MaryGold’s, the highly-anticipated new restaurant collaboration by Chef Brad Kilgore and Bar Lab, will open to the public on Friday, November 18 at the Arlo Wynwood hotel in Miami’s preeminent creative and cultural district. The restaurant will showcase sophisticated yet approachable cuisine along with a cocktail program that melds imaginative ingredients with meticulous technique.
“The refined, yet approachable dining experience at MaryGold’s is a direct reflection of the overall guest experience at Arlo Wynwood,” said Jennifer Hiblum, general manager of Arlo Wynwood. “We have set out to create unforgettable experiences that reflect an elevated interpretation of the neighborhood through design, sound, art, cuisine, cocktails, and music, and MaryGold’s will be the crown jewel of Wynwood’s dining scene.”
“We are thrilled to be opening in Wynwood this month and excited to welcome our first guests,” says Elad Zvi, co-founder/owner of Bar Lab. “Partnering with Chef Brad Kilgore is something we’ve been talking about for a while. We’ve been part of Miami’s restaurant and bar scene for years and always respected each other’s work, style and passion. It’s exciting to see it all come to fruition.”
The menu at MaryGold’s is conceptualized and executed by Kilgore, James Beard “Best Chef: South” nominee and Food & Wine “Best New Chefs in America” alumnus who’s been credited for helping define the “Miami dining scene.” Kilgore’s impressive vitae includes working at 3-star Michelin restaurants Alinea & L20 before moving to Miami where he took the helm at award-winning restaurant Azul at the Mandarin Oriental. Most recently he became Culinary Director of private members-only, The Concours Club with his signature restaurant Verge. Of course, he’s best known for his Miami restaurants Alter, Kaido and Ember.
“It’s great to return to Wynwood after so many years; it has a special place in my heart and things have really come a long way since I opened Alter years ago,” says Kilgore. “MaryGold’s is the kind of restaurant that you can come to over and over and always have a different food experience.”
MaryGold’s features modern American cuisine that pulls from Miami and the melting pot of flavors that make up our country’s culture. Diners can expect fresh, locally-caught seafood, house made pastas and bold, flavorful composed plates. The thoughtfully-crafted menu is divided into four categories: To Share, Appetizers, Entrées and Entrées for Two. Guests can enjoy shareable small plates including Royal Red Carpaccio – thinly-sliced delicate shrimp served with warm churro, olive oil, sea salt and black lemon and savory Beignets with jerk oxtail, coconut-gouda and green onion. Caviar served with sweet potato waffle and aged parmesan crème fraiche, is also available. Appetizers run the gamut from Ribiolina Tortellini with escargot, pistachio bourguignon and parsley to seafood plates like Stone Oven Baked Oysters with braised greens Nduja Sabayon, lemon and rye crumbs, and Line Caught Sashimi – fresh locally-caught fish with Naranjo agria, scotch bonnet kosho, mustard seed oil and local radish.
Entrées offer big flavor and include standouts like Grouper Al Pastor with orange peel, annatto seed, cashews, finger lime and caramelized shallot; and Porcelet which is peach wood smoked and served with candied hazelnuts, mustard greens and preserved peach jus. Those looking for veggie-forward dishes will enjoy the Cabbage Terrine – Savoy cabbage with mushroom, eggplant and seaweed vinaigrette. Entrées for Two include Chicken & The Egg – hay smoked young chicken, soft scrambled egg, whole roasted celeriac and jus, and a Whole Fish with grapefruit-pepper relish, shaved radish and a pea tendril salad.
Decadent desserts will include The Baked Florida, a twist on the classic featuring tropical fruit semifreddo, creamsicle yogurt and pineapple rum, flambéed tableside and Carrot Cake Bread Pudding with warm espresso-date caramel and double cream cheese gelato and an array of dessert cocktails.
The cocktail program at MaryGold’s, under the direction of Bar Lab’s Global Beverage Director, Christine Wiseman, is certain to tantalize even the most discerning guest. Known for catapulting Miami’s cocktail scene to national stardom in 2009 with the opening of James Beard finalist and three-time “Top 50 Bars in the World” award-winner Broken Shaker, Bar Lab has been redefining the hospitality industry ever since by creating unique, eclectic food and beverage programs for their own venues and companies worldwide.
The signature cocktails at MaryGold’s live up to the reputation with selections such as the Caper Berry, MaryGold’s twist on martini service featuring choice of Grey Goose or Beefeater, Martini Ambrato, house made umami brine and a selection of accoutrements and the Tomato & Strawberry with Illegal Mezcal, Cocchi Americano, ambrato, strawberry tomato soda. Shareable sips include the Kumquat & Coconut – coconut fat washed Woodford Reserve, yuzu kumquat demerara, honeysuckle bitters and grapefruit zest, prepared for two. The menu also includes beers, dessert cocktails, and digestivos.
Designed by award-winning firm Meyer Davis and Miami-based MaD Artistic, the 2000 sq ft eatery blends warm and natural woods with lush greenery, industrial floors, ambient lighting and vibrant pops of color; all working together to create a stylishly vibey, relaxed ambiance. Upon entering on NW 22nd Street, guests are welcomed by a stunning wrap-around bar with Calacatta marble, ribbed wood panels, and comfortable seating for 20. The dining area seats 65 guests with a combination of intimate booths, spacious banquettes, and central tables, all perched perfectly to watch the action unfold in the open kitchen. Outdoor tables can seat up to 55 and can accommodate an array of private dining options. Simple and unpretentious plateware is all uniquely handcrafted by independent ceramists, letting Chef Kilgore’s food take center stage. A sprawling wine wall will house a selection of international wines, while Mary G’s – the restaurant’s grab & go counter – will feature freshly-baked pastries, salads, sandwiches and a curated selection of snacks and vintage candy.
MaryGold’s will open to the public on Friday, November 18 at 2217 Northwest Miami Court in the Arlo Wynwood hotel.
Those who can’t wait can head over to Higher Ground, the hotel’s third-floor cocktail-centric lounge which quietly opened with the hotel, where a stunning indoor and outdoor space is the perfect spot to gather with friends for cocktails and small bites. Further details forthcoming. For additional information visit www.arlohotels.com.
Stay up to date on Instagram:
@arlohotels
@barlabhospitality
@brad_kilgore
