At the boutique Esmé Miami Beach hotel, a new bistro-style restaurant has opened. Replacing the former Latin Cafe 2000, located at 2501 Biscayne Blvd., Miami Beach, Mimi’s will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and will incorporate some of the most bizarre combinations yet tasty egg creations you will probably ever eat.
The former chef of Pao at the Faena House in Miami Beach, Benjamin Murray will be taking over as head chef at Mimi’s. According to Murray, “Miami has become a thriving foodie destination…and with Mimi’s relaxed-casual American classics will be the new spot.”
Mimi’s space was designed by CDK Design’s Cindy Kam, which includes an indoor and outdoor floorplan. The scene is set with a cafe bistro style mixed with industrial decor.
The egg creations include Osstera Caviar, which is considered the most prized and extensive caviar in the world. All of the food items will don some version of the Caviar. Benjamin Murray and Michael Kaplan, owners of Mimi’s, came up with the concept after their opening of Benh Mi, which is another restaurant that connects to the lobby of Esmé Miami Beach.
Breakfast and lunch will be self-service only and dinner, as well as happy hour, is full service. Fresh coffees and pastries are serviced daily at the bakery and a full breakfast menu is served until 8 am. The menu includes signature dishes like egg sandwiches, cured salmon on an everything bagel, burgers, and Binchotan-grilled steak and egg combos.
Signature Breakfast Menu
FRIED CHICKEN & WAFFLES
Crispy hand-breaded chicken and two malted waffles with maple syrup.
STEAK & EGGS
28-day aged 10 oz. USDA Choice New York Strip. Housemade herb butter available upon request. Served with roasted potatoes and two eggs.
FARMHOUSE BREAKFAST TACOS
Hickory-smoked bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes, cheddar cheese, jalapeño, tomato, onion and cilantro in flour tortillas. Served with salsa.
BREAKFAST BURRITO
Flour tortilla stuffed with braised beef, melted jack and cheddar cheese, scrambled eggs, avocado, tomato, jalapeño, green onion and cilantro. Topped with spicy chipotle sauce and served with roasted potatoes.
EGGS & BACON CROISSANT SANDWICH
Bacon, two fried eggs, sliced tomatoes, melted cheddar and mayonnaise on a flaky croissant. Served with sliced tomatoes.
BROWN SUGAR OATMEAL
Rolled oats sprinkled with brown sugar and cranberries, served with milk.
Signature Entrees
ROASTED HALF CHICKEN
Slow-roasted with housemade herb butter. Served with choice of two sides. (600 Cal)
TUSCAN STYLE GRILLED CHICKEN
Grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, sautéed vegetables and artichoke hearts served in a savory sauce.
SLOW-ROASTED TURKEY
Slow-roasted turkey with gravy, cornbread stuffing and orange-apple cranberry relish. Served with choice of two sides.
CHICKEN POT PIE
Freshly baked with roasted chicken, peas, carrots, onions and potatoes folded into a creamy herb sauce. Topped with a flaky crust.
FRENCH POT ROAST
Slowly braised and simmered with carrots, mushrooms and onions. Served on a bed of mashed potatoes.
MIMI’S MEATLOAF
Our own traditional recipe topped with a red wine shallot sauce. Served with choice of two sides.
RIBEYE STEAK
28-day aged, 10 oz. USDA Choice ribeye steak. House-made herb butter available upon request, your choice blackened or grilled. Served with choice of two sides.
POT ROAST DINNER
Slowly braised and simmered in red wine shallot gravy. Served with choice of two sides.
NEW YORK STRIP STEAK
10 oz. USDA Choice New York Strip dry-aged 28 days, blackened or grilled. Housemade herb butter available upon request. Served with choice of two sides.
SWEET GLAZED SALMON
Grilled and topped with a sweet honey glaze. Served with sautéed vegetables and long grain rice. Blackened or grilled. Served with choice of two sides.
BEER BATTERED FISH & CHIPS
Hand-battered cod fillets with french fries, coleslaw and tartar sauce.
JAMBALAYA
Shrimp, chicken and andouille sausage, bell peppers and onions in a French Basque tomato sauce. Served over penne pasta or long grain rice, your choice.
Total Number of Transactions Increased for this Week’s Miami Dade Condo Sales
Over the past few weeks, we have seen a steady incline in overall condo sales including volume and number of sales. This is of no surprise with the increase of companies, execs, and people taking up residency in Miami-Dade County.
