ordered were just ok, not even worth mentioning. Nothing was fantastic about this place. Unfortunately, we didn't order enough food and everyone was hungry when we left. It was kind of sad for a birthday dinner...whoomp whoomp.
(3)Melody K.
You get what you pay for. I recommend getting small and medium plates. The portions border on pretentious but don't be discouraged! These were like conversational pieces of gastronomical art, and the best way to explore the menu's exciting flavor profiles, textures, and creativity. I came here for Valentine's day with my boyfriend, who knows that there's no better present than numerous plates of deliciously prepared meat. The crispy pork belly steals the show. The plate presents a small brick of pork belly, that is crisped and layered outside of its own meaty and fatty bits, so each forkful drops a textural/flavor bomb in your mouth. Kimchi all over the menu- fresh and less potent than usual, but on this date night I was thankful for that. Fried rice cake with chorizo is a must-have, like a smoky arancini, topped with the promise of a creamy egg yolk. Yeah. Duck confit was tasty- the pureed citrus is lush and bitter. Cheese board was meh- not enough cheese for the money- please spend that $ on another small or medium plate instead. Dessert: please get the cookies! Homemade oreos, nutterbutters, macarons, and biscotti, need I say more. It was sort of the perfect ending to a meal which was was a surprising mix of comfort and edgy.
(5)Emily P.
My husband and I popped in on a a random Thursday night, and they were busy! We sat at the bar instead of taking the 30 minute wait for a table- no regrets there. Bar staff was super friendly and helpful. We tried the arancini roasted squash, honey crisp salad, olives, and octopus pizza. Everything was phenomenal, and the tastes were unlike that I had ever had before! The olives were marinated in some magical melody of herbs and spices, the squash made me wish I had ordered five plates of it, the apples on the salad... Paired with the goat cheese and greens... I could live off it. The octopus pizza was the perfect amount of delicacy and comfort food, a hint of the sea at home. Drinks were awesome! I had wine, although next time I will try their cocktails. My husband enjoyed their home brew beer, and another- all great. Definitely will be making reservations to take friends here, soon! Great classy environment, but casual enough to walk in randomly.
(5)Rebecca A.
I adore my friend Brenda P. who gave this place such a great review, but I respectfully disagree. I went with my parents, brother (who came in from out of town), and husband for a nice dinner. My parents and brother are the foodies in my family, but I have picked up quite a bit from them over the years and I believe that Michael's is just trying too hard. We arrived in time for our reservation and were seated outside right away. Thank goodness we were seated outside because inside seemed loud and chaotic and there was no way we would have been able to hear each other over our meals. The menu was nothing short of pretentious. It reminds me of a George Carlin or a Monty Python routine, something along the lines of , "loin of panda served with a bat piss reduction over Florida panther nail clippings. and mixed greens" The ingredient choices are weird - what is this, Iron Chef with a secret ingredient? And then, for all that it's pretentious, the food is not plated in a particularly attractive way and the service was substandard. Case in point, when it started to rain, NOTHING was done to help shelter the diners or their food. We were only half under umbrellas and my chocolate dessert (which was actually pretty good) was rained upon. The next day, my brother got sick and was pretty sure it was the foie gras to blame. My advice? Skip this one. There are lots and lots of interesting and unique places to try for an inspired dinner in this area of Miami. Find somewhere else to go.
(2)Michael W.
I've had Lay's, Fritos, Doritos and Cheetos... Ruffles, Pringles, and even Tostitos. But when you dip those thick cut, well fried, well seasoned potato chips into the even more heavenly carmelized onion-creamcheese/sourcream/awesome dip, you will NEVER want to eat another type of potato/corn chip ever again in your life. Except for the Crispy Hominy with Chili & Lime, of course. Along with the crispy pork belly and indian style curried carrot soup (which were both divine), we started the end of our time in Miami with a wonderful potpourri of culinary delights, with influence from East and South Asia, the Southwest, and good ol' 1950's American home cooking. Now that's what I call New American food! We had stumbled in half asleep, half hungover, and half ready to go back to our apartments in NYC (I know, I know, technically not a half each...) with our suitcases and backpacks, and after a little fuss our bags were quickly dealt with and we were promptly seated as the first guests of the day. Following a relatively quick ordering process from our cheerful server, we were quickly underway on our culinary adventure. [Side note: one of the servers noticed someone in our party was wearing a Stanford jacket and started chatting us up about how well they did in the Orange Bowl and how Andrew Luck is awesome. Four thumbs up for that. Yes I'm having trouble counting today]. The appetizers came and went so fast that I was sad to see them go into our bellies, but when the main's came all was forgotten. I tried a bit of the Grilled Fish sandwich, Pork Pizza, Skirt Steak, and the Angus Burger. I have to say, while many places make delicious steaks and pizza's and sandwiches, it's incredible that all of the food I tried stood out amongst those others as noticeably fresh, well thought out, and well executed. I can't say that I'll never have a fish sandwich as good as this one ever again, but Michael's does a great job of making something so seemingly simple so much better though attention to detail and execution. The fresh, locally sourced (when possible) ingredients, friendly service, and chef Michael Schwartz's menu combined for one of the truly best dining experiences I've ever had. Bravo. 5 stars for wonderful food and wonderful experience Revisit? Most definitely!
(5)Sandra E.
Ahh, it feels good to be back....to Yelping....and Michael's Genuine This being my first review in a looong time, I'm glad I get to start with a really diverse, flavorful place like Michael's Genuine for brunch! I came here earlier in the year with the lovely Yelpers Brunch club, and returned once again in November- I was in the neighborhood and always remembered their duck confit....oh but I was in for something else! Being the Food Network lover that I am, I had to try the Pop Tarts they raved about on "My Favorite Thing to Eat" show.....and they were right on target. These delicious pastries were fruity, definitely more flavorful than what you remembered popping out of the toaster oven as kids- My favorite: the raspberry. Apple was pretty tasty too- I definitely wanted more to stuff in my pockets for later (Napolean Dynamite style), but I resisted the urge and continued ordering The Brioche was amazing- especially with the Persimmon jam (whoa!) and the chorizo was super flavorful... rich, spicy (not too spicy) but it was just what I wanted my taste buds to be experiencing- As I perused the brunch menu (mind you, I did share- although the plates were small, by this time my tummy was filling up...but it was a happy tummy nonetheless) I came across a 2-egg scramble plate. It was served with heirloom tomatoes and this one took the #1 spot in my book The only things I didn't really care for was the fact that there were open seats outside (which were saved for guests) but I never saw seated, so our experience was a 2 top, veeeery close to our neighbor 2- top. Now, I'm all for meeting new people, but we literally were distracted by the other couple's conversation the whole time... and I'm sure they weren't thrilled to hear ours either. Servers were great- friendly and definitely a plus :) Overall, I'll be back for brunch again if i get an outside table and some personal elbowroom for dining :)
(4)Barry S.
Best restaurant experience in years ... Crazy good food,creative dishes and great service ... Not in a great part of Miami but ill vacation here just to eat at michaels again
(5)Lena S.
Came here for our "big dinner out" on a vacation to Miami and I'm SOOO GLAD we chose this place. Its amazing! Everything we had here was just spot on. Since there was 4 of us, we decided to order a bunch of different things on the menu and just share. Highly recommend this if you go with a group because you're going to want to try everything :) Here's the damage: -deviled eggs - creamy and delicious -Wood oven roasted double yolk farm egg with cave aged gruyere, roasted tomato, chives, sourdough crostini - This was AMAZING. I would love it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. -peaches basil with french feta, almonds, radish- well balanced and very flavorful -burrata wiht heirloom tomato, paradise farms basil, fleur de sel - this was decadent. The burrata melted in your mouth and worked perfectly with the tomatoes which came in beautiful red, orange, and yellow colors -chargrilled octopus salad of gigande beans, roasted peppers- this was the only thing i wasnt a fan of, just because i don't like the texture of octopus. But the rest of the party enjoyed it -wood oven pizza with mushroom, fennel, grilled onions, fontina, teena's pride arugula- good thin crust pizza -wood roasted heirloom tomatoes with pesto - GIANT tomatoes flavored with delicous pesto -crispy hominy - this was a surprise favorite. Its like gourmet corn nuts. You're going to want this... trust me we also had two desserts -butterscotch banana pudding- this was unbelievable. Its like delicious crack :) -blackberry bread pudding- a bit too tart for me but then again, i have a massive sweet tooth
(5)Philip B.
Been here several times for lunch and dinner, but was going to the Arsht Center nearby the other night so made a nice evening of it by heading to Michael's before the show. It did not disappoint, as is usually the case. I'm not a huge fan of the way they have their menu with the smaller items, medium, etc. as I'd rather have a full plate rather than ordering fish and having it come out on a plate that is barely larger than the fish I ordered. You have to order sides with each main dish so I ordered the Anson Mills Cheese Grits which were spectacular to go with my local Wreckfish which was cooked very well. Anyways, to start we ordered the hand made potato hips with the onion dip which was amazing. We also ordered the Crispy Rice cake which comes with chorizo and rock shrimp and that was delicious as well. My girlfriend ordered the wood oven pizza with the pork belly on it and that was very tasty as well. Finally, for dessert we ordered the Tangerine Pot de Creme which is now my favorite dessert of all time. Every dessert I've ever had here has been amazing and is definitely the best part about Michael's in my opinion. I will definitely be back soon! Another note: The homemade fresh lemonade is great as well if you're looking for something refreshing and tasty!
(4)John E.
Ive been here quite a few times and i still remember the first time I went, i recognized the host and he knew me from a prior place he worked. The staff has amazing attention to detail, well educated in the menu and delivery. This reminds me of a great place you would find in SOHO in NYC. Now on to my food review... Brunch is just great here, The Duck Rillette is fantastic, Maybe not PC but I enjoyed it. I also recommend the short rib hash, roasted double yolk egg as well as the smoked bacon and breakfast sausage. I guess i dont have to mention the pop tarts, but theirs Oreos are heavenly. You really cant go wrong here with anything. Bring friends and spend a day. Bring a designated driver and try the Strawberry -Basil Caipirinha.
(4)Kate S.
Sooo good. If I lived in Miami, Michael's and I would have a weekly rendezvous. The experience was a favorite of mine in Miami. It's location is trendy, hence the coined neighborhood label "Miami Design District". Valet is available but I easily found parking on 39th St. just behind the restaurant. The food - impeccable. Shared the Country pate w. beau, stuffed myself pleased w. the shortrib and a side of chessy grits. He had the poulet rouge chicken, which was said to be "like no other chicken". The shortrib, sigh, ohh sooo good. Paired w the grits, the two were sensational. For dessert, heavenly tangerine creamsicle pot de creme. I've made pot de creme several times, it's a favorite at my house. I will sooo hearteningly try to remake Michael's version. : )
(5)Lacey M.
Now, I have by no means eaten at every restaurant in Miami, however I believe Michael's Genuine to be the best! The very best!! We had no trouble getting a table for two for lunch on a Wednesday. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. They answered all of our questions about the menu without hesitation. After much discussion, we decided to start with the pan fried onion dip and homemade potato chips. I'm a sucker for french onion dip; however this was beyond any other I've ever had. The dip was very creamy and the chips were perfectly crisp!! For entrees, we both ordered the Black Angus Burger and added bacon and cheese. I ordered my burger medium with vermont white cheddar and my friend ordered her's medium rare with blue cheese. This burger is sent straight from heaven. It was simply marvelous. The flavors of the cheddar and bacon and the amazing brioche bun cannot be described as anything other than absolutely perfect. This is probably one of the freshest burgers I've ever had. This brioche bun tasted like a croissant directly from France. I know...I've been! It was buttery and toasted to perfection. I cannot say enough about this burger; however dessert is also a thing of beauty at this fantastic establishment. My friend ordered what they call Pie in a Jar. It was a small mason jar layered with peanut butter moose, Oreo crumbles, marshmallow fluff, and chocolate covered crispies. All topped off with the freshest whipped cream I have ever tasted! It was heaven in a jar!! I ordered the Tangerine Creamsicle Pot de Crème. It consisted of doughnuts coated in brown sugar and a little pot of tangerine cream that was so velvety you could eat it with a spoon! The doughnuts were divine! Warm and fantastically soft! There was also a side of blackberry jam that gave the dish a great tang! And last but definitely not least, we ordered the Candies, Cookies, and Confections to go. These cookies were unbelievable! So fresh and amazingly sweet! All in all, this was absolutely one of the best meals I have ever had in my life! I cannot wait to go back!!
(5)Albert M.
Simply put one of the best meals in Miami. Fresh, locally-procured ingredients, and excellent recipes take the food here to new levels. This is my first 5-star review of a restaurant on Yelp. It truly deserves it, I love how when you read the drink menu, everything is already picked out for you, you can't find a bad beer or drink on the menu. I remember looking all-over Miami for Brooklyn Brewery's elusive and rare Black Ops with no success and then I arrive to Michael's and there it is on the menu. One of the things I like about this place is that you can come on a regular basis and still get something different every time because of the rotating menu. This can also open you up for a failed dish (aka 'a miss') because the chef needs to constantly teach his cooks how to prepare new dishes, but you know what.. they usually nail it and its totally worth the risk. My servers have been incredible. Literally perfect, not there so often that your annoyed but just often enough to take care of your every whim. They are also incredibly knowledgable about food, both on their menu and in general. I trust their reccomendations. This place is expensive, but INCREDIBLE. Again, my first 5-star for a restaurant on Yelp ever!
(5)Joseph C.
Michael's Genuine is one of those restaurants that you hope most "gourmet" restaurants in Miami are aspiring to be. Michael's is a place with an ever changing menu, a focus on fresh locally grown ingredients, and consistently delivering a quality product. Chef Michael Schwartz seems to be doing everything right in his restaurant. The ambiance here is great. It is located in the design district amongst a few upscale boutique and designer stores. There are also quite a few other great restaurants sprouting up in the area which adds to the wide variety of things to see, do, and eat in this up and coming neighborhood. As far as the actual restaurant goes, you have the option to sit inside or outside. I prefer to sit outside because there are trees that provide shade and the hallway often has a nice breeze, even in the summer months. The inside dining room is nice but is on the small side and the tables are somewhat close together. Overall though, it's a really nice set up. The food here is amazing. It's fresh, innovative, delicious, and most importantly it's consistently great. I've gone for brunch, lunch, and dinner. I'd venture to say that brunch may very well be my favorite because good gourmet brunches in this city are few and far between. Some of the highlights from bunch were the duck confit hash, wood oven roasted double yolk egg, and the fried egg sandwich. I also ordered some sourdough bread and watermelon juice which were both fantastic. For lunch and dinner i really liked the duck confit and the pork shoulder. You also can't go wrong with ordering any of the assortment of cheeses. In addition to fresh juices they have an impressive selection of beers that you don't normally come across. If you enjoy drinking really great craft beers from around the country, this is the place to do it. For dessert I hate the smores and boy were they delicious. The combination of the crunchy graham cracker, melted chocolate, and gooey marshmallow was just perfect. The service here is great. Every time I've gone the wait staff has been very attentive and go into great detail whenever you have a question about a menu item. They have all been great with making suggestions as well. For brunch this especially came in handy because there were so many thing that I wanted to try. The only thing I'd warn you about it to definitely make a reservation. It's not that easy to just walk up on any given night and get a table. It's always pretty full when I come. They also close for a couple of hours between brunch, lunch, and dinner so make sure to check the website for the hours of operation. Overall, I feel that Michael's is one of the top restaurants in Miami and will have the staying power to be in business for many years to come.
(5)A K.
Miami has a lot of choice for gourmet dining but the food at Micheal's was so good that I gave up some other choices on my restaurant list and went there twice during my week long stay at Miami. The food was simple and fresh, unpretentious and the ingredients complimented each other perfectly. The service was great particularly the hostess and the servers, although the bussers were a little abrupt at times. Highly recommend for both lunch and dinner. Must try: Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly with Kimchi and crushed peanuts. Roasted and Grilled Shortrib. Peaches salad.
(4)Toma R.
First class service and food at common-folk prices! Attentive, disarming staff who know the EXACT balance between assisting, serving & privacy. Food equally as impressive. Had the ahi special and it was TO. DIE. FOR. Sit in Ryan's section.......... You're welcome!
(5)Rachael L.
I went here for New Year's Eve and had an amazing time. The food was nothing short of spectacular and our waiter was so friendly we couldn't get enough of him. I love that they recycle their wine bottles to use them to serve water and they also filter their own water, both flat and sparkling. The food is all fresh off local farms so the menu can change from day to day. I loved the beer selection since I got to try a few things you won't find most other places, like the Belzebuth Blond Ale and the Great Divide Claymore Scotch Ale. They have a cheese of the week which I recommend trying no matter what it is. Wood oven roasted eggplant and crispy sweet and spicy pork belly are also a must have. And the desserts are to die for. I'm pretty sure anything you get will be delicious. If it wasn't so pricey I'd eat here constantly but trust me, whenever you can make it over there, it's worth every penny.
(5)Laura G.
Let me start off by saying my GF HATED this place, it could have something to do with my moving to DC 2 days later, or maybe with the fact that this food is what she eats at home every day, (lucky girl), but she was not pleased at all, until she had... the orange creamsicle dessert, she licked that plate clean! I was skeptical about this place from the beginning. I figured with all the media coverage it would be one of those places that stops producing good food after they get famous, but nope, it was amazing. We ordered the buratta, it was served with tricolored tomatoes, green, red and yellow and a light bit of olive oil. The juices from the tomatoes mixed with the oil and the soft burrata to create a symphony of flavors in my pallet. Next came the churrasco salad, they got my order mixed up so I ended up getting a churrasco + a salad, for which i'm not going to complain because I got some fries too! That salad was delicious, with their grilled orange half to squirt on top of my food, I was in food euphoria. I also stole some of my friend's brussle sprouts and pancetta, which made my salad all the more heavenly. Like I mentioned before, the dessert with the warm donuts was sooo good. It was black berry jam to balance the orange and lemon cream. I could not have been more pleased. I loved it. I can't wait to go back and try their brunch! Yumm..
(5)George K.
Awesome food, great service! Jenny, the hostess, always makes sure you get the table you want. And do try the dessert!
(5)Yvette O.
First time I came to this restaurant for some reason I was not thrilled about it but last night I decided to give it another shot and I loved it. I prefer to sit at the bar and for some reason everybody else too. If you don't have reservations you might be sitting outside for a while, so if you really want to eat here I suggest you make a reservation. On to the food. We stopped here last night before a concert so we weren't planning on eating a big meal. We pretty much ordered appetizers and small sides like the brussels sprouts with pancetta which was great. We also ordered the rice cake with manchego, chorizo and white rock shrimp and the crispy hominy with fresh lime. Both appetizers were delish. Their wood oven pizzas are really good too. Most importantly, the atmosphere and vibe to this place is just great. I would definitely come back!!!!
(4)Noel P.
Ive been here for brunch 2 or 3 times. Hands down the BEST brunch in Miami ever!!! everything was to die for.
(5)Teresa K.
We went for lunch right when it opened which was good because it filled up as soon as they opened the doors. The service was great and attentive without being pushy. I also appreciated the fact that they can adjust the temperature for each individual table because we were a bit cold with the AC blasting. I had the short rib panini which was amazing. I would definitely love to go here again as there were several menu items that sounded fantastic. Their fries are delicious too.
(4)Jessica R.
Just as amazing as advertised! I came after seeing their pop tarts on Food Networks "Best Thing I Ever Ate," and they definitely lived up to the hype. On the day I was there, it was a boysenberry flavor (sad that I missed mango and lychee, which is the current flavor!), and the crust was flaky perfection, and the filling clearly freshly made. We also had scrambled egg whites on a rosemary crumpet (like an english muffin), which had the potential to be basic and boring, but was really flavorful. I love english muffins, so the crumpet was a real treat! We also brioche french toast and a "spicy" octopus omelet (not spicy at all, much to my delight!), and both were good. The highlight for me was definitely the burrata, which is a special kind of mozzarella and comes with basil and mango, sprinkled with olive oil. The substitution of mango for tomato was really creative, and the combination was amazing! I'm usually a bit hesitant about fruit and savory pairings, but this one was out of this world. The current menu lists heirloom tomatoes instead of mangoes so I think the mango substitution is only offered sometimes, but if you have the chance to order it, definitely go for it! The service was above and beyond - the waiter let us know that there were only two orders of poptarts left, for which I'm so grateful! The location is also great - the Design District is such a gem, and a great place to walk around. Since we went on a Sunday, all the stores were closed, but it was still nice and there were lots of interesting window displays. It looks like there are cool restaurants sprinkled in every block or so, and (not surprisingly) they're all very aesthetically pleasing - we'll definitely be back!
(5)Erika T.
If you want fresh & local eats in Miami, you have to hit Michael's Genuine in the Design District. There's always a crowd, but if you make a reservation you can easily have a table fit 6+. Aside from that, its a lot of small tables, bar seating, and an outside courtyard. Back to the food--I went there fresh back from South America and was anxious to see how they put a spin on Latin classics like ceviche and pork belly. Everything tastes so fresh--which is how food should be! I also love their cheese of the week...I'm a big cheese fan! Try Michaels at least once, I'm sure you'll love it!! Additional notes: dim lighting, trendy, loungey, place to see & be seen
(5)David N.
Sit at the chef's table, awesome view of your order being made. Order the bone in rib eye, it was even tasty the 2nd day. They came out with a sparkler for the cake, which I really appreciated for my gf! This place is pretty small, so make reservations! Overall, this is the only meal i really remember in Miami.
(4)Theo H.
Food was heaven, but the host was a punk. I made reservations two days in advance, which somehow meant I had requested to sit outside in the rain?!?! I understand it is frustrating trying to deal with more reservations than you have seats, but communication is key. Rather than stand behind the podium and fumble about with the computer, the host should have just said, "Look, I'm really sorry, but we have too many reservations tonight and yours was the last one made for this time. You can either join us at the bar or sit outside under an umbrella. I wish there was more I could do, but I can't." Instead, he gave an unnecessary run around about what he would/wouldn't do that lasted 30 minutes. I was so frustrated and embarrassed in front of my future mother-in-law, it nearly ruined the meal.
(2)Jonathan W.
Definitely a restaurant worth trying if you are ever in Miami. A beautiful caprese and the most delicious honeycomb cheese plate I've ever had. The menu consists of a combination of small/med/large plates which you can choose depending on your hunger. It is located in a pretty quiet Miami design district but the atmosphere is bustling with good-looking people and some eye-catching pieces in the small dining area. Indoor and outdoor areas to choose from. Very interesting collection of dishes which seem to change every few months but always something worth exploring. Make reservations in advance
(5)Alex C.
What can be said that hasn't been said already? For dessert ask for the Grapefruit Sorbet with a chilled Grey Goose floater. Maybe even better, have one mid meal to freshen your palette!
(5)Dinorah a.
Yum!!! Gastronomic experience ! IT'S very difficult to get reservations so we sat at the bar...had the Local strawberry-basil caipirinha..WOOOHOO Appetizer ..TWO WINNERS Pork Belly OMG!!! Crazy good!!! Two wood roasted farm eggs with gruyere melted on top amazing! Main course the lamb on top of farro salad , scrumptious and finally for dessert ... Home made guava and cheese cake ice cream withdaily home made cookies and the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme WOW Heaven!!! I can see why they have a waiting list of regulars....They can add me to that list..
(5)A L.
Our friends were in town from Naples and insisted on having lunch at Michael's. I ordered the chopped salad with tahini dressing which was delicious. My husband was underwhelmed by one of the daily specials (a tuna sandwich) which, when it was explained, sounded like a piece of tuna but instead was an over-mayo-ed tuna salad sandwich. He was disappointed considering the price and the fact that he thought he was getting something different. Overall, staff was very nice, and would visit again. Important to note that there are VERY limited menu options for non-meat-eaters (as we are).
(4)Gina P.
Best meal in Miami hands down. A suprise at every visit. Pork Belly is out of hand and everything else is just as good. Never had so much cheek in my life! I do recommend one thing to make the most of your experience, order small plates and a lot of them rather than 1-2 medium or large plates. Trust me, it's just better that way. Wine list is nice as is dessert. I can go back again and again!
(5)M D.
I can't even remember how I liked the food, but what I'll always remember about this place is the terrible experience following the meal. The waiter lost my credit card, and lied about it, telling me after a 20 minute wait that the computer was down. When we offered to pay cash, he was happy to take the cash without returning the credit card first. After the manager became involved, the truth came out (over 30 minutes from the time the credit card had been surrendered). After reporting the card lost (by the restaurant), I went through weeks of dealing with a number of vendors who were left without a valid credit card to charge. It was an unnecessary headache that this disorganized restaurant caused.
(1)Eve C.
After everything that I've read about Michael's Genuine, I wasn't surprised to find that the place was packed for dinner on a random weeknight. Luckily, I'd had the forethought to make a reservation, and even though we were early, our table was ready as soon as we arrived. I was actually impressed with the service here. A server came over right away to ask about about water, and then ask about other drinks. And our waitress arrived shortly thereafter to take our food order. We tried the potato chips & onion dip and meatball appetizers, and both were outstanding. I loved that the chips were thick and had a good crunch to them, and that the onion dip had big pieces of onion in it, so I knew it was homemade. The meatballs (3 to an order) were also very good, but I'm not a huge meatball fan, so I probably wouldn't get them again. We decided to split some "small" and "medium" dishes for our entrees. We opted to try the sweet & spicy pork belly, the chicken wings, and the figs stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in bacon, along with a side of mashed potatoes. The pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth succulent, and the accompanying kimchee was addictive and deliciously spicy. The chicken wings themselves were good, but I really loved the creamy cucumber dip that came along side them. The figs were very good - tangy and sweet and smoky all at once. The mashed potatoes weren't all that special, and I definitely wouldn't order them again. For dessert we tried the chocolate cremoso, and it was unbelievably decadent! Overall, I was really impressed with the service and the Michael's Genuine dining experience overall. But what really wowed me was that our entire meal, including drinks (we had mojitos - they were fab!) was less than $100 (not including tip)!! Oh yeah, and parking wasn't a problem - there are plenty of spots on the street in the Design District - but you might have to walk a block or 2 to the restaurant (but beware - the parking machines only take coins or cards!).
(4)Megan G.
I came here for brunch a while back with my bf and two close friends. Our reservation was at 2:15, close to the end of brunch. We sat outside which was beautiful and the weather was lovely. Our table ordered about 12 different small plates to share, ALL of which were outstanding. The trouble came when ordering cocktails. Because we were at the end of brunch and Michael's is known for their fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, they were out of some of the ingredients needed to make two of the drinks we ordered. No problem, completely understandable. We changed our orders and moved on. My bf had the kimchi bloody Mary which was to die for. Best Bloody Mary either one of us had ever had and the one for all to live up to. It comes with shrimp! I had a Cabarete, which is a mix of champagne, watermelon juice and a few other things. It was refreshing, but definitely not as good as the bloody mary! Our bill came, around $200 for 4 people. I thought it was totally worth it. The problem arose when I got home and looked over the itemized receipt again. They charged us for the 2 drinks that they were out of and we therefore, never received. That was in addition to the replacement drinks. I called and spoke to the manager, everything was verified, I gave him the credit card information and he promised to credit the two drinks. Needless to say, they never did. I let it go but I didn't forget! I would still go back, but definitely look over the bill a bit more closely next time!
(4)Leslie S.
This is definitely one of my all time favorite restaurants and I visit every time I'm in Miami. On Monday I was there celebrating my Birthday and it was my best experience here yet to date. I had a 8:30 reservation for 4 and we showed up right on time. I had mentioned it was for 2 special Birthdays but they still gave us no love with an outside table. I think I will say the only blip in this whole night was the Hostess, she had a bit of an attitude. She was very fake nice. We went shopping across the way as our table wasn't ready and as we walked back into the place we snagged stools at the bar. At around 9:15 she came over to tell us our table was ready and I very nicely asked "is it OK if we just sit here?" Big sigh, I think she might have even "ugggghhhed". There was a couple standing at the Hostess stand that over heard this and asked if they could then take our table and she replied "it's not that easy!" uhhmmm, it kinda is. On to the most important part the food and wine. We ordered an amazing Tannat, a very underrated grape in my opinion. To start we had the burrata with heirloom tomatoes which could have been the best I've ever had, perfectly creamy and the tomatoes which heavenly. Next we had the char-grilled octopus which was probably my least favorite dish maybe because it was a bit chewy and had a very strong olive taste and I don't like olives in my food. The crispy rice cake, chorizo, rock shrimp with spicy tomato aioli was heaven on a plate. I could have had 3 of these!!! For a large plate we ordered the wood oven pizza which had sausage and broccoli rabe on it and it was out of this world!! The crust was thin and crispy, the broccoli rabe sauteed perfectly and the sausage was fantastic. All around fabulous eating and drinking experience!!
(5)Annabelle B.
My first 5 stars!! Well deserved too. Aside from all the awards and recognition Michael Schwartz has gathered over the years, I think it's important to stay relevant, fresh, creative, interested, enthusiastic and above all passionate. Those go for any successful relationship but when it's with food, there's so much to play with! And Mr. Schwatrz sure knows how to play. Michael and his team manage to keep the dining experience interesting yet consistently and comfortingly rewarding. For that alone, Michael's Genuine deserves five stars. Now on to the specifics: the service was charming and playful but not annoying, very knowledgeable and full of his own favorites and suggestions - it was great to soothe the potential intimidation one might feel while first reading the menu and the friends from out of town. The wine list included a nice variety from France, California, Chile, Argentina, Australia and more - without any particular trends or pattern besides for a focus on good solid wines. Prices went across the spectrum. I ordered 2 appetizers (titled "MEDIUM" on the menu): the burrata which was absolutely delightful, fresh and flavorful. Accompanied by sliced red tomatoes and quartered green tomatoes, the dish looked beautiful, with depth (visually and flavorfully) and was seasoned with a dash of balsamic vinegar, sel de fleur and fresh ground pepper, that's all it needed to perfectly complement the cheese and tomatoes. It was heavenly. And I will use the exact same adjective to describe my second app: the duck confit. Served with an orange marmalade (which I can only assume was homemade though I didn't ask), just sweet and tart enough to bring out the duck's unique and delicate flavors. It was cooked to perfection, crispy crispy skin and tender juicy meat. I savored every inch and scrapped every piece of meat off that bony duck! The others had the crispy rice cake with chorizo and shrimp, the wood oven roasted cobia, a mild white meat fish (drizzled with citrus vinaigrette) with fingerling potatoes and the roasted pork shoulder. None of which I tried for lack of room in my stomach (including the space I was saving for dessert). However, the consensus seemed to be that everything tasted great. The only left over to be fond was on the pork shoulder dish, supposedly it had a chunk of fat. Personally I am not a fan of ingesting the fat though I do agree it gives the meat flavor while cooking. SO, some like it fat and some don't, to each his or her own. At last but not least, the James Beard Foundation semi-finalist pastry chef's creations! The hubby had the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme served with homemade doughnuts and berry preserve. There was not one crumb left. The guests from out of town had the chocolate cremoso, which I didn't understand very well what it was but had to try a tiny bite: it was a creamy chocolate and a creamy expresso ball. The touch of sel de fleur with other unexpected but extremely compatible flavors brought the need to pause and think about the different expressions forming in my mouth. I can't remember the details but I was engulfed in a whirlwind of tastes and new sensations, much the same as my own dessert: the coconut brownie sunday. I wasn't sure I wanted it because I couldn't imagine the final result from the ingredients described... The passion fruit sorbet, the coconut shavings, the brownie, the peanuts and caramel - all too wild to imagine. There was silence as we all tried our desserts and then while we identified each flavor with what we had read on the menu and as we finally just enjoyed those crazy combinations. At least that's what was going on in my mouth and brain! Michael's Genuine is a destination. Locals and visitors alike should try it. It's a unique experience worth every dime (not cheap but it certainly earns its price without being pretentiously expensive). And there is my five stars review.
(5)Chris F.
What hasn't been said about this place? It's good clean food. In a city filled with chefs trying to do the next big thing, schwartz just does his food and you have to respect that. What I ate: Pig Ear, Pork Belly, Mussels, Ceviche, Duck, and Pot de Creme All were amazing!
(4)Angel P.
My hubs and I ate here recently for lunch while on a trip to Miami. We sat outside and loved the relaxed, friendly vibe of the place. The service is attentive (you won't go thirsty here!) and helpful. The menu is varied and modern, with plenty of familiar options for the less courageous of your dining partners. The food was mostly fabulous, although the deviled egg was a bit of a miss for us. I loved the creaminess of the yolk, but there was some off-taste we didn't care for. (The waiter claimed that Tabasco was the secret ingredient we were tasting. I would swear in court that the funky flavor was fish sauce.) Since it was lunch, we just had a fish sandwich and burger, which were delicious. My only suggestion would be for them to figure out how to keep the bottom slice of bread on the fish sandwich from being soggy. Two bites in, and I had to switch to a fork to eat the thing. Despite the weird texture, I ate it all, so that's something. The fries were good, but lukewarm and not the best we've had. I know I'm nit-picking in this review, but I really wanted to give 5 stars to the place, and they fell just a wee bit short. Despite the minor glitches, I'm dying to go back and try the place for dinner the next time we're in town. They've somehow mastered the combination of urban coolness with genuine warmth, and the food is, quite simply, really, really good.
(4)Winnie C.
I have to sadly remove 1 star from Michael's to a 4 stars only restaurant. It used to be on my "Best Miami restaurants" list, but my recent visit has made me want to change my review. The food quality was not as good as before anymore. Well...I mean it's still very good, just not excellence as it used to be. We ordered the same BLT salad which we love, and gosh...that suppose to be a very delicious piece of bacon turned out to be a piece of charcoal. We were very disappointed, even though the waiter did offer to replace the bacon, but since it will be a wait and it will only go well if eaten together with the other items on that plate, we decided to forget about that. The baked double eggyolk was always one of my favorite. And the oven roasted chicken was very very delicious, especially the crispy skin that was roasted perfectly. The pork shoulder however was a big disappointment, not only because of the taste but the meat wasn't even fresh. Here come the desert, which is always the highlight of this restaurant as the pastry chef is one of the best in town. Since we have tried almost everything on their desert menu before, we decided to go with their special of the day "peach cobbler", which was a big mistake. Not only it's nothing special at all, you can probably get something better than that from a supermarket bakery.
(4)Gina T.
Our last night in Miami would provide the best meal we had. G had called the restaurant before we left and knew we couldn't get a reservation, but we figured we'd give it a shot, and at worst we'd eat at the bar. As it turns out, they did not, in fact, have any tables available so we stalked a group of people sitting at the bar waiting. We each ordered a glass of wine - a Zinfandel Blend, Ridge, Lytton Springs, 2007 for G and a Chateauneuf du Pape Grenache blend for me. Honestly, my wine was so good I could have bathed in it. G ended up getting a glass of that for his second. As I'm sure you've probably guessed, we did not order entrees, but a ton of appetizers instead. They brought them out one and two at a time and we ate ourselves silly. Kumamoto Oysters The oysters came out, and as I picked one up, G said to me: "Have you ever had a Koumamoto oyster?" "No" I said, I hadn't. "Okay, eat one and tell me what you taste." It had a familiar taste, but I couldn't quite identify what it was. "Cucumbers" he said, "They taste like cucumbers". Holy shit. Yes. They tasted like cucumbers. Burrata Salad A twist on a Caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes, basil and fresh burrata cheese. If you've never had buratta, you need to get some in your mouth ASAP. It's like a creamier mozzarella. We weren't originally going to order it, but I lobbied for it we I'm glad I did. I was so damn good. Florida Rock Shrimp Ceviche This bright ceviche was so good. I don't always like ceviche, sometimes I find the textures to be problematic (most of the foods I don't care for are based solely on texture, not flavor). Not in this case. There were big pieces of shrimp, fish, mango, avocado, orange and cilantro. I felt like we were having sword fights with our forks over the pieces of seafood. Duck Confit The duck was served with creamed corn, cherry compote and frisee. I happen to be allergic to cherries so, ever the gentleman, G dissected the duck so that I could eat a piece without cherries on it (there was no way I wasn't going to taste this). Once this plate was brought out, I didn't hear from G for a few minutes. He all but licked the plate. Chargrilled Octopus Green olives, herbs, beans, roasted peppers and a perfectly grilled piece of octopus. Seriously, the octopus could not have been better. Charred on the outside, tender on the inside. I don't even know if there is anything more to say about it. It was so flippin good. Oh yeah. We got an order of French fries too. We didn't take a picture of them, but we sure did eat them. They were practically perfect. Because we didn't have enough food, we needed fries too! Then - because this meals wasn't gluttonous enough - we got dessert too. Popcorn and Peanuts I literally do not know where to start. There was a buttered popcorn ice cream. What?! Buttered. Popcorn. Ice Cream. Then, caramel corn covered in dark chocolate. I would have been happy with just that. But of course that wasn't enough. They had to push it over the top and damn near make me scream with ecstasy at the bar... it was a play on a chocolate peanut butter candy bar. I have spent the past week thinking, dreaming, lusting over this dessert. Moans came from G. Angels might have sung. And how could I forget? We also had two glasses of a sparking rose.
(5)Ting W.
There's a definitely long wait if you didn't reserve a table. Really great place to have an upscale brunch with good tasting food with outdoor seating. I ordered the passion fruit drink, greek yogurt with orange blossom honey, and kimichi eggs benedict. Great place to try for tapa style dinning! Get 3-4 and it'll fill you up!. Kimichi eggs benedit is the bomb with a spicy hollandaise sauce over the poached eggs served over an warmed baked English muffin.
(5)Mike A.
Amazing food and fun ambiance. The food is one of the best in Miami, but the prices are high. It's worth a visit on special occasions,
(5)Nydia M.
I was surprised to see how full this place was on a random Wednesday afternoon for lunch. We showed up without reservations, but only had to wait a few minutes to be seated. The potato chips (thick cut potato chips...Mmm...) and onion dip are great. The sweet & spicy grilled free range chicken sandwich was a bit messy, but tasty as heck. Had I been alone, I would have probably licked my hands clean instead of wasting the yumminess on my napkin. The boyfriend had the Angus burger, which he seemed pretty pleased with. And the homemade french fries were also great. I would have given this place 5 stars had the service not been nonexistant for 10 minutes after we were seated. After I stopped another waiter and told him what was going on, everything was fine.
(4)Vanessa G.
I am currently in love with Michael's Genuine. I always have great service, really yummy and thoughtfully prepared apps & meals, and of course brunch... every bite is always a tasty and creative experience. Oh, and I cannot say enough about their desserts. Basically their pastry chef, Hedy, is a goddess of delicious desserts... YUM! Her take on classic sweet treats is out-of-control good. So, even if you have dinner at another place in the Design District, save some room for dessert by Hedy at Michael's Genuine.
(5)Marina V.
Been here several times before, but finally OFFICIALLY going to write the review !! This place is tucked into a little nook in a 'strip mall' (for lack of a better term) in the design district. A good place to wander around in its own right, but Michaels anchors this area for sure. They have seating outside, and while it would be great on a nice night, the area is not 100% covered, and threatening rain this night, we opted for an inside table. We had a good sized group, and there is not a WHOLE bunch of room inside, but it was 'cozy'; not too cramped. There was quite a bit of chatter, but we were creating own own buzz to add to the level, so it was all good. This is that ol' problem where if they made it bigger, it would change the atmosphere; so don't fix what ain't broke... On to the menu....to simplify, I just recommend getting one of EVERYTHING !!! Let's see, what DIDN'T we have... No, seriously, the best thing to do in a group is just order groups of things and pass them around. We had [big breath in...] the mussels, the cheese plate, the caprese salad, the pork belly, the ceviche, [breath....] the double yolk farm egg, the chargrilled octopus, the pork chops, the short ribs, the fingerling potatoes, the hominy, the brussel sprouts with pancetta [BIG breath out....] .... Oh, and of course just a few bottles of wine (OK...well, maybe MORE than a few) The eclectic mix of flavors on each one of the dishes has you thinking ''this can't possibly work'' and it works PERFECTLY. We all had to unbutton our pants after we were done, and then came the DESSERT !! [cue homer simpson drooling] MMMMmmmmm... FOOOOOOOD.... Our waitress Annalise was outstanding, and was understanding when we weren't sure how we were going to order; she made some suggestions, and left us to chat among ourselves while we finally figured it out and waited for the eats !! For being busy, she was on top of everything at the table. One word of warning with the menu; be prepared to get carried away ordering ($$$) ; it very easy to do. Having been there before I knew what we were in for. You have to just go for it and enjoy yourselves !! I love the wine list, and actually I had a wine there that I'm STILL trying to get 2 years later...They have some great 'boutique' selections. Highly recommend this restaurant. GO, and be prepared for the culinary artistry!!
(5)Linda P.
We had a group of 26 medical professionals at Michael's for business dinner and presentation on 10/3 in their banquet room with a 4-course prix fixe menu (Poulet Rouge Chicken, Fudge Farms Pork Shoulder, and Harris Ranch Skirt steak as entrees). Their banquet room was very nice and didn't feel crowded, even with a 6' screen and projector. The wait-staff was terrific - not hovering over you, but very attentive, and happy to explain the dishes. The entree portions were generously sized, and nicely plated. The folks at Michael's understand the meal pricing restrictions in the medical industry, and provided a wonderful meal within guidelines. The cheese grits and Key Lime pie are terrific!
(4)Jose L.
I'm being a little harsh on this review. I love the food here, I think the menu is great, lots of seasonal options, overall it's a very solid place when it comes to the food. The service on the other hand ranges from bad to terrible, I can tolerate mediocre service if the food is good enough, but an hour wait for a table when you have a reservation seems like too much. Appetizers or bread showing up when it's almost time for dessert, also bad; and for the most part the staff is very unapologetic. It has also been a downward spiral since Chef Michael started focusing on the expansion of his empire, nothing wrong with that, but I wish he would pay more attention to his original place. Save room for dessert if often as good or better than the savory part of the meal
(3)Wayne H.
I've read some of the reviews about having to wait despite having a reservation and getting poor service and I can say that neither of these happened to us the two times we went to Michael's, once for dinner and once for happy hour at the bar. It is true what reviewers have said about the two-tops--you are literally sitting elbow to elbow with another table. What we liked: - Wood roasted double yolk farm egg (!!! had this twice; it's amazing) - Crispy sweet and spicy pork belly - Wood roasted cobia entree - Roasted pork shoulder entree - Chips & dip - Duck rillette - Dessert: Popcorn & peanuts (amazing!) - Reasonably priced wine selections by the glass and bottle - Happy hour: 1/2 off glasses of wine and cocktails - Friendly, attentive servers and bartenders Not a fan: - Ceviche--way too sour for our taste - Chargrilled octopus--also way too sour and had an odd texture, possibly previously frozen - Very limited, very-Pinot centric offering of wines by the glass This is a great spot and a really great value for happy hour--you can order off the main menu starting at 5:30pm and get half off drinks from 4:30-6:30pm.
(4)Mike S.
The food is well prepared except for the seasoning. I would describe his food as whimsical and awkward. Lasagna with bits of liver? I love lasagna and I love liver but not together. Deep fried Korean pork belly with imitation kimchi? Sour ceviche. Unsatisfying/savory duck confit. Burnt pork sandwich from the brick oven. Although I visit once in a while expecting something new and exciting on the menu, it has not changed much over the years. The food is boring and I never really crave Michael's. It's not a restaurant you would want to visit more than once a month. If you are not ticked off by slow understaffed waiters, have 2 hours to spare for dinner, not from NYC or LA, and if there are no picky eaters in your party, I would recommend Michael's. Top Chef DC winner Kevin was eating there last night which says a lot... We all know Angelo deserved the win.
(2)Stephen T.
Fantastic food! My second time there any both were outstanding!
(4)Stefanie S.
This is my new FAVORITE restaurant. I don't know where to begin...the food was..superb!! Here is what I tried and every last bit was heavenly: homemade chips with french onion dip fried hominy fried pork belly served on a bed of kimchee ( OMG!! You haven't lived unitl you try it.) That was just appetizers...I had the burger( definitely on my top list). My friends had the shredded pork sandwich with some kind of creamy sauce...WOW Also, the pizza with pork and figs was fantastic. Then comes dessert... I am not going to ruin the surprise! You MUST try this place. It is insane to me that this restaurant averages at 4 stars. This is a 5 +++++
(5)Douglas C.
This review may be white noise since so many others have reviewed it. Therefore, I will keep it short. Made a reservation for 7 people last Thursday night and was seated in the side room. Our waiter, Remyl, was awesome the entire night. Very friendly and accommodating and excellent at keeping track of all the requests of our rather large table. He was also able to answer a lot of questions the group had. When two more friends showed up after the Heat/Lakers game, he welcomed them without hesitation. The food was very good and fun to try. We split a bunch of appetizers, ceviche, potato chips with onion dip, double egg yolk, pizza, ceviche, burratta and chicken wings. My favorites were the double egg yolk (a really good omelet) and the chicken wings. For my main I went with the pork shoulder. This was cooked well, very tender but I was not a fan of the seasoning. It was too sweet and spicy for me and overpowered the flavor of the pork in my opinion. The side of grits were good, but not outstanding. The table favorite was the pork chop, which I must admit, was damn good. For dessert we had the pot de creme with donuts. They were awesome. Would I come back to Michael's? No doubt. It was a really cool restaurant with good food, good service and an overall good vibe.
(4)Emann B.
Really great food. The BLT salad was almost a meal with the rich wedge of blue cheese and the lightly chopped frisee. I opted for a red meat treat and had the 12 oz sirloin. It was a tad too rare, but a quality chunk of moo nevertheless, tender and flavorful, complemented by a rich, buttery green peppercorn sauce. Brussel sprouts with pancetta were a great side, and desserts were fine all around. The service was good, with our server throwing a touch of snarkiness that was more entertaining than annoying. It's a great location smack in the middle of the design district, which makes for relaxed window shopping and people gazing as you stroll around and digest.
(4)Jen D.
