FOODIE DIARIES - The Deck at Island Gardens

AMBIENCE

Located right behind the Miami Children’s Museum, The Deck, part of the Island Gardens Yacht resort complex, provides a quintessential South Florida waterfront dining experience. You can arrive by land or sea, and can sit comfortably at The Deck’s full-size dining tables or waterfront cabana lounges. We were mesmerized by the huge, private, mega-yacht, boasting a 50-person crew, docked right in front of the restaurant. It provided the perfect setting. Imagine enjoying an outdoor meal on a balmy, winter evening, palm trees swaying in a slight breeze, as a rainbow hued Downtown Miami sparkles across the moonlit waters of Biscayne Bay. There were lots of flickering candles and torches all along the deck, including the private VIP seating areas along the water’s edge, complementing the lush, tropical atmosphere nestled under the gorgeous, cream-colored canopies. The spell had definitely been cast. We were just dying to find out what Mediterranean-inspired magic Chef Alfredo Alvarez had in store for us!

Appetizers

Wahoo Crudo

This delish combo of tangerine vinaigrette, fennel, tarragon, olive oil and pink pepper with red endive was the perfect kickstarter to our evening. Oh, did we also mention the avocado and coconut purée with sea salt? Mmm. It definitely did the job of whetting our appetites for more.

The Mezze Tray

This selection is served with The Deck’s signature puff bread, a puffed pita that’s to die for, and a selection of three Mezze to enjoy while sipping drinks. We ended up going with the Kabak Tzatziki, consisting of a fab zucchini, dill, strained yogurt dish, with garlic and walnuts. We also tried the Egg Plant salad, as well as the Artichoke Hummus, both of which were fun to eat and provided a nice mix!

Pasta E Risotto

Pear Ravioli

Okay. This one’s a no brainer. You’ve got pear and Gorgonzola cheese, finished with a black truffle cream sauce. Are you kidding me? Sweet and decadent. Somehow the sweetness of the pear balances perfectly with the thickness of the sauce and the earthiness of the truffles. Superb. Addictive. You can’t get enough. Yum!

Oven Baked

Chilean Sea Bass

Served on a skillet with potatoes and vegetables a la plancha, this thick cut of Chilean Sea Bass, crusted with Porcini mushrooms, really hit the proverbial spot! Flavorful and fresh, this dish definitely earned its place in our must-have-again spot the next time we hit The Deck.

Roasted Vegetables

This combo of Tri-Colored Peppers, asparagus, zucchini, and egg plant was really flavorful and satisfying.

Dessert

The Chocolate Kit-Kat

As our long time readers know, no matter how stuffed to the gills we are, we always manage to squeeze in dessert, especially if it’s as tasty and sinful as this selection. Who could say ‘no’ to a delightful chocolate cake with salted caramel? Add to that the divine crunch of a Kit-Kat bar and you get Oh My God levels of culinary ecstasy. Perfect way to cap off a night of gorgeous scenery and fantastic cuisine!

Our Final Mouthful

Promotions at The Deck include a weekday prix-fixe lunch menu for $25; Sunset Hour daily from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, where ladies receive a glass of complimentary Rosé and Rosé bottles are $50; a Friday Night Dinner Party series from 6:30 p.m. – 1 a.m., featuring global inspired cuisine, Sunday Brunch from 12 pm – 4 pm for $65, which includes a brunch buffet and a welcome Mimosa, as well as private sunset parties. So the next time you’re in the mood for a great “al fresco” dining experience, complete with breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay and Downtown Miami, make sure to check out The Deck for a memorable Mediterranean-flavored experience.

888 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL 33132

786.479.3443

www.islandgardens.com