First look: Nikki Coconut Grove
By Sara Liss
The goods: The Nikki Beach franchise, which has morphed from a St. Tropez-style outdoor lounge in South Beach to a global lifestyle brand complete with a glossy magazine, condo projects and locations from Miami to Marakesh opens their fourth Florida outpost in Coconut Grove. While the Nikki clubs are known more for their scene than cuisine, this mainland Polynesian-style hideaway is poised to be more of a dinner club where food is the focus. Nestled in the Grove's Sonesta Hotel, the restaurant recreates the signature look with custom-made furniture in natural Vietnamese woods, dim lighting, free-flowing white curtains and plush champagne beds and lounge chairs. The 3,000 square-foot space includes a spacious central bar and an outdoor garden where patrons can dine or sip cocktails in secluded beds.
The grub: Chef Tommy Nguyen (of Hollywood's Satine) presides over a menu that hopscotches around the globe including Asian, Italian and Japanese influences. Like other Nikki eateries, this one also features a sushi menu with selections like a lobster California roll made with mango, avocado and orange fennel sauce. Prices are in keeping with Nikki's jet-setter clientèle; appetizers start at $12 for an artichoke and spinach dip and mains range from a $22 roasted Bell and Evans half chicken to a $36 lamb porterhouse.
Start off with a tuna tartar appetizer served atop crunchy seaweed salad and lacy lotus chips. Meat lovers will go for the slow roasted "all day" Kobe-style short ribs accompanied by a port-balsamic barbecue sauce or the center-cut beef filet served with goat cheese butter. The halibut dish features an 8 ounce piece of fish with a wild mushroom crust and grilled heirloom tomatoes. A butterflied yellowtail snapper exhibits Asian touches like sauteed bok choy with soy and ginger.
Desserts like the dulce de leche beignets with soft whipped cream dare you to break your New Year's resolutions. Wash it down with a 2006 Renwood Orange Muscat ($45 for 375ml) from Nikki's dessert wine list.
The verdict: The addition of Nikki's A-list style venue will up the Grove's cool cachet. South Dade scenesters no longer need to brave the beach for a haute night spot.
Nikki Coconut Grove, 2889 Mcfarlane Rd., Coconut Grove; 305-476-3600
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This past Friday night (4-4-2008) I went with 6 girl friends to the newly opened Nikki Beach in Coconut Grove, located in the Sonesta Hotel.
We arrived at 8:30P.M. and were seated 5 minutes later. Our first waiter (yes we had more than one) came to the table about 15 minutes later to offer us a complimentary glass of champagne, white or red wine – supposedly standard for ladies who dine there Friday nights. Oh, and the specials were as followed, “Curry chicken over rice or pasta with some oil.” That was the exact description he gave us.
Another 20 minutes went by and finally the drinks arrived. At this point all menus were closed and we were ready to order, but where was our waiter?? Considering he was attending near by tables, he never once acknowledged our presence. There were several “excuse me sirs” and plenty of hand waving, but still nothing.
Full review...Posted by: PZuga001 on Tue, 2008-04-08 14:28