Small portions but good food and service. I really appreciate when they don't overload my plate. Duck was juicy and crispy outside, orange sauce on the bottom not on top was a good idea so you can actually taste the duck. Passion fruit ice cream over brownie very yummy! If you are very hungry ordering different dishes will be a good idea. Great for sharing.
(3)Phillip B.
Was very excited to finally try Michael's after speaking to a friend and reading the reviews. We went a few nights ago.... I was disappointed... The hostess was friendly, but overall the service was not good, the food was very average and not AT ALL what I was expecting for those prices. The duck confit was badly overcooked and dry, the steak au poivre was fatty and over-done and our waiter was inattentive- a couple of times i had to remind him to bring our drinks. I don't see myself going back!
(1)Jor-El G.
Came here to eat during lunch with my boss since we had heard good things about it butttttttt.... yea, who lied? this place is pricey and not worth it. The sandwich was plain, the salad was in dire need of more dressing, and the same went for everyone else at my table. Why spend a lot of money on mediocre food when u can spend less on awesome food? 2 stars for the cute waiter though.
(2)Dustyn S.
Real Miami-like place. Impressed with the quality and the presentation of the plates, but definitely fell short of my expectations when I saw the portions. Be ready to spent $$$ here if you want to leave on a full stomach. I went for brunch one day, but have heard that the portions are much better for different meals during the day/night. I would return to try some other dishes as this place has over 400 reviews and is still standing strong at 4 stars.. that has to mean something...
(4)Ryan V.
I enjoy going go Michael's on the weekends for a little something different to eat. The food is very good, but not the best ever. It's always busy so I suggest either going early or making a rsvp if you can. They put a twist on almost everything they serve and I enjoy that. It's not going to be your classic dishes. Their dessert menu is their best. They have one of the best pastry chefs around. I really enjoy Micheal's but I don't love it. If you are looking for something a little different and you are in the Design District or Midtown area it's worth a stop.
(3)Ed C.
Went here a few months back while in Miami. Won't go into too much detail - but this was one of the best meals I have had. Ever. We ate everything. I mean: EVERYTHING. I will detail our desserts - that Tangerine Creamsicle Pot De Creme - with the warm salty doughnuts and the tarragon blackberry reduction. Holy. Ish. I actually had that moment when you close your eyes and just sit back and enjoy all those tastes in your mouth. Heavenly.
(5)Lauren H.
So I mentioned in another review that it, and another restaurant (that I didn't mention names) were tied for the best food I have ever ate, anywhere, ever. This is the other restaurant. Beautiful place, excellent service, and everything I had was absolutely fantastic and by "everything" I don't just mean an appetizer and entree. I went with this guy and his loaded parents and his dad had a habit of saying "One of everything!" to the server whenever we went out to dinner. And by "loaded" I don't mean drunk, I mean rich. So I really did have everything.
(5)Jeffrey D.
Outstanding food and unreal service! I had the pig ear strips, which were awesome, and I shared a delicious fish plate with my wife. All the food is fresh, sustainable, local, and in season only. The restaurant serves what was described as a french-american fusion menu. It's pricey, but you get what you pay for.
(5)Kristen C.
Went for lunch to celebrate administrative professional's day with the office. It was a gorg day out so sitting outside was nice. I had the Curried Mahi Wrap, which was so interesting and delicious! It had couscous, raisins and onions -- which really went together well. The fries were whatevery - nothing out of this world, though. The burgers and pizzas are huge, and also looked very good. Pedro P. and I have to go back and try brunch, which I hear is fabulous! FYI- If you notice a woman walking around all zombie-like with a purse and some jewelry on, she's a model for the jewelry store next door. A little creepy, but an interesting marketing effort.
(4)Robert W.
After a couple of days in Miami, I was ready to go home...other than Little Havan, I thought pretty much everything was lacking authenticity. Our dinner at Michael's changed that. My wife actually ate a couple of bits of the fried pig's ears...a deleicious snack...everything we had (how could you not try a cocktail named for the great Sonny rollins?!) was interesting and beautifully prepared and presented. The prices were extrememly reasonable...and the service and advice on choices we received from our waiter, Tasos, was top notch. Michael's may be the only reason I'd consider returning to Miami. Thanks, Tasos, for a great experience.
(5)cristina f.
Honestly, one of the best meals I've had in Miami. The price of the food is completely worth it. I've been here twice and have had delicious meals both times. The food was great and the staff friendly and helpful. The vibe is really great- none of the regular pretentious attitudes you get from usual Miami hang-out spots. I definitely want to go back and try a different dish. So far, I've had the falafel sandwich and the breakfast pizza--- both great! I'm dying to try their BBQ brisket. Definitely leave room for dessert- their homemade doughnuts are to DIE for. YUM!
(5)Adam B.
Ok...so I am back in Miami and of course the first place that I had to eat at was Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. This place really has become one of the true culinary gems in South Florida serving up consistently excellent food at (considering where you're eating) pretty reasonable prices. This visit to Michael's was all about dinner and eating through some of the menu items that I have yet to try. Here is what we ate: - Burrata with local heirloom tomatoes....beyond awesome (see Kat F.'s review if you don't believe me.) - Tuna tartare...the raw quail egg was a bit scary but ultimately delicious. - Margarita wood oven pizza...perfect appetizer - Pan roasted 1/2 "poulet rouge" chicken....golden delicious - Pan roasted wild striped bass - Steak au Poivre.... surprisingly excellent for a non-steak house and for dessert.... - Popcorn and Peanuts.....all I can say is "holy shit" good - Candies, Cookies & Confections....a must try. There is a reason why I keep coming back to Michael's. It because it's just that good.
(5)Linet P.
Michaels is that restaurant where you go to feel good about your human condition, where you reflect about how great civilization is for allowing the evolution of need into pleasure. It is the place to look around and hope for a better Miami, with more courtyards like theirs. it is also the place where you go to remember that Jazz and Blues are meant for romance, and that cooking is really a form of art.
(5)Mimi S.
Pros: Great dessert Cons: Snobby games & one bad apple (service) We'd heard a lot about the desserts and decided to give it a try. We didn't make a reservation but I kid you not, it was a Sunday night and there were several tables open outside. We go to the reception inside and a pleasant gentleman tells us that he was sorry but they were fully booked for the rest of the night. He could put us on the waiting list if we like and wait at the bar. We tell him no problem and decide to leave instead. As we're walking away, he approaches us again and says something just opened up. What really happened here was we were supposed to gratefully ask to be put on the waiting list and start a tab at the bar thereby spending money at the bar and then for a sit-down meal. When we're seated, our server is courteous but unhelpful. My husband loves to ask for recommendations and wants to try the best thing for desserts. The guy tells him that everything is equally good and dismisses us. What's wrong with telling us what he really likes or doesn't? Not sure if it was because we were there for desserts only and he knew our bill wouldn't garner a huge tip. While my sister-in-law and I decide on one dessert, my husband is rattled by the snobbishness of the waiter and just picks the first item. We loved the coconut brownie with passion fruit ice cream and macadamia nuts. Had to be one of the best desserts I've had in a while. The gay waiter who brought it, told us immediately that it was his favorite. His enthusiasm and genuine attitude won us over in the half-minute he was there and we all wished he was our waiter instead. The dessert my husband ordered, the Boston cream pie-in-a-jar, was not as wonderful but I guess it didn't help that it was ordered with a waiter who didn't want to give us any of his time. If we could have a more genuine waiter, and less pretentiousness, we would consider going back for a full meal.
(3)Henry S.
With this place always being featured one way or another on the Food Network, we made it a point to eat here during our short visit in Miami. The food was good but it was not the best I've ever had. Yes some dishes were outstanding but overall was not a 5 star place for me. We actually came for Sunday Brunch and they were very busy. I would highly suggest making reservations here so you wont have to wait. Some of the dishes that stood out for me was: The rice cake with egg. Delicious Home made donuts and pop tars. Nuff said. Reuben omelet. Breakfast pizza. I do have to say that service was superior and our waitress was very thorough in explaining the dishes to us. Michael's had great ambiance and outstanding service.
(4)Myra W.
Always a GREAT experience for me @Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. The place to SEE and be SEEN. Chef Michael Schwartz' selection of locally sustainable resources always is a winner, in my opinion. Reservations are a must unless you want to take your chances and just pony up to the BAR. Award winning cocktails. Award WINNING Pastry Chef Hedy's desserts with a cup of Panther coffee's not a bad way to check this place out, either. Wanting to post a photo, but not sure how to do that! LOL.
(5)Natalia E.
Oh brunch at Michaels, how do I LOVE thee; Let me count the ways... I love your homemade juices and creative cocktails, just a sip of the Melon Ball and I've set sail; Thy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and thy Crispy Rice Cake I love them both so much, just the thought of them, makes my heart ache. I love your Cheese Grits, your Homemade Sausage, and your Crispy Hominy if only they'd leave the four of us alone we'd make such sweet harmony. And when I need something sweet, I reach for the requisite treat - Your Homemade Doughnuts do really make me go nuts! Oh, but wait, I save the best for last - To live is to eat your Duck Confit Hash, And on that note, I must make a dash to make my reservation in time or risk standing in a never-ending line.
(5)F. P.
So I visited Miami last month and this was the one place (along with Joe's Stone Crab) that I was most eager to try, given all the hype I've read. And it absolutely delivered. First of all, as soon as I stepped inside, I noticed the huge red lamps above. Felt like I was in the lobby of the Wynn in Vegas - loved it! The place was absolutely packed ... thank goodness I made reservations a month earlier. Who would have guessed this restaurant out in the warehouse-like Design District would be so popular ... my high expectations increased twofold. The menu was broken into several categories, based on size. We were more interested in trying lots of different things so we stuck to the smaller items. Here's a recap of what we had: Snacks - Chicken Liver Crostini w Caramelized Onions - very good! excellent start to the meal. Small - Wood roasted double yolk farm egg w cave aged gruyere, roasted tomato, chives, sourdough crostini - I don't know what it is these days but every chef seems to be doing their unique spin on eggs but this dish was simply AMAZING! The richness of the yolky egg and the cheese on top of the crunch crostini was in a word, mindblowing. - Tuna tartare w quail egg, kalamata olives, shallot, basil, tomato and crostini - well-prepared but seemed a little bland. Perhaps needed a little salt to blend all the complex flavors together. Medium - Crispy sweet & spicy pork belly w kimchi, crushed peanuts, swank farms pea shoots - FANTASTIC!! Who would think that a kimchi dish in a non-Korean restaurant (in Miami, no less) would even be remotely good. But this will remain as one of the more memorable dishes I've ever had in recent times. The pairing of kimchi w carrots and red bell pepper was so unique. The kimchi was slightly on the unripe side, which was a good thing here because the slight tartness balanced well with the sweetness of the carrots. And the ridiculously good pork was equally juicy, crispy and spicy. Yum. - Crispy rice cake w Florida rock shrimp, chorizo, manchego and fried organic egg - very good but after the pork and kimchi, it suffered from the inevitable comparison. Again, no Large dishes ordered. Sides - Wood roasted brussel sprouts w pancetta & lemon aioli - good side dish but nothing spectacular. Desserts - Tangerine creamsicle pot de creme w cara cara orange confit & hot doughnuts - this was one of the best desserts I've had in ages!! Also, the cara cara has such a rich, jam taste. I can't remember the last time I had a meal where the starter (double egg yolk), the main (pork belly & kimchi) and the dessert (creamsicle pot de creme) were all so amazingly good. It was the elusive perfect meal from start to finish. It makes me sad because I don't know when I'll be back in Miami again. But if I go, I plan on just ordering those three things (two of each). And going by myself. So I don't have to share. And then going back a few hours with everyone else and doing it all over. Seriously, it was that good (and being from SF where there are so many foodie options here ... all I can think of still is Michael's. Well, that and the beach).
(5)Sean C.
What's not to love? Unique cocktails, delicious food, nice ambiance, and great service. I dined here with a coworker tonight and we thoroughly enjoyed everything. I had the double yoke farm egg appetizer to start and found it to be a great start to our dinner. The cave-aged Gruyere cheese complimented the egg perfectly. For dinner, I had the grilled pork chop and had to remind myself repeatedly that it was not appropriate for me to pick up the bone and gnaw on it to get every last morsel off. For dessert, I heeded the many yelpers advice and went for the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme with the donuts and blackberry jam. Holy smokes, that was absolutely amazing. I don't think we can make it back here again on this trip, but this place is definitely going on my list of favorites and I will be back!
(4)Michael L.
What can I say...Fresh food/ingredients. Waiter's there well educated on the specifics on every menu item. Good small selection of beer. Will deffinatly come back again!!
(5)danielle b.
I love michaels genuine food and drink, I REALLY do. The food I had here was the best steak Ive eaten; The farm eggs delish, our ice cream trio AMAZING (please try the sweet corn ice cream. one of those things that sounds weird but will blow your mind its so good) Unfortunately I have to give it three stars. Our server was pretty nice but what set the whole tone was what we arrived to. Every single table was reserved, even two tops outside. The hostess told us the inside was booked for the rest of the night and we could sit outside if we were up in exactly an hour cause they needed our table. We felt rushed the rest of the meal... Usually when we go out we spend 100 bucks and always tip 20-25 percent. For a two top, that's a pretty nice amount to pay Again, love this place but I think only large parties should be able to do reservations or they should manage themselves a little better so as not to rush people that are willing to spend money and willing to tip.
(3)William B.
I went back for the famous brunch, and had pop tarts, donuts, kim chi benedict, and many more dishes that i can't remember. Which more or less conveys to you the problem. If I pay this much money at a restaurant hyped this much, I would like to remember it. There is not a single item I had at brunch that I wouldn't have happily traded for more brussels sprouts.
(3)Cesar A.
This place was exactly what I expected. Great food and amazing cocktails. Our bartender Doug was a masterful artist!
(5)Andrea F.
So much has already been said so I'll keep it short. This place is awesome. Every dish that came across out table was excellent. We tried the deviled eggs, tuna tartare, short ribs, broccoli rabe and loved every bite. Friends ordered other dishes and everything I tasted was fantastic! I wasn't crazy about the specialty cocktails I tried. Next time I go I'll probably stick to beer or wine. Our server was fantastic, smiley and upbeat. We were one of the last tables in the place and didn't feel rushed at all. The doughnuts for dessert were off the chain!
(4)Tim P.
I think everyone already agrees the food here is great. I enjoyed it for people watching. Very funny as I'd say the patrons really fancy themselves a bit. Maitre'd a bit of a creep. There were plenty of outside tables so when we requested one he came back with a bitchy 'They're for regular customers.' Instead we were squashed somewhere in the back. Ha! Ha!
(4)Gianna O.
Unique. Delicious. Make sure to get the duck confit and save room for dessert. Everything was delicious. My favorite things were the double yolk farm egg, the duck confit, and the crispy rice cake. The cocktails are also spectacular and unique, including the Caballero, the passion fruit caipirinha, and the manhattan. The octopus was my least favorite, because the flavor was a little overpowered by the olives and red onion. Overall, do not pass up this place.
(5)Kimberly E.
The food at Michael's is INCREDIBLE, though the service leaves something to be desired. We came for brunch on the weekend and had made a reservation. When we showed up 15 minutes early we were told we would have to wait until our reservation time. Fair enough. Except that the table we ended up being sat at was empty the. entire. time. (Along with several other 2 and 4-top tables that remained empty the whole time we were there -- which was frustrating considering we had been told earlier that we couldn't up our reso from 2 to 4 without a long wait.) Once we were seated service was okay, but could definitely have been more attentive. It feels like they're heavy on bussers/runners but light on actual waiters. Service aside, the food was AMAZING (yes, all caps again) and we loved that everything came in small portions. It was perfect for trying a lot of dishes, and getting that nice mix of sweet/savory and light/rich dishes. Lemon ricotta pancakes, Spanish tortilla, and kimchi benedict were all really delicious, but the duck confit hash was definitely the #1 stand-out dish to remember. It was ridiculously good. I definitely recommend checking out Michael's, and we will certainly be back next time we're in Miami!
(4)J M.
I came here after work to meet up with a friend and hang out at the bar. Loved the place. I wish there was one like this in South Beach. I didn't know they do brunch until just started reading the other reviews. Going to check it out!
(4)Christina C.
After waiting at the bar for about half an hour on a busy Sunday, I was finally able to try out the well-reputed Michael's Sunday Brunch. That's OK, in the meantime as I waited I appreciated the nice location, We had some mimosa's while at the bar followed by some bloody mary's at our table which were AMAZING. In regards to the menu, we each ordered a dish and split it all amongst the 4 of us. Among our favorite dishes were the oysters, the harris ranch short rib hash, the kimichi bendict, homemade poptarts, and maybe the parfait. Everything was exceptional and I wish I could have tried even more options on the menu. But I will definitely be back for either lunch or dinner because I heard Michael's is the place to be.
(5)Leticia P.
It sure is as good as it gets! I just love everything about Michael's, great smart friendly service, drinks are fantastic (please try the Bulleit Proof Manhattan) and the food is impeccable! And now the best part: ALWAYS! It's just very consistently great. I've been there many times now ( Confession: Seams like every time I leave the house to go have dinner I want to go to Michael's... Gosh I better start making more money LOL) Ok, my suggestion for your next meal there: I'll insist that you order a Bulleit Proof Manhattan For food start with the Rice Cake - OH MY.... sooo good - and that egg that comes on top of if.... genius. If you are with someone else have them ordering the delicious chicken wings... so you can steal one :) Than I'd order the duck confit... crispy in the outside, moist and perfectly seasoned in the inside... If you wanna share something with that person with you, get the pizza... delish with goat cheese and lamb meat balls To top it off... Get the best lemon pie you ever had for desert. Comes with marshmallow and fresh berries :) Enjoy
(5)Kevin L.
Definitely the finest meal I've ever had in Miami. Full stop. Not a single item we ordered was off-base. Service was absolutely stellar -- frequent brief check-ins without being down-your-throat. And the space itself is just plain lush with dark woods, low lighting, and a pleasant rumble of conversation under an airy high ceiling. Highlights of the evening, in no particular order: - Cute, professional server (totally giggle/point-worthy) - The shortrib with toasted almonds & hazelnuts that was meltingly forkable apart - Side of crispy pig ear (Who knew that pig ear could be served any way but sliced ultra-thin in a chili oil sauce?! Clearly I need to go somewhere other than A&J once in awhile...) - Pretty tall fauxhawked chef - Crispy sweet and spicy pork belly with kimchi and crushed peanuts (far superior to traditional Korean offerings, and I don't say that lightly. Please reference Yechon experiences: bit.ly/1Kffsp ) - Bottled Chimay Blue - Cute, professional server (um... call me?) Of course, how could this joint -not- be pretty darn awesome in all respects? It's nestled into the Design District and surrounded by nifty shops that are eye-catching and alluring even when it's mid-evening and they're all closed. I dig.
(5)Tracy W.
My husband and I would agree with many of the other reviewers - the dishes here are hit or miss. The good ones are really fantastic, the not-so-good ones are very disappointing. I like how they group items by size - instead of having an entree (large or extra large) we decided to each have 2 smaller dishes. My husband had a mango/avocado/feta salad (small) that was to die for, and the pastrami (medium) which was so meh he didn't even think it was worth finishing (and it's not like we're talking about a huge plate here). I had the butter lettuce salad (medium) which was good and the shrimp/rice cake (medium) which was also good but could have used a little more shrimp to offset the rice. Desserts (we had the Food Network duo of Popcorn & Peanuts and Tangerine Creamsicle) were a little disappointing. They were good, but not so good that you wanted to have another one once you finished. From the raves on "Best Thing I Ever Ate" I think we were expecting to be dazzled, and that definitely didn't happen.
(3)Luke S.
So we went shopping in the Design District and decided to lunch at Michael's. Service was prompt and the wines by the glass were good. The waterboy was over-committed to keep the water glasses filled. Sip here, pour there. The food was good, too, but not screaming 'eeat me I am soooo yummy'. I would agree the quality is there. It is not fancy food, either, rather on the home-y side. I had steak and fries and the SO had the catch of the day. The 'espresso' was not an espresso. It was a very small coffee with a tiny little bit of crema on top. A shrunken Americano, if you will. Prices were reasonable. So if you want to eat good quality food this is a place to consider; just don't expect any culinary miracles. But you will have eaten solid food and not feel robbed or extorted.
(3)G N.
Comfort food for foodies. First rate experience from cocktails, wines by the glass, appetizers, main course, to dessert. Our favorites inlcude burrata with local heirloom tomatoes, pork belly with just right kim chi, duck confit, chocolate and peanut butter pie in a jar, and tangerine creamsicle pot de creme. Forgettable though optional side dishes (french fries, roasted tomatoes), so don't bother. Price quickly adds up because of the temptation to order everything from the deliciously worded menu. Service was warm, wonderful, and attentive. Our favorite so far in Miami.
(5)Derek A.
Started off with the Doria Ceviche and Beet, vine ripe tomatoes and gorgonzola salad. Both dishes were very light and refreshing. A great choice for a hot South Florida night. The menu is comprised of a lot of pork dishes which we steered away from but are obviously part of the comfort food type menu. They come highly recommended if your a pork fan. Bathroom was dirty and messy as my girlfriend just reported back to me (but when is the women's room not dirty). We had the Short Rib and arugula pizza for the main entree. The pizza was cooked in a brick oven and came out super crispy but a bit on the oily side. All in all it was am 8.5 out of 10 as far as brick oven pizzas go. We had a Pot de Creme (homemade donuts, jelly compote and custard) and Cremoso (rich chocolate and decadent desert). Both excellent deserts. I highly recommend them. Overall a great experience. Will be back again soon.
(4)Kate J.
I finally did brunch at Michaels and I am happy to say that I wil be doing it again! The only negative, that I will get out of the way, is don't go here if you are counting your calaries, you'll leave disappointed in that you cannot enjoy the goodies or that you ate too much and blew your diet. Drinks...Genuine Bloody Mary, very good but keep it stirred. Horseradish was to die for! Cabrete, watermelon juice drink very good and strong. The next drink on my list to try will be the Salty Dog, tequila + grapefruit juice. Food...Egg Sandwich + Rosemary crompet - Good by comparison to other restaurants but just okay on the Michaels menu standards; Pork Shoulder w. grits + poached egg - To Die For! I had my doubts bec. the grits did not look right to me (I'm from the south so I know what grits should be like.) but these tasted great! The whole thing comes together really nicely, the pork actually becomes more of a side then the main part of the dish. Pancakes - light lemon flavor+blackberry topping really made this dish. French Toast - To Die For! Almond + Banana toppings + a warm to die for sauce. Donuts-1 with banana coconut creme and 1with a lemon filling, these are like Thai donuts w. the best creme filling. I'm not a creme filling person but these were done right and was awesome. Just makes you realize how many cheap no good junk is put out there under the guise of being a creme filled donut. Anyway, based on this I imagine the pop tarts are as good as the other reviews have mentioned. Everything for us was great including the service. It did feel a touched rushed, i.e no food then you must be ready to go. Waiter recommended 3 items per person, for me that was too much but I think it really depends on what you end up ordering. 2-3 items seems right but I was so stuffed! And I still wanted to order more, looking forward to going again to try something new.
(5)Ramona C.
I wasn't impressed at all!! Went there once for lunch, once for dinner. The ambiance is not bad, the service is so-so, the food is awful! And it's not cheap. Would rather recommend Sugar Cane anytime.
(2)michael d.
Dinner on a Saturday night at 7:30. Excellent bar and staff. For dinner we sat outside (party of 6) ordered2 4 pound yellowtail snappers. Entre was excellent, however, a really big however, the service was poor at best. The cooked fish were presented to the table and returned to the kitchen to be fileted. 15 MINUTES later after 2 inquiries they were returned lukewarm at best.Sides were described as large enough to share, ordered mashed potatoes, grilled cauliflower and 2 others. The potatoes arrived first, barely large enough for 2 and same with the cauliflower. The brussels sprouts arrived after asking after them twice (near the end of the meal) and the final side arrived as the dessert menu was being presented. Poor service, mix up in the kitchen, don't know which but it ruined the experience. Felt like we were participating in a Gordon Ramsey show
(1)Ariel G.
Decent restaurant, nothing amazingly special.......but for some reason taken over by pretentious people who have made it an "in spot" for now. Once the crowds leave and the golddiggers disperse it has really good food. Try to go at 7 PM to miss all the morons who dress themselves up and try to look special while they eat a hamburger and scream/lie at the top of their lungs about private financial matters......
(3)p k.
After four visits, I am confident recommending Michael's. The specials are unique, ample and delicious. The menu is healthy, with a few opportunities to cheat a bit (the desserts are fantastic). Make a reservation; unless it's cool enough to sit outside, the inside seating is tight and get s crowded. Try the ceviche; done with mango and avocado ~ perfect! The brownie done with toffee crunch and smores ice cream was a perfect end to a very good meal!
(5)Erica B.
My friends and I waited 40 minutes after our reservation to be seated and I'm STILL giving this place five stars. Literally everything we ate was gold. I personally had the chicken and I can still taste it. Sometimes you just need a good ol' slab of chicken, you know? Amazing, perfectly whipped mashed potatoes on the side. Crisp, sauteed escarole underneath. Slightly crunchy skin on top. Other things we ate: heirloom tomato and avocado salad, beet and heirloom salad (they don't mention on the menu that these are GOLDEN beets! yum!), wood oven roasted pears, short rib (you could literally cut this with a straw), ribeye (so tender and paired with an interesting feta/tomato salad underneath that made it refreshing), and the swordfish. The flavors of the food here were so well integrated - you know how usually you eat something and it's just sort of smushed together? This was like everything on the plate was making sweet, sweet love to each other (and my mouth). Everyone raved about their food for days and agreed that the minute they put a bite of food in their mouths they totally forgot about the annoyance of the wait. GREAT service too - very friendly and accommodating. Lovely jazz playing in the joint. We sat outside and despite the restaurant being in the middle of a shopping center, it felt cozy and intimate. Oh silly ol' me I almost forgot about the dessert! How could I? Dessert, I'm sorry. Man it was effin good. I hoovered down so much chocolate I could barely dance later that night. But I tried. The dessert special of the day was this amazing deconstructed mounds bar pie. My. God. Also great - the banana toffee panini, the popcorn and peanuts. It was all so well made and delicious. My friend told me later she judged me for polishing everything off. Yep, that's right. I personally finished every dessert that was leftover on the plates. Next time I'm in Miami I will definitely be back to this place. I'd also recommend anyone go here. My mom, my dad, my friends, my 20 year old sister, that hobo who sleeps on the corner. Everyone.
(5)Ingrid D.
I think it is a great atmosphere and the food is good. Not many different choices, especially if you are a vegetarian, nevertheless, this is not the place to sit and have a big meal. This is perfect to eat a little something while you enjoy great wine and awesome ambience. Price is fair.
(4)Odious L.
Love going here, micheals is as consistent as it gets in Miami. Everything is delicious but A must try is the pork belly - it's perfectly cooked every time I go. The side of Kim-chi that comes with the belly is also heavenly. Really there's no bad dishes - my boyfriend loves the eggplant app, the whole fish, and chocolate cremoso desert.....you may not expect to hear this but I think the best thing micheals offers is their signature cocktails. Try their hurricane, you'll be glad you did.....Also the service is always on point. If their is one knock it's that they don't change the menu enough and I eat here too often. Bad combination. But it still wouldn't stop me from going here over and over again. Food and drinks are always top notch.
(5)Jeff M.
Michael's in unbeatable. The food is inventive, delicious and consistent and reasonably priced for what it is. You cannot go wrong each and every time. The chocolate cremoso with sea salt, olive oil, sourdough crostini & espresso parfait is to die for.
(5)Louie S.
I and two business associates had the pleasure of dining at Michaels last Monday. I had heard so many great things that I was looking forward to trying as many items as possible. The menu is divided into several sub sections from snacks to large plates. We started off with the ceviche and it did not disappoint the fish was fresh and the mango sweetly ripe. The Farro salad I could have made an entrée out of, I especially enjoyed the kalamate olives and the creaminess of the French Feta. The duck confit was perfectly executed crispy without being dry. The pasta of the day was the only disappointing dish; it was prepared with house made sausage in almost a bouillabaisse sauce. It was flavorless and the pasta was extremely undercooked. The pork Belly was beautifully cooked and perfectly spiced. We then skipped to desserts. The chef selection of sweets brought you back to your childhood favorites with an updated twist. The fig newton's, Oreo cookies and the brittle were some of the standouts. The flavored sodas were ok, not as flavorful as I would have liked. The service was perfectly unobtrusive and I look forward to my next visit. With no entrees and a cocktail each the bill was 180.00.
(4)Felicia B.
This review is based on my most recent Sunday brunch. Most of the food was, as expected, sophisticated and delicious! Loved that they had Whispering Angel Rose. We loved the egg dishes (pork shoulder & chorizo), the rice cake, the salads, the French toast, the pancake and the bacon flecked cinnamon bun. Also the heirloom tomato and avacado salad was perfection. But, ordering sides doesn't work out that well since they arrive whenever they are ready which in our case was way later than the dishes we wanted to enjoy them with and was still too soon since the sausage arrived underdone and was sent back after a few risky bites. To add insult to injury they were out of their famous pop tarts so be sure to get those early on in your meal. Service was also spotty since they were slammed so just slightly less than what I have come to expect from Michael's.
(3)Brian S.
I know I'm not the 100th or even the 200th person to review this place, but I like it so much, I had to opine. Michael's is a really great place to meet friends and share a good meal. Price point is a bit high tho. My fav dish is the wood oven whole chicken or wood oven whole yellow tail snapper. both are mega-delish and I recommend them highly. as an appetizer, the mussels are AMAZING. wine list is good too. it is def my #1 place in the design district. outdoor seating is also a big plus. good for groups and sat night dates.
(4)Maria L.
I've been here for brunch twice now, and once for dinner. To start off... I love the Design District's $3 valet. This is an amazing value and gets your time here started right. The first time I came with one other person without reservations since we didn't know how packed it would be. They didn't have any tables, but were able to give us seats on the counter overlooking the kitchen. The eating room was super small, but it was kind of cool to watch the kitchen staff work. The second time I had a problem with my reservation (my fault, not theirs), but the hostess was really helpful and eventually got us a table for four. The third time was we came in with a reservation and had zero problems. Decor is nice and clean -- nothing to distract you from your food. BRUNCH: During my two visits combined I've tasted: the kimchi Benedict (twice), the breakfast pizza (twice), skirt steak and scrambled eggs, the rice cake, pop tarts, the cinnamon roll, salmon dip, Reuben omelet, the spanish tortilla. the lemon ricotta pancakes, and the jar of greek yogurt. Everything was exceptionally delicious and you could tell these dishes were well thought out... I would go as far as saying that the kimchi Benedict is a work of genius. I could seriously eat it everyday. The only thing I would probably not have again is the spanish tortilla, which was tasty, but served cold which I wasn't a fan of -- but I imagine there are people who would not be bothered by this. Everything is small, and both times I have been here the server has been sure to mention this. DINNER: My family of four had (for an excellent price): -The olives -- they were olives. Good if you like olives, bad if you don't. -The cheese of the week -- I won't actually comment on the cheese because they didn't make it and whether you like it or not depends on you, but I will say they served it with VERY burnt bread which ruined the cheese. - Carbonara - really really freaking good! - Leg of lamb with a farro/feta salad - This was good (not amazing) in my book, but my mom swore that it was the best thing ever and boasted that she made the best ordering decision. - Pizza (ingredients change) - this was average. Good, but not fantastic. I keep ordering pizza in nice restaurants hoping it will blow me away, but I've realized pizza is best left for folks who only do pizza and therefore make it perfectly. - Chips with pan fried onion dip: Also good. - For DESSERT: maple flan (so FREAKING awesome!), the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme (also really awesome, and then whatever their special way (my mom had this and thought it was good, but was still jealous of everyone else -- she likes being the one with the best dish) I've also had two of their cocktails -- the Sonny Rollins and the Dominican. Both amazing brunch perfect cocktails. They have a really nice (small, but nice) beer choice. I also tried the cherry rosemary soda which I really enjoy (I really love herb infused drinks in general). The service was friendly, but really slow. The first time I came I didn't notice, because the serve was still trying to be as attentive as possible given the sizable brunch crowd. The second time I came I felt that the waiter was actually ignoring us instead of just being really busy although he was nice enough when he actually came around. The third time, the service was good -- toward the end someone dropped an empty dessert plate on my sister and we had three people come and apologize and offer to pay for dry cleaning though it wasn't necessary, it was just some powdered sugar on a cheap machine-washable shirt, but the gesture is nice. I would most definitely recommend this place and I'll be back many times over.
(5)Felipe C.
Terrible service with too much attitude. Not worth the trip!!! The host was big punk that makes up excuses for making a mess out of the reservations book. There are too many good restaurants in Miami to have to put up with a small crowed place that does know how to manage the good times while they last.
(1)Dante B.
Michael's seems to be constantly busy and reservations are a must, regardless of the day of the week. This place has blown up in popularity. Expect to pay at least $50 per person, without drinks, if the party is at least moderately hungry. The dishes, while very tasty, are quite small. I certainly suggest reviewing the online menus in their entirety before you go since the restaurant is very busy and waiter service is definitely quick. Due to the insane crowds, poor desserts, small dining room, small bar and OK service, I am giving Michael's a four star review, but I should probably give them a 3.5. The OK service is mostly around the so-so bartenders and wait-staff, I would actually say that the two ladies who attend the front desk are better and they deserve fives. Once we were seated, here's how the dinner went down for me: - special call-out to the Pinot Noir selection on the wine list, it's very nice and there are some great Oregon pinots. We started off with a Lange, which I highly recommend every red wine drinker to try. (well, we actually had some drinks at the packed bar before the dinner, but I am skipping that part.) - ceviche (excellent, very well-prepared.) - burrata - (pretty over-priced if you ask me at $21 for a small tomato salad, I would NOT do this one again.) - octopus (one of my favorites) - pizza (this, also, was one of my favorites but drew some criticism from the table overall. We really debated about the quality of the figs on the pizza, which I thought were a nice touch, but others did not.) Then we moved on to the heavier dishes: - pork belly (outstanding, very nice dish) - duck confit (also extremely good, very tasty and not greasy like ducks usually are) - mussels (over-rated. I would not repeat this dish again, either.) and finished with a panini and a pot de creme. Desserts were also a let-down overall. In short, to Michael's: MICHAELS: - becoming famous has made you sloppy and inattentive with your service. The insane crowds and throngs packed along the sidewalk outside have made you rush. SLOW DOWN and focus on your seated clients. - Give your pastry chef a slap and get something better on the dessert menu. You have a good selection of coffees, ports and after-dinner drinks, but nothing appealing on the dessert menu to make a diner want to go there.
(4)Chuck M.
I have been here many times and in the 4 years its been in the Design District it has remained my favorite spot, food is always excellent, staff is typically great, and the open aire patio is wonderful. He has a great beer and Scotch selection to boot.
(5)Ronald R.
This is truly a great place, great food, excellent service and a laid back but sophisticated environment. I would recommend this place to anyone. The brunch on Sunday, is a must!. Needless to say it again. I will go back to this place over and over again. One thing you must do, MAKE A RESERVATION!!! this is an awesome place so I can guarantee you anytime you go there you will have people waiting to see if a table opens. We did that, although the wait was well worth it, we'll make reservations next time.
(5)Michelle o.
I loooooooove this place!!! The food is always amazing and consistent. The cocktails fabulous. The service great.
(5)Jonathan S.
i've been here over and over and always forget to write something down..... this place is all around awesome!! If you're looking for something wrong you probably don't enjoy anything anyways. Great Food and Service what more do you need?!?!
(5)Kyrene G.
This place was really great! It had great ambiance and the food was delicious. Very good service and drinks. We had the sweet and spice pork belly, which was fantastic and very creative with the flavor combination. The tangerine parfait dessert was soooooo good. Overall the experience was great. I will go back soon!!!
(5)H K.
AMAZING! A++++ I saw this one "The best thing I ever ate" and knew I had to visit at least once on my trip! We made sure to try one of the dessert recommended by the show---the peanut popcorn candy bar one...mmmmm! It was amazing! My bf ordered leg of lamb and said it was the best he has ever had! Also, we ordered an array of appetizers. BBQ wings, ceviche, mussels & the eggplant. The eggplant had a yogurt dipping sauce and was really delicious. Also, the ceviche was very refreshing...pretty much everything was great!!! If you order a few small plates, your bill won't be too pricey. For what you get, this place is a deal! The lamb portions were HUGE! I recommend going here on a Saturday when they have the launch market full of food trucks (including the BBQ master, Mark). If you can, try to go for the art walk too which is also on a Saturday.
(5)Andrea J.
Great vibe, cool music, amazing food! Pig skin salad, duck confit, tuna tartar, rice cake, sweet and sticky pork belly, pot de creme. Yummy. Best place I've been in long time. Just got James beard award. Nice!
(5)R Y.
A fun place to dine especially on Fr/Sat night! Our party ordered a bunch of different plates to share and everyone was impressed with the food.
(4)Rafael S.
Wow this place was packed on a Thursday night, and in an out of the way location off a street in the District. Don't let the overly gourmet appetizers fool you the food here is hearty - cheese grits, collard greens, and wild influences from double yolks baked soft with gruyere to ceviche make a splash on the menu. The entrees are pretty standard: a fish, a chicken, two pork dishes, a filet. But they manage to mix homestyle favorites like grits with avant garde style and great micro brew selections. Ask for Hinmatooya to serve you. It's pricey though.
(4)Adrian A.
Wow. Where do I begin. My wife has been talking about this place for months. I finally went and it was horrible. Our server was nothing but rude. She recommended the strawberry grouper and it was flavorless so I sent it back. I ordered the steak and it tasted like meatloaf. I also sent I back. I will never go back. Nor do I recommend this place to anyone.
(1)Stephanie S.
This place is simply amazing. The wait staff is incredibly polite and attentive. The food is out of this world and can only inspire you to become a chef yourself!
(5)Daniel R.
Eh...it was ok. Menu was unique & interesting but I've had better short ribs elsewhere & the chicken was just ok. Dessert was good and they had a great beer menu. It was also pretty pricey. Atmosphere was great though, just don't know if I'll be going back.
(3)Laily B.
Food is truly the best part. Service could be improved. Ambiance is so so, since the dining room is super crowded, which is different from "cozy". First time visit with a friend. Had a reservation and was seated right away (but it could be that it was 6:30pm on a sat night). The tables for two are indeed very close to one another, where it feels like it's just one long communal table, but at least no elbows were bumped. Server was friendly and offered suggestions. -Butter lettuce salad with shallot-hazelnut vinaigrette, orange and avocado. Light and refreshing, nice way to start without filling you up too much. -Friend had Double-yolk oven-roasted egg. Pretty good, if you appreciate the silky richness of a soft egg yolk. -Linguini with mushrooms, crispy bacon, and poached egg. This was pure comfort food. Delicious, creamy, rich, and savory. My mouth waters just thinking about it. -Friend had porkbelly. Melt in your mouth, crispy edges, fall-apart meat. Yum. Friend did not care for the kimchi (she is Asian and picky at that). -Pizza with caramelized onions, aurugula, some other green leaf, and a cheese whose name I can't remember. We shared this at the end, but we were quite full by now. We took most of it home, but it was very good. -Orange creamsicle pot de creme with doughnuts. This was delicious, not too sweet and light enough not to make your pants button pop. But I felt like the pot de creme portion was tiny. I don't think there was more than a tablespoon in there. A little more wouldve been nice, especially for the $10 price tag. -Friend had the special, which was like a chocolate candy bar interpretation. Chocolate ganache with hazelnuts, caramel, chocolate mousse. Buttered popcorn ice cream and popcorn and peanut chocolate crunch. This was good, friend loved it. I was quite happy with the pot de creme choice however, since the chocolate dessert is very rich and I had just consumed a bowl of linguini richness. Service: Ok. Server was friendly. But food took a little long to arrive. The couple next to us had arrived like 20 mins after us and they got their food first. The lady ordered the same salad as I had. I asked the server if he knew what was going on with our food. He didnt seem to realize the table next to us (which was his as well) was already eating. He went to the kitchen, came back like 5 mins later and said the double yolk had been delayed as the kitchen was a little backed up. He apologized and when the food finally came, he said they would give us complimentary dessert. This was a nice gesture, which you rarely see these days, but.. When he brought the dessert menu, he mentioned again about the complimentary dessert. So we ordered one dessert each. Right? This isn't the type of place where dessert is such a large portion that you need to share it with the table next to you. When the bill came, only one dessert had been taken off. *Sigh* Good ambiance, although a bit crowded. Michael Schwartz was going around some of the tables. Cool that he wears black converse with his chef whites. Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten was at a nearby booth eating. I gather it was because it was the weekend of the SBFWF. There is an issue with the ladies' bathroom. When you lock the door, make sure it is locked. Try to open the door after you lock it to make sure. I locked the door, or so I thought, only to see a woman coming in as I was about to do my business. She promptly apologized and left. When I checked the door, I noticed the lock kind of sticks when you turn it, so make sure it locks! Another downside is there is only one bathroom for men and one for women. Lines get long. Try not to drink too much.
(4)alex m.
THis is my favorite restaurant in Miami. Seasonal food, freshest ingredients, and a great ever-changing" menu. In a comfortable indoor/outdoor setting provided by its home in Atlas Plaza, lunch and dinner both are great!! Even wIth the success of Chef Schwartz, his prices have remained consistent, and reasonable, and his abundance of followers proves the point that he hasn't lost focus on the formula that has solidified him as one of the best in the city. Not over pretentious, but still a hot spot, and you get to keep at least an arm at the end. Just simply delicious food from gourmet pizzas, to the best cuts of meat and poultry. This is simple food done perfectly and he managed to single handedly changed my perception of the artichoke (which is a must try i might add). When in doubt, head out to the Design District. Be patient because chances are you will wait for a seat.
(5)Mimi M.
Ceviche is great! Root Beer desert a must.
(4)Miguel P.
First Review....and decided this was an appropriate restaurant to get my first. WOW! If I was a chef and they asked me to go on "best thing I ever ate", my choice would go to the pork belly with kimchi at Michael's Genuine. I came here for a work trip and had heard so much about the dessert at this place. After having a disappointing dinner at five guys the night before(sorry, in n out is WAY better), I decided to give Michael's a try and it did not disappoint. I got the ceviche which was decent(I have had better) and then I followed it up with the pork belly which made up for any stars the ceviche lost in my review. The dessert was AMAZING as well. I got the donuts with the tangerine cream. Awesome drink selection as well. I would fly back just to eat the pork belly again.....
(5)Summer L.
This was one of my favorite restaurants in Miami for the past several years, since right after they opened. It's a pretty relaxed environment and more casual than most Miami restaurants with comparable reputations, but the food is usually very good (not as good or consistent as it used to be though). The desserts are the best part, and Sunday brunch is amazing. Unfortunately now that everyone on earth has discovered the place, it is usually full of pretentious types these days and isn't much fun to go anymore unless you go really early and get out before the masses show up. The service has also gone downhill pretty significantly depending on who you get, as there is a lot of turnover these days. Watch out for new waiters and bartenders; request old-timers if possible.
(4)Juan Jose D.
This place is great, very different ambiance you have in the Design District compared to SoBe or other placer, I would say more relaxed. I recommend the short ribs, martinis and if you love desserts try the one that comes with chocolate and bananda; cant remember the name but its amazing.
(4)Elizabeth E.
I joined yelp just to write this review. It was that good. I went to Miami for vacation and ate at Michael's for my birthday dinner. The food was delicious and there were so many scrumptious looking options. We got ceviche, pork belly, the cheese course and two desserts. We wish we lived in Florida so we could try everything on the menu. We sat at the little bar overlooking the kitchen. The chefs were so friendly yet not intrusive. We asked them for recommendations on their favorite dishes. It was very telling that each chef had a different favorite - everything we tasted was top notch. Food - amazing, service - awesome, atmosphere - "10"...but the best part was the bill. $89 for two glasses of wine and five gourmet dishes. So reasonable. Go there. Now.
(5)Elisa P.
Can't rate the food because we never got that far. Host was too rude when seating us, it totally started things off on a BAD note and we left. Have heard good things about food but wouldn't go back and try to battle with the hectic, chaotic, pretentious atmosphere. Some things aren't worth the aggravation and disrespect.
(1)Xenia R.
What an awsome restaurant!! My favorite was the dessert selection. The lemon pots de creme with fresh doughnuts was sublime!
(5)Rachel P.
Best meal I may have ever had, outside of Paris. Friend and I shared a number of things... 1. Crostini with homemade ricotta and peach preserves, served with, I think, thyme. Sweet, salty, simple and deeeeeelish. I could have eaten a plate of them and stopped there. 2. Pasta carbonara, which may be a rotational item....with a poached duck egg, pancetta (I think).... It was rich, creamy and wonderful to share. Wayyy too rich to eat alone. 3. Speaking of rich, pork belly. OMG. Seriously. This is the dish that I told someone of when I got home, and he had eaten it too and still remembered it. Something about the roasted belly with the salty/sour kimchee and the peanuts and the tender, mild pea shoots.... Why can't Michael open in NY??? 4. Octopus salad....not my thing, but my friend got it. She loved it. I didnt. 5. Dessert. While I know it's not the "signature" we had a chevre cheesecake with balsamic strawberries and a little wafer thing. It's not on the latest menu I saw, which is a shame, because it was THAT good. It had been reco'd by the table next to us, so we know we're not the only ones who want it. Seriously. Open here!
(5)James A.
Food is very very good here, quite flavorfull and unique.... However the indoor seating is borderline ridiculous the tables are literally on top of each other, so much so that you feel like you're actually dining with the strangers next to you. EPIC FAIL on seating but food is worth sitting outside for...
(3)Andrew P.
Go here for brunch on Sunday. Try the lemon curd pancakes. Superb but expensive.
(4)JOHN C.
