Tag Archives: restaurants in miami

Casadonna in Edgewater

Ken Fulk Designed Casadonna Restaurant Set to Open in Edgewater this Weekend

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Casadonna in Edgewater

In the heart of Miami’s Edgewater district, overlooking the pristine waters of Biscayne Bay, a new luxury dining experience is set to emerge. Casadonna, a collaboration between the renowned Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality, is poised to redefine waterfront dining in Miami. Designed by the illustrious Ken Fulk, this 20,000-square-foot establishment, opening on October 26, promises an ambiance of opulence and a menu inspired by Italy’s coastal culinary treasures.

With the capacity to host 366 discerning guests, Casadonna offers a Riviera-esque dining experience. As the sun sets, the azure waters of Biscayne Bay and the iconic Miami Beach skyline serve as a mesmerizing backdrop. The menu, a blend of locally sourced and imported Italian ingredients, boasts signature dishes like Crispy Young Artichoke, Royal Dorade Aqua Pazza, and Bistecca Fiorentina. Handcrafted pasta and a lavish crudo bar, featuring delicacies like Langoustine Ceviche and Tuna Carpaccio, further elevate the dining experience. Complementing the culinary offerings are bespoke cocktails and a meticulously curated wine collection, encapsulating the essence of the Italian seaside.

David Grutman, the visionary behind Groot Hospitality, remarks, “Casadonna is a testament to our commitment to excellence. Our collaboration with Tao Group Hospitality aims to offer an unparalleled dining experience, blending authentic Italian flavors with Miami’s vibrant energy.”

Noah Tepperberg, Co-CEO of Tao Group Hospitality, shares the enthusiasm, “Our debut in Miami, in partnership with Groot Hospitality, is a significant milestone. We’re confident that Casadonna will soon be a staple in Miami’s elite dining circuit.”

Nestled within the historic Miami Women’s Club building, Casadonna pays tribute to its roots. The name, a fusion of the Italian words “casa” (home) and “donna” (woman), honors the legacy of the Miami Women’s Club, a beacon of community service and activism since 1900. Among its many accolades, the club played a pivotal role in the inception of what is now the Everglades National Park.

Ken Fulk, the design maestro, has seamlessly integrated the building’s rich history with modern luxury. From the Courtyard Bar, reminiscent of a secret garden, to the Loggia Dining Room with its intricate millwork and custom chandeliers, every corner of Casadonna promises a sensory delight. As patrons traverse the establishment, the allure of Biscayne Bay becomes increasingly captivating.

For those seeking an evening of elegance or a weekend brunch with unparalleled views, Casadonna opens its doors on Thursday, October 26th, with brunch services commencing on Saturday, November 11th, 2023.

Erba: A Culinary Ode to Italian Classics with a Miami Twist

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Erba Italian Eatery in Coral Gables

Straight from the bustling corridors of Wall Street, where investment strategies and market trends dominate conversations, Chef Niven Patel introduces a refreshing narrative with his latest venture, Erba, in Coral Gables. This Italian culinary haven, while rooted in tradition, is infused with the vibrant essence of South Florida.

Gone are the conventional clams in your linguine al vongole, replaced by the rich flavors of braised Bahamian conch. The menu subtly nods to Miami with hearts of palm taking the place of artichokes and the rotolo pasta boasting calabaza squash.

The heirloom tomato dish, a staple in many Italian eateries, at Erba surprises with smoked grouper tonnato instead of the expected tuna. Even the beloved tiramisu undergoes a transformation, with espresso and rum paying homage to Miami’s Latin heritage.

Strategically positioned in Coral Gables at 227 South Dixie Highway, Erba is a stone’s throw away from Patel’s other masterpieces: the Michelin-acknowledged Orno and the exotic Mamey, both nestled within the luxurious confines of the Thesis Hotel. Erba, a collaboration between Patel and Mohamed Alkassar of the Alpareno Restaurant Group, promises a gastronomic journey spotlighting local treasures.

