Yardbird Southern Kitchen

Chef Jeffrey McInnis was one of the first trend-setters in the Southern Cuisine craze we are currently experiencing. Yardbird Southern Kitchen is located just off of Lincoln and blocks from the hubbub of South Beach. His bio states he was born to either fish or cook. Growing up on fishing boats around Niceville, Florida, and after attending Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, he left for hotels in the Caribbean. Working under Norman Van Aken at Norman’s took him to Miami and ultimately The DiLido Beach Club, where he won a 2008 StarChefs.com Rising Star Award. Recently he cooked his way into the finals of “Top Chef,” and then the ultimate experience, leading an ICCA Culinary Road Trip during the 2013 Miami Summit:)

Yardbird Southern Kitchen is a uniquely designed space featuring a black & white slideshow in the bar area showcasing Elvis, Blues Legends and anything that pays homage too the South. Even photos in the bathroom have Johnny Cash in prison stripes. With all of that, the food is truly the star of this restaurant.  It might be the best fried chicken I have ever tasted and his charcuterie platter was awesome. The meal began with an amuse bouche was a Southern treat of watermelon and toasted feta cheese. Chef McInnis is know for his Mama's Chicken & Biscuits and Shrimp & Grits, but the seafood items are of course one of his specialties. Desserts are also amazing with the Mississippi Mud Pie, Carrot Layer Cake and Lemon Buttermilk Chess Pie with a Blueberry Compote a great ending to a fantastic dining experience.