12 June 5–11, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | ▼ MIAMI-DADE A NEW FLANIGAN’S... WHERE? One day after New Times broke the story that Flanigan’s Seafood Bar & Grill was teasing followers about a new location, the restaurant officially announced the next location. A new Flanigan’s restaurant will open soon in Cutler Bay, a Miami suburb, at 20971 Old Cutler Rd. The news was posted on Thursday, May 29, via Instagram, ending a whirlwind 24 hours of speculation that started with a cryptic Instagram tease from the beloved South Florida chain. Thursday’s Instagram Reel announcing the Cutler Bay location featured a short video interview with the mayor of the Town of Cutler Bay, Tim Meerbott, and Jimmy Flanigan, president and CEO of Flanigan’s. Meerbott begins, “Ever since I’ve been on the campaign trail, people have been asking for one thing: more restaurants... and do I have some exciting news for you, because I want to welcome our newest Cutler Bay resident, Jimmy Flanigan!” Jokingly, Flanigan responded, “My job is to get everyone 15 minutes away from ‘Rib Roll’ in South Florida. So, Cutler Bay is an obvious choice. We’re moving to Homestead later, but this is an obvious stepping stone to get there.” Cutler Bay, nestled just south of Palmetto Bay and close to Pinecrest, will soon be home to the iconic green cup haven’s newest outpost. This expansion keeps Flanigan’s firmly rooted in South Florida, though fans across the state had hoped otherwise. While no opening date has been revealed, longtime customers and fans took to the comments immediately to express their support. “About friggin’ time! We’ve only been asking for this for over 20 years now!” wrote a fan. Another wrote, “Well, finally! Something to look forward to!” Others chimed in, “I’ve never been more excited! Finally! I no longer need to drive to Pinecrest! Woo hoo!” On Wednesday, May 29, New Times broke the news that Flanigan’s had teased its fans with the news of a new opening. The short video flashed a montage of cities, including Tampa, Orlando, Key West, and Cutler Bay, with the caption: “Where will we go next?” That single sentence set off a frenzy among the Flanigan’s fans, affectionately known as “Flanatics.” The speculation reopened the classic debate: Should Flanigan’s remain a South Florida treasure, or expand to the rest of the state? The response made one thing clear — people are ready for their ribs, rolls, and rock-and-roll vibe statewide. Flanigan’s also recently confirmed plans for a Homestead location, adjacent to the old city hall. That move, combined with today’s Cutler Bay announcement, signals a clear trend: Flanigan’s is doubling down on its Miami-Dade roots — for now. So, to those in Orlando and Tampa still holding out hope: keep your eyes on the horizon. But for Cutler Bay? It’s officially your time to shine — and dine. Flanigan’s Cutler Bay. 20971 Old Cutler Rd., Miami; flanigans.net. Opening soon. NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR ▼ COCONUT GROVE TILL WE MEET AGAIN The tides are shifting in Coconut Grove. After a year of Portuguese dishes with a modern twist, a beautiful dining room, and fine wines, Sereia, the modern Portuguese- inspired restaurant tucked away at the southern edge of the Grove, has closed its doors for a hiatus. The restaurant announced the news over Memorial Day weekend via Instagram, leaving fans heartbroken — yet, perhaps, a little hopeful. “Dear friends, as the tides shift and the heat of summer settles in, we at Sereia are pressing pause to rest, recharge, and dream up new flavors for the season ahead. Our final dinner service before the break will be on Saturday, May 31. This quiet stretch of time allows us to reconnect with everything that inspires us — the sea, the seasons, and the soulful ingredients that define our tables. Thank you for your warmth and presence at Sereia and your continued support. You are part of the magic that makes this space what it is. We look forward to welcoming you back soon, with new stories to tell and flavors to share. With love and gratitude, the Sereia team.” Fans took to the comments to express their support of the restaurant, some writing, “Congrats to all that made Sereia such a good representation of Portugal’s food and drink. Will be back for more,” and “We had such a great dinner. Can’t wait for what’s next.” Although recently added to the 2025 Michelin Guide, the