It's A Taste Of The Town With Patriotic Flare At American Social
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - With Life Magazine's on the walls and snippets of Old Glory everywhere, the newly-opened American Social Restaurant and Bar, located just off Brickell Avenue, is all about the red, white and blue.
The Brickell location is the second for owner Ricky Mijares and his partners. The first is a hot spot on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.
"We got excited for an opportunity to grow. We said let's do another one and what better place than go to our roots. We said let's do it in Miami," Mijares told CBS4's Lisa Petrillo.
Watch Lisa Petrillo's video here.
Sitting pretty on the Miami River, the 9,000-square-foot bar and restaurant was the former space of Waxy O'Connor's. A lengthy renovation was required to have the look and feel the owners were going for.
"Our concept remains true with our Life Magazines on the wall. We brought in new fabrics, colors true red white and blues. We brought in custom furniture and a private dining room," Mijares said.
Executive Chef Chris Palmer, who worked with award-winning Chef Daniel Boulud, runs the kitchen.
"So now although Las Olas is the first restaurant and has a similar menu, we took the menu to a whole other level here and we're trying to take something we can create in Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Key West , Atlanta and take it around the country," said Mijares.
CBS4's Lisa Petrillo put the menu to the test, beginning with an oversized plate of chicken and waffles. The chicken is Belle and Evans large chicken breast and the waffles are made from scratch.
"Wait, I think there's even syrup on it. It's the ultimate chicken dish: a crunch, a sweet of the waffle, and cherries on top . Who can ask for more?" Petrillo said.
The Chef suggests one of the pour-your-own beers on tap. Petrillo said, "the Left Handed Stout hits the spot."
Next, the NY Strip Steak with English peas, corn, bacon and roasted fingerlings.
"The sear on the steak is perfect and the seasoning just blends…this is a steak that works," Petrillo said.
American Social is opened seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Brunch is served on the weekends.
For more info, visit their website.
