Latest news with #MichaelSolomonov
Miami Herald
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Want to save money on dining out? Get ready for Miami Spice deals
In a year during which every diner seems to be searching for a bargain, Miami Spice 2025 is almost here. The annual promotion by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau starts Aug. 1 and runs through the end of September, with more than 300 restaurants around Miami-Dade County offering fixed price, three course brunch, lunch and dinner menus. Brunch and lunch cost $35, while dinners are $45 or $60, depending on where you go. And where you go, as always, ranges across an array of cuisine and different price points, from local favorites like MiMo's Blue Collar; Chef Raheem Seeley's Asian smokehouse Shiso; or Kendall's barbecue haven Smoke & Dough to upscale imports like Philadelphia chef Michael Solomonov's Aviv; Sparrow Italia from London; and Japanese hotspot Uchi from Texas. Michelin-starred restaurants are participating, too. Cote Korean steakhouse in the Design District does a robust business each year with its fixed price lunch, while Stubborn Seed in Miami Beach and Le Jardinier in the Design District are also offering dinner specials. Even the brand-new Daniel's steakhouse, which opens Wednesday in the former space of Fiola, is ready to offer brunch, lunch and dinner menus. The high participation arrives at a time when many local restaurants are struggling through a tough summer. Promotions like Miami Spice and Taste the Gables, which runs through the end of July, are a way to lure customers during what is becoming an ever-longer low season. Chef Niven Patel, whose restaurants Erba, Paya and Ghee Indian Kitchen are all participating in Miami Spice, said the promotion is a good way for customers to discover new favorites. 'It brings more diners into our dining room, which is great,' he told the Miami Herald. 'It helps get new customers into our door. It brings a wider audience for sure, and we hope they fall in love with us.' Some restaurants will be offering special 'signature' dining experiences beyond the fixed price menus, like Faena Miami Beach, which is offering the Faena Theater Experience, a three-course meal and a third-row orchestra ticket to a performance for $150. L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Miami's only two-star Michelin restaurant, is offering a five-course dining experience of starting with foie gras royale and parmesan foam and including kampachi crudo and lobster vinaigrette; a summer squash mille feuille; heritage chicken stuffed with black truffle; and strawberry key lime cremeux for dessert. The dinner is $135. For a full list of Miami Spice participants, visit
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Miami Spice 2025: Where To Eat From August To September
Chef Michael Solomonov's Aviv at 1 Hotel South Beach will be participating for the first time this year, and their signature hummus and salatim will be part of their Miami Spice dinner menu Aviv/ Michael Persico For the past 24 years, summer in Miami has been synonymous to Miami Spice— the two-month-long restaurant promotion, organized by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). From August 1 through September 30, over 230 participating restaurants will offer prix fixe, three-course Miami Spice menus at $35 for lunch and brunch; and $45 or $60 for dinner— or Signature Dining Experiences, those that go beyond the traditional prix fixe menus, like a theater dinner experience, chef's counter omakase or a family-style meal at a private wine cellar. Some of this year's most exciting new participants include Aviv, the Israeli restaurant by multi–James Beard Award–winning chef Michael Solomonov at 1 Hotel South Beach; Mimi Chinese, the Toronto-based restaurant known for its regional Chinese cuisine led by executive chef Braden Chong; Uchi in Wynwood and Uchiko in Miami Beach, the modern Japanese concepts from James Beard Award–winning chef Tyson Cole; and homegrown concepts like Shiso, an Asia and Caribbean-inspired smokehouse by chef partner Raheem Sealey, and the Miami location of Daniel's, the Michelin-recognized Florida steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale by Gioia Hospitality and culinary director Danny Ganem— officially opening its doors on July 23. 'Miami Spice is a fundamentally Miami way to connect both locals and visitors to this city's great restaurants,' says Solomonov. '[W]e're excited to be part of a city-wide celebration of food.' For Aviv's Miami Spice menu, guests can expect the restaurant's most-loved dishes that also define their culinary style: the signature hummus and salatim with housemade saluf bread; mezze like halloumi baklava and warm stuffed dates; and al ha'esh dishes like Bulgarian kebab and mushroom shashlik. 