arch's exciting culinary happenings continue throughout the season with exciting milestones: new cafes and restaurant openings; spring menu items; new, exotic cocktails; and the launch of some sweet treats. Celebrate spring with the simple joy of bringing people together with great food, and celebrate Women's History Month all month long.
COZY CAFES
Madame Olivia's, 786-755-4946, 1821 NE 123rd Street, North Miami, has captured hearts through its warm, inviting atmosphere. The chic cafe, bistro, and market have also captured tastebuds through its blend of classic French craftsmanship, fresh baked goodness, a scratch-kitchen approach to Mediterranean cuisine, and a consciously healthy philosophy. Madame Olivia is seed oil-free and focuses on organic ingredients as much as possible. They offer all-day breakfast, gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads, crafted coffee drinks, fresh juices, and a wide selection of Mediterranean plates and pastas. Executive chef and co-owner Stephen Laurent heads up the daily production of freshly-baked artisanal breads; Secret Basque Cheesecake, a light, scorched cake with a caramelized top and a rich, gooey interior; and Olivia's Eggs Benedict, organic poached eggs over toasted Challah bread, topped with smoked salmon, brown butter Hollandaise, chives, and sumac. A second location of Madam Olivia's is slated to open at 3417 NE 1st Ave., Midtown Miami in late spring.
(Courtesy Rose Cafe)
Rose Cafe's Veal Chop
Rose Cafe and Restaurant, 786-653-3891, 16690 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach, is also known for its healthy, delicious Mediterranean-inspired menu. The creation of philanthropist Alexandra Milton and business partner Sebastian Garaviz, Rose Cafe features breakfast, pastries, paninis, and coffees all day. Enjoy coffee with a friend, a business lunch, or a dinner offering a menu of Italian and Mediterranean specialties, plus a full bar. Dishes include a trio of house-made Mediterranean dips served with house-made focaccia; slow-steamed octopus atop hummus with delicately-fried polenta; a salad of kale, carrots, cashews, avocado and Parmigiano-Reggiano; hand-crafted pastas such as Paccheri Al Pomodoro e Steacciatella, with fresh tomato sauce and burrata cheese; or Gnocchetti ai Frutti De Mare, small gnocchi with clams, mussels, shrimp, octopus, and cherry. Hearty mains include a grilled ribeye with roasted potatoes, or a braised lamb shank with creamy mashed potatoes. For seafood lovers, the winners are the Dover sole or grilled langostinos. For dessert, save room for the amazing tiramisu, which can be shared.
CELEBRATING FOOD CULTURES
(Courtesy Da Angelino Cucina Italiana)
The Burrata from Da Angelino Cucina Italiana
Da Angelino Cucina Italiana 786-981-5001 3015 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove, expands with Al Bàcaro a 30-seat Venetian-inspired tavern tucked just behind the restaurant in CocoWalk. The menu is a love letter to Italy’s many regions, a flavorful journey from north to south. Inspired by Venice’s bàcari, the spot is a relaxed alfresco setting for casual sipping and sharing. The menu offers focacce ripiene, cicchetti, salumi, and Italian wines by the glass or traditional gottino. Seafood dishes are inspired by the Southern Italian coast, and dishes such as rich brasato al barolo, slow-cooked in red wine are on offer; and a selection of antipasti and crudo, featuring fresh starters like tuna tartare and frittura mista. Cheese and charcuterie lovers build their own boards with the fromaggi e salumi selections. House-made pastas created fresh each day are at the heart of the menu, with highlights like tableside cacio e pepe alla ruota, and linguine ai frutti di mare. Standout entrées include short ribs and the showstopping cotoletta alla Milanese –the restaurant's signature.
James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein, husband David Martinez, and partner Davide Borgia have opened La Cañita Miami Beach, 786-803-8510, 1200 Ocean Dr., in the Miami Beach Art Deco District. A Cuban-Caribbean restaurant, La Cañita was born from the partners’ dreams of bringing together Cuban music, Cuban-Caribbean food and lifestyle, as well as a love and appreciation of rum culture with the rum-centric bar. This brings the team’s dining experience to South Beach with a sun-soaked menu of Caribbean classics, a cigar roller, and a house band and live music featuring some of South Florida’s most celebrated Cuban musicians. Drawing influences from Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad, Haiti, and Puerto Rico, as well as coastal towns in Central and South America, the concept features Bernstein’s award-winning cuisine, with the goal of preserving Miami's rich Latin-Caribbean heritage. La Cañita also has locations in Bayside Marketplace and Kendall.
