db Bistro Moderne

db Bistro Moderne | Miami

One of the newest additions to the downtown Metropolitan Miami scene is Florida’s first db Bistro Moderne, a French-American restaurant by Chef Daniel Boulud, three time James Beard Foundation winner. The DB Bistro is a sister restaurant to the fantastic New York City version, a culinary staple for any gastronomic New Yorker.

Daniel Boulud brings a superb level of excellence and culinary prowess to Miami—this one happens to be housed in the same building that is home to the JW Marriott Marquis and the boutique Hotel Beaux Arts. While their wine list is plentiful, the cocktails are truly shine here (it is South Beach, after all). The White Cosmopolitan is a light but lethal combination of Wodka Vodka, White Cranberry, Lime, and a frozen St. Germain Elderflower.

db Bistro Moderne has a great urban energy to it that fits in nicely in Downtown Miami. It’s known for being accessible and affordable, and for serving very comforting French cooking prepared with care and quality ingredients. And, yes, I admit we’re also known for serving a superb burger. It’s not the kind of formal French restaurant you save for a special occasion. It’s the kind you return to often for the dishes you love and remember and for the easy going feel of the place. – Daniel Boulud

DB Bistro Moderne is Daniel Boulud’s interpretation of the new generation of Parisian bistros, whose classically trained chefs offer creative cuisine in a casual, comfortable and contemporary setting. Featuring traditional French fare met by flavors of the American market, the new restaurant is designed to capture the energy and style of its Manhattan counterpart, yet uniquely tailored to the rhythm of Miami life. db Bistro Moderne is carefree, laid-back and slightly less fussy than its parent brand, Daniel NYC, the delicious if not a bit formal upscale French restaurant.

And, oh, the burgers. The Manhattan version of this restaurant is famous for its $35 Original Burger, a delicacy of braised short ribs and truffle infusions, but db Bistro Moderne takes it to a whole new level. We headed down during truffle season (mid-December through late March) to make sure we got a taste of the Grand Royale db Burger.

This burger, if you can call it that, is comprised of ground sirloin, boned short ribs braised in red wine, foie gras, a mix of root vegetables, preserved black truffle sandwiched in between the tender meat on a poppy-seed bun with homemade Parmesan cheese, served with a side of fresh horseradish, tomato confit, red onions and frisée lettuce. Hold the ketchup though, the pièce de résistance is a double helping of fresh black truffles on top.  At $75 each burger, you’ll savor each indulgent bite and finish off the pommes frites too.

It’s decadence in a delicacy and a damn good burger. db Bistro Moderne is a place that you will simply never forget.