| TASTE TEST | ▼ Café ▼ KENDALL OPRAH-BANKROLLED TRUE FOOD KITCHEN OPENS FIRST MIAMI OUTPOST Much buzzed-about and backed by Oprah, True Food Kitchen has opened its first Miami restaurant at long last. Located at the Falls in Kendall, True Food Kitchen’s sixth restaurant in the Sunshine State and 42nd location in the United States wel- comed its first customers on June 27. The open- ing marks True Food’s third South Florida location, joining siblings in the Square in West Palm Beach and at Town Center at Boca Raton. “We’ve been open for about two weeks and already starting to see guests for the fifth, sixth, and seventh times,” reports Marie- Laure Chaigne, general manager of True Food off the kitchen — being able to see everything being made right there is pretty incredible.” The Miami location includes an open kitchen so diners can watch as their dishes are concocted, a green goddess-inspired mural by local artist Cinthia Santos, and seating for nearly 400. Environmentally friendly materials were used in its construction, from the chairs made from recycled soda bottles to indoor/out- door gardens where fresh herbs are grown. In addition to seasonally curated items, staples on the True Food Kitchen menu in- clude edamame dumplings with white truffle oil ($13), an ancient-grain bowl with miso sesame-glazed sweet potato ($16), and a weekend brunch menu that features straw- berry lemon pancakes ($14) and smashed av- ocado toast with smoked gouda ($14.50). While there are no confirmed plans to open more True Food Kitchens in South Flor- ida, there are efforts to continue attracting the masses to this shiny new spot. “We do have a private dining room and can section out parts of our patio, making it a great place for private events,” Chaigne shares. “We have a lot of private events scheduled in the Photo courtesy of True Food Kitchen Kitchen’s Kendall outpost. “Part of our success is that we are an approachable concept to ev- eryone, whether you’re vegan, have a particu- lar allergy, or just want to have lunch. Food should not only be nutritious but delicious, and we’re ready to accommodate anyone.” True Food Kitchen prides itself on being a from-scratch kitchen and juice bar — mean- ing its menu is seasonally inspired and dishes can be tweaked based on customers’ palates and dietary needs. The concept originated in Phoenix in 2008, based on the principles of Dr. Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory food pyramid. The pyramid exists to mitigate — via a healthy diet — the chance of developing serious illnesses from heart disease to several types of cancer. Through the years, True Food Kitchen has at- tracted high-profile investors, notably Oprah Winfrey in 2018. For many, including Chaigne, who re- cently moved to Miami from Fairfax, Virginia, where she managed a True Food Kitchen, it was love at first bite. “When I settled in Virginia, it was one of WE WILL KEEP SERVING SOUTH FLORIDA AS WE ALWAYS HAVE! SOUTH MIAMI 305.662.6855 8080 SW 67TH Ave. Miami, FL 33143 14 14 Check us out on the first restaurants I dined at, and I just loved the concept and wanted to be a part of it,” Chaigne says. “Immediately, I noticed the good energy and, that first time, I got to sit just The brunch spread at True Food Kitchen coming weeks, and that is a focus now for sure. As we get grounded and more people know we’re here, we look forward to meeting many more of our neighbors.” True Food Kitchen. 8888 SW 136th St., Ste. 340A, Miami; 954-585-9933; truefoodkitchen. com. JESSE SCOTT ▼ MIAMI-DADE GROVE BAY RESTAURANT GROUP INVESTS IN THE FUTURE OF MIAMI’S CULINARY SCENE Grove Bay Hospitality Group is having a good summer. Last month, two restaurants under the group’s umbrella received Mi- chelin Guide recognition: Stubborn Seed, led by Jeremy Ford, received a Michelin star, Red Rooster a Bib Gourmand. In a few weeks, the group will open the Bayshore Club, a Coconut Grove stunner that will [ay homage to the neighborhood’s history of flight. JULY 21-27, 2022 MONTH XX–MONTH XX, 2008 NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com miaminewtimes.com
