MIKA by Six Michelin Starred Chef Michael White Reveals Its New Interiors At The Plaza Coral Gables

MIKA by six Michelin-starred chef Michael White has revealed its lavish new interiors by Bishop Design at The Plaza Coral Gables. White's first standalone venture in Miami, in partnership with Alex Pirez and Matt Safchik, MIKA highlights his classic approach to coastal flavors, blending the bounty of Italy, France, and beyond with South Florida’s exceptional seafood and produce. The menu features delicate crudos, house-made pastas, and expertly grilled proteins, paired with classic cocktails and an extensive wine selection from a striking 1,700-bottle cellar.

For Chef Michael White’s devoted followers, MIKA offers a chance to revisit his signature dishes—like lobster burrata and fusilli with bone marrow—while also discovering new creations crafted for the South Florida palate, such as spaghetti with blue crab and caviar. Emphasizing local, high-quality ingredients and uncomplicated elegance, the menu showcases his latest culinary creations. As White himself puts it, MIKA is “truffles in blue jeans”—where refined flavors meet effortless sophistication, all tied together by the hospitality of home.

Located at The Plaza Coral Gables and designed by Bishop Design, the space reflects timeless Mediterranean elegance with natural stone, warm textures, and handcrafted lighting. MIKA aims to be a neighborhood staple, offering a welcoming ambiance for everything from casual dinners to business gatherings and stylish evenings out.

MIKA By Michelin-Starred Chef Michael White Opens In The Plaza Coral Gables

Chef Michael White, recognized for six Michelin stars and a James Beard Award, among other prestigious accolades, has opened his first standalone Florida restaurant – MIKA – on Thursday, Dec. 12. Celebrating the bounty of the Mediterranean Riviera, White draws inspiration from the coasts of Italy, France and beyond to unite his signature style of cooking with South Florida’s exceptional seafood and produce in this new dining concept, located in The Plaza Coral Gables.

Envisioned as a staple neighborhood restaurant, guests will experience a fresh iteration of White’s remarkable culinary journey, which is most notably marked by him having earned a coveted two-star Michelin rating as the creator and founding chef New York City’s esteemed Italian establishment Marea. MIKA combines chic sophistication with a relaxed, welcoming ambiance, offering the perfect setting for anything from a casual dinner with friends to a business gathering or a stylish evening out. It is a place where guests are family, invited to enjoy authentic food in a setting that honors the hospitality of home.

Last Wednesday, a slew of celebrities attended a soiree to celebrate MIKA’s grand opening with A-listers in attendance included Derek Jeter and his wife Hannah, NBA player John Wall, DJ Cedric Gervais, of Real Housewives fame Nicole Martin, Mayor Francis Suarez, Mayor Vince Lago, Byredo-Founder Ben Gorham and model Devon Windsor, as well as some of the top names in hospitality, entertainment, and real estate including Dave Grutman, Shareef Malnick, Chris Paciello, Steve Boucher, Colin Cowie, David Martin, and Nitin Motwani.

The menu at MIKA blends delicate crudos, house made pastas, and perfectly grilled proteins, all prepared to showcase the seasonality and quality of each ingredient. Signature dishes, such as langoustine carpaccio, fusilli with octopus and bone marrow, and bistecca alla fiorentina will be featured alongside new creations tailored for Miami’s palate. Complementing the plates are classic cocktails, such as spritz-style libations and craft Italian beers, along with an impressive wine collection housed in a striking 1,700-bottle cellar, featuring Italian, French, and American selections.

Alongside White are owner-partners Alex Pirez and Matt Safchik. Pirez is a prominent partner with two of Miami’s leading hospitality groups – Groot Hospitality and Major Food Group – known for his collaborations at renowned venues like Komodo, Swan, Gecko, and the Goodtime Hotel, and responsible for Major Food Group’s expansion in Miami from New York. Safchik is a seasoned food and beverage operator and former Vice President of Food & Beverage Development for Wynn Resorts. The partnership trio chose Coral Gables because it was an opportunity to serve a truly local audience and contribute to this burgeoning pocket of the local food culture.

“Having both my home and business in Coral Gables, I’ve always dreamed of creating a place the community could call its own,” said Pirez, who was heavily involved in the design. “It’s a privilege to partner with Chef White and bring his legendary coastal-Riviera dishes to this special part of Miami that is near and dear to my heart.”

Central to the dining experience are MIKA’s striking interiors by international award-winning Bishop Design. The design of MIKA draws from timeless Mediterranean traditions. Spanning 8,195 square feet, the space features a palette of nature’s tones elevated by a variety of textural layering. A stylish bar and lounge lead to an intimate 100 seat main dining room. Exceptional natural stones, distressed wood, chukum-inspired walls, and burnished metals create a dynamic interplay in the soft light. Leather and velvet accents invite touch, while arched motifs, dome shapes, and tall coffered ceilings offer a timeless nod to classical architecture. Handcrafted lighting pieces lend a bespoke quality, each with unique artisanal patterns. For private gatherings and special occasions, a spacious 36-seat private dining room with a dedicated outdoor lounge is available.

