Posted April 6, 2016
By CHIARA DIGIALLORENZO
Tucked among the homeless haven of downtown Miami, on an unexpected street, 26 year old French and Persian owner, David Foulquier opened his namesake restaurant, Fooq’s, a trendy boutique gourmet restaurant blending together European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Since debuting last May, the restaurant has become a crowd favorite—attracting both older and younger customers traveling from local Miami areas. Although a young restaurateur, Foulquier is not an amateur by any means. Fooq’s savory menu and extensive wine selection is that of a seasoned pro.
Fooq’s is a small eatery, set in a rustic and warm environment. Resembling a small living room, upon entering the restaurant guests are able to wait in a homey wooden couch area arranged with vibrant throw pillows, along with an array of specialty cookbooks and fine wine reads.
The staff is small, yet everyone working at Fooq’s is extremely friendly—immediately greeting all guests with a smile and A+ service. The waiters and kitchen personnel are all young, yet professional, maneuvering the 40-seat space seamlessly.
Racks of wine are mounted against the wall, the lights are dim, the tables are wooden and even the light bulbs are presented in an artsy and antique manner. If a millennial were to describe this restaurant, undoubtedly the adjectives would be: hipster and chill.
Fooq’s serves lunch and dinner along with Saturday brunch, but is most known as a dinner spot. The menu reads that all produce is locally sourced, which is completely believable by the quality and freshness of the food. The starting options are diverse ranging from endive and pear salads, to octopus, to delicious Italian style meatballs.
The trio of jars is a popularly ordered appetizer option for group dining ($16). Depending on the day, the jars are filled with three different special crudité. A personal favorite being crumbled goat cheese topped with honey, baba ghanoush and a walnut and tomato chutney, all served with sliced baguette. Each jar is different from the next, offering a complimentary and satisfying taste test of different regions.
The Fooq’s famous meatballs are absolutely mouth watering. Made with brisket and pork and served in a mini plan drenched in red sauce, the four meatballs are a perfectly sharable and classic item.
The brussel sprouts are delectable. Most contemporary chic restaurants today offer their own trendy rendition of brussel sprouts, but Fooq’s are unquestionably a must-have. Crispy, honey glazed, sweet and tart, added by the yogurt sauce on the bottom of the dish—this makes eating vegetables like eating dessert.
The menu offers classic French dishes such as steak frites and bouillabaisse, which are executed with precision and tradition. The Fooq’s burger is made of a juicy and flavorful patty made of rib, brisket and pork. It is topped with a thick layer of melted Jarlsberg cheese, spicy sauce and a brioche bun, served with a side of hand cut, homemade French fries. Mostly all dishes prepared at Fooq’s have wholesome, hearty flavors.
Don’t know anything about wine? Customers truly don’t need to. Every server at the restaurant has a well-versed expertise in wine pairing. The wine menu itself is double the size of the food menu, showing just how particular Foulquier is when it comes to the sophisticated dining experience.
Fooq’s handpicked wine selection will compliment any of their dishes. Mostly all diners are seated with a carafe of wine filled, but bottles are not a necessity at Fooq’s. The glass selection ranges anywhere from $8 to $34 dollars, from regions all across the globe.
Restaurants come and go, but Fooq’s is here to stay. Already loved by many, the food and environment tell the international story of our very own city.
- Fooq’s: Feel Good Food
- 1035 N. Miami Ave., Miami Fla., 33136
- Hours of Operation:
- Brunch: Saturdays 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Lunch: Mondays – Fridays 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- Dinner: Mondays – Thursdays 6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Fridays – Saturdays 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Street parking or valet at Club Eleven.