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Virginia Gil

Virginia Gil

Editor, Time Out Miami

Virginia Gil is the editor of Time Out Miami. She joined Time Out in 2016.

Virginia covers eating, drinking and going out in Miami—plus everything else there is to see and do in the 305. Whether it's discovering a new restaurant, uncovering a fresh cocktail trend or getting the scoop on an underground concert, she has the intel you need to make the most of your Miami experience. Virginia studied at the University of Miami, worked as an editor at local lifestyle publications—Daily Candy, MIAMI Magazine, and many others—and has spent the last 15 years writing about food and drink in both Miami and New York. Eating, drinking and writing are her passions—in that order. As a born-and-bred Miami girl, her cravings for croquetas are discerning and her hair is impermeable to humidity.

Reach her at virginia.gil@timeout.com or connect with her on Instagram: @virginwrites.

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Articles (226)

The 10 best farmers’ markets in Miami

The 10 best farmers’ markets in Miami

Grocery delivery services have changed the way we shop for food, but nothing beats the selection you’ll find at one of the best farmers’ markets in Miami. Fresh vegetables, organic produce and artisanal products abound at these pop-up marketplaces. You’ll find them spread out throughout the city and in both indoor and outdoor venues, making them a good thing to do when it rains in Miami. So whether you find yourself strolling Coconut Grove on a weekend, you’re on vacation in South Beach or you’re hiding out at a Miami mall, chances are there’s a farmers’ market near you.

These are the best things to do in Miami this weekend

These are the best things to do in Miami this weekend

It's the best part of every week—the weekend, Miami!—and we're back with solid suggestions for ways to make the most of your days off. You’ll find we've outlined some great places to drink, eat and enjoy the perfect spring weather (think sunny parks and splendid Miami beaches), plus some annual events to keep the festive feeling lingering around a little longer. After all, summer is the season for exploring (even if it means finding something to do in Miami when it rains). So whether it’s a chill activity you’re after (could be that the Miami spas are calling your name) or a jam-packed schedule to get back into, these are the best things to do in Miami this weekend. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Miami right now

10 Miami restaurants with vegan and vegetarian dishes you’ll love

10 Miami restaurants with vegan and vegetarian dishes you’ll love

There are people out there who think of typical Miami food as the big plates of Abuela’s lechón asado served at a Cuban restaurant in Little Havana or the South Beach club-slash-restaurant where all the pretty people go, picking at their $50 plate of sushi. But there’s also this simple truth: we’re a city where boatloads of people care deeply about staying healthy, eating well and cutting meat from their diet. This means we’ve got lots of spots these days that are either full-bore vegan, vegetarian or offer plant-based options that aren’t a compromise—they just might be better than what the carnivore at the next table over is eating. For the best vegan restaurants in Miami, look no further than the list below. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Miami

Miami’s absolute best seafood restaurants

Miami’s absolute best seafood restaurants

Northern transplants arrive in Miami expecting fish caught at the docks that morning, served up grilled or blackened, maybe just a bit of lemon or butter for good measure. For the locals, they want the big platters of seafood Abuelo used to order from that tucked-away spot down in Little Havana. The good news is that Miami still lives up to both those expectations, with glitzy seafood restaurants serving pretty plates of crudo and grilled filets, and then also decades-old spots that long ago mastered Latin coastal dishes. Just a simple crispy snapper served on a Cuban roll at one of Little Havana's best restaurants? A ceviche plated to look like a piece of art? Yup, we’ve got that, plus bushels of fresh oysters and peel-and-eat specials for days at these, the best seafood restaurants in Miami. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Miami

The 21 best waterfront restaurants in Miami

The 21 best waterfront restaurants in Miami

Unlike other big cities on the edge of the Atlantic, Miami has a bit of everything when it comes to dining on the water. Lively dockside dives, glamorous Mediterranean-inspired lounges and wellness-focused options abound. From seafood towers and $1 oysters to dog-friendly decks where piña coladas flow like water, Miami has that and more. Sure, we might be spoiled by the abundance of pristine Miami beaches, and our Miami rooftop bars offer their own spectacular views. But if you’re not taking every opportunity to eat at one of Miami’s many waterfront restaurants, you’re doing something wrong. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Miami

