February 14, 2025
Each Friday, we try to 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.
Salt + Ash Opens in the Florida Keys
Introducing D’s Sports Bar
Coming Soon to Dadeland: Fogo de Chão
Now Open: La Cañita Kendall
Salt + Ash Opens in the Florida Keys
Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford, whose Miami Beach restaurant Stubborn Seed holds a Michelin star, is bringing his talents to the Florida Keys with the launch of his signature restaurant, Salt + Ash, at the newly renovated Hawks Cay Resort. This brand-new concept, Ford’s first in the island chain, serves as the culinary centerpiece of the iconic resort, offering elevated farm-to-table and fresh-from-the-sea American cuisine.
Salt + Ash brings Chef Jeremy Ford’s love of foraging and farming to life with a serene seaside design of sandy hues and seafoam greens. Designed by NYC-based Celano Design Studio Co., the 4,000-square-foot space features a modern beach house aesthetic that celebrates the restaurant’s unique octagonal structure. Surrounding a striking wood-fire oven, which sits center stage between two white-washed wood arches, are found objects, sculptural pottery, cookbooks, and farm photos that create a personal touch.
Above, a custom largescale mural by AgenCe on white and seafoam green tiles features sketches of fruits and vegetables grown on Ford’s farm. A handcrafted 15-globe capiz shell chandelier and lighted mother of pearl shell arches add warmth, while guests dine indoors beneath exposed white-washed wood beams or outdoors on the 40-seat covered patio. Completing the thoughtful design, each table is set with handcrafted ceramics by Ford’s niece, Bree Cisco, adding a personal touch to the dining experience.
Emphasizing freshness and sustainability, the menu showcases Ford’s innovative approach to coastal cuisine, featuring seafood sourced from nearby waterways and seasonal produce cultivated from Ford’s Farm, chef’s five-and-a-half acre eco-friendly plot in South Miami’s Redlands.
Salt + Ash’s snacks and starters include Truffle Jalapeño Fritters, Cacio e Pepe Puffs, and Crunchy Truffle Bravas. The entrées section features Crispy Local Snapper, Steak Frites, and Olive Oil Poached Atlantic Swordfish. To complement the meal, Fried Polenta Bites, Whole Charred Cauliflower, and Jerk Carrots are signature side dishes.
The Raw Bar program showcases the freshest seafood with grand plateaus featuring oysters, Key West shrimp, and tuna-coconut ceviche. The wood-fired pizza bar offers creative combinations such as Charred Maitake with king trumpet and oyster mushrooms and Florida Clam & Farm Zucchini with andouille sausage. The dessert menu highlights Ford’s Carrot Cake Tres Leches, a Honeycrisp Apple Tart, and a decadent Chocolate Lava Cake.
Salt + Ash serves dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, with the bar remaining open until 11:00 pm. Reservations are strongly recommended for all guests. For parties of 8 or more and non-hotel guests, reservations are required. Photo Credit: Michael Pisarri
Introducing D’s Sports Bar
Gioia Hospitality Group (GHG) is proud to announce the opening of D’s Sports Bar, South Florida’s new high-end destination sports bar set to open on Thursday, February 20th. The latest venture from GHG is designed to be the ultimate haven for sports enthusiasts and food lovers alike, offering a refined comfort food menu and premium viewing experiences.
Located next door to Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse, D’s Sports Bar is the sister venue to the acclaimed restaurant that opened in fall 2024. Helmed by Thomas Angelo and his daughter Kassidy, along with Culinary Director Danny Ganem and Wine & Beverage Director Daniel Bishop, the entire team at D’s Sports Bar shares a passion for exceptional food and hospitality, as well as South Florida’s professional and collegiate teams.
The menu at D’s brings a sophisticated culinary approach to classic sports bar fare, featuring a blend of elevated comfort food and Italian-American favorites all prepared with top-tier ingredients. Signature sandwiches include Daniel’s Double Patty Smash Burger with double-cut bacon and Florida Tomme cheese on milk bread; the French Dip Steak Sandwich with provolone and onion au jus; and the Crispy Hog Fish Sandwich with blackened aioli and fennel slaw. For starters, guests can enjoy Provolone Arancini, Crispy Mozzarella with marinara, Wagyu Meatballs and Loaded Nachos. Entrées range from Wagyu Denver Steak Frites to Grilled Mahi Tacos to Cavatelli Della Nonna in a rich arrabbiata sauce. Along with fresh salads and wings, guests can indulge in crave-worthy sides like the Cacio E Pepe Tater Tots and finish with desserts like homemade pies or a decadent Brownie Sundae.
GHG is also deeply committed to sourcing ingredients from Florida-based producers, and this dedication is reflected in many dishes on the menu. You’ll find Wagyu beef from Suwannee River Wagyu, cheese from Hawthorne Creamery, tomatoes and lettuce from both Tiny and Swank Farms, and fresh seafood, such as Florida Hogfish and local Mahi, all contributing to a menu that supports local partners and highlights the best the state has to offer.
D’s beverage program complements the culinary experience with a thoughtfully curated selection of craft cocktails, beers, wines and seltzers. Signature cocktails include the Smoked Old Fashioned, made with Fiola Cask Bourbon, and the refreshing Eastside Gimlet. Beer lovers will enjoy draft selections from local brewers like Gulfstream Brewing Company and Funky Buddha, while a variety of locally sourced seltzers offer a crisp and refreshing option to pair with any dish.
