The Signature Restaurant at InterContinental Miami Hotel in Downtown Miami is a Must Visit
Warning: Flavor Explosion ahead!
You’re going to hear me say “flavor explosion” and “explosion of flavors” quite a bit in this recap of my favorite “Must Eat” dishes and “Must Drink”cocktails at Toro Toro Miami.
That’s what happens when you simply can’t think of any other superlatives to describe the madness of flavors going on in your mouth. When the taste buds take over and your brain shuts off, every bite renders you more and more into a monosyllabic Neanderthal. Then, you’re simply exclaiming “wow” and “oohs and aahs”, “fire” and “meat” intertwined with “what is this?” as you try to put your finger on that spice or type of pepper or “crunchy something something” in that bite. It’s a vibrant scene at the table. Much like Miami. Small plates and grilled rodizio-style meats get passed around, with forks and spoons acting as weapons of choice in a friendly fight for that last bite.
World acclaimed Chef / Restaurateur Richard Sandoval pays homage to Latin American hospitality, indigenous ingredients and unique flavors at Toro Toro Miami. One of 43 restaurants and counting in his portfolio.
You’ve been warned. Proceed with caution. Visit this sultry steakhouse only if you’re into ridiculously delicious food representing a fusion of cuisines and flavors from Latin America and the world. And if you’re one of those people who snub hotel restaurants, it’s time to re-think that approach. Toro Toro Miami is one of the many reasons foodies love The InterContinental Miami Hotel.
What You Must Drink at Toro Toro Miami
Let’s start with a cocktail or two. Head mixologist Matthew Phillips created fun Latin-inspired cocktails to enjoy pre-dinner at the bar or pair with the shareable plates in Toro Toro.
Aside from The Spindle, the impressive Italian travertine marble sculpture, the bar at Toro Toro is the lively centerpiece of the lobby of The InterContinental Miami. You can’t miss it.
The Henry Moore 18-ft, 70-ton marble sculpture made of travertine marble with a base of ooba tooba granite from Brazil, is appraised at over $20 million USD.
A DJ and live music plays in the evenings and during Sunday Brunch to create that club-like atmosphere Miami is known for.
Passion Fruit Pisco Sour
The classic Peruvian cocktail made with Capurro pisco, fresh lime, and egg whites gets a twist with passion fruit. Of course, you want to pair it with the Peruvian style Ceviche Nikkei.
Encierro
Old Fashioned fans will love the “Encierro”, I imagine named as a reference to the corral at the running of the bulls. This smoky cocktail has a “do it yourself” component. Although all the hard work of crafting the drink is done for you. You get to do the cool part of pouring the Woodford Reserve, Carpano Antica, walnut bitters and Luxardo Maraschino concoction into a smoke filled glass. Rim with fresh orange peel and sip. It’s like enjoying a campfire without the hassle of kindling the flames (or smelling like one!)
Smokey Toro
I continued the smokey vibe with the Smokey Toro, although in a much lighter refreshing way. Ford’s Gin, Solerno Blood Orange, and fresh lime, get the smokey note from Ancho Reyes Chili. And, the fresh cucumber slice adds the refreshing twist.
What You Must Eat at Toro Toro Miami
At Toro Toro you eat family style. The menu consists of shareable style plates, grilled meats and side dishes similar to what you may find at a Rodizio buffet. However, you don’t have to get up and fetch your food. And here’s another word of warning. YOU MUST SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT!
Ceviche Nikkei
“Nikkei” cuisine refers to the fusion of Peruvian ingredients prepared using Japanese techniques. In this colorful dish, ahi tuna, sweet potato and cucumber are tossed in yuzu sauce. Then, topped with crispy quinoa and pickled red onion with a touch of avocado cream.
I had the pleasure of assembling the dish during a chef demo in Table Forty, the private Chef’s Table in the kitchen. It was my favorite dish of the night but I may be a bit biased. Seriously, don’t skip it. If you like ahi tuna, you’ll love the Nikkei.
Tuna Arañitas
Another option for Ahi Tuna lovers! Nice cubes of tuna are tossed with guajillo pepper mojo sauce and served atop avocado puree and Puerto Rican plantain fritter called arañitas or little spiders. Be sure to order enough so everyone at the table gets one. Or you will have a fight on your hands. And no one wants to see that.
Hamachi Tiradito
“Tiradito” is ceviche’s thin sliced cousin. Think sashimi slices instead of cubes. The Hamachi (yellowtail) is “cooked” in citrus and habanero passion fruit aguachile. Dressed with sweet peppers, cilantro oil and chile frito. A light and refreshing dish that’s very Miami. An explosion of flavor! (wink)
Grilled Octopus
The grilled octopus is tender and perfectly charred, served atop a bright green cilantro sauce with a fried yuca pave (which is a fancy way of saying a rectangular shaped yuca stack) topped with Salsa Criolla.