11 dishes your kid will love to eat at Time Out Market Miami

11 dishes your kid will love to eat at Time Out Market Miami

Are you the parent of a picky eater? Does your kid have a meltdown when something other than chicken fingers lands on their plate? Are french fries a food group for your child? If you answered yes to any of these questions, there’s hope for dining out with the smallest members of your family and it’s called Time Out Market Miami. The South Beach food hall is great for many reasons—we curated it, parking is cheap and it’s safe from the elements, which means we love it even more on a rainy day in Miami. It’s home to a number of eateries, each one specializing in a different dish or cuisine that’s sure to please the pickiest ones in your bunch. Have a hangry toddler on your hands? Let us help. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Miami Note: The dishes pictured may not be the kid-friendly option suggested. Be sure to reference the latest menu at Time Out Market or ask the clerk for help. 

The best things to do in Coconut Grove for a good time

The best things to do in Coconut Grove for a good time

Established in 1825, Coconut Grove is Miami’s oldest continually inhabited ‘hood. Known for its shady promenades lined with funky shops and restaurants, the Grove packs in a whole lot of charm, history and culture into a relatively little area along Biscayne Bay. Mixed in with the bohemian bungalows, independent book shops and locally owned cafes, there are also newer developments here, including a completely reimagined CocoWalk open-air mall, sleek high-rise condos and a couple of modern hotels. Whether you’re looking to dine at one of the best restaurants in Miami or explore some of the city’s best parks, Coconut Grove is a worthwhile endeavor. Roam the east end of the neighborhood’s leafy, brick-paved sidewalks to find an eclectic mix of shopping, dining and green spaces, along with a few tried-and-true dives and a lively Saturday farmers’ market. RECOMMENDED: Guide to Coconut Grove, Miami

The best September events in Miami

The best September events in Miami

Welcome to fall in Miami! Spoiler alert: it’s just like summer only you’re not running around the city looking for things to do with your kids in Miami because they’re back at school. It’s still hot, so your weekends will still consist of trips to Miami’s many beaches, but you might be inclined to sweat it out at a pumpkin patch in Miami—because fall. We get it, it’s tough to resist a seasonal outing even if our city and its weather just aren’t meant for it. And let’s not forget the build-up to Halloween—plenty of spooky happenings are headed your way. So, clear your calendars: these are the best September events in Miami. RECOMMENDED: Guide to Miami events

The best restaurants in Miami right now

The best restaurants in Miami right now

August 2022: Two simple words sum up dining in the summertime: Miami Spice. Every year during the months of August and September, more than 200 restaurants offer discounted, prix-fixe menus for brunch, lunch and dinner—giving folks the opportunity to try Michelin-starred restaurants, fine-dining spots and other cost-prohibitive options at a fraction of the price. The best part? Many of the best restaurants in Miami participate in this annual tradition. To that end, we’re keeping things light when it comes to updating the current list—these are still our top favorites and there’s no better time to check them out than right now. For the full list of top places to dine in Miami, check out the list below. The best restaurants in Miami are our local treasures. These are the places we turn to for a delicious meal and a great time, no matter the reason. Our top places to eat in the city are a true mix of flavors and feels, from white tablecloth fine-dining—like some of Miami’s best steakhouses—and trendy spots leading the way in culinary innovation to tried-and-tested cheap eats in Miami that never, ever disappoint. Don’t be surprised to run into some of Miami’s best bars on this list either. Where there’s a solid cocktail there’s likely to be an epic dish that follows. Now, who’s ready to dig in? Check back often as we update our roundup of best Miami restaurants with new discoveries and old favorites. Just as we've always done, Time Out’s local experts scour the city every day for

The best August events in Miami

The best August events in Miami

There’s only one word to describe August in Miami: hot. It’s scorching out, making an outing to the Miami beaches or an indoor air-conditioned activity about the only thing you’ll want to do this month. Lucky for you, we have plenty of both and other ideas in our picks of the best August events in Miami, which combine ways to cool off, essential Miami experiences and fun things to do with kids in Miami (read: how to keep them entertained until school starts again). We’ll be adding to this list as more cool things emerge so check back regularly. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Miami

