On Thursday, December 22, 2016, Coconut Grove-based restaurant firm Grove Bay Hospitality Group will debut their highly anticipated new restaurant concepts – Big Easy Winebar & Grill by Ernie Els and American Harvest at downtown Miami’s ambitious new mixed-use space, Brickell City Centre. The concepts’ grand opening signals Grove Bay’s leap to downtown Miami – in early 2016 they debuted the highly acclaimed Glass & Vine in Coconut Grove with acclaimed Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli – and more in-the-works in the new year, including Stiltsville Fish Bar in Sunset Harbour with famed duo Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth.
Big Easy Winebar & Grill by Ernie Els
Locals and tourists alike will be able to experience the flavors of the Western Cape region of South Africa at Big Easy Winebar & Grill by Ernie Els. The restaurant is a project in partnership with the nationally renowned golf icon turned winemaker affectionately nicknamed “The Big Easy” for his manner, stature and gentle disposition.
The grand opening will mark the concept’s introduction to the Western hemisphere, offering patrons a taste of authentic South African cuisine which features prime cuts of meat and seafood fresh from the South Atlantic and Indian oceans.
“We know and love Miami for being receptive to different cultures and cuisines. It feels like the right city for the Big Easy,” said Ignacio Garcia-Menocal, Grove Bay Hospitality Group Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “From the start we developed a close-knit relationship with Els and his team to make sure we captured the spirit of the region. We pride ourselves in being involved throughout every step of any project and Big Easy was definitely a labor of love and collaboration.”
To ensure authenticity in the kitchen, Grove Bay called on the talents of Executive Chef Maryna Frederiksen, a native South African with more than two decades of experience in the culinary industry, including roles at multiple AAA Five Diamond and James Beard Award-winning dining destinations.
A region with rich history and a multi-ethnic society, South African cuisine is influenced by Dutch, Indian and English cultures. At the casual yet sophisticated grill room, Frederiksen will showcase savory selections that pay homage to the republic with Tid Bits ($6-$9), Starters ($8-$16) and For The Table ($10-$26). Authentic shareable plates will include Peri-Peri Chicken Liver – African chili sauce, free range chicken liver and warm bread; Boerie Bites – farmers sausage, soft roll, onion jam, tomato chutney and cowboy candy; and Chilli-Coffee Rubbed Pork Flatbread – seasonal apples, braai “bbq sauce” and fresh mozzarella. Salads ($10-12) will also grace the menu with chicken, steak or prawn add-on options for protein.
Famous for their braai (or barbecue) which is typically enjoyed and shared at social gatherings, Big Easy will offer selections from The Grill ($34-$110) including Prime Dry Aged Kansas City Strip; Bison Ribeye; and for the ultimate sharing experience, The Big Easy Braai – a mixed grill feast for 2-4 guests complete with South African farmers sausage, a 12 oz. top sirloin, double lamb chops, Nigerian prawns and a choice of two sides – from Risotto Verde and Duck Fat Roasted Fingerling Potatoes to Sliced Heirloom Tomatoes. House made Sauces – Peri-Peri Cream; Madagascar Pepper Sauce; Braai “BBQ” Sauce; and globally inspired Butters ($3) – Miami Spice with citrus, cumin and ancho chili; Malaysia Spice with fennel, ginger and mustard; and Durban Spice with annatto, jaggery cane sugar and turmeric – will be created in-house daily to elevate any cut of meat.
Frederiksen will also offer classic dishes From The Sea ($29-46), reminiscent of the South Atlantic’s freshest catch. Diners will dig in to new flavors with Grilled Nigerian Prawns – seasoned with garlic butter and peri-peri chili sauce; and Cape Malay Seafood Pot – P.E.I mussels, Nigerian prawns, and the day’s fresh catch in a coconut-curry broth. Last but not least, Els’ comfort food favorites. Guest can eat like the Hall of Famer with Ernie’s Favorites ($16-$35); Angry Duck Curry – duck breast, red Madras curry and basmati rice; and Durban Bunny Chow – slow roasted lamb shank served in an artisan bread bowl. Chef’s Selections ($24-$42) will feature Frederiksen’s favorites – a vegan Toasted Couscous Risotto – baby shiitake mushrooms, butternut, kale and Parmesan-thyme cream; and Kurabuta Chop – a 14 oz. double pork chop with braai barbeque sauce and toasted couscous risotto.
South Africa enjoys a stellar reputation for its wines and Big Easy will prominently feature many exceptional vintages. With the leadership of Louis Strydom, a passionate and experienced winemaker devoted to capturing the unique terroir of the region, Big Easy’s beverage program will offer hand-selected labels – including multi award-winning blends from Ernie Els’ own vineyards. The approachable wine menu will showcase the best seasonal offerings stemming from the perfect grape-growing climate.
No detail will go unnoticed at Big Easy, with the atmosphere and hospitality reflecting laid back luxury. The 5,592 square foot space with indoor and patio seating for 200 will break away from the fine dining mold and instead welcome guests with an inviting, homey feel, as if they were joining Els for a meal at his estate. Designed to capture the spirit of the land with furniture and décor from the Western Cape, Big Easy boasts rich, buttery leather chairs, reclaimed wood floors and plenty of cozy corners with marbled stone, earth-toned fabrics and clay pottery all hand-picked and imported by the Grove Bay team.
