Growing up
RedFarm, Books & Books, Bern's Steakhouse, Bal Harbour listings, non-power lunches, best yoga studios, MORE
RESTAURANTS • First Person
Glory days
Nostalgia is a funny thing. Memories of bygone glory days can trigger a yearning for chicken tenders and the frat house concoction “Moose Juice,” while viewing gourmet dim sum and craft cocktails with a suspicious eye.
Such is the conundrum for any millennial UM alum who steps into RedFarm, a new Chinese restaurant housed behind the Coconut Grove log cabin façade we remember as Mr. Moe’s. After visiting a few weeks ago and posting videos of the stunning new décor — with neon decoy ducks and lazy Susan banquet tables — the overwhelming inbound reactions were crying face emojis and calls of “Blasphemy!”
Fair, we all miss the days of winning football and epic Grove nights. But give the place a chance, former Hurricanes, and you’ll see that much like the rest of Coconut Grove — and you, too, probably — this place has grown up, in a good way. RedFarm comes to Miami by way of New York City and brings to the Grove what it’s needed for decades — legitimately great Chinese food. And it offers many of the things you vaguely recall from late nights on Commodore Plaza, elevated for maturing tastes.
Take fried food, for example. Redfarm’s spicy crispy beef is a palate-opening stunner, blending the savory crunch of deep-fried beef with a tangy sauce. Ed’s Pastrami Egg Roll brings an indulgent blend of grease, mustard, and cheese that may awaken your memory to a long-forgotten 4 a.m. cheeseburger.
RedFarm’s take on noodles is also a welcomed upgrade to whatever gooey concoctions we were eating in the neighborhood back then. The wide rice noodle with BBQ duck expertly combines salty, spicy, and rich animal flavors with big noodles to soak it all in. The wok-sauteed udon noodles with short rib bring to mind night market street food, and while pretty on a plate, they might be even better eaten out of a paper carton with chopsticks, dorm-room style.
There’s no Moose Juice on the cocktail menu, but stiff, fruity drink cravings are easily satisfied at the bar with the tequila-happy El Sabio, which adds Ancho Reyes, lime, grapefruit, pineapple, and yuzu. Your college staple Red Bull-and-vodka is replaced by the Café Havana — a Miami-ish take on the espresso martini made with House-blended cold brew and Kettle One.
We all have to grow up eventually. And if that means our college bar of last resort is now an upscale Chinese restaurant with impeccable food, that’s probably a good thing. –Matt Meltzer
→ RedFarm (Coconut Grove) • 3131 Commodore Plaza • Tues-Thurs 5-930p, Fri 5-1030p, Sat 11a-3p & 5-1030p, Sun 11a-3p & 430-9p • Reserve.
MIAMI RESTAURANT LINKS: New North Miami restaurant Yaya Coastal Cuisine readies for August debut, including marina with 14 slips • Sports bar Duffy’s Tavern sells for $4.5M, will remain open for immediate future • Perricone’s is back — as a delivery-only ghost kitchen • Help, there’s a hot dog in my drink!
WORK • Thursday Routine
Buy the book
GAËL LELAMER • head book buyer • Books & Books
Neighborhood you work in: Coral Gables
Neighborhood you live in: South Beach
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Most mornings, my workplace is at home. First I walk my dog, Margot. We live on South Beach, so it’s usually pretty quiet in the mornings and we have the streets to ourselves. Walking with her is my favorite way to start the day. If I’m not feeling too pressed to start working right away, I’ll hop on my Peloton or do some yoga for half an hour. Then I hunker down at my dining room table with a cup of tea (always PG Tips) and get to work. I do all the buying for our five bookstores so I’m always checking inventory and sales and placing orders. Depending on how busy my day is, I may end up staying at home so I can focus. Otherwise I head to our store in Coral Gables to check out all the new releases.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Today, I’m preparing for an upcoming buying meeting with our sales rep from Simon & Schuster to go over fall titles. This might be my favorite part of the job. I love seeing what’s coming up and getting advanced copies of books. There are so many great books coming out in the fall. I’m particularly looking forward to The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk, Intermezzo by Sally Rooney, Playground by Richard Powers, and We’re Alone by Edwidge Danticat.
Any bar or restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
My go-tos on South Beach are Macchialina, Lido at The Standard, Lucali, and Toni’s Sushi. Restaurants tend to come and go pretty quickly down here, so I’m happy these are still around (and reliably delicious). I also can’t forget La Sandwicherie, which is perfect for a quick bite. Pastis is another fave; I’m originally from New York City, so I was thrilled to see them open up in Wynwood.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I tend to stay in my little book bubble. Recently, Books & Books hosted an event for Melissa Mogollon for her wonderful new book Oye. It’s a gorgeous love letter to South Florida and perfectly encapsulates how beautiful and weird life is down here. We host so many incredible authors at the store in Coral Gables so if ever I’m looking for something to do, that’s my first stop. Or I’ll check in with the Coral Gables Art Cinema across the street and see what’s playing. I also love everything O, Miami does to bring poetry to the people. When National Poetry month comes around in April, they have excellent programming.
Any weekend getaways?
