Boia De — Restaurant in Miami

Boia de is an exceptional Michelin-star restaurant that truly exceeded my expectations.

The culinary journey began with their exquisite beef tartare, which was a symphony of flavors and textures. The dish showcased the perfect balance of tender beef, tangy sauces, and crispy accompaniments. It was a delightful start to the evening.

Next, the potato skins with caviar took my taste buds to new heights. The combination of potatoes, briny caviar, and delicate garnishes was simply divine. Each bite was an explosion of indulgence and sophistication.

The lamb ribs fra diavolo were a true revelation. The succulent meat was infused with a fiery kick that left a lingering, delightful heat on the palate.

The tagliolini nero featuring king crab, vin jaune, truffle, and herbs is a remarkable culinary creation. This cold dish takes pasta to a whole new level of elegance and sophistication.

The jet-black tagliolini nero, made with squid ink, serves as a stunning backdrop for the other ingredients. The king crab, delicate and sweet, adds a luscious and indulgent element to the dish. Its tender meat perfectly complements the pasta, creating a harmonious combination of flavors. The addition of vin jaune, a French white wine known for its nutty and savory notes, adds a unique depth of flavor to the dish. Its subtle tanginess and complexity enhance the overall taste profile, bringing a delightful balance to each bite. The truffle’s distinct fragrance permeates the tagliolini nero, creating a sensory experience that elevates the entire dining experience. The inclusion of fresh herbs adds a burst of freshness and vibrancy to the dish. The herbs provide a delightful contrast to the richness of the crab, vin jaune, and truffle, adding a light and herbaceous note that completes the ensemble of flavors.

The passion project cocktail was a refreshing and innovative concoction. Its unique blend of flavors danced on my palate, showcasing the bartender's creativity and skill. It was the perfect accompaniment to the exquisite flavors of the meal.

For dessert, the crispy tiramisu was a modern twist on a classic favorite. It was a sweet finale that left me longing for another bite. To complete the evening, I savored a perfectly crafted cappuccino.

One aspect that stood out throughout the evening was the impeccable service. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about their craft. Their recommendations and attention to detail added an extra layer of satisfaction to the overall dining experience.

However, it is worth noting that securing a reservation at Boia de can be a challenge. The restaurant is always busy, and it is highly recommended to reserve a table 2-3 weeks in advance. But the effort is...

Good day my fellow foodies,

Let me start off by saying that this establishment has good food. Good food that I would expect any restaurant to produce. That being said, the rest of my review is a little more critical because Boia De have been awarded a Michelin star. So please take my review with that context in mind.

Given that this restaurant has a Michelin star, the service from our waitress was incredibly rude, rushed, not patient, and filled with snide remarks. It was my observation that this was an individual issue and not with the entire service staff, as I was sitting at the bar and the service from those other individuals was observed to be very good. What I take issue with is that if this is a Michelin star restaurant, the team should address this immediately because I cannot fathom that the entire service team has not observed the same behavior and not resolved it.

To the food. The food was good but nothing more than I would expect from a regular restaurant. Non-memorable might be another way to describe it. The dishes were under seasoned in some cases, bland, and there were no memorable dishes. It lacked delicate subtlety, lacked explosions of flavor and sent, and didn't take me somewhere new. Why did I even mention the word "new"? Because specifically one of the team mentioned that Boia De does Italian in new and exotic way. That is not the case. I expect a lot more from a Michelin star restaurant and this restaurant just didn't do it.

To be brutally honest, the fact that they have a Michelin star has lowered my view of Michelin stars in general. I understand it is not the only thing to look for, for instance, I prefer to look for up and coming chefs through the James Beard awards in some cases and just great food. But I do expect that if the establishment has a Michelin star that they live up to that expectation.

For myself, I have tried and would not return again. Do not let my personal decision make the decision for you.

I will finish off by saying this is a good restaurant to visit, the food is good, the service is okay, but it is in no way a Michelin star restaurant. Go and have fun and eat the world.

I wish the best to the Boia De team in achieving their vision. Be well.

PS the beer in my picture was unique and worth trying. It is akin to a Belgian wheat but made with grapes, finishes off rolling on the roof...

I ate at Boia De the first night it was open to the public, and went back again the next night because it was so satisfying. The New American food focuses on Italian, ingredient-driven cuisine, accompanied by the best natural wines list I've seen in Miami. The vibe is hip but accessible, and the staff is super nice and welcoming.

(QUICK SIDE NOTE: There are a couple very odd reviews about this restaurant being rude or otherwise unwelcoming, which couldn't be further from the truth. Those reviewers are either reviewing the wrong place, or vindictive about getting turned away for not having a reservation. Make sure you make a reservation!)

The food is outstanding. You can taste the chefs' background in the light-hearted but exquisite dishes, a combination of fine dining (NoMad, Carbone, Eleven Madison Park in NY) and hipness (Animal and Son of a Gun in LA). House-made pasta, like the pappardelle with rabbit ragu and the tortellini en brodo, are as satisfying as they are refined/classic, and are sure to become standby favorites for regulars. Some fun and delicious starters include the crispy fried polenta and bone marrow. Seafood fans will love the baked clams with nduja and pretty much anyone will remember the fried potato skins, dappled with caviar, for the rest of their lives.

Boia De is tucked away in a Buena Vista strip mall between a Bravo Supermarket and coin laundry. Look for the neon exclamation point. The location reminds one of Petit Trois in LA - a gem hidden in a parking lot behind a gas station. Boia De's interior is eclectic and warm but minimalist, like the Art Deco of Miami refracted through a Scandinavian design studio. The service and bartenders are all super knowledgeable and professional, but also friendly and welcoming.

Boia De is a destination worth the trip for those from out of town (or across the bay), and an easy place to feel at home for those in the neighborhood, whether on a date or hosting friends or associates from out of town. I'm excited to see where they take it - and can't...