AQ By Acqualina

This place is fantastic. The moment you walk in the door you’re treated like the customer who is going to save the restaurant. The food is even better! Had crispy tuna roll ⁹⁄₁₀. Tomato salad ⁹⁄₁₀. Sea bass ⁹⁄₁₀. Tiaramasou ¹⁰⁄₁₀. Gonna be hard to top this place

This place is a rockin. Celebrating a couple days away from kids before the big Christmas man comes to town.
Everything here is so delicious!
We had
Orange Tuna sushi
Tomato salad
The ravioli for appetizer (wow!)
The sea bass
Tiramisu
Hazelnut cake
All was excellent!
The wine was fantastic too!

Five of us came to celebrate two of our girlfriends’ birthdays at AQ. The ginger infused lychee martinis were fabulous! The food was good, too. We especially enjoyed the Greek dragon fruit salad and loaded mushroom risotto. A gentleman on staff came to the table with the sweetest voice to sing happy birthday. The disappointment came when we waited for over forty minutes for the check to be paid. Apparently, they have a new system and it didn’t divide the checks properly. The whole amount was charged to one card. Then, they had to cancel and redo the amounts. That could happen anywhere, I guess. However, we were surprised by the lack of communication and the lack of customer service we received from a restaurant of this caliber. Nobody came to explain what was happening. We were not offered a complimentary drink or parking, or anything to compensate for the inconvenience of making us wait while the problem was resolved. That was the sour note to an otherwise lovely evening.

Very mediocre. Few guests. Nice atmosphere and comfortable seating.
Slow service. Ok menu.
Tip of 18 percent added (we were 2), but no mention of this on menu or by server. Glad I read bill carefully.

Location was nice however service was very slow and they were not busy. Food was just okay but pricy. Menu selection was minimal.

Great breakfast for hotel guests! I love the pancakes they are awesome! They has indoor and outdoor seating. Very accommodating and the service is amazing just like the hotel! A++

Came here for a birthday dinner. Very nice indoor and outdoor seating. That’s about the extent of the positives. The service was slow, had to remind the waiter 2 – 3 times to fill our water glasses once. Asked for extra bread also needed to remind him 2 – 3 times as bread sat on the prep table. Once he delivered the bread we got 3 pieces for a table for 4. The green eggs and ham was a mucous like concoction that was odd at best. The salmon was ok but 2 of our friends hardly finished the steak because it was so bad. Waiter put wrong dishes then when we told him he fixed it but mumbled «everyone makes mistakes» Won’t come again.

