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.
King Goose Hospitality Introduces 3 Story Food Hall-Julia & Henry
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.
Shaquille O’Neal to Open First-Ever Big Chicken Restaurant in Miami Florida
Shaquille O’Neal, NBA Hall of Famer, partial owner to restaurant chain Big Chicken, and has recently signed a lease for its first South Florida site.
The new facility is a part of a deal for DMD Chicken, a division of Davie-based commercial hospitality development firm DMD Ventures, to open 45 units throughout Central and South Florida.
According to Fred Burgess, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of DMD Venture,“From the moment we came across Big Chicken, we knew it was a concept worth investing in. We’re thrilled with the progress that we’ve made in opening our first South Florida location in Doral. Doral Place 87 is a bustling shopping center and prime location for the new restaurant.”
The DMD Chicken leadership group also includes co-CEO Jack Flechner and COO Kurt Petterle in addition to Burgess. Together, they manage franchise locations for numerous companies, such as Candlewood Suites, Papa John’s, and Twin Peaks.
Along with Burgess, the co-CEO Jack Flechner and COO Kurt Petterle make up the DMD Chicken executive group. Each of them is in charge of a franchise location for a different company, such as Twin Peaks, Papa John’s, or Candlewood Suites.
Currently, Big Chicken has eateries in Houston, Seattle, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and a number of sports arenas, in addition to three Carnival cruise ships.
The original KFC restaurant The Big Chicken is located in Marietta, Georgia. It was erected in 1963, damaged by a storm in 1993, and restored again in 2017. In 2017, it underwent a $2 million rehabilitation project.
Before the end of the year, the fast-casual chicken chain is expected to operate at 5635 NW 87th Avenue in the Doral Place 87 shopping area.
Food & Wine Magazine Name Niven Patel’s Mamey in Coral Gables as the Editor’s Pick for Best Restaurant Ambiance
Miami is one of the top food cities in the nation, according to Food & Wine readers, which is no surprise that Miami was selected as one of the top 10 culinary cities in the United States in Culinary & Wine’s first Global Tastemaker Awards, which asked readers about their favorite eateries, pubs, cities, hotels, and other establishments.
The magazine’s May issue also includes a section on the outcomes. Miami was ranked eighth, ahead of Austin and San Diego.
One Miami eatery caught the editors’ attention: Niven Patel’s Mamey at the Thesis Hotel in Coral Gables was chosen as the editors’ pick for the nation’s top eateries for ambiance. The restaurant’s “food and decor both give you the impression that you’re in a lush, tropical paradise,” according to the magazine.
At this Coral Gables hotspot, Patel creates recipes using products from his own ranch that are influenced by his travels throughout Asia, Polynesia, and the Caribbean. Inside the meticulously planned interior, painted botanicals cover the walls and foliage seems to sprout up on every surface. Warm, ambient lighting and plants that dangle from the ceiling combine to give the impression that you are outside while maintaining a cozy ambiance.
Mamey is located 1350 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables at the Thesis Hotel Miami. To make a reservation to see what the hype is about, click here.
Award-Winning Chef Tom Aviv Opens First United States Restaurant in Miami-Branja
Branja, the first restaurant opened by award-winning chef and restaurateur Tom Aviv in the United States, has officially opened its doors. Located in Miami’s Upper Buena Vista and Banja serves food inspired by Aviv’s Israeli heritage in a retro, industrial environment.
Branja is a classic restaurant with 3,000 square feet of area that is divided between a sizable outside terrace and a cozy interior. Each night, the 12-seat Chef’s Table serves two omakase-style seatings for guests with a side of retro Miami. The Chef’s Table is housed in the famous bar from the Lenny Kravitz-designed Florida Room of the Delano Hotel.
The covered outdoor terrace features a bright stained-glass ceiling, terrazzo-topped tables, repurposed synagogue benches, a sizable artwork by Tel Aviv-based artist Paul Curran, while diners use silverware and pastel porcelain plates from the 1970’s.
With a strong focus on Israeli food and recipes, Branja’s menu draws inspiration from all over the world. Customers will find inventive interpretations on traditional dishes like the Falafish, a blend of juice fish and falafel, and Fishwarma, which is cooked with a spiced fish mixture that resembles traditional shawarma.
Other meals include the Tuktuk Kebab, made with Thai ingredients like tamarind glaze, and Krouv. On the sweeter side of the menu, Branja serves Halva Crack Pie made with tahini and Layali Beirout, a contemporary version of a Lebanese classic. Drinks like the vibrant Purple Rain, an allusion to the traditional Margarita created with tequila infused with za’atar and butterfly pea and garnished with salt and dry za’atar, complete the meal.
Despite having no official culinary training, Aviv, who was born and raised in Tel Aviv, won MasterChef Israel in 2016 and quickly rose to fame. He has opened a number of eateries in Israel and Morocco since winning.
Located at 5010 NE 2nd Avenue in Miami, Branja is open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Our Pick for Miami’s Most Romantic Valentine’s Restaurants 2023
Valentine’s Day is next week and if you haven’t made plans yet, now’s the time. Whether you want to impress a romantic interest for the first time or finally confess your feelings, Miami has a restaurant — and special Valentine’s Day menu — to match your intentions on the most romantic holiday of the year.
Here are our top restaurants to visit in Miami on Valentine’s Day, ranging from lounge-like restaurants to waterfront dining establishments. Reservations are highly advised.
Carbone
Carbone’s retro glam and universally acclaimed Italian-American cuisine have made their way to Miami. If you get a table, you can expect one of the best veal parmesans in the world, dapper servers who can practically read minds, and tons of vibe in a legendary Ken Fulk-designed space. To make reservations, click here.
