Restaurant News: Miami Spice, Sushi By Scratch, Speakeasy Tapas Bar

MIAMI, FL — Here’s the latest restaurant and bar news in the Miami area.

Miami Spice Showcases Area Restaurants

About 150 restaurants in the greater Miami area are participating in the 2022 Miami Spice event designed to showcase some of the region’s finest chefs.

Organized by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, participating restaurants offer special prix-fixe menus and discounts. Learn more about which restaurants are taking part in this year’s Miami Spice here.

Michelin-Starred Sushi Restaurant Opens In Coconut Grove

Sushi by Scratch, a Michelin-starred restaurant with locations in Los Angeles, Austin and Montecito, has recently opened in the Miami area.

Husband-and-wife chef/restaurateurs Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee has opened the newest Florida location in Coconut Grove’s Stirrup House.

“Miami is a city we know well and have great affection for,” Kallas-Lee, who lived in Miami when she was a teen, told TimeOut. “When we launched the Scratch Restaurants group a decade ago, we made a promise to ourselves to open restaurants in cities we loved and felt a genuine connection to.”

Soho House Is Opening Second South Florida Location

The members-only club for creatives in Miami Beach, Soho House, is opening a second South Florida location later this year. The new space will be on the border of Miami’s Wynwood and Edgewater neighborhoods in a former printing press, according to Ocean Drive. It will include a pool, lounge areas, terrace restaurant, cottage bar and club space.

Chef Changes Puerto Rican Restaurant To Italian Eatery

Chef Jose Mendín has switched up the concept for his MiMo District restaurant. He’s abandoned his Puerto Rican restaurant La Placita to open an offshoot of Casa Isola, his Italian restaurant in Sunset Harbour. The new endeavor, a partnership with Chef Santo Agnello, is called Patio Isola, according to the Miami Herald.

Speakeasy Wine, Tapas Bar Opens Downtown

A European-style wine and tapas speakeasy has opened in downtown Miami. There’s just one way to access Saloni Bar by Meraki — through a hidden door in the bathroom alley of Meraki Greek Bistro, Eater Miami reported.

The Greek-inspired lounge and bar can also be rented for private events and can seat 60 people, according to its website.

Sip & Savor In The Gables Kicks Off Thursday

A two-week happy hour even in Coral Gables kicks off Thursday. Sip & Savor in the Gables, organized by the Business Improvement District of Coral Gables, runs from July 14-31 at various restaurants and bars throughout the area. Participating businesses will offer cocktail and appetizer specials ranging from $7 to $12. Learn more here.