A favorite of my better half, we have been going to The Forge for years. So when the wifey heard that after a four-​year tenure at said The Forge, chef Dewey LoSasso decided to move on and open his own restaurant at the Acqualina Resort and Spa, we invited friends and made our way to the beach.
It had the promise of a very elegant experience. As you turn into the resort and pass the big iron gates, you get the feeling you are pulling up to a hotel in Beverly Hills and not Sunny Isles. The lobby is very elegant and reminded me of the Breakers in Palm Beach.
We met our friends in the outdoor area overlooking the ocean. The hostess placed our friend’s drinks on a tray and proceeded to take us to our table. The table for four had two chairs facing the main room and the other two chairs facing an opening to what seemed to be part of the kitchen and/​or serving area. We quickly requested another table given half of our party would be forced to stare at this area all night long. Even though ½ the restaurant was empty, it took a while but we didn’t mind in the least.
For appetizers we had the Green Eggs and Ham, Ceviche, the 20 Hour Charred Octopus Crostini and the Chicken and Basil Meatballs. The Ceviche seemed fresh and was fine in flavor while the eggs and ham was a well thought out and executed dish. The octopus came chopped up and served over dry toast (crostini). Conceptually, I can see the crispiness of the toast and the softness of the octopus going well together, except that the octopus was dry (perhaps charring it for 20hrs…) and lacked flavor. The wife did like it though. The 4 small meatballs were the worse of the appetizers. So bland… probably one of the worse meatballs I have ever had at a restaurant.
For dinner the girls decided to share a Pizza AQ and a Farm Burger. The boys had the Three Mushroom Risotto and the Seafood Bucatini. The mushroom risotto was nicely cooked. The seafood bucatini was the best in show. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t out of this world but of the 4… The pasta was cooked to perfection and there was just enough seafood on the plate as well. As for the burger, I didn’t take a bite but both girls said it wasn’t very good. In fact, I don’t think neither finished it and they only had a half each. The burger also came out medium rare despite the fact the order called for medium. The girls ordered the pizza with extra mozzarella. It was a simple basil, mozzarella, pepperoni, olive oil pizza. Nothing special… unfortunately the theme for the night.
When it came to order dessert, our waiter told us they didn’t have a dessert menu but he did recite our choices. He also offered to show us. Off to the side, the restaurant has a counter which I guess services the hotel guests. I didn’t mind at all… in fact I welcomed the offer to stretch our legs. As we approached, we realized Chef LoSasso was behind the dessert counter. After a brief hello we chose the S’mores Ice Cream, Guava Cake, Chocolate Cake Pop, Hazelnut Doughnut, and Dulce de Leche Doughnut. Nothing special, especially my dulce de leche doughnut. I had half of it and left the rest. It was dry and I really didn’t find any dulce de leche. As a table we ordered two mint teas and 2 cortaditos. Both cortaditos were warm but not hot. Ugh!
In all honesty, I (we) left very disappointed. I was expecting a Forge like experience. I thought the plating and presentation was very sloppy. Pieces of the toast in the Octopus appetizer were broken which makes no sense. Just grab four whole pieces of toast. My dulce de leche doughnut was also missing a piece on one of the sides. As for what is most important, the food, I just didn’t leave thinking «I have to come back for that!» And those meatballs… wow.
A word about the wine list: It’s very limited. You can bring your own for a $ 35 corkage fee. We did.
PS: The valet left my friends car windows down next to a sprinkler… Not sure why a valet would put down anyone’s windows but he said it was a very slippery ride home.
In the end… just nothing special.

