Avra Miami — Restaurant in Sunny Isles Beach

On a date with my bestie, this is without an ounce of doubt, the best choice for a Miami Spice date, and we mutually agreed on this. She trusts me with restaurant choices but I might’ve outdone myself with this one because it’s one for the books. Gorgeous lobby and bar area when you walk in, this is located at the Acqualina Resort and Residences in Sunny Isles area. It screams luxury and opulence and the crowd will show this even more because dress code here is “put on your best dress or suit” if you will.

We had to wait a few minutes for our table so bestie and I waited at the stunning bar area and ordered the Avra Old Fashioned and Mykonos Greece. She did enjoy her cocktail for it was, according to her, very sweet and refreshing but definitely packing a punch because she’s a lightweight when it comes to drinking and this cocktail had her feeling “woozy” and whatnot. My old fashioned, unfortunately, was not as good as most I’ve had although it was pretty strong. Maybe something was missing on the recipe but for $24 I’d have expected a perfectly mixed cocktail. After waiting a short 15 minutes for the table we were called to be seated and we were so fortunate to have Stella as our waitress because talk about the most cordial, warm and welcoming waitress I’ve interacted with this year. She was a breath of fresh air and made us feel like more than just patrons. Now let’s break down what we had for Miami Spice options, shall we? Actually before I get into that, they brought us bread and the option was this “to die for” hummus like no other hummus I’ve ever tasted, anywhere. I usually skip the bread and butter part but this hummus was forget licking good so please do indulge on this complimentary treat. Anyways, back to regular critiquing…

GRILLED OCTOPUS: for a $12 extra charge you get to taste one of the best octopus dishes in town. Sitting on onions, capers and bell peppers, this is one tender, flavorsome, perfectly cooked piece of jumbo octopus and that red wine vinaigrette sauce is the ideal side kick. My bestie was craving octopus and I told her this would most likely be, one of the best we’d both get to taste and after minutes of awe and noms enjoying this delicacy, we both agreed with just a nod.

GRILLED FAROE ISLAND SALMON: this was her main entree option, her being a salmon girl and all, cooked well done but just right. Imagine crispy on the outside but juicy and tender in the middle. A few tasty veggies in the side, this dish also had her quiet for a while which is good testimony to the flawless cooking that’s happening back there in the kitchen.

LOBSTER PASTA: this is not by any means, your ordinary pasta dish, this was “heavenly” to say the least. For a $23 add’l charge you get wallow in this decadent and uniquely executed dish. Presentation wise 10/10. Head of lobsta on one end and tail on the other, with superbly cooked “Al dente” linguini on a rich tomato sauce sitting in the center of the dish. Now the portion for this dish is unlike most restaurants where “skimping” is the usual. I almost didn’t finish the whole thing because of how much pasta was served. Maine lobster was fresh, tender and I didn’t have to dig deep to find pieces of meat, they were very generous with the protein as well. This is one of those dishes that will bring you back many times over.

STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE: yes one of the most decadent cheesecakes I’ve tried, the strawberry gelatin on the side made it perfect. Beautiful presentation, the dish looked like a tiny piece of art exhibit.

OLIVE OIL CAKE: like no other cake I’ve tried here or overseas, it is uniquely delicious and moist. I’d have to say the flavor that stands out more so than the olive oil is the lemon chantilly but together it translates into the absolute best duo.

Ambiance and vibes at this fine dining establishment are what you would expect and nothing less. Again, service both at the bar, host and waitstaff is top notch. My bestie and I left with full tummies and raving about our dining experience so needless to say, we are coming back….until...

Our recent visit to Avra was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, we were greeted with an ambiance that exuded elegance and sophistication, setting the stage for a memorable dining experience.

Avra is a visual delight, seamlessly blending modern design with classic Mediterranean touches. The chic decor, featuring warm lighting, elegant furnishings, and tasteful artwork, creates an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. The spacious layout allows for both intimate dining and larger gatherings, making it an ideal spot for any occasion.