(Photo Courtesy of Jarana)
Pisco Cocktails at Jarana
Jarana Peruvian Cuisine & Pisco Bar, 786-840-8840, 19505 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, is celebrating the Pisco Sour, with a series of new Pisco-based cocktails and a portion of the sale of each cocktail supporting the Pachacútec Culinary Institute in Peru. Founded in 2007 by chef Gastón Acurio (La Mar), the Institute is a cooking school with leading Peruvian chefs as instructors dedicated to educating underprivileged students in Peruvian cuisine, culinary techniques, nutrition, and English. New cocktails on the menu include the Pisco Sour made with Pisco Quebranta, lime, Angostura, and egg white; Maracuyá Sour, made with Pisco Quebranta, lime, passionfruit, Angostura, and egg white; and the Lychee Sour, made with Pisco Quebranta, lychee, lime, Angostura, and egg white.
Kitchen + Kocktails, 316-333-5460, 2838 NW 2nd Ave., Miami, founded by hospitality entrepreneur Kevin Kelley, recently opened in Wynwood. The restaurant offers southern soul food, handcrafted “kocktails,” and a signature “welcome home” hospitality. Featuring specialties like southern fried chicken with red beans and rice, and spaghetti and catfish, the Miami location marks the brand’s continued expansion into major markets, adding to Miami's growing roster of chef-driven concepts rooted in culture. The southern food chain also has locations in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Dallas.
WHAT'S NEW
(Photo Courtesy of Banana Daddy)
Banana Daddy Sundaes
Meet your newest sugar daddy – Banana Daddy that is – 305-468-4600, 3415 NE 1st Ave., Midtown Miami. Banana Daddy's concept was founded by two Miami couples, Tom Favorule and Jordan Frey, and Chris and Emily Campbell. Banana Daddy features banana- and coconut-based soft-serve made entirely from scratch. It’s sweet, but not too sweet, indulgent, but never heavy. Everything is crafted with high-quality ingredients, such as house-made coconut milk and plant-based butter, with a wide range of gluten- and dairy-free options. Standout menu offerings include big banana, coffee, strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla protein soft-serve flavors; signature sundaes, including Gimme S’more, Berry Creamy, Daddy's Classic, and Pucker Up; fresh-baked treats including carrot cake, ooey gooey butter cake, blackout brownies, scones, and coconut cake. Signature coffees featured are Banana Iced Coffee, Coconut Iced Coffee, and Coconut Iced Matcha.
The latest monthly flavor series from Salt & Straw's delicious ice creams is available at your local scoop shops. The beloved cereal-sly Delicious Series returns to the South Beach flagship shop, 786-858-9954, 749 Lincoln Rd. Taking inspiration from the classic cereals that defined childhood mornings, play into the joy and nostalgia of youth: Pots of Gold and Rainbows, toasty, cereal-steeped ice cream tossed with hand-sorted, rainbow marshmallows; Snap ‘N Crackle Marshmallow Treats, crushed Rice Krispie marshmallow Florentines scattered throughout salted vanilla ice cream; Peanut Butter Brownie Cereal Puffs, double-baked, Reese’s-coated peanut butter brownie puffs folded into peanut butter-marbled, milk chocolate ice cream; and new Captain’s Berried Treasure, cereal-steeped coconut and oat milk ice cream swirled with fruity, house made “crunch berries,” bright pink and purple cookie puffs made with freeze-dried strawberries and blackberries. Also available in Coconut Grove, 786-633-0142, 3015 Grand Ave.; Aventura, 645-400-6077, 19505 Biscayne Blvd.; and Wynwood Miami, 786-633-0157, 246 NW 25th St.
