'A Fish Called Avalon' Iconic Art Deco Renovation And Award Winning Seafood Spearheading The Revitalization Of Ocean Drive

South Beach classic award winning seafood hotspot A Fish Called Avalon has revealed its recent renovation at the iconic art deco Avalon Hotel, primed to spearhead the revitalization of Ocean Drive. A Fish Called Avalon first opened in 1989 in the glory days of Ocean Drive’s Art Deco District, becoming one of the most identifiable properties on the strip, and after thirty-three years in operation has become an icon on the beach. Today the restaurant offers diners fresh seafood in an upscale setting with live music to enhance the classic Ocean Drive dining experience.

The restaurant is located in the iconic deco Avalon Hotel which opened in 1941 and has served as a backdrop for many cultural happenings, including a shoot of the renowned Scarface, Miami Vice and a location in the Grand Theft Auto Vice City video game. It is also home to a yellow and white 1955 Oldsmobile, which is one of the most photographed cars in America that is parked besides A Fish Called Avalon’s lively outdoor dining patio. Throughout the years, the restaurant has been consistently frequented by celebrities like Harrison Ford, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, and Guy Ritchie.

A Fish Called Avalon offers diners a robust, award winning seafood focused menu. The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Kal Abdalla, who joined the team in 2010 and previously helmed the kitchen at Miami’s The Forge Restaurant from 1984 to 2004. He has been voted among the “Best Chefs America” each of the last three years by his peers in the culinary industry. His cuisine is artistically plated and brings many surprises, using culinary techniques and ingredients informed by his travels throughout France, Argentina, Morocco and Japan.

Chef Kal’s seafood-centric menu begins with Appetizers including Jumbo Scallops, pan roasted and served with charred leeks over asparagus coulis; Big Eye Tuna Tartare, a twist on the classic dish, the tuna is seasoned with kimchee, orange, jalapeno, cilantro, sesame oil, and tamari, wrapped in a cucumber ribbon; and Grilled Spanish Octopus, octopus steamed then grilled, served over a Madeira squid ink reduction with a fennel salad and watercress vinaigrette.

Soups and Salads include Avalon Chopped Salad, romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red cabbage garbanzo, crumbled Gorgonzola, and fresh herbs dressed with white balsamic vinaigrette; and Beet and Apple Salad, assorted greens, roasted beets, julienned apple, and apple cider maple vinaigrette.

For the main courses, seafood signatures are highlighted by Macadamia-Crusted Snapper, served with spinach risotto and raspberry Beaujolais beurre blanc; Crab & Herb Crusted Black Grouper, served with gigante beans, wilted spinach, and citrus beurre blanc; and Orzo Seafood Paella, Maine lobster, shrimp, sea scallops, mussels, clams, and calamari with saffron and baby spinach in a roasted tomato broth substituting rice for Orzo.

Meat and Poultry dishes include Free Range Citrus Chicken served with truffled sweet potato mash, Asian-style haricots verts, and Gorgonzola beurre blanc; a 16-ounce Ribeye served with three-mustard horseradish sauce, and an 8-ounce center cut Filet Mignon, served with spiced rapini, leek potato mash, and shiitake Madeira sauce.

The Vegetarian options are pastas including Capellini with tomato, basil, olive oil, garlic, fresh mozzarella, and balsamic drizzle; and Porcini Fettucine, exotic wild mushrooms, heirloom tomato, wilted spinach, and roasted garlic.

Desserts are headlined by Key Lime Pie Pecan Crust with fresh whipped cream that took first place at the 2019 National Pie Championship, and also include Chef Kal’s Cheesecake with mango, raspberry, and blackberry purees; as well as a daily selection of Gelato served with pistachio maple syrup tuile.

The global Wine Program curated by Patrick Duxbury and General Manager Giorgio Riccobono features selections by the glass and by the bottle from traditional wine producing regions, as well areas less known for their wines like Austria, Macedonia, and Lebanon.

The Instagramable Cocktail Program is composed of beverages that add a South Beach twist to classic cocktails like Maracuya, a tropical twist on a Martini made with Three Olives orange-infused vodka, dry curaçao, fresh passion fruit and pineapple juices; the Havana Super 88, a twist on a negroni that arrives in a model Oldsmobile 88 made with Brugal 1888 rum, Aperol, and Perfect Vermouth.

A Fish Called Avalon has a license to perform live music and features top musical talent seven night a week.

Pitbull to Open iLov305 Restaurant and Cocktail Bar in Former Bon Air Hotel on Ocean Drive

Pitbull is bringing a restaurant to Ocean Dirve. The singer has announced that he will launch a new concept, iLov305, in the former Bon Air Hotel at 1600 Ocean Drive. iLov305 will be a restaurant and cocktail lounge with daiquiri bar. Pitbull signed a lease for the space which is owned by Nakash Strand, LLC.; an entity controlled by the Nakash family, and plans to restore the space to its former, classic, 1934 design. Renovations, which were approved by the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board and are designed by architect Mario Echevarria, will include the facade, lobby, historic stairway, fireplace, decorative support columns and tile mosaic flooring. Nakash Strand, LLC. purchased the ground floor commercial space for $18.3 million 2012; the units were converted to hotel condos in 2004. 

Featured Listing: Oceanfront Penthouse at Michael Graves' 1500 Ocean Lists for $19.5 Million

The penthouse atop the Michael Graves designed 1500 Ocean Drive in South Beach has listed for $19.5 million. The unit is spread over 8,400 SF with an additional 7,000 SF of outdoor space. The home features 5 bedrooms, 6 full bathrooms, 2 half-baths, a main living room, family room, double walk-in glass wine cellars, movie theater, Savant smart home technology, gourmet kitchen, and rooftop terrace with a pool that is currently being redesigned. 1500 Ocean Drive, T1 is currently listed for $19.5 million with Eloy Carmenate and Mick Duchon of Douglas Elliman. 

Featured Listing: 125 Ocean Drive #U-0301

Ocean House has a new listing that is sure to make you drool. Located at 125 Ocean Drive, Unit #U-0301 features 4 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms and 1 half-bath over 4,344 SF. The unit also features custom Artefacto design, private elevator entry, chef's kitchen with Wolf, SubZero and Miele appliances, 2 parking spaces, wine bar and a luxurious master suite with Poliform custom closets and finely finished bathrooms. Ocean House is a high-end, boutique condo building with only 28 units, white glove concierge service, oceanfront pool and beach with full service staff, gym, spa, salon, snooker, wine room with humidor and library. Walking distance to the famous South-of-Fifth neighborhood including Prime 112, Prime Fish, Prime Italian, Joe's Stone Crab, Il Mulino, etc. Currently listed with Dora Puig of Luxe Living Realty for $12.5 Million. 

Antonio Mellino's Forte Dei Marmi Opens on Miami Beach

Miami Beach has yet another upscale Italian restaurant on Ocean Drive as Two Michelin Star chef Antonio Mellino has opened Forte Dei Marmi at 150 Ocean Drive. The concept has transformed the 1938 Mediterranean-revival building into a Tuscan seaside inspired abode with renovations headed-up by Miami star-architect Chad Oppenheim of Oppenheim Architecture + Design and interiors by Henry Timi and landscaping by Enzo Enea. The second floor of the building with be an Arts Club and Lounge.