Crescendo Jazz and Blues Lounge

Went back for Happy Hour on a Friday evening last month.... Sat at the miniature bar, having one drink a few times and sampling appetizers. There's only room for 4 at the bar (really 3, but there are 4 stools) so being that my friend and I were the only patrons in the whole place at 5:30pm, we had all of his attention. Once a few regulars started filing in around 7, we didn't at all. But he made sure to come around and see what we needed.

The appetizers were decent. Coconut Shrimp was my favorite as the shrimp were large and covered in freshly grated coconut before being flash-fried. Surprisingly and thankfully, non-greasy. Buffalo wings were standard. Ground beef southwestern egg rolls were better than at other chains.

I have 2 bones to pick with Crescendo. The first is that no more than 8 people can fit in the bar area before it gets stifling. We left because there were just too many people trying to cram into that tiny space. However, it seems this place would benefit from a happening bar scene. Maybe move the bar to the back indoor/outdoor patio? The second bone is that I've been here twice and neither time has there been any live jazz, even though it was advertised. I understand they can't have artists on at all times during operating hours but when they're advertising a live jazz brunch or live jazz happy hour.....it would behoove them to have some live jazz present.

Nevertheless, I'm going to give them another chance because I want so much more for this place and I know they can do it.

I was walking on Biscayne a few weeks ago and came across this place while it was pouring outside. It had just opened and intrigued me enough to put it on my "places to go to".
Crescendo opened last month and is quite a find.

I was fortunate enough to get on the Rock the Bus tour organized for the Miami Live Music month yesterday and this was our first stop.
One word: WOW!

Very cozy and intimate venue. The lounge/ restaurant is classy and smoke free (always a plus). On Thursdays, the amazing Maria Zouroudis performs and I have to say that she is awesome! Great voice and Idina Menzel look a like! We got our minutes of fame singing with her! Thank you!

The menu looks delicious so I will have to come back to actually try it.

I wouldn't expect this kind of establishement in this area of town so I was greatly surprised. They have a private VIP suite upstairs with a bar, poker table and balcony for special guests.

Definitely a place to go... back soon!

What a hidden gem!

It's a small venue, but we were lucky enough to snag the last table inside right before the 4 piece jazz band started. Bass, keyboard, drums and an eccentric sax player no more than 5 feet away. It was a Saturday night and we weren't charged any cover.

I was super excited to order a glass of my favorite Moscato wine. (Restaurants never have Moscato on the menu!) I ordered the veggie burger, which turned out to be a big, juicy portobello with a variety of fresh toppings. I ended up eating it with my utensils to cut down on the delicious mess.

The seasoned fries were YUMazing and I couldn't leave without succumbing to the peach cobbler. I used a coupon from Restaurant.com but even without it, the food and drinks were reasonably priced.

Miami needs more fun live music places like this!

"You come for the music and atmosphere, you stay because your food isn't here."

Pros: The atmosphere was great and the live music was fun. The jazz band took requests, mingled with the audience and everyone had a good time. When the food did arrive, it was delicious.

Cons: It took way too long to receive our appetizer and the entrees. The server kept checking on us, which was nice, and the band kept us distracted.
At the end of the meal, they did not respect the stipulations of the Restaurant.com gift certificate for $25. They insisted on a $50 minimum purchase even though the certificate clearly said the minimum was $35. Our bill was $48. They made no apologies and said the computer wouldn't let them honor the certificate unless we added $2 to the bill. We gave in because they made no effort to resolve it in our interest.

I've been a server and they could have done one of many things.
1) Apologized for the apparent misprint on the gift certificate. The restaurants get to write the requirements for their own certificates!
2) Had a manager comp $25 from the meal! Easy! And apologize!
3) Added $2, apologize and give us a free desert! (It was my birthday!)
4) Apologize!

Great food, terrible service (which may explain why 18% gratuity is included on every bill, no matter the size of the party)

I want to support small businesses, but I was disappointed. I'll go back for drinks and an appetizer and leave it at that.

This place has a very rustic and spacious facility that includes a comfy lobby and bar, spacious dining inside and upstairs, as well as an outdoor terrace.

Unfortunately this business tragically is lacking in customer service and the quality and presentation of their food.

I recently stopped by after a Sunday service at Unity and was (not) greeted to an empty, cold and deserted space, cynically thinking that it should be called dinuendo instead of crescendo.

Despite following my gut intentions, I proceeded to sit in the lobby and asked the greeter/waitress her recommendations were.

This resulted in me ordering Waffles topped with cream and fresh strawberries with bacon and a side of scrambled eggs with Swiss cheese. Pretty standard... right?

