Brasserie Azur Miami Brunch Review – Le Midi Comes to Midtown
Brasserie Azur Miami features rustic bistro style cuisine from the South of France, or le Midi, with an enticing selection of sophisticated cocktails perfect for a leisurely afternoon of brunching. Joining me on this Funday Sunday culinary journey is my bestie and my #dogwhobrunches.
Much like Aix-en Provence’s main street Cours Mirabeau, Miami’s Midtown neighborhood has wide tree-lined avenues with shops, outdoor cafés and restaurants -albeit there are recently built and alongside luxury condo buildings. Nevertheless, it’s easy to get into a Mediterranean frame of mind on Brasserie Azur Miami’s patio as the friendly European wait staff indulgences your palate.
Brasserie Azur Miami takes the philosophy that Brunch without Booze is Just a Sad Late Breakfast, -or, at least it is according to their cheeky bathroom artwork. We were quite agreeable to the idea, but resisted bottomless Mimoas or Prosecco for their Côte d’Azur-inspired Rosé Sangria.
Rosé wine and Orange-flavored Liqueur, Cointreau, is blended with fresh Raspberries, a splash of Pavan – an aromatic liqueur, popular in the South of France, made with Muscat Grape and a touch of Orange Blossom, and garnished with “slapped” Mint. It’s not your ordinary Sangria; and that alone makes it refreshing.
Oeufs Florentine –Baked Eggs over a sauce of fresh Spinach, Heavy Cream and Swiss Cheese. Happily, this brunch dish is surprisingly lighter than I expected. More importantly, it was Woodzy –approved.
While the warm toasted French Bread is not made in house, it is made from the Pastry Chef’s own well-honed recipe at the bakery of his previous employer. The basket of hearty slices served well to soak up the yummy Spinach and Cream Sauce under my egg dish.
My bestie opted for a fluffy Egg White Omelette with her choice of add-on fillings – including Truffle, Bacon, Ham, Chorizo, or Ratatouille as well as Parmesan, Cheddar or Swiss Cheese.
As it now was late afternoon, we also ordered lunch time selections, starting with Salad Niçoise. This classic dish arrived topped with lovely Sushi-quality Pan Seared Tuna, Haricot Verts (French Green Beans), sliced Hard-Boiled Eggs, sliced Potatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, and crisp Radishes. Along with Mixed Greens, it was lightly coated with zesty Lemon and Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette, and tossed with a bit of Anchovies. It’s another enjoyable light meal that translates perfectly to Miami weather.
Next, we shared a bowl of Moules Marinières (Sailor-style Mussels) served with side order of Frites (Skinny-cut Potato Fries). After cooking, the shells open up to reveal tender soft and slightly sweet Mussels with a wine-y flavor from its cooking broth, yet they taste still a little like the Ocean.
The shelled Mussels were simmered with Shallots, Garlic and White Wine. The sauce was finished with Crème Fraîche, and seasoned with fresh Parsley. I very much enjoyed sopping up the thin creamy sauce with bread, but its flavor could have been a bit richer with a tad more garlic for my taste.
You MUST save room for desserts created in-house by Brasserie Azur Miami’s Pastry Chef extraordinaire François Paille.
We couldn’t resist the Crème Brulée –Bailey’s Irish Cream, Vanilla and Egg Custard, with a torched Caramel Crust Top. Even more amazing was the Smoked Strawberries. Fresh Strawberries were Hickory smoked, then added to a Raspberry Coulis and plated with Basil Whipped Cream, Marzipan Crisp, and aged Balsamico Di Modena. It is a unique flavor combination of sweet and tangy that must be experienced.
So impressed, I had to meet the Pastry Chef, François Paille, who divulged his favorite dessert on the menu is his Paris-Brest. Named after a bicycle race, and shaped like a wheel, the French dessert consists of Pâte À Choux, or a ring of pastry puffs, filled with rich Vanilla Pastry Cream and crunchy Hazelnuts, then dusted with Powdered Sugar and Cocoa.
Naturally, despite the previous two sweets, I had to try one. Bravo, Chef Paille, your version of Paris-Brest is confection perfection, – from the crispy, yet delicate choux pastry to the sweet creamy filling combined with the mildly bitter nuts.
I will look forward for an excuse to return, especially for this dessert. Brasserie Azur it making that easy with a weekday Happy Hour, from 4pm-8pm, offering 50% off the cocktail list and free tapas.
Brasserie Azur Miami is located in Miami’s Midtown neighborhood at 3252 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL. For reservations or more information, visit: www.brasserieazur.com