While some of Miami’s finest cuisine may be served in stuffy, uptight venues, there are inviting spots that serve even tastier fare. Fooq’s Miami is a warm and chill new restaurant that serves eclectic, tantalizing dishes that will have you plotting your return date. The spot is the brainchild of restaurateur David Foulquier (nicknamed Fooq) and Chef Nicole Votano, formerly of Crumb on Parchment.
Upon entering Fooq’s, either classic rock or Barry White radio tunes make you smile. David is a self proclaimed hard-core wine geek who spent 5 years cultivating the wine list. Definitely let him recommend you a glass bottle. The unique, Persian influenced menu utilizes entirely locally sourced ingredients. While the menu is limited (only about 13 apps and mains), the flavors are robust. There were two dishes, the meatballs and the bucatini, that might very well be the best renditions in all of Miami.
The Votano Meatballs are born from a recipe that has been passed down like a birthright from the Chef’s ancestors that are nothing short of phenomenal. These heavenly balls are comprised of ground brisket and berkshire pork, San Marzano tomato sauce, Parmigiano Reggiano, basil and served with garlic toast. They are dense, juicy and will make you purrrrrr. The Shedonist publicly proclaimed to my slight dismay that these are *hands down* the best balls in all of Miami!
Okay, these are *hands down* the best #meatballs in #Miami right now. Trussssst. Bring me a better set of balls. I dare you. #TastemadeMIA A photo posted by Daniella Veras (@daniellaveras) on
The second dish that made us drop our forks in amazement was the Bucatini Amatriciana – smoked pancetta, sweet onions, San Marzano tomatoes, garlic chips, sicilian chile flakes and Pecorino Romano. This euphoric pasta was perfectly cooked with an addicting sauce and texture that soothed our mouth like no other pasta dish in Miami. It was reminiscent of the pasta we last had in Italy, which is virtually impossible to achieve in the US.
Fooq’s serves unique, exceptional fare that will always have you coming back for another taste, time and time again.
[…] Fooqs Miami is a cozy farm-to-table restaurant with an eclectic Persian/Bohemian décor and a laid-back vibe in the Miami’s Arts & Entertainment District. Young, but experienced, restaurateur David Foulquier chose what appears to be an unlikely venue location between Downtown and the Wynwood Arts District. We also covered Fooqs dinner menu here. […]