Prelude

Prix fixe menus are often too limiting: who gives a crap about the salad and dessert when all you really want is three courses of lamb chops? Fixe-ing the prix, but not your prix fixe choice, Prelude

From the creative mind of Barton G, and set in the stunning Adrian Arsht Center, Prelude rocks high, undulating ceilings, chandeliers that look like Japanese flower blossoms, a massive onyx wall of wines, and clean dark woodwork shaped like waves separating two-tops and banquettes, where you'll perch yourself to attack a vast $39 prix fixe menu that lets you pick any three items, meaning three apps, three whole entrees, or even three desserts (as if you could take on nine musketeers). There're six starters on the roster, with highlights like seared rare tuna w/ grape tomatoes & microgreens topped with ginger syrup & jalapeno emulsion; butter poached jumbo shrimp with shaved fennel, Florida grapefruit, and avocado w/ a citrus vinaigrette; and a panzanella salad with cucumber, grape/heirloom tomatoes, red wine mustard vinaigrette, and salmon that's been double smoked, and now won't stop watching Wizard of Oz while playing Dark Side. Entrée choices include beef short ribs served in a little pot with a crispy pastry top, seared red snapper topped with a lemon caper butter sauce, and tortellini stuffed with goat cheese, red onion, and chives, all topped with a red pepper cream and asparagus tips, and no, you're not allowed to leave them for your waiter

If you brazenly insist on eating a la carte, a bar menu lets you order light fare like shaved prosciutto with melon, baby arugula, grape tomatoes, and shaved Parmesan; and the "Dip Flight": hummus, guac, and bell pepper tapenade w/ chips and crostini. The bar's also rocking a series of nitro martinis, one of which's named the "Coopertini", after Barton's beloved pet orangutan, who doesn't give a crap about anything, he just throws it.