Fluke Martini & Crudo Bar

A paper menu and a pencil are the first things you handle at Fluke Martini & Crudo Bar, establishing the casual, self-serve ethos of this Miami Beach spot. The straightforward system gives way to a kitchen focused on precise, high-quality seafood. You can settle in for an evening that revolves around a rotating selection of raw and fried dishes. The list of preparations has featured branzino with artichoke gremolata and preserved lemon or Japanese sea bream with plum vinaigrette and Thai chili. The namesake fluke crudo, served with a tomato guazzetto and a small caponata, has become a representative dish, showcasing the kitchen's delicate and thoughtful handling of seafood. The establishment operates on a walk-in basis, fostering a relaxed atmosphere designed for the neighborhood.\nThe bar program is centered on martinis, from classic preparations to more creative interpretations. Every cocktail arrives with its own chilled sidecar, a nod to traditional service that ensures the drink remains cold. While seafood is the main event, the offerings extend to fried items like shrimp with artichoke remoulade and mussels marinara. In a surprising but popular move, the food selection also provides a permanent home for the Big Macch Burger, a cult favorite from its sibling restaurant, Macchialina. This inclusion reinforces the bar’s identity as a comfortable local haunt rather than a strictly purist seafood counter. A curated list of natural and biodynamic wines offers another dimension to the beverage options.\nFluke is situated in the original dining room of Macchialina, a space that has been updated with a black marble bar while retaining its familiar warmth. The concept was born from an expansion that left the team with this extra room, a fortunate turn of events that inspired the restaurant's name. This origin is key to its character as a cozy offshoot with a distinct personality, intended for early evening drinks, late-night bites, or a full dinner. It is a spot built around the simple premise of pairing well-crafted cocktails with fresh seafood, offered in a setting that values spontaneity over ceremony.