Here are restaurants opening during Winter 2015/2016 in Miami to add to your list.
The Thali Platter at Jaya at The Setai
Jaya at The Setai, Miami Beach {2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.520.6400}
The award-winning Setai, known for its warm hospitality and landmark historical hotel setting, revealed a new restaurant concept in the fall of 2015: Jaya, a modern Asian-inspired restaurant. Chef Mathias Gervais announced the new concept shortly after winning Food Network’s hit cooking show “Chopped” on the episode entitled, “Viewer’s Choice Baskets.” Jaya is a sure win, too, thanks to its vibrant and exciting flavors centered around Asian spices and regional influences from Japan, China, India, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand. The menu reintroduces favorites from The Setai (Dumplings, Naan, and Peking Duck, to name a few) in artfully plated dishes designed for sharing.
Pléthore & Balthazar {101 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; 305.672.6624}
Located on the first floor of the exclusive Hilton Bentley hotel, Pléthore & Balthazar (P&B) has quickly become one of Miami Beach’s most talked- about new restaurants. The concept is the brainchild of Fabien Chalard, an acclaimed French restaurateur who has successfully opened several restaurants throughout France (including the original P&B in Lyon). For the Miami location, Chalard partnered with Executive Chef Diego Amat Lopez to serve authentic French cuisine with a Spanish touch accompanied by exceptional customer service. Whether visiting for an after-work cocktail, a business power lunch, or a romantic dinner for two, diners can expect a welcoming atmosphere where they feel right at home. Given the hotel’s location on the southernmost tip of South Beach, P&B offers a specialized beach menu to complement the exclusive beach club, which includes cabanas, beach butlers, VIP services, and more.
Elia Gourmet {900 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami; 786.558.3542}
The coming months will be an exciting time for Elia Gourmet, which has been a neighborhood favorite in Downtown Miami for the last three years, serving up excellent Greek food in a casual environment. Drawing on its success, the restaurant has decided to move from its location at 888 Biscayne Boulevard to a larger space in the building just next door. The new location will be just steps from the future Miami Worldcenter and Museum of Science. In addition, Elia Gourmet is in the process of opening a new location in the heart of Key Biscayne, just around the corner from The Ritz-Carlton. The restaurant also expects to open its Coconut Grove location, which has been delayed due to construction, and is in the process of finishing its build-out for a commercial kitchen in the Wynwood, where it will be producing its own line of Mediterranean products.
Cibo Fort Lauderdale
Cibo Wine Bar {4100 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 754.900.2426}
With highly successful locations in Coral Gables and South Beach, it’s only natural that Cibo Wine Bar, created by Toronto-based Liberty Entertainment Group, opens its third South Florida location in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. All Cibo locations have been certified with the “Marchio Ospitalità Italiana,” which is awarded by the Italian government to restaurants outside of Italy that meet the highest standards of Italian authenticity across a number of categories, such as menu options, food quality, and restaurant design. The Fort Lauderdale location will be no exception. The menu emphasizes a traditional homemade approach to Italian cuisine and has been praised for its fresh, made-in-house pastas and signature pizzas, not to mention its extensive award-winning wine selection. Like the dishes themselves, the restaurant has been designed to evoke a sense of unpretentious sophistication and elegant rusticity. The new space will incorporate the design elements that distinguish the Cibo brand, including an open-concept kitchen, a glass-enclosed wine room, and original artwork throughout.
Komodo {801 Brickell Avenue, Miami; 305.534.2211}
In late 2015, Komodo will open its doors in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood. The brainchild of David Grutman—the powerhouse owner behind Miami Beach’s LIV and Story nightclubs—Komodo is a three-story, 17,000-square- foot indoor/outdoor eatery and lounge designed with Grutman’s trademark style and energy. Inspired by the Komodo dragon and its namesake islands, the cuisine features Southeast Asian flavors with a South Florida vibe. Working with restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow (of China Grill fame), Grutman’s goal for Komodo is to re-energize the Miami dining scene. “I’ve spent the last several years looking for the perfect location to create a restaurant in Miami that combines quality dining and a great entertainment experience,” Grutman says. Komodo’s design will highlight five exterior floating bird nests designed by internationally renowned design firm, Dedon, with teak, stone, and bamboo elements for a playful treehouse feel. Whether guests are seated inside or out, Komodo’s warm and welcoming design is meant to stimulate the senses. Komodo will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week, with happy hour starting at 4pm.
Bazi
Bazi {1200 Collins Avenue, Miami; 305.695.0101}
It’s a beautiful thing when ingredients come together to create the perfect dish. This is the case with Bazi, where culinary superstars Michael Pirolo and Jen Chaefsky set up shop in the newly revamped Marlin Hotel to create a Far East dining experience like no other. The setting is Asian-themed and cozy, with a bar area at the entrance, romantic fine dining one level down, and a secluded private dining nook on the upper level. The menu spans much of Asia, snatching up the best goodies from every corner. Edamame Dumplings—a good way to start—are sweet and savory with shallots, mushrooms, and pea greens; and Cantonese-style Florida Shrimp bathe in ginger, chives, and Shaoxing wine. Main courses include a Whole Fried Local Snapper, Peking Duck for two, a grass-fed Rib-Eye, and Short Rib Chow Fun with snow peas, red peppers, and pea tendrils. This hotel restaurant is likely to serve equal parts locals and tourists.