The best things to do in Miami

The best things to do in Miami

August 2022: Summer is officially coming to an end, folks. We know it doesn’t feel like it’s over—temperatures still hover around 90 degrees and the only thing you can actually do outdoors without melting is spend the day at the Miami beach (though you might still melt). But it’s about that time when the kids head back to school, the summer tourists head back home and our scorching city gears up for its most action-packed months of the year. Our answer to beating the summer doldrums? Miami Spice, which returns this month with more than 200 Miami restaurants to choose from. There’s also a great feel-good volunteer opportunity to good not to include and a rosĂ© garden that’ll make it feel like summer might just stick around a few weeks longer. For more of the things you can’t miss, peep our guide to the best things to do in Miami right this minute. Locals and tourists can agree that the best things to do in Miami extend beyond lounging on the sand—though it goes without saying that spending some time on the best Miami beaches is fundamental to life in the 305. In the wintertime particularly, Miami is better known for its thriving cultural scene led by events like Art Basel and neighborhoods such as Wynwood, which every year turns over a brand new facade with the spate of fresh murals that debut during Miami Art Week. And lest we miss out on one of the most important aspects of life in the Magic City—eating!—it’s worth mentioning the booming culinary scene and the host of award-w

Chef Timothy Ordway of The Momentary and Crystal Bridges finds inspiration in the art

Chef Timothy Ordway of The Momentary and Crystal Bridges finds inspiration in the art

As far as inspiration is concerned, Timothy Ordway finds himself in one of the most enviable positions of any culinary professional. He’s the executive chef for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, one of the foremost contemporary art institutions in the southeast, and its annex/restaurant, The Momentary, home to some of the world’s most prestigious collections. Ordway, who’s tasked with crafting menus for regular service, special events, major celebrations and all kinds of happenings in between, finds no shortage of things to draw from when creating food-driven experiences for guests. Most recently, it was an exhibition focused on a hundred years of southern Black culture in America that sparked his imagination. “This one artist spoke about mining memory and collecting things that reminded them about their grandparents. We took that same concept and created our dessert, thinking of something that we'd find in our past, you know?” Ordway and his team came up with a buttermilk pie with praline pecans and bourbon caramel sauce, spiking the topping as a nod to “the bourbon that's always either under the fridge or back in a counter somewhere,” he says. Making food plays one’s memories and creates a shared experience for all who enjoy it is only part of the fun. Here, Ordway tells us about the pleasures of eating regionally, what drives him to buy locally and the perks of cooking at a cultural institution. He also gets candid about his favorite food (hint: it’s a childhood clas

Listings and reviews (683)

Haunted Circus Festival: Spooky Wonderland

Haunted Circus Festival: Spooky Wonderland

From the company that brought us last year's Haunted Circus Festival—a traveling sideshow and carnival filled with all kinds of freakish characters—comes this Alice in Wonderland-themed Halloween spectacular. More kooky than bone-chilling, the whimsical story follows Alice down the rabbit hole to meet a host of well-known characters, including the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, White Rabbit and other familiar faces.  Join Alice on this interactive journey, featuring game quests, character performances, Wonderland-themed photo zones, pumpkin carving stations, tarot card readings and more. Spooky Wonderland promises a frightening experience just in time for Halloween, but organizers assure that it’s not too scary and safe for the whole family. The Haunted Circus: Spooky Wonderland takes over Tropical Park from Sep 15–Oct 30. Fri 5–10pm; Sat, Sun 10am–10pm. Tickets are $39.90 online.

"The Blues Opera"

"The Blues Opera"

The latest from Juggerknot Theatre Company, leaders in immersive theater, is an intimate, one-man-shot written and performed by local blues musician Eric Garcia. Best known as Uncle Scotchy, the charismatic performer charms his small audience (of just 10 people nightly) with songs, games and true stories about love, loss and redemption. Attendees will be informed of the show’s secret location upon purchasing tickets.

Salsa Sundays at Sweet Liberty

Salsa Sundays at Sweet Liberty

Boozy Sunday brunches are fun, but what do you do with all of that newfound liquid courage once it's over? You dance, of course. Every second Sunday of the month, Sweet Liberty welcomes Salsaton Trio for live music and the opportunity to show off your salsa moves post-meal. Brunch runs from noon to 5pm, featuring bottomless rosé for $35, while Salsaton takes the stage from 3pm to 6pm. Reservations are strongly encouraged. 

Drag Bingo at Time Out Market Miami

Drag Bingo at Time Out Market Miami

Forget the lame, deadpan number callers you’ve experienced at other game nights because we’ve got London Adore and TP Lords taking over bingo night at Time Out Market Miami. The in-demand divas keep you entertained with a speedy two-hour round, featuring extended happy hour pricing on cocktails for players and a few $25 Time Out Market cards up for grabs. Games are free to join and groups of all ages and sizes are welcome to try their luck at filling up a card.

