here has been an unfortunate absence of swanky, outdoor, beach lounges to sip bubbly on in designer resort wear on Miami Beach. Until now, anyway. Leave it to The Ritz-Carlton to fill this void. Their latest addition to the Key Biscayne hotel arrives under the unfortunate moniker of “Dune Oceanfront Burger Lounge.” For the duration of this article we are going to pretend that the “burger” doesn’t exist in that title. Nothing sounds worse with champagne cocktails and bikinis than burgers.

The lounge is an outdoor jetsetter’s paradise. Cushy bamboo lounges are covered in soft white linen pillows to stretch out on and enjoy the spectacular ocean view. Guests can get out of the sun under the wide cabanas a la St. Tropez and the scattered, mature palms. The entire setting sits on the sand, right on the beach. The privileged clientele can dig their bare toes into the warm sand and stroll over to the tiki bar for another margarita.

The bar is the main attraction at Dune. The drink list includes a wide variety of fancy cocktails, rose wines and cold ales. Be sure to order a Pomegranate Passion if your guest is picking up the bill. This bubbly aperitif combines moët, cointreau and pomegranate juice into a heady mix that hits the spot after a bit of sun. All the cocktails on the menu are around or over $15, which fits in with the ritzy vibe, but hurts the middle-classman’s wallet.

There is a delectable menu to pair your $20 drink with that is beach friendly for the most part. The seafood options are fresh, miniature and excellent with champagne in any form. A selection of fresh oysters and prawns ($24) is chilled and spiced with shallots and mignonettes. If you’re looking for a sure-thing date spot go to Dune and have champagne and oysters. Nothing gets a potential into bed faster. For less enticing but just as tasty options, try the refreshing cold cucumber soup with a dollop of crab mayo ($16) or the Peruvian snapper ceviche ($14) with sweet potatos and white corn.

Unfortunately, I now have to give mention to Dune’s burgers. As unfitting as they are into the whole equation of this gorgeous spot, they are the main attraction on the menu. Along with the usual American cheeseburger come more interesting and off-the-wall incarnations. The best-seller is the rich Kobe beef slider ($28). The Japanese cow is smothered in sautéed fois gras, slathered with picolit grape jam and sandwiched between toasted, fluffy buns. All the burgers are served with thin, tough matchstick fries that are more like Hickory Sticks than wedges. On the whole, the Dune burger experience is much better than a sit down Quarter Pounder break at Mickey Dee’s, but it’s sad that this fine establishment can even be compared to McDonald’s.