Mignonette
★★ SEAFOOD—A pioneer in the now bustling Edgewater neighborhood, this seafood bistro is an ideal spot for bivalves and bubby before or after a show at the nearby performing arts center or arena. Informal, yet stylish, the diminutive downtown spot serves some of the freshest seafood in town. Chef/owner Daniel Serfer isn’t just a great cook, he also doesn’t take himself too seriously, as seen by his menu, which divides entrees simply as, “plain” or “fancy.” There’s nothing plain about the lobster roll, though, one of the best you’ll have south of New England, or the crispy skin snapper in a beurre blanc. As for the so-called fancy stuff: the black grouper with Carolina gold rice, sweet peas in a sweet pea emulsion is pretty snazzy, as are raw bar offerings including our fave, the oyster flight, featuring six raw, three grilled and three Rockefeller. An impressive range of veggie sides includes fried Roman artichokes with smoked paprika aioli that are like, to use Serfer’s terminology, a fancy version of bar nuts. Speaking of bar, there are excellent wines by the glass, and local beers and the staff is knowledgeable enough to tell you what goes best with what.
Up the road is Serfer’s other spot: Blue Collar, a cozy, down home elevated diner slash bistro located in a brand new (2024), 4,000 square foot space at 6789 Biscayne Blvd. with full bar, patio, and entrees under $13. (bluecollarmiami.com; 305/766-0366). It gives a modern spin to old school blue plate specials like braised brisket, spicy oxtail, veggie plates (pick four of 19 choices and it’s a meal that never, ever misses the meat), and a killer chicken sandwich on a Portuguese muffin with balsamic onion jam.
★★ SEAFOOD—A pioneer in the now bustling Edgewater neighborhood, this seafood bistro is an ideal spot for bivalves and bubby before or after a show at the nearby performing arts center or arena. Informal, yet stylish, the diminutive downtown spot serves some of the freshest seafood in town. Chef/owner Daniel Serfer isn’t just a great cook, he also doesn’t take himself too seriously, as seen by his menu, which divides entrees simply as, “plain” or “fancy.” There’s nothing plain about the lobster roll, though, one of the best you’ll have south of New England, or the crispy skin snapper in a beurre blanc. As for the so-called fancy stuff: the black grouper with Carolina gold rice, sweet peas in a sweet pea emulsion is pretty snazzy, as are raw bar offerings including our fave, the oyster flight, featuring six raw, three grilled and three Rockefeller. An impressive range of veggie sides includes fried Roman artichokes with smoked paprika aioli that are like, to use Serfer’s terminology, a fancy version of bar nuts. Speaking of bar, there are excellent wines by the glass, and local beers and the staff is knowledgeable enough to tell you what goes best with what.
Up the road is Serfer’s other spot: Blue Collar, a cozy, down home elevated diner slash bistro located in a brand new (2024), 4,000 square foot space at 6789 Biscayne Blvd. with full bar, patio, and entrees under $13. (bluecollarmiami.com; 305/766-0366). It gives a modern spin to old school blue plate specials like braised brisket, spicy oxtail, veggie plates (pick four of 19 choices and it’s a meal that never, ever misses the meat), and a killer chicken sandwich on a Portuguese muffin with balsamic onion jam.
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