EDGE, Steak & Bar @ The Four Seasons Hotel
A Zen waterfall greets you as you pull into Miami’s Four Seasons Hotel. It’s a welcoming touch … water soothes the body and the soul especially in a tropical destination like this. Past a massive female sculpture by Bottero that leads the way to the elevator that takes you to the lobby floor, it’s obvious you’re in the urban oasis of the Four Seasons. Another Bottero guides you through the pristine space hung with eye popping art to EDGE. I guess it does more or less occupy the corner of the floor and perhaps that explains the name but perhaps it’s more to do with the personality and the vibe. Essentially a sexy bar with an en suite restaurant, EDGE takes you to a precipice when it comes to the art of grilling food. The vibe here is slightly alternative and a curious departure from the standard. Could it be that the sultry, sizzling Miami heat has infused a little sex appeal into the hotel?
A bevy of clear pendant fixtures hang low over perfectly placed tables and cozy banquettes defining the space. It’s nice to see raw light when it’s dimmed to a level that stimulates the eye and here it’s used to great effect. Don’t even think about touching up your make-up or smoothing a hair in place. Nobody will notice, only when you lean over and kiss your dining partner which you’ll do soon enough in the romantic dining room At EDGE it’s as if you’re crashing a downtown New York City loft party so get comfortable and enjoy the bossa nova beats.
The non-traditional menu of top quality, interesting cuts of meat (many in smaller portions than usual in a steakhouse), indigenous seafood and locally sourced fruits and vegetables is simple, straightforward and even casual. Diagrammatically laid out in six sections, it encompasses shellfish and tartare, soups & salads and appetizers, signature dishes and selections from the infrared grill. It’s a dream menu that’s perfect for everyone. Executive Chef Aaron Brooks likes to spotlight seasonal ingredients by top local producers complemented by spices and peppers, and rosemary from the restaurant’s garden.
It’s a cinch to mix and match a variety of starters like a tremendous “Try Them All” Tartare with plantain chips, the 4 varieties of fish perfectly cured to incite curiosity for the next course. Add the Bar’s killer pisco sour and it’s a match made in heaven. Follow with Calamari a la Plancha, delicately grilled and sweetened in a lovely tomato sauce then don’t miss a steakhouse staple. There’s nothing like a perfect wedge of Iceberg, always a personal favorite, and here it’s crowned by Rogue Creamery Blue cheese and set off by a rolled prosciutto.
Steaks are sensational, the Creekstone Farm Beef charbroiled at 1800 degrees and treated to a signature “cutting edge rub.” Small cuts are easy on the wallet and the waistline. Try a 6 ounce Boston Cut Prime Strip with Chimichurri Sauce or a 7 ounce Butcher’s Cut Filet with Malbec Jus, the meat melting like butter in your mouth and the sauce right out of Argentina. Pair them with barbecue spiced sweet potato fries and at least 2 sides. If the sautéed artichokes don’t have you racing to call your mom, a delectable succotash of quinoa, fire roasted corn and tomatoes will.
That Zen ambience will definitely keep you lingering for dessert. Remember two words – cheesecake lollipops. They are to die for and the cotton candy send-off will take you back to your 6 year old birthday party. Chill with an ice wine, and then ask for the menu back so you can decide what you’ll try tomorrow night.
EDGE, Steak & Bar
The Four Seasons Hotel
1435 Brickell Avenue
Miami, Florida
305-381-3015
www.miami.fourseasons.com