In the past few years, the culinary scene in Coconut Grove has been receiving a major makeover. One could argue that it was based on necessity; not that there weren't a collection of great eats to be had, but it was past time for a new infusion. (I love Jaguar as much as the next person, but spacing out my ceviche spoon intake was becoming a calendering nighmare.) Since Miami itself has become a food destination with the rising popularity of area Food & Wine Festivals, a couple of new restaurants here and there don't receive as much fan fare as in other enclaves around South Florida. Perhaps we can change that mindset.
Located on Main Highway is Meraki Greek Restaurant. You may be thinking they'll serve up typical Americanized Greek food, (and yes they will have Gyro's), but get ready to expand your prowess into the Greek people's distinguished pallate. The best part of this is the owners are already seasoned (pun intended) veterans at operating a restaurant. You can visit their downtown Miami bistro at
142 SE 1st Avenue and experience their
menu prior to the Grove location opening. As Meraki describes it, "we strive to bring you the best and most authentic Greek cuisine at a setting that will inspire and transfer our guests to the place where we grew up with so many fond memories and great flavors. With our great selection of traditional appetizers, homemade gyro meat and daily and nightly specials there’s something for everyone to enjoy."
I recently was treated to a mezedes (appetizer) feast of gigantes plaki (white beans), shrimp saganaki, loukaniko, horiatiki salad, and more tatziki and pita I knew what to do with, (my husband figured it out as his philosophy is to let no tatzki go to waste). For dinner we all shared "psita" grill entries spanning from jumbo prawn, pork gyro and lamb kabobs. We kept our pallate clean with an excellent chilled white from their selection of Greek Wines & Beers, from the Award Winning Nico Lazaridi King of Hearts to the centuries old Santorini by Boutari. What I do know is that my whole30 diet was put on house arrest for this one evening and I was left with a yearning excitement to make my next Greek food adventure happen at Meraki Grove for their grand opening.
My Take Away
Restaurants in general are a tough business and the Grove's parking situation, (or lack thereof), has added another wrinkle in the way of making our cherished dining spots succeed and weather economic downturns. They do better when we make the time and effort to enjoy their specials and get to know the owners and managers. We have that ability as Code 33'ers. The more we encourage and help stabilize our restaurant population in the Coconut Grove enclave, the better the overall value of our downtown core and the better the value of your home and property. It is all a connected neural network. In conclusion, I hope to see you at a local eatery, (if its summer I'll be inside away from the door). Say hi, get to know those around you whether you are local or just visiting.
