Saturday, February 25, 2017

BAZAAR MAR (BRICKELL, MIAMI, FL)

Bazaar Mar
1300 South Miami Ave
Miami, FL 33130
Bazaar Mar
Tel: 305.239.1320
Cuisine: Spanish, Seafood
$$$$ ($50+)
Sat, 02/18/2017, 10:00pm reservation
     (4.5 Piglets)



My first meal at my first time in Miami and we chose Bazaar Mar. It is Chef Jose Andres' new restaurant that features seafood as the main component for most of his dishes. The menu is composed of some creative new items that is specific to this location as well as classics that you can find at his other Bazaar locations, such as the Jamon Iberico. 

The interior is beautiful. The decor is reminiscent of the sea, yet brings in a sense of elegance. There is an open kitchen in the back as well as two sushi bars displaying the freshest fish. Off to the side is a separate bar area where you can order certain items from the menu. 


Sushi Bar Area

The Bar

The Interior

Open Kitchen
PUNTILLITAS FRITAS ($14.00): Baby Squid and Pickled Peppers, Simply fried as they do in the south of Spain. The delicate and crispy squid were absolutely delicious. It was a great appetizer that didn't feel too heavy even though it was fried. The aioli sauce that came with it was addicting! A must order if you're a fan of calamari. 
MAINE LOBSTER CROQUETAS ($14.00): Lobster and Shrimp Fritters, Saffron Aioli.  So, we decided to order another set of fried appetizers. The fritters were fried to a perfect crisp texture. The filling was super creamy and seasoned well. With the aioli, it was a great combination. 
SALT AIR MARGARITA ($14.00): Classic Margarita with Cabeza Tequila and Combier, topped with Salt Air. This drink was delicious. It's one of their most popular drinks and I can totally see why. It's a bit strong with sweetness and a bit of salt. A great combination
MY FAVORITE DISH. JAMON IBERICO DE BELLOTA FERMIN ($56.00): 48-month Cured Ham from the Legednary Free Range, Acorn-fed, black-footed Iberico pigs of Spain served with Pan de Cristal with Tomato. OMG. This dish is amazing. The jamon iberico had the perfect amount of saltiness with the freshness of cured ham that melts in your mouth. The bread with tomatoes is one of my favorites and goes perfectly well with the ham. The only complaint was that there was a little too much olive oil but who cares. 
NEPTUNE'S PILLOW ($16.00): Tuna Sashimi, Spicy Tuna, Air Breads, Spicy Rocoto Mayo, Sea Lettuce Powder. This was one of my favorite dishes. The pillows are similar to the pillows found for their other dish "philly cheesesteak." It is filled with delcious spicy tuna. The sashimi on top was so fresh.. Thhis was probably a close second for the best dish. It's a must order. 
KING ORA SALMON TIRADITO, NEW ZEALAND ($18.00): Yuasa Soy, Orange Zest, Dill, Wasabi. The salmon was so fresh and succulent; it melted in your mouth. It's a really great dish if you want a simple sashimi. 
PAPAS ARRUGAS, CANARY ISLAND STYLE ($8.00): Wrinkled Potatoes, Mojo Verde, Mojo Rojo. These potatoes are addicting! Its a great side order to dinner. The potatoes are simple and the sauces are absolutely delicious. The verde had a slight tang, and the rojo had a bit of a kick. 
GAMBAS AL AJILLO, BLUEFOOT SHRIMP, CHANDUY FARM ($18.00): Sauteed Shrimp, Garlic, Olive Oil, Spicy Tomato Sauce, Parsley. These suckers are yummy. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and the sauce was robust and spicy. I could've done without the foam. 
TUNA CEVICHE NIKKEI ($19.00): Big Eye Tuna, Soy-Cured Egg Yolk, Ponzu, Puffed Quinoa, Avocado, jicama, Red Onion, Furikake. This ceviche was delicious. The tuna was fresh and the ponzu added a nice acidity to the dish. I loved the creaminess with the avocado and the egg yolk was mixed in. It was served chilled on ice and brought out a bit early to let the tuna marinate. A great dish if you want ceviche and something on the lighter end of the menu. 
Overall, Bazaar Mar was pretty amazing. Everything we ordered was delicious and creative. I thoroughly enjoyed all the different textures and the balance of flavors. The place is absolutely beautiful and packed. Our reservation wasn't til 10pm but we managed to snag some empty seats at the sushi bar to dine earlier. The cocktails were delicious as well. If you want a great dining experience, Bazaar Mar is the place to go! 

Notable Dishes: Jamon Iberico and Neptune's Pillow

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