Chef Omar Montero, a talent hailing from Mexico, has brought his unique flair to Miami’s dynamic food scene. In 2017, he started with La Santa Taqueria, initially a food truck and later a standalone restaurant in the Little River neighborhood, specializing in simple yet exquisite street tacos. Now, Montero has expanded his culinary repertoire with the opening of Casa Ya’ax in Wynwood, a more sophisticated venture that still holds true to his philosophy of simplicity, but within a more upscale setting.
Casa Ya’ax, situated on 24th Street, near the bustling Oasis Wynwood, is the perfect spot for those seeking to indulge in the rich and authentic flavors of Mexico. Chef Montero, a graduate of Anahuac University in Mexico City with experience at the Setai Hotel Miami Beach and Veinte Deli & Cafe in downtown Miami, has long envisioned Casa Ya’ax as a place to celebrate Mexico’s diverse and exquisite coastal cuisine.
Unlike La Santa’s playful pink exterior, Casa Ya’ax offers an earthier ambiance with carved wood tables and woven rattan lampshades. Its covered outdoor patio doubles as a lounge, featuring a DJ, special lighting, and a cooling misting system for warmer days. The menu is a culinary adventure, featuring dishes like beef short ribs with three chiles, white corn and red quinoa with pork belly and rock shrimp, and aguachile arrachera in black sauce. For those who enjoy the finer things, there are raw bar items and grilled selections, including Takamori A5 wagyu, OMI wagyu, and USDA prime cuts.
Casa Ya’ax isn’t just about food. It offers an exquisite cocktail program with signature drinks like the Sel Va Tik and the Espresso Oaxaca, a unique take on the espresso martini. The wine list boasts a selection of fine Mexican wines, adding to the upscale experience.
Located at 51 NE 24th St., Suite 101, you can find more information at casayaax.com or by calling 305-456-9258.
In the ever-evolving landscape of American dining, a wave of radical authenticity is making its presence felt, bringing a thrilling edge to our culinary experiences. This isn’t just about food; it’s a narrative of chefs daringly sharing their personal stories through their creations. This movement might be an unconscious reaction to the looming shadows of artificial intelligence and virtual realms, or simply a celebration of the human spirit in its purest form. Whatever the catalyst, the result is a dining scene that is raw, vulnerable, occasionally bizarre, but above all, profoundly human.
Consider the whole fish, a dish of ultimate realness that graces the menus of many establishments in the forty-first edition of Esquire’s “Best New Restaurants” guide. This year, real people like Jeff Gordinier, Joshua David Stein, and Omar Mamoon, ventured across the United States, tasting offerings from over two hundred new eateries. Their journey, fueled by passion and discerning palates, led to select fifty exceptional restaurants, each a beacon of culinary brilliance.
Erba Miami
When you step into Erba, you’re immediately enveloped in an atmosphere of grandeur. This isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a realm where each evening promises an immersive experience in both luxury and warmth. The magic begins with the team led by Chef Niven Patel and his partner Mo Alkassar, whose hospitality is as heartfelt as it is impeccable.
At the core of Erba’s allure is its unique culinary approach: a fusion of Italian tradition with a distinct Florida twist. Imagine the wonders of handmade mafaldine pasta intertwined with the exotic flavors of Bahamian conch. Or consider their tiramisu, which creatively embraces a hint of tres leches, offering a delightful surprise to your taste buds.
However, what truly sets Erba apart is its crudo. Prepared with locally-sourced wahoo and garnished with freshly plucked star fruit from Rancho Patel, Chef Patel’s own farm, the dish is a testament to the restaurant’s deep respect for fresh, local ingredients.
The philosophy of honoring simple ingredients is also vividly reflected in their other venture, Ghee—an Indian restaurant where Patel and Alkassar serve a steamed green millet that transforms a modest ingredient into something utterly sublime.
Erba isn’t just about serving Italian cuisine; it’s about elevating it through simplicity and a profound respect for the ingredients. Whether you’re a fan of Italian food or just someone who appreciates culinary excellence, Erba promises an experience that goes beyond the ordinary. It’s not just a place to dine; it’s a destination to become a regular, where every visit feels like a new journey into the heart of flavor and hospitality.
