13 JULY 18-24, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | 3201 RICKENBACKER CWY, KEY BISCAYNE, FL 33149 305.361.3818 | WWW.THERUSTYPELICAN.COM BE SOCIAL WITH US! /RUSTYPELICANMIAMI Join us for SUNSET HOUR EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY 4PM-6:30PM miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | mac & cheese, you’ll need to save room for its banana bread pudding ($6.50). Presented in a deconstructed fashion, it is a beautiful pile of bread, white chocolate, vanilla wafers, and crisped banana slices, all topped with a super- buttery toffee drizzle and whipped cream. My God, more tears of joy. By now, you’ve been given the roadmap to barbecue paradise right in our backyard — or- der the brisket, mac & cheese, and banana bread pudding at B&D Trap. You’re welcome in advance for instant happiness. B&D Trap. 1551 NW Sixth St., Fort Lauder- dale; 561-382-7944; bdtrap.com. Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. JESSE SCOTT ▼ CORAL GABLES MICHELLE BERNSTEIN’S SRA. MARTINEZ TO REOPEN THIS FALL Miami, the wait is almost over. After 12 years, James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein and her husband and partner, Da- vid Martinez, are reopening Sra. Martinez in Coral Gables early this fall. While Miami has plenty of highly antici- pated restaurant openings set for the second half of 2024, only a few are comparable to the return of Sra. Martinez, which closed in the Miami Design District back in 2012. Sra. Marti- nez originally opened its doors in November 2008 and quickly earned critical acclaim, being named one of the best restaurants in America by Esquire magazine. That same year, Bernstein won the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast. In 2009, New Times crowned Sra. Martinez as the Best Spanish Restaurant, further solidifying its reputation among locals for its vibrant atmosphere, delec- table tapas, and renowned cocktails. More than a decade later, Bernstein is res- urrecting her award-winning spot — this time, in Coral Gables. What To Expect at the New Sra. Martinez in Coral Gables For Bernstein, the reopening of Sra. Martinez is more than another business opportunity — the restaurant marks her return to her roots, both personally and professionally. “We’re reopening this restaurant for the community,” she explains. Their decision to re- open in Coral Gables was a deliberate one driven by a desire to create a gathering place where Miami residents could feel at home. Plus, the choice of Coral Gables is particularly meaningful for the couple, who both have deep ties to the neighborhood. “We used to live in the Gables, and we love it here,” Bernstein shares. “It’s a true neighborhood for the locals, a place where families come together and where people value great dining and hospital- ity.” Martinez adds, “We want to open the ‘Cheers’ of Coral Gables,” emphasizing their vi- sion for a place where patrons can unwind over dinner, drinks, and eventually, even brunch. Sra. Martinez’s new space will reflect a blend of old-world European charm with the colorful style of South Florida. The space it- self will be significantly larger than the previ- ous iteration of Sra. Martinez in the Design District, allowing for a more comfortable and dynamic dining environment. “The original Sra. Martinez was in a historic post office that was never meant to be a restaurant,” Marti- nez explains. “This time, the kitchen will be at the heart of everything. Not an open kitchen, but one where you can peek in and smell everything that’s cooking.” The design, led by James Beard Award- winning designer Thomas Schlesser, will fea- ture a large bar area, a cocktail lounge, and a stage for live music, honoring the venue’s his- tory as the former Open Stage Club, a local performance space. Jazz and bossa nova will be among the musical offerings, creating an inviting atmosphere that complements the dining experience. A New Menu While Maintaining Some of the Classics Reflecting on the new menu at Sra. Martinez, Bernstein is excited about blending tradition with innovation. Photo by World Red Eye Culinary power couple Michelle Bernstein and David Martinez want Sra. Martinez to become the Cheers of Coral Gables.