This week, we hear the Athens-based upscale Greek fishery, Milos Estiatorio is moving to 81 Washington Ave, at the former Au Pied de Cochon space. The restaurant's expected open date is October 2011, according to a search on the restaurant's website.
Milos currently has restaurants in Montreal and New York, where the powerful and rich make deals over fresh seafood instead of steak. The restaurant also owns a 56-foot motor yacht, available for charter in the Greek islands.
The New York restaurant, especially, has a large celebrity clientele, party due to its location directly across the street from CBS headquarters and a block from Carnegie Hall. Regulars include Woody Allen and David Letterman. An episode of Sex and the City was even filmed at the famous restaurant.
The restaurant's heart is a large display of colorful fish on ice in the room's center. Just about every fish in bold tropical hues lies on its cold display, waiting for guests to choose the catch of their liking, as staff stand by to identify and extoll the virtues of each sea creature. These specimens are so fresh, it looks as though they're about to jump back into the water and swim away.
Milos should do very well in Miami Beach. The company's philosophy is to use the highest end products sourced locally whenever possible (with exotic fish flown in daily from the Mediterranean). With the waters of Miami and the Keys at their doorstep, we look forward to their take on our local fresh seafood bounty.
On the other end of the Greek restaurant spectrum, Taverna Opa is usually not known for low-key power dining -- unless you think smashing your plates on the floor as you pound ouzo is low key. The South Beach outlet of the restaurant is set to close on August 1 and re-open at Mary Brickell Village. According to the property management office, Taverna Opa will occupy two spaces on the second floor of the village, although the exact opening date is not set.
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