Few things in life go well together like a good burger and a tasty beer. Well, there is a new sensation in town, located in beautiful Coconut Grove, called Lokal Burgers & Beer. At first, it was a bit difficult spotting this new marvel, but as soon as I heard the sounds of Bob Marley and saw a graffiti-filled bar, I knew I was at the right spot.
Lokal exhibits a comfortable, modern-industrial vibe. Upon entry, your eyes gravitate towards the right, where you notice that the base of the bar is covered with old cassette tapes, and graffiti overlays the brick wall behind it. Owner Matt Kuscher thinks “green", and virtually everything in LoKal was made from recyclable material. The dining tables were forged from particle board chips. Even the hostess podium is fabricated from a wooden pallet. Adorning the wall opposite the bar, is a befitting 'LoKal' mural made out of old donated wine corks.
The aforementioned visual impression is only exceeded by the savory menu and extensive beer list. I began my feast with the New Mexico Chili. I can’t tell you what’s in it due to its classification of "TOP SECRET". What I can tell you - its top with shredded Monterrey Jack, diced onions, with a side of tortilla chips - and its DAMN GOOD CHILI! My friends and I were lucky enough to order three different and unique burgers. One ordered the fiery 'Miami Heat' - served with spicy mayo, jack cheese, grilled onions, fresh jalapenos and Sriracha - perhaps the hottest burger in Miami. If you’re a fan of spice, this burger is for you. The other friend had 'The Classic'. The sharp Wisconsin cheddar really made this burger tasty. I went with the '50/50' - made from 50% Florida ground beef and 50% Florida ground bacon! Monterey jack cheese and delicious sweet onion marmalade tops off this fine creation. We were all very happy with our burger selections.
I must say for being open only a few days I was surprised how smooth everything was running. The servers were quick, very attentive and a sight for sore eyes. The bartender, was genuine, witty, and kept our drinks full. He even took the time to chat with us about the previous night's Miami Heat game. I’m looking forward to my next visit to
Lokal. I still have 10 burgers to try and at least twice as many beers to taste! I’m looking forward to the day I’m known as a "regular."
I’m a firm believer that good things come in small packages. Proof of this concept is Lulu in the Grove, located in the heart of Coconut Grove at 3105 Commodore Plaza. Don’t let its size full you - Lulu has much to offer. With its chic décor, mellow vibe, exciting dishes, happy hour drink specials Monday through Friday from 4-7pm and your choice of indoor or outdoor seating, Lulu is the perfect place for a first date, people watching or simply some relaxing time alone. 
On our first visit my friends and I arrived just after 7pm. I was pleasantly surprised at how cordial and warm everyone was; from the manager to the busboy the entire staff made all of us feel very welcomed. We made our way to the bar which takes up most of the space inside the restaurant, sat down and right away Elizabeth took care of us. She told us about their specials for the evening and informed us that if this was our first visit, we would receive complimentary sangria by checking in on Foursquare (information that ended up coming in very handy).
We started off our meal by ordering the Spinach and Artichoke Dip with tortilla chips and their Sweet & Spicy Ginger Chicken Wings. While both of the appetizers were fantastic, the wings really wowed me. They were so good they managed to make my “Top 5 Wing Joints in Miami” list. Later on I decided to try the Kobe Beef Slider. Well presented and cooked to a perfect medium-rare, I actually just stared at it for a while before eating it. It’s pricey - $6 just for one, but the flavor is most definitely worth it (though, for its size and price range I wouldn't mind having two on my plate). My friends went with the Seafood Pasta which was absolutely perfect. We finished with a Lulu’s Café and me having the sweet tooth that I do, I decided to try the mango cheesecake. While not terrible, I wasn't really feeling this dessert.
A few weeks later, I came in for lunch to finally try the Lulu burger - a 10oz Angus burger with massive strips of bacon, Swiss cheese, and chipotle sauce. As I waited for my meal the bartender made me delicious freshly squeezed lemonade. When the burger arrived it was cooked perfectly medium and looked absolutely delicious. Memo to all burger lovers: when there’s more pattie then bun it’s a good thing! Creativity and fresh ingredients made this burger a delight to eat, and the steamed asparagus I substituted for the fries was a welcoming compliment. 
Friendly service, an enticing menu, a great wine list and a “high class” feel make Lulu in the Grove one of the best spots in Miami. Seriously, what more can you ask for? At Lulu the customer is #1. I’ve really enjoyed my visits and am sure I’ll be a regular there in no time. Stop in for a quick bite or a bottle of wine and I’m sure you’ll fall in love just as easily as I did. 
