The legendary Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach has been attracting jetsetters for decades. Today, Inspirato Members stay at the beachfront property in suites with sweeping views of the ocean. Members have many reasons to visit the hotel: they can soak up the sun next to one of 11 pools or on the beach; relax at the 40,000-square-foot Lapis Spa; attend one of the many A-list concerts that happen on-site; or enjoy the many other amenities that make Fontainebleau an icon on Miami Beach.
When we tried to check in at Fontainebleau we were informed we needed to proceed to the VIP check-in lounge, where they offered us Prosecco and artisan chocolates. They showed us to our spacious suite. I felt so happy to be showing my travel companions such a special time in a beautiful, luxurious resort. Our dinner at Scarpetta was another highlight.
But one of the best reasons to spend a vacation at Fontainebleau is to experience the hotel’s intriguing – and delicious — culinary program. The hotel’s lively image and history belie the meticulous attention that its chefs pay to the acclaimed cuisine that they dish up across their on-site restaurants and quick dining options.
Fontainebleau’s culinary team prides itself on emphasizing responsibly sourced ingredients of the finest quality. To do that, they have taken the “locally sourced” concept a step further: Hotel owner Jeffrey Soffer bought the hotel its own boat, a 44-foot commercial fishing vessel dubbed “BleauFish.” A four-person crew responsibly catches fish from the clear blue water just beyond the hotel’s beach, all exclusively for the use of Fontainebleau’s chefs. After their catch, the captain calls ahead to let chefs know the day’s catch so they can plan the evening’s menus. Such emphasis on a true ocean-to-table dining experience is rare for a hotel of Fontainebleau’s size.
When the crew arrives back on shore, the fish are placed, by hand, into the hotel’s unique Water World facility, composed of six species-specific tanks that are temperature-controlled and boast features designed to mimic the ocean. Fish, stone crabs, and spiny lobsters (Fontainebleau serves upwards of 50,000 pounds of sustainably sourced crustaceans annually) are kept here comfortably until they are ready to be served.
In addition to meticulously cared-for seafood, the team pays equally close attention to its other meats and ingredients. Part of the hotel’s expansive culinary space (on-site kitchen space totals more than 40,000 square feet, another rare feature for a hotel) includes a dry-aging room. Head Butcher Carlos Ladines ages prime cuts of beef – sourced from small family farms – for a minimum of 28 days to tenderize and bolster flavor. To cap it all off, he sears steaks over a charcoal grill fired by oak soaked in red wine – an extra flavor enhancer. Even a detail as seemingly minute as butter receives thorough scrutiny from Fontainebleau’s chefs, who took a blind taste test of five different types of butter before selecting two kinds for use in everything from croissants and bread baskets to the beloved pastries and chocolates at the on-site patisserie.
Miami is definitely a culinary capital, and a vacation at Fontainebleau is a great way for Inspirato Members to easily sample some of the city’s best dishes, all in one stop.
DINING AT FONTAINEBLEAU
Hakkasan – In addition to a coveted Michelin-starred rating, the modern Cantonese cuisine from chef Jian Heng Loo has earned AAA Four Diamond status, among other awards.
Scarpetta – James Beard award winner Scott Conant leads the team at this acclaimed Italian restaurant that combines simple, classic Italian cuisine with fine dining in a beautiful ocean-view space.
StripSteak by Michael Mina – The eponymous chef is a culinary icon, and he lends his touch to this updated take on the classic American steakhouse. Enjoy prime steaks aged in-house, fresh seafood, and fine wines.
La Côte – The French Riviera serves as inspiration for this poolside, open-air restaurant’s food, cocktails, and lively bar scene complete with a live DJ on most weekends.
And more – From casual eats to in-room dining, Fontainebleau boasts several other spots for a quick bite and a cocktail throughout the property.
