The Forge

The place, ambiance, food and staff were awesome, with one very sour exception. We went during Miami Spice, and we were a small party of four. Their server, named Nick Z. is a middle aged guy with dollar signs in his eyes and a lot of attitude. The minute he knew we were ordering from the Miami Spice menu, he gave us horrible attitude and service. There were a few other tables with larger parties around us, and he would smile and tap their shoulders, and check on these tables 3-4 times before checking on ours. Sad to say, that night was my birthday and we did order a lot of extras like several glasses of Deadalus Pinot Noir at $19 per glass. When 2 of us got up for a smoke, he confronted us as if we were ditching the place without paying. he also looked over our shoulders as we signed the CC receipts as if implying we were trying to not pay. We left him a 30% tip to make a point but suffice to say the world of fine dining would be a much better place without servers like Nick Z. more

I have never complained at a restaurant before but dinner at The Forge was so awful that I feel compelled to write a letter and complain. The irony of this is that we had also just eaten at The Settai for Miami Spice Week where we had a wonderful meal in great surroundings with great service. Please let me elaborate. Our party of four ordered both from the regular menu and the Miami Spice menu so we had a chance to sample foods from both menus. 1. It took The Forge over one hour to bring our first course. 2. The menu had items on it that were not available. The waiter told us they had run out of one of the appetizers, clams and mussels, the day before but there was nothing on the menu indicating this nor were we informed when we ordered. 3. The ""substitute,"" an oyster poor boy was absolutely inedible. It was tasteless and the oyster was so hard it could not be eaten. 4. The meat for the skirt steak was tough. We left almost the entire portion. 5. The three mushroom risotto was served congealed and so unappetizing that it looked like a bowl of vomit. 6. The hamburger was unevenly cooked with the raw side so red that if a dept of health inspector had seen it, the restaurant would have been closed down. 7. Even the flourless chocolate torte was tasteless. If there was anything good about the meal, it was the bread and the other diners liked the cheesecake for dessert. The quality of the food was so poor that even a chain restaurant would have had a problem serving it, but for the Forge to charge the prices they do and serve such inferior quality food is disgraceful. Not only will I never visit The Forge again, I will urge my friends to not go there and forego the miserable experience we were subjected to. What a disgrace! more

The Forge is elegantly decorated and has the best food I have had in Miami. A friendly and classy staff makes the entire Forge experience wonderful. We have now been going here every month. The value is really good as well. Reasonable prices depending on what one orders. more

The food there is amazing! The detail is what makes it the best. Also has a great atmosphere and a very high end clientell I would recommend this place to any one for an anniversary or any type of special occasion! more

I have been to all the best restaurants for steak and I rate the Forge as the best. I have been coming here now at least once a month because of the super steak and ribeye. I have also tried their seafood which is excellent. In fact, if you are looking to spend a little less, I would recommend their fish/seafood as some of the best as well. Risootto is great too. You're taken care of with wine and service and the inside of the restaurant is beautiful! I have nver had any problems with anything from the valet (cheap valet parking by the way) to the servers to the bussers... more

Much different place than I remember. And for the better! The food is still top notch (best steak anywhere), but the late night "party" atmosphere has been replaced by a more elegant and sophisticated night experience. Wine selection is even better and now they have the dispensers that offer a iphone "experience". Very cool. It is worth the experience alone. Food and service is fabulous! Also recommend the tuna. more

Service and atmosphere? Dynamite. Steak? Even better. Wine selection? I think they advertise it as one of the best in the world and I see why. It would be a little overwhelming actually if not for the great service and bartenders and the ability to taste the wines by the ounce. Everything is pretty relaxed and yet they are on top of everything. Glad that I finally came back. Sort of went off my radar after they closed for renovations. more

Was at the Forge last night and had a wonderful time. Seems to have changed a bit from the last time I was there. It is still hip and extravagantly decorated. And the food seems to be a little better than I remember, but not as much of a "party" atmosphere. Wine selection is still the best I have seen. I hadn't been in S. Florida for a while so it has been a while, but I had to write about such a great place. Yes, the steaks are the best. Im from up north and there is no place like The Forge in food, service and especially atmosphere. more

I have been a little turned off of late when I try new restaurants that advertise things like ""best"", but The Forge lives up to it's advertisement. I have had steak at some of the best restaurants all over the country and The Forge comes through as, probably, the tops I have had. I did not try some of the other menu items although they looked good and my client said it was great (seared tuna). Wine selection made coming here in and of itself worth it. Also, I love the way they have it decorated- modern/hip with class. Service was great too...Glad I came here. Gonna make a habit of coming to Miami a little more often to dine here... more

Was here 2 nights ago. Brought girlfriend. We were thoroughly impressed. I really can't explain because unless you have been inside, you couldn't imagine such a cool and unique place. For example, they have these chandeliers that I have never seen before, but it isn't gaudy (sp?). The seating was really comfortable and yet classy. Food was great. Get the lamb chops. Good mix of couples/business people there. Server (CJ) was really good and the wine was perfect. The whole night was just sensational. Even thanked the manager on our way out.... more

This place is incredible. It's not simply an amazing food experience but an amazing way to spend the night. We were taken back by the the way they decorated the restaurant. The huge mirror is remarkable and the comfort/beauty of the seating is really inviting. Obviously, the biggest draws are the steaks and wine, but the whole restaurant environment and experience is worth every penny... more

