Any traveler will tell you the best food in any destination is likely found off the beaten path. Case in point: Miami’s Red Light Little River. Don’t let the decor fool you… this little restaurant tucked inside Biscayne Boulevard may look run down from the outside, but the kitchen serves up some of the best food in South Miami.
Walk up the shabby stairs to this neighborhood joint and the smells of barbeque take over. The inside seating is reminiscent of an old hamburger joint from the 1960s, complete with red leather booths and swivel seats at the counter. Ask for a seat outside and you’re transported to a little slice of romance along the river.
South Florida Chef Kris Wessel, originally from New Orleans, runs the joint. Wessel’s grandmother landed in Miami Beach in 1925 and built the restaurant inside of a then notorious prostitute- and drug-filled motel. The neighborhood is still known for its red light ways, but that doesn’t stop Wessel from cooking up a mean meal in the kitchen.
We cozied up to a table and took in the ambiance. The outside is decorated to resemble a garden dining experience. Tree trunks grown from the patio, wildflowers are placed on every table and lantern lights in various shapes and colors hang from the ceiling.
The neon light outside the gentleman’s club – a throwback from the red light days – blinks from across the street, which surprisingly didn’t ruin the mood of this quaint little kitchen.
Gentleman's Club across the river
The meal started with a couple of drinks and the restaurant’s famous little red smoker fish dip. Served cold and packed with fresh crab and white fish, the crock is served with warm flatbread for dipping and the portion is big enough to share. Our second course was a fresh whole artichoke, steamed and bathed in butter then baked in breadcrumbs. It was delicate enough to fall apart in your mouth and savory enough to make you want to lick the bowl it arrived in. Spinach salads and seared scallops made their way to the table, as did another round of Shiraz and Cabernet.
Seared scallops
The main courses of barbeque shrimp (a restaurant favorite) and lamb tips brought out last, and despite the filling pre-dinner portions we savoured every last bite of these New Orleans-infused delicacies. Never one to turn down dessert, the chocolate cake was served with two forks and enough berry glaze to make you think you were eating healthy.
BBQ Shrimp
Before you dine there’s one thing to remember: Wessel cooks everything to order, which means it comes out when it’s ready. You might get your fish before your salad, but no matter what order to eat the meal in you’re sure to leave satisfied and wanting more.
Information:
Red Light Little River www.redlightmiami.com
7700 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33138
305.757.7773
I love this little gem!