February 20, 2026
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.
Coming Soon: Bar Fideo
5th Annual Paws Patio Food Fest
Caviar & Canvas at The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove
Now Open in North Miami: Huey Magoo’s
Coming Soon: Bar Fideo
Award-winning chef Ivan Barros and hospitality powerhouse Caroline Strauss, the founders behind Magie Wine Bar, are doubling down on Little River with their newest concept, Bar Fideo, set to open Fall 2026 just steps from Magie’s current location. Ivan Barros, Food Network’s Ciao House Season 2 winner and one of Miami’s most dynamic culinary talents, and Strauss, a globally experienced operator known for shaping some of the city’s most beloved concepts, continue to redefine neighborhood-driven hospitality. Together, they form a true powerhouse, blending bold, thoughtful food with deep operational expertise and a shared commitment to building places that endure rather than chase trends.
Bar Fideo builds on the spirit that has defined Magie from day one: unfiltered hospitality, bold yet approachable food, and spaces designed to bring people together organically. Inspired by Spain’s neighborhood bars and historic market culture, the concept is envisioned as a lively, come-as-you-are destination where food is meant to be shared, drinks flow easily, and guests are encouraged to drop in without an agenda, and stay as long as they’d like.
At the heart of the concept is Chef Ivan Barros, a Miami native with Dominican roots and one of the most dynamic culinary résumés in the city. Barros honed his craft in some of the country’s most respected kitchens, from Scarpetta and Macchialina in Miami to Scott Conant’s corporate culinary team in New York City. After spending eight years in Los Angeles—where he opened his own restaurant in Santa Monica, Barros returned to Miami to lead as executive chef at Michael Schwartz’s Amara at Paraiso, further cementing his reputation as a culinary leader.
His bold, refined approach earned him national recognition as the Food Network’s Ciao House Season 2 champion, along with features on the Cooking Channel and accolades from StarChefs. At Magie, Barros has already elevated the wine bar food experience through inventive, craveable dishes that balance technique with playfulness. With Bar Fideo, he expands that vision into a menu of shareable plates designed to match the energy of the room and the rhythm of the neighborhood.
Equally central to the concept is Caroline Strauss, whose career spans some of the most influential hospitality brands and operators locally and globally. A South Florida native, Strauss began her career in Miami, helping shape standout venues including Macchialina, Makato, The Anderson, and 27 Restaurant. She later transitioned to a global role as Global Director for sbe, where she led development and operational strategy for more than 60 restaurant and bar concepts across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America in partnership with Ennismore, the group behind brands such as SLS, Delano, Mondrian, Hyde, and Hoxton.
Since 2020, Strauss has also served as Director of Hospitality for The Citadel, one of Miami’s most successful food halls also located in Little River giving her a uniquely deep understanding of how hospitality shapes neighborhoods from the inside out. She is bringing her worldly knowledge to a neighborhood dear to her heart.
Ahead of its official opening, Bar Fideo will host a series of pre-opening pop-ups beginning March 2026, offering the community an early look at the concept. Held on the terrace of the new space, these pop-ups will feature early tastings of Bar Fideo’s menu, previews of the evolving design, and opportunities for guests to engage directly with the team, ensuring the neighborhood’s voice is reflected every step of the way leading up to the opening.
Like Magie, Bar Fideo will follow a no-reservations, neighborhood-first approach, encouraging spontaneity, repeat visits, and a natural flow that reflects the way people actually dine and socialize in Little River.
5th Annual Paws Patio Food Fest
The annual premium puppy Pawwty on the bay is back, bigger and barkier than ever! InterContinental Miami is giving canines and their devoted owners the ultimate experience as they celebrate the fifth annual Paws Patio™ Food Fest, a tail-waggin’ adventure all for a great cause.
On Saturday, April 4, 2026, the property’s Picante Terrace will be transformed into an eclectic pet marketplace for humans and their four-legged friends. Attendees can discover new products, meet vendors, bond with their pups and mingle with other dog lovers, all the while enjoying views overlooking Biscayne Bay.
This year’s “Pawty” is hosted by “executive chefs” and doggie-influencer icons Pretzel and Gummy Bear Shih Tzus. The fur-bulous festivities will begin at 1PM and include puppy playdates, treat samples, unlimited pup cups, photo opportunities with their fur baby and more paw-some surprises. Rescue Paws_FL, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit dog rescue, will be joining the event to host raffles benefiting their rescue program. Four-legged friends can also enjoy tastings and fun giveaways from
Chewy’s new food line, Get Real, along with a pop-up activation from Chewy Vet Care.
