Bon Appétit Names Peruvian Restaurant in Miami Top Best New Restaurants in the Country
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.
Dolce & Gabbana Partners with 888 Brickell on 90-Story Residential Tower
Dolce & Gabbana debuts its first real estate project in Miami at 888 Brickell Avenue in Downtown Miami. Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana ‘selected’ the condominiums, which come in several marble selections and colors.
Michael Stern, CEO and founder of the developer JDS Development Group stated that the involvement of the fashion house in residents’ daily lives will go beyond the structure of the one- to four-bedroom condos and/or the building’s opulent amenities. Instead, each of the 259 homes will have a full “curation” of everything inside.
The three color schemes include: white with Bianco Striata Marble, black with Nero Marquina Marble, and gold with Giallo Imperiale Marble.
According to Stern, the homes include “very elaborate marbles, amazing light fixtures… and an incredibly luxurious palette.” People have a lot of freedom to make from the options for their units.
The building was designed by Studio Sofield, the same company that also worked on notable projects like New York’s rail-thin Steinway Tower, and depictions show opulent details like Venetian chandeliers and freestanding bathtubs in front of expansive ocean views.
The company’s CEO, Alfonso Dolce, indicated that the ultimate objective is to become “ambassadors of ‘Made in Italy’ in the world” and to expand “the perimeter of the company’s activities with a view to an all-round lifestyle experience.”
The amenities that are often found in high-end buildings, such as restaurants, bars, fitness centers, shared offices, and conference rooms, will be available to 888 Brickell residents. Additionally, there is a 4,000-square-foot pool deck with a 44-foot pool and views of Miami Beach, Biscayne Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.
The most luxurious condos will cost more than $35 million, with prices starting at about $3.5 million.
Dolce&Gabbana is not the only luxury brand investing in Florida in this way. Bentley and Porsche, two Volkswagen Group-owned car companies, have also built towers along the state’s coastline, while Armani provides residents with access to a private beach from its skyscraper.
Meanwhile, the number of fashion industry leaders opening branded hotels throughout the world has increased recently. Examples include Bulgari, Versace, and Roberto Cavalli. They do this by drawing on their well-established aesthetics and identifiable designer brands.
New Residential Tower Announced in Brickell
Chicago-based developer Focus has recently released renderings for a new 39-story residential tower in Brickell. The abandoned Starlite Motel land in Brickell is where the residential tower will be built. The Starlite Motel has already been demolished in preparation for construction.
On August 30, Miami-Dade County received the zoning and general plan applications. The project is being approved through the county’s Rapid Transit zoning procedure, which has grown to be a popular substitute for the City of Miami approval procedure. From a pre-application submission on August 4, renderings have been revised. Gensler is the architect.
Development Information:
517 residential units
8,282 sq. ft. of ground floor
indoor/outdoor and rooftop amenity space
506 parking spaces
According to a letter from the developer, the project also has cross-block connectivity on the ground floor via a driveway and walkway on the west side of the property, which will enhance both vehicular and pedestrian circulation inside and outside the development.
New Restaurants to Open at Miami Worldcenter in 2024
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.
Demolition Permit Filed for Mohawk at Wynwood
Mohawk at Wynwood’s developers file for demolition permit along with updated plans in an effort to quickly begin site preparation for the mixed-use project
The plans for Mohawk now include 35 more units totaling 260 residential units, 20 of which will be two-story lofts. There will also be 335 parking spaces, 1,500 square feet of retail space, and 31,000 square feet of private offices as additional additions. Electric vehicles will receive a 25% allocation.
Mohawk’s design brings the edginess of local artist’s murals and modern steel framing to create a master piece that targets young entrepreneurs.
Building Features:
12-story building
225 residences
3,500 square feet of office space (for residents only)
22,000 square feet of retail space
Designed by Deforma Studios
1, 2, and 3 bedroom unit options
Building Amenities:
Rooftop pool
Bar
Lounge
Chef’s dining room
Children’s room
Game room
2-story gym
Yoga room
Dog park
Outdoor greenway
The development will be sited on a 1.5-acre build site with rooftop pool, fitness facility, dog park, indoor yoga studios, and other amenities are available to residents. Additionally, The Rider at Wynwood, a 131-key hotel/apartment intended for short-term rentals, will be close by.
Both projects were created by Rilea Group. Jaxi Builders is in charge of demolishing Mohawk in Wynwood, and DeForma Studio is in charge of the design. The exterior of Mohawk at Wynwood will emulate metal-accented Chicago brick facades. Mohawk in Wynwood is located at 50 N.E. 29th Street, Miami, Florida 33137.
The Wharf Miami to Close and Reopen as Riverside Wharf
The Wharf, a Miami River outdoor entertainment destination that influenced the direction of regional hospitality, is officially closing. Breakwater Hospitality’s waterfront gathering place, which debuted in 2017, is making way for the Riverside Wharf project, which is anticipated to break ground before the year’s end.