Chef Patel, a James Beard nominee and recognized as one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs in 2020, is renowned for his commitment to sourcing ingredients from his own farm, Rancho Patel. The creation of Erba’s menu, however, took a different approach. Instead of starting with a dish in mind, Patel and his team began with ingredients, crafting dishes around them, resulting in a truly distinctive menu.

The offerings at Erba span from the depths of the ocean to the richness of the land. Classic dishes are reimagined with Patel’s innovative touch, such as the Mishima Reserve Denver steak paired with a tantalizing bone marrow salsa verde. The menu is dynamic, changing with the seasons, ensuring the freshest ingredients grace your plate.

Even the cocktail offerings, curated in partnership with mixologist Scott Beattie of the Michelin-starred Barndiva, showcase the best of Rancho Patel, with concoctions like the Butterfly, a blend of Rancho Patel pea flowers, yuzu, and pickled huckleberries.

While Coral Gables continues to establish itself as a gastronomic paradise, Alkassar is confident in Erba’s unique position. He believes the community values quality, authenticity, and genuine hospitality – principles that Erba embodies to its core.

Peruvian Restaurant in Miami

Bon Appétit Names Peruvian Restaurant in Miami Top Best New Restaurants in the Country

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Peruvian Restaurant in Miami

The 24 Best New Restaurants of 2023 have been published by Bon Appétit, and Maty’s in Midtown is the only establishment in Florida to make the list. The well-liked Peruvian-Japanese Itamae inside a Design District food hall was founded by Chef Valerie Chang, her brother Nando, and her father Fernando in 2018.

It bears the name of Chang’s grandmother as a culinary tribute to the value of family, which has always been a guiding principle for the Changs.

According to Kate Kassin of Bon Appétit, “Miami chef Valerie Chang is getting personal.” “She wanted to make a place where she could celebrate the culinary customs of Peru in memory of her grandmother Maty. Chang is the driving force behind this new endeavor, dishing up warm and hearty meals like the fluffy tortitas de maiz and a vivid cebiche mixto with black grouper and crisp calamari. A complete roasted dorade sits beautiful on an ode-worthy aj amarillo beurre blanc, while a fried snapper arrives wrapped dramatically around fish nuggets dusted with cornmeal.”

A gallery of family pictures and heirlooms are displayed on the walls of the stylish, spacious dining area. Therefore, Maty’s is very much a family business even though Chang’s idea may have inspired its creation. Food & Wine has named Val and Nando Chang as some of the “Best New Chefs in America 2023.”

For the Chang family, this is a busy moment to make the announcement. Val and Nando Chang visited New York earlier this week to celebrate being listed by Food & Wine as one of the country’s best chefs. Itamae, a freestanding restaurant that first opened in 2020, closed last month and was replaced by Fernando Chang’s B-Side, a fast-casual sushi restaurant owned by the Chang family.

By the end of the year, Itamae Ao, a new Itamae, will reopen in Midtown as an omakase experience next to Maty’s. Itamae was mentioned by Bon Appétit earlier this year as one of the factors in Miami’s selection as the “food city of the year.”

Mary’s is located at 3255 NE First Ave., Miami with hours ranging from 4-10 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday and Sunday and 4-11pm Friday through Saturday.

Uptown 66 Cantina in Miami

Good Morning America Awards Uptown 66 Mexican Cantina in Miami as Having the Best Taco in America

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Uptown 66 Cantina in Miami

Uptown 66 began as a pop-up restaurant in 2020, and like many other new eateries in Miami, Nuno Grullon, the owner and chef, wasn’t confident the restaurant could succeed in the face of COVID-19 and government shutdowns. Three years later, the small but well-liked outdoor Mexican cantina has a devoted following and was just named “Good Morning America’s” taco champion.

