[artist's rendering of mall expansion]
Blue Bottle Coffee:The arrival of this California-based chain has caffeine enthusiasts buzzing:
"This is an atypical one for us, because it’s located in a mall. But this mall, the Aventura Mall, is one of the busiest in the U.S. and a popular tourist destination for people all over the world, especially from Latin America. We think we’ll meet new guests from near and far here and we’re excited about introducing our coffee to them. We’ll be located in the new wing designed by British architects Foster + Partners (projects include the Great Court at the British Museum, Lycée Albert Camus, and Tower 2 at the World Trade Center)."
[source: https://bluebottlecoffee.com/frequency/blue-bottle-coffee-new-cafes]
Food Hall
Answering the question "what happened to the food court", this press release describes a new concept for casual dining:
"Situated on the third level, Treats Food Hall will feature a curated collection of more than a dozen purveyors for guests to enjoy. Each will provide a distinctive design and culinary approach, while abundant communal seating, including swings, intimate banquettes and shared bar tables, will be interspersed around the space. There also will be a separate terrace for those wishing to dine al fresco."
[from https://bluebottlecoffee.com/frequency/blue-bottle-coffee-new-cafes]
Pubbelly Sushi
One of Miami's most unique concepts (author's opinion) is Sunset Harbor's Pubbelly - the gastropub that spawned a small empire of related eateries. Until now, the nearest location has been the original (subsequent locations went to Brickell and downtown Miami). But those of us at the North end of the county get their turn soon:
"Pubbelly Sushi Market will serve up sushi rolls, seafood, meat entrees and beverages at the first level of the mall's Nordstrom wing. It will be the northernmost Pubbelly Sushi, which has other locations in Miami Beach and Miami's Brickell City Centre and American Airlines Arena."
[http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2017/03/01/pubbelly-sushi-to-open-at-aventura-mall.html]
CVI.CHE 105
Never been to this Lincoln Road restaurant focused on Peruvian fare, but it has consistently solid ratings on TripAdvisor and YELP: www.ceviche105.com
Harry's Pizzeria
One of Miami's most prolific chefs is Michael Schwartz, who began with "Michael's Genuine" in the Miami Design District in 2007. He opened the first "Harry's Pizzeria" in 2011 serving "seasonally inspired pizzas from a wood burning oven". Not sure how they will burn wood in a retail mall, but we'll find out later this year.
Serafina
New York-based Italian restaurant that went international, with locations in Turkey, India, Japan, Korea, Brazil, and 10 locations in New York City. They took a chance in Miami previously in South Beach and closed in late 2013 (open just over 1 year). With competition from Bella Luna, Grand Lux Cafe and Cheesecake factory (all serving lots of pasta) they may find the competition even stiffer than in South Beach.
Figs (by Todd English)
The man behind this place has been considered a "celebrity chef" going back to the days of Emeril Legasse, though I can't particularly say why (since he's not a fixture as a judge on "Chopped" or a host of any FoodTV show I can name). Still, a "Boston-based pizza bistro" sounds like an upscale challenger to the Mall's existing Sbarro.
Luke's Lobster
A NYC-based lobster shack, it opened its first location this past summer in the Brickell neighborhood, and is enjoying favorable reviews for it's raison d'etre: a buttery, oversize lobster roll (like a hot dog, where buttery lobster is the hotdog, and the bun is ... well it's still a hot dog bun, actually).
[source: https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Here-Are-The-Eateries-Coming-To-Aventura-Malls-New-Food-Hall-454508573.html]
and a drumroll for the last 2 entries:
Shake Shack
People go gaga for this NYC-based 'fast casual' burger and fries joint dreamed up by legendary restauranteur Danny Meyer (when I lived in NYC myself, his Union Square Cafe was one of the hardest places to get into). Even though there's not much secrets in it's menu (they even give it all away: https://www.eater.com/2017/5/13/15629654/recipe-shake-shack-burger), there's no denying it's a tasty burger. For me the 'secret ingredient' is Martin's potato rolls - one of the few items I'm willing to consistently pay full price for when I go shopping.
Tap 42
I've been a fan of this place since it was a single location outside of FLL. The concept is 42 taps... of 42 different kinds of beer, get it? Well, with a decent craft beer venue within walking distance of my house, I'll be getting it. The also have a very good menu, and I hope one tradition that survives the transplant to Aventura will be their Monday deal, where the "Prohibition Burger" is steeply discounted (used to be $5, but I haven't been there for a while).
source: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/restaurants/tap-42-to-open-in-aventura-mall-9474704
