Driftwood Room Miami – Rosé Brunch and Green Monkey Yoga
Celebrity Chef Alex Guarnaschelli and Driftwood Room Miami at Nautilus Hotel recently launched Rosé Brunch on Sundays. Plus, Nautilus and Green Monkey Yoga has teamed up to offer complimentary weekend yoga in the backyard for guests and locals.
It was my friend’s Birthday Weekend, so I invited her to join me to check out Driftwood Room Miami’s free flowing Whispering Angel Rosé brunch, featuring a special four course prix-fixe brunch menu prepared by Chef Alex Guarnaschelli and Chef de Cuisine Lucas Marino.
Chef Guarnaschelli is best known as a recurring judge on the popular prime-time series Chopped. In 2012, she bested nine rival chefs to win The Next Iron Chef: Redemption and joined the ranks of Kitchen Stadium Iron Chefs.
Prior to conceptualizing the menu for the Driftwood Room Miami, the celebrity chef opened The Darby, an old-style New York supper club with live music, raw bar and a menu focused on seafood and modern reinterpretations of iconic retro supper club dishes.
Chef Marino executes her combination of Southern French cuisine with a Miami palate, with updated classics dishes using locally-sourced ingredients.
The Nautilus Hotel was originally designed in the 1950’s by famed architect Morris Lapidus. Arriving at the modern, yet casual hotel in the afternoon, we missed the complimentary 10AM backyard yoga session, hosted by Green Monkey.
Nevertheless, we were quite relaxed as we walked past the sunken lobby bar lounge, to reach the European beach club-styled restaurant. Our comfy booth table was on the outdoor dining terrace, under uncovered shade and spinning fans, with electronic beats that created a chill Funday Sunday atmosphere.
As soon as we got cozy, a chilled glass of Caves D’Esclans Whispering Angel Cotes de Provence Rosé appeared, and was kept dutifully re-filled throughout out our lengthy stay. This exceptional Rosé sends a beautiful aroma of Strawberry, Raspberry, Lemon and a bit of spice to the nose. On the palate, the wine delivers Citrus, Strawberry, Watermelon and Raspberry flavors; just perfect for hot Miami summers.
Driftwood Room Miami’s brunch consists of Chef’s Buffet, Cavery Station, To Order Menu, and Dessert Buffet. I really appreciated the variety of lovely, healthy Mediterranean style market salads made available. Especially so as the buffet was positioned opposite the most spectacular assortment of confections I have ever seen.
The highlight as the Chefs Buffet was an outstanding Marinated Salad of unique Roasted Vegetables, such as Baby Yellow Pattypan Squash, slender Romanesco Zucchini and whole grilled Leeks.
At the Cavery Station, we couldn’t resist the juicy marinated and grilled Churrasco Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce served on the side or the Cuban-Style Lechon, or ( Roasted Suckling Pig) with grilled Mojo- marinated Onions served on the side.
Most Driftwood Room brunchers are satisfied by the bountiful dishes on the buffet –seared Salmon, Paealla, Chicken and Waffles, and such, they never reach the third course.
The To Order Menu offers Farm Fresh Egg Omelet options and two styles of Eggs Benedict, – Cuban with slow roasted Pork or Smoked Salmon. What caught our immediate attention was the True Loaf Bakery Monkey Bread French Toast served with Maple Syrup.
I am a big fan of the Sunset Harbour-located bakery’s gigantic Almond Croissant (also served at Panther Coffee Houses). True Loaf also supplies the wonderful Artisanal Breads we so overly enjoyed with the Honey and Pecan drenched Baked Brie from the buffet.
Laced with Chocolate and Cinnamon, the slice of sweet, flaky Pastry Bread was dipped in an egg batter with real Vanilla extract. After finishing the oven, the breakfast dish wss sprinkled with Maldon Sea Salt.
Drawn from England’s most saline river, the large, crunchy Maldon salt crystals alone have a mineral-y taste that recalls sea mist. In a sweet dish, it brings out other flavors, adds texture, and cuts the sweetness.
Finally, we attacked the dessert station that looked like it came from the Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory movie set. Besides, Croissants, Muffins, Cookies, Fruit or Chocolate Tartelettes to chose from, there are massive, beautiful cakes, -Red Velvet, Chocolate Dobos Torte, and, ironcially, Dulce de Leche Birthday Cake.
This very festive and colorful confection was layered with Dulce de Leche filling – a thick, creamy Caramel Sauce. The cake is also covered fluffy Frosting heavily sprinkled in Mini M&M’s and Candied Confetti, giving the cake a terrific sugary crunch with every bite. Just looking at this cake makes you giggle with joy like a kid, again.
The kind staff also presented the Birthday Girl with a dessert plate of Guava Cream-filled Sugar Donuts alongside a lit Birthday candle, Chocolate Medallions, and a Vanilla Bean Dipping Sauce.
Beyond the terraced brunch area lays the Nautilus Cabana Club. The perfect spot to request a day bed, and chill out, cool off, or keep the Funday Sunday party rolling.
The heated salt-water pool, equipped with an underwater sound system, is surrounded by a gorgeous teak deck and eight lavish cabanas – each including a dining table, minibar and entertainment system.
In addition to Nautilus Cabana Club’s food service, the pool bar serves cocktails and beer from 10AM – 2AM, that can be delivered poolside, in a private cabana or on the beach.
Birthday, withstanding, it was a fabulous way to spend a Sunday.
Driftwood Room Miami serves brunch every Sunday, 11:30AM– 4PM; $55 per person ++; add $25 for all-day Rosé. To reserve your yoga mat, please RSVP to: [email protected].
Driftwood Room Miami is located inside the Nautilus Hotel, at 1825 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For reservations, call: 305.503.5700 or email: [email protected]
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