August 6, 2021
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
Bodega to Open in Aventura
Stripsteak Announces New Executive Chef
Amara at Paraiso Debuts Mocktail Program
New Summer Offerings at Mamey
Eleventh Street Pizza Reopens
Ciao Bella Launches Weekend Happy Hour
Bodega to Open in Aventura
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, South Florida’s iconic brand known for its fast-casual taco joint by day and speakeasy-style lounge by night concepts, is opening its Aventura location on August 13. Located at 19129 Biscayne Blvd, the Aventura outpost will mirror the award-winning Mexican street food portion that makes up Bodega Taqueria y Tequila. Joining the South Beach (2015) and Fort Lauderdale (2020) locations, the residential Aventura area makes for the perfect locale for Bodega’s first-of-its-kind taqueria-only to open.
Putting Bodega’s culinary inventiveness and quick-service format at the forefront, the Aventura location will offer authentic Mexican street food that guests order from the brand’s quintessential airstream trailer-turned-taco-truck. The 1,500 square foot restaurant has an industrial vibe complete with neon bar stools, Machine Age-inspired light fixtures, exposed brick walls, and outdoor picnic tables.
Both the regular & kid’s menu offers tacos, burritos, other customer favorites, and healthier alternatives including gluten-free tortillas, kale bowls, and cauliflower rice. Mexican beers & sodas and frozen margaritas will also be available at the Aventura location. On weekends, the brunch menu will feature a variety of breakfast tacos, burritos and Bodega’s signature avocado tostada. Specials include a daily happy hour from 6-8 pm, offering menu items for $2-$5.
Showing no signs of slowing down, in addition to the upcoming Aventura opening, Bodega announced four other new locations that will be opening in the next 24 months: West Palm Beach (2021), Coconut Grove (2021), Wynwood (2023), and in Downtown Miami at the Natiivo Miami (2023).
Stripsteak Announces New Executive Chef
Fine dining kitchen veteran Leo Pablo has been appointed Executive Chef of StripSteak by Michael Mina at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. A graduate of the Academy of Culinary Arts in Caracas, the Venezuela-born chef has an impressive resume of bold-faced chef and restaurant names/brands including Jean-Georges Vongerichten – whom he worked under at Fern; J&G Grill and Matador Room; L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon and Le Jardiner in Miami; and Stubborn Seed, South Florida celebrity chef Jeremy Ford’s acclaimed Miami Beach restaurant.
At StripSteak, he will bring to bear a decade’s worth of fine dining expertise, ensuring the modern American steakhouse fare StripSteak is renowned will continue to wow diners.
“Leo has an amazing background as well as the polish, professionalism, creativity and technique that StripSteak requires,” comments Chef Thomas Connell, Vice President of Culinary at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. “We are confident he will beautifully execute Chef Mina’s signature menu items as well as bring his own unique creations to the table.”
Amara at Paraiso Debuts Mocktail Program
Whether you are the designated driver, expecting or just prefer to be alcohol-free, Amara at Paraiso offers the perfect non-alcoholic cocktail for you.
Now introducing the Designated Drivers Mocktail Program featuring ABV cocktails made with Lyre’s non-alcoholic spirits. Lyre’s exquisite range of non-alcoholic spirits makes the impossible possible – giving the freedom to drink your drink, your way.
Amara’s “Designated Drivers” are:
• No-Proof Bulletproof: made with Lyre’s american malt, cherry-rosemary and lemon
• Easy Rider: Lyre’s Italian Orange Aperitif, grapefruit, lime
• Fancy Free: Lyre’s Dark Cane, orgeat, pineapple, orange, lime
New Summer Offerings at Mamey
Mamey by James Beard Award Nominee and Food & Wine Award-Winning Best New Chef of 2020, Chef Niven Patel, was inspired by Patel’s own travels throughout Asia, Polynesia and the Caribbean.
Located at the THesis Hotel, the popular restaurant showcases the exotic flavors and spices commonly found in the islands with ingredients sourced directly from Chef Patel’s own two-acre farm, Rancho Patel. Mamey’s tropical vibes transport guests to a stunning oasis that offers an idyllic escape filled with flavorful cuisine and refreshing cocktails, while it’s rooftop extension, Mamey on 3rd, is a vibrant hidden gem on the third floor featuring live music, bites and cocktails.
This summer, both of these local favorites have launched some exciting offerings for locals and visitors alike to indulge in including an extended happy hour, spritz cocktail specials and timely margarita deals. Included below are more details on all of the exciting updates from Chef Niven Patel’s Mamey.
Mamey Launches Happy Hour: Mamey on 3rd is extending their infamous daily happy hour to Mamey. Available daily from 3PM-6PM at the bar only, guests can enjoy delicious $6 bites such as Island Spiced Fries, with Homestead mango ketchup; White Truffle Brie Grilled Cheese, with Homestead mango jam and Sullivan Street pullman bread; and Ghee Roasted Plantains, tamarind yogurt, coconut, cilantro and crispy chickpeas.
Pair these plates with $10 craft cocktails including the Kiwi’s Last Word, mixed with Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Green Chartreuse, Luxardo Maraschino, kiwi and lime; and the Mango Mule with Beluga Vodka, Rancho Patel Mango, lime and ginger beer, as well as $5 beers and $7 wines/spirits.
Sip on Some Spritz’ at Mamey: Grab your girlfriends and head to Mamey for Ladies Who Spritz, a brand new special where any group of four ladies or more can enjoy 50% off the spritz menu daily during lunch from 11:30AM-3PM.
Spritz’ on offerings include the Bittersweet Melody ($15) with Grapefruit and Rose Ketel One Botanical, Dry Curacao, Campari and prosecco; the Kronan’s Cup ($15), mixed with Cucumber Mint Ketel One Botanical, Kronan Swedish Punsch, lime, cava, and a splash of ginger beer; and the De Pêche Mode ($15), with Peach and Orange Blossom Ketel One Botanical, calvados, Aperol and prosecco.
Photo by Kris Tamburello.
Eleventh Street Pizza Reopens
Eleventh Street Pizza has reopened its doors after being closed for two weeks and completely transforming into the pizzeria it was always meant to be. It’s now offering pizza by the slice, indoor seating and expanded hours. New slices ($4.75-$8) include their popular Carmine Cheese (round or square); Pepperoni Sicilian Square Slice; La Provencal Sicilian Square Slice; and Wild Shroom Sicilian Square Slice. Now open Tuesday-Sunday from 1-10PM.
Photo by 52 Chefs.
Ciao Bella Launches Weekend Happy Hour
Enjoy half-priced bottles with live jazz and light bites like Red Pepper Hummus with cherry tomatoes, grilled broccolini and lentil tabboule; Baba Ganoush with roasted tandoori carrot; and Falafel Bites with napa cabbage slaw and tahini lime dressing. Available wines change weekly.