November 11, 2022
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.
Brunch at La Mar Is Back
‘Art After Dark’ at COTE Miami
Hutong Launches Dark Brunch
Yalla Motek Opens at Aventura Mall
Dogs & Dates at InterContinental Miami
Coming Soon: Meraki Greek Gyro & Bakery
Brunch at La Mar Is Back
Beginning the weekend of Nov. 12 and 13, La Mar’s legendary weekend brunch will return after a two-year hiatus with many of the same options that kept customers coming back year after year in addition to new indulgences.
Available Saturday and Sunday starting at $135 per person, guests will choose from La Mar’s sizeable dining spread which, among many items, consists of elaborate hot and cold food stations replete with signature ceviches, causas, sushi, and salads, as well as juicy anticuchos, fried whole fish, empanadas and other traditional Peruvian cuisine created with Oka’s signature modern flair.
In addition to the sumptuous buffet, the brunch experience includes seafood and grill stations; tableside Chaufa Aeropuerto to share; a choice of main course; and assorted desserts, including the famous Dessert Retablo. Brunch also includes two-hour brunch cocktails, select wines, beers and champagne.
Every dish will be as beautifully presented as it is delicious, with thoughtful and creative plating fashioning an inspirational feast for the eyes that rivals only the property’s stunning atmospheric setting overlooking Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. Live music will add to the great vibe and complete the epic brunch experience.
Photo by Miami Chef
‘Art After Dark” at COTE Miami
From Thursday, December 1 through Friday, December 9, renowned private collectors will join together for the first time ever to showcase their world-class pieces at COTE Miami.
In partnership with Artline, a public art project consulting firm based in New York City, and presented by American Express, guests will have the opportunity to view private art (not typically available to the public) and learn about the collectors and their vision and personal stories while indulging in a specially curated Art Basel Feast ($125pp++) offering available on the all-day menu at this Michelin-starred KOREAN STEAKHOUSE™. Featured artists will include Do Ho Suh, Leonardo Meoni, Yoshitomo Nara, Fernando Botero, Auguste Rodin, Robert Rauschenberg and George Condo.
Hutong Launches Dark Brunch
Contemporary Northern Chinese restaurant and bar, Hutong is hosting the launch of its new monthly Dark Brunch on November 17th from 7 PM until late. Guests can enjoy unique dishes and carefully crafted cocktails starting at $98 per person for 2-hours of free-flow, and upgraded tickets including tickets $120 per person with a bottle of Santa Margherita Sparkling Rose or $155 per person including a bottle of Taittinger Champagne.
The Dark Brunch menu includes delicious signature dishes such as the Spring Vegetable Bao and Pan Seared Roasted Pork Bao. Guests can indulge in unique items including the Wasabi Okra or Wagyu Beef Millefeuille to start, and the Duck Fried Rice or Ma La Beef Tenderloin as their entree. To end on a sweet note, guests can opt for the Ginger Chocolate Mousse or Sweet Umami.
Experience the live sounds of authentic Guzheng, resident DJs, Sax with many more exciting surprises to be revealed throughout the night for a lively and fun environment all night long.
Yalla Motek Opens at Aventura Mall
Yalla Motek, a fast casual Mediterranean street food counter concept born from the wildly successful Motek Café, has launched at the Treats Food Hall located within Aventura Mall. The 100% glatt kosher-style menu features the highest quality ingredients crafted to transport diners to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. From authentic shawarma and pita sandwiches to falafel and bowls, the menu caters to a shopper on the go or a workaday grinder seeking delicious and nutrition-minded fare with a quickness.
Nestled within the Treats Food Hall which offers communal seating, the Yalla Motek space boasts an open kitchen design so guests can enjoy watching their meals being made from scratch.
What does Yalla mean? It means “let’s go” or “come on, hurry up”. The name came about as a nod to the fast casual outlet’s express counter service.
Yalla Motek’s parent concept, Motek Café, has received several accolades including Editors’ Choice for Best Restaurant in Aventura and Readers’ Choice for Best Breakfast in Miami New Times’ Best of Miami 2022 awards, and its Lebanese burger was awarded the People’s Choice at the 2022 South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s Burger Bash.
Photo by @rmstudiocorp
Dogs & Dates at InterContinental Miami
On Saturday, November 12, treat yourself and your pup to a special edition of Paws Patio, Dogs & Dates Singles Mixer. InterContinental Miami is partnering with DoggieZen to host Miami’s first dog singles mixer, a Red Light, Green Light party for dogs and their owners from 3PM to 6PM.
Upon check-in, guests will receive a green or red bandana for your pooch based on your relationship status. The fun continues with a live DJ spinning beats, free Puppuccinos from Starbucks, signature bites and drinks, paw-some games, a cash bar and more.
Coming Soon: Meraki Greek Gyro & Bakery
Meraki Hospitality has announced that new concept Meraki Greek Gyro & Bakery, a fast casual gyro/pastry shop and Greek market, will debut in South Beach this fall at 919 Alton Road. The restaurant space was formerly occupied by Meraki Hospitality’s American-style pop up restaurant, Miami Diner, and Greek owners Executive Chef Giannis Kotsos and Alexander Karavias are excited to finally bring their Greek flavors to South Beach. Meraki Greek Gyro & Bakery is expected to welcome customers this fall.
“It’s always been a dream of ours to bring the flavors of Meraki to South Beach,” said Alexander Karavias, owner, Meraki Hospitality. “While we hope to revive our Miami Diner pop up concept in the future, we felt now is the perfect time to bring Meraki to the Beach. This won’t be a full blown Meraki as we have in Downtown and Coconut Grove, but more of a fast casual traditional gyro shop created for people-on-the-go with baked goods, pastries and imported Greek groceries which we feel will best serve local residents and tourists alike.”
Meraki Greek Gyro & Bakery will feature a casual menu focused on gyro pitas and kabobs along with popular Greek baked items like spanakopita, tyropita and bougatsa, traditional pastries like baklava and imported Greek beverages, available for both dine in and take out.
In addition, a light breakfast menu will be available with pastries, imported coffee and fresh juices. The shop will also feature a small Greek market section showcasing an array of Greek groceries, including imported olive oil, pasta, honey, vinegar, salt, and herbs as well as Greek beer and wine, including a selection of natural wines hand-selected by Karavias from his favorite small, family-owned micro wineries in Greece.
Meraki Greek Gyro & Bakery will have a similar look and feel to Meraki’s cozy and inviting Aegean Island-inspired design with blue and white hues, mini pergolas and bougainvillea.