While the bread and Hearts of Palm were amazing, the service was very disappointing (as was the Tuna!). My wife ordered the seared Big Eye Tuna Steak prepared “per the chef’s recommendation”, which the waiter explained was rare. When the entree arrived her tuna was presented and it was not only NOT rare, it was well done and there was no pink color to it whatsoever. The waiter clearly recognized this but did say anything until I inquired about it. He instantly apologized and asked if she wanted it remade, for which she said yes. About 10-15 min later, the chef came back with a new piece of tuna, by itself, on a small plate (which was not how the full entree was presented originally). I asked the chef if this was the full entree and he said “oh… did they take away the original plate with the mushrooms and the sauce”. It was obvious that this was the case as the table was completely empty in front of my wife. He said he would take care of it. 7 minutes later, the waiter brought a side cup of the sauce. 5 minutes after that, the waiter brought a side cup of mushrooms and that was it. By this time, the Tuna was cold and when she went to taste it, it was disappointingly dry and ended up not eating it. The waiter returned at the end of the dinner and saw that the Tuna was barely touched but did not say anything about it. I told him the issue and that it was dry, etc. He reluctantly said he would discuss it with the chef. Upon his return he simply handed my the bill folded in half and waited with the credit card reader to accept payment. Just before signing, I flipped open the receipt and thought I would have seen the Tuna removed from the bill… it was not. I asked the waiter about this and he said “I talked to the chef about this and he said he could not do anything about it”. Seriously? This is the first time that I have ever experienced something like this and left in disbelief. I never write negative reviews and typically just “vote with my dollars”, but in this case, I felt compelled to tell the story! Very...
Read morePerl by Chef IP: A Culinary Gem That Keeps Getting Better (and More Magical!)
It's been almost a year since I last sang Perl's praises, and let me tell you, this hidden gem in North Miami Beach continues to impress. My previous review focused on the phenomenal food, and that certainly hasn't changed. In fact, I'm pretty sure their chicken has achieved a permanent spot in my top 2 of all time – it's absolutely divine.
However, this visit, I want to highlight the exceptional staff at Perl. Juliana, Tony, and Chelsea absolutely blew us away with their service. They weren't just attentive and professional, they were genuinely warm and friendly, making our entire dining experience truly magical. Their recommendations were spot-on, and their enthusiasm for the food (and for making sure we had a wonderful evening) was infectious.
Sure, the Aventura and Esplanade areas are seeing a surge of new, "fancy" restaurants. But here's the thing: Perl doesn't need all the bells and whistles - which it ford have by the way. They focus on what truly matters – exceptional food, impeccable service, and creating a welcoming atmosphere where you feel like a valued guest, not just another customer.
In a world of fleeting trends, Perl by Chef IP stands out as a constant. It's a place you can rely on for a consistently delicious meal, served with genuine care and hospitality. If you're looking for a must-visit staple in South Florida that offers more than just a meal, Perl is the place to be. Don't miss out on this truly magical dining experience!
P.S. order...
Read moreI made a reservation for Saturday night to see what the vibe was about since I live nearby. You need a reservation. Per the host, they do not allow walk-ins. They require a CC to hold your reservation, and they do have a 24-hour cancellation policy. Inside is beautiful but small. The food rating is a 6 out of 10. Appetizer options are limited. We had Crispy Maitake Mushroom. It was surprisingly tasty. Entree: Prime New York Strip ehh nothing to write about. Side: Grilled Jumbo Asparagus-not jumbo more like the size of a newborn pinky, Potato Hashbrowns: Amazing.Japanese White Sweet Potato: Nothing to rave about.Dessert: G-d's Gift -Good. Drinks: I had a Lychee Martini, 2nd Drink The Perl- this drink was too strong for me so I asked our waiter if he could switch it out with another lychee since it was just sitting there, he said they don’t take drinks back, I wasn’t even asking for it to be removed off the bill just a different one. I didn't bother with it and just didn't drink it. If you dislike something, there’s nothing they can do for you. Inconclusion, was it worth all of the hype? No, was I happy went? Yes. Would I go again? No. I rather wait 2 hours for a table at Houston’s or 5 hours at Prime 112, where I know the food is good, and if I don’t like something, their staff within reason will find a solution to ensure their guest is happy. And again, this is just my opinion maybe I went on A...
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