Who loves brunch? Who loves Thai food?
Well, they’re two of my favorite things in the world so when you combine them into one occasion, you’ll win me over anytime. When I heard that Naiyara was kicking off Sunday brunch, I immediately ran to my car .. ok, so I had to wait until Sunday, but seriously – this was some of the best news that I’ve heard in a long time.
Yes, my mouth is watering just thinking about.
Brunch at Naiyara
If you’re going to brunch, you should probably start off with a refreshing, boozy cocktail. Forget your traditional bloody mary, Naiyara serves a Mary Mary that is a refreshing twist on the original. Think – your choice of Espelon Silver or Absolut (we suggest the tequila), fresh yellow tomatoes, cilantro, lime, Thai Bird Chili served with a Cucumber Hamachi Crudo garnish (I love when you get surprises like that).
Now, that you’ve set the mood. It’s time to dive into the menu and we highly recommend the Plaa Goong. This generous bowl of bite sized shrimp sautéed with lemongrass, red pepper, mint and cilantro add a bit of zest to your every bite. Now, tuck this medley inside fresh, bibb lettuce leaves and your taste buds will be dancing in delight. It’s clean, well balanced and perfect for the spring and summer months.
Although we started off healthy, how could we resist these cute little biscuits that brought together sweet and spicy flavors in every bite? To give these biscuits an Asian flair, Chef Bee added in some Chinese 5 spice and filled them with slices of moist fried duck and spread on a spicy tamarind sauce – and they did not disappoint.
Are you craving vegetables? Naiyara has you covered, as there are a few options for you to choose from. A veggie fried rice dish, Sweet Roti (a sweet pancake layered with condensed milk) and Pad Pak Kanag, our chosen dish. This dish offered a colorful medley of stir-fried Chinese broccoli and brussels sprouts with spicy Thai chili (ok, I probably told them to add some spice). I’m not sure that I’d order this for my main entrée, but it was a welcome addition to my meal.
And now what you’ve been waiting for — the Popcorn Shrimp Bahn Mi — and yes, it was as droolworthy as it looks. Served inside a baguette, this Bahn Mi sandwich was dressed with sriracha mayonnaise, a generous amount of popcorn shrimp and nam prik pao (Thai chili jam). It’s ‘the’ dish that you’re going to return for time and time again.
Details on Brunch at Naiyara
When: Sundays from noon – 3 p.m.
Where: Naiyara, 1854 Bay Rd, Miami Beach
Cost: $8-$20 for food; $12-$15 for signature cocktails
Seating: Inside or out
Parking: ample street parking, lot nearby on Bay Rd.
For reservations, please visit www.opentable.com or call (786) 275-6005