ADRIFT Mare will officially open its doors in the heart of Miami’s Brickell neighborhood on Sunday, July 30 on the 25th floor of the Hotel AKA Brickell. Inspired by the cultures and cuisine “Gypsy Chef” David Myers has encountered on his worldly travels, the restaurant will deliver a culinary experience that offers a taste of the spirited life along the Mediterranean coastline. ADRIFT Mare will meld the chicness of the French Riviera, the relaxed vibe of the Balearic Islands, warm Levant hospitality and gentle rhythms of the Greek Isles, to transport guests to summers by the Mediterranean Sea.
“I am thrilled to be working alongside the Hotel AKA team to bring my vision for ADRIFT Mare to life in Brickell,” says Chef Myers in a statement. “Miami has such a vibrant dining scene and I believe that we have something incredibly exciting to bring to the table. Travel has always been my greatest inspiration and most important tool when developing unique culinary experiences. With ADRIFT Mare, I look forward to sharing some of my personal travel memories from the Mediterranean Sea with Miami when we open our doors.”
Taking cues from the ingredients and techniques Chef Myers encountered on his journeys throughout the region, the menu was composed with warm summer seaside evenings at heart; a tribute to the Mediterranean’s coastal lifestyle and cuisine. To start, guests can enjoy several Snacks including house-made Parker Rolls served with fava bean spread and tahini butter; Charred Eggplant Spread on toasted sourdough; Whipped Cods Roe served with country loaf; and a Half Lobster Roll with lemon aioli and Lebanese oregano on an olive roll. From the Raw section, a Half-Dozen Oysters served with mignonette and zhoug sauce; Yellowfin Tuna with shallots, caviar and buckwheat crackers; Aged Beef Tartare with pickled mustard seeds; and Golden Osetra Caviar Karat Amber served with crème fraiche, chives, pickled shallots and buckwheat crackers. In addition, the menu features several vibrant Salads including Falafel & Kale with hummus, pomegranate and mixed grains; Heirloom Tomatoes with burrata, smoked olive oil and quinoa; and Poached Lobster with romaine, oregano dressing and chervil.
Main plate range from Pastas such as Arugula Pesto, bucatini with aged parmesan and stracciatella, and Half Roasted Lobster, linguini with Datterini tomatoes and basil to seafood dishes including Grilled King Prawns made with fermented garlic, Fresno chili and lobster oil; White Clams in lemon butter and sea herbs; and Whole Grilled Seabass served with braised fennel and harissa aioli.
The restaurant will also feature a selection of dry-aged meats such as marinated Colorado Lamb Rack, Australian Wagyu Sirloin, and Mixed Shish Kebabs featuring chicken thigh and prime beef filet, as well as several Prime USDA Steaks with cuts including a 40 oz. T-Bone, 14 oz. Ribeye and 8 oz. Beef Filet. For those seeking a genuine gastronomic adventure, ADRIFT Mare will offer a chef’s Tasting Menu as well as a la carte.
To complement the cuisine, ADRIFT Mare will offer a wine list concentrating on the best terroirs from in and around the Mediterranean Sea, including Ancient World labels from Greece, Super Tuscans and Provençal rosés, as well as an exciting collection of New World gems.
Overseeing the creation of the restaurant’s cocktail program are mixologists Moe Aljaff and Juliette Larrouy. For ADRIFT Mare, the duo has created a list of crafted signature cocktails highlighting elevated Mediterranean ingredients that embrace elegant minimalism aesthetically yet deliver defined, bold flavors. Among the Signatures: Alpha – Ford’s Gin, Granny Smith apple shrub, celery, ginger and absinthe; Omega – Mezcal, Calvados, sweet vermouth, Rooibos vanilla, Peychaud’s bitters and saline; Mare 50/50 – Ford’s Gin, vermouth blend, Pear Eau de Vie, blanc balsamic lemon oils and blue cheese; Mr. Magoo – Teremana Tequila, mango whey, cilantro, chili, citrus and saline; Flower Power – Tito’s Vodka, vermouth, champagne, vanilla, citrus, blanc balsamic and elderflower foam; Tarragon Spritz – Tarragon Aperol, cava prosecco, blanc balsamic and lemongrass tincture; and Naked & Shameless – Mezcal, yellow chartreuse, Aperol, faux lime and absinthe. In addition, the well-rounded program will feature cocktail classics such as Old Fashioned, Paper Plane, Vesper, Espresso Martini, Negroni and Bellini.
Comments the pair, “We’re excited about our collaboration with ADRIFT Mare as it not only brings us to Miami, a city we love, but also gives us an opportunity to work with David Myers and focus on flavors and regions of the world that mean a lot to us. It’s a program that’s right up our alley and we can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on.”
The 2,413-square-foot space has been reimagined by Michael Gabellini of Gabellini Sheppard Associates into an airy and stylish restaurant with dramatic design features. Set within an 11-story atrium of floor-to-ceiling windows, the restaurant showcases views of the city skyline and Biscayne Bay and an abundance of natural sunlight. Incorporating decorative elements that bring the South Florida outdoors in – wave patterned stone floors of varying color evoke the movement of sand after a wave recedes on the beach and lush greenery is featured prominently throughout the indoor and exterior spaces.
Through the use of artisanal materials including light-oak wood, hammered silver nickel, bronze mirror, marble and stone, textured glass panels, and silk, linen and velvet fabrics, the restaurant design reflects the ambiance of the Mediterranean. Harnessing natural daylight throughout the day into the night, Gabellini’s design includes a thoughtful lighting concept that adds an ever-changing sensory dimension to the atmosphere while a stunning installation of 100 custom ethereal lanterns float from above to offer a whimsical element. In addition, the concept’s design will feature a stone top, reflective metal bar and an intimate private dining room with luxe accents. The restaurant will have plentiful seating – 65 indoors including 12 at the bar/in the lounge and 41 in the private dining room.
Says Gabellini, “The restaurant is envisioned as a ‘Nautical Palm Court’ with tall and lush plants, and will feel airy and light. To complement the overall design vision, we worked with a light and refined material palette with distinct textures and patterns. The space, through its revealing nature, embodies the spirit of this unique and sophisticated hospitality environment.”
ADRIFT Mare is located at 1395 Brickell Avenue on the 25th floor of Hotel AKA Brickell. The restaurant will be open daily for breakfast from 6:30AM to 10:30AM, lunch (beginning Monday, August 14) from Noon to 4:30PM, and dinner from 5:30PM to 10:30PM.
