When the Faena Hotel Miami Beach opens sometime in November at the former Saxony Hotel, located at 3201 Collins Ave., it will be much more than another resort property. It will actually be part of an entire district named for the Argentinian developer that is bringing his grand plan to South…
Healthy chains are hard to come by, but Freshii is well on its way to changing all that. The rapidly expanding outpost opened its first Miami location in Wynwood last year, and number two is now open for business in Miami International Mall. The locale opened on Monday, and offers…
Washington D.C.-based Amsterdam Falafelshop is expanding to Miami. The small chain started in 2004 in D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood by Scott and Arianne Bennett, who were inspired by the many falafel and chip shops found throughout Amsterdam and throughout Europe, combining Middle Eastern flavors with famous Dutch-style frieten. Now, the…
To understand the “Miami boom, take a walk around the Design District’s new Palm Court. It is here that Michael Schwartz continues his culinary domination of the city with his newest baby: Ella (140 NE 39th St.) It’s named after Schwartz’s daughter, who just graduated from high school last week…
Having already made inroads into giving Miamites a taste of upscale, modern Colombian cuisine, it was time for El Cielo chef Juan Manuel Barrientos to take on a new challenge–brunch. Fall where you will on the brunch debate–a useless fourth meal best replaced by one of its constituent parts or…
Let’s face it: Hialeah is about the last place you’d expect to find exquisite French fare. But veer off the 112 for just a few minutes and you’ll pleasantly stumble upon La Fresa Francesa Petit Cafe at 59 W. Third St. A literal hole in the wall translating to “the…
Sam Konata pauses to recall the first time he cooked a vegetarian meal for someone. He squints, lifting his eyes toward the enormous red, black, and green crocheted cap perched atop his head. Inside the hat are more than 16 feet of dreadlocks that he began growing when he became…
Whether you’ve been to the West Coast or south of the border, you may have tried a Tijuana-style hot dog. If you’re unfamiliar, the Mexican street cart bacon-wrapped creation was born in the 50’s and quickly gained notoriety in states with large Mexican populations such as Arizona and California. But…
When Tantalize (330 Lincoln Rd), a sensual dinner and a show experience, was announced a few months back, Rene Reyes was named executive chef . As the June 9 opening approaches, however, the two-story performance venue has had a change in the kitchen. Former chef of The District and James Beard semifinalist…
When Nedal Ahmad opened Pincho Factory in November 2010, he had $6.27 to his name. Fast-forward five years later and the man responsible for turning your wildest burger dreams (pastelito burger, anyone?) into reality has flipped patties on The Today Show, won this year’s Burger Bash at the South Beach…
Years ago, Miami was considered a resort town with a definite season. After Easter, it was assumed tourists and snowbirds would all go home and the sidewalks would roll up, but no more. If you look at the number of restaurants opening in May, you’ll see that our city has,…
Ask any vegan, and they’re likely to tell you that the transition was easier than they expected. For the veg-curious or the average omnivore, however, the idea of giving up animal products can seem completely overwhelming. Luckily, help is out there. For three decades, author Victoria Moran has been imparting…
Lulu’s Nitrogen Ice Cream is having its grand opening this Sunday May 31, and the Edgewater spot is going all out to fete the occasion. Between 12 and 4 p.m., customers will receive two free scoops (no toppings or waffle cone/bowl) when they purchase an ice cream ($5 for two…
It’s not just snow birds and former residents of Queens who are heading to the Magic City. Last month, we reported New York’s own Sullivan Street Bakery will bring its breads and baked goods to Midtown. Drive past the corner of 81st and Biscayne and you’ll see construction underway on Paulie…
If you don’t have Sunday brunch on your weekend agenda, add it. Maybe with live Cuban music and Spanish style Eggs Benedict topped with tomato and Jamon serrano. Like the sound of that? Then head to Coconut Grove hidden Spanish gem La Gamba, where all of the aforementioned are happening…
If you’re the type that likes to have their cake and eat it too (aren’t we all?), you’ll be able to do just that when Tru Tru Cakes opens sometime in July or August in Brickell. The brainchild of Bolivian born and Miami-based sisters Alejandra and Daniela Calbimonte, Tru Tru…
Let’s face it, there is always room for dessert. The final course in a meal is like the punctuation for your palate. If it is delicious your meal memories will be closed with an exclamation point. If it falls flat the meh meal will have a period and no longer…
The taco revolt continues, this time on the mainland, as Wapo Taco gears up its rotating spit to start dishing out succulent slabs of grass-fed pork sometime this summer. The authentic Mexican taqueria, which was opened in Hallandale last Mexican Independence Day (September 25, not cinco de Mayo), is now…
True heroes are hard to find these days (honestly, they were hard to find in any days), but the folks that make up the Sea Sheperd Conservation Society’s’ (SSCS) crew are the real deal. Led by Captain Paul Watson, the conservationists use their fleet of ships to stop the slaughter…
The long-awaited opening of Alter in Wynwood is finally here. Tonight is the official opening, and last night we got a taste courtesy of the restaurant and the reservation service Table8. Brad Kilgore, a favorite amongst local chefs, seemed right at home in the intimate and modern space. The food…
When the longing for fragrant blends of coriander, cumin, and cardamom woven into rich gravies strikes, Miami’s choices are few and far-flung. You could head toward Coconut Grove and grab a table at the now-larger Bombay Darbar. Or you can make the trek to Imlee Indian Bistro in Pinecrest to…
As Miami rapidly evolves, it’s clear that progress is being made in the city’s food and sustainability landscape. At the forefront is Colony1, an ambitious concept in the works in Wynwood. While long-term plans include a community classroom, vegan kitchen, urban garden and bulk food store, the Colony1 team is…
