With a Michelin Star under his belt for his restaurant Ariete, Chef Michael Beltran and his team at Ariete Hospitality Group (AHG), bring another concept to Miami’s lineup of dining and drinking spots. Brasserie Laurel, will deliver upscale French- inspired Miami cuisine to Downtown at the new Miami Worldcenter development. AHG is known for their growing family of restaurants and bars including Ariete (Michelin Star), Navé (Michelin Guide mention), Chug’s (Bib Gourmand recipient) and The Taurus all in Coconut Grove; The ScapeGoat in Miami Beach, and most recently The Gibson Room on Coral Way. Brasserie Laurel will focus on local, seasonal ingredients and will provide a wide array of table-side service for some of their signature dishes. The quality of food preparation and service will be at the levels of Ariete.
“We see Laurel as Ariete’s younger sister, and if I had to share one thing about the ideology behind this menu, it would be that it’s a new approach to French brasserie food. Think Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, La Tour d’Argent in Paris. Music will be swanky; food will be refined, but unpretentious, and wine and cocktails will be plentiful,” said Chef Michael Beltran in a statement.
At the helm of the kitchen is Executive Chef Ashley Moncada, formerly Chef de Cuisine at Ariete, bringing in 8+ years of experience in the industry and who has been until most recently, an integral part of the Michelin awarded team at Ariete. Having worked in France, Australia, New Zealand, UK, and South Africa, Chef Ashley, at her young age, has gained world experience, from shopping and preparing fresh produce in the French Alps, to cooking in an African game reserve.
From escargots, frog legs, and beef Wellington to crêpes Suzette, you will find these classic French dishes accompanied by full-bodied red Bordeaux, crisp Champagne, Sauternes, among other pairings. “The wine offering is unequivocally French, but not exclusively; you will also be able to find some Spanish and Italians among Old World style wines available at Laurel,” commented AHG Wine Director, Adrian Lopez.
The cocktail program embodies a theme that runs throughout AHG: reworking the classics in a way that makes them uniquely their own; it’s a signature style of AHG Beverage Director, Tom Lasher-Walker. Taking ingredients, in their purest form and transforming them into cocktails, is unquestionably the epitome of fine drink making. “My philosophy is always to bring inspiration from the classics and creating perfectly balanced beverages, those are the styles that will stand the test of time,” mentioned Walker. From two versions of the House Stinger (vodka or cognac), a Miami and French inspired – Beneath the Sheets- with aged rum and pineapple, to a late 1800’s beverage known as the Corpse Reviver Royal with gin, bubbles, and absinthe. The absinthe fountain, while not a novel contraption, will certainly be an entertaining element that you will find behind their bar.
Brasserie Laurel interior is elegant, yet youthful and incorporates a touch of classic French aesthetic. The dark wood, gold, and deep blue elements give it a polished and vibrant look.
“Our team is thrilled to welcome our first restaurateur, Brasserie Laurel, to Miami Worldcenter. Ariete Hospitality Group exemplifies the quality of tenants and the experience we are curating for Miami Worldcenter’s residents and visitors,” said Nitin Motwani, Managing Partner of Miami Worldcenter Associates. “Bringing life to the retail, food and beverage, and entertainment components of Miami Worldcenter’s master plan is critical to transforming our 27-acre site into a thriving open-air destination, and we look forward to the group’s additional concepts slated to open soon.”
Laurel is located at 698 NE 1st Avenue Suite G-170 at the base of Miami Worldcenter’s Caoba residential tower along the development’s 7th Street pedestrian promenade. Also debuting at Miami Worldcenter over the coming months, adjacent to Laurel, will be two other AHG’s concepts, Chug’s Express and El Vecino. The ‘ventanita’ from Chug’s Express will serve Chug’s Diner items such as croquetas, pastelitos, and coffee from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meanwhile, El Vecino will be a high-end cigar bar serving a full liquor bar and light fare such as mussels, an assortment of meat and cheese, a grúyere burger, foie torchon, and a selection of snacks.
Brasserie Laurel’s bar is open Sunday-Thursday 5 p.m. -11 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 5 p.m. -12 a.m. The kitchen is open Sunday-Thursday 5 p.m.- 10 p.m. and Friday- Saturday 5pm-11pm.
