Call Me Gaby Opens a Second Location in Aventura Mall

Expanding on its success, the Call Me Gaby founders are gearing up to charm patrons with a new location in Aventura Mall: Gaby by Call me Gaby. The restaurant's distinct blend of culinary expertise, celebrity allure, and an inviting atmosphere is poised to captivate a wider audience, offering an extended enchanting dining experience in the lively Aventura Mall setting. Owners Cathy and Anthony Arriighi-Guitera take pride in using high-quality, fresh ingredients and cooking traditions to create their Pinsa Romana-style pizza and casual fare. The entire kitchen, staffed with highly skilled and trained Italian chefs in South Beach Miami, reflects a commitment to culinary excellence.

With this new endeavor for the new year, the restaurant continues to embody a dedication to providing a delightful and top-notch dining experience. With a team of skilled Italian chefs creating pizzas named after women, there's a subtle connection to Coco Chanel's real name, Gaby, adding an intriguing touch to the dining experience. This seamless blend of charm and culinary mastery forms the backdrop for an enticing dining experience. Notably, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner selected this favored Miami hotspot for an intimate date night, a choice embraced by the Trump family and the late Ivana Trump. Ivanka's prior selection of this picturesque locale for her own 41st birthday celebration in November 2022 further solidifies the couple's affinity for the enchanting ambience that graced both occasions.

Images via Call Me Gaby

Toku Modern Asian Cuisine Opens In Aventura Mall

Toku, by Poll Restaurants, has opened in the Aventura Mall offering modern Asian cuisine, an expansive cocktail program and a moody yet inviting ambiance. In 2007, brothers Gillis and George Poll opened Toku at Americana Manhasset in Long Island. With a portfolio of successful steakhouse, seafood and Italian concepts, the Poll brothers decided to try something new with Asian fare. The restaurant was an instant hit for its modern, Asian dishes, cocktails and immaculate build-out. With the recently opened Aventura Mall location, South Florida residents can now enjoy Toku’s sought-after dining experience.

“South Florida is a unique culinary destination, with restaurants that bring together the best in flavors from a variety of cultures,” shares Gillis and George Poll, owners of Toku. “Toku’s immersive ambiance and straightforward menu are designed for any occasion, making Aventura Mall a natural choice for our second location. We are delighted to introduce our artfully-crafted dining experience to residents, visitors and mall goers alike.”

Toku’s sleek and stylish vibe has made it a Long Island mainstay - the 14,000-square-foot Aventura location incorporates design elements from the New York location, while bringing in South Florida touches. Created by Rockwell Group, with input from the Poll brothers, Toku’s immersive interior is based on a 19th Century Japanese home, and the restaurant’s cozy ambiance is brought into the 21st Century with ultra-modern elements and sleek lighting.

Upon entry, guests can enjoy the 53-seat bar area, with an illuminated bar surface, dark wood accents and a large mural by local artist Krave depicting a Chinese dragon. Heading into the main dining room, which seats 166, a large stone Buddha overlooks the space, filled with plush banquettes for luxurious seating. Here, guests can enjoy views of the open kitchen and sushi bar while they dine. Guests that wish to dine al fresco can head to Toku’s expansive 190-seat covered outdoor patio. Art by Fin Dac, whose striking work can be found across Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, greets guests as they enter Toku’s private dining room, perfect for gatherings of all types, which can accommodate 14 and offers access to the patio area for large parties.

Toku’s cuisine combines ingredients and cooking techniques from across the globe, with predominantly Japanese and Chinese influences, with touches of Thai and Vietnamese flavors. The expansive menu features classic Asian fare, with sophisticated meat and seafood selections. Toku’s designed-for-sharing dishes offer something for every palate, with highlights including Miso Black Cod, Roasted Lobster, Sesame Crusted Tuna, Wagyu Steak Frites and Peking Duck, as well as a variety of rice and noodle dishes, and dozens of finely-crafted sushi and maki options to choose from.

Toku’s sleek and intimate bar sets the scene for enjoying its must-try beverage offerings. Guests can sip on libations from the restaurant’s wide variety of cocktails, sakes, Japanese whiskies, wines and beers. Unique craft cocktails include the Chili Passion Martini, Fig Martini, Mandarin Mojito, and the Toku-Gria, an Asian-inspired twist on classic sangria with sake, plum wine, ginger and fruit.

Offering lunch and dinner, Toku will be open from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. The restaurant is located in Aventura Mall at 19575 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 1109.

Images via Toku

Miami Dolphins Star Tyreek Hill Opens Soul Runner Experiential Pop-Up In Aventura Mall

The newest Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill has opened a pop-up for Soul Runner, his motivational athletic wear brand, in Aventura Mall. On August 11, Hill hosted a special grand opening attended by NFL stars such as AJ Greene and Cedrick Wilson, as well as influencers such as Zach “That’s a Dot” Lewis and Lahgriddy, attracting large crowds to the Soul Runner Pop-Up as fans tried to get a look at the Dolphin’s star receiver. Hill debuted the new Soul Runner store and collection as well as recorded an episode of his “It Needed To Be Said” Podcast live with special guest Jake Paul.

