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.
New Venue Opens in Miami- ZeyZey
Miami’s Little River neighborhood is home to the city’s newest indoor and outdoor weekend venue ZeyZey, which is hidden behind a modest wood gate and a large banyan tree.
DJs will perform in a bungalow with white walls with a vinyl listening area with more than 3,000 albums is also located in the spacious outdoor space with a stage for live events and shaded by a massive banyan tree.
In addition to three private lounge sections, there are four food vendors. ZeyZey is the brainchild of Grassfed Culture Hospitality, the same group that brought you the Michelin-starred Los Felix and Krus Kitchen restaurants from Chef Sebastian Vargas. ZeyZey is named for the word “happiness” in the Iku language, which is used by an indigenous community in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, Colombia.
The main attraction at ZeyZey in Little River is a banyan tree. Vashti Diaz Due to a collaboration between Isabella Acker of Miami-based Tigre Sounds, an independent record label and music platform, and the venue, which will be open on Friday and Saturday nights, local artists and DJs will perform there. According to Acker, the music will be diverse. Be prepared for Brazilian disco, salsa, cumbia, Afro-Cuban funk, electronic fusion, and more.
Additionally, ZeyZey will have a recurring roster of culinary vendors. The Maiz Project arepas, Gutenburg’s German-American burgers, Dale Street Food’s modern Cuban food, and Mana Table’s seasonal menu of ceviche, skewers, cold noodles, and arepas were among the exhibitors at the event’s debut weekend.The location is what Pili Restrepo Hackler, co-founder and creative director of Grassfed Culture Hospitality, refers to as “our love letter to Miami.
A space where all these little different atmospheres and sensations collide with one another,” she described ZeyZey as being. “Miami will be happy to discover this vibrant world of sound and color.” ZeyZey’s DJ booth and vinyl listening area are located in the bungalow on the left. ZeyZey is located at 353 NE 61st Street in Miami.
Motek Mediterranean Bistro 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 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.
Two Miami Restaurants Added to the Michelin Guide 2023
Two additional Miami restaurants have recently been included in the Michelin Guide’s 2023 edition including Rosie’s in Little River and Jaguar Sun in downtown Miami. The two restaurants were chosen as “Bib Gourmand” restaurants.
The certification indicates that the restaurants are “approachable in terms of price and atmosphere,” according to Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides.
Rosie’s, a restaurant that serves Southern food and prime brunch favorites includes fluffy banana pancakes with vanilla custard, deviled eggs with chicharrones, and biscuits in guanciale sauce. Larger appetites can be satisfied with heartier dishes like fried hot chicken and waffles or a hearty serving of fried fish and grits with collard greens.
Jaguar Sun is a popular restaurant noted for its homemade pasta and drinks and is situated in the downtown Miami Alea building. Warm Parker House buns and towering Caesar salads serve as the prelude to dishes like spicy strozzapreti with plump mussels, ‘nduja, and breadcrumbs or umami-packed mushroom tagliatelle.
Other Miami restaurants are on the list and include Brasserie Laurel, Fiola Miami, Lido, Lion & the Rambler, Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt, The Gibson Room, and Walrus Rodeo.
The news was released ahead of the Michelin Guide Ceremony for 2023, which will be held on May 11 at LoanDepot Park in Miami. When the Michelin Guide Ceremony was first in Miami in 2022, 19 local eateries were named Bib Gourmands, and 11 Miami restaurants received Michelin stars.
Is Miami the ‘Best Food City of the Year’ in the Country? Bon Appétit Thinks So
Miami is experiencing a dining moment with its 11 Michelin-starred restaurants, renowned wine and food festival, multiple James Beard Award semi-finalists, and an average of one new restaurant opening every 15 seconds.
Now, another celebration is in order! Miami has been hailed as the “food city of the year” by Bon Appétit magazine in its most recent issue.
While editors toured the nation in search of daring new restaurants, they agreed that Miami was the one city they kept wanting to visit, according to editor-in-chief Dawn Davis.
According to Davis, “The always-evolving city is buzzing with opportunity, and a wave of creative chefs and restaurateurs have picked up on that air of possibility. It’s led to a spate of daring, exciting restaurants that are contributing to the city’s rich culinary history while bringing entirely new dimensions to the dining scene.”
