June 6, 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.
Cleo Debuts in Miami Beach
Wabi Sabi Evolves Into Midorie
New Bottomless Brunch at Suviche
Chop Steakhouse Comes to Coconut Grove
Cleo Debuts in Miami Beach
Cleo, a new dining destination where vibrant Eastern Mediterranean cuisine meets modern flavors, has officially opened at the Balfour in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood. The restaurant captivates diners with a unique blend of Old World cooking techniques and a warm, homey atmosphere meant for sharing stories, laughter and memorable meals. This exciting new addition to Miami Beach’s dining scene features a “mezze-style” menu where familiar, shareable dishes are elevated by contemporary presentation.
Cleo is led by award-winning Executive Chef Camila Olarte, who has more than 15 years of culinary experience crafting globally inspired dishes that captivate diners. She has previously held positions at top-rated restaurants such as Los Fuegos by Francis Mallman, The Surf Club Restaurant by Thomas Keller, and Napa Valley’s prestigious three-Michelin-starred restaurant, The French Laundry. Olarte’s passion for cooking began in a lively household where the dining table was the heart of the home. This led to her formal training at Gato Dumas, Colombia’s leading culinary school, and Le Cordon Bleu in Lima, Peru, where she graduated with top honors.
Cleo invites guests to gather around wholesome, family-style dishes inspired by the cuisines of Greece, the Levant and Morocco. The culinary journey begins with house-baked Jou Jou Pita Bread served with signature Miza Dips, such as smoky Moutabel, made with char-grilled aubergine, tahini and lemon juice topped with fresh pomegranate seeds, and Walnut Muhammara, featuring hot peppers, tomatoes, walnuts and pomegranate molasses.
As the meal unfolds, diners are invited to savor a generous spread of colorful mezze, including Spicy Cigars (crispy brick pastries filled with spiced lamb and labneh) and shareable plates such as Butcher’s Lamb Köfte and Wagyu Beef Skirt Steak Kebabs. For those who appreciate seafood, Cleo offers the standout Grilled Branzino, which perfectly encapsulates the fresh tastes of the Mediterranean Sea. The menu also features artisanal cuts of meat, which beckon guests to settle in for long, leisurely lunches that effortlessly extend into evenings. Mediterranean-inspired desserts like the Baklava Tower and Pomegranate Granita offer a sweet finish.
Cleo also serves standout breakfast options, including Nutella French Toast prepared with brioche bread, cornflakes and Greek yogurt; Turkish Eggs, featuring chili oil and a manchego cheese toastie; and the Mediterranean Breakfast, featuring soft eggs and house-baked flatbreads alongside savory spreads and seasonal vegetables (best served with Cleo’s house-blend tea).
Cleo’s beverage program complements its food menus with bright and refreshing cocktails, imported and local beers, and a wide selection of wines. Inspired by three coasts of the Mediterranean Sea – France, Italy and Spain – the 3 Coasts Martini mixes French vodka, Italian aromatized wine, and Spanish sherry washed with Greek olive oil and is garnished with olives from each region.
The Que Syrah Syrah, a spiced twist on sangria, combines wild strawberry cordial, pink peppercorns and Syrah for a delectable sip, while the Basbousa Ramos reimagines the classic Ramos Gin Fizz with flavors of the classic North African dessert combined with Amalfi lemon, saffron, almond and coconut.
Located at 350 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, Cleo offers breakfast daily from 8:30 a.m. to noon and lunch from noon to 3 p.m., with happy hour mezzes and drinks available at the restaurant bar, dining room, exterior terrace and tropical poolside courtyard from 3-6 p.m. Dinner is served Sunday through Thursday from 5-10 p.m. and extended until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Wabi Sabi Evolves Into Midorie
Wabi Sabi, the original high-quality sushi and donburi bowl spot from APM Restaurant Group—the place where it all began on 79th Street in Miami’s Upper East Side—will close for a week in July for light renovations and then unveil its refreshed look as Midorie. The refreshed space will introduce a dedicated Temaki Bar, offering guests an immersive dining experience inspired by Japanese tradition.
