Saturday night was the media, friends and family party at Yardbird Southern Table &Bar (Yardbird), the new home to Miami’s own celeb chef, Jeff McInnis. With200+ attendees this coming out party was beyond well attended and gauging the enthusiasm of the crowd I would say, equally as accepted as the new hot spot in town to sip sophisticated bourbon cocktails and nosh on southern fried goodness.
Yardbird defines itself as”.…a down-to-earthjoint that preaches the gospel of good food and good company.” If all they haveto do to be successful is live by that statement then they’ve succeeded, judging by Saturday night. The staff could not have been more accommodating andfriendly and well trained. Top Chef himself, Jeff McInnis was expediting the line and was as cool as a southern pickled cucumber. McInnis never missed abeat, garnishing plates, greeting friends, posing for pictures and serving plate after plate of his flavorful food.
When I first walked into the party Iwas served a cheddar cheese biscuit ham sandwich, the simple yet perfectlymelded flavors was an instant homerun hit for me. If there were no consequencesto pay for indulgence I would have eaten the entire tray, but I limited myself to one, and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I started to wonder wouldthere be more of this outstanding flavor-play to come as the night continuedon.
Theanticipation of the Yardbird opening has had many South Florida foodenthusiasts chomping at the bit for months and it did not disappoint. The generousand constant flow of food samplings such as the slow braised short rib, friedcatfish, foie gras with watermelon rind jam, deviled eggs, ham wrapped peaches, S’mores, moon-pies, and fresh baked cookies and cupcakes left the crowdspeechless for flavor adjectives. And what’s a food party without drink? The innovative Yardbird signature cocktailshad many guests sipping ‘til their hearts content. My personal drink favoriteof the night was the Pork Chop cocktail, a citrusy based bourbon drink with adash of Dijon mustard.
The flavor yetcalorie laden menu leaves no room for hesitancy, you’re either going all theway or don’t bother. Dieters and weight conscious people you’ve been forewarned.Yes there are salads and edamame (served with chili butter) on the menu, I don’t doubt they are as dynamically flavorful as the rest of the items on the menu butreally…you’re not going to order McInnis’ famous Llewellyn’s fried chicken orfried green tomatoes or take a bite out of those insanely wonderful buttermilk biscuits dripping with honey?? Well I’ll tell you,since I’ve embarked on the Insanity 60 day challenge, I just may eat my ownwords here….another visit to Yardbird in the next 60 days and I’ll be writing all about the salad life and edamame sans the chili butter at Yardbird.
Yardbird SouthernTable & Bar 16th Street & Lenox Avenue Miami Beach, Florida 33139305.538.5220
