Matador Bar
It’s no surprise that the Miami Beach EDITION has emerged as one of the hottest spots in Miami. Since its debut last fall, this Ian Schrager-branded property has attracted the jet-set crowd who are drawn to the hotel for its modern design, unique amenities (including an onsite nightclub, ice skating rink, and bowling alley), beachfront location, and gourmet restaurants. More than the flavor of the month (or the 2015 season), the EDITION’s staying power is based on the strong partnerships Schrager has been cultivating since his Studio 54 days.
Case in point: The Miami Beach EDITION’s food and beverage program is overseen by culinary tour de force Jean-Georges Vongerichten, one of the most innovative and respected chefs in the world. Let’s put it this way: You won’t be seeing him hawking spices on The Food Network anytime soon. When Jean-Georges and Schrager first announced their collaboration at The Miami Beach EDITION several years ago, Miami foodies were abuzz with excitement. The result? Two impressive eateries: Matador Room {2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.257.4600}, an upscale Latin-inspired restaurant, and Market, a gourmet marketplace eatery that transitions from breakfast to lunch to dinner seamlessly.
Market’s interior
Matador Room is an elegant homage to a more glamorous, bygone era, when dining was less about taking pictures of your food and more focused on savoring the entire experience.
In both cuisine and concept, Jean-Georges has honored the heritage of the original property— the former Seville Hotel—as well as Miami as a whole. His Matador Room is an elegant homage to a more glamorous, bygone era, when dining was less about taking pictures of your food and more focused on savoring the entire experience. The fare is a sophisticated sampling of regions spanning from South America to Latin America, the Caribbean, and, of course, Miami.
Matador Room’s highly shareable, tableside menu features classic Jean-Georges dishes, such as his umami-spiked Black Truffle and Fontina Cheese Pizza, and the much Tweeted-about Sweet Pea Guacamole (even President Obama weighed in on the Great Pea Guacamole controversy earlier this summer). Plus, the kitchen deftly utilizes a wide range of locally sourced fish, vegetables, and fruit, showcased in dishes like the Raw Shaved Florida Red Snapper with green chile dressing, crunchy rice, and herbs; Crispy Florida Black Grouper Tacos with aïoli and cabbage-chili pickle; and Swank Farm Root Vegetables with brown rice and salsa verde.
Avocado and Jalapeño Pizza
This spring, Jean-Georges visited Miami from his home base in New York City, experimenting with Executive Chef Jeremy Ford to create lighter, more refreshing fare like Roasted Heirloom Carrots with spiced yogurt and hazelnut nasturtium crumble; Soft Shell Crab with sugar snap rémoulade; and Sausage, Lemon, Ricotta, and Kale Pizza. “Jean-Georges is truly a legend,” Ford notes. “His presence at the restaurant was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. He was very hands-on in the kitchen, always striving for excellence.”
The food is undoubtedly the star at Matador Room, rivaled only by the restaurant’s sumptuous ambience. The bar area, the first point of reference for diners, is adorned with a multitude of bull fighting scenes by famed French photographer, Lucien Clergue. This leads into the uniquely oval-shaped main dining room, which is cozy, stylish, and romantic. The timeless vintage chandelier is the centerpiece of the room, another piece of history from the original hotel.
Just a few steps outside, the Matador Terrace is awash in tropical greenery, from sky- high bougainvillea to hanging staghorn plants, for the ultimate alfresco dining experience. This is where you’ll perch during lunch on Saturday and Sunday brunch, relaxing with fare like Coconut Pancakes with grapefruit and lavender maple syrup or Poached Eggs with mushrooms, Parmesan, and herbs—as well as bottomless Bellinis, of course.
Speaking of libations, ask the sommelier for custom wine pairings, or choose from a selection of Spanish-influenced, handcrafted cocktails, including the tequila-based Mexican Bull. The bar also offers light bites such as Jamón Ibérico de Bellota and Peekytoe Crab and Corn Fritters with smoked chili tartar sauce. To end your meal on a sweet note, ask about the Mint and Basil Panna Cotta with raspberry sorbet and Florida peaches, or the Tres Leches Cake with glazed carambola.
For a more casual, flexible dining experience, Market at The Miami Beach EDITION is the spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Also under Jean-Georges’ purview, this open-plan eatery entices with charcuterie, patisserie, grill, and raw bar stations. Market transitions from day to night with everything from Egg White Omelets and Buttermilk Pancakes to New York Strip Steak and Angel Hair Pasta with asparagus pesto. A coffee bar ensures that guests are always fueled with a wide range of beverages, from cappuccinos to herbal teas. There’s also a gourmet “Grab and Go” section for food and drink on the run.
“Jean-Georges is truly a legend.” – Executive Chef Jeremy Ford
The cake counter at Market
Most importantly, each of the “pods”—the standalone food stations within Market—is dedicated to a particular specialty. For example, the raw bar displays a veritable treasure chest of seafood spanning East and West Coast oysters, littleneck clams, lobster, Florida jumbo shrimp, local red snapper ceviche, and stone crabs (when in season). Order at your counter of choice, or from Market’s extensive menu in the dining room. Either way, you’ll see the freshest of ingredients being prepared right in front of you. And because the concept is communal and interactive, you’ll be bonding with your fellow diners about signature items like the to-die-for Kale Salad or the impossibly moist Carrot Cake.
Dessert is also treasured at Market, with its own devoted pastry pod featuring house-baked cupcakes, croissants, muffins, seasonal fruit pies, salted chocolate chip cookies, dark chocolate brownies, and guava cream cheese doughnuts, to name a few. There’s also homemade ice cream and soft serve with custom toppings like crystallized lavender. Are you drooling yet?
Clearly, you’ll never go hungry at The Miami Beach EDITION. Whether you are dressed to the nines for date night in the swanky main dining space at Matador Room, or sharing a quick cheese and charcuterie platter at Market, there is something delicious for everyone, at every price range—thanks to the genius of Ian Schrager and Jean-Georges. Bon appétit!
By Jacquelynn Powers Maurice | Contributor