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

Michelle calls me out of the blue to ask if I wanted anything from Epicure. It was 3 in the afternoon and I hadn’t really planned what I was going to eat for dinner. So of course I said “Sure”. Turns out that Epicure Gourmet Market & Cafe was celebrating their 65th anniversary this weekend which meant 65 items throughout the store were specially priced. At around 7 PM, it’s Michelle again except this time she has a special delivery for me. I run outside (or do my best version of running) to have Michelle hand me a brown paper bag. The contents? 8 Styrofoam containers. I thank her and look lovingly into the bag. One of the containers is empty (she warned me). I guess someone couldn’t help them self. 4 contain mini burgers (not sliders or slyders) and the other 3, hot dogs. The most amazing part? 65 cents each!! Well, I didn’t pay for it but it was a good deal for her. The hot dog was nothing special, what you would find at your friend’s bbq.The mini burger was good. It had sauteed onions and it was on a potato bread roll. What more can you ask for? It was only 65 cents. I’m not sure if these items are on their regular prepared foods list. I’ve been wanting to go to Epicure for years and my family swears by it. I guess I now have a reason to go find out what else they have.

Epicure Gourmet Market & Cafe
1656 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL
305-672-1861

Should you be gluttonous in front of someone you barely know? (this my Sex and the City type intro). I met Burger Beast reader Brandon and his girlfriend Laura at Icebox Cafe on South Beach for some late lunch. I got there a little early so I ordered  some water to tide me over (plus it was ridiculously hot that day and we were indoors) After introductions,we discussed food and what drives me to do the blog. Something that somehow always comes up in conversation (why burgers?). We look over the menu and make our moves. Laura orders the Tuna Melt Sandwich,

while Brandon goes with their pasta dish of the day (spaghetti and meatballs).

I order their Kobe Burger (gouda cheese & onions on a ciabatta roll).

 While both Laura and Brandon liked their food, I loved my burger. It took me a little bit to place what the burger reminded me of. The flavor of the meat was very reminiscent of Al Carbon in Coral Gables. Laura orders a chocolate cake which Brandon plans to share. Just as she was about to slice into it Brandon stops her for the pic.

 I order the Brownie Cheesecake.

They really liked their cake while I was amazed at how good the combo of Brownie and Cheesecake were. Alright, maybe not amazed both things separately are great so I should not have been surprised. While I didn’t overdo it, which I normally do in most places. The options for my type of food were limited here. It might have been a good thing. Who wants to be sweaty with people you just met while gorging on food? Ooohh..ooohhhh….I do….I do!!!! Yeah right, thanks to Brandon and Laura for showing up.

Icebox Cafe
1657 Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
305-538-8448