THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED The Continental

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED The Continental Restaurant Review:

Even restaurant magnate Stephen Starr had to start somewhere. In his case, it was in his hometown of Philadelphia, 20 years ago, with retro chic diner The Continental, which played a huge role in the evolution of Philadelphia’s cocktail culture. After two successful decades and too many restaurants to count nationwide, he decided to open a fourth outpost of his first born, in none other than South Beach. No stranger to the Miami dining market, Starr’s Makoto is just a 15-minute drive north of The Continental, but the two are as different as night and day. They do have similarities, however, and those are the Stephen Starr touch of gold and flawless execution. From the tropical mid-century décor (Don Draper does Cali) to the innovative fare (the famed cheesesteak rolls; a foie gras pancake-type breakfast sandwich that works just as well for dinner; pastrami fried rice; build your own sushi; Korean fried chicken) and tiki cocktails conceptualized by Broken Shaker veteran Gui Jaroschy (order the smoky mezcal Bump & Rind), The Continental charms in every way possible. For a sweet ending, order the Crackerjack sundae.