I know you are here to check on fabulous brunches and happy hours and lunch don’t fit in any of those but the truth is we all have to have our meal at the middle of the day.
If you happened to be in downtown, Brickell or west Miami area during the day (as were we) then consider visiting KIKI on the River.
Its located on the famous Miami River, making it ideal for that on the water dining experience. Boats of all sizes cruising by. You see the Yachts of Miami’s Rich and Famous as well as the small fisher boats that make it their business to deliver fresh food on a daily basis.
The restaurant has themed the Mediterranean so you have your fresh blues and whites color palette, in addition to the well placed marine decor.
From the entrance design and water feature you know that you are entering a special seafood restaurant, and then it opens up to the water. To the left is the east, where you can see Downtown, Brickell and Miami’s high rises, to the right you follow the river to the other marinas.
The shaded Outdoor and Indoor seating makes it a great spot for everyone (especially in the summer months).
I know it sounds cliche, but this place truly is great for families, couples (newly dating or seasoned) and don’t forget business power lunches.
Time to embody your inner “Spencer Strasmore” and take your client to sip on Dom Perignon while waving at the yachts cruising by. Remember to take your Cartier-deal-closing pen and get ready for that deal to be signed!
Let’s talk food:
A Pre-fixed menu for lunch where you have several options to choose. for the first course you have 6 options for the fresh start to your lunch. every dish is easy to share but the portion is good for one person too. Everything looked so great on the menu, that we ordered one of each…guilty!
The salads arrived… now, my husband is not a fan of salads (even that he eats them every day), but you should have seen his face when these came in. What got to him was the freshness! The vibrant colors of veggies and a big chunk of feta on to all that accompanied by enticing smell.
Another dish that I highly suggest is an octopus. it was so well done, soft and infused with capers and oils. We were SOLD on the salads…but that was just the beginning!
While sipping a refreshing wine it is a moment to relax. even if this is a business lunch or a break in a workday. boats and yachts passing by bringing the sense of tranquility and calm. Negotiate your best deal there, get your clients relaxed and create connections.
It is very easy to order as even that there are plenty of options they are carefully selected for a carefree time. Once you order you can focus on a pleasant chat or a business talk or just a simple enjoyment of the surrounds.
The food will be arriving in a timely manner and you will not have to worry about anything else, maybe just occasional wine refill.
The moment we were waiting for… the fish! there is one option for chicken and I bet it tastes wonderful but being on the river and not eating fish is a sin. I have to mention for those of you who are not familiar with the area. KIKI is located in the old fisherman area. Next door you have a Garcia Fishmarket. and this is the place where many of us used to go for a fresh just caught fish.
of course, you can get the freshest fish but if you don’t know how to cook it… it will never taste right.
And KIKI is all about fish and they know what they are doing.
What to wear
You are reminded that when you get your main course. It is all about a perfectly cooked whole fish on a plate. No added sides or unnecessary just a deliciousness from the water. that made me so happy. besides you know how it is when you overstuff yourself over a lunch that you get sleepy and really don’t want to go back to the office? while portions are big the food served and the menu overall will not leave you stuffed nither hungry.
We ordered 2 very different items for the main course. One was Lavraki, whole fish grilled to perfection, another one was salmon. There is something about salmon that can be cooked in so many ways and get to taste so different that I try it almost in all places even that I love white fish more.
here is a tip: chef cooks his salmon as rare so if you are not a fan ask your waiter to communicate your wish to a chef. Fish on both dishes was juicy and the taste was amazing but not overpowering. and again the amount of food was just right to leave a place in your stomach for a desert.
Oh, dessert! Let’s see what comes to your mind?
If you thought a cake or an icecream you are wrong. Remember it is all about healthy and not putting you to sleep on your office desk after lunch.
You get to choose between fruit plate and of course Greek yogurt.
A tip here: I have problems with lactose if it is not a good quality my body reacts right away. This yogurt went just perfect.
So here we are, eating dessert and sipping delicious wine on the Miami River in a very chill and chic restaurant, enjoying the boats cruising by, watching a couple of Manatees in the water, seagulls landing on the dock posts and an iguana taking a sunbath.
You would think we’re at a Marc Anthony music video… welcome to Kiki on the river!
KIKI on the River is located at 450 NW North River Dr, Miami, FL 33128 786.502.3243
