Reunion Ktchn Bar [sic], located at 18167 Biscayne Blvd, in Aventura (Florida), promises to take its patrons “on a globalized culinary experience with regional specialties, high quality ingredients and bold flavors” that are shared “Tapas Style.”▫️
Calling its offerings “eclectic,” you’ll find some fifty “internationally inspired dishes, ranging from Moroccan pastilla, crispy rice ocean trout with sashimi and tartar, Greek salad, eggplant parmigiana and miso-glazed Japanese yam.”
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Now, traditionally, tapas were small snacks, or appetizers, that Spanish diners would order in bars before dinner (or weekend lunches). Today, however, people will eat entire meals made up of tapas, and that’s called “tapear.” Our waiter suggested that we begin our tapear with the “Crispy Rice -- Ocean Trout, Avocado, Sashimi, Tartar.” ($18, BEFORE tax and tip).
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This offering is made from fresh or leftover rice. While recipes vary, those grains are often pressed into a pan and chilled overnight, the contents are then cut into rectangular pieces and fried until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. That’s supposed to add a “toasty nuttiness” to whatever it is topped with. But we didn’t get that sensation here. In fact, we found the pieces a bit too gritty. And because the accompanying fish mixtures were salty, this dish barely escaped a failing score by a matter of points.
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We didn’t think this 4-piece item warranted a crisp $22+ (all-in), and ultimately scored it a “C-.“
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(Sorry, but I found that score to be high. If I had my druthers, I would have given this dish the eclectic chair ….)
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