MIKA is located at 3005 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Suite 248, Coral Gables, and is now accepting reservations. MIKA is open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday. Lunch and additional dinner services will begin in early 2025.

Images via Daniel Zuliani

Six Michelin-Starred Chef Michael White Set to Open MIKA at The Plaza Coral Gables

Six Michelin-starred Chef Michael White, creator and founding chef of Marea, one of New York City’s most esteemed restaurants, is set to open MIKA, his first standalone restaurant in Florida. Located in Miami’s Coral Gables, the restaurant’s menu will feature his classic Riviera style while celebrating South Florida’s exceptional bounty of local seafood and produce. Nestled within The Plaza Coral Gables, the new placemaking neighborhood destination for upscale shopping, dining and entertainment, MIKA will open its doors later this year.

MIKA will feature White’s classic Riviera style while celebrating South Florida’s exceptional bounty of local seafood and produce. The menu will include innovative carpaccio-style crudos, exceptional handmade pastas, and perfectly grilled proteins paired with some of White’s most legendary dishes like langoustine carpaccio, fusilli with octopus and bone marrow, and rosemary sea salt bistecca alla fiorentina.

While White is known for his fine dining, MIKA will be a fresh concept that unites his skillset with a focus on humble hospitality. As a result, the restaurant will be an inviting and sophisticated neighborhood restaurant offering unapologetic food in a convivial setting.

White has teamed up with partners Alex Pirez -- founder of the luxury design-development firm Mocca Group and a restaurant investor responsible for Major Food Group’s Miami expansion -- and Matt Safchik – a seasoned food and beverage operator from Miami -- to bring this new culinary experience, MIKA, to Coral Gables. The partnership trio chose Coral Gables because it was an opportunity to serve a truly local audience and contribute to this burgeoning pocket of the local food culture.

Chef Michael White is a culinary icon whose journey has earned him six Michelin stars — including a coveted two-star rating at Marea, where he perfected his signature style of coastal cooking informed by nearly a decade spent living and cooking in Italy and studying classic culinary techniques.

A prodigy of his craft and dedicated disciple of Mediterranean coastal cuisine, White is known for his menus that celebrate the bounty of the Mediterranean Riviera drawing inspiration from the coasts of Italy, France and beyond. Awarded almost every significant recognition in the industry, his accolades include: Six Michelin stars, a three-star New York Times review and James Beard Award. Throughout his legendary career, he has helmed the kitchens at some of the most respected restaurants in the country including Spiaggia, Fiamma Osteria, Alto, Convivio, Osteria Morini and Ai Fiori.

Inside The Continuum's South Beach Wine And Food Festival's 20th Anniversary Michelin Star-Honoree Led Dinner

Continuum, one of South Florida’s premier resort-style oceanfront condominium residences, participated in its second year for the 20th Anniversary of the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®), with a sophisticated evening of regional Italian cuisine on Friday, May 21st.

James Beard Award Winner and Michelin Star honoree Chef Michael White, joined forces with Chef Claudio Lobina from The Patio restaurant at the Continuum in Miami Beach, to present a refined three-course menu for guests, co-hosted by husband-and-wife restaurant proprietors Michele Merlo and Tullia Gasparotto. Residents and guests experienced a memorable evening under the stars, within the heart of the luxury beachfront residences, as part of the official Intimate Dinner Series during this year’s 20-Year anniversary of the festival.

“Our second year of participation during this year’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival proved equally remarkable as our inaugural showcase last year,” says Rishi Idnani, Managing Director of the Continuum. “Despite the need for increased precautions to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone in attendance, this wonderful collaboration by Chef Michael White, a coveted award-winning Michelin Star honoree, and our very own Chef Claudio Lobina, gave our residents and guests a world class experience in culinary excellence as well as an evening of musical entertainment. On behalf of the entire Continuum management team, I would like to thank the festival’s organizing committee, together with the sponsors and our patrons for helping to make this second installment a resounding success. We would like to congratulate the festival’s management team for achieving an incredible 20-year milestone for one of the nation’s most highly regarded events on the culinary calendar.”

Guests were welcomed to The Patio restaurant with a live performance by the jazz group “Yamit and The Vinyl Blvd” as attendees were shown to their seats. Singing sensation Jean Vailant, returned with a superb vocal rendition of the Andrea Bocelli classics “Canto della Terra and “Time To Say Goodbye.” This was followed with a welcome speech and introduction to Chef Michael White by Steven Moll from the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

The night’s exclusive menu in regional Italian cuisine by Chef Michael White and Chef Claudio Lobina included: Lobster Caprese spoons to start, followed by Pea, Pecorino & Lardo Crostini, Warm Sicilian Red Shrimps with mango and potato chutney and Venetian Baccalà on polenta cake, as additional appetizers. Main entrée dishes included Amberjack and Burrata Olivada with lemon and pistachio; Risotto Porcini with Oregon Blonde Morel mushrooms and salmon with roasted peppers, asparagus and Salsa Bagna Cauda. The dessert course presented a Deconstructed Meringata with wild fresh berries. Each course was paired with a selection of international wines provided courtesy of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits portfolio.