Lots of eating news this month with more new restaurants in Miami, notable re-openings, places to enjoy music with your meal, star gourmet purveyor, top rotisserie chicken, and other foodie news you’ll want to know about.
The much anticipated opening for dinner of Spanish Basque-inspired restaurant Leku is now here. Rating a big thumbs up from me, the restaurant in the Rubell Museum features new dinner menu dishes including ensalada Rusa with shrimp carpaccio and salicornia $15; mussels in marinara sauce $14 ;Wagyu sirloin with mushrooms, eggplant cream, apple compote and tarragon $52; and cheese flan $9. An enhanced cocktail list complements the new dinner menu with a Gin & Tonic Bar where guests can select their Macerado (Choices include:Strawberries + Basil, Rosemary + Florida Citrus, Roasted Pineapple + Mint, Green Apple + Ginger) with a Tonic of their choice. It’s open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday.1100 N.W. 23rd Street, Allapattah.
New Restaurants in Miami; Re-Openings
This just in, Zuma Miami has reopened. It’s open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
A trip to Ornos Beach and a quaint fishing village in Mykonos inspired the first Greek concept restaurant led by prominent chef Michael Mina and Las Vegas’ dynamic duo – Girair “Jerry” Goumroian and Chef Nikolaos Georgousis, at Aventura Mall. Called Ornos Estiatorio, the 160 seat restaurant is described as “bringing back traditional cooking techniques where you’ll feel as if you’re eating from yiayia’s (grandma’s) kitchen, with an elevated presentation and hospitality”. Novel is South Florida’s first fish sommelier responsible for sourcing the freshest fish from the Aegean Sea that is delivered overnight, along with selections from Florida’s local waters . Other offerings include family-style dishes highlighting seafood, meats and vegetables, as well as three-course lunch menus, daily specials, a wood fire grill and a Mykonos-inspired soundtrack. Ornos is open for dinner from 5 – 10 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday and brunch. Soon to come will be lunch and happy hour before year’s end. To make reservations to dine-in, visit SevenRooms or call 786.697.1681.
Sushi by Bou at the Former Versace Mansion in Miami Beach is now officially back open with their 17 course omakase menu. Courses include hamachi, spotted prawn, salmon roe, scallop, uni, lean and fatty tuna, wagyu uni, and unagi. Handcrafted cocktails are also available. Seats are $125. Reservations can be made at sushibybou.com. 1116 Ocean Drive, South Beach.
I’m not a big beer lover, but even I am excited about next month’s opening of a Thai craft brewery and restaurant from the producer of Singha and Leo beers. It’s the first ever and number one brewer in Thailand that’s also bringing with it an exciting menu.
EST. 33 Thai Craft Brewery and Kitchen offers its craft beer for tasting in flights and the original Singha will be offered in bottles and draught .Located on the fourth floor of Brickell City Centre,the interior’s industrial design juxtaposes lush greenery and natural elements with high ceilings.The brewery is the visual focal point of the restaurant as guests are greeted by the impressive brew tanks showcasing the inner workings and authenticity of the restaurant’s craft beers.
In the kitchen, Asian flavors meet American barbecue with a barbecue grill and large smoker fueled by hickory wood. Expect blended tastes of salty, spicy, sour and sweet with smoky, acidic and savory. EST. 33 will be open daily for lunch and dinner and happy hour. For more information, call (305) 425.9266 or visit www.est33.us.
Deals
Happily Chotto Matte is back though now for dinner only, with several specials. Guests can choose from a variety of prix-fixe sharing menus, including a strictly vegan option. Starting at $60, the menu includes dishes such as cauliflower wings, spicy tuna O.N.M., pollo picante, king oyster tostadas, pollo den miso, and more. Diners can also take advantage of additional special offers including $10 off the tasting menu as well as 50 percent off all food items on Wednesdays. It’s open Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday from noon to 11 p.m. 1666 Lenox Avenue, South Beach.