Lunch will be served daily from 11:30AM to 4PM; dinner nightly from 4PM to 11PM and Sunday brunch from 11AM to 3PM.
701 South Miami Avenue, Suite 339
Brickell City Centre
(786) 814-5955
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American Harvest
Concurrently, Grove Bay will also debut a fast-casual dining concept adjacent to Big Easy. American Harvest will be a destination for Brickell residents and City Centre visitors looking for made-from-scratch fare perfect for lunchtime sustenance, a quick and nutritious dinner or a break from shopping. American Harvest will offer South Florida a taste of sustainable, simple clean eating in keeping with a demand for transparency and a whole food approach. The new concept will focus on serving afforable food with a clear pathway from its origin to the plate.
“American Harvest is a timely concept catering to what the modern day crowd is craving – delicious but health-conscious cuisine made with fresh ingredients with the option to enjoy on-the-go, and above all else, affordable,” said Francesco Balli, Grove Bay Hospitality Group Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “Our goal is for customers to feel fulfilled when they leave American Harvest. We collaborated with fine dining chefs to create crave-worthy dishes to put an end to the days of a sad, boring salad for lunch or a guilty trip through the fast food drive-thru. American Harvest will be a platform to prove eating right never tasted so good.”
Offering diners modern interpretations of timeless, multi-ethnic comfort cooking, American Harvest will source fresh and regional ingredients from purveyors who share their passion for producing and utilizing the highest quality ingredients. Dishes will contain fresh produce delivered daily along with responsibly sourced protein, resulting in delectable modern day clean dishes.
Guests will be able to indulge guiltlessly with vibrant Handhelds ($9-$13) and Salads ($8-$10) to include the American Harvest Burger – an all-natural, grass fed and free range chuck short rib and brisket blend, Fontina cheese, housemade mayo and caramelized shallots served on a Martin’s potato bun; Blue’s Steak Tacos – Myers all-natural, grass fed, free range steak, organic GMO-free blue corn tortillas, caramelized shallots, chimichurri vinaigrette, avocado and fresh cilantro; and Spicy Thai Salad – hydroponic butter lettuce cups, red grapes, baby heirloom tomatoes, edamame, fresh cilantro and shaved red onion drizzled with a spicy Thai vinaigrette. Harvest Bowls & Skillets ($7-$10) will round out the menu with options to include a Rotisserie Chicken Skillet – cage-free, all natural, hormone and antibiotic free chicken quarter with chimichurri vinaigrette served with roasted sweet potatoes, mushroom, bacon and scallions; Curry Roasted Vegetable Bowl – quinoa, green and yellow squash, red pepper, portobello mushroom, cauliflower, carrots, red onion, edamame, basil and a housemade coconut curry sauce; and Pesto Harvest Skillet – green and yellow squash, cauliflower, red onion, portobello mushrooms, red pepper, carrots, shredded Parmesan, toasted almond and baby heirloom tomatoes tossed in an almond basil pesto dressing. Guests will also have the option to augment any dish with all-natural chicken breast, no-mayo chicken salad, grass fed steak, sustainable tuna or a curried quinoa and shiitake patty.
The concept is housed in a modern farmhouse-feel space boasting a light and airy color palette with porcelain mosaic tiles, lattice white counters, tin chairs, and light woods on counters and as accents. American Harvest encompasses 1,666 square-feet including indoor and outdoor seating for over 60 guests. Lunch and dinner will be served daily.
To celebrate the grand opening, American Harvest will offer the first 50 guests lunch on the house each day from Thursday, December 22 through Saturday, December 24, 2016.
Lunch will be served daily from 11:30AM to 4PM; dinner will be offered from 4PM to 11PM.
701 South Miami Avenue, Suite 340
Brickell City Centre
(786) 814-6968
Big Easy Winebar & Grill by Ernie Els and American Harvest will open their doors on Thursday, December 22, 2016.
About Grove Bay Hospitality Group
Founded in 2010, Grove Bay Hospitality Group owns and operates restaurants, in addition to being a boutique consulting firm. Based in Miami, Florida, Grove Bay aspires to enhance the lives of its guests, employees, communities and investors as a restaurant industry leader by developing innovative, memorable and highly successful restaurant concepts. In March 2016, Grove Bay opened Glass & Vine – their first restaurant concept helmed by Giorgio Rapicavoli – as the first phase of Coconut Grove’s renaissance. The dynamic hospitality group has a repertoire of restaurants and retail projects in the works, including Stiltsville Fish Bar in Sunset Harbour alongside famed duo Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth, as well as Big Easy Winebar & Grill by Ernie Els and American Harvest in the Brickell City Centre. The homegrown restaurant company is also planning an ambitious multi-restaurant and retail project, The Harbour, in Coconut Grove, slated to begin in 2017. Additional locations of American Harvest are also in the works. For more information visit grovebaygroup.com.
Information provided by Carolina Navarro/Larry Carrino, Brustman Carrino Public Relations
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