The Coconut Grove Restaurant Scene Is Buzzing Amid New Restaurant Openings Including A New Concept From David Grutman

Coconut Grove is alive and buzzing amid a variety of new restaurant opens that are bringing one of Miami’s most historic and beautiful neighborhoods back into its heyday. In December Major Food Group opened Sadelle’s, a breakfast-centric haven, power-lunch hotspot, and energetic dinner destination located in Park Grove at the former Tigertail + Mary space. Nearby, reclaiming its role as the epicenter of Miami’s Coconut Grove commercial district, the newly redeveloped CocoWalk is now 100% leased with the announcement of the new openings including The Key Club from David Grutman’s Groot Hospitality and a new concept from Ariete Hospitality.

The Key Club, which is set to open at CocoWalk in the upcoming weeks, is an energetic American grill. It’s menu will feature items such as seafood, steaks, salads and will offer a sushi component with an upbeat, party atmosphere. The restaurant is designed with nautical and nature vibes with indoor and outdoor seating. They are currently hiring for management, FOH and BOH positions. Groot Hospitality is the restaurant group behind Swan, Papi Steak, and Komodo, as well as nightlife destinations such as LIV.

Other recent openings include modern American restaurant Botánico Gin & Cookhouse, which opened in November, and Duck N’ Sum, a modern Asian restaurant serving classic flavors such as steamed bao buns and garlic noodles. Then, in December, Sushi Garage unveiled its unique culinary experience inspired by classic Japanese flavors created by Executive Chef Sunny Oh.

Ariete Hospitality Group, the culinary creators behind some of Coconut Grove’s most popular restaurants such as Ariete, Navé and Chug’s, will also open a new restaurant on property this year. Set to open in spring 2022 is Narbona Natural Foods & Farm Market, the 8,253-square-foot specialty market that will feature a butcher shop, fresh pastas, and a bakery along with a selection of gourmet cheeses, craft beers, wines, and coffees – all produced on its farms in South America. This will become Narbona’s second location to open in South Florida.

In addition to the new and exciting dining concepts, world-class cinema Cinépolis makes its highly anticipated debut with the opening of a brand-new movie theater this winter, marking the return of the neighborhood’s only movie theater.

“Our goal with the newly renovated CocoWalk is to reinvigorate the lifestyle destination and offer a more curated experience to those who live, work, and play in Coconut Grove,” said Michael Comras, CEO and President of The Comras Company. “The return of Cinepolis, the top shops already open and our upcoming restaurant debuts by several of Miami’s leading hospitality groups will further enhance the lifestyle, dining and shopping experience the new CocoWalk has to offer.”

The new restaurants join an already impressive and extensive line-up of curated national, regional and local concepts currently open at CocoWalk such as PLANTA Queen, Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza, Sweetgreen and ice cream outpost Salt & Straw.

Images via CocoWalk

Temakase Sushi Bar From NYC's East Village To Open In South Florida At Atlantic Village In Hallandale Beach

The popular Japanese handroll sushi bar which made waves with its first location in New York’s trendy East Village will open their first brick-and-mortar location in South Florida after hosting a successful pop-up experience at the Sagamore Hotel in Miami Beach. Temakase will join the dynamic roster of restaurant tenants at the mixed-use Hallandale Beach lifestyle plaza, Atlantic Village. Atlantic Village is being developed by the Mexico City-based Group Eco. Temakase is part of Atlantic Village’s third phase, set for completion by the end of 2021.

“We are thrilled to welcome Temakase to the compelling retail and restaurant mix at Atlantic Village,” Grupo Eco Real Estate Developer Daniel Chaberman said. “Our goal was to bring unique and fun restaurant and retail options to the area, and we are excited to see it all coming together.”

Founded by restauranters Anthony Shnayderman and Liron Michaeli, Temakase offers an authentic omakase experience with a more affordable price tag. Omakase is a Japanese term that roughly translates to “I’ll leave it up to you,” meaning the chef curates the menu with a variety of handroll tasting options. In addition to the chef’s choice menus, customers also have the option of choosing from an à la carte menu.

“Temakase offers the experience of getting to sit in front of a chef who will custom create a meal for you using the freshest ingredients,” Shnayderman said. “After seeing how well our concept was received at the Sagamore, we wanted a permanent South Florida location and Atlantic Village checked all the boxes.”

Located at 601, 701 and 801 N. Federal Hwy., Atlantic Village is bringing a wide variety of restaurants to its diverse retail lineup that also includes service-oriented retail, entertainment, office and medical tenants.

The first phase is fully opened and features many food-and-beverage tenants including: Crudos Fusion Art, Doggi’s Arepa Bar, Dr. Limon Ceviche Bar, Juice Mafia and The Blues Burgers. Phase two restaurant tenants include Holi Vegan Kitchen, Crema Gourmet, Gelato-Go, Jaffa Israel Kitchen and Wine Bar and La Piazzetta.