https://www.blondesabroad.blog/restaurant-guide/located-at-the-bottom-of-a-nondescript-building%2C-it's-a-little-out-of-the-way%2C-however-part-of-that-adds-to-its-appeal%2C-you'll-feel-as-though-you've-stumbled-across-a-hidden-gem.-the-space-is-tastefully-appointed%2C-utilizing-dimensional-murals%2C-various-textures%2C-and-a-neutral-color-palette-feels-soothing-yet-elevated.--the-food-at-yaya-leaves-absolutely-nothing-to-be-desired.-beginning-with-the-cocktail-menu%2C-the-options-are-innovative%2C-and-they-even-have-a-low-or-no-alcohol-mocktail-section.-the-food-options-are-so-tantalizing-you-are-going-to-wish-you-had-two-stomachs.-besides-a-large-selection-of-fresh-seafood%2C-they-have-a-large-offering-of-mediterranean-style-mezze%2C-both-hot-and-cold-options.-stand-out-starters-were-the-flaming-saganaki%2C-crispy-eggplant-and-zucchini-with-muhammara%2C-and-the-arayes-burger--warm-pita-stuffed-with-beef-and-lamb-served-with-harissa-and-tahani-sauce%2C-delish!-the-seasonal-melon-salad%2C-with-cucumber%2C-feta%2C-mint%2C-pistachio-and-pomegranate-was-so-good%2C-i'd-drive-the-30-minutes-to-go-back-just-to-have-that.---for-entree%2C-the-swordfish-milanesa-served-with-beurre-blanc%2C-sunny-side-farm-egg-and-tri-colored-salad-is-a-must-have%2C-and-there-are-many-other-dishes-i'm-excited-to-go-back-to-try-again.--yaya-feels-casual%2C-but-the-service-and-quality-of-food-is-nothing-but.-we-were-so-well-looked-after-by-the-hostess%2C-our-server-and-the-manager%2C-it-really-felt-out-of-place-for-miami-(since-often-you-get-that-restaurant-snootiness.)-yaya's-location-on-the-bay-allows-for-boats-to-pull-up%2C-and-the-outdoor-terrace-is-the-perfect-place-for-lunch-or-an-early-dinner-after-a-day-of-boating!/yaya-coastal-cuisine/00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000003/located-on-the-bay-in-north-miami%2C-yaya-coastal-cuisine-is-certain-to-become-your-next-favorite-mediterranean-restaurant-in-miami.-from-the-people-that-brought-you-drunken-dragon%2C-foxhole%2C-and-casa-tiki%2C-yaya-coastal-cuisine-is-exactly-what-the-miami-restaurant-scene-was-missing./00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000003 2024-09-26 https://www.blondesabroad.blog/restaurant-guide/from-the-people-that-brought-us-%22call-me-gaby%22-gao-opened-without-much-fanfare-at-the-end-of-the-summer-of-2024.--as-i-live-in-south-of-fifth%2C-i-have-been-lucky-enough-to-patronize-gao-a-few-times%2C-and-i-can-say-with-all-confidence%2C-that-this-is-a-must-visit-restaurant.-the-dining-room-is-thoughtfully-designed-with-soft-tones-of-blue-and-feels-modern-and-sleek-with-an-asian-twist.---service-is-exemplary%2C-(likely-because-they-haven't-hit-season-yet)-but-the-staff-are-well-trained-and-well-versed-in-the-menu-items.-standout-dishes-are-the-traditional-crispy-spring-rolls%2C-served-with-lettuce-leaves-and-herbs-to-wrap-and-then-dip-in-the-zesty-dipping-sauce%2C-the-beef-salad-takes-me-back%2C-the-closest-dish-i've-had-to-an-authentic-thai-beef-salad-in-years.--the-green-curry-chicken%2C-served-with-bamboo%2C-bell-peppers%2C-straw-mushrooms%2C-kaffir-leaf%2C-seasoned-with-thai-basil%2C-coconut-milk%2C-and-lemon-grass-is-light-and-delicious%2C-and-the-steamed-seabass-served-with-julienne-of-ginger-and-scallions-sitting-in-the-lightest-of-soy-sauce-broth-is-mouth-wateringly-good.