Maty’s Miami
In the world of upscale dining, small plates featuring raw fish, such as crudos, have become a staple. These dishes, while delightful, often blend into the background of many high-end menus, serving more as an elegant accessory than a standout feature. However, this culinary narrative takes a dramatic turn at Maty’s, where Chef Valerie Chang transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.
At Maty’s, the ceviches and tiraditos – a Peruvian specialty where fish is sliced in the style of sashimi and paired with vivid sauces – offer an experience akin to jumping from a 3D movie into a 4D spectacle. Here, the dining becomes an immersive journey, with each flavor and texture creating a vivid, multi-sensory adventure.
Take, for instance, the ocean trout, which embarks on a tropical escapade with the addition of passion fruit, each morsel crowned with thinly sliced gooseberries. Or consider the kanpachi, elegantly arranged with layers of kohlrabi, kiwi berry, and a bright, zesty aji dulce sauce. These dishes don’t just tantalize the taste buds; they transport you to another realm of culinary delight.
While it’s tempting to indulge solely in these aquatic delights, overlooking other menu items would be a misstep. The choclo, a concoction of sweet corn, pecorino, and a spicy Huancaína cheese sauce, rivals the comfort and addiction of the finest mac and cheese. It’s a dish that marries simplicity with sophistication in a way that’s both comforting and novel.
And then there’s the Wagyu oxtail saltado – a dish that redefines luxury. The contrast of crisp potatoes with the rich, buttery oxtail creates a symphony of textures and flavors, elevating the dish to a surreal level of deliciousness.
Maty’s isn’t just about dining; it’s about experiencing a culinary world where every dish is a star, and every bite is a journey. Chef Valerie Chang’s menu invites you not just to taste, but to explore a universe of flavors that are as enchanting as they are exquisite.
True innovation in the kitchen is a gamble, but when it pays off, it’s transformative, filling not just our stomachs but our souls with an indescribable spark. It’s a rare gem, this combination of fulfillment and delight, but it’s a pursuit worth every effort. Let this be your map to a culinary adventure that celebrates not just food, but the essence of what it means to be authentically, wonderfully human.
In the dynamic world of investment, adaptability is paramount. Similarly, in the realm of Miami’s culinary scene, Juvia, the illustrious rooftop restaurant and bar that once held sway over Lincoln Road’s nightlife, has demonstrated this principle. After an impressive 11-year run in Miami Beach, Juvia is set to transition to the Miami Worldcenter—a staggering $6 billion, 27-acre development poised at the epicenter of downtown.
Jonas Millán, the visionary behind Juvia Group alongside his partner Alexandra, remarked on the city’s transformation, “Over the past decade, Miami has transcended its identity as merely a beach destination. Its metamorphosis into a burgeoning metropolis necessitated our evolution.” After meticulous scouting, the Miami Worldcenter emerged as the unequivocal choice for Juvia’s next chapter. Millán envisions the new establishment, slated for a late 2024 launch, to surpass its predecessor in grandeur, boasting expansive outdoor spaces and a more lavish terrace bar.
The Miami Worldcenter, located at 1010 NE Second Ave., is not just a real estate marvel but a culinary hub. It already houses three ventures from the esteemed Chef Michael Beltran’s Ariete Hospitality Group. Furthermore, 2024 will witness the inauguration of several more dining establishments, including New York’s Serafina and Dallas’s Sixty Vines, among others. Beyond gastronomy, the development is set to feature retail giants like Sephora and Lululemon, as well as avant-garde entertainment venues.
Juvia’s culinary direction remains rooted in its legacy—French cuisine infused with Latin nuances. However, with Miami’s dining scene witnessing a renaissance and the city earning Michelin accolades, Millán acknowledges the heightened benchmarks. “The culinary landscape is evolving rapidly. While some perceive market competition as daunting, I view it as a catalyst—an impetus to innovate and elevate our offerings.”
