Bagatelle, 2000 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33139
If you yearn for yumminess on every level, lean close and let me tell you a secret: Bagatelle Miami is THE place to be. It’s one of the hottest spots in the Magic City right now. What’s more, it’s mastered the perfect going-out-to-eat-and-having-an-amazing-time recipe. On any given night of the week, the fabulous new French Mediterranean restaurant not only serves up fantastic food in a killer club-like atmosphere, it also hosts some of the most beautiful people in the city.
I went on a Friday night and the place was off the chain with captivating energy and eye candy (both men and women.) The staff was amazing and boy, do they love to feed a journalist! Everyone who works there (at least, the people I came in contact with) really believes in the food and as you know, that can go a long way. Plus, they’re incredibly accommodating and the service is immaculate. That’s not always the case on South Beach.
I started dinner with several fun cocktails. Although the “Sangria Bagatelle Rose” was my favorite, I also fell in cheeky love with the “Girl From Lima,” “Berry Lust” and the quirky, but surprisingly refreshing “Bootie Call” (made with Belvedere Vodka, rosemary, fresh watermelon, elderflower and lemon juice.)
Next up; some mind-blowingly fresh appetizers: “Salade de Crabe aux Agrumes” (crab salad,) “Tartare de Thon Bagatelle” (tuna tartare) and my all-time favorite, “Tatin de Tomate” (tomato fondue tart, goat cheese, olives, onions, pine nuts and basil oil.) I was impressed by how everything was plated, but perhaps more awe-inspiring was the freshness/lightness of it all. All three plates were succulent and satisfying. It was by far my favorite part of the meal.
For the main course, I dined on Snapper de Floride en Papillote (cedar-wrapped Florida red snapper filet, quinoa tabouleh, avocado and a tropical sauce.) It came with a side of Pommes Frites, Wild Mixed Mushrooms and Spicy Charred Broccolini. The fries were sinful, the mushrooms totally divine and the broccolini was charred to perfection.
If you’re a regular blog reader, you know how I feel about dessert: I can take it or leave it, but at Bagatelle Miami, they don’t let you leave anything behind, especially the sweet stuff. I caved when I saw the three divine dishes they encouraged me to eat: Panna Cotta Ricotta, Cheesecake Napoleon and Banana Cream Tart. The cheesecake was amaze-balls! Come to think of it, everything I dined on was amaze-balls. Bagatelle Miami is definitely one of my favorite things.
The lively restaurant is on the corner of 21st and Collins on South Beach. It’s just a block south of the W Hotel (one of my all-time favorite properties on the beach) which, by the way, has a big public parking lot right in front of it. You can try to score a parking space there (it’s metered) or settle for Bagatelle’s valet.
Mon-Thurs 6pm-12am, Fri-Sat 6pm-1am, Sunday Brunch 6pm-11pm, Sunday Dinner 12pm-6pm.
www.bistrobagatelle.com
Reservations: 305-704-3900
Executive Chef: Matthieu Godard
IG: @BagatelleMiamiBeach
FB: Bagatelle Miami Beach
Black Jumper: Hollen & Jen Vintage Showroom
Butterfly Earrings: Magenta Couture
Purse: Tory Burch by Koko & Palenki
Shoes: BCBG Aventura Mall
Editor: Matthew Auerbach
Producer: Jessie Rosario
Writer: Shireen Sandoval
Photographer: James Woodley