At the intimate tasting counter at the Four Seasons Hotel, 305-358-3535, 1435 Brickell Ave., Miami, NUNA, features exclusive counter-only selections. NUNA is a Peruvian Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese fusion) experience headlined by chef Jaime Pesaque, featuring a counter-only experience that brings you right into to the rhythm and energy of the kitchen. Order à la carte, or explore the Chef's Tasting Experience, featuring sumptuous Royal Crab Croustade, poached crab with aji amarillo hot sauce, sudachi emulsion, and togarashi; Lobster Blini: caviar, lobster, smoked rocoto crème fraîche, and sweet potato fudge; Uni Crispy Rice: uni, bone marrow, picante de erizos, pea crèmeux; Toro Tostada: chutoro, scallop tartare, ikura, macha aioli, avocado; and Wagyu Toast: wagyu tartare, furikake sourdough, truffles, wasabi emulsion, guanciale.
Thrōw Social Miami, 833-745-9293, 2335 N. Miami Ave., Wynwood, Miami, has transformed the former Oasis Wynwood space into a 35,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor playground that combines cuisine, mixologist-crafted cocktails, and interactive, oversized games, VIP cabanas, and live DJs and entertainment. A signature concept by The Ginger Brands, Thrōw Social Miami features five full-access bars with tropical-inspired design. The venue offers shareable handhelds, tropical-inspired flatbreads, and a weekend brunch featuring bottomless Mimosas and Bellinis. The bar program offers cocktails in shareable libations and classic favorites, including the iconic Painkiller served in a rose-gold pineapple cup, plus rotating seasonal specials, mocktails and a curated selection of wines and beers. Designed for sharing, the menu features bites like the Thrōw Sampler, bourbon-glazed jerk chicken sandwich, bone broth and signature items like the Adult Happy Meal, alongside fresh salads, flatbreads and other small plates.
R House, 305-576-020, 2727 NW 2nd Ave., Wynwood, Miami, is leveling up Friday nights during the spring season. Dining and pop culture intersect as RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 features R House’s nationally-celebrated drag brunches, where shareable plates, cocktails, and high-energy performances turned the venue into a launchpad for drag talent with national reach. Every Friday through the Season 18 finale on April 17, the venue hosts viewing parties. Select nights feature special guest appearances from standout queens from the current cast, paired with newly launched bottomless cocktail and bottle service packages. Fans come face-to-face with some of the season’s most talked-about performers while the competition is still unfolding — a rare opportunity as the season heats up. The guest night is a full evening experience: Happy Hour from 4–7 p.m.; Meet & Greet at 7:30 p.m. ($20); Hosted Viewing Party at 8 p.m ($5 cover); Live Drag Show beginning at 9:30 p.m., featuring the guest queen alongside the next wave of R House superstars.
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Women's History Month is an annual observance to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. To commemorate the month, Riviera Dining Group is honoring the creativity, resilience, and influence of women with a thoughtful culinary tribute in all of their venues. Each of the group's restaurant is featuring a limited-time dessert inspired by the spirit of the month, with $2 from each dessert benefiting Lotus House — transforming sweet moments into philanthropic acts of support for women in the local community.
2889 McFarlane Rd., Coconut Grove
786-540-2889,
Guests can enjoy Melopita ($17), a gluten-free take on the traditional Greek honey pie, made with bourbon vanilla and topped with raspberry coulis and fresh lime zest.
(Photo Courtesy of Casa Neos)
Casa Neos Pavlova
40 SW River Dr., Miami
305-800-6367
Indulge in the Ruby Berry Pavlova ($17), a gluten-free confection with crisp meringue that gives way to a soft center, layered with bourbon vanilla, topped with refreshing raspberry sorbet.
1101 Brickell Ave., Miami
305-990-1101
The featured dessert is the Fig Cheesecake ($20) which pairs creamy cheesecake with roasted figs, a buttery crumble, and a refreshing huckleberry grape sorbet.
1636 Meridian Ave. Rooftop, South Beach
786-706-0744
The Women’s History Month feature is the Raspberry Cheesecake ($18). This elegant dessert pairs creamy cheesecake with crunchy almond crumble and a black sesame opaline for texture, while vibrant raspberry brings a bright, tart contrast.
Irene Moore is a Miami-based writer and certified sommelier whose vivid descriptions take readers through culinary cultures around the world.
(Irene Moore)
Irene Moore