Dine out in true Miami style and visit The Deck at Island Gardens, located just off MacArthur Causeway. Not only does the restaurant offer one of the best views of the city (think — panoramic views of downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay),
it also offers a mouthwatering menu of Mediterranean-style fare, and a variety of Turkish dishes that are sure to impress. We were recently invited in to check out the restaurant (and we must admit that when we saw the photos of the setting, this restaurant jumped to the top of our list), but quickly realized that it wasn’t just about the setting, it was about the all-encompassing experience you feel when visiting the restaurant.
5 Reasons to Visit The Deck at Island Gardens
Executive Chef Alfredo Alvarez
At the helm of The Deck is Executive Chef Alfredo Alvarez. Although, he was born in Venezuela, Alvarez honed his skills by working with some of the top toques in Italy and around the world before making his way to Miami. You may remember him from his time spent as the Executive Chef of Seasalt & Pepper (now Seaspice) or his time catering to international celebrities. Now at The Deck, Alvarez will please your palate with an excellent selection of charcuterie and cheeses, caviar, salads, freshly-made pastas and entrees – oven-baked and straight from the grill.
Prix-Fixe Lunch
When time is on your side and playing hooky from work sounds like the ideal afternoon, you’ll be thrilled to hear that The Deck offers a prix-fixe lunch during the week for just $25. This 3-course menu includes your choice of an appetizer or a glass of Prosecco, an entree and dessert. We recommend the mezze tray — go for the Fava Beans (dill, onions, evoo, sliced lemon); the Kabak Tzatziki (zucchini, dill, yogurt, garlic & walnuts); and Hamsi (fresh anchovies, artichokes and tomato sauce); the simple flavors of the branzino and the Baby Spinach & Organic Pear Salad, tossed table-side with a poached egg. This is a place you can go and easily relax for a few hours.
By Land or by Sea
Why drive a car, when you can go to The Deck by yacht? That is, if you are lucky enough to have one. Mega yacht owners will rejoice knowing that they now have a playground for when they park their boat (the marina can hold up to 50 mega yachts) and it’s home to Miami’s elite. Guests can also arrive by land. Parking by car is available at The Deck for $10 or $20 for valet.
The View
The view at The Deck at Island Gardens is absolutely stunning and few places compare. From the view of the Miami skyline to the glistening water to the Mega Yachts lined up, The Deck is sure to impress. It’s the perfect place to take visitors from out-of-town, as they revel in its beauty or just to take time to enjoy the natural surroundings that we are so lucky to have in Miami. When visiting The Deck, guests have the option of sitting at the tables, on the plush couches or reserving one of the cabanas close to the water.
Not just a restaurant
Although we were overjoyed with our afternoon dining experience, we kept hearing that we were missing out, as The Deck livens up during the later hours especially on Friday evenings when Michael Capponi, Eric Milon, Laurent Bourgad and Nicolas Clichy present On Deck Fridays with sounds from APACHE|ATA & CAFI from 6:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. During this time, guests can enjoy yacht-inspired bites, clink glasses with new friends or dance the night away.
Other events taking place include a Sunset Hour offered Wednesday through Saturday from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., where ladies will enjoy a complimentary glass of Rosé and bottles of Rosé are priced at just $50; live entertainment on Wednesdays; Sunday brunch and the much-loved private sunset parties on Sunday evenings that will make you feel like you been whisked off to a beachfront party in the Mediterranean.
The Deck at Island Gardens is located at 888 MacArthur Causeway in Miami. For more information, call (786) 479-3443 or visit islandgardens.com.