Cigar Bar El Vecino Set to Open May 5th at Miami Worldcenter

El Vecino Miami Worldcenter
El Vecino 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
The Perigon Miami Beach

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.

Rendering of Perigon Miami Beach Entrance

Award-Winning Chef Tom Aviv Opens First United States Restaurant in Miami-Branja

Branja Restaurant in Miami
Branja Restaurant in Miami

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

Michelin Starred Restaurants in Miami
Michelin Starred Restaurants in Miami

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.

Exclusive Wine Experience Opens in Miami

Maison Mura Miami
Maison Mura Miami

Maison Mura, a refined wine and spirits engaging experience, has opened in Downtown Miami at 333 SE 3rd Avenue. The owners and long-time friends Matthieu Yamoum, the former Wine Director of New York’s Baccarat Hotel, and Philippe Vasilescu, the former Brand Ambassador for the prestigious LOUIS XIII Cognac de Remy Martin, will serve and sell an extensive selection of premium wine and spirits, as well as a refined food menu.

Both have extensive and complementary experience in the fine wine and spirits industry and have been working on this project for over 2 years to bring this bespoke experience to Miami.

According to Vasilescu, “At Maison MURA, we love what we do and are excited to offer our guests in Miami a comprehensive wine list and menu that is thoughtful and provides a tailored and memorable experience whatever the occasion is! We will always strive to offer a truly personalized service and consistently propose the finest expertise available to all of our clients.”

Although open to all, Maison MURA also has a membership limited to 150 clients who get priority access to exclusive events, tastings with the world’s top winemakers, and invitations to special events and experiences not only in Miami but all over the world.

Other benefits include early access to pre-sold and “en primeur” wines that are nearly impossible to obtain, priority reservations of the private room for hosting events, and priority storage of any wines and spirits purchased through the shop at their upcoming warehouse. Membership can only be obtained through Matthieu or Philippe. The concept is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Colliers International’s Ryan Brodsky and Jonathan Carter represented Maison MURA, while Koniver Stern’s Lyle Stern and Kerry Newman represented the landlord in the 2,500 SF lease at Met Square 333 SE 3rd Avenue.

Michelin Star and Miami Born Chef Officially Opens Brasserie Laurel at Miami Worldcenter

Brasserie Laurel Opens at Miami Worldcenter
Brasserie Laurel Opens at Miami Worldcenter

In the recently constructed Miami Worldcenter Caoba apartment tower in Downtown Miami, chef and restaurateur Michael Beltran has officially opened Brasserie Laurel, a French-focused eatery.

Escargot, frog legs, foie gras, deer tartare, beef Wellington, chicory salad, turbot in tomato beurre blanc, and Maine lobster with veal sweetbreads are just a few of the French classics on the menu at Laurel, which was devised by executive chef Ashley Moncada, a former chef de cuisine at Ariete.

Ashley Moncada, the new chef employed by Beltran at the establishment, trained at Ariete during the pandemic that has been going on for the past two years. Her first substantial project is this eatery.

“We see Laurel as Ariete’s younger sister. It’s a new approach to French brasserie food. Think Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, La Tour d’Argent in Paris,” states Chef Beltran.

Tom Lasher-Walker, the restaurant’s beverage director, provides modernized versions of classic cocktails such the Beneath the Sheets, which is created with aged rum and pineapple, and the Corpse Reviver Royal, a late 19th-century concoction made with gin, bubbles, and absinthe. Speaking of absinthe, there is a fountain behind the bar at Laurel where it is readily available. A sizable selection of champagnes and wines in the French and Old World styles completes the menu.

The restaurant’s interior, which is housed inside the flashy Miami Worldcenter, maintains the French concept throughout with its use of deep blue, gold, and dark wood. Two additional Ariete Hospitality eateries, Chug’s Express and El Vecino, will also make their Miami Worldcenter debuts in the upcoming months next to Laurel.

Favorites from Chug’s Diner including croquetas, pastelitos, and coffee will be available at the Chug’s Express “ventanita.” El Vecino, on the other hand, will be an upscale cigar bar that offers a full alcohol menu along with light meals including mussels, a variety of meat and cheese, a greek burger, foie torchon, and a variety of snacks.

The Scapegoat in Miami Beach, the Taurus in Coconut Grove, Ariete, Nave, Chug’s, and most recently, the Gibson Room on Coral Way make up the Ariete Hospitality Group’s fast-expanding restaurant portfolio.

Downtown Miami’s Brasserie Laural can be found at 698 NE 1st Avenue. They are open from 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday and from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday.

New Restaurant Set to Open on E11EVEN’s Rooftop January 2023-Giselle

Giselle Restaurant Rooftop Bar at E11EVEN Miami
Giselle Restaurant Rooftop Bar at E11EVEN Miami

The crew behind E11EVEN Miami, and the renowned restaurant management company, The Restaurant People, are collaborating to deliver Giselle, a brand-new, top-notch culinary experience, to Miami.

Giselle Miami will be a vibrant addition to the local culinary scene, fusing exquisite design, globally inspired taste, elevated cocktail programming, and supreme hospitality-driven service in a warm, sexy, and authentic environment. It will be located on the rooftop of E11EVEN Miami, in the center of Downtown’s Arts and Entertainment District. Giselle Miami, which is scheduled to open in early 2023, will take visitors on a voyage to see the world through Giselle’s eyes.