Coming in at $123 million, this week’s condo sales volume increased from $85.3 million in the week prior. The total number of sales has risen to 198 for this week, up from 128.
The average price for condo sales reached $622,000 which has actually decreased from $666,000 then the week prior.
Leading this week’s condo sales in a luxury unit at Continuum South Beach that sold for $8 million or $2,708 per square foot. This luxury property located at 100 S Pointe Dr. Unit #3507 was sold to tech entrepreneur Hari Ravichandran, who is the CEO of Jump Ventures and Aura.
Last week’s highest condo sale was lead by Lucas Lechuga (Luxe Living Realty-Miami Condo Investments) with the sale of a Setai Miami Beach condo that sold for $12.3 million.
The sale coming in second includes a luxury unit at Palazzo Della Luna on Fisher Island. The property sold for $7.5 million or $2,045 per square foot and was on the market for 324 days. Luxe Living Realty’s Dora Puig represented the seller.
Former Linebacker for the Miami Dolphins Sells Miami Beach Home for $6.25 Million
Photo Credit: Julian Cohen
Orlandus Andre Branch III is a former outside linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, who played from 2016 until his retirement in 2019. Branch recently sold his mansion for $6.25 million after purchases in 2019 for $2.8 million. What an investment!
Located just a couple blocks from Biscayne Bay in the Nautilus neighborhood at 4535 Nautilus Court in Miami Beach. The modern mansion features 6,000 square feet of professionally designed living space.
The 6 bedroom, 6.5 bathroom new construction home features European oak and marble floors throughout and high-end kitchen appliances. The home is completely finished with a steam room, media area, and tall ceilings throughout.
Photo Credit: Julian Cohen
The exterior is perfect for entertaining with an expansive backyard with lush Florida landscaping featuring an outdoor kitchen, oversized terraces, pool, and jacuzzi. The mansion is perfectly located near South Beach, Bal Harbour, and the Design District.
According to Miami-Dade tax records, the home closed on September 3rd, to buyers Bryant M. Yunker Jr. and wife Nancy. Bryant is a retired Wall Street Broker. The Yunker’s also own Sway Lounge, located in Naples, Florida.
This property is the highest-priced sale for a non-waterfront home in the Nautilus neighborhood. This record-breaking sale is just one of the many that have occurred in Miami in 2021.
In July, a waterfront mansion sold as the highest-priced home sale ever in all of Miami-Dade. Bay Harbor Islands also had a record-breaking sale of $12.75 million on a recent waterfront home, making it the highest-priced sale in all of Bay Harbor. Our very own, Lucas Lechuga, also sold one of the highest-priced condo sales for the month of August 2021 at Setai South Beach for $12.3 million.
Diddy Purchases Gloria Estefan’s Waterfront Mansion on Star Island
In July 2021, Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio sold their Star Island home to a mysterious buyer for $35 million. At the time, we knew the buyer was listed under an LLC managed by Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group and that Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, was a neighbor to the Estefan’s.
It has now been revealed that Diddy is actually the buyer of Gloria Estefan’s waterfront mansion on the exclusive Star Island. Diddy can now add this waterfront mansion located at 1 Star Drive to his portfolio.
The 8,000 square foot mansion sits on 1.3 acres and features a total of 6 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms spread out through the main and guest houses. The rich hardwood and marble floors flow effortlessly through the open floor plan leading to the gorgeous outdoor oasis.
The Estefans originally purchased the home for $1.84 million in 1993. Since 2015, the property has been on and off the market with an original list price of $40 million. The last list price of this property was $27.9 million in 2020.
Diddy purchased the home next door in 2003 for $14.5 million. This property features 19,545 square feet with 9 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a swimming pool, and a private boat dock. Diddy’s home was formerly owned by Tommy Mottola.
Is hasn’t been released yet what Diddy plans on doing with both of the properties or if he plans on combining the two but we can’t wait to see what he has in store!
Other notables that have owned or currently own on Star Island Include Alex Rodriguez, Don Johnson, Rosie O’Donnell, Xuxa, Shaquille O’Neal, Lea Black, and Phillip Frost.