'Big flavors rooted in beautiful traditions we've developed with care,' Solomonov adds. A refreshed, bolder menu will debut in September. At Mimi Chinese on Miami Beach, the first US location of the Toronto outpost, executive chef Braden Chong recommends his personal favorite, stir-fried rice noodle rolls, available on their Miami Spice menu Daniel Neuhaus/ Mimi Chinese 'As a newcomer to the city, Mimi Chinese Miami is excited to participate in Miami Spice as a way for us to continue our mission of showing off the diversity of regional Chinese cuisine,' says Chong. They will be highlighting their popular shrimp toast with hot mustard mayo, General Tso chicken and Chong's personal favorite, the stir-fried rice noodle rolls. 'This is a nostalgic dish that I order anytime I see them on a menu. [It has a] unique flavor that is only achieved by cooking food at high heat in a Chinese wok.' Chong also hopes that they can 'can encourage guests to experience shared, family-style dining, which is so important to Chinese culture and cuisine, and our concept in Toronto.' Shiso Miami's popular uni rice—heralding to executive chef Raheem Sealey's memories of growing up "eating a lot of rice in St. Croix" and his love for seafood—is available on their Miami Spice menu for a supplement of $25 Shiso Miami 'Shiso is still a new restaurant, so Miami Spice is a great way to introduce more people to our food and cocktail program,' Sealey shares, on their Asian and Carribean-inspired smokehouse, which opened its doors in Wynwood just last March. 'Guests can look forward to big flavors and bold combinations, like our bluefin tuna topped with smoked pepper relish, and our signature oxtail udon noodles.' Their popular uni rice— an indulgence of king crab, uni butter and ikura— can be enjoyed with a supplement of $25. Uchiko Miami Beach's spicy crunchy tuna will be part of their Miami Spice menu. Sister restaurant Uchi in Wynwood will also be participating for the first time this year. Uchiko Miami Beach 'We believe that food should be an experience that sparks curiosity, and Miami Spice is the perfect opportunity to invite more of the local community into that conversation,' says Cole. At Uchi in Wynwood, guests can expect a thoughtful seven-course experience that include tomato sunomono and suzuki crudo; sake maki and four pieces of nigiri; and a bavette steak— light, clean flavors that progress towards umami. At Uchiko in Miami Beach's Sunset Harbour neighborhood, 'we took a slightly different approach with bolder, smokier flavors that match the character of the concept. The crunchy tuna is always a hit, and the ume cheesecake, a well-balanced tart and sweet combination, has quietly become a favorite among the team.' Wagyu and pearls at Daniel's will be available at their new Miami location in Coral Gables, and also on their Miami Spice menu— as well on their five-course Wagyu Tasting Experience as part of this year's Signature Dining Experience Daniel's/ Louis Collection Officially opening its doors on July 23, Daniel's Miami— the sister restaurant of the Michelin-recognized restaurant of the same name in Fort Lauderdale— will be jumping right into Miami Spice. 'We are really excited about the refurbishments to the space in Coral Gables,' shares Thomas Angelo, founder of Gioia Hospitality Group. (The restaurant is located at the former Fiola Miami.) 'While we have not moved a single wall or changed the iconic wine room, we have completely changed the color palette of the restaurant to our signature Daniel's green. We have also added some beautiful Murano glass chandeliers in the middle of the dining room that were recently made in Venice and have changed out all the artwork, adding signature original black and white pieces by David Yarrow including his renowned work, The Bison on Main.' Guests who have visited the previous iteration will be happy to know that some of their signature dishes like the baby romaine basil Caesar salad and mezze rigate vodka pasta will remain on the Daniel's Miami menu— and will be available during the Miami Spice period. In addition, Angelo shares that they are 'excited to bring to Miami some of the dishes that helped us achieve Michelin Guide recognition within our first six months of operation.' These include the wagyu and pearls, made with Arrowhead wagyu from Florida and Kaluga caviar; and Florida oysters Rockefeller, utilizing Serenoa