Style Saves: Back-to-School

Style Saves: Back-to-School

The last weekend of summer before school starts is bittersweet, especially for families who can’t afford the new loot—sneakers, pencils, backpacks—that makes kids excited to start the whole learning routine all over again. Thankfully, every year, fashion nonprofit Style Saves steps in and helps thousands of local families gear up for the school year. Join them and others for a day of fun and giving back, featuring activations for children of all ages, complimentary beauty services, arts and crafts, and more. Families looking to benefit from this year's event can register here while volunteers looking to get involved and give back can sign up here. 

Motek Cafe - Aventura

Motek Cafe - Aventura

You know a place is good when it becomes most people’s defacto answer for questions like “who makes the best burger? and “where can I find really good hummus?” Motek is the spot, an unassuming Israeli cafĂ© with a very large following—so big, in fact, it’s expanded from a tiny sliver between jewelry stores in downtown’s Seybold building to a bustling spot in the Aventura Mall where you can get full table service and even ice-cold white sangria should your shopping trip require some liquid courage. You’ll find a wide selection of both traditional and modern interpretations of Israeli favorites. There’s more than one type of hummus served (mushroom, lamb, masabacha) and they’re all phenomenal. But dip fans should start with the sampler: a generous serving of babaganoush, hummus, Israeli salad and pillowy fresh-baked pita to sop it all up. It’s the perfect, semi-healthy entry point for a meal that could swing one of two ways.  Photograph: Courtesy Motek Cafe The better-for-you route continues on with a shareable green pomegranate salad that packs in the greens and skin-boosting antioxidants, an aromatic cauliflower couscous, and a rainbow of crisp cruditĂ© as a crunchy vessel for all the dip you’ve surely got left. A tastier journey includes Motek’s award-winning araya burger stuffed inside a pita and served with a trio of sauces and french fries, falafels with tahini and dessert, knafe with pistachios and rose that arrives in a sizzling skillet. It’s nutty, crunchy and only a

Juneteenth Juke Joint

Juneteenth Juke Joint

The Arsht Center's Heritage Committee presents its inaugural Juneteenth celebration, honoring the rich history of Black music, food and culture in the American South. Juneteenth Juke Joint is a music-filled evening, featuring tunes by DJ Nickymix and a soulful performance by Miami- native LaVie. Doors open at 6:30pm and early birds get to enjoy a specialty menu of soul food bites and drinks. 

Global Wellness Day at Oasis Wynwood

Global Wellness Day at Oasis Wynwood

Get a jumpstart on achieving that summer body with free exercise classes all Saturday morning long at Oasis Wynwood. The outdoor food hall and music venue celebrates Global Wellness Day with a group run with UNKNWN, a spin class with RIDE, a boxing class with Rumble Boxing and a yoga session with YO BK. Complimentary refreshments will be provided, and RSVP is strongly encouraged.

Miami Spa Months

Miami Spa Months

July and August are all about self-care thanks to the countywide Miami Spa Months program. From facials and body scrubs to soothing rub downs, wellness treatments are heavily discounted for the next two months at top spas all around town. You’ve earned it and now it’s time to cash in on the massage your body’s been waiting for. At participating spas throughout Miami

Nature ConnectsÂź at Fairchild

Nature ConnectsÂź at Fairchild

Calling all LEGO fans! Artist Sean Kenney's award-winning, record-breaking exhibition makes its way to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for the season. Spread out across the garden's 83 acres, guests will encounter 30 giant sculptures built with more than 700,000 LEGO bricks. The NY-based artist employs the beloved toy to depict animal habitats and express the ways in which everything in nature is connected. 

"Renewal 2121"

"Renewal 2121"

Experience what life could be like 100 years in the future if nature had its way, overpowering an overdeveloped metropolis with vibrant natural motifs. This make-believe city in bloom celebrates nature's resilience while celebrating themes of renewal and rebirth. "Renewal 2121" offers a kaleidoscopic look at a utopian future we can only wish for the planet and for ourselves.

"Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition"

"Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition"

This interactive experience exposes people of all ages to the forensic science and history of one of the world’s most recognized crime-solving detectives. Short of taking folks across the pond, guests will be transported to Holmes’ London, where they’ll get to participate in a little sleuthing of their own. The exhibition comprises separate areas: Dr. Conan Doyle's Study, presenting the scientific and literary ideas that inspired the author to pen the exciting Holmes chronicles; a place for investigators to conduct their own detective work using a book full of clues; Sherlock Holmes in Baker Street, which puts guests right in the middle of the action at 221B Baker Street, London, where Dr. Watson and Holmes get to cracking; and an area for pop-culture enthusiasts to embrace all kinds of Sherlockian collectibles.

News (1019)

A handsome 12-seat speakeasy debuts in downtown Miami

A handsome 12-seat speakeasy debuts in downtown Miami

Hotel bars are usually hard to find for the wrong reasons. They’re either the disappointing one that’s hiding in plain sight (Oh, you mean this nondescript lobby situation is the bar?) or the annoyingly tucked away one, located somewhere behind a garage or in a room that no one visits. Then there’s the speakeasy, an underserved category that downtown Miami’s InterContinental is, thankfully, doing something about. Enter Freddys Speakeasy, the hotel’s new clandestine watering hole. Its namesake is the 19th-century Polish composer and pianist FrĂ©dĂ©ric François Chopin—whom you’ve probably never thought to call Freddy. But we digress. To access the 12-seat, Prohibition-era bar, you’ll need reservations—but that’s only the beginning. Once you’ve booked a spot, the next feat is finding the bar. Upon reservation confirmation, you’ll get instructions on how to access Freddys and be escorted to the hidden location, where a secret knock serves as your ticket in. Photograph: Derek LattaFreddys Speakeasy A dim, 1920s-style bar decked with vintage furnishings and plush couches await on the other side, as does a complimentary taste of Four Ballads, made with Casa Noble infused with cilantro, Cointreau, fresh lime and simple syrup. Cocktails clock in at $18 and include complex tipples like the Green Light, mixed with mezcal, green chartreuse, chocolate bitters, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup. There’s also a special Makers Mark cask cocktail that’s infused with various liquors and aged

One of Miami’s most famous waterfront restaurants turns 50 years old

One of Miami’s most famous waterfront restaurants turns 50 years old

Few Miami restaurants make it to their golden anniversary, which makes Rusty Pelican's upcoming milestone extra special. Opened in 1972, the beloved waterfront restaurant turns 50 this month and the whole city is gearing up to celebrate this iconic Key Biscayne spot. Available August 15 through August 19, the Rusty Pelican offers a special throwback menu in honor of the very first dishes served, including teriyaki glazed sirloin and chicken kona kai, which will be priced at $19.72. All proceeds from the menu will benefit the Overtown Youth Center. Mai Tais and mojitos will be just $5 this week as well, except tomorrow—August 16—when the restaurant’s ever-popular mojito is just $.50 (!) from 4 to 6pm. Please line up your designated driver or ride share right now before the celebrations get out of hand. Photograph: Courtesy Rusty Pelican The City of Miami also designed August 26 as Rusty Pelican Day, a Friday you’ll want to spend at one of the restaurant’s signature bayfront tables. This is also the day owner John Tallichet, whose father, David, founded the Pelican, will pay homage to its longtime employees—many of whom have been on staff for more than a decade—with a special luncheon. “We are excited to bring back some of our iconic dishes found on our original menu that pay homage to our history, showing how far we have come and where our menu is going in the future,” adds regional chef Jim Pastor. Cheers to 50 years!

This award-winning sushi restaurant is headed to South Beach

This award-winning sushi restaurant is headed to South Beach

Uchi Miami was a darling from the start. The Wynwood restaurant came on the scene with high marks in early 2021, introducing the city to James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole’s singular take on sushi, including how it should be ordered (by the piece to ensure freshness) and eaten (as served, flipped over so the top of the nigiri hits the tongue immediately). Photograph: Travis HallmarkUchiko It expanded the sushi bar experience from the counter to the whole restaurant and now Cole’s hospitality group, Hai Hospitality, is extending its reach with Uchiko. Slated to open in 2024, the group’s second Miami restaurant will be located at Eighteen Sunset, a new development in South Beach’s Sunset Harbour neighborhood. The opening of Uchiko Miami will also mark the fourth location for Uchiko and the first for the concept outside Texas. Photograph: Travis HallmarkUchiko The restaurant’s name means son of child of Uchi, and its diners can expect this kid to be bolder and more brazen than its predecessor. The frequently changing menu will spotlight raw fish, wood-fired proteins and Yakitori-grilled items. Uchiko Miami’s bar will focus on hard-to-find Japanese whiskeys and feature unique takes on traditional cocktails created to stand up to the smokey flavors on the menu.

