Monday Monday: $50 Tasting Menu at Paya by Chef Niven Patel
While the buzz is all about Miami Spice, multi Beard Foundation nominated local chef, Niven Patel, while offering creative Spice menus at both Ghee in Wynwood and Dadeland and Paya on Miami Beach, has also added an incredible 10 course tasting menu for $50 at Paya…but ONLY on Mondays.
So, last Monday we headed to Paya to try the Tasting menu, which turned out to be one of the best meals we have had this year.
Chef Niven is one of most innovative chefs in Miami. His use of spices and fresh ingredients makes every bite feel clean and unique. Many of the ingredients are grown on his farm, Rancho Patel in the Redlands.
Paya offers a warm and welcoming vibe and may require a bit of research to locate on 17th St on Miami Beach. Across from Trader Joes and next door to a Residence Inn, it is easy to miss, and parking can be a challenge. They do offer valet on weekends.
We started our dinner with the 6 First Course offerings, served family style, which included a fresh Wahoo Ceviche with Coconut Leche de Tigre, Pumpkin and Crispy Corn.
The Green Papaya Salad was perfectly dressed in a spicy Thai Basil and Sesame dressing.
A bright green salad of Lettuces had Pecorino slices and a flavorful Turmeric Vinaigrette dressing.
The next 3 dishes were equally impressive and full of variety and flavor.
The peppery Cacio e Pepe Polenta had marinated jerk eggplant folded in and topped with lots of grated pecorino cheese.
But our favorite two starters were the Truffle Brie Grilled Cheese on Sullivan Street Sourdough and mango jam and the Chicken Hakka Noodles with snow peas and Seasame, Ginger and lime dressing.
The dishes blended perfectly the Asian, Indian and Caribbean influences that Chef Niven is known for.
At this point, we felt we could easily be done for the evening, but then our Second Courses appeared.
Tamarind Lamb Chops with Jerk spiced yogurt were served alongside roasted plantains.
The Daily Catch (Wahoo) had a delicate lemongrass glaze, served over Jasmine rice with Bok choy and heirloom carrots. We opted for the Coconut Curry Sauce on the side so we could use as desired.
And the Prime Skirt Steak came sliced with an arugula and baby tomato salad and chimichurri sauce.
By now, we were truly full and asked to wrap up a few items to take home (no food wasted!), so no wonder that the final dessert, a Rum Cake with ice cream and toffee sauce was barely touched.
Paya’s Miami Spice menu is available at dinner for $60 all seven days of the week and equally creative with many similar menu items, but it is the Monday Tasting Menu that should not be missed.
1209 17th St.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 397-8080