Skipper Sweet oysters from the Panhandle; foie gras crème brûlée their steak program— all also available during the Miami Spice period. This year they are also participating in the Signature Dining Experiences— which go beyond the traditional pre fixe menus offered during the Miami Spice Restaurant Months— with a five-course Wagyu Tasting Experience. Faena Miami Beach will be offering a theater dining experience, which includes a third-row orchestra ticket and a three-course dinner; Michelin-recognized The Den at Azabu will be offering an $80 chef's counter omakase; and Uruguay restaurant Narbona in Coconut Grove is offering a family-style meal at their private wine cellar, to name a few. Here are the restaurants participating in Miami Spice 2025: (Please visit the official Miami Spice website for the most updated list as restaurants continue to confirm their participation.) 107 Steak and Bar 107 Taste Asian Restaurant (New) 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant A Fish Called Avalon a'Riva (New) ADRIFT Mare Aguasal by José Andrés Amal Miami Amalia Restaurant Amara at Paraiso American Social Americana Kitchen Andres Carne de Res Miami (New) Artisan Beach House Aviv (New) Avra Estiatorio Miami Azabu Miami Beach Bagatelle Miami Baia Beach Club Miami Bakan BALEENkitchen BOLI Miami Bar Collins Barsecco Bayshore Club Beauty and The Butcher Bellini Blind Tiger BLT Prime Blue Collar Blue Matisse Restaurant and Nau Lounge Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill Bombay Darbar Miami Bonsai Sushi Bar (New) Bouchon Bistro Boulud Sud Brasserie Brickell Key Bunbury Byblos Miami Cafe Americano Brickell Café Catula Fine Restaurant and Art Gallery Cafe La Trova Cafe Prima Pasta Cajun Boil Seafood Restaurant CalaMillor Gourmet Experience Campo at Casa Faena Cane Fire Grille Casa Gianna (New) Casa Madera (New) Casa Neos Casadonna Catch Miami Beach Cecconi's Miami Beach at Soho Beach House Cèrto Chabella Mexican Restaurant Champions Bar & Grill Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Bar Chimba Miami Claudie Restaurant (New) Clevelander Beach Club (New) Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants (New) Cote Miami Daniel's Steakhouse Delilah Miami DiLido Beach Club Dolce Italian Restaurant dōma Wynwood Donna Mare Italian Chophouse (New) DOYA Earls Kitchen + Bar Eating House Elastika Elia on The River (New) Ensenada Miami (New) Erba Miami Essensia at The Palms Hotel & Spa Estiatorio Milos Faena Theater (New) Fairways at The Biltmore Ferraro's Kitchen Restaurant Fontana French Bistro Gala Restaurant and MuseBar (New) Gekko Ghee Indian Kitchen - Dadeland (New) Ghee Indian Kitchen - Wynwood (New) Gili's Beach Club Glass & Vine Gold Coast Kitchen + Cocktails Golden Rule Seafood Hakkasan Havana 1957 - Breakwater Havana 1957 - Ocean Drive Hell's Kitchen Miami Hereford Grill (New) Il Bolognese Il Mulino New York Il Pizzaiolo - Neapolitan Pizzeria (New) Isabelle's Coconut Grove Japón (New) Jarana Aventura Jaya, at The Setai Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant Joia Beach Restaurant and Beach Lounge Ke-Uh @ Acqualina Resort Klaw Miami KOKO Komodo Korner67 Kyu La Boulangerie Boul'Mich Aventura (New) La Boulangerie Boul'Mich Coral Way (New) La Boulangerie Boul'Mich Doral (New) La Boulangerie Boul'Mich Key Biscayne (New) La Boulangerie Boul'Mich Pinecrest (New) La Brisa (New) La Gourmandise La Grande Boucherie Miami (New) La Mulata La Terraza Café & Bar La Wagyeria Miami Lafayette Miami (New) Le Jardinier Miami Le Mirage Lobby Lounge Level 6 Rooftop Restaurant Lido Restaurant at The Surf Club Lira Beirut Eatery Los Fuegos at Faena Miami Beach LPM Restaurant & Bar LT Steak & Seafood Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay Makoto (New) MAMO Restaurant Miami Mangrove (New) Marabu Market At EDITION Mastro's Ocean Club Miami Matador Room Mayami Mayfair Grill (New) Mercato Della Pescheria Miami Beach Mercato di Mare MesaMar Seafood Table Michael's Genuine® Food & Drink Mignonette Downtown MIKA (New) MILA Restaurant Mimi Chinese (New) Mirabella Miranda Cuisine & Bar Mordisco Morton's The Steakhouse - Coral Gables Morton's The Steakhouse - North Miami Motek 27 Miami Beach Motek Aventura Motek Brickell Motek Coral Gables Motek South Beach Mr. Omakase Narbona Coconut Grove Narbona Key Biscayne New Campo Argentino Steakhouse News Cafe Nikki Beach Nobu Miami (New) North Italia - Aventura North Italia - Dadeland North Italia - Miami Brickell Novatore Cucina & Bar (New) Novecento Aventura Novecento Brickell Novecento Doral Novecento Key Biscayne Novotel Miami Nusr-Et Steakhouse Miami Ocean Grill Ocean Social