Chef Samuel Sam Gorenstein has finally returned to Miami Beach with a new project that shines a light on how he eats at home.
Gorenstein, along with partner Omer Horev, founder of Pura Vida Miami, will open Abba Telavivian Kitchen in a small converted bungalow in Miami Beach s South of Fifth neighborhood. Slated to open at the end of February, Abba will bring the flavors and spices of Tel Aviv to Miami.
The chef explains that the restaurant is a passion project for both partners on many levels. Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Horev moved to Miami 15 years ago, but his love of the food he grew up with remains. Gorenstein, a twice James Beard-nominated chef and creator of the seafood restaurant My Ceviche which was birthed in a tiny room inside a South of Fifth hostel and Zuuk Mediterranean Kitchen, has roots in Colombian, as well as Turkish and Syrian culture. Now they want to share the cuisine they cook for their loved ones.
A dream team of Miami hospitality professionals is opening Chela s, a Mexican-themed beer garden complete with massive outdoor patio, in Miami Lakes.
Restaurateurs Dan Binkiewicz, Mauricio Lacayo, and Orlando Lamas, along with cantinero Julio Cabrera and chef Daniel Gonzalez, envision Chela s as a long-term pop-up and, if all goes well, maybe a permanent fixture.
Binkiewicz is responsible for some of Miami s best bars, including Blackbird Ordinary in Brickell, the Bar in Coral Gables, and Sweet Liberty on South Beach. Cabrera, who brought the elegance of Cuba s
cantineros to Cafe la Trova in Little Havana, has graced the cover of
GQ and was named bartender of the year at the 2019 Spirited Awards at Tales of the Cocktail. Lacayo, a partner at Cafe La Trova, also co-owns the Bend Liquor Lounge in Miami Lakes in partnership with Lamas. And Miami dining scene veteran Gonzalez co-owns HotLime Craft Tacos and Ceviche Bar, which operates locations in Sistrunk Market in Fort
Last fall, the Mai-Kai abruptly closed after a burst pipe in the restaurant s kitchen caused extensive flooding. The owners of the landmark Fort Lauderdale tiki bar vowed to reopen, issuing a statement that said, While we don t have a reopen date finalized, we will keep our loyal patrons up to date as soon as we have more information to share.
The restaurant made good on that promise, hosting several gatherings and events in its parking lot and maintaining a presence through its online store, where people can buy tiki mugs and posters.
Late yesterday, however, the Mai-Kai said in a statement that the iconic establishment is for sale.
Rendering courtesy of Groot Hospitality/Carma Connected
At Winker s Diner, the American classic receives a whimsical facelift. The 240-seat diner, decorated in teal-colored Pullman-style booths and stainless steel-rimmed wood tabletops, will replace the jukebox of yesteryear with a more Grutman-appropriate DJ booth. What other diner has a DJ booth? says Grutman, explaining that the decision was less to provide a nightclub vibe and more to make sure the music matched the ambiance. I want everything to be perfect, and I don t want to leave the music programming to some streaming service, he explains. I want to have someone there to set the tone. The restaurant will offer American comfort food: sandwiches, soups, all-day breakfast, milkshakes, and floats.