James Beard Award-Winning Chef Opens Caribbean Restaurant in Miami
Photo Credit: La Cañita
You may have heard of chef, Michelle Bernstein. If you haven’t, it’s time to get her on your radar. She is a Miami native who was awarded the James Beard Award, which recognizes culinary professionals in the United States.
Not only is she known for this outstanding achievement, but she is also an expert in Latin American cooking and is responsible for Café La Trova, and Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company.
Just last week, Bernstein opened up a new restaurant located at the Bayside Marketplace called La Cañita. Bernstein partnered with her husband, David Martinez, as well as David Borgia and Orestes Pajon on this Latin American and Caribbean-infused restaurant.
She has incorporated cuisines from Tobago, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Jamaica, and Cuba as well as other South American recipes. Her signatures include chicken fricassee, custom sandwiches, and empanadas. One of the most popular desserts is the 305 rum cake. La Cañita also offers an expansive rum-centered cocktail menu.
La Cañita plays on an indoor and outdoor design emphasizing the waterfront views. The tropical painted foliage, wood-grain tones throughout, and painted copper pipes create the perfect distillery vibe.
Although Bernstein isn’t the chef of La Cañita, she created the menu as well as trained the current staff. According to her husband, Martinez, “We are so fortunate to have this melting pot of cultural and culinary influences in this city, and we hope to put them front-and-center with our new concept-driven restaurant.”
Photo Credit: La Cañita
New Argentine Restaurant Opens its First US Location in North Miami Beach
Photo Credit: La Birra Bar
La Birra Bar is a 20-year-old family-owned restaurant that has officially opened its doors in North Miami Beach. This Argentina restaurant has made a name for itself and has already challenged burger restaurants throughout Miami-Dade.
Known for being “The Best Burger in the World,” the challenge is clear: try and beat their world-class burgers. They don’t consider their burgers like any burgers. They call them creations and they have spent years concocting the perfect recipe. Ingredients like aioli, confit tomatoes, and Milanese mozzarella cheese make their burgers what they are; delicious.
Although they are known for their burgers (which there are 40 different ones to choose from), they also showcase wings, chicken tenders, and ribs. They were also home to the ‘Elite’ ice cream, which was just added to their menu.
Daniel, Roxana, and Renzo Cocchia are the owners and operators of La Birra Bar which originally started as a cafeteria but later became what it is today. Ice cream maker and pastry chef, Matías Dragun recently added the elite ice cream to the menu. His ice cream recently won third place in January at the Ice Cream World Cup in January 2021.
La Birra Bar currently has 12 locations Buenos Aires, Madrid, and now North Miami Beach.
Gordon Ramsay is Set to Open his First South Florida Restaurant in South Beach
London-based Asian-infused restaurant Lucky Cat is making its way to South Beach, thanks to Gordon Ramsay. The celebrity and Michelin-starred Chef recently signed a lease for the restaurant in the South-of-Fifth neighborhood.
Lucky Cat will be located at 119 Washington Avenue on the ground floor of the Yukon building. According to the listing, at 9,000 square feet, the space was asking for $75 per square foot for 10 years. Other noteworthy restaurants that are within walking distance include; Prime 112, Carbone, and Joe’s Stone Crab.
The restaurant itself will feature Ramsay’s classic open kitchen, private dining rooms, raw bar, chef’s table, and a lounge. You will also be able to enjoy some of Lucky Cat’s classic recipes like spiced Herdwick lamb chops, Lucky Cat Oscietra Caviar, Monkfish Tikka Masala, and much more!
