The Forge in Miami

Anyone out there have an opinion of this Miami classic restaurant/steak house?

Andy,

It's been many years since I have been there, so take this for what it's worth, but I did quite a few visits to The Forge and thought it was one of the best high end places in Miami. For a while, it was my go to place for both client entertainment as well as a romantic date place when I first started courting Julie. It was very old school in both ambiance and service. Tuxedoed waiters and captains. Very genteel. I generally ordered steaks (dry aged) and especially enjoyed the ribeye, but the real draw is the wine list. It's as big as a dictionary. We were able to arrange a tour of the wine cellar on one visit and it was quite a collection. As I said, it's been a while since I have been there, but I doubt much has changed.

The Forge
432 W. 41st St
Miami Beach, FL
305-604-9895

Yea, its been many, many years since I've been, but I mostly recall as Steve. What sticks out was an exagerated "Continental" style of service and some really (really) high prices--in fact I've wanted to return but the stickers have always kept me away. Thus, I'd love to get a current report.

The Forge. Wow. A blast from the past.

Haven't been there in over 20 years, so my review of the place would be less than timely, but I used to entertain clients there occasionally when in MIA during one of my other work lives, and would echo stevez' comments.

As a trivia note, I still have a paperback copy of their Funk and Wagnall's Dictionary-sized "Wine Book" in my possession, somewhere. It's a souvenir from a trip when I was accompanied by my then-boss, a wealthy, dynamic and highly gregarious individual. We entertained a large, influential client group and the honcho regaled us all with several excellent wines, and a personal copy of the wine book for everyone at the table to boot.

Had the boss' wine selections showed up on my expense account however, there would have been hell to pay.

I can echo Steve's comments about the Forge and the attached private club (was Jimmyz, I think). Given the history and the scene of the place, I think the food is actually much better than it needs to be. That's particularly remarkable in Miami, where almost no "fancy" restaurant has food that comes anywhere close to the price tag and "ambience." The Forge shares a vibe with places like Bern's in Tampa, Tony's in St. Louis, Cafe la Cave here, but much more current and filled with good-looking South Americans. You keep expecting Dean Martin to show up, in a good way. Also, the steaks are not that much more outrageously priced than places such as Morton's/Joe's/Keefer's/S&W etc. Monumental wine list. The Forge has a nice sense of permanence in an otherwise ephemeral town.