Photo credit: Jill Eber with Coldwell Banker RealtyPhoto credit: Jill Eber with Coldwell Banker RealtyPhoto credit: Jill Eber with Coldwell Banker RealtyPhoto credit: Jill Eber with Coldwell Banker Realty
Miami Heat’s Very Own Jimmy Butler Sold his Pinecrest Mansion for $7.1 Million
Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman
Jimmy Butler, Small Forward for the Miami Heat just sold his Pinecrest Mansion for $7.1 million. Butler who just purchased this home just 2 years ago really took advantage of the Miami market because he originally purchased the estate for $4.6 million in 2018. The home was built in 2013.
Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman
Records show that the managing partner, Reshma Sohoni, for London-based venture capital firm called Seedcamp purchased the home. Sohoni co-founded Seedcamp in 2007 with the idea to assist in investments for European tech start-ups.
The home located at 8975 Southwest 63rd Court in the Stritter Estates subdivision of Pinecrest features 7 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms and a 3 car garage. The custom Mediterain home with 8,958 square feet of living space showcases a grand foyer that opens to the living and dining rooms with double height ceilings.
The large game room is perfect for entertaining with a custom wet-bar and dedicant kitchen. The custom cabinetry, wine gallery, and butler’s pantry makes this home truly unique. The master offers a private terrace and spa bath. The backyard is the ultimate in luxury with covered terraces, playground, spa, and resort style pool.
Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman
For the next four years, Butler will still be a Miami resident with his recently signed 4 year contract extension with the Heat for an additional $184 million.
Butler isn’t the first Heat player to sell its Miami mansion. Dwayne Wade and wife Gabrielle Union sold their Miami mansion for $22 million after 2 years on the market.
If you’re having trouble deciding on plans this weekend, we’ve made it easy for you! Here are the tops things to do this Labor Day 2021 weekend.
STAYCATION
Enjoy a nice long staycation this weekend at these unique Miami Hotels.
Goodtime Hotel-This 7-story hotel is located at 601 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach and features 266 rooms spanning a full block with 100,000 square feet of indoor space. Enjoy the art deco pool deck all day before your reservations at their signature restaurant Strawberry Moon.
Fontainebleau-This luxury hotel is located in Miami Beach and it is considered the #1 Hotel in Miami Beach according to Travel + Leisure magazine. With current specials, Fontainebleau has package options available for all. It also has a number of lounges, bars, nightlife, and restaurants.
Photo Credit: www.fontainebleau.com
RESTAURANTS
Make your Labor Day weekend reservations now at these new Miami restaurants.
Winker’s Diner-This day to night Miami Beach restaurant features an Art Deco-inspired style with classic leather booths, a 3D layered wall dedicated to the perfect Instagram photo, and a peninsula liquor bar. Enjoy breakfast all-day to deli sandwiches as well as traditional dishes including crispy chicken sandwich, lobster salads, Prime Rib, and their famous Cinnamon Roll French toast.
SFC Sushi Fly Chicken– This Toyko inspired restaurant, bar, and lounge brings the underground nightlife and diverse Asian cuisines. Specialty sushi rolls and fried chicken plates but let’s not forget the bespoke beverages including yuzu margaritas, lychee martinis, and Japanese whiskey cocktails.
Toothfairy bakery– Not quite a restaurant but if you have a sweet tooth, this retro-modern bakery is the place to be. Enjoy Cake Pop Candy Bars, Snickerdoodle cookies, or cotton-candy cones! This bakery is located in Miami Beach and it does offer reservations.
Photo Credit: Groot Hospitality
CRUISE, DANCE, & MORE
Booze Cruise– Join the party for a Hip Hop Club Booze Cruise on September 4, 2021. The 3 hour Miami Party cruise will kick off on Biscayne Bay with drink and food specials. Unlimited drink specials and a DJ will get you ready for the ultimate dance competition. There are 4 cruise times available.
SHOTS Miami– SHOTS first opened in 2012 because of the need for a different nightlife scene. The 7,000 square feet venue features unique drinks prepared by trained experts. This is an excellent late-night place to visit after dinner or your booze cruise!
WWE Monday Night Raw-Get up close and personal ringside on Monday,m September 6th at Monday Night Raw hosted by FTX Arena. Show begins at 7:30pm.
Photo Credit: discotech
$12.3 Million Setai Sale Leads Miami Condo Weekly Sales
Sales for Miami-Dade once again surged this past week with the most expensive condo sale closing at Setai Miami Beach. According to the MLS, residential sales totaled $2.7 billion for all of July 2021, reaching 67 percent higher than the previous year.
Condo sales totaled a staggering $148 million compared to last week’s $131 million. The previous week’s volume rose from 208 to a total of 226. The average condo sales price also rose from $632,000 to $640,500.
