I can’t remember the last time Miami’s restaurant scene had a more obvious “It girl,” but Claudie is most definitely her. Located somewhat inauspiciously at the base of Florida International University’s MBA program building on Brickell Avenue, the Riviera-inspired French restaurant manages to feel a world away from the stuffy suits that surround it, while also embodying the best parts of Miami’s biggest dining trends.
Stunning mid-century-meets-deco dining room? Check! Guests enter Claudie through a dramatic arch that leads to an even more dramatic garden fountain, surrounded by plush lounge seating sprawled beneath twinkling bistro lights. The romance continues indoors, where it’s all soft pinks and beiges, gold accents, bespoke art and the sort of warm lighting that makes everyone look flawless. Both spaces share the bar, a 360-degree stunner serving signature cocktails as excellent as the food.
Approachable Mediterranean menu? Check! But here, it’s elevated by meticulous French technique, the highest quality ingredients and artful plating. The heirloom tomato gazpacho is a wonderful palate opener that arrives in a delicate martini coup, topped with a layer of basil foam. The wild shrimp carpaccio is presented on a crystal platter, the thinnest slivers of tender crustaceans layered with EVOO, lime zest, espelette, chives and Fleur De Sel. Even the most decadent dish of our meal, the lobster spaghetti, came spun in a neat coil atop the split shell. The pasta was perfectly done, the sauce rich and fragrant, but not overwhelmingly so.
Cabaret-style performers roaming the dining room? Check! In other restaurants, it can feel forced or even, frankly, unwelcome. At Claudie, the live entertainment enhances the festive and feminine atmosphere. Whether or not you’re celebrating something special, a mid-meal serenade from the sultry singer will make it feel like you are. That, and all the other guests dressed like they’re heading to the Met Gala afterparty later.
You’ll find these basic elements at clubstaurants all over Miami, but Claudie seems to have captured that je ne se quoi that makes her better than all the rest. It’s perhaps Brickell’s hottest ticket right now, so book a reservation in advance or be prepared to wait. If you can manage to snag a seat at the bar, the people-watching is fabulous.