A new iteration of The Wharf is one of the development’s goals. However, the 30,000 square foot original Wharf Miami, which featured seven bars, five culinary concepts, and 185 feet of dock space, will no longer exist
The 10-story Riverside Wharf project will also have a new wharf, a 30,000 square foot nightclub and rooftop dayclub, 16,000 square feet of eateries, a 12,000 square foot event space, and a marina in addition to the opulent Dream Hotel. The new home’s architecture was created by Cube3 architects’ Jon Cardello, with help from iCrave for the interior design and Savino-Miller Design Studio for the exterior landscaping.
Along with erecting a new seawall to prevent sea level rise, the developers are also constructing a new public riverwalk on the property. Additionally, there will be a Garcia’s Fish Market where people may purchase fresh fish. According to Mantecon, the new Wharf will have a similar design to the first one but be a permanent structure rather than a pop-up. There will be new eating concepts, with chefs working in dedicated kitchens rather than food trailers. However, don’t anticipate an elegant, red carpet setting.
The Wharf Miami will officially be closing on September 17th, and of course, there must be a party or two to say goodbye. The venue has a history of hosting theme parties, and according to Guerra, they intend to celebrate all the memories shared by bringing out all the old favorite props.
One of the parties is schedule for Friday, September 15, 4 p.m.–3 a.m., 114 SW North River Dr., Miami. includes enormous inflatables and unique bars with particular themes, such as Christmas, the ’90s, Blowfish & Friends, St. Patrick’s Day, and Cinco de Mayo. The last party will take place on September 16th from 12 noon to 3 a.m. With an RSVP, the first 500 visitors can spin the prize wheel to win prizes.
Tesla to Open 3rd Florida Sales Center in Miami
The third service and sales facility for Tesla is slated to open in Miami-Dade County. The multi-million dollar project would need to renovate a 78,026-square-foot warehouse that was originally built in 1984.
Additionally, 150 parking spaces are planned, with 2/3 of them being outside the structure. The 5.3-acre construction site was purchased by EV 9900 LLC in late 2021 for $19.75 million. The building wasn’t occupied when it was purchased.
The original structure will be transformed into a service center, showroom, and office space in accordance with Tesla’s concept. This would entail that the facility would be open for the transfer of new cars to owners, the acceptance of end-of-lease vehicles, and the provision of basic services like tire repair and software upgrades.
The project was created by Stantec. It shared conceptual illustrations of a mid-rise glass structure with many web outlets. The proposal will be presented to Miami-Dade city officials on August 23, 2023, according to Tesla North.
If permitted, the business would complement the Tesla service centers that are already located in Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. The business may be found in Miami-Dade County at 9950 N.W. 25th St., Miami, FL, 33172. The construction would be located north of Dolphin Expressway.
Kiki on the River introduces Exclusive Luxury Experience ‘Kiki at Sea’
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.
The Crosby Miami Worldcenter Receives Construction Permit
The Crosby Miami Worldcenter, a future 33-story mixed-use building situated within Miami Worldcenter at 601 North Miami Avenue in downtown Miami, has recently received a construction permit from Miami’s Building Department. The 376-foot-tall building will include 450 units that can accommodate short-term rentals, more than 22,000 square feet of amenities, and 3,370 square feet of retail space.
Designed by Cohen Freedman Encinosa & Associates Architects, with interiors imagined by Avro|KO, and developed by DT G Block LLC, a joint venture between Related Group and Merrimac Ventures.
The vertical construction permit was issued on August 7th and states the anticipated gross square footage is 394,240. The construction expenses are around $68.4 million.
Residence Sizes
studios ranging from 300 to 400 square feet
1-bedroom units with sizes of 600 to 650 square feet
2-bedroom layouts covering around 825 square feet
Residence Features:
Avro|KO-curated furniture
9-foot-tall ceilings with floor-to-ceiling glass windows
balcony with each residence
finished interior and exterior flooring
gourmet kitchens with custom Italian cabinetry
Bosch appliances including paneled refrigerator/freezer
dishwasher
built-in convection oven/microwave
cooktop
rain showers in primary bathrooms
custom Italian vanities
full-sized washer and dryer in the unit
contemporary lighting packages
smart-home systems with touchless controls including a smart keyless entry system accessible via smart app, door code, keycard, or Apple Watch
Building Amenities:
rooftop pool
Jacuzzi
cabanas
private restaurant/bar
fire pit lounge
fitness center with saunas/plunge pools
clubroom with private dining
co-working center
gaming lounge
media room
curated art
Security services and concierge assistance are available 24/7
Top-off and construction completion is expected in early 2025.