Riding on their own coattails, Michael's Genuine is loaded with arrogance and has mediocre food and sub-par service. First, one thing to warn you about -- there's a side dining room which probably has room for about 15 - 20 diners. It's a miserable room that's silent and has the ambiance of a hotel restaurant. Again, another act of arrogance for a place that's clearly trying to get as many covers in as possible...Nothing wrong with that in concept, but screwing over the diner (which I think this is), is unethical and wrong. Starting with the service, the front of the house staff seems better suited for a chain restaurant, herding people around while shouting out table numbers, being condescending to walk-ins, and having a generally rude demeanor to customer. Ah, the power trip of working as a hostess in a popular restaurant -- it must be fun to mock the little people who pay your bills! It wasn't much better at the bar or at the table. Both of the bartenders were rude and tried to rush us out, delivering our drinks and slapping down the check soon thereafter, despite the fact that we were looking at the menu for an appetizer. Surprising, given that no one was hovering for a seat. Our waiter was just okay, having a rushed attitude and failing to ever check on us once our entrees were dropped at the table. Got more attention from the bus boys unfortunately. As for the food, some of it was okay, but some of it was awful -- and nothing was exceptional. We had a variety of things, including the fried hominy (best thing we had), the cheese of the week, cocktails, a beet and heirloom salad, pork shoulder, sides of vegetables, and a lemon pots de creme with doughnuts. The appetizers were okay, but uninspired, with decent concepts ruined by a sloppy staff. This also rang true in their side vegetables, which were horribly prepared. Out of season items are on the menu, which was annoying, but having both undercooked and overcooked pieces in the same dish is just embarrassing to whomever is running the kitchen. Pork shoulder was tender, but horribly seasoned (aka flavorless) and served with a side of grits that would be more aptly called "baby food" based on its liquid like consistency. Dessert was the only redeeming point, with a pastry chef who, unlike the rest of the staff, seems to care about what she sends out to the customer. Kudos for that, but not enough to save the meal. Overall, this place needs to get its act together...Michael's has only been around for 3 years and needs to lose the attitude and get their food together if they're going to have longevity. Next time I'm in town, I'm going to Michy's....
(2)Catherine N.
I was in town for a work conference and had the opportunity to have dinner at this place with a couple of coworkers and my husband. It was overall a very enjoyable meal in a great neighborhood. All of us shared the chili lime pig ears while we perused the menu. They were good, but I'm asian so eating pig ears is not as adventurous as it might seem to some. My husband started off with the country pate which he said he enjoyed. It was a very generous serving of pate. I had the crispy rice cake which reminded me of a fancier version of kimchi fried rice, which for those not familiar, is a Korean comfort food consisting of fried rice mixed with kimchi with a fried egg on top. For an entree, I ordered the leg of lamb which was good and excellently prepared but not particularly memorable. For the entrees, you order the sides separately. I ended up not ordering any additional sides, and I'm glad because the entree portions are really very large and I was positively stuffed. That didn't stop me from ordering dessert of course. I had the home brew sundae which was a nice mix of salty and sweet. Although the food didn't absolutely knock my socks off, the food and experience were still very enjoyable. I would still recommend this restaurant and would come back myself to try other items the next time I'm in town.
(4)E. L.
Michael's was recommended by a local friend of mine as one of the 2 or 3 MUST places to eat on a quick weekend trip to Miami. As usual, he was dead on as far as the food goes. Everything was delicious: pork belly and ceviche appetizers, short rib and pork shoulder entrees, even the brussels sprouts side dish -- superb. Michael's loses a star (or 2) for the lack of staff professionalism. Our waitress, in attempting to pour a pretty good Cab out of a decanter into my girlfriend's glass, ended up spilling what I'd roughly estimate as 3/4 of a glass. Most of it onto the table, only a little on the girlfriend. Accidents happen, but when something like that does happen, the right thing to do is to make some sort of a gesture to make up for a dark spot on an otherwise great meal. Offer to bring another glass to replace what was lost, offer a dessert on the house -- something. What I suspect was that the waitress was embarrassed and just relieved that neither the host/manager nor the sommelier actually noticed the spill. If we were the kind of people who made a scene and complained, I've no doubt that we would have gotten something deducted from the check. But that's the point. With a professional staff, you shouldn't have to be that kind of a customer. The waitress should have informed the manager about the incident, rather than just covering her own a$$. Customers who take such mishaps in stride and don't make a big deal should be treated as well as, if not better than, the "squeaky wheels."
(3)Michael E.
This place is great! Sunday brunch is hectic but its worth it, many different small menu options. I like the meyer lemon pancakes as well as french toast, fingerling potatos etc... The pastry chef really knows what she is doing here, great assortment of desserts.
(4)Carl K.
When the kitchen is on at Michael's do I dare say it's Miami's best restaurant? The place is deserving of tremendous applause for its creativity, even if the execution doesn't always pan out (though most times it does) and for having some of the best service in town -- professional yet unassuming, helpful and courteous without being cloying. The bar verges on true artistry, willing to experiment on the fly with high-caliber concoctions based on your likes. As if this weren't enough, the work of the best pastry chef in Miami, Hedy Goldsmith, alone is worth the trip here. My only complaint of Michael's is that not all of the dishes work. While the pork belly with kimchi is ethereal and even chicken wings are something of haute cuisine, the onion stuffed with lamb is ho-hum and the crispy beef cheek though constantly talked about by the waiters is equally undistinguished. Some of the seafood dishes have been misses. Of course, when the kitchen continuously hangs on a creative limb taking chances left and right it's bound to miss on occasion (like with all great endeavors). And if you go to Michael's only once or twice and have the misfortune of ordering a miss, you might be tempted to think the place is not all that. But truth be told, most of the menu -- and I could say I've tried everything on the menu if it did not change constantly -- most of the menu shines. Wine connoisseurs will probably be disappointed with the wine list though I've always been happy with everything I've paired here with my food, from a Robert Foley Claret to Mission Hill Riesling Ice Wine. The pork belly with kimchi is famous and deservedly so. The chicken wings transform the very meaning of what it is to be a chicken wing. The triple cream La Tur with a piece of honeycomb is as good as food gets. Even the lowly hominy and homemade potato chips are winners, which in the words of New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni, "you'd be lunatic not to order." The grilled Harris Ranch skirt steak as well as the steak au poivre are awesome and if you happen to go for lunch treat yourself to the fig, pork, arugula pizza -- one of the most intriguing pizzas concocted by any kitchen. Even the simple half-chicken with mashed potatoes is surprisingly different and solidly, well, genuine. Whereas I'm hesitant of ordering ANYTHING on the menu, I have no such compunction with ANY of the desserts. They're all orgasmic. The banana caramel toffee panini is heavenly, and is one of my favorite all time desserts; the tangerine pot de creme is kickass. Hedy we love you. It all takes place in a relaxing, casually elegant environment which I am always eager to revist time and time again. Isn't that the definition of a classic and perhaps of greatness itself?
(5)Martin O.
This new restaurant in the Miami Design District opened up for lunch and dinner in March 2007. It's one of trendiest new nice places in the Miami East side. They have a menu filled with a variety of tapas like appetizers like chicken wings; potato chips with an creamy onion dip; large barbecued shrimp. Some of their entrees: a pizza with quail and blue cheese; a porter house steak and an onion stuffed with lamb. Their desserts: a smore and peanut butter and ice cream pie and a banana upside down pie. We're not big drinkers but they had an interesting selection of beers which include a French 13% alcohol bond ale; Anchor Steam; a Chinese and Thai beer. There is both inside and outside seating and you need to let them know which one you prefer when you make your reservation. There is valet parking and City of Miami parking meters (I need to get a City of Miami parking card). The service was the very prompt and our food came hot and out of the kitchen at a non-Miami pace. I assume that is because they cater to the workers in the Miami Design District. The place was packed on a Friday night, so make sure and make your reservation.
(4)Miguel G.
I heard about this place on the Food Network and had to run here. I was not disappointed. I came for the desserts and was blown away by dinner. Went on a Wednesday night and the inside was full. The weather was ok and it was kinda noisy inside so no problem. You might want to make reservations. The wait staff was very attentive. Anyone who passed by our table either refilled our glasses or picked up a plate. After reading a few reviews I wanted to try the bone marrow but the first thing our waiter told us was that they were out, so i tried the wood roasted double yolk farm egg. Kind of a chunky tomato soup with Gruyère and a runny egg in it. Very tasty. I also followed the advise of the reviewers when I decided on the sweet and spicy pork belly. Good call fellow yelpers! Crispy skin, fork tender inside. It tasted like a gourmet pork rind all on top of some kimchi. My friend had the butter lettuce which she enjoyed very much. Finally, for the whole reason I came here, Dessert! My friend and I split two: theTangerine creamsicle pot de creme with donuts and berry conserve and the popcorn and peanuts. They were both very good, though eating the creamsicle has to be done a certain way. You have to spoon alot of the cream and the conserve on the doughnut and then pop it in your mouth to get all the flavors to meld into perfection and do it fast before they cream melts and the conserve gets cold. The whole thing is greater than the sum of its parts. That being said, I'm a chocoholic, so tonights winner was the popcorn and peanuts. Think of what a snickers bar would taste like if it was made by the greatest chef. The popcorn may sound out of place but it absolutely works. And the presentation is gorgeous. It's a work of art. If you're in the design district run don't walk here.
(5)Lena C.
Since moving to Miami In June '09, this is the place where I find myself going to more than anywhere else! Every mouthful, of every menu item, is so packed full of flavor! The local heirloom tomatoes enhance each dish they find their way into. I have eaten here for lunch and dinner and it is always an incredible experience. You might say, "Turkey sandwich for lunch again - no way!" But, The turkey at Michael's is so moist and tasty, along with the gruyere cheese and heirloom tomatoes making an appearance. Don't miss out on the brussels sprouts or the cheese of the weeks specials. If you are in the mood for dessert, Michael's should alway be top on your list - their pastry chef is amazing. Sometimes I eat just a salad in order to save room for dessert there. The menu changes,but if it available, try the dessert panini - you will walk away with a smile! All in all, if you think something looks like it's for you on the menu - try it! You can't go wrong with anything here.
(5)Alex G.
Went last night with a group of eaters to Michael's - and had a truly delicious meal. The food was top notch, carefully prepared, and (for Miami) not obscenely priced. Biggest hits were the short ribs - tender, with a slow roasted flavor and wood roasted onions; the wood roasted octopus (wow!); the perfectly done pork belly (although the kimchi with it was a detractor); and the cheese grits side was creamy and warm! For foodies, this is a hip dining destination. Service was professional, but somewhat too much attitude, as others have said.
(5)Philip J.
I had a fantastic dinner here a couple weekends ago. our service was excellent. he was very knowledgeable about the menu and made us feel at complete ease. the roasted pepper / cambazola crostini appetizer was nice. a tad much cheese I thought, but still good. the homemade fettuccine was everything I hoped it would be. soft and creamy textures swirling in my mouth combined with salty bits of chorizo... amazing! the tangerine pot de creme with blackberry basil marmalade & doughnuts for dessert was also brilliant. i will certainly be back soon.
(5)Elizabeth F.
Food is great the staff is helpful however steer clear if you're a vegetarian there are surprisingly few dishes for you. Deserts are a standout.
(4)Alice F.
Michael's is a perfect restaurant, and consistently perfect. The service is perfect, the quality of the food is perfect, the setting is perfect. We go very often, sitting at a able (outdoor, indoor) or at the kitchen bar, and it is always a wonderful experience. Any time we have friends visiting, we go there. I have yet to find a single person that did not like Michael's. I don't know what to recommend as all the dishes we have tried were always perfect (and I don't know a single restaurant in Miami that has achieved such a consistency).
(5)Liz E.
YUM. Went here for lunch. It was a beautiful day. We sat outside and it was quite pleasant. They have umbrellas for outside if it gets too sunny. The food: great. Nothing revolutionary, just solidly good food. I had the falafel wrap which was SO good. The wrap that it was in was delicious- it was like a thick, soft tortilla. mmm. The greens that came with it were good, too; very fresh and lightly dressed. Someone at my table got the salmon BLT which looked delicious. Next time I'll save room for dessert, which looked amazing. So... the weird stuff... 1) the toothpick gathering. Whenever we pulled a toothpick out of our sandwiches (two per person, one per sandwich half) and put it on the bread plate, there was a waiter that came by and picked it up. It was like he had a personal toothpick vendetta. It didn't bother me, I just thought it was strange. He came around for toothpick collection at least 4 times. Maybe more. I stopped keeping track. 2) the model. There was a woman doing slow, leisurely walking laps around the patio, then laps around the inside of the restaurant. Out, in, out, in, out, in... we couldn't figure out what she was doing. Security? Nah, I could snap her over my knee. Management? Nope... too repetitive. We figured it out when she changed her accessories: she was modeling. It was very pretty jewelry, and she was definitely modeling. Outside. At a restaurant. On a Monday. Ok, I'm from Boston, so a lot of things about Miami seem weird to me, but... is this normal? Overall it was a great meal and a good time. I would absolutely go again. Good tip: they have $3 valet parking!
(4)Lauren W.
Food was good, but more expensive then it was worth. There are way better places at better prices.
(2)Slim B.
Okay - this was pretty meh. We got there a little early for a 9 p.m. reservation on a Wednesday night. The place was packed out so we grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered two glasses of plain water which seemed to annoy the bartender, no biggie. We ordered a cocktail after a little while, which my date enjoyed and some devilled eggs as well. Then I had a hilarious exchange with the hostess at about 915p.m. I asked her if she could give me a rough estimate of how long it would be for our table to which she replied "I can't tell you exactly how long it will take." I then said "No, I know, can you tell me a rough estimate." She repeated herself at which point I said thank you very much and went back to the bar, thinking, this is why she is a hostess in Miami and not a maître d' in NYC. No big deal, but feeling like the service is pretty mid-grade to poor for a restaurant where I am about to drop 75-100 per person, not counting alcohol. We were seated about 10 minutes later, closed our bar tab and moved to the table. We had been looking over the menu and literally almost every item looked like something I would eat or would at least want a bite of. We had a few questions for our server which she answered graciously. We ordered the peaches wrapped in bacon and chicken wings to start. My date got the duck confit and I got the butter lettuce salad for a second. I ordered the porterhouse steak and she ordered the pork shoulder for our mains. The food all arrived at a good pace. The first four dishes were extremely blah. I mean really whatever, not exciting at all. Really mediocre, not bad, just not great. I felt like these dishes could have been from Flanigan's or any mid range restaurant. No big flavors, not a lot of subtlety, very meh. The main courses were excellent. This was the only part of the meal where I can say that Michael's stood out. The steak was great and the pork shoulder was excellent, with a neat little avocado topping. Otherwise I would have been pissed off walking out of here. The waitress was fairly okay up to this point although she did spill a glass of water, partially on me and mostly on her, in the first little bit. The busboy walked right past her and looked at the spill and kept going. Very odd. After the duck and the salad were served we did not see our waitress again until our plates were cleared. She didn't check once to see if we needed anything, how the food was, if the steak was cooked right - zero. I get better service at Jimmy's Eastside and frankly when I am paying $49 for a steak, I want at least some service. We were sitting there staring at our plates for about ten minutes until a busboy came by and asked us if we wanted any of it to go. No lie - we hadn't seen our waitress for 45 minutes from when the entrees were first served. Eventually she brought us dessert menus and then disappeared again. We got our check, paid and left. Overall the food was decent, not great, and the service was really really weak. The bill was $144 total plus another 20 or so at the bar. If they had tacked a fixed percent on for gratuity, I would have called the manager over, but I would have had to interrupt her personal phone call that she was on at the front stand.
(2)Kimberlee D.
I was visiting Miami for a few days and, being sick of the usual South Beach scene, ventured on down to try out this place. On a crazy, busy, dark, crowded Thursday night, they were able to accommodate my group of 4 at 10 pm. The small wait was SO worth it. The food was AMAZING!! Our waiter was great and the service was prompt. The pizza..Mmmmmmmmmmmm....
(5)angel g.
The service here was pretty bad, considering it's a "nice" restaurant. I think I had three different waiters, half a glass of lukewarm water, and a terribly eager stomach for 30 minutes. The only reason I'm not giving this place two stars is because I got the last "cheese of the week" in the restaurant for that night, and that put me in an alright mood, because I'm totally down with pricey cheese from España and France. I got the Sweet Bread which came with an orange and fennel salad-- good if you like peppery food. Which I do. But not enough for four stars. And not good enough for ~20.
(3)Alejandro S.
Very Good food. At times excellent. And, above all consistent. Day, at night, and brunch, this dinning establishment is never bellow very good. Great grown up new york style crowd. Great space. And yes, the pork belly is special.
(5)Arelys C.
Great service, ambiance, and the food was tasty. Definite recommend!
(5)Tom B.
Went here years ago for lunch and then drinks before dinner nearby. Very good food and service esp for overpriced and pretentious Miami. I'd go there alot if I lived there.
(5)Michelle G.
The party is very easily pushed in this direction after art walks every month. Which is why it may be impossible to get a seat. Lunch is much quicker if you don't order multiple courses. Stick to two and you'll make it back in time. The service is lacking in personality sometimes but if you speak up and ask for anything they will bend over backwards to make sure you're happy. As far as the food is concerned I was unexpectedly delighted by their carrot soup (which I had never even heard of before). Any good carnivore can't miss with the short ribs and skirt steak entrees. For lunch the short rib panini, respectfully. If you are feeling a bit more rabbity I'd recommend the beet tomato salad or butter lettuce (with yummy hazel nut something or another). Unless you're aiming to be diabetic close your eyes and pick any dessert except the banana panini and you won't be disappointed.
(5)T C.
You can choose an excellent restaurant and you can choose an affordable restaurant, but one does not preclude the other in this case. Our group of six came down to Miami for several days on business and went from one overrated restaurant to the next, in hopes to come home with nothing but rave reviews to share with friends and co-workers. Although those I traveled with were excited about all 4 fancy schmancy places we went, I feel as if they confused pricey with tasty. Michael's has great tapas (of various sizes) for a reasonable price. Try the duck confit or the pork belly!
(5)Arlene M.
Went here for brunch with a group of 8. We loved everything. The favorites were definitely the double egg and the pop tarts, but everything was delicious. Would definitely recommend. Only downside was we went on a Sunday morning and everything in the area was closed so afterwards we had to head back to our hotel.
(5)Taryn M.
my dinner at michael's genuine in january was by far one of the best meal's i've had since i've moved to south florida! i went with a large group of people and we ordered what seemed like the entire menu and shared it all. the entrees generally aren't crazy expensive but you'll want to order more that one so it can definitely add up. it's been 6 months since my meal and just thinking about the beef cheeks, duck confit, rabbit paté, cheese grits and pork belly makes my mouth water. the servers were friendly, fast, and knowledgeable and the food never seemed to stop flowing. the only thing my table seemed not to enjoy were the signature cocktails - WAY too strong and just not tasty. i remember minebeingunbelievably salty. after those drinks we went back to drinking wine, which was a much better idea. i can't wait to go back... the way i ordered at michael's makes it generally out of my buget but i'm saving up to have a huge birthday feast for myself in july!
(5)Manisha K.
So for a while I have been hearing people raving about how amazing Michael's is and now I truly understand what all the hype was about! This place is a food lovers dream. Not only are the choices so unique but the fact that all the ingredients are local makes it even better. Since this was my first time here, my friend and I decided to go all out and order a little bit of everything. The dishes run from small to extra large and although we blew a good amount of money that night on our food binge, it was worth every penny. I loved the ambiance and how the waiter knew so much about the dishes and did not hesitate to give his opinion on various combinations. Some people may find that a bit intrusive but I enjoyed it. We started off with the double yolk farm egg and the local wreckfish ceviche. I am not a huge fan of egg yolks but I thought this dish was cooked to perfection and the gruyere cheese was a perfect combination. The ceviche was incredible! I love how all of the ingredients were so fresh and worked so well together. I've never seen lychee served in ceviche but chef Michael really pulled it off. We also had the cheese of the week that was served with raisin bread and heirloom tomato jam. I know some may wonder how good can heirloom jam be but let me tell you this stuff was so tasty. It had the perfect amount of sweetness to it and was a great addition to the cheese. My friend had the crispy pork belly and since I don't eat pork I didn't try it but from my understanding he did say it was delicious. For my medium course I had the linguine carbonara with lobster sans the carbonara. I know many advise not to substitute or change any of the dishes but it was still awesome without the carbonara. I cannot stress enough how fresh everything tasted. Our main dish was the lamb served over chickpeas.. I don't remember the exact name but the lamb was cooked to perfection. I myself am not too crazy about lamb but I had my share of this dish and loved every bite. The chickpeas were a bit undercooked, I don't know if that was on purpose but who cares the lamb made up for it! Now finally I can talk about the AMAZING desserts we engulfed. I heard a lot about Heidi Goldsmith on food network and the show best thing I ever ate and yes the popcorn and peanuts and the tangerine creamsicle pot de creme lived up to my expectations! The chocolate peanut bar had the right amount of salty and sweet and I could have definitely had a another scoop of that buttered popcorn ice cream. The tangerine creamsicle pot de creme melted in my mouth, those donuts were like nothing I have ever tasted. I really wish the dessert portions were a bit larger because there was nothing to complain about! We ended up spending close to $250 that night including drinks but this was only because it was our first time here and we decided to go on a food spree. However, going out for a normal dinner here isn't that costly and is totally worth it. I loved every bit of my meal and had no complaints. The only thing I thought was weird was how close the tables were to eachother. I wasn't too excited about that. I recommend sitting outside. Like so many other people have said Michael's is food heaven.
(5)Jim C.
Really solid place - one of the few places in Miami really taking advantage of what great fresh produce is available year round. I was a little disappointed in a few aspects of the otherwise solid service - bread came after the appetizer was finished, wine languished in a bucket, etc. But the food, location, and service overall was standout. Great wine selection and good prices.
(4)Luly F.
So the hubby and I just tried Michael's for the first time this morning for brunch. Apparently we have been living under a rock in the burbs because I had honestly never heard of it. I was floored. My expectations were high because once I mentioned the place on Friday I heard people start raving about it. Now I know that a. They were in no way exaggerating and b. I found my new favorite brunch spot. We had their duck confit hash (wow), French toast (best I've had), the Spanish tortilla (shockingly good) and, leaving the best for last, the most outrageous breakfast pastry I've ever had the joy of consuming: hedy's pop tarts. They are nothing at all like the store bought kind. They are as someone in our party mentioned, pop tarts from heaven. These are pastries you would consider when choosing your last meal on earth. Amazing. The service was quick, friendly and knowledgeable. My husband smiled as we walked out and said, "So is it safe to say we'll be back next week?". Oh yes - yes it is honey. :)
(5)Joel S.
Can't really add too much to other's reviews about the food itself except to reiterate that the burrata was insanely good and I would probably commit a nonviolent felony if I could get a small piece of that app right now. Being from a great local and innovative food city, Chicago, I have a pretty high standard to meet, and this met it and more. In the food category, Michael's is very similar to the top places I've been. Variety and good value on the wine list too. I have to say this was the best place I ate on my recent Miami trip, I'll be back next time I'm in town.
(5)j g.
Cool+creative entrees= 5 stars This dynamic eatery located in miami is one of my new favorite spots! The appetizer was yummy with chips and homemade dip!! Yum! I never thought it would be so simple but great.The rib eye I split with bf. That was a surprise- delicious and perfectly cooked medium! Well seasoned and enough for 2. (Just a tad sinewy) The other couple had great entrees as well-one had the chicken the other had a salad. I fell in love with the figs in the salad and the light dressing!! Delicious!! Never thought to put those 2 together! I even had an extra side of figs with dinner!! The great food and vibe was reminiscent of NYC eatery. Crowded, bustling, and fun! Young couples everywhere, good bar scene. The dessert was out of this world:I had a brioche layered with something sweet a little banana-and a little creamy ice cream and a small shot of chocolate! Very creative and awesome! Look forward to coming here again in the future!!
(5)Joel S.
Living about 7 blocks away definitely helps, but I love this place. The beer selection is wonderful (no budweiser or miller lite here) and their cocktails or wonderful. I love their margarita. Finally when it is time to start eating, the food is wonderful. The menu is set up so you can share very easily and they have something for all appetites. Recent favorites are the burrata and I love the scallops. The wine list is very nice as well. Save room for deserts because they are amazing. My favorites are the banana panini and the apple panini, usually you get one or the other. Lunch is great there too with a nice selection of sandwiches,
(5)Y P.
I can't find a reason to not give this place five stars. I thought it might be overhyped and was actually scared to go just so I could maintain its wonderful image in my head. After so many accolades, showings on the food network, and stuff I'd read about, the experience could not possibly be that good. I would have rathered be that person that admits that he never went to Michael's than to be that guy that didn't think it was as good as everyone said it was. But my curiosity got the best of me, and this was an instance where the cat was not killed. I stopped by for lunch and thought parking would be horrible but alas, three dollar valet was there to save the day. Thanks for saving me from a hassle of hunting down a spot. I knew the place would be busy due to its status but I had no idea what I was in for. I have never been to such a busy restaurant during lunch hours in my life. But somehow, management was able to make my wait bearable and I only had to wait around 20 minutes. Reservations are highly recommended though. We were sat in the outside area on a beautiful day where only fans are at work to keep you cool. But somehow, I was not uncomfortable at all and was not bothered by the weather or heat. It was very homey and you can tell that there was a lot of thought put into how everything was set up. In the inside, it is pretty upscale yet comfortable, where a person does not have to be dressed up to eat here but if they were, it wouldn't look bad. There is also a bar area. The menu is shrunken down to mainly sandwiches and a few entrees for lunch. I felt like everything was reasonably priced, especially for the quality of the ingredients. I love knowing where what I'm eating comes from and there is a sort of satisfaction you get from knowing that what you're eating is organic for the most part. Besides, everything is delicious. I got to try the burger and short rib sandwich; both came with fries. Although I would never pick greens over fries in any instance, I regret not doing it here. The fries were not bad by any means, but they were a bit salty for my taste. Not inedible, but with knowing the quality of the greens here, I should have rethought my choice. The actual sandwiches were incredible though. The burger came at a perfect medium rare with a croissant like bun that surprisingly held together despite how juicy the patty was. The cheese was a perfect balance and did not overpower the meat, which by the way was the tastiest piece of beef I've ever had between two buns. It actually tasted like beef and was the predominant flavor of the burger, how it should always be. The fresh vegetables only pushed the burger to the next level. Simplicity at its best. The short rib was great as well, with a tomato like chutney that brought everything together. The panini press made the bread perfectly hard but just like the burger, the meat was the star player. And God was it good. For dessert, I got the Tangerine Pot de Creme with homemade doughnuts and Blackberry jam. The donuts were perfectly fried and chewy but the best part was the Pot de Creme. I felt like I was eating a Creamsicle on ecstacy. It brought me back to my childhood in an alternate universe where I was rich, because these flavors were extremely sophisticated. That's the only way I can describe them. The service here was pretty great. The waitress was attentive but not overbearing, funny, and made suggestions. She knew the menu inside and out and was able to lead my group in the right directions. They also serve complimentary sparkling water here. Overall, my experience here lived up to the hype. I know that at dinnertime, the experience can be completely different and I am definitely looking forward to trying it out. Hopefully, it will wow me just like lunch did.
(5)Joe W.
Such a beautiful place. We had a bottle of reisling which was priced good. Their plates are labeled small, medium, large, and extra large when ordering. I was curious how big they were at first so i ordered the medium char grilled octopus which had two 8 inch tentacles over a bean salad. For my entree i had the char grilled wreckfish which is either grouper or bass, it was about a 6-8 oz portion, which was amazing. I had fingerling potatoes which were oven roasted and they served us about 8 of them in a side proportion. My girlfriend had the 12 oz steah which was cooked to perfection and the green pepper corns on it which made it spicey and great. I had to try the ox tail after dinner so i ordered that which was served with a creamy sauce which was great. For dessert i had to try the butter popcorn ice cream and let me say that was the BEST ice cream i ever had...its a must try. Service was amazing andvery fair priced.
(5)K G.
I've been twice and all I can say is Outstanding. Food, Service, Sommelier, Cocktails and Decor. A wonderful culinary experience.
(5)Matt L.
I totally agree with the people who just emphatically love this place. I kinda have to admit that this place deserves 4 stars, but I decided to cheat my standard and give it a 5 star. Why not? That's how much I loved it! Well, as you might have figured from the other reviews, this place is all about comfort food. Great ingredients, great atmosphere, great staff, and great food. And, great price. $20 per person on groups of 3-4. If you plan to go on Miami design district, this is about the only place to dine and if you go there during the peak lunch hours during the weekend, good luck. You'll be getting in well after 2:30 if you want to wait around for a table. Weekdays, its much better, but I suggest you to wisely use Opentable. It will be your savior. Anyway, let's talk about food. Have you ever had a club sandwich and it was so good that you looked at your sandwich and asked, "holy s&%t, WTF is this?" Whether you had this moment or not, you will know what I mean when you have a sandwich here. The turkey sandwich is amazing as well as the short ribs panini. The local fish of the day sandwich is great too. If you are in groups, order a pizza and start that off as an appetizer. The mushroom or shrimp pizza is the most hot-selling item here and I think I know why. Because they are the best. The thing I like about Michael's is that they make a good selection of cheese. Whether it be pizza or sandwich, they just are right on. Remember, this place is not about fancy, fine dining. It's about good comfort food for lunch.
(5)D. G.
Great for lunch. The pulled pork sandwich is tasty. The staff seems to know what they are doing; unusual for Miami...
(4)Alexis Y.
I enjoyed every bite at Michael's Genuine. Our waiter said many of entrees were for sharing and suggested we order some small plates and snacks then share the main dish. We started with the potato chips with onion dip. Mind you I have never ordered potato chips for dinner but they were incredible! There was not even a drop of dip left. We then ordered the chili chicken wings just because they were on the menu and its hard to pass up chicken wings. WOW yum yum. Then we ordered a house salad and the steak au poivre. Lets just say it was a very special steak and its been a few months since this visit but I still think about it. We washed it down with some beer and called it a night!
(4)Bill B.
One of my favorite restaurants in Miami. Best food around and their organic tomatoes are delicious. Service is friendly and prompt. Even seen a celebrity or two the several times I've been.
(5)Erin E.
I have been here twice and last night the service was much better. We were hungry but not starving so we started with two oysters each, split the risotto with rock shrimp and the side of brussel sprouts with pancetta, it was a perfect combo. The menu is divided into small, medium, large and extra large plates. Risotto is under the medium category, perfect for sharing. The side is plenty for two people. Michael's location is attractive, the interior space can seem to be a little tight. We were a party of 2 without a reservation. We could have sat inside but I believe the mission was to fill the inside so we were placed directly next to another party of two. Close quarters, not bad but a little annoying when the conversation from this other table was very audible. We easily could have asked to move so it's no ones fault but our own. Attentive servers and attractive decor, red, black, brown, shimmer. Prices are good considering the quality of food offered. I will go back in a heartbeat. The menu is extremely varied. Apparently their pork bellies come from a farm up north that specializes is excellently tasting pork bellies. YEAH!
(4)judy n.
we came here for a friend's birthday dinner. Bonus! - birthday dessert was free, with sparklers as candles!!! Super fun. and it made for awesome bday photos. - Yummy dishes: - Tuna Tartare. classic :) - Steamed Mussels - Sweetbreads. This was the first time I've tried them AND Liked the sweetbreads. :) Yum! - chile chicken wings - BLT Salad - Not-So-Good Dishes. - Homemade grilled sausage. i found it salty. The place had a fun ambiance. worth it if you are going in a group to try a bunch of different dishes... the menu changes often... and some dishes are great, so be adventurous. but things are pricey here. so Not worth it if it's just a date.
(3)Sonia S.
I've been here for Sunday brunch and dinner. The food is good, but not great. Most items are underseasoned or overcooked, but you can tell that the quality of the starting product was good. The ambiance is very nice, but they are a bit too formal about reservations, even when half the place is obviously vacant, and remains so during your entire visit. Street parking is easy to find on a weeknight. The service is consistently middle-of-the-road.
(3)sharry g.
Everyone is gonna think I'm a five-star freak, but I'm starting out on yelp with mostly my favorites. MGF&D is one of the few "genuine" places in Miami (had lunch here today.) For starters, Michael genuinely spends time here, working the kitchen and roaming the front of the house. He could spend all his time doing TV or opening 15 other restaurants across the nation, but instead he works his store, and it shows. Secondly, the servers genuinely show they are proud of the kitchen staff's skills and their own ability to take good care of their customers. And finally, the food always, always remains center stage, no small feat among celebrity chefs and talented, entertaining wait staff. While the menu always features little twists and turns, it's compact yet complete, and always fresh. Here's a hint for all budding restauranteurs... you don't have to have, nor should you probably have a Cheesecake Factory-sized menu. Today we did golden tile fish, grouper/chick-pea soup, deviled eggs, and the short-rib sandwhich. All good, all fresh, all noteworthy. Golden tile is caught locally, deep, hundreds of feet down, and famous for its mild flavor, was well prepared and served on a bed of tasty escarole. The soup was awesome, and the short-rib sandwich, essentially a grilled cheese with style and flair, put Govind Armstrong's "Oprah's best sandwhich in America" to shame. Soon, Michael's pastry chef will be awarded co-star status, and today we enjoyed the tangerine/blackberry bread pudding with vanilla creme fraiche. MGF&D is the best in town at what they do. It's a social restaurant, set up for conversation with everyone from the servers to the people at the next table, to Michael himself. Outdoors, passersby can contribute to your table talk. But the food itself can always be the subject of the best of conversations.
(5)Craig J.
In short, why all the fuss for this? Having been forewarned that the adjacent gallery seating is less than ideal, we made a weekday reservation several days in advance, specifically noting that we would like to be seated in the main area. Alas, upon arriving at 6 PM, we were seated in the gallery despite both the outside dining area and the main seating area being completely vacant. The gallery seating area would be lovely for a private party, which is likely its intended purpose. However, when its only occupants are your party and, perhaps, another table, it can be uncomfortable at best. Our service experience was quite unfortunate, but this may have been an isolated incident. To summarize, our server was smug, struggled to offer insight into the menu, and most always absent. The food was well-intentioned but disappointing, especially given the amount of press and attention the establishment has received. As a general rule at Michael's, the quality of a dish is inversely proportional to its size. As you move from the small to large plate offerings, it appears that one must proceed with caution. For example, our small plates (ceviche and tuna tartare) were enjoyable. Also, kudos for their potato chips and onion dip, which we both enjoyed. However, my large plate pork shoulder was, as a recent reviewer noted, dry to the point of being inedible. To add insult to injury, it arrived stone cold. Perhaps the dish left the kitchen as a heavenly serving of tender pork, but I will never know (see service above). Deserts were also disappointing: my wife's crostata was over-baked with a rock hard crust and chewy interior. My apple-centric desert, the name of which I cannot recall, was equally disappointing with an interesting mixture of both soft, over-cooked and hard, under-cooked apples. However, I will cede that they were spiced well. It seems that many people overlook the quality of the larger dishes, which I found to be found mediocre (or worse), and instead focus on their other offerings. On one hand, I see how Michael's appeals to what Miami wants in a restaurant. The main seating area is hip, intimate, and generally packed with a young crowd. One can nibble on a variety of appetizing small plates and snacks while carrying on with your dinner party. It is also nice to see an emphasis on local ingredients, which is quite popular at the moment. Annoyingly, I have every confidence that Michael's will enjoy continued success in Miami going into the future. However, in my experience, Michael's falls flat when one reaches beyond those offerings to their larger plate offerings and deserts.
(2)Rebecca S.
Somewhat expensive, but I'd recommend giving this place a try. The food is tapas-sized and family-style, so you're supposed to order 2-3 items per person and share. The deviled eggs were creamy. The chai french toast was interesting! The homemade pop-tarts weren't mind-blowingly delicious (as I was expecting based on Yelp reviews) but it was crispy and fun. The donuts looked yummy (2 small-medium sugar coated, jam filled donuts) and I wish I'd gotten them.Oh and the watermelon juice was disgusting. It was so bad that I think that batch must have been turning.. so maybe it'll be ok when you visit.
(4)Chris G.
Worth the try if you want tasty and trendy.
(4)Itzela C.
Checked out Michael's Genuine today and I was really looking forward to going. I heard such great reviews about this place so I was excited. A group of us showed up for brunch, and 4 of my friends were African american women. I mention this because it's integral to why I gave the place a 2 star. The host, tall, white, bald guy, named John is a racist!!. I say racist, because John seated my friends and I in the back room. When the front room was perfectly empty and we had suggested for him to seat us in the front. But John, was addiment about seating us in the back, no matter how we kept insisting he said he could not seat us. And not until our waittress aproached us we were able to mentinon the situation again and change our seating to the front room, with no problem she seated us to the front. Now why couldn't John accomidate us? Well, we all know why don't we.......racist are alive and well in America! And John reminded me of that. Micheal's Genuine! I will not be bringing my business, nor my white friends, black friends, Asian friends,Indian friends....you name it! Not even my dog (if I could lol) to your establishedment!! You should keep guard of who you hire on your staff. Too bad, has good as the food may have been.....your host John, left a bitter taste in our mouths.
(2)Katia R.
I've been here a few times and a few times we've been turn away for not having reservations. You wouldn't think you needed it by the casual looking table set up outside. However the times I've eaten there, the food was excellent. The wine selection is broad, and the staff is just okay. Except for the bartenders, they were attentive in just the right way. The turnips with salt on the side at the bar were great! It beats going next door to that pretty lounge with horrible food.
(3)martin g.
my favorite restaurant in miami. the dinner is great and the sunday brunch is the best. they take reservations online and have complimentary filtered water (tap is not even offered). the only complaint i've ever heard from a co-eater is that the bloody mary's are not wonderful. it may not be possible to find a more original restaurant in miami.
(5)judy b.
After reading so many excellent reviews of this restaurant, it's almost embarrassing to say this.....i did not like the food. 4 of us ordered almost everything on the menu. we just kept ordering all the exciting appetizers, they all sounded wonderful. the mussels were wonderful. the onion dip was kind of stupid. the linguine was so boring, i was surprised. the duck confit was good, i will admit that but not the best i've ever had. the chicken was good, but again, it's roast chicken. the pig ear was actually gross. i don't mean the idea of eating a pig's ear. i was all for that. i mean, it just didn't taste good at all. no flavor except for some spices that were powdered on them and there was nothing to discuss. the felafel were completely run of the mill falafel that you can get anywhere. my husband ordered the pizza, again, it was ok, he didn't like it, i did but nothing to rave about. our companions ordered dessert. he loved it, i don't do dessert and found it ridiculous to have to take a knife and chop through the popcorn and peanuts and then find out it's just tastes ok. the creamsicle dessert was good but again not great. nothing was great. the only thing great about the restaurant is the location. i love the design district and it's such a cool area to walk around. all in all, very disappointing. expensively disappointing.
(2)Michael S.
My wife and I ate at Michael's several times before the New York Times article naming them one of the best restaurants in the U.S. By coincedence I made reservations for dinner the Thursday that the article came out. The scene was pretty crazy but we were seated fairly quickly, inside as we had reserved. The waiter was harried even though we had been served by him several times in the past. I asked several questions about the wine but he didnt have time for stuff like that and disappeared for a while. After trying to flag him down several times (10-15 min.) and ask about a few more wines we were finally able to get a nice bottle and order. My wife had an appetizer with egg. The egg was not cooked. We pointed it out to the waiter, who offered to replace it but my wife was not interested since she was turned off by the (almost) raw egg. Her main course was the chicken. Again it wasnt cooked correctly, very rubbery.. When we pointed it out to the waiter he said that maybe it was because the chef "really doesnt like to cook chicken". Well why do you have it on the menu???? My dishes were very good. I had the pork belly which was great and a whole fish which was fine. (There are so few restaurants in Miami that can cook fish correctly.) Because of her treatment, my wife has refused to return. Their loss, there are plenty (well, a few) good restaurants around, Michy's, Red Light, Por Fin, Cofridia, Sardinia, Pascals, Captins Tavern, Oceanaire (two places that can actally cook fish).
(3)Adam R.
YUM!!! Expensive but worth it.
(5)Maria T.
So I'm relishing the last bite of my peanut butter-infused brownie sundae at Michael's Genuine when guess who pops in? Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer! Yeah, I know I'm supposed to be reviewing the food here, but HELLO? OK, fine. I'll shut up about my 5-second brush with fame now. The food is delish. A bit pricey, but yummy nonetheless. I got the falafel flatbread and my gal pal got the Serano ham sandwich...both were divine. And be sure to order the french fries....they are the BEST Miami has to offer. Cut fresh and fried to perfection. Top off lunch or dinner with the brownie sundae...it's topped with dulce de leche, peanut brittle, peanut butter and a banana -- heaven sent!!!!!
(4)Andrew K.
Incompetent service ruined a celebratory evening. Everyone was to blame for things falling apart, and not recovering. It all centered around a fish. Always blame the fish. Service from the outset was weak, but not tragic. The waiter kind of had his head in the clouds. Maybe too many tables to take care of, but he constantly disappeared. Apps arrived slowly. The mains never did. After a good hour with zero attention we flagged down our waiter, who said they forgot about the fish, were really sorry and that they'd send some complimentary food. Free food wasn't what we wanted; timely service was. We never should have been left nearly an hour in the dark. My guess is the waiter never checked with the kitchen, so the kitchen didn't know they had screwed up. A pox on both of them. The manager then appeared with hollow apologies, and the free salads arrived which were pretty lame. At our request we said bring the rest of the mains now, and the fish when it's ready. Like a miracle, all the mains came immediately, meaning they were just sitting there. 20 minutes later and still no fish. It's always the fish's fault. More lame excuses from the manager, nearly 2.5 hours sitting there, the manager and the waiter entirely disappeared (told that the manager was out) and we'd had enough. A controversial decision to walk out but one that I think was right. We were sitting at the table like a bunch of plants waiting for something to happen to enable us to leave. Why should we? We're not tethered, and if the restaurant can't produce a person to talk about their failings and work it out then why are we at fault? Finally, after we left, the manager came running after us. Had she been around, or her staff able to find her, then we would have spoken in the restaurant not at valet parking. Serious service issues. When it went wrong, it got worse. A pro restaurant would have figured out how to right the ship. Instead, it sank.
(1)Ted X.
I dont like to get too in depth in my reviews, I only write reviews of good places I have been, and this one was def one of those. Everything but the rib eye was amazing. The reason I say the rib eye is that it was grass fed so it was a little more tough than my liking. The duck was SUPER AMAZING, the pork was amazing and almost everything else we had was great. Service was outstanding and Michael's now goes into the must visit when in Miami next to prime 112!
(5)J H.
I had heard about Michael's for years and decided to finally try it for a Sunday brunch. The menu looked good and the prices seemed pretty decent for this type of establishment. However, when we got our food we realized that the servings were tiny! It would have been much more useful with a menu with higher prices and normal servings. By the time we got our food half an hour or so later we didn't feel like waiting for another order. The food tasted pretty good but it was nothing out of this world. There are several better places nearby. A plus for the ambiance.
(2)Christopher P.
Arrived on schedule and was seated outside immediately for our 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening reservation. The Grey Goose martini side car pleased my out of town visitors. Small plates of Corvina Ceviche, Pig Ear salad and another Corvina/sashimi type dish all were well received. Grilled Corvia, Pizza and Trigger Fish were our medium entrees and satisfied all around. Very fast and friendly service. Pleasant night out and an enjoyable experience. I'm glad we were on the courtyard, as the dining room seemed loud and crowded. I'll definitely be back. I wish Michael's Genuine had a location near home in Coral Gables. What a great neighborhood restaurant.
(4)M J.
Recommended
(4)Bobby F.
So anyone who has lived in Miami for a while knows that the only thing that comes to mind during the summer, food and drink wise, is Miami Spice. My girlfriend and I love this time of year to go to all the restaurants we normally wouldn't go to. For a Monday night, the place was pretty full. We got seated right away though. The hostess led us to our table in a walk way no more than 2-3 feet between each table. Our table was in the right corner if you are looking at the kitchen. About 6 inches away from our table was another table which was thankfully empty. I didn't feel like having 2 other people join us for dinner that we didn't even know. The Miami Spice menu has a nice selection. Items varied from homemade Head Cheese, Quail, swordfish, "Homemade" Pasta ect. The appetizer that caught my eye was the BBQ ribs which they were sadly out of so quail it was. The quail was cooked perfectly just wasn't a fan of the seasoning they used for it. All-spice has never been a liking of mine, but the cold salad was a great compliment to the quail. My girlfriend had the Head cheese which was also awesome. The portions were accurate for appetizers but when it came to the main course, they were the same size if not smaller. I had the Pasta which was stated homemade on the menu which is questionable. It was cooked properly but homemade pasta doesn't have a texture like this one did. My girlfriend had the 3 oz piece of swordfish. Being a former sous chef in multiple restaurants that have participated in Miami Spice, our portions have never been changed for Miami Spice due to the price. I didn't leave hungry, but it was just simply a change of pace for my girlfriend and I to get a entree as big as an appetizer. Thank god everything was spot on or we would have left kind of upset. I don't want to leave out that the best part of our meal was dessert. The peach crisp was on point!!! I recommend this place to anyone wanting an upbeat, great service restaurant to dine at. Other than the things I mentioned above, Which i didn't feel was anything that terrible just needed to be noted, my girlfriend and I will def be back. keep it up
(4)Rob C.
one of my faves in mia, even got the nod from frank bruni totally under-reviewed...well not anymore :) this place has the exact kind of menu I'm looking for...but unfortunately some items can be hit or miss. technically very good, but sometimes misses that something extra they have small, medium, large plates (which is a great way to sample more), also sides and snacks. i shared 5 mediums and a side, sat outside. had the sea scallops, char-grilled octopus, pork belly, pork rillette, and heirloom tomato salad, cauliflower side menu does rotate my main issue was with the pork belly--it was cooked right, but i didn't like the clashing flavors of the sweet tangy sauce, peanut flavor, and pickled cabbage. the design district neighborhood is quite chic. ate here again, and liked my dishes. had the warm squash salad (heavy) beef cheek with chocolate reduction, kind of a light mole-esque sauce parpadelle (beef) -- flavorful, though noodle hardened kinda fast fried sweetbread--well, foodies know what that is still awesome -- I keep coming back. fried pork belly and watermelon salad -- perfect crispy skate wing -- very good wood oven pizza (steak) -- excellent pan roasted "poulet rouge" chicken -- perfect skin, flavor did not penetrate meat all the way through (compared to an SF Zuni chicken) try the panna cotta -- yummy orange peel slivers the pulled pork sandwich was interesting with its cucumbers and parsley, can't say i loved it through, strong anise flavor. loved the burger with the perfectly cooked harris ranch meat, nice thick bacon. the pork panini was heavy on the cheese, the ciabatta bread a little dry separate pastry chef, so can't go wrong here chocolate cremoso -- a little bit too much sea salt for my taste, very nice espresso parfait, should ask for the salt on the side, the crostini makes for a nice texture contrast. Banana caramel panini with warm malted chocolate sauce -- a large dessert, actually panini bread with bananas, slight salt and cinnamon sugar french toast flavor Apple Crostada -- very nice crust and flavors Tangerine creamsicle pot de creme with donuts and berry conserve -- also a good dessert
(5)Judith M.
