March 8, 2024
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.
Zuma Miami Revamps Brunch
La Màrtola Opens in Buena Vista
Old School Bar Takeover at Sugarcane
New Brunch Collab at Hutong
Zuma Miami Revamps Brunch
Nestled in the heart of Downtown Miami, Zuma Miami, located in the Epic Hotel, unveils its revamped brunch menu that promises an unparalleled dining experience. Set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Miami River, guests indulge in a contemporary Japanese izakaya feast with a panoramic view of passing boats and yachts.
The revamped brunch options cater to diverse preferences, featuring the Classic Menu at $98 per person, Champagne Pairing at $128, Rosé Pairing at $148, and the opulent Dom Pérignon Pairing at $328. Each option includes a newly introduced welcome caviar tin, thoughtfully crafted cocktails, mocktails or a selection of wine and sake, snacks, access to the buffet, and a delectable hot dish. Children are warmly welcomed with a specially curated $58 menu comprising snacks and buffet delights.
The snack menu boasts enticing options like edamame, rock shrimp tempura, and miso soup, while the hot dishes include Grilled Chilean Seabass, Spicy Beef Tenderloin, and Yakisoba Noodles, with tempting upgrades like A5 Wagyu steak and Half Roasted Lobster with shiso ponzu butter. The buffet spread encompasses the sushi bar, raw bar, robata station, and a live cooking station featuring the acclaimed Kamameshi Mushroom Rice Hotpot with wild mushrooms and black truffle.
To culminate this gastronomic journey, Zuma’s newly revealed Amai Amai Room, will showcase a dessert selection with options including a chocolate fountain, cakes, shaved ice, mochis and more.
La Màrtola Opens in Buena Vista
Now open, steps away from the Miami Design District in the Buena Vista Neighborhood, La Màrtola brings a unique and vibrant dining experience and sought-after destination for food and wine enthusiasts. Situated at 4702 NE 2nd Ave, La Màrtola draws inspiration from the culinary treasures of the Italian, French, and Spanish Rivieras, celebrating the simplicity of ingredients and the quality of coastal foods, through a creative lens into traditional flavors.
Cultivated by a passion for exceptional food and beverage, La Màrtola is spearheaded by esteemed partners: food and beverage impresario Paolo Domeneghetti and internationally recognized La Filiale owner, Martino de Rosa. Hailing from New York City and Italy, respectively, both have come together to bring the European philosophy of generous, warm hospitality to Buena Vista. This philosophy not only tantalizes the taste buds but also captures the heart and soul, inspiring guests to savor the beauty of life through an exceptional meal shared with family and friends.
A sanctuary where guests are encouraged to celebrate and indulge, La Màrtola redefines the simplicity of the culinary landscape. Meals are filled with aromas from the Stefano Ferrara wood-fired pizza oven and custom-made wood grill by Grillworks with a gently illuminated open-air setting reminiscent of the coast of Saint Tropez, Marbella, or Portofino.
At La Màrtola, the dining experience is relaxed, inviting guests to explore the menu with comfort. Ice-cold Farm-Fresh Oysters perfectly set the stage for signature selections like Orata Crudo with Ciliegini tomatoes & Taggiasca olives, and Bluefin Akami Tuna Tartare with Mediterranean gin, grapefruit & orange brilliantly combined with traditional plates like Lobster Salad or Paleta Ibérica con Chips.
Delving deeper into the menu, the masterfully grilled Turbot and the Bistecca Fiorentina deliver exceptional simplicity. Presented family-style, these dishes capture the aura of this oasis. Alongside house specialties like Olive Ascolane, Fried Cremini, and Farm-Fresh Heirloom Tomatoes, La Màrtola delivers the pleasure guests will crave.
La Filiale is at the helm of La Màrtola’s pizza program, presenting an array of Neapolitan-style pizzas ranging from the simple elegance of the Libretto to the rich depths of the Carbonara, the vibrant spicy flavors of the Vesuvio, and the creativity of the Portonovo. Each pizza is a testament to the art of pizza making, featuring ingredients freshly imported from Naples and a secret, naturally fermented ‘impasto’ prepared in-house daily.
La Màrtola’s wine list features select categories highlighting the menu: Champagne, Burgundy, Barolo, Rosé, and a “pocket list” showcasing special bottlings from winemaker “Friends of La Màrtola”. Cocktails include a variety of signature and classic drinks, as well as aromatic and herbal spritzes, using local and natural ingredients.
Old School Bar Takeover at Sugarcane
In honor of their 14th year as Midtown’s favorite neighborhood dining destination, Sugarcane is taking it old school and inviting their OG bartender crew to return for an exclusive bar takeover event from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 10.
Known for serving up modern American fare including raw bar, burgers, sushi, salads, bottomless brunch, lunch and dinner in a lively, welcoming space, Sugarcane’s quest is to celebrate the simple pleasures in life—eating well and celebrating with friends—to vibrant life.
Prepare for a lively afternoon filled with familiar faces, live DJ, and signature libations with Uncle Nearest whiskey served up by Sugarcane’s original mixologists from back in the day including Jamal Giles, Katie Rajsich, Karl Lipscomb, Joseph Jebbalean, Andrea Steevens, and Nick Breen.
Photo Credit: Matt James
New Brunch Collab at Hutong
This month, contemporary Northern Chinese restaurant and bar Hutong has introduced new, limited-time brunch menu items in collaboration with food blogger, best-selling author, and Food Network host Molly Yeh of Girl Meets Farm. Throughout March, diners can taste Molly’s dishes during Hutong’s popular weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00pm – 3:00pm.
A portion of the proceeds from Molly’s dishes will benefit The Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU). To continue support for FIU, Hutong and Molly recently teamed up to co-host the sold-out Champagne Dim Sum Brunch on Sunday, February 25th, 2024 during the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One.
Carrot Baos – Molly’s vegan homemade carrot steamed buns are made with delicious, pillow-y, soft buns that explode with flavor. The filling includes carrots paired with teriyaki, rice vinegar, peanuts, scallions, and a drizzle of sriracha for a delicious salty, sweet, and nutty combination.
Jianbing-ish – Inspired by a trip to Shanghai, Molly created her take on this popular Chinese street cart breakfast. The jianbing is a giant savory crepe (similar to a pancake) made in a skillet and topped with an egg. The crepe is folded and rolled with scallions and ham, and is served with a flavorful dipping sauce made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sambal oelek (chilli paste).
In addition to these new menu offerings, diners can enjoy Hutong’s a la carte brunch offerings, such as the restaurant’s globally-recognized, exquisite dim sum selection, where traditional flavors meet innovative culinary techniques. Highlights include the Truffle Mushroom Bao, Prawn & Black Truffle Dumplings, Pan-Seared Ginger Lobster Bao, Yu Xiang Crispy Pork Dumplings, and Wagyu Beef Millefeuille. Additional a la carte stand-out selections include Hutong’s Halibut Red Star Noodles, Ma La Chilli Prawns, Zhen Jiang Pork Ribs, Sanchen Spiced Chili Chicken, Sichuan-Style Lobster, Mapo Tofu, Dan Dan Noodles, and more.
Of course, no Northern Chinese menu would be complete without Peking Duck. Hutong’s Roasted Peking Duck is delicately carved at the table. The whole duck is carefully prepared for 24 hours using a traditional recipe said to have been developed over one hundred years ago for the Emperor, making the duck crispy on the outside while the meat remains moist, tender and flavorful. For Sunday brunch, diners can choose from a half or whole duck served in two stages – first with pancakes and second with lettuce cups.