Mason Eatery Closes in Midtown

Just months after the restaurant reopened with an updated menu and decor, Mason has closed for good. The eatery, located in the former Gigi space, shuttered yesterday. According to a Mason rep, employees were notified on Monday of the restaurant’s impending demise.

MC Kitchen’s Mercato Sunset Opens in Sunset Harbour

A bottle of wine to go with that crabcake, perhaps, while you watch the sun go down over the Sunset Harbor Marina? The food and drink offerings at the new Mercato in Miami Beach from MC Kitchen owner Brandi Coletta can also satisfy coffee lovers who just want a quick cappuccino to go with their croissant, or a double espresso to savor with their favorite pastry.

Jimmy’z Kitchen Closes in Wynwood

Jimmy’z Kitchen, a Wynwood landmark, has closed its doors.The Wynwood location closed on Thursday, though the original South Beach restaurant remains open for business, according to an employee.

New Times’ Out to Brunch: Save With a Brunch Bunch Ticket Four-Pack

On Saturday, April 13, New Times’ Out to Brunch takes over the Design District’s Jungle Plaza for an afternoon filled with free-flowing mimosas, bloody marys, and delicious food. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., guests will enjoy brunch items from some of Miami’s favorite restaurants, along with brunch cocktails and beverages from Canna Vinus, Santos Sangria, Choco Noir, Riboli Family wine, and Beefeater Gin Pink.

iLov305 Needs More Pitbull

Pitbull is Miami’s own unicorn: a creature in a white suit that magically is conjured up whenever anyone Googles “Miami vacation.” The performer opened ilov305, his Miami Beach restaurant, about a month ago. Located in the very center of Miami Beach cliches, Ocean Drive, ilov305 could have taken Pitbull’s image as Mr. 305 and doubled down on it. Hell, it could have tripled down on it.

February 2019 Miami Restaurant Openings and Closings

February is typically a strong month for the Miami culinary world. Fueled by tourism and the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, restaurants on the beach and in trendy neighborhoods like Wynwood and the Design District do especially well. The festival also brought the announcement of several new concepts by a roster of household names including Steve Santana (Taquiza), Scott Linquist (Coyo Taco), Guy Fieri, David Grutman (Komodo, Planta, and others),

David Grutman, Jose Andres, Steve Santana, and Others Announce New Restaurants at SOBEWFF

During the festival, a host of new concepts was announced by major culinary players including David Grutman, Jose Andres, Guy Fieti, Coyo Taco’s Scott Linquist, Steve Santana, and more. The thing was, most of the announcements were made during parties where attendees were overwhelmed by music, food, and drinks.  Here’s the rundown of the most interesting bits of intel (and info on baby monkey Rocco).

Paulie Gee’s Closes, but Collaborative Pop-Ups Are Being Planned

Paulie Gee’s, the Brooklyn pizza sensation that opened on Biscayne Boulevard in 2016, closed this past weekend, with owner Jason Weisberg sharing a note on Facebook: “Thank you Miami. It was an experience and pleasure serving up our pizza. It’s time for the next chapter.” Weisberg tells New Times…

The Cat’s Meow Café Brings the Cat Café Concept to Mainland Miami

Last year, wandering around the Shimokitazawa neighborhood of Tokyo, I stumbled across the Cat Cafe Cateriam in a nondescript building in the Japanese capital’s bohemian epicenter. As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted by a cheerful young woman who despite the language barrier was able to communicate…

Guy Fieri Announces Miami Restaurant at SOBEWFF’s Beachside BBQ

Guy Fieri is bringing his Flavortown style to Aventura. The Food Network star announced his new restaurant while hosting the South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s Beachside BBQ Saturday night. As thousands of attendees feasted on barbecue from about 30 restaurants, Fieri held court in a prominent area while adoring…

Josh Gripper, One of Miami’s Best Pastry Chefs, Trades Cake for Steak

The cooks were suspicious. Standing in the fluorescent-white kitchen of the Dutch (2201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-938-3111; thedutchmiami.com) inside the W South Beach, they were stunned to learn Josh Gripper, the restaurant’s soft-spoken, bespectacled pastry chef, would soon take over the entire operation. For years, Gripper, who is 38,…

SOBEWFF 2019: Miami Dominates Burger Bash and Art of Tiki

Each year, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival attracts the best chefs from around the world, allowing attendees the opportunity to sample fare from the greatest bars and restaurants without leaving South Florida. Last evening, however, Miami establishments dominated two of the festival’s marquee events, with local bars and…

Kitty Meow Headlines Inaugural SOBEWFF Drag Brunch

Not many people know how Shawn Palacious — one of Miami’s most legendary queens — received her drag name. “It was because of my long, claw-like nails,” says Palacious, whose alter ego is the edgy feline queen Kitty Meow. Those nails are just one small nod to her iconic style…

Celebrities Share Their SOBEWFF Grand Tasting Village Tips

Each year, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival takes over South Florida with a seemingly endless roster of parties, seminars, and dinners. The festival’s crown jewel is the Grand Tasting Village, where a massive stretch of sand on South Beach is turned into a theme park of food and…

SOBEWFF 2019: The Best Celebrities to Follow on Instagram

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival is underway, and hundreds of chefs are flying in from around the world to cook at the fest’s various dinners and parties. Of course, it’s not all work for these talented toques: They also storm the restaurants and bars of our fair city in what’s referred to as “spring break for chefs.”