32 September 18-24, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | ▼ MAGIC CITY ARRIVING BITES August wasn’t exactly packed with flashy restaurant debuts, but the handful of open- ings truly spanned the spectrum of who they’ll appeal to. Here’s a selection of notable newcomers. Aiko & Mumu 2770 SW 27th Ave., Ste. 2, Miami 786-860-5993 aikoandmumu.com Miamians are going crazy for these Japanese sandos (sandwiches) made with fluffy, authen- tic Japanese milk bread. Aiko & Mumu’s viral tamago sando, a Japanese-style egg salad sandwich made with freshly made Japanese milk bread, is soft and decadent. Even though the sandwiches sell out as soon as the shop opens at 11 a.m., they seem to be worth it. The sando stands apart from Western-style sand- wiches thanks to its delicate flavors book- ended by pillow-soft milk bread (AKA shokupan). “A Japanese sando is a healthy, light, and visually beautiful type of sandwich,” the team at Aiko told New Times over email. Sandos can be savory or subtly sweet and filled with fruit, such as strawberries and oranges. The most popular Japanese sandos at Aiko & Mumu are tamago (egg) and strawberry. Aiko also offers ton-katsu (panko-breaded pork), chicken katsu, and matcha strawberry variet- ies with prices ranging from $11.50 to $16. Las’ Lap at the Daydrift Hotel 2216 Park Ave., Miami Beach thedaydrift.com One of the most celebrated chefs in America, Kwame Onwuachi (the James Beard Award- winning chef who was named as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025), has been tapped to create the menu at Las’ Lap Miami, a rum-soaked West Indian res- taurant and bar in South Beach. Las’ Lap Mi- ami is the second location for the rum-forward restaurant and bar, which first opened on New York City’s Lower East Side in 2018. Expect his signature West Indian fare in a space that nods to the original but adds a tropical twist. Inside, expect tufted velvet banquettes, rich plum walls, and the brand’s signature wallpaper. Outside, guests can grab a drink along the 50-seat canal-side patio or head upstairs to a vibrant rooftop jungle bar. Known for his bold, vibrant Afro-Caribbean cuisine, Onwuachi is crafting a food menu that reflects his heritage, which includes Cre- ole, Nigerian, Jamaican, and Trinidad roots; the exuberance of Carnival; and the spirit of Miami. Expect “Escovitch Crab Claws,” a “South Beach Snapper” with guacamole and tostones, caviar service with roti, and an “Ox- tail Cuban” with beef bacon and gherkin. Old Cutler Inn 16800 Old Cutler Rd., Palmetto Bay 305-432-3556 oldcutlerinn.com For years, Palmetto Bay residents looking for a night out have had to drive to neighborhoods like Coral Gables or Coconut Grove for more exciting dining options. That changed with the opening of Old Cutler Inn, a new restaurant that aims to become a true neighborhood gathering place along Old Cutler Road. It opened on Saturday, August 23, across from the beautiful Deering Estate. Owners Drew Dorsy and Benjamin Pascarella say the project was inspired by a piece of local history: Snowden’s, the popular restaurant that first opened in the 1920s and closed in the early 2000s, once stood just down the street. The salmon crudo is a standout appetizer, while the wood-fired filet and flatbreads are also central to the menu. The team kept original wood beams from the building’s 1980s colonial structure, softened the space with greenery, and added ambient lighting to create warmth. The menu blends seafood and wood-fired meats with lighter dishes like sourdough flatbreads and crudos. A full bar leans on California wines, specialty cocktails, and an elevated beer program. NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR | TASTE TEST | ▼ Café Photo by Lorenzo Franco Las’ Lap has opened at the Dayfrift Hotel in South Beach with award-winning executive chef, Kwame Onwuachi. THE HANDFUL OF OPENINGS TRULY SPANNED THE SPECTRUM OF WHO THEY’LL APPEAL TO. PLAN YOUR WEDDINGS | CORPORATE EVENTS SOCIAL EVENTS Dream Event VIEW OUR EVENT SPACES WWW.THERUSTYPELICAN.COM at 3201 RICKENBACKER CWY, KEY BISCAYNE, FL 33149 | 305.361.3818 BE SOCIAL WITH US! /RUSTYPELICANMIAMI
