Miami Herald Food Editor and beer aficionado Evan Benn is hosting an elegant four-course beer and food pairing dinner at AQ by Acqualina, the oceanfront, Mediterranean- inspired restaurant at Acqualina Resort & Spa, on Saturday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m.
To kick off the fall season, menu items include Crispy Kale Salad made with shaved carrots, pumpkin seeds, goat cheese and squash vinaigrette paired with Florida Beer Co. Native Lager; Acorn Squash Risotto with Parsley Oil served in an acorn squash bowl paired with Orange Blossom Pilsner; Spaghetti Squash and Basil Chicken Meatballs made with roasted spaghetti squash tossed in olive oil, topped with house-made marinara sauce and basil chicken meatballs served with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, and Warm Pumpkin Crumb Cake a la Mode, served with Rogue Hazlenut. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at the concierge or by calling 305.918.8000.
The 112-seat (58 inside / 54 outside) restaurant is open to the public, offering the perfect balance of casual and chic that beautifully complements the restaurant’s oceanfront setting. Both the soaring indoor dining room and soothing outdoor terrace welcome guests to drink, dine and linger. The restaurant’s terrace, located just steps away from the sand and softly lit by the evening sunset, offers cooling ocean breezes and multi-million dollar views, providing diners with an intimate dining experience unlike any other.
AQ by Acqualina offers Mediterranean cuisine rich with Italian influences. The menu by Il Mulino New York is the perfect balance of casual and chic that benefits the restaurant’s oceanfront resort setting, the soaring dining room – softly lit in the evening to welcome guests to drink, dine and linger. Comfortably ensconced on plush sofa seating in the dining room, at the welcoming bar, or on the breeze-kissed outdoor veranda, guests peruse AQ’s menu, featuring an assortment of appetizers including Salmon Carpaccio and Tuna Tartare, along with fresh salads, homemade pastas and entrees ranging from Grilled Shrimp Scampi to Chicken in Crosta (lightly sautéed with lemon and white wine in a parmigiana crust). The menu will rotate seasonally and a children’s (Bambini) menu will also be available.
The combination of Il Mulino’s wait staff, candles flicker on beautifully appointed tables, and upbeat music guarantee a dynamic ambiance. Outside on the AQ Veranda, twinkling tree lights set a magical mood enhanced by the gorgeous night sky and sounds of the sea. There is no better way to dine with friends or loved ones than to enjoy delicious dishes crafted from the highest quality ingredients. A great dining experience should be more than just fabulous food, it should also be a wonderful shared journey.
For reservations or more information, call 305.918.8000 or visit www.acqualinaresort.com.
