Stephen Starr and Justin Smillie to Open Upland in Miami Beach

Stephen Starr is expanding his Miami Beach empire with the announcement of yet another restaurant.

This time, the restaurateur is collaborating with chef Justin Smillie to bring New York City's Upland to South Beach.

The restaurant, located at 49 Collins Ave., is scheduled to open this fall and will feature California-inspired cuisine in a bistro-like setting.

The flagship Upland, located at 345 Park Ave. South, was given a rave review by New York Times' Pete Wells, including the directive that readers "go to Upland." Wells specifically praised the restaurant's pork chop, calling it a "sensation." Vegetarians should be pleased that Wells named Chef Smillie a "vegetable sage."

Though the menu at the South Beach outpost isn't set yet, a representative for the restaurant said it will be very similar to the New York offerings, with some slight adaptations for Miami Beach. In that case, expect pastas such as bucatini cacio e pepe and agnolotti ricotta with black trumpets.  

One can only hope that the much-loved grilled Berkshire pork blade with Meyer lemon and wild spring onions makes it to SoBe. If prices are in line with New York's, expect to pay an average of $20 for a pasta dish or small plate and $32 to $38 for an entrée.
Simillie, a native of San Bernadino, California, takes a seasonal approach to his New York restaurant, so expect menu items to change.

The chef, along with Kitty Greenwald, is the author of  Slow Fires: Mastering New Ways to Braise, Roast, and Grill. The book was a nominee for a 2016 James Beard Award. In addition to publishing a glowing two-star review for Upland, the New York Times gave Manhattan's Il Buco Alimentari three stars under the chef's watch. 

Upland will mark Starr's fifth active South Florida restaurant, along with Steak 954, Makoto, the Continental, and Le Zoo.