Nitin Motwani, the strategic mind behind Miami Worldcenter Associates, always envisioned Juvia as the crown jewel of the development’s rooftop. Familiar with Millán’s prowess through Bonito St. Barth, Motwani recognized Juvia’s transformative impact on Miami Beach. “Their influence was palpable. Our initial blueprints often echoed the sentiment, ‘Imagine having an establishment akin to Juvia here.’ Their relocation is serendipitous—a confluence of an expiring lease and the allure of what’s poised to become Miami’s nexus.” Motwani envisions the Worldcenter as a tapestry of diverse experiences, with Juvia serving as both a haven for celebratory occasions and a regular dining fixture.
In the high-stakes world of real estate, we understand the significance of strategic shifts and seizing emerging opportunities. Juvia’s transition is emblematic of this ethos—a testament to the vision, adaptability, and promise of Miami’s burgeoning landscape.
Gordon Ramsay, a well-known chef and restaurateur, has officially opened Hell’s Kitchen Miami. As Ramsay’s first business in South Florida, the eatery, which was inspired by his distinctive dishes from his popular culinary competition TV series Hell’s Kitchen, had its grand opening on Saturday, September 23.
The eatery is situated at 333 Biscayne Boulevard Way in the Met Square Complex in downtown Miami, which is a part of the Metropolitan Miami mixed-use complex. It is on the north bank of the Miami River. The property has 188 luxurious apartments, a museum honoring the Tequesta tribe, a hotel, a Silverspot Cinema, and more than 40,000 square feet of retail and dining space.
The enormous, two-story Hell’s Kitchen restaurant is spacious with a patio, terrace, open kitchen, two bars, two chef’s tables, and numerous private dining rooms on the main floor.
The open kitchen, which was intended to be the restaurant’s center point and features a combination of dramatic lighting and slick, white marble counters, will attract those who enjoy watching the line. Through a dedicated observation area located above the kitchen, even customers seated on the second level will be able to observe the cooks in action.
Along with Miami-exclusive dishes like steamed mussels with Spanish chorizo in a tomato saffron broth and churros served with cinnamon sugar, Mexican chocolate sauce, and dulce de leche ice cream, the Hell’s Kitchen menu will feature Ramsay’s signature classics, including his beef Wellington, crispy skin salmon, and sticky toffee pudding.
The Miami Hell’s Kitchen dining room’s open kitchen was intended to be the room’s focal point. A three-course prix-fixe menu including carefully chosen wine pairings that emphasize fan favorites is available to diners. There are vegetarian and vegan versions available, such as a vegan tomato saffron risotto and pan-seared tofu “scallops.”
Expect to discover both traditional and specialty drinks at the bar, including the inventive “Smoke on the Water” from the restaurant, which is served in a smoke-filled lantern. The “Notes from Gordon,” a drink that comes with a personalized note from Ramsay, is recommended.
Ramsay and Lion Capital signed a contract in 2019 to take his restaurant concepts nationwide. Currently, the company operates over a dozen eateries, including Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, Gordon Ramsay Burger, Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza, and Gordon Ramsay Steak, in cities including Boston, Orlando, Baltimore, and Kansas City in addition to Las Vegas and Chicago.
The prestigious Miami Beach condominium 72 Park will now house the New York pizzeria, Roberta’s, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant from co-founders Carlo Mirarchi and Brandon Hoy.
Roberta’s was founded in 2008 and initially operated out of a small Brooklyn cinder-block warehouse. The eatery swiftly rose to fame in the neighborhood and won over foodies from all over the state with its extensive menu of handmade plates and seasonal dishes made with fresh, organic produce from its rooftop garden as well as ingredients from around the world.
The developers, Leffersts, decided to open a few additional sites in New York City as a result of the success. Since then, the brand has grown internationally with a range of locations, from full-service dining to more informal concepts. Carlo Mirarchi, co-founder and chef of Roberta’s, expressed his excitement about bringing his restaurant to the thriving metropolis of Miami. “We are very excited to introduce Roberta’s to the vibrant city of Miami. The energy and diversity of Miami’s food scene resonates deeply with our commitment to providing fun and memorable dining experiences for our guests. With its rich cultural tapestry, Miami provides the perfect canvas and 72 Park the perfect home for Roberta’s first step into the Florida market.”
Roberta’s team will bring some of their well-known style along with the restaurant. Brandon Hoy, a co-founder of Roberta, continued, “We love the neighborhood. And I can’t wait to add some Brooklyn charm to the city’s culinary scene in addition to serving this neighborhood.”