Miyasaki Tartare
The description on the menu says “sweet chili / fried egg / shaved radishes” Ahem. You’ve skipped a few important details here Toro Toro Miami. Miyasaki Tartare is 100% Japanese wagyu beef. Perfectly seasoned and topped with a scotch style fried egg. The radishes are superfluous. You’re here for that unctuous egg yolk melding with the tender buttery beef. Explosion of flavor number 104, I lost count.
Prime Ribeye Anticucho
Beautiful chunks of ribeye marinated in kimchi topped with black garlic chimichurri. Again, I’m not sure how many times I can say “explosion of flavor!” but here it is.
Toro Toro Skewer
“A little of everything!” You get picanha, achiote chicken, Colorado lamb chop and Argentinean chorizo. It’s meant for those who can never pick just one thing off the menu, like me.
Chuleta Kan Kan
The Puerto Rican style giant grilled pork chop was sliced and served with arañitas, cilantro sauce, tomatillo kimchi, bibb lettuce, farroto con gandulez and chorizo. This was one dish that we weren’t quite sure what to do with when it arrived at the table. Mostly because the meat was separate from the lettuce and other accoutrements. Once we figured out to eat it like a lettuce wrap we went to town and ate it all!
Chipotle Miso Chilean Sea Bass
Here it comes. Wait for it. It was an explosion of flavor! Oh I die. The buttery Chilean Sea Bass brought layers and layers of flavors. The smoky chipotle and miso, the Dashi broth with braised lettuce, asparagus, and mushrooms. All of it! Dressed with a sweet soy sauce kabayaki glaze and topped with crispy lotus root like a wide brim Summer hat, shielding the gorgeous fish from the hungry stares around the table.
Truffle Fries
It almost seems like too much food. You don’t need fries dressed in truffle oil, sprinkled with Parmesan and rosemary when you have all this other amazing food around the table. Or do you? * Yes. You. Do! *
La Bomba!
I told you there would be an explosion! I warned you to save room for dessert. Are you still hungry?
We could barely fit another bite and then I heard ice cream was coming. If you know me, you know my love affair with ice cream is epic. It’s always a good time for ice cream sundaes! Especially one as gorgeous as this one.
The chef brought out plastic and covered our table like we were getting ready to throw down into a food fight. Yes, Toro Toro’s signature dessert “La Bomba” is interactive. and messy.
A hard chocolate shell filled with scoops of dulce de leche and strawberry ice cream, fresh berries, cream cheese mousse, and almond cookie crumbs, is dropped in unison on the table as you yell “Uno, Dos, Tres, Bomba!”
The chocolate cracks open making a delicious mess. Spoons come out like swords and the food fight begins! But wait… you must let the chef drizzle caramel, vanilla and berry sauces all over it. Explosion of flavors 3,000! It was a childhood dream to play with ice cream at the dinner table.
I hope I made you drool. I hope you didn’t mind me saying “flavor explosion” a million times. It’s one of the reasons I love Pan-Latin cuisine. All those flavors are like a party in your mouth. And Chef Richard Sandoval with InterContinental Miami Executive Chef Jhonnatan Contreras and his team do a fine job of bringing all those flavors together and letting them fight it out in your mouth. Miami is a party and Tapa Toro makes it a delicious one indeed.
Make It An Epic Foodie Weekend!
After this epic meal you may need to lay down. But, there’s much more to explore, eat and drink at The InterContinental Miami Hotel and around Downtown Miami.
For starters, you must also check out Toro Toro Miami Sunday Brunch! An epic spread of all you can eat Latin specialties including a bottomless Bloody Mary, Mimosa and Micheladas bar, carved meats, breakfast specialties, raw bar, salads and desserts for only $55 per person! It’s the best deal in town.
Do as I did. Stay a few days and make it an Epic Foodie Weekend. Read all about it including my recommendations for an action packed 3 day getaway itinerary with all the Must Eat, Must Drink, Must See and Must Do in Downtown Miami.
Toro Toro Miami participates in Miami Spice Month
Toro Toro Miami is one of over a hundred restaurants participating in the popular Miami Spice promotion showcasing Greater Miami’s best restaurants during the months of August and September. Three-course prix-fixe meals are reasonably priced at $23 for lunch/brunch and $39 for dinner. It’s an eating bonanza!
I hope you’re inspired to spend a delicious evening at Toro Toro Miami and The InterContinental Miami Hotel. Go #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip a time!
Please share your experience and tag your photos @GoEpicurista #GoEpicMiami so I can live the Miami fun all over again with you.
And of course there were plenty of items on the menu I didn’t try so if you think I need to add any other Must Drink cocktails or Must Eat dish to this list, please share in the comments section.
Sharing is caring! Share this post with your friends and let them know you’re ready for a food fight and lots of flavor explosions at Toro Toro Miami! For more information on Toro Toro Miami visit their website and InterContinental Miami Hotel.
Cheers!
Go Epicurista
Disclosure: I was a hosted media guest for this event for promotional purposes. I am under no obligation to share this post. As always, all opinions are my own. I only share with you products and experiences I love to inspire you to get together with family and friends (virtually for now), celebrate life and go #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time! You can read more about my guidelines in my disclosure policy. Cheers!
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