October 10, 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.
Wok Star Supper Club at Paya
Now Open: Lakou
Nightmare on 8th Street at The Dead Flamingo
New Dinner Menu at JARANA
Wok Star Supper Club at Paya
Eleanor Hoh, aka the Wok Star, is bringing her Wok Star Supper Club to Paya with Chef Niven Patel, James Beard Award nominee and four-time semifinalist for Best Chef: South. On Sunday, October 26 at 6 p.m., guests will experience a one-night-only, a 3-course dinner with 10 dishes celebrating the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean and Southeast Asia.
The dinner will be served family-style, a nod to Asian dining traditions that spark conversation and connection around the table. Guests requested to linger after dinner for cocktails and a deeper conversation. At Paya, the poolside patio and bar is the perfect setup.
Paya’s vibrant setting—with tropical palms, a raw bar, and a cozy dining room opening onto an outdoor patio—sets the stage for this cultural mash-up. Chef Niven will showcase peak-season farm ingredients such as mangoes, chilies, and tomatoes, all sourced directly from his Rancho Patel farm. For Mo Alkassar, Paya is his way of giving back to a community who has embraced him since his arrival in South Beach.
Seating is very limited and early reservations are strongly recommended.
Now Open: Lakou
Lakou (pronounced lah-koo) named after the Haitian-Creole word meaning “a small village built around a shared yard”, brings the beat to Little Haiti. Drawing from the rich traditions of Haiti and blending them with Miami’s contemporary, energetic spirit, Lakou comes to life as a “shared backyard” where food, art, music and wellness converge.
More than a venue, it serves as a cultural heartbeat for the city, an open and friendly space where locals and visitors can embrace their most authentic selves while celebrating the artistry, heritage and community spirit that make Little Haiti so special. Lakou is designed for everyone, from food lovers and music enthusiasts to travelers and families seeking a genuine Miami experience.
Tucked in the heart of Little Haiti, Lakou is a colorful, tropical retreat ideal for hosting small gatherings to large events. Guests walk past historic murals that line the street before stepping through a welcoming gate featuring the Lakou name and its iconic Mapou tree logo – a powerful symbol of strength.
Inside, it feels like stepping into your own backyard: palm trees and lush greenery frame the space, walls are adorned with Haitian-inspired artwork, striped umbrellas provide shade, while bright pink domino tables and yellow lounge seating surround a laid-back bar – together creating a joyful, open atmosphere. As the sun sets, the space seamlessly transforms from a serene daytime escape into an energetic nighttime destination.
Lakou loves to eat, too. As part of its commitment to collaborating with Haitian-owned businesses and talented chefs such as Chef Nadege Fleurimond of BunNan and Chef Davidson Destinoble, Lakou is cultivating ongoing culinary partnerships, with more on the way. The venue brings a dynamic mix of Haitian and Caribbean-inspired dishes to the space. The evolving menu celebrates the region’s rich culinary traditions while offering modern interpretations that highlight creativity, culture and community.
Lakou’s in-house bar program, curated by Miami-born Mixologist Joseph Jebelean, offers a lineup of innovative, island-inspired cocktails complemented by a selection of wine, beer and soft drinks. At the bar, cocktails serve as both refreshment and cultural storytelling. The menu pairs English-to-Haitian Creole translations with names rich in meaning.
Signature sips include: the Hibiscus cocktail – Choublak Paradi – a vibrant expression of flavor and tradition that translates to “hibiscus paradise,” and the Zo Punch, which playfully nods to the idea “a zo punch will knock you out” while also celebrating Haitian identity and drawing inspiration from Little Haiti’s history and cultural vibrancy. Alongside its full cocktail program, Lakou offers a Friday and Saturday happy hour from 5-8PM and will soon debut a revamped daily happy hour, featuring signature cocktails, beer, wine, sangria, and more, inviting guests to unwind and ease into the evening.
The gastronomic experience is further amplified by weekly programming that makes Lakou a true gathering place: Fridays feature laid-back hangs with rotating DJs, Saturdays spotlight unique bands and live music and Sundays wind down the weekend with smooth, ever-changing jazz performances. Beyond the weekly lineup, Lakou also hosts monthly cultural events, including comedy nights, cultural cinema and drum circles, along with yoga, wellness experiences and community-centered art activations. Together, these gatherings transform Lakou into a vibrant hub for food, music, culture and connection.
Lakou is located at 207 NE 59th Street, Miami, FL 33137.
Nightmare on 8th Street at The Dead Flamingo
Halloween has officially hit Little Havana. The Dead Flamingo Bar in the heart of Calle Ocho is bringing back its fan-favorite Nightmare on 8th Street pop-up — and this year, it’s turning up the heat with The Official Halloween Perreo in the Heart of Little Havana.
Throughout October, the bar transforms into a haunted hideaway, complete with eerie vibes, themed nights, and spooky cocktails that twist their already famous menu. From a pet costume contest to haunted karaoke, country night with a honky-tonk twist, trivia, and a full-moon bash, Nightmare on 8th Street is serving Miami’s most eclectic Halloween lineup yet.
The highlight of the season? “Seguimo’ Aquí: Mi Casa Tu Casa Perreo Party” on October 24. After four sold-out nights, this viral immersive house party is back, complete with interactive photo-ops inspired by Bnito*, surprise appearances (yes, even croqueta deliveries), and nonstop reggaetón energy until 3 a.m. It’s an all-night perreo like no other, setting the stage for a string of fiery activations leading up to Super Bowl 60. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Whether you’re sipping a haunted cocktail, dancing under neon lights, or belting out your favorite karaoke hit in costume, Nightmare on 8th Street is the Halloween experience you don’t want to miss.
New Dinner Menu at JARANA
Discover the flavors of Peru at JARANA with an exquisite new dinner menu featuring a vibrant selection of authentic Peruvian dishes. Guests can start the culinary journey with the Crispy Peruvian Seafood Platter and Crispy Rice with Tuna Tartare and Salmon Caviar, two shareable starters that set the tone with vibrant Nikkei flair.
From the Josper charcoal grill, the Famous Peruvian Chicken and Crispy Branzino showcase smoky, wood-fired perfection. Comfort classics are reimagined with dishes like the Milanesa Choclito, a breaded chicken breast topped with creamy, gratinéed corn, and the soulful Dry Noodle Soup (Sopa Seca) with shrimp and calamari. Hearty skillet rice dishes arrive sizzling to the table, whether topped with Shrimp, Octopus & Calamari or Crispy Pork Belly & Chorizo.
Small plates get a refresh too, with a Grilled Caesar Salad given a smoky Peruvian twist and Chicharrón-Style Chicken Wings glazed in Nikkei spices. To pair it all, the cocktail menu shines with bold newcomers like the Jarana Espresso Martini and the Blood Orange Mezcal Margarita, cementing Jarana’s reputation as a destination for both adventurous and comforting Peruvian dining.