Hutong and Molly Yeh Team Up for Brunch
Plus Kyu reopens, Mi'talia closes, No Reservations takes reservations, and Pitbull at a Vegas Walmart
This past weekend, Food Network’s Molly Yeh hosted a champagne dim sum brunch at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
If you missed it, you’ve got your chance to enjoy some new brunch items created by Yeh at Hutong. Two of her dishes will be on offer at the restaurant’s weekend brunch, held on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. throughout March.
The dishes are a vegan carrot bao, made with carrots paired with teriyaki, rice vinegar, peanuts, scallions, and a drizzle of sriracha; and Jianbing-ish, Yeh’s take on a Chinese street cart breakfast. A jianbing (a giant crepe) is rolled with scallions and ham and topped with an egg. It’s served with a dipping sauce of rice vinegar, soy sauce, and chili paste) In addition to these two dishes, Hutong has an extensive brunch selection including dan dan noodles, lobster bao, crispy pork dumplings, and more.
Want to feel good about your meal? A portion of the proceeds from Yeh’s dishes will benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. Classy!
Brunch at 600 Brickell Ave, Miami; 786-388-0805; hutong-miami.com.
Kyu Reopens
Kyu, a Wynwood favorite for its wood-fired dishes with an Asian flair, is finally reopening after being closed for more than a year. The restaurant will open March 6, helmed by chef Chris Arellanes. Inspired by the Japanese yakiniki technique, the dishes will reintroduce favorites like tuna crispy rice and roasted cauliflower.
While Miamians waited with bated breath for a possible Kyu reopening (the restaurant was listed as “permanently closed” on the internet for months), the brand has been busy. Kyu opened a New York location in April 2022 and a spot in Las Vegas this past December. A Los Angeles edition is slated to open later this year. Sizzling!
Get Kyu’d up for a table starting March 6 at 251 NW 25th Stt., Miami; 786-577-0150; kyurestaurants.com.
No Reservations Now Takes Reservations
For years, Liza Meli owned and operated the intimate and infinitely charming Bar Meli on Miami’s MiMo District. Last year, Meli closed her beloved wine and tapas bar only to open another bar just about a mile or so north of the original location. No Reservations offers a curated selection of wine, delicious tapas, and Meli’s incredible hospitality.
Originally, Meli called her new spot “No Reservations” because she no longer wanted to accept reservations.
Well, Meli has just announced that she will, in fact, now be taking reservations. This is especially helpful on evenings when she brings in live music. If you haven’t been, you must go immediately — and get the flaming saganaki!!! Hot!
Reserve your seat at 10990 Biscayne Blvd #13, Miami; (305-308-5253; noreservationsmiami.com.
Mi’talia Kitchen Closes Abruptly
Mi’talia Kitchen, the Italian restaurant by Janine Booth and Jeff McInnis has closed. The announcement was made on Instagram, saying that the restaurant and brand were sold and that yesterday (February 28) was the last day of operation. Grove Bay Hospitality Group, added the following, “Working with our chef partners, Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth on this project has been great and we look forward to continuing to focus on providing the best guest experiences at our other Grove Bay Hospitality Group Restaurants.”
Mi’talia opened in 2019, offering light Italian fare by the celebrity chef couple of Booth and McInnis. Arrivederci for now!
Pitbull’s Miami Subs Opens at a Vegas Walmart
Pitbull, along with Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias will perform in Sunrise March 8, but if you’re hungry and happen to be in Las Vegas, you might want to visit Mr. 305’s hot new restaurant. Since Sin City rose from the desert, celebrities have been placing restaurants on the Strip: Giuliana and Bill Rancic own RPM Italian, and celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, andJosé Andrés practically dominate Las Vegas.
And then there’s Pitbull — who recently opened a Miami Subs at a Walmart in Henderson, Nevada. Pitbull, a major shareholder in the Miami-based fast food chain that offers wings and chicken pita sandwiches, plans to open three to five more locations in the neighborhood. Eater Las Vegas reports this quote by Miami Grill’s COO, Jonathan H. Vogel: “We’re looking forward to becoming part of the Las Vegas culinary scene.”
Wonder if the Vegas Miami Subs will bring back the OG Miami Subs having champagne on the menu? Bewildering!
A Classy Moet on the House
It’s Miami and that means we’re all a little bougie. Instead of drinking Bud, we prefer a little Moet — as in this adorable 1 year and 10-month-old female Belgian Malinois puppy. Look at that face — she wants to be your drinking buddy, for sure! Moet’s number is A2377841 and she’s in the receiving kennel at MDAS. Champing at the Bit!
Batch Gastropub is the sponsor of our dog adoption section. If you adopt one of these guys (or any dog because of Miami Checklist), Batch will supply you with a gift card for the amount of the adoption from MDAS. So get a dog, get a burger…or something like that. Contact me for details.
Celebrate at Miami-Dade Animal Services. 3599 NW 79 Ave., Doral; 305-884-1101; miamidade.gov/animals
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