14 January 4-10, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | culture | Night+Day | News | letters | coNteNts | register to win at miaminewtimes.com/promos COOL STUFF go here to WIN miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Classically Cuban Social 27 dishes up elevated Cuban fare in Little Havana. BY MICHELLE MUSLERA T he husband-and-wife team be- hind Little Havana’s popular Doce Provisions recently cele- brated the grand opening of their restaurant Social 27, an homage to Cuban supper clubs of the 1940s, spotlight- ing elevated takes on classic Cuban fare with modern techniques and a Miami twist. “We started Doce Provisions eight years ago in a casual space and a tiny kitchen, and have always dreamed of having a larger venue where we can offer a full experience to our guests,” owner and chef Justin Sherrer shares with New Times. “When we came across the venue where Social 27 is now located, right in the heart of Little Havana and with so much indoor and outdoor space, we knew right away that we found the right place to make this dream a reality.” According to Sherrer, the vision behind Social 27 was to honor the Cuban roots of his wife and business partner, Lisetty Llampalla. The spot takes a page from the 1940s supper clubs that provided a full night of entertain- ment, including cocktail hour, dinner, live music, and nightlife. “We have created a beautiful space with an elevated menu to do just that, and we are excited to bring it to the local community,” he explains. While Doce Provisions has a decidedly more of an “Abuela’s patio” vibe, complete with overgrown plants and a relaxed atmo- sphere, Social 27 takes on a more sophisti- cated and polished aesthetic. It’s also notably larger, spanning 3,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. The modern vibe of the building finds a charming balance with vin- tage décor, featuring velvet green seating and lush tropical accents. The space comes alive with unique touches like suspended plants, ropes, and playful monkey adorn- ments hanging from the ceiling, complemented with colorful murals courtesy of local artist Diana “Didi” Contreras. “We wanted to craft a contemporary venue perfect for date nights, offering warm and attentive service and generously por- tioned food made with top-notch ingredi- ents,” Sherrer says. “Our goal was to strike a balance, providing a high-quality experience at a reasonable price to make sure our cus- tomers receive great value,” The menu draws inspiration from classic Cuban cuisine, infusing it with modern tech- niques and a distinctive Miami flair. Take the seafood croquetas, for instance, blending cod and mahi, topped with smoked trout caviar and yuzu sauce, an inventive twist on a tradi- tional favorite. The vaca frita showcases skirt steak braised in mojo for 24 hours, grilled to a crispy finish, while the whole branzino is ele- vated with rum butter and mint, accompa- nied by coconut rice and grilled banana. At the bar, a focus on rum-centric, classic Cuban cocktails intertwines with unique cre- ations inspired by the couple’s travels and shared history. The “Mi Amigo en Cartagena” cocktail, featuring mezcal, lulo, and passion- fruit juice, as well as the Lis, a tribute to Lla- mapalla’s love for spicy margaritas with tequila, jalapeños, and cucumber, stand out. Cocktails, thoughtfully crafted with freshly squeezed juices and daily made mixers and syrups, are presented with artistic flair. During happy hour, available Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., the signature drinks are offered for $10. Live entertainment graces the venue nightly, with a trio band ser- enading guests with Cuban classics on Thurs- day, Friday, and Saturday nights. Looking ahead, Sherrer reveals plans for a rooftop bar overlooking Little Havana and Brickell, completing the venue’s vision and adding a vibrant nightlife component. “We’re thrilled to welcome the community and friends we’ve made along the way to the res- taurant,” he adds. Social 27. 2555 SW Eighth St., Miami; 786- 703-9210; social27miami.com. Wednesday through Thursday 4 to 10 p.m., Friday through Saturday 4 to 11 p.m., and Sunday 4 to 9 p.m. [email protected] ▼ Café Photo courtesy of Social 27 Social 27’s draws inspiration from classic Cuban cuisine, infusing it with modern techniques and a distinctive Miami flair. “WE WANTED TO CRAFT A CONTEMPORARY VENUE PERFECT FOR DATE NIGHTS.”
