Shireen's Favorite Things

A yummy Sunday night dinner at one of the hottest new restaurants in Miami — “Phuc Yea.”

There are so many reason to love “Phuc Yea” – let’s start with the obvious – its naughty name!

Everyone I talk to loves saying the name out loud — as if I’m lost on the double entendre or something? The cuisine, which is Vietnamese peppered with Cajun personality, is unique and like nothing I’ve ever tasted. The eatery, which is housed inside an old Art Deco hotel, is now re-purposed into one of Miami’s newest “see and be seen” hot spots. Wait, there’s more…

The airy lobby is adorned with a working raw/sushi bar and offers casual seating. The main dining room, which boasts a big bar at its center, is an interesting swirl of textured art and graffitied serial numbers (each having a sentimental meaning to its owners, Aniece Meinhold and Cesar Zapata) and the glowing Lantern Garden, which serves up specialty cocktails and snacks, has this really cool, laid-back party vibe.

If all those aforementioned reasons aren’t enough…

I started spotlight with two signature drinks: “Hip Hop Sour Sop” (made with Bacardi, soursop, thai basil and lime) & “Saigon Tea Bag” (with rum, dojo chai tea, bobba pearls, carrot and condensed milk). Both were big on presentation. I loved the sweet and sour taste of the soursop, but who can resist slurping up bubba pearls? Not me.

The “Green Papaya Salad” – which I fell in love with – was my first starter. What a breath of fresh air; clean and light (served with crispy shallots, dried shrimp, carrots and peanuts, served in a yummy Vietnamese dressing.) I also tried the “Summer Roll” (made with pork, shrimp, cucumber, herbage and wrapped in rice noodles.) My photographer, James, said the ingredients were perfectly paired. In fact, he barely let me have a bite. Smh.

The next two drinks I sipped on: “Luv Me Laung Time” (tasted like smokey pineapple) and “Vietnami Ani” named after owner, Aniece (was a mix of hibiscus and rose water.) Soon after, the “Spicy Beef Noodles” arrived. Hello, lover…

They were AMAZE and my favorite dish of the night, made with peppercorn-rubbed strip loin, clear noodles, mushroom, herbage and served in a ginger soy vinaigrette. Spicing dinner up (even more) was easy, after Cesar dropped off a taste of their special hot sauce called: “Hot As Phuc”.

Oh, sweet baby Jesus! I love me some hot sauce, but this made my toes curl and hair sprout on my knuckles! So, I did what any normal hot sauce lover would do — have more!

Luckily, the “Fish Curry”, which came in a big pot, distracted me. It was filled with all kinds of seafood surprises; besides the fish of the day, I loved the jumbo prawns they included and the curry was spot-on taste wise.

For dessert, the most decadent “Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding” (with condensed milk, topped with shaved coconut) was delivered to the table. It was EVERYTHING; layered with ooey-gooey goodness. What an amazing way to end dinner and yes, it was completely devoured.

Food legend has it that about six years ago, “Phuc Yea” was one of Miami’s first pop-up restaurants, but that’s ancient history; I’m more interested in the here and now. With that being said, this place is permanent and with its provocative food and intriguing setting, I’m sure it’ll be around for a long time to come and that’s why it’s one of my favorite things.

Happy Hour 5pm-7pm
Tuesday-Wednesday: Dinner 6pm-10pm
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Dinner 6pm-12am
Sunday Brunch: 11:30am-3:30pm & Dinner 6pm-9pm

Phuc Yea
7100 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, Florida 33138

Right in the heart of MIMO on the west side of Biscayne Boulevard. There’s a roomy parking lot in the back of the restaurant with a $5 valet in the evening.

www.phucyea.com
IG: @phucyea
FB: Phuc Yea
Twitter: @phucYEA

Delivery available: GRUBHUB, EAT24 or UberEats