NYC’s Rao’s is opening in Miami—good luck getting in!

NYC’s Rao’s is opening in Miami—good luck getting in!

We love to throw around the phrase “tough reservation” around here, partly because it’s true of many Miami restaurants these days. Carbone? Good luck. Mandolin? Prepare to wait in line. Boia De? You might strike gold if you book a month out. Though it seems that booking these places was mere training for the obstacles you’ll face when the truly impossible reservation arrives in Miami. New York City’s famous Italian restaurant Rao’s is coming to town! The 126-year-old, family-owned establishment from Harlem will open at the Loews Miami Beach in early 2023, reports the Miami New Times. No additional information has been shared but we’ll be sure to keep you posted on any new developments. The original location has only 10 tables and ensuring a seat at one required befriending the late, legendary owner Frankie “No” Pellegrino. The clientele was and is exclusively CEOs, actors, politicians and VIPs who know someone and/or have been invited by one of the heavy hitters who “owns” a table. (Rao’s is so exclusive it sort of operates as a private club.) Now, we don’t mean to scare you off. Rao’s NYC is on a different playing field than its secondary outposts in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, where the Pellegrinos’ family recipes can be enjoyed without having to pay someone off to get sat. We’re hoping Miami’s location follows suit, though judging by the current state of affairs, it’s probably a good idea to start lining up at the Loews right now.

David Grutman and Bad Bunny’s new restaurant opens this weekend

David Grutman and Bad Bunny’s new restaurant opens this weekend

This weekend belongs to Bad Bunny. The Grammy-winning musician is not only headlining two shows at Hard Rock Stadium but he’s also opening a Japanese-inspired steakhouse with David Grutman this Friday. The two unlikely partners join forces to bring us Gekkƍ, an upscale restaurant and lounge in the heart of Brickell. The menu is meat-centric, featuring fine cuts of Wagyu beef, a very large Tomahawk, filet mignon from an olive-fed cow raised in Kagawa and snow beef strip brought in from Hokkaido, among other steaks. This is perhaps more of your meat’s provenance than you care to know, but that’s just the kind of attention to detail Gekkƍ promises its diners. There’s also a whole section dedicated to seafood and other Japanese classics, including milk bread, Kumamoto oysters, lobster dumplings and an assortment of sushi, sashimi and nigiri—like the 24k Otoro, a very Groot Hospitality creation. Photograph: Libby Volgyes We’re guessing Bad Bunny, who says “sitting down with friends to enjoy a good meal is one of the moments he values most,” will likely be in attendance this weekend following one of his shows. See for yourself when Gekkƍ, located at 8 SE 8th Street, opens on Friday, August 12. Photograph: Libby Volgyes Photograph: Michael Stavaridis

Kush Hospitality takes over the famous Clevelander South Beach

Kush Hospitality takes over the famous Clevelander South Beach

Matt Kuscher has become something of a revivalist in Miami, transforming fledging restaurants and taking old haunts and turning them into something new and cool again. He’s done it in MiMo with Cafe Kush at the Selina Gold Dust, in Hialeah with Kush by Stephens and in Brickell with Tobacco Road by Kush. This summer, he’s taken his talents to South Beach as Kush Hospitality Group (KHG) recently took over the food program at the world-famous (and often infamous) Clevelander South Beach Hotel & Bar. And talk about timing: Opened in 1938, the Clevelander will turn 84 years old next weekend. The Ocean Drive property is iconic by any measure, known for its pool bar, rooftop terrace and sun deck—all of which will serve dishes conceived by Kuscher and his team. “Clevelander is world-renowned for being a place that everyone must visit when they’re in South Beach; they come to experience our famous frozen cocktails and dance the day and night away. Now they can also enjoy a one-of-a-kind South Florida food concept. We wanted to bring something unique to the space that locals would come back to, and what better partner than Kush,” says Jessica Francos, vice president of operations for Jesta Hotels & Resorts, which owns the property. The relationship between the two partners gets even more serious this September with the opening of Kush at Clevelander South Beach, a reimagined sports bar decked in Kush’s signature kitsch decor, featuring Miami sports memorabilia and plenty of TVs for all

