Vinya
Where: 328 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne; 266 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; Time Out Market, 1601 Drexel Ave., Miami Beach
The headline: The world-class pours might get people in the door, but there’s plenty else to keep you happy and entertained at this beloved South Florida wine bar.
What’s the buzz: What gained popularity as a pandemic-era subscription wine delivery service has since blossomed into some of the most popular neighborhood wine bars. Loyal locals frequent the Vinya locations in South Florida for the extensive wine-by-the-glass selections and chef-driven fare. The standalone locations in Coral Gables and Key Biscayne possess laid-back, cozy atmospheres, while the one at Time Out Market has added to the sprawling food hall’s already-buzzy vibe.
Any night of the week, pop by Vinya for manchego croquetas with truffle caviar, bacon-wrapped dates with smoked paprika aioli, and pours of the latest picks of pinot grigio or pinot noir. In Coral Gables, the wine bar recently launched a jazz weekend brunch, featuring sweet and savory plates, free-flowing champagne, and local musicians.
Consider the lobster benedict (main top photo: RM Studio Corp) served on cheddar-jalapeño biscuits with spicy hollandaise; French toast with a side of maple-sriracha pork belly; or the huevos rancheros with skirt steak, black beans and pico de gallo. Bottomless Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut Champagne pairs well with the scrambled egg pizza with caramelized onions, bacon, and scallions, or the spaghetti carbonara with Nueske’s bacon and a 67-degree egg.
Bonus bite: Along with private dining experiences, Vinya offers an array of workshops and tastings with their wine experts.
Contact: vinyawine.com
Crudos ArtHouse
Where: 2415 Ponce De Leon, Coral Gables
The headline: Begin with an Asian-Latin-inspired dining experience and end with Japanese whiskey cocktails and dancing.
Why the buzz? Art and food become one at Crudos, a multisensory restaurant and lounge experience. Illuminated in pink and red hues with music pulsating through the walls, the restaurant is brimming with art, from floral arrangements hung from the ceilings to unique ceramic pieces behind the bar. The 5,000-square-foot, two-story space—which is a spin-off of Crudos Fusion Art in Wynwood—allows diners to begin their night with a blend of Asian-Latin cuisine and later venture upstairs for post-meal cocktails and dancing inside Crudos’ Aka Room, a buzzy omakase and highball bar.
“In everything we do, our goal—beyond delivering unparalleled food and service—is to stimulate all the senses,” says co-operator Andres Monroy. “Art, food, drink, music and design all must work in harmony to create an experience that is transformative.”
The menu features a selection of sashimi, specialty rolls and main courses like ginger pork belly with crispy leeks; “Picasso” sea bass glazed in ginger sesame and ponzu sauce; and crispy lobster rice. At Aka, Japanese whiskey and highball cocktails are served alongside a limited menu of handrolls. On weekends, the atmosphere transforms into that of a dinner party, with live DJs and bottle service.
“We designed Crudos Art House to be an energetic space that will be Coral Gables’ go-to spot for a night out, whether it’s a party, after-work happy hour or dinner with friends,” says operations director Daniel Materan.
Bonus bite: The Gables Happy Hour, which runs Tuesday to Friday (4 to 7 p.m.), includes $10 cocktails and select spirits, along with bar bites like truffle shrimp tempura rolls, soft-shell crab in bao buns, and fried octopus with potatoes. In addition, bubbles and sake are free for ladies on Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m.
Contact: 305.392.0054, crudosarthouse.com
Tablé by Bachour
Where: 180 NE 40th St., Miami
The headline: This upscale French brasserie features Antonio Bachour’s award-winning pastries and desserts—alongside chef-driven, savory dishes.
Why the buzz? Skip the flight to France with a dining experience at Antonio Bachour’s newest venture: Tablé by Bachour, a Parisian brasserie in the Miami Design District. Helmed by the celebrated pastry chef, this restaurant is Bachour’s most ambitious project to date, comprising more than 5,500-square-feet of indoor and outdoor space with a full-service restaurant, casual café, and a grab-and-go market.
Unlike his winning concepts in Doral and Coral Gables, Tablé is Bachour’s way of introducing a more upscale dining concept fit for the Design District’s ritzy atmosphere.
“All that I’ve learned and experienced since becoming a chef has gone into the design of Tablé — from the menu, which is my version of French brasserie, to the wine list and the decor,” Bachour says. “Tablé [has] its own identity with a full bar featuring creative and classic libations, a carefully curated wine program, and fresh, beautiful food and desserts.”
Bonus bite: As with all Bachour concepts, Tablé includes a glass-enclosed pastry-viewing area, allowing guests to experience his dessert-making process in real time—as well as display cases filled with creamy chocolate-fueled, fruit-forward petit gateaux.
Contact: antoniobachour.com
