305’s Hottest & Wildest Rooftop Experience
by Sunny Fraser
Debuting earlier this year on the seventh-floor rooftop of the new Hyde Midtown in Midtown Miami, we were recently invited to a one-on-one media dine for a renewed glimpse into what is certain to be one of Fall’s hottest rooftop dining experiences – Greetings from Salvaje Miami. Salvaje means “wild” in Spanish and at the reigns with purpose and intention, Executive Chef Fermin Azkue presented to us The Wild Side of Japanese Cuisine and mixology.
With hubs in some of the steamiest hot and sexy locations in the world, Salvaje gained its acclaim in Ibiza, Marbella, Madrid, Barcelona, Colombia, and Panama before making its US entrance earlier this year in Miami, Florida. Miami, a multi-cultural destination for celebs, tourists, and even foodies, has become the flagship for many upscale restaurants and shops to make their grand appearances in the US market.
Serving ample, but pricey, innovative, upscale, Japanese fusion-inspired sharing and entrée dishes, this Mundo Salvaje (wild world) touts fierce, signature entrees like fresh Branzino deboned and served whole robata-style as fantastical smoke permeates the table and Duck Fried Rice with the decadence of duck confit and exotic mushrooms complemented by the pervasiveness of truffles, wowing any ogler with the methodically aligned slices of perfectly juicy, medium-rare duck breast.
Then there is their fan-favorite, an elevated, seasonal sushi bar with offerings of seductively glistening unagi (eel) nigiri topped with delicate flakes of bonito, a sexy sea urchin adorn with a couple of caviar eggs to take over-the-top to the next level and the crave-worthy, seductress christened Super Dynamite with its Alaskan king crab rolled in sushi rice encased in soy skin and sesame, then dipped in clarified truffle butter. Also available is an omakase experience for the wild child, where the chef creates the selections for the more adventurous diners. The key to their deliciousness is sourcing throughout the world to secure the best-of-the-best ingredients. Interestingly, they also rotate chefs from all locations to keep them refreshed and maintain a new and exciting experience for guests.
With wild, there comes the unexpected. Drinks were inventively flirtatious, even lewd with clever names and Insta-worthy presentations, like the Porn Star Salvaje, a passionfruit and vodka craft cocktail served with a shot of bubbly. But pause, as the DJ kicks it up a couple of notches to an eleven and the servers abruptly cease service to entertain guests with some choreographed moves – Of course, alongside some professional dancers staged around the restaurant and lounge to ensure some uniformity and dazzling eye candy. Imagine unbridled vibes of good, fearlessly reckless, untamed, high-spirited energy in a somewhat restrained, upscale, island tropical, shabby chic, adulting-type atmosphere of gastronomy and entertainment, where servers, like ours (Alain and GM, César), are seasoned and knowledgeable – And friends, business colleagues, and even the YOLO types can toast and socialize in a seemingly subdued fashion while taking in all the marvelously alluring tastes, aromas, and panorama. As the evening carries on, there is a notable elevation in the room’s spirit. Although with a heavy hand on the volume, it may be difficult for some to hold a serious conversation there – Just a head’s up.
It’s a hot scene of beautiful people and design but tamed with considerate architectural features like a retractable roof and blinds for as needed protection, fans everywhere for cooling, and a way for it all to be untethered and exposed, weather permitting, allowing guests to comfortably take in the stunning sunsets and unfiltered city views that make you forget you’re in the heart of Midtown only seven stories up. Supplemented with a DJ and shisha lounge where guests can dance, liberate without reservation and share hookah, Salvaje is Miami unchained, or a solid night out of pleasure and indulgence with a melding of amusement, tantalizing fare and sultry views.
Feeling apprehensive about your first time, you can always ease into this wild beast during their Salvaje Sunset Special from 5 pm – 7 pm, Monday – Friday, with reasonably priced cocktails and sharable dishes paired effortlessly with Miami’s sensational twilight. When you’re invited to take a walk on the wild side as we were, you just go along and say, “Hey, babe – Take a walk on the wild side…” and they say, “Hey, sugar – Take a walk on the wild side” and you “Doo do doo do doo do do doo.” And we did. No regrets, just good times.