The “United States of Tacos” tournament, which lasted a full week and featured preliminary rounds in Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, and Miami, was held last week. A panel of judges, which included actor Alex Moffat, fitness expert and makeup artist Tunde Oyeneyin, actor and singer-songwriter Christian Chávez of RBD, and chef Chris Valdes, selected Uptown 66’s birria taco as the best of the bunch. Grullon defeated Mika Leon, chef and owner of Caja Caliente, who created her renowned Cuban-style lechon taco for the Miami round of the tournament, to win the ultimate prize of $20,000 provided by Taco Bell.

Nuno Grullon, the owner of the Mexican cantina didn’t expect to be so anxious about the contest but overall said that the experience was fun. Grullon relocated to Miami from the Bronx in the late 1990s and didn’t start out in Mexican food but was a dishwasher in New York. He eventually advanced to line cook, and then steadily moved up to more upscale eateries serving Mediterranean, French, and Italian cuisine.

When he founded Uptown 66, he discovered the greatest ingredients for Mexican food, the chiles that went well with specific dishes, and the tastes that should be the star. He explains, “I need to comprehend the culture behind the food.” “Where does it come from? How were those things made? Even the initial menu for Uptown 66 didn’t include Grullon’s renowned birria taco, which is constructed with three distinct cuts of braised beef, mixto cheese, and consommé. When Grullon originally established his business, he only offered four types of tacos: barbacoa, carnitas, chicken, and wild mushroom.

People kept approaching and requesting birria tacos, says Grullon today. They appeared everywhere on social media. I remarked, “I’ll have to create one of those.” According to Grullon, birria tacos are typically cooked with goat meat. However, he claimed that his job in Miami’s restaurant industry led him to choose the less unusual beef which cooking birria, for instance, requires 20 hours, with the meat smoldering at a low temperature.

The cuisine is highly sophisticated, he claims. “Building a burger is simpler than this. No offense intended; I enjoy a good burger! But it’s simple. Get top-notch meat, grill it, add lettuce, onion, and cheese, and presto! You need to make a marinade for birria. Two hours are required. Make sure to remove the seeds from the chilies. It takes a lot of work. What I adore about it is that. In that manner, it reminds me of French cuisine. Grullon is thinking about the future of Uptown 66 and potential openings or franchises in additional locations.

Near 79th Street and Biscayne Boulevard, he intends to establish a full-service American concept restaurant. He is, however, taking some time right now to reflect on the “Good Morning America” accolade. We had a significant victory, he claims. “The brand is very important to our devoted customers. They are devoted to us and want us to succeed.”

Uptown 66 is located at 6600 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami and is open 7 days a week with varying hours.

Miami Worldcenter Land Purchased for $30 Million

New Restaurants to Open at Miami Worldcenter in 2024

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Miami Worldcenter

The long list of tenants at Miami Worldcenter, a $6 billion, 27-acre mixed-use complex remaking the center of Downtown Miami, will grow by four national food and beverage concepts.

A dual-concept location for BurgerFi and Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings has been signed by the development’s ownership group, as well as leases with Serafina, an internationally renowned Italian restaurant group founded in New York City; Sixty Vines, a sustainable restaurant with an exciting wine-on-tap program and food inspired by vineyards.

The development’s exceptional lineup of recently opened food and beverage outlets, which already includes three concepts from Michelin-starred Chef Michael Beltran of Ariete Hospitality Group’s Brasserie Laurel, Chug’s Express, and El Vecino Cigar & Cocktail Bar, as well as two more eateries anticipated to open soon, Earls Kitchen & Bar and Chicago’s Maple & Ash, will be strengthened by the development’s newest restaurants, which are anticipated to open in 2024.

The 300,000 square feet of retail, dining, and entertainment space at Miami Worldcenter, one of the largest privately owned and developed urban real estate developments in Florida, complement the diverse mix of residential, commercial, and hospitality uses that it offers. Approximately 84% of the retail space in the property is leased. In collaboration with CIM Group, Miami Worldcenter is being built by master developers Miami Worldcenter Associates, headed by Managing Partners Art Falcone and Nitin Motwani.

