Miami Spice 2015: Quality Meats Miami Beach

What a treat to be invited to a Miami Spice, food bloggers’ tasting at Quality Meats Miami Beach!  After attending several events there and already impressed with their bites, my hubby and I were super excited to have a sit down dining experience and we were not disappointed and you won’t be either!

As always, I stress it’s not just about the food but the service, ambience and decor, sometimes you forgive one or the other if the food is outstanding but seldom do I give top marks in all 4 areas but Quality Meats Miami Beach definitely made it!   I loved how they kept a lot of the Art Deco elements of the historic Bancroft Hotel and enhanced the space with superb fixtures and vignettes. I am a huge fan of good design and appreciated how they mixed vintage with new.

The minute you entered, you immediately realize it’s a first class restaurant.  All the wait staff are very well trained, they remind me of staff in upscale hotels and restaurants in Asia. Very accommodating, good manners and well spoken, nothing was too much in order to please you.
As an Asian, I may be biased but I think it has something to do with Craig Koketsu, chef and partner at Quality Meats.  Craig is Japanese though French trained. The Japanese are precise and meticulous in everything they do and I could see his attention to the smallest details when I met him when they first opened.

So, what about the food?  Executive chef, Patrick Rebholz, a cheery and friendly fellow opened Quality Meats Miami Beach and I must say his brilliant butchery skills and in-house cured meats were very impressive. Here’s how the Miami Spice tasting evening unfolded…
After the amuse bouche of watermelon, salt teaser with their famous bread, Chef sent out two Chacuterie lazy susan trays which were not even on our menu!  It’s always a pleasure to get together with fellow food bloggers and compare notes, that’s the amazing thing about food, we all have such different opinions.

Whether you’re a local or visiting Miami, give Quality Meats Miami Beach a try, I think you’ll be as impressed as I was. And do take the opportunity to try many restaurants participating in Miami Spice from August 1-Sept.30.  It’s a great way to get a 3 course meal at pricier restaurants you normally wouldn’t go to!
Check out what New Times and Miami Herald say about Quality Meats Miami Beach!  I’d love to hear about your experience(s) there.
Note:  this Miami Spice tasting was complimentary but doesn’t sway my opinion!
Quality Meats
1501 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 340-3333