RESTAURANTS • Intel

→ SOUTH OF STANDARD: The arrival of Giorgio Rapicavoli at newly opened The Grape Ape (South Miami) signals bigger ambitions for the wine shop and restaurant.

Rapicavoli, who runs Eating House and Luca Osteria in the Gables and oversees the Mayfair Grill’s food program, is still finalizing Grape Ape’s full menu, but early standouts include the Astoria salad (Fuji apples, celery, mint, candied pecans, whipped goat cheese), chistorra al sake, and manchego croquetas. Reserve.

→ GROVE GOODBYE: A Coconut Grove stalwart since 1975, The Last Carrot will close on November 1, marking one of the final old-guard closures amid the neighborhood’s sweeping redevelopment. Allen Morris Company purchased the strip mall that currently houses the restaurant at 3133 Grand Ave with plans for a five-story mixed-use development. Run by founder Michael Compton's daughters Meadow and Erin since his passing in 2001, the restaurant has yet to announce relocation plans.

→ KYU NEXT: KYU Restaurants' Global Executive Chef Raheem Sealey, who earned a following with pandemic-era favorite Drinking Pig BBQ, is now partnering with Forward Hospitality on Shiso (Wynwood), open next month. The menu promises to merge Sealey's signatures — Japanese technique, American BBQ, and Caribbean flavors — and adds another project to his growing Miami portfolio. –Olee Fowler