Ten city blocks make up Miami Worldcenter, which is next to Museum Park, home to the Frost Museum of Science and Pérez Art Museum Miami, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and Wolfson Campus of Miami Dade College. Miami Worldcenter is the largest and best-connected transit-oriented development in Florida thanks to its proximity to Brightline’s MiamiCentral station, which provides direct train service to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando and access to Tri-Rail, the Metromover, and the Metrorail.

Mediterranean Restaurant Located in Brickell

New Mediterranean Restaurant Opens at Hotel AKA in Brickell

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Mediterranean Restaurant Located in Brickell

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.”

Motek to Open at Brickell City Centre

Motek Mediterranean Bistro to Open at Brickell City Centre

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Motek to Open at Brickell City Centre

With plans to create its largest restaurant yet, Miami’s well-known Mediterranean bistro Motek has relocated to Brickell City Centre.

According to Commercial Observer, the restaurant will replace Est. 33 on the third floor of the Brickell outdoor mall. The lease, which was signed in May, includes both indoor and outdoor seats and covers around 10,000 square feet in total.

The Motek site in Brickell is the company’s sixth outpost; which was established in 2020 by Charlie and Tessa Levy. In the Seybold Building in Downtown Miami, close to the area where the Levys once operated a diamond store, the first restaurant opened.

At the Aventura Mall earlier this year, Motek expanded from a 3,000 square foot outlet to a 7,000 square foot corner location that was formerly occupied by Michael Mina’s Greek restaurant Estiatorio Ornos and opened a food counter called Yalla. In April, a branch opened in Coral Gables.

Two more are expected in North Miami’s SoLé Mia development and Miami Beach.

Swire Properties finished construction of Brickell City Centre in 2016, a 2.5 million square foot mixed-use building. Casa Tua, Pubbelly Sushi, Marabu, Tacology, and the recently opened The Henry are among the cuisine tenants in the shopping area, which is anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue.

Niu Wine in Downtown Miami

Niu Wine Miami Named One of the Best Bars in America for 2023

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Niu Wine in Downtown Miami

One of the top bars in the nation, according to Esquire magazine’s annual top Bars in America for 2023, is a small, intimate wine bar in downtown Miami with seven tables, two bar stools, a tiny bit of outdoor space, and some of the most intriguing natural wine you’ll find in Miami.

Consider Niu Wine an extension of Niu Kitchen, a bustling tapas restaurant and wine bar located a few doors down on Second Avenue. One of the Catalan restaurant’s proprietors, Karina Iglesias, promotes natural wine, a movement that advocates organic grapes and approaches agriculture ethically, as one of Miami’s earliest proponents.

According to the Esquire editor, “Niu Wine is a place I find myself wanting to visit more than any other in Miami at the moment. Warm, tiny, confident, its walls are lined with bottles that reflect an understanding of good wine-making and the pleasures it can bring.”

However, you don’t need to be an expert to have fun at Niu Wine. Wines by the glass are frequently changed, so check the chalkboard and discuss your preferences with the staff. They can suggest a wine for you to take home or consume at the bar. It might even be a Californian mass-produced liquid butter bomb called chardonnay, the white nectar of the gods that has a poor reputation.

A modest, regularly updated tapas menu is also offered at Niu Wine; if it’s available, Esquire suggests the thinly sliced, melting Iberico ham on a warm platter. Anchoa del Cantabrico (anchovies), tomato salad, oysters, patatas bravas, and charcuterie plates are typical small plates. However, the wine steals the show. All-natural wines from South America, Europe, and even eastern Europe are the main focus of Niu Wine.

Niu Wine is located at 134 NE Second Avenue in downtown Miami and ope Tuesday through Saturday.