D’s Sports Bar is located at 620 S. Federal Highway, unit 1, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33301 and will be open Thursday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday and Monday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Photo Credit: The Louis Collection
Coming Soon to Dadeland: Fogo de Chão
Fogo de Chão, the internationally-renowned restaurant from Brazil known for its elevated churrasco dining experience, is set to open its third Miami location on Monday, February 17 at 8815 SW 72nd Place. The restaurant will be located in Downtown Dadeland, a premier dining and shopping destination directly across from the Dadeland Mall featuring a mixed-use retail and residential community. As part of their introduction to the community, Fogo will donate 10% of its first week of sales to Feeding South Florida, an organization that provides hunger relief throughout the Miami area and beyond.
Designed in partnership with global design agency Harrison, the new restaurant features an expansive dining room centered around an open churrasco grill, offering guests a 360-degree view of gaucho chefs demonstrating the Culinary Art of Churrasco by butchering, hand carving, and grilling high-quality cuts of protein, creating a craveable salty bark. The Dadeland restaurant also showcases a seasonal Market Table, dry-aged meat lockers for in-house aging, a lively indoor Bar Fogo area ideal for all-day happy hour, and private dining spaces available for guests to reserve for any occasion.
Leading the Dadeland team is General Manager Rangel Savi, a 14-year veteran of Fogo who most recently served as General Manager of the Miami Beach location. Rangel and his team look forward to becoming part of the Dadeland community and providing over 100 local jobs for talented individuals committed to delivering an exceptional experience to all guests.
Fire-roasted cuts, the core of Fogo’s experience, include guest favorites such as Bone-In Ribeye, Lamb Chops and the house specialty Picanha — the prime part of the top sirloin. Fogo Dadeland offers a variety of menu selections and prices to fit guests’ needs, including:
Full Churrasco Experience — The signature prix-fixe menu selection that includes all premium and classic cuts, plus the fresh and seasonal Market Table & Feijoada Bar and authentic Brazilian side dishes.
One Churrasco Cut Experience — For a lighter meal, dinner guests can opt for continuous service of one fire-roasted cut in addition to the Market Table and Brazilian side dishes for $39/person.
Weekday Lunch — Includes the seasonal Market Table & Feijoada Bar, plus family-style service of Brazilian side dishes for $18 per person. Guests may choose to add a single cut of fire-roasted meat or have the Full Churrasco Experience.
Weekend Brazilian Brunch — Includes the Full Churrasco Experience combined with Brazilian-inspired brunch items like Braised Beef Rib Hash and made-to-order waffle and omelet stations.
A dining experience for all ages, children six and under enjoy complimentary dining at Fogo Dadeland, and ages seven to twelve dine at half-price for the Full Churrasco Experience.
Now Open: La Cañita Kendall
Born from the vision of Miami’s top food and beverage icons – James Beard Award-winning Chef Michelle Bernstein and restaurateur David Martinez, the culinary power couple behind several of Miami’s beloved hotspots including Cafe La Trova, Sweet Liberty & newly opened Sra. Martinez, La Cañita is the spirited new flagship restaurant and bar now open at Palms at Town & Country. Located in the heart of Kendall, the concept – developed and designed in partnership with industry veterans Davide Borgia and Orestes Pajon – features a bold, flavorful menu of Latin-Caribbean staples and innovative specialties, and is also home to a top-notch bar program and a vibrant ambiance anchored by bright colors and lively music. More than just a dining destination, La Cañita embodies the essence of South Florida.
The name, La Cañita, which translates to “little sugarcane” in Spanish reflects the heart and soul of the restaurant. It embodies its vibrant essence and rich backstory honoring the menu’s bold and exciting flavors while paying tribute to the spirited rum culture throughout the islands, from Cuba and Jamaica to Haiti, Puerto Rico and points between. To that end, La Cañita offers an extensive drink menu with expertly crafted cocktails. Highlights include a classic Mojito made with four-year Flor de Caña, lime, sugar, mint, soda, and bitters; the Margarita Queen featuring Patron El Cielo, Grand Marnier, lime and salted air foam; and the Cacao Negroni crafted with Mijenta Reposado, Cascara Vermouth, Campari and Creme de Cacao, among other tempting libations.
Created by none other than Miami culinary icon, Chef Michelle Bernstein, the vibrant menu features dishes that showcase Latin and Caribbean cuisine along with influences from Central and South America. Diners can find a wide variety of unique and delicious dishes on the menu including Croquetas and Empanadas to start, along with Conch Fritters dusted with powdered sugar, key lime dipping sauce; Mixed Seafood Ceviche with sweet potato and cancha; and Pork Belly glazed with citrus-bourbon BBQ. Entrée highlights include Potato Gnocchi Carbonara with crunchy prosciutto, roast tomatoes; Caribbean Bouillabaisse prepared with sofrito, shrimp, fish, calamari and shellfish, lime and chilies; Lechon Asado with steamed yuca, chicharrones and mojo de ajo; and Churrasco Ropa Vieja served with arroz, frijoles and platanos maduros.
“La Cañita’s expansion has been years in the making and we are so excited to bring its full vision to life in Kendall,” says partner David Martinez, who co-owns the concept with Chef Bernstein, Davide Borgia and Orestes Pajon. “We first introduced La Cañita in 2021 with a smaller, streamlined version at Miami’s Bayside Marketplace which quickly became a local favorite. Now, we’re thrilled to bring the new flagship location to Palms at Town & Country and to give guests an exciting, fun experience that showcases the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean, not just from Cuba and Puerto Rico, but also Haiti and all of the amazing cultures that contribute to the local flavor of Miami.”
Located at 8405 Mills Drive, Suite 203, La Cañita Kendall seats close to 180 people between the al fresco patio, spacious dining room, private dining area and buzzing bar. The work of Locus Architecture and featuring a stunning interior design curated by Chef Michelle Bernstein’s sister, Nicolette Bernstein, the 5,434 square-foot restaurant space echoes the look and feel of an island-kissed rum distillery, sure to evoke feelings of seaside escape in the heart of Miami-Dade County.