Roberta’s will be located at 580 72nd Street and will encircle the northwest corner of 72 Park. Of the roughly 10,000 square feet of prime ground-floor retail space at 72 Park, the restaurant will take up 3,000 square feet. The 22-story tower is expected to be finished in the summer of 2024 and will provide opulent units with sizes ranging from 410 to 2,200 square feet and beginning prices of $700,000.
If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at 72 Park in Miami Beach, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.
The hospitality company led by chef Michael Beltran, who already owns the Michelin-starred Ariete in Coconut Grove, will debut two restaurants inside the CocoWalk complex.
In the upcoming weeks, Ariete Hospitality Group intends to open the full-service Mediterranean restaurant Eva as well as The Oyster Bar, a speakeasy-style oyster and cocktail bar. The tiny Oyster Bar, which Beltran describes as the “perfect after-work spot,” is the first establishment to open. It offers raw bar staples and small meals.
The restaurant’s 4,100 square foot interior contains an oyster bar with solid wood benches, tables, and chairs as well as a main bar with a marble top. There is also a patio where you can eat outside.
Although there are only nine seats available, the beverage menu will be spectacular and extensive. By the end of September, the bar inside Eva is scheduled to open. A few weeks later, the more conventional Eva will debut, offering brunch in addition to happy hour and lunch and dinner.
Both inside and outside, Eva will have space for up to 139 customers. Beltran, whose hospitality group is also in charge of the Michelin-recommended Brasserie Laurel at Miami Worldcenter and The Gibson Room on Coral Way, said that he views Eva as an “any occasion” restaurant, suitable for family dinners, business lunches, or nights out with friends. It may be more laid-back than his well-known Ariete.
The restaurant should be really welcoming, and entertaining, and provide the degree of service and elegance that customers expect and deserve/ Chef Michael Beltran’s Ariete Hospitality Group’s cozy oyster bar will feature traditional raw bar fare and drinks. The oyster bar and Eva will be located at 3015 Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove.
José Andrés, a chef and the creator of World Central Kitchen, is coming back to Miami Beach; his restaurant group intends to open a new eatery at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, Zaytinaya.
The Bazaar by José Andrés, the only restaurant Andrés owned in Miami Beach, closed earlier this year at the SLS South Beach hotel. Elcielo, the eatery owned by Colombian chef Juan Manuel Barrientos Valencia, has taken its spot. In 2022, Elcielo in Brickell was awarded a Michelin star. The Ritz Carlton’s old Fuego y Mar property will house Zaytinya’s third restaurant; the previous two locations debuted in Washington, D.C., in 2002, and New York, in 2022.
All food and beverage operations for the opulent hotel, a Forbes Four-Star establishment at 1 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, including the restaurants, lobby bar, Ritz Club lounge, and in-room dining, will be taken over by The José Andrés Group. Fuego y Mar Mediterranean restaurant’s present location will be taken up by the new Zaytinya restaurant.
The name is Turkish for “olive oil,” which is appropriate: Lebanese, Greek, and Turkish cuisines are reflected in the menu. The firm hopes to launch Zaytinya by the end of 2023 but hasn’t provided any information regarding the menu or a timeline for Fuego y Mar’s closure.
This week, the organization will begin hiring employees at the restaurant. In the United States, the Bahamas, and the United Arab Emirates, the José Andrés Group has more than 30 eateries.
Kiki on The River, a hotspot for celebrities, is outdoing itself with its new venture, Kiki at Sea. Kiki at Sea is a new 70-foot-long luxury yacht, up to 12 passengers can lounge around the 305 while taking endless selfies.
The full-day or half-day extreme VIP experience includes a professional crew and, of course, Steve Rhee’s famous family-style meals that are always delicious. Consider lobster spaghetti, Greek dips, chicken skewers, grilled octopus, and champagne.
The three-story, lavishly furnished mansion on the sea has a retractable roof, four staterooms, three dining places, and marble bathrooms. The ideal location to unwind, tan, or enjoy the landscape is on the forward deck.
