From a bistro to a burger joint, here are four new (and one returning) restaurants in downtown Miami.
1. The Urbanite Bistro opened on September 10 and doubles as an art gallery exhibiting a monthly rotation of local artists’ work. The 4,200-square-foot space seats 83 and is divided into three semiprivate areas comprised of a main dining room and two lounges that each have a bar for 15. The eatery is open for lunch and dinner and serves Floridian cuisine with international influences in dishes like alligator egg rolls. For buyouts, the space can host as many as 250. In addition, a 4,000-square-foot garden is slated for completion by the end of the year.
2. La Baguette is a 24-hour gourmet sandwich and coffee shop that opened earlier this month. Seating for the freestanding restaurant is totally outdoors, consisting of about 30 barstools that line the exterior of the indoor kitchen. Oversize rattan lounge furniture peppers the stone patio that wraps the building and can seat an additional 25. The venue can also be used for an outdoor reception or cocktail party for as many as 75. Off-site catering is also available.
3. Tre Italian Bistro opened in late July, adding to downtown’s lineup of Italian restaurants. The inside space seats 40 and is outfitted with metallic floor tiles, black geometric furniture, and high-backed orange banquettes. A nine-seat bar anchors the 1,900-square-foot eatery and has a 42-inch TV that can be used for presentations. An additional 50 guests may be accommodated in front of the restaurant on the covered patio. Semiprivate events and buyouts are available.
4. At the end of August, residential building 900 Biscayne welcomed Botequim Carioca Brazilian Bar and Grill to its ground level. Serving a variety of authentic Brazilian tapas and drinks, the 1,144-square-foot sports bar and restaurant can seat about 84. For groups there is a communal table for eight or the space can be bought out for as many as 150. Additionally, there is sidewalk dining for about 30.
5. Currently only serving lunch, the Filling Station reopened in May after being closed for almost a decade. The burger joint is now located around the corner from its original location, which was in business from 1994 to 1998. Split between a mezzanine level and a ground-level dining room, the restaurant—decorated with car and garage-themed decor—can seat 50 or host 75 for receptions. The menu boasts burgers topped with unusual items such as sautéed spinach or peanut butter. Off-site catering is available for as many as 1,000.
