November 17, 2023
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.
ZURI to Open in Wynwood
Thanksgiving Eve at Joliet
Cookies & Coquito at The Commodore
Maty’s x Shake Shack Collaboration
ZURI to Open in Wynwood
ZURI, a hidden riad offering modern interpretations of Moroccan traditions, will debut in Miami’s artistic Wynwood neighborhood on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Founded by Partners David Sarkissov, Joaquin Coll, Florian Mattone and Kevin Coll, the hospitality innovators have come together for the first time to bring the flavors of Morocco to Miami’s culinary scene. Named to signify beauty, radiance and strength, the restaurant is inspired by Morocco’s warm and welcoming hospitaors on an unforgettable journey filled with Mediterranean flavors and unique experiences.
The menu will feature a variety of family-style dishes led by Trinbagonian Executive Chef Marlon Rambaron, who specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, and Moroccan Chef Keltoum Aitkadi, who has over 40 years of experience cooking authentic Moroccan cuisine. ZURI’s Mediterranean-Moroccan fusion cuisine truly celebrates vibrant spices, aromatic herbs, and a rich tapestry of cultural influences.
Guests can indulge in signature Moroccan and Mediterranean dishes such as Zaalouk (Moroccan eggplant salad), Chicken & Preserved Lemons Tagine, Lamb & Prunes Tagine, Grilled Branzino and Red Chermoula, Mackerel Escabeche with Spicy Tomato, Chicken and Almond Pastilla, and more. Rich desserts include Stuffed Dates, Chebakia, Plum Cake, and Tart Tatin.
The restaurant also includes a top-tier beverage and an authentic Moroccan tea program. Must-try cocktails include the Pink Oasis, which pays homage to traditional Moroccan Atay made with vodka, pomegranate, mint, and foam, and the Kahua Martina, a Moroccan version of an Espresso Martini made with vodka, espresso, honey, almond, argan, and saline.
The 150-seat venue has over 3,300 square feet of indoor and covered outdoor seating. ZURI distinguishes itself with its unique design, influenced by North African, Mediterranean and Arabic styles and traditions. The restaurant displays authentic and classic touches such as reclaimed woods, handmade linens, artisan zellige tile and tadelakt finishes. ZURI’s warm ambiance comes to life with illuminating light peeking through stained glass and mashrabiya windows, as well as custom organic fabric seating, adorned with plush, Moroccan-style cushions and pillows.
The outdoor terrace transports guests to a garden oasis with bamboo paneling, abstract wall shelving, ceiling fans, lush vegetation, and soft rustling paper lanterns. Located in the heart of the restaurant, a cozy seated bar adds to its charm, made of marble flute imported from Morocco. ZURI will also have a semi-private, 20-seat dining room with views of the open kitchen and outdoor seating.
ZURI is open for dinner service Wednesday through Sunday from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m., with bar hours extended to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. ZURI is located at 73 NW 26th St, Miami, FL.
Photo Credit: Jordan Frey
Thanksgiving Eve at Joliet
Miami Beach’s favorite seafood bistro is inviting friends and families to celebrate Thanksgiving one day early. On Wednesday, November 22, Joliet will offer a specialThanksgiving Eve Dinner Menu and Happy Hour specials all night (standard happy hour offerings). Priced at $65 per person and $80 per person with a wine pairing, the menu features three courses including dessert. Guests can enjoy appetizers such as Fried Green Tomato, frisee salad, remoulade, pickled tomato; and Turkey Gumbo,shrimp, andouille, carolina gold rice. The main course features a delectable Turkey Dinner, smoked oyster dressing, candied yams, wild mushroom green bean casserole, hot honey cornbread, satsuma cranberry sauce, and gravy. A Pumpkin Pie Bread Pudding with pecan praline, gelato, and rye dulce de leche is available for dessert.
Photo Credit: Patrick Michael Chin
Cookies & Coquito at The Commodore
In an exciting collaboration with local influencer @chatchowtv’s Gio Gutierrez, The Commodore presents a sensational Coquito and Cookies special menu that promises to elevate your holiday experience. For just $18, guests can enjoy a glass of festive coquito creations, each artfully paired with three mini gourmet cookies.
Savor the exquisite Mexican Rompope with Patron Repo tequila, expertly complemented by delightful Mexican wedding cookies. Delight your palate with the Cuban Crema de Vie featuring Havana Club Blanco rum, perfectly paired with delectable Torticas de moron cookies. Indulge in American Eggnog with Angels Envy bourbon and D’USSÉ cognac, served with chewy Gingerbread cookies. Finally, savor the Puerto Rican Coquito blended with Bacardi Ocho rum, accompanied by enchanting Mantecaditos cookies. The special Cookies & Coquito menu will be offered daily from December 1 – 31st.
Maty’s x Shake Shack Collaboration
In celebration of Miami’s most artistic time of the year, Shake Shack is teaming up with acclaimed recipients of Food & Wine’s 2023 Best New Chefs, Valerie and Nando Chang of Maty’s and Itamae, and well-known mural artist Eric Junker to bring Shake Shack’s first-ever Miami Art Week culinary collaboration!
From December 5-6, Shake Shack will be hosting a two-night takeover at Maty’s featuring a special curated menu that blends Shake Shack’s signature flavors with the Changs’ Nikkei-Peruvian style of cooking for a one-of-a-kind, Miami Art Week-exclusive menu. Menu highlights include:
– Maty’s Shack, a Shake Shack’s beef blend topped with cheese, Huachano-style pork sausage, fried egg, onion, and rocoto mayonnaise
– Huancaína Cheese Fries featuring Shake Shack crinkle cut fries topped with Maty’s signature huancaína
– Chicha Lemonade made with Shack-made lemonade combined with Maty’s signature chicha lemonade
– Lucuma and Brownie Shake featuring vanilla custard, lucuma, fudge brownie and cocoa nib, topped with whipped cream, fudge sauce and a brownie crumble.
In addition to culinary delights, guests can partake in an immersive art installation created by artist collaborator, Eric Junker, where guests can leave their mark alongside the artist.
Throughout both nights, attendees can channel their inner artists and leave an imprint on lifesize mural installations highlighting Junker’s psychedelic, nature-pop mural designs inspired by the Shake Shack X Maty’s menu. The collaboration between Shake Shack and Junker comes as the capstone to their latest venture: the upcoming revamp of Shake Shack’s canned wines, now adorned with Eric’s distinctive artwork. These creatively designed cans are currently rolling out to Shake Shack locations nationwide. In the heart of Miami during Art Basel, Shake Shack is thrilled to shine a spotlight on Eric’s captivating work and seamlessly intertwine his artistic talent with the exciting partnership with Maty’s.
The collaboration between Shake Shack and Junker comes as the capstone to their latest venture: the upcoming revamp of Shake Shack’s canned wines, now adorned with Eric’s distinctive artwork. These creatively designed cans are currently rolling out to Shake Shack locations nationwide. In the heart of Miami during MIami Art Week, Shake Shack is thrilled to shine a spotlight on Eric’s captivating work and seamlessly intertwine his artistic talent with the exciting partnership with Maty’s.
Ticket admission to the collaboration is priced at $40 per person and includes the full collaboration food menu, a Shack canned wine, access to the art experience and an exclusive piece of artwork by Eric Junker himself. As a part of Shake Shack’s larger mission to stand for Something Good®, a percentage of ticket proceeds will support Food Rescue South Florida in its efforts to combat hunger and support local food banks.
To purchase tickets to the Maty’s X Shake Shack experience, visit https://matysshakeshack.splashthat.com/.