If you tried to keep track of every Miami New Restaurant Openings, you might go a little wild. So just check this list instead. A wave of new restaurant openings has washed over Miami in the past few days, from notable chef names in MiMo Arts District to a beloved Portland-based ice cream company now moving into Wynwood. Let’s take a look:
Café Kush
Located in the historical MiMo Arts District at the Selina Gold Dust Motel, Café Kush transports guests to their very own Miami-meets-French Riviera. Selina, which restored the dilapidated motel and opened the property in December 2020, fused the iconic retro vibes of Miami’s past with the exciting energy and strong artistic presence of the Magic City to bring this sophisticated space to life. Boasting tasteful Art Deco vibes and a serene water view, this funky, French-inspired café dishes up bistro classics such as Cuisses de Grenouilles (Frog’s Legs); Soupe à L’Oignon (French Onion Soup); Croque Monsieur and Coq au Vin; as well as Kush signature items including the Frita, Chicken-n-Waffles and Key Lime Pie. For the cafe’s bar program, the devil is in the details. From homemade vermouth left tableside and charged by consumption, to cocktails served in cigar boxes and finished with an aromatic spritz from vintage perfume bottles, each libation is a marvel of creativity. In addition to the restaurant’s eight signature cocktails, a collection of fine wines from France and beyond are available along with a selection of local signature brews like their very own Kaptain Kush made by Tank Brewing Co. Café Kush is located at 7700 Biscayne Blvd in Miami; 305-985-4764; kushhospitality.com.
Cervecería La Tropical
Cervecería La Tropical, which established the Cuban beer industry in 1888 when it was inaugurated in Havana, will open as Miami’s newest brewery in the Wynwood Arts District January 2021 with a 28,000 square-foot space. Embracing the alluring and high-energy spirit of Miami by way of Cuba, Latin America and the Caribbean, La Tropical will feature a state-of-the-art onsite brewing operation, accompanied by a taproom, restaurant and botanical garden, as well as, an ongoing event schedule, art installations and live music stage. La Tropical has an annual brewing capacity of 32,000 hectoliters per year and can house up to 800 craft beer lovers. The taproom will offer handcrafted beers including lagers, sours, barrel aged, ales infused with local ingredients and the brand’s flagship La Original Ambar Lager, whose recipe dates back to 1888. The space will also house a Latin Caribbean-inspired restaurant by Miami’s own Chef Cindy Hutson. Outdoors, consumers can explore a lush 10,000 square-foot botanical tropical garden – Jardines La Tropical – and, in keeping with the neighborhood, a selection of commissioned murals and art by local artists. La Tropical will debut January 2021 in Wynwood at 42 NE 25th Street. www.cervecerialatropical.com.
Chuy’s Pembroke Pines
Chuy’s, one of Austin, Texas’ most beloved restaurant concepts, is opening its first Broward County location in Pembroke Pines in February 2021. The opening of the Pembroke Pines location marks the 103rd restaurant overall for the established brand, which opened its first restaurant in Austin 37 years ago. Chuy’s marries traditional, made-from-scratch Tex-Mex cuisine and a refreshing lineup of cocktails with an eccentric dining room design offering a flavorful and whimsical culinary experience. The menu will offer an explosion of flavors, featuring authentic food crafted with care including hand-rolled tortillas made fresh. On-site popular items include Enchiladas and Stuffed Chile Rellenos. Additional dishes on offer will include the Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom Enchiladas and Chuy’s Famous Big As Yo’ Face Burritos, complemented by signature homemade sauces, ranging from the mild Tomatillo Sauce to the spicy Hatch Green Chile sauce. Chuy’s Pembroke Pines will be located at 10610 Pines Boulevard in Pembroke Pines. https://www.chuys.com
Reunion Kitchen Bar Lounge
