MoonMat Hospitality, the team behind SoFlo Crudo’s Fusion Art Wynwood and Crudo’s Fusion Art Hallandale, debuted their new concepts Crudos Art House & Aka on Thursday, May 5, 2022.
Located at 2415 Ponce De Leon, Crudos Art House features a menu of modern Asian-meets-Latin cuisine. Upstairs at Crudos is Aka, an intimate lounge where imbibers can enjoy Japanese whiskey and highball cocktails. With a foundation built on art in its many incarnations – pop, live entertainment, fine food, and fabulous drinks – Crudos Art House & Aka promise a lively, delicious and immersive experience unlike anything else in Coral Gables.
“In everything we do, our goal – beyond delivering unparalleled food and service – is to stimulate all the senses,” says Co-operator Andres Monroy in a statement. “Art, food, drink, music, design all must work in harmony to create an all-encompassing experience that is transportive. The opening in Coral Gables isn’t the opening of a third in the family of Crudos concepts. It’s an evolution of what we started in Wynwood.”
For the menu at Crudos, diners can expect signature items from the flagship Wynwood location along with an array of new creations exclusive to Coral Gables. Appetizers include Duck Gyoza, with ponzu sauce; Grilled Langoustines with Truffle Corn Casserole served with crispy leeks, and scallions; Crispy Lobster Rice; and Yuzu Lamb Chops with crispy potatoes and yuzu. Beyond that, a bevy of traditional and non-traditional temptations including Bao Buns of various incarnations such as the Cloud Pork Belly Buns prepared with pork belly, cotton candy, pickled cucumber, and crispy rice. A variety of sashimi is on offer as well including dishes like the Tuna with aji amarillo, lemongrass ponzu, masago, crispy rice, and micro cilantro; and Scallop with yellowtail, crispy quinoa, masago, aji amarillo, yuzu sauce, and micro cilantro. Specialty rolls include creations fit for any preference like the House on Fire Roll made with shrimp tempura, blue crab, avocado, masago, scallions, crispy rice, eel sauce, and spicy mayo; Buro Roll made with A5 wagyu, shiitake, cucumber, scallion, garlic miso sauce, truffle oil, and golden flakes; and Vegan Roll made with crispy quinoa, shiitake mushrooms, avocado, Japanese sweet potato, and black garlic ponzu. Sakura (Hamachi); Chizu; and Tsuki will also be on offer. Heartier dishes include Grilled Salmon; Grilled Octopus; Churrasco; Seabass; New York Strip Steak; Ginger Pork Belly; and the catch of the day.
The restaurant will also have a menu of handcrafted cocktails. The cocktail list includes the Jackie Tory – Japanese whiskey, peach, black tea, ginger beer, lime, and bitters; Kind of Tropical Rum Fashion – dark rum, banana extract, and cocoa bitters; and If Whitney Says Yes – gin, cardamom, St. Germain, tonic, soda, lime, Peychaud’s bitters, hibiscus, and beets honey.
A two-story, 5,000-square-foot space (which housed the former AdLib restaurant), upstairs at Crudos is a continuation of the Crudos experience. A small flight of stairs up past the DJ booth transports diners to Aka. Here, gastronomes and imbibers will find a special space dedicated to Japanese whiskey and highball cocktails as well as a menu focusing on temaki handrolls. In both spaces, after 11PM, the fine-dining experience transforms into a buzzy dinner party with live DJ’s and bottle service, when guests only 21+ will be allowed to enter.
“We think of Crudos Art House as a celebration of Latin and Asian cultures with an atmosphere that feels like a celebration every day of the week,” adds Director of Operations Daniel Materan “We designed Crudos Art House to be an energetic space that will be Coral Gables’ new go-to spot for a night out, whether it’s a party, after-work happy hour or dinner with friends.”
The interior of the restaurant, designed by Bea Interiors, is chic, sophisticated, and vibey with moody direct and indirect lighting, high ceilings, posh befeathered chandeliers, and plush velvet chairs. An expansive art installation greets guests; a wall-sized portrait – a collection of pop culture notables, Hollywood greats, and famed musicians – inspired by The Wedding Feast at Cana by Paolo Beronese. Staying true to the brand, the restaurant is filled with signature designer art pieces.
Crudos Art House seats 84 including both the upstairs and downstairs areas.
Crudos Art House is located at 2415 Ponce De Leon in Coral Gables, Florida 33134. Crudos Art House will be open for dinner on Thursdays from 5:30PM to 12AM; Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30PM to 2AM; and Sundays from 5:30PM to 12AM. Brunch will be available Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30AM to 2:30PM.
