#ThankYouMiami for Estrella Damm's Chefs Choice 2016

May seriously kicked our butts. The month slipped by as we were trying to simultaneously juggle traveling, working, several major freelance projects (that we can't wait to share!!), and not losing our sanity. Alas you've experienced severe radio silence on here since our Cinco de Mayo how-to. In an effort to make it up to you, we're doing you a solid and clueing you in on Miami time about the dope restaurant promo that ends tomorrow: Estrella Damm Chef's Choice 2016.

The restaurant experience, which is back in Miami for its second year, is kinda like Miami Spice in that 46 restaurants from Miami Beach to Kendall are offering three-course prix fixe menus. However, unlike Miami Spice each menu includes a complimentary Estrella Damm and varies in price from $30 to $70 depending on the venue. Also, all the participating chefs were challenged in creatively incorporating rice as a feature ingredient as a nod to the fact that Estrella Damm is brewed with rice.

Earlier this month we joined Estrella Damm in taste testing a handful of participating menus in Brickell and Downtown. Our tour included a sneak peek at the Chef's Choice entrées from Coya, Toro Toro, Tuyo, and 1111 Peruvian Bistro, photos of which we have graciously provided below. Each spot caught our attention for a different reason. The Arroz Nikei with Chilean sea bass from Coya was our seafood favorite for the night with its citrus and spice, followed in a close second by the Arroz con Mariscos from Toro Toro and the Parihuela from 1111 Peruvian Bistro. At Tuyo, we were mesmerized by the stunning views, the attentive service, and the Estrella Damm-braised duck breast which was coincidentally the only non-seafood entrée on our tour (four for you, Chef Victor Santos, way to be innovative!).

In town for Memorial Day Weekend? Take advantage of Chef's Choice to re-connect with your favorite chefs around Miami as they test their culinary cunning in a new way. For us, that means revisiting Apeiro Kitchen + Bar, Bulla Gastrobar, The Lido Bayside + Grill, Pinch Kitchen, Sugarcane and/or Wynwood Kitchen and Bar. If instead you're looking to try something new, Chef's Choice is your perfect excuse to check out the restos you've had on your must-try list. Participating restaurants from ours include Byblos, Cena by Michy, Chef Adrianne's, Finka Table & Tap, La Mar, Pisco y Nazca, and Vagabond Restaurant. (And, no, we can't believe we haven't tried them yet either...) We've got less than 36 hours so allez, allez, allez!