Oh! Mexico Old Lisbon Sunset Drive Orilla Bar & Grill ORO (New) Ossobuco Ossobuco Coconut Grove Osteria Osteria Positano Pao by Paul Qui at Faena Miami Beach Paperfish Sushi Papi Steak PASTA Pastis Pastor at Pascal Paya (New) Perl By Chef IP Piegari (New) Porterhouse Music Bar & Restaurant Prime 54 Prime Italian Primo's Italian Restaurant and Bar Pubbelly Sushi Aventura Pubbelly Sushi Brickell City Centre Pubbelly Sushi Dadeland Pubbelly Sushi Miami Beach Queen Miami Beach Quinto Rao's Miami Beach (New) RedLander Restaurant at Schnebly Winery (New) Reunion Ktchn Bar Rusty Pelican Ruth's Chris Steak House Ruth's Chris Steakhouse - Aventura (New) Salty Flame Salumeria 104 Seaspice Serena Rooftop Sérêvène Miami Sexy Fish Miami Shiso (New) Sixty Vines (New) Smoke & Dough Social Club Sofia Design District SORA by Hotel Collection (New) Sparrow Italia (New) St. Regis Bar Stiltsville Fish Bar STK Steakhouse Aventura STK Steakhouse Miami Stubborn Seed Sugar (New) Suviche Brickell Suviche Doral Suviche South Beach Suviche Wynwood Taikin Asian Cuisine Talavera Cocina Mexicana Tea Room The Capital Grille The Hampton Social - Brickell Miami The Palm - Miami The Shelborne The Shelborne by Proper The Strand at Carillon Miami Toku Modern Asian - Miami Toro Toro Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood and Crab Tulum Two Chefs Restaurant UMA Cantina Peruana (New) Via Emilia 9 Wyn Wyn (New) XINO (Modern Chinese) (New) Yaya Coastal Cuisine (New) Zaytinya South Beach ZERU Miami Zucca Restaurant Zuma Miami Zuri
Forbes
02-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Famous Restaurant Recipe Zahav Hummus Is Now Available At Target
Zahav Hummus is now available at Target You haven't had hummus until you've had it from Zahav, or one of the many restaurants founded by James Beard Award-winning Philadelphia-based restaurateur duo: Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook. Their tehina-forward hummus made with just six simple ingredients and is known for being ultra creamy and flavorful. It's a staple across their CookNSolo restaurant group which includes Zahav, Dizengoff, Laser Wolf, K'Far, Aviv, Goldie, and Jaffa Bar. Nearly 18 months ago, they founded Zahav Foods with one very important SKU — Zahav restaurant recipe hummus. In January 2024, it debuted exclusively in Whole Foods, and now it's expanded to the refrigerated section of almost 500 Target stores across twenty states along the east coast, including those in the Pennsylvania/Mid-Atlantic, New York and New Jersey, New England, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida regions. Steve Cook and Michael Solomonov Zahav Hummus is the first grocery aisle hummus with tehina as the #1 ingredient. Most brands feature chickpeas as the primary ingredient, but keeping true to the original recipe, tehina remains the star of Zahav Hummus. In fact, this hummus contains more than four times the amount of tehina as other brands. 'Compromising was never an option,' says Cook. 'You know it was either, we could do it or we couldn't do it.' The duo was committed to keeping their store-bought version as close to the restaurant recipe as possible. Made using the Zahav restaurant recipe It took a full year to create the ideal, supermarket-ready version of their flagship dish that matched the viscosity and other-worldly creaminess that has brought diners from all over the world to Philadelphia. 'At first we got some push back, because it wasn't something anyone had done before and it was going to be more expensive to make,' explains Cook. 'But once our manufacturing partners tested and tasted it, they completely understood what we were trying to accomplish.' It was all about finding the right team to understand their vision and commitment to producing a premium shelf-stable hummus with zero additives. Wanting to make sure the texture was just right, they were fortunate enough to work with the same Philadelphia-founded tehina company, Soom Foods, they've worked with for the last 16 years. The fact that they were successful in using Soom was a huge comfort in this moment of unique risk. 'A lot of it was trying to figure out how to speak the same language as the manufacturer,' says Cook. 'We were persistent and we have great partners that helped us get it as close to the restaurant recipe as possible.' The only difference — a bit more lemon juice. 'It helps stabilize the pH needed to make it safe to have on the shelves,' explains Solomonov. Made with just tehina, chickpeas, lemon juice, salt, cumin and garlic, it's truly the mother sauce found across the kitchens created from Solomonov and Cook's now two decades of business partnership. Currently available at Whole Foods and Target locations around the country, the team hopes to expand to other retailers in the future. 