Brad Kilgore and Bar Lab team up on an unlikely, very exciting restaurant collab this fall

Brad Kilgore and Bar Lab team up on an unlikely, very exciting restaurant collab this fall

Bad Bunny and David Grutman, Grove Bay Hospitality and Jeremy Ford, The Blakery and Time Out Market—lately Miami’s hospitality scene is all about the collab. Some make more sense than most while others will leave you at once puzzled and excited about what’s to come. The former sums up our feelings about the latest partnership news to hit the scene: coming this fall to Arlo Wynwood—the neighborhood’s first hotel—is a yet-to-be-named restaurant helmed by Brad Kilgore and the Bar Lab team, made up of Gabe Orta and Elad Zvi. The three are set to develop and operate the nine-story property’s signature restaurant, with Bar Lab overseeing Arlo’s third-floor cocktail lounge and the rooftop bar/eatery. “By partnering with James Beard [Award] finalist chef Bradley Kilgore to helm the hotel’s culinary program, and Bar Lab to develop the concepts for each of the hotel’s food and beverage outlets, we are bringing together two of the most celebrated names in the industry,” says Oleg Pavlov, founder and CEO of Quadrum Global and founder of Arlo Hotels. Pavlov nailed it by appointing Kilgore, Orta and Zvi in his endeavor to represent Miami's It-factor with all that Arlo offers its guests. A Food & Wine “Best New Chefs in America” alum and finalist for the James Beard Award for “Best Chef: South,” Kilgore’s talents are well-known in these parts. The former Alter chef (the only chef to receive a four-star review from the Miami Herald) now runs Verge at members-only The Concours Club. Bar Lab s

One of NYC’s massive Christmas markets is coming to Miami

One of NYC’s massive Christmas markets is coming to Miami

If you think it’s too soon to start talking about Christmas in Miami, you’re probably the only one who doesn’t feel like summer has flown by. You’re also probably able to distinguish the years from 2020 through 2022 unlike the rest of us—because what is time anymore? Lucky you, and please accept our collective apology for rushing through the current and next seasons. The holidays are, in fact, upon us. Urbanspace, producers of NYC’s largest holiday markets, is expanding nationally and landing right here in Miami with the Urbanspace Lincoln Road Holiday Market. Its first endeavor outside of the city will run from November 15 through February 15 (opening daily from 10am to 8pm), bringing more than 100 local and out-of-state vendors to the busy pedestrian strip in South Beach. “We aim to create spaces where entrepreneurship, community and creativity can flourish and are confident Miami is the ideal locale as our first foray into a national expansion of our holiday markets,” says Eldon Scott, President of Urbanspace. Miami’s will mirror a similar layout to New York’s with dozens of outdoor pop-up shops along Lincoln Road at the intersection of Washington Avenue. The outdoor marketplace will be a brightly lit, outdoor shopping extravaganza, featuring items across a long list of categories—from home goods and artisanal food products to toys, apparel and accessories. In addition to retail, the holiday market plans to put on musical performances, art installations and Instagrammable

Coyo Taco will sell a special Choco Taco for one weekend only

Coyo Taco will sell a special Choco Taco for one weekend only

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because Coyo Taco brought it back. That’s our mantra going into the weekend as we wipe away the tears shed last week, following Klondike’s announcement that our favorite gas station dessert—the Choco Taco—would be discontinued. The iconic ice cream—a sugar cone folded into the shape of a taco, filled with vanilla ice cream and partially coated with chocolate and a sprinkling of peanuts—was created in 1983 and, according to a Klondike representative via People, was being outsold by the company’s other products. The decision to kill the Choco Taco after a nearly 40-year run crushed us, but, thankfully, it’s not over yet. This weekend, local Mexican street-food chain Coyo Taco is bringing it back with help from chef-driven ice cream shop Frice. Together they’ll release something called a Loco COCO Taco, their version of the frozen treat, which features a waffle cone folded into the shape of a taco that’s been filled with homemade cinnamon ice cream and dulce de leche syrup, and partially covered in a chocolate magic shell. The special-edition dessert will be available in-store at all South Florida Coyo Taco locations (Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables, South Miami, Wynwood and Brickell) for $9. Yes, we realize this is nearly triple the price of the original but deadstock is expensive and the ingredients in this one are far superior (one word: Frice!). Get your hands on one starting this Friday, August 5, through Sunday, August 7, while supplies las

