This piece was originally published by our partner MIAbites.com and is produced by them. 

Happy Summer 2016! The “snowbirds” have returned North, the winter tourists are mostly gone and by the end of next weekend’s crazy Memorial Day weekend, Miami truly returns to the locals. 

Many of our favorite restaurants gear up for summer with special menus, cocktails, Happy Hours, and unique events.  This week’s Weekly Nibble has compiled some of the best new menu additions and events to help you settle in for the summer heat. .

Friday May 20th–  Come savor the flavors of South Florida at The OBIEs Food & Wine event, this Friday May 20th featuring unlimited samplings from over 30 of South Florida’s top restaurants and food purveyors and an open bar.  James Beard Award-winning chef/restaurateur Michael Schwartz will headline as the Celebrity Chef for this year’s Orange Bowl Impact and Excellence Awards (The OBIEs): A Taste of South Florida presented by Florida Blue, and healthy lifestyle crusader, author and James Beard Award-winning chef, Rocco DiSpirito, will make a celebrity chef guest appearance at the 2016 OBIES at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center beginning at 7:30 p.m General Admission Tickets are regularly $85 but for first time attendees a $10 discount is available with code FBOBIES on Ticketmaster link here: https://oss.ticketmaster.com/aps/orangebowl/EN/buy/quickbuy/210/OBIE2016#OBIE2016

Tuesday May 24th- Newcomer Caviar Russe Miami is offering a one of a kind dining experience on Tuesday, May 24th 2016 at 7:30 pm. Renowned Chef David Valencia will take you on a six course journey around the world, featuring some of the most sought after delicacies starring Caviar, Sea Urchin, Blue Fin Tuna,  A5 Kobe, and more. The cost for this decadent experience is $750 per person. Each course is to be paired with Charles Heidsieck Champagne, highlighting “Rare” by Piper-Heidsieck.  Following dinner, an intimate and rare LOUIS XIII moment will be hosted by Victor Blanquart, LOUIS XIII ambassador. To reserve a seat, please RSVP to [email protected] Caviar Russe Four Seasons Tower 1441 Brickell Ave. Miami FL.

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Thursday, May 26th- Kick-off Memorial Day Weekend at LDV Hospitality’s The Gale Rooftop with Time Out Miami for their first ever Summer Kick-Off Party. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., guests will enjoy live music by DJ Troubles and unlimited ice-cold Schöfferhofer beer. Named by Bravo TV as “Best New Restaurant,” Dolce Italian’s Chef Paolo Dorigato will serve up an array of delicious appetizers. The party will continue as the sun sets while guests take in breathtaking views of South Beach. Guests need to RSVP to [email protected] to reserve their tickets.The Gale Rooftop Gale South Beach 1690 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139

Thursday May 26th– Chef Jose Mendin along with his Executive Chef of PB Station, Guillermo Concha, will pair up with Juliana Gonzalez of Barceloneta to prepare a four-course menu, with each course consisting of a dishes from each chef. The special “Chef’s Choice” menu ($75 plus tax and gratuity) will be offered for one night only at PB Station beginning at 8pm with a special Gin & Tonic after party at the Pawn Broker Bar and Rooftop Lounge. Tickets are $75 per person (tax and gratuity not included) through this link http://pbstation.com/2016/05/12/first-stop-collaboration-dinner/PB Station in The Langford Hotel 121 SE 1st St., Miami, FL 33131 305-420-2205

Wednesday May 25th & Wednesday June 1st–  Meat Market’s Summer 2016 Dinner Series is a must-attend dining experience for foodies and drink connoisseurs, with the first in a series of multi-course, curated spirits dinners set to launch later this month at both Miami Beach and Palm Beach locations. Kicking off on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 in Palm Beach, the monthly dinner series will feature a four-course menu prepared by Executive Chef/Co-Owner Sean Brasel, known for his creative contemporary cuisine. Each course is expertly paired with cocktails or wine, with the first dinner featuring craft cocktails from award-winning mixologist Ezra Pattek.The dinner, priced at $85 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) will start with a cocktail reception at 7PM, followed by the sit-down dinner at 7:30PM. The series will make its way to Miami Beach early next month on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 with a 7:30PM cocktail reception and dinner at 8PM. Limited seating available and reservations are required. Meat Market Miami Beach: (305) 532-0088.  Meat Market Palm Beach:  (561) 354-9800.

Wednesday June 1st-  Join INDULGE & Miami.com at Fontainebleau Miami Beach for a truly one-of-a-kind culinary experience on Wednesday June 1st from 7-9:30 pm. World-recognized celebrity chefs Michael Mina and Scott Conant will be present to guide guests through a progressive evening of food and drinks in their respective Fontainebleau restaurants. The uniquely VIP, behind-the-scenes night – never before offered to the public – includes stops at Michael Mina 74, Scarpetta, StripSteak by Michael Mina and a special sweet send off from Fontainebleau’s Chez Bon Bon.  The evening includes six luxurious dishes, three signature cocktails (including a housemade limoncello tasting at Scarpetta and the famed Japanese whisky ceremony at StripSteak), a take-home dessert, INDULGE gift bags, and the chance to meet and interact with two of America’s best chefs. INDULGE Editor in Chief Evan Benn will host the evening.  Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach   $150 (includes tax and tip). Limited to 30 guests Tickets http://indulgemiami.bpt.me/

