Southern Hospitality Hits South Beach With The Opening Of Yardbird Southern Table & Bar

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar has officially opened, bringing traditional southern fare with a modern twist to residents of South Beach, Miami. The much-anticipated venture between Yardbird owner, Restaurateur, John Kunkel, founder of the widely popular Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, and Chef Jeff McInnis (of "Top Chef" fame and formerly of gigi), blends neighborhood dining with southern hospitality. Simply stated, Yardbird is a down-to-earth joint that preaches the gospel of good food and good company.



Utilizing seasonal ingredients and a made-from-scratch ethic, the menu at Yardbird features the best of traditional southern comfort cuisine, executed and infused with modern technique. Executive Chef Jeff McInnis serves supper plates like Llewellyn's Fine Fried Chicken (which takes 27 hours to make from start to finish), Farmhouse Casserole, Shrimp N' Grits, Sweet Tea Brined Southern Ribs and Cast Iron Chicken. Brunswick Stew, Fried Green Tomato BLT, Mama's Chicken Biscuits and Southern "Edamame" are just a few of the options for getting the meal started. The sides are also not to be missed, including the Macaroni and Cheese, Grits, House Cut Waffle Fries and Biscuits, which come with a selection of house-made jams, preserves and honey. It's all about utilizing the best ingredients at Yardbird and supporting southern farmers whenever possible, such as Paradise Farms, The Green Railroad Organic Workshop, Worden Farm, Lake Meadow Naturals and White Oak Pastures - all suppliers of the restaurant.



Everything at Yardbird is made in-house, from the alligator sausage right down to the crackers that are served with the Pimento Cheese Jar appetizer. The menu at Yardbird will rotate seasonally, although some favorites will stay put. Additionally, the menu features a selection of sandwiches (only offered during lunchtime) and salads.



Eating dessert at Yardbird is equally as delectable with sweets like S'mores with homemade marshmallows, cakes and pies that are made daily, as well as a variety of rotating homemade ice creams with flavors like Sweet Corn, Pig Candy (bacon), Mango, Nutter Butter, Caramel and Carrot. Pastry Chef Peter Merrill rolls all the dough at Yardbird by hand and utilizes old fashioned techniques to perfect his pies with such flavors as Cranberry Rosemary, Italian Meringue, Bacon & Cheddar and Pumpkin Spice. Menu prices at Yardbird are as follows: $6-$13 for small share plates, $17-$42 for supper share plates, $5-$8 for sides and $5-$10 for desserts.



For those looking for some good old southern comfort by way of the glass, Yardbird offers the most robust Bourbon program in all of South Beach with over 50 different types on the menu, including some hard to find brands like Pappy Van Winkle and Black Maple Hill. Just like the food menu at Yardbird, the cocktail menu will change seasonally with barrel-aged cocktails and fruit and herb infusions like Blackberry-Cardamom and Smoked Pear and Almond. For those who are looking to go a little lighter, Yardbird offers a bevy of American craft beers and a wine list with suggested pairings by category, such as wines for Salty, Sweet, Fried Chicken, ranging from $10-$50 a bottle. Bourbons by the glass range from $8-$30, cocktails from $8-$12. Beers range from $4-$8 and wines by the glass, $7-$15.



Evoking a classic Southern neighborhood restaurant with a contemporary twist, white brick walls play backdrop to beautiful refurbished barn wood sourced from North Carolina. An exposed kitchen faces several Chef's tables, while the large format bar and the front of house offer a great place for cocktails and small bites. The space yields 200 interior seats, including a communal table that seats 12. An outdoor deck space offers an additional 40 seats.