Say “Ole!” for Toro Toro, the Pan Latin Steakhouse, located at the InterContinental Miami. This chic, Miami hotspot – and a new find of ours – offers an eclectic menu that highlights the flavors of South and Central American cuisines.
We were recently invited in to experience the restaurant and sample some of the dishes created by Chef/Owner Richard Sandoval. From the moment you step inside the restaurant, you will feel elegance surround you. Toro Toro’s expansive open-concept location set inside the sparkling marble lobby level of the InterContinental Hotel helps set the mood — and our semi-circle leather booth, where we were seated, gave us a feeling of coziness within a grander setting.
As soon as we opened up the menu, we were excited — and a bit overwhelmed by Toro Toro’s menu offerings. These included the familiar Churrasco carved tableside; cold & hot small plates; and the highly recommended Chef’s Specials.
If you are looking for small plates, we highly recommend the spicy seafood items that we enjoyed, like the in-house Smoked Swordfish Dip, generously topped with pickled jalapeños and served with crispy plantain strips; and the Chicharron De Camarones, crispy shrimp coated in spicy aji amarillo.
Of course, Toro Toro is a Latin-style steakhouse, so we couldn’t resist their ‘off the grill’ Angus Filet Mignon & Australian Lamb Chops. These generous and beautiful cuts were perfected grilled as ordered, medium rare, and so flavorful that the accompanying side of fresh chimichurri was unnecessary.
If you are not eating red meat, you’ll find great alternatives from the Chef’s Specials. The Pollo A La Brasa is a delicious sweet and spicy Adobo Chicken, and the Achiote BBQ Salmon, with its achiote ponzu sauce, will pleasure your palate like you’ve never experienced before.
Toro Toro’s updated wine list was equally enticing, offering unique selections of sparkling, red, whites and ports from around the world. While we could have spent the evening discovering some new wines, we were glad that we started off with some cocktails to add some diversion to the evening. Standouts included the Sangre Mojito made with blood orange liqueur and the potent Mezcal-based Ahumado, a drink that became spicier in taste in deeper in color with each sip.
No dinner is complete, without a little sweet sensation to end the night. The cloud-like churros dipped in a hot chocolate dipping sauce and paired with a glass of Pedro Ximenez, with a hint of raisin – made for a perfect ending to a wonderful meal.
Toro Toro Miami is located inside the lobby level of the InterContinental Hotel, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami; (305) 372-4710. For parking, guests can choose to either valet or use the metered street parking.