Saturday June 4th-  Chef Jeremiah presents Duck Duck Goose ( DDG ) on Saturday June 4, 2016 from 5 to 9 PM at the newly expanded gastroPod lot, located at 168 NW 26th Street in Wynwood. In addition to a mouthwatering selection of all-you-can-sample locally raised and pastured fowl prepared in new and exciting ways and a selection of drinks from many of Chef J friends and cohorts, guests of all ages will groove to DJ Spam and surprise special guests.  And check out the cute DDG t-shirt available for sale! Tickets General Admission:$59 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/duck-duck-goose-tickets-24992462127

On the Horizon:

Friday June 17th-   South Florida’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry returns, this time to Soho Studios in Wynwood. Led by Led by Founding Event Chairman Allen Susser and Restaurant Co-Chair Timon Balloo, the annual tasting event will feature the area’s top chefs, sommeliers and mixologists united for a cause: making sure all children in this country get the healthy food they need, every day. Proceeds from the event benefit No Kid Hungry’s work to end childhood hunger in America.  The 28th annual tasting event will take place from 7PM to 10PM, at Soho Studios, followed by an exclusive after party for VIP ticket holders at Midtown’s Apeiro Kitchen & Bar from 10:30 PM to midnight.  General admission tickets are priced at $125 per person. VIP tickets are priced at $250 per person and provide access to the event one hour before the doors open as well as admission to the after party. For additional information and to purchase tickets, please visit: http://nokidhungry.org/miami. Soho Studios 2136 NW 1st Ave Miami, Florida

New Happy Hours, Summer Menus and Brunches:

Lure Fishbar, is welcoming summer with the launch of Happy Hour and a limited-time pre-fixe menu. Now through July 2016, diners can enjoy a menu crafted by Executive Chef John Iatrellis of delicacies from both land and sea. Priced at $55 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), the three-course dinner begins with a choice of Salmon Tartare with avocado ponzu and aji amarillo; a Lure House Roll with shrimp tempura and spicy tuna; a Field Green Salad tossed with baby gems, tomatoes, shaved cucumbers, watermelon radish and carrot ginger dressing; or Tempura Shrimp with spicy sesame mayo.  Happy Hour Imbibers can enjoy a rotating selection of refreshing cocktails throughout summer for $8 each as well as lite bites during the newly launched Happy Hour available Monday through Wednesday from 6 to 8PM.  Lure in the St. Moritz Hotel building at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel at 1601 Collins Avenue.Valet parking is available. (305) 695-4550;

The Gang is excited to announce their new happy hour series, Beat The Clock, every Monday through Thursday from 5-7pm. All drinks on the happy hour menu start at $5 and go up a dollar every hour, on the hour. Discounted drinks include Bangkok Mai Tai, Skinny Girl Cosmo, Peach Lychee Martini and select beers and wines.  Guests can also enjoy Vietnamese Pork Rolls, Tibetan Vegetable Spring Rolls, Chicken Dumplings, and Green Tea Crab Rangoon from the $5 bar bites section of the happy hour menu. Be punctual or pay the price! The Gang3500 N. Miami AveMiami, FL 33127

db Bistro Moderne Miami at the JW Marriott Marquis debuts a new spring menu from recently appointed Executive Chef Clark Bowen, an integral member of the db Bistro team since its opening in 2011. Chef Bowen has added his creative touch to the spring menu with lighter dishes featuring snacks to share, three new steaks, a lamb frita, seafood including local snapper, plates featuring the bright, vibrant flavors of local produce and the DBGB Frenchie Burger. Db Bistro Moderne in the JW Marriott Marquis Miami 255 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, FL 33131 (305) 421-8800

Dolce Italian, LDV Hospitality’s Italian restaurant at the Gale South Beach, announces the addition of several new dishes to its award-winning dinner menu. Executive Chef Paolo Dorigato combines his prominent culinary background and Italian techniques to create refreshing summer dishes including the Tuna Crudo, a refreshing mix of watermelon, avocado with a pine nuts lemon vinaigrette; Eggplant and Burrata, candied tomatoes, prosciutto on a toasty bread stick; and Asparagus Soup with a lemon crème fraiche. Pazza pizza, a combination of spicy salami, zucchini and candied tomatoes and three new pasta dishes including the Pea Tortelli, ricotta, jumbo lump crab and lobster sauce; Lemon Ricotta Cavatelli, spring green vegetables, pesto, artichokes and a ricotta salata; and the Agnolotti Primavera which features a roasted chicken, fava beans, artichokes and pecorino. Dolce Italian Gale South Beach 1690 Collins Avenue.  (786) 975-2550

The Traymore Restaurant and Bar at Metropolitan by COMO, Miami Beach, presents a new Sunday brunch menu, bringing an eclectic variety of light-hearted fare with a seasonal “Savory” and “Sweet” theme from Chef Juan Loaisiga. Guests are able to enjoy a variety of brunch items on the Savory menu, that include: Eggs Royale / Eggs Benedict ($16); Maine Lobster Toast ($16); Eight Hour Braised Short Rib ($20); Oysters with passion fruit mignonette ($3 each); Seafood Cobb Salad ($16); Pan Roasted Fish of the Day ($20) and a cheese board selection ($16).  The Sweet menu offers Brioche French Toast ($14) and an assortment of Flavored Eclairs ($10). The Traymore brunch cocktails are offered at $10 each, and are uniquely gin-based creations, made especially from The Traymore Gin Bar.  Metropolitan by COMO, Miami Beach  2445 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140.  305-695-3600.

( Information provided by various sources and subject to change.  Please check ahead to confirm all details and make reservations where requested )

The above was produced by MIAbites, one of the leading sources for food news in South Florida. Be sure to visit their website for more great information. 

Cover Photo Credit: Shannon McGee/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)