Gourmet Christmas
Miami's top five high-end dinners out for the holidaysYou know the Christmas scene ahead: ugly ties, bad socks, lame egg nog, and dry ham.Step up Santa's big night by going all gourmet at these five elegant restaurants — and leave the chestnut roasting for next year.5. A Spicy X-Mas: Toro ToroAt Toro Toro in the Hotel InterContinental in downtown, the $50 family style Christmas dinner includes crispy pork belly, ground lamb anticucho skewers and braised short ribs. At the end comes tres leches or churros.100 Chopin Plaza, Downtown (305-372-4710).4. Frenchified: dbBistro ModerneAt dbBistro Moderne, Executive Chef Jason Pringle’s preparing smoked sturgeon terrine, foie gras chaud, black bass, and grain-crusted elk loin. Pastry Chef Jerome Maure will dish out the traditional French dessert, Buche de Noel. Three-course prix fixe menu is $70 per person or a la carte, with specials from $19-39.255 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Downtown (305-421-8800). 3. Midtown Style: Sugarcane Raw Bar and GrillChef Timon Baloo at Sugarcane Raw Bar and Grill in Midtown is slinging a menu with roasted suckling pig and pan-seared striped bass with watercress puree. Channel your inner 10-year-old with a gingerbread cookie and eggnog ice cream sandwich.3252 NE 1 Ave., Midtown (786-369-0353)2. Celebrate Like the Italians: ScarpettaItalian flavors are the rage at Scarpetta, where Chef Scott Conant’s menu on the 24th and 25th includes silky spiced butternut squash soup, rabbit raviolini with truffles and a holiday trifle dessert with apple cider gelato.Scarpetta at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach (305-674-4660).1. Surf and Turf: Devon Seafood + SteakFor $37-45 per person, the Devon Seafood + Steak three-course menu includes jumbo lump crab cakes, filet and Maine lobster. Save room for the chocolate lava cake or crème brulee.11715 Sherri Lane, Kendall (305-275-0226).
