Heat Hype Hits Miami Restaurants

It feels like forever ago that the LeBron James mania began. Then came Chris Bosh, who has become as ubiquitous around town as the palm trees. And it doesn't end, especially this week, when the Miami Heat play their season opener and a Miami Herald cover story credits the Heat with sparking a downtown condo boon. Next up: the Miami Heat troika brokers world peace, ends the recession, cures diseases, and, we fear, forms the Heat Party, an alternative to the tea party.

In the meantime, area restaurants are also getting a piece of the game action, starting with Area 31, which kicks off it's special Heat-themed Trio Five happy hour menu Friday night with cutesy named bar bites such as the King James Croquettes and the Three A-Mistos and specialty cocktails priced from $5. Over at RA Sushi from October 29 to April 13: The King James Roll, shrimp tempura, crab mix and cucumber rolled and topped with red beet tempura flakes and drizzled with a sweet eel sauce priced at $6 in honor of James' jersey number. Not a single (in season) game played and we've only just begun. Win or lose, though, for foodies at least, it's a win-win situation. So far. [EaterWire]