Gaby's lives South of Fifth in Miami Beach. It’s a famously fancy neighborhood at the southern tip of Miami Beach. Gaby’s sits across from the (in)famous Joe’s Stone Crab. It’s a restaurant that is as much about the place as the food. It starts with a whitewashed farm table in the garden. The table triggers images of the perfect, white-washed farmhouse table a traveler might find somewhere in the south of France or the Cinque Terre coast in Italy. It’s the kind of table designed for breezy meals with a crisp glass of white wine, while ocean breezes float along the treetops.
Gaby’s also supplies the garden to go with the table. You might be eating on a city street in Miami Beach, but the tables sit outside, surrounded by bushes and twinkly lights. The pillows are covered in reds and greens and yellows and perfectly complement the rustic mix-matched dishware…. various patterns in red and white or blue and white or a bright sunny yellow. I knew I was in Miami but I felt like I was in sunny Provence.
Gaby’s is a great place to go with friends. The music is low, the wait staff is energetic, friendly (but not too friendly), and, most importantly, there when you need them. Begin with a craft cocktail or a glass of wine and you’re off to a good start.
Our dinner for 4
1 Miss Gabby
2 glasses chianti
3 glasses Pighin/pinot grigio
3 glasses casamigos reposado
1 amazing and quite large special appetizer with burrata and fresh truffle
1 focaccia
1 gem salad
1 watermelon salad
Cost: 337.74. 84.43/person
The Experience:
The food at Gaby’s is dependable, fresh and, while not unique, it’s always got some sort of twist.
Tonight’s twist was the appetizer special. A large bundle of burrata, served with decent prosciutto, fresh baby tomatoes, a dollop of arugula, fresh truffle and truffle oil. This is a hearty appetizer. It would make an easy meal for 2 people and almost made a meal for the four of us. Cut into that burrata and its creamy goodness wraps around the tomatoes and truffles and arugula. It's indulgent and healthy-feeling, all at the same time.
The focaccia at Gaby’s can only be described as perfect. Crunchy and salty with a hint of rosemary on the outside and a chewy inside. We loaded it with the burrata and tomatoes and then, of course, soaked up the sauce.
The gem and watermelon salads at Gaby’s are always on the menu and always popular. The gem salad is delightful mix greens, slices of avocado, and shaved cucumber. The watermelon salad combines squares of the melon with a tart goat cheese and crushed pistachios. The portions are big – I don’t think we bothered to finish it. But then, of course, we were drinking and laughing heavily, so maybe we just forgot.
Gaby’s is a great go-to spot South of Fifth in Miami Beach. Give it a try. Let me know what you think.