Central Park Miami (1300 S Miami Ave., Miami) is one of those downtown projects that seems like it's never going to happen, another vacant lot with a sign post ... we have to see it to believe it. So bravo to those behind the project, which includes old-guard South Beach nightlife wizard Bobby Brandt. This new space is a multi-use facility that has transformed what was once an empty building with a vacant lot next to it, into a functional indoor and outdoor venue.
A wide open 10,000-square-foot area termed "The Meadow" will provide plenty of event space for performances and festivals, and dining options include two new eateries -- a Bavarian-style "bier house," and Japanese restaurant Akashi, which currently has two locations in South Miami and Coconut Grove.
The Brickell Bier Garden plans to offer a wealth of German beers not often found in the United States, as well a choice list of
micro-brews. A Bavarian infused menu by executive chef Abigail Fellows
will make use of locally sourced product and has us happily expecting
sausage rolls with cider kraut and freshly baked pretzels with beer laden mustard.
Larry and Barbara Chi opened the first Akashi in the early '90s, the soon-to-open Brickell locale with mark their third outpost. Akashi's menu offers the traditional range of meat and fish served teriyaki or katsu style, in addition to slightly strange sushi combo's like the "candy roll," which is stuffed with crab salad and topped with eel. There will be a wide range of sake imports as well.
As of now, Central Park Miami is slated to open later this fall, but there is an Oktoberfest preview event where you'll get a glimpse of Brickell Bier Garden's German fare.
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