Niu Wine Miami Named One of the Best Bars in America for 2023
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.
Let’s Take a Moment for Miami’s First Vermouth Bar-Victoria’s Vinos y Vermuteria
The team behind LoKal, Kush, and Spillover, Matt Kuscher and Kush Hospitality will debut their newest concept, Victoria’s Vinos y Vermuteria, a Spanish vermouth, and natural wine bar located in Coconut Grove. Victoria’s Vinos y Vermuteria will be located at Vicky’s House, a former milkshake stand and beer store for Kush.
The first woman in the industry to design and open a vermouth bar in the United States, Corporate Beverage Director Cristina Suarez, helped launch the establishment. The bar itself has a strong emphasis on Spanish wines and ciders, large-format craft beers, and a variety of unique house-made vermouths.
Suarez has fallen in love with vermouth thanks to her research and education to the point where mezcal is no longer her preferred libation. Suarez states, “We want them to have a special, instructive, and private experience and leave here feeling they have learned something new in a stylish, sexy atmosphere. We’re not expecting them to discover the enthusiasm we might have for vermouths.”
The bar itself is designed to serve as both a “waiting room” for LoKal patrons and a stand-alone attraction, making it ideal for couples out on a date. Along with fantastic pours, it will serve small foods in the tapas manner, charcuterie boards, Chicken Skins, and Sandwich de Mescla, Caviar, Pan con Tomate, and more. Vermouths will be offered in a variety of designs and flavor profiles, with options that are both common and uncommon.
The highlight of Victoria’s menu is vermouth, a bittersweet fortified wine that has been spiked with alcohol and laced with herbs. Kuscher’s signature blend, which is described as “Christmasy and warm on the palate,” as well as a second, lighter variety by Suarez called Titi Marie vermouth are just two of the house-made vermouths served in the new establishment, which was launched in collaboration with Kush’s corporate beverage director Cristina Suarez.
Many natural wines, Spanish ciders (poured in the Asturian manner of extended pouring), large format craft beers, tapas-style small meals, charcuterie boards, “not-so-fancy” tea sandwiches, caviar, and other items are also available.
Victoria’s is officially open today and their hours include Wednesday through Sunday, 5 pm to close.
Miami Bar Ranked No. 21 for 50 Best Bars in the World
One of the top bars in the world is once again located in Miami. The cocktail bar, restaurant, and music venue known as Café La Trova in Little Havana has climbed the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars for 2022 for the third year in a row!
Café La Trova was ranked No. 21 in the yearly list of 50 Best Bars in the World with a ranking of No. 6 for Best Bars in the United States.
This old-world Cuban bar in Little Havana was founded by Michelin-starred chef Michelle Bernstein, her husband David Martnez, and cocktail guru Julio Cabrera.
Cabrera’s father owned a bar in Cuba before Castro was in power. His father taught him everything he knows which he showcases through Café La Trova’s nightly mixing shows. Along with the shows, it’s very common for Cabrera to dance among the patrons.
Café La Trova’s menu includes classic daiquiris and cervacas but their award-winning drink is the Buenavista cocktail. This drink includes Bombay Sapphire gin, cucumber, mint, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, and sugar.
Café La Trova also features a dinner menu with classics like handout steak empanadas, jamon Serrano croquetas, arroz con pollo, and vaca fritz sliders.
Café La Trova is located at 971 SW 8th Street in Miami.
A New Speakeasy Bar to Open in Downtown Miami-Freddys
Freddys, a speakeasy-themed bar, will debut on August 25 in the heart of downtown Miami and is located right within the InterContinental Miami hotel.
Take the escalator up to the lobby, then search for a plain white door leading to the Chopin ballroom towards the rear of the building. You will be given instructions on how many times to tap (think morse code) and how to accomplish it after receiving your desired reservation.
According to the website, “Our host will permit entrance to those with the correct knock.”
You’ll discover a romantically lit treasure box with soft chairs, elaborate Oriental rugs, and a candlelit bar behind the embellished curtains. Here, you may order drinks that evoke the Prohibition era and are created with herbs, house-made bitters, and freshly squeezed juices.
Due to Freddy’s limited seating capacity of 12 people, reservations are required only for seatings at 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 10 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
This quiet, inconspicuous lounge is perfect for the gram. There’s also a coat rack brimming with flapper-inspired accessories located at the entryway to dress like you’re in the actual era.
Freddy’s is located at 100 Chopin Plaza at the InterContinental Miami. For more information, click here.
Newest Wynwood Hotspot Features 2 Restaurants and a Nightclub
“Bad friends, Good Drinks & Expensive Taste,” that’s the Moto for Wynwood newest spot Burdo. Opened just north of Cerveceria La Tropical on North Miami Avenue, Burdo has a 2,700-square-foot dining room and a 4,000-square-foot outdoor terrace that, like so many other new Miami hot places, morphs from restaurant to late-night party location after dark.
