Chef Jeff McInnis, Yardbird Southern Table & Kitchen, Recommendations, Miami, FL, Florida, Chef’s Recs, Florida Panhandle, Florida Keys, Charleston, SC, South Carolina, Cookbooks, Thomas Keller, Beer, Drink, Abita Beer, Rogue Morimoto Soba Ale, Chef Mike Lata, Chef Sean Brock, Where to eat, Where to drink, Where to shop, Food Purveyors
Photographs courtesy of Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
Who
Jeff McInnis is the Executive Chef and partner of Yardbird Southern Table & Kitchen in Miami Beach, Florida.
Why
Chef McInnis describes Yarbird Southern Table & Kitchen as “a house of worship to farm-fresh ingredients, classic Southern cooking, culture and hospitality.”
Chef Jeff McInnis | Yardbird Southern Table & Kitchen
February 7, 2012
Miami Beach, FL
Q & A with Chef Jeff McInnis
Eat | Must Try Dishes At Yardbird
Yardbird’s Fried Chicken & Shrimp and Grits
Photographs courtesy of Yardbird Southern Table & Kitchen
Fried Chicken
Cooked using a 150-year old recipe. It’s served with tupelo honey for a touch of sweetness, cheddar-chive waffles, and a refreshing, juicy watermelon salad with a kick of heat from chiles.
Brunswick Stew
Served with house-made alligator sausage and rabbit.
Shrimp & Grits
A classic Southern dish with the volume turned up.
Recommendations
Jeff McInnis’ recommendations for where to eat, drink and shop in Miami, the Florida Keys, the Florida Panhandle and Charleston.
Yardbird Southern Table & Kitchen
South Beach
Modern Southern / American
1600 Lenox Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
T: 305.538.5220
Website:
Hours:
Sun - Thu: 12pm - 12am
Fri - Sat: 12pm - 2am
A Chef’s Recs | The Florida Keys
Drink | Bars
Jimbo’s
Photo Credit: Kyriaki [flickr]
One of a kind. Not sure if it even classifies as a bar. It’s just a shack made of drift wood and old barnacle-filled boat wood. No liquor, no wine and no nonsense. It’s located on a small secluded island just south of Miami. Jimbo Luznar is one of the last recorded squatters in Florida.
Grab beers out of a washtub full of ice. The decor is great: a big rusty old school bus, abandoned cars, lots of leftover movie props from: the original Porkeys, Island Claws, Blood and Wine, Wild Things, Ace Ventura, True Lies and 2 Fast 2 Furious.
[See details.]
A Chef’s Recs | Florida Panhandle
Eat | Restaurants
Fire
Photographs courtesy of Fire At Gulf Place
Fire At Gulf Place
Anything off of the chef’s menu.
Joe & Eddie’s
It’s a great diner with traditional diner food. They do the diner classics – burgers, shakes, breakfast items, fries, and all-American entrees – very well.
[See details.]
Eat & Drink | Wine & Cheese
Chan’s Wine World
They sell great wine and cheese.
[See details.]
A Chef’s Recs | Charleston, SC
Eat | Restaurants
Food at Husk and McCrady’s
Photographs courtesy of Husk and McCrady’s
FIG is a restaurant in Charleston that I really like. Any of the fish entrees and the suckling pig confit are must-orders.
I respect what Sean Brock has done with McCrady’s and Husk. The menu changes daily, but anything with Heritage pork or duck is fantastic.
[See details.]
A Chef’s Resources
Cookbooks | Thomas Keller’s Books
All of Thomas Keller’s books, but specifically Under Pressure and Ad Hoc At Home. His emphasis on impeccable technique is inspiring, and I think both books – one focused on the exacting technique of sous vide and the other on relaxed family recipes – show the same kind of versatility that I aspire to have as a chef.
[See details.]
Recipes
- Yardbird Southern Table & Bar Macaroni and Cheese
Recommendations
Details of Jeff McInnis’ recommendations for where to eat, drink and shop in Miami, the Florida Keys, the Florida Panhandle and Charleston.
City Guides
- Miami City Guide: Download
Recommendations
Find | Southern ingredients
Where To Buy Southern Staples
Miami has a number of great farmer’s markets, and they’re the first places I visit to find fresh Southern produce. However, I source some of the ingredients at Yardbird -- like molasses, some grains, and certain produce items -- from farms and suppliers in the Deep South.
Abita Beer
We use it in BBQ sauce, on collard greens (braised in straight beer) and in the shrimp and grits.
[See details.]
A Chef’s Recs | Miami, FL
Find | Markets
Stone Crab Claws and Fish from Casablanca Fish Market
Photographs courtesy of Casablanca Fish Market
Fish | Casablanca Fish Market
A fantastic fish market on the Miami River. It’s a great place to get fresh snapper and grouper.
Ethnic | PK Oriental Market
I love it -- I can always find everything from exotic and unique noodles to abalone.
[See details.]
Eat | Restaurants
Tacos at Lime Fresh Mexican Grill
Photograph courtesy of Lime Fresh Mexican Grill
Where To Take A Visiting Chef
Garcia’s
I’d put them on my boat and take them to Garcia’s for fresh fish.
The Standard
I would also take them to the Standard for their chickpea fries and their vegan lasagna (Living “Lasagna” Terrine).
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill
For a quick taco.
[See details.]
Off The Beaten Track
Chow Down Bar And Grill [NOW CLOSED]
Order the special fish of the day – any of the crudo or whole fish preparations are very fresh and good. The Shrimp Dumplings with Squid Ink are also great with a beer (Rogue Morimoto Soba Ale).
Cheese Me [NOW CLOSED]
This is my favorite food truck. Order your sandwich on Texas Toast – it’s the best variation.
Sardinia Ristorante
While this place tends to be busy on the weekends, it’s slightly off the beaten path from the craziness that is South Beach, right near the water. Go simple when ordering – the Bucatini al Guanciale e Pomodoro is my favorite pasta on the menu, featuring sweet tomatoes and rich guanciale.
[See details.]
Drink | Bars
Churchill’s Pub | Taps at The Room
Photographs courtesy of Churchill’s Pub | The Room
Churchill’s Pub
It’s a hip bar in the middle of Miami. It’s loaded with character. There’s a huge stage that features great bands live nightly. Also, unlike almost every bar in the city, there's actually a parking lot!
The Room
It’s a hidden gem that serves wine and beer only.
[See details.]
Q & A