I moved up AQ to the very top of my (long) list of «must try» restaurants because I have always been a fan of Chef LoSasso and The Forge. From what I read prior to my visit, I knew this was supposed to be different and that he would still be experimenting with the dishes on the menu. The end result for us was disappointing.
Arrived at the magnificent Acqualina on a Saturday night. STUNNING! Hospitality and service started the second they opened the door to our car. The hotel and restaurant staff was extremely welcoming and courteous. Checked in with the hostess and after a brief wait for our new table (we did not love the location of the first table they gave us), we finally sat down. We were very eager to begin our AQ experience, but the waiter took a while to open our wine and come by for our order. The restaurant was not very full. I am not sure why there was a hold up. When he did come by the table, he was always very pleasant and agreeable.
The restaurant itself is very beautiful. I especially loved the palatial ceiling and perfectly fitting chandelier. Inside, you will also find seating at an eat-​in bar (separate from the main bar for drinks) with oceanfront views due to its elevated location and a walk up counter for dessert and coffee. This counter can be accessed without ever stepping in to the actual restaurant. The picturesque outdoor terrace (perfect for cooler days) is right out of a magazine. Red cushions dominate the entire outdoor seating area. All of it is anchored by a large fountain in the center of the space and overlooks the hotel pool and beach.
Back inside, once we finally placed out appetizer order, we were served hot doughy basil/​cherry bread. Our food order was as follows;
Ceviche– this did not look very pretty, but it did taste good. Not the very best I’ve ever had, but very enjoyable.
Green Eggs and Ham– I love me a clever name and theme. This dish delivered! The green part, as expected, does not look very appetizing, but it does taste great. Eggs, chives, Ibérico ham and a little mascarpone on top. I wish it was hotter upon arrival though.
20 Hour Charred Octopus Crostini– I liked this more than the hubby did. The only problem I had with it was the quantity. It’s definitively enjoyed better as a one person appetizer and not shareable. The amount of octopus is minimal. The accompanying olives were unlike anything I have ever tasted, almost crisp. Not sure what made them that way but I dug it.
Chicken and Basil Meatballs– These were extremely dry. We kept dousing them in the accompanying tomato porcini sauce. The sauce, on the other hand, was delicious.
Seafood Bucatini– I only had a bite of this, but it was just OK to me. The hubs seemed to enjoy it though. It had scallops, shrimp, tomato and… avocado? I thought that was an odd addition to the pasta. But hey, I love avocado and the husband doesn’t so I stole all of it off his plate. I asked for some cheese (yes, spare me the «seafood and cheese don’t mix» lecture), but we never got it. Oh well.
Three Mushroom Risotto– I had a couple of bites of this entrée and I think it was perhaps the best of the night. Perfectly cheesy and with a great texture.
Pizza AQ– I know, I know, pizza? Yes, pizza. I will have you know that if you cross the street, Chef Timo’s has one of my absolute favorite pizzas. I die for their black and white pizza! We ordered this one with tomato, extra mozzarella, Ibérico ham and pepperoni. Was it good? Sure! Memorable? nah. Just pizza. What’s not to love about cheese and bread?
Grilled 10oz Creekstone Farms Burger– BIGGEST. SHOCKER. I hate saying it, but I have to. This was just so PLAIN. It was an unseasoned piece of meat. The cheese (3yr old aged white cheddar) added nothing to it. Nothing. We had them split the burger in half and I think I might have had 3 small bites of it. My friend might have left her half after the first bite. The accompanying crispy fries were perfect. I had ordered the truffle addition for the burger. At $ 8 there is no way this was real truffle. I am not sure what it really was, but it «seemed» like battered and fried mushrooms topped with truffle oil. Shoulder shrug. Sigh.
S’mores Ice Cream– DELICIOUS! I should have had more of this.
Chocolate Ice Cream– GOOD.
Dulce de Leche Donut– I liked the cakey consistency, but where was the dulce de leche? Certainly, NOT inside this donut.
Hazenut Donut– Dry. Awful.
Guava Cake– Not for the faint of heart because it’s extremely sweet and decadent, but oh so good. Mmm, mmm, mmm!
Oreo Cheesecake– Good
I was really expecting a little bit more dazzle and wanted to be swept off my feet. I wasn’t. I once attended a Caymus pairing dinner at The Forge (with Chef LoSasso) that I STILL talk about. There was none of that pizazz here. Nada. I realize the restaurant is not even 3 months old yet and it’s because of that I might give it another go later this year. We shall see…

We went for dinner at AQ another new restaurant in Sunny Isles at the beautiful Acqualina Hotel where as you arrive you get the feeling that you are approaching a Museum of the most beautiful cars one has ever seen. Upon entering this Majestic property we encounter a new Renaissance of an artistic compilation by the Renowned Chef to the Stars Dewey LoSasso. We start the evening with an array of appetizers that leave us craving for more. The Tuna Tartare with soba noodles has just right amount of Asian touch and the Buratta with just perfectly ripe tomatoes drizzled with EVOO. We all agree that we need to spoil ourselves with a couple more Apps and we continue with the Tuna Crudo which is ohhh so perfect with the combination fig and grapefruit. Main courses continue to impress us starting with Yellow Fin tuna in a pool of heavenly sauce that they call Marsala I call it Heaven. The Risotto with Fresh Peas is another standout with just the right creaminess. Having experienced Dewey’s cooking at the Forge we insist on trying his Filet Mignon which is embellished in aromas and texture, acknowledging his expertise in meat is quite evident. There is a pasta on the menu at 10 $ as a side in a mushroom sauce that is so delicious we ordered a second serving. Our only regret was we were only 4 and we couldn’t try more of his dishes. Ohh well we will have to revisit again to complete this extraordinary journey of aromas and flavors. We finished our evening outside smoking cigars and drinking digestifs overlooking the grounds and listening to breaking waters of the coastline. Service was standout headed by a young gentleman Martin who with his staff kept our finicky friends pleasantly content. Prices were surprisingly very reasonable considering the venue and quality of ingredients. Sunny Isles Beach has finally a restaurant that rightfully can claim as Epic !!! Congratulations AQ !!!