-for-starters%2C-be-sure-to-sample-the-dim-sum%2C-each-flavor-is-more-delicious-than-the-last.--gao-boasts-an-extensive-cocktail-menu%2C-and-you-simply-cannot-miss-the-%22jade-mist%22-a-delicate-concoction-of-cucumber-juice%2C-hendrix-gin%2C-and-elderflower%2C-which-pairs-nicely-with-most-of-the-delicate-asian-inspired-meal-items.-sit-outside-if-you-want-a-more-casual-vibe%2C-the-interior-dining-room-has-a-more-sophisticated-feel./gao/00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000002/located-in-the-prestigious-south-of-fifth-neighborhood%2C-gao-is-the-newest-restaurant-addition-to-the-area%2C-and-offers-modern-asian-cuisine%2C-with-a-vietnamese-twist-from-their-in-house-created-dishes-to-carefully-selected-dim-sum%2C-gao-will-be-your-one-way-ticket-to-asia./00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000002 2024-09-26 https://www.blondesabroad.blog/restaurant-guide/the-focus-is-on-pasta-and-natural-wines%2C-you've-heard-it-before%2C-nothing-new-to-see-here%2C-right%3F-wrong.-somehow-otto-e-pepe-manages-to-be-everything-miami-needed-right-now-while-at-its-surface-being-exactly-what-we-already-have-100-times-over.-there-was-a-time-in-miami%2C-that-you-couldn't-take-3-steps-without-walking-by-an-asian-fusion-restaurant%2C-today%2C-the-same-can-be-said-for-italian-restaurants.-the-market-is-pretty-saturated.-otto-e-pepe-manages-to-be-a-standout-among-the-miami-pasta-scene%2C-and-upon-walking-in-you-immediately-conclude-o%26p-is-exactly-the-type-of-dining-establishment-miami-has-been-craving.-upon-entry-to-the-establishment%2C-you-walk-through-an-enoteca-containing-wines-with-labels-from-france-and-spain%2C-karina-iglesias%2C-o%26p's-wine-expert-is-there-to-take-you-through-the-wines-should-you-need-it.---the-dining-room-and-pasta-bar-is-designed-with-a-natural-wood-and-warm-toned-aesthetic.-it-feels-a-little-ikea-esque%2C-(or-perhaps-the-designers-were-going-for-swedish-design%3F)-either-way%2C-it's-a-deviation-from-saladino-design-studios-typical-interior-style-which-typically-feels-a-little-more-opulent-and-layered-approach-to-design%2C-but-perhaps%2C-that-is-the-point---a-scaled-back-and-minimal-approach-to-the-interior-to-allow-the-dishes-to-shine%3F--the-first-thing-that-really-strikes-me%2C-is-how-many-children-are-in-the-restaurant.-propped-up-with-ipad's%2C-some-coloring-the-paper-place-settings%2C-children-are-dotted-all-throughout-the-restaurant.-their-parents%2C-enjoying-large-glasses-of-wine.-my-husband-and-i-are-the-only-couple-dining%2C-and-immediately-it-dawns-on-me-why-this-restaurant-is-likely-to-succeed-in-the-saturated-italian-market%2C-o%26p-is-a-restaurant-that-parents-can-come-and-enjoy-a-high-quality-meal%2C-with-a-menu-that-is-un-fussy-in-a-scaled-back-and-family-friendly-environment.-sure%2C-it-feels-adult-too--there's-the-pasta-bar-for-that%2C-where-the-mixologists-are-happy-to-prepare-a-cocktail-for-you-to-enjoy-while-you-watch-the-pasta-chefs-creating-the-dishes%2C-but-overwhelmingly-o%26p-feels-like-the-kind-of-place-you-can-bring-your-kids-and-have-a-date-at-the-same-time.--so%2C-to-the-food-itself%2C-the-pasta-is-all-handmade-in-house%2C-there-is-a-window-to-the-kitchen-where-you-can-observe-the-pasta-being-made.