Yes, it's good. But... I've been here twice, and both times were utterly forgettable except for the general impression that, yes, it was good. You have had this food before. It is basically the same -- although a little less creative -- as any other high-end New American style restaurant in any other city in the US. I've eaten at this restaurant in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, DC, etc. It's only because Miami's restaurant scene is so poor that Michael's stands out as extraordinary. Well f- that. Michael's is good but it would be nothing special in any other city. Three stars, and no more.
(3)Ron H.
I have been a fan of this chef since he was at Nemo's. Heddy's desserts deserve 5 stars. She is one of the best in U.S. I just don't think this is a 5 star restaurant. I love that he sources local . There just have been too many just OK meals there. It may been a top 10 restaurant for the design district or south Florida. It just does not compare with NYC or LA.
(3)A.c. D.
great place...interesting menu, really good service..i had a party of 12 there on a saturday night and it went well...i also like that the table for 12 was a large square (3 people per side) so everyone could talk and hear each other.
(4)TONY S.
Have been there numerous times. Lunch, happy hour, dinner it's always great. Try all of the different dishes they are an adventure. My favorites are the langostinos and the chicken is outrageous. Always looking for new items on the menu to try and have not been disappointed yet. Busy on most nights so get there early if you have no reservations.
(5)Liz T.
i live extremely close, so michael's is a very common choice for us. the food is usually pretty excellent, though there's been one or two occasions where it didn't live up to expectations (off-night?). make sure you make a reservation for fri & sat nights... can get pretty busy during peek hours. i highly suggest the chicken wings and the panzanella (my fav). up there as well are the mussels. michael's can be on the pricey side... especially when drinks are involved. oh and the facts it's all organic is great! i go very frequently here and for the first time had a negative experience with the staff. point blank the hostess had more attitude than a south beach hostess. not fun. but also, not typical. UPDATE: went again last night with a bunch of friends... tuna tartar is soso. deviled eggs were pretty tasty and the duck confit was delicious (and i'm not a big fan of duck). and for dessert i usually get the chocolate cremosa, cause it's the only thing on the menu chocolaty... problem is, i don't like it that much (it's good, don't get me wrong, but i don't go crazy for it). last night we tried the apple panini thingy.... super tasty. sooo good. $190 for three girls... ouch! 2nd UPDATE: just had my second bad experience here and again it was at the hostess desk. there were a ton of open tables outside, which is where we wanted to sit, but she insisted there were reservations for all of them. we got into a polite argument with the manager (i think) who said that she really couldn't seat us outside as they'd all be filled up any minute. we even heard two reservations walk in, who wanted to sit inside instead, so we explained the situation to our waitier and he went up and asked the hostess & the manager... they said no, again! i think he realized how stupid the situation was and in the end gave us a free dessert. even when we finished, two hours later, a huge bill, and our bellies full of a very tasty dinner later we go to leave... and there's still about 8 empty tables outside!!! I love you Michael's... you started with a 5 star rating... we go at least two or three times a month... but a few select people on your staff are turning off some very loyal, very well-paying customers. downgraded.
(4)Riley S.
We try to go every Wednesday night, which pretty much says how we feel about the place. The service is top notch and the food is incredible. Some of our favorites are home made ricotta with blueberry jam, falafal, chicken wings, the home made pastas, pizzas, ceviches, and particularly the pot de creme with dougnuts (we order extra dougnuts).
(5)Thad K.
Just went on my fourth visit. I love this place, the atmosphere on the patio is delightful. The service has always been top notch, very unobtrusive. On to the food... have had many of the items in the "small" section of the menu. Never been disappointed with any of them. The tuna tartare with quail egg was especially delicious. For dinner my friend and I shared Short Ribs, and of course the PORK BELLY (with kimchee). Probably one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten. Every time I've been here I've ordered this dish. I personally usually skip dessert and go on to the cheese course which changes apparently every week. I LOVE this place. If you want to go have a nice night out go to Michaels Genunie.
(5)I L.
I'm somewhat of a foodie and have only found a few places in Miami that serve great food (without ripping you off). In my opinion, Michael's tops my list of great restaurants in Miami. Their pork sandwich was OVER THE TOP. They also serve this crispy hominy appetizer that is spectacular- especially with a cold beer. I highly recommend sitting outside in their patio or in the main dining room where the kitchen is-- the other dining room is random and you might feel like the ugly stepchild.
(5)Mr. J.
perfect [adj., n. pur-fikt; v. per-fekt] 1. exactly fitting the need in a certain situation or for a certain purpose great date place, fun, good food, low key, been three times and always enjoy it.
(5)Michelle F.
Very seriously hit or miss.
(3)Claudia K.
The food was a 5 (excellent!) but the experience in total was disappointing. There were 2 of us and we were seated on top of another couple. The tables for 2 are set up next to another table for 2 with about 4" between tables. It's practically a table for 4. When I asked the maitre'd for another table (about a third were empty) he was rude and obnoxious and said nothing else was available. The service was ok, but not great. So unless you want to have dinner with 2 strangers, don't sit inside.
(2)Michelle G.
i've been there for lunch and dinner - portions for dinner were on the small side but lunch portions were average. fantastic food - i had the steamed mussels with black sticky rice - YUM. the desserts are also great. my friend had the panini with ice cream and it was to die for. the weather that day was chilly and they even offered me a pashmina to borrow so we could sit outside.
(5)C B.
Best brunch in town. BEST. But you have to have a reservation, or youll get stuck waiting a long time. Lemon Ricotta pancakes are amazing. So is the Burrata w/ Heirloom tomatoes. Double yolk eggs and the egg sandwich are also killer. Definitely make sure to try this place out. Lunch is just as good too! But no brunch items available.
(5)Ryan C.
Awful service. More than 3 hrs start to finish. Food was really good, although a bit overpriced. However, the service was so bad that the meal wasn't enjoyable at all.
(2)Nicole M.
i really really really loved it here. really, you have to try it. it was about $30 for each of us and totally worth it. we went around 10:30 on friday night with no reservation and got a table right away. the atmosphere was friendly and warm at our table outside and the bar looked very cozy and chic. we had the black grouper and subbed the brussel sprout side for crispy hominy which was the best decision i made all week. those things are addictive! we also had the fettucine carbonara with shrimp, bacon and broccoli rabe which was not nearly as heavy (aka fattening) and thick as in most places. try the naked riesling if you like your wine a little sweet and the barbera barola if you like it smoky. i definitely hope to go back soon. i might even try the sprouts.
(5)David H.
How can anyone only give this place 4 stars? Clearly the best restaurant in Miami. Mmmmmmmm
(5)Michele G.
I am writing this review because upon further reflection I was way to easy on this place the last time. Apparently I am not the only one who experienced the "rude, strange waiter" who continues to work there. Our bad experience began with the water service. The waiter had asked me if I wanted still or sparkling, to which I replied still. My boyfriend said sparkling, so when he began to pour the water I said no thank you. The waiter then replied with attitude, a lot of attitude, " its still." Thank god I ordered the deviled eggs then because our waiter didn't return for 20 minutes to take our order, at one point even stopping to have a conversation with a table that wasn't even his. He then finally came back to us, but by that time one of our dishes was no longer available. Maybe if he had cared to take our order beforehand that would have not been the case. I then asked my boyfriend if we should get the mash potatoes instead when the waiter rudely said "Why are you asking him?" I guess because he was getting the pasta? Excuse me, but why was that any of his business??? No check back, the dessert menus were just thrown on the table while the other tables received dessert specials, check dropped, no thank you?? The worst part? The restaurant doesn't care, I know this because we contacted them. I guess because of all the 5 stars they receive they could care less about their rude waiter. It was my birthday, it was ruined. We will not be back.
(1)Lisa C.
My husband, who is from Miami, and I went here one night while we were in town. Nothing memorable. The atmosphere is cool and fun, but the food was mediocre. What particularly comes to mind is the steak, which was mealy, overcooked and flavorless. I would suggest coming here for drinks and eating elsewhere.
(3)A. S.
I don't feel like I had enough of the menu items to review fully. Lots of interesting sounding items. Shared the potato chips w/onion dip. Both the chips and the dip were very average. Tuna tartare was very nice, quite tasty but not incredible. Honestly don't remember what I had for my main course and that was two weeks ago. Another member of my party had a piece of fish that he said was absolutely delicious. Desserts were very good, but again not incredible. I guess the hype had me prepared for something a bit more special. I'd go again to try more menu items, but it's not a priority.
(4)lori w.
It so disheartening to dine in an"it" place and feel out of place. The welcome the pretty people experienced was extremely different thatn the welcome my husband and in-laws received. We were denied a table indoors although there were 4 available. Instead we were shown to table on the patio in the rain with the umbrellas dripping. We were told "sorry" about the accomodations. I reiterated I had confirmed with the hostess that afternoon and had had the res for 1 week. "Sorry". My father-in-law's birthday was ruined but nobody there cared. The young glams were all fawned over and we were practically laughed out of there. What a shame- so unprofessional. Restaurants don't survive without good karma, good management, good vibes and the good food. I guess Michael Schwartz wants to make his name and make his money and get out....
(1)Jay F.
It took awhile to get a reservation. We finally made the list. So here's the good and bad. Made a rez a week in advance and when we got there we were told we would have to wait a few minutes for a table outside. About 30 minutes later (this is a Monday night) we were told we'd have a table. When we went to sit down, the hostess came over and told us she was setting the table for six people. Perplexed, we explained that we were told the table was for us. With a disgruntled look, she acquiesced. Needless, to say we were famished. Once we got the menus, we faced more disappointment. The server was friendly and accommodating. However, we were told they were out of the salmon and the swordfish...the only two fish on the menu. Are you kidding! After explaining that two members of our party only eat fish, the server had the kitchen suggest Cobia as a replacement. Now for the good part. The appetizers were very good. The faro salad was the best. For the large portions (entrees) the pan roasted chicken and the wood oven roasted Cobia were great. They also prepared the Cobia with pine nuts and raisins. Pass on the cheese grits. Order the fries (yummy) and the escarole. All in all, a very good meal spoiled by the wait and the "86" on the fish. They change the menu daily but, you have to be there early if you want today's catch. BTW, the service was attentive and top notch. You're water glass was never empty. The prices are reasonable.
(3)Alex F.
Overall a great time. Well made american food. Went here for Dinner. Food: 4.5 We had the: Burrata: 5 Chicken Liver: 5+ Duck Rillette: 5+ Steak au Poivre: 5+ (probably the best steak I've ever had) Asparagus: 5 Pizza: 3.5. Not bad but really pales in comparison to the other food on the menu. Too much caramelized onion creates an overwhelming, sweet flavor. Drinks: 5. fabulous. Caipirinha Dessert: 4.5-5 Service: 4.5-5. Server explains specials & are pretty attentive but don't hover over you. One thing, however, the waiter didn't listen to or not know how to make was the espresso with sambuca. He served a huge amount of sambuca on the side. Much more than the espresso itself. Atmosphere: rather loud but not too loud. Good interior design. Awesome bathroom. Tables could be longer especially if you order sides and the "smalls and mediums" along with your entree. So 1 star off for the above issues and for a rather pricey menu particularly if you add 1 side to the main entree: ie mid $30s.
(4)Katherine P.
I LOVE THEIR PORK BELLY!!!! If I was forced to only choose one thing off the menu for every time I went there that is what I would choose. It is just so mouth watering!! Also, when you order martinis, I always order mine dirty. They serve you the martini and then whatever remained into a little glass with ice on the side so that you could fill up again when you finished your drink. This is the only place in Miami that I found did that! It's not a cheap place, so don't expect that but do expect amazing food! I recommend making a reservation because there are some days that they get super packed. The first time I tried to eat there without a reservation there was a wait time of 45 minutes and I couldn't even sit at the bar. That day I ended up leaving to return with a reservation another day but seeing it packed made me even more motivated to try their food and it was great. This is not why they didn't get 5 stars because this was my mistake. You could just tell that they put a lot of details and effort into everything they make. Even by the look of their french fries. The only problem we had was my boyfriend's fish was overcooked but the manager came over to our table and apologized. That's what you expect when you go to a great restaurant. There are times that there might be a mistake but you just want them to apologize and recognize the mistake. I love the feeling of the restaurant, it's unique in its own way. The reason why they didn't get 5 stars is that the servers could be a little bit more trained. Not to say that our servers were bad, they were nice and got our order right. We just have experience at high-end restaurants and know what to expect. This restaurant could easily fix that and become a 5 star in my book. It would also help if the hostess was a little bit more friendlier. It's the first person you meet when you go into the restaurant, they should act more welcoming and less like club bouncers. ***edit*** The areas that I found needed improvement were fixed every time I've returned. This is the only place I dare to eat a medium rare lamb! Their owner, Michael is very nice and spoke to us for a while last we visited. We spoke about how he is now joining in with Royal Caribbean Cruises. Last time we ate here we were, we were celebrating a birthday with a group of 6 people and everyone was very happy with the service and their meals. Three people order the lamb, with Greek yogurt and quinoa and it was awesome! We also LOVED the peaches with pepper and salt, its just really good quality. The specialty drinks are always great! Get daring and try one!
(5)Linda B.
Anthony Bourdain said this was his favorite restaurant in Miami - enough said. I went and loved every course. Must go.
(5)Dee D.
Meh - my friends and I went for brunch the other day on a Sunday and it was pretty good. Our coffee cups were dirty, our milk was dirty (EW) and the food was hit or miss. The rosemary crumpet was very good and so was the sausage pattie. Everything was really small portioned (i get it, tapa style) but it would be better if they beefed it up a little for those that want to actually eat. the ambiance was cool. ill have to try it out for dinner see if its a little different..?
(3)Paul S.
A great setting with nice outdoor seating amid the tony shops in the Design District. The place was hopping on a Saturday night and could feel a bit crowded and noisy inside, especially near the bar. The outside tables may be quieter. The food is excellent. Food on the menu is divided by sizes. We shared dishes from the "Extra Large" section of the menu; we had all three. The whole roast chicken was superb, perfectly grilled and seasoned. While the menu doesn't say it, I would swear there was a bit of lemon on the chicken, brightening the flavors just so. The skin was crispy and the meat succulent and flavorful. The whole roasted Snapper was a real treat, beautifully prepared and with just the right touch of fennel flavor to accent the tender, sweet fish. The bone-in Ribeye was nice but couldn't compare with the other two dishes. It was served medium rare and was tender, but just didn't match the chicken or the fish, which were among the best of those two dishes I've tasted. For sides, we had excellent, lemony green beans, very nice cheese grits and French fries. The rice cake was a surprise and a standout among the apps. The flavors of chorizo and shrimp were present and distinct, but brought together by the rice and the perfectly cooked egg atop the cake. The Wood Roasted Double Yolk Egg app got rave reviews from companions. The house salad was tasty and not an afterthought as so often happens. The potato chips and onion dip were perhaps the weakest item on the table. They were not crisp enough for our taste, but dip was very pleasant. They offer an interesting choice of house cocktails, including their own spin on one of my favorites, the Manhattan. I found it interesting, but a bit light for my taste. I like mine with a strong Rye and a good splash of red Vermouth. The Rosemary skewered Marasco cherry is a very nice touch. We did not have dessert, focused as we were on a favorite gelato spot for afters. But the choices sounded excellent and, if the rest of the menu is an indication, should not disappoint.
(4)vanessa l.
Couldn't agree more with the previous reviewer. Having recently moved from LA to Miami, my husband and I were impressed and surprised to find this place. It's on par with some of the best farm to table restaurants out west. MGFD even serves romanesco! Delicious, by the way - order it. Ambience and mood were great, very lively, and service was good, too. Servers were knowledgeable about the menu and really guided us on how best to order for our large party. Of the drinks and dishes we've tried so far (read: we will be back to work through the whole menu), I recommend the Scotsman cocktail, fried corn appetizer, rice cakes, grilled octopus, duck confit, pork shoulder and short rib entree. I would have liked to try the whole snapper, but they were sold out. Next time!
(4)Vanessa M.
Michael's is a genuine perfect little gem of a place. I love that it's small, warm, and intimate. The perfect kind of place for a date or dinner with close friends. My friend and I sat at the bar for about an hour before dinner to wait for the rest of our party and enjoyed an excellent Rose and Southern Belle cocktail. We all had worked up our appetite by the time we were seated at our table. I think being really hungry helped us enjoy our menu choices even more. For appetizer we had the crispy pig ear, potato chips with panfried onion dip, and the duck rillette with crostini. The pig ear had an interesting flavor-not my favorite, but definitely worth a try. I highly recommend the potato chips especially with a nice cold beer. And finally, the duck rillette; I've never had it before and loved it. It's similar to pate, but better in my opinion. For my entree I had the linguine with quail egg and bacon. The pasta was cooked perfectly, the quail egg was not at all gamey as I had expected, and the bacon was more like nice thick cut ham--Everything perfectly complimented each other in what I like to call "breakfast linguine." I sampled each of my friends dishes, and all were just as good. I highly recommend the duck confit, the lamb, and the short ribs. If I could suggest one thing to skip next time, it would be the cheese grits for a side. It was very blasé. Dessert was initially deceiving to the eye. Once the waiter set it in front of me I thought I got gipped because of the tiny portion in exchange for its price. But the chocolate cremoso was so much more! The flavors of chocolate, sea salt, espresso, and olive oil combined perfectly for a decadent, rich, and satisfying flavor. Just 2 or 3 bites are enough, but none at all, and you are truly missing out on one of the best desserts you can ever imagine. This place is 1 star shy of a 5 star rating because our waiter took a ridiculously long time to come by our table each time. I just about wanted to trip him just to get his attention for a refill of water. Other than that, this place ranks pretty high on my list of Miami's best dining.
(4)Loren B.
Birthday Dinner #1 in Miami. Best Duck ever in my life....I had the Duck Confit which basically means they cook it in it's own fat....yummy! My friend got the ceviche and that was also delicious. The portions are small just like with every high end spot to eat, but it's worth it. Skip dessert, my friends got the red velvet ice cream and coldstone is definitely better. Definitely a small area to sit and dine so I wouldn't come in a big group.
(4)Jules S.
I love the fact the valet cost for Michael's Genuine is only $3 at night on weekdays, but it's really not necessary since there are numerous parking spots available on the streets. We chose to sit outside but later regretted it because the mosquitoes were out in force against us. They just seem to love that drunk-off-your-ass not-from-Miami blood. Next time I'll choose to sit inside or try not to exude so much body heat when I'm drunk. Another option is to just come during lunch when mosquitoes aren't so feisty. I had a great dinner though despite the stealth pest in the air and on my legs sucking my blood away. I'm a fruffi drink guy when out with family and friends so I ordered the Southern Bell to start. It was OK. I wish the blueberries were crushed into it to make it sweeter, but that wasn't the case. The blueberries were just garnish. Pretty good-looking drink though. We dug into some Pig Ears, Liver Crostini, Cheese Grits, Octopus, and Pork Belly. It wasn't a lot of food. Trust me on that. Just enough to leave room for dessert which this place is known for. The dishes that stood out though were the Octopus, Pork Belly, and Liver Crostini. You got to try it to believe me. If those dishes don't make you come back to Michael's Genuine, I don't know what will. The desserts we tried were the Chocolate Cremoso, Peanuts and Popcorn, and Pot de Creme. Two of these desserts were featured on "Best Thing I Ever Ate". They're all good in their own way, but if I were you I'd just order the Pot de Creme which has the most incredible donut you'll ever have in your life. Ten dollars for a donut dessert seems excessive but it's worth it. If heaven made donuts that donut would be it! The service here is not the friendliest bunch but they get the job done fast. Our waters are repeatedly refilled without even asking and our napkins folded when leaving the table. Not bad...it makes up for the service without a smile. It might be a Miami thing...I don't know.
(4)Layla L.
Delicious. By far, this is the best restaurant I've found in Miami..and it's affordable. The beef short ribs were so tender you didn't even need a knife to cut them. The beet and tomato salad was fresh and delicious but the desserts were the best part. My bf LOVED the donuts with creamsicle cream and blackberry compote and I LOVED the passionfruit cheesecake flan (with the 3 best things put together, how could anyone not love it?!), it was creamy and mouthwatering and the bf only got 1 bite before I devoured it :) You'll need reservations for a Sat. night.
(5)Maria A.
On my last visit to Michaels someone suggested I update my review but focus solely on one of the desserts. Inspired by that passion for the banana panini I figured it was time to focus on their sweet reputation. Pastry Chef Hedy Goldsmith is a genius in her own right. This artist dreams up childhood favorites irresistible to adults. Her brunch pop tarts are the stuff perfect Sundays are made of. Her double stuffed oreos are also equally loved but on the whole most people will experience the daily dessert menu. Although seasonal, the sweet ending usually has a few familiar faces. The pot de creme donut combination is always a winner, as is the popcorn and ice cream. But on the most recent indulgence it was the candy bar and the banana panini that left me wanting to order seconds. I'd already sampled a few bites from all four of the desserts on the table but I really just wanted my own dish and this time I did not want to share with anyone. Alas, I showed restraint (solely based on not wanting to frighten business associates with my sinful and selfish sweet tooth). But the next time I need some alone hours I might forgo the shopping, and instead head to Michael's and order a dessert or two. I often wish they had a coffee and dessert seating section or take out bakery... one can dream... visions of sugar
(5)Paul W.
I renturned here on a recent Saturday night with a group of 3, and once again had a great experience. We'd gone to see a performance at the Arscht Center, we left there at about 11:40 p.m. and were hungry. I knew Michael's supposedly served until Midnight, so we headed over for a bite. We arrived at about 5 minutes before midnight, and though the hostess explained that we'd need to order right away, as did our server, both were very friendly, neither seemed rushed, nothing from the menu was off limits, even at this late hour (we were even offered dessert once we'd finished our meals), and the ingredients were just as fresh and everything was as perfect as always. I ordered the BLT salad and a side of their thick cut potato chips with pan fried onion dip. For dessert I had the chocolate cremoso. As always, everything was superb. Another great experience at Michaels, I couldn't recommend this place more!
(4)Sonja S.
Loved this place. Went for the first time on Sunday for brunch and was very happy with the food and service. The plates are tapa sized but everything is super delicious. I would definitely recommend the crispy rice cake and the breakfast pizza. The pizza came out a little bit later than they had anticipated (we didn't even notice) so our waiter brought out a free plate of falafel, which was amazing! My only issue was that it seemed a bit pretentious. It was definitely a fashion show (which I was not dressed for) and there was legit a photographer snapping pictures as you ate. But all in all food was great, service was excellent, and we will be coming back!
(5)Michelle Z.
Michael's Genuine. This is food, this is heaven, this is nirvana. Once you've tried it, you'll begin to wonder how you're going to live the rest of your days eating your normal ho-hum diet, how are you going to settle for anything?- now that you've discovered this snug, tucked away emporium of epicurean divinity. Something for everyone to die a million happy foodgasm deaths over and over . First Base: fresh from the farm vegetable plates : roasted eggplant with yogurt,tomatoes, perfectly roasted and caramelized. The Cheese of the week, lovingly spread on warm raisin bread. Second Base: Crispy Pig Ears- trust me, you won't hear any objections from anyone once they have these crispy, salted Porky Pigs in their mouths. If someone even makes a derogatory remark about eating pork, just throw a pig ear in their mouth mid- sentence. trust me. They won't choke on it cause they're going to want to eat it. Third Base: Pork Belly - succulent, crispy on the outside- sitting in a warm salad of local greens, it'll be over before you realized it even began. Climax: the desserts : the Tangerine Creamsicle- oh so decadent on your tongue, with soft, melt in your mouth donuts, and a berry compote that beats any jam out there in the world. ( Except for the epic Michael Jackson song " Jam!") The Popcorn and Peanuts - Chocolate peanut butter tower of terrificness with a little chaotic ball of popcorn and chocolate. The Snickers Bar- you won't find this at 7-11. caramel peanut perfection. All of this, with a perfect concoction : STRAWBERRY-BASIL CAIPIRINHA - it's summer in a glass. Taste the sunshine and call it a day. I wish you all the best in the days following your Michael's Genuine Experience. The incomparable beatdown of tastes your mouth is going to endure will haunt you till your next visit.
(5)Debbie d.
Spent my 30th birthday dinner here. Flew all the way in from NY and so incredibly disappointed. HATE IT. We had a chubby asian server who acted all Americanized towards my group (were asians as well). Why is it that Asians despise their own?? Anyway, he acted all condescending on us, tried his best to intimidate for sure. We went on a weekday, and was really upset we didn't get to try their weekend brunch desserts. If you're not coming in for weekend brunch, don't bother coming at all. Their food is overpriced and tiny.
(1)Nenette Y.
The husband and I really enjoyed it! They're located in the Design District, an area of super high end designer boutiques and shops... it's a 10-15 min cab ride from Collins Ave and BRING CASH!! ATM's are non-existant in the area and cabs only take cash (the credit card machines I think are for show?) Anywho, our waiter and bussers were *awesome* and ensured our experience was fantastic from the moment we sat down til the very end. Food was all very good and we shared 7 small/medium dishes with the stand outs being the crispy pig ears, crispy pork belly and butter lettuce salad. Drinks were also delicious and a great way to begin our meal. Recommended especially if you're looking for a reprieve from the constant intz intz intz of Collins Ave. :)
(4)Eric B.
My wife and I heard good things about this restaurant from friends and Yelp So, we decided to try it for lunch. We were not dissapointed. The entire menu looked so delicious that we had a hard time not ordering one of everything! Our waiter, Tim was very knowledgeable and attentive. He made some great suggestions. Everything we ordered from the Crispy Pig Ears and Sweet and Sour Pork Belly appetizers to the Cookies and Confections Dessert was delicious. The prices are not cheap, but reasonable, and the food is delicious. The only drawback was this place got really loud as it filled up. We were the first customers of the day, but before we had our main course the place was full. You should definitely make a reservation.
(4)Stephanie L.
A cozy setting for a fantastic meal. Plates come in several sizes, giving the diner the option to pick and choose based on hunger. The cost can add up, but it's worth it to try as much as your stomach allows. Also, the menu changes frequently, so each visit can offer a completely new dining experience. Lunch is often kind of boring, pastas and pizzas that don't really stand out. Dinner and brunch are the best times to come, but if you plan to go to brunch later on a Sunday, make reservations. The pan seared onion dip with the homemade potato chips is a wonderful beginning. The sausage and pork belly dishes are succulent and blend phenomenally with their sauces. The fish dishes are always fresh and served with a savory accoutrements that delight the taste buds. During brunch the kimchee benedict is tiny, but intensely flavorful and tasty. Not to mention, the desserts are inventive and sumptuous. Creative options like the basil panna cotta make you reconsider your notions of a traditional ending to your meal. Even for brunch, Hedy's creations are a fantastic touch of sweet. Among some of the rotating options, lemon ricotta pancakes, poptarts, monkey bread, french toast (these flavors are changing constantly), doughnuts (from which there have been everything from coconut cream filling to yuzu to popcorn cream) and reinvented versions of nutterbutters and fig newtons...all are usually stellar. Michael's also offers some great wines, and inventive cocktails. Unique flavor combinations and fresh ingredients make many dishes exceptional. However, I've also had several dishes that are just mediocre. While I've had more hits than misses, if you weren't impressed, come back and give Michael's another chance. It really can be worth the hype.
(4)Luis G.
I'm late to the game. Like, super late. However, I'd like to say in my defense, that I've been screaming my face off from the bench for a very very long time. My wife and decided to check this place out last week, after all the yelp reviews, after Bourdain was here in his layover and scarfed down some pig's ears right in front of my face. I had to come here. We got there on a Friday night. It was packed. We had no reservation. I just said "two please", and a table was available. I guess we were blessed like that. Granted, we had to make a lady stand up from her booth to get to our window table (a bit uncomfortable) but hey, we were here and sitting outside, uhhh no. Not in the soupy broth of warm South Florida summer nights. The menu came, and we started. Swordfish Conserva, Ceviche, Butter Lettuce salad, Crispy Rice cake...bang. All came fast, and ready to go, beautiful yet simple presentations involving wood, mason jars and simple earthy tones. The Conserva was out of hand. It gave me the impression of a dish that a chef would cook for himself. Chefs eat this stuff right? :) Crispy Rice Cake, with a nice egg on top, Machego, Chorizo. All the right notes. Then we ordered some deviled eggs, some falafel, and I said, please...tell me you have the pig's ears. Oh man. So good. My wife couldn't do it, but that's ok...more for me. Smokey, crispy, a squeeze of lime...delicious. Then dessert. The Chocolate Semifreddo. We loved it. Outside after the meal, the warm night upon us, sitting in the valet guys plastic chairs waiting for our car to get brought up, we were talking about the meal. Full and happy. Then I thought about the Rice cake, and my mouth watered. Any place that can do that, deserves 5 stars. Can't wait to come back.
(5)Kathy G.
Cool, hip little place to dine al fresco on a cool Miami night in the heart of the design district. Love how you the menu is arranged in sizes-great for sharing and getting to try several things! Started off with some of the signature cocktails which were refreshing and delicious-Can't remember the names.... We started with the crispy pig ear snack...it was just ok. It reminded me of a cross between a bbq corn nut/and fried pork rind, but chewier. I could go without that next time, but I felt like we just HAD to try it. Next we had the wood oven roasted double yolk farm egg. it came in a small ramekin with the toast and cheese all melted on top with the gooey egg on the bottom. This was so good, but very breakfast-like. I wish there was more bread to sop up the precious yolk-we didn't want to look un-lady like and try to get all the leftovers. :( Then came the mussels...mmmmm these were heavenly! The broth was delectable. Very fresh mussels, and the forbidden rice surprise underneath soaking up all the broth was fabulous! The main entree was just as scrumptious. We ordered the grilled niman ranch leg of lamb. It comes perfectly cooked and pre sliced so it is also great for sharing. It is seasoned to perfection. Savory, juicy, and tender, it almost doesn't even taste like lamb. I also loved the farro salad, feta, and salsa verde that the meat rests atop of. The feta gives it a little punch of flavor and makes the dish unique. For dessert we ordered the passion fruit cheesecake flan. I was a little disappointed that the dish was so overtly sweet. The sorbet and passion fruit 'salsa' on the other hand I could have eaten alone as a dessert they were so good! We will be back next time! We had a great experience with the food and service.
(4)Alex P.
I've been here several times and my experiences vary a little. All I can say is that they have some of the tastiest food I've ever tried and that I get a slight snobbish feeling from the servers and hostesses sometimes as if there is some superiority complex going on here. If you go you MUST try the pork belly, and chicken wings. Oh, and the bread is phenomenal.
(4)Hallie M.
I wish that I could express how much I love this place through a review but I probably can't, and I'm sure that the other 500+ reviews say basically the same thing but, Michael's is truly the BEST. I HATE IT when I eat at a restaurant and say it was good but I don't have to go back, and with Michael's that is SO not the case at all. As soon as I'm done I like to think about the next time I'll be back!!! My most recent trip to Michael's was on my birthday (too perfect) for dinner, but I've also been here for brunch as well. I could go through a list of everything I have ordered but that would basically be the entire menu. So it's safe to say EVERYTHING is fantastic. LOVE LOVE LOVE
(5)Kelsey T.
Michael's Genuine strives for "fresh, simple and pure" and they sure deliver on this promise. I was completely blown away by how exquisite the food was here. It's not cheap food for sure, but everything tastes wonderful and it's worth splurging to dine here. I got the special of the day, burrata and heirloom tomatoes. This dish was perfection, with the components complementing each other so perfectly, I loved it so much I didn't share with my friends! We shared the crispy pork belly, shiitake mushroom pizza, short rib and fontina cheese sandwich, porchetta sandwich, wood roasted fish of the day, steamed mussels and the peanuts and popcorn for dessert (seems to no longer be on the menu). Every single dish was packed full of freshness and flavor and ridiculously good. I'm so glad we got to eat family style so that I got to try so many things since I was sharing with four other people. Fave dishes were the peanuts and popcorn (salty, sweet and chocolate is always a winner), the burrata and heirloom tomatoes (cheese and tomaotes, you can't miss with that), and the shiitake mushroom pizza (so earthy!). If I lived in Miami, I'd probably go broke eating here all the time. It's definitely on my list for whenever I return to Miami.
(5)Karen F.
Went back to the Caymans and HAD to celebrate my birthday at Michael's. Took husband and 6 year old - and it was AWESOME. Yes, expensive - but so fresh and worth it. Chef Michael was there that night after a book signing in Camana Bay and he expedited many of the plates. We enjoyed the house-made liguine with rock shrimp & bacon. Also a hit - the duck confit with blood orange slices over a luscious beet puree. My little one grabbed the duck leg and did not let go. She ate nearly the whole plate herself. (Not the mustard greens though - too bitter for her.) The best? My standby the fresh tomato, beet and haricot vert salad. I LOVE IT HERE! So great. Michael - please come to Philly!
(5)Janelle B.
My tia and I went for a weekday stroll around the design district and stopped at Michael's for lunch. Knowing that the restaurant is participating in the Miami Spice event, we had our heart set on trying it out. Once we got there, the place was packed. The MS lunch menu didn't look like it was worth the price, so we opted for other options on the regular menu. Once our server came to our table, I expressed that we hadn't been there before, expecting for a few explanations of the dishes that were written in Italian (or quite possibly just chef jargon, but I'll never know b/c they weren't explained to us), but he didn't budge on expanding his thoughts passed "Sparkling or flat water?" My tia asked for the chorizo, shrimp, and manchego cheese pizza was just very good. I ordered the fish of the day sandwich, which was barrel fish. It was OK. The food was good, and I would probably go again in hopes of being served by someone a bit more willing to explain the items on the menu.
(3)Robert L.
This is some of the best food that I have ever had. Fresh and local ingredients to stay a "sustaining" restaurant using produce and meats that are within 50 miles of the restaurant. I tell people to leave their comfort zone and order those things they wouldn't normally order and don't snub your nose at some of the ingredients you will see on steaks, pork, and fish. This chef KNOWS what he is doing and there is no chance in he** you will be disappointed. It's settled in a up and coming area of Miami that is worth a stop in and of itself with eccentric furniture, art, decor, and clothing. This place is worth the visit, a little out of the way nut again WELL worth it.
(5)Priti K.
When I'm traveling, here's one thing I don't like to do: hold back on eating my heart out. That's what my girls and I did at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink and I did not regret it. My cousin had been dropping the name all week and one night we finally had the time to get all dressed up and go before a show at the Adrian Arscht center. I came to find out that Michael's is a favorite of many long time Miami residents. It's quite an experience. The structure of the menu is unique in that there are three sections divided based on the size of the dish. The smalls are your appetizers. The medium section has light options that include pastas, salads, and some seafood. The large is mostly your meats and it also has a pizza. The extra large has whole chicken, fish, and 24 oz. ribeye. What I liked so much about the menu here is that when you think about it, all the dishes are so so simple..They use simple and fresh ingredients, but that you'd never think would create such extraordinary and unique dishes. My girlfriends and I had the 'wood oven roasted double yolk farm egg'. It has gruyere cheese, tomatoes, and chives. You dip your crostini in it or spoon some right on the crispy bread. The yolk was perfectly runny. We also had cheese. I can't remember exactly what it was, as it changes from week to week, but it was creamy and delicious and is served on a wooden cutting board with fresh figs drizzled in a little bit of honey. Speaking of which, the presentation at this restaurant is just as impressing as the flavors. We skipped ordering anything from the Medium menu, but got the wood oven pizza, which was vegetarian that week. The pan roasted "poulet rouge" chicken, and two of the snacks: duck rilette and falafel. Rilette is a pate style dish, I liked it because I love salty, but I don't think my girlfriends enjoyed it as much. The falafel was comparable to some of the best I've had which is at Taim in NYC. It was moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. We couldn't skip out on dessert. We chose the 'banana toffee panini' Although, I don't know where I fit it in my belly, but we three girls inhaled it despite having finished a huge, delicious meal. You cannot leave Miami without eating here. Seriously. Pricy and fancy, but well worth the dining experience.
(4)Kathryn I.
I can honestly say this is a restaurant that I am 100% please with 100% of the time. Last minute decision to go to this restaurant means at least a 30 minute wait. However, if I can plan my trip ahead of time I can normally score a reservation! MUST HAVES???? Fried onion dip and hand cut potato chips, ceviche, and of course the passion fruit caipirinha (this drink needs to be served with a "big straw" to suck up all the tangy seeds). These are all items that I dream of :0) Most recently I indulged in crispy pork belly....UHmazing! Perfectly crispy paired with a tangy and slightly spicy kimchi, wow! I also had the rice cake, too much of a smokey bacon flavor for me. I cant remember the pork product in this dish, it wasnt bacon maybe a sausage of some sort. But really the best item of the night was the pie in the jar. The flavor that I tried was chocolate creme pie with bing cherry! WOWOWOWOIE! I could order this over and over again! Sad to say I have left Miami, yet again, and will have to attempt the recreation of these dishes! Please note that Michael's is listed on my profile as place I would choose to have my last meal :)
(5)Whitney K.
This haven for fine dining is tucked away between chic galleries and charming boutiques in the Design District, making it the perfect destination for an evening on the town. Grab a table outside, let your server put a bottle of prosecco on ice, and settle in for an incredible meal. Although you'll probably be having an internal argument about which plates you'd like to try within two seconds of looking at the menu, I can assure you that everything is a safe bet. The creative flavors and pure, sensuous ingredients won't disappoint -- no matter what you order. I mean seriously; with dishes like imported burrata with ripe figs and fresh basil -- how could you possibly go wrong?
(5)Anabel R.
I've been there for brunch several times and it's always amazing! Great place, great food and great service!
(4)Kelly F.
Without a doubt, one of the best meals and overall dining experiences I have had in my entire life. A testimony like this might seem difficult to believe, however, I ate here over a year and a half ago - last time I checked, I'm still daydreaming about Michael's menu. I mean, look at the photo (attached) of me enjoying crispy pig ears! Heaven on earth. That is all.
(5)Robert S.
Great service. Great food. Small portions. Tables are too close together. Little bit pricey for the small portions.
(4)Barbara L.
Looking for a likely place for a bite before attending a performance at the Arsht last night, my friend and I decided on Michael's. He had had a pleasant Miami Spice experience there a few years back, and I had heard raves from others, hailing it as a culinary oasis in the area. We arrived early - about 5:30 - without a reservation, and were seated quite quickly in the quieter section as per our request . The setting is casual yet upscale; the service was superb. My one complaint is the food itself. We each ordered a Greek salad that was not your usual run-of-the-mill Greek, but unusual and delicious. The menu is divided into "small," "medium," "large" and "extra-large" categories. My entree, the wood grilled cobia with olive tapenade was smaller than I expected for the price of a "large" portion, and the overuse of salt detracted from the flavor. My companion, who ordered the poulet rouge, had much the same complaint. Wine by the glass was "genuine" but not "generous" for the overinflated price ($16 for a California cab). All in all, a nice place to meet and greet, but perhaps not to eat.
(3)Andrea S.
The best place for brunch in Miami.. Kimchee eggs benedict, helloo?! amazing. Great place to come for lunch and dinner as well. I don't think I've ever eaten anything that wasn't amazing in this place.
(5)Marco S.
This continues to be one of my targets every time I think about good food. Extremely well prepared and always d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s. The pork shoulder was amazingly cooked, melting in my mouth and as an appetizer(or not - sometimes I cannot stop ordering!!) the roasted double yolk is always an awesome choice along with the Pate. Service is wonderful. It has a good wine list available - affordable and fulfilled with quality items - one of my common choices are the Rieslings. It is a m-u-s-t.
(5)Billy V.
The Best restaurant for food in Miami. I have been there several times and always outstanding. MGFD can compete with some of the 3 stars N Y Times restaurants in NYC. The flavors are balanced and they serve fresh local product. This is biggie with me when marketing a restaurant brand like MGFD. I like the concept of plate size to navigate the menu. I highly recommend MGFD when in Miami...........
(5)Brian B.
Very pricey but a creative touch to old favorites. The chicken was surprisingly good. Very few places have moist chicken breast but this place nailed it. It only had oil and salt; really brought out the natural flavor of the chicken.
(5)Alex H.
I was visiting The Stage (two blocks away) and after some fun there my friend and I decided that we needed some dinner! It was 9:30 and we didn't have a reservation and we were HUNGRY! When we walked up, we asked for a first available table. Seating options are at the bar, inside, and outside. We got very fortunate and got a great seat outside. They have wonderful fans to help circulate cool air around and it was very nice. We sat down rather quickly; I guess some reservations didn't show. The overall restaurant was packed! I honestly didn't expect a restaurant located in what I would like to define as nowhere to have so many people. The lighting was nice and dim and allowed for a romantic environment. Soon after we sat down, we received some table bread. I did not particularly like it, but that is because I prefer softer breads. The toasted bread was just a tad harder than my likings, but it was good. We had mussels, which was listed as an medium sized entree, as an appetizer. I do not think that this would have been a good choice as an individual entree. They were very good. I had the Duck Confit, which I haven't had in quite some time. The duck was juicy and very tender. I've had bad duck in the past, this was amazingly good! They have an amazingly large wine list and probably an equally large liquor selection, but we didn't have any since we had some drinks earlier in the night. I will certainly come back to check out the wines. We also did not have and deserts. I will certainly be back to try something; nothing stood out to my mood. Bottom Line: Stop reading this review and start driving over!
(5)MiMi V.
Went Friday nite with 8:30 reservations, sat w/in 5 minutes. Valeted at $3, though the neighborhood has certainly improved over the last few years so street parking was an option. Certainly not as sketchy of an area as it use to be and plenty of folks milling about the streets. Waiters were quick with the menu, friendly and chatty. Though as dinner progressed service was not as attentive as I would've expected. Had to motion twice for refills. Very tight spaces. 2 attached dining rooms. Main dining room was painfully loud, the 2nd was quieter. Outdoor dining as well. Rather dark inside. Dress was a mix of night clubbers and people in jeans and shorts. Started off with an excellent strong caipirinha. No skimping on the alcohol there. Had several snacks: crispy pig ears (spicy, very good), homemade pate (meh) and ceviche (fresh but just ok). Entree ordered was the homemade linguine and lamb (tasty) and 24 oz rib-eye cooked black and blue. The steak had a good flavor and cooked perfectly, though there was a bit more gristle on the meat than I would've expected for this quality of a restaurant. Our dining counterparts also ordered the lamb pasta dish. For dessert we had the bourbon cherry chocolate tart, really good and very chocolaty though a bit heavy for my personal taste, and the banana toffee panini which was overly sweet though the folks I split it with loved it. Also, had a very nice mint tea but was given only one small pot only 1/2 full of water to steep it in. Overall, a decent meal. Lotsa' other stuff I would like to try next time. Meal was ~$200 for us 4 + tip.
(3)Eileen T.
My boss is not an adventurous eater so we tend to end up at the same restaurants over and over. In this case, I didn't mind a bit. Since we're here for art week, the place was PACKED. Despite having reservations, still had to wait a bit for our table. The first time, I had the beet and heirloom tomato salad. Fresh and tasty, the dressing was delicious. My boss really enjoyed his pork and our dining companion was impressed with the pizza (meat removed since he's vegetarian). The second time, I started with the Greek faro salad, which was a nice change from the typical Greek salad. That was followed by the ceviche. Super fresh, not fishy at all and not overpowered by excess liquid. It was all washed down with a cabarete. No idea whats in it but it was fruity and refreshing. On the pricey side, but you get what you pay for. And since the company is paying, I'm not complaining!
(5)Melissa K.
Divine! Great outdoor patio, nice ambiance inside. Fairly priced. I'd recommend for those who value quality over quantity. Perfectly cooked octopus, everything else was well-prepared, tasty ice cream and good coffee.
(4)Alex B.
This place was great. I'm defiantly putting it on the high rotation of dinner spots. Food was great. Smaller portions than what "americans" are used to if you know what i mean. However, they were perfect. I left with my belly full of greatness. Service was AWESOME. Miami is known for bad customer service. This place is great. Service is great without being over done. Comfortable relaxing culinary experience. Thanks!! A+
(5)Noah Van H.
Great restaurant.. Not really a pizza fan but tried there's which had beef tips. In all honesty it was one of the best pizzas i have ever had. This place is on my favorite list
(5)Cassie G.
