13 December 26, 2024 - January 1, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | Contents | Letters | news | night+Day | CuLture | Cafe | MusiC | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | 13 Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Game Changers The biggest restaurant openings of 2024. BY NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR O ut of the nearly 200 restau- rants that opened in Miami since the start of 2024, only a few truly made their mark on the city’s culinary landscape between January and November. To make such an impact, these new restaurants excelled not only in appearance, atmosphere, and ambiance but also in service, hospitality, and, most importantly, food and drink. Nine restaurants truly exemplified what it means to be a great new restaurant, and every single one of these spots had either New Times food editor, Nicole Lopez-Alvar, or New Times food and drink contributors rav- ing about the spot the day after dining there — with secure plans on returning. Three small newcomers who quietly burst onto the scene include Coconut Grove’s Cotoletta, a quaint Italian gem that is ultra proud of their veal, Kojin 2.0, the new Gables go-to place for foodies in the know, and Tina in the Gables, which although re- cently opened in October, has writers and foodies alike raving over their experiences (and French toast). Larger spots that had us raving about specific dishes to anyone who would listen were Sunny’s Steakhouse, a popular pop-up that made its permanent grand debut in Little River (and completely transformed itself into one of the most gor- geous restaurant properties in town), and Sparrow Italia, which out of the plethora of restaurant imports has brought the Magic City a fine dining experience that is worthy of the price point — make sure to order the Wagyu carpaccio. Without further ado, here are nine of the most wonderful new Miami restaurants of 2024, presented in alphabetical order. Cotoletta: Cotoletta alla Milanese, also known as veal Milanese, is a classic Italian dish that, when done right (pan-fried in a mixture of butter and oil), makes the meat rich yet surpris- ingly light with a perfectly toasted edge and a juicy center. It’s so special that it’s the only main entrée you can order at Cotoletta in Coco- nut Grove. Why open a restaurant centered around a single dish? It’s simply that good. The quaint Italian bistro is founded by partners Ig- nacio Lopez Mancisidor, Mattia Cicognani, and third-generation restaurateur Andrea Fraquelli of 84 Magic Hospitality. Fraquelli tells New Times that although having a “one-dish restau- rant” has been on his mind for more than a de- cade, the story of Cotoletta dates back to the 1950s thanks to his grandfather — and the fam- ily ties are truly felt in every detail of this res- taurant. From the moment guests walk in, they are greeted with a smile, a welcoming nod, and an inviting atmosphere thanks to its warm, mamey-red walls adorned with artwork and intimate seating. Plus, it’s in the Grove, so it’s great for every type of meal, from casual din- ners to date night, work attire or jeans and a top, and is completely unpretentious. For those who don’t want to eat veal, the menu includes pasta, fries, and salad. 3206 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove; 786-409-7151; cotolettamiami.com. Daniel’s: Daniel’s has been a hit since open- ing in October for its classic steakhouse dishes with a focus on local ingredients from Florida farms, but it’s the team’s hospitality and care for each guest that sets them apart this year. The dimly lit and sleek new spot is the passion project of Thomas Angelo, the founder of Gioia Hospitality Group and co-owner of New Times’ Best Restaurant in Coral Gables, Fiola Miami. Executive chef Daniel Ganem created a menu that features locally sourced ingredi- ents, including prime steaks and American Wagyu from North Florida ranches, as well as an array of local produce. Highlights include the hamachi crudo with strawberries, Florida burrata, Wagyu, and pearls, as well as the beef Wagyu tartare with Kaluga caviar, the Joyce Farms half roasted chicken, and the braised Suwannee River Wagyu beef short rib. How- ever, it was the pastrami and bao buns made with Suwannee River Wagyu brisket that sent us over the edge, as well as the foie gras crème brûlée and strong (yet delicious) cocktails. Daniel’s is the kind of restaurant that makes disillusioned Miami diners, who are used to feeling like only a table number at fine dining spots, feel valued and genuinely cared for, which makes Daniel’s worthy of the trek. 620 S. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-451-1200; danielssteak.com. Kojin 2.0: What began as a six-seat, back- of-the-house pop-up at Little River’s former Hachidori Ramen has now evolved into a full-fledged restaurant in Coral Gables — and it’s Coral Gables’ best-kept secret this year. Still intimate, but now with 30 seats, Kojin 2.0 is the latest venture from husband-and- wife team Pedro and Katherine Mederos. The original Kojin was meant to last only three months but lingered for two years, earning a Michelin recommendation along the way. It was even named New Times’ Best- Kept Secret (Dining Division) in 2022. Kojin 2.0 offers the same high standards with more room to breathe — and eat some really deli- cious food. The restaurant’s blend of high- quality cooking, great music, and an anything-goes attitude (nothing here is Japa- nese, per se, but Japanese with American in- fluences) make it a wonderful weeknight choice with friends ready to have a genuinely fun meal. Take, for instance, the now-famous caesar salad, which Pedro Mederos calls his “Flanigan’s Caesar” after spending a couple of months in Tokyo. Growing up in Miami, he frequented Flanigan’s in Coconut Grove and decided to take that memory and give it a Jap- anese twist. His version is brinier, topped with trout roe, shredded nori, and a generous amount of dressing. Now, that’s fun. 804 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables; kojin2.com. Mangrove: Turning the corner onto First Avenue in downtown, you’d never expect to walk into such a genuinely warm, inviting, and mellow spot that instantly calms your nerves — and satisfies your taste buds. This lively spot is the sister restaurant to Aventura’s fast-casual Jamaican concept, Jrk! Mangrove sneakily ap- peared on the scene at the start of the year with its retro decor and DJs to keep that keeps the ambiance cool all night long. Either at the bar or at your seat, bartenders craft cocktails named after popular reggae songs, like the “Could This Be Love” with gin and water- melon juice and an espresso martini riff named the “Get Up Stand Up!” with caramel whiskey and Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. Dishes here are packed with island flavor, like the jerk chicken, jerk mac & cheese, and griot with pikliz. Mangrove added a much-missing ele- ment of culture and community to Miami’s dining scene this year — and if you haven’t stopped by yet, add it to your list. 103 NW First Ave., Miami; 786-734-0834; mangrove.miami. Pasta: Yes, this spot, which hails from Lima, Peru, is great at pasta (could you guess?), but it’s the story of its founders, Peruvian couple and chefs Janice Buraschi and Juan Manuel Umbert, that has made Pasta standout in a sea of Italian newcomers this year. You’ll find both of them in the thick of it every night — Janice finishing dishes with generous showers of aged Parmigiano Reggiano while Umbert ex- pedites orders with calm precision. What sets Pasta apart is how much they make from scratch. We’re talking creamy stracciatella, fresh ricotta, spicy’ nduja, sourdough bread, all the desserts, and, of course, their signature handmade pastas. Most afternoons, you’ll spot Umbert at the front window, rolling and shap- ing pasta dough with the kind of focus that stops people in their tracks. This level of care isn’t just rare in Miami; it’s almost unheard of. Everything on the menu reflects that dedica- tion, and it’s a big part of what makes this spot feel so special. 24 NW 28th St., Miami; pasta- restaurants.com. Recoveco: Recoveco’s opening is one of the great things to happen to South Miami this year in a neighborhood with a track record of losing great restaurants. Founded by former Alter sous chefs Maria Teresa Gallina and Nicolas Martinez, alongside sommelier Shan- non Gable, the intimate spot with a small, ro- tating menu of seasonal dishes stands out for its vibrant flavors and unique yet in- tentional flavor pairings. Even the grouper, for in- stance, is served with a surprisingly sweet and tangy sherry sauce, and the dessert is bold and satisfying with a combination of fla- vors like mamey and chocolate. Although pricey, this new spot is a much-welcomed joy to the seasoned restau- rant-goer who appreciates well-executed dishes in a nuanced atmosphere. Plus, the wine list and unique beers complement its menu. Since the menu is small and unpredict- able, it is best to visit Recoveco with the foodie in your life. 6000 SW 74th St., Ste. 1, South Mi- ami; recovecorestaurant.com. Sparrow Italia: London’s Sparrow Italia, a new contemporary Italian spot in Wynwood that features elevated Italian-inspired dishes, sexy cocktails presented in bold glassware, and live music (even performances), is home to some of the tastiest bites New Times had this year. Two of said dishes were a perfectly prepared Wagyu carpaccio with pickled mushrooms, Parmigiano, pine nuts, umami ai- oli, and shaved black truffle, and the “Sparrow Hazelnut Rocher” dessert made with a crisp feuilletine, toasted hazelnut, and Nutella cream — one tap of its crisp outer chocolate shell reveals a perfectly creamy center that simply oozes of the warm aroma of hazelnut. Although plenty of high-end restaurants hail- ing from other states and countries have opened in Miami in 2024, Sparrow is one of the few that is truly worthy of its hype and price point — the hospitality, ambiance, dishes, cocktails, and service all match the price of the restaurant, making it an excellent choice for a special occasion, anniversary din- ner, or dinner with friends. 255 NW 25th St., Miami; 786-322-5998; sparrowitalia.com. Sunny’s Steakhouse: The team behind the most highly anticipated restaurant opening of the year, Sunny’s Steakhouse in Little River, opened its gorgeous, Americana-meets-Flo- ridian-inspired steakhouse in Little River — and it brought along a bunch of its ▼ Café The Louis Collection photo The Hamachi crudo from Daniel’s MANGROVE ADDED A MUCH-MISSING ELEMENT OF CULTURE AND COMMUNITY TO MIAMI’S DINING SCENE THIS YEAR. >> p14