The most expensive condo sale that occurred was a luxury condo at Setai, which sold for $12.3 million. After 39 days on the market, the unit sold for close to $3,391 per square foot. Our very own, Lucas Lechuga brought in the buyer for this property.
The second-highest and fewest days on the market condo sale occurred at One Thousand Museum for $5.6 million at $1,212 per square foot. This property was on the market for 1 day.
July Sales
Residential sales rose 58% in July with 3,632 closings, which consist of mostly condominium transactions. Single-family sales increased by 15% to 1,373 and condo sales increased by 104% to 2,259 sales.
The luxury market also experienced a leap in sales rising 110% for single-family homes compared to July 2020. For luxury condo sales, an increase of 323% compared to last July.
Avalon Merrick Park Tower Under Construction in Miami
Photo Credit: L & R Structural Corp., Inc.
Avalon Merrick Park is a new construction apartment tower located at 3811 Shipping Avenue in Miami. The 20-story tower will be located near the Douglas Road Metrorail Station.
When it was originally proposed by the developer, Mast Capital, it was named Shipping Avenue Apartments. After AvalonBay Communities purchased the properties for $12.9 million, AvalonBay entered into a joint venture on the project after Mast Capital took it through the approval process. Mast will remain a partner and is the co-developer for this project.
The shell contractor is L&R Structural and the architect will include Arquitectonica.
Avalon Merrick Park will feature 254 residential units with a studio to 3 bedroom floor plan options. The tower will also include 10,000 + square feet of amenities with the main floor housing 825 square feet of retail space. An 8-story attached garage will feature 319 parking spaces.
Building Amenities
State-of-the-art fitness center with professional-grade cardio and strength equipment
Rooftop, resort-style pool and sundeck with BBQ area and seating
Pet-friendly living with WAG Pet Spa
Coworking space including workspace pods and reservable conference rooms
WiFi access available in common areas
Package lockers for 24/7 package acceptance
Smoke-free living
Controlled access garage parking
Bike storage
Easily accessible to retail and dining, including the Shops at Merrick Park
One mile to Coral Gables and convenient to Downtown Miami, Brickell, and Coconut Grove
Residence Amenities
Studio, one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans
Modern kitchens with quartz countertops, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, LED lighting, and hard surface flooring
Washer/Dryer in all homes
Walk-in closets
Air conditioning
Avalon Merrick Park is centrally located near retail, shopping, and dining. Located 1 mile from Coral Gables and 5 miles from downtown Miami. Leasing begins in 2023 with construction completion in early 2024.
Rockstar Energy Drink Founder Purchased Two Waterfront Properties for $35 Million
Photo Credit: BHHS EWM Realty
Founder of Rockstar Energy Drink, Russel Weiner recently purchased 2 waterfront properties in Miami Beach. Located on Pine Tree Drive, the properties were purchased for a combined $35.1 million.
The homes sold include 5011 and 5111 Pine Tree Drive. According to property records, the homes sold for $17 million and $18.1 million. The two properties were sold to a Las Vegas entity that is managed by Russel Weiner’s trust.
Weiner has made significant headway in the South Florida real estate market. In October 2020, Weiner purchased and flipped to homes in North Palm Beach for $48 million from the Swedish model, Elin Nordegren. He also purchased a mansion in 2016 for $20 million. He still owns this home.
According to Forbes, Weiner sold Rockstar Energy to Pepsi for $3.9 billion in 2020. It is estimated that Weiner is worth $4.1 billion.
The sellers, David and Leila Centner, are also the owners of the Centner Academy that is located in the Mami Design District. Earlier this year, the Centner’s received approval from the Miami Beach Design Review Board for an addition on 5011 Pine Tree Drive.
This specific property was built in 1920 by one of the city’s founding families and was designed by architect Russell Pancoast. The approval itself was for a two-story home, relocating the current residence, and relocating the boathouse.
The properties total 3.5 acres each with 150+ water frontage on Indian Creek. The property located at 5111 Pine Tree Drive features 9 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, with over 20,000 square feet of living space. This property features ‘old world’ charm with hand-crafted hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and a Mediterranean design throughout.
The second property located at 5011 Pine Tree Drive is just one property over from 5111. The estate features a 3-story main house, guest house, and 560 square feet of water frontage. This property features a large dock for mega-yachts and multiple vessels. This property previously sold in 2018 for $14.5 million.