The Queen Restaurant and Lounge Opens in Miami Beach

January 26, 2023

What was previously Miami’s Paris Theater is now The Queen Restaurant and Lounge!

The Queen located at 550 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach will offer a unique blend of Japanese and French inspired cuisine. Small plates such as maitake tempura with scallion ash and truffle mayo, dressed oysters East and West with an apple Szechuan mignonette, and duck and pork tsukune with tare, scallion, and baby gem lettuce kick off the menu.

Following that are crudos such as steak and tuna tartare, beef carpaccio with uni and caviar crème, and deluxe seafood towers. The Josper Charcoal Oven or the Robata Flame Grills are used to prepare Japanese Wagyu, Prime Ribeye, roasted Branzino with Thai chili ponzu, and Australian lamb with chipotle miso.

Sushi made from fish flown in from Japan will also be available, as will a special selection at the eight-seat Omakase Counter. Following that, craft cocktails, many of which incorporate Japanese spirits, will be served in whichever lounge guests choose.

But The Queen isn’t just about the food – the atmosphere is just as noteworthy with the transformation of the Paris Theater. A custom mosaic created in Italy using Venetian and Palladian techniques and a black and white mural, “Parade of the Carmens,” by Miami artist Gonzalo Fuenmayor celebrating Carmen Miranda can be found at the entrance. The Salon Lounge features curved burgundy chairs and a central banquette, burgundy carpet with plum and apricot fanned leaves, gilded original crown moldings, Lobmeyr brass, hand cut crystal, Swarovski crystal and gold finish chandeliers, and a Calacatta Viola marble bar.

The main dining room is expansive, with lighted cutout walls, a large concentric circle of hand carved teak finished in gold leaf surrounding a bronze mirror, and a ceiling dome that transforms with a kaleidoscope of LED images. Above, on the mezzanine level, is a members-only VIP lounge with 80 seats and a view of the dining room. However, both serve the regular menu, which is overseen by chef Julien Jouhannaud, who was previously in charge of the culinary program at Annabelle’s in London, and produced by executive chef Mitchell Hesse, a Miami native.

The Variety Theater, as it was known in 1946 was a venue for classic revival films such as Alfred Hitchcock’s Suspicion, its opening film. Later renamed The Paris, it has been transformed into an event space and photo studio. However, it retained its Deco elements, which have been restored and enhanced by designer Carlos Rodriguez of Miami’s ModPlay Studio.

The Queen is open Tuesday through Saturday from 6pm until late. So if you’re looking for a fancy night out with exquisitely prepared food, The Queen is the perfect spot. Make sure to make a reservation, as this trendy new spot is sure to fill up quickly.