For our most recent edition of Whitewaller Miami, out now, we’ve highlighted a selection of bars and restaurants to check out while in town for the busy art week.
Cecconi’s
Cecconi’s serves dishes from Italy using the finest ingredients and has dining destinations in London, Berlin, Barcelona, and West Hollywood, too. Its modern, Venetian-inspired food is simply prepared and critically acclaimed. Its menu offers handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and delectable desserts. Enjoy a beautiful garden setting, snugly set on the ground floor of Soho Beach House.
Courtesy of Pao.
Whitewaller recommends: Trying the refreshing Banana Jungle Bird cocktail.
AZABU Miami Beach
Michelin-starred Sushi Azabu New York is set to open in Miami this month. The authentic Japanese experience boasts various concepts, including a full-service dining room, a hidden 11-seat sushi bar counter named The Den, and a classic cocktail bar showcasing imported whiskies and sakes called Bar Azabu.
Courtesy of Nobu
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the Raindrop Cake.
Joe’s Stone Crab
In 1913, Joe Weiss opened Joe’s Stone Crab to serve Miami Beach before the seaside location was established as a city in 1915. Now, more than 100 years later, the restaurant continues its dedication to food, family, and friends—and its favored Stone Crab dish.
Courtesy of Bird & Bone.
Whitewaller recommends: Stopping in to Joe’s Take Away for the bistro tables and wine bar.
Villa Azur
Romantic design, French fare, and an intimate environment make up Villa Azur—a unique world-class restaurant and lounge. Chef Philippe Ruiz interprets French nouvelle cuisine combined with an international twist, offering guests a meal they won’t forget and an atmosphere sans rival as guests keep dancing into the night.
Courtesy of MR CHOW.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the octopus Provençal and Chilean sea bass.
Bird & Bone
Inside The Confidante Miami is Bird & Bone—an American-inspired restaurant led by Chef Richard Hales. Indoors, visitors will find a feeling of being in a contemporary countryside farmhouse, while outside, string lights and rustic woods are complemented by pops of color.
Courtesy of Villa Azur.
Whitewaller recommends: Checking out the extensive Sunday brunch menu.
Bâoli
Located in the heart of Miami Beach, Bâoli offers an elevated level of hospitality in its restaurant and lounge. To complement the delectable Asian American fare, the establishment also offers one-of-a-kind embellished cocktails and a celebration entitled “My Boyfriend Is Out of Town” on Wednesday nights.
Whitewaller recommends: Attending “First Taste Tuesdays” from 7 to 12 p.m.
Makoto
Chef Makoto Okuwa, alongside the talented restaurateur Stephen Starr, brings more than 20 years’ worth of experience to Miami with Makoto. The restaurant, located in Bal Harbour Shops, celebrates upscale Japanese entrées, sushi, and robata dishes, while offering guests a sleek dining space.
Whitewaller recommends: Treating yourself to the Scallop Tiradito with Aji Amarillo dish.
KYU
In early 2016, former Zuma teammates Chef Michael Lewis and general manager Steven Haigh opened KYU in Wynwood. A neighborhood destination with exceptional service, the restaurant boasts a Japanese and Korean travel-inspired menu with tasty, clever twists. The establishment was also named a semifinalist for “Best New Restaurant” by the James Beard Foundation this year.
Whitewaller recommends: Indulging in the Thai Fried Rice Stone Pot.
Nobu
Nobu Miami, with a dining room seating 298 guests, is a global destination. Like its sister locations, the restaurant serves fresh Japanese-Peruvian dishes by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. With David Rockwell at its architectural helm, the restaurant is a stunning offering for Miami Beach’s lively, elegant clientele.
Whitewaller recommends: Starting with the acclaimed Black Cod with Miso.
El Tucán
El Tucán provides not only a dinner and a show, but a modern-day cabaret that harks back to Cuba circa 1940s. The experience transports guests to the unique bygone era of glitz and Latin glamour “within the heart of Brickell” instead of in Brickell City Centre.
Whitewaller recommends: Dinner and a show (on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday).
MR CHOW
Featuring indoor seating, an interior bar, a lounge, and a spacious outside dining patio, MR CHOW is centered around a unique 123-foot gold Swarovski crystal chandelier designed by Mr. Michael Chow himself. The restaurant is located inside of W South Beach, and serves classic Beijing cuisine.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the Semi Prix Fixe.
Pao
Spearheaded by James Beard Foundation Award–winning Chef Paul Qui for the luxuriant Faena Hotel Miami Beach, Pao features an innovative culinary concept full of unique, globally inspired Asian dishes. The wide-ranging international styles of influence include Filipino, Spanish, Japanese, and French—all with varying cooking techniques that electrify the palate with bold flavor.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the Chef’s Choice Tasting Menu.