DAY BOAT BBQ MACKEREL black vinegar, smoked olive oil
BUNS & DUMPLINGS
PORK & GINGER GYOZA spiced black vinegar
SHRIMP & HERB DUMPLING brown butter soy
BEEF & SMOKED MARROW PUFF smoked hot sauce
BONITO FRIED DUCK BAO spicy hoi sin, pickled cucumbers
TOFU & SPICY AVO BAO
SMOKED BRISKET BAO yuzu mustard, pickled cucumbers
VEGETABLES, RICE & NOODLES
PADRON PEPPERS holy basil
BBQ CORN smoked ponzu cream
MAITAKE & SUMMER TRUFFLE
STEAMED RICE
SWEETCORN XO RICE
SWEETCORN & CRAB XO RICE
SZECHUAN & CASHEW NOODLES
Gordon Ramsay has many restaurants in the United States including Atlantic City, Orlando, Baltimore, Lake Tahoe, and Las Vegas. This will be his first-ever South Florida restaurant. The Lucky Cat is expected to open in the fall of 2022.
Photo Credit: Londonontheinside.com
Sexy Fish Coming Soon to Brickell
London hotspot Sexy Fish, will open its first United States restaurant in Brickell in September 2021. Located inside Brickell Flatiron at 1001 S. Miami Avenue, it will be the hottest restaurant this fall!
The Japanese-style restaurant was created by British hospitality entrepreneur Richard Caring, who is responsible for Annabel’s, Ivy Collection, Soho House Group. Chef Bjoern Weissgerber will be running the kitchen at Sexy Fish. He made his first debut at Zuma Miami in 2010 and received his first Michelin star when he was 27 years old.
The menu will feature a wide variety of makis, sahishi, sashimis, and tartares. The bar menu will feature drinks inspired by its London counterpart.
It is unclear what the aesthetic for the Miami location will be but its London location features a golden ceiling, bronze mermaid statue, and exotic fish with coral in large tanks.
isle of mull scallop, jalapeño sauce & pickled apple
wagyu gyoza, foie gras & black truffle
caramelized black cod, spicy miso
king crab & bone marrow, summer truffle & toast
beef tenderloin, 200gr, ginger & black pepper
Late Night Menu:
oyster gillardeau & smoked chili sauce
salt and pepper squid
wagyu tataki, Japanese mustard & summer truffle
prawn gyoza, soy & ginger dressing
seasonal vegetable tempura (9 kinds)
lobster, smoked Marie rose dip
green asparagus smoked creamy ponzu
Kimichi fried rice
lobster Sancho pepper & shiso butter
Japanese wagyu A5 sirloin 150g*
Japanese wagyu A5 fillet 150g* Sex
Here are Dave Portnoy’s Top 6 Pizza Joints in Miami
The internet is buzzing with Dave Portnoy’s recent move to Miami as well as his quest to find the perfect slice of pie! On his show OneBite, Portnoy travels the country taste testing and reviewing local pizza parlors. More recently, he has visited many pizza parlors in Miami, and we have created an all-in-one list just for you. Here are his top 6!
#6 East Side Pizza
Located at 731 NE 79th Street, Miami, East Side Pizza is a family-owned and operated pizza parlor. They have been in business for a few years in Miami and are considered a “NY Style Pizza Joint.” Portnoy gave this pizza parlor a 6.8/10 on his OneBite scale. They also have pasta, burgers, hot subs, and a dessert menu.
#5 The Big Cheese
Located at 8080 SW 67th Ave in Miami, The Big Cheese has been open for 35 years and is considered “The Official Pizza Place of Miami”. For the past 20 years, they have been sponsoring and serving the University of Miami. The Big Cheese has been named “The Best Inexpensive Italian Restaurant in Miami” in the New Times Readers’ Poll as well as receiving the Kids Crown Awards from “South Florida Parenting Magazine” for the best pizza. Portnoy ranked this pizza place a 6.9/10. Their menu also includes a large selection of pasta and seafood dishes.
#4 Collins Pizza
Collins Pizza, named after their Collins Avenue location at 7308 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Collins pizza is only 6 months old but is family-owned and operated. They produce naturally leavened dough for 72 hours that give their pizza a unique taste. They also use non-GMO/organic flours and Wisconsin cheeses. Dave Portnoy ranks this pizza parlor at a 7.2/10. Their menu also includes sandwiches, wings, and small bites.
