Ortanique on the Mile

07/29/2008 Posted by TaddJennG

Joel, Thanks for the GREAT expericnce sitting with you at the bar and chewing the fat last Tuesday. We had a great dinner and the drinks were outstanding! We went to the Marlins game but wished we had stayed for one more round with you guys I am going to try making the next generation margarita this Wednesday for a dinner party we are having. I hope I can get some good limes here in Chicago. We look forward to visiting you again sometime in the near future! Best regards to you and your family, Tadd & Jenn Gleason

Pros: Food, Joel,and his knowledge of food and drinks.

Cons: None!!!

05/07/2008 Posted by pearlgirl84

After 3 visits I think I can safely say this is some of the best food in Miami. The food is amazing and the service is perfect. Plan to wait at the bar even with reservations and for a romantic time ask to be seated in the booth area. They have a great wine list and the people are very knowledgeable.

02/18/2008 Posted by boston814

Went here when we were on vacation last week. It was reccomended by a family member who had been there before. I have to say, the food was absolutely delicious. I'm a seafood lover, and tend to be very picky, and each course i had had was to die for. The scallops and shrimp entree was so good I wanted to pick up my plate and lick it. The owner/chef came over to our table and said hello. she was very friendly and fun. The decor was funky with a carribean feel. I drank wine, but my friends were having mojitos and raving about them. Next time I come back to Miami I will definately be back here.

10/06/2007 Posted by tuko714

This was our second night in a row. We were going out of town and we had a blast with Joel at the bar. He basiclly told us what we were going to have and that we would love it. He wasn't pushy he asked what we typically liked. He told us about the history of the place and talked about the owners/chef (Cindy Hudson & Shirley). He was by himself and was very busy, so the info was given in pieces. Apparentlly everyone at the bar must have been there before cause everyone seem to know Joel by name. It was crazy but just the fun atmosphere that we didn't know we were in the mood for. I'm gald the hostess told us to go to the bar and wait for our table cause then I would'nt be telling everyone about this. This restaurant, though tightly spaced and a little loud was very cool and makes you feel warm and cozy. The food was every bit as good as Joel said and infinitly more. Do yourself a favor and come to Ortanique, call ahead make sure that Joel is at the bar cause he told us that he only works on certain nights , (don't remember which one's). Ortanique is a little pricey, but that's the last thing you will be thinking about right after you have one of Joel's cocktails, and some of the best food I've ever eaten anywhere(sorry mom) !! By the way we had these rum drinks Joel told us were made with 25 year old rum, and champange, and mint and lime (I know sounds weird but oh my god ! Though we didn't have any wine that night, Joel told us that he had an award winning wine list and Tues. is half price wine. We had the Lamb chops, Boullabase (yes I know I spelled it wrong). We had the Banana fritters, and the rum cake. I'm tired of writing - just go and see Joel !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pros: Joel !!!!!!!!!!!

Cons: Had to leave town, and couldn't make it again till next year .

07/13/2007 Posted by cecyp

When you expect the freshest seafood cooked in the most delectable manner, including the ceviche, you must eat at "Ortanique" . Even if you don't have reservations and you need to sit at the bar you will have an ecstatic experience with Joel making his famous mojitos from scratch, THE REAL THING!!! not just chemical mixes. The ambiance, the food, and especially Joel make this an overall positive and great energy boost any day of the week!!! My hats off to you all. I strongly recommend "Ortanique" to those with a refined palate for both food and drinks!!! Lots of love and good luck always! Cecy

Pros: Joel Garcia's mojitos and Cindy Hutson's ceviche.

Cons: The Valet outside

05/21/2007 Posted by ccastro1207

Some friends and I headed to Ortanique on the Mile for a couple of drinks last Friday. The bar service was excellent, extremely friendly staff, very nice setting, and most importantly the drinks were amazing. As a Cuban-American I must say I have tried mojitos almost anywhere and everywhere you can imagine, but these were just spectacular. There was an excellent mix of "yerba buena" (spearmint) and rum, it went down smoothly and had a great after effect (lol). Thanks alot bar staff, my bartender (Joel Garcia), and everyone at Ortanique on The Mile for a great time...till next time (very soon). A little pricey, but worth it.

Pros: Nice ambience, excellent service, good people watching

Cons: bad for kids and large groups, limited parking

04/16/2007 Posted by LISJAVCAR

We went here for lunch, the service and food was great. I was a bit nervous about the Mango Salad....IT WAS GREAT. The seared tuna and pasta dishes where also awsome....nice for lunch I bet it will be even better for dinner.

11/03/2006 Posted by mojoanco

We enjoyed delicious food and excellent service at Ortanique, but it rankles when tables are squeezed so close together! I prefer to focus on conversation at my own table rather than be subjected to that of the tables next to us.

Pros: Delicious food, attentive service

Cons: Cramped space

09/18/2006 Posted by jmontejo

Took my girlfriend to Ortanique for a special occasion and it was anything but. First the service was terrible. We sat down after a drink at the bar and no one served us for about 30 minutes. We ordered a bottle of wine and it did not show up until after the appetizer so we returned it. We ordered the tomato and mozzarella salad and did not taste like anything. I had the filet for dinner which was very good. The best part of the meal. Then we ordered desert and the rum cake was super dry. I was really expecting a tasty meal as they have tons of awards all over the restaurant. Very disappointed!!!!

Pros: Great Steak!!!

Cons: Terrible Service, mediocre food.

08/22/2006 Posted by hellramsey

The concept might look nice but the lack of good service and the absence of clever food will never be compensated. The wine service was slow, the two first oredered bottles were unavailable. The third arrived well into our appetizers were served, way too warm and in really disgusting cheap glasses, very disappointing especially considering the prices charged. Bland shrimp and tasteless grouper. Dessert was almost inedible. Not recommended!