Michael's has been on my to-eat list for as long as I can remember. I had tried their pork belly sandwich at their cart at Fall for the Arts, sampled some of their buffalo frog legs at a special event and read all about their latest undertakings. But now it was time for a real meal. For a Friday night, I was pleasantly surprised it was not too crowded. Our group was seated incompletely without a care. The complimentary sparkling water was a plus in my book and the servers were notably attentive to making sure our glasses were always full. We started out with the potato chips with onion dip alongside the crispy pig ears. I've never had pig ears before and these were packed with flavor. Some of my friends were a little deterred by the chewiness of the dish and could simply not get over the fact they were eating an ear. Their loss. Now on to the rest of the pig, I settled on the pork belly for my main dish which was deliciously complimented by the pickled cabbage salad. I also tried some of the rice cake and a slice of the wood oven pizza. The pizza's crust was a tad burnt but I loved the rice cake. The thick bacon on the BLT salad impressed my friend (apparently used to Oscar Meyer's precooked stuff) while the double yolk egg was gone within minutes. For dessert, we went with the popcorn and peanuts and passion fruit cheesecake flan with tropical salsa. The popcorn and peanuts had a bit of a spicy kick to it but was unique and flavorful. The cheesecake flan though was the perfect blend of the two desserts and the coconut lime ice cream on the side was great. I was a little put off by our waitress who did not seem too concerned about how we were enjoying our meal. I almost felt like since we were a younger group she felt like she did not need to go out of her way to make us happy. Despite this, with great food and company, I'll be back.
(4)Maria C.
One of my favorite restaurants!! ceviche is amazingg!!! awesome cocktails as well! desserts are delicious as well and pizza is always different and tasty!
(5)Antuan D.
I've been here in many occasions, and I have to say, place is pretty darn good. You can't go wrong with the brunch, I am excited to try dinner one of these nights.
(4)Ann R.
I visited last year in November. It was a great place close to the fashion/design district. I sat inside as the patio was filled with people. Our waiter was nice and friendly and took the time to explain the menu and what to try. I got the hanger steak. It was nicely grilled, not overdone. The seasoning on the meat was not overly done, which was great. Everything was fresh and perfectly done. I quite enjoyed my lunch while there. The waiter was attentive. I would go back, actually I'm thinking about that steak as I write. Great way to spend a afternoon in Miami. And the people watching made it even more enjoyable!
(4)Jeff M.
I need one of those MGFD T-shirts. If only all restaurants had patios like this: large, nice, open, shaded, and excellent for people-watching. But the inside is well-decorated, trendy. A great lunch spot. Nothing but quality food here: ingredients are incredibly fresh, dedicated to what's local and what's in season. The burger is very good, juicy, tasty, well seasoned, on fresh brioche. Simple but delicious greens. Delicious fries. The pot de creme with warm doughnuts absolutely hit the spot. And prices are definitely reasonable. Service is pretty attentive and accommodating. In fact, I had requested a salad with the burger, they brought fries, my waiter caught on to the mistake, fetched the greens, apologized, and said I could keep the fries (no charge) as a result. It was no big deal for me, but those small details of acknowledging mistakes goes a huge way. Genuine really is the right word to describe this place. Every aspect of it.
(4)Alisha C.
I had a great dinner here- it was definitely a pleasant surprise as we went to this spot not quite knowing what to expect. We were promptly seated upon arrival (we did have a reservation). The waiter who took care of us was extremely knowledgable and pleasant- he walked us through the menu in detail, highlighting the favorites and giving recommendations. The food was fresh and organic. We ended up having the following: 1. Creamy Onion Dip - 6/10 2. Housemade organic ricotta- 7/10 3. Crispy rice cakes - 8/10 4. Grilled Neman ranch leg of lamb 6/10 5. Slow roasted grilled Harris ranch beef short ribs- 7/10 Overall, the best part of this experience was the service and of course wine. We had a perfect bottle of red wine - Cabernet - called "a treat". Our waiter told us the history of the wine and as it is no longer made it was truly a treat- definitely worth what we paid for it. 1. Service - 10/10 ( can't remember the servers name but he is Korean) 2. Ambience- 6/10 3. Food- 7/10 4. Price - $10 - $40 per dish.
(4)Grant P.
After hearing such rave reviews and suggestions from others I took my girlfriend here for dinner. We were excited at first, but the experience wasn't what we were hoping for. We were seated near the kitchen at a small table squeezed between two other tables. It was loud and the proximity to the table next to us wasn't helping with the loud talking gentleman who was clearly on a first date--he didn't stop talking about himself. The food was well prepared, but nothing really wow'd us. Even looking through the menu we were disappointed. We're not picky and I'd like to think I'm a little adventurous, but nothing really sounded appetizing. While this did take place a couple of weeks ago, I can't even remember what we had. At least the service was good.
(3)Carla L.
Before tomatoes fly at my head because I gave it 3 stars, please note that 3 stars does mean A-OK on Yelp, a term that I am sure would offend most of the patrons there last night. Actual conversation between two tables: "Oh honey I just love your dress! Is it Gucci??" "Yes it is!" //giggle// I stare confused at the lady wearing the dress which I had originally pegged as a last season Forever 21. This has nothing to do with the rating though, I just thought the exchange pretentious yet funny. It just really describes the vibe of the patrons there. So the service was good but came across as insincere. Incredibly insincere. I just didn't feel the love. It was more "You aren't a Gucci wearing patron therefore I really don't think you should be here yet I will pretend like I do" We ordered the 'snack' sized Falafel, 'snack' sized marinated olives and a pizza with arugula, onions and eggplant. Our server told us that he would leave a menu because it wouldn't be enough food. I was a bit taken aback at the though because it is a $17 "medium" sized pizza. I figured that two 'snacks' and one pizza would be enough for two adults who were hungry yet not starving. Either way it didn't matter because he didn't leave the menu anyway. OK so the snacks arrive. The Falafels were absolutely delicious, truly the best I have ever had. The marinated olives didn't taste right. I was weaned on all types of olives so I am pretty open yet these were "meh". And the pizza..... OK so shoot us for ordering pizza here. Figures for us not ordering something like the Pig Ears. I just wasn't in my Pig Ear mood last night. Y'kno? Yet I figured based on the reputation that this pizza would blow my mind. It was good, not mind blowing. The "medium" was really an individual size 10 inch. So overall various things took an original 4 star review down to three. I am looking forward to having Michael's impress me, I am sure I probably will change my mind if I brunch here, yet I can't agree with most Yelpers as my experience last night merited no more than three stars. Note: If you sit outside the smokers come out to rudely smoke next to the tables. We sat outside because of the weather yet at any given point had 7 people around us smoking. So if you prefer your meal with oxygen, sit inside. Side note to the smokers who come outside to smoke: You are rude and dirty. SOME of us sit outside to enjoy the weather not your smoke.
(3)Scott H.
WOW! What an amazing place! Friends of my wife took us here and I am so glad they did. When I heard we were going, naturally I looked up the Yelp reviews and started drooling immediately. I was not let down. From what I understand, the menu changes daily and everything is made from scratch with mostly local ingredients. We decided to share several plates among the five of us so we got a salad, octopus, crispy rice cake, mussels, crispy pig ears (mmm) and possibly the most delicious thing I've ever eaten, crispy pork belly. incredible! We sat outside and people watched while we chatted. One word of caution, this is a good place to feel ugly because there are so many beautiful people around here. No worries, because while they are eating celery you get to stuff your face with all the good stuff.
(5)Pia C.
I went here on two dates. First time i was so sick and congested I didn't taste anything, which was absolute torment. Needless to say I was eating food and asking my date to describe the taste cause I was so insanely jealous of how amazing it looked. (He wasn't very helpful and not all that descriptive.) Everything LOOKED so delicious, I promised myself I'd come back as soon as I could. The second time around, the way I'd imagined it in my head was honestly waaaaaay better than how it really was. The price was pretty high for food that was not all that drop-dead amazing. It could have been what i picked (short rib) or it could have just been everything there, but the second time around when I brought it up, my date finally admitted it wasn't as good as other places we'd been but figured if he'd said it to begin with I would have guessed it was cause he felt bad for me. (Truth.) The pig ears were pretty good... that's honestly all I can remember really loving... yeeeeeeah. If you're going to go, go for drinks. There's no way they can fuck that up.
(3)Maite H.
We had the octopus, the rice cakes, and the pork belly for appetizers. Our favorite was definitely the rice cakes. For entrees we enjoyed the mahi and the pork shoulder. The pork shoulder had tons of parsley and I thought was just ok. For dessert we enjoyed the pie in a jar which was chocolate, hazelnut, and banana. It was the perfect mix of sweet and salty and was pure heaven. Contrary to other reviews I felt the service was great!
(5)Amy W.
Nice ambiance (especially outdoor), nice selection that I hear changes daily(?). Food presentation is nice. Service not bad at all. But I think things are way over-priced. I would choose 4 starts if the prices are better. It's worth to go once though, enjoy.
(3)Mindy G.
Love the brunch here, especially the pop tarts. Sadly came here on a Saturday expecting brunch and they only serve brunch on Sundays. Ended up leaving with a sad face after having 2 salads and a $50 check. Would give them 5 stars for their Sunday brunch menu.
(4)Gustavo A. L.
Clearly, based on the star distribution in the reviews of this place, I may be going a bit against the grain here. I will, however, make my humble contribution here. There is little doubt that the person responsible for these wonderful culinary creations is a gifted chef and it shows in the great blend of flavors, preparation and presentation. The food is like a work of art, and it somehow ends up all working together superbly. So we certainly appreciate talent and totally believe that it deserves to be handsomely rewarded, by the same token, there is a reasonable limit where the food stops being a worthwhile experience and becomes ...dare I say it ...a bit overpriced. Now, before you all decide to hang me from the nearest overpass, please stick with me, I promise you, I am going somewhere with this... Not being extremely hungry for a party of two, on our various stops here, we have usually opted for a couple of appetizers and one entree and we have returned a couple of times, because I am trying to reconcile the reviews from my "real perceived experience. But it doesn't compute, the experiences continue to be good, but 3 stars good. Some of it is the value to price relationship, some has been a bit because of the patrons who have totally ruined our outdoor dining experience when they choose an inside table but walk outside to smoke on top of us. To be fair, this should not be held against the establishment, especially if smoking is allowed in the outside tables but it becomes truly uncomfortable when, not only I have to smoke the others' tables cigarettes, but also those from the people that walk outside the restaurant and stand by my table to smoke. In the end, the Miami restaurant scene is far better off because we have Michael's, and I am really trying to become a fan.... I can see it happen, it just has to find the right place in my heart. Onwards ...
(3)Natalie N.
I was so worried this restaurant was going to be overrated. One of the best dining experiences in recent memory. Worried for nothing! Great food, great staff and cozy restaurant. Our waiter was Hinmahtooyah (he gave me his card and a hug before we left) and he is easily one of the best waiters I have EVER had. So friendly, funny and helpful with his recommendations. We shared several items on the menu. Crispy Pig Ears. Do it. They are the biggest surprise I've had in a long time. Very good, crispy and aggressively seasoned. Roasted Double Yolk Egg - I'm an egg slut. I love eggs especially in this dish. Runny yolk, pork belly and cheese? Yes please. Pork Belly - Fantastic. Linguine - So so good. Chorizo, fresh pasta, great sauce. Awesome combination. Maybe my favorite dish of the night. Steak au poivre - My least favorite dish. It wasn't bad but it wasn't on par with everything else. I wish I would have gotten the peaches or the pizza. Pot de Creme - People that have come here and not ordered dessert. WTF are you thinking??? Still thinking about this dish. Loved it. Next time I'm in the area, this will definitely be on my list of "musts".
(5)Aline D.
This is, without a doubt, one of the very best restaurants in Miami. My husband and I have eaten here at least 10 times in the last couple of years, have celebrated special occasions, brought out of town guests or just had a quiet meal at the bar. It never disappoints. The food is unpretentious, local, fresh and delicious. Best pork belly and kimchee ever. Double yolk baked egg is a must have. Try the deviled eggs with a side of freshly made fries for dipping. Pot de creme with homemade donuts is one of the best desserts I have ever had anywhere. From the casual yet elegant decor to the service to the food, it's a complete package. If you haven't tried it, you are missing out on one of the best culinary gems in Miami.
(5)Tobias S.
Food was good, presentation was HORRIBLE man I was bummed!!!!! Matt was our server & I'm so sorry buddy you were just not good. He payed little attention to us and just seemed like he was ready to go, the food runner was more attentive towards us. The host was really energetic & super cute, she wore a red dress that was very appropriate for the restaurant and made us feel as though we had made the right choice. This restaurants concept and aesthetic was also confusing I don't no southern/Italian/sharing/American?????. The big problem of the night, my friend had a nut allergy & explained that to the server. The server Matt wrote it down on his pad. So this was a kitchen mistake. But the broccoli came out extra charred with pistachios inside. It basically ruined her entire dinner. It really frightened her & made our dinning experience awkward. The desserts awww man I have never seen such lack luster desserts in my life. Their taste were mediocre at best. What a disappointment. I was really embarrassed because I kept telling my friends their desserts are great because they have a really amazing pastry chef. We decide to look over the dessert menu again, NOTHING I mean nothing caught our eye. What a let down. Hard cookies that tasted stale, gritty pot de creme, basic fried doughnut, the list goes on & on. Oh and this place is OVERPRICED!!!!
(1)Alyvia M.
When employees love their jobs, the customers feel it! I knew Michael's served an amazing brunch menu, but the experience was so much more than my review can express. I will attempt to do it justice. Their connection to the local agricultural supply is evident in their fresh ingredients. They support local business production, creating not only a healthy work environment, a prosperous one as well. I haven't enjoyed a meal like this in a very long time. We were greeted with a smile and seated at a wonderful booth. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and helped us make the best selections. I digress. We began with the most delicious Kim chi bloody Mary (ridiculous!), followed by the house salad, Kim chi Benedict, double yolk egg, slow-roasted pork shoulder, homemade pop tarts, homemade doughnuts, cinnamon roll with candied bacon, walnut raisin bread and homemade jams, and fried cheese ball. Our favorites were the slow roasted pork shoulder on the bed of cheese grits. The pickled onion and parsley sauce paired with the perfectly poached egg created a flavor that lasted on our palettes throughout the entire meal. If you're able to catch the cinnamon roll with bacon, get 2. We regretted not getting one to go as we left! I'm only here for a week, but I will be back for dinner before I leave. From the amazing menu, to the service, to the ambiance, decor and experience in general, Michael's was my first multiple foodgasm. I hear you never forget your first.
(5)Alex R.
It's not like this place needs another GREAT review. I've been to Michael's three times for brunch and I absolutely loved everything I ate. Brunch is a little different than dinner... They serve small portions so you have to order 3-4 things off the menu in order to get a full meal. The idea behind it is to give you a taste of several things on the menu like a buffet would. WITHOUT having the food sit over heaters whole guest hover over it. Great idea by chef Michael. This guy comes up with flavors and combinations that the average human normally doesn't think of and hits every taste bud while doing so. He brings you back to your childhood from the moment you take that first bite. I recommend having the Pop-tarts and the donuts, the filling is always up to the pastry chef so you're always in for a surprise. Ask the staff for recommendations, they have yet to fail me. This is as good as it gets! PS. Valet is $3 everywhere in the Design District.
(5)Heather H.
Food was quite good - we split the deviled eggs, lamb rillets, and bibb salad. The deviled eggs were creamy and delicious; the lamb rillets was crispy and earthy; the salad was refreshing and crisp. We ordered the chicken and pork loin entrees and while they were good, they weren't outstanding. My pork loin became boring after a few pieces with nothing else but the mango salsa, and my companion's chicken came with one (1) caper. A big disappointment. They brought out a little bowl with more for her, while trying to explain that the one sad caper was correct. Fail. Our waiter seemed like he had too many other tables to really pay attention to us, and the place was so loud he could barely hear our questions. The crowd was what you'd expect it to be between young model-looking types and older artists (or more likely their commissioners), so there was great people watching. Worth a second shot, if I return to Miami, but not at the top of my list.
(3)ObjectiveReviews Q.
I don't understand how people think this place is so great. Besides the location, which is chic, the food has not been good. I've been here more than once because people invite me but I would not spend a dollar here. The fish was way dry, like near inedible dry. I did not send it back as I was with an important business lunch and didn't want to cause an interruption. The accompanying Brussel sprouts (roasted with bacon) were equally as bad. It had a dry, burnt flavor. Bummer. My lunch partner knew the manager and so we did get a free appetizer which was supposed to be the best appetizer but it was so blah, I don't even remember what it was. I've really tried to like this place but the food is just...well, there are much better places to eat. Yes, if you sit inside, you will be essentially dining with the table next to you as the tables are nearly touching. Not the biggest deal since all busy Miami restaurants squeeze people in like sardines in a can. Outside is beautiful. Also, desserts and my champagne was the best part. Don't remember what dessert I had the last time though. Also went another time for lunch. My sandwich was again..yup...dry and lacking salt or any type of seasoning that would warrant charging me $16 for it. Stick with the pizza or a salad if you go. At least then you will get your moneys worth. Don't do fish (twice, they screwed that up). Never been for brunch so I can't comment on that. Only lunch and dinners. Oh, and all the waiters are men. Thought it was strange not to see at least one female server. I had heard years ago that they only like to hire male servers but of course, that is just hearsay. I just enjoy seeing beautiful women working on the floor as well. Anyway, this is a place to say, oh, I went to Michael's for lunch. Go for the see and be seen, not for an impressive meal.
(2)Moises W.
Wow! We went last night and that was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. The. Short rib, pork belly, eggplant, and burrata where something out of this world. Quite busy for a monday but we had a lovely dinner, ambiance is very relaxed and just quiet enough to enjoy a larger party. Only knock was that our waiter was terrible, he missed 2 dishes one app and 1 larger one, he had no interest in being at work. His attention was almost done as a favor. Even after all of it and we pointed it out, he still presented the check; he still forgot to take of the item which we had pointed out 6 minutes prior. I would definitely recommend this place over and over, it was truly amazing. I live here so bad service is the Miami Attitude and it won't change my opinion. However, i will remember the server so if i get to go back I will just go to server 2.0. I can't give 5 stars to a service that was so poor but the food was a 6!
(4)Rachel S.
I had been wanting to try Michael's for quite some time now. Finally some friends going for dinner persuaded me to leave the beach and join them. I am glad I did. The setting is beautiful and the food was unique and delicious. I tried the blt salad and pork belly. Both were tasty and freshly prepared. The service was lacking and the servers kept serving the wrong dishes to the wrong people. I want to go back to try more of their dishes and give the service another chance. However, the prices were a bit high for what we had, so it may not be that soon.
(3)Vicky P.
I love coming here for brunch, I'd come here every Sunday if I could. My brother and I came recently (he's a newbie) and he LOVED IT!!!!!! We had: - Breakfast pizza, which had house smoked bacon, egg, onions and Monterey Jack cheese..... - Wood oven roasted double yolk egg that was oh-so GOOD...it comes in a little ramekin topped with gruyere cheese, wood oven baked, just enough to get the cheese crusted at the top but still gooey on the inside, so you can dip your sourdough crostini. - Fried egg sandwich on a homemade thyme crumpet w/ cheddar and sausage...OMG, forget Mc Donald's sausage Mcmuffin....this is THE Mc Michael!!!! - Homemade pop tarts w/ strawberry and apple pie filling....its so light and flaky..just perfect in my world. - Homemade doughnuts (Boston creme) I was SO happy to see this on the menu because I LOVE boston creme donuts (the menu changes often) - Cinnamon roll with the bacon pecan praline crunch..YES bacon...with frosting on the side ( I swear I dream about this every night) I know this sounds like a lot but everything on the menu for brunch is served tapas style...so order as much as you can and share with your friends!!!!!!! :)
(4)Faby P.
We had the pleasure of having an early V-Day celebration @ MGD. I had been wanting to come here for many moons, I am so glad I was able to get a reservation on Open Table. We sat outside, the weather was perfect. We were not aware their food is served tapas style, which is awesome since they have such an extensive selection. We decided to live dangerously and just order... and order.... and order. Since we ordered so much I will list what we ordered and just highlight the major winners, although everything was fantastic. We ordered: Kimchi Benedict, Fried Egg Sandwich, Breakfast Pizza, Steak and Eggs, Tortilla, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Homemade Doughnuts and Guava/Cream Cheese French Toast. And coffee, which was so good. The absolute winners were the Kimchi Benedict (pork belly!!!), Homemade Doughnuts and Guava/Cream Cheese French Toast. I could eat that french toast everyday, the guava sauce was amazeballs. I was impressed by the customer service, our waiter was SO nice and so on point. I was also pleased w/ the fact they had agave syrup, which I use to sweeten my coffee. Most places dont carry it. My only complaint was the fact they ran out of poptarts by the time we got there, I had been dying to try them since I saw them on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate." We plan to go back soon to try the poptarts along with other goodies on their menu.
(5)Mark T.
MICHAEL'S GENUINE FOOD & DRINK, It is apparent, this restaurant does not require another review and/or my humble opinion. The management and staff "bring it on." There is always a nice crowd of patrons. We have driven around the neighboring streets finding most other restaurants seating few or no patrons at exactly the same time. So, need I say more! The only reason for four stars vs. five stars is because of seating comfort, privacy, & location. But, I'd still go to this restaurant if it were in the Everglades!!! Food: Every item (and in a few visits I've gotten many) is delivered to your table with care and precision. The portion sizes (small medium or large) are never bulk, but more artisan in value. So expect quality not quantity. All items are delicious, healthy, and apparently carefully fine-tuned before qualifying for the menu. Libation: great, creative, and abundant. Expect a variety of prices. Service: Very good. Venue: Hipster, art deco, in the rough. Seats are public school level and intimacy is non-existent. But, that is the owner's decision. Once inside, the experience is good. Parking is valet or metered street parking. The front of the restaurant does not face the street and a little difficult to find(even when looking for it). However, there is a small sign positioned over the terrace that leads to the restaurant entrance. Also, the valet has a booth on the sidewalk to help you locate the terrace entrance. I apologize, but metered parking comes with a little risk of confronting vagrants in the area. And there are an abundance of vagrants. So please be attentive. Desserts: Creative, delicious, and like the main menu, frequently changing. Summary: Great happy place to go for drinks, appetizers, light fair, full meal, and/or just desserts. Expect to pay slightly high prices for creativity and excellent food. They have inside, outside, & bar seating. Smokers and pet lovers can enjoy the terrace area without feeling like outcasts. I would highly recommend this restaurant as a destination spot and/or regular frequency if you've got the bucks! You will certainly enjoy !!! Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this restaurant's owner/management and/or staff in any way. I am not affiliated with any restaurant in any way.
(4)Alissa W.
Went for Sunday brunch, I have been a few times for dinner but really wanted to try their brunch menu. Everything is great quality but way to much egg for everything. They need a few more dishes unless you want to order 4 different types of eggs. The pastries are really good ordered a bread basket was very yummy. Had the feta salad was good. Portions are super small you almost needed 3-4 to be full per person. The red velvet cake cupcake was good but a little to much like a piece of cake, then an actual cupcake. Homemade recies peanut butter was really good. Worth checking out !
(4)Lissa V.
4.5 stars. I don't usually review outside NYC but Michael's was too good not to share the experience. FFF (Fav Foodie Friend) who is also my IRB (Inspirational Running Buddy) and I were down in Miami for the ING Marathon (She ran the full, I ran the half... that's how we roll). We needed a place to celebrate our running achievements with our "head cheerleader" (my momma) and Michael's fit the bill. When we walked in the host told us there was no way he'd have a table for 3 the entire night, yea note to self.... this place must be GOOD and we WILL eat here! Luckily, being the swift and cunning New Yorkers that we are, we snagged 3 clutch seats at the bar. The bartender was excellent and gave us some choice suggestions and entertained us all evening. We ordered the following - keep in mine we had just finished 26.2 and 13.1 respectively, so ease up on your judgment on the amount of food we ate: - Kumomoto Oysters - excellent - Burrata with fresh heirloom tomatoes - excellent - Crispy sweet and spicy pork belly - very good - Wood over roasted double yolk farm egg - very good - Tilefish with rock shrimp - excellent - Roasted tomatoes with pesto side - very good - Short ribs - very good The favorites were the Burrata and the Tilefish. Wow - just two really fantastic dishes, but the whole meal was excellent. We kicked the night off with a glass of bubbles (FFF and I love any excuse to celebrate an occasion with bubbles) and Mom picked out a lovely Sauv Blanc that we ended up getting a bottle of. We enjoyed it that much and it was very reasonable... and we were celebrating of course! Actually, the meal as a whole was pretty reasonable for the size and quality. A great pick for our celebration. Many other runners came and went at the bar and we congratulated eachother and shared our "war stories" from the course. My mom who is new to the world of foodies declared that she would "never be able to go to a TGI Fridays again!"
(4)Irene L.
Dear Michael's Genuine - How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love this place. The dishes are creative but oh so delicious. I've been before but only for dinner (and always enjoyed it). A few weeks ago, my girlfriends surprised me with a birthday brunch. I'm a sucker for brunch and for some reason or the other, I hadn't made it out to Michael's yet for brunch. But I will say - it was most definitely worth the wait. We ordered a bunch of dishes, including the kimchi benedict, quiche, breakfast pizza, roasted housemade chorizo, and homemade doughnuts (and much more!) -- and we chowed them all down like there was no tomorrow. Delish. The experience was AH-mazing. The waiter was very friendly, the weather was perfect for outdoor seating, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate my bday. :)
(5)Aldo F.
Amazing!! While i was in miami For vacation i made sure to put this place down in my list as one of the "must stop by" specially after watching "The layover" Miami episode with my man culinary master Anthony Bourdain. The food and service here was excellent to the fullest extent of the word. I really have no complaints about this place I can't wait to go back and try a different menu. Food; -Hominy We stared off the night with some crispy hominy with a chipotle lime seosoning. It certainly was just like it sounds, delicious!!! perfect way to open up the palate. -Duck rillette with crostini This dish was Very rich in flavor, the duck with crostini, cornichon and mustard played in complete harmony for an explosion of different flavors and textures in your mouth. Very pleasing and consistent. -Wood oven roasted double yolk farm egg This dish was paired with cave aged gruyere melted on top of the eggs along with roasted tomatoes and of course sourdough crostini as the "wheels" and foundation of the meal.. All ingridients really complemented each other perfectly for a perfect bite! (egg lover here) -Crispy rice cake I really didn't know what to expect from this plate which was one of the reason why we ordered it, I mean didn't understand what a crispy rice cake would look like my first though was Onigiri with burnt rice? Lol. Well, the ingredients inside the cake was enough incentive for me to pull the trigger. It consisted of Florida rock shrimp, Manchego, chorizo, chili aioli and a free range/cage free sunny side up egg on top!! What kind of sick, twisted bastard wouldn't want to try that right?? We paired it with a side of wood roasted squash with anchovy butter, and Yet again another homerun from Michaels. It was exceptional, never thought a rice cake could taste that good. Best rice cake I'd had in my life. -Crispy sweet & spicy pork belly This was the star of the night for me, well, maybe I have the weakest soft spot for pork belly and basically whenever I see pork belly in a menu I'm sold almost immediately and i don't even bother looking at the rest of the menu lol. The pork belly was out of this galaxy!! It was crispy and tender, it melt in your mouth. It laid on a bed of kimchi, crushed peanuts and pea shoots I know it is difficult to mess up on a cut such as the pork belly but I had a solid share of pork belly in quite a few restaurants and this one has really accomplished to stand out from the rest. As i reminisce of this dish my mouth waters lol. I think it was the peanuts and the spicy kimchi that really made the dish memorable for me, it set it off flawlessly. So if you're in the Fence about MGFD just go go go go! Excellent restaurant, I would give it 10 starts if I could!
(5)Cathleen P.
I was at Michael's Genuine this weekend and had a wonderful experience. We had the scrambled duck egg, potato chips, goat cheese crostini, pork belly pizza, and an amazing apple dessert which was the evening's special. Everything was perfect! I also tried two of their homemade sodas, the strawberry basil was fantastic. Looking forward to visiting Michael's again soon!
(5)Fera Z.
Amazing food, atmosphere, service! We went for dessert and tea but definitely will be back for more!
(5)May T.
Fantastic food & service at a very reasonable price! Went there 2x during our 4 day stay in Miami. Also located in the design district so window shopping before and after was great. Dinner: duck rillette - very flavorful but too rich to eat very much of chicken pate - very yummy and not too salty pork belly w/kim chi - amazing well cooked and delicious, one of my favs crispy rice cake - also well executed but a bit salty for my taste. My friend loved this dish though, it was her fav dessert was the tangerine creamsicle donut - soooo yummy I also had a glass of wine and the total bill for 2 was $80. Lunch: Fried pig ears - LOVED this! I dream about this. Like chicharones! short rib panini - not too much flavor but meat was tender and juicy mushroom pizza - a bit salty for my taste and I would have prefered more mushroom on it but overall it was pretty good dessert was the chocolate something with olive oil and sea salt - very interesting and rich, like something you'd get at a super fancy restaurant and I'd definately order again when I'm not so full. I like how they have small dishes so even 2 petite girls are able to order several dishes and try more stuff :) I would definately go back if I'm ever in Miami again.
(4)Alex A.
This place hits a home run every time. Crispy pig ears are just ridiculously good! Upscale casual with an extensive fine spirits and wine selection you can't go wrong. Just bring the CC that gives you the most points because you'll get plenty here.
(4)Mit P.
I've been to Michael's twice in the past week, and 6 times in total, so I thought I'd add to the reviews because I now fully understand the place. This is one of my favorite restaurants. It is great in 2 contexts: 1) Brunch. They have a great Sunday brunch. It's not a buffet brunch but rather a menu brunch. However menu brunches are better because everything is made to order and served fresh of the grill as opposed to sitting out for a while. Michael's brunch is great for the same reason the dinners are great - they use very high quality fresh local ingredients and combine it with a flair for creating original dishes. The crispy rice cakes are good example - A fried egg served atop a chorizo and shrimp rice cake with a spicy chipotle dressing. It tastes amazing. Also if you go for the simple breakfast the eggs are cooked perfect and the bacon is just amazing. Crispy, flavorful, just right. Finally they have a lot of really nice baked goods - the donuts are really good, and so are the croissants. 2) Dinner. Michael's dinner menu is broken into small, medium and large dishes. It all combines the fresh local ingredients and the flair for original dishes that I described above. However the flair is not so strong with the large dishes - those were not distinctive, just good ingredients. The small and medium dishes are what make Michael's special. My favorite is the home-made linguine. A carbonara with flair - it has linguine with octopus, mussels, bacon, and lamb meatballs, combined with a spicy creamy sauce which is to die for. I could eat that all day. However the other killer dishes are the spicy crispy pork belly, the rice cakes (same as for brunch), country pate, giant prawn, tuna tartare with quail egg, and the burrata. I'm told the duck confit and pigs ear salad are great too but I don't eat that sort of thing. The deserts are also good. Not killer dishes, but very unusual and therefore worth trying. Like the banana toffee panini with icecream sundae. Don't share though the deserts are big and you will want to finish the whole thing!
(5)Dawn S.
Service can be slow but food is spot on always.
(4)Michal A.
Another "to see and be seen" spot. This place is a local favorite and is as notorious for being the stomping ground of the trendy and chic creatives of the Design District as it is for its artist of a chef. I prefer to go in the evenings, and to enjoy the outdoor seating.
(3)Doris L.
I was taken here to be wined and dined the day before Mother's Day and had a mother of a meal. It's taken a while to recover and reflect. The place was bustling- as always. (Make reservations or expect a wait.) My date and I ended up sitting at the little bar overlooking the kitchen. It's the best kind of dinner theater. We watched sous chefs wicked-chopping and trash talking and occasionally pausing to take a swig from wine bottles filled with ice water (or vodka, who knows.) Big hunks of meat and poultry and whole fish the size of a small waiter slid in and out of the open wood roasting oven, all night long. And the dessert chef... he was right out of an Italian flick. Picture a man -the size of one who makes desserts for a living- dressed in chef garb, hat and all. He moved slowly with Zen like precision and the most delicate wrist action. We watched intently as he assembled one delectable work of art after another. Later, we saw him make the very dessert we ended up devouring. It was like- foreplay. But I'm jumping ahead... I hear the menu changes daily to serve the freshest ingredients. You can tell. Chef Michael (Schwartz) definitely deserves that James Beard Award (the Oscar for chefs.) The menu is simple, comfortable food with a creative and sophisticated twist. The dishes are listed by size - small, medium, large and extra large, making it easy to order the perfect meal to share or inhale alone. We did both. A giant egg poached in a compote with hot bubbly cheese, a little tomato and served with crusty bread makes for a surprisingly satisfying starter. The prawns where so big, I swear one of them yelled, "ouch." The pork belly - a specialty -- was almost too rich and crispy. I couldn't finish it. And the dessert - a tangerine creamsicle concoction with freshly made mini donuts , a berry jam kind of thing and a creme de la creme creamy cream served with candied tangerine zest or something or other. After finishing it, I literally leaned back in my chair, tilted my head back, closed my eyes and squeezed my date's hand. The couple dining beside us asked for our number. The hype is justified. The food is genuine. Oh- and the drink is great too - good wine list. Just eat here - outside table or ask for a seat at the bar. I'm a mother - I know best.
(5)Michelle G.
Went to the restaurant yesterday for brunch as a group of four. We ordered several dishes to try a little bit of everything, and a little bit it was. While the taste was good with most plates, it was not exceptional, and the meals are not of sharing quality. Each dish is the size of a small appetizer plate and not even enough to fill you up as an appetizer for one person. Prices are extremely high considering the size of each plate. Drinks are kiddie-sized with adult-sized prices. Try something else if you're in the area.
(2)Karla S.
I will start off by saying that the service was excellent. Gabe took care of us and he was fantastic! We were innitially seated indoors which for me, was just way too uncomfortable. I like my space and intimacy when at a restaurant. My meals are special and I do not care to be rubbing elbows with anyone that I am not dining with by choice. I was practically sitting on top of the woman next to me. After 10 minutes of listening to her go on about her son in Paris and her dentist and her love affairs-- her ranting was driving me insane. I couldn't decide on my wine which was irritating me at an alarming rate. I asked to be seated outdoors. They gladly accommodated this request :) Wine in hand and some peace of mind later, we ordered the ceviche, tuna tartare, chips with pan fried onion dip, pork belly, duck confit, and roasted asparagus. Ceviche - I liked that the fish was fresh, however it was quite bland. There was no bite, not enough citrus, and I had to add a little salt. Too much cilantro, and not enough red onions. Yawn. Tuna tartare -- *sigh, fresh fish, might as well have read 'plain tuna'. Painfully boring. Chips and panfried onion dip --- this is good but it's not what everyone raves about. Pork belly -- juicy and tender, crispy and savory. The kimchee was a bit much, and in my opinion, did the pork belly no additional favors. Duck confit -- the black sticky rice was a mushy, sloppy, overly sweet mess. However, nothing hurts me more than when duck is not cooked properly. Duck is supposed to be fatty juicy goodness that makes you thank God you have taste buds. At Michaels, what I got was a dried up, charred piece of ruined duck. Enough said. Roasted asparagus --- kudos, very good! .. but you still ruined my duck so I will not forgive you because you can cook asparagus. Banana toffee panini with a mini sundae --- ordering this dessert was the best choice we made. This was the only redeeming quality of the food throughout the night.The chewy bread, nice and warm with the bananas and mmmmm the ice cream was perfect! Unfortunately, I prefer savory. If anything, I can forgive a bad dessert but I hold grudges when you ruin my main course, especially my duck. I definitely won't be coming back. I've been to amazing restaurants, and I know what it's like to be 'wowed'. I know that feeling, where you worry your palate will never recover -- and that you might as well die because you have found heaven on a plate. I've found this in cheap and expensive restaurants, so there should be no exception to great food. I wanted to find that wow factor in Michael's, I really did..but it just doesn't cut it. Terribly disappointed.
(2)Jody T.
The food & service here is always good. They have a bar along one wall (good for solo dining) and both inside & outside seating. This place is tucked in the Design District in the courtyard between pricey clothing stores. I went for a late lunch on a Monday and the place was packed. Parking isn't always easy to find but there may be spots on the street.
(5)Lulu P.
So the word on the street is that this place is really good. My husband and I went. We encountered a lot of pretentious Miami-types as we were walking in. The hostess looked at us up and down as if trying to decide if we were good enough to eat there. She indicated that it would be a 3 hour wait. I looked around, saw lots of available tables and asked if we could sit at the bar. "well, if you can find a spot" was her answer. So we left. I never encountered this sort of behavior in any other major city, even in the most trendiest of places. So thanks, Michael's Genuine for perpetuating the crap that simmers in this town.
(1)Monika K.
Brunch here for the besties 30th was amazing! kimchi benedict(outta this world), double yolk egg, french toast, and one more dish escapes my mind but it had short ribs in it. housemade snickers for a dessert, 2 cocktails --sonny rollins and michaels bloody mary with real heirloom tomato puree and honey. def not your reg bloody but delicious. I could seriously eat here all day and try everything and I'd die a happy(fatty) girl!
(5)Paras M.
Perhaps this place was better at one point - but it's pretty dull now. The Appetizers were great, had the mussels and rice cake with shrimp. The main courses, however, were boring and not very creative. Do NOT get the Wreckfish - it is overcooked and is typically a very cheap fish - but they charged a fortune for it. I am not sure why they have it on the menu to begin with. My aunt had the 1/2 chicken, which was cooked very well - but it was still a little boring. Did not try the dessert, but nothing seemed particularly interesting.
(2)Alex g.
OREO Cookies and Cream Pie in a Jar?! Are you kidding me?! Went there for lunch during the week. The place is packed and it looks like a celebrity hang-out, though if there were any, I didn't notice them. I had the chicken sandwich on a ciabatta with chorizo and manchego cheese. PRFCT! Followed by the Pie in a Jar and a macchiatto. TIP: If you go during lunch, get there early or plan to sit at the bar. However, DO NOT sit at the kitchen bar - the smoke blows onto you. Not good. My friend and I got there around 1:30 and it was a 45 min wait.
(5)Laura J.
Sunday brunch was a five star occasion! We sat outside on a perfect sunny day and enjoyed the weather and the surroundings of the design district. Our reservations were for 11am, which is right when they open so there was no wait. The brunch menu is all small plates, so it was easy and enjoyable for us to share plates with 4 of us. Majority of the brunch was savory with some sweets and side dishes. We also ordered bloody Mary's which were fabulous! The food was interesting for adventurous eaters but still approachable. The only small negative, was that almost every dish has egg. Or waiter, Mark, was amazing. He noticed every detail, providing us everything we asked for and even some extras without us having to ask. We really felt like we were being taken care of, and his recommendations were great.
(5)Jaime L.
The worst lamb I have ever had in my whole life. Charred, dry, and bitter. A complete disaster. Lively ambiance and excellent service saved the night. The rest of the food was bland uninspired. Fail.
(1)G. Benjamin E.
Anthony Bourdain: "Michael's Genuine is probably the best restaurant in Miami right now." My wife: "If Michael's Genuine is the best restaurant in Miami, Miami's doing it wrong." Note: I've been sitting on this review for several months now. It can't be avoided any longer, however, so here goes. The short version: the great thing was great, the good things were ok, and the rest was barely passable. We were expecting to be bowled over, and when we weren't, we were probably more disappointed than we would have been if we'd come across this place on our own. The worst part of the evening were the continual trips made by waiters taking rolling bins over the cobbled stones that lined the outdoor eating area, weaving between the tables, to the dumpster behind the building...but more on that later. The long version: Contrary to popular reports, the hostess was not a three-headed beast, belching sulfurous clouds from her hateful mouths, but a friendly, pleasant woman who seated us quickly. We chose to sit outside, a decision we would regret (again, more on that later). Our waiter didn't give us metaphorical hugs, and seemed distracted, but was also less socially mal than we'd been warned, at least at first. We ordered drinks (wine for my wife, and a tequila/pineapple/PASSION FRUIT cocktail for me called a Bandito), and a collection of starters: -Kumomoto Oysters - very good, nigh-microscopic in size, paired with a "classic mignonette" (meh) and lemon wedges. -Crispy Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly - You know that taste of shitty cheap sweet & sour pork under a heat lamp at the Chinese Super Buffet? This dish takes that and elevates it almost to the level of art. It's a playful nod to the garbage food we've all enjoyed,. The key ingredient to the plate, surprisingly, are the peanuts. While it's not a reason to go to the restaurant (our pork belly was not evenly cooked, and hard as a rock on the bottom on one side), it's definitely something to order if you're already there. -Crispy Rice Cake - Savory, warming, and well executed. I would have liked to have had a chance to try more of the chili aioli, but the the plate was cleared before I could say anything. -Deviled Eggs - Utterly forgettable and overwhelmed by the boldness of the flavors of the other dishes. This was one of the few plates that required salt. If I'd picked them up at a family get-together, I would have regretted taking more than one. Here at this restaurant, they were terrible. For my meal I had the slow roasted pork shoulder. If I'd gotten more meat, it might have been good. Instead, the slab of jiggly pork was approximately 90% fat. I took that thing apart looking for edible meat, and was rewarded with only the scant sliver. When I managed to flag down our very put-upon waiter (always projecting bored annoyance with us), he argued with me that it's very hard for the chef to know what he was putting on the plate, and that this was a regular occurrence. Rather than point out that all the chef needed to do was to, you know, touch the damn thing to know it was a slab of fat, I watched the man walk away, never having offered to see if there was anything to do to remedy the situation. Then there was the noise. We ate outside (a roped off space of the cobblestoned walkway in a little collection of shops), as we wanted a romantic evening, and when we arrived the interior was packed. We quickly realized our mistake: waiters and men from the kitchen kept wheeling trash bins through the diner-filled tables, utterly deafening on the cobbles, to the dumpster at the back of an attached parking lot. After emptying them, they would then roll the now-empty plastic cans back through the dining area, ending all conversation for 15 to 30 seconds at a time. (They also carried large tubs of filthy water through the tables, to dump into the gutter at the end of the walkway, before returning to whence they came.) This happened every 5 to 20 minutes over the course of our 2 1/2 hour meal. It was distracting, offensive, and couldn't possibly have been sanitary. We were so irritated, that by the time our waiter resurfaced we just wanted our check. Instead, he brought a very good dessert, on the house (forgive me, I can't remember what it was). While it was a delicious way to end the meal, we still had to wait to find him again in order to ask for our bloody check. In summation: some of the food was really wonderful, while some, due either to inexperience or inattention, was terrible. But the real problem was their choice to constantly move garbage through a main dining area in the loudest way possible, and the "Yeah, whatever," attitude of our waiter (though, in all fairness, I had more of a problem with the latter than my wife did). I cannot see us returning to this restaurant. Michael's Genuine made me feel embarrassed for everyone involved. --Benjamin's Disclaimer: This review is based on a single dining experience. Your mileage will vary.
(2)David G.
I can't tell you what's wrong with Michael's. Really, I can't. I can't think of a single thing. BRUNCH!! This is the real reason for my update. I've been going for brunch on Sundays. There are so many great things to try on the brunch menu. 'Some seriously delicious things. I feel like going back right now. My opinion on Michael's is this. Going to Michael's is a culinary adventure. There are some misses but that's what makes it great. If you go once and get disappointed by something and never go back, you're missing the point and you're missing some really great food. If you want to stay safe, stay home, make yourself some eggs and bacon. If you want to have some really, really interesting food done very well, go to Michael's. Kimchee benedict? Really? (it was good by the way) I had the Rice Cake (with shrimp and egg) today. Just amazing. Duck Rilettes. Yum. I'm an adventurous eater. I go out to eat things I can't make at home. I did see that they had a plain 2 egg breakfast on the menu, so maybe there's something for everyone. Well, if you're expecting a huge omelette with home fries, bacon and two pancakes, maybe this isn't for you. The brunch items seem, for the most part to be tapas sized and I tend to order two or three. I could stop at one and be a normal eater but, well... enough about me. Ask your server about the size of what you're about to order, or order one thing and expect to go back for more.
(5)Peter Z.
This place keeps impressing me more and more ever time I go pig ears are great! Had a whole fish the other day amazing it's all fresh fast and good can't say enough about this place!
(5)Matt M.
Wow just wow. This place is seriously unbelievable. From the food to the service, everything totally deserves five stars. I am currently crowning this far and away my favourite restaurant in Miami (Much thanks to my friend tony bourdain telling me to go give this place a shot). I can now say after two dining experiences here that the food is amazing. Whether it be brunch or dinner, this place is a really a stunner. My brunch standouts: double egg yolk (UNREAL), duck confit hash, french toast (UNREAL), and bloody mary made with heirloom tomatoes. For dinner: The pork belly, double egg yolk, burrata, short rib (So decadent), and caballero cocktail are my go to. Just go now. Reserve a table ahead of time and sit outside or on the counter in front of the kitchen!
(5)Andres N.
Great food, great ambient but a bad service can kill even the best restaurant in town. Unexpected bad service. The waiter was in a very bad mood, and waited more than 30 minutes until he finally brought the food.
(2)Lara S.
I revisited Michael's after a long hiatus for Christmas Eve dinner with my SO and family. We had been there a few years ago from Christmas Eve dinner and had a great experience, so we thought we'd go there again. Good thing we thought about it a few weeks early because they were almost booked. We were able to get a reservation and when we arrived we were seated within a couple of minutes. The server was upbeat and friendly. He took the time to talk about the menu and the seasonal dishes. We were a party of 5 and ended up with a whole bunch of items from the menu - most of which everyone enjoyed. Some highlights were the honeycrisp apple salad, the farro salad, the rice cake, the grits, and the chocolate cremoso. Some people in our party also tried the sodas which are made in-house. They commented that they were flavorful, but not too sweet. I had a glass of wine. The server recommended a particular one based on what I was ordering. I appreciated that, and the wine was fantastic. Rather than describing the dishes in detail, since they often change, I'll just say that the flavor combinations are unique and it makes it a real treat to eat there. Plus, they source a lot of their produce locally and you can taste the difference - herbs and veggies are more flavorful and have a nice texture to them. Overall, this is definitely one of the best restaurants in Miami. It's definitely a great place for a special occasion as the servers are great and the food and drink are thoughtfully prepared and taste good!
(5)Andrew S.
