Zest Miami by Chef Cindy Hutson - Downtown Miami Opening Review

Zest Miami by Chef Cindy Hutson – Downtown Miami Opening Review

Zest Miami, Chef Cindy Hutson’s newest “Cuisine of the Sun” dining concept, is located in Miami’s 55-storied Southeast Financial Center and, like her famous fine dining Caribbean restaurant, Ortanique on Miracle Mile, it features Hutson’s signature island flavors combined with Asian and South American cuisines.

To start off your meal at Zest, the Fresh Mango & Burrata Salad is my recommendation. The salad is composed of fresh heirloom tomatoes, arugula, and baby iceberg to complement the stars of the dish, the fresh mango and burrata. It’s dressed with both pepper vinaigrette and toasted chopped macadamia nuts before it is finished with a Sorrel Flower Glaze. The pepper vinaigrette and sorrel flower glaze elevate the depth of flavors in the salad and transform it into a savory appetizer. My favorite element of the salad though, was the Toasted Macadamia Nuts. It adds a buttery rich flavor to ANY dish and is an excellent addition to the salads flavor profile while at the same time delivering crunchy texture.

The Root Beer Braised Pork Belly comes with a side of Boniato Foam dressed with a Cherry Vanilla Demi, Caribbean Yam Crunch, and some micro greens to top off. Come on, root beer braised pork belly, you know this has to be good! As tasty as the pork belly was, I personally found the star of this dish to be the boniato foam with the vanilla demi. The prominence of the vanilla added a rather unique element to a starchy side dish that I’ve yet to encounter before my dinner at Zest. The texture from the Caribbean yam crunch was an excellent inclusion to counter the soft mellow texture of the boniato foam.

If there is one thing to order on this menu it is the Certified Angus Beef Short Rib Ravioli. The beef in the ravioli delivers a deep nostalgic short rib flavor and is enhanced by the Truffle Parmesan Foam that tops it off. Sautéed Mushrooms and a Short Rib Demi complete the composition of the dish. The depths of flavors in the short rib ravioli are absolutely delicious. I couldn’t get enough of the short rib ravioli, so trust my recommendation to make this your one must have dish at Zest!

No surprise, meat has a soft spot in my heart. The Certified Angus Beef Filet is another top rated dish at Zest. The Truffle Mashed Potatoes adds a homey feel good element to the dish and provides the perfect pairing for this delectable steak. Sautéed Asparagus and a Wild Mushroom Demi supplement the steak and mashed potatoes.

Jerk Chicken Fricassee Paparadelle doesn’t sound like your standard Italian seasoned pasta sauce paparadelle, and it’s not. This pasta includes Jerk Chicken Breast, Vine Ripe Tomatoes, and the show stopping aromatic spiced piquant brown stew sauce. If you’re looking to enjoy a safe pasta dish with an interesting flavor profile this is your go to!

I personally really enjoy passion fruit anything, so the tropical Passion Fruit Chimichurri sauce on the sliced Niman Ranch Pork Tomahawk Chop was a much welcomed pairing. The pork chop comes paired with hot crispy Yucca Cake which has a crisp exterior and creamy interior. The hint of fresh citrus squeezed on top of the yucca emerges immediately and is an excellent way to break through the heavy fried elements in the yucca cake. Sautéed escarole accompanies the tomahawk chop.

The Making Whoopie dessert is flashy and is an awesome concept. It is essentially a mini Red Velvet dessert made with two “slices” of red velvet cake and filled with white chocolate frosting.

The Gluten Free Brownie is an excellent addition to the menu. Not many restaurant offer gluten free desserts items so a nice touch to have this option. The gluten free chocolate brownie is topped with a caramel whipped cream.

The Guava Cheesecake pays homage to Cuban cuisine. The cheese cake is composed of a guava filling and is held by a saltine crust. If you care to indulge in a classic guava flavored cheesecake, you’re covered!

Meat lovers will find comfort at Zest where quality is of utmost importance. Rest assured, all of the beef on the menu is Certified Angus and their pork comes from Niman Ranch Pork.

Zest Miami is located on the lobby level of the Southeast Financial Center, at 200 South Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33131. For reservations or more information, visit: zestmiami.com