Photo Credit - 52Chefs
Located in the heart of Brickell, Balan’s Bar & Brasserie brings a swanky new feel to a favorite locals hotspot. The 2,500-square-foot, 141-seat restaurant reopened its doors in Mary Brickell Village in early 2020 with a fresh and elevated makeover featuring a more airy, light-filled space thanks to additional windows, a new skylight and an open-kitchen concept. Launched as a 24-hour family-business diner in London in 1987, today, Balan’s is owned and operated by second-generation husband and wife team Keva and Jonathan Balan, son of international restaurateur and entrepreneur Prady Balan.
The new look and rebranded Balan’s Bar & Brasserie in Brickell reflects the original concept’s heritage: The style of the space exudes an effortless, London-meets-Miami vibe, taking cues from Miami’s tropical Art Deco palette combined with an unmistakable British swagger. Guests coming to Balan’s will get the full experience no matter the time of day: Whether you’re strolling through Mary Brickell Village for a lunch spot or headed to date night with your partner, Balan’s is the go-to local neighborhood restaurant. Design elements like brass metal light fixtures, herringbone hardwood flooring and hints of red throughout the restaurant nod to the restaurant’s London roots. Red wood ceiling beams and elegant blue velvet bar stools add to the epic London City aesthetic while the beautiful gallery wall makes for an ideal Instagram moment. Warm materials such as light marble stone on the bar counter, custom Cuban-style floor tiles and tropical floral tapestry used in the banquettes tie the space back to Miami. The original Balan’s was located in London’s Soho, and its hip, sophisticated style is evident everywhere at their refreshed Brickell location.
“We wanted to showcase our heritage, all while bringing something new and exciting to the neighborhood, offering a brasserie-style concept with an emphasis on fresh local produce, seasonal products and a fully-scratch kitchen,” said Jonathan Balan. “The new-age Balan's is swanky. We elevated the concept with a full renovation, indoors and out, and a brand new food and beverage program, all with a vibe like no other with live tableside entertainment during dinner on the weekends.We really wanted to exude a European feel & experience at all times, we are big believers of excellent service”
Guests can take refuge in the plush, London-meets-Miami-inspired dining room or enjoy Balan’s beautiful outdoor garden terrace. Blocks from the bay, the outside patio features a breezy canopy, lounge furniture and lighting, with brick flooring that adds warmth and sophistication to the space. A savory home for hungry locals, executive lunch-goers, fine diners, late-night drinkers and festive brunchers, Balan’s menu is truly global. Conceived by Chef Executive Richard Jimenez and full of unique flavors, dishes range from local favorites like the Chilean Sea Bass (pan-seared Sea Bass, coconut yam puree, braised Brussels, plum chutney and beurre blanc) and Crab Pasta (linguine, lardon cream, fresh lime spritz, petite cilantro), to the Chef’s Avant-Garde Burger (chuck patty topped with braised short rib, Beaujolais, vanilla bean demi, blue cheese, smoked cipollini aioli, frisée, Bordeaux jelly and hand-cut french fries) and Ahi Tuna Tartare (Umeboshi aioli, Thai gelee, radish and cilantro served with sesame rice crackers). Other unique dishes include the Colorado Lamb Chop (grilled 8 oz. T-bone lamb chop served with balsamic lamb jus, blackberries, fresh herbs, confit fingerling potatoes served on lavender dill aioli) and a Japanese Uni Pasta (Hokkaido sea urchin, saffron velouté and fresh linguine). To finish on a sweet note, diners can delight in a mouth-watering Brioche Bread Pudding with fried brioche, walnut, salted caramel and beurre noisette ice cream. Balan’s weekly specials keep guests coming back, including a Whispering Angel Lunch Special for $26, Oyster Mondays with delicious and refreshing $1 oysters all day, as well as Wine Wednesdays for the wine lovers, featuring 50% off all bottles of wine. For those looking for a lively Happy Hour spot, Balan’s Happy Hour runs every day from 3 to 7 p.m. with specials including $5 select wine/beer, $8 cocktails, $7 liquor and light bites. Balan’s new food and drinks menus further showcase the family’s across-the-pond culture, adapted to the Miami market and offering more of a brasserie-style concept that emphasizes fresh, local produce and healthy eating.
Diners seeking an ideal brunch spot in Brickell will find a great boozy brunch on Saturdays and Sundays at Balan’s, featuring a wide selection of delicious dishes. Staple items include a Mushroom Toast prepared with a mushroom medley, caramelized shallot puree, roasted garlic, soy gelée and black truffle salt; a French Toast with ZTB brioche, guava curd, cream cheese and passionfruit syrup; and a Breakfast Sandwich with candied jalapeño bacon, romaine, xo aioli, sunny side up egg, tomato and fontina cheese on a ZTB brioche bun. To wash it all down, guests can enjoy bottomless premium options ranging from $55 to $145. The all-day dining restaurant is open for breakfast until 1 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday and until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, when Balan’s gets packed with those searching for an enjoyable meal, a bottle of wine and a lively ambiance. On Fridays and Saturdays, guests can sit back and prepare to be dazzled by Balan’s exhilarating live performances, including DJs, live music and entertainment such as burlesque, fire shows and an electric violinist, all while enjoying dinner and a fantastic atmosphere. The trendy and chic brasserie has become locals’ go-to spot for brunch, lunch and dinner. Whether you’re indulging in the best weekend brunch in Miami, late-night cocktails or a corporate lunch, Balan’s menu caters to every occasion and mood.
The story of Balan’s began in 1987 London, when the Balan family first opened the Old Compton Cafe. Soon after, the name was changed to become the renowned Balan’s we know today. In 1997, the owners yearned for sunnier climates and palm trees and decided to move stateside. In 2008, they opened Balan’s Bar & Brasserie, located in the heart of Brickell. In 2020, Balan’s was re-envisioned, completely renovated and brought back to its roots in a more refined way to reflect the vision of the second generation of Balan’s. Husband and wife Jonathan and Keva wanted to create a chic brasserie focusing on European cuisine and craft cocktails, a space that they could be proud of as self-described foodies. Jonathan and Keva are true believers in creating a space with a great vibe that also delivers on service and quality while buying and supporting local. Staying true to their vision, they work together with Chef Jimenez to develop seasonal menus incorporating ingredients from some of the best local vendors in Miami. Located at 901 S Miami Ave Suite 108, Miami, FL 33130 | (305) 809-8587. For more information about Balan’s, please visit balansbrickell.com. Follow Balan’s on Instagram at @balansbrickell and Facebook at Facebook.com/BalansBrickell.
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