The March Hit List: Queen Miami Beach, Felice, Hoja Taqueria, and More

The historic Paris Theater on Washington Avenue in South Beach was built in 1945, and its new occupant  honors its history with a theatrical restaurant steeped in opulence and grandeur. Serving modern Japanese-style cuisine, Queen offers an experience for those looking to enjoy the finer things in life with a stunning spectacle alongside their decadent dinner. The team behind Queen is not new to melding Miami dining with nightlife and entertainment — the Mr. Hospitality Group roster includes Baoli, Marion, and El Tucan. Mr. Hospitality’s new chief culinary officer, chef Julien Jouhannaud, brings a top pedigree and, at Queen, has designed a menu focused on modern Japanese grilling, alongside sushi, sashimi, and raw bar selections.

The James Beard Foundation recently announced their 20 nationwide semifinalists for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker, and South Florida made the list. The father-and-son team of Manuel and Jesús Brazón of Doral’s Caracas Bakery specialize in a wide range of pastries and breads, including some of the staples of their home country in service to the Venezuelan community here in South Florida.

Here, you’ll find expertly crafted croissants, sourdough, and baguettes, alongside Venezuelan specialties like golfeados, cachitos, pan de jamón and pan de queso. A true family-run success story, Caracas Bakery recently expanded with a second location in the MiMo District, so now folks on the east side of town can get their Venezuelan pastry fix.

See the menu and get more information here.

Under chef Ricardo Jarquin’s direction, the food and beverage offerings at the new Loews Coral Gables hotel have quickly become a go-to of ours. Now they’ve added a Sunday brunch at their signature restaurant Americana Kitchen. For $55 per person, guests can enjoy selections from the breakfast buffet, plus one entrée from the ever-changing a la carte brunch menu, alongside live entertainment on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A recent brunch menu featured chicken & waffles, chilaquiles, Cuban-style scrambled eggs and a brunch burger. Alternatively, order one of our personal favorites off the standard breakfast menu, like the eggs Benedict with serrano ham and tomato pepper sofrito, or the Hash a Lo Cubano with roast pork, sweet plantains, fried egg, and mojo aioli. And did we mention you can go bottomless (we’re talking about drinks) for an additional $26 per person?

This Miami-based distillery is making tropical craft liqueurs in a new home in Allapattah — a pink-and-aqua colored space with serious Miami Vice vibes that’s open to the public. The location is home to J.F. Haden liqueurs made in signature Miami flavors: mango, citrus, and espresso. Football fans will recognize two of the partners — Mike and Maurkice Pouncey — from their days on the gridiron with the University of Florida and in the NFL. This vibrant local spot has a 1,500-square-foot outdoor deck with space for food trucks, plus a 30-seat indoor bar and tasting room, where you can sip on drinks like the Cafecito Martini and Haden’s Old Fashioned, made with mango liqueur.

See the menu and get more information here.

This long-time Fort Lauderdale institution serving Italian-American favorites for 40 years is back after a refurbishment with a modified name, a new live music lounge with a gorgeous grand piano, and new menu items. Now simply known as Runway 84 (a nod to its location near the airport on State Road 84), it’s a throwback to the old supper clubs of the 1930s and 1940s, with a loyal following of diners who crave their red sauce specialties and classic cocktails. Previously a menu special, the Swordfish “Runway Style” now joins the permanent menu, and the new chicken vodka Parmigiana is dressed with spicy vodka sauce, melted mozzarella, crispy prosciutto, and peas. With the hearty portions, we suggest bringing a friend or two to share.

At this outdoor event and culinary space in Little River, you won’t find the same thing on any given night, but odds are it’ll include good food, great drinks, and live music. A former house converted into a performance venue, Understory lends its space out to a rotating series of food, beverage, and entertainment. The team behind Downtown Miami’s Jaguar Sun is curating the food and beverage with plans to host guest chefs from local favorites like El Bagel, Flour & Weirdoughs, and Lazy Oyster, alongside a wine bar pop-up called Bad Seed led by Karina Iglesias. The space hopes to provide a home to Miami’s homegrown community of food-loving restaurateurs, and cultural programming like Jazz in the Jungle on Thursday nights plus other local musical acts, artists, and entertainers.

Get more information here.

From the same group as Saint Ambroeus, this elevated Tuscan restaurant has garnered a cult following in New York — and its first location in Florida has arrived in Downtown West Palm’s The Square. Leading with artisanal Italian products, Felice has built its reputation as an all-day neighborhood restaurant with fresh ingredients and an extensive Italian wine list. Now open for lunch, brunch, and dinner, the menu of Italian staples ranges from appetizers, imported cheese and cured meats, to salads, pastas, paninis, and mains.

To a surfer, there’s nothing more beautiful than the perfect conditions for catching a wave — and it’s that very kind of pretty swell that’s celebrated here. This ocean-inspired spot in the Life House boutique hotel in the South of Fifth neighborhood brings laid-back vibes, light bites, and cold cocktails. And we think that’s all pretty swell. Their menu features starters like sundried tomato hummus and watermelon salad, raw bar options like oysters and ceviche, and street tacos, while their cocktail menu consists of refreshing libations. They’re also all about ocean conservation and sustainable water initiatives here, with plastic-free practices in place. Check out live music on Thursday evenings, a DJ on Fridays and Saturdays, and a daily Beach Break happy hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with $10 cocktails. Hang loose, Resy readers.

The Michelin-recognized Italian fine-dining restaurant Fiola is opening up its previously members-only rooftop lounge to the general public on a limited basis. Known as La Terraza, the rooftop features views of South Miami and Coral Gables, and although this space is still home to a private membership club, it is now open to the rest of us with an advance reservation.

With a menu inspired by the Amalfi Coast, La Terraza features a retractable roof, as well as weekly programming including a weekday Sunset Happy Hour on Wednesdays through Fridays, cigar nights on Thursdays, live music on Fridays, and a Sunday jazz brunch.

This hidden gem of a taco joint is located inside Mid-Beach’s Generator Miami boutique hotel, and amid stylish surroundings filled with Mexican art, you’ll find traditional tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. The focus at Hoja Taqueria is perhaps the most significant ingredient in Mexican culture: maíz, or corn. With a sustainable farm-to-table philosophy, the fresh-ground masa used in Hoja’s made-to-order tortillas are crafted from 12 different kinds of heirloom corn grown by family-run farms in Oaxaca, the Southern region of Mexico.

This is the product of the beloved Bar Lab team, known for Miami favorites including Broken Shaker, Margot Natural Wine Bar, and MaryGold’s. Because these guys are beverage experts, you don’t want to miss out on the Mexican-inspired cocktail menu featuring authentic flavors and spices that perfectly complement your meal.