The Queen Miami Beach
Tucked inside the meticulously restored Paris Theater on Washington Avenue in South Beach, Queen breathes new life into the storied Art Deco landmark, embodying a wildly lavish and extravagant 21st-century Japanese-style grill that pays homage to its history of opulence and theatricality. Click here for reservations.
Contessa Ristorante Miami
Contessa, a glamorous dining destination by Major Food Group that transports guests to Lake Como, is inspired by the old-world sophistication of Northern Italy’s iconic resorts and estates. Antipasti include a Carpaccio of Chianina Beef and the most coveted Italian prosciutto; signature pizzas and perfectly crafted pastas such as Tortellini en Brodo and Garganelli Verdi Bolognese; and celebratory secondi that highlight the world’s best meat, poultry, and fish. For reservations, click here.
COTE Miami
COTE is Simon Kim’s vision for the Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-nominated KOREAN STEAKHOUSETM. The restaurant is known for combining the excitement and fervor of Korean barbeque with the hallmarks of a classic, regal American steakhouse. The end result is a one-of-a-kind and convivial environment that infuses a fine dining experience with world-class ingredients and service, complemented by a show-stopping beverage program. Click here to reserve a table.
Klaw
Klaw provides a beef and king crab selection that focuses on raw product preservation, sustainability, and environmental concerns. Executive Chef Michael Paley and his team carefully select the best suppliers and believe that treating the product with respect and cooking it properly can greatly enhance the flavor. Martin Brudnizki Design Studio created our main dining room, which honors its Spanish Renaissance roots with a large dining room decorated in deep colors and dark woods, massive colonial arched windows, a private dining room, and a theater kitchen. The roof top bar has an amazing view and a great selection of cocktails created by beverage manager James Macinnes. We are close to the Opera Tower, Margaret Pace Park, and the DoubleTree by Hilton.
Avra Estiatorio
You’d almost think you were in the Greek islands, with the salt stone sculptures and bougainvillea-filled pergola, not to mention the sound of crashing waves in the background. This New York mainstay is large, opulent, and glam, with a menu full of seafood specialties that transport you to the Mediterranean with every bite. For more information or reservations, click here.]
Komodo Miami
Komodo is a three-story indoor/outdoor eatery and lounge in Miami’s booming Brickell neighborhood that combines contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine with a South Florida vibe to elevate the dining and nightlife experience. Signature dishes on the menu include Peking Duck, Tuna & Toro Roll, and Lobster Dynamite. The 300-seat restaurant and lounge features several unique multi-level dining options, including three bars with handcrafted cocktail menus and the signature outdoor floating “birds nests” seating, which creates a playful treehouse feel perfect for any occasion day or night. Komodo serves dinner seven days a week. Reservations can be made here.
Approval Received for 87 Condo Tower in Coral Gables
A 16-story condo development by Location Ventures has officially been given the green light by the Coral Gables City Commission this past Monday.
Location Ventures plans to construct an 87 condo tower on a 1.6-acre plot at 1505 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, as well as at 122 and 126 Menores Avenue. According to the meeting, the project would cost over $350 million and with only 87 condo units, the average price per unit would be north of $4 million.
The new condo would have 319 parking spaces, 10,500 square feet of retail space, and 87 homes in its almost 500,000 square feet. The fourth story would have an amenities deck. A full board room for private meetings, as well as a spa with a steam room and sauna, were among the features listed by Kapoor. Along Mendoza Avenue, there would also be a public dog park located outside the building.
The majority of the condos would have three or four bedrooms, with a few one- and two-bedroom apartments. According to Kapoor, prices would start in the mid $1 million level or roughly $1,000 per square foot.
The site is mostly unoccupied, however, there is a 1925 structure that is 5,736 square feet in size which Location Ventures consented to refurbish and restore that structure so that it might house restaurants.
The owner of Location Ventures, Rishi Kapoor, plans to partner with a high-end luxury brand to market and design the property but no luxury brand has been named in the agreement documents.
Location Ventures anticipates starting construction in late 2023 and starting sales this fall.
Award Winning and “America’s Favorite Chef” Thomas Keller is Opening a New Bistro in Coral Gables.
Bouchon Bistro, the acclaimed French restaurant owned by Chef Thomas Keller, will debut in Coral Gables in the early months of 2023, according to the chef and his staff. Along with his upscale American eatery the Surf Club Restaurant in Surfside, it will be his second restaurant in Miami.
The French Laundry, Per Se, and the freshly starred Surf Club Restaurant are all three-star Michelin restaurants owned by the renowned chef. Chef de cuisine Thomas Castellon, a former employee of Keller’s the Surf Club Restaurant and TAK Room, will take over the kitchen at Buchon’s Miami branch.
Similar to the menus at the Bouchon restaurants in Yountville and Las Vegas, the menu in Miami will feature seasonal French cuisine in addition to traditional selections like steak frites, roast chicken, mussels, and escargot.
Around 160 people will be able to dine at Bouchon Coral Gables, which also has 30 outside seats and a separate private dining area. Longtime Bouchon colleague Adam D. Tihany of Tihany Design in New York City, who created both Bouchon locations, will design the area.
The restaurant will open in the La Palma building, a historic Mediterranean-style structure constructed in 1924 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, at 2101 Galiano Street in Coral Gables. The building was originally designed by architect H. George Fink.
According to Keller, “Since opening the Surf Club Restaurant four years ago, it has been a great privilege to re-establish relationships in South Florida. We were enamored with the rich history of the La Palma building and Coral Gables neighborhood and we look forward to introducing our classic French bistro to the community.”
