New Miami restaurants all around town, popular French bakery and cafe from New York, eating spot for Asian street food, Spanish popup in the Grove, review of the Sprouts new location, Bahia Nights at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami, and much more, all in Eating News for February 2024.
maman, New York City’s popular French-inspired all-day café and bakery from co-founders Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte,opens its first South Florida location in Miami on February 9. Located at Sentral Wynwood, maman’s new flagship location will feature its fan-favorite salads, sandwiches, and made-famous-by-Oprah Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookies. Following the opening of the Wynwood location, maman plans to continue to expand throughout South Florida in neighborhoods including Coral Gables, West Palm Beach and Brickell, among others. Stay tuned for a review.Maman Wynwood is located at 69 NW 26th Street and will be open daily from 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM, and 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM on weekends.
A welcome “new” spot for day into night alfresco dining poolside is the 7th floor rooftop terrace of the Four Seasons Hotel Miami. Reconceived as “Bahia”, it features an appealing new menu with Northern Mediterranean fare and “Bahia Nights” on Friday and Saturday. Things are taken up a notch even more with wood fire cooking, a DJ, and happy patrons spontaneously dancing I’m told.
If you like Asian food you need to put 1-800-Lucky on your list. And if you’ve been there already, there’s another reason to go back –– Miami’s first and only Asian food hall has a new pop-up Sili. It’s a modern Southeast Asian concept by co-founders and chefs Leicel Ros and Nancy Dominguez, street food inspired by Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam with a local twist. Note that it’s available for a limited time.
Dominguez refined her culinary skills working with Joel Robuchon for over seven years, a core team member in the opening of Jean Georges, Beverly Hills, in the Waldorf Astoria. Meanwhile, Ros honed her expertise also assisting in the opening of Jean Georges, working at Nobu and teaching the culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles and the Miami Culinary Institute.
The 10,000-square-foot food hall is currently home to vendors including B-Side by Itamae, a sushi bar by James Beard semifinalist Chef Valerie Chang; Jeepney, Filipino fare from NYC restauranteur Nicole Ponseca; Yip and Gold Marquess, Chinese cuisine highlighted by small-batch hand-crafted dumplings. The vendors surround an expansive, open indoor dining room flanked by two full bars; a karaoke lounge; Lucky Record Shop, featuring a selection of vinyl records and authentic Japanese snacks; a spacious outdoor covered patio, and flexible private event space to host functions of any size. On any given day or night, guests can catch music from world-class DJs and producers, like Jarobi White from A Tribe Called Quest after 8 p.m..
Standout dishes at Sili we thoroughly enjoyed (and vowed to be back soon) include Garlic Chili Noodles ($17), beautifully presented and flavorful Kinilaw Hamachi Crudo ($17), a meal in a bowl Tom Yum Goong Noodle Soup ($21), and plump vegetable spring rolls with a delectable sauce I could eat on its own.
1-800-Lucky is located at 143 NW 23rd St.; (305) 768-9826; www.1800lucky.com; @1800lucky the restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. IMPORTANT NOTE: For those who want buzzy and a “happening” scene, the time to go is Thursday through Sunday. If you want relaxed, quiet and few crowds, lunch any day and Monday through Wednesday is the time (plus parking is easier). Street parking.
Sprouts, that emphasizes its “farm stand heritage” and fresh produce at the heart of the store recently opened its third outpost (Kendall and Homestead) in Miami-Dade in Coconut Grove. Being a vegetable and fruit lover, I was really looking forward to checking it out which I did last week. The fruit and vegetable section was large but, in my opinion, not the main draw. It’s comparable to the one at Whole Foods. Sprouts features a wide variety of products in all categories – from baked goods, nuts/grains/seeds, fresh meat, poultry and seafood to salads/sandwiches, non alcoholic beverages and wellness (“better for you products”).
What was most impressive was the incredible variety of appealing ready to eat entrees, frozen and not frozen, of ethnic foods : Indian, Mexican, Japanese, Korean, and others from brands I’ve not seen anywhere else. I’m not usually one to eat these packaged entrees but they looked so intriguing I succumbed, and bought two ramen bowls and an Indian protein bowl (delicious). They also shined in plant based food offerings and frozen hors d’oeuvre, great for entertaining. Bravo to their food waste diversion program and to their Healthy Community Foundation which works with non profit organizations on helping kids through nutrition education and hands on gardening programs. Sprouts is in the same building as Total Wine and Target at 27th Ave and Dixie Highway so you can do triple duty shopping. There’s pay by phone parking. Bottom line, well worth checking it out.
Peruvian gastrobar Pisco y Nazca has opened its newest location on Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile, joining its Miami “sisters” in Doral and Kendall. The 228 seat restaurant has a spacious indoors with large outdoor terrace with garden wall. If you haven’t been to any of their locations, now would be a good time to check out this newest outpost with their well priced weekday lunch special that offers a two course menu for $21 ; three courses for $26, and lots of appealing choices. For the first course choose among six offerings ranging from chicken empanadas and avocado toast to tostones with pulled pork, avocado, salsa criolla and aji Amarillo mojo. Eleven choices grace the second course. Selections range from the traditional fish ceviche and the aji de gallina, Peruvian chicken stew with aji Amarillo sauce, botija olives, hard boiled eggs and jasmine rice to a pulled pork bowl with the works and chicharron de pescado, fried fish with spicy Asian sauce and rice. Desserts are Peruvian style flan with grilled pineapple and quinoa tuile and the suspiro that’s dulce de leche custard, meringue and passion fruit glaze. They also offer a three course weekend brunch for $31 with a bottomless drink package for $20 (2 hour max) and daily happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Pisco y Nazca, 101 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables .
