May 17, 2019
Each Friday, we compile South Florida food-related news and events that we couldn’t fit on the site earlier in the week, as well as other local news that piques our interest. Want to be included in our next roundup? Shoot us an email at bark@miamifoodpug.com.
Johnnie’s Pit Beef & BBQ Opens This Sunday
Now Open: Sparrow
Exclusive Pop-Up Menu at Lure
Chug’s Launches Happy Hour
‘Spain Loves Sundays’ at Bar Centro
Caribbean305 Returns to Miami
Johnnie’s Pit Beef & BBQ Opens This Sunday
Celebrated Chef Phillip Bryant, known for his soulful Southern cuisine at The Local, and partner Chef Veronica Valdivia have teamed up with Ark Hospitality (Ariete, Chug’s, The ScapeGoat, and Taurus Beer & Whisk(e)y House) to bring Maryland Pit BBQ to Coconut Grove. Slated to open Sunday, May 19th at noon, Johnnie’s Pit Beef & BBQ will open inside Taurus Beer & Whisk(e)y House and feature specialty sandwiches, pit BBQ baskets, and sinful sides.
A regional specialty in Maryland and surrounding areas, pit beef is typically a top roast that’s been minimally seasoned, grilled directly over charcoal, and sliced deli-style. “I grew up around pit beef, so I’m really looking forward to introducing this style of BBQ to the Grove,” says Chef Bryant. “I think it’s time to bring a little bit of Maryland to Florida.”
For Johnnies Pit Beef & BBQ, Chefs Bryant and Valdivia have created a fun and approachable menu. Diners can expect a selection of tantalizing sandwiches all made with USDA Choice top round, sliced to order on a cornmeal Kaiser bun. Sink your teeth into The Ronnie – Johnnie sauce, aged Swiss, sprouts; Beef N Cheddar – Veroveeta, white onion, pickled horseradish; or The Original – Johnnie sauce, white onion, Horsey mayo. Pit BBQ Baskets are served with Virginia white bread, sprout slaw, and a pickle of the day.
Baskets include the Pit Beef – over a ¼ lb. of thinly sliced pit beef covered with beef gravy; Garlic & Honey Spare Ribs – salt and pepper rub; and Chopped Brisket – smoked brisket point with cracked pepper mop sauce. Not-to-be-missed sides include Brussels sprout slaw, rice grits with Texas Phil sauce, lima beans with smoked city ham, beef jerky with giardiniera, Craft shells & cheese, and Appa’s beef chili served “All the Way.”
Taurus Beer & Whisk(e)y House, home to Chef Justin Flit’s Proof, has become a culinary playground for established chefs to showcase their creativity. The highly anticipated opening of Johnnie’s Pit Beef & BBQ comes on the heels of the successful Proof pop-up, which has since become permanent. Though the pit beef pop-up will only last through football season, fans of Chefs Bryant and Valdivia can expect more exciting projects on the horizon, now that the duo have joined forces with Chef Michael Beltran at Ark Hospitality.
Johnnie’s Pit Beef & BBQ will be located inside Taurus Beer & Whisk(e)y House, 3540 Main Highway in Coconut Grove. The pop-up will be open Sundays only through football season from noon until the food runs out.
Now Open: Sparrow
Sparrow at The Dalmar, the city’s newest lifestyle hotel that recently opened in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, is now open. Boasting sweeping city views from the 25th floor, Sparrow features a main bar, lounge and an expansive patio bar. Sparrow is created and operated in partnership with Proprietors LLC, the lauded hospitality company behind cocktail institution, Death & Co.
As guests enter Sparrow, they are welcomed by a moody, playful atmosphere, replete with deep-hued furniture, abundant greenery and accents of natural wood and brass. At the main bar, guests can experience an inventive list of original cocktails, separated into three categories.
The three categories are Cruise Control, featuring easy-drinking tropical riffs on classics like the Apocalypso (Plantation 3 Star Rum, Avua Prata Cachaça, Mango, Lime Juice, Mint), Adventurous, showcasing more daring, luxurious ingredients like in Kill The Lights (Elijah Craig Bourbon, Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, Spiced Pineapple, Angostura Bitters) and Group Format, which includes a selection of signature libations finished and presented tableside for large parties. A selection of wines and sparkling by the glass and bottle, ciders and draft beers are available at both bars.
As guests venture out to the patio bar, they can take in the best views the city has to offer, stretching from downtown Fort Lauderdale to the Atlantic Ocean. With an eclectic, retro-style bar and larger than life mural by local artist Amauri Torezan, the patio embraces its airy environment with a drinks program of fresh, colorful and crushable cocktails. The menu itself has a smaller and more focused selection of offerings, playfully designed around Floridian pastels. Each cocktail incorporates seasonal fruits, herbs and citruses, resulting in a unique marriage of Mediterranean Aperitivo, tiki and classic cocktails.