Rooted in the vision of a “spirit in motion,” Soul Runner is inspired by unwavering faith and the meditative, therapeutic influence of putting one’s body, life and soul in a forward motion. According to Hill, the uplifting mission of the brand is grounded in the choices one makes in the face of adversity – “either running away from fear or running towards a new goal” – and dedicated to those who take the high road in the endless pursuit of a better future.

Nicknamed “Cheetah,” Hill was acquired by the Dolphins from the Kansas City Chiefs this March. He was a Super Bowl Champion in 2019, has been selected to the Pro Bowl in all six seasons of his NFL career, and was chosen as a member of the 2010s NFL All-Decade Team.

The Soul Runner pop-up at Aventura Mall features exclusive new Soul Runner styles, including new premium heavyweight tees, premium heavyweight hoodies and women’s crop tops. Additionally, the experiential pop-up has a performance zone with light workout equipment where workout classes will be hosted throughout the month in collaboration with its fitness partners.

“Aventura Mall is an iconic destination and I’m thrilled to debut the Soul Runner pop-up in a South Florida landmark alongside so many great brands,” says Hill. “To launch our first store in Miami is a dream, especially as I’m embarking on a new journey here myself. I feel lucky to be in such a vibrant place.”

The Soul Runner mindset originated during Hill’s childhood when he was faced with opportunities to join gangs. He and his friends took a different direction, forming a group called the “Soul Runners.” Deviating from gangs, the Soul Runners embarked on a lifelong journey dedicated to creating a better future for themselves and those around them.

“Hard work is contagious. When you push yourself, it pushes others and drives everyone to be better. This is what Soul Runner is all about,” says Hill. “I’m still ‘Soul Running.’ It never ends.”

The Soul Runner pop-up at Aventura Mall is located on the Lower Level near Bloomingdale’s.

Malls Across Miami Are Reopening Today As Miami Enters Phase 1 Of Reopening From The COVID-19 Shutdown

“Although we live in a city without seasons, this feels like Spring,” said Miami Design District visionary Craig Robins as Miami enters Phase 1 of its reopening plan. As per approval by Governor Ron DeSantis, Miami-Dade and Broward County can begin to reopen as of today, May 18, 2020, following the COVID-19 lockdown that has marred the United States since early March. Golf courses and marinas opened several weeks ago with restrictions, and now retail, restaurants, barbershops and salons may open - with restrictions. Bars, nightclubs, movie theaters and beaches are not part of the Phase 1 reopening plan and have no set reopen date.

Following the opening of Palm Beach County over the past several weeks, malls in Miami are welcoming back patrons in Miami Design District, Brickell City Centre, Bal Harbour Shops and Aventura Mall, in addition to Broward County’s Sawgrass Mills mall leading the charge. While the malls may be open, individual businesses within them are making their own decisions as to which day and how they will relaunch operations. Robins indicated that Miami Design District will see most of their tenants open by Wednesday, May 20 along with parking, public art and centralized services. Shoppers will also be able to pick up a mask at any MDD information desk. Bal Harbour Shops and Brickell City Centre opened May 18.

Restaurant openings have been a hot topic of discussion as they begin opening their dine-in services back up at 50% capacity and with six foot social distancing between parties. Bar counters are closed to seating and a maximum of four people can be seated at a table unless they are members of the same household, which are capped at six. Patrons must wear face masks when they are not at their table and employees must wear masks at all times. All menus must be single use and restrooms must limit their capacity to one person at a time. Retail has similar restrictions limiting capacity to 50% and requiring all customers and employees to wear a mask at all times.

Authorities will monitor and assess how Phase 1 of reopening progresses over the next several weeks before approving a move to Phase 2 or instituting new restrictions to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Construction On Esplanade At Aventura Now Underway At Aventura Mall

The New York-based Seritage Growth Properties has begun construction on the first phase of Esplanade at Aventura, the 215,000 SF ground-up development featuring experiential retail, unique entertainment and fine dining in a luxurious open-air high-street retail setting on the 12.3 acre site of the former Sears store at Aventura Mall. Once completed, the esplanade will offer a diverse mix of leading domestic and international retailers and restaurants, many of which will be new to the South Florida market, creating a world-class attraction for residents and visitors. Esplanade at Aventura is designed by SB Architects and Rockwell Group, which will feature a pedestrian boulevard, large outdoor plazas, as well as multiple patio and rooftop dining and entertainment areas. The project will also bring a new parking garage. Seritage Growth Properties is a publicly traded real estate investment trust which split off of parent company Sears in 2015. Seritage Growth Properties owns over 230 Sears properties nationwide, many of which they lease back to the struggling retailer. In 2016 Seritage Growth Properties sued Aventura Mall over the $214 million expansion which they claim violated a long-standing agreement but the case was settled and mall expansion is now nearly complete. Esplanade at Aventura is scheduled to open in late 2019.

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