The service at Avra is impeccable. From the moment we were seated, the attentive staff ensured our every need was met with a genuine smile. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu, providing excellent recommendations and accommodating our dietary preferences with ease. The seamless coordination between the kitchen and the front-of-house staff was evident in the prompt and flawless service we received.

The highlight of our evening was, without a doubt, the food. Avra offers a menu that is a celebration of fresh, high-quality ingredients, expertly prepared to highlight their natural flavors. We started with a selection of appetizers, including the tzatziki, hummus, and the house-made pita bread, which were all bursting with authentic Mediterranean flavors.

For the main course, we indulged in the whole grilled fish, a signature dish at Avra. The fish was cooked to perfection, with a crispy exterior and tender, succulent flesh that melted in our mouths. The accompanying lemon and herb dressing added a zesty brightness that enhanced the natural sweetness of the fish. Another standout dish was the lamb chops, which were perfectly seasoned and grilled to a juicy, tender finish.

The wine list at Avra is extensive, featuring a well-curated selection of Greek and international wines. Our server's recommendation of a crisp, white Assyrtiko paired beautifully with our seafood dishes, while a bold red Xinomavro complemented the lamb chops exquisitely.

No meal at Avra would be complete without sampling their decadent desserts. We opted for the baklava and the Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts. The baklava was a delightful balance of flaky pastry, sweet syrup, and crunchy nuts, while the Greek yogurt was creamy and rich, with the honey adding just the right amount of sweetness.

Avra provides an exceptional dining experience that goes beyond just a meal. The combination of a beautiful setting, outstanding service, and superb cuisine makes it a must-visit destination for anyone looking to enjoy a night of culinary excellence. We left Avra feeling satisfied and eager to return, already planning our next visit. Whether you're a local or a visitor to Miami, Avra is a place where you can indulge in the finest Mediterranean flavors in a truly...

Couldn’t wait to try the recently opened Avra in Sunny Isles. Having enjoyed a memorable meal at Avra Madison a few years ago, it was pretty exciting to have this latest version open within walking distance of our current home.

To get the simple and obvious out of the way — the place is stunningly beautiful, including its spacious and elegant patio on the ocean. Further, in a packed, sizable interior dining room, the noise level was entirely manageable. As a party of five, we were able to hear every word of our companions, speaking in completely normal tones.

The meal, on the other hand, was completely forgettable. While pricing was not what I would consider exorbitant (with one notable exception) it is certainly at a premium level — calling for an exceptional dining experience. This was certainly not the case. My wife had salmon which she described as perfectly fine, but not particularly above average. Priced in the low $40’s, it wouldn’t be far off other mid-tier to premium restaurants, so it likely was the most reasonable part of the group’s dinner. The other four of us ordered two, two pound Fagri’s from the fresh fish display. At $62 per pound, I was not at all surprised at the price, but I was surprised by what was produced. After being told by our waiter that the four pounds of fish would yield approximately 3.5 pounds filleted, each serving looked to be no more than seven to ten ounces. Far worse, my fish was dry, and was filleted so poorly that the presentation was unsightly, and most bites contained a bone, until I finally gave up three quarters of the way through. We also shared three family style sides. These were tasty, but served close to room temperature.

Finally, as I alluded to above, when you choose a place like Avra, you would expect to pay a premium for the overall dining experience. Had the food been more impressive, I would have thought they were in the ballpark of those expectations — with one exception I can’t help but mention. We also shared three deserts. At $15 each, these were also priced at a bit of a premium, but I have no quarrel paying for the artistry of a talented pastry chef. In fact, two of the three deserts completely rose to that standard. The third desert, however, consisted of a single scoop of ice cream. Also priced at $15, I consider this as rising to the level of an unacceptable insult to your guests!

In fairness to the restaurant, this visit was just one week after opening night and I’m hoping that much of what I described can be attributed to growing pains and will be improved upon in the near future. Having said that, we are in no...