Arjun Waney, owner of Zuma and Coya, is bringing a new concept to South Beach at 2000 Collins Ave. The London-based restauranteur will launch in new Latin-Asian Fusion concept dubbed DÔA in South Beach. DÔA will have both Asian and Peruvian roots and will be a casual and affordable concept with indoor and outdoor seating. The South Beach location is expected to be the flagship location for the new concept with future locations planned in Washington D.C., Atlanta, Boston and Chicago. It will occupy the 5,200 SF space that was formerly Barezzito and One Lounge across from the Setai. It will feature an open kitchen, central island bar, DJ booth, lounge area and sushi bar.
Miami River Commission Threatens To Halt Construction At Future SushiSamba/ Duck & Waffle Location
There is drama at the Melo Group's Flagler On The River construction project, located at 40 SW North River Drive and the former location of East Coast Fisheries. Now in Phase II of the development, officials with the Miami River Commission have expressed complaints over the lack of a 14-foot-wide riverwalk that was part of the approval of the project. Inspections showed that current construction accounts to a 12 ft riverwalk, down from 14 ft, and a 5 ft unobstructed circulation zone, down from 8 ft. The Melo Group has fought back, claiming that work on the riverwalk has not begun as they are waiting on Tenant Improvement plans from the future tenants which may alter the final design of the riverwalk. They say that upon completion the project will comply completely with their approvals. The future tenants of the riverwalk, double decker restaurant commercial portion of the greater Flagler On The River development will be SUSHISAMBA and Duck & Waffle. City officials have considered either halting construction of not issuing a final certificate of occupancy.
José Andrés' Bazaar Mar
SLS Brickell Hotel to Open October 3
SLS Brickell is coming! Related Group and SBE have set an opening date of October 3rd for the hotel as we edge closer to seeing the completion of this most recent development cycle. SLS Brickell is a 124-room hotel with pricing starting at $249 per night and can reach over $1,950 for the 1,756 SF, 2 bedroom Louie Suite. The 52-story building was designed by Arquitectonica and also features 450 residential condo units. It also features an LED façade by lighting artist Ana Isabel Martinez, artwork throughout the property by Fernando Botero and Matias Duville, and a colorful, iconic exterior art mural. SLS Brickell includes José Andrés' Bazaar Mar, his new seafood restaurant concept, as well as Michael Schwartz's Fi’lia, Italian concept. José Andrés will also be head of all food and beverage operations throughout the property including the pool bar, mezzanine and in-room dining. Related Group began planning the project in 2012 and broke ground in early 2014.
STK Miami Opens in Marquis Residences
The soft-opening of Me Miami has been so far a success, which recently moved closer to being completely open with the official opening of STK Miami in the lobby of Me Miami and Marquis Residences. The zoning permits the liquor license from the nearby late-night nightclubs including Heart and Space, so expect STK Miami to become a hopping place after-hours. The build-out features a modern restaurant concept right on Biscayne Blvd. and third-floor bar. The location is also walking distance from the Perez Art Museum, Frost Science Museum and American Airlines Arena.
Menin Hospitality to Open Al's Diner in Iconic Former Firestone Service Station
Menin Hospitality continues to grow its footprint on Miami Beach as it has added yet another project to its rapidly growing portfolio. Al's Diner, a 24 our eatery with gourmet treats will replace the iconic Firestone service station at 1500 Alton Road that opened in 1939. The shop opperated as a car service station until early 2016. The announcement brings Menin to 15 projects under operation. Late July, the Miami Beach City Design Review Board approved a variance to convert the properties' zoning to mixed-use retail/ restaurant with outdoor café seating as well as take-out window. ARRP, an affiliate of Crescent Heights will fully restore the iconic cantilevered porte-cochère and the Firestone roof sign.
Spring Chicken coming to 1439 Alton Road
The popular new eatery Spring Chicken in Coral Gables is coming to Miami Beach. John Kunkel will open his new location in 1439 Alton Road, as will Lulu's Nitrogen Ice Cream Shop. Kunkell was able to get a 15 year master-lease on the 3 units in which he previously operation his BTW and Lime concepts. Kunkell calls Spring Chicken "Shake Shack meets Chick-fil-A." He will develop the property into a fast-casual haven complete with shared courtyards to eat. The restaurants should open in late August and early September. Spring Chicken has also recently opened in Fort Lauderdale as well.