restaurant often felt like a secret, where foodies in the know truly embraced its elevated takes on classic Portuguese-inspired dishes. The restaurant was even named New Times’ Best Restaurant (Coconut Grove) in 2024. However, behind the hopeful farewell was a more pragmatic truth. In a text to New Times, chef Miguel Massens, who has helmed the kitchen since its opening, shed light on the decision: “In such a saturated restaurant market, it was difficult to get the Miami crowd on board with the more refined version of Portuguese cuisine that Sereia was offering,” he wrote. “Being at the tail end of the Grove also hurt our chances a bit in a community that has such heavy foot traffic in the center part of town.” Sereia’s location (near Taurus, but slightly off the beaten path) may have lent it a calm, coastal spirit, but also placed it just far enough from the buzz of Main Highway and CocoWalk to make its presence easy to miss. According to Massens, ownership is now exploring a rebrand. “Ownership is looking at opportunities to rebrand Sereia as a more relaxed, casual version, as we believe Portuguese food deserves to be represented more in America,” he shared. “I personally will look into the opportunity to relaunch my passion project, Antilia.” Antilia is Chef Massen’s personal project that marries the flavors of his Cuban heritage with Iberian flavors. Its return could be a welcome second act in a city that still hungers for soulful, story-rich cooking. Sereia. 3540 Main Hwy., Miami; 305-967- 8152. Closed as of May 31. NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVARS ▼ WYNWOOD JUST IN CASE YOU NEED TO DUMP HIM A new bar and restaurant in Wynwood wants to turn your romantic disasters into a night out. Sala de Despecho, which translates to “Heartbreak Room,” opened earlier this month, bringing a concept from Guadalajara that centers entirely on heartbreak and communal singing. The idea is straightforward: everyone has an ex, and this place lets you sing about it while eating tacos and drinking mezcal. The Miami location comes from a partnership between Mandala Group, known for creating immersive cultural experiences across Mexico, and the Dirty Rabbit Group, the team behind the Dirty Rabbit and Mad Club. The space features floor-to-ceiling bars and walls covered with breakup quotes and photos of famous couples who split up. But the real action happens during communal karaoke sessions with a DJ, where microphones get passed around tables so guests can belt out heartbreak anthems while music videos play on screens. The restaurant draws from the ups and downs of romance, featuring heartbreak music videos and songs that feel familiar to Latin families — the kind you’d listen to with your mom or your family — paired with tequila-based drinks and Mexican food. The programming includes communal karaoke sessions and heartbreak happy hours. The restaurant taps into Latin American traditions where heartache gets processed through music and community, turning pain into entertainment. The concept originated in Guadalajara and has expanded across Mexico before making its way to Miami. Sala de Despecho houses Mexico City’s cult-favorite Tacos Atarantados, which has built a following for its street-style authenticity. The menu at Tacos Atarantados includes traditional tacos like “Trompo de Puerco” (al pastor-style pork) and carne asada (grilled beef) as well as specialty items like the “Pirata Atarantado,” which comes with cheese and bacon. The volcanoes section features dishes like “Atarantados” and “Campechana” (mixed meats), while the cachetadas offer variations like “Trompo de Puerco” and “Trompo de Res” (beef al pastor). The cocktail menu focuses on tequila and mezcal, with drinks like the “Paquita” (tequila blanco, raspberry, lychee syrup, cranberry, and lemon) and the “Tamarindo” (mezcal, grilled pineapple, tamarind mix, grapefruit, and pineapple juice). “We want this to be a signature experience, where people feel immersed in the essence of Mexican and Latin culture while they eat, drink, and let go,” says Raul Vargas, director of operations for Mandala Group. Sala de Despecho. 218 NW 25th St., Miami; saladedespecho.mx/usa. OLEE FOWLER | TASTE TEST | ▼ Cafe Photo by Ruben Cabrera Photo by World Red Eye A new bar and restaurant in Wynwood wants to turn your romantic disasters into a night out. Sereia was added to the Florida Michelin Guide in 2025.
