Ivy Aventura - (305) 932-1416

I've been to Ivy's twice. The first time we didn't have dinner but sat at the bar for drinks. We so happened to arrive a little early (before the party crowd) and the drinks were half off. The second time we went, we sat at the patio, again earlier than the clubbers arrived, but were unaware that the drinks are not half off in the patio. The bill arrived and was around $90, this included a salad, shrimp pasta and 4 glasses of wine. Personally I think it was a little pricey but once the place turned into the club scene, the music was awesome (mixed but mainly hip-hop). The crowd was also nice, not too juvenile which is what you usually run into when hip-hop is being played. Also keep in mind, it was a Wednesday night around 11:45pm. The decor is very nice as well. Looks like a really nice place for romance if you arrive earlier than 9pm.

We went to Ivy on a Monday night and for us, the place was perfect. There were other diners but everyone was seated with a comfortable amount of space so you had a nice sense of privacy, which was great for us since we were celebrating an anniversary. The food was awesome! My husband had the New York Strip with a cognac creme sauce and I had the Angus Filet with a cabernet sauce. Absolutely delicious! The parmesan fries were very tasty. For an appetizer we had the Caprese Salad, yummy, and then a scrumptious Triple chocolate mousse to finish the meal. The waiter was very friendly and the service was excellent??well attended but not constantly interrupted, again we were celebrating. We were informed by the staff that they had just gotten a new chef who started that same night. He was working off the old chef's menu and will be creating his own this week. So I can't tell you how the food will be, but if last night is any example....WOW! The place is a bit difficult to find and honestly, you don?t think much of it since it is in a strip mall, but once inside that feeling completely vanishes. The inside is very chic with dark wood and just the right amount of lighting. Outside there is a nice patio which is enclosed by planters with a ficus hedge and blinking white lights. Very nice! There is also what seems to be a VIP section with sofas and candles?..cool place to share a bottle of wine. We?ll definitely be back to try the new chef?s menu.

First, Im very picky, but I was truly impressed with this place. Me and a couple of coworkers went on a Tuesday for happy hour. To our surprise they had a great little jazz band and the place has a cool, sophisticated, yet relaxing vibe. We enjoyed a few of half price appetizers(try the tuna!) then decided to stay for dinner. I had the Sea Bass which I must say is probably the best I have ever had. My coworkers had steaks which they raved about. Our server was Don, clearly an experienced waiter which Im sure helped make our dinner seamless but the manager was also very attentive. I read the other reviews and maybe we caught the place on a good night but wow it was REALLY a memorable experience. In a neighborhood full of big chain restaurants this is a unique little gem with a soul, I will be back!