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The most ruthless bidding war during Art Basel Miami Beach may not be over a painting or a $6.2 million duct-tape banana installation. The toughest battle may be scoring the hottest table in town.
Fortunately, we’ve rounded up the best new restaurants in Magic City for 2024. These sceney eateries are certain to draw A-listers, foodies and the jet-setting glitterati as they converge in Miami this week.
Here are the best places to nosh, sip, see and be seen — and maybe even make some art. (Super-glued Wagyu carpaccio installation, anyone?)
In May, Miami Beach reeled in a big one with the return of celebrity seafood ’straunt, Catch (above). And it’s no small fry: The new 23,000-square-foot outpost — other locations include NYC, LA, Las Vegas and Aspen — shimmers and shimmies with Deco-inspired splendor thanks to a vibrant Rockwell Group design. Now, partners Tilman J. Fertitta, Mark Birnbaum and Eugene Remm are adding additional bait to the hook with a new rooftop terrace. Carved into three courtyard-style dining areas and spread over 5,500 square feet, the celebratory atmosphere is set off with tropical flora, ocean views and the South of Fifth skyline. Is that Kendall Jenner? Could that be Derek Jeter? Probably. They’re just a couple of Catch’s devoted regulars, addicted to the Catch roll, truffle sashimi and Wagyu Hot Rock (prepared tableside, of course). Talk about net worth.
Mexi-sexy Tulum hot spot RosaNegra has arrived in Miami. Located at the Dua Miami Hotel (formerly the SLS Brickell), this is founder Eduardo Beaven and his eponymous group’s first US restaurant (other outposts include Cancún, Cabo and Mexico City). To flavor the fiesta, he’s tapped executive chef Omar Martinez to create a theatrical menu of elevated and eclectic Latin dishes sure to please the restaurant’s caliente clientele. Here, tacos come layered with lobster, shrimp or short rib. Ceviche is prepped Peruvian style. Seafood mains are seared, spice-rubbed or skillet-fried. Juicy steaks are jetted in from Nebraska, and exclusive delicacies include “super colossal octopus” from Mexico, U2 tiger shrimp from Africa, Ora king salmon from New Zealand and Alaskan king crab from you know where. Start with a margarita (above) at the art-framed bar counter — a signature at all of RosaNegra’s casas — and get swept into the party by the bongo percussionists, resident DJ and sparklers.
Since 2022, famous names have flocked to Sparrow Italia’s London restaurant — Alicia Keys, Adele, Serena Williams, Elon Musk, Novak Djokovic … the list goes on. Don’t be surprised to spot equally familiar faces during Art Basel at its new Wynwood locale. Opened in October by hospitality group Noble 33’s Tosh Berman and Mikey Tanha, the restaurant has 232 seats spread across a massive, 8,700-square-foot floor made intimate by arched booths, suspended wood arches and a sunken dining room. Helmed by executive chef Martin Heierling, Sparrow (it’s Italy’s national bird, did you know?) serves refined Mediterranean Italian dishes like wagyu carpaccio (above) with pickled mushrooms and shaved black truffles, whole lobster oreganata, bone marrow cappelletti and, of course, osetra caviar. But cool kids should head straight for the bar, where pizza by the slice is served (mamma mia!), as well as spritzes and nuovo takes on the negroni. The wine list is pure Italo-Americano with a special emphasis on growers who give a damn about responsible farming practices. That’s grape news.
The Setai was already a powerhouse of South Asian culinary sublimity thanks to Jaya’s flavorful Indian-meets-Chinese-meets-Balinese menu. Japanese fare now rounds out the mix with the arrival of its latest in-house restaurant, Japón. Led by the hotel’s long-reigning executive chef Vijayudu Veena and executive sous-chef Iván Monzón, this sexy upscale escape has what so many Miami restaurants sorely lack: a dress code. So put on a blazer boys; and ladies, please, just this once, avoid “exceedingly revealing clothing.” Your reward will be tempting tartare, rare rolls, gratifying grills and savory signatures like the truffle hot pot, chicken karaage, salmon teriyaki and the $92 Japanese wagyu sandwich (above). If that isn’t rich enough, turn to the caviar menu, where ounces of golden osetra arrive at your table direct from the Caspian Sea. Every dish can be paired with exceptional sakes by the bottle or the glass — not to mention a selection of cocktails that nod to Nippon. Come by to kampai.
The party can’t stop, won’t stop at Marion Miami. After shuttering this summer, the Asian-Mediterranean-inspired Brickell clubstraunt by Mr. Hospitality founder Mathieu Massa has reopened — with $4 million worth of new reasons to make a rez. The redesign by Carlos Rodriguez of Escala Forma adds a sparkling Dom Pérignon Champagne display and Tequila Room with over 300 bottles; 15 custom Murano flower chandeliers (imported from Italy, of course); an LED-paneled ceiling to get things poppin’; and a revamped outdoor dining area. Executive chef Kylian Goussot and wine director Higor Valle are serving a refreshed menu of disco-friendly delights, including a new sushi program (think Instagrammable presentations of rolls loaded with A5 wagyu marrow, yuzu kosho lobster and their signature salmon with asparagus, avocado and eel sauce). Cocktails are mixed with Hollywood sex appeal. Try a Boogie Nights with Macallan 12-year-old scotch; a Dirty Dancing (above) with Codigo blanco tequila; a Cruel Intentions with Patron silver tequila or a Lolita with Ketel One vodka, St-Germain, raspberry and pineapple. It’s a lot to drink in.
Coconut Grove is hailing the arrival of Carbone Vino (above), Major Food Group’s 50th restaurant — and ninth in Miami. Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick’s nigh-impossible-to-reserve Carbone brand is famous for making stars and CEOs salivate over $12,000 bottles of DRC and decadent macaroni. This enoteca-style restaurant, filled with nostalgia and art curated by Vito Schnabel, presents new-to-Carbone dishes like pumpkin agnolotti, tortellini with truffles and spaghettini bambini (an “ode to the buttered noodles Italian children grow up eating”). Pair those pastas with a pick from Vino’s 600-bottle list. The wines were painstakingly selected by beverage manager Patrick Wert and MFG’s corporate wine director John Slover, who took special care to curate rarities for their by-the-glass menu. Hate change? Good. The menu is still loaded with comforting Carbone classics like the Caesar alla ZZ, spicy rigatoni and veal parmesan (offered three ways). If you’re good, you’ll get a cannoli sundae for dessert.
