Posted March 3, 2014
By VICTORIA HERNANDEZ
The newest addition to Sunset Place is definitely a ray of light.
Buns & Buns is a quaint little restaurant that defies any categorization. The first impression is much like a café on the corner.
The entrance of Buns & Buns in South Miami (Photo by Victoria Hernandez).
But once inside, it is very homey with brick and wood décor. The kitchen is open and the food is sizzling. The menu is part bakery (it is called Buns & Buns) and part grill. The dining area is small, but perfectly comfortable.
Service is fast. The entrées come out immediately after the appetizers so both are eaten at practically the same time.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, just come with a big appetite. All of the food would be approved by Goldilocks, not too hot, not too cold, just right.
The presentation is decent, nothing special, but food is neatly arranged. The plates and bowls are dark earthenware and contrast the bright colors of the food and the light, fluffy bread. There is no excessive garnishing.
The appetizers, called “Bites,” are definitely satisfying. The quinoa fritters are rolled and covered in something like breadcrumbs. They come with a light garlic sauce. The cheesy bites were light fluffy pillows. They come with a red sauce that seemed tomato-based. Both starters were very yummy and the perfect size for three to four people to share.
The main courses are simply delicious. Each main entrée comes with bread. All of the meat is perfectly tender. The lamb ribs fall off the bone. The pork belly is succulent and juicy. The bread is also satisfying. Both the herb bun (comes with the lamb ribs) and the steamed bun (comes with the pork) were very soft and warm.
The lowest point of the meal is the vegetables. The cole slaw was sour and the cabbage was not great, but that paled in comparison to the richness of the meat. Other barbecue selections include chicken, snapper, shrimp, ribeye and sea bass. Other breads available are pretzel buns, ciabatta bread, and naans, which are more of a flatbread.
There is no rush to finish your meal even when the restaurant gets busy. The check comes in a cigar box, an utterly unique feature.
Even though the walls are dark, the front of the store is primarily windows and there are hanging lights to brighten up the dining area. The restaurant is relaxing.
Overall, the staff is very friendly. It is quick to help navigate the menu and explain how the food is paired. The servers bring the bottle or can of soda and pour it for you, acting as service that would be expected at a much higher-end restaurant. Everybody is happy to be there. The chefs dance along to the music, a mix of 1980s and 1990s light rock.
The ambiance is casual. There is a big projector screen on the left wall that shows sporting events. Buns & Buns is a nice family restaurant or a place to hang out with a small group of friends. This restaurant is a great value. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is comforting and the staff is there to serve.
- Restaurant: Buns & Buns
- Address: 5748 Sunset Dr. Miami, Fla. 33143
- Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
- Phone: 786-216-7754
- Cuisine: Barbecue
- Price: $10-$20 per person