August 8, 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.
New Summer Lunch Menu at Contessa Miami
Coming Soon: Mi Chini
Now Open: Lily’s Handmade Ice Cream
New Summer Lunch Menu at Contessa Miami
Contessa Miami—Major Food Group’s widely celebrated Northern Italian concept that blends timeless tradition with modern touches in the Miami Design District—has launched its new Summer Prix-Fixe Lunch Menu.
Available now, Contessa Miami’s elegant three-course, prix fixe lunch is offered Monday through Friday for $49 per person. Set within a two-story space inspired by the old-world sophistication of Northern Italy, the restaurant evokes the glamour of Lake Como in the 1960s, complete with high-gloss teak woodwork reminiscent of classic Riva yachts and a menu that reimagines timeless Italian cuisine.
Guests begin with standout first-course selections like Whipped Ricotta, Tonnato Crudo, or Burrata Caprese, followed by mains including Fusilli Genovese, Branzino Portofino, and Rigatoni Bolognese. For dessert, the final course features a choice of Crostata di Limone, Crema Inglese, or Gelato del Giorno.
Coming Soon: Mi Chini
From the inventive duo behind Phuc Yea, Chef Cesar Zapata and Aniece Meinhold, comes Mi Chini Cocktail Bar, a secretive, sultry lounge tucked just behind Phuc Yea and waiting to lure you in. Opening to the public on August 16, Mi Chini invites guests to step into an immersive, late-night escape where Latin soul meets Asian flair, sound drives the scene, and guests can indulge in bold cocktails and flirty, shareable plates.
Mi Chini is not just a bar, it’s an experience. Open Thursday through Saturday from 8 PM to 1AM, this intimate hideaway is built for cocktail lovers, conversation seekers, and anyone who knows that a good night always starts with the right soundtrack. Drawing inspiration from salsa vieja, golden-era hip hop, disco, R&B, and deep house, the playlist is an intentional throwback to grooves that move, nothing short of sexy, and all of it dripping with rhythm, nostalgia, and soul.
Designed within a striking mid-century building with soaring 14-foot ceilings, Mi Chini exudes lush elegance with a touch of retro rebellion. A glowing 10-foot marble bar anchors the space with seating for eight, accompanied by high tops and tables for up to 18 guests.
The design marries clean architectural lines with tropical abundance: vibrant greenery, lacquered surfaces, and curated art that blends Asian iconography with Latin pop culture in cheeky, stylish harmony. Lighting is kept deliberately low, neon signs reflect off glossy green tiles, casting a seductive glow that encourages lingering conversations and maybe even stolen moments in the shadows.
In true Phuc Yea fashion, the food and drink offerings are anything but an afterthought. Designed for shared discovery by Chef Cesar, Mi Chini’s menu unveils playful, craveable small bites served on distinctive gold plates, thoughtfully crafted to complement the bar’s bold and balanced cocktails, inspired by Miami’s blend of flavors. Highlights will include Colombian Empanadas with Aji Nước Chấm, PY Egg Noodles & Champagne Sauce, and Dirty Tots with Caviar, each bringing a vibrant, high-energy twist to the late-night bite.
Cocktails at Mi Chini are as layered and expressive as the space itself. The bar program blends tropical, herbal, and aromatic elements with rare spirits and unexpected ingredients to create drinks that are balanced, soulful, and full of edge. Expect riffs on classics made with pandan, yuzu, lychee, passion fruit and more, each crafted to match the moody, cinematic tone of the room.
Elevating the atmosphere even further, Mi Chini’s live music programming will be curated by none other than Gamal “LunchMoney” Lewis, a Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, and producer born and raised in Miami. Known for his global hit “Bills” and collaborations with top artists like Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Lil Durk, and J. Cole, LunchMoney brings a deeply personal and uniquely Miami sound to the space.
Now Open: Lily’s Handmade Ice Cream
Lily’s Handmade Ice Cream officially opened its doors in North Miami Beach this past Friday. Voted #1 Best Ice Cream in South Florida by the Sun-Sentinel , Lily’s is a true family affair, run by the Gilinsky family (Ronen, with sons Ori and Tal) who built the shop from scratch with passion, persistence, and a true love for America’s sweetest summer indulgence.
To kick off the celebration, on opening day the first 100 guests will receive a free scoop of ice cream. The festivities continue all weekend long with a special giveaway where guests who sign up for the Lily’s Rewards Program in-store or online on Saturday, August 9 will be entered to win free ice cream for a year!
Known for their focus on creativity and quality, Lily’s offers a diverse and playful menu that highlights both classic and unique flavors. Each batch is made fresh in-house using all-natural ingredients, with no preservatives or artificial flavors. Like the Delray location, the North Miami Beach store will feature the brand’s 12 signature flavors alongside four rotating flavors that change monthly, offering customers something new to try every time.
Celebrating the opening, Lily’s has partnered with well-known local celebrities for killer August flavor collaborations, including TV icon Belkys Nerey of WSVN Fox 7; radio legend Paul Castronovo of WBGG 105.9 FM and social media influencers Mike Zein and Max Jenkins. These limited edition flavors reflect the bold personalities behind them and will be available exclusively for the month of August.