The fall ushers in a new wave of restaurants to the ever-growing Miami dining scene. Local favorites and renowned chefs bring an array of flavors — including Mediterranean, French and Italian — sure to satisfy every craving. Here are newly opened (or soon-to-open) spots that are making our mouths water.
Prolific chef Michael Mina (Wit & Wisdom, Michael Mina, Stonehill Tavern) is slated to debut his latest restaurant in the main lobby of Fontainebleau Miami Beach in mid-November. Part restaurant, bar and ultra lounge, it will feature an American bistro-style menu focused on bold, global flavors with whimsical touches. Look for a selection of Gulf favorites, including potato-crusted pompano, spiny lobster spaghetti and grilled red snapper. Other noteworthy dishes to try are the “jerk” quail with foie gras, roasted suckling pig and black truffle omelet. Not to be outdone by the colorful menu, the restaurant’s design will blend vibrant elements of an urban street within a beachside Mediterranean villa — tables and chairs for dinnertime settings evolve to plush banquettes and comfortable booths for a late-evening scene — while a DJ spins tunes throughout the night.
Tunu Puri, of famed modern Japanese restaurant Zuma, unveiled this latest establishment in Brickell in early October. Executive chef Phillippe Ruiz, formerly of Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Palme d’Or at The Biltmore hotel, has designed a new American menu influenced by the Mediterranean region. Lippi’s small plates highlight organic and high-quality ingredients: There’s an abundance of fresh seafood in ceviches, crudos and tartares; pastas and risottos; in-season salads; and specialty grilled meats. The beverage program is just as robust with innovative libations such as the Chocolate Reposado Old Fashioned (Avión Reposado tequila, Aztec chocolate bitters and chocolate peel) and an extensive list of 350 wines from old and new regions. The restaurant features an impressive dining room with high ceilings, leopard-spotted chandeliers, sleek dark woods and plush golden-hued chairs. A spacious terrace provides a more relaxed alfresco dining experience.
James Beard Award-winning chef and Forbes Travel Guide Tastemaker Tony Mantuano of Chicago’s Spiaggia will bring his culinary prowess to South Beach with his first Miami restaurant. Inside the former lobby of the Fairfax Hotel (which will become The Redbury South Beach), Lorenzo boasts an updated Art Deco design and the original sage-mint terrazzo floor. Refurbished oak wine barrels act as ceiling tile, while white marble, light woods and globe lights provide a warm atmosphere. The casual yet elegant spot will showcase Mantuano’s authentic Italian-style cuisine with handmade pastas, pizzettas off of the imported wood-burning oven and housemade gelato. Wine director Cathy Mantuano (who’s married to the chef) has paired the menu with all Italian wines, champagne and sparkling selections. And Michael Jack Pazon, of Napa Valley’s Goose & Gander, will oversee the cocktails, which include twists on Italian favorites with tropical-inspired drinks. Lorenzo and The Redbury are expected to open mid- to late fall.
Local favorite the Pubbelly Restaurant Group welcomes a new entry to its roster of popular eateries. Located at the soon-to-open Hilton Cabana Miami Beach, the Pubbelly boys’ latest venture plays on lechon in Spanish and bouchon in French, which can loosely be interpreted as “lively brasserie.” The shareable menu centers on French classics (such as escargot bourguignon and beef tartare carpaccio) and wood-fired grill items alongside raw selections and fish. The chef’s charcuterie board will be a meat lover’s delight, with all selections carefully crafted in house. To complement the inventive dishes, the cocktail program will feature French-influenced spirits and wines, as well as housemade, barrel-aged seasonal cocktails. PBRG will also oversee the entire hotel’s food and beverage operation. Both the hotel and restaurant are set to open in December.
Photos Courtesy of Lippi