I'm not sure what the previous reviewer was talking about because I was there last night with a few friends and the ribeye was incredible. I'll agree that the place is beautiful and the decor fabulous. What is this guy talking about that a waiter spilling wine would never happen at a restaurant? Do other restaurants hire robots? Dude, it happens at the best restaurants and they comped you a bottle of wine (what's that like $100.00?) to compensate and you were still turned off? Sounds like you're a little uptight there. There is nothing typical about this place. I obviously had heard about The Forge growing up in Miami, but hadn't been there in a long long time and when my friend suggested it because it had recentl reopened I wanted to go back. While the decor is beautiful, the food simply outdid everthing else. I also tried the tuna and risotto and they were fabulous. We're coming here again next week before the Miami Spice menu is done...I loved it. more

I was so excited about this place after hearing all the buzz on the reopening. Unfortunately, it was terrible. Unlike other negative reviews, we had no problems with being seated on time. The hostess was polite and we were seated right away with a reservation. The place is beautiful, decor just fabulous. There were 4 of us. We ordered a bottle of wine and the waiter spilled some on my father. It was very embarassing (for them) - this sort of thing would NEVER happen at a restaurant, let alone one with such expensive pricing. They were apologetic and gave us a second bottle on the house - but that was such a turn off. The soft chell crab appetizer was crispy and delicious. We all ordered steak and I've eaten at all the top steakhouses (Ruth's, Capital Grill, Prime 112, Shula's, Mastro's) and I expected the same level of quality but could not believe how BAD everyone's steak was. I ordered medium rare, and it came medium. All of our steaks were overcooked. The ribeye was tough. The meat seriously tasted more like from an Outback or Longhorn than a $55 piece of meat. I have no problems at all in spending for a good meal, but this was just such poor quality. more

I just went with my husband and his cousin for the very first time. The food was amazing (as was, of course, the wine), but the decor and the service helped make it a magical night. Enormous murano glass chandeliers, beautiful panelling on the walls, mirror backed chairs - it is all very ""Miami Beach,"" but not in a vulgar off-putting way. Our server was very attentive (as was the entire wait staff), but not intrusive. He comically nudged me to slow down on the best focaccia I've ever had so as not to ruin my phenomenal meal - and he was right! Now, the Forge does not come cheap, so I will not be back next week. BUT I will definitely be back for my birthday or perhaps our anniversary. more

A client of mine actually took me here last night. Even though we talked business, it was really one of the best nights out I have had in a while. I loved their food. I love the atmosphere. And the service was simply fabulous. I've heard that their meats are great (my client got a steak and loved it), but I was in the mood for seared tuna (what can I say, I'm a sushi type of gal!) and it was fantastic! Oh, and get the calamari salad for an app if your looking and like seafood. The inside is really beautiful. Will be back soon. I'd definitely recommend for romance, business, or a lady's night out! more

We had a great time at The Forge last weekend. The art at this place is so unique, then you sit down and the food and service is even more unique. I had to try the lamb chops because our friends had raved about it and they were right! Even getting a glass of wine was different and fun. Would highly highly recommend... Prices not bad either! Must have brought them down since they reopenned... Pros: steak, seafood, service, atmosphere Cons: distance, parking more

I took my wife here last Saturday. We had heard so much about the renovations and the reopening and since we used to like it there before we wanted to see what the ""new"" Forge would be like. Our experience was really wonderful. We shared the beef tataki as an appetizer and it was exquisite. I had the churasco steak and my wife had the duck. Both were amazing and actually the prices were much lower than I remembered at the old Forge. My wife could not stop talking about how she had never had duck that good. We did not wait long at all. The server and hostess were extremely knowledgeable and down to earth. It was also really nice to be able to try out different wines with the new wine machines they have as opposed to having to order a bottle of one wine. I'd highly recommend. We are going back next week with our friends... Pros: food, ambiance, decor, service... Cons: Cannot think of one. Just wish they were open for lunch! more

A bad experience from the beginning to the very end. The wait was 1 hour and 20 minutes (we had a reservation and arrived on time) and the hostess wasn't even apologetic (she was actually rude). The cocktail menu was interesting and the drink prices were reasonable for the beach ($12 for a goose and soda) but the bartender was so arrogant it made me sick to my stomach. It took 35 minutes for him to acknowledge my presence and take our order. I actually had my wife place the order because he wouldn't look at me. As far as the food, anyone who has a half way decent pallet (I'm not a professional food critic but I have been to enough restaurants to know good food) should agree that the food is below average. And, if you are looking for a ""steak"" restaurant you would be better served going to Outback Steakhouse for the price. I don't mind spending money for a good steak, but if that's what you are looking for, then go to Prime 112. Pros: Valet, Waiter Cons: Hostess, Manager, Bartender, Food more

I live in Miami Beach and went to this supposed Beach ""institution"" and it was the worst dinning experience in my life. We were told our table was not ready and to wait at the bar, so we did. Thirty minutes later we were still waiting for a bartender to take our drink order. After 45 minutes I asked the hostess for an update and she said the table would be ready momentarily. Finally, before nearly leaving, we were seated, one hour and thirty minutes later (I wish I was kidding). To summarize the dinning experience, the food was average and overpriced. The lobster and jelly sandwich was average and my filet mignon was horrible. What really made the night a disaster was the staff, from the hostess (stuck up) to the bartender to the waitress, everyone was rude, obnoxious and acted like their sh*t didn't stink I will never go back. Pros: Absolutely Nothing Cons: Service, Food, Staff (Pretty Much Everything) more

POSH! NEED I SAY MORE Pros: POSH stylings Cons: price but worth it more