Grand Central by Nuno Grullon

Grand Central by Nuno Grullon is a homage to American bistro cuisine that we didn’t know we needed but now can’t live without. Chef Nuno Grullon, hailed for his legendary birria tacos, has transplanted his Bronx roots and culinary finesse onto Biscayne Boulevard. The dining space, reminiscent in its cozy width of a New York City alleyway, serves as an echo of Chef Grullon’s former stomping grounds. The restaurant itself was born of a good ol’ smash burger —  a burger so good, Grullon knew it needed a home of its own. Open only for dinner service Wednesday through Friday, the white linen-clad tables host dishes that verge on artistic masterpieces, elevated a few notches above the realm of ordinary diner fare. Yet, amidst the refinement, an air of approachability prevails.

The succinct menu offers a handful of starters and mains that you know are executed to the T. To start, go for the notorious crab cake where luscious lump crab meat oozing with Calabrian oil nestles beneath a perfectly golden pan-seared crust. This will set the tone for the rest of your evening giving your palate a taste of what’s in store. Now we don’t want to spell out the entire meal but for the uninitiated, a taste of the Grand Central Burger which started the whole venture is in order. It’s burger perfection if there ever was such a thing: two seared and smashed Black Angus patties topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and house-made pickle slices laid between pillowy-soft house-baked brioche buns. Nothing extra, nothing lacking. Just one secret ingredient to add the extra oomph: the Grand Central secrete sauce. Finally, take a sip of carefully curated wine and let the experience seep in.