'We want to be very thoughtful and deliberate in any moves we make,' says Cook. 'You hear all about people expanding too quickly in this field and that's something we want to avoid. Right now, Target and Whole Foods are awesome places to be and we're really happy about that.' Expanding isn't the only thing Zahav Foods is working on. They have a labneh in the works, plus a variety of toppings for the OG hummus. 'In some ways it's been harder to create the toppings than it was the original product,' says Solomonov, who shares that it's very much a labor of love. While you'll find the Zahav Foods hummus in the refrigerator section of the store, Cook says it's actually more authentic to let it come to room temperature for about 15 to 20 minutes. 'In America, everyone is so used to refrigerated, cold products, but in Israel and other places where hummus is a big part of the culture, it's never really refrigerated, so letting it warm up a bit is encouraged,' shares Cook. The extra-creamy restaurant recipe Zahav Hummus retails in a 10 ounce package for $7.99. Ready to get your hummus on? Find it in a location near you.
Forbes
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
1 Hotel South Beach Ushers In New Era Of Dining With Aviv
In Miami's ever-evolving culinary scene, a new name is set to take center stage: Aviv is the latest creation from the five-time James Beard Award-winning hospitality group CookNSolo. Helmed by Chef Michael Solomonov and restaurateur Steve Cook, Aviv is bringing a fresh and vibrant take on modern Israeli cuisine to 1 Hotel South Beach. Aviv - which means 'spring' in Hebrew - draws inspiration from the rich culinary heritage of Israel, blending ancient cooking traditions with the dynamic energy of both Miami and Tel Aviv. This long-anticipated restaurant, which opened on March 14, is a testament to Solomonov's expertise in elevating Middle Eastern flavors, only here they're reimagined through a Miami lens. 'We couldn't be more excited for the wonderful people of Miami to experience our newest concept,' says Chef Solomonov. 'Aviv will be a soulful dining experience, combining ancient cooking methods with modern techniques.' Chef Michael Solomonov at Aviv Signature dishes begin with the beloved Saluf, a Yemenite flatbread baked-to-order and served alongside Solomonov's iconic hummus tehina in many variations, including one with beef and pine nuts as well as brown butter, urfa and crispy garlic. Served alongside are an array of vibrant small salads or Salatim, including Moroccan carrots, cabbage with sumac onions, twice-cooked eggplant and spicy fennel. It's the kind of fare reminiscent of the bustling eateries on the outskirts of Jaffa with an ever-changing array of fresh, seasonal vegetables served in heaps of small dishes. Mezze selections include a dazzling haloumi baklava, tuna boreeka, warm stuffed dates and fried cauliflower, while the Al Ha'esh offerings - which mean 'on the fire' - churns out beef shishlik, grouper atop spicy Chraime and Bulgarian kebabs. Every dish speaks to the thoughtful balance between heritage and creativity, making Aviv a destination for both culinary adventurers and devoted food lovers. TK Aviv's home at the 1 South Beach is fitting in terms of aesthetics. The space has been meticulously reimagined by the design firm Post Company, which has woven together a tapestry of textures and materials to create a setting that feels intimate and transportive. The restaurant features an expansive open kitchen, allowing diners a glimpse into the artistry of Chef Solomonov's team. A dedicated bar and lounge invite guests to linger over cocktails, while the outdoor terrace offers al fresco dining set in the heart of Miami Beach. The lobby at 1 Hotel South Beach. Aviv's arrival at 1 Hotel South Beach is a natural extension of the property's commitment to sustainability, luxury and immersive guest experiences. Known for its eco-conscious ethos and refined yet laid-back hospitality, 1 Hotel South Beach has long been a favorite destination for discerning travelers seeking a blend of natural beauty and world-class amenities. 'We are excited to welcome AVIV to 1 Hotel South Beach and bring a new, premier dining destination to the city,' says Milton Sgarbi, regional vice president of operations at the hotel. 'Our partnership with Chef Solomonov and Steve Cook is a testament to our commitment to continue to bring new and exciting experiences for our guests.'
