Here's a look at new Miami/South Florida eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces to open for events this winter. The new and renovated venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fund-raisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, teambuilding activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
From the creator of Zuma and Roka London restaurants comes Etaru, a contemporary Japanese Robatayaki concept. The oceanfront eatery opened this summer at Hyde Beach Club in Hallandale Beach at the site of the former Hyde Beach Kitchen & Cocktails. In addition to Robata-grilled seafood, the menu offers sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese specialties. There are three different spaces within the venue: the ground-floor beach bar that holds about 300 guests; a second-floor restaurant and bar that seats more than 250 guests; a third-floor for private events that accommodates as many as 250 guests. A second South Florida location of the concept is slated to open early next year at the luxury rental building Icon Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale.
The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami debuted its new permanent home in the Design District on December 1, just before Art Basel. Designed by Madrid-based Aranguren & Gallegos Arquitectos, the building features a dramatic southern facade of interlocking metal triangles and lighted panels and while its northern facade allows in abundant natural light. The footprint includes features more than 20,000 square feet of exhibition galleries as well as a public sculpture garden that’s part of 15,000 square feet of outdoor space.
The Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach’s contemporary art museum reopened in October following a two-year, $12 million renovation that added four new galleries, a museum store and café, and an education facility. Arata Isozaki, who was the architect of the first museum expansion in 2001, was the design consultant, and David Gauld was the principal architect. The museum offers several spaces for event rental—from classrooms to galleries to a conference room—many of which feature artist installations. The largest space is the Lindemann Family Courtyard, which holds 280 for a reception.
Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach, a 98-room luxury resort in Sunny Isles Beach, unveiled a new penthouse in November. The expansive floorplan offers 5,735 square feet inside along with 1,990 square feet of terrace space and includes a private pool. Inside are three bedrooms, a living room, and a 10-seat diningroom, among other spaces. The penthouse cannot be booked for an event alone but can be used for a small reception or dinner if booked for an overnight stay. For larger events, the resort boasts a number of other indoor and outdoor spaces including the nearly 2,000-square-foot Mediterranean Room, which holds 130 for receptions or 100 theater-style. Outdoors is the 3,200-square-foot oceanfront Great Lawn; the 1,740-square-foot Front Lawn; and the Recreation Pool, which can hold receptions for 150 guests. The property also boasts a location on Il Mulino New York restaurant that is available for events as well as the two-story Acqualina Spa by ESPA.
BLT Steak Miami returned to South Beach this September at a new location at the Iberostar Berkeley Hotel after it had closed in 2016. The new space features indoor and outdoor seating for 150 as well as a backyard space suited for groups. From ESquared Hospitality, the steak house brought on a new chef and a refreshed menu, which now includes dishes such as steak tartare tacos, uni toast, and foie gras empanadas alongside its signature steaks. It opened in September.
Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach—a DoubleTree by Hilton finished a $7 million redesign in October focused on reflecting the city’s nautical lifestyle and reputation as the “Venice of America.” The renovation spotlights the 296-room property’s role as the home of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The upgrade also covered the property’s 28,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 8,200-square-foot Commodore Ballroom, which holds 900 guests theater-style or 600 for banquets. Design details will reflect the location, including custom chandeliers in the atrium and ballroom.
AC Hotel Miami Aventura, a Marriott brand, opened in Aventura. The 233-room property includes a total of 2,800 square feet of meeting space. The largest area, the Aventura Room, seats 84 guests theater-style or holds 100 for receptions. Other spaces at the property include the AC Library, a multimedia space with free Wi-Fi, complimentary newspapers and magazines, and comfortable seating; the AC Lounge that offers beer and wine and light fare; a fitness center, and a rooftop pool.
Located along the along the Intracoastal Waterway, the 311-room DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hollywood Beach opened in late October. The renovated hotel offers 10,000 square feet of space for meetings or events. The largest space, called Sian, covers 2,184 square feet and holds 200 guests for receptions or theater-style events or seats 160 for banquets. Its poolside Waterway Pavilion holds 300 guests for receptions. The hotel’s food and beverage outlets focus on American cuisine with Caribbean influences. Another perk: the resort is a stop for the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi.
A new concept from chef Jeremy Ford and Grove Bay Hospitality, Stubborn Seed opened in September on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach. Ford, who gained a national reputation after winning season 13 on Top Chef, arranged the seasonal menu with offerings divided into five categories: raw, snacks, meats, fish/shellfish, and “others,” which includes a cheese course and the chef’s eight-course tasting menu. The design from Celano Design Studio blends Art Deco elements with 1970s references in the intimate, 84-seat space.
Chef Daniel Boulud is slated to open his Mediterranean concept Boulud Sud in January. It’s going in the space vacated by his DB Bistro Moderne, which closed in September, following a facelift by CallisonRTKL. The design will feature Moroccan-inspired tile floors, brass fixtures, and natural woods. The main dining room seats 80, while the lounge seats 50 or can hold 150 for receptions. There will be several options for private dining, from a second-floor iding room that seats 70 or holds 150 for a reception, to a 10-person boardroom.