Numerous popular eateries in Miami have been singled out by the magazine as “restaurants we fell for.” Itamae, a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant in Miami’s Design District that was recognized by the Michelin Guide as a Bib Gourmand (a restaurant that offers exceptional value) last year, came in first place on the list. The restaurant, which began as a seller in the previous St. Roch food hall, was where the magazine’s cover photo of seafood was taken which is now called MIA Market.
Other establishments applauded by Bon Appétit writers include Suite Habana Café in Wynwood, El Turco Turkish Restaurant in Upper Buena Vista, Rosie’s in Little River, a favorite for Southern brunch, Zak the Baker in Wynwood, Broken Shaker cocktail bar at the Freehand Hotel in Miami Beach, which was named one of the 50 best North American bars in 2022, Paradis Books & Bread wine bar and pizza restaurant in North Miami Beach, and Jaguar Sun in Miami.
In 2022, the Michelin guide also named El Turco and Zak the Baker as Bib Gourmands.
The magazine also gives Chef Sebastian Vargas accolades for opening Krüs Kitchen, a Bib Gourmand restaurant, and Los Félix, a Michelin-starred establishment, under one roof in Coconut Grove.
The Perigon Miami Beach Unveils a Resident-Only Restaurant and Speakeasy Concepts
The Perigon Miami Beach announces Shaun Hergatt, a Michelin-starred chef, as the creator of Miami Beach’s first-ever resident-only concept.
Nota will be Hergatt’s first-ever Mediterranean concept, while Fifty Three, a speakeasy cocktail lounge, will have a complementary bold style. Hergatt is the renowned executive chef and owner behind some of New York’s most famous Michelin-starred restaurants, including the private restaurant at 432 Park Avenue and Vestry in Soho.
CEO of Mast Capital (the developer behind The Perigon) stated, “We are designing more than a condominium at The Perigon, it is a private, highly serviced five-star resort exclusively for the owners. Additionally, our partnership with such a notable chef as Shaun Hergatt further solidifies the commitment to the quality of luxury, The Perigon will offer to its residents.”
The focus of the restaurant showcases a clear and crisp palette, making the most of the coastal environment and abundance of rich, local ingredients. Chef Hergatt intends to use woodfire grilling techniques to produce meals that are elegant but approachable, with seafood serving as the menu’s focal point.
The speakeasy portion of the restaurant will experiment with vivid colors and patterns, embracing a whiskey-themed palate. Deeper browns and greens will establish a more intimate mood, incorporating golden fixtures and accessories creating the perfect nighttime setting. The cocktails will also embody the more lighthearted style, while focusing on fresh ingredients and imaginative curations.
The Perigon
The development will rise 17 stories and feature 83 total units, with 10 of those units labeled as ‘guest suites,’ which will only be available to purchase by unit owners.
Units will range from 2 to 4-bedroom floor plans with 2,100 to 6,700 square foot options. Units will start at $3 million and will feature a number of luxury amenities and residence features.
Tower Amenities
Signature oceanfront restaurant by a celebrated chef exclusive to residents
Beachside swimming pool and outdoor spa with sunbeds and cabanas
Pool and beachside food and beverage service
Direct entry to the dedicated beach, equipped with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and service
Sprawling conservatory offering daily breakfast bar
Stylish cocktail lounge and speakeasy
Dramatic double-height lobby with an open lounge area
Luxury guest suites for friends and family
Sunrise lounge with catering kitchen for entertaining and events
Private spa with sauna and treatment rooms
A state-of-the-art fitness center with a high-impact training room overlooking the Atlantic Ocean
Bespoke wine room
Private salon for personalized beauty services
Screening room
Imaginative children’s playroom
Intimate garden and meditation lounge areas overlooking the Atlantic
Bicycle storage
Residence Features
Direct, private elevator entry to each residence
Gracious 10-foot ceilings with floor-to-ceiling windows
Private 10- to 12-foot-deep terraces designed to provide direct views of the Atlantic from every residence
Expansive living, dining, and entertaining area accented with linear cove lighting
Custom Italian kitchens designed by Tara Bernerd & Partners featuring honed marble countertops, backsplash, and island
Sub-Zero Wolf Appliance Suite
Primary bathrooms feature natural stone flooring and walls, custom bathtub, bespoke mirrors, and light fixtures
Walk-in wardrobes in each bedroom
The building is expected to be delivered in 2025. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at The Perigon Miami Beach, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.
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.