Specially crafted itineraries emphasize the city’s top attractions, including Marine Stadium, Star Island, Monument Island, Millionaire’s Row, Stiltsville, and Fisher Island. The ship can dock while you play with devices like jet skis, an aquatic trampoline, and electric surfboards.
Local DJs and musicians are welcome to play on board, making good use of the ship’s state-of-the-art sound system. The package also includes cozy throws, plush towels, and handcrafted Kiki bathrobes available.
With Drake, Tems, and Future, the Mediterranean favorite on the Miami River is already cool enough to be mentioned in the number-one song “Wait For U.” Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, numerous “Real Housewives,” and even “Scarface” star Steven Bauer are among the well-to-do patrons who will now have more options than just eating, drinking, and socializing.
All you need is a bathing suit and sunscreen. The starting price for this experience is $5,000 for the 4-hour tour.
Commercial real estate mogul, Robert Rivani is set to launch Mexico-based restaurant RosaNegra, with its first-ever US debut in Miami.
When it came time to choose a top international name to anchor the restaurant in style and hold its own on the city’s dining scene, Rivani looked no farther than his 13,634 square foot ground-floor spot at the SLS Brickell Hotel and Residences at 1300 S. Miami Ave. in Miami.
According to Rivani, the José Andrés restaurant that had previously occupied the location closed, leaving the area vacant and empty for some time.
Visitors to some of Mexico’s most popular tourist sites, such as Tulum, Cabo, and Cancun, will be familiar with the moniker RosaNegra. The restaurant’s blend of excellent cuisine and a vibrant, nightclub-like atmosphere ought to blend seamlessly in Miami.
A total of 4,634 square feet of outdoor space will be added to the over 1,400 square feet of indoor space, continuing with the RosaNegra brand’s theme of “Day of the Dead meets the Four Seasons.”
Food from Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico will be the main focus of RosaNegra’s menu. A superb wine list is cultivated with the same attention to detail that goes into making cocktails. Live music and a resident DJ complete the club atmosphere.
The restaurant is still in the design, planning, and permitting stages; it is scheduled to open in the spring of 2024. Because a restaurant had previously operated in the location, the operational infrastructure, such as the appliances in the kitchen, is already largely in place, which makes the process easier.
The 33-year-old Rivani has already made a significant impact on the Miami nightlife scene and with the Accor-owned SLS brand. Rivani made his first significant income selling vintage sneakers when he was still in his teens. The Japanese-inspired Gekko at the sibling property, the SLS LUX Brickell Hotel & Residences, at 805 S. Miami Ave., is one of numerous well-known eating tenants and a genuine hot place nearby. The fact that Puerto Rican hip-hop star Bad Bunny invested in Gekko didn’t hinder its success.
Self-described “Gypsy Chef” David Myers has established 20 restaurants in nine nations due to his love of both food and travel. After receiving a Michelin star for his now-defunct Los Angeles restaurant Sona, he moved on to establish his culinary empire across Asia and the Middle East and decided that Miami would be his next culinary venture.
The Mediterranean seaside cities, like Dubai and Toyko, inspired his newest creation, Adrift Mare now open on the 25th floor of Hotel AKA Brickell. Adrift Mare is located inside an 11-story atrium with floor-to-ceiling windows, making it easier to see the setting sun.
The restaurant, which will be overseen by executive chef Kamarl John, will incorporate the ingredients and preparation methods that Myers has liked on his journeys to the Mediterranean. Fresh seafood and shellfish, grilled meat, pasta, and veggie dishes will all take center stage. Starters such as Parker Rolls with fava bean spread, raw oysters, and yellowfin tuna with shallots, caviar, and crackers are to be expected.
The world-famous mixologists Moe Aljaff and Juliette Larrouy, well known for their work at Two Schmucks in Barcelona, which was voted No. 7 in the World’s Well 50 Bars in 2022, created the restaurant’s cocktail menu. Additionally, earlier this year, the pair ran a two-month residency at Mezcalista in the Moxy Miami South Beach hotel.
According to Myers, “It’s the type of food I love to eat on a regular basis. That healthy, vibrant cuisine that’s seafood-oriented, with lots of olive oil. It’s food you’d have on the French Riviera or Greece or the Amalfi Coast. It’s the perfect sort of summerish food that resonates so well here in Miami.”