At the counter, diners can indulge in a Temaki Omakase, where skilled chefs craft an array of hand rolls (temaki) tailored to their preferences. True to the omakase format, the chefs will continue serving their selections until guests signal they’ve had their fill. For those seeking a more casual experience, temaki will also be available à la carte, with prices starting at $14.
Since opening in Coconut Grove in 2023, Midorie has maintained an almost identical core concept and menu as Wabi Sabi which opened in 2018. As APM expands Midorie outside Miami, including a new West Palm Beach location set to open in Fall 2025, the team is streamlining the name while keeping the essence that loyal local fans have come to love.
To celebrate the rebrand and fresh look, Midorie will introduce stunning new Omakase takeout boxes—perfect for enjoying the same incredible experience at home, on a yacht, at a business meeting, or anywhere you choose. The smaller “Omakase Bento” box ($105) is designed for individual indulgence, including a chef’s choice 12-piece Omakase and a maki roll of your choice. The larger “Omakase Party” feeds 4-6 and features four 12-piece Omakases and four temaki (hand rolls), wrapped in special Japanese packaging to keep the nori ultra crispy.
Both boxes showcase a commitment to quality and authentic presentation, including imported Japanese Nori for optimal crunch and the restaurant’s strict policy of importing only the highest quality fish, daily from Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market.
Photo Credit: James Jackman
New Bottomless Brunch at Suviche
SuViche is bringing bold flavor to the weekend with its brand new bottomless brunch at its Wynwood and Doral locations. Offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 11AM until 3PM, the brunch menu features $18 bottomless sangria, mimosas and bloody marys.
The food menu offers SuViche’s signature mix of Japanese and Peruvian flavors from fresh ceviches and sushi rolls to classic brunch dishes with a twist. New brunch highlights include: the SuViche Benedict with poached eggs, panko crab cake, cilantro hollandaise, avocado, truffle yuzu and spicy mayo; Pork Belly Hash with pork belly, fried eggs, cilantro sauce, escabeche sauce served with rustic potatoes; TNT Toast with fresh salmon, avocado mash, sourdough, cream cheese, eel sauce and torched spicy mayo; and Chicken and Camote Waffles with panko fried all-natural chicken, sweet potato waffle and rocoto maple syrup.
Chop Steakhouse Comes to Coconut Grove
Chop Steakhouse & Bar, one of Canada’s most celebrated staples for its premium dining experience and expansive menu, will make its highly anticipated U.S. debut in Miami’s Coconut Grove in June, at 3015 Grand Ave.
Set in the heart of one of Miami’s most dynamic neighborhoods, Chop offers a modern take on the classic steakhouse — delivering top-tier steaks, fresh seafood, handcrafted cocktails, standout offerings for brunch and happy hour and a social atmosphere with that unmistakable South Floridian flair. With its show-stopping island bar, covered outdoor seating and private dining spaces, Chop is designed to be an everyday destination, fusing modern textures and inviting warmth to create an elevated yet effortlessly welcoming environment.
Chop goes beyond the traditional steakhouse experience by offering a menu that caters to a wide range of tastes while still delivering an exceptional steak selection. Featuring USDA Prime cuts like the signature Tomahawk, Chop competes with the best in fine dining, yet sets itself apart with diverse options. The menu boasts elevated shareables and raw bar favorites like Ahi Tuna Tataki, freshly shucked oysters and Beef Tartare, alongside house specialties such as the Miso-Glazed Sea Bass and Wild Mushroom Risotto.
For lighter fare, guests can enjoy offerings like the Chop Burger, Chicken Avocado BLT and Mediterranean Bowl. Standout craft cocktails include the Truffle Martini and Clase Azul Negroni, along with indulgent house-made desserts like the Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
Chop Steakhouse hosts weekday Happy Hours, running Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., featuring $5 draft beers, $10 select wines and $12 handcrafted cocktails that pair perfectly with small plates like the $2 oysters, Chili Garlic Shrimp or savory Bruschetta. On Tuesdays, guests can also enjoy half-price bottles of wine –– making Chop the ultimate midweek indulgence.