Each Passport also serves as your “Fur-ever Passport of Treats,” a whimsical guide that helps attendees sniff out all the fun throughout the event. Inside each Passport, guests will find access to treats and samples from local vendors such as Britsboards, Yum Pup, Raw Instincts, Lulu & Bellas Bakeshop, PawPaw, Pet Chefy, Quore, Chef Wuau, Doggie Bakery Miami, and Jaffee’s Bone Broth.
Admission is free for humans. Tickets are $18 per pup and increase to $25 on March 1. Tickets are available through Eventbrite and can be purchased – HERE.
Caviar & Canvas at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
Friday evenings bring a new way to revel in the intersection of art, music and culinary delights with the introduction of Caviar & Canvas at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami.
Presented in collaboration with the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Caviar & Canvas takes place Fridays through April 24, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the hotel’s expansive lobby. Live piano music sets the tone as rotating works by artists whose creativity reflects Miami’s vibrant spirit are featured throughout the series. Guests are invited to settle in and order from an enticing menu including caviar, oysters and Champagne.
Offerings include the Sweet & Aged selection of four jam-and-cheese pairings inspired by Coconut Grove’s tropical colors and Isabelle’s pantry; Pearls on Canvas with East Coast oysters, Champagne granita and yuzu pearls; and the Midnight Palette with Siberian Osetra caviar, lemon Champagne crème fraîche, charcoal blini, smoked shallot gel and gold leaf. Lallier Champagne is available by the glass and bottle throughout the evening. No reservations are required. For more information, please visit here.
Caviar & Canvas also includes a monthly Meet the Artist series, offering guests the opportunity to engage directly with featured artists and their work. Dates include:
– Friday, Feb. 27: Jacqueline Roch, a Miami Beach–raised artist whose work features vibrant pastels
– Friday, March 27: James Hilton, a Coconut Grove–based graphic illustrator and printmaker
– Friday, April 24: Nancy Ney, a fine art photographer and Coconut Grove resident
Now Open in North Miami: Huey Magoo’s
The wait is over. Huey Magoo’s – the fast-casual brand famous for its bold flavors and hand-crafted chicken tenders, is bringing its fan-favorite tenders to North Miami, FL with the grand opening of its newest location. Huey Magoo’s expands its commitment to bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and made-to-order meals with the opening of its 86th restaurant nationwide. Every tender starts with the best 3 percent of the chicken—the tenderloin—and is served hand-breaded, 24-hour marinated and grilled, or “sauced” and tossed in buffalo, sweet red chili , lemon pepper or garlic parmesan for maximum flavor.
To celebrate the grand opening, Huey Magoo’s North Miami will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 12th. The celebration will feature Y-100 onsite with a live DJ to keep the energy high, a fun photo booth for guests, and major giveaways throughout the event, making it a can’t miss community celebration for fans, families, and chicken tender lovers alike.
The 2,400 square-foot restaurant features indoor and outdoor dining, offering guests a variety of convenient ways to enjoy their meal, including takeout, catering, and online ordering through the Huey Magoo’s mobile app, website, and third-party delivery services such as DoorDash and Uber Eats. This location is operated by franchisees Frank Hennessey, Harry Dixon and Henry Dixon and is the fourth of nine Huey Magoo’s stores the group will open across Broward and Dade Counties.
The menu includes a robust selection of customizable options including fresh-made salads, sandwiches, wraps and the most popular choice, tender meals. Guests can also enjoy hand-spun chips, freshly prepared coleslaw, banana pudding, and house-made specialty dips—including Magoo’s, Spicy Magoo’s, and Ranch—showcasing the brand’s commitment to quality and freshness. These selections complement a wider variety of flavors – an additional six signature dips (buffalo, honey mustard, bbq, garlic parmesan, sweet red chili, and bleu cheese), and sides available to customize every meal.
Huey Magoo’s also recently introduced its all-new Grilled Tender Bites, a high-protein, snackable addition made from the best 3% of the chicken—the tenderloin. Marinated for 24 hours and grilled for maximum flavor, Grilled Tender Bites deliver the same juicy, premium taste in a convenient, on-the-go format, now available at the North Miami location and nationwide.
There’s even more to love with the recent launch of the Magoo’s Rewards™ loyalty program, where members earn points toward free food with every purchase. New users receive a free three-piece tender meal with a beverage purchase to redeem within 30 days. Members earn 10 points per $1 spent, with catering orders earning one point per $1, making every meal—whether a quick bite or a group gathering—more rewarding. The Huey Magoo’s mobile app makes ordering, tracking rewards, and accessing exclusive offers easier than ever.
Huey Magoo’s North Miami location is now open at 13256 Biscayne Blvd. North Miami, FL 33181. Hours of operation are Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.- 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.- 12 a.m.