Well, even though I was the ONLY customer in the entire place, please tell me how they still managed to mess up my order?! The waffles were soggy and lukewarm, as if they had been previously frozen and reheated. The strawberries were sour, and my eggs were topped with American cheese instead of the Swiss I had requested. Apparently the only thing they got right was the bacon, which was nice and super crispy!

The only thing I ended up eating was the eggs and bacon, and although they eventually comped the waffles because I literally did not eat but one bite, they continued to charge me $11 for 3 eggs and Bacon.

After this experience, I will DEFINITELY NOTbe returning for Sunday Brunch. I may consider to try them for one of their live music experiences, but after this, I'm on the fence :-/

I was torn whether to give 4 or 5 stars. I had a 5 star experience, but the only reason I would give a 4 is because the music was SO loud. My girls and I came here on a Saturday evening for dinner. We arrived shortly before the band started playing, and the noise level at that time was perfect. A conversation could be carried and the ambiance was enjoyed. Don't get me wrong, I love music-- even loud music, but the noise level was so piercing that I'm sure some hearing damage resulted. The food was delicious, the service was a little slow but very friendly, and the music was great. It's a kinda small venue with big, square structural columns that block the view of the live music depending on where you sit. I couldn't really see the band, so I had to keep peeking my head around the corner to see what was going on.

Overall, this is really a fun place, but don't expect to have any conversation. I'd love to hear some blues, so I'll definitely go back (with ear plugs). :)

Good crowd, nice live band. Not a place for singles, though. There were about 5 couples, and that was it, and they were all cuddling and getting intimate, so it was awkward for my friend and I. We went hoping to meet people but it didn't quite work out that way.

The music was good, the singer was very talented, funny, and friendly, and they played mostly blues. I did not try any of the food, but the drinks were good and the service was attentive. Unlike others, neither I nor my friend got a break on the cover charge (we came by on a Friday night). Maybe they waive the cover when the place is more full? We liked it, but not enough to pay $20. There are plenty of local outdoor bands that you can hear play blues for free. I think $10 per person is a bit high, especially considering the place was pretty much empty and we were first-timers. Giving us a break on the cover may have enticed us to come back a second time...

Happened upon CJBL awhile back looking for some live music. I was a little nervous when we approached the host station and she was asking about reservations. No worries. Was able to snag a table right by the band. With regards to the previous review about front of the house problems, there did seem to be a little confusion at the front. Nothing too bad. She got things squared away pretty quick.

Service was just okay. I got the feeling the waiter was just a little nervous. I told him that we would only be having a few drinks but I would take care of him. He seemed happy about that.

One thing I noticed was the poorer quality tables and chairs. These didn't seem like they were commercial grade, more like residential tables and chairs. Our hightop table and the chairs were a bit shaky. I would hope that if this place continues to make money, they would upgrade the furniture a little bit.

The configuration of the music space is a bit odd. Not what I expected. I'm not an interior guy but there would seem to be a better configuration.

As for the music? Great stuff. It appeared it was the house band. The sax player worked the crowd well with a wireless mic setup. On a couple numbers, each member took their turn at the obligatory solo and did not disappoint. We were sitting next to one of the two keyboard players and when the other kb took the lead, our guy took a break and I offered up my chair for him to sit a spell while I grooved out just a little bit. This turned out to be quite turn-on for my date. She enjoyed watching me get funky and appreciated my graciousness to the working musician. Fortuitous I should say!!

I would return to CJBL to sample the fare and see more live music.

My friend and I went here on the weekend and immediately became fans. This is truly a great spot to hang out with especially if you are grown and sexy and want to get away from South Beach .

All I had was drinks, but looking from the food menu, you can see they have added some southern flavor, a bonus if you are a fan of good ole' New Orleans food. Servers were really attentive and laid back.

The ambiance was great. The jazz band was great and the three gentlemen had a really chill vibe about them and were cool entertainers.

Place opens late. They have a small tight parking lot in the back that fills up quickly. If you cant find a spot in there, you can park on the street for free. Meters are free after 10pm!

We are from out of town and called ahead on a Sunday night to see when the music stopped and we were told 11 pm. We drove from Dade-land and arrived at 10 pm only to be told that the band was done for the evening. Sure the environment is nice and they comped a drink each, and apologized for the mistake in wasting our time driving over.

Checking out the place I couldn't figure out where they would have put a band and what the viewing experience might be like. I hope they do well with the place but for me I am pretty sure it was my last time.

It was late and we didn't eat but we would have enjoyed a desert, if they had some real choices on the menu, this was one reason I graded them below average, another was the prices of the drinks, sure they didn't have a cover charge but then again they weren't offering headliner entertainment at this point.

Again I really hope they do well and that you have a better experience than I did.