Here’s my earlier review of Chotto Matte:
Music with Your Meal
Craving music with your meal? Several restaurants around town are getting on the bandwagon with DJs and live music. On Espanola Way, a fun and buzzy spot with Brazilian food and super delicious croquettes is Boteco Copacabana. Brazilian musician DJ Ornella spins her tunes on Fridays and Sundays from 6:30 to 11:00 pm. Good people watching too. 437 Espanola Way, Miami Beach.
Over at CityPlace Doral, Kuba Cabana has debuted a brand new Latin inspired menu and Cuban and Caribbean inspied decor with art. The venue boasts a stage for live entertainment, has a dedicated cigar room and a private Chef’s Table dining space. The outside bar, located within the Cabana Garden, is constructed from a shiny, vintage red Pontiac Star Chief Convertible. .Signature dishes include Pollo Barbacoa, Chuleta Ahumada and Kuviche – Kuba Cabana’s classic ceviche with a Cuban twist. There’s a DJ on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 6 -11 p.m. Dinner is served 7 days a week and brunch on Sunday .Kuba Cabana’s happy hour menu is available Monday–Friday from 4–6 p.m. Bottle service is offered, and recommended after midnight, when the venue transforms into an upscale lounge atmosphere. 3450 NW. 83rd Ave. , #140, Doral.
Friday’s at Sherwoods in Little River are reserved for jazz. A two-piece live band sets the mood one tasty cocktail at a time, from 6 – 8 p.m. Its happy hour features the Sherwoods Paloma, made with Jimador Tequila, Aperol, Grapefruit and Bitters, and the Whiskey Business made with Peaky Blinders Irish Whiskey, Passion Fruit, Fig mash, and Bitters, from Monday through Sundays from 5 – 7 p.m. To make a reservation at Sherwoods Bistro & Bar, 8281 NE 2nd Ave visit: https://bit.ly/3ilLZsz
Light Bites
Like rotisserie chicken? Head on over to Pollos y Jarras downtown from the owners of Ceviche 105. I finally made it and glad I did, ordering one of their delectable chickens made with their custom Peruvian spice mix . 115 N.E. 3rd Street. Take out or dine in/outside. It’s a fun, festive South American inspired decor.
Il Giardino Creperie debuts at the Mr. C Hotel in Coconut Grove. Enjoy a sweet or savory crepe starting at $10.50 from Wednesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2988 McFarlane Road.
And last but certainly not least, thanks to a tip from a foodie friend from Montreal, I learned about prime gourmet purveyor Laubry’s. It has hard to find coveted food products ranging from French cheeses (e.g.Reblochon, Tomme de Savoie, Epoisse),breads and pastries to caviar, foie gras, flavor pearls, condiments and much more. Order online and then pickup.
7 Responses
I love your email, thank you! Hi have lived in Miami for 30 years and you are constantly opening my eyes to new people, places and things. I know you are on top of the best of Miami and would like to ask for help. My female friends is celebrating her 56th birthday in a few weeks. She loves to keep up with the latest and greatest luxury trends. Is there a Miami product that would make a lovely birthday gift – around $250 – you could recommend? All answers appreciated.
Thank you! That’s a tough one….if she’s a foodie, I’d suggest a gift certificate to laubry’s that I just wrote about. love the idea they have top caviar and blinis so she can indulge herself that way (or get any of the other many luxe gourmet products). Another idea is a gift certificate to Goldbelly that has the finest prepared foods from all across the USA delivered direct to your home. In the beauty department I suggest the cutting edge Cryo treatment. There’s one I had at Aqualina that’s the Cryo t-shock arctic blast facial that combines hot and cold. It’s really cool and makes your skin look amazing for several days. If you get a treatment, you can use a special outdoor pool and lounge chairs so it makes for a relaxing afternoon.Then the hotel has a beachside restaurant for lunch. The only thing is that the treatment is $375 but what you might do is team up with a friend and the two of you give her that as a gift and maybe include extra for her lunch.
Thank you so much! Great ideas.
I thought of another idea….the bazaar project in coconut grove has stylish gift items that aren’t the usual. I wrote about them so you can check out the post if you want to know more. Love to hear what you decide on.
Great suggestions Karen! I was just thinking about what to do on Saturday night.
And thank you for the tip about Laubry’s!
Great roundup, thanks for heads up on new eats!