September was a trying month for Miami. Hurricane Irma destroyed many homes in the Florida Keys; then Maria struck the Caribbean, affecting many Miamians with family in Puerto Rico and the neighboring islands.
At this point, we all need a little break. This weekend, why not take yourself out for a treat? Last month saw the opening of several restaurants with something for every taste and budget. From paletas you can share with your pup to seafood straight off the boat, here are five places to try this weekend:
Stiltsville Fish Bar Opens in Sunset Harbour
Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth's long-awaited Stiltsville Fish Bar is open. The two-story space, previously home to Joe Allen and PB Steak, has been given a revamp by the seafood-centric restaurant, a partnership between the two chefs and Grove Bay Hospitality Group. According to Booth, Miamians have a soft spot for the location. "Everyone that we speak to has a history with this particular space," she says. "We've been hearing that people are excited to see this place alive again." 1787 Purdy Ave., Miami Beach; stiltsvillefishbar.com.
Jeremy Ford's Stubborn Seed Opens in South Beach
Nearly six months after Jeremy Ford announced his departure from Matador Room, the Top Chef winner returns to Miami Beach with the opening of his first restaurant, Stubborn Seed, in the South of Fifth neighborhood. The name is a nod to the persistence required to open a restaurant, Ford told New Times this past July. "The name means a lot to us," he said. "It's our stubborn approach to what we do and what we purchase." 101 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 786-322-5211; stubbornseed.com.
Cielito Artisan Pops Offers Cool Treats for You and Your Pup
Cielito Artisan Pops is now open in Wynwood, where it serves customized treats on a stick. Cofounder Sindy Posso, an architect by trade, says she always wanted to have her hand in the kitchen. The concept of artisan pops was inspired at home. "In my family, we have a background of ice cream and cakes," Posso says. "My grandmother baked, and I had all her recipes. The idea is a play on her idea, and we wanted to keep it just like my grandmother would do it. We source locally and back-to-basics, using hormone-free dairy and seasonal fruit." 2750 NW Third Ave., Suite 20A, Miami; 305-397-7392.
BLT Steak Opens in South Beach With a Latin Twist
Despite the chaos surrounding Hurricane Irma, BLT Steak, which opened less than three weeks ago, has maintained focus. Though the storm hit days after the restaurant's debut, management and staff quickly returned when Miami Beach reopened. Located inside the new Iberostar Berkeley Hotel, previously the Berkeley Shore Hotel, the restaurant churns out doughy popovers, large seafood displays, and a selection of beef. 1610 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 786-605-0819; bltrestaurants.com/blt-steak/miami.
Frost Science Museum's Onsite Restaurant Food@Science Now Open
Four months after the grand opening of the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Food@Science — the museum's onsite restaurant — has finally debuted. Located at the south end of the science complex's atrium, the eatery is headed by 35-year-old Tony Terho, a 2002 graduate of the Florida Culinary Institute. 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-434-9600; frostscience.org.