The concept was developed by SinMente Group, a Colombian hospitality company that established a comparable venue in Medellin in 2014. Burdo was brought to Miami by SinMente in collaboration with Buenavista Investment Group. Burdo’s main menu features American fare such as bowls, pizzas, and burgers, as well as sushi rolls.
Green apple and cheese pizza ($20) with blue cheese, mozzarella, bocconcini, green apples in maple syrup, almonds, basil, and spinach; truffle grilled cauliflower ($20); and “Black Wings” ($28) with sesame seeds, chives, and black barbeque sauce are among the highlights.
However, that isn’t the only food available on the premises. Criminal Taqueria at Burdo is located on Burdo’s patio. Tacos aren’t illegal, so don’t be alarmed. Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, esquites, and elote bowls are served at the taqueria, which has a few chairs but is mostly meant for grab-and-go purchases. It has its own separate kitchen and serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, esquites, and elote bowls.
The design of Burdo is just as exquisite as the menu! Mixing a modern yet reclaimed design makes for an inviting atmosphere. A white marble surfaced bar adorns the bar and tabletops with outdoor inspired wood chairs. Mixing with green vegetation, wood paneled walls, and black steel touches creates a unique look that will be an excellent side to your food.
Prices range from $4 to $13 per pound. At the taqueria, you can order a margarita or Michelada, or try Burdo’s more extensive cocktail menu, which includes mezcal-based drinks like La Parca and El Chingon, as well as specialty gin cocktails. Bottle service is provided after dark, when the high-tech sound and lighting systems come on.
Burdo is located at 2509 North Miami Avenue in Wynwood and they are opened from Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm to 3am. Don’t forget happy hour is from 5pm to 8pm.
Peruvian Restaurant Jattö Opens in Wynwood Miami
Chef Henry Hané of B Bistro + Bakery, the owner and executive chef, has officially opened a new Peruvian restaurant in Wynwood Miami, Jattö. Located at 223 NW 23rd Street at the former Wynwood Alter location.
Jattö is derived from the Peruvian word “jato,” which means “house,” according to Hané. For the chef, home is where is drew his inspiration for his recipes from all over the world, including Thailand, Peru, Cuba, and Italy.
Hane is known for his work not only at B Bistro + Bakery, but also at Eating House, Bebito’s Cafe, Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons, as well as at Two Michelin Star Miramar in Llanca, Spain. At Jattö, he uses his multi-sensory culinary expertise to prepare the avant-garde cuisine. Aleric Constantin is the Chef de Cuisine in the kitchen with him.
This multifaceted culinary restaurant has a contemporary indoor dining room, a chef’s table, and a beautiful alfresco dining terrace with an exotic cocktail bar. The room has been renovated by Jattö into a vivid culinary vision with lush green and gold tones. Guests can dine indoors, outdoors, or at the chef’s table, which offers views into the kitchen.
Jattö will serve dinner during the opening month of November and December with weekend brunch options. Small plates range from $12-$22 and bigger meals range from $65-$85 for sharing.
The ingredients for his dishes are locally sourced, the food is prepared with cutting-edge techniques bringing together Miami vendors and farmers.
Menu
BREAD Sullivan st. – colada butter
FUFU CROQUETAS plantain skin relish – lime
OCTOPUS CHIPS botija aioli – parsley
CHOCLO five spice butter – lime – cebolla criolla
MR. BENEDICT soft egg – hollandaise – bacon – panela gel – smoked paprika
Jattö officially opened on November 16. Their hours are Monday- Friday 6 pm-11:30 pm with later hours on weekends. Reservations are required.
Miami’s First Vinyl Listening Bar-Dante’s HiFi
Wynwood welcomes Dante’s Hifi, the newest bar and listening lounge that will have you stepping into a different era. Think vinyl-covered walls, low lighting, and big leather couches that create a retro yet vintage vibe.
One of the cool things features of this bar is that it is similar to a speakeasy. With no front door, the entrance is in the back through a courtyard.
The intimate bar and lounge located at 519 NW 26th St., Miami was founded by Sven Vogtland, DJ Rich Medina, Alan Drummond, Jourdan Binder, and Arturo Nuñez. The inspiration behind the bar was from listening rooms in Japan. The group also wanted to offer a unique musical experience and not just another Miami nightclub. Medina wanted to bring “listening at a higher level” to Wynwood.
Vogtland being a massive vinyl collector states that “It’s a real cultural thing there, having a cocktail and enjoying vinyl. “That’s where Dante’s came from. I came home and told my business partner: ‘Miami is craving something a bit different.”
According to the owner’s Medina’s album collection is what’s playing at Dante’s HiFi and that around 40% of the records are still in the process of being moved from New York. One of the best things about the music is that there is a specific genre. According to one of the owners, “there’s room for everything.”
Starting the night off, the music is very laid back and chill. After hours, the music picks up and changes into more of a club-like vibe.
Dante’s can only hold around 50 people so reservations are not required by highly recommended with a $25 reservation fee that is applied to drinks.
Speaking of drinks, the cocktail menus are focused on highball that is made with Japanese whiskey and served in a great glass boot. There is also beer, wine, and other cocktails to choose from.
