Michy’s & The Garden Café by Michelle Bernstein: For the 3rd year in a row, celebrity Chef Michelle Bernstein returns to the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens with two concepts exclusive to Art Basel Miami Beach – The Garden Café by Michelle Bernstein and Michy’s Pop Up. In operation November 30 – December 6, the Michy’s pop up signals a limited engagement return of her celebrated restaurant Michy’s, which she recently closed, renovated and reopened on the mainland as CENA by Michy. Housed in the Banyan Room and on its terrace, Michy’s serves a sophisticated and sublime dinner menu of Bernstein signatures and new favorites; The Garden Café is the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch or grab n’ go gourmet fare. Located across the street from the Miami Beach Convention Center – 2000 Convention Center Drive – in the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. www.michyspopup.com
Bazi: From the team behind Miami Beach’s wildly-popular Macchialina – Chef Michael Pirolo and front-of-the-house veteran Jen Chafesky – comes this sophisticated, cool new Asian restaurant at the historic Marlin Hotel. Opened September 2015, the menu at Bazi represents the Chef’s reinterpretation of the complex flavors of classic Far East cuisine imbued with his own unique, contemporary twist. The restaurant encompasses a chic bar, dining room and a second floor mezzanine private dining space. Featuring an inspired craft cocktail menu by beverage director William Rivas, Bazi ranks as one of the hot new restaurants of the 2015/2016 season. Located in The Marlin Hotel at 1200 Collins Avenue. Telephone: (305) 695-0101 www.bazimiami.com/
Seagrape: The casually elegant, Floridian brasserie led by critically acclaimed Chef Michelle Bernstein focuses on locally sourced bounty from both the land and sea, including a fantastic raw bar featuring internationally-influenced tartares, crudos, carpaccios, sashimi and more. Located at the Thompson Miami Beach – 4041 Collins Avenue. Telephone: (786) 605-4043; www.seagrapemiamibeach.com.
TALDE Miami Beach: Chef Dale Talde along with his partners, David Massoni and John Bush, the team behind TALDE, one of Brooklyn’s most beloved restaurants, are bringing their popular Asian American fare to the Thompson Miami Beach in November 2015 with TALDE Miami Beach. Chef Talde blends his Asian heritage into his menu with signature items like Pretzel Pork & Chive Dumplings with tahini mustard and Korean Fried Chicken with spicy kimchee yogurt sauce. Eager to embrace Miami’s energy, culture and cuisine, Talde has already begun experimenting with some of South Florida’s signature spices and flavors which will be incorporated into new dishes. Located at the Thompson Miami Beach – 4041 Collins Avenue.
1930s House at Thompson Miami Beach: 1930s House is an inviting cocktail hideaway and a premiere destination for creative hand-crafted cocktails and celebrated cuisine. The historic Spanish-inspired lounge offers bites from Thompson Miami Beach culinary partner and James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein’s beloved Spanish tapas restaurant, Sra. Martinez. The venue’s weekly entertainment line-up features guest DJs and live Cuban music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at 9PM. Located at the Thompson Miami Beach – 4041 Collins Avenue. Telephone: (786) 605-1044.
Lure Fishbar: The Miami Beach outpost of New York’s critically-acclaimed SOHO seafood restaurant boasts a swanky, yacht-inspired design and a menu that features fresh, creative dishes from land and sea as well as a bustling bar scene. Located at the Loews Miami Beach hotel – 1601 Collins Avenue. Telephone: (305) 604-1601; www.lurefishbar.com/.
The Rum Line: On a vibrant deck set under the stars on Miami Beach, The Rum Line is a Caribbean-inspired al fresco bar that evokes the rich cocktail history of the 1930’s to the 1960’s. The Rum Line features an array of cocktail offerings including classic punches in scorpion bowls, hand shaken daiquiris and a selection of nautical-inspired libations. A menu of small bites complements the bold flavors of the cocktails, creating the perfect synergy. Located at the Loews Miami Beach – 1601 Collins Avenue. Telephone: (305) 695-0110.
The Dutch: The Miami Beach outpost of New York restaurateur & chef Andrew Carmellini‘s wildly-popular American eatery. The restaurant features an oyster bar, signature cocktails and an extensive whiskey collection. At W South Beach Hotel & Residences – 2201 Collins Avenue. Telephone: (305) 938-3111; www.thedutchmiami.com.
