Bliss Burger Bistro & Lounge – Miami Beach, Florida

Bliss Burger Bistro & Lounge has a very slick and cool look to it. It also has the unenviable task of trying to outshine 8 oz. Burger Bar and Burger & Beer Joint as the pre-eminent higher end burger stop in Miami Beach. John and I arrive first while we wait for Michelle and her friend Selma. They were taking too long so John and I being the gentlemen that we are, order a few appetizers to start with. Truffle and Parmesan Cheese Fries, House Cured Bacon Fingers and Creamed Spinach are what we decide on. The Creamed Spinach is all John as I could have definitely done without it. The Truffle and Parmesan Cheese Fries are served and there’s still no sign of the ladies. They’re served with a trio of their homemade sauces.

Ground Mustard/Mayo/Ketchup

The fries were really good and you could definitely taste the truffle flavor. The mustard was the best of the three but I thought the mayo was an aioli. I ask our waiter and he says it’s just regular mayo. If that’s the case, it’s a mayo with a strong garlic taste. By the time Michelle and Selma arrive there are no fries left. I blame John for this. The Bacon Fingers and Creamed Spinach also arrive. We were disappointed by the Bacon Fingers. When we read House Cured Bacon Fingers on the menu we thought we might be receiving some new bacon concoction.

They were strips of perfectly cooked bacon but nothing out of this world. The Maple Honey Mustard Sauce served with the “fingers” was pretty outstanding though. I took one look at the Creamed Spinach and decided against trying it.

No one hated or loved it. It was just one of those “ah…ok” moments. John and I already knew what we wanted to eat and Michelle made up her mind pretty quick but Selma who is in denial mode (she claims to be on weight watchers) took a bit longer. John goes for the Twenty Six ( 26 hour braised short rib, tabasco onions, smoked tomato relish and aged vermont cheddar cheese on a brioche bun), Michelle orders The Veggie (grilled portobello mushrooms filled with goat cheese, spinach, eggplant and roasted tomatoes), Selma (aka living a lie) gets The Classic (house made, pickles, hydro butter lettuce and heirloom tomatoes) while I have the Truffle Bliss (black truffle mayo, melted parmesan cheese, caramelized bacon and onions on a truffle brioche bun). The ladies also order a Crisp Iceburg Wedge Salad.

It looks nice and they like it. They both said it was very fresh. The fact it’s drenched in gorgonzola makes me continue to question what Weight Watchers program Selma is on because I need to be on it.

The Classic

Selma does not eat her bun but she still manages to continue piling on the calories by ordering a side order of Paprika Shoestring Potato Fries.

I tried them, they were nothing special. Their regular fries are way better. Selma likes The Classic but didn’t seemed “wowed” by it. She did really love their pickles. I don’t know what to make of Michelle’s The Veggie.

She thought it was alright and I think, that’s what she gets for ordering a veggie platter. John’s Twenty Six had some amazing flavors from it but none coming from the patty itself. The 26 hour braised beef short rib that topped the burger was so great, it should be its own sandwich.

So finally we get to my Truffle Bliss. Wait. I forgot to mention I also ordered some Beer Battered Jumbo Onions Wings.

They weren’t joking, these guys were pretty large. The Rings were good and crispy but I think a better dipping sauce than ketchup is called for. Now back to my Truffle Bliss Burger, I hate to say it but it was just OK.

The patty itself was lacking flavor while the toppings tasted good they weren’t enough to make up for it. I was hoping to be blown away by Burger Bliss but I wasn’t. If I were you I’d stick with Burger & Beer Joint.

Bliss Burger Bistro & Lounge
419 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
305-674-1277