You may be familiar with Dale Talde from his appearances on Bravo’s Top Chef. But since competing in the cooking competition he has now opened a successful restaurant, TALDE, in Brooklyn, New Jersey, and now Miami Beach, inside the Thompson Hotel.
The restaurant, which he owns and operates with partners David Massoni and John Bush, features Asian-American eats reflective of his American upbringing in Chicago by first-generation Filipino immigrants.
The menu is divided into several parts including Salads, Dim Sum, Noodles, Entrées and Sides, that are all easily shareable with a group. Menu stand-outs include a variety of Dim Sum such as the Pretzel Pork and Chive Dumplings served with spicy mustard dipping sauce; Shrimp Shumai with Old Bay, corn and Chinese sausage; and Beef Short Rib Kare Kare of Hong Kong noodles with peanuts and a Thai chili relish; Samosas with sweet peas, Kaffir lime yogurt, and a golden raising chutney and the group favorite, Kung Pao Chicken Wings with peanuts, buttermilk ranch and chilies.
Larger dishes that impressed the crowd were Whole Roasted Florida Snapper roasted in banana leaves and served with moo-shoo pancakes; Korean Fried Chicken with spicy kimchi yogurt, grapes, and mint; and the Grilled Beef Short Ribs with tamarind soy butter, romaine lettuce leaves and sticky rice.
Drinks are not to be missed either, created by Bush, the cocktails continue the East-meets-West spirit with options like the Chinatown with Brugal Añejo, Laird’s Applejack, lime, amarena cherry and brown sugar; and Green Lightning made with house-infused green tea vodka, green tea, cucumber and lime.
The space is the perfect drinking and eating venue, with one of the most unique atmospheres in town. The dining room is joined by a large shipping container set in the middle of the space adorned with hand-painted graffiti- and media-inspired designs by Brooklyn-based artist, Mr. Ewok One. The bar features a 100-year old wood-carved dragon and an image of Talde with bikini-clad models perched above the hostess stand, and of course an old-school hip-hop, 80s and 90s soundtrack.
Until you can try the restaurant out for yourself, take a look at the delicious pictures below.