The hustle and bustle of Lincoln Road had an extra spark Tuesday as bloggers, reporters and culinary-enthusiasts filled Meat Market’s cozy bar area for a night of gourmet bites and specialty beers.
The event served as a preview of Five Cubed (53), a food and beer pairing on Feb. 18 that will showcase 15 of Miami’s best chefs. The upscale spot held the preview to highlight Executive Chef Sean Brasel, who will be hosting the main event. Guests also enjoyed a selection of beers from sponsor Brewery Ommegang. According to Restaurant Manager Vy Tran, “the pairings were meant to feature the brewery while enhancing the overall flavor experience.”
Ticketholders were led through dark wood doors into Meat Market, “a sexier, more glamorous take on the traditional steakhouse,” according to the eatery’s website. In the orange glow of the backlit bar, waitresses shook signature cocktails and poured featured brews while chefs selected seafood from a glass display for the fresh mango-scallion ceviche.
Attendees sipped and sampled as selections from Meat Market’s menu floated from the kitchen on edgy, distressed wooden platters. The first bite was a rich, garlicy spinach layered between two golden pieces of filo dough. The lobster empanada delivered an equally-buttery crunch, dotted with a spicy aioli for a slight kick. This aioli also dressed the miniature crab cakes, giving a creamy contrast to the crunchy exterior. Most noteworthy of the night’s flavors, though, was the Kobe tartare, served on a simple and crisp parmesan flatbread. White truffle added a layer of earthiness to the meat, while capers and red onions cut the richness perfectly.
Guest Alexandra Sternklar had never dined at Meat Market, but sampling Brasel’s creations made her eager to come back. “It was so cool to get a taste of what this place is all about,” Sternklar said. “I can’t wait to try out the full menu – they definitely left me wanting more.”
The evening was sponsored by Haute Dining, a membership-based company that gives exclusive privileges to food-lovers and provides a marketing platform for local eateries. Rick Delgado, creative director of Haute Dining, describes the company as “the Rolls Royce of dining programs.” Members can enjoy a variety of perks from discounts at fine dining spots to unique opportunities to meet the superstars of the culinary world. For more information on membership and similar events, visit hautedining.com.
words_julie harans. photo_meat market and haute dining.