Amado Market — Restaurant in Wilton Manors

I had the distinct pleasure of trying out Amado Market in Wilton Manors (2410 Wilton Drive) for lunch today. First impressions, the place is very welcoming inside, giving off relaxing wine bar vibes. The market is dog friendly and their adorable pup was relaxing in their bed by the door waiting to meet new friends. There are a handful of tables inside, a few 2 tops, a round 4 top, and a lounge area with a sofa. Juliana behind the counter greeted me and provided stellar service with a smile. While it appears to be a counter service restaurant, she was happy to bring my order items to the table, she opened my split of Rose Prosecco and poured it into a bubbly glass, and also brought an ice water carafe and glass on request. Chef Nicholas was running the back of house preparing for the day, as they had just opened a few minutes before I walked in. The menu features their famous Empanadas front and center, and after tasting just 3 of their dozen plus flavors, I can see why people come here just for them! They also offer salads, tapas and boards, sandwiches, and wraps, and even a section of main dishes featuring beef or chicken Milanese that I must return to try another time. They have a wine selection available, as well as Marky's caviar with all the proper accoutrements. As for those famous Empanadas, at Juliana's recommendation, I tried 3 of their most popular flavors (for $15.50). First up was the Flank Beef & Provolone - OMG this was amazing! The meat was so tender and the creamy melted provolone created a smooth texture that was perfectly balanced by the crispy but not hard outer crust. Absolutely recommend this one. Second was the Criolla Amado Steak, given it's namesake and first in line position in their display, it's no surprise that this one was a winner. It tasted like a traditional Argentinian steak empanada, made by hand, and executed flawlessly. Juliana offered me a little dish of their house chimichuri to complement it, and while it wasn't needed, it added yet another layer of complexity to the flavor profile. Last up, I tried the Bacon, Plum, & Mozzarella. My first bite in, I inadvertently moaned loud enough to get the attention of a table of ladies enjoying some coffee in the lounge area, and they asked about what I was having. Naturally I obliged. I have to admit, I didn't expect this one to be as uniquely delicious and satisfying as it turned out to be. The combination of salty and sweet made this item the star of the show. Definitely more of a dessert item, so plan it at the end of your sampling "flight" in my humble opinion. After a few sips of my prosecco to cleanse my palate, I moved on to my main dish, a Prosciutto Burata salad ($18) with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzled balsamic glaze. It was seasoned perfectly, had just enough "dressing," and was lacking nothing. My only complaint, if you can even call it that, was that as a Napoletano, I prefer my Prosciutto di Parma sliced very thin, and theirs was sliced slightly thicker, similar to an Iberico ham. But it was still tender and I absolutely enjoyed every bite. I finished off my dining experience with a Cortado (espresso with milk foam) and it was a perfect conclusion to a very good meal. Bottom line, I will certainly be back, and I suggest you come...

I recently visited this restaurant on my daughter's recommendation, and I must say, it was an amazing experience! From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly attentive and made sure we felt welcomed and well taken care of. I ordered the parmigiana, and it was simply outstanding—perfectly crusty on the outside while remaining soft and tender inside. Every bite was a delight, full of rich flavors that showcased the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the kitchen.

Beyond the great food and service, the pricing was also very fair, making the entire experience even more enjoyable. If you're looking for an authentic and well-priced Argentinian meal with excellent service, this place is definitely worth a visit!

Would highly recommend and will...

Unfortunately, after a couple visits, I cannot get the neighborhood friendly vibe. Empanada’s, so, so…creepy man owner/manager sat in the corner the whole time I ate my one out of the box of empanada’s…as I wound down from a long day. It was quite pleasant until they chased me to my car yelling at me for not paying for my glass of wine that I had ordered at the register & thought I had paid for. Yes, it was funny to the people that were outside, me hearing them saying “how embarrassing”. Was just not what I needed to hear after trying to relax from it all. Just seemed so over the top ,where a man & a woman had to chase me down & as I write this its very comical & silly. I wont be wasting...