Miami favorite Jeff McInnis has returned to South Beach and we couldn’t be happier. The chef who helped opened Miami favorites like Gigi, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar Miami, took off to NYC a few years ago to open Root & Bone in New York City, but has made his way back to South Florida to open his newest concept The Sarsaparilla Club, located inside the iconic Shelborne Wyndham Grand hotel.
Manning the kitchen with partner Janine Booth the restaurant showcases cuisine with the paying homage to the sarsaparilla root, which is used in a number of cultural cuisines including Australian, Asian, and of course American, served in a la carte and dim sum style.
Guests are greeted by a street-side vintage VW bus in the entrance to the cozy indoor-outdoor poolside 130-seat restaurant. The space is a whimsical mix historical beauty with elements of raw hand crafted materials, that serve as the perfect back drop to the elaborate circulation of the dim sum service.
The menu features both a la carte options along with dim sum and we got to try plenty from both. Favorites off the a la carte options included Roots & Soil made with baby heirlooms, pumpernickel “soil,” yuzu crème and local roots; Spice Honey Carrots & Farro Salad with labne, green harissa, baby kale and marcona almonds; Braised White Oak Duck Pappardelle made with crispy skin, salsifiy root crème, local root greens and pickeled cherry; Steamed Snapper with garlic and herb chimimichurri, spicy miso beans and grilled lemon, and of course Fried Chicken, this time made with green curry, kaffir lime powder, coriander and toasted coconut.
Dim sum highlights included Carrot & Beet Tartare with roots ground tableside, black garlic, mustard, capers & root chips; Drunken Deviled Eggs with pickled roots & sunchoke chips; Beet and Shortrib Dumplings with smokey plantain bbq & shaved scallions; Pork Belly Bacon Steamed Buns with fish sauce caramel & cilantro peanut slaw and the Corn 4 Ways with grilled sweet corn, cornbread butter, cornbread crumbles & lemon popcorn.
You definitely don’t want to miss dessert either with the Sarsaparilla Float with toffee ice cream & filthy cherries; Strawberry Buttermilk Panna Cotta with sweet thyme macerated strawberries & peppered crumbs and Ginger Almond Apple Pie with fresh sweet cream being highlights.
Until you can get a taste for this unique concept check out the delicious photos below.
