Tag Archives: the queen

Our Pick for Miami’s Most Romantic Valentine’s Restaurants 2023

Best Restaurants in Miami for Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is next week and if you haven’t made plans yet, now’s the time. Whether you want to impress a romantic interest for the first time or finally confess your feelings, Miami has a restaurant — and special Valentine’s Day menu — to match your intentions on the most romantic holiday of the year.

Here are our top restaurants to visit in Miami on Valentine’s Day, ranging from lounge-like restaurants to waterfront dining establishments. Reservations are highly advised.

Carbone

Carbone’s retro glam and universally acclaimed Italian-American cuisine have made their way to Miami. If you get a table, you can expect one of the best veal parmesans in the world, dapper servers who can practically read minds, and tons of vibe in a legendary Ken Fulk-designed space. To make reservations, click here.

The Queen Miami Beach

Tucked inside the meticulously restored Paris Theater on Washington Avenue in South Beach, Queen breathes new life into the storied Art Deco landmark, embodying a wildly lavish and extravagant 21st-century Japanese-style grill that pays homage to its history of opulence and theatricality. Click here for reservations.

Contessa Ristorante Miami

Contessa, a glamorous dining destination by Major Food Group that transports guests to Lake Como, is inspired by the old-world sophistication of Northern Italy’s iconic resorts and estates. Antipasti include a Carpaccio of Chianina Beef and the most coveted Italian prosciutto; signature pizzas and perfectly crafted pastas such as Tortellini en Brodo and Garganelli Verdi Bolognese; and celebratory secondi that highlight the world’s best meat, poultry, and fish. For reservations, click here.

COTE Miami

COTE is Simon Kim’s vision for the Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-nominated KOREAN STEAKHOUSETM. The restaurant is known for combining the excitement and fervor of Korean barbeque with the hallmarks of a classic, regal American steakhouse. The end result is a one-of-a-kind and convivial environment that infuses a fine dining experience with world-class ingredients and service, complemented by a show-stopping beverage program. Click here to reserve a table.

Klaw

Klaw provides a beef and king crab selection that focuses on raw product preservation, sustainability, and environmental concerns. Executive Chef Michael Paley and his team carefully select the best suppliers and believe that treating the product with respect and cooking it properly can greatly enhance the flavor. Martin Brudnizki Design Studio created our main dining room, which honors its Spanish Renaissance roots with a large dining room decorated in deep colors and dark woods, massive colonial arched windows, a private dining room, and a theater kitchen. The roof top bar has an amazing view and a great selection of cocktails created by beverage manager James Macinnes. We are close to the Opera Tower, Margaret Pace Park, and the DoubleTree by Hilton.

Avra Estiatorio

You’d almost think you were in the Greek islands, with the salt stone sculptures and bougainvillea-filled pergola, not to mention the sound of crashing waves in the background. This New York mainstay is large, opulent, and glam, with a menu full of seafood specialties that transport you to the Mediterranean with every bite. For more information or reservations, click here.]

Komodo Miami

Komodo is a three-story indoor/outdoor eatery and lounge in Miami’s booming Brickell neighborhood that combines contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine with a South Florida vibe to elevate the dining and nightlife experience. Signature dishes on the menu include Peking Duck, Tuna & Toro Roll, and Lobster Dynamite. The 300-seat restaurant and lounge features several unique multi-level dining options, including three bars with handcrafted cocktail menus and the signature outdoor floating “birds nests” seating, which creates a playful treehouse feel perfect for any occasion day or night. Komodo serves dinner seven days a week. Reservations can be made here.

The Queen Main Dining Room

The Queen Restaurant and Lounge Opens in Miami Beach

The Queen Main Dining Room

What was previously Miami’s Paris Theater is now The Queen Restaurant and Lounge!

The Queen located at 550 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach will offer a unique blend of Japanese and French inspired cuisine. Small plates such as maitake tempura with scallion ash and truffle mayo, dressed oysters East and West with an apple Szechuan mignonette, and duck and pork tsukune with tare, scallion, and baby gem lettuce kick off the menu.

Following that are crudos such as steak and tuna tartare, beef carpaccio with uni and caviar crème, and deluxe seafood towers. The Josper Charcoal Oven or the Robata Flame Grills are used to prepare Japanese Wagyu, Prime Ribeye, roasted Branzino with Thai chili ponzu, and Australian lamb with chipotle miso.

Sushi made from fish flown in from Japan will also be available, as will a special selection at the eight-seat Omakase Counter. Following that, craft cocktails, many of which incorporate Japanese spirits, will be served in whichever lounge guests choose.

But The Queen isn’t just about the food – the atmosphere is just as noteworthy with the transformation of the Paris Theater. A custom mosaic created in Italy using Venetian and Palladian techniques and a black and white mural, “Parade of the Carmens,” by Miami artist Gonzalo Fuenmayor celebrating Carmen Miranda can be found at the entrance. The Salon Lounge features curved burgundy chairs and a central banquette, burgundy carpet with plum and apricot fanned leaves, gilded original crown moldings, Lobmeyr brass, hand cut crystal, Swarovski crystal and gold finish chandeliers, and a Calacatta Viola marble bar.

The main dining room is expansive, with lighted cutout walls, a large concentric circle of hand carved teak finished in gold leaf surrounding a bronze mirror, and a ceiling dome that transforms with a kaleidoscope of LED images. Above, on the mezzanine level, is a members-only VIP lounge with 80 seats and a view of the dining room. However, both serve the regular menu, which is overseen by chef Julien Jouhannaud, who was previously in charge of the culinary program at Annabelle’s in London, and produced by executive chef Mitchell Hesse, a Miami native.

The Variety Theater, as it was known in 1946 was a venue for classic revival films such as Alfred Hitchcock’s Suspicion, its opening film. Later renamed The Paris, it has been transformed into an event space and photo studio. However, it retained its Deco elements, which have been restored and enhanced by designer Carlos Rodriguez of Miami’s ModPlay Studio.

The Queen is open Tuesday through Saturday from 6pm until late. So if you’re looking for a fancy night out with exquisitely prepared food, The Queen is the perfect spot. Make sure to make a reservation, as this trendy new spot is sure to fill up quickly.

The Queen Mezanine