So much has been in the news about R House and its battle with Ron DeSatan, excuse me, DeSantis, that it would be easy to forget that it is primarily a restaurant.
The drag shows are just a bonus. We were in Miami Beach to attend the opening of the “David LaChapelle: Happy Together” exhibit at VISU Contemporary Art Gallery with our friends Karen and Pat. We were trying to decide where to grab a bite afterward and Karen said that she had seen Ana Novarro discussing R House on “The View”. It was early for a Friday evening, and we were able to get a table, so we headed over to Wynwood.
The food at R House does not have to be as good as it is, it could survive on the publicity it got from a mention on “The View” alone for years, so kudos to them for delivering top-notch meals and friendly, if not the most efficient, service. We were early enough that cocktail hour was still in effect, so we ordered a bowl of guacamole (only $5 at happy hour). Described simply as cilantro and lime, but it is so much more. It is studded with corn and sprinkled with bacon, which I loved, but made it problematic for my vegetarian hubby. A dish that is usually vegetarian should list meat additions on the menu or, at a minimum, the waiter should notify diners. I pointed this out to our waiter, and he brought out a small side portion, sans bacon. I also enjoyed a nice $7 glass of Rose Kennedy with well vodka from the happy hour menu. Other happy hour treats are short rib or spinach and kale empanadas, house-cut chips, and charcuterie bites all well under $10. There are also $1 sweet chili wings and, on Fridays, oysters for a buck each.
For our main dishes, Pat raved about her Cuban and said the bread was phenomenal. It should be, it’s from Michelin Award-winner Zak “The Baker”. Karen was feeling adventurous and ordered Brazilian Moqueca, a stew of local fish and shrimp, and scallops, with bell peppers and tomato in a coconut milk base. It had just a hint of spice which was perfect for Karen. My hubby ordered the veggie paella bowl, a nice mixture of saffron rice, cauliflower, Brussels, butternut squash, and wild mushrooms. I had been craving fried chicken for a while and R House’s version did not disappoint. The cayenne fried chicken featured white and dark meat, all boneless, in a crispy, spicy batter sitting atop a pool of spicy cilantro sauce. I would have preferred the sauce on the side so that the piece sitting in it didn’t get mushy, but it made for a beautiful presentation.
When we received our bill, I was charged for top-shelf vodka, I pointed this out to our waiter and after a few minutes back and forth with the manager it was corrected and $10 was deducted from our bill. There was no drag show while we were dining, it was too early (but “RuPaul’s Drag Race” was playing on the TV and during commercials, they aired bits from the R House girls’ appearance on “The View”). Our bill was $40 a person. As with many Miami places, an 18% service charge is included in the bill, which we rounded up because our waiter was so nice.
The R House Drag Brunch on Saturday and Sunday is $60 with two seatings, 11:30/11:45 and 2:30/2:45, is quite popular and reservations are required.
R House
2727 NW 2nd Ave., Miami
305-576-0201
rhousewynwood.com
