05 Dec Authentic Greek Food in Miami at Atlantikos

Atlantikos is located in the St. Regis Hotel in Bal Harbour, just north of Miami Beach. On a recent visit to Miami, I met a friend there for dinner. I entered the St. Regis with its neutral colors and sophisticated feel. A short elevator ride opened to Atlantikos which was like entering a different world. The decor of white lace walls, white chairs and white dishes on top of blue marble tables and a light blue ceiling, along with the live music being played by a solo guitarist, I felt like I was on a boat in the Greek Isles. We took our seats on the comfortable white cushions and I ordered a glass of assyrtiko as we looked over the menu.Such an authentic menu, I recognized so many of the wonderful dishes that I have had in my travels to Greece such as grilled octopus with fava, zucchini fritters and grilled Halloumi cheese. At the helm of Atlantikos is Chef Anastasios (Tasos) Chasekioglou who is originally from Greece and arrived to the US one year ago to open this restaurant. The menu features high quality products and fresh fish from both the Greek coast of the Mediterranean Sea as well as local Miami fishermen. We started with an assortment of Greek Spreads – tzatziki, tyrokafteri (red pepper and cheese dip) and smoked eggplant. The Branzino Tartar is freshly cut branzino marinated with citrus, Bergamot extra virgin olive oil and Aegean sea salt. The tender Meatballs, made from beef and lamb, are served in a light tomato sauce with Greek yogurt and mint. Zucchini Duos are a plate of delicately fried stuffed zucchini blossoms with feta cheese and dense zucchini fritters served with minted Greek yogurt and micro greens. The preserved grapes added as sweet touch to the Grilled Halloumi cheese with micro basil The Grilled Octopus was beautifully cooked with a tasty marinade and served with fava split pea from Santorini Island, caramelized onions, caper berries and pickled sea fennel. The Langoustines Fricassee are langoustines served with braised fennel and baby spinach with an avgolemono sauce, a delicious egg-lemon sauce. Lobster Linguini is a whole Maine lobster with fresh linguini pasta, fennel, ouzo, cherry tomatoes, garlic and extra virgin olive oil. Red Seabreem in Parchment is slow cooked with fennel, sun dried tomato, oregano, lemon and extra virgin olive oil and was as delicate as can be. With the red seabreem, we enjoyed two sides. Sea Greens are sea beans, swiss chard, baby spinach, lemon and extra virgin olive oil and Herbed Bulger is with mushrooms, fennel, sundried tomato, mint and dill. A Greek meal is not complete without some Balklava… …and Orange Cake with Greek yogurt ice cream. Atlantikos may be in Miami but it tastes like and feels like Greece. Atlantikós  The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort 9703 Collins Avenue Bal Harbour, FL 33154