Cvltvra in the ME Hotel

Dining in the lobby of a hotel or condo is becoming a thing in Miami...and I have no problem with that. Not when it's places like Cvltvra in the ME Miami Hotel in Downtown Miami. I'll admit, at first the name took me a while to figure out, just exactly how is it pronounced, but once I got a look at the place and tried the food, pronunciation became a non-issue.

I highly recommend starting off with a cocktail, perhaps the La Mula Brava or the La Gringa.

Once you've taken a few sips of either of those, proceed to order a few appetizers and trust me, you're going to want to try these.

Catching my attention immediately was the avocado hummus, I'd never tried avocado this way and it's a winner. Just as interesting and scrumptious are the delicate mini yuca arepas it's served with. The cotija cheese and pistachio that top the hummus add crunch and creaminess.

If Burrata's on the menu, I'm ordering it and just like the aforementioned hummus, this burrata isn't what you usually find on a menu. This ones served with orange segments, mint cream, coriander seeds and toasted almonds. I know right? I'd never seen anything like this before and I'm so glad to have discovered it.

Tacos I love and when they're on blue corn tortillas, even better. Filled with delicately battered tempura shrimp, papaya relish and topped with chipotle mayo and fresh cilantro, the flavors were popping. A little kick from the chipotle, brightness from the papaya and cilantro, oh cilantro, I can't get enough of you.

Another great entree option is the grilled octopus served atop braised beans, roasted tomato, curry and orangesauce and topped with pangrattato. The octopus is tender as can be and the combo of flavors it rests on are a uniquely delicious blend.

End your meal with the dulce de leche panacotta. Do I need to say more than dulce de leche? OK, then how about it's topped with caramelized popcorn and cocoa nibs. There, I'm sure that convinced you.

Next time you're in Downtown Miami for a Heat game, event at PAMM or the Frost Science, or for any other reason really, and you want to grab dinner, head to the lobby of the ME Miami Hotel and Cvltvra for an experience you'll want to have again and again.

Cvltvra in the ME Miami Hotel, 1100 Biscayne Blvd., Miami (305) 808-3507