Miami New Times

Miami-Dade County is mulling whether to shell out $72.7 million to upgrade its public transportation system with new fare collection devices, ticket vending machines, and other equipment with an eye toward connecting to nearby counties' transit networks. If approved, the project would be carried out under an initial six-year contract with Illinois-based Genfare, a 40-year-old company that supplies transit equipment to dozens of agencies in the U.S. and Canada. The Miami-Dade Transportation, Mobility and Planning Committee advanced the deal at its June 12 meeting in a unanimous vote. Members include county commissioners Eileen Higgins (District 5), Danielle Cohen Higgins (District 8), Juan Carlos Bermudez (District 12), Sen. René García (District 13), and Raquel Regalado (District 7). A memo signed by Miami-Dade Chief Operations Officer Jimmy Morales says the multimillion-dollar upgrades are essential to ensure public transportation runs smoothly in years to come. Read the full story ⬇

World-renowned Italian food hall Eataly is officially coming to Aventura Mall in South Florida. A New Times source confirmed the news on Tuesday, July 9. Eataly will be located inside of Aventura mall at 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Unit 3004, in Aventura. It will take up three levels and will span approximately 29,000 square feet. According to the most recent revision of the City of Aventura's list of developments and applications in process, presented by the Community Development Department's Planning & Zoning Division, Eataly North America's building permit request was "under review" as of May 1. The food hall is currently in the permitting process, according to the source, and may open in a matter of months.

The editorial team at Miami New Times is looking for freelancers to contribute to our legacy of no-holds-barred journalism. Applicants should be based in or near the Miami metro area and have impeccable integrity and a working knowledge of online journalism. If you think you've got what it takes to tell a New Times story, send writing samples (if you have them), your résumé, and some story ideas to our associate editor, [email protected]. Please type FREELANCE PITCH in the subject line. And please, no phone calls!

You may need a croqueta and a freshly brewed colada with extra espumita from a ventanita in Little Havana to swallow this one: 19 restaurants and bars opened in Miami in June. Yes, nearly 20 restaurants and bars opened in Miami in 30 days. From Blue Collar's long-awaited new location in MiMo and the opening of the ultra-glam Casa Neos along the Miami River to Sanguich's opening in Coral Gables and the opening of Japanese pancake café Fluffy Fluffy in Wynwood, the month of June was an explosive one for restaurants in the Magic City. The wine and cocktail scene also got some great new additions, including Magie, a laidback and Euro-cool wine bar in Little River, as well as ViceVersa, an Italian aperitivo bar in the heart of downtown. Oh, and a tiki bar pop-up called Diabla's Cove just opened inside of Santa Diabla in Miami Lakes. Unfortunately, Miami also lost some great, homegrown spots this past month. In June, Miami lost beloved ice cream parlor of 38 years, the Frieze in South Beach, as well as the Rubell Museum hidden gem, Leku, which was renowned for its basque cuisine. View the full list of restaurant's coming to Miami: https://lnkd.in/eutZRkcJ

I edited the 2024 Best of Miami issue of Miami New Times. It was a lotta work! But it was fun work. And I loved collaborating with all of the writers who contributed and my editor, Tom Finkel. You'll recognize places and people on these lists because we drew attention to some classic Miami acts and spots — as well as future classics. We can't select the same places year after year, but we picked some of my favorites, for sure. And if you don't need this guide now, bookmark it for your next trip to the neon swamp! https://lnkd.in/eyp_rDCb

It's official: the 23rd annual Miami Spice season is almost here! Miami's beloved foodie months coined Miami Spice Restaurant Months by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) have become an unofficial holiday for those who take restaurants very seriously in the Magic City. From August 1 to September 30, locals and visitors alike can indulge in 250 of Miami’s best restaurants without the high-end prices: Guests can enjoy prix fixe, three-course meals for just $30 or $35 for lunch and brunch, and $45 or $60 for dinner. Sponsored by Woodford Reserve, Tequila Herradura and Saratoga Spring Water Company, this year's program encourages locals and visitors to explore Greater Miami and Miami Beach’s exciting food scene, especially as this year's lineup includes so many new openings. View the entire list of participating restaurants: https://lnkd.in/eUGmbeX2

A warehouse lot in South Miami might be the last place one would expect to find artisanal French baked goods being made daily, but this hidden location didn't stop Casa Bake from selling out of pastries by 9 a.m. on a weekday. Yes, nine o'clock in the morning. Newly opened artisanal French bakery Casa Bake, located at 7165 SW 47th St., has gone viral overnight after New Times' Best Influencer 2024 Mr. Eats 305 shared a Reel on his Instagram raving about the bakery. On June 19, just a few hours after he shared his review of himself enjoying its chocolate almond croissant dusted in powdered sugar, people immediately began flocking to the bakery. Read the story 🔗: https://lnkd.in/eY_yckEm

Just days after news broke of a real estate development company acquiring Miami institution Shuckers Waterfront Bar & Grill and the neighboring hotel on the property for a whopping $75 million, the news just got wilder. New York-based real estate company Continuum Company has partnered with entertainment company Palm Tree Crew, founded by international DJ Kygo, to turn the oceanfront restaurant into Palm Tree Club, a brand new waterfront hotel and restaurant with an entirely high-end, music-driven, Miami aesthetic. In a press release sent out earlier this week, Continuum Company revealed it had secured a $67.5 million loan to acquire Shuckers Waterfront Bar & Grill and the neighboring Best Western Inn in North Bay Village for $75 million. According to a verified source on the matter, the legendary South Florida dockside restaurant will remain open until the end of 2024, which is when Palm Tree Club plans to take over the property. There are currently discussions being had surrounding whether Shuckers will relocate to another location, and this information will be verified as soon as it is made available. 

You'll soon have the chance to rent a room at Miami International Airport to catch some quick z's. On June 18, Miami-Dade commissioners approved a contract with South Florida company Wait N' Rest to operate two sleep centers — private rooms equipped with beds, Wi-Fi, noise canceling tech, and power outlets — at Miami International Airport. This was a critical green light for the project, which was initially approved last month by the Miami-Dade Airport and Economic Development Committee. The contract has a five-year term with an option to renew for another five years. Based on its 25 percent cut of the revenue, the county projects it will rake in $10 million from the room rentals if the contract spans the full ten years. Read the story 🔗: https://lnkd.in/eJamnt7M