Taste Of The Town's Drunken Dragon Brings Korean BBQ To SOBE
MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) - Welcome to Drunken Dragon—the newest hottest and tastiest Korean barbecue pub ever to hit Alton Road on South Beach.
Friends and business partners Jarred Grant and Navin Chatani opened their Asian inspired affordable eatery in mid-June. Even without advertising or signage out front, they're restaurant is packed almost every night.
"So far it's really grown organically through word of mouth and social media," said Jarred Grant. "If you look at #drunkendragon on Instagram, it's incredible what social media can do for a business."
As for the look of the place, all of the furniture is custom-made.
"The overall design is "Izakaya" from Japanese bondage, that where you will see the bondage rope pictures on the wall. So there's a sexy, seductive side to it," said Jarred.
A 300-pound slab of reclaimed Douglas fir from Oregon hangs over the bar.
Cocktails are a big part of the menu—and the name—at Drunken Dragon.
Gui prepares a signature drink called "Voodoo Lady" which consists of fresh lime, grapefruit juice, tequila, cinnamon syrup and something called ylang ylang extract.
"A friend of ours makes it from a wild flower that he collects by nightfall," said Gui.
"It's not a hallucinogen is it?" asked CBS4's Lisa Petrillo, who was about to sample it.
"No, it's completely safe. It's FDA approved!" laughed Gui.
"You drink this and cast some spells," said Petrillo after tasting the cocktail.
Back in the kitchen, Chef Xavier is preparing duck comfit and cracked spare ribs, while the owners talk food flavors.
"It's Korean barbecue but has other Asian ethnicities as well," said Navin. "East Asian flavors, flavors from Taiwan, Vietnam, very flavorful and very balanced."
Lisa Petrillo's first food tastes at the restaurant are the Chef's cracked spare ribs--St Louis style.
"The rib falls off the bone, then with sauce, it's a dessert flavor on top of spare ribs" said Petrillo.
Next up, is Peking Bau. It's expertly marinated duck comfit inside steamed Taiwanese buns.
"A perfect crunchy sandwich" said Petrillo. "The chicken skin gives it crunch and then that duck is so sweet with hoisin sauce."
And finally guests can do the grilling at the communal tables. Lisa cooked up short rib—one minute per side.
"I cooked the meat perfectly," joked Petrillo. "It's delicious. The meat is so tender, it's a melt in your mouth piece of short rib."
Drunken Dragon is opened seven days a week for dinner only.
For more information, visit the restaurant's page at www.drunkendragon.com.
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