Lafayette Miami — Restaurant in Miami

9/21/24 update: the owner responded to my original review with the following:

"Response from the owner Hi Justin, We apologize that your recent experience did not meet your expectations. Please email us at reviews@mrhospitality.com to provide further details regarding the reservation and any additional feedback you may have pertaining to your experience. We will reach out to you to work to resolve any issues promptly. Thanks again, Lafayette Miami"

I emailed the above email and have received no response for the past 11 days. So to continue to be clear, not only did I receive abysmal service at the restaurant, but it appears the follow up review response from the management company was also empty (or just meant to make readers of my review think this situation was resolved—it wasn't), given I received zero response after emailing. I was actually enthusiastic about their review response (once again, I hate leaving bad reviews), only to be even further disappointed by the complete lack of follow-up.

Original review: I hate to leave bad reviews. I also hate to leave a restaurant starving and having not eaten with little to no time to find a replacement. I made a reservation at this new restaurant for 10:30 (wow! so nice they seat late) last week. Show up. There's some hubbub at the host stand; the host says she has to go upstairs to confirm the reservation. 5+ minutes go by while I'm standing around and eventually a nice waiter directs me to the bar. Eventually the hostess comes back and says the kitchen has "just closed." She didn't see the reservation because she doesn't have open table at the host stand—only seven rooms.

She offers us a drink at the bar, and to make a reservation for us for dinner for the following day. IT'S 10:45 AT NIGHT AND I HAVEN'T EATEN DINNER AND YOU'VE JUST TOLD ME YOU WON'T FEED ME I NEED TO FIND ANOTHER RESTAURANT.

Incredibly unprofessional. Incredibly embarrassing. Just really a mess of a situation. An easy solution is... gasp... Have the cook turn the grill back on. He came into his shift expecting potential reservations through mine; it's not like he had somewhere to be. I'd understand the situation if I was keeping people past close as a walk-in. Not the case here.

Beautiful location but I won't be returning and will be strongly recommending none of my friends dine here. Luckily, a new speakeasy a few blocks away was serving food late. I had a laugh with the mixologists there about how awful this situation was so the night wasn't...

We managed to snag a reservation for Valentine’s Day, and while the experience had its highlights, there were definitely some mishaps along the way.

First off, the tables are ridiculously close together—so much so that getting into our seats without bumping into someone else’s food was nearly impossible. We were practically dining with other couples, joking that we were having a group Valentine’s Day experience.

Our waiter was… odd. The interaction felt incredibly forced and unnatural. When I informed him that I was allergic to crustaceans, he responded with, “Oh, allergic to shellfish, got it.” I clarified that they’re not the same thing, and he just stared at me like I had three heads. How do you work in the food industry and not know the difference—especially when it comes to allergies? It honestly stressed me out for the rest of the meal.

We initially wanted to start with the beef carpaccio, but they were out—bummer. Instead, we ordered the octopus, steak tartare, and deviled eggs. The octopus was hands-down the best we’ve ever had—cooked perfectly, tender, and flavorful. The steak tartare was also really good, but the deviled eggs were bland and forgettable. Wouldn’t recommend them.

Before we could even finish our appetizers, our tomahawk steak arrived, and the staff literally took our plates out of our hands while we were still eating. Given that service had been pretty slow up until then, the sudden rush was both surprising and rude.

That said, the tomahawk steak itself was phenomenal. Cooked and seasoned to perfection, we had no complaints. The broccolini, however, was flavorless and unremarkable, but the creamed corn was absolutely to die for! It’s a must-order, trust me.

To finish, we tried their Ultimate Lava Cake, and honestly… I need to know who thought this was a good idea. It sounded strange on the menu, and it tasted even stranger. Just not good at all.

Overall, we might return because the steak was excellent, but we’re not in a rush. Our waiter could have done a much better job, but shoutout to the gentleman who was refilling our water and clearing plates—he was amazing. If I remembered his name, he would’ve gotten...

My recent dining experience at Lafayette Steak House in Miami was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm hospitality and an inviting ambiance. The atmosphere was further enhanced by the soothing live performances from a talented singer and a skilled pianist, creating an amazing vibe that set the tone for a memorable evening.

We started our meal with freshly baked bread that was delightfully warm and soft. The beef carpaccio was a standout appetizer, perfectly seasoned and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The tableside Caesar salad was both a visual and culinary delight, prepared with fresh ingredients and a rich, creamy dressing.

For the main course, we indulged in the prime Angus beef skirt steak and ribeye, both cooked to perfection. Each bite was flavorful and succulent, complemented beautifully by three different sauces that added a delightful variety to the meal.

Our drinks were expertly crafted by the talented bartender, Harry and Karla. Although I can’t recall the names of the two unique cocktails we enjoyed, I vividly remember their perfect balance of flavors. Additionally, the “What a Wonderful World” cocktail was a refreshing and delightful surprise.

The service was impeccable. Our server Jonas was attentive and knowledgeable, ensuring we had everything we needed. His assistant Tayler was outstanding, constantly on top of every detail, making sure our dining experience was seamless and enjoyable. Manager Paul also checked in with us during our meal, adding a personal touch to the exceptional service we received.

Overall, Lafayette Steak House offers not just a meal, but a complete dining experience. From the exquisite food and drinks to the outstanding service and live entertainment, it was an evening to remember. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a top-notch dining...