1250 Broadway, 27th Floor New York, NY 10001

INTERNATIONAL SMOKE'S RIB TIP MAC & CHEESE

When respected chefs — like Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina — join forces to open a restaurant, you’d think that it’ll be something special. Right?

Well, “International Smoke,” which opened in late February of this year, is “special” ... but not in a good way.

Offering their respective takes on American and international barbecued items, this team aspires to “re-create that special feeling reminiscent of a backyard barbecue, where you get to experience a variety of different flavors and cultures with family and friends.”

The restaurant at the Aventura Mall (one of three throughout the country), faltered — particularly when it came to the “RIB TIP MAC + CHEESE” ($14)

While the meat added a nice smoky, juicy layer to the dish, the pasta and cheese were surprising bland; “lacked guts,” noted a guest. (I thought it needed to be creamier.)

Because they were chintzy with the meat, and we couldn’t identify a cheesy taste, significant points were lost, and this disappointing variant of an American classic ended up with an extremely generous “C.”

Follow Lucas on Instagram: @lucasaferrara

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