Whether you’re a local or a tourist traveling for your birthday, finding the perfect spot for your birthday dinner is literally 80% of the battle. As I continue exploring the new places and spaces that make up this new Miami, I started to wonder: Where’s the best place to celebrate growing another year older here nowadays? Luckily, Miami Spice made finding the right choice easy and affordable.
The answer: Papi Steak. You’ll find it on 1st Street in Miami Beach, in a quiet pocket before you get to the chaos of South Beach. I drove around searching for parking; I noticed that nothing looked the same in this area either. As often as I used to tear down the strip on Ocean Drive, everything is new to me again.
As I walked up to the door, a gentleman greeted me and escorted me through the red velvet walls to the host stand. Let’s talk about the decor for a second. David Grutman and David “Papi” Einhorn shut the restaurant down for two months to completely renovate the inside, and baby, it is sexy in there.
The lighting is low and subtle, and the wallpaper is extremely vibrant, with a gold background and flowers in different shades of blue, red, and green. A three-layer chandelier circles the middle of the restaurant, reflecting beautifully off the red velvet booths. The makeover eats!
This high-energy steakhouse combines fine dining with celebration, so be prepared to party just as much as you eat because it’s a vibe. The DJ had the most fire mash-ups, mixing literally every genre and giving everyone something to enjoy.
Now let’s get into the real tea: the $65 three-course Miami Spice menu, available during dinner Sunday through Thursday.
Appetizers
For my appetizer, I chose the Hamachi Crudo with citrus ponzu, olive oil jam, and blood orange. 10/10, would highly recommend it. They sliced the fish thin, which was always a win for a new sushi lover like myself, and the blood orange helped take away any hint of fishiness. Perfection! If that’s not your style, you can also choose the Colossal Shrimp Cocktail or Little Gem Caesar. And if you’re feeling fancy, you can add the King Crab & Caviar for an additional $10.
Cocktails
Everyone knows I’m a Hennessy Sidecar queen, so I decided to put Papi’s bartender to the test, and they passed with flying colors. Two drinks in, and I called it a night. This is definitely a place where you can go for “a drink” and literally only need that one. For the wine girlies, you can also take advantage of the sommelier’s wine pairing selection for an additional $35.
Entree’s
I probably should have chosen a steak for my entree since it’s a steakhouse, but I tried the Maine Lobster Risotto instead. If I’m being honest, it was lacking in the seasoning department. However, a little salt and pepper woke it right up! I was afraid they might be a little stingy with the lobster, but they weren’t. I had a piece in every bite!
The other entree options include the Kosher Chicken Schnitzel and a 6oz Filet Mignon. You can also upgrade to their 10oz Dry Aged Creekstone Prime Ribeye for an additional $15.
Dessert
To finish off the experience, I had the sorbet trio. The flavors change daily, so ask your server what’s available, but I had mango, strawberry, and coconut, and it was unbelievably delicious. I’m not sure if they make it right inside the restaurant, but it tasted extremely fresh. If you aren’t a sorbet person, you can try the Crème Brûlée with cassis caviar or the Chocolate Hazelnut Profiteroles.
As I finished my dessert, the music stopped, and the 007 theme song dropped. I sat there wondering what was about to happen, and then Drake’s “Shabang” came on, followed by bottles and the staff doing their big one to wish someone a happy birthday. It was extremely cinematic and grabbed the entire restaurant’s attention. This is how I expect to be celebrated when my birthday comes around.
The Verdict
So, did Papi Steak just earn a spot on my birthday rotation?
Maybe.
Because after spending so much time away from Miami, I’m realizing that finding my way back isn’t just about rediscovering the places I used to know. It’s about finding the places that fit the woman I am now.
And Papi Steak?
It might just be one of them.
Sharmaine “Nuenuee” Johnson is a multimedia journalist covering pop culture, music, and wellness, with bylines in BET, REVOLT TV, Blavity, 21Ninety, Black Excellence Society, RapUp, and The Nuesstand. You can reach Sharmaine here.
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