Still a 5 for interesting factor. Had an impromptu early dinner there yesterday with Francheska. I had my 2 upper wisdom teeth pulled last week, so we ordered everything on the menu that was 'soft' enough for us to manage. Of course, it was all very good, as per the usual: - Local Wreckfish Ceviche: Delicious, tangy with mango and avocado - Wood Roasted Double Yolk Farm Egg: Good as last time, slides right down. - Kumomoto Oyesters: Delicious, with a pomegranate vinagrette - Crispy Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly: On a bed of Kim Chi, the chef does an excellent job with the the tetural contrasts - Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder: The meat was tender and juicy, with a side of creamy cheesy grits. The parsley and anchovy sauce on the side was underwhelming and, to us, unnecessary.
(5)Claudia J.
Michael's Genuine is a place to see and to be seen in the Design District Area. Food is OK, I think too much hype has been on this place. I have been procrastinating about this review... one of those moments that I did not feel the inspiration of writing...... Ordered several items, the heriloom tomato with avocado salad - the dressing was sweet and yummi. As main dishes we ordered a Chicken Sandwich and a Steak Salad. The Sweet Chicken Sandwich was a bit dry for my taste, it's one of those big chunks of chicken that are dry and I felt the sandwich missed something else. The sweetness came from onions which were yummi. Ordered the sandwich with fries, which are NOT that great. Also ordered the Steak Salad, the taste was a bit confusing, there were a lot of ingredients mixed in that were not my fave. BUT, the best part of the meal was the dessert. We ordered the Banana Toffee Panini, it was crispy! Dessert was the highlight of Michael's.
(2)Claire S.
Came here Saturday for brunch with my darling husband and animal of a son. We sat outside because of the baby but even in the shade it was wayy hot. I had their iced coffee which had some kind of condensed milk (bad for you but makes it taste better)...anyway, this coffee was delicious!! Tried my husband's espresso and that was good too. We had the pork belly appetizer which was yummy--the little toddler loved this the most I think. I had the rock shrimp salad and it was really light and perfect, the only think I didn't like were the lychees but I knew they were in there beforehand and I just picked them out and fed them to my baby. Why are lychees so popular right now? They taste the way windex smells. The service was good and didn't seem to mind our baby one bit, even though we were the only couple with a kid there, they smiled and cooed over him and didn't rush us out of there bc of our monster which I always appreciate. The place is definitely on the expensive and trendy side--but the food was above average, the coffee gets 5 stars, and its a nice place to go for brunch.
(4)Lizza M.
The food is delicious!! The brunch menu has good dishes to choose from and very unique. The restaurant is nice, in and out door sitting. The waiters are very friendly and always paying attention to your needs. Very well looking waiters. I recommend this restaurant! I enjoy the food so much that I'm going back this weekend. I have to try many other dishes that called my attention. Enjoy!
(5)Mike L.
Another win at MGFD. Last time was dinner and it was pretty eclectic. The pork dishes had a bit of classical influences with Michael's own twist on them. This time was lunch before our flight back home. Special app of the day was a housemade burrata, heirloom tomato, and basil salad... basically a caprese but to another level with that creamy burrata. Short rib panini with fontina cheese and caramelized onions was very good. The meat was as tender as you'd expect and the fontina paired perfectly with it. Served with tomato chutney on the side to cut the richness, it was a great sandwich. Star of the day was the lamb burger... bursting with flavor. The patty was filled with seasoning like cumin and coriander, some lemon. Perfect combination and perfectly cooked. It was juicier than any burger I've ever had. MGFD does it again. Will always be back when we visit Miami
(5)Ana Cristina P.
This is one of those places that everyone talked up so much that I was a little sad when I realized it was just OK in my head. It was great to go there for brunch with my fellow yelpers, this much is true. But when it comes to the food, well... I think I'm just a stickler for eating traditional breakfast foods at a brunch. Our table ordered the salmon hash, the breakfast pizza, the double fried egg with gruyere, the spanish tortilla, and homemade pop tarts (when I list it all, it sounds like way too much food, but realize that their portions are tapas-sized). My favorites were the egg/gruyere combo and the breakfast pizza (which actually had a little too much salt for my taste anyway). By far the best thing we ordered was the homemade pop tarts...Especially the ones with nutella inside. Soooo delicious. But like I said, I don't really want to eat nutella pop tarts for brunch. I like eggs, omelets, home fries, pancakes, etc... and I think it's because breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I have to hand it to them for service, though... It was packed but the servers were always attentive, and our glasses were always waterful (not a word, i know, but i just made it one). I'm glad to see a place in the Design District that's as bustling with activity as this one.
(3)David L.
As long as you LOVE to eat you will LOVE this place, and WHY woulden't you if your going to Michael's Genuine. Be prepared to make a reservation as this place gets JAMMED. Also be prepared to EAT, the plates are meant for sharing so order up!!! Everything is FRESH and DELICIOUS. Parking is cheap $3 (valet).. SAVE room for desert and also try a soda (all sodas are made in house, I recommend the lychee soda if your feeling ballsy have them make you a cocktail using the lychee soda. CHEERS!
(4)Jenina S.
My friend recommended Michael's for my trip to Miami, and I'm so glad she did! Everything was so delightful minus the fact the server completely fell off the map at the end of our meal... Great selection of wine and beer. The bf and I decided to do wine, but then switched over to Chimay Blue because it's delish. For food, we went with with one small, one medium, and two large plates. Small: Chicken Chili Wings - awesome. Comes with 5 wings. Medium: Crispy Rice Cake - delicious -- chorizo and shrimp, can you go wrong? Large: the bf got the pork shoulder which was so tender.. yumm I can taste it now. I ordered the barrelfish. The fish was definitely fresh, just not that exciting as the pork. We also ordered a side of garlic mashed potatoes and escarole, which are great complements to any of their dishes I'm sure. Everything was very well made and tasted so flavorful. I was just a little upset at the end because our waitress never came back after we finished our meals, and I wanted to order dessert. The restaurant was really busy at that time and she didn't come back over to our section until 20 minutes later, so by that point I just wanted to leave. But I don't want to knock it down too much just because she ruined my dessert. Still highly recommend! Valet parking is $3!
(4)Leon C.
Michael... How do you do what you do? You are indeed, 'genuine.' Your interior décor enticed me. You are the type of place one may take a lady, in the hope of receiving a little bump, bump time soon after. Your cocktails are truly divine, your Highlander cocktail something of a joyous celebration on my tongue. Your food? Divinity in motion. Plate after medium plate of superb flavours, texture and deliciousness were brought continually to our table. I would rub your pork belly all over my body Michael, yes I would. With excellence must come cost, and it truly does. You could dine on the cheaper small plates, indulge on the mediums, ravage your way through the large, or share the splendour of the extra large options, each section showing increased prices. For six of us sharing two rounds of cocktails, between 6-8 medium plates and two large options, we spent way over $300. Overall the service is attentive if not a little obvious on the up-selling. The food is divine, the setting calming and I would certainly recommend dining here, either inside or alfresco.
(4)Cat F.
Many visits- yet this is the first time I review! Never to be disappointed this place always ROCKS! Had the short rib sandwich for lunch AMAZEBALLS. Love the vibe, love the location, love love love!
(5)J s.
Service was on point, Had the Shortrib Panini from the lunch menu, Awesome sandwich! Pork Belly was good. Rigatoni was tasty as well. Great Restaurant!
(4)Daniel M.
peach/radish/basil/almond/feta salad. one of the best cooked pieces of fish ever. staff pleasant though slammed. super crazy good.
(5)Downtown C.
FOOD: Soooooo Good! Outrageous. SERVICE: Hosts were the rudest I've ever had anywhere, more then once, Waiters & Bartenders were great. LOCATION: Awesome outside, Compact inside, ate dinner at the bar once and had the most fun and romantic time.
(4)Kelly O.
I love Michael's. I have been for dinner three times but yesterday was my first time for brunch. It was delicious. Somehow the four of us sampled almost the entire menu. The highlights were the red velvet cupcake which doesn't taste like red velvet but is nonetheless absolutely fantstic cake and frosting, the yuzu pop tarts, and jelly donut, the duck hash, breakfast pizza, the chorizo with salsa negra, and pork shoulder with grits. Some of the other dishes we had weren't all that great like the egg sandwich and the spanish tortilla. I always find it difficult to find a great breakfast in this city and welcome this new brunch with open arms.
(4)Jay E.
Reservations/Hostess I hate to do this considering how many people like this restaurant but I wasn't too impressed. This isn't one of those bitter reviews because of our service, our overall experience was disappointing. Twenty minutes into waiting for our table I asked the rude hostess the status of our table. She was very arrogant, you could tell she could care less about our business. We made a reservation a week prior for outdoor seating. Apparently people make reservations months ahead and they are more important than me, we'll at least to the hostess. They only had only about 6 two person tables outside, and the early crowd wasn't leaving. I asked to sit in a 4 person table that was unoccupied for the first 25 minutes I was there, but they declined. Finally after 35 minutes we were seated. Service It was a busy Saturday night so I didn't expect perfect service. However I had to ask for bread 2x's and it took 15 to get a few pieces of cold bread. I really didn't have any complaints about the service except the front of the house. Food I wasn't really impressed. pork belly, the kimchi was simple and uninspiring. The pork was nothing special and wasn't as good as people say it is. I've had better. Mussles- Plump, served with small perfectly sliced crispy potatoes, and bacon I believe. The broth was plain and bland. Short Rib Pizza- Greasy overload of cheese, such a soggy mess. I actually showed it to guy that picked up the 1/2 eaten pizza, flipped up the bottom to reveal an oil bath. Gruyere was overloaded causing the oily mess. At least they took this off our bill. However we did see the waiter and hostess talking about us after we complained and returned our soggy dish. Sides- we ordered both the cauliflower and pesto and tomato dish, both weren't anything to write home about. In a nutshell we didn't enjoy our meal or experience at Michaels. It's really too bad because our good friend really enjoys the food there when he is in town. I wouldn't recommend tourists making the trip to the design district, the food isn't worth it. There's really nothing to do in that area so don't bother. Call me bitter but if the food didn't meet our expectations.
(2)Elisabeth L.
Michael's GFD is our favorite restaurant in the entire USA! Should I say more? The food is extraordinary delivered in very little time by a very competent and pleasant staff and the drinks are excellent. Every time we are in Miami we go there for dinner, lunch and their oh so good brunch on Sunday that I highly recommend. We live in New Mexico and unfortunately can only visit when we travel to Miami which we tend to choose because of our visits to Michael's. The service is excellent and very accommodating. You don't have to dress up, it's casual and we enjoy seating outside. We haven't had a less than excellent dish yet. Everything on the menu is worth trying and enjoying. We love the pig ears so much we order them as an appetizer at each of our visits there. The duck confit is fantastic and I originally come from the region of France where it is a local specialty! The fish is superb as well. The desserts are not to be missed either. We haven't had wine only cocktails and they are quite good. Overall not to be missed if you are in Miami.
(5)Kevin W.
I continue to return but the menu is somewhat disappointing these days. Pick from small, medium or large portions. Pizza of the day is always good. Whole snapper is great just ask them to de-bone it for your. Good wine list and the bar scene is pretty crazy. Place is loud but there is outside seating so when the weather gets nice, it is a good place to relax and enjoy Michael's cooking.
(4)Sebastian E.
Michaels Genuine... the name pretty much sais it all. Chef Michael creates genuine food...genuine good food that is. On top of interesting creations, the food also focuses on local available options, especially in the vegetable and herb selection. The decor is modern and warm. The entry reception located a little off. The outside tables are always well kept und usually full, especially at night. In my most recent visit I learned that the temporary gallery space next door was now also absorbed by the restaurant. They added some color and bit more comfortable seating. The acoustics here are still not up to par...so try for a seat in the main room (still loud, but at least you see the kitchen) or outside. The menu is broken down by size of meal...you can easily have 2 or 3 items from the menu on the smaller selection and enjoy the amazing taste variations from the chef. Also ask for the daily specials. My last sampled creation was a double bacon cheeseburger. Sounds simple but Michaels managed to make this quite the gourmet experience.
(4)Krissy L.
I always love to take people here from out of town. The menu is super diverse (from pizza to duck). The ambiance is romantic, I prefer to sit outside because the inside gets a bit crowded feeling and noisy. But, if you love NYC atmosphere, sit inside. It is also right next to some high end boutiques in the newly redone shopping area of design district, cute for a stroll after on coble-stoned streets. It does get crowded on the weekends so, make sure to make a reservation!
(4)Paula E.
This joint is definitely an unexpected surprise! We had been art-walking, and we needed to find a place to have a decent birthday dinner. Needless to say we didn't have reservations and when we got there the place was packed. The hostess told us that they had a full night, but had begun setting up some tables outside so we could wait and see. We didn't even have the chance to turn around and discuss our options before one of the girls told us they had set a table outside for us and we were ready t be seated. WOAH TOTAL BROWNIE POINTS FOR THAT ONE! The table was perfect, candle light and everything. We started off with a bottle of their house Pinot Grigio (wish I could remember the name bc the fruity pallet was impeccable and I'm not usually a white fan), and some complementary sparkling water. The waiter was the sassiest thing ever and he quickly explained the menu (which is divided into small, medium, large and extra large categories...totally amazing concept!) and proceeded to recommend his favorites. We decided to follow his lead and ordered their cheese of the month, a really striking Saint agur (mouthwatering!), their pork samosas (small) and three medium dishes. For only three people the meal was absolutely perfect. We finished off with some of their Banana panini dessert (must try!!), and the guy had overheard it was my friends birthday so he added a sparkler and sang to her...DETAILS!!!! The place is really modern, with low candlelight setting and beautiful paper red lamps. The soundtrack included the best of Miles Davis which made me super giddy. Both the outside and inside seemed like perfect places to dine (good for dates and small groups) and they also had a full bar where I saw the bartenders mix up some really exotic-looking drinks (the Acai berry liquor type). And even though this might seem like it's one of those places where people go to be seen (my ultimate nightmare), the vibe it ended up giving was completely the opposite. We had the pleasure of conversing with the table next to us and they were really awesome young professionals with no prejudices (love that networking!). My friend couldn't have asked for a better birthday dinner.
(4)Niko P.
I went here two fridays back with my family (6 of us) and had a great time. I am from DC and was only down in South Florida for a few days, I was told Michael's was a place I shouldn't miss and I was told correctly! Since there were 6 of us and we're all foodies, we were able to sample much of the menu since much of the menu is smaller portions. I love to share food, we all do so this worked great for us. Some of the standouts that I remember over two weeks later were the short rib pizza, the duck rillette, the octopus, the pate and the wine list! I managed to find two different, great bottles of wine for us to drink and the ambiance was fun! Good job, keep it up!
(4)Carlos A S.
Packed on a Monday night. A restaurant owner's dream. However, on this Monday, the success of Michael's Genuine Food & Drink cost them a star. The food was delicious. Here is how it went down. Snack: chicken liver crostini with caramelized onions (*****) Small: wood roasted double yolk egg (of course) X 2 (*****) Medium: chargrilled octopus (****) crispy sweet & spicy pork belly (*****) Large: slow roasted pork shoulder (*****) roasted & grilled shortrib (*****) Dessert: banana toffee panini (*****) toasted almond panna cotta (***) (the biscotti is extremely hard) The octopus was the only plate the table didn't enjoy as much, which meant more food for me, so I was fine with that. The disappointment came before we entered food heaven. Unfortunately, they were out of the whole fish options. Now, here is where waiters can turn things around quickly by making a smart suggestion. Ours suggested pizza. I also recommend you make a reservation. And when you make this reservation, be very specific of where you would like to sit. We sat right next to the kitchen where the commotion overtook the great jazz music we heard at the bar. Including wine and tip, our meal cost around $65 pp, making the dining experience at Michael's one of my best expenditures of 2009.
(4)Andrea B.
Brunch at Michael's is definitely a must for foodie types! The plates are very small at brunch so you will want to order multiple items. I wasn't blown away by the duck confit hash, but the double egg yolk is not to be missed and you cannot go without getting pop tarts!! The most scrumptious crust and fillings!
(4)Andrea P.
Wow...the food is amazing...the staff helpful and attentive. Been there four times in the past 3 months and did not have one bad item! Worth the $$. With reservations, never had to wait and if empty, the bar is a great place to eat. Love this place!!
(5)Patricia B.
Too Pretentious! Service was really bad. Hated the attitude.
(2)Jeff B.
This was nearly a 3 star review. After a long day of work, we came at the last seating on a Sunday night. Now I REALIZE that this is not an ideal time to come to a restaurant. Still, I know this is a nationally recognized place and I figured they would put out a good meal no matter what. The food was well presented and the place was noisy but manageable. Most of my colleagues did not enjoy their meals. Beef was overcooked, salads were overdressed, food was over salted...it just was not a quality meal. It had nothing to do with the semi-casual atmosphere and everything to do with the food the kitchen put out. For what we were charged this should be a 3 or 4 star restaurant at least, but it was a real disappointment.
(2)Elizabeth R.
To sum this place up in two words: HOLY *#@^! After many expensive disappointments at other establishments, my husband and I stumbled across Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. Despite being a bit confused at first - this restaurant has no actual front door - we managed to find our way in to a cozy corner at the bar. The bartenders were attentive and generous with their pour - the mojitos rocked! After complimenting the bartender and their talented mixology, they mentioned that they come in early each day to hand squeeze all the lime juice used for the drinks! What a difference FRESH lime makes. OK - now for the food. Michael's menu changes regularly. It seems as the menu we investigated online did not match the version we were given at the bar. But, to me, the ever-changing menu keeps the chefs on their toes. We ordered the Short Rib Pizza with Escarole, The Burrata with Heirloom Tomatoes drizzled with olive oil, Beet Salad with Goat Cheese, Tuna Tartare garnished with pink grapefruit, and Homemade Chips with Pan-fried Onion Dip. The moment the Burrata (a type of creamy mozzarella cheese flown in from Italy) touched my lips, I had a true outer body experience. I've never tasted anything so delicious in my life. Everything else we had was just a carnival of flavor and made us smile from ear to ear. My husband and I talk about this place nonstop and we never hesitate to recommend this restaurant to co-workers, family and friends. Try Michael's Genuine in the heart of Miami's Design District. They will NOT disappoint!
(5)Colleen Z.
Great! Loved the butter lettuce salad with grilled chicken. Clients had roasted chicken and the rock shrimp salad. Everyone was raving about the food. Roasted asparagus was yummy; deviled eggs were different in a wonderful way; the salad dress on the butter lettuce salad was amazingly light and delicious. Michael's always serves a wonderful meal.
(4)Miriam W.
I am rather late in experiencing MGFD's a la carte Sunday brunch, but it's better late than never experiencing what I consider the best brunch I've had in Miami to date. I was on my way to an area restaurant's brunch when I remembered that Michael's has a brunch menu. Thank goodness I remembered because it was my friend's last day in Miami (she was visiting me from DC, and I took her to some of my favorite restaurants in Miami and it would've been a shame to not have eaten at MGFD). She was beyond impressed and loved everything we ordered. It's funny because we got there so late that we were constantly told that they were out of our first choice. We were just psyched to have them still serve us from the brunch menu well after the 2:30pm cut off. So we ordered our second or third choice from their exquisite menu...I'm sure nothing on the menu would've been a disappointment. That would be atypical of the MGFD band in general. So of what I can remember we had the duck confit hash topped w/ a poached egg, served with an avocado aoili (so good!!!), lemon ricotta pancakes (a dream!!!), guava & cream cheese pop tarts (party in my mouth!), 9 grain pancake (delicious), among other small plates. Michael's has the kind of brunch I dream about. Needless to say, I fantasize about when I'll return w/ a friend or with my brunch club. Either way, I'll be back and will try to arrive earlier so I can try some of my first choices.
(5)Irene P.
Food here is some of the best ever. All fresh ingredients and innovative dishes. Nice fine dining.
(5)FRANCO P.
Fantabulous atmosphere, food, beer menu and can you say potato chips! First thing i do, even before the drink order, is get an order of homemade potato chips for me and one for the table. I have spent many a night closing this place down after an amazing meal then just having fun talking with friends and not realizing the time pass by.
(5)Alex L.
Decided to try the brunch at Michael's. Before I review the food, just a few comments about the restaurant. I made reservations using Open Table. After arriving on time and giving our name to the hostess, we waited about 10 minutes for a table. Not bad for Miami standards but what pissed me off was that in those 10 minutes, several people who arrived after us were sat before we were. If you make a reservation, I believe you should get preference before walk-ups and definitely other people who arrive after you, even if they also had a reservation. The other was that the music was way too loud for being "brunch." Putting the music louder only makes people talk louder and inevitably, you can't hear the person sitting next to you. Aside from the fact that the place is small, they should really consider lowering the music. Now on to the food. We ordered the - wood oven roasted double yolk egg, fried egg sandwich, homemade doughnuts, lemon ricotta pancakes, almond french toast, bacon wrapped peaches and side portion of the skirt steak. I know it sounds like a lot but the portions are small and are great for sharing. Everything but the bacon wrapped peaches and the skirt steak were fabulous. Both my wife and I didn't care for the bacon and peach combo. The toughness of the bacon with the soft and acidic texture of the peach did not go well together. The skirt steak was burnt and did not have any flavor. Thanks to Roberto for the good service and we would definitely return for lunch/dinner.
(4)Leo D.
Good food but the place needs an attitude check. I have eaten here three times, once for lunch which was great and twice for dinner which was annoying. The restaurant was half full yet the Hostess made us wait at the bar for a table we had made reservations for. Like Seinfeld says, "what's the point of a reservation if the table is not reserved." The kitchen was not slammed and the entire place was at HALF capacity. I assume they wanted us to think there was some great demand for the restaurant or the bartender was in need of some tips - either way it was very unprofessional and annoyed me enough that I refuse to eat there again. The quality of the food tends to be inconsistent - it can be great and can be ok - depending on when you go. I think good food is important but so is the way the establishment treats its clientele. In this current economy its very dangerous having a South Beach attitude in the design district especially when the locals are the ones that support your business. I would have given the place 3-4 stars had the hostessing staff not been so arrogant about the reservation. Problem is when restaurants get in high demand their ego follows and the service usually goes downhill. When wait staff and Hostesses continue this attitude of arrogance and indignation, the dinning experience becomes unpleasant. What a shame because the food was good and well prepared. I like the fact they use local organic ingredients when they can and use fresh daily ingredients. I just cant justify spending $250 + for a meal only to be treated poorly by the Hostesses. Had we not been with another couple I would have walked straight out.
(2)Diane L.
The fish cooked in the oven, the pizza with organic eggs and french cheese, the cheese cake ... Everything is incredible !!!! It's little pricey but worth it ! A place to go for sure !!!!
(5)J B.
This place is always packed so we decided to try it on a Monday. Luckily, we didn't have to wait for a table. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable. The only downside was the lull in service between courses. It felt like We were there forever. We ordered... Hominy, which was yummy. Beet and heirloom tomato salad which was awesome and one of our favorite dishes of the night. House salad and short rib were both goods. The octopus which was highly recommend to us. I thought it was over charred and over priced. It really wasn't great. Not sure whet all the hype is about. We finished with the pie in a jar which was fabulous!!! The best dish of the night. I also went for lunch a few days ago and had the burrata, the deviled eggs, and the pork belly. All amazing!!!!!!
(4)Victoria L.
The most creative food I tasted in Miami. How do you like beef cheek with chocolate sauce? What about a dessert with basil taste? The restaraunt plays exciting games with your well establsihed taste palette. Shakes it up a bit. I like that. I like the whole concept of Michael's Genuine, using simple and fresh ingridients. I have tried a few things on the menu, the highlight of which for me is the most unusual combination of beef and chocolate sauce (i know their menu changes, so I am not sure if they still have this dish). I came back once just for their basil panna cotta dessert, which became one of my favorive desserts ever. I gave the restaraunt three stars because of the negative attitude I felt both times I visited. The food is good, the attitude needs to get better.
(3)Veronica D.
If I could give them a negative 5 star I would.... Here goes: My hubby called ahead to reserve a table for two for our 1 year wedding anniversary. He spoke to a young woman who told him that 1230 was not available but 1245 was. We drove to the armpit of Miami, in the pouring rain to celebrate with a nice brunch. Upon arrival my hubby gave his name to the young, tall, short haired, blond and her sidekick. He was told that his name could not be found. The hostess asked my husband twice if he had gotten the name of the person he had spoken too. Forgive me if I'm wrong: but I thought it was the other way around... you make a reservation they get your name and wallah ! You eat! We were treated very poorly. Instead of being apologetic and accommodating the hostess was a major snob and treated us as if we were lying about having a reservation. I was looking forward to dining here based on yelp recommendations, however, if the hostesses attitude is any indication of the overall experience I rather eat at McDonald's.
(1)Stacy S.
I have dined at Michael's several times, although this is my first time reviewing it. Apart from last Sunday brunch, when the service was atrocious, I have always enjoyed my experiences there. Some important, unique points about Michael's are as follows: They have there own in house pasty chef who bakes superb desserts, and breads. I am impressed that they have their own chef just for pastries as it is unique. Even in the "best" restaurants in South Florida they outsource there breads and desserts. (I know most of them do this for a fact). They change their menu frequently. This is great but it can be a bit disappointing as you love a dish only to come back and it is gone. They don't put anything on the menu they are not proud of. They try to use organic, fresh,local products which quite frankly, all restaurants should be doing. It is healthier and better for our environment. The wait staff actually know both food and wine. The waiters taste all the food and is schooled on the ingredients. I dislike going to places where the staff is efficient but doesn't know what is in dishes or a Sauternes from a Red Zinfandel. You don't have to be a Master Sommelier but please have a clue! They have a sommelier in house. Good to have as I like learning about new wines. Everything is good there. The rice cake with chorizo and rock shrimp is amazing. For brunch the french toast with guava and cheese needs no syrup as it is decadent and yummy. The breakfast pizza is excellent as is the kimchi eggs benedict. I have tried almost the entire menu for brunch and it is great. For dinner I have had the fish, pasta, and chicken, all delicious. The duck confit spread is amazing. I would tell anyone who is into fine food to go there. If you have anyone in town to impress definitely take them there. Even if they live in Manhattan or Paris they will love the food, I promise.
(5)Tracy B.
This place was amazing. I was in Miami on vacation and was giving this the name of this place as a 'must try' by a foodie friend. My husband and I enjoyed it greatly. The was wonderful. Our favorite had the charred octopus (a little salty, but we enjoyed it that way), crispy sweet and spicy pork belly (best I have ever had), and the tangerine creamsicle pot d'cream was a dream!! The wine selection was lovely and the service excellent. I can't wait for a chance to go back!
(5)Adam C.
I don't understand how this place gets less than a 5 star review from anyone. Went last night, and enjoyed every bite. Our group of 3 ordered several of the "small" and "medium" plates. They included the grilled octopus, the rice cake with rock shrimp, the pork belly, the egg yolk with gruyere, and some others that escape me right now. The highlights were definitely the pork belly and the egg yolk. The pork belly was crispy on the outside, and so tender, it could be cut with a fork. The rice cake was not my favorite, but having a runny yolk duck egg on top of it was definitely a plus. I saw the bone marrow dish come out of the kitchen, and will definitely get that next time. Hopefully, next time will be Monday, for my birthday. It is best to come here when you aren't paying.
(5)Jessica S.
Love, love, love Michael's brunch. I have been many times to Michael's sometimes for dinner and sometimes for brunch. Personally the best meals that I have had have always been on Sunday for brunch. Michael's is always a unique experience and they always pair so many different tastes together, it always turns out delicious. For brunch it is also always a crowd. I would make sure that you make reservations ahead of time especially now when the weather is becoming nice and fresh, because the outside seating area is so pleasant. The day I went they were booked solid and it was suppose to rain that day. So, I was a little apprehensive that we might get rained on. I called ahead of time and the hostess told me they would try and accommodate the best way they could. So, be a little cautious when making reservations that you know the weather outcome because it could make a difference in your seating. But luckily it didn't rain, so my family and I sat outside to have a nice meal. We first ordered drinks which are always pleasant for brunch to have a little relaxing mixed (alcoholic or non) drink. I always go with the Cabarete cocktail, it is a mix of aperol, st. germain, champagne, soda water, fresh watermelon juice. Always refreshing. My family went with the Passionfruit Caipirinha, a mix of leblon cachaca, local, passionfruit, simple syrup fresh lime and the regular caipirinha (without the passionfruit mix). Both also very nice. My dad, the designated driver, went with a freshly made watermelon juice. Also a good choice especially since he couldn't partake in the fun array of mixed drinks they offer. For brunch, we choose among a variety of choices. The menu changes a lot so it is hard to suggest something that might not be there next time. They do bring things back, but here is a list of the ones that our table tried: Savory: Breakfast Pizza (best choice!), house smoked bacon, pns farm egg, monterey jack, dean's lila onions; Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Egg cave aged gruyere, roasted tomato, chives, sourdough crostini; Slow Roasted Fudge Farms Pork Shoulder anson mills cheese grits, pickled red onion, parsley sauce. For Sweet: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with fig compote; Almond French Toast with pears and we also ordered some sourdough bread on the side to help with the savory left overs. Also, side note ask for the jelly with any of the bread selections since they make it homemade and it is really good! The only down part about Michaels is that the brunch dishes seem to be getting smaller through the years. The last time I was there it seemed like they dishes were only for one, not like they advertise to share amongst a group. So, definitely get plenty of dishes to try, just know it isn't cheap! All-in-all, I would go back often because I love this place it has the cute atmosphere, the really good food pairings, and I always have a good time. Michael's just please don't get too big and commercial....that is what the appeal is the quaintness of this tucked away design district eatery.
(5)Andrew J.
There is nothing more inviting than the smell of a wood burning oven, even in Miami. This place has that, a nice wooden bar, slick design and jazz music always playing--very urbane. The food here is consistently good, the menu changes frequently, and parking is never a hassle. Michael himself has a history of setting up shop in frontier neighborhoods (e.g. Nemo in the 90's), and being ahead of the trends. At this Design District gem, he has done it again.
(5)Valerio V.
The service here is excellent. Ask for Brian for wine recommendations, as he knows his stuff. Besides the service, I would give this place a 3.5 for the food. The octopus is their best dish, with the eggplant coming in a close second. Is the place one of the best in Miami? I beg to differ. I would go again but just for the wine and octopus. Also in retrospect, I would eat at the bar.
(4)Paul Y.
In a word "AWESOME". Had the whole works and everything was incredible especially the desserts. Thank you Charles, Kristy and staff for an unforgettable experience. Service was top notch.Make sure you check out Michael's in Grand Cayman at Camana Bay, Chef Thomas will knock your socks off. Be sure to try the Lion fish.
(5)kim n.
One of my favorite restaurants in Miami. This was the best brunch I have ever had! Very inventive menu, all tapas style. We had the pork shoulder omelette, which was bursting with delicious pork. I was full off of this alone! But we had ordered two other "savory" items so I was happily forced to find room in my stomach for more. Our next dish was the duck confit hash with a poached duck egg on top. So good. Our third and final "savory" was the kimchi benedict which was by far the best out of the three we tried. On a toasted crumpet, sat a piece of pork belly with kimchi and a poached egg. I could only take a few bites, in order to save room for the sweets, but every bite was like a foodie's heaven. As for our sweet picks, we had the donuts (today's flavors: peanut butter and black currant). They were fried bite sized goodness. We also had the pistachio ginger scone with peach jam. I actually ate more of the jam than the scone, but it was all around good. We even saw Michael Schwartz walking around signing a few books. I should also take a moment to talk about dinner at Michael's. Dinner here is also amazing. The pork belly and pork shoulder are excellent! The only thing I was not impressed with was the poulet rouge chicken. Besides this dish, you can pretty much pick anything on the menu and be satisfied... Dying to go back and try everything on the menu...
(5)Amy S.
MIchael's is one of my top five favorite restaurants in Miami. I go here at least once a month and often times more since I go here for business lunches, birthday parties and I always take out of town guests here. I love the atmosphere, you can have a drink at the bar , sit inside for dinner which feels like somewhere in nyc or sit outside and have a more laid back feeling. I always get the hominy and deviled eggs as a starter. I love the hominy and most people arent familar of it so its fun for them to try something new. I also try to always get the Burrata if they have it, they serve it with heirloom tomatoes and its delicious. One time ihad it and the tomatoes were a little overripe, but other than that, its the best burrata in town, even better than Quattro. When I'm with more than just the two of us, i get the whole fish that is oven roasted. I cant remember what kind of fish it is, but they serve it with fennel and its very fresh and yummy. I'm not a dessert person but I've probably had a taste of everything on the menu and most of their specials. Everything is very good and unique, i love that they use sea salts on some of their desserts. All of my friends love their desserts. The service is consistently good here, they also have a sommelier. I dont think they have the best wine list in the world so i think its funny they have a sommelier, but still a nice service. This restaurant is great because he uses local, fresh produce which is rare in Miami. I love that we have this restaurant and wish there were more with its philosophy. He's also not just one of those celebrity chefs that puts his name on it and walks away, I almost ALWAYS see him in the kitchen or greeting guests.
(5)Gary S.
Was taken here for a business dinner while in Miami for some meetings. Did not even know until afterword's that Michael grew up in Philly! Food is fantastic, as expected. Fresh ingredients, simply and expertly prepared. Had an heirloom tomato and beet salad to start - yum! and for the main course a grilled fish in a delicious sauce served with roasted Brussels sprouts. The veggies were described as being prepared with pancetta, but since I don't eat meat they prepared without the meat, no problem. The homemade chips and onion dip to start- great! The group shared an array of desserts and they were all amazing. Will definitely be back on my next trip to Miami!
(4)El T.
Very good food but service was soooo slooooow. Went on a Tuesday night at 9 pm and sat outside and proceeded to wait over an hour to get the food. The waiter was pleasant enough but would disappear for long stretches of time. The food was very delicious and everyone liked it but it was hard to keep that in mind when your waiting so long for the dishes. We wanted dessert but we couldn't stand the wait anymore. We left. For a Tuesday night, the wait and the waiter's dissapearing act was ridiculous and almost totally overshadowed the great meal.
(4)Neil S.
Good resto great wine. All I can say about this joint is that the foodies are ruining Yelp with their picayune critiques that mean nothing. The food was fantastic, although I did find out that i don't like pig's ears. My dog likes 'em though.
(4)Carlos P.
Came here for lunch. Ordered a Chimay from the bar while waiting for our table. The tables (especially the tables for two) are inches away from each other so it is tight. Ordered the home made potato chips and dip as well as the burrata for appetizers. Both very good. Didn't get to adventuress with the main course so I just ordered a burger at the recommended temperature of medium (per our server). To be honest the burger itself was a little salty for my liking. Didn't have room (and to be honest I don't have the biggest sweet tooth) for dessert though I here this is the place to have dessert. Though I didn't leave overall super impressed with my lunch, I would definitely return.
(3)Justin P.
Oh, Michael's Genuine, you have become my favorite restaurant in all of Florida. My new goal is to try everything on your menu...even the salads. I was eating lunch there the other day, and I saw a salad with a giant grilled octopus tentacle on top of it, and for the first time in my life, I drooled about a salad. Of course, since your menu changes periodically, I will just have to keep going back over and over forever, but that sounds good to me.
(5)Robert A.
I went for lunch. I had the tomato bread salad and the Cuban Sandwich. The salad tasted good and even though the bread and tomatoes were drowning in balsamic the bread was crunchy. My wife had the Grouper fish special. Both were not bad but not as great as has been suggested. The fish was a touch over cooked and Cuban sandwich has great bread but I got a bit tired of it before I finished it. The service was great and very nice to us. I would go back... for lunch.
(3)Stefani B.
I took my boyfriend here for dinner last night for his birthday. The atmosphere was fantastic and more than I could've asked for. This was my first trip to the design district. Tucked away in a pedestrian shopping area, Michael's had its Friday night bustle on. We had a 7:45p reservation for an outside table, were seated right away, and it was just lovely. Our waiter was super helpful and the service was good. Our table had great ambiance for a romantic dinner but also the sights of the people around us. For food, we had the following: - pig's ear: definitely a different treat for us. Crispy and a little over-seasoned but still tasty. I could only have a piece or too just knowing what it was and left the rest for my man to gobble up. - brussel sprouts with pancetta: yes, my boyfriend and I are food snobs, and I must say that BS are one of my fave dishes. That being said, the sprouts themselves were cooked very well, but the chef clearly had a heavy hand with the salt shaker with the pancetta. It was WAY too salty. I couldn't eat it after a couple bites. - crispy rice cake: the rice cake was fantastic. A wonderful mix of flavors that was a delight for the taste buds. However, the accompanying salad with parsley and capers was again WAY too salty. The cooks at this place need to taste WAY more when they are preparing meals because it was almost inedible it was so salty. - octopus: delicious and well prepared. Loved the beans, olives and sauce. Well done. - pork belly: personally, my boyfriend and I had never had a dish before that was just pork belly served as the feature item (usually it's in a soup or part of another larger dish) so this was an interesting experience for us to try. The verdict...very well cooked and prepared, it's just VERY rich. We certainly enjoyed it, but I could only have a bite or too since it was so filling and indulgent. The kimchi was pretty weak though. It didn't have the tangy flavor that you get a Korean joint, and certainly didn't compliment the dish as I hoped it would. - bone marrow: a true indulgence. Served with garlic toast. We certainly enjoyed this one. - dessert: tangerine creamsicle pot with donuts. We are big chocolate people so we really should've listened to our gut when we ordered dessert to get something with chocolate. But this is their signature dish so we went for it. It was definitely tasty and delish, no doubt about it. And we can see why it's famous. We just didn't get the satisfaction that only something chocolate could have brought us. Lesson learned though, oh well. But this is definitely a dish for someone like my dad who absolutely loves anything creamsicle, and especially coupled with donuts. Regardless, the waiter was very sweet about the dessert for my boyfriend's birthday and added a sparkler to make it festive. All in all, a great experience at Michael's. It was a very fun and memorable night. The food is good, not outstanding, and simply doesn't have the refinement you find in many NY restaurants. But then again, this is Miami, not NYC....AND my boyfriend and I are self proclaimed food snobs. What can you do?!
(3)chris h.
I was in the design district furniture shopping with a friend. Lunch break at Michael's was perfect. Sitting outside, tried a few different small dishes and dessert. Enjoyed everything. Went back with hubby for dinner one night. Didn't feel it was worthwhile the drive. Maybe because there are plenty good choices on the beach. Or, because all the stores in that area already closed - thus lost ambience? Anyways - Above average food. Average service. Creative fun food.
(4)Josh R.
My wife and I dined here last weekend and we came away extremely satisfied. Michael's is one of the new 'hip' restaurants in Miami, and the unique menu should be enough to get you in the door, regardless of the occasional celeb sighting. As some reviewers have mentioned, the seating here could best be described as "intimate". In fact, I think we had the most "intimate" table in the place - our table for 2 directly abutted another table for 2, so it was more like were dining in a party of 4. It instantly reminded me of dining in NYC's SoHo. Most interior tables were square 4-person tables, though, and they did have some booths along the wall. Don't expect a lot of privacy at Michael's, though. Dining is a social event here. On to the menu.... we started with a "Small" item - the Yellowfin Tuna Tartare. It was indeed small - yielding only a couple bites for each of us, but it was absolutely delicious. The addition of two crispy potato chips and avocado on top of the cylindrical tuna was a genius touch. For our entrees, I had the Steak Au Poivre, a 12 oz NY Strip with lots of peppercorns. This was a little bit of a miss for me. I asked for "medium" and it came "well done". Also, the peppercorns are not crushed, as at most restaurants that serve this dish, but whole peppercorns acting as a garnish over the entire steak. Get a mouthful of those little suckers and you'll quickly know it! The flavor was good, but this was not an outstanding dish. My wife ordered the Pan Roasted Local Mutton Snapper dish. An A-plus! Charred corn, asparagus, and smoked bacon make this dish an absolute delight in your mouth. If we go back, I am definitely ordering this dish. For dessert, I had the Chocolate Cremosa -- a delicious mound of fudge-like chocolate heaven, topped with sea salt, olive oil, and a thin sourdough crostini. It is also served with a small side of chilled espresso parfait which was also delicious. A very unique dessert, but for a self-proclaimed chocoholic, I loved it! My wife ordered the Basil Panna Cotta which was served with "berry gazpacho" - blueberries, kumquats, and some other fruit in a parfait dish. Served with almond biscotti and a small jelly candy. This dish was also really good and very unique. Overall, this was a fantastic dining experience. If my steak had turned out better and if our waitress didn't seem so rushed, it would have been the perfect meal. Also - BEWARE THE $12 VALET PARKING CHARGE!
(5)Shelley M.
been to michael's twice now & loved it both times. i will agree with a lot of other yelpers.... those chips with the onion dip are amazing!!!! what they do to those potatoes and that onion dip is magical. i'll be getting those every time i go to michael's. in my two visits to michael's i've tried about 18 items from all the menus (snacks to large plates) & everything has been amazing... the two things i was not crazy about were the pig ear salad, & the candies, cookies & confections desert, which is a platter of maybe 10 deserts, and sadly none of them were very good (both times I went). the service is among the best i've ever experienced (both times) and the atmosphere was less pretentious than i assumed it would be. the first time i went we sat at the food bar which was a nice change & we got to watch all the food being made in their beautiful brick oven. i'd opt for that seat again because it added another element to our dining experience.
(5)Amy A.
Love coming in for a drink and the Fried Corn Nuggets!!! The area was in desperate need of a place like this. When you're there, you have no idea that the rest of the District is almost entirely empty.
(3)Phil K.
EXCELLENT!!! Burgers are amazing on brioche bun....and you have to have the chocolate banana dessert.
(5)Linette P.
Once upon a time when I had a job, I would eat in all sorts of fancy places and not have to depend on left-overs and live on grilled cheese sandwiches like I do now. Well Michael's was one of those places. (Michael if you are reading this, I will be more than happy to come eat at your establishment, maybe you can send over a gift certificate my way, wink-wink.) Black sticky rice with mussels, made my friend Leah fall in love with me. Seriously I kept telling her it was not me, it was the mussels but now I can't keep her off me. I think there is not a single item that I did not try that was not delicious. Everything was obviously made by people who know what they are doing. This place is very versatile, in terms of, atmosphere. It is great for romantic dinners, but also good for lunch with friends. The food is very forward and progressive, which I think Miami lacks sometimes. Not saying that everything has to be exotic. But Michael's takes risks and still manages to pull it off with amazing flavor. The staff is also very proffesional and attentive. Hmmm, maybe I will have to return once Obama sends me my Stimulus Package.
(5)Alexia R.
I've only been here for brunch and I love it. It's brunch classics with a gourmet twist which I find not only fun but absolutely delicious!
(4)Myra M.
Whenever my friends from NYC recommend a place, I have very little doubt that it would be nothing less than phenominal... once again i was not disappointed. The name of the place is very misleading; it sounds very cafe-like or dive bar / pub type of restaurant. I liked the fact that it lacked the tourist crowd, definitely more locals here since it was not on the beach, but in the design district. I immediately liked the cozy bar, the red modern light fixtures and overall vibe that reminded me of SF or NYC. The expresso martini was deliciously strong... perfect for the lazy-Sunday-Funday that started late. i like sharing... so my friends and I ordered like it was tapa style... shared everything. The deviled eggs, burrata, roasted pepper & cambazola cheese crostini, kumomoto oyster, and tuna tartar (to start) was amazing. The wood roasted porterhouse with homemade fettuccini was also really good, but by this time, honestly I was pretty full. We shared everything... so it was perfect portions, not too much, although i know it sounds a lot. The desserts were different... very good, but by that time I was very full; I probably would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't so full. Overall... excellent. I would have given it 5 stars if we were seated in the main room. It would be better if they opened the wall that separated the rooms.... to make it one big room. The service was excellent, which is really not that common in Miami.
(4)Dianna R.
Michaels closes at 2:30 on Sundays - what a disappointment! We showed up and asked for a menu since we knew it was different on Sundays. The host hands me a menu & greets me. After a quick review, I ask for a table. He then says that they are closed!! I asked, why didn't he tell me & his response was "you didn't talk to me!" I said, "you just gave me a menu!" wow....horrible service!
(1)emely j.
I can't lie, there has been some serious eating going on and I have fallen a little behind on writing up. This one could not escape me however. This dessert was imaginative and inspiring. It made me want to step out of my comfort zone with baking. Michael's Genuine in Miami's design district was such a treat. Hedy Goldsmith @hedygoldmith is a pastry chef known across the country and she shows you why. I had the "Chocolate Cremoso" which is described as sea salt, olive oil, sourdough crostini, and espresso parfait. This dessert is far from the same old same old. Sitting on top of the tablespoon of olive oil was a slick, rich cream, which was beautifully accented by the sea salt on top. You have to trust the dessertspoon here at Michael's. Next to this was the espresso parfait with little crunchies on top reminding me of a roasted nut or toffee. The flavors all complimented each other to my delight. The presentation was also snazzy with the crostini standing at attention. Great stuff here. Hedy Goldsmith may be part pastry chef and part magician. PS-the Passionfruit cocktail made by Ryan was amazing! Loved the seeds. weaknessforsweetness.tum…
(5)John L.
Crispy Hominy Chips and Pan Fried Onion Dip Triggerfish Carpaccio w/ Kumquats Braised Pork Shoulder (ever...so...slightly...dry; but so close) And dessert When I was there (late feb early march) dessert did not stand out; but the rest of the meal grazed perfection.
(4)Sarah M.
Went on a Sunday for Brunch and had one of the best meals of my life. On a good weather day, sitting outside is ideal. The wait staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about their menu. It's a tapas style kind of experience, with small plates that you share. The absolute best thing I had was the almond crusted French Toast. The s'mores, fried egg sandwich and fingerling hash were also to die for! There was so much we wanted to try, but our stomachs sadly gave up before we could. Would definitely go back and would love to try their lunch and dinner menus.
(5)Rick J.
Been here too many times. Food is always great although my favorites are usually 86'd by the time I get there. Staff is friendly and does a good job (its Miami). One of my favorite spots when I travel to Florida - time to bring this one back west :)
(4)John L.