#3 Pizza Pazza
Pizza Pazza, located at 275 NE 18th Street in Miami, is considered the “Late Night Spot” of Miami. They are open from 7 pm to 4 am and welcome all latecomers. Dave Portnoy referred to Pizza Pazza as having “Miami hours.” The owner has been in the pizza business for 40 years and is originally from Italy. Portnoy ranked this pizza parlor a 7.3/10. Their menu also includes pasta, calzones, and desserts.
#2 Frankie’s Pizza
Frankie’s Pizza, located at 9118 Bird Road in Miami has been in the business for 55 years. Frankie’s is considered ‘Miami’s Oldest Pizza Shop,’ so it is no wonder that Portnoy ranks this pizza place at 7.4/10. Their menu is straightforward with pizza options and garlic knots. Portnoy gives the knots a 9.2!
#1 Eleventh Street Pizza
Eleventh Street Pizza, located at 1035 N Miami Avenue in Miami. With its Sicilian roots, their sourdough pies are considered Neo-New York style. Portnoy really raved about their pizza and landed it at an 8.2/10. Their menu includes some signature pasta dishes and garlic rolls.
This isn’t the end of Portnoy’s Miami pizza adventure and we can only expect more pizza reviews in the coming months. His app is also available to read reviews and watch episodes of OneBite. Portnoy believes that with his large social media following, he is “trying to save small businesses one bite at a time.”
Top 5 Spots to Celebrate Cinco De May in Miami 2021
Cinco De Mayo is finally here and we have found the best spots in Miami to celebrate! So bring your friends and/or family and lets try them all!
La Tiendita Taqueria
La Tiendita of Wynwood features authentic Mexican foods inspired by recipes passed down from the La Tiendita ancestors. For Cinco De Mayo, they will have beer specials, margaritas specials, food specials, as well as a live DJ from 12pm-3am. Click here for their full menu.
$5 Monopolio Clara
$30 Bottle Margaritas with Don Julio
$10 Pierde Almas Mezcal Gin
$199 Bottle of Don Julio Blanco
Toro Toro
Toro Toro is one of Chef Richard Sandoval’s ‘Pan-Latin’ steakhouses. This Cinco De Mayo, get ready for a tequila tasting with Casamigos hosted food parings. The fun starts at 5pm with a four-course tasting! Click here for more information.
Four-Course Meal Features
Pan-Latin inspired Cocktail
Casamigos mezcal served with fundido de queso a la tequila and Casamigos blanco paired with cobia tiradito
Casamigos reposado paired with smoked al pastor ribs with pineapple and chayote salsa
Coffee-rubbed lamb barbacoa, patacones and avocado crema paired with Casamigos anejo
Chocolate petits fours
Pisco Y Nazca
Pisco Y Nazca is celebrating this year’s Cinco de mayo with $7 margarita specials all day long paired with their classic menu! Click here for the full menu and Cinco De Mayo celebrations!
Chica
Chica is Miami will feature a live DJ starting and 5 p.m. going until midnight. Specialty cocktails and classic food menus will make Chica a one stop for all of your Cinco De Mayo needs. Click here for the full menu.
Feature Cocktail “Tomas Estes” made with reposado tequila, rasberry liqueur, cranberry juice, agave syrup, and lime $16
Baha fish dinner special for two
Whole duck carnitas special
Tres Leches $15
Boia De & Jaguar Sun
This exclusive collaboration are teaming up for Cinco de Mayo and serving you specialty foods, drinks, and an awesome DJ. This even will take place at 7357 NW Miami Court (Lot 6) and reservations are needed. Click here for more information.