Sparrow is open Thursday through Saturday, from 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Exclusive Pop-Up Menu at Lure
Since opening its doors five years ago, Lure Fishbar South Beach – the elegant seafood brasserie and bustling cocktail bar at Loews Miami Beach Hotel – has become a staple for seafoodies, Miami locals and visitors. The second and only other location of celebrity Chef Josh Capon’s critically-acclaimed New York City outpost, Lure Fishbar is celebrating five fabulous years with an exclusive “From SoHo to SoBe” pop-up menu experience.
Running June 1st through July 31st, “From SoHo to SoBe” will pay homage to the restaurant that started it all, offering diners a curated selection of signature items from the Lure Fishbar New York menu. Appetizers include seafood-forward offerings such as Bay Scallop Crudo with jicama, green apple, jalapeno and lime vinaigrette; Lobster Croutons served on perfectly toasted sourdough with golden garlic and chilies; and for sushi connoisseurs, the Shazam Roll with yellowtail, salmon, avocado, kewpie mayo and wasabi tobiko.
Entrees range from a 10-ounce Filet Mignon to a two-pound Whole Stuffed Lobster with Dungeness crab filling, garlic-chili butter and grilled lemon; and a delicate Pan Roasted Striped Bass.
Cocktail enthusiasts can enjoy three signature selections from Lure Fishbar New York’s popular bar, including the SoHo Soto Martini made with Soto Junmai Daiginjo Sake, Breckenridge Gin and St. Germain; the vodka-based I’ll Have That; and Journey Into Night made with Bulleit Rye, Carpano Antica Formula and Fernet Branca.
Chug’s Launches Happy Hour
Chug’s, a Cuban diner by Chef Michael Beltran, is rolling out a variety of daily and weekly drink specials for all to enjoy. Daily offerings include a $7 beer and frita pairing from 4PM until close and $2 Miller High Life Ponies all day long. Weekly specials are as follows: Wednesday – $25 bottles of wine all day (Nielsen Pinot Noir and Primaterra Pinot Grigio); Friday – $10 Fried Chicken (Beginning at 4PM until sold out), $5 Beer, $5 Classic Frita; and on Saturday and Sunday – $5 Mimosa station (Dine-in only).
In addition, the eatery is partnering with local breweries each month. May’s featured brewery is Nightlife Brewing Co. and the featured beer is Gunfighter Blonde (Hefweizen). Guests that purchase the featured beer will receive a free Nightlife koozie and sticker. Additional activations include corn hole tournaments on the patio with opportunities to win more swag.
‘Spain Loves Sundays’ at Bar Centro
Bar Centro, located in the heart of SLS South Beach, is taking international dining to a whole new level with its recently launched “Spain Loves Sundays.” Every Sunday from 3-6 p.m., foodies can head to Bar Centro and experience a vibrant new special menu from award winning Chef Jose Andres.
Featuring Black Rossejat, a paella-style pasta served with squid ink, shrimp and aioli, plus a bottle of Spanish house wine for just $45/person (one bottle per couple), guests can indulge in a true Spanish staple right in the heart of South Beach.
Caribbean305 Returns to Miami
Caribbean305 returns to Miami on June 22 at Mana Wynwood and is South Florida’s premier Caribbean culinary and cultural celebration with flavors from more than a dozen Caribbean destinations. Caribbean305 is presented by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Monster Energy and Belvedere Vodka, the official spirit sponsor of Caribbean305.
Caribbean305 features a rich display of Caribbean culture and entertainment and will shine a spotlight on award-winning chefs and mixologists from 14 Caribbean destinations: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Grenada, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos. In addition to these destinations, Caribbean305 will also showcase cultural influences from destinations like Antigua and Barbuda, and the Dominican Republic.
Caribbean305 is the only event where one can experience a culinary and cultural voyage through the Caribbean without leaving Miami. Guests will experience live entertainment including traditional music from the region – such as reggae, soca, salsa, and zouk – surrounded by carnival dancers in full-feathered regalia and moko jumbie stilt walkers and dancers. Caribbean305 also provides attendees the chance to learn more about travel experiences while interacting with Caribbean tourism representatives, and the opportunity to win free trips to Caribbean destinations throughout the night.
The Caribbean cultural showcase also features the region’s top chefs and mixologists who will create their island’s signature cocktail with Belvedere Vodka.
Patrons will experience unlimited tapas style dishes, an open bar, Caribbean music and more at the event’s new location in Mana Wynwood. Wynwood is Miami’s eclectic district known for its dynamic street art and as an enclave for Caribbean immigrants.
Caribbean305 VIP tickets are available at $125 per person and include one-hour early access to the event at 7 p.m., separate VIP check-in area, welcome cocktail, a premium goody bag, access to a VIP lounge area with an exclusive, private bar and passed tapas service, additional seating and unlimited food, drinks, and entertainment. VIP tickets will only be available online with limited quantities available.
General admission tickets are $75 online – $100 at the door – and include access to the event from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. with an all-inclusive experience of unlimited drinks, food and entertainment.
For more information about Caribbean305, visit www.caribbean305.com.