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Locals flock to this eatery for creative and distinctive food and drinks in a relaxed and rustic setting. The Federal's distinctiveness cannot be overstated: You won't see crispy omassum tripe with barbecue powder and maple-syrup dipping sauce; jar-o-duck with candied sweet potatoes and charred marshmallow fluff; or Buffalo-style pig wings just anywhere. The so-called wings are really cuts of pork from the shank -- dark, moist, and deeply flavorful meat. Another no-miss starter: biscuits and bite-size nuggets of fried sweetbreads in tandem with peas, pearl onions, sweet baby carrots, and beets in a creamy country gravy. Most main courses keep pace with the scintillating starters. Like, for instance, a sumptuous "little" chicken, or Cornish game hen, proffered Thanksgiving-style with cornbread-sausage stuffing and a mixed berry compote. "Fishermen's New Amsterdam chowder" is really more of a bouillabaisse (sans rouille), and a good one at that. Also tasty is the juicy lamb burger on a soft pretzel bun. Some half-dozen pints of draft brews and the same number of bottled beers ($7 to $9) will help wet your whistle; lots of rarely seen wine labels are on hand too. Finish with "s'mores in a jar," featuring rich dark-chocolate pudding, graham crackers, and bronzed marshmallow fluff. It is delicious and recommendable, as is so much of the food here. But order the s'mores and jar-o-duck on different visits; a good rule of thumb is to avoid indulging in more than one course containing marshmallow fluff per meal. Another rule of thumb: When a cool neighborhood joint with great food opens, eat there.
It’s summer in Miami. It’s about 105 degrees out, you have sweat stains on your new Prada blouse, and your hair makes you look like Bozo’s illegiti...
Despite the incorrect prognostications of the Mayans, the Heaven's Gate whack-jobs, and Pat Robertson, the fact remains that the world could theoretically end anytime. Hell, we could be going about ou... More »
Last night, it seemed as if The Federal, that trendy Biscayne strip-mall eatery, was feeding an actual army. Crawdaddy Tuesday may just be the worst thing that's ever happened to crawfish. The specia... More »
In many ways, Miami feels as if it has seceded from the South, but the Federal's new Crawdaddy Tuesday and Chicken Fry Wednesday might make us feel a bit down-home again. Crawdaddy Tuesday began last... More »
Miami's beer revolution is marching on, as another craft booze event is coming to town this fall. The Liquid Projects, the Miami Beach company that brought Beers, Bites and Babes to The Federal, ... More »
Last night, the Federal's patio was transformed into a "ladies liquid lounge" for the inaugural Spirited Sirens tasting, "Beer, Bites & Babes". Jennifer Massolo, "Chief Imbiber" of the Liquid Projec... More »
The last time this much mystery surrounded a plate of French fries, Nancy Drew was trying to solve the Case of the Freshman Fifteen. This year, for about the price of a paperback ($10), local sleuths can try their hand at figuring out how the fries at the Federal are so darn good. Lean on the server, and he might admit they are hand-cut and soaked in a preparation before being lightly fried. Sweet-talk the bartender and she might spill that the fries are left to sit for a while before being... More »
Professor Irving Miller of the American Institute of Enterprising Ideas recently released his groundbreaking thesis titled "5 Key Elements of the Successful Neighborhood Restaurant." When we caught up with the feisty 73-year-old professor at his favorite eatery, the Federal, we asked why he likes this place so much. His response: "It has all five elements necessary, starting with hospitality. Two of the owners are up front greeting customers and making them feel at home; the other is in the... More »
This quirky, wallet-friendly spot in a Biscayne strip mall touts itself as the home of Latin soul food, and indeed there's plenty of soul in the epic menu of small-plate delights. Order a pitcher of sangria and start off with fried garbanzo beans with chorizo, a Spanish omelet, and crisp patatas bravas. The vegetarian-friendly options include a respectable paella and innovative plates such as tostones "Caprese" with mozzarella and green plantains. The atmosphere is laid-back and artsy, as is... More »
Admittedly this new neighborhood café's Cuban specialties are spotlighted only at lunchtime, when Cuban-American co-owner Margarita Vasallo is the kitchen dominatrix. Although the menu is limited to sandwiches, starters, and a few full-size entrées, all items are of high quality -- and are the real thing. Dishes include several typical Cuban beef cuts, a fish and soup of the day, and one or two more labor-intensive Cuban specials -- perhaps hefty rabo encendido or ropa vieja.... More »