Cocktails by Jaguar Sun
Food by La Pollita By Boia De
Choco Tacos by Frice Cream
Michelin-Starred Restaurant Carbone – Makes Debut in South Beach – Plans to Open Additional Eateries in Miami
One of the hottest spots in Miami right now is the Michelin-starred Carbone restaurant. With its remarkable menu, retro-style French décor, and its iconic location; Carbone has become a staple in the South Beach neighborhood in such a short time.
This Michelin-Starred restaurant is the first of many restaurants that Major Food Group plans to open. This hospitality company is ran by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick; whom also opened the original Carbone in New York in 2012. They are also in the process of working on restaurants in Miami’s Design District and the Brickell Neighborhood.
Located at 49 Collins Avenue, this luxurious and Ken Fulk design is truly awe-inspiring. Captains fitted in Zac Posen tuxedos guide customers through menu options and salads are prepared tableside for the full Carbone experience. The menu includes raw-bar platters featuring stone crab claws, crab knuckle sandwiches, spicy rigatoni, or veal parmigiana.
Carbone is the first piece of the expansion and the Major Food Group plans to open a private member’s club with Japanese food this spring as well as a French-style Steakhouse in Brickell in September.
Carbone remembers his first trip to South Beach for the Wine & Food Festival in 2012, “I remember vividly one of the first trips we took here together. We had an absolute blast. If you told those kids who were drunk at La Sandwicherie back then that they would be opening on First and Collins, that would have been their dream come true. That’s as good as it gets.”
The Major Group isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Zalaznick states that “I’ve been here for the last 10 months. As I spent more and more time here, I really realized that this city is an incredible place to live and work in a full-time capacity.”
The Hottest Miami Restaurants to Book this Valentine’s Day, 2021
Novikov
Novikov is a Chinese-Japanese fusion restaurant located in downtown Miami with remarkable Biscayne Bay views. With its’ interactive dining experience and stunning décor, it is a must-see destination. The menu features wok dishes, sushi selections, robata grill, and caviar options.
Menu Options Include:
Sashimi
Maki
Dim Sums
Bao Buns
Duck
And if dinner is not an option for Valentine’s Day, do not forget their unlimited brunch menu:
Yuzu Mimosa
Soto Sake
Fleurs de Prairie Rose
Cucumber Tataki
Spicy Salmon
Spring Roll Maki
Sashimi and Nigiri Selection
Zuma
Zuma is a traditional Japanese Izakaya style co-founded by Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney in 2002. They are globally located in 11 venues and 5 seasonal locations.
Featuring a more modern touch on Japanese Izakaya, there is a variety of options from its 3 different kitchens; sushi counter, robata grill, and the main kitchen.
Menu Options Include:
Oysters with Caviar
Age Watarigani
Maki rolls
Okakese
Nigiri Sushi/Sashimi
MILA Miami
MILA Miami is a restaurant, rooftop lounge, and mixology bar all wrapped into one. Mixing flavors of the Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine, creating a one of a kind mediterrAsian experience. They offer bar programs, brunches, and classes!
Menu Options Include:
MediterrAsian Raw Bar
Robata Grill Options
Oysters
Tataki
Seafood Platters
Sushi
Carbone
Carbone is one of Miami’s best Italian restaurants, founded by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick. They are known for mixing new and old-world Italian recipes.
Menu Options Include:
Calamari Marco
Minestrone
Lobster Ravioli
Veal Marsala
Dover Piccata
Artichoke Hearts
La Petite Maison
Located in the Brickell neighborhood of downtown Miami, La Petite Maison is an upscale French eatery with locations in Dubai, London, Hong Kong, and Miami. Available space includes a terrace for up to 25, an informal bar entrance with seating for 100 guests, and a covered dining terrace for 53.
Menu Options Include:
Tapenade
Ratatouille ET Feta
Tartare De Thon
Escargots
Calamars Frits
Beignets
Saumon Finemen Tranche
COTE
COTE is the newest Michelin-starred restaurant in downtown Miami. This Korean Steakhouse will merge the flavors of Korean barbeque with the style of a classic American steakhouse.