-the-pasta-is-then-transferred-to-the-pasta-bar%2C-where-the-chefs-prepare-the-sauces-and-accouterments-for-your-dish.-the-menu-itself-is-divided-into-4-parts%3A-red-sauce%2C-white-sauce%2C-more-pasta%2C-not-pasta.-there-are-only-a-handful-of-%22not-pasta%22-options%2C-one-of-them-being-a-salad-with-pistachio-and-avocado%2C-and-another-being-a-fried-egg%2C-potato-and-shaved-black-truffle.-both-delicious-but-i-wondered-why-there-weren't-more-%22not-pasta%22-options-on-the-menu.-for-our-main-dishes-we-had-the-cacio-e-pepe-and-the-calamarata-with-zucchine-and-shrimp.-my-husband-declared-that-the-cacio-e-pepe-here-is-better-than-the-one-at-forte-di-marmi%2C-and-i-have-to-agree.-we-recently-got-married-in-capri-this-year%2C-and-we-have-had-our-fair-share-of-zucchini-pasta-or-spaghetti-alla-nerrano%2C-and-the-dish-i-had-was-reminiscent-of-that.-the-pasta-is-light%2C-and-not-at-all-heavy%2C-and-the-serving-sizes-are-plentiful.-the-family-at-the-table-next-to-us-ordered-pretty-much-every-other-pasta-on-the-menu%2C-and-the-children-(ages-seven-and-nine)-were-enjoying-their-dishes-and-allowing-their-parents-enough-quiet-time-to-chat-with-us-at-the-next-table.--the-restaurant-started-to-fill-out-with-more-families%2C-and-couples-sat-at-the-bar.-i-made-a-mental-note-that-next-time%2C-my-husband-and-i-would-sit-at-the-bar-if-it-was-just-the-two-of-us%2C-and-if-we-were-in-a-group%2C-the-outdoor-dining-area-in-the-garden-patio-would-be-perfect.-it-wasn't-until-i-finished-my-meal-that-i-realized-why-there-aren't-more-%22not-pasta%22-options-on-the-menu...-typically%2C-when-you-go-to-an-italian-restaurant%2C-you-fill-up-on-appetizers-and-by-the-time-your-main-comes%2C-you're-not-in-the-mood-for-it--especially-if-it's-a-pasta-dish%2C-these-pastas-are-so-more-ish-that-you-absolutely-don't-want-to-have-filled-up-on-appetizers-before-the-main-dishes-arrive.---i-concluded-that-o%26p-have-thought-of-everything%2C-a-scaled-back%2C-family-friendly-establishment-with-a-simple-quality-focused-menu%2C-that-is-un-fussy-that-both-adults-and-kids-would-enjoy.-genius!-exactly-what-miami-needed%2C-all-our-friends-have-kids%2C-and-all-our-friend-love-to-eat-out%2C-and-miami-was-missing-this-dining-model.--if-you-want-the-whole-italian-restaurant-song-and-dance%2C-with-dim-lighting-and-tableside-truffle-shaving%2C-with-opulent-soft-furnishings-and-tassel-bound-curtains%2C-this-isn't-your-place.-if-you-want-intentional%2C-high-quality-in-a-community-feel%2C-no-frills-environment%2C-this-is-for-you.-miami-has-been-missing-this-type-of-dining%2C-it's-something-that-sydney-(where-i-just-came-from)-does-exceptionally-well.-i-look-forward-to-seeing-this-restaurant-become-not-only-a-fixture-on-locals-dining-cards%2C-but-perhaps-also-change-the-scene-in-miami-a-little-bit-to-not-only-cater-to-the-dark-and-moody-restaurants-were-growing-tired-of./otto-e-pepe/00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001/from-the-people-that-brought-us-1800-lucky%2C-otto-e-pepe-opened-september-12-in-miami's-wynwood-district.-featuring-a-21-seat-pasta-bar-where-you-can-watch-chefs-expertly-crafting-your-dish%2C-it's-the-restaurant-we-didn't-know-we-needed.../00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001 2024-10-24