Considering the prices and incredible press Michael's have received, 3 stars is all they deserve. The food is good/solid, but not great. I've been there several times now and have had just about everything, from a large group gathering, to dinner for 2. They are consistent (so rare in SFla) but never inspired. Good service, the location is OK, high prices, great bar, but the food falls more and more flat after the bar snacks and small plates, hitting bottom with the large plate, until it slightly rises again with the dessert. If you have the cash and haven't been there yet, you definitely should. It's one of the better restaurants in Miami. But it is no where near a well-chosen meal at Michy's, Talula, OLA, or Duo (sadly now closed).
(3)Ollie G.
I used to LOVE, and I mean LOVE Michaels. My girlfriend and I would dine at the restaurant twice a month and always bring friends/clients from out of town to check it out. As a matter of fact, this is the first time I review a restaurant on Yelp yet I have used yelp constantly for years . The incredible contradiction between the Michaels quality of food ( which is top notch) and their lack of common sense in service is what inspired me to write this review. If you read other reviews you will notice that people giving the restaurant 5 stars are reviewing the food ( which i agree), and people who ranked it low are ALL taking issue with either the attitude or the service overall. I hope the restaurant management considers these reviews seriously as their incompetent staff is the reason behind them. I have completely stopped coming to the restaurant due to their attitude at the door ( namely the hostess by the name Karina), and one incident that happen a year prior .. Here is just couple of examples of how restaurant looses clients thanks to their idiotic staff ( trademarked to Miami ) 1) One night some time ago 4 of us are seated at the chefs table. We ordered their delicious whole fish among other items from the menu. As we ran out of wine and I still had some fish I went to the bar to sample few splashes of wine and choose a bottle. As I returned to the table with a 100 dollar bottle of wine I realized that my plate was gone. The busboy took it. OK, it happens, but I had an entire tail left with plenty of fish. Solution, speak to the Manager. Her answer: ''sorry we can offer you a desert''. LOL ....A dessert to go with this bottle of wine that i have just purchased specifically because I had some fish left over ... She said well there is nothing else we can do. The check was about 500 dollars, similar to the other times we were there .. result: We haven't been back since ( common sense solution, ask the chef to make another fish, invest 20 dollars instead of loosing thousands over a a course of what I think has been a year and a half) 2) Finally after over a year of avoiding Michaels we were walking by the design district last Sunday afternoon and felt like having some coffee/drinks and desert. The restaurant was COMPLETELY EMPTY but the lovely hostess Karina said '' You have to have dinner, no drinks or deserts if you want to sit at the table, and you HAVE TO leave by 7:30 as that's when we have reservations''. In other words, we don't have any reservations until 7:30 pm, we are completely empty, but we still won't let you sit outside for 30 min to have some drinks or dessert. Congratulations you have now solidified my position!!! We are not tourists, so the ongoing revenue that the restaurant has lost is considerable. If this has happen to us, how many other people are experiencing the same but haven't taken the time to write the review. Its to bad that Miami restaurants cannot employ an ounce of service mentality of San Francisco or New York. This idiotic attitude that restaurant staff have starting from the hostess and going forward is ridiculous, and sad since I really liked the food but wont go through that torture again.
(1)She Wolf B.
went back for dinner this time around...what can be said other than ......great food once again!!!!
(5)Joseluis A.
with so many reviews.. ill keep it simple. the food is good. i had a burger. it wasnt miniature as i was expecting based on their brunch. burger was nice and juicy. i feel like this place is overpriced. you dont have to agree with me so go try it out. chances are that you will think the food is good but you will spend some money...
(3)Esteban Z.
Best dinner so far in Miami. Everything was perfect from the kick ass Manhattan and Cabarete cocktails straight through to the Banana Toffee Panini. I'm not going to go into everything we ordered but the flavors, presentation and creativity were all top notch. We had high expectations for Michael's based on countless mentions and reviews and it lived up to them. God how I wish I could afford to eat here more often.
(5)Angel S.
Never had a meal short of very good. Reliably yummy. Did have a steak au poivre that was billed as new york strip but had the consistency of a rump steak. Surprising. But the green peppercorn and brandy reduction was outstanding. Overall one of my very favorite restaurants in South Florida.
(4)Jordan S.
Genuine? Pure? Natural? Heavy Liquid smoke and crappy service is not Genuine...it's GENERIC! Go across the street and down a block to Pacific Times instead - WAY WAY QUALITY and a better value! They ruined 90% of the dishes with heavy salt and the broccoli rabe was killed with liquid smoke reminding me of TGI Fridays. $300 for 6 people w/1 desert and They couldn't bring anything out on time and then bombarded us with 14 plates at once so our food all got cold. I live in SF and this place would not last a single month in NY or SF - here are the honest breakdowns- 3.5 star location, 3.5 star atmosphere, 2 star service and 2 stars on quality of food for the $. Majestic outdoor scene and the bar on monday was packed but the split bathroom was backed up constantly and the place felt super crowded. Snooty bartenders and forgetful servers- I will say that The oven baked pizza w/ pulled short ribs and fontina was def 4 star taste but for a flatbread pizza that wasn't that filling at $21 and $11 butter lettuce side salads that were fair and bland at best... I left still hungry and out $60 for one personal pizza, salad and glass of wine. Not going back.
(2)Juv R.
Meh Meh. It wasn't bad, it sure wasn't great. Perhaps I had high expectations because I've heard people rave about this place, but I felt the food was under seasoned. Creativity was abundant but the flavor was no where to be seen. I'm willing to give it a second shot, and pray it doesn't disappoint.
(3)Linda L.
Very disappointing experience at MGFD this afternoon. We are vacationing in Miami and had heard great things about this place and were very much looking forward to lunch there. We breezed into the restaurant in a terrific mood with plenty of time before our 12:30 reservation and politely requested to sit at one of the many outdoor tables that were open. The surly Maitre D', Maurice, looked down his nose at us and said "I cant do that because you did not request an outdoor table in your reservation notes", I said "well we are requesting one now", and we explained that we could not possibly have known to request an outdoor table in advance as it was our first time there. After several minutes of arguing he sighed, rolled his eyes and relented, but when we were seated at a table outside near the storage/smoking area where all the extra chairs and umbrellas are stacked and next to a door through which the waiters were constantly running food, we went back and requested a table inside instead. Maurice smirked and now told us snottily that since we chose to sit outside that he had given our table away inside (dining room was still half empty at this point), and that if we wanted we could sit on stools at the bar. After much back and forth and completely unacceptable attitude from someone in the customer service business (and as a New Yorker believe me i've seen it all), we finally were seated inside where we realized that in reality every single table in the place was incredibly cramped and uncomfortable, I had to eat with my elbows tucked in to keep from hitting the person at the next table and the poor waiters had to constantly squeeze themselves between the tables to deliver the food-- not at all the relaxing Miami experience we were after. Ordinarily we would have just left but we were thinking, well, the food must be extraordinary if people are willing to put up with this totally ridiculous set up. Our waiter Rich was indeed excellent and very pleasant, however the food was also a complete let down. The menu was very simple with standard pizzas, sandwiches and burgers-- nothing exciting or creative. We got the grilled chicken sandwich which came drenched in a bright orange chipotle mayonnaise which completely overwhelmed the sandwich and messily dripped all over the place, and a veggie panini that came so over toasted that it was very difficult to chew; the only good part of the meal was the simple fresh green salad on the side. The whole experience left a bad taste in our mouth and dampened not only our visit to the design district but our whole vacation. This restaurant does not even come close to living up to the hype and I would strongly recommend staying away. We wandered down the street to Oak Tavern to recover from our experience and enjoyed a lovely bottle of wine in a beautiful courtyard and were wonderfully attended to by Gary the GM and Benjamin our waiter. I would strongly recommend skipping the scene at Michael's and checking out this place instead.
(1)Jessica J.
So our friend, The Chef, told us about this place. He called and said as a chef, this place was cheffing cheftastic. That all the chefs cheffled over to this cheffery on a chefly basis, and that the food was so good, they cheffed all over their chef-pants. So we were like, okay, okay, let's check it out. My hopes were buoyed when I read the menu online. Any place with an unpasteurized cheese of the week can't be bad. The appointed lunch hour came, and The Chef piled four of us into his tiny BMW convertible with the top up. So visions of sardines in a tin can was how this culinary experience began. I rolled my eyes a bit when we pulled up to the valet stand. Sometimes I forget how the Design District is the Isle of Hoity-Toity in the Bay of Cracktown. Anyway, it was only three bucks. And it was hotter than chicken grease dancing on a cast iron skillet, so I was glad we didn't have to walk. The outdoor patio was neat, and the interior decor was simple, timeless and inviting. The kitchen is open, affording a full view of the chef's operation. An endlessly long, one foot high stack of Heirloom tomatoes lined the kitchen counter, framing the view into the kitchen. I was beginning to see why chefs get so cheffing cheffity about this chefly cheffery. We were seated promptly, and the food arrived quickly as well. I had an avacodo and tomato salad, my husband had a roast beef sandwich with au jus. Our dining companions had the Butter Lettuce Salad and the Pork Belly. We shared thinly sliced fries with onion dip as an app. The vegetables were farm fresh and tasted like it. I also enjoyed the random bowl of radishes we chomped on while waiting on the food. When's the last time you had a plain radish with salt? For me, I think it was early June in the late 1860s, at Aunt Edna's Pennsylvania farmhouse. But I digress. The dressings and sauces are designed more to complement the fresh, natural flavors of the vegetables, rather than upstage them. The meat was well-prepared and seasoned to perfection. Over all, I found the food to be delightfully, simply sophisticated. Portions were on the small side, but are probably what a human being should be eating as opposed to the orgiastic calorie fest you get in chain restaurants. We shared the little mini doughnuts for dessert, and they were superb as well. Prices were reasonable for the quality of food you're getting. And the price points on the lunch menu were spread wider than over-the-hill South Beach party girl's knobby knee caps after a night of 2 for 1 mojotinis at Nikki Beach. I am, however, disappointed to report there is only one women's restroom, which is probably a bit of a drawback when the restaurant and bar are full. Overall, I think Michael's is an excellent, uncluttered concept and a welcome addition to the Miami culinary scene. Something about the honest simplicity of farm food is really...well...GENUINE. I whole heartedly recommend this place to the chef inside of each one of us. Cheffle over to the cheffingly chefferiffc chefiteria ASAP. Or you'll cheffing regret it.
(4)K N.
Overrated, Pretentious and Rude with good food. This is the nicest way that I can explain this restaurant. Anytime the hostess treats you like she doesn't want you there...LEAVE!, the people suck! The hostess, Margo, absolutely fake, phony and full of it. We arrived and she told us that there were no seats for the evening and we could sit at the bar, but there was a family of 5 waiting for seating. When 3 men in a party are seated and the mother and daughter stand around the bar chairs...LEAVE, the people suck. So I called American Express Concierge, they immediately found a reservation available within 30 minutes. They called the restaurant and confirmed our reservation. Margo finally seated the rude family and we had wine and shrimp ceviche at the bar. Shoulda stayed at the bar because the bartender was the only person who acted like he was at work making money for a service. Why? Because the people sucked. At the time for our reservation, I went to the front and informed Margo that we were there for our reservation. She smiled and blew me off, politely. 15 minutes later, my friend informed her that she needed to get a seat immediately and she recounted her instructions about the bar. He informed her that our reservation was confirmed so find a seat. In less than 60 seconds flat, we were seated at a rickety table, oh distressed, this is the Design District, so raggedy is hip. We sat less than arm's length from a nosey couple that obviously liked our conversation more than theirs. Our waiter was a mess,but the food was good. The cobia fish was light and the short ribs were tender. Time for dessert, our waiter returns, slams down the dessert menu in front of us both without introduction or presentation. Is it obvious that he too sucked? We immediately asked for the check, but wait, he had to bring the menu to the nosey couple and explain the dessert offering to them. So his service was intentionally bad to us because he clearly knew the best way to present a menu where people would want to stay. So while this is the new hot spot with great food, the servers and hostess feel entitled to size up their customers where they are bad for biz. I won't be back good food and all because the people simply...well you already know.
(2)Eli S.
I really like this place -- my parents and family, not so much. Their opinions run that Michael's Genuine serves somewhat basic and boring food and while nice, and well portioned, it's not exactly worth the hype. I agree with that but also say that basic and boring food can be done and served WELL, and that Michael's Genuine hits that on the head. At my time of dining here I was vegan and found the menu catered to me without even trying. I had their butter lettuce salad, their homemade sweet potato fried (i think), their falafel with tahini, and their fried hominy, and found all of them to be abso-bally-lutely fantastic. The hominy was a bit lackluster until I topped it with lime-juice, after which it was crispy and kind of a fun dish to eat. Like high class pop-corn or something. I enjoyed eating in this location and I like their method of having multiple portion sizes so that one can, as I prefer, order small meals, pass them around, etc. and I really liked the wait-staff. Our waiter was very happy to take the time to have casual conversation with us (we talked about Chicago, where it turns out he's from! oh lovely) while still managing to attend to everyone in a timely, graceful, and seemless manner, which is the mark of a good waiter and a good people person. I would happily eat here again and think it's a mightily fun place to eat. Sit outside if you can!
(4)Vicki Z.
Went last night for dinner. Simply good food. Got seated immediately with our reservation. Ordered their snack fries potato chips with onion dipping, crispy sweet sour pork belly, wood oven pizza, pork shoulders. A peanut butter popcorn dessert. Hurricane cocktail. All very tasty. A Brazilian cocktail too sweet and very very strong. Got a bit lousy inside and in the dark side. Small tables. Waiters very busy but friendly Overall, very pleasant dinning experience. Would go again.
(5)Larry G.
The Design District is emerging as one of the "in" places in Miami. It seems that new restaurants are opening monthly. Michael's has gotten rave reviews locally, and some national attention as well. Gourmet Magazine cited it as an urban restaurant that uses local ingredients; Esquire Magazine called it one of the best new restaurants of 2007 (out of a list of 20). **The Menu The menu is a little different that most. It consists of four main categories - "small", "medium", "large", and "extra large" - plus two other categories - "sides" and "snacks". The main categories describe the size of the dishes; you're encouraged to order any combination of dishes you like. Two medium's make a nice meal for one person; one extra large is the equivalent of an entree for two people. The food is sometimes described as simple, but it has some fancy touches as well. Thus, there's pizza - but with Berkshire pork and figs. Whole snapper is roasted with fennel, lemon, smoked fleur de sel (French for "really expensive salt") and fennel pollen. **The Atmosphere Michael's describes itself as "90 seats indoors and out, and another 14 seats at a welcoming bar...A laid-back bistro..." That's an accurate description. Floors are cement, with fake patches. Music, frequently jazz, plays at a moderate volume. The full menu is available at the bar. I arrived at opening time (5:30pm) on a Wednesday night, and there were already a few people there; it filled up pretty quickly. **The Meal I chose two mediums: crispy sweetbread salad and chargrilled octopus. Crispy sweetbread salad consisted of frise (which as near as I can tell is a fancy name for frizzy leaved endive), preserved lemon, tomato, bacon, and of course sweetbreads, all tossed in a vinaigrette dressing. It was delicious! The sweetbreads came in small chunks, were very firm and slightly crisp. The contrasts in flavors (sour lemon, bitter greens, rich sweetbreads) and textures was excellent. IF this is on the menu when you're there, give it a try. The chargrilled octopus had a real charcoal taste and smell. It was served with gigande beans, roasted peppers and green olives. It was a good combination of ingredients, but the seasoning was off. By itself, the octopus was moderately salty; with the olives, the dish was too salty. There was a very sour vinaigrette dressing that somewhat overpowered the flavors of the dish. Overall, it was still good, but couldn't compare with the sweetbreads. Was there room for dessert? Of course! The special of the day was raspberry ice cream. A very good basic ice cream was given a mild raspberry flavor. Two interesting hemispherical cookies accompanied the dish. They tasted of chocolate and cocoa, were dry and semi-hard - a good foil for the ice cream. Not a great dessert, but a very good one. **Summary Michael's is unpretentious, reasonably priced - and most importantly, has very good food. For tourists visiting South Beach, it's well worth the trip.
(4)Jack B.
The food was better than average and the desserts were killer, but even the large portions are pretty small. Bring the cash or go home hungry.
(3)Stan K.
Can't believe I haven't written a review on micheals till now. I've eaten here dozens of times. It's awesome. Might be the best restaurant in south Florida. You'll never have a single bad thing here. Forget that - you'll always have amazing food here. From the drinks to dessert it's all excellent. Highly recommend the pork belly and double yolk egg. As far as the cocktails - they're creative and delicious without being fooffy and pretentious. Prices are right on as well. If there's one knock I have it's that I wish the menu would change or grow a bit. Otherwise, micheal's is a must, and is certainly becoming an institution of great food in Miami.
(5)Allison F.
Hands down best food I have ever had in my life! Service was great, atmosphere was fun, food was even better..I am always ready to try new foods and the minute I saw pigs ear salad I knew I was in the right place. Great wine and cocktails also! 100% worth the price, wish I could eat there all day everyday
(5)Al M.
Trendy? Yes. Pricey? Yes. Tasty? Yes. So we show up for lunch at 1:30 on a Thursday thinking the place would be empty. Wrong. Packed full. Thankfully we'd booked on opentable so we got seated right away and had a nice table outside. (They have fans to cool you off) Menu is short, very inviting, protein-driven. We were going on the light side so we opted for a rock shrimp salad, a cauliflower soup, and the roasted half chicken (a good barometer to measure any restaurant). There were much porkier things to choose from so our sampling was hardly a reflection on what they do overall. Everything was good. A few missteps on the plating (the greens next to the chicken lacked the intended dressing) but the veggies were fresh, the chicken was juicy, and the scene was very very hip. Since it was lunch we skipped wine/booze, but they had a very cool cherry rosemary soda that was great and a totally new flavor. The bar looked inviting and it seemed that they knew what they were doing there. I'd definitely go back, preferably at night when I could try a cocktail or two and linger over coffee and dessert.
(4)Andrew W.
This place may as well be called Michael's Genuine DIET Food and Drink. I'm not a cheap person I'm also not one to gorge myself with food. I understand it's a tapas style restaurant but this place is ridiculous. The portions versus the price is outrageous. I will not be returning to this restaurant.
(1)Tina K.
I first found this in Elle Decor then in a myriad of other fashion magazines so I was interested in trying but was reserved about how good the food would actually be. We made reservations because you prob can't get a seat if you don't and started off with a lemongrass cocktail and a watermelon cocktail, very creative. I loved the lemongrass but everyone hated it so guess its a hit or miss. I tried the Pig ears, pork belly, beef cheek, bone marrow and a bunch of other things that were more forgettable. The bone marrow had no taste - not as good as the other places I've tried. I did liked the pig ear, crunchy and fried, sounds gross I know ;-) . Overall a nice atmosphere, posh, right in the middle of the design district and the artsy crowd so I'll give it a 4 for fresh ingredients and creativity!
(4)Ricci I.
Been here two times and every visit was AMAZING... Their menus are divided into 4 sections. small plates, medium plates, large plates and extra large plates. I think this idea is brilliant. everybody can taste a little bit of everything without feeling too full before the main course. The following are the items that we had from the two visits : APPETIZER -Crispy hominy : it looks almost like popcorn and tastes like one too, but tastier. .-Wood roasted brussels sprouts : this was one of my most favourite! didn't like brussels sprouts before. but this one surprised me so much. i never knew that brussels sprouts could taste thaaat good..... -Double yolk farm eggs: it was creamy and yet it was so light . served with one piece crostini. wondering if we can order more than one piece.. i liked the gruyere that they added to it. it gave just perfect saltiness. -Burrata : heirloom tomato, mozzarela, basil, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt. I'm not a big fan of tomato, any kind of tomato..but i have to admit that it's a very nice dish. and I never had this kind of mozzarela before. it's solid on the outside but when you cut it in two pieces, there's softer kind of mozzarela inside almost like cream. -Housemade country pate : one of the best pate i ever had. -Duck confit : delicious delicious delicious.... 'nuf said. -Crispy pork belly with kimchi : it's pork belly....and it comes with kimchi...who can say no..?? MAINCOURSE - Niman ranch leg of lamb on the bed of greek faro salad. I was not a big fan of lamb before but this one changed my mind. (so, imagine how good it was...!) i had it medium. ( i usually have my steak medium rare, but i think for lamb, medium is the perfect temperature). -pork shoulder. it comes with cheese grits, and very nice parsley sauce. he said it was amazing.. -roasted shortrib. i tasted it a little and it was sooo sooo...good. definitely the best shortrib I've ever had. -Wood oven roasted yellowtail snapper covered with salt. very nice presentation, very light, clean taste. wonderful. Now...time for my favourite course... DESSERT....!! -we had tangerine creamsicle pot de creme that comes with two little homemade doughnuts and blackberry compote. Well..once again I have to say that this was one of the best dessert I ever had. -chocolate and peanut candy bar with butter popcorn ice cream and chocolate covered peanut....sounds delicious..? tastes even better..! I actually wanted to sit outside, i thought it would have been so nice..but it was too cold that night so we decided to sit inside. The bar is on the left side when you enter the restaurant and on the other side, there is open kitchen. you can see the wood oven and the cooks who are preparing the food and also exhibition of those beautiful heirloom tomatoes that they use for the burrata. Service was attentive, not superfluous. Generally speaking.. 5 stars for Michael's Genuine..!
(5)Darcy S.
I was really looking forward to coming here, i have heard so many great things about the food. The food may actually be fantastic, but after the horrible evening I had there, it wouldn't even matter. After waiting 1 hour for our entrees, we finally had to ask the manager what was going on because our waiter disappeared. She promised our food would be out in "6 minutes". Another 20 passed with no explanation, we canceled the order, she promised dessert but that never came. After 2 1/2 hours we had enough and got up to leave at which point the manager screamed at us. I can honestly say that this is one of the worst restaurant experience I have ever had and I have eaten at many of the finest restaurants all over the world. TERRIBLE experience, RUDE management, and INCOMPETENT service. NEVER AGAIN!
(1)Priscilla H.
I'm not from Miami so I don't know the scene here, but my sis wanted to take me to Michael's and I read that it was going to be reviewed by the New York Times (yes, I'm snobby like that), so I was all excited. For the two of us, we had 1 small plate, 1 medium, 1 large, and 1 dessert, plus a bottle of wine. I was pretty stuffed by the end, but I didn't think it was an inordinate amount of food. Apparently we ordered more than 2 girls typically do because the wait staff kept trying to take our plates and we had to keep insisting that we were still eating, and at some point he asked 'Do you still have more food coming?" Got the wood roasted double yolk egg, which was so yummy (I love eggs.). Got the musssels, which were a good size portion and came with black rice, but I thought the broth was a little salty and it wasn't spectacular - on par with other places. Would try the octopus next time. Got the pork shoulder with grits. The pork was really tender and soft but overpowered by the parsley pesto, which was also salty. Dessert was the granny smith apple panini with caramel sauce. I think I liked it better than I would've any other dessert, and it was a large portion for 2, but the bread was dry, almost stale (maybe it's supposed to be like that?). Spent $50 on dinner and another $50 on the wine. Our server was nice, maybe a little overly attentive, and too complimenting so it felt fake ("Faaabulous choice, ladies! Excellent!"). Arrived at 7:30pm on a busy Sunday without reservations so we sat at the bar facing the kitchen. Still nice there and we got to see the dishes being made, though it would've been nice to snag a table outside without the too cold air conditioning. Also, because we were seated right by the kitchen, the staff were constantly moving around us and one of the servers accidentally dropped a mussel on my white dress. :( Despite my critiques (I just enjoy complaining), I recommend it. Who doesn't want yummy, organic comfort food?
(4)rachel u.
This is local, rustic, perfection. Everything we had was just as it aught to be. The sauces were simple and unpretentious. The ingredients were fresh. I really liked the way the menu was set up, not forcing an app then entree. Everything was listed as size (small=appetizer to extra large=family style). We walked in at about ten till midnight after 2nd Saturday Artwalk and were sooo happy to get a table so late. After ordering everything, we let the server bring it out as he thought best. This apparently meant all at once for a closing kitchen. perfect :) The wine list had a nice variety of price points for each varietal. We selected a $42 bottle of Zin from David Noyes. I did not feel like I needed to spend too much on a bottle. This was really all about the food. The double yolk egg with gruyere was a nice simple way to start. My bf and I loved the salt cellar with sea salt crystals. It welcomed you to take a pinch and salt to taste. Chargrilled octopus was cooked perfect and we loved the parsley and tomato salad along side. If there was a dressing on the salad, I'm not sure, but it didn't need one. All of the flavors came through beautifully. Again, a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon brought out the simple flavors. Leonora was their featured cheese and I really loved the accompaniments. The Spanish goat's cheese went nicely with the chamomile spiced pears, pea shoot microgreens and toasted raisin bread. The cheese itself was super creamy and rich, and also complimented the wine well. Our favorite course of the night was the golden beet and heirloom tomato salad with walnut vinaigrette. The beets had a nice earthy flavor and the tomatoes were perfectly ripe. Just the right amount of blue cheese balanced the sweetness of the beets and tomato. I would eat this every day and never get tired of it. The wreckfish civiche was our last course. Michael's Genuine puts on the menu what ever their fishing boat happens to bring it. I absolutely love this idea. The civiche was nice and light with papaya avocado and cilantro. Desert was an experience on it's own. Chocolate Cremosa is a mix of dark chocolate with sea salt and sweet milk chocolate mouse. The sweet and savory blended perfectly together on the crispy ciabatta. This was absolutely perfect. Simple, elegant, balance of rich and light and a thought to savor as you head out.
(5)Jess G.
I've only ever been to Michael's Genuine for lunch. But, my god, its so ridiculously delicious that my mouth is watering just thinking about it. A lot of the lunch menu prices are really reasonable. Believe me if you're in the area for lunch and its between standard fast food crap and Micheal's, its worth the bit extra (at least every once in a while) to have a lunch that can be thoroughly enjoyed. My favorite lunch meal is the Curried Mahi wrap. It consists of the ever yummy mahi on homemade flat bread with caramelized onions, raisins, couscous, curried mayo, and a bit of fresh mint. Mmm. I love the daytime bartender. I fail to remember her name at this time, but she makes the absolute best dirty martini in the city. I have no idea what she does differently but no other martini compares. While the price is a on the up side, its fitting for the amount of drink that you receive. I really like the decor and ambiance. Its a clashing of casual and posh in my opinion. The open kitchen is nice because it gives you action to look at. I kick myself everyday that passes in which I don't head over to Micheal's to try out their dinner menu! I would love for them to open another location further west!
(5)Mike C.
The pig ears, deviled eggs were delicious. The pork entrees were excellent and believe me we ordered them all!
(5)Corina B.
Finally tried this spot. Great restaurant in the Design District. The ambiance in quiet and romantic. The service was great. We went on Elections Day so our waiter was super friendly. We did not have a reservation but was seated immediately. However, I would not recommend going without a reservation. Only thing I regret is that I ordered the pizza when I should have ordered an entree. When my friends' food came to the table, I was salivating! I was so disappointed that I only ordered pizza.. But, got to sample a bit from their plates and from what I tasted (skirt steak, mussels, chili chicken wings) everything was awesome! Bottom line: Service is great, food is delish, great ambiance, and the prices are average. I will be returning.
(4)Danielle F.
Really good, especially compared to Michelle Bernstein's Restaurants like Michy's and Sra Martinez. Coming from Philly, which has the best restaurants in the country as far as I'm concerned, I've been underwhelmed with Miami dining, but this place finally met my expectations. Great food. Only problems were that the waiter forgot two of the items my bf and I ordered (they came out quickly after he realized) and that we went too long without having our drinks refreshed.
(4)DAVID F.
I went here a while back and thought it very average and happened to have extremely bad service (e.g. items that didn't come that needed to be reordered, had to get up and find my waiter since he'd seemed to forget we were his table, etc.) Now that I keep hearing how wonderful this place is I felt the need to write a review to say that I consider the food very average and nothing that you couldn't get at a decent chain restaraunt. Needless to say we have not gone back and I would encourage anyone to go to any number of restaurants in midtown that actually offer something exceptional.
(2)Julia f.
Michael's has been a go-to restaurant for us whenever we are craving a really nice dinner. Usually the food is well prepared and the pairings of flavors are very creative yet delicious. We had a reservation for 2 on a Tuesday night. We had to wait for our table for about 25 minutes. After we have been seated, it took about 10 minutes for our waiter to arrive. He clearly didnt seem interested in recommending anything, cocktails & food equally. A little disappointed we decided to order the usuals (pork belly & kimchi, poached egg, rice cake, octopus....). The food was very good once it came out......all 5 dishes came out at once about 5 minutes after placing the order! We felt a little overwhelmed and asked for 2 dishes to brought out at a later point. The waiter was very arrogant throughout the entire dining service. He was brief and looked away rather than looking at you when he was speaking to us. All in all the food was good, the dining experience itself is clearly taking a back seat. I hope that the success hasnt transformed Michaels into one of theses typical Miami Beach places where food is overpriced and the service sucks.
(3)joey c.
love the food, service was ok, they seemed to have a bit of attitude....
(4)Anne P.
My favorite Miami restaurant! I've been five times and each time the food was exquisite!!! Love the octopus salad & baked onion. Only problem is the staff...or rather one waiter...tatoo head with bizarre hair...extremely rude. So last time i just asked for a different server. The setting is perfect!
(5)Ana Karina F.
A friend took me there and ever since has become my favorite place, the food is excellent. The deserts are to die for, my favorite is the chocolate with olive oil and sea salt, a must try!! It gets pretty busy on the weekends and if you don't have a reservation well, better come back some other time. The menu is fitted for all tastes and diets, is classified from small to extra large plates and everything I have tried is great, plus you can try much more plates on small sizes and share with your friends.
(5)Joel M.
Very great place to eat. Hominy for lunch, followed by a wonderful green salad! No need to write an essay, this is a gem in Miami.
(5)RD E.
if you're willing to experiment and step out of your comfort zone, then try Michael's...without a doubt...the most creative menu in Miami
(4)Mark T.
In 3-way tie for worst service ever. It rained, so we waited hour and a half after starter before main course. Manager justified wait as result their sound customer service practices. What attitude. Server only ok. Food very good.
(2)dickson j.
We were trying to replicate Frank Bruni's food odyssey through Miami. Michael's lived up to all the praises and hype that it has earned in the Miami food scene. I had the octopus salad and enjoyed every bite. The beet and heirloom tomato salad was a really nice burst of summer (but that's why we were in Florida) Slightly sweet golden beets and juicy tomatoes with the ingredients requiring only a little dressing to blend the fresh flavors together; accents from the walnuts and blue cheese. I ordered the pork chop, which was a little on the charred side but good. The joy of the meal though was the roasted cauliflower with parsley sauce. The tips came out just a little toasted and there was just a hint of parsley so as not to overwhelm the subtle flavors of the cauliflower. Comprehensive wine list and I had the Domaine Faiveley Pinot Noir which was a great example of a well rounded and complex NW pinot noir.
(4)Viviana M. R.
Tried this spot after reading about their renovation via Flipboard. Ordered the Roasted Mushroom Soup, the Butter Lettuce Salad, Char grilled Octopus and the Sweet Potato Pie in a Jar . Here's the skinny on them (although I'm not getting any skinnier indulging in this menu for sure): Roasted Mushroom Soup: I'm always amazed that there are so few soups on American menus and God Bless this spot for this divine soup. You must must try. Butter Lettuce Salad: Good but almost lands in my "passable" category as it wasn't amazing enough to order again and it felt as not a great value at $13 I expect a bit more for my salad. I'll try another salad next time. Char grilled Octopus: Very nicely done, subtle flavors that easily complement each other and as simple as it is you realize it leaves you not wanting to wait for the next bite. Value....errrr, it's okay. Small piece of octopus in my book for the price. Sweet Potato Pie in a Jar Sundae: Wow, my goodness, holy cow. I don't even like dessert for the most part but my goodness this makes me re-think dessert. Definitely on the rich side, don't start looking for subtle flavors here. The flavors will whack you solidly over the head with a "YUM!" If you like sweets, try this baby. Only thing I was left craving more was roasted marshmallow but that's just me. I'm hoping to make this a local's spot and date night option. Crowd was good for people watching. We ate at the bar as usual and the bartender was attentive and engaging. Only thing that drove me nuts (pet peeve of mine) was the food delivery. Don't bloody well throw my food at me. Be civilized and deliver the food like a professional. We all know how hectic the back of the restaurant can be - don't bring it to the front of the restaurant. I'm paying good dollar to not have my food shoved at me. Stepping off my milk carton now. That's the saying right?
(4)Peter W.
Exceptional! Every time! Flavors flavors flavors! Service never disappoints. Every dish an event.
(5)Robin T.
What a fun experience! It felt like we were out of town for the night. We sort of were, one county to the next. The restaurant was bustling on a week night. People everywhere. We had a bottle of wine while waiting for our table at the bar. Lots of friendly conversation with everyone. We had a reservation and we were soon seated at our table. The menu was fun. Lots of different choices. We chose to share everything amongst the three of us. We started off with their Seafood Tower which had oysters,you picked three kinds, shrimp, clams, and a stone crab for each of us. Yum!
(4)Todd O.
I think this is a case of a restaurant believing it's own press too much. Maybe it was Great at one time but the food is sorely disappointing. Walked in to an empty restaurant on Sunday night and was told only outdoor seating was available. I played along since they want to look busy and seat everyone outside. ordered the octopus, ceviche, oysters, and chips to sample the menu. Octopus was good but a little too charred, oysters were great, and the ceviche was terrible. Soaked in a pungent lime bath, couldn't eat it. They took it off the bill which is a thumbs up to the service. Nothing memorable here and overpriced so why go back.
(2)Jensen E.
I was a bit shocked to see Yelp suggested I pen a review since I came here for my birthday last year and never wrote one. Oops! With that said MGFD is as great as everyone says. The outdoor seating is romantic and delightful. I couldn't have asked for anything prettier for my birthday. The staff is the cream of the crop in Miami - you don't screw up orders and drag your feet then end up working at a restaurant like this so it's kind of expected. Regardless it's always nice to get good service. We ordered the Cigar City Cucumber Saison. They have a nice list of beers, wines, and cocktails, but duh- that's also to be expected. The menu is very vegetarian/pescetarian friendly and I never once felt like I missed out. Vegans, on the other hand, will have to sit out on most of Hedy's incredible desserts which is a damn shame since they're the best part of the meal. Ok ok, enough of this "duh" review. Michael's Genuine is everything you'd hope for so just go already.
(5)Marb U.
Great place, impeccable service but you really have to know what to order b/c lots of their dishes are not worth bothering with. The octopus is excellent and so is their cauliflower and pumpkin marshmallow dessert (a must try!!!). I didn't care for their ceviche or seared tuna dish. I would return just for the three mentioned above, their bread, some wine and the ambiance. This is based on the Fall menu. It might be better during the Winter time.
(4)N. B.
Great simple food at its finest. great wines. Last time I went they didn't have a vegetarian entree. They have enough small plates and starters to make a meal out of it. Fair warning, staff can be miami style snooty but since they have such a hot spot i guess they can be. I've been going over the past few years and they have had vegetarian style entrees in the past (a flatbread that now has lamb). I would upgrade to five stars if they expanded their vegetarian friendly options.
(4)Benjamin J.
The meal we had here was very good, though we had heard from friends in the area that it's hit or miss depending on the day and what you order. While some of the reviews seem to have had a bad time, I would definitely recommend it to a friend based on my experience.
(5)Carmen S.
Made my reservations through open table while I was driving over there (I know its a major problem and knew it would be a long wait if I didn't have reservations). Was seated immediately and although my food came before our drinks (ice tea - yeah, I know), it was totally worth the wait. The food was just fab. Yes, Pricey, but you'll want to pay cause you know that everything is fresh and delicious. The only reason I give it 4 stars is because the service is a bit of a mess (I went there on saturday at 2:30PM) and the donut for desert was raw - oppps! sorry had to say it!). Remember, don't expect large plates, but all food is DELICIOUS. remember, RESERVATION is not just recommended, but a definitely MUST Go and enjoy. Valet is the best -$5 - totally worth it. I'll return for sure.
(4)Mercedes J.
This is a typical 'we were so good, that we don't have to be anymore' restaurant. The cockiness of the waiter was over-the -top and the over-all experience wasn't worth the $90 tab. First, the hostess doesn't mention a minor detail: Happy hour is only available at the bar and not in the main dining room which is, yes, right next to the bar. Strike ONE. We express our disappointment to the waiter, he says "ok, are you ready to order drinks, or do you need more time". Zero acknowledgement. We then ask if they have a Miami Spice menu, he says "No, we don't participate, we are that good". I'm not sure if maybe I was already annoyed with the place, but it seems that he's suggesting that the restaurants that do participate are not good, which if that is the case, he's wrong and completely ignorant. Strike two. The appetizers may as well have been tasters, the $19 Octopus tentacle (you only get one) was charred to a crisp. Now, I can count on one hand the number of times I have sent food back, so this one may have been the 5th. They return with another "charred" and overpriced tentacle. No thanks. Strike three. At the end of the day, my friend and i shared the Shrimp flatbread, which wasn't bad, but didn't Wow us. In conclusion, I will never return there again... I'm giving it two stars because the valet was fast and conveniently located outside the entrance of the restaurant. Oh! Almost forgot to mention... when I arrived at home, I had to change out of my clothes and throw it in the washer, then jump in the shower to wash my hair. I smelled like I had been slaving over a pot of boiling oil, frying french fries all day. :/
(2)Krystal S.
Michaels, you did not impress me. I had high expectations from reviews I has read before coming here, but, you left me expecting that 'something' that I didn't come across. =/ First off, the restaurant in itself is very 'cute'. The location is very nice and I could imagine how much nicer the experience would've been outside to maybe people watch a bit? Although, the whole "sitting so close to other strangers to the point that I feel as though I came to the restaurant WITH them" thing is a bit odd to me. Maybe I don't play well with others? Or maybe I just want to have a conversation with the person I came with that I wouldn't want a complete stranger to overhear? Who knows... I tried to get used to it after a while and ignore how close the people next to us were. I'm all for new experiences, so lets call that a "new experience". Now, the food. The server let us know that portions are small so its best to order several small plates. Okay...? This kind of sucks because I like to eat... a lot. I had an order of two eggs scrambled which were nothing special, just eggs. I did like the brioche toast with their butter though. I also ordered potatoes, which had peppers and onions cooked with them and they weren't that great also. I asked my server for some ketchup, she never brought it. I asked some other random server for ketchup and took a while to bring it... I figured that they didn't have ketchup? But, he ended up bringing me some. Good 'ol ketchup is what made these potatoes taste a bit better. I also ordered the lemon ricotta pancakes- they were good, but wouldve been better with some syrup or something. I just ate dry pancakes by itself, with the dollop of ricotta it had onto- how sad. :-( I decided to try out their famous homemade "pop tarts". They were supposedly of white chocolate and banana, I believe. But, they tasted like they had apple filling? I wonder if this happened to anyone else. It was a bit odd, I thought they had made a mistake but the flavor I order was the only flavor they had so it was weird that it tasted like apple filling. Overall, would I go back? Probably not. There are so many other brunch/breakfast spots that seem so much yummier that I would rather go check out.
(2)Talisha M.
Great brunch! The service was amazingly attentive & the food came out so quick. It's a great place to sample a lot of different plates for breakfast so you ready committed to just one dish. The plates are small. The 3" sweet potato pancakes, kimchi eggs Benedict, & breakfast pizza were great. Genuinely one of the best brunches in Miami!
(4)Lindsay B.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Miami. Very trendy feel to this place and when you walk in you can really feel the energy of the restaurant. The food and service is nothing short of excellent. Their brunch on Sunday is rockin'! I have only went once for brunch and had to sit at the bar because it was slammed. I would definitely call a few days ahead to secure a reservation. Must try the pop t's, house smoked bacon and kimchi Benedict. All of their juices are fresh. Ask your waiter for the selection because its surprisingly extensive. Although basically everything I have tried there has been delicious. My favorite would have to be the pork belly with kimchi. Crunchy and sweet on the outside, and tender and savory on the inside. It is topped with peanuts and served with kimchi that is a nice contrast to the pork belly. Some more of my favorites would be the steamed mussels, the short rib and fontina panini(lunch menu) and for dessert you must try the pot de cremé. Enjoy!
(5)Jack B.
It's ok. Nice place, very comfortable. Food it's good, could be better. Average service. Portions are a little bit small, and high prices.
(3)Ros S.
1041 reviews before this posting and still averaging 4 stars. It's that good. From the simple (we were with the kids so we ordered a roast chicken that was well made with the crispy skin and juicy tender meat) to the clever (burrata with peaches, crudo with crunchy bits of garlic), this place is the real thing. What makes it even better is that the staff and service is spot on with water glasses always filled and help from other staff not assigned to your table less than a minute from you looking up to ask for something.
(5)Andrea P.
Great service, nice drinks and of course delicious food. I recommend the oysters or the steamed mussels. Deviled eggs and double yolk farm egg for snacks. BLP salad & duck confit are great. For large plates, the grilled spiced leg of lamb and the beef short rib are delectable. Pair with fingerling potatoes and sauteed rapini as sides. If you want to go for dinner on the weekend, I suggest making a reservation.
(4)Rima R.
In love with this kitchen and very good and fast service :) Just if you wish to sit outside - you need to reserve a table or wait for an hour :/
(5)Amanda M.
I will go as far to say that this is one of the best restaurants in Miami. However, if you go there and you want to enjoy a good meal, be prepared to spend money. $$$ is the truth. To fully experience Michael's you want to order a few plates from each section of their menu, and your waiter or waitress is happy to help you to design your dinner and pair drinks/wines. When we got there, it was crowded but only a 20 minute wait. We decided to wait at the bar. I started with a Cabarete, one of their house cocktails made with sparkling wine, fresh watermelon, orange bitters, Aperol, and St. Germain. It was delicious. From the small plates we ordered country pate and the greek farro salad. Medium plates, we ordered duck confit, chargrilled octopus, and steamed mussels. From the large plates we ordered the beef short rib, and leg of lamb. And finally we ordered french fries (delicious) potatoes, and green beans. Everything tasted incredible. As I said our waiter took the time to organize the plates into courses and suggested delicious wine pairings for each course. Great food, great service, and great atmosphere. It was a fantastic time, one that I would highly recommend to those looking for an all around great meal.
(5)Ana M.
I hate this place. I've had a few experiences here and they've all been mediocre. The first time I went here, we tried to go for brunch and after being totally ignored for a few minutes the hostess rudely told us that if we didn't have a reservation, we would just have to wait for space at the bar or ask someone to move. Don't get me wrong. I get that sometimes places are too busy to accommodate walk-ins. But this place thinks it's way better than it actually is and asking one of these bitchy girls for a table without a reservation is akin to spitting in their face. The second time I went here, we went during lunch on a weekday so we were sat without a problem. There was still a holier-than-thou air about the way the server explained everything when really... this place doesn't warrant that kind of fanfare. It comes off as condescending and if what you're selling is overpriced sandwiches, I don't need that attitude. The most recent time we went, we thought we were going for brunch, only to sit and find out they don't do brunch on Saturdays. We were already there so we stayed and had lunch. Once again, I had the burger. This time, I split it with a friend that got the short rib sandwich. For the table, we got crispy pig ears. They were really good, crispy but not hard. Seasoned and perfect with the lime wedge squeezed in. Our main courses came out. I had forgotten how measely the burger was. There was excess bread surrounding the entire tiny meat patty and despite the fact that I had asked for it medium well, there wasn't a hint of pink inside, though it was juicy. I think it's pretty egregious that it costs $2 extra to add some white cheddar cheese. And if you don't add cheese or bacon, it's like the plainest burger you've ever seen. The short rib looked really promising, even though the grilled red onion was a really unappetizing blackish blue color. The short rib tasted like nothing. I think the only thing that had any taste in that sandwich was the cheese. It also comes with a tomato chutney so spread that bad boy on there liberally to add some flavor. Really kinda disappointing. The fries were good. For dessert, we ordered a special chocolate bar they had that was three layers of hazlenut, dark and milk chocolate. The bottom layer with the hazlenuts in it was rock hard. It was good, but if I have to work that hard for my dessert, I rather pass. The service was great this time around. They've been open for a while, so maybe these people have gotten over themselves. That helps, but it didn't save the experience. I rather go have basic ass sandwiches anywhere else in the city.
(2)O E.
Spent $200 for 2 people for mediocre food. We sampled about 7 dishes from the menu none was amazing... Maybe I am used to restaurants in California and NY, but this restaurant is def not gourmet.
(2)Cristin R.
In my opinion, this has been the most consistent and most delicious restaurant in Miami for about 8 years or so. Michael Schwartz changed the game for food in Miami and Michael's genuine is the nucleus. It appears to me that those that are less impressed are those searching for over the top dishes with foie and shaved black truffles. You won't really find that here, but you don't need to. What you will find are the most fresh ingredients that Miami has to offer; perfectly paired simplicity. Other restaurants still have capresse or burrata on the menu, when Michael is bringing out stracciatela. (not the gelato flavor). I love this restaurant so much that I also believe they take the cake for best brunch in Miami. I dream (and salivate) about the duck confit hash. And don't get me started on the Michael's genuine lunch bell. The biggest indecision I have in life, is which meal to choose... But it will always be at Michaels genuine. You must make a reservation. They are on open table and if you want to sit inside, you should request that as well. The reservations are reasonable, as are the prices. The servers are nice people that don't urge you to order the most expensive items. Overall, it's a relaxing and wonderful atmosphere. If you haven't been, you really should.
(5)Smitha G.
