A Bite to Eat at Tongue & Cheek

Pork Cheek Tamale

Tongue and Cheek has a very nice Miami Spice menu and they change it up weekly.  I’d been anxious to try this new South Beach restaurant since my friend Allison raved about it after opening day four months ago and continues to rave.

For starters, we had some excellent hand crafted cocktails.  A friend ordered the Cucomfortably Numb.  It didn’t sound all that great, a vodka libation with cuke and dill, so I ordered the Pink Grapefruit and Guava Lemonade, mixed with Russian Standard Vodka.   It was delicious but a bit sweet for my palate.  To my surprise, the Numb was an outstandingly perfect summer drink, and one I will order next time around.

Firsts

Complimentary Home Made Cheddar Biscuits –  crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.  Pork Cheek Tamale with Smoked Onion and Orange Marmalade – very tasty but a bit dry as tamale can be.  I only wished it had more of the smoked onion and marmalade that were wonderful accents.  Corn Chowdah’ with Chanterelle Mushrooms and Whiskey Aged Cheddar – velvety smooth, sweet and creamy – I could make a meal out of this alone.

Seconds

Julia Child’s Coq au Vin with Pommes Puree – apparently the chef cooked for Julia’s 80th birthday party so this was a tribute to her.  Cooked in red wine, it was fall of the bone devine.  Dry Aged Strip with Potato and Leek Gratin, Mustard Sabayon – I must admit that I rarely order steak when I go out.  But, in this case, I was swayed by the potato and leek gratin and mustard sabayon, both fulfilling my expectations.  This strip steak was by far the most tender of any that I have ever had and the mustard sabayon dressed it well.  As with many Spice menus, portions are a bit small.

Thirds

Peach Cobbler with Milk Crumbs and Caramel Bourbon Ice Cream – this was our favorite, the peaches tender yet not overcooked, nicely complimented by the equally sweet ice cream.    Chocolate Cake with Cocoa Marshmallow and Graham Cracker Ice Cream – a  lovely light and dry chocolate cake highlighted by the wonderful  ice cream accompaniment.

Service was outstanding.  Our waitress was extremely pleasant, helpful and in fine tune with the menu.  Great ambiance as well with a spacious bar, cool light fixtures and a casual crowd of  men in shorts and ladies in tight little dresses. We had the best seat in the house, the centrally located comfy cozy banquette , with a view of the windows facing the street.

Miami Spice runs through September.  The three course meal at Tongue and Cheek is $33 per person.  Valet parking is only $5.00.

Tongue and Cheek –  Featuring approachable, ingredient-driven, American fare with just the right amount of whimsy.    Reservations 305-705-2900    431 Washington Ave.  Miami Beach, FL  33139

If  you would like to read some of my other restaurant reviews, you can check them all out within my RESTAURANT category.  If you have ever been to this restaurant, please share with us your own experience by leaving a comment below.  I would love to know what you thought about it.