January 9, 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.
Kiki on the River Launches New Brunch
Coming Soon: YASU Omakase
New Happy Hour at The Sylvester
Altamura Introduces Wine-First Dining Experience
Kiki on the River Launches New Brunch
Kiki on the River, Miami’s iconic waterfront dining destination, is unveiling its newest weekly Sunday brunch experience, Kiki in Paris, with a glamorous launch event on Sunday, January 18 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Inspired by Parisian elegance with Kiki’s signature flair, the event also marks the debut of Kiki on the River’s brand-new brunch menu.
Guests are invited to step into a chic Parisian atmosphere, where the dress code is preferred in pink, rosé flows freely, and the riverfront transforms into a stylish celebration of fashion, wellness, music, and cuisine.
Culinary highlights include freshly served croissants in butter, pistachio, and with salmon and eggs, and macaroons as well as selections from the new brunch menu, such as the Kiki Lobster Benedict, Classic Shakshuka, and Aegean french toast, paired with Whispering Angel Rosé, on hand to ensure rosé flows all afternoon.
Adding a fashion-forward element, Big Drop NYC will present an exclusive Kiki Collection, a curated pop-up shopping experience for guests.
Also on hand will be luxury wellness IV’s from highly-regarding Taja Drip of TV program Members Only Palm Beach from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, blending wellness and indulgence in true Kiki fashion.
Music will set the tone with DJ Lune Tautou, spinning from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
The venue will be adorned with lush floral installations, while Kiki’s hostesses complete the Parisian aesthetic in pink berets and pink dresses, creating an immersive and Instagram-worthy atmosphere.
Kiki in Paris will continue weekly following the launch, offering guests a refined yet vibrant brunch experience that blends Parisian charm with Miami’s unmistakable energy.
Photo Credit: Cristian Gonzalez
Coming Soon: YASU Omakase
Following the success of Sushi Yasu Tanaka, Michelin-recognized Chef Yasu Tanaka unveils an intimate new concept: YASU Omakase, an 8-seat omakase counter brought to life by Spicy Hospitality Group and designed as a deeply personal reflection of Tanaka’s Yamanashi roots and the rituals that define Japan’s most revered sushiyas. The restaurant opens on January 14.
Seating only eight guests per service, YASU Omakase represents the pinnacle of Chef Tanaka’s craft: a deeply personal encounter between chef and diner where every detail is intentional and every bite tells a story. Guests are seated at an extraordinary 600-year-old hinoki counter, carved from timber traditionally reserved for Japanese temples and shrines. The experience begins with three to five otsumami (small plates), before transitioning into a curated progression of nigiri, miso soup, a signature hand roll, and a seasonal dessert. Each course reflects Chef Tanaka’s ability to reimagine tradition through a modern Miami lens, blending Japanese precision with coastal vibrancy.
The project is led in collaboration with Chef Raymond Li, a longtime friend and creative partner whose experience at globally celebrated restaurants helps shape their shared vision. His influence introduces a subtle South Florida expression to the menu, adding a sense of place that complements YASU Omakase’s traditional foundation. Together, the chefs aim to create something original—not a replica of any existing model, but a space that honors tradition while pushing boundaries with creativity and purpose.
MENU & BEVERAGE PROGRAM
YASU Omakase offers a single 14–16-course omakase menu, evolving frequently based on seasonality, sourcing, and chef inspiration. Highlights include:
– Three to five otsumami showcasing hot and cold preparations
– A progression of premium nigiri, featuring both Toyosu arrivals and Florida coastal varieties
– House-seasoned soy sauces, crafted to complement individual fish profiles
– Niigata rice, adjusted seasonally for optimal temperature and texture
– A signature temaki hand roll
– Seasonal dessert
The seafood program is sourced through exclusive channels, with the majority of fish arriving directly from Toyosu Market in Tokyo, supplemented by exceptional local species. Vegetables, eggs, and fruit are selected from regional farms.
The beverage program centers on a personally curated sake collection, including rare producers and limited bottles. Guests may select à la carte pours or a pairing designed to mirror the arc of the omakase. A concise wine list, developed with expert consultation, includes selections chosen to complement the precision and subtlety of the menu.
A private room anchored by a second hinoki counter will debut soon for intimate celebrations and special occasions.
New Happy Hour at The Sylvester
The 90s called: they want happy hour back…and The Sylvester answered. The beloved Midtown bar is kicking off the new year with a 90s-inspired Happy Hour that actually feels like Happy Hour – no rushing, no $15 drinks, no BS. Dubbed Throwback Happy Hour, the nostalgia-fueled offering combines throwback cocktails, throwback pricing and throwback vibes, all served the Sylvester way.
The new weekly promotion runs all night on Tuesdays and from 5PM to 8PM Wednesday through Saturday, because Happy Hour shouldn’t be over by the time people get there. With $9 cocktails, The Sylvester is making Happy Hour happy again by introducing one that doesn’t require a sprint to the bar or excuses to log off early.
The menu features reworked 90s favorites that are intentionally familiar, but crafted with a Sylvester twist and quality ingredients, making them genuinely delicious with just enough nostalgia to feel fun without feeling ironic. Highlights include the Appletini (gin, apple, mint, lemon), Piña Colada (tequila, coconut, pineapple, coffee) and Midori Sour (Midori, vodka, yuzu, lemon), alongside other classics.
On the screen, it’s 90s TV, from Family Matters and Saved by The Bell to Sabrina the Teenage Witch and all things Nickelodeon, playing silently while throwback hip-hop, pop and alt-rock set the soundtrack. Add in a menu of $7 grilled cheeses by Beaker & Gray’s Brian Nasajon with upgrades such as truffle, caviar and Jamón Ibérico, plus bar games like Jenga and Connect Four, and the whole thing feels less like a gimmick and more like a house party.
The January relaunch marks the first phase of The Sylvester’s new and improved 2026 programming, with a new signature cocktail menu slated to roll out late January and other exciting offerings to be announced in the coming months.
Altamura Introduces Wine-First Dining Experience
Doral’s Italian culinary gem, Altamura Trattoria, is introducing a new three-course experience where the wine takes the center stage. The new DiVino experience offers a thoughtfully curated journey featuring hidden-gem wines selections – each carefully selected and paired with one appetizer, main course, and dessert.
Every dish as part of the experience is intentionally crafted to enhance the wine it’s paired with, allowing guests to discover how flavor, texture and aroma come together to create the perfect balance.
Available at the bar, every Wednesday from 5-9PM, Altamura invites guests to embark on an intimate journey discovering exceptionally crafted wines. Get more details here.