Amazing place! I loved the environment! I got the clams as an appetizer, which were so moist and full of flavor! For lunch we shared the pork belly sandwich, and it was incredible! I was worried it would be a greasy sandwich, but it was so fresh and light that I wished I got the sandwich by myself! For dessert we got one of the beer flavored ice cream sundaes that were special for that day. My mother, who is so calorie conscious just said screw it and I've never seen her eat a dessert like that, it was THAT good! Definitely check it out if you are in the area. Worth every penny and get a sparkling rose for a drink. Such a crisp perfect brunch drink to accompany your meal!
(5)Katerina S.
I was in between 3 and 4 stars but then I realized that 3 stars on Yelp means A-OK, and that's what Michael's Genuine is. The service was good but especially for the price, was food was good/alright. I had pretty high expectations considering all of the rave reviews, but it didn't really meet up to those expectations other than a few items on the menu. Be forewarned that the portions are on the small side. The stracciatella mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes was pretty amazing as was the gnocchi with pulled pork ($20 each appetizer). I had the fish special, which was the tilefish and it was cooked well but on the salty side. It was my first time having the fish so I'm not sure if that's how the fish tastes or whether it was simply overly salted. My husband's lamb came out quite cold, so by the time he took the first bite, it was a bit stale. The kale and turnip side dishes were alright, but a little flavorless. The desserts were great - both the strawberry shortcake and the peanut butter ice cream (O-M-G- AMAZE) were great! Surprisingly it was Valentine's Day and they weren't that packed? Anyways, for a $170 bill (pre-tip), we likely won't be back. Just wasn't worth it.
(3)Adam S.
This place is definitely one of the most popular places in Miami. I have always been a little hesitant to try it because I am generally not a huge fan of the Design District "vibe," but today was the day. We went right at 11:30 on a Saturday morning and it was pretty quiet. Anyway, this is one in the increasingly long line of "farm to table" restaurants dotting the map of this country of ours. I had their pork belly and kimchi as an appetizer. It was more of an asian style belly than a southern style belly. It was tasty though. Definitely not the best I've ever tried, but solid nonetheless. For my entree I had the homemade pastrami sandwich and fries. I would describe both as good, but not amazing. The pastrami sandwich had a nice flavor, but was a tad on the greasy side. The fries were fries. Service was friendly and attentive. Prices are high. I'm talking $65 for 2 coffees, an appetizer, a salad entree, and a sandwich entree expensive (pre-tip).
(3)LISA N.
I did some research on places to eat so this was my top choice for dinner for a night. I came with a group of 5 and was late to my reservation but they were super cool and said it wasn't a big deal. I wanted outdoor seating but they only had room for us inside and I'm not going to complain since we were late anyways. The servers, are super informative and chill here. My family and friends who came from Holland said that the servers and busboys look like they just got out of jail here. I wanted to die because it was hilarious and somewhat true. The service was speedy but not overwhelming, just enough time to eat some things and not wait until your next meal came out. The pigs ears weren't on the menu, but when I asked about it the waiter told us that they do have it as an off menu item...Sweet. Loved the smokey flavor, a bit on the salty side, but it cut right through the fatty parts of the ears. We didn't know how much to order, so we just decided to throw out some things that sounded good, but I pretty much ordered half the menu. For medium we ordered the duck confit, mussels, the pork belly, linguine and the crispy rice cake. Most memorable for me was the pork belly, I made sure that one was placed right in front of me. They were all amazing, but the pigs ears and pork belly. I swear I'm such a fatty. For the large we had the leg of lamb. It was super tender and didn't stink like a dirty lamb would. Definitely a nice portion to share. Cooked to perfection with their open kitchen which I love! We also had the half chicken, which wasn't dry at all but damn I was focused on something else and saving my appetite. The extra large, I somehow convinced everyone at the table that we should get the dry aged, bone in ribeye. They were like, "Lee, I think we ordered too much, blah blah blah, blah blah." And I said, "well blah blah delicious, blah dry aged, blah bet it tastes blahing amazing." And so we ordered it, and I swear to god it was wonderful. My favorite thing on the menu. Perfectly medium rare, well seasoned, so pretty. We still talk about this steak. Really just get it. And mashed potatoes, 2 orders weren't enough, really delicious! The bill hiked up to be over $500, but it was totally well worth it!!! Get the ribeye. The end.
(5)Enrique R.
We had great dinner last night the service was great and new drink menu had some really strong drinks. Our server was very attentive.
(4)Kat D.
Great patio, beautiful decor, nice service and staff. We went for brunch and the food was good, but because the dishes are more unique, it would have been nice if the descriptions on the menu were a little more detailed. I would have given 5 stars, but several of the things we ordered were different than we expected....although still delicious!
(4)Viktorius A.
Always been my favorite every time I go to miami. Been here three times and the food has always been fantastic. Tried all the sodas. My favorites are rootbeer and cherry rosemary. Pork belly was super good, pork pizza was one of the best i ever had.
(5)Matthew O.
Great food and deserts all around. Selection of the best ingredients and the menu selection varies to season. Great for brunch or dinner anytime
(5)George Z.
I love this restaurant. It is my favorite restaurant when I visit Miami. The menu is so wide ranging and the portions really are perfect for those looking to try multiple dishes but still have a significant portion to be considered a "mini-meal". The Burrata and heirloom tomatoes is the best I've ever tried. The braised short ribs is out of this world. Their homemade pasta is tremendous and their coffee and homemade donuts for dessert are great. All this and I didn't even make mention of the environment. Great trendy spot. I love it here.
(5)Mitzy R.
As soon as you walk in the place's decor looks cool & casual but chic. They have plenty of tables outside and there's enough shade to be comfortable. We arrived really early for lunch and it was not busy. It was absolutely packed mostly with many females having lunch with friends. The waiter was pleasant but not friendly. It was out first time dining there and he didn't help much with suggestions. We ordered the mushroom gruyere flat pizza and it was great, also their homemade soda was very good. My partner ordered the half chicken it didn't looked roasted enough nut he claimed it was delicious. I mistakenly ordered a salad w chicken and it was blah, hence the 3 stars. But the doughnuts w panacotta for desert were great!!!! I'll try it again but will choose better my dish.
(3)Krishna P.
My first yelp review and unfortunately it is a negative one. My first time here & had a WORM in my arugula veggie pizza! They made adjustments on the bill but being a non pesticide eater, this was not acceptable at all!! I would have missed the green little dude if it wasn't for him crawling up/being alive. Manager said we use all "organic produce" but it is questionable if they check or wash their fresh "organic" greens. I will never go here again!!!
(1)Jennifer U.
I had really been looking forward to going here, so I was ecstatic when I finally went with some friends. We went for brunch, and the place was pretty full. Thankfully we had a reservation. The breakfast items are small, so you may have to order a few, and they will start adding up quickly. Everything was delicious. I'm a little limited on what i can eat because of food allergies, but the server was very helpful and didn't mind finding out for me if any of the dishes i was interested in contained an ingredient i can't have. I settled for 2 eggs and the hangar steak... yeah, they were good!! I had to have an order of bacon added to that, and that was delicious too. I shared with my friends to be a glutton, but you don't have to do that, just eat your whole serving! HAHA. I also ordered the blueberry pancakes, but i don't think these are worth the trouble because they aren't cheap for the serving size (3 tiny rounds) and the flavor wasn't anything to write home about. My friends ordered the rice cake, the pizza, the roasted double egg yolk. I couldn't eat huge amounts of all of these, but i did taste them all, and they were all really good. Yeah, i was there wishing i wouldn't feel like dying if i ate dairy... oh well! My friend i i decided to have a couple of cocktails for breakfast.. yep! So you must definitely have the Rosemary infused... man, i can't remember the whole name of the cocktail, but ask your server, he'll know what i'm talking about. The Bulletproof Manhattan is pretty awesome too. So, check this place out, order several dishes and share with special people. Have a cocktail or two. You will not regret it. Oh, but make a reservation!
(4)Laurie B.
I've been here probably a dozen times, and every meal was delicious and worth the price. I don't get to eat here that often since I don't live in Miami anymore, but I always looked forward to a meal here whenever I visit my family. Well, I'm sad to say that brunch last sunday was a big disappointment. I think Michael and Hedy have spread themselves too thin -- four restaurants in Miami, a restaurant in Grand Cayman, and restaurants on the Royal Caribbean cruises. I get that they can't be there all the time, but the staff on hand just isn't up to the standard I would expect from them. First of all, I get that the brunch menu is supposed to be small plates, but they're supposed to be small plates for sharing, right? That's how it was explained to me the first time I went for brunch here years ago. If you order something like the sausage and biscuit or chicken salad sandwich, you get one small sandwich that you have to cut in half. Now, the sausage and biscuit with pepper jelly was delicious, as was the reese's peanut butter bars, but everything else was a big disappointment. The strawberry salad was bitter and literally had ONE strawberry chopped up into tiny pieces and maybe one pecan chopped into even smaller pieces, so it wasn't enough to offset the bitter greens and the goat's milk yogurt dressing was kind of bland. The pop tart was nothing special, and I've been blown away by Hedy's pop tarts every time I visited. It used to be made with a beautiful choux pastry and the filling was always perfect, but the salted caramel in last Sunday's offering was nothing special and the pastry shell was a little too close to an out of the box pop tart. Also, the pop tart wasn't even warm! The potatoes Waxman -- well, Jonathan Waxman would be disappointed to know that some of the potatoes were not cooked all the way through. Also, the apple butter sticky bun was dry and tasteless, even with a big dollop of frosting on top. My cocktail, the Sonny Rollins which I order every time -- was watered down. It was filled with shaved ice. I didn't even get a tiny buzz! Oh, by the way, there was only one offering of Hedy's childhood treats -- usually there are four -- which was kind of a bummer. I'm willing to come back and try again because I've had so many good meals there. Maybe this was an off day? But it was kind of a lot of money to spend on something that was average at best.
(3)Phuong M.
Almost everything that I ordered on the menu was delicious. Definitely lived up to expectations. To begin with, the wood oven roasted double egg yolk was savory and rich with flavors, definitely worth getting. The pork belly had an Asian take on it, that was sweet accompanied with kimchi. The pork belly was tender and the skin was crispy. The flavors definitely complimented each other well. For the entree, the slow roasted short rib was super tender! And as a side I got the lemon roasted okra. The flavors on the okra was awesome! Huge okra fan. Lastly I got the chocolate cremoso, kinda like a mousse but richer in texture and flavor which was accompanied by an espresso flavor ice cream. Yum! Overall a great dining experience. It's a casual place but also a great date spot!
(5)Riad N.
The bottom line is this is the best overall restaurant in miami. It has the best food, great atmosphere, reasonable price for the quality you are getting. I have had almost everything on the menu. Some of my favorites are pastrami sandwich, onion dip, the mushroom pizza that is longer there, it needs to come back.
(5)Angela B.
I have never Yelped a restaurant before, but tonight that changed. I.Have.No.Words. for how awesome the food is here. The bartender Jamie was adorable and served me my shot of Jack with panache. Our server Paulo hooked me up with my totally "Sally" salad and it was fantastic. The hummus was insane. My friend got this ridiculous pork rib thing that FELL OFF THE BONE it was so tender. However: I have two words to sum up my entire experience: THE. GRITS. !!! If you are in Miami, seek out this place. You will NOT be disappointed. Hip, cool, trendy, and FAAAABULOUS.
(5)Bariatric Runner X.
Interesting location in a new and upcoming area of Miami. The food quality was very good. There were three of us and we were pretty hungry. But we still couldn't finish all our dishes. I started with Pork Belly. It was good, but the cut had more fat than meat. The accompanying Kimchi was excellent. My guest started with the beet & arugula salad. More beet would have been appreciated. We also ordered the Crispy Hominy and Pigs Ears. Both were very good. For main courses, I had slow roasted pork shoulder. Very well cooked and truly a larger portion. My wife had the house made Gemelli Rustica and they made it without the meat. Thanks. My guest enjoyed the beef short rib which was cooked to perfection. The service was very good and the wine list was extensive but expensive. We will try them again, but in the future.
(4)Trisha G.
Everything I tried food wise was spectacular! Ambiance was nice, a very busy place. Indoor and outdoor seating. Nice area to walk around and look at some shops after. The wait staff was all very attentive. My favorite was the calabaza, very rare for me to like a vegetable dish the most but it was to die for. Small or tapas sized portions. Can get a little pricey if you like to drink a lot too. Will certainly be coming back.
(5)David D.
Best location in Miami in the avante-garde design district. Excellent shopping, cool cars, cool restaurants, namely, Michael's! This place is always hopping, so make sure to get a reservation. Sitting outside is divine, but the inside has a cool vibe too as you can watch the chefs work their magic. The emphasis is on more organic, non-GMO ingredients and there is a varied menu from the unhealthy choices (french fries) to the healthy (copious salads). The drink selection is solid, and they always have fresh fish of the day. The wait staff can be a little slow, and they don't quite follow any particular instructions, probably because they're overwhelmed, so make sure you are expressive should you want no butter, gluten-free, etc.
(4)Mike S.
It's been awhile since I have been to Michael's Genuine. I always describe the food to visitors as "predictably great." I love his approach to food: letting great ingredients taste great and not getting in the way. I hold this restaurant to a high standard because of their ethos, and because of their pricing to portion size. We started dinner tonight with an excellent Octopus Pizza and Stracciatella with Figs. The pizza was perfectly cooked, the octopus al dente and the pizza had this overall brininess that went perfectly with my glass of Merlot. The Stracciatella was the perfect texture to go with the sweet tender figs. A great start to the meal. I have to say, throughout the meal, our waiter Josue was excellent and attentive without being intrusive. Our entrees were amazing too, but unfortunately I took too long to finish this review. Go and eat, you won't regret it!
(4)Lawrence P.
We have dined at Michael's Genuine many many times. We've done lunch. We've done dinner. We've done Sunday brunch. We've done a pre-game (Miami Heat) meal or a post theater meal. We've done it all... and Michael ALWAYS delivers. There isn't a bad seat in the house. You can sit inside, outside or at the bar. No matter where you are at, you will enjoy a great meal. The bar also has good beers and decent wine list, although I usually take my own and pay the $30 corkage fee. As for the food, we've had it all. Pretty much their entire menu. The ceviche, crispy pig ear salad, pizza, short rib, farm pork (amazing). And the best in show goes to... ALWAYS the crispy rice cake!!! It has chorizo, rock shrimp, manchego aioli all topped with a fried egg. AMAZING! As for dessert, the chocolate peanut butter candy bar is pretty much all you need to know!!! WOW!!! It comes with buttered popcorn ice cream. The tangerine creamsicle pot de crème is also amazing. Just think doughnuts and jam. Everything is always fresh as well. It's not uncommon to see Michael walk in through the front door with the fresh catch of the day in hand. PS: This place has an amazing Sunday brunch as well.
(5)Alaina L.
As you probably can surmise, I am a self proclaimed food enthusiast/ evangelist/ guru (insert your favorite foodie noun here). And, I've been longing to try MGFD since I first moved to Miami a year ago. In conversation, I would randomly hear tasty tales and culinary compliments given to this little gem in the heart of our design district. Well.... I finally made my way there last week with one of my chef friends. To say we were impressed, does not even cover it. To say the food was delicious doesn't even do it justice. Funny thing is that we actually met while working for Tom Colicchio's craft. Michael Schwartz's concepts, techniques and execution actually reminded us a lot of Chef Colicchio. Which is to be taken as a compliment since we love everything about craft and now MGFD! Ok, lets start with the ambiance, shall we? As you approach MGFD coming from NE 40th street, it is slightly tucked away, behind the slue of high end shops which frame the area. You walk up to the patio, Nice. Quaint. Dimly lit. Inviting. As you step inside & turn to your right, you are greeted by a very friendly host. And, if you peer over her right shoulder, there in the background you can see it; the wood fired oven that MGFD proudly boasts of, the 'hot spot' where their delectable dishes come to life! The interior lighting in the main dining room is dim and romantic, accented with red drinking glasses and red lamp shades on the ceiling. Something about the color red, makes the vibe more cozy and relaxed, makes you want to stay forever and eat and spend. Coincidence? ;-) We started with signature cocktails. We politely requested that the bartender use their homemade Ginger-Sage soda as a base for our Moscow Mules....very refreshing, a hint of ginger flavor with a candied ginger garnish. For our 2nd round, we asked him to spike our homemade Cherry-Rosemary sodas with vodka...it was like drinking a melted freezie pop with a hint of rosemary...yes! We shared the Crispy Pig Ears, cumin-ey & crispy with a gelatinous texture as you bite in. Flavorful and interesting. Their homemade thick cut chips & pan fried onion dip, also very nice, like a fancy, tastier version of your Super Bowl party snack. Next, we shared the Pan Fried Gnocchi with charred scallions & Swiss chard in a brown butter sage sauce, garnished with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano...I have to say I LOVE GNOCCHI, and THIS was my fave of the night, the textures, the flavors, everything was perfect! It was hard to choose, but we decided on the Beef Short Ribs for our main course....perfectly tender, drizzled with romesco & toasted hazelnuts. We paired this with the wood fired Brussels sprouts cooked to perfection in pancetta and garnished with a lovely lemon aioli. We ended the evening with one of the best desserts I've had in a while! The Pumpkin Pie Sundae was a modern version of everyone's favorite holiday pie! Pumpkin spice ice-cream, gingersnap crumbles, homemade marshmallow fluff charred on top in an old school mason jar.....Yummmmmmmmm!!!!!!! I plan to recreate this tasty little treat for my family this Christmas! And as a pastry professional, I have to say that after this night, I have a little bit of a girl crush on Executive Pastry Chef, Hedy Goldsmith. She is brilliant! The only down side to our evening was that our service was a little slow. Totally our bad though, since we decided to sit at the bar, having to compete with multiple drink orders. We did, however, appreciate the attentive servers who sporadically stopped by to ensure we were enjoying everything. Another memorable foodie experience for the books! Thanks Chef Michael & Staff!!!! You rock!
(5)Shandi B.
I've waited a long time to go to Michael's for brunch, and I think the expectation set me up for disappointment. Everything was OK, but there was nothing that really blew me away. Between 5 people we ordered around 15 plates, and I still left hungry. It was already pretty pricey, so I couldn't imagine dropping even more money there. I'm in no rush to visit Michael's again.
(3)Dan S.
Pretty overrated. The level of poor service is mind blowing, the food is okay, a bit salty. Wouldn't return.
(2)Yanessa E.
Enjoyed a delicious brunch here with friends. We ordered quite a bit of different menu items, the ones that I most enjoyed were the crispy rice cake, the breakfast pizza and the wood oven roasted double yolk egg. The portion size of the menu items are not very big (only thing shareable would probably be the breakfast pizza.) The crispy rice cake is insanely delicious, outside is perfectly crispy and inside you bite into creamy cheesy rice (risottoish) with rock shrimp and chorizo, it's topped with a fried egg (runny yolk) and under the cake it has a chili aioli which complements it all perfectly. The breakfast pizza has a thin crispy crust and is topped with tomato sauce, cheese, thick chunks of smoked bacon and a fried egg (also runny yolk) it cuts to about 4 slices. The wood oven roasted double yolk egg was also great, it has gruyere cheese baked over the eggs and comes with a crostini. The sweets options didn't wow me, the jelly filled donuts almost left the jelly part to the imagination, hardly any jelly inside. The ice cream sandwich bites are truly bite sized, almost like the mini chocolate chip cookies that you get at the grocery in those 100 calorie bags, they spoon ice cream in the middle of two that is salted caramel flavor but tasted like vanilla to me. I did enjoy the chocolate cookie pie in a jar although it wasn't what I had in mind based on the name, I expected a chocolate cookie all mashed up and warm like a pie with a pretzel crumb topping, instead it was a chocolate mousse with large pretzel bites, large marshmallows and I think brownie bites mixed in. Overall the food referred to was good and I'd stop by for brunch again, particularly for the crispy rice cake!
(4)Joe C.
Look, I know it's just Yelp, but I really do think carefully about which of those little star buttons to click when I type one of these things. So it's always nice when I can try a place and go straight to five without hesitation, and Michael's delivered that for us on our visit. The decor is perfect -- fun but very inviting -- the service was generally competent, and the food was truly memorable. I love the menu concept, where you can move from what are essentially tapas to an entire damn chicken depending on how hungry you are and how much you want to spend, and there wasn't a thing we tried that wasn't tasty and remarkable. We tried the pig ears based on previous reviewers, and they had a great rub to provide some earthy flavor. I was very impressed that the lime juice I squirted onto the ears completely transformed the flavor and somehow made a fried pig ear seem vibrant. It only went wrong on those small bits where you got the full-on texture (think that surprising bit of haggis texture). Oysters were fresh and had a nice little mignonette that added just a touch of depth without even coming close to ruining the joy that is a raw, fresh oyster. A crispy rice cake was uniquely* able to combine crunch, balanced saltiness and sweetness, and some fantastic shrimp. A lovely dessert and panther coffee to finish made this a truly great meal. It's not enough to make me move here and tolerate that level of traffic, but next time I'm back in town, I know where I'll wind up. * I suppose it's worth mentioning that when I use words like memorable, unique, etc., I make no claims to be up to date on the latest in culinary trends and therefore am probably gushing over things that were innovative in 2005.
(5)Brett N.
Why 4 stars? Because it was a really great experience. --- --- --- We came across Michael's after a recommendation for Tampa Bay's original Yelper, Carlos H. From reading other reviews, it looks like it gets pretty crowded here... but we were lucky to be the first customers for a Sunday dinner. I will say that I think my favorite thing about Michael's were their home made sodas. MG may take that as an insult toward their food, which it definitely is not. The food is great, but I think I could have easily drank 10 of those sodas. They were all phenomenal. I tried the pomegranate, cherry-rosemary, and ginger-lemon grass. All tasted like liquidated heaven. This was my first experience with pork belly, and it was a good one. I had no idea what to expect with something called "pork belly" at the time, but now I usually like to try it as these New American, small-plates type of places. Dessert was an agonizing choice because everything looked so amazing. I went with the Pot de Creme, which was very solid. I would probably go with something else next time, only because I would want to try every item on the dessert menu... while of course gaining 40 lbs. I think my favorite part of the experience was the area that Michael's is located in... I guess it's called the Design District? Whatever it is, it's really cool... especially if you are over the SoBe vibe. I highly recommend this to anyone visiting Miami. I think a second visit could lead to an upgrade to 5-stars.
(4)Olivia N.
Love this place, been going there for many years and every time is a new experience !
(5)Kristina K.
It is definitely new american at its finest. Food is simply-prepared and made fresh from local ingredients. And most importantly, tastes incredible. In addition to great and cozy interior, good services and great selection of unique cocktails makes it great place to be and have a good time.
(5)R R.
fantastic food (though a little on the pricey side for lunch), interesting menu, good service and great ambiance indoors and outside. i'm a fan!
(4)Korsan K.
I am actually feeling weird giving a low rating after reading all these reviews. I wish I had the same feeling and experience as others. We went there and ordered ceviche and clams with some cocktails last week. The service and cocktails were good. However clams were just ok, the waiter told us they searched for the clams 2 years but in my opinion nothing spectacular. I am not Latino but I like ceviche in ceviche 105, suveiche but this was nothing like it. Couldn't finish and left after done with cocktails. Maybe will give another try later on just for the sake of other reviews.
(2)Acelyn B.
Mark A. and I stumbled upon this gem on accident, when we refused to wait 45minutes to an hour for a nearby restaurant. Luckily for us, we were able to get a seat right away for a late dinner on a Thursday night. Let's get straight to the point. Wonderfully tasting food and amazingly friendly service. We picked the homemade chips & onion dip as our starter. I'm always a fan of homemade chips. My short ribs were SO tender, probably the most tender I've ever had in my life. Delicious. Mark A. graciously shared some of his lamb with me, and that was just spot on too. It was probably the best lamb I've had (not that I eat a lot of lamb though). For dessert, we chose the chocolate option (sorry I don't remember the exact name), which has apparently been the oldest item on the menu... aka it's that good! Service was outstanding! We had one main server, but plenty of others came to refill our waters, switch out our silverware, and deliver our food. All were very friendly, but professional. Paolo (our server) made it a point to stop by and greet us "bon appetit" for our appetizer, entree, and dessert each time. The staff wears jeans and a tee with "MGFD" on it. So although the ambiance and food is on the fancy side, they tone it down to casual comfort with their dress code and hospitality. Just be warned that everything here IS a la carte, so if you want sides with your entrees, that's extra. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny.
(4)Mike S.
Good, not great...
(3)Ismiray G.
What a place !!!!!!!!! I can't say enough good things about this place , the food and customer service . The waiter became our menu, we went with what he told us and it was a wonderful experience . Different than the normal. Give it a try. Promise it will exceed your expectations.
(5)Sabrina F.
Micheal's is expensive but boy is it delicious. Try their buratta, and their jams, the jams whoa. Awesome.
(4)Seth R.
In a phrase: Genuinely Overrated. Service was good. Ordered a bunch of "snacks" including the duck, olives, and the pig ears. The duck was decent, pig ears were bland, and olives could've been purchased for 1/5 the price at Whole Foods. Also, the hummus was amazing but they charged us for the accompanying pita. What kind of cheap animals would do such a thing?! The hominy reeked of Old Bay. In a bad way. SKIP IT.
(3)Eric J.
the classic
(5)melissa b.
Hands down the best restaurant in Miami. Coming from New York City I have high expectations and Michaels Genuine never disappoints. They use the freshest of ingredients and the menu changes daily. In addition, they have a great selection of wine and the service is great. Pro tip: Be sure to make a reservation well in advance.
(5)Christine K.
This place is loved by many, and I really wanted to be one of them. Sadly, I was not impressed. The food is a lot like many other "New American" dining spots around town. Just because you mash up a lot of delicious ingredients into one dish, doesn't mean it's going to be spectacular. The lamb pizza was delicious, the sauce was the best part. The pate was inedible for me, and overall the whole experience was mediocre at best.
(2)Evelyn D.
Food was great but there was a cockroach in the dinning room that the waiters tried to subtly kill.
(3)Enbar C.
Small portions, but each one is absolutely delicious. We had a few different dishes. Minneola & beet salad- beets with shaved hearts of palm- the beets were tasty, larger chunks with hazelnuts, good as a side dish. Wood oven roasted double yolk egg- my favorite dish, great texture and flavor, the cheese is delicious. Suitable for one person. Loved this. Duck rillette- my date favored this dish, served in a small ramikan with horseradish mustard on the side and a few small pieces of toast. BBQ rock shrimp- good flavors, but this is one I would pass on- probably because it took 45 minutes to get the dish. We figured the waiter forgot about this one, but apparently it was the kitchen. The manager came to our table to apologize for the mishap, and comped it. The shrimp was tender, smothered in sauce, the jalapeño cheddar biscuit was moist, which is always important bc then it gets too grainy and dry. Cabarete cocktail- on the lighter side, a more refreshing drink. Belzebuth blonde ale- try this beer- delicious. Trust me. A little on the sweeter side of a blonde ale.
(4)Paul A.
Cool decor. Visited for lunch, the place was buzzing - started with the raw bar and octopus appetizer both acceptable, cerviche has excellent balance and flavor profiles although the shrimp was over cooked. Pork Belly Pizza base was perfect, pork was overdone but it worked. Leg of Lamb was cooked perfectly and seasoned well but was a little chewy. Service could have been a little more attentive and the busboys kept bumping our chairs. Waiters seem to be running too many tables. Kitchen is crowded. A little way to go but worth a visit.
(3)Anthony P.
We made a reservation and even though we got very late they still gave us a nice table. The food was fantastic, short rib it was all good, drinks I must say tasted good and good wine list, but the waiter said bar was closed for another glass but that we could still order desserts. Man go behind the nar and pour yourself.... Be professional. I didn't like the waiter attitude in a couple of moments, if you feel bad because you are a waiter and don't like or want to serve people take another job. I used to be a waiter and I did my best every time just like any other job. Will not punish Michaels this time, but service is 3 stars. Food 5 stars Drinks 4 stars Service 3 stars
(4)Mark K.
Delicious place. Love it here. The menu constantly changes. Love the drinks, good food and awesome service. You can't go wrong here!
(5)Gavin H.
Phenomenal food from start to finish, delicious cocktails and impeccable service. All the recommendations we got for dining in Miami included MGFD and rightfully so.
(5)Emma F.
I think I have to pay you guys another visit . Went here a while back and the desserts .... amazing !!!!!
(4)Serge B.
We had a reservation for 10 pm, got there earlier and the place was worth the wait. We started at the bar with pizza and bottle of wine we brought and in about an hour were seated at the table. The service was impeccable, the food was delicious, innovative, modern, tasty, the Chef is not afraid to take chances. Octopus - grilled to perfection, may be split with the fork Mussels - big plump and juicy Duck confit our friends had - it looked just like the one we had in France Pork Ears - deep fried and another delicacy not to miss. We'd be back in a heart beat and even the noise doesn't scare us. Outside seating is available even though in a summer time this kinda moot point.
(5)Amelie B.
Great! Everything was delicious, the staff welcoming, the restaurant beautiful. Will go again!
(4)Daniella S.
New Pastry Chef Amy is OUT OF CONTROL AMAZING!!!!!! more reason for us to keep returning to Michaels. Well done on the new team member!
(5)Jared S.
This place has been on my list of restaurants to try for a while. I was finally down in South Beach for the weekend with some family and was able to get in for dinner. After we were sat, the server came over and went of the menu and the concept of the place, which was nice. It took a while to figure out what we wanted to order, but finally came to a decision. For our apps, we ordered the wood oven roasted double yolk farm egg, crispy sweet & spicy pork belly and the chargrilled octopus. After waiting a little while, the apps came out and they looked great. The double yolk farm egg was interesting being that you would wonder what can someone do to an egg to bring it to another level...well this was quite delicious to say the least. The crispy sweet and spicy pork belly stood up to its name as it was sweet and succulent with a nice crisp that melted in you mouth as you ate it. The chargrilled octopus was great as well as you have to cook octopus right and try not to over cook it or else it would be like chewing on rubber. The octopus was cooked perfectly and had a nice char on the outside that complimented it well. Entrees were next. Two of us ordered the slow roasted & grilled harris ranch beef short rib and the other a 24 oz. wood oven roasted dry aged bone-in ribeye. Short rib was great. It was rich in flavor, fell apart with a touch of the fork and went great with the the pan roasted cipollini onions that came along side it. The ribeye, was delicious as well and for a paying that much ($79), it was definitely worth it. Cooked to perfection and a really nice portion as well. Finally for dessert we ordered the genuine home brew sundae, chocolate cremoso and the lemon creamsicle pot de creme. all I can say about dessert is they were all equally delicious. Great ending to a fantastic meal. I definitely recommend this place. They are in the top 100 restaurants in the country and it is pretty evident why. If you are looking for a great meal and are down in the mid town or Miami Beach area, this is a place you should try.
(5)Michael C.
Ordered way to much but only because i couldn't deiced what i wanted to try. Everything was good but a few of the ones that stand out were the pork belly, buratta and peaches, deviled eggs, crispy pig ears and the country pate. i sat outside and loved it but had about 20 mosqito bites to show for it.
(5)Jane S.
We were excited to try this packed restaurant in the up&coming Design District. While the hamburger and the fries were delicious, the Short Rib & Fontina Cheese panini left a lot to be desired; all you could taste was the fontina cheese. When we tried the short rib separately, it had absolutely NO flavor. The Chilled Corn Soup (similar to a gazpacho), however, was perfectly seasoned and a delightful surprise. They did not have the doughnut with peaches for dessert, so we had none. Service, while pleasant, was extremely slow, with the food taking forever to come out even though we had arrived at the tail end of lunch and it wasn't that busy. Don't think we'd make the effort to return.
(2)Krystal O.
Finally got around to trying Michael's Genuine this weekend and it was as good as everyone hyped it up to be. Had two of the drinks from their cocktail list and they were both amazing. The Bulletproof Manhattan was a nice twist on the bourbon classlc with rosemary infused cherries and a splash of lemon, it was a stiff drink with a feminine touch. The Cabarete was a perfect fresh watermelon drink for a warm night in Miami. As for food, we only wanted a light bite so we shared the wood oven pizza, which every night is different, Saturday's pizza was topped with fried pork belly and it was amazing... everything about this pizza made me wish it was a regular on the menu so I could tell others to go try it. My experience at Michael's was definitely a good one and I'll be back soon for more.
(5)Bahia S.
One of the best places to eat in the Design District. I've been there for dinner, lunch, and breakfast/brunch. All meals are good. They have a great menu and wonderful cocktails. Their brunch is fantastic. It does it get pretty busy so make a reservation if possible. One time I went we had really slow service, but every other time the service was excellent.
(4)Kim W.
What a great spot to start a fun weekend in Miami - cocktails were lovingly, artfully made and the tasty little egg dish appetizer absolutely worth the trip (from DC). Sat at the bar & loved it! What's the deal with the radishes?
(5)Alice L.
This place was the best meal that we had during our time in Miami! The food was casual and unfussy but so very very good. We started with the crispy pig ears under "Snacks". It seemed "adventurous" at the time, but wowza! they present you with a little tin full of these deep fried crunchy pig ears that are sprinkled with a BBQ seasoning. It tastes alternately like you're just crunching away at bacon, but man almighty they make for the perfect bar snack. This may have been the highlight of my meal. I wish we had pig ears in NYC. For appetizers we tried the Stracciatella and the Crispy Rice Cake. The Stracciatella epitomizes the "simple, local, fresh" mantra of the restaurant: it's thin shreds of mozzarella, creamier and doesn't retain its shape like a burrata, with basil and the sweetest, juiciest heirloom tomatoes ever. We practically licked this plate clean. The Crispy Rice Cake we could have skipped, it was kind of like a seafood croquette and pretty heavy. For the main we split the Pork chop, but we were practically stuffed by this point. That pork chop was huge and mighty juicy though, and sufficient to split among two people. Somehow the waiter talked us into dessert too, and we split the Tangerine Pot De Creme and Doughnuts, another highly-recommend. The citrusy lightness of the pot de creme balances out the fried doughnuts perfectly. Very inventive and delicious dessert. I wouldn't hesitate to return to Michael's on a return trip to Miami. Until then I will have to devise a way to make fried pig ears in my kitchen at home.
(5)Cooker B.
I went here because of all the great yelp reviews but I was unpleased. The food was moderately expensive and the portions were tiny. Its a place you can go and easily spend $100 on food for 2 and walk out hungry. Not impressed.
(2)Daniel C.
Try the octupus starter. Nice and tender. Good food and great atmosphere. Highly recommended restaurant.
(5)Monica L.
Nice atmosphere, always very packed. Although when i went they had great service and food I got a stomach overnight and threw up. That makes it get four stars and not a five, and also that i won't be returning. My rue of thumb is if i get sick am not going back.
(4)Jorge D.
Food is just AMAZING. It might be difficult to get a table on Fridays or Saturdays so call in advance to make a reservation. They have really good specials so make sure to ask the server for the specials. Drinks are not expensive, I had single malt scotch 12 year and it was $14 a drink; not bad at all. Please try the pork belly and the octopus they are just amazing. I love sitting outside.
(5)Monica B.
It's not terrible, but it's overrated and overpriced. Outlived its reputation, for sure.
(3)Natalie I.
This is a very popular place and we have been a few times this is based on the last time we went. They have street and valet parking the area is improving still not the safest. I like that it is all organic and that the chief isn't afraid to try unique flavor combinations. There homemade sodas are yummy. We loved the potato chips and onion dip. However I thought the prices were outrageous for what you actually get. The entree's are à la carte no sides, and are quite small servings, yet come with a 30$+ price tag one you would pay for a full dish. Like Really? My Date got the swordfish it was OK. I could tell he did not cared for it, It was the size of my closed fist. I got a braised short rib very small portion it was dry and not juicy. I would say the food quality has gone down and the prices up. We most likely will not be back the design district is full of amazing restaurants that are fairly priced. in total we got 1 soda potato chips & onion dip braised short rib sword fish it was 120$ we both left slightly hungry and dissatisfied because we felt we got ripped off.
(3)Kristin B.
Very nice dining room with perfect lighting and clever decor. I enjoyed a 'barrel fish' local fish of the day sandwich with an herbed green salad on the side. Delicious. Also, the jazzy music and prompt service while lunching with a production crew of 12 was very good
(4)Urban G.
We went for a quick lunch after custom ordering a new Bentley GT! We sat at the bar- waitstaff very attentive and efficient. Friendly fellow at the raw bar. I ordered a dozen oysters and a few other appetizers. Save for the oysters the rest of the food was a greasy mess. I have yet to walk out of this restaurant not feeling yucky. Sadly, I had to make a quick pharmacy run for some alka-seltzer. I won't give this place another chance. ack!
(1)Kris B.
love the bartender jovani it is worth the trip just to see him. the food is pretty great too.
(5)Annie G.
Recommended to me by a colleague. went here for dinner food was fresh and fantastic. Service was great, had a great waitress! I wasn't a fan of the chicken medium dish but everything else was stellar, shrimp appetizer, deviled eggs. My sister and her husband enjoyed the fish and steak. The mashed potatoes and corn are amazing! Desserts were fabulous!!!!!
(4)David A.
Went here for lunch with my daughter. After reading the reviews and getting caught up in the hype my expectations were sky high. While it was a cool scene, my food choice did not blow me away. Had the Bahn Mi. The bread was great but the thick slab of pate reminded me of Spam. Not the right balance of meat. The topping and condiment had great flavor. Probably should have looked closer at the ingredients since the pate was a turn off. The four stars is primarily based on the Five star dessert. We had a coconut bread pudding that was off the charts. Will return to try some other entrees. Service was excellent and prices were reasonable.
(4)Mike C.
Amazing food in a trendy spot with a huge selection of delicious choices. Since my wife and I were on vacation, we decided it was OK to feast and order way too much food. We also felt it would be a good reward after the sketchy trip up from the bus depot and the vacant walk on the long journey from South Beach. So we got 10 dishes, all of them delicious: Savory: - Duck Rillette ($7) - Wood Roasted Chicken Salad Sandwich ($7) - Merguez Sausage ($10) - Kimchi Benedict ($11) Sweet: - Sweet Corn Custard French Toast ($7) - Peanut Butter Brownie Sundae ($5) - Homemade Doughnuts ($5) - Chocolate Caramel Peanut Bars ($4) - Peach & Bourbon Pie in a Jar ($3) - Bacon Hazelnut Sticky Bun ($5) Now the Savory dishes were all delicious, but a couple were slightly underwhelming (for example, the Merguez Sausage could have been a lot better if it were served a bit hotter). However, the Sweet menu is where this place really shines. The sundae was of course delicious, with the malted milk ice cream a perfect complement to the warm peanut butter brownie. The doughnuts (chocolate and grape concord) were also awesome, and the Pie in a Jar was very different and delicious . As for the rest, the Sweet Corn Custard French Toast, the Peanut Bars and the Bacon Hazelnut Sticky Bun were some of the best things I've ever eaten, and I eat many many sweets. I can't even begin to describe how delicious these sweets were. Just know that if you go, you MUST order all of these or you will regret it. The service here is really excellent too. They constantly refilled our water and were very polite. Also, at one point the waiter noticed my wife shivering (it was actually a comfortable temperature in there, but she is just always cold), so he offered her a spare pashmina to make her more comfortable). The neighborhood itself is pretty dead, but the restaurant atmosphere is very nice. It's a good thing there is so much good stuff for dessert here, because there aren't many things to do or options for dessert in the immediate area near the restaurant. But I would still make the trip out here any time for this awesome food. Even after ordering so many dishes, there is still enough left on the menu that looks great that I could easily go back and have another huge meal with all new dishes.
(5)MICHELLE W.
Food is always good! Ambience is very nice. I frequent here a lot but tonite service was no good, tighten up!! You guys can do so much better!! Hats off to chef, steak is always deeeelicous!!!
(4)Nate B.
Awesome food. Awesome location. The staff explains the menu clearly and made us very comfortable. I highly recommend a reservation even if you plan to go for brunch during the week.
(5)Adam L.
Always on point. When we come to Miami, MGFD is always at the top of our list. The food is consistently divine and the staff are warm, friendly and accomadating. Although Michael's keeps it classy, it's never snobbish. We have been for dinner, lunch and brunch and every visit is a treat. Keep up the good work MGFD.
(5)Joannitte R.
My favorite place to eat in all of Miami! Everything on the menu is guaranteed delicious and mouthwatering. You should order something from every part of the menu as the different options are incredible. I've been here at least 5-6 times as I live New York City and they have never disappointed. One thing you will always find on the menu no matter the season is the pot de Creme for dessert. I've had it in orange/creamsicle flavor and most recently - passion fruit. WOW. Heaven on earth! A must in miami!
(5)Roy P.
What a great place. The staff here is A+++. Very knowledgeable about their menus and wines. The desserts were to die for and a must try. Everything here is prepared with love, which is always nice to see and taste. It was a great experience. Reservations recommended as this place gets packed quick!
(5)Maggie S.
Probably my favorite place in Design District. The barratina cheese is a must!! There is a valet parking. I highly recommend making a reservation, especially on the weekends. Had to try this place out because Anthony Bourdain came thru.
(4)Maria O.
If you are going as a couple and don't like cruise-ship style dining, meaning sharing a table with strangers, this is not your place. My husband and I went to celebrate my birthday and we basically had to share a table with another couple, if they don't want to lose business accepting two people, they should only take parties of four inside but not to make your dinner experience so uncomfortable... Food is good, not extraordinary, service is average, our waitress was missing in action several times. Overall, an OK restaurant, better options around the area.
(3)Amber L.
I've been reading so much about the place, I was happy to have the chance to visit. Stopped in on a random Wednesday evening for a drink at the bar. All tables were filled and people were even sitting outside in the cold. Seems like they're doing something right at Michael's. The interior is very dark and it worked. Usually, I don't care for darkness in a restaurant but there was just enough lighting to set a really nice mood. Once we parked it at the bar, we really didn't move around, so I can't say anything about rest of the space. The bartender, Ryan, was a sight for sore eyes with a personality to match. I ordered a cocktail called Cabarete. It was sooo refreshing, not too sweet and definitely didn't drink like a regular cocktail. It was special. The cheese plate for the day was "La Tur", and featured a sizable block of creamy cheese with a piece of honeycomb oozing honey and cinnamon raisin toast. It was truly the perfect combination and even went well with the cocktail. Even though my selection was limited, the night at MGFD was a good one. I've read great things on Yelp about the brunch menu and can't wait to go back and try it out.
(4)Claudia C.
Let me start by saying that Michael Shwartz is God. He is my culinary crush for sure and if I were a lamb, I'd want nobody else but him roasting my chops :) I've been to Michael's many times for lunch and dinner, but this was my first time going for brunch - and as expected, it was AMAZING. Just be sure to make a reservation. For drinks we started off ordering Caberets - think mimosas, but with fresh watermelon juice.. yumm! One caveat about ordering brunch is that all the plates are very small, so if you're going with a group try to order about three dishes per person and share, share, share. The plates come out when ready, so your table is never empty... it's a constant flow of delicious grub to nosh on. This is what we ordered, and I enthusiastically recommend ALL of it: Duck Confit Hash Wood Oven Roasted Double Yolk Egg - an egg dip made with gruyere cheese Kimichi Benedict - poached egg with pork belly!! Breakfast Pizza - it is exactly what it sounds like. All the delicious staples of Breakfast (eggs, bacon, cheese) baked on pizza crust Green Tea French Toast - this was heaven! a must! Little Cinnamon Roll Bites with Lemon Cream Cheese dip Caramel Salted Pudding (better than sex) The worst part of brunch was when it was all gone! I can definitely say that our bellies left quite content and longing for more. Thus, we are coming back for round two next sunday!
(5)Brent B.
Michael's Genuine, I love you be my mistress. This is one of my favorite places in the Design District and I can't get enough. I have been their for brunch, lunch, and dinner and I love all of it. Michael Schwartz likes to use organic ingredients and local produce. For Brunch: Kim chi eggs benedict Burrata with heirloom tomatoes double yolk eggs and the BBQ brisket is succulent and smokey Drink: bloody Mary with local heirloom tomatoes Lunch: The turkey sandwich with fresh sliced turkey and aged Gruyere is delicious. The brioche bread mmmmm so good. The house smoked pastrami Reuben can you say house smoked. The burger is great. The bahn mi special if they got it try it! Drink: micro brewed beer Dinner: The Niman Ranch beef can you say Rib-eye The pork chops also organic short ribs The fish is always cooked perfectly. For sides: wood roasted brussel sprouts fingerling potatoes. Drink: Caparinha Dessert: Anything Heidi makes. I love her snickers donuts creamsicle cream something? popcorn and bacon ice cream close your eye's and you will become a believer. Drink: Cappuccino or Irish coffee. Make Reservations/three dollar valet See ya on the boat for brunch during the Sobe food and wine festival.
(5)Lisa M.
Saw that this restaurant was on the top 100 in America list and the only one in Miami so hubby and I decided to make this our anniversary dinner. So glad we did. We made an early reservation and ended up getting lost on the way. I called and told the hostess we were on our way and she was pleasant and told us not to worry they would hold our reservation. Don't know if this is standard because our reservation was for 6:45 and they were not busy yet. We arrived ay 6:55 and hubby went to park. Valet is available but hubby wanted to park. Hostess asked if we wanted to sit indoors or out. I explained that hubby was parking and he may want to sit indoors. She said it was OK and just to let her know when he arrived. Again, could be because that it was not busy yet. We were seated and then we met Jonathan. Great server. Asked if this was our first visit and took time to explain the concept, where the food came from, and the menu. We had to wait for water, but the still water is brought out in wine bottles which I liked. Very extensive wine list. Hubby was happy to see hefe weissen on the menu. I went for the Genuine American Lager. We tried a variety of choices and they were all good. Started with wings, falafel, and potato chips. Entrees were grouper with long beans and I had pork belly and fries. Fish was cooked perfectly and the vinaigrette was light and tasty. Pork belly with kimchi was amazing. It was a great meal. This will be our go to place for a nice meal out and for company. I like that it was not pretentious and overcomplicated. Simple menu, good service, and good food. We plan to visit other restaurants on the top 100 list and I hope they live up to this standard.
(4)