Quattro Gastronomia Italiana: A Miami Beach staple for locals as well as savvy visitors, this stunning indoor/outdoor eatery transports the delicious flavors of Northern Italy to South Beach’s bustling Lincoln Road. A celeb hotspot, Quattro combines authentic Italian cuisine, beautiful wines and enchanting décor, to create an Italian trattoria that feels plucked from the streets of Alba. 1014 Lincoln Road. Telephone: (305) 531-4833; www.quattromiami.com.
Meat Market: A definitive Miami Beach restaurant and hot spot for foodies and trendsetters, Meat Market is a truly contemporary steakhouse boasting a sophisticated ambiance and a nationally-renowned mixology program. Chef Sean Brasel’s savvy menu features prime cuts of beef, wonderful fish, seafood and poultry dishes – the Crudo Bar features an eclectic raw bar and crudo menu with fresh oysters and clams, creative ceviches and tiraditos. 915 Lincoln Road. Telephone: (305) 532-0088; www.meatmarketmiami.com.
Quality Meats: The second location of acclaimed Manhattan restaurant, Quality Meats, opened February 2015 in the heart of South Beach’s historic Art Deco district. Chef/Partner Craig Koketsu and Executive Chef Patrick Rebholz offer a menu that enhances elements of a classic butchery with large cuts of beef that are cured, smoked or aged in-house. Designed by AvroKO, guests can experience the restaurant in a variety of settings – the main dining room, a lush outdoor patio or in the comfort of a private dining room. 1501 Collins Avenue. Telephone: (305) 340-3333; www.qualitymeatsmiami.com/.
Living Room at W South Beach: In celebration of Art Basek, Living Room, the sultry, night-time playground nestled in the lobby of the W South Beach Hotel & Residences, has created the Le Jardin – a Basel-inspired cocktail featuring vodka, elderflower liqueur and a house made ‘green juice’ of wheatgrass, spinach, mint, honeydew, lemon, pineapple and honey.Living Room is the perfect place to start before dining at one of the W Hotel’s premiere dining establishments, The Dutch or Mr. Chow, or before a night of partying. Live in-house DJ spins loungey sounds nightly from 7PM until 2AM. 2201 Collins Avenue in the W South Beach Hotel & Residences Telephone:(305) 938-3000. http://www.wsouthbeach.com/living-room-bar
Michael Mina 74: From award-winning chef and restaurateur Michael Mina, Michael Mina 74 is Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s cool and casual modern American tavern, serving a delicious and dynamic menu of comfort food with inspirations spanning the globe. Hand-crafted cocktails and expert, house-made infusions complement the eclectic cuisine, while a DJ transport guests from high-energy restaurant to sexy, lavish ultra-lounge. Located at the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach – 4441 Collins Avenue. Telephone: (305) 674-4636; www.fontainebleau.com/web/dining/michael_mina_74.
StripSteak: The second Michael Mina restaurant to open at Fontainebleau Miami Beach in the last year, joining Michael Mina 74. A swank, sophisticated destination for steaks, gorgeous composed specialties and luscious libations. Located at the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach – 4441 Collins Avenue. Telephone: (305) 674-4780; www.fontainebleau.com/stripsteak.
Hakkasan: This world-famous upscale Cantonese restaurant is as renowned for its authentic cuisine as its cool, sexy décor, and features favorites such as indulgent roasted silver cod in Chinese honey and Champagne. Located at the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach – 4441 Collins Avenue. Telephone: (786) 276-1388. www.fontainebleau.com/hakkasan.
Scarpetta: The AAA Four Diamond Award-winning restaurant, from award-winning chef/restaurateur Scott Conant, offers refined Italian cuisine composed of farm-fresh ingredients and clean, earthy flavors in a light, airy space. Led by newly appointed chef de cuisine Marlon Rambaran, the seasonally-inspired Italian fare includes delightful spaghetti with tomato & basil and creamy polenta with a fricassee of truffled mushrooms. Located at the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach – 4441 Collins Avenue. Telephone: (305) 674-4660; www.fontainebleau.com/scarpetta.