Aventura’s hotspot Reunion Ktchn Bar (RKB), known for its world-spanning, eclectic menu, exquisitely crafted cocktails as well as its polished service and chic décor, is excited to unveil RKB’s swanky little sister – a gastronomic-styled lounge featuring its own space, menu and drinks. Located in the space next door to the restaurant, the renovated lounge serves as both an extension of the RKB experience as well as one all its own. Inarguably, no restaurant in the Aventura market offers as varied and dazzling a list of signature craft cocktails as RKB, and the new list exclusive to the lounge will further its rep as the spot for perfect pours. Like RKB, the cocktail menu at the lounge is an exercise in technique, balance and creativity, with influences from across the globe. Sporting a modern yet comfortable design scheme, the lounge strikes the perfect balance between chic and comfortable. Seating 30, it is open Sunday through Thursday, from 5PM to 11PM, Friday & Saturday ‘til midnight. Oysters & Taittinger Mondays features $2 house oysters and 50% off Taittinger Brut bottles; Ladies Spritz Wednesdays profiles $8 specialty spritzes. Reunion Ktchn Bar is located at 18167 Biscayne Boulevard in Aventura. https://reunionkb.com/
Salt & Straw Miami
To start the year on a sweet note, Salt & Straw, the beloved Portland-based ice cream company, is finally opening the highly-anticipated first East Coast scoop shops in early 2021. The small-batch ice cream brand will open shops in Wynwood and Coconut Grove serving up their curiously delicious flavors as well as some Miami-inspired creations with local community partners. Wynwood (240 NW 25th St. Suite M) will open first in January 2021 with Coconut Grove (3015 Grand Ave #145) opening shortly after in February 2021. Taking inspiration from Miami, Salt & Straw’s Co-founder and Head Ice Cream Maker, Tyler Malek, will create a locally sourced menu that reflects the flavors of Miami by using local ingredients. The scoop shops will feature Salt & Straw’s all-time, cult classics and seasonal ice creams, with new flavors rotating monthly, that tell the story of Miami chefs and artisans. www.saltandstraw.com.
NEW MENUS
Le Jardinier Debuts Sunday Brunch
A perfect place to sit outdoors and enjoy the Miami winter, Michelin-starred chef Alain Verzeroli’s Le Jardinier in the Miami Design District is kicking off 2021 with the debut of a new Sunday Brunch. The vegetable-forward restaurant will offer its brunch menu every Sunday from 11:30AM until 4:30PM on its lush and spacious patio as well as indoors. The menu will feature a la carte dishes, cocktails and the option of Bottomless Franciacorta sparkling wine for $55. Standout brunch dishes include Smoked Salmon Rillette on homemade brioche, avocado, pickled chili and fried capers ($22); Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Quiche with smoked gouda and rainbow chard ($20); Maine Lobster with poached organic egg, bok choy and hollandaise ($36); Bavette au Jus with crispy potato and fried organic egg($38); Floridian Rock Shrimp with parmesan polenta & romesco and a coralline bisque ($22); and Oven Roasted Leek with caramelized shallot soubise, egg mimosa and hazelnut ($21). The full menu may be found HERE. Le Jardinier is located at 151 NE 41st Street Suite 135 in the Miami Design District. www.lejardinier-miami.com.
Lona Cocina & Tequileria
With its sweeping ocean views, beachside locale and expansive terrace, Lona Cocina & Tequileria on Fort Lauderdale Beach is welcoming the New Year with new dish and cocktail offerings. The restaurant, by celebrated Chef Pablo Salas, is known for eclectic, soulful Mexican cuisine and a top of the line cocktail program. Newcomers to the food menu include the Octopus Tostada, an “a la gallega” appetizer served on a crispy tostada with refried beans, caramelized morita onions, cilantro and aioli ($15); and the Mar & Tierra Burrito, a specialty lunch dish that features creamy black tiger shrimp, grilled skirt steak, Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, crema fresca, cilantro and poblano peppers ($17). Lona’s expansive bar program welcomes special margarita additions including Spicy Avocado – Dobel Diamante, avocado, jalapeño and agave ($13); La Fresita – Espolon Blanco, strawberry, lime, agave and sparkling rose ($13); and El Güero – Volcan Blanco, watermelon, jalapeño and lime ($12). Additional cocktails on offer include Lona White Sangria – passionfruit, peach and chardonnay ($12); and Lona Red Sangria – hibiscus, grapefruit and cabernet ($12). With an extensive wine list available, Lona has introduced featured Wine Flights that will include three tastings from the wine list. Reservations can be made on OpenTable or by phone: (954) 245-3069. Lona is located at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort at 321 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Lunch is Monday – Saturday from 11AM – 6PM. Dinner is served daily from 6PM – 11PM. Sunday Brunch is offered from 11:30AM – 3PM. Outdoor patio dining is available. www.lonarestaurant.com
