132 // FRESH ON THE SCENE
March madness in Miami brings new hot spots for brunch, drinks, poke, and Mexican that you need to try right now.
FOR FRENCH FARE: BAKEHOUSE BRASSERIE Menin Hospitality is at it yet again. But don’t expect tacos, New York deli-style sandwiches, or the loaded fries the brand has become synonymous with. This time, chef Bernie Matz is delighting with Parisian bistro-type fare with a twist, like pastelitos with bacon, guava, and chèvre or duck confit. And those are just a few of the freshly baked goods; there’s also brunch every day, including croissant French toast, crawfish beignets, wild boar chipotle Benedicts, and lemon honey Greek yogurt with roasted pears. Plus: live jazz and bottomless mimosas on weekends. 808 First St., Miami Beach, 305-434-8249; bakehouse southbeach.com
FOR MEXICAN NIGHT: TOCAYA ORGANICA You know Chris Paciello from either working out at his fitness-meets-nightclub haven, Anatomy at 1220, or partying till sunrise at his actual club, Rockwell. Now the nightlife veteran is bringing tacos from Venice and West Hollywood to Lincoln Road. This insanely popular and health-conscious modern Mexican shack is dishing out vegan chili, chipotledusted tofu, turkey picante, and a slew of burritos, bowls, quesos, and of course tacos. 920 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, 305-909-0799; tocayaorganica.com
FOR WHISKEY AND TEQUILA: SOUTH POINTE TAVERN South of Fifth may boast one of the city’s most iconic dive bars (Ted’s Hideaway), one of the country’s most successful megaclubs (Story), and the cocktail lounge-meetsbottle service discotheque Craft Social Club. But for the largest selection of
MARCH MADNESS IN MIAMI BRINGS NEW HOT SPOTS FOR BRUNCH, COCKTAILS, POKE, AND MEXICAN THAT YOU NEED TO TRY RIGHT NOW.
tequila and whiskey, along with a cachaça, kale, cucumber, and matcha cocktail fitting for the neighborhood, there’s only one new local watering hole on the scene: South Pointe Tavern. 40 South Pointe Dr., Miami Beach, 305-763-8368; southpointetavern.com
FOR THE PERFECT POKE: ONO POKE SHOP Love it or hate it, the poke craze is in the 305 to stay. Not all poke shops are created equal, however, and the aptly named Ono Poke Shop leads the pack. With the Hawaiian dish fused with Japanese ingredients, fresh fish delivered daily, and Makoto alum Amir Anvari doing the slicing and dicing, it’s no wonder Ono’s bowls draw a line out the door during lunchtime. Pro tip: Walk over to The Salty Donut for dessert. 2320 N. Miami Ave., Miami, 786-6185366; onopokeshop.com
FOR STARTING THE DAY RIGHT: OTL The last thing you expected to happen in Miami? The czar of the clubs LIV and Story, Dave Grutman, serving breakfast and coffee (and curing the same hangover he caused). But at his latest venture, in partnership with Craig Robins and the crew behind NYC’S The Smile, he’s doing just that with manchego and pear sandwiches on Zak the Baker sourdough bread, as well as kiwi, coconut, and chia oats that were soaking overnight while you were partying. 160 NE 40th St., Miami, 786-953-7620; miami designdistrict.com