I was just in Tampa last weekend and stayed at Palihouse in Hyde Park. They have some of the cutest hotel rooms I’ve ever seen. I always try to take in as much nature as possible, so kayaking in the springs just north of the city is a must. Afterwards, I hit up Tombolo Books in St. Pete which has a great selection and a lovely staff. For dinner, Bern’s Steakhouse is a blast. I highly recommend the dessert rooms.
What was your last great vacation?
I was in Los Angeles a few months ago visiting friends and spent loads of time hiking and eating. I love visiting spots with a bit of history to them, so Dan Tana’s hit the spot. Gjelina in Venice has amazing pizza. The Broad has a gorgeous art collection and is a perfect way to spend the afternoon. And of course I had to stop in at Skylight Books and Booksoup. Even on vacation I can’t seem to stay away from books.
What store or service do you always recommend?
I always try to push small businesses, and Sweat Records in Little Haiti is always at the top of the list when people ask me where to go.
MIAMI WORK AND PLAY LINKS: One Sotheby’s taking over marketing of Michael Stern’s Dolce and Gabbana condo tower • First renderings released of Watson Island Daywalk, voters to decide in November • Miami condos lure rich Mexicans who want to park cash overseas • LinkedIn survey records career confidence at four-year low • How to manage the career arc of superstar employees.
REAL ESTATE • On the Market
Having a Bal
A three-bedroom with beach views (and access!) in the Bal Harbour Tower topped last week’s list of most expensive Miami-Dade condo contracts, per Eklund-Gomes. The 5210-SF unit was listed for $5.85M.
Elsewhere in Bal Harbour listings, two apartments in the 24-story Bellini came to market last month, one (a triple-unit reno) clocking in at almost 10K square feet and listed for $11.75M. The other, at just under 3K square feet, is listed for $3.75M. Also new last month, a few ticks south on Collins Ave: apartment 11C at The Palace, 2050 square feet and yours for $2.95M.
Here, the three fresh listings for your Thursday edutainment:
→ 10101 Collins Ave #11C (Bal Harbour) • 2BR/3.1BA, 2050 SF condo • private elevator in full-service building • Ask: $2.95M • Days on market: 24 • Agent: Raquel Szyller, Aventura Real Estate.
→ 10225 Collins Ave #604 (Bal Harbour) • 4BR/4BA, 2918 SF condo • renovated with bay and city views • Ask: $3.75M • Days on market: 30 • Agent: Michele Redlich, Coldwell Banker Realty.
→ 10225 Collins Ave #301-303-304 (Bal Harbour) • 7BR/8.1BA, 9656 SF condo • triple unit with two kitchens, two elevators, ocean & city views • Ask: $11.75M • Days on market: 22 • Agents: Leah & Alex Sajovits Team, Douglas Elliman.
WORK • The Cafeteria
Non-power lunches
Last week’s news that Daniel Boulud is launching a corporate catering business in New York seemed like a natural evolution in the world of office amenities.
Meals are a key battleground in the war against work-from-home, and it’s hard to compete with a well-stocked refrigerator. Boulud could do it, though maybe not for everyone (prices start at $30 a person for breakfast and could hit $1000 for “a parade of caviar and truffles,” per Bloomberg).
Fresh out of college, my investment banking friends used to crow about free dinner via Seamless every time they stayed late to work, 18-hour days a small price to pay for Sparks at your desk.
I used to enjoy bringing lunch back to my office from the neighborhood, too, even though it was usually on my own dime. It was better in the East Village — where the options weren’t tailored to office workers — than in Midtown, where they definitely were. But in all locations, the novelty inevitably wore off.
Now, in the home office, I usually piece together some leftovers in a way that feels luxurious only in that I’m in complete control. It’d be a hard routine to give up.
Of course, when a business lunch with an old friend is an option, I’ll happily make exceptions. I might even come into an office for Boulud delivery. Maybe I’d stay past dinner as a fair trade for the caviar parade. –Josh Albertson
CULTURE & LEISURE • Saturday Night
Jonas Brothers • Hard Rock Live (Davie) • Sat @ 8p, section 115, $143 per
Leo Dan with King Clave • James L. Knight Center (Ft Lauderdale) • Sat @ 8p, section 101, $204 per
The Moody Blues • Amaturo Theater at Broward Center (Little Havana) • Sat @ 8p, orchestra C, $74 per
GETAWAYS LINKS: Anticipated Turks and Caicos’ hotel opening, The Strand, readies for fall debut in Providenciales • St. Lucia’s East Winds resort closes temporarily to upgrade rooms • New luxury hotel The Largo opens in Porto, Portugal • The case for summering in the city.
ASK FOUND
First, a quick primer on how this works: You send us the pressing questions of the day (on dining, services, living in Miami and surrounds). We all put our heads together (us at FOUND, + you, FOUND subscribers, who are also FOUND) in search of truth and beauty.
Today, three FOUND subscriber PROMPTS for which we are seeking intel:
What’s your favorite Miami flower shop (or flower delivery service)?
I need a wardrobe update. Can you recommend the best women’s boutiques?
What is your Restaurant of the Summer?
Got answers or more questions? Hit reply or email found@itsfoundmiami.com.
GOODS & SERVICES • The Nines
The Nines are FOUND's distilled lists of Miami’s best. Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or found@itsfoundmiami.com. For the full archives, click here.
Yoga studios
Hanu (South Beach), 3 yoga rooms plus private cold plunge; emphasis on Vinyasa and power flows