GK Bistronomie {218 Northwest 25th Street, Miami; 786.477.5151}
Wynwood’s dining scene is hotter than ever, and it’s no coincidence that the acclaimed Chef Rafael Perez has chosen this neighborhood to showcase his talent. The venue is spacious and lofty with high ceilings, an open kitchen, and walls adorned with art. The menu is Peruvian with global influences and an abundance of fresh seafood dishes. Presented with a whimsical artistic style, tiraditos and ceviches burst with color, flavor, and texture. A bright dish of Cherrywood-Smoked Shrimp is served with heirloom tomatoes, cilantro, and citrus, while Foie Gras is paired with pineapple and scallions. There are many not-to-miss dishes here, including the Pan-Seared Black Grouper with shrimp, octopus, clams, an organic free-range egg, and quinoa in a seafood broth. Supremely elevated world-class cuisine with a casual setting in Miami’s hippest neighborhood? Yes, please.
Ni.Do Caffe & Mozzarella Bar {11052 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami Shores; 786.953.5120}
Imagine you’re at a friend’s home for dinner. Now imagine that home just happens to be somewhere in Italy—Venice perhaps. This is exactly what it’s like to dine at Ni.Do. Caffe in Miami Shores, the second outpost of the acclaimed Italian eatery that has graced Miami’s MiMo district for the past five years. The unassuming new location on the corner of 110th Street and Biscayne Boulevard may seem arbitrary (don’t expect much else within walking distance), but that’s precisely its charm. This cozy restaurant, where flowers adorn the wooden tables and framed photographs of Italy hang on the walls, invites you in to dine as if you were family. Helming the kitchen is the humble Chef Claudio Sandri, who has been recognized by the Italian Culinary Federation as a “Master Chef,” and appeared on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.” Using only the freshest ingredients available, his menu features Italian staples such as pizza and pasta along with hard-to-pass-up offerings from the Mozzarella Bar. Tuesdays are seafood days, when various fish are air-shipped directly from the Mediterranean; your selection will be prepared in the kitchen, then filleted and plated at your table, head intact— just as Nonna might have done.
N BY NAOE {661 Brickell Key Drive, Miami; 305.947.6263}
Acclaimed Chef Kevin Cory has opened the doors to N by NAOE in an intimate space just next door to NAOE. This new reservation-only concept serves lunch and dinner, accommodating two to 16 guests gathered around a community table. The simple, savory cuisine consists of lightly cooked vegetables and thin slices of Japanese beef quickly swished in a hot kelp stock—a practice called “shabu-shabu.” Once again, Chef Cory brings a new dimension to dining in Miami.
Not to Miss
Scenes from the 2015 SOBEFEST
South Beach Wine & Food Festival – February 24-28
For five days only, the culinary world’s most celebrated chefs, restaurateurs, food critics, and TV personalities will descend upon Miami for the 15th annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine. Recently named the No. 1 food and restaurant industry event in the U.S. by BizBash for the third year in a row, this culinary extravaganza remains one of the city’s most beloved events of the year.
From February 24-28, the SOBEFEST tents will return to the sands of South Beach, welcoming back favorite foodie events such as the Barilla’s Italian Bites on the Beach tasting hosted by Giada De Laurentiis and the mega-popular Amstel Light Burger Bash hosted by Rachael Ray. Other festival staples, including Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best event at the Fontainebleau hotel, will also be taking place throughout the city.
In addition to the classics, this year’s SOBEFEST will introduce a number of brand-new events, including the Taste Fort Lauderdale series, which marks the first time that the festival has expanded into Broward County. Kicking off the series is Seaside Eats, hosted by the star of Food Network’s “Restaurant: Impossible” and “Chopped: Impossible,” Robert Irvine. The event will feature 15 of South Florida’s best chefs at the historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens for a walk-around tasting accompanied by pours from Château d’Esclans and Marqués de Riscal.
Other new festival events include the Exploring Israel Dinner hosted by chefs Ashley Christensen, Alon Shaya, Michael Solomonov, and Zak “The Baker” Stern at the Rok Family Shul Chabad Downtown Jewish Center; Fireman Derek’s Midnight Breakfast hosted by Sports Illustrated cover model and soon-to-be cookbook author, Chrissy Teigen; CroquetaMania hosted by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten; and Sweet 15: A Dessert Party hosted by Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes” star Duff Goldman at the iconic Versace Mansion.
With so much happening, it’s best to visit the festival’s website where you can search for your favorite restaurant or culinary personality and see the events in which they’ll be participating. Or, you can search for events based on your preference. Do you enjoy grand tasting affairs in the tents on the sand? Do you prefer intimate chef dinners? Maybe you’re looking for some late-night parties—or ones that are kid-friendly? All this and more is right at your fingertips. Tickets are on sale now.