Celebrated chef Jeremy Ford is opening a restaurant in Coral Gables this fall

Celebrated chef Jeremy Ford is opening a restaurant in Coral Gables this fall

Can a chef ever be too busy? Not if you’re Jeremy Ford, whose long list of notable highlights include Top Chef winner, Jean-Georges protege, Time Out Market chef (of crew-do) and the genius behind Stubborn Seed, the South of Fifth restaurant that just last month received a Michelin star. We’re sure there’s more we’re forgetting. This fall, he’ll add to his busy schedule with a new Coral Gables restaurant, Beauty and the Butcher. Its name pays homage to his eldest daughter, Madelynn—the beauty, of course—and his role as the butcher, as well as the impact his kids have had on his career. “When Madelynn came into my life, she made me a dad for the first time and gave me purpose. This one’s for her and her sisters,” says Ford. And cue the tears. Beauty and the Butcher will open this fall in the former Public Square space, located just at the edge of Coral Gables and South Miami—an area Ford is very familiar with. “I’m excited to open a new restaurant in Miami! Especially in an area that’s so close to home. I see a lot of potential in bringing upscale seasonal dining off Miami Beach to the suburbs,” he says. He’ll see to it with a seasonally focused menu of small plates as well as meat-centric dishes, though diners shouldn’t expect a steakhouse. Without any other information about what Ford will serve, our experience with his caliber of cooking leads us to only one conclusion: whatever it is, it’ll be delicious. Photograph: Courtesy Grove Bay Hospitality Group  

The Blakery is now open at Time Out Market Miami!

The Blakery is now open at Time Out Market Miami!

Happy Monday, happy first day of August and—what we really care about highlighting today—happy opening day for The Blakery! One of Miami's best cookie shops opens its first brick-and-mortar today and it's—where else?!—but at Time Out Market Miami. The once delivery-only business puts down roots in South Beach, where it'll welcome customers IRL with a stacked menu of never-before-seen cookie creations and cookie ice cream sandwiches. Founder Blake Warman’s creativity knows no bounds—in a good way—giving us hits like the Cookie Craze, which is loaded with crushed Oreos, Lotus Biscoff and stuffed with cookie butter, and the Dunkaroo Cookie, a yummy nod to the popular snack from the ‘90s. He’s also introducing a special cookie-infused ice cream flavor and cookie ice cream sandwiches, because how else do you expect us to get through this endless summer heat? His most noteworthy addition, which you should definitely look out for, is a special Time Out Market Miami x The Blakery collab cookie, featuring a flavor you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a spin on classic banana bread (hello, comfort food!) that’s made with a banana-flavored cookie that’s been filled with almond butter and topped with chocolate chunks and walnuts. It’s the perfect afternoon snack or breakfast treat if you’re into starting the day with something sweet, which we absolutely are. Find The Blakery at Time Out Market Miami starting today—and prepare to kiss your willpower goodbye. Photograph: Courtesy The Blaker

Surfside just got a new Israeli restaurant, and it’s worth a look

Surfside just got a new Israeli restaurant, and it’s worth a look

Remember when we told you about a Middle Eastern food trend sweeping through the city? Well, there’s more where that came from. Neya, which recently opened in Surfside, serves a modern Israeli menu replete with dishes that Miami simply can’t get enough of these days. From a namesake hummus with fresh cilantro zhoug sauce and shakshuka with foraged greens to crispy Brussels sprouts coated in turmeric tahini, Neya’s mezze selection seemingly packs a little extra for diners to get excited about. Large plates offer a variety of proteins prepared in the Josper charcoal oven, including roasted lamb cutlets, grilled tiger prawns with spiced harissa and Morrocan snapper with smoked matbucha. Photograph: Courtesy Neya Like its modern menu, Neya’s 2,700-square-foot dining room is sleek and contemporary with wood furnishings and matte-black fixtures that make for a warm, inviting setting. There’s a buzzy bar at the center, which faces the open kitchen and lights up during Thursday’s weekly ladies’ nights as the free drinks flow from 6pm to 8pm. Various fruit-based martinis and citrusy cocktails, like the Netanya that’s made with a refreshing mix of Sipsmith gin, elderflower, lemon, and cucumber, also abound. You’ll find Neya at 9491 Harding Avenue, Surfside, FL, opening Sunday through Thursday from 6pm to 11pm and Friday and Saturday from 6pm to midnight. Photograph: Courtesy Neya