From her presentation to the sense of mystery she instills in each visitor that enters her doors, Giselle is chic yet eclectic, seductively alluring, edgy, and downright opulent on every level. Tristan du Plessis, a multi-award-winning interior architect based in South Africa, was commissioned by the team to fully redesign the area with high-style decor from countries such as Italy, the Netherlands, Paris, London, Greece, New York, South Africa, and Miami.

Chef Gustavo Zuluaga has created a cuisine that is full of surprise flavors and sophisticated international influences. He adds years of experience to the anticipated concept. Fresh, internationally-inspired food enhanced with Giselle’s distinctive added flair is what guests can expect. The names, flavor profiles, and presentations of an opulent selection of expertly made cocktails and a lengthy variety of high-end wines and spirits will entice guests with memories of exciting journeys and unforgettable evenings out.

The name E11EVEN is closely associated with cutting-edge entertainment concepts, forward-thinking hospitality, and living life to the fullest. In 2014, the award-winning ultraclub E11EVEN Miami opened its doors in downtown Miami, launching the E11EVEN brand.

E11EVEN Life, a subsidiary of hats and apparel that sells over $1 million worth of branded headwear annually, E11EVEN Vodka, a women-owned, ultra-premium spirit in which E11EVEN leased its intellectual property, and other entities make up the current E11EVEN ecosystem. E11EVEN Hotel & Residences and E11EVEN Residences Beyond are two sold-out twin 65-story high-rise skyscrapers in downtown Miami with 850 units. E11EVEN Sound by DAS Audio restores sound to the forefront of the nightclub sensory experience and can be found in venues in 13 countries.

The property, which is connected by a sky bridge, has a pool club, a Chopra Spa, and 5star dining. E11EVEN Crypto was launched to create various NFT collections on the Ethereum blockchain, starting with the sold-out 11 Captain’s Club. E11EVEN Music is a record label and artist/producer management company, and its first artist, 11APE, was born meta-primate #11 in the Bored Ape Yacht Club. The newest project is Giselle  Miami

The address of Giselle is 15 NE 11 St., Miami, FL 33132.

New Rooftop Restaurant Giselle in Downtown Miami

New York Based Seafood Restaurant to Open in Miami Beach

Catch Miami Beach Rendering of Dining Room
Catch Miami Beach Rendering of Dining Room

Miami Beach will welcome the seafood restaurant Catch in 2023 thanks to the New York-based Catch Hospitality Group.

At 200 South Pointe Drive, the restaurant will take up 22,000 square feet. New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Aspen, Colorado are the current sites of Catch.

The restaurant space at the Continuum is owned by Los Angeles-based Black Lion, and Catch Hospitality, led by partners Tilman J. Fertitta, Mark Birnbaum, and Eugene Remm, negotiated a 15-year lease with Black Lion. The deal’s landlord and renter were both represented by Jeremy Hakala of Newmark’s Miami office.

According to Fertitta, “On the heels of two successful openings on the west coast, we are ready to continue our expansion. Miami Beach has experienced tremendous growth over the last few years, and the city’s evolving dining scene makes it the perfect time to bring our iconic brand to one of the greatest destinations in the world.”

Both indoor dining and a patio with a retractable roof will have an equal number of seats available. The Rockwell Group, based in New York, will create the design.

Steak, sushi, and seafood will all be offered on the menu. Private and semi-private events will be possible to be held at the restaurant.

Other well-known eateries like Prime 112, Carbone, Joe’s Stone Crab, and Milos will be close to Catch.

Black Lion acquired space for a restaurant in September in Miami’s Zaha Hadid-designed condominium One Thousand Museum. For the owner of the commercial property, it was his tenth purchase in South Florida.

Take a Look Inside the Design District’s Newest Italian Restaurant with a Pink Flair – Sofia

Sofia Italian Eatery in Miami Design District
Sofia Italian Eatery in Miami Design District

With the opening of Sofia in Miami’s Design District, the team behind Miami favorites Byblos and Amal has continued to grow throughout South Florida. The chic, predominantly pink restaurant is a Toronto import that offers fine Italian cuisine.

In close proximity to the recently Michelin-recognized Itamae, Sofia debuts a menu of both contemporary and classic Italian meals that are produced with a refined technique and seasonal ingredients to honor the true flavors of Italy. A variety of antipasti will be available, including Crudo, grilled octopus, citrus salads, and ricotta-stuffed zucchini.

For entrées, Sofia serves traditional handmade pasta dishes like rigatoni alla vodka and cacio e pepe al tartufo. Among the standouts from the carne mains are wagyu filets, breaded veal, and prime striploin, among others. The pesce area also includes branzino, aragosta (butter-poached crab), and gamberetti (wild king prawn).

Sofia’s Italy-inspired cocktails stress execution and graceful presentation, and its wine list includes a variety of vintages and difficult-to-find Italian wines, which are garnished with locally grown herbs. The restaurant’s flamingo-pink, Italian-glam indoor-outdoor settings was created by award-winning group Studio Munge, and they will be brought to life every night with DJs and live performances.

Sofia hopes to become Palm Court’s newest signature restaurant, according to INK founder and CEO Charles Khabouth, despite the fact that the Design District is already home to a number of upscale eateries, including well-known Italian restaurants like MC Kitchen and Palat and Pharrell’s ultra-trendy pastel wonderland Swan.

The Sofia restaurant will be open every day of the week starting at 5 p.m. breakfast and lunch service will start soon following the supper service, which will start now.