WYNWOOD/DESIGN DISTRICT/MIDTOWN/MIMO
Beaker & Gray: Adding to Wynwood’s national notoriety as Miami’s hippest zip code, a new restaurant concept emerges October 2015 in Beaker & Gray. Conceptualized by chef/owner Brian Nasajon and bar manager/owner Ben Potts, the restaurant will be a 120-seat eatery with an inventive, playful, globally-inspired menu and vibrant after-hours bar. Named after two elemental culinary tools – the Beaker, used by bartenders to mix drinks, and a Gray Kunz spoon, used by chefs to execute dishes, Beaker & Gray will be a new destination for Wynwood’s artsy environs. 2637 North Miami Avenue. Telephone: (305) 699-2637; www.beakerandgray.com
Apeiro Kitchen & Bar: From the culinary minds of rising star chef/co-owner David Blonsky and iconic South Florida restauranteur Burt Rapoport comes a progressive Mediterranean concept with a contemporary menu inspired by the countries that make up the Mediterranean’s rich and diverse culinary culture as well as a buzzing bar scene. Apeiro (Greek for “infinity”) showcases the simple presentations and healthy, fresh ingredients the region is known for while being very much of the now – creative, progressive and flavor forward. Apeiro Kitchen & Bar is located at 3252 NE 1st Avenue, Suite 101 in Midtown. www.apeirorestaurants.com.
CENA by Michy: Housed in the space formerly inhabited by her critically acclaimed Michy’s restaurant, CENA by Michy is celeb chef Michelle Bernstein’s newest innovation. CENA by Michy re-affirms the spirit of communal dining that was one of the signature features of the restaurant’s earlier incarnation with a menu that offers a cornucopia of small plates as well as a bevy of large plate options and, soon, whole offerings from the restaurant’s new rotisserie. Complemented by a progressive, smartly-designed craft cocktail list, the menu at CENA gracefully walks the line between contemporary American fare and inspired international fine dining, with dishes ranging from a whole boneless snapper stuffed with leeks and fennel to sweet bread tacos with salsa verde, huitlacoche crema and pickled cabbage. Located at 6927 Biscayne Boulevard; wwwcenabymichy.com.
Blue Collar: Located in the historic MIMO district in Miami, Blue Collar is owner and executive chef Daniel Serfer’s acclaimed eatery, offering contemporary American comfort food in a casual setting. The approachable menu features diverse dishes with appetizers including Cuban sandwich spring rolls and the Duck “McMuffin” with entrees including home-style classics including Super Tender Hanger Steak and more eclectic options such as Crispy Skin Snapper served with rock shrimp vegetable rice in a red curry. The restaurant also offers daily carnivorous and veg-friendly chalkboard specials. “The Dailies” offer a variety of ribs, Parmesan-style proteins with angel hair and red sauce, and braised meats including brisket, pot roast, ox tails and pork shoulder. The “Veg Chalkboard” displays vegetarian specials ranging from creamy mashed potatoes to watermelon cucumber salad as well as grits, roasted vegetables, and more. Blue Collar is located at 6730 Biscayne Boulevard. Telephone: (305)756-0366; www.bluecollarmiami.com.
Wynwood Kitchen + Bar: A perfect blend of cutting-edge art and authentic Miami-style cuisine, WK&B features a delectable menu of small plates with subtly layered global-Latino flavors. Innovative cocktails, artisanal beers and an international wine list, make this one of the coolest dining and drinking destinations in the U.S. 2550 N.W. 2nd Avenue. Telephone: (305) 722-8959; www.wynwoodkitchenandbar.com.
Mignonette: A charming restaurant in the heart of Miami’s up-and-coming Edgewater neighborhood by chef/restauranteur Daniel Serfer and business partner Ryan Roman. Housed in a 1930’s era gas station, Mignonette has been embraced as one of Miami’s best spots for foodies, oyster lovers and visitors looking for something unique and off-the-beaten-path. At its heart, Mignonette is a place to enjoy a great beer or glass of wine, slurp oysters, sample fine caviar, dig deep into a fried shrimp po’boy or savor one of Serfer’s beautifully-rendered main plates. Not your typical Miami locale, walking through the door is like stepping into a classic Northeastern oyster bar; as a result, Mignonette has been hailed as one of the city’s hottest restaurants since it opened in August 2014. Located at 210 NE 18th Street. Telephone: (305) 374-4635; www.mignonettemiami.com.
Joey’s: Joey’s Italian Café was the first restaurant to spark the resurgence of Wynwood, Miami’s hip Arts District. The affordable, chic eatery serves Wynwood’s burgeoning arts community with a fine-tuned menu of healthy, classic dishes from Venice and other Italian regions at very reasonable prices, including thin crust pizzas, ranging from a classic Margherita to one with figs, honey and hot peppers. 2506 NW 2nd Avenue. Telephone: (305) 438-0488; www.joeyswynwood.com.
