(305) 535-6500
1300 Ocean Dr
Miami Beach,
FL
33139
25.7841
-80.1301
Neighborhood: Flamingo / Lummus
What People Are Saying About Oriente
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short – What was once the casual Café Cardozo has become a fine-dining hot spot. The moody lounge-like dining room features dark woods, an orchid mural covering one wall, and a large bar. Fourteen indoor tables--some paired with comfy couches--and scores of outdoor tables allow prime vantage points for people-watching. The Asian-Cuban menu features appetizers such as crispy calamari with sweet chili tahini sauce and entrees like duck ropa vieja served with coconut sticky rice and caramelized plantains. –
09/12/08
Un-concerned service, lukewarm entrees
by Mamalindas
We visited Oriente during the Miami Spice Month while on vacation. Maybe our expectations were too high. The greeter disregarded the fact that we told her that we'd spoken to a particular server when we made our reservation. We were hoping to at least say hello to him because he took our reservation and told us that he would more than likely be our server. He was very nice on the phone. The server that was appointed to us was un-attentive. By the time we received our appetizers, my drink was watered down and an attempt to get a fresh one took forever. We ordered the skirt steak entree and the mahi mahi entree; the steak was tough and the rice and asparagus were lukewarm. The greeter also allowed street flower vendors to walk up to our (outside) terrace table to try to sell to us (annoying). Although the fixed price was decent, the overall non-chalant attitude from the staff left us un-impressed and dissatisfied.
- Pros: Celebrity-owned restaurant, location, views
- Cons: Service, food
09/11/07
Fantastic & Creative Cuban-Asian fusion
by julmarcla
We had the prix-fixe dinner with incredible duck "sushi" as an appetizer. My boyfriend got the skirt steak, which is stuffed with beans and rice and was absolutely wonderful. I got the pork chops which were great (though not as great as the steak). Our server was friendly and attentive and pointed out that the butter for the bread had been blended with banana. Holy moly!
- Pros: fantastic food, not in the center of the Ocean drive mayhem, friendly if not speedy service
02/13/07
Great food. Great ambiance.
by tugando
Pros:
+ The combination of Cuban, Asian, and even Mediterranean food all together was delicious.
+ The presentation of the food was superb.
+ Everything is very clean.
+ Their restroom is very clean, which tells a lot about a restaurant.
+ Located in the "laid-back zone" of Ocean Drive, not the rowdy Mangos and Larios area.
Cons:
- Some may find this restaurant a bit pricey, but then again, you get what you pay for.
- Pros: Great food and ambiance. Very clean place to eat. Great for couples.
- Cons: A little pricey, but it is worth it.
The Details on Oriente
Parking:
Valet parking can cost as much as $20, but there's a municipal lot behind the hotel and metered parking nearby.
Where to Sit:
Ocean Drive is always a feast for the eyes. As long as you don't mind the distraction of the occasionally colorful pedestrians, outside is where you want to sit to make the most of the SoBe setting.
When to Go:
The restaurant opens at 8am, but only to serve standard hotel breakfast fare like pancakes, omelets, and eggs benedict. If you're coming for the exotic Cuban-Asian delicacies, the lunch menu doesn't kick in until 11:30am.
Smoking Permitted:
On the patio
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