When respected chefs — like Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina — join forces to open a restaurant, you’d think that it’ll be something special. Right?
Well, “International Smoke,” which opened in late February of this year, is “special” ... but not in a good way.
Offering their respective takes on American and international barbecued items, this team aspires to “re-create that special feeling reminiscent of a backyard barbecue, where you get to experience a variety of different flavors and cultures with family and friends.”
The restaurant at the Aventura Mall (one of three throughout the country), faltered — particularly when it came to the “RIB TIP MAC + CHEESE” ($14)
While the meat added a nice smoky, juicy layer to the dish, the pasta and cheese were surprising bland; “lacked guts,” noted a guest. (I thought it needed to be creamier.)
Because they were chintzy with the meat, and we couldn’t identify a cheesy taste, significant points were lost, and this disappointing variant of an American classic ended up with an extremely generous “C.”
Follow Lucas on Instagram: @lucasaferrara