Julia & Henry Food Hall in Miami

King Goose Hospitality Introduces 3 Story Food Hall-Julia & Henry

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Julia & Henry Food Hall in Miami

The much-anticipated dining and entertainment destination in the iconic downtown Miami Walgreens building debuts on June 3 with 26 renowned food and beverage vendors from across the country. Some of the concepts will include, ventanitas, an underground retro sound room, and speakeasy lounge, and eventually a music incubator with recording studios, shared workspaces, and a tattoo parlor.

The restaurant Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura, the mastermind behind the renowned Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, which received three Michelin stars, will serve as the development’s crowning achievement. The second outpost of Bottura’s one-star Michelin restaurant Torno Subito in Dubai will debut in Miami later this year.

The project’s operator, King Goose Hospitality, led by CEO Andrea Peterson, feels that the rising downtown development and the fact that Flagler Street will be closed to vehicular traffic on weekends would drive both locals and tourists to the area.

The name Julia & Henry, which honors Miami’s creator Julia Tuttle and businessman and developer Henry Flagler, has roots in history. Built in 1936, the structure stood tall during the Great Depression as a testament to optimism, demonstrating financial commitment and tempting guests with an 88-foot soda fountain.

Naturally, Julia & Henry’s won’t feature a soda fountain, but the three-story food hall will be dominated by a massive wine tower. An elevator brings you to each floor of the tower, which houses the natural wine bar La Epoca. The Alonso family owned the structure until 2018 and ran it as La Epoca, a retail outlet that was previously the third-largest department store in Havana before being taken over by the government.

Restaurants Include:

  • Michy’s Chicken Shack
  • Yann Couvreur Pastries
  • Renzo Garibaldi BBQ
  • Bazaar by José Andrés
  • Mensch
  • June
  • HitchiHaika
  • J Wong; Rozu

Julia & Henry’s will be located at 200 E. Flager Street in Miami with the Grand Opening set for June 3, 2023.

El Vecino Miami Worldcenter

Cigar Bar El Vecino Set to Open May 5th at Miami Worldcenter

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El Vecino Miami Worldcenter

A distinguished cigar bar with expertly chosen wine and beverage menus, award-winning service, and a relentless passion for bringing people together at the table will open at Miami Worldcenter May 5th, 2023, El Vecino.

Courtesy of Ariete Hospitality Group (AHG) and Chef Michael Beltran, El Vecino wants to be among the best cigar shops in Miami and a top cigar destination nationwide.

Modern air filtration and humidification technologies were used to build the exquisitely constructed area, which provides a luxurious environment with soft furnishings and amenities. This ensures that visitors are comfortable. The interior of El Vecino is 1,600 square feet and features historical furnishings, premium wood, booths, velvet and leather furniture, a 10-seat bar, and a specially made walk-in humidor for cigars.

The ScapeGoat in Miami Beach, The Gibson Room on Coral Way, and most recently Brasserie Laurel (Michelin Guide mention) and Chug’s Express at Miami Worldcenter in Downtown are just a few of AHG’s expanding family of eateries and bars. Ariete (Michelin Star), Navé (Michelin Guide mention), Chug’s (Bib Gourmand recipient), and The Taurus are all located in Coconut Grove.

A large variety of quality cigars, as well as a variety of whiskey, bourbon, wine, beer, and seasonal creative cocktails, will be available at the upmarket cigar lounge. Customers will also be able to place orders for snacks and light cuisine from the nearby Brasserie Laurel restaurant.

El Vecino is situated along the 7th Street pedestrian promenade of Miami Worldcenter at 698 NE 1st Avenue Suite G-172, near the base of the Caoba residential tower. In the core of Downtown Miami, the $4 billion mixed-use attraction called Miami Worldcenter, which spans ten city blocks and 27 acres and is one of the largest private urban real estate developments now under construction in the United States, offers top-notch residential, commercial, hospitality, and retail applications. Three residential buildings and a sizable amount of the retail component of the project have already been finished and are occupied, while a hotel construction is scheduled to open in Q4 of 2022.