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From the folks who brought us Dolores, But You Can Call Me Lolita, comes its fairly new sister restaurant just a couple of miles away called Crazy About You. Both restaurants have devised a prix-fixe menu style that’s all about value. It is separated into three sections of entrees arranged by price, one group for $15.99, another for $19.99 and the most expensive for $23.99. No matter which price range you choose from, each entrée comes with a complimentary appetizer of your choice. Sounds pretty good, right? It really is. With a deal like that, one might think that the portions are miniscule, but the people at Crazy About You aren’t trying to leave you hungry. You might, however, want to ask your server for suggestions when it comes to portion size as they seem to vary with each entrée. In addition to their food, you can have a bottle of their house Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay for only $14, or a glass on $4. Now that’s a deal you can’t beat! Crazy About You is located in The Mark Building in Brickell which is literally right on the bay. Choose to sit in their upstairs or downstairs lounge for a view that is as all-inclusive as the menu - the calm bay illuminated by the famous Miami skyline. So, what’s the catch? What is it about this place that’s too good to be true? I guess it really just depends on what day you go.
In my several visits to Crazy About You, my opinion about the place has changed. The first time I went (after visiting Dolores-Lolita and loving it), it was everything it was made up to be. Aside from the amazing view, the food was to die for. I can remember a cheesy and flavorful calamari al pepperoncini flatbread appetizer (known to be their most popular), a deliciously tender and warm Mikey’s slow braised steak with a rich and creamy risotto, and a perfectly cooked veal churrasco with a side of irresistibly crunchy shoestring fries. Needless to say, I had to go back for more. My second visit, however, was somewhat of a letdown. We decided to try the Chihuahua cheese casserole with pesto and chorizo as an appetizer. Unfortunately, the cheese, which should have been warm and melted, was at room temperature and already solidifying. The ham croquettes were also slightly cold as if they had been sitting out for a while. For our entrees, we ordered the blue fin tuna carpaccio with seaweed salad and the petit pork osso bucco with mashed potatoes. The tuna was at room temperature when all sushi grade tuna should be cold and as a result, it had an unpleasant fishy taste. The pork Osso Bucco was flavorful, but also cold and somewhat tough. It seems as if all their food had been sitting out, and even the mashed potatoes were bland and only slightly warm. And no, we did not go in an hour or even two hours before closing time.After all is said in done, in order for a restaurant to be considered good, there must be some sort of consistency. Although Crazy About You has potential for greatness with a great menu system and recipes, the kitchen still has a little bit of work to do. I’m not saying I won’t be back, however. I did mention the gorgeous view and $14 bottle of wine, right?
Crazy About You
(305) 377-4442
1155 Brickell Bay DR, Suite 101, Miami, FL 33131
http://www.crazyaboutyourestaurant.com/