D. Rodriguez Cuba, Miami

In the space that was previously Maison D’Azure, the one-time go-to spot for beach babe layabouts (and the men who prey on them), James Beard award winner Chef/owner Douglas Rodriguez has staked his claim with his new restaurant, D. Rodriguez Cuba. But rather than play with the tired ocean theme so common in the swanky eateries of South Beach, Rodriguez turns to a more grounded place for inspiration: his Cuban roots.

Introducing, the eponymous, D. Rodriguez Cuba, an appropriate reflection of chef D-Rod’s heritage. Though the restaurant is located within the heart of classic, deco style, Hotel Astor, the rich décor takes you away from Modish Miami and brings you right into the heart of Old Havana. Summoning the smoky glamour of bygone Cuba, a sultry garden of jasmine vines, glowing lanterns and idyllic waterfalls sets the moody tone.

While the space leans more to a kind of old-world feel, award-winning chef D.-Rod has created a card that oscillates between contemporary and classic. Newfangled takes on Cuban classics like oxtail empanadas with marrow foam; grilled cod with sweet plantains and avocado; or house cured ham with Puerto Rican pastel and cachucha mayo are bound to please Cuban culinistes and fashionable foodies alike.

Speaking of pleasing, being that D. Rodriguez Cuba is taking over a former club space, it would be wrong if the South Beach locale did not supply its share for the bereft partyer. So bring your dancing shoes, the new Miami restaurant will have a fiery dance floor for salsa and merengue ? the perfect place to spill a mescal-spiked “bloody Maria”, passion fruit daiquiri or classic mojito.

Address: 956 Washington Avenue, Miami, FL
Contact: 305-673-3763
Cuisine: Latin American
Area: South Beach
Venue: Restaurant, Bar
Hours:
Price Range: $$$$ (Expensive)
Payment: Master Card, Visa, American Express

Visit MartiniBoys.com to find the best restaurants, clubs, bars, theatre and art galleries in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Miami and New York City.