If you’ve been wanting to try QP Tapas flavors of Spain, now’s a good time as, given what sounds like quite the buffet for $75, the Mayfair House in Coconut Grove is having a takeover at their Sip Sip restaurant. The collaboration will be Thursday, February 22nd, from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am, Guests will be treated to a selection of dishes that merge traditional cooking methods with modern culinary innovations. The menu for the evening includes a Hot & Cold Food Buffet, a Grill Station, Passed Items, a Paella Station, a Raw Bar Experience, and a Jamón Carving Station. Complementing the array of food, a diverse beverage package will be available as an add-on to the food package. Ticket pricing for this exclusive event is set at $75 for the food experience and $105 for the inclusion of open beer, wine, and specialty cocktails.
Casa Matilda is a new female-owned Mexican steakhouse offering Mexican cuisine with influences that navigate into the Mediterranean flavors – and a special focus on prime-cut meats. Signature tequila cocktails and over 120 bottles of wine complement the menu. Casa Matilda is at 411 Washington,South of Fifth, and is open for lunch and dinner daily.
Welcome to another New York import, Kissaki ,offering sushi and omakase in the South of Fifth neighborhood in South Beach. The 3000 square foot restaurant is overseen by Chef Edgar Valerio who worked at the Michelin starred Jewel Bako. Signature dishes include wagyu fried rice, Hokkaido scallops, spicy king crab and uni pasta. The 10 course omakase menu is $100 per person; the 15 course, $150 pp. Kissaki, 500 South Pointe Drive, STE 160, Miami Beach. It is open for lunch and dinner Saturday and Sunday and lunch and dinner the rest of the week. www.kissaki.com
Definitely on my “to check out” list is new 150 seat Moroccan offering ZURI in Wynwood. In an ambiance that brings to mind the traditional Riad houses, the decor is a blend of North African, Mediterranean and Arabic styles with indoor and covered outdoor seating. Signature dishes include chicken and preserved lemon tagine, chicken and almond pastilla, mackerel escabeche with spicy tomato, and desserts including plum cake and stuffed dates. There’s also an authentic Moroccan tea program. On Friday and Saturday nights they offer belly dancing, music and hookah. Open for dinner only Wednesday to Sunday. ZURI, 73 NW 26th Street.
Greek party island, Mykonos, has exported one of its popular restaurants to fellow party spot, Miami, with Bakalo Mykonos in South Beach. Partners in life and business, Nikos Nanou and Egidio Guerreri, are also behind Catari Ristorante Italiano in Mykonos, and Egidio is a partner in Jaffa Miami Israeli Kitchen and Wine Bar in Miami.The decor is inspired by the old time Greek bistrots, or “Bakalotavernes,” that populated the harbors of the Greek cities — with retro decorative touches.
Find many of the Greek taverna classics, from mezze, spinach pie salad and moussaka, orange syrup cake to Seabass Carpaccio, Mediterranean Branzino, and Lobster Giouvetsi a fusion of orzo pasta, delicate tomato sauce, manouri cheese, and a garnish of aromatic dill oil, crowned with a hint of lime zest, The wine list covers a wide range of Greek regions such as Santorini, Peloponnese, and Macedonia, as well as Italian and French classics.Bakaló is located at 959 West Avenue, Suite 3, Miami Beach, FL 33139. It is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday.
Speaking about party destinations, recently located from Tulum in Mexico is Osmio Lounge. Mixologist Brian Diaz brought his signature cocktails including the popular (or should we say “notorious”) “Death by Tequila”. According to the Miami Herald, the decor is instagrammable with its purple lighting, plush pillows everywhere and gossamer drapes. There’s a tapas menu, too, with selections starting at $5. Think guac (por supuesto, of course), tuna tacos and more. Osmio Lounge, 223 NW 23rd Street, Miami. It is open Wednesday through Sunday after 5:30 p.m..
The Amalfi Llama reimagines the culinary landscape by merging the allure of a rustic live-fire steakhouse with the flavors of Italian cuisine. Guests embark on a journey from Southern Patagonia to the Mediterranean coast of Italy as they indulge in a multisensory experience that transcends boundaries – from the soothing cream decor to the intimate ambiance of crackling embers accompanied by the melodies of vintage Italian vinyls. Embracing the essence of a modern farmhouse, The Amalfi Llama revolves around an open parrilla grill and wood-burning oven, harnessing fire, smoke, coals and embers to craft dishes that pay homage to coastal cultures across Patagonia and Italy. For more information, visit amalfillama.com and follow @TheAmalfiLlama on Instagram. It is open for dinner Tuesday through Thursday and brunch/lunch and dinner the rest of the week.
After opening Hell’s Kitchen here last fall, the Miami Herald reported that star chef Gordon Ramsay opened a version of his Asian inspired Lucky Cat restaurant and lounge. The concept is based on Tokyo’s 1930’s kissas, vinyl listening lounges and the bars of Shanghai. Expect a loungey atmosphere with a bar and restaurant that’s pan Asian.Located at 119 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach, it’s open for dinner daily. For more information, go to www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/en/us.
