New Mediterranean Restaurant Opens at Hotel AKA in Brickell
Self-described “Gypsy Chef” David Myers has established 20 restaurants in nine nations due to his love of both food and travel. After receiving a Michelin star for his now-defunct Los Angeles restaurant Sona, he moved on to establish his culinary empire across Asia and the Middle East and decided that Miami would be his next culinary venture.
The Mediterranean seaside cities, like Dubai and Toyko, inspired his newest creation, Adrift Mare now open on the 25th floor of Hotel AKA Brickell. Adrift Mare is located inside an 11-story atrium with floor-to-ceiling windows, making it easier to see the setting sun.
The restaurant, which will be overseen by executive chef Kamarl John, will incorporate the ingredients and preparation methods that Myers has liked on his journeys to the Mediterranean. Fresh seafood and shellfish, grilled meat, pasta, and veggie dishes will all take center stage. Starters such as Parker Rolls with fava bean spread, raw oysters, and yellowfin tuna with shallots, caviar, and crackers are to be expected.
The world-famous mixologists Moe Aljaff and Juliette Larrouy, well known for their work at Two Schmucks in Barcelona, which was voted No. 7 in the World’s Well 50 Bars in 2022, created the restaurant’s cocktail menu. Additionally, earlier this year, the pair ran a two-month residency at Mezcalista in the Moxy Miami South Beach hotel.
According to Myers, “It’s the type of food I love to eat on a regular basis. That healthy, vibrant cuisine that’s seafood-oriented, with lots of olive oil. It’s food you’d have on the French Riviera or Greece or the Amalfi Coast. It’s the perfect sort of summerish food that resonates so well here in Miami.”
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.
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.
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.
Cigar Bar El Vecino Set to Open May 5th at Miami Worldcenter
A distinguished cigar bar with expertly chosen wine and beverage menus, award-winning service, and a relentless passion for bringing people together at the table will open at Miami Worldcenter May 5th, 2023, El Vecino.
Courtesy of Ariete Hospitality Group (AHG) and Chef Michael Beltran, El Vecino wants to be among the best cigar shops in Miami and a top cigar destination nationwide.
Modern air filtration and humidification technologies were used to build the exquisitely constructed area, which provides a luxurious environment with soft furnishings and amenities. This ensures that visitors are comfortable. The interior of El Vecino is 1,600 square feet and features historical furnishings, premium wood, booths, velvet and leather furniture, a 10-seat bar, and a specially made walk-in humidor for cigars.
The ScapeGoat in Miami Beach, The Gibson Room on Coral Way, and most recently Brasserie Laurel (Michelin Guide mention) and Chug’s Express at Miami Worldcenter in Downtown are just a few of AHG’s expanding family of eateries and bars. Ariete (Michelin Star), Navé (Michelin Guide mention), Chug’s (Bib Gourmand recipient), and The Taurus are all located in Coconut Grove.
A large variety of quality cigars, as well as a variety of whiskey, bourbon, wine, beer, and seasonal creative cocktails, will be available at the upmarket cigar lounge. Customers will also be able to place orders for snacks and light cuisine from the nearby Brasserie Laurel restaurant.
El Vecino is situated along the 7th Street pedestrian promenade of Miami Worldcenter at 698 NE 1st Avenue Suite G-172, near the base of the Caoba residential tower. In the core of Downtown Miami, the $4 billion mixed-use attraction called Miami Worldcenter, which spans ten city blocks and 27 acres and is one of the largest private urban real estate developments now under construction in the United States, offers top-notch residential, commercial, hospitality, and retail applications. Three residential buildings and a sizable amount of the retail component of the project have already been finished and are occupied, while a hotel construction is scheduled to open in Q4 of 2022.
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 lucas@miamicondoinvestments.com 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.
Michelin Names 8 New Miami Restaurants to The Florida Michelin Guide
Eight new Miami additions to the Florida Michelin Guide were unveiled by Michelin. The Michelin Guide classified the businesses as “New,” encouraging diners to try new and exciting restaurants in Miami.
The yearly Michelin announcement of Bib Gourmands and stars has yet to be released and Michelin occasionally “teases” its annual guides by presenting brief lists in prominent cities.
The announcement was explained in a statement by Gwendal Poullennec, the international director of the Michelin Guides, “We improve our digital tools to further strengthen the bonds that unite us to food lovers. By revealing some of the new additions made by our inspectors throughout the year.”
According to the press release, any of the 8 restaurants on the list may be awarded a Bib Gourmand or star during the annual star ceremony.
It mostly indicates that the Michelin team of inspectors is actively looking for restaurants in Miami to include in the 2023 Florida Michelin Guide. A restaurant also needs to merit its inclusion in the annual guide. Ten restaurants in Miami received one star when the Florida Guide was published in June 2022, giving them a total of 65 spots. The only establishment to be awarded two stars was L’Atelier de Jol Robuchon. The coveted three-star rating only goes to a select few great restaurants like the French Laundry, Alinea, and Eleven Madison Park. No Miami eateries have ever received this honor.
No location or date for the 2023 Michelin Florida Star Reveal Ceremony has been determined. The ceremony was previously Orlando in June 2022.
Michelin Guide Florida: New Miami Additions, February 2023
Brasserie Laurel- French-inspired cuisine inside downtown Miami’s new Miami Worldcenter.
Rosie’s- Brunch garden in Little River with Akino West as Chef.Fiola Miami- Coral Gables Italian restaurant by Michelin-starred, Fiola D.C.
Walrus Rodeo- Wood-fire cooking by the Boia De team.Lido- Surf Club with a champagne bar and delectable Italian food.
Lion & the Rambler- Chef Michael Bolen makes a classic spin on American cuisine.
Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt- Modern/classic French